Date: Fri 27-Aug-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

landscapers-weather-drought

Full Text:

A Tough Summer For Landscapers

(with photo)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Local landscapers say they have managed to survive this season despite one of

the century's worst droughts. The blazing sun and lack of rainfall has left

lawns scorched, flowers wilted, and shrubs shriveled.

"I've lost quite a bit of income due to the fact that we couldn't stay on a

regular lawn cutting schedule. It's sporadic," noted Jan Steinfeld of

Executive Lawn Maintenance & Landscaping in Newtown.

It is the same wherever you go.

"It's been a little rough. There were about three weeks there where we didn't

cut at all. That's lost income," noted Dan Peck of TruCare Landscaping.

Rance Thompson of Cleancut Lawn & Landscaping said he has run into similar

problems. The lack of rain and 100-degree temperatures in July parched the

soil and sent the ecosystem into a frenzy.

"Usually during the summer, you see landscapers out working until 6 or 7 pm.

Now, if you see anyone out working after 2:30 or 3 pm it's a rarity," Mr

Thompson said.

Most landscapers offer a diversity of services so droughts like this year's

don't put them out of business. However, lawn care makes up a large portion of

the business. Making matters worse is the fact that many of these landscapers

supplement their income with snow removal in the winter.

"That's been bad for three years," Mr Thompson said.

According to the National Weather Service, Connecticut is experiencing its

second driest growing season in history. In addition, April through July ranks

as the second driest such period on record for the Northeast as a whole. (The

driest was in 1965).

The drought actually started last summer, and since then rainfall in New

England has been 8 to 18 inches below normal, according to the National

Weather Service. Making matters worse, the region was hit with a lingering and

irregular jet stream pattern which caused a persistent heat wave, providing

another crushing blow.

The lack of rain is ruining vegetable crops all over the state, according to a

University of Connecticut agriculture report. Dead plants, dried up ponds and

lakes, and other drought-related problems have brought emotional and economic

stress to commercial vegetable growers. Prices at the supermarket are expected

to rise as well, especially for produce such as sweet corn, which has taken a

big hit across the state.

A Brighter (Wetter) Note

Thanks to some rainfall and a few very cool nights in recent weeks, things

have started to pick up, particularly for the landscapers.

"In September the grass will start growing a lot. It will be a busy month," Mr

Steinfeld said.

Most landscapers are also counting on an autumn season filled with lawn repair

jobs. The drought has taken its toll on lawns and many homeowners want to have

them repaired before winter.

Mr Steinfeld is expecting a big winter for snow plowing, or at least he hopes

he will be busy.

"It seems like we always have a big winter after a particularly dry summer,"

he said.

In contrast to the plight of farmers and mowers, the intense heat and lack of

rainfall has been a moneymaker for local painters. The dry weather has allowed

painters to finish outside jobs on time.

Mark Svanda has had his men out working nearly every day this summer.

"It's definitely been a good year weather-wise. Since spring, I'd say we've

had 2 or 3 days of rain. Typically, you lose 2 or 3 days a month," he said.

As for the drought, the region is still in a deficit of precipitation -- four

inches below normal for the year, according to Karlo Zvonarek of the Western

Connecticut State University Weather Center. For August, however, the state is

"slightly" above normal. Nevertheless, most of Connecticut remains in a severe

drought as of Tuesday, although Litchfield County and northern Fairfield

County have been reduced to "moderate" on the drought index.

More rain was expected later this week.