Before performing any task, it is important to wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE). It is the responsibility of the Campus Manager to inform the Area Supervisors of the necessary PPE for each task and to provide that equipment. It is the responsibility of the Area Supervisor to insure that they and their crew are wearing the PPE. If there are concerns about the availability of personal protective equipment contact your supervisor immediately. It is important that hearing protection and eye protection is used when performing most of our tasks, in particular those that involve machinery.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Landscape Services uses a complete IPM strategy to deal with any pest affecting the plants we maintain.

1. All permanent personnel are trained and licensed to apply pesticides of any type. No employee is allowed to apply pesticides unless licensed.
2. We constantly monitor insects, diseases, weeds, etc., and only apply pesticides if necessary. We do many other control measures also, such as cultural practices, using resistant varieties of plants, biological control, mechanical control, rotating plants in certain beds, etc. In many situations certain levels of insects or diseases can be tolerated. We only apply chemicals when the health or life of the plant becomes endangered and other practices haven't been helpful in controlling the problem. We do not apply preventative chemicals like many lawn care companies do, unless we have perennial problems with certain insects, diseases or weeds. Each situation is evaluated and the campus manager makes the final decision if pesticides are to be applied.

Less toxic chemicals come out every year and we constantly look for the least hazardous chemicals to use in each situation. All federal, state and local regulations are strictly followed when any pesticides are applied. We always sign turf areas where insecticides have been applied to warn people not to be in these areas until they are dry.

IPM | Litter | Turf | Trees | Shrubs | Perennials | Annuals | Snow Removal

I. Litter Control

1. Litter containers will be checked daily.
2. The area will be checked daily for litter and picked up as needed.
3. Litter containers will be emptied when 1/2 full or when garbage scent is a nuisance.
4. Ash urns will be emptied a minimum of three times weekly.
5. Dumpster areas will be cleaned thoroughly once every two months.
6. Cigarette butts will be picked up from sidewalks and mulch beds at least once per week.

IPM | Litter | Turf | Trees | Shrubs | Perennials | Annuals | Snow Removal

II. Turf Maintenance

1. Trash will be removed prior to mowing.
2. The personal protective equipment required for mowing in addition to regular work clothes will be: safety glasses and hearing protection of either ear plugs or ear muffs. Suggested equipment, as appropriate to conditions, would include a hat or hard-hat, sunscreen, dust mask, and leather gloves. Am/fm radios or headsets are prohibited. The PPE required for use of string trimmers or other grass trimmers are safety glasses/goggles, long pants or chainsaw chaps, ear muff/face shield combination on East Campus, and ear plugs if the ear protectors on the helmet are not used.
3. Trimming turf around trees, shrubs, mulched areas, buildings, signs, lights, fences, curbs, etc. will be performed no sooner than the day before and no later than the day after mowing or as weather permits.
4. The height of the riding mowers will be adjusted only with prior approval of the mowing supervisor or the campus manager. The height of the mowers will fall within a range of 3" to 4" based on the current growing conditions.
5. Mowing will take place weekly in areas that are actively growing and when conditions allow. Some areas may need mowing two times per week if conditions warrant.
6. Irrigation will take place where automatic systems or quick couplers are available. Irrigation levels should meet the needs of the actively growing turf to prevent stress from weather conditions or pests. There are some high priority areas that are served with building hydrants and those areas will require watering.
7. Weed control should be performed to maintain the turf with few or no dandelions, plantain, crabgrass, or nutsedge. Other weeds should be controlled to prevent an infestation. All pesticide use will be done according to label instructions. All pesticide applications will be recorded in the pesticide application record book.
8. Insect and disease control will take place on an as needed basis.
9. Fertilization of cool season grasses (bluegrass, fescue blends, tall fescue) will take place in the spring (late April to early May) and the fall (Late September to Early October), one (1) pound of nitrogen/1000 sq. ft will be applied at each period. An additional .5 pound of nitrogen/1000 sq. ft can be applied to high priority areas in late summer, based on need. Fertilization of warm season grasses (buffalo grass, bermuda, zoysia, prairie grasses) will take place between June 15th and July 1st. The rate of nitrogen will be 1 pound/1000 sq. ft.
10. Fertilizer will be removed from sidewalks the day of the application.
11. Required personal protective equipment for applying fertilizer, granular pre-emergent, Roundup and 2-4, D are rubber boots or overshoes, rubber gloves, hard hat or other nonabsorbent hat required on East Campus, safety glasses/goggles, long sleeve shirt, and long pants. Suggested additional equipment one could use would be a full face shield, disposable spray suit, and a fitted pesticide respirator. The product MSDS and label will dictate what PPE is required. If you have questions, make sure you discuss them with the campus manager before applying pesticides.
12. Leaf litter will be mulched with mowers as needed throughout the fall and winter months. Large concentrations of leaves may require pickup using rakes or lawn sweepers. Leaf litter will not be allowed to accumulate to the point that it will damage or kill turf.
13. Aeration of turf areas will take place every year in high traffic or high priority areas. In low priority turf aeration will take place every two years.
14. Renovation of turf will take place as needed. The appropriate seeding rate for the turfgrass mix will be determined by the degree of renovation.
15. Clippings will be removed from paved surfaces the day of the mowing . Clippings on lawn areas should be removed only when there is such a concentration of clippings on the turf that it might damage the live plants.
16. Sidewalks, streets, and driveways shall be edged annually or more often if necessary.
17. Plantings shall be edged every two years or more often if necessary.

IPM | Litter | Turf | Trees | Shrubs | Perennials | Annuals | Snow Removal

III. Tree Maintenance

When performing pruning on trees, shrubs and perennials, it is important to use the appropriate personal protective equipment. When using hand pruning saws, bypass pruners and loppers the required PPE you and your staff will use is safety glasses as well as complete training before attempting such a task. If the work might involve falling branches the hard-hat/faceshield combination and safety glasses or on City Campus hard-hat and goggles are required as well as complete training before attempting such as task.

If the pruning is done on the high-ranger: long pants, hard-hat/faceshield combination and safety glasses or on City Campus hard-hat and goggles are required as well as complete training before attempting such a task.

If tree pruning is accomplished by climbing the tree: long pants, climbing saddle, lanyard, climbing rope, hard-hat/faceshield combination and safety glasses or on City Campus hard-hat and goggles are required as well as complete training before attempting such a task.

If a chainsaw is used to prune: long pants, chainsaw chaps, gloves, hard-hat/faceshield combination and safety glasses or on City Campus hard-hat and goggles are required as well as complete training before attempting such a task.

1. Tree limbs shall be removed to a height of 7 ft. over sidewalks and 14 ft. over roads and parking areas. Limbs will be removed from around area lights to prevent diminished light from the fixture. This should be typically done in June after full leaf out.
2. Young trees will receive annual pruning for up to five years after planting. The purpose of the pruning will be to direct the tree into the appropriate form for the species and the site.
3. All trees in the area should receive an evaluation three times annually. Additional evaluations may be required if there is severe weather. The "walk around" should help determine what maintenance the tree requires. Trees in close proximity to buildings, roads, parking lots, sidewalks, and high use areas should be evaluated for several conditions. Priority should be made for hazardous limbs or trees. The trees should also be checked for disease, insect infestations, dead branches, and anything that might contribute to the trees declining health. Once an evaluation is done a corrective action (if needed) will be decided and executed.
4. Trees will not be removed without prior approval of the campus manager.
5. The timing of the pruning should be to avoid bud break and leaf drop on live wood.
6. Corrective pruning will be performed to maintain the natural shape and characteristic of the species. Pruning should be targeted at dead branches, crossing branches, suckers, watersprouts, infested branches, etc. All pruning will be done using accepted arboriculture techniques and methods.
7. Unless approved by the campus manager, guying or staking and tree wrap will not be used.
8. Irrigation of newly planted trees will take place at least twice monthly, unless there is adequate rainfall, during the first three growing seasons.
9. Pest control should be done as needed.
10. Mulch will be maintained at a minimum depth of 1 inch and a maximum depth of 4 inches.
11. Removal of dead or badly damaged trees will take place in a manner that observes all standard safety practices.
12. Stumps of removed trees will be reduced to a level beneath the soil grade that allows replanting in that location.
13. Remove stump shavings and back fill hole immediately after stump grinding.

IPM | Litter | Turf | Trees | Shrubs | Perennials | Annuals | Snow Removal

IV. Shrub Maintenance

1. Pruning of shrubs will be performed to retain their natural shape.
2. Shrubs should be pruned to: A) maintain a desired size or shape; B) control traffic or allow pedestrian clearance; C) thinned in order to promote plant health. Complete renovation of shrubs should only take place after consulting the campus manager. Pruning should be performed as necessary, taking into consideration time of year, plant species, environmental conditions, and effect on flowering.
3. Pest control should be done on an as needed basis.
4. Weeding of shrub beds will be done to prevent minor infestations of weeds. The use of pre-emergence herbicides and spot spraying with post emergent herbicides should be considered when developing a management strategy.
5. Shrubs will receive supplemental watering during the first year after planting.
6. Mulching of shrub beds will be done to maintain a minimum of one inch of mulch and a maximum of three inches.
7. Caging of certain shrubs may be necessary to prevent pest damage.

IPM | Litter | Turf | Trees | Shrubs | Perennials | Annuals | Snow Removal

V. Perennial Maintenance

1. Pruning of perennials shall take place in the spring prior to new growth. Some beds may require cutting back in the fall depending on the location and species of plants. Beds shall be cleaned and fresh mulch added to a maximum depth of two inches, including existing mulch.
2. Perennial beds should receive pre-emergent herbicides treatments as needed and will be fertilized each spring with Naturescycle or other appropriate fertilizer.
3. Compost should be incorporated in the fall, winter or spring in areas that require soil amendment.
4. High priority perennial beds will require additional care as directed by the campus manager.
5. Fencing may be necessary on pest susceptible species.
6. Caging should be done on species that may fall over.
7. Pest control should be done as needed.
8. Beds should be irrigated as needed.
9. Attempts should be made to berm beds to encourage drainage.

IPM | Litter | Turf | Trees | Shrubs | Perennials | Annuals | Snow Removal

VI. Annual Flower Maintenance

 1) Amending the soil:

  2) Fertilization:

   3) Planting:

 4) Spacing:

 5) Mulch:

    6) Aftercare:

IPM | Litter | Turf | Trees | Shrubs | Perennials | Annuals | Snow Removal

VII. Snow Removal

Snow removal is an important winter responsibility of Landscape Services. Since there is a reluctance on the part of the administration to close the campus due to weather, Landscape Services staff works diligently to get the campus open in time for morning classes and remove snow as it accumulates during the day.

All department personnel are involved in snow removal; operating snowplows, sweepers, snow blowers or shoveling by hand to make the campus as accessible and as safe as possible. All parking lots, streets, and sidewalks on campus are mapped and assigned to an equipment operator or a crew of scoopers. Areas are prioritized so that snow removal can be done in an efficient and effective manner. Information on access routes for handicapped students on campus is provided by the Office for Services for Students, Staff & Faculty with Disabilities. These areas of campus receive priority treatment for snow removal.

The snow removal process is initiated by a phone call from the assistant director to the individuals on the top of the calling-tree list, followed by all employees being called and told when to arrive for snow removal. Starting times are determined by the amount of snowfall and predicted weather forecast. Landscape Services utilizes doplar radar information available through the internet and also subscribes to Accu Weather for storm tracking and temperature forecasts.

Our goal is to have parking lots cleaned and accessible before students and staff begin to arrive on campus. The employees arriving early (midnight, 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00 a.m.) for snow removal generally leave after eight hours if lots and walks have been cleared. Depending on availability, a small crew of employees are asked to work during typical University working hours to be available for calls regarding problem spots on campus.

On a rotating basis, crews are assigned to be on call for evening and weekend events held at the Lied Center and Kimball Hall. Some large lots are contracted to private contractors for snow removal for special events (e.g. evening or weekend sports events at the Devaney Center). Snow removal for the parking garage is also contracted out because it requires specialized snow removal equipment.

IPM | Litter | Turf | Trees | Shrubs | Perennials | Annuals | Snow Removal