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Aeration |
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[2,204,050 bytes]
Regular aeration is an important factor in the cultivation of a healthy stand of
turf grass. Take a core sample before aerating to view the moisture and compaction of the soil and the depth of the thatch layer.
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Annuals and Perennials |
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[436,347 bytes]
Annuals are used in combinations to create eye catching borders or accents in the summer landscape. They are also ideally suited to growing in containers and hanging baskets.
Perennials encompass a wide variation of plants with every colour and texture and height imaginable.
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Automatic Irrigation Systems 1 |
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[1,368,907 bytes]
Backflow Prevention Devices installed near the point of connection (where the irrigation system connects to the water supply) to eliminate the possibility of water contamination.
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Automatic Irrigation Systems 2 |
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[911,331 bytes]
Laterals are the smaller pipes that supply water to the sprinklers. PVC or polyethylene pipe is generally used. Laterals are placed in a trench, or installed with a pipe puller that pulls the pipe into place beneath the soil.
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Back Cover |
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[13,403,416 bytes]
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Circle Checks |
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[1,887,823 bytes]
For safety reasons, vehicle inspection reports – completed by doing a circle check are required by law on every commercial vehicle every 24 hours if the vehicle is in use.
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Common Sense Safety |
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[248,236 bytes]
In many instances, working safely is simply common sense. By paying attention to your surroundings and using common sense precautions you demonstrate the fundamentals of safety and accident prevention.
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Concrete |
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[652,912 bytes]
Concrete is a versatile, low maintenance
material that has many applications in the landscape. It can be used to create walkways, patios, walls, and other hard
surfaces.
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Defensive Driving |
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[676,698 bytes]
Defensive driving techniques assume everyone else on the road is not paying attention and that something unexpected is just about to happen around the corner.
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Dethatching |
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[884,293 bytes]
Thatch is the build up of grass clippings and other organic debris at the soil surface. A thin layer of thatch (6 mm) is necessary in a healthy lawn, but can build up to become an impenetrable mass that repels water and harbours insects and pests. The organic
matter in thatch also ties up nutrients and horticultural products applied to the turf. Turfgrass roots can grow out
of the soil and up into a thick layer of thatch, leaving them extremely vulnerable in event of a drought.
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Edging |
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[1,548,362 bytes]
Edging is used to create and define areas and spaces like turf or plant beds, reduces maintenance in the garden, and keeps mulch within a prescribed space. Installing edging is fairly straightforward but there are some issues to consider when choosing and
installing your material.
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Fertilizer |
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[686,729 bytes]
Fertilizer consists of three macro-nutrients and many micro-nutrients. The macro-elements are Nitrogen (N),
Phosphorous(P) and Potassium (K).
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Fertilizer Application |
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[795,448 bytes]
There are several types of fertilizer spreaders: Broadcast spreader holds fertilizer in a hopper, where it drops down onto a spinner and is broadcast over a wide area in each pass. Broadcast
spreaders may be hand-held (for small areas), walk-behind or motorized for large areas.
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Fire Extinguishers |
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[293,587 bytes]
A natural reaction is to aim the extinguisher at the flames, but the correct way to use an extinguisher is to
aim it directly at the fuel.
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Grading and Drainage |
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[1,027,877 bytes]
Grading means reshaping the topography of a site. Grading can add interest to a landscape site, solve many problems and promote proper drainage.
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How to Conduct Successful On-Site Sessions |
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[1,146,540 bytes]
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Integrated Pest Management 1 |
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[267,609 bytes]
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an
ecological approach to the management of plant health problems. The founding
principle of IPM is to prevent pest problems from occurring by providing ideal conditions for healthy plant growth. IPM managers monitor sites
regularly and if pest problems warrant intervention, the least toxic control is considered first.
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Integrated Pest Management 2 |
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[225,800 bytes]
IPM is a decision making process based on correct plant management techniques, monitoring for pests, careful record keeping and controlling pests using reduced-risk products only when necessary.
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Interlocking Concrete Paving Stones |
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[2,632,475 bytes]
Use site plan to determine proper measurements for area and excavation depth. Excavation depth = height of paver + thickness of sand layer + depth of base material.
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Irrigation Repair |
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[699,684 bytes]
Occasionally a landscape crew will cut an irrigation line. A simple line break should be quickly repaired before more damage to the surrounding landscape occurs from water loss in the line. If you have cut it by digging, the break can be easy to spot, but sometimes the weight of equipment on the surface can cause a line break below that is more difficult to pinpoint.
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Landscape Fabric |
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[264,265 bytes]
Landscape fabric is a tool to reduce garden maintenance. It creates a physical barrier that blocks light, so weeds cannot grow. If weeds do grow up through the fabric, they are reacting to light coming through tiny holes in the fabric, so the most effective landscape
fabric is a non-woven synthetic product with very small holes that don’t let a lot of light through.
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Landscape OnSites Front Cover |
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[16,175,311 bytes]
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Large Equipment Maintenance |
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[733,798 bytes]
Companies make a significant investment in large equipment – and each piece must be maintained properly to keep it operating efficiently and safely. Basic maintenance checks should be part of the
circle checklist that is completed before the operator starts up the engine each day.
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Laying Sod |
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[852,552 bytes]
Sod should be laid as soon as possible after it is delivered, as it will heat up if the rolls remain on the skid. Only use good quality, weed-free sod that does not tear or break during handling.
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Leaf Blowers |
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[859,736 bytes]
Leaf blowers are an efficient labour-saving tool used to clean up leaves, or remove grass clippings and debris from paved areas. A leaf blower is much more cost efficient and labour efficient than using a rake or a broom. Unfortunately the over use and abuse of leaf blowers has led some cities to try to ban then, or at least place restrictions on their use. For the landscape industry to continue to use leaf blowers, we must use them with care and courtesy to neighbours and passers-by.
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Levels and Leveling |
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[889,047 bytes]
Reshaping or grading the surface of the land (see Grading and Drainage) requires exact vertical and horizontal measurements so that the landscape designer’s planned grade changes can be made correctly. Surveying, using a level, is an accurate way to take vertical measurements.
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Maintaining Healthy Turf |
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[248,073 bytes]
A healthy lawn will out compete weed and disease infestation and reduce the need for preventative chemicals. In addition, correct maintenance practices help create a lawn that has a greater tolerance to the effects of heat and drought.
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Mowing |
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[1,692,129 bytes]
Before starting the mower check that the spark plug is connected, the engine filter is clean and the gas tank and oil reservoir are full.
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Nightlighting |
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[367,218 bytes]
Adding outdoor lighting to a well designed landscape can bring a new dimension to the plantings. In addition, a carefully designed lighting plan can increase safety
and security around the home.
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) |
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[2,074,021 bytes]
Wearing PPE on the job should be treated as a part of your working uniform.
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Plan Reading |
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[242,707 bytes]
Landscape plans are created to scale – this means there is a direct relationship between the distances on the drawing and the actual distances on the site. Scales are used to measure distances on plans.
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Plant Growth and Development |
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[247,903 bytes]
Ornamental plants are categorized as either woody or herbaceous.
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Plant Handling & Transportation |
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[267,087 bytes]
Plants should be protected during delivery to the job site so there is no damage to the branches, root ball or desiccation of leaves (dry out). Where ever possible plants should be transported in an enclosed truck. Large trees in the back of a truck or trailer,
should be covered with a mesh tarpaulin to prevent damage and windburn.
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Plant Installation |
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[267,324 bytes]
Plants are usually one of the final elements to be installed in the landscape. They should be delivered to the job site on the day they are to be
planted. If the plants cannot be installed the day of delivery they should be watered and placed in a protected area out of the wind and direct sun.
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Plant Layout |
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[460,350 bytes]
Installing the plants is usually one of the final steps in landscape construction. A planting plan is prepared by the designers to show the correct placement of plants in the landscape.
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Plant Selection 1 |
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[349,682 bytes]
Matching the right plant to the right place is one of the keys to creating a successful landscape.
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Plant Selection 2 |
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[1,970,560 bytes]
Urban planting conditions hold specific challenges to plants including air pollution, road salts, confined root space and heavily compacted soil from
either pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Be sure to choose plants that can overcome these limitations.
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Plate Compactor |
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[1,901,609 bytes]
The secret to success with interlocking
paving stones is to start with a well compacted base. Plate compactors are a heavy piece of equipment used to vibrate and tamp the base layer when laying pavers.
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Pruning |
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[2,601,505 bytes]
Trimming or thinning branches from trees and shrubs is called pruning. It is carried out to improve the health or control the growth of a plant. Pruning is also done to prevent safety hazards, such as removing tree limbs that overhang a house, or removing a weak, narrow crotch.
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Quick-Cut Saw |
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[2,237,870 bytes]
Quick-cut saws are powerful, portable tools used to cut concrete and stone in the landscape industry. They use diamond-tipped, carbide-tipped blades or abrasive disks to cut material. Diamond abrasive disks must be water cooled as they generate a great deal of heat while cutting. Once the engine is running it exhausts poisonous fumes, so should never be operated indoors.
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Refueling |
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[325,999 bytes]
Gasoline must be handled carefully. It is highly flammable and volatile.
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Retaining Walls |
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[914,939 bytes]
Retaining walls have many uses in the landscape. They can be used to create
level planting areas, raised beds, to physically separate areas of the garden, and have a great aesthetic impact on the
landscape.
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Safety Guidelines for Large Equipment |
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[248,344 bytes]
The use of skid steers, tractors and backhoes save many hours of hard labour
on the job site. But with these work horses come an increased risk of accidents and injuries. Safety must always be the number one priority when
operating large equipment.
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Safety Guidelines for Small Equipment |
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[948,319 bytes]
The importance of working safely cannot be stressed often or strongly enough. Safe work habits should become automatic – but it is important to still keep safety in mind at all times while on the
job. There are many potential hazards to working with small equipment, but with common sense and good, safe work habits our job sites can remain problem-free.
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Sand, De-icing & Anti-icing Products |
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[487,797 bytes]
Snow removal contracts will specify the type of abrasive, de-icing or antiicing product to be used on a property.
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Small Equipment Maintenance |
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[1,283,739 bytes]
General daily maintenance circle check:
Before loading equipment on the truck or trailer for the day, take a minute to perform a basic circle check to make sure
the equipment is functioning properly.
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Snow Blower Safety & Maintenance |
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[283,382 bytes]
Snow blowers are an efficient way of removing snow from paved surfaces that are too small for a larger plow to reach. Snow blowers shouldn’t be used on gravel surfaces as they can pick up and throw the stones at high speed.
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Snow Removal |
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[698,997 bytes]
Snow removal contracts are extremely specific documents created so there are
no misunderstandings about the responsibilities of the property owner and the snow removal contractor. They outline when and how often the contractor will be on site to remove snow. The contract also specifies which
ice melting products are to be used.
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Soil Preparation |
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[247,975 bytes]
No matter what or where you’re planting, the soil is a critical element on any
landscape site. The healthiest plants will suffer if the soil in which they are growing is lacking in some form. Soils can be improved with the addition of amendments before plants are installed.
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Trailers |
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[1,094,049 bytes]
Licensing requirements for driving trucks and trailers depend on the combined weight of the two vehicles. In addition, there may be annual inspections required if the truck and trailer is registered for a specific gross weight.
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Tree Planting 1 |
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[2,509,587 bytes]
First, check the site plans, as designers will use different planting specifications. Dig the planting hole at least twice the diameter of the root ball and no deeper than the height of the root ball. In extremely compacted soils the root ball can be even wider. Use the shovel to roughen the edges
of the hole.
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Tree Planting 2 - Staking and Guying |
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[2,192,023 bytes]
Staking or guying newly-transplanted trees is necessary in sites that are
exposed to high prevailing winds. Small trees (up to 2” in diameter) rarely require staking. Trees planted in very sandy or very wet clay soil should also be staked. Other reasons for staking include protection against vandalism, lawnmowers and other types of equipment.
However, short stakes placed strategically around the tree can provide the same protection against mechanical damage from equipment, without the guy wires.
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Trencher Safety & Operating Procedures |
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[348,910 bytes]
There are two types of trenchers: ride-on and walkbehind. Walk-behind trenchers are better suited for tight spaces. Both types have three basic operations systems to be
aware of.
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Trimmers |
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[1,881,636 bytes]
Trimmers are labour saving tools used in landscape maintenance to trim grass and
brush in places where lawn mowers can’t reach.
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Turfgrass Seed |
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[283,470 bytes]
If sown too early in the season, the soil is too cool and seed will not germinate. Turfgrass seed can be applied when soil temperatures reach 15 C – ideally mid-May to mid-June. However, the best time to apply is in mid-August to mid-September when the soil is warm and the nights are cool.
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Water Features |
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[2,124,751 bytes]
Water features are a popular addition to landscapes, as people are drawn to the
soothing and tranquil sound of running water. Popular water features are ponds, fountains and waterfalls.
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What to do if Someone is Injured |
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[394,459 bytes]
The first rule of first aid is that if you don’t know how to give it, don’t try to. You may do more harm than good. In the case of an injury, sometimes knowing what NOT to do is just as important as knowing what to do.
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What to do in Case of a Car Accident |
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[883,088 bytes]
Despite defensive driving techniques, accidents occasionally happen. Every accident must be reported, whether by calling the police, or, if damage is minimal, accompanying the other driver
to an accident reporting centre. It is illegal to leave the scene of any accident without identifying yourself.
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WHMIS |
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[294,962 bytes]
WHIMIS is short for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. It refers to legislation that covers hazardous materials used in Canadian workplaces. Hazardous materials are biological or chemical agents that can cause or inflict injury or possibly death, if not properly handled. All employees have the
right to know about any hazardous materials on their jobsite. WHIMIS is intended to give workers knowledge and information they can understand and use to protect their health and safety every day.
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Winterizing Irrigation Systems |
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[248,223 bytes]
In our climate, irrigation systems must be winterized to prevent damage caused by water freezing in the pipes, valves and heads. Taking care in the late fall to shut the system down properly will avoid expensive repairs the following
spring.
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Xeriscaping |
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[248,654 bytes]
Xeriscaping is the concept of saving water in attractively landscaped areas.
It is not necessarily a dry, rocky arid-looking landscape, but uses several different principles to create a striking landscape with reduced water requirements. Xeriscaping combines the Greek word xeros – meaning dry, with landscaping.
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