A tough year for landscapers
10:36 PM 6/20/04
Dana Schowalter Wisconsin State Journal

Mike Paulus has waited more than three weeks for landscapers to finish planting grass in front of the Stark Co. realty firm's new office on Arapaho Drive. <

Stark is one of several business and residential customers that have been waiting for the Bruce Co. to finish landscape projects after nearly a month of heavy rainfall left several sites too wet to finish. <

"We are basically pushed back three to four weeks right now," said Rich Carlson, a landscape architect with the Bruce Co. "We could do some work (in May) but we weren't able to be efficient at it because the great amount of rain made some sites unworkable." <

Work in the landscaping industry has never been easy, with long days and multiple deadlines common. But local contractors say this year's unpredictable weather has brought some additional challenges, from managing crew time to keeping the bugs away. <

David Ripp, a foreman with the Bruce Co., said his crew has been working 13-hour days to catch up on several projects. "This year we got an early start and we thought we were in pretty good shape, but then we got all the rain in May. That set us back again," Ripp said. "We just deal with what we have." <

Joe Hanauer, owner of Landscape Architecture in Madison, said his employees are also behind. "With a day of rain, we will lose three days of work because it takes that long (for the soil) to dry out," Hanauer said. <

"We are not only behind, but we are working overtime on top of it," Hanauer said. <

But there has been a positive aspect to the recent rains, Hanauer said. Wet conditions have limited the amount of irrigation needed after planting, he said. <

"It does help in that some of the plants look better, and they are growing more," Hanauer said. "But in terms of business, it has been all negative." <

Another negative for landscape workers this year: a booming mosquito crop. Carlson said the Bruce Co. keeps insect repellent and sunscreen on hand for crew members - and during the past week and a half, it's the supply of bug spray that's been running low. <

Still, he said, the workers are eager to get their projects done and many have been putting in weekend hours to meet clients' needs. <

"We ask people to be patient and understanding, and most of them are," Carlson said. "When you work with Mother Nature, sometimes you just do not always have the answers." <

Paulus said customers of the Stark Co. have not complained about muddy conditions in walkways caused by the open soil, but he said he hoped the planting would be finished by the end of last week. <

"Like anything in today's world, they would like to have it done," Carlson said. Planting grass and laying sod is where crews are the most behind because the soil has to be dry before crews can begin, he said. <

Carlson said the increase in overtime and the physical demands of landscaping have also caused a change in workforce demographics. He said fewer college students want to work long hours in the sun, so more minorities and women have been hired as crew members. <

"Like any business today, women are gaining more ground," Carlson said. "With the easier use of equipment, the physical prominence of a large male is not as important anymore." <

Competitive pay and benefits can be a draw for the industry. At the Bruce Co., workers typically start at $9 per hour; after three months, they receive a review and often, a raise, Carlson said. <

Pay for crew chiefs falls into the $15 to $20 per hour range and specializing as an equipment operator or working on a union crew also can boost pay. The Bruce Co. offers health benefits to workers, reducing the workers' portion of the payment as they gain experience and longevity with the company. <

Landscaping is "definitely hard work," Carlson said. "It was great college money for me, but kids don't want to do that anymore." Carlson added that weather-related delays have extended the need for seasonal employees well beyond Sept. 1, which is when many college students must return to school. <

Contact Dana Schowalter at wsjmoney@madison.com or 252-6492. <