Entries for 'Administrator'

Gardening has been well documented as the most popular pastime in America. It can be a very relaxing and rewarding hobby. Many people have a natural talent for creating lovely gardens. Some even will take on building the structural elements of their gardens and landscapes.

For some people they undertake a landscape project on their own without engaging professionals because they have a deep passion for what they are planning and want to create it themselves. Others may be trying to control the project cost. Sometimes it is a combination of both reasons. Whatever the reason you will need to create a budget based on your project needs.

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As a landscape professional often the first question I get when a potential client contacts my company for installing interlocking concrete pavers is “how much per square foot”? How I answer this question is by trying to help educate that person about proper paver installation and business practice.
 

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The landscape profession has evolved leaps and bounds in the past fifteen to twenty years. Today’s successful landscape firms are well oiled business machines. Whether it is a large or small firm the realities are similar. Embrace technology, marketing, and business management or be doomed to struggle to eek out a living. When I attend meetings and seminars with the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association, The Professional Landscapers Alliance, and The Associated Landscape Contractors of America I am always very impressed with the level of professionalism I am surrounded by.

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Most property owners and homeowners only hire a landscape contractor every 7 to 10 years and many don’t know what questions to ask to evaluate the contractor.

The following information is provided to assist property owners and homeowner’s in choosing a landscape contractor. This is not an exhaustive list and all of the questions may not apply to your situation.

We will be happy to provide you with a complete copy of our answers and the support at our first meeting.

Here are 3 areas we recommend you consider in evaluation every painting contractor you talk to:
1.    The Reputation and Business Stability of the Landscape Contractor
2.    Their Experience and Methodology
3.    Their Service Before, During and After Your Project

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After almost two decades in the landscape industry you really begin to notice the most common problems and mistakes in landscapes. One major problem is plant choice and location. Most homeowners, builders and even many landscapers are guilty of these errors. Today with the internet, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Service, the plethora of gardening books and magazines, it is easier than ever to find information on plant selection.

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Landscape Professionals are unique individuals. In many cases they define the American entrepreneur.  They must have knowledge of many things to be successful. While at a seminar in Ohio Gary Kinman, a well known industry leader had a list of all it takes to be that proven professional. I saw Gary for the first time about 7 years ago and he was the person who changed how I view the green industry and the landscape profession. It was Gary’s list that has inspired me to create my own list of what a landscape professional is. 

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It always disheartens me when I suggest inter locking concrete pavers for a hardscape application and the client has had or heard of a paver job that has “failed”. They complain about shifting, settling, and weeds. These problems are caused by improper excavation, base preparation, base materials choices, compaction, edging installation and maintenance. 

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Yes there are thousands of these volcanoes in the garden state, mulch volcanoes that is. They are formed by unaware home owners and landscapers. The mulch is piled up high around the trunks of trees sometimes as deep as 12 inches. These “volcanoes” are very detrimental to the trees. The mulch causes the trunk to rot (crown rot) damaging the cambium layer located just under the bark. The cambium layer is what moves nutrients from the roots to the branches and leaves of a tree. Mice and other varmints will make their winter homes in these mulch volcanoes for warmth and chew on the tree trunks further damaging the tree. This will cause the trees to be stressed, and prematurely die. If you have mulch volcanoes remove the mulch around the tree and inspect the crown for rot or damage. The proper way to mulch a tree is to apply 2-3 inches of mulch around the bed line and tapering the mulch down to almost no mulch at the trunk. Make sure your mulch does not become matted down and act as a shield to water causing it to run off, if this happens break up the mulch with a rake or cultivator.

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Just about every landscape company I know offers some type of a plant guarantee. Most are a one-year or one growing season guarantee. This often inc...

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Today’s lifestyles have us utilizing our outdoor spaces more and more. We have all heard of the “outdoor room” concept. So how do we achieve this roomy comfortable feeling in our yards? The professional landscape designer knows there is more to landscaping than plants, bricks, and mulch. To create the perfect atmosphere many elements must be carefully considered.

 

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