
Hosted by Darren Gruner · EN
THE TURN is Turf’s Up Radio’s official news segment — delivering real-time updates, industry headlines, product innovations, and expert insights from the green industry. Fast, fresh, and made for pros on the move, THE TURN keeps landscape, lawn care, and outdoor living professionals informed and inspired. Listen daily on Turf’s Up Radio — your industry, your station.

In this special April 2026 Turf’s Up Radio industry update, we break down the latest business moves, market trends, and growth opportunities shaping the green industry. This episode covers the current state of lawn care, landscape, irrigation, and outdoor living, including: major acquisitions and market consolidationworkforce hiring and retention trendsleadership and crew culture strategiessustainability and electric equipment shiftssmart irrigation and water-efficient technologiesupcoming industry classes, CEUs, and live events If you’re a business owner, operations manager, crew leader, or growth-minded professional in the green industry, this is the update you need to stay ahead of what’s happening right now. Turf’s Up Radio continues to elevate and educate the green industry with real-time insights, practical strategy, and the latest news impacting your business.

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IN BUSINESS NEWS, THE SENSKE FAMILY OF COMPANIES CONTINUES ITS NATIONWIDE EXPANSION WITH THE ACQUISITION OF HUERTER LAWN CARE IN THE KANSAS CITY REGION. THE MOVE STRENGTHENS SENSKE’S FOOTPRINT IN THE MIDWEST AND FOLDS HUERTER’S 35-YEAR REPUTATION FOR PREMIUM LAWN SERVICE INTO SENSKE’S GROWING PRO TURF & PRO PEST SOLUTIONS DIVISION. COMPANY CEO NATE HURST SAYS IT’S ALL ABOUT SCALABILITY WITHOUT LOSING THE LOCAL TOUCH — KEEPING COMMUNITY TRUST FRONT AND CENTER WHILE IMPROVING OPERATIONAL REACH. FROM THE BOARDROOM TO THE EQUIPMENT YARD, LET’S TALK ABOUT NEW INNOVATION. OTR ENGINEERED SOLUTIONS HAS JUST ROLLED OUT THE WORKBOSS CT — A NEXT-GENERATION COMPACT-TRACTOR TIRE BUILT FOR HYBRID PERFORMANCE ACROSS TURF AND HARDSCAPE. THE NON-DIRECTIONAL TREAD DESIGN PROMISES BETTER TRACTION, LESS RUTTING, AND LONGER LIFE — MAKING IT A SMART UPGRADE FOR CREWS MANAGING MIXED TERRAIN. INDUSTRY PROS SAY INNOVATIONS LIKE THIS ARE HELPING REDUCE DOWNTIME, BOOST EFFICIENCY, AND EXTEND THE LIFE OF HIGH-DEMAND EQUIPMENT. AND FINALLY, WE WRAP THINGS UP WITH A STORY THAT REMINDS US WHY THIS INDUSTRY’S ROOTS RUN DEEP IN COMMUNITY. ALLENTUCK LANDSCAPING COMPANY IN MARYLAND HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED WITH THE CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP AWARD FROM CARINGMATTERS FOR OVER TWO DECADES OF VOLUNTEER WORK MAINTAINING THE NONPROFIT’S HEALING GARDENS. SINCE 2003, ALLENTUCK’S CREWS HAVE DONATED DESIGN, INSTALLATION, AND UPKEEP TO CREATE OUTDOOR SPACES OF PEACE FOR FAMILIES NAVIGATING SERIOUS ILLNESS AND LOSS. OWNER BRUCE ALLENTUCK SAYS, “GIVING BACK IS HOW WE MEASURE REAL SUCCESS.”

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IN THE NEWS BUSINESS MOVES AND STRATEGIES The latest from the green industry shows firms are positioning for growth by honing in on efficiency and scaling intelligently. In the fall 2025 outlook featured by a major industry title, companies are urged to leverage fleet‑management data, sharpen workforce planning, and embrace service diversification to weather margin pressures. There’s a clear tactical mandate: don’t just grow — grow smart. This means aligning business models with technology‑driven operations, refining pricing strategies and locking in operational discipline before the next cycle. If you’re still doing business as you did three years ago, you’re at risk of being left behind. NEXT UP EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY SPOTLIGHT On the tech front we’ve got a strong signal from a major manufacturer — they launched a new telematics and fleet‑management platform for model‑year 2026 machines. This platform gives real‑time machine location, usage data, maintenance alerts and integrates mobile/desktop access. What that means is operators and fleet managers get actionable data instead of just end‑of‑month summaries. The takeaway: if you’re not collecting machine‑data, you’re flying blind. Investments in connected hardware plus data analytics are moving from nice‑to‑have to operational imperative. It’s not just about the machine anymore — it’s about the machine’s behavior and value. WANT TO DO MORE TRY COMMUNITY AND GIVE‑BACK This industry isn’t just about dollars and equipment — the community side matters too. A news piece spotlighted a landscaping firm in South Florida that volunteered to revitalize the grounds of an organization serving children in need. They didn’t just donate money — they deployed crews, time and gear to create a better environment for kids. It’s a reminder: giving back isn’t a PR line — it’s culture. Companies that integrate community service into their operations create stronger teams, better reputations and meaningful stakeholder relationships. If you’re a founder or partner in this space, it’s time to ask: what are we doing beyond the job site that lifts our community?

BUSINESS MOVES AND STRATEGIES IN RECENT Green Industry Pros COVERAGE, THE BIG MOVE IS THE LAUNCH OF EarthaPro — A NEW BACK‑OFFICE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE BUILT FOR SMALL LAWN CARE AND LANDSCAPE BUSINESSES. EarthaPro WAS NAMED THIS YEAR’S EDITOR’S CHOICE IN THE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT CATEGORY. IT OFFERS TOOLS FOR JOB MANAGEMENT, CUSTOMER CRM, SCHEDULING, ESTIMATING AND INVOICING — ALL DESIGNED TO GET OPERATORS UP AND RUNNING FAST. THE PITCH IS SIMPLE: DON’T LET THE BACK OFFICE BE WHAT HOLDS YOUR BUSINESS BACK. WITH STREAMLINED OPERATIONS, OWNERS CAN FOCUS ON GROWTH, CUSTOMER RETENTION, AND SCALING THEIR SERVICE LINES. EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY SPOTLIGHT OVER AT Green Industry Pros, THE LATEST HEADLINE IN AUTOMATION IS THE Sunseeker L3 ROBOTIC MOWER. THIS UNIT USES LIDAR AND AI VISION TO NAVIGATE AND MOW, AIMED AT HOMEOWNERS — BUT IT REPRESENTS THE TREND WE’RE WATCHING FOR COMMERCIAL ADOPTION. IF AUTONOMOUS MOWING IS GOING TO MOVE FROM PILOTS TO FULL CREWS, TOOLS LIKE THE L3 DEMONSTRATE HOW SENSOR FUSION, MAPPING, AND MACHINE LEARNING WILL HELP MACHINES HANDLE COMPLEX TURF LAYOUTS. WE’RE NOT QUITE AT “MOW‑AND‑FORGET” IN ALL SCENARIOS — BUT EACH NEW MODEL PUSHES THE ENVELOPE FOR EFFICIENCY, LABOR SAVINGS, AND CREW REDEPLOYMENT TO DETAIL WORK. COMMUNITY AND GIVE‑BACK FROM Landscape Management, A STANDOUT STORY: Weed Man franchises in Ontario ARE GIVING BACK IN A BIG WAY. Weed Man Huntsville HAS PLEDGED $1 PER LAWN CARE SERVICE PERFORMED IN 2025 TO THE LOCAL HOSPICE. OTHER FRANCHISES HAVE BACKED YOUTH PROGRAMS, MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVES, AND COMMUNITY EVENTS TO FUEL POSITIVE LOCAL IMPACT. AND ON A BROADER SCALE, THE INDUSTRY’S Renewal & Remembrance DAY OF SERVICE SAW VOLUNTEERS WORKING AT SITES LIKE THE FDR MEMORIAL AND ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, PERFORMING PRUNING, MULCHING, TREE CARE, AND HARDSCAPE UPGRADES TO HONOR VETERANS. THAT’S THE SPIRIT THIS INDUSTRY CAN LATCH ON TO — USING OUR SKILLS, EQUIPMENT, AND HEART TO GIVE BACK WHERE IT COUNTS.

BUSINESS MOVES AND STRATEGIES. WORKWAVE IS MAKING LEADERSHIP CHANGES, BRINGING ON ARJUN RAMCHANDRAN TO LEAD POST-SALES OPERATIONS. AT THE SAME TIME, LAWNPRO PARTNERS CONTINUES ITS RAPID EXPANSION, ACQUIRING GREEN MACHINE LAWN CARE IN PENNSYLVANIA AND SEACOAST TREE AND TURF IN NEW ENGLAND. BOTH BUSINESSES WILL KEEP THEIR EXISTING TEAMS IN PLACE, SHOWING HOW LOCAL COMPANIES CAN RETAIN THEIR IDENTITY WHILE GAINING RESOURCES FROM NATIONAL PARTNERS. CONSOLIDATION IN THE GREEN INDUSTRY IS CLEARLY ACCELERATING, GIVING REGIONAL OPERATORS NEW WAYS TO SCALE. IN OTHER NEWS, EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY SPOTLIGHT. THE 2025 EQUIP EXPOSITION IS SET TO HIGHLIGHT THE NEXT WAVE OF SMART SOLUTIONS. EXPECT TO SEE ROBOTIC MOWERS, DRONES, AND CONNECTED IRRIGATION SYSTEMS THAT PROMISE MORE EFFICIENCY AND LESS LABOR STRAIN. HANDS-ON TEST TRACKS WILL LET CONTRACTORS PUT THE LATEST GEAR THROUGH ITS PACES, FROM ADVANCED TELEHANDLERS TO CUTTING-EDGE SOFTWARE PLATFORMS. THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR. TECHNOLOGY IS NO LONGER OPTIONAL. IT IS THE DRIVER OF COMPETITIVENESS IN LANDSCAPING AND LAWN CARE. AND IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN GIVING BACK, AND YOUR FOCUS IS ON COMMUNITY, LISTEN TO THIS. MORE THAN FOUR HUNDRED GREEN INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS RECENTLY CAME TOGETHER FOR RENEWAL AND REMEMBRANCE AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY AND THE FDR MEMORIAL. VOLUNTEERS DONATED THEIR TIME AND EQUIPMENT FOR TASKS LIKE PRUNING, MULCHING, AND HARDSCAPE WORK. AT THE SAME TIME, PROJECT EVERGREEN’S “GREENCARE FOR TROOPS” CONTINUES TO PROVIDE DONATED SERVICES TO MILITARY FAMILIES, VALUED AT OVER TWENTY MILLION DOLLARS TO DATE. AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WEED MAN FRANCHISES ARE RUNNING THEIR GRASSROOTS GIVING FOOD DRIVES, COLLECTING NON-PERISHABLE ITEMS TO FIGHT FOOD INSECURITY RIGHT IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES. THE INDUSTRY ISN’T JUST ABOUT GROWTH AND PROFIT. IT’S ABOUT SERVICE.

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Welcome back to Turf’s Up Radio News, your source for the latest green industry updates. This week, industry experts are keeping a close eye on supply chain challenges impacting landscaping equipment availability. Demand for certain power tools and replacement parts remains high, causing delays and price increases across multiple brands. In other news, Project Evergreen recently announced new community greening initiatives aimed at increasing tree canopy in urban areas across the country. These efforts are designed to improve air quality and provide natural cooling in heat-prone neighborhoods. And finally, Equip Expo 2025 is gearing up for another successful event this fall, featuring new product launches, hands-on demos, and live training sessions for green industry pros. If you’re planning to attend, now’s a great time to register. That’s this week’s Turf’s Up Radio News. Stay tuned for more updates next week.

You’re listening to The Turn... Turf’s Up Radio News. Brought to you by Green Industry Pros... Lawn & Landscape Magazine... and Landscape Management. Because without you — the pros — there is no industry. Let’s take a quick walk through what’s making waves in the world of landscaping, lawn care, and green innovation this week. INDUSTRY ACQUISITION: BRIGHTVIEW EXPANDS AGAIN BrightView has acquired a leading landscape maintenance company based in the Pacific Northwest. This marks BrightView’s fifth acquisition this year — as the commercial landscape giant continues to grow its national footprint. The move strengthens their presence in a key market, serving high-end commercial and municipal clients. What does it mean for you? Expect more competition in larger markets… but also more opportunity to partner regionally. Source: Lawn & Landscape Magazine BrightView’s on the move — and they’re not slowing down. Speaking of moving forward... let’s talk tech. STIHL LAUNCHES SMART BATTERY MONITORING SYSTEM In a recent release from Green Industry Pros, STIHL introduced a smart fleet battery tracking platform — tailored for their pro-grade battery tools. It allows contractors to monitor usage, charge cycles, and maintenance... all through a mobile dashboard. It’s a big leap in operational efficiency. Smart, simple, and scalable — just how pros like it. STIHL’s got brains to match the brawn now. A win for every contractor trying to stay one charge ahead. Now let’s switch gears — and dig into what your clients are asking for this season... TOP TREND: ECO-FIRST LANDSCAPE DESIGN According to Landscape Management Magazine, the top trend this month is sustainability-driven design. Homeowners, HOAs, and municipalities are requesting native plants... drip irrigation... and even pollinator corridors. If you’re not talking sustainability — you might not get the job. Now’s the time to get fluent in eco-smart installs. Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword anymore... it’s the new blueprint. And if you want to stay ahead — it’s time to lean in. Speaking of staying ahead... Let’s talk about where you’ll want to be this fall. NEXT BIG EVENT: THE LANDSCAPE SHOW 2025 Mark your calendars! The Landscape Show returns to Orlando — September 17th through 19th — at the Orange County Convention Center. Expect 7,000 attendees, over 800 booths... and a deep dive into the latest in nursery stock, design trends, and horticultural tech. Turf’s Up Radio will be there broadcasting live — with interviews, giveaways, and coverage from the show floor. Be there... or tune in. We’ll see you in Orlando — or right here on Turf’s Up Radio if you can’t make the trip. Either way... we’ve got your back. CLOSING REMARKS This edition of The Turn is dedicated to you... The professionals who keep the Green Industry growing. And a special shout-out to our partners in knowledge: Lawn & Landscape Magazine… Landscape Management… and Green Industry Pros. This is The Turn on Turf’s Up Radio. Until next time — keep pushing... keep planting... and keep growing.