March in to Spring with the Crocus
When diving into the history of different plants it more often than not more interesting than the actual biological development of the plant. If you delve deeply enough it is about how the plant has moved throughout the world and it fits into history. The crocus is no different. It was first cultivated and grown […]
How bad has this winter been?
OK, raise your hand if you are one of us that feels like it is never going to stop snowing this winter. Mother Nature started us off with a bang in November with some light accumulations leading up to the big Thanksgiving blast that left seven to eleven inches on the ground in the northwest […]
Happy 50th Birthday ILT Vignocchi!!
Turning 50 is such a milestone for any business. Dips in the economy, increasing regulations, labor issues and shortages. There are so many ways a company can get off track. As I contemplate where we have been, of course I think of our unwavering reputation for integrity, artistry and quality. You consider the massive golf […]
Turf Management: Adjusting to Drought
If your property does not have an automated irrigation system and you have not watered your turf regularly this summer, you may have noticed it is turning brown, indicating it is reacting to the impact of the summer drought we are in the midst of here in the northern Chicagoland area. Your grass has a […]
Why I do it might be simpler than you think
I think when I started working for my dad 24 years ago, he thought, “she’ll get bored, find something she loves and move on.” What I think both of us didn’t expect is that I did, find something I loved. There is so much that I love about our company. I was first struck by […]
Memories of rain and trains
This morning one of my two favorite moments happened simultaneously…laying in bed while it is still dark out listening to the rain and hearing the distant sound of a train’s horn. It might seem like a simple thing, but simple things can transport us back to simpler times. The sound of a train blowing it’s […]
Find a little peace in what nature provides
Recently I had an interesting experience… It was a Sunday morning after a particularly stressful week and I decided to wake early and make our weekly grocery store run, by myself, for some piece and quiet. I was seeking some room for my mind to wonder, relax, only contemplating freshness of produce and what to […]
Benefits of Fall Planting
Most of us love fall, but plants love it even MORE! Most people think of fall as the end of the growing season and the beginning glimpse of another Chicago winter. Well try to look at it as an ideal time to plant! Fall is a perfect time for planting shrubs, trees, grass seed, and […]
“Water, water, everywhere, | Nor any drop to drink” – The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Considering all of the rain Mother Nature has blessed us with over the last few months, automated irrigation systems are hardly first and foremost on most of our minds right now. However, summer heat and dry weather will be upon us soon and keeping landscapes lush and green will once again be the focus of […]
Scholarship Thank You Letter
As an founding ambassador in NALP’s Education Foundation (National Association of Landscape Professionals), a scholarship in our name is given to a qualified candidate who is enthusiastic about learning and contributing to our industry. Most years we receive a kind not of gratitude tell us a little bit more about the student who receives the […]