February News

landscaper Is one of the best jobs that doesn't require a college degree

While national data shows more students are getting high-school diplomas, college enrollment rates continue to decrease. But some jobs don’t require a college degree. Landscaping is one of them … and it’s trending in 2020.

College Attendance Continues to Drop
Nathan Grawe, a Carleton College economist based in Minnesota, predicts the college-going population will drop by 15% between 2025 and 2029 and continue to decline by another percentage point or two thereafter. He projects demand for elite institutions–the top 50 colleges and 50 universities, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report–will drop from 2025 to 2029. Also, he expects regional four-year institutions that serve local students to lose more than 11% of their students by 2029.

Best Jobs Without a College Degree in 2020
U.S. News & World Report just released their lists of Best Jobs and Best Jobs Without a College Degree for 2020.
Best Jobs Without a College Degree includes careers for those with high school diplomas or associate’s degrees, or even apprenticeship training or certification completion.

And landscaper just made it to the list as the No. 4 best job without a college degree. Landscaper also makes an appearance at No. 59 on the magazine’s overall list of 100 best jobs for 2020.

The job “is ideal for green thumbs and outdoorsy folks, and also a good calling for those who have the entrepreneurial spirit to start their own lawn care and landscaping businesses,” the magazine reports. “There is plenty of potential for advancement in this career–landscapers could move up the ranks and become supervisors.”

What’s driving this trend? U.S. News & World Report says aging baby boomers influence job openings within landscaping. “Older homeowners often employ lawn care services when they can no longer tend to their homes themselves,” the magazine reports. “These services are also popular among working professionals who have limited daytime hours available for yard work.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8.8% employment growth for landscapers between 2018 and 2028. In that period, an estimated 106,400 jobs should open up.

For more information on how U.S. News & World Report ranked their findings, read its Best Jobs Methodology.

Healthy Soils, HealthY Trees

In urban environments trees can become stressed due to poor soils, insufficient moisture, lack of nutrient availability and harsh growing conditions. Arbor Rx is a prescriptive fertilization & soil enhancement program designed to maximize tree and shrub health by combining plant nutrition with products to enhance soil quality, stimulate root growth and improve water availability.

• Liquid Solutions Do Not Require Mechanical Agitation
• Tank Compatible for Easy Combination Applications

ArborPlex® (14-4-5) 50% SRN
Liquid nutrient solution
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EnviroPlex™ 22% Humic Acid from Leonardite
For Poor Nutrient Retention in Sandy Soils, Poor Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) or Soil Compaction

NutriRoot® (2-2-3)
Unique Blend of Nutrients, Seaweed Extract, Humic Acid, Surfactants & Humectants
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CytoGro® Root Hormone Biostimulant
Poorly Developed Root Systems or Landscapes Prone to Environmental Stresses

Bio MP™ (5-3-2)
High Carbohydrate Molasses-Based Soil Conditioner
For Poor Soil Microbial Activity

Iron Plus™ (15-0-0)
Liquid Micronutrient with 6% Iron, 4% Sulfur & SeaXtra™ Seaweed Extract
For Landscapes Prone to Iron Chlorosis

Hydretain®
Soil Moisture Management
For Insufficient Moisture, Drought Stress & Wilt Protection

Upcoming Events

WINTER WORKSHOP/ANNUAL MEETING

February 19

Speakers for the day include:

• Tim Van Loo, CSFM (Director of Facilities & Grounds - Iowa State University and STMA Past President) "Iowa State University Maintenance"
• Jamie Mehringer (Advanced Turf Solutions) "Examples of Sport Turf Maintenance That Will Inspire You"
• Andrew Marking, CSFM ( Project Manager - Bush Turf/ Formally Head Groundskeeper - Quad Cities River Bandits) "Maintaining Modern Woodman Park: Ball Field Maintenance & Historic Flooding”
• Brian Milam (Calcium Products) "Calcium: A Critical Nutrient"

Event Website

“I have been up against tough competition all my life. I wouldn't know how to get along without it.” —Walt Disney

“Luck? I don't know anything about luck. I've never banked on it and I'm afraid of people who do. Luck to me is something else: Hard work - and realizing what is opportunity and what isn't.” —Lucille Ball