In today’s Kansas City Star, Highland Outdoor was named the 9th Largest Landscape Company in Kansas City.

See the entire list here.

An accompanying article on the changing business of landscapers to design-build was featured as well. Check it out online here, or read it in its entirety below:

Landscapers not just about the green: Demand grows for hardscapes

By ROBERT COLE
The Kansas City StarAt several of the area’s largest landscaping companies, the annual rites of spring have included offering basic lawn, tree and irrigation services for 20 years or more.

But these professionals say that the traditional definition of landscaping is changing from what it was less than two decades ago.

Instead of focusing on green goods like lawns, trees and flowers, more clients are requesting exterior design-build projects that include everything outside the home’s four walls, said Jason Cupp, president and CEO of Highland Outdoor in Olathe.

Rather than hiring contractors, homeowners now want landscaping professionals who can design and create an entire project, which can mean a backyard pool, a gazebo or spacious patio areas built with custom pavers.

The requests for hardscape services have increased competition within the industry, Cupp said.

“Our clients want things faster and more nimble now than ever before,” Cupp said. “It’s hard because this is an industry that can’t make a lot of shortcuts.”

The expense of creating a custom-designed outdoor living area can run to $100,000 or more, but there can be a significant return on the investment.

“The single most important factor in marketing a property is curb appeal and landscaping is 90 percent of that,” said Robert Schock, director of property management for the Yarco Co. Inc. in Kansas City.

Yarco’s landscaping needs range from its niche of affordable housing in urban areas to upscale senior properties like Truman Farm Villas in Grandview.

Though it’s important to keep costs low in the current economy, it’s difficult to cut back on landscaping budgets because of the value it brings to marketing a property, Schock said.

Some local professionals recently have noticed a change in the landscaping process.

Instead of simply planting a few shrubs and annuals every year, clients want to go ahead with their patios and outdoor spaces and put the green in second, said Gary Weidenbach, president and CEO of Rosehill Gardens Inc. in south Kansas City.

“People are very involved in their landscaping now,” Weidenbach said. “It’s part of their personality.”

The demand for more complex services is creating an increased need for employees with degrees and certifications in a variety of specialties.

More than 20 of Rosehill’s employees have landscape-related degrees or have earned lawn and landscape certifications. About 50 other employees have earned professional designations as lawn technicians and chemical applicators.

Cupp was one of the first area landscapers to receive designation as a certified landscape professional from the Professional Landcare Network, a trade association that represents more than 4,200 landscaping companies in North America.

Cupp recently was named president of the association, which also is the national certifying organization for certified landscape technicians and several other industry designations.

The industry will continue to grow if landscaping companies recognize that each customer has their own ideas and needs for their particular project, Cupp said.

But landscapers will need to hire more specialized help as their business grows.

“We encourage our members to pursue different levels of education,” Cupp said, “but we also advise them to hire people that can help them be good at something else.”

Congratulations to EACH incredible business on this years list… We’re proud to be on the list with such an awesome group of quality contractors!

Here is a link to our latest editorial column in Kansas City Home Improvement Resource - March and April 2008. I wrote on the types of maintenance that clients could do themselves at their homes, or work that should done by a professional lawn and landscape firm. Of course, most of our clients have us provide them comprehensive services, but for those that want to do some themselves, this could be a good resource.

It’s funny, I’ve already gotten great responses from the story - including a few friends I haven’t seen in quite a while….

Happy Spring! It’s 70 degrees outside today!

Highland Outdoor CEO Jason Cupp, CLP, was interviewed for an article for the January/February 2008 Kansas City Homes and Gardens on creating curb appeal. Read the entire article here.

There are also several photos of Highland Outdoor projects in the article.

Stop by our office and pick up an actual FREE copy of the magazine - available every month at our office in Olathe near 119th and Blackbob.

In November of 2007, I agreed to write a column for every issue of the magazine, Kansas City Home Improvement Resource. I was impressed with the publication, as the publisher, RJ Scott, had been dropping off complimentary copies at our office every time it came out. It ended up on my desk, and I would read it… When RJ offered me a column, it was an easy decision.

Here is a link to my January/February 2008 Column, on the misconceptions of exterior Design/Build companies, how they operate, and the type of turn-key product they provide.

I’m humbled to be considered for such a publication - it’s a joy to bring to Kansas City what we have been delivering to our clients all these years. I hope you enjoy my column every two months.

Visit KCHIR online here.

————————————————————————

NEWS Contact: Vicki Bendure, APR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (540) 687-3360 or
Lisa Schaumann
(540) 687-5099

PROFESSIONAL LANDCARE NETWORK DONATES SERVICES
TO ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY AND HISTORIC
CONGRESSIONAL CEMETERY AND VISITS CAPITOL HILL
— A $300,000 Environmental Gift to the American People —

HERNDON, Va., July 24, 2007 — The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) held their most successful “Renewal & Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery and Historic Congressional Cemetery” event on Monday, July 16, 2007.

More than 400 volunteers from across the nation brought their crews to Arlington National and Historic Congressional cemeteries and spent the day mulching, caring for and cabling trees with lightning protection, pruning, liming, planting, and aerating as well as installing an irrigation system at Arlington National Cemetery. This gift is valued at more than $300,000 in services and work.

“This was an opportunity for us to demonstrate our professional skills and care for two important American monuments,” stated PLANET President Jim Martin, CLP. Many PLANET members have special connections at the cemeteries either through relatives and friends who are buried there or through their own military service.

The day began at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony featuring a joint color guard and speaker presentations that dedicated the day of work to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. The children of PLANET members planted flowers and presented a wreath to the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

“This is PLANET’s most significant project this year,” notes Tom Shotzbarger, CLP, CLT, CTP, COLP, CTP-CSL, a PLANET member and the chairman of the event. “The natural beauty and quiet grace of Arlington National Cemetery make it a place that we feel compelled to protect and take care of. This extremely worthwhile, meaningful project demonstrates our honor and remembrance of America’s veterans and leaders.” Shotzbarger also noted that this event, in its 11th year, was the largest ever held. “We began working on Friday because there was so much more to do than in years past,” Shotzbarger explained. More than 1,400 trees, bedding plants and shrubs were planted.

On Tuesday, July 17, PLANET and Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) members visited their congressional leaders on Capitol Hill and spoke with them about issues facing the green industry, including comprehensive immigration reform. This Legislative Day on the Hill event was held by PLANET and TCIA.

PLANET THANKS ITS PARTICIPATING COMPANIES, SPONSORS, AND DONORS!

PARTICIPATING COMPANIES:
….
Highland Outdoor
….
PLATINUM SPONSORS:
Bayer Environmental Science
Husqvarna
Syngenta Professional Products

GOLD SPONSORS:
Dow AgroSciences
IMERYS
John Deere
John Deere Landscapes/LESCO
Nufarm Turf & Specialty

SILVER SPONSORS:
BASF Corporation
FMC Corporation
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
Vermeer Manufacturing

BRONZE SPONSORS:
The Andersons, Inc.
Helena Chemical Company
MAS Labor (Mid-Atlantic Solutions, Inc.)
PBI Gordon Corp.
Workforce Advantage

DONORS:
Angelica Nurseries, Inc.
Arbor Landscapers, Inc.
K&H Lawn Services, Inc
Manor View Farm
Premier Tech Biotechnologies
Riverbend Nursery
Shemin Nurseries, Inc.
The Tankard Nurseries
Wentworth Nursery

PLANET is the association of members who create and maintain the QUALITY OF LIFE in communities across America. With more than 4,200 member companies and affiliates, these firms and their employees represent more than 100,000 green industry professionals.

For more information, visit www.LandcareNetwork.org, or call the PLANET office at (800) 395-2522.

To find a PLANET professional in your area, visit www.LandcareNetwork.org/findaprofessional, or call the PLANET office at
(800) 395-2522.

————————————————————————

Jason and I had the opportunity to travel to North Carolina June 12 through 14 to visit some of Caterpillar’s facilities. We were given the privilege to speak to a group of engineers and marketing folks at a seminar about the green industry. We were joined by Kent Pelligrini, CAT skid steer and multi-terrain loader industry manager, during our presentation. Kent started the presentation with a broad overview of the green industry – from landscaping and maintenance to nurseries to design/build projects. Jason gave a more in-depth view of our business and what we do as a company. My part consisted of telling everyone what I do in my position as a salesman, designer and project manager to better give them an understanding of my day-to-day tasks and how their machines assist me with my job. Jason finished up the presentation with an overview of PLANET and the beneficial relationships with companies like CAT.

The rest of our day at Caterpillar consisted of a factory tour and some product testing. CAT has started the manufacture of its new product line (the C series) of skid steer and multi-terrain loaders, which be got to see being built in the factory. The factory we toured manufactures every Caterpillar skid loader in the world. Jason and I were able to demo some of the new C series loaders, which was great because they aren’t even on the market quite yet.

Our trip to North Carolina was beneficial to us and the Caterpillar compact equipment division. We learned a lot about each other’s businesses and operations. Even though it was fun to travel and see new places and facilities, there was a valuable and great amount of information distributed between the companies, beneficial to both.

(PHOTO:  Mitch chats with Cat Representatives Kent and Dave regarding the new C-Series, as well as some added features to our Cat machine at their skid steer factory outside Raleigh, NC.)

Earlier this year, we were interviewed by Kansas City Homes and Gardens freelance writer Gloria Gale on some of the high-end swimming pools we’ve constructed and consulted on - here is the article that came out in last months issue.

Making Waves
 
Today’s swimming pools offer functional and creative extensions to your outdoor lifestyle. Dive in and see what’s new.

By Gloria Gale

Once merely a blue box surrounded by blazing concrete, the swimming pool of yesterday is fast becoming as big a relic as bathing caps and Bermuda shorts.

“Finally, technology and design for today’s backyard pool has merged in very creative ways,” says Jason Cupp, CLP, owner of      Highland Outdoor. “What people want is more than a pool; they want to create a resort feeling in their own backyard…a slice of ‘the good life,’ reflecting original design and their own personality.”

It must be contagious. According to the National Spa and Pool Institute, more than 8 million people worldwide are eager to shell out a considerable amount of money to sculpt a backyard into an outdoor living space with the swimming pool as the focal point.

To read the rest of the article, go to the KCHG website, direct link here.

With the weather getting warmer everyday, it is very apparent that summer is here. Many of you will be spending time outdoors enjoying the great weather with your family and loved ones. Beautiful flowers and greenery are sure to catch your eye. However, there are some tiny little visitors that are not so easy to see that are out roaming around. Ticks.

Here are some helpful tips when dealing with the pesky little bugs courtesy of NC State University, A&T State University Cooperative Extension and written by Al Cooke, Agricultural Extension Agent.

What can you do to reduce your risk?

• In woods and parks, stay on wide paths and roads when possible. Avoid brushing against vegetation.
• When practical, layer your clothing; tuck pants into socks, shirttail into pants.
• Wear light colored clothing to make ticks easier to see.
• Use commercial insect repellents on exposed areas (see cautions below).
• Before stretching out for lunch on the ground, drag a piece of white fabric over the grass and shrubs to inspect for ticks
• When in tick infested areas, examine your clothes and body at least twice a day. Frequent examination reduces the opportunity for a tick to attach itself. And a tick must be attached for at least six hours to transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Once a tick has attached itself to you, there’s no need for alarm. It happens eventually to most folks who work out of doors. There are some steps you need to take to minimize risk. First step is to not listen to all the home remedies (gasoline, petroleum jelly, hot matches, etc.) Use tweezers or a folded tissue paper to reduce the possible spread of disease organisms that can penetrate even microscopic pores in the skin. Grasp the body of the tick and pull firmly without twisting or jerking. Pull straight away until the tick is pulled free.

• If the tick’s mouthparts break off, remove them with a sterilized needle as you would a splinter.
• Preserve the tick in alcohol for later identification if necessary.
• Wash the area with soap and water followed with an antiseptic such as alcohol.
• Wash your hands with soap and water.
• Note the date of the tick bite on your calendar. If symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever or Lyme disease develop, your doctor may want to know the date of the bite.