Does it ever seem like the changes you want to make to your garden always end up at the bottom of your to-do list? If you’re tired of your garden being a someday project, let’s talk about how we can get started today.
So why is healthy soil so important to overall lawn health? Basically, healthy soil has a high organic content and is teeming with biological life, which helps grow grass that is naturally disease, weed, and pest resistant.
In the temperate climate of Japan, moss is quite prevalent and is thus incorporated into many Japanese gardens. In fact, in Japanese landscaping moss is considered quite beautiful as it contains its own natural mini rolling hills and valleys.
Did you know that the word “landscape” was originally an art term, referring to paintings of natural scenery? It does not acquire its modern definition of laying out gardens and lawns, and planting trees until the late 1920s.
Many people rake up their grass clippings when they are done mowing their lawn if they don’t have a mulching mower. This actually isn’t necessary, as leaving residue where it falls, when done the right way, can actually be good for your lawn.
When you use an organic lawn care program, you show consideration for friends and neighbors who may live down slope. When chemical products are used, they can wash down into your neighbors’ yard from rains or from sprinkler runoff.
If possible, install a proper path or stepping stones across your organic lawn to avoid any excessive wear and tear. It is even more important keep off the lawn in winter when it's wet and frosty.
Water is an essential part of a traditional Japanese garden, whether this is real water or represented in a dry rock garden by white sand. Your contractors will work with you to determine whether a pond or a stream would be a good addition to your garden design.
One of the questions you should ask a potential hardscape contractor is related to the drainage plan that he or she will put in place. You want to ensure that rain water will drain properly away from the home's foundation.
Is symmetry a good thing in the garden? Although it can be, most Japanese gardens strive for an asymmetrical structure that mirrors the irregular but still balanced appearance of most natural settings.
There is an old Zen saying about the lotus flower, how it reflects human nature, and consists of two opposing energies - light and darkness. The lotus flower’s surface beauty depends on its roots being in the mud.
Want to do a completely organic property? There are organic fertilizers which might be something you want to look into- and a fertilizer pro can help you sort through the many options that are out there.
Lawn care is a lot more complicated than it may appear. Mowing is just one small part of the job. Do you understand different types of grasses or the proper amount of water and fertilizer for gardens in the shade, as opposed to those in the sun? We are experts in lawn care.
Did you know that you should be repotting your cactus on a fairly regular basis? It’s true. Their roots can become too tight in a small pot, so it’s better to put them in something bigger every couple of years.
Fall is the best time to prepare for spring. Have leaves, fallen branches, and debris removed from planting beds and lawns, and arrange to have the lawn fertilized at the end of the season to encourage healthy, vibrant growth next spring.
Most lawn seed is made up of a number of grass varieties. They're designed to work together to provide good coverage. One variety may work well in a shady spot while another is perfect for a low lying area that tends to stay wetter longer after a rain.
Are you wanting to transform your green space but don’t know how or where to start? We will visit your home or grounds and create a design plan that blends perfectly with its architecture and materials.
There are many benefits to professional landscaping in the urban environments. Effective landscaping helps regulate air quality and can even affect energy consumption. Landscaping also recharges groundwater supplies, protecting lakes and streams from unhealthy runoff.
Outdoor landscape clean up can be the hardest part of running a business- you simply don’t always have the time for it. Choosing the right professionals to take care of that makes your life so much easier.
Tired of only being able to use your outdoor living space for a certain number of months each year? Consider a built-in outdoor fireplace. Not only will it add charm and value to your home, but it will also extend the time you can spend enjoying the great outdoors.
Christopher Basile
January 31 at 2:35 PM ·
A CONVERSATION ABOUT PERCEIVED VALUE:
A customer asked a contractor how much it would cost to do this project.
The contractor gave him a proposal: $4500
The customer responded: That’s seems really high.
The contractor asked: What do you think is a reasonable price for this job?
The customer answered: $2500 maximum
The contractor responded: Ok, then I invite you to do it yourself.
The customer answered: I don't know how to.
The contractor responded: Alright, then how about for $2500 I'll teach you how to. So besides saving you $2000, you'll learn valuable skills that will benefit you in the future.
The customer answered: Sounds good! Let’s do it!
The contractor responded: Great! To get started, you are going to need some tools. You will need a chop saw, table saw, cordless drill, bit set, router, skill saw, jig saw, tool belt, hammer, etc..
The customer answered: But I don't have any of those tools and I can't justify buying all of these for one job.
The contractor responded: Ok. Well then for an additional $300 I can rent my tools to you to use for this project.
The customer answered: Okay. That’s fair.
The contractor responded: Great! We will start the project on Monday.
The customer answered: I work Monday through Friday. I’m only available on the weekends.
The contractor responded: If you want to learn from me then you will need to work when I work. This project will take 3 days so you will need to take 3 days off work.
The customer answered: That means I’m going to have to sacrifice my pay for 3 days or use my vacation time!
The contractor responded: That’s true. Remember, when you do a job yourself you need to account for unproductive factors.
The customer answered: What do you mean by that?
The contractor responded: Doing a job completely from start to finish includes time spent to plan the project, pick up materials, travel time, gas, set up time, clean up, and waste disposal amongst other things. That’s all in addition to the actual project itself. And speaking of materials, that’s where we will start on Monday so I need you to meet me at the lumberyard at 6:00am.
The customer answered: At 6am?!! My work day doesn’t usually start until 8am!
The contractor responded: Well then you’re in luck! My plan is to start on the deck build by 8am. But to do so we have to start at 6am to get materials picked up, loaded and delivered to your job site.
The customer answered: You know, I’m realizing that a lot more goes in to a job than what a customer sees in the finished project. Your proposal of $4500 is very reasonable. I would like you to handle the project.
CONCLUSION:
When you pay for a job, especially a custom job, (whether it’s a physical project or digital project) you pay not only for the material and the work to be completed. You also pay for:
✔️ Knowledge
✔️ Experience
✔️ Custom Skills
✔️ Tools
✔️ Time to plan
✔️ Time to prepare
✔️ Professionalism
✔️ Work Ethic
✔️ Excellence
✔️ Discipline
✔️ Commitment
✔️ Integrity
✔️ Taxes
✔️ Licenses
✔️ Sacrifices
✔️ Liabilities
✔️ Insurance
✔️ Permits
If you request a proposal for custom work to be done, please don’t disrespect a service provider by trying to get them to lower their prices.
If their proposal exceeds your budget, there’s nothing wrong with getting other proposals.
Just remember.. you get what you pay for.
👉🏼 SERVICE PROVIDERS: Know your worth and be confident in it.
👉🏼 CONSUMERS: Recognize their worth and be respectful of it.
Sharing this to support all my friends, family and clients who are Entrepreneurs, Business Owners and Tradesman.
Photo for attention purposes only
Want to be sure your business puts on its best face all winter? A fall landscaping update is a great way to be sure of it. And it will prepare your plants for the spring as well. Why not let the pros help you do it?
When you are looking to make your home your own, curb appeal is the essence of what you are after in your landscape, and a well-fertilized lawn can be the first step. You evaluate a place based on the care that is evident in its lawn before you can see much of anything else, and a green lawn is a great sign.
Choosing to go organic is on many minds today. One perhaps unexpected way to do that is to consider how your lawn is treated. There are amendments and fertilizers that can be used without causing any damage to the environment- and your lawn will still look fantastic.
