Episode Information: Fourth installment in a new ideacast series called The Grow Show with industry experts Ed Laflamme and Bill Arman.

Episode Information: The third in a series of business management podcasts with industry experts Bill Arman and Ed Laflamme of The Harvest Group.

Episode Information: The Harvest Group's Bill Arman and Ed Laflamme detail three steps vital to a successful marketing plan for landscape contractors.

Episode Information: With more pesticides being banned in Canada, lawn and landscape professionals in the U.S. need to take a serious at becoming actively involved in local and state discussions regarding pesticides, before it's too late.

Episode Information: With this podcast, Lawn & Landscape is launching a new series called The Grow Show with Ed Laflamme and Bill Arman. Through regular content-rich, quick-hitting podcasts, the series aims to address pressing business issues that contractors are current facing in their businesses.

Episode Information: Project EverGreen's new initiative to support America's military families encourages everyone to donate $1 (or $5 or $10).

Episode Information: With the high cost of fertilizers, increasing phosphorus bans and financial pressure to reduce callbacks, soil testing and analysis is a critical part of the turf maintenance equation. Chuck Darrah, Ph.D, consulting landscape agronomist, discusses the benefits of soil testing and clears up common misperceptions.

Episode Information: Schiller Grounds Care may represent a new name for landscape contractors and commercial dealers, but it’s seven brands --Bobcat, Bunton, Ryan, Steiner, Classen, Little Wonder and Mantis -- are well-known. Schiller President Pat Cappucci shared his insight on the recent merger, the company’s brand focus and his enthusiasm for the outdoor power equipment industry.

Episode Information: PLANET’s new Day of Service gives lawn and landscape companies – of all sizes – a chance to give back to their local communities and impart their passion for the green industry. It can be the ultimate community service event bringing together contractors, suppliers, clients and consumers together to enhance the environment.

Episode Information: In a tight economy, marketing is one of the first items many contractors cut from their budgets in effort to cuts costs. But marketing expert and author Sharan Jagpal says contractors should put their scissors away and recommit to their marketing efforts. “In a recession, it’s harder to gain new customers, to convince existing customers to buy more of your services and to win back customers who have left,” Jagpal says. “So companies often need to be spending more money -- not less. They just need to be smart about it.” In this podcast, Jagpal discusses the importance of focusing on the right marketing efforts and making solid decisions to generate more sales in a down economy.

Episode Information: In a wide ranging interview with industry veterans, Dan Ariens, president of Ariens Co., and Fred Whyte, president of STIHL, discuss the opportunities dealers have today over Big Box stores working as a resource to their customers despite seemingly overwhelming challenges. For instance, a recessionary time can be used introspectively to do the creative things a dealer should have done a long time ago.

Episode Information: The sustainability movement is gaining momentum, but is not well-defined. It's an opportunity for landscape contractors to query customers and help define the role of sustainability in the landscape industry.

Episode Information: Fire ant programs -- either as an add-on service or regular monthly service -- can help boost revenues for lawn and landscape professionals.

Episode Information: The North American Equipment Dealers Association introduced a new Power Pro Program offering accreditation to dealers who operate their businesses under a set of industry standards that measure sales and service performance. Joe Dykes, NAEDA associate director of outdoor power equipment programs said the program also contributes to improving the public’s perception of outdoor power equipment dealers, and how this is the first step toward a movement to create an industry-wide certification for dealers.

Episode Information: Suppliers and end-users of snow throwers face an assortment of challenges this winter including a tough economy, potential equipment shortages due to Tecumseh closing its Tennessee engine plant and an always unpredictable snow season. Mike Zawacki, editor of GIE Media’s Snow magazine, talks with Dan Ariens, president of Ariens Co., about these critical industry issues.

Episode Information: John Felmy, chief economist for the American Petroleum Institute, discusses oil product pricing, forward-thinking thoughts and policy with regard to the new administration.

Episode Information: Weed Man USA introduces a series of eight Webinars designed to help lawn and landscape professionals grow their businesses.

Episode Information: Established in more than 100 U.S. franchise locations, Weed Man now launches its brand to a broader market hoping to appeal to displaced workers or first-time business owners.

Episode Information: The following is a Q&A with Vince Shiely, senior vice president/president of Briggs & Stratton Yard Power Products Group as Ferris unveiled its new EVOLUTION compact zero turn. Shiely takes a few moments to talk exclusively with Lawn & Landscape/Commercial Dealer about the green industry, the state of the outdoor power equipment dealer network, the overall economy and the impact of innovation on a company’s success.

Episode Information: Husqvarna Professional Products President Dave Zerfoss disusses his goals and objectives for integrating four brands under the Husqvarna umbrella.

Episode Information: The lawn care industry gains a new insecticide and Chuck Silcox, global product manager for turf and ornamentals at Dupont, discusses the speedy registration process.

Episode Information: Wise business owners should declare war on your business. Industry consultant and Lawn & Landscape collaborator Ed Laflamme, discusses going back to basics and following sound business principles. Pointers include taking steps to continue growing your business – especially profitable business – reduce your overhead and work more efficiently.

Episode Information: Landscape contractors are both challenged and distracted on the way to building a $1 million company – a common benchmark or goal for small business owners. Ken Hutcheson, president of U.S. Lawns, discusses producing and managing revenue on the way to building a sustainable business.

Episode Information: Lawn & Landscape talks with Morgan about his plans to increase distribution, continue focus on alternative fuels.

Episode Information: Mike Zawacki, Editor of GIE Media’s Snow Magazine, talks to Dick Hanneman, president of the Salt Institute about rock salt availability, price drivers and deicing options.

Episode Information: Lawn & Landscape columnist Jim Huston shares back to basic tips for keeping your business running efficiently in today's economy.

Episode Information: In anticipation of next month’s Dealer Experience, at the GIE + EXPO in Louisville, Ariens President Dan Ariens discusses the state of the dealer marketplace and the need to focus on service while reinvesting in your facilities during these tough economic times.

Episode Information: Aquascape's Ed Beaulieu talks about his recently added title, chief sustainability officer, what it means and how the company works toward sustainability (with some explanation from Founder and CEO Greg Wittstock).

Episode Information: Aquascape's Chief Sustainability Officer Ed Beaulieu describes the rainwater harvesting system that was used in the company's Extreme Pond Build event.

Episode Information: Aquascape Founder and CEO Greg Wittstock, along with Chief Sustainability Officer Ed Beaulieu, wrap up the invite-only pond build event.

Episode Information: Project EverGreen initiatives are capturing the attention of professional contractors and consumers.

Episode Information: Dave Shetlar, Ph.D. (known as The Bug Doc) of Ohio State University, provides his prediction for the grub population this fall in Ohio and similar regions.

Episode Information: Exclusive interview with Bob Walker, president of Walker Manufacturing, Ft. Collins, CO.

Episode Information: Scott Inman from Roots/Novozymes discusses strategies for enhancing turf and ornamental health.

Episode Information: More than 50 Texas landscape companies install beds at the Texas State Fair in Dallas each year. Johnette Taylor, president of Roundree Landscaping and the subject of our April cover story, talks about the impetus for this program.

Episode Information: Irrigation trainer Toni Monzón from the Bilingual Training Institute discusses two keys to maximizing the efficiency of ET controllers -- field data and system performance.

Episode Information: Landscape designer discusses new and undiscovered plant varieties that can spice up a client's landscape.

Episode Information: Attorney at law David Umbaugh discusses the seven steps to planning a successful business exit strategy.

Episode Information: Kathy Stokes-Shafer discusses how and why landscape professionals can be environmentally friendly.

Episode Information: Baldwin Wallace College Business Professor Dr. K. Kay Potetz discusses how by understanding and changing his or her own behavior, a landscape business owner can ultimately better manage time and employees.

Episode Information: During the Ohio Landscape Association's WinterGreen Expo, Dr. K. Kay Potetz gave attendees a test so they can check their paper management skills and then some tips to avoid the paper shuffle and, ultimately, the time wasted as a result.

Episode Information: Lawn & Landscape's Heather Wood interviews the executive director of Project EverGreen about updates on the association's Green Care for Troops program.