Here at JLS, we move alot of snow every winter season.  BUT.... what we do seems a little mundane compared to this BIG BOY!  Check out the videos below of the new rotary plow, named Unit 30, that is part of the $100-million renovation of the cog railway that travels from Manitou Springs to the summit of Pikes Peak.
The new snowblower has the capability of cutting through snow drifts up to 10-feet tall and 20-feet wide.
It was produced by Zaugg in Eggiwil, Switzerland. The blower's 47.2-inch diameter cutting reels can cut through 4,200 tons of snow per hour and has the ability to blow snow 50 to 100 feet off the line.

youtu.be/6Y-VzKe60Qg

​youtu.be/QmMbgojj2Js


Landscape and snow removal companies see this as a giant toy that would be way-fun to drive.  One can dream, yes?
WINTER IS COMING!  Are you ready?
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Did you know that the earliest recorded (since the late 1800s) snowfall in Denver was on September 3, 1961?   It was a whopping 4.2 inches!
And since 2000, the first measurable snowfall was on September 8, 2020….just 3 days after a record high (for the date) temperature of 101 degrees!
There was a dusting on the high peaks and ski resorts just last week, but the average first snow for the Denver area is October 18.  So likely, we have a bit of time before breaking out the shovels.   But you just never know.......
JLS will be working hard over the coming weeks to be ready!  Contracts are starting to arrive signed, and on-site prep work will be starting for our customers/property managers.
Trucks and plows will be getting tuned up, and pre-season training for the teams will be the focus.
ARE YOU READY? 

Rainfall in Colorado varies across the state and fluctuates by year.  During dry periods, irrigation may be needed to preserve landscape quality.  Over- or under-irrigating a landscape can possibly increase disease incidence, waste water, and decrease overall landscape condition.  Irrigation system efficiency is dependent upon several factors including design, installation, and specific site conditions. Traditional irrigation controllers run on a preset programmed schedule, set to water daily, weekly, etc., regardless of the current weather.
Water applied to a landscape can account for a significant portion of a property’s water use. A substantial amount of water is lost to evaporation, wind, and runoff due to improper watering methods. Reducing or eliminating this loss decreases water bills and creates a more water efficient, healthy landscape.
Outdoor water savings can be achieved using smart irrigation technologies. Smart irrigation controllers and sensors have been developed to reduce outdoor water use by irrigating based on individual plant and turf water needs. Smart irrigation technology uses weather data or soil moisture data to determine the irrigation needs of the landscape.  This technology exists as a complete controller or as a sensor that can be added to an existing irrigation timer to create a smart controller. 
 
Smart irrigation technology includes:
 
Smart Controllers:

• Signal-based controllers use meteorological data from a publicly available source and the ET value is calculated for a grass surface at the site.  The ET data is then sent to the controller by a wireless connection.
• Historic ET controllers use a pre-programmed water use curve, based on historic water use in different regions.  The curve can be adjusted for temperature and solar radiation.
• On-site weather measurement controllers use weather data collected on-site to calculate continuous ET measurements and water accordingly.

 
Add-on Sensors:

• Rain/Freeze Sensors
• Moisture Sensors
• Wind Sensors
• Flow Sensors

 
These products maximize irrigation efficiency by reducing water waste, while maintaining plant health and quality. Incorporating smart irrigation technology in the landscape can potentially reduce outdoor water consumption. This technology is appropriate for small, residential landscapes as well as large, managed landscapes. Irrigation managers and homeowners should be aware that smart irrigation technology will need to be periodically adjusted and maintained for maximum water savings.  Many new smart controllers can be managed from a smart phone or managed by the company that has developed the unit by way of a subscription plan.
 
 
WaterSense, a voluntary partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is both a label for water-efficient products and a resource for helping you save water.  Learn more HERE.      
 

Part of what we do is try to give back just a bit! We feel very fortunate for the gifts and blessings in our lives and know that others often have struggles we can't always relate to.
We've been contributing time/energy to Mt. St. Vincent on their annual work day for over 20 years. Here are a few pictures from last week's event - JLS took on removing old rose gardens and getting them replaced with sod. Other local companies took part by also helping tackle a list of improvements throughout the campus. We're proud that JLS and our industry is taking the time to make a difference!

Spring has finally arrived and seems to be sticking around! Everyone is ready to plant! One of the most frequent questions we are asked is "what can I plant that is deer and rabbit resistant?"
As we know, wild animals are just that - wild! There are no guarantees as to what they might like to sample on a given day. Often, they pluck a plant from the ground or planter, just to decide it tastes terrible, and then spit it out.
But- with some determination, vigilance, a bit of trial and error, and ALOT of patience - you CAN create a lovely landscape.
Here is a list of plants (all perennials) that are most likely to provide success:

Yarrow
Ajuga
Snow Drop Anemone
Kinnikinnick
Sea Pink
Silver Mound Sage
Japanese Painted Fern
Basket of Gold
Shasta Daisy
Clematis
Lily-of-the-Valley
Moonbeam Coreopsis
Black Eyed Susan
Salvia
Soapwort
Sedum
Thyme
Periwinkle - Vinca
Hummingbird Flower (Zauschneria)
Delphinium
Bleeding Heart
Foxglove
Coneflower
Cushion
English Ivy
Daylily
Hosta
Iris
English Lavender
Blue Flax
Lupine
Creeping Oregon Grape Holly
Peony
Iceland Poppy
Engleman Ivy (Virginia Creeper)
Penstemon
Creeping Phlox
Jacob’s Ladder
Mexican Hat

As a reminder - some of these are toxic - wild animals leave them alone for that reason. Your domestic pets may not have the same wisdom, so please do your research to keep them safe if they like to eat vegetation.
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Happy Earth Day!  Today is the 51st anniversary of Earth Day.  The very first one was on April 22, 1970.
Earth Day is meant to increase awareness of environmental issues and problems.  It has become a popular time for many communities to gather to clean up litter, plant trees and gardens, etc..

Each year is a new theme, and this year is "Restore Our Earth."  

Here are some things you can do to participate - today and every day:
1.  Clean up plastic and trash in your neighborhood.  Or pick a park in your community to clean up.  Don't forget to recycle plastic that you pick up!
2.  Plant a tree.  They capture carbon, they cool overheated places, they support pollinators.  They bring in insect and bird species.  Look HERE for suggestions as to the best tree to plant in your area.
3.  Plan a native garden bed.  Here in Colorado, it's a bit early to plant, but planning is the first (and FUN!) step.  Consult your local nursery or look HERE if you need suggestions for native plants that do well in your area.
4.  Support our pollinators!  Select plants that attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, etc.  Many are native plants, that are also deer resistant.  You could also make a bee house!  See how by clicking HERE.
5.  Water wisely. 

• Water deeply rather than frequently. 
• Water when "indicator plants" tell you to (the plants that droop first). 
• Water early in the day to discourage evaporation. 
• Water at the roots when possible - keeping water off the leaves reduces waste and helps prevent various types of foliage disease.
• Keep the soil moist by using mulch and compost amended soil.

After this past weekends storm, it's hard to believe.  And we probably still have another round or two of snow to get past.  But it will get here, and we all know what that means - lawn care!  SO just for fun, I thought I'd share a little bit about "The History of Lawn Care" for you to enjoy.  Click below:

DID YOU KNOW?

JLS is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified!

LEED is a green building certification program used worldwide. It was developed by the non-profit U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and it includes a set of rating systems for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings, homes, and neighborhoods which aims to help building owners and operators be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently.
The other exciting news is that Colorado is one of the TOP 10 states for LEED green buildings!
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DID YOU KNOW?!
A flower can actually win a GOLD MEDAL! It's rare that any flower variety takes a gold, but one magical specimen was just awarded it after 17 years of no winners. AND it won in America and France! Profusion zinnias are wonderful and amazing if you want to plant a mass of color that lasts all season - perfect for large areas and commercial beds that need the drive-by pop!
Our friends at Lawn and Landscape Magazine shared this fun article about this little pretty:​
www.lawnandlandscape.com/article/sakata-zinnia-wins-gold/

It's winter! But where is the snow? Not a whole lot has fallen yet this year, which means not much moisture for our trees and shrubs.  They depend on us to help them out.
This is just a reminder that it's very important to water those plants that need it, even in winter. Basic guidelines are to do it on a warm, sunny day (50s), as early in the day as possible. Water slowly, so that it has time to be absorbed into the ground. Remember to drain and unhook your hose from the spigot when done!
For more comprehensive and detailed information, here is a great article from the folks at CSU:
https://extension.colostate.edu/.../fall-and-winter.../