The DIY Network’s “King of Dirt,” which follows the work of outspoken landscape contractors Gino and Ralph Panaro, gives viewers a glimpse inside the world of the landscape contracting world. But for Joe Bolognese, owner and lead consultant for Impact Irrigation Consulting, it meant some local fame when he was included on a recent episode, repairing a sprinkler line. 

Bolognese, who has served as vice president of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association, met the Panaro brothers when they served as regional vice presidents in the organization. “They knew I had irrigation experience,” says Bolognese. “One day they were filming close to me and Gino broke a sprinkler line. He called me and asked me to come by – I didn’t know I was going to be filmed.”

As Bolognese began to work on the repair he says producers started yelling at him to “mic up.” He received a mic and next thing he knew he was being taped. “It was a spur of the moment opportunity that was a lot of fun and chance for a little bit of fame,” says Bolognese.

Though he’s been on the distribution side for more than a decade, Bolognese got his start in the industry working for a landscape contractor and learned installation work that he never forgot. His knowledge and networking allowed him to help a fellow industry professional – it just happened to be on TV and is now a good marketing tool for Bolognese to promote his company, Impact Irrigation Consulting.

“I don’t deal with the hands-on work much anymore, but I know how to do it,” he says. “I saw this as a teaching opportunity. I was able to teach Gino how to do the repair and wound up getting on television, too.”

Photo: Bolognese, Ralph Panaro, Gail Woolcott (director of operations for NJLCA) and Gino Panaro at NJLCA Annual Trade Show in Secaucus, N.J.