The colder than usual winter hasn’t had an impact on crews getting started but the cold and late season snow was beneficial to at least one business.

“The colder winter had a positive impact on our business. It brought more snow than we’ve seen in the past several years. We kept busy plowing snow and salting,” said ProLawn Landscaping and Maintenance Co. owner Rich Huber.

Other business operators said the cold didn’t have much impact.

“The colder weather didn’t have any effects on our business. We will be on track to start the season on time unless Mother Nature says otherwise,” said John Sinisi, owner of J.J. Sinisi Landscaping and Lawn Care.

ProLawn Landscaping and Maintenance owner Rich Huber (left) and company foreman Dave Sipes lay a block step adjacent to a retaining wall. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Jeff Adler, president of Adler’s Landscape Nursery Inc., said he has been getting calls from people asking “what’s wrong with my plant material.”

Adler explained that some people have planted “Zone 6” plants in “Zone 5,” which includes the Altoona area.

Zone 6 is a USDA plant hardiness zone with average annual minimum winter temperatures of -10 degrees to 0 degrees. Zone 5 is a USDA plant hardiness zone defined by cold winter temperatures ranging from -20 to -10.

Planting Zone 6 plants in Zone 5 is a risky practice often called “zone-pushing,” where the primary consequence is that the plant may not survive a typical winter. Because Zone 5 average annual minimum temperatures are roughly 10 degrees colder than Zone 6, these plants may suffer severe dieback or death when temperatures drop below their genetic threshold.

People have tried to plant plants that are not hardy in this area. Some of the plants affected are Viburnums which are versatile, low-maintenance deciduous or evergreen shrubs, Nelly Stevens Holly and roses, Adler said.

ProLawn Landscaping and Maintenance Co. owner Rich Huber preps for the laying of a block step. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Landscapers face several challenges including the price of fuel which has skyrocketed since the start of the war with Iran.

“For our dump trucks, it is an extra $30 for each fillup. We have five trucks so that’s an extra $150. We fill up twice a week so that is an extra $300 a week,” Adler said. “We are starting to receive nursery stock, truckers are raising the rates of delivery. Fertilizer has petroleum in it, (so) those prices will start going up.”

“Fuel prices are just a necessary evil. Thankfully most of our work comes from staying local,” said owner Rubin Wagner of Wagner Hardscaping.

Some say they have trouble finding good workers, while others don’t.

“It takes special people to do the work we do. You get wet, you work in the dirt, it’s hard work,” Adler said. “We are pushing wheel barrows and lifting and twisting.”

ProLawn Landscaping and Maintenance owner Rich Huber (right) directs company foreman Dave Sipes in the laying of a block step. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

“There are still issues of finding skilled laborers. I have a great core of guys that have been with us for quite a while, but always need another laborer or two during the season,” Huber said.

Wagner doesn’t have a labor problem.

“I have not had any problems finding workers,” Wagner said. “Many members of my team have been with me for many many years, (so) this allows us to always deliver a quality service.”

Prices will be going up for city customers.

“Every year prices are adjusted a tiny bit to reflect the increase in material prices,” Wagner said.

“We will have to do a slight increase in our pricing to keep up with fuel cost and materials, but will keep them in line with our costs,” Sinisi said.

Despite the increase in fuel costs and other challenges, local landscapers expect to be busy. Some are already booked far into the future and have to pick and choose.

“As far as our work schedule we are always taking on work that will fit into our schedule,” Sinisi said,

“We are still taking calls but I am selective of what jobs I will take. I have a lot going on at this time of year,” Adler said.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.