Pirate Gardeners, Garden Fun, So it Goes...

Relax. Everyone needs some time off from mowing. If you're starting or running your own lawn care business, relaxation is just as important, if not more important, than if you work for a large company.

Everyone needs some time for fun in their lives. After all, as the old saying goes... All mowing and no play, makes the gardener a dull boy (or girl, as the case may be).

So, here's some fun things to take your mind off your lawn care work, sort of... The latest issue of ProGardenBiz "Just for Fun" is out...

Read it all at:

http://www.progardenbiz.com/issues/v1issue3/Lawn-Care-Mowing-Fun.html

- So it Goes

Jason Love's comentary on life. Not much about lawn care and gardening, but it will bring a smile, we hope! So STOP mowing and read on...

Pirate Gardeners

Avast lawn care matey's, follow the mowing adventures of Captain Blight and his pirate gardener mates. Beware the flag of the Jolly Rodger and remember... Dead men kill no snails (old pirate gardener saying).

Pirate Gardener Manifest

The mowing is done for the day (I hope...) and you don't want to wade through our magazine archives just for a few chuckles or groans... so the answer is Cap't Blight's Booty Manifest (that's pirate booty, as in gold, silver, sprinkler heads):

#1 Dead Men Kill No Snails
#2 Pirates of the Irrigation
#3 Scourge of the Four Seasons

Plus more fun and interesting diversions... at:

http://www.progardenbiz.com/issues/v1issue3/Lawn-Care-Mowing-Fun.html
_______________________________________

You can post questions, comments, thoughts, ideas and more to
our email discussion group at: pgbdiscussion@yahoogroups.com or
the new Forum section at:

http://www.progardenbiz.com/public_html/forum/index.php

I look forward to hearing from you! Have a happy and safe holiday season!

Thank you,

Steve Fleming
Publisher
ProGardenBiz

A Visit from St. Customer... A Landscaper's Tale
Article by Jack Stone
Copyright © 2003 by ProGardenBiz
ProGardenBiz, an online magazine
http://www.progardenbiz.com

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the supply house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a pipe mouse;
The orders were made in the office with care,
In hopes that St. Customer soon would be there;
The workers were ready all snug in their beds,
While visions of giant sales danced in their heads;
And the supplies were ready, the plants all so lush,
The owners had settled in for the great new year rush;
Then out on the lot there arose such a clatter,
They sprang from their seats to see what was the matter.
Away to the window they flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
When what to their wondering eyes did appear with such luck,
But a crew of eighteen landscapers and a giant semi-truck;
With a little old driver, and hardly a cuss,
They knew in a moment it must be St. Cus . . .

And so St. Customer bought out everything in the store.
His crew loaded it up and . . .

He sprang to his truck, to his crew gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle;
But they heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
__________________________________________

About the Author:

Jack Stone is a Contributing Editor for ProGardenBiz Magazine,
an online magazine for professional gardeners and landscape
contractors. Visit ProGardenBiz to find out how you can get a
free subscription, start-up guidance, business ideas and
inspiration at http://www.progardenbiz.com.
__________________________________________

You have permission to publish this article electronically or
in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included.
Must be published complete with no changes.
A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

This is your ProGardenBiz Newsletter! #9

To cancel your subscription click the link at the bottom of
this message. To post messages, ask or answer questions, send
your email to: pgbdiscussion@yahoogroups.com

____________________________________________

ProGardenBiz Landscape & Garden Magazine for the
Green Industry

ProGardenBiz is an online landscape & garden magazine and
directory for professional gardeners and landscape
contractors doing maintenance, irrigation, installation,
planting, and waterscapes.

Quote for today: "The successful leader has not the loudest voice but the readiest ear. And his or her real genius may well lie not in personal achievement, but in unleashing other people’s talent."

- Warren Bennis, business-administration educator

Life's Quips...
"The trouble with the rat-race is that even if you win you're
still a rat."
- Lily Tomlin

____________________________________________

In this Issue:

- First Things First
- Composting for Better Lawn & Landscape Care
- Sniglet
- Questions from our readers... and answers!
- Factoid - How many brains do you have?
- It Works for Me! Tips from our Readers
- Starting a Landscape or Gardening Business
- Contents Of the Current Issue of ProGardenBiz
____________________________________________

New this Week in ProGardenBiz:

Selling the Job
Landscape Maintenance Techniques
Plant Facts Index
Waterscapes
Irrigation Techniques


You can read these articles at:
http://www.progardenbiz.com
____________________________________________

First Things First

A young ensign had nearly completed his first overseas tour of duty
when he was given the opportunity to prepare his ship to "set sail."
With a stream of crisp commands, he had the decks buzzing with sailors
and soon the ship was churning slowly out of the channel.

The ensign's efficiency was remarkable. In fact, the talk was that he
had set a new record for getting the ship underway. His bubble was
burst, however, when he was handed a radio message from the captain.

"My personal congratulations upon completing your underway
preparation exercise according to the book and with amazing speed," it
read. "But next time wait until your captain is aboard before getting
underway!"

What good is a ship without the captain? The ensign did all the right
things, but he never did the most important thing!

It is a matter of priorities. You may accomplish a great deal every
day. But are you accomplishing the truly important things? To borrow
the language of Stephen Covey, have you put first things first?

In marriage and relationships, in work and career, in the areas of
mental, physical and spiritual health, are you truly doing the
important things?

It is never a matter of doing more. To determine to squeeze more time
in every day for exercise, reading or spiritual devotion usually does
not last long. More people find success in deciding what is truly
important and doing it first. And if some of the other "stuff" never
gets done, will you miss it?

Today, will you put first things first? And how about tomorrow? And
the next day? If so, you will one day discover that you are building a
life that counts.

Steve Goodier Publisher@LifeSupportSystem.com is a professional
speaker, consultant and author of numerous books. Visit his site for
more information, or to sign up for his FREE newsletter of Life, Love
and Laughter at http://LifeSupportSystem.com.

------------------------------------------


Composting for Better Lawn & Landscape Care

Article by Lance Richfield

What is Composting and Why Do It?

Composting is nature's way to recycle. It is the controlled
natural decomposition of organic material, such as leaves, grass
clippings, prunings, and fruit and vegetable scraps.
Microorganisms break down these materials into compost, or humus,
the nutrient rich soil product that results from proper
composting.

Composting has many benefits for your garden and the environment.
It save you money by conserving water and reducing the need to
purchase commercial fertilizers and soil amendments. It benefits
your yard and garden by improving soil health and fertility and
preventing erosion. It conserves water by helping the soil hold
more water and reducing the need for frequent watering. It helps
the environment by recycling valuable organic materials and
extending the life of the landfill.

Getting Started

Composting can be practiced almost anywhere... in your backyard,
at work or school, even if you live in an apartment! All you need
to get started composting is a little bit of space, a bin, and a
basic understanding of the composting process.



For the rest of this article see:
http://www.progardenbiz.com/issues/v1issue3/Composting-Lawn-Landscape.html

________________________________________________

Sniglet: Help wanted: Telepathy - you know where to apply.

________________________________________________

Q&A
Questions from our readers...

Q. I live in Richmond, VA.  I have 4 crepes that need to be
transplanted because they are not getting enough sun.  When is
the best time to do this?  Also what fertilizer should I use &
when to apply?
 
Azaleas also need to be moved because they have gotten too large
for the space.  When should I do this?  Best fertilizer & when to
apply? 

Thanks.  Mary

A. I always recommend asking planting questions of your local
nurseryman. They are most familiar with your area. In general,
though, you should be able to transplant either of these plants
anytime during the growing season. It is best to do it early so
as to give the plant time to become re-established before the
dormant season.

For the Crepe Myrtle any good fertilizer will do. For your Azaleas
you will find specialized fertilizers at your nursery that are
labeled for Azaleas. Ironite would be good for either plant.
Fertilize early in the growing season. Follow the instructions
on the fertilizer.

Q. my dad works in a factory and would like to start his own
business. the only thing stoping him is he dosen't know where to
start.he plans on starting out in the tampa, fl area.

what advice can you give or resources do you have to help him out.

thank you, tony e.

A. See our article How to Start and Run a Landscape Maintenance
Business at:

http://www.progardenbiz.com/resources/archives/issue1/features/IntroHowto.html

Other useful info:

Recommended Reading:

- Sunset's Western Garden Book
- Landscape Operations: Management, Methods, and Materials
- How to Start a Home-Based Landscaping Business, 3rd Edition
- Lawn Care & Gardening: A Down-To-Earth Guide to the Business
- How to Start and Run a Landscape Maintenance Business

Starting a Landscape or Gardening Business:

ProGardenBiz, a landscape and garden magazine for the Green
Industry is your online resource for starting and operating a
business as a landscape contractor or landscape and lawn
maintenance gardener. Related fields covered by ProGardenBiz are
irrigation installation and maintenance, sprinklers - repair and maintenance, waterscapes, water features, and ponds. You will also
find information on plants, plant identification, trees and tree maintenance, and many other topics that span the Green Industry.
Visit our new Community Web Portal for Forums, Chat, FAQ's, News,
Articles and more.

Q. Hi there, my name is Jim and I'm from Griffith, Indiana. I trim
and remove trees part time, but I have a chance for a city job but
they want me to be Licensed,Insured,and Bonded, which is
understandable. However I must take a contractors test. My question
is what will I need to do or study to pass the State test?

I would appreciate any advice, thank you.

Jim

A. You can contact your state offices for the best information at:

Landscaping: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Office
Bldg. Indianapolis IN. 46204 Phone: (317) 232-2980

Technical book stores will often carry study guides and training
tools. Check your local yellow pages for Contractor Schools in
your area.



Have questions? We have answers. Send your questions to
editor@progardenbiz. Your questions are welcome and will be
answered by email and appear in our "Letters" or "Ask?"
columns.

____________________________________________

Factoid: A grasshopper can leap over obstacles 500 times its
own height.
____________________________________________

It Works for Me! Tips from our Readers

We use to use the special additives for spray marking when we
sprayed for weeds. It became too expensive so we started to use
food coloring. It works great and it doesn't stain as bad as
some of the commercially available products.

P.E.
Tucson, AZ

Have a problem with people cutting through shrub areas and cutting
corners? Try a few well placed rocks, or try lining the "path"
with lots of different size rocks. Have a problem with people
taking short cuts down a small slope face? Get a 4' by 8' wire
sheet with a minimum of 6" by 6" spacings. Cut it to fit the path.
Place several 2" by 2" stakes about 18" apart. Make sure that the
stakes stick up level with the top of the ground cover you have.
Nail the wire sheet to the stakes. You can also plant thorny
vines through the wire. If that doesn't work try land mines.

K.W.
El Cajon, CA

For solving path problems, I always liked the innovative design
solution used by a forward thinking landscape designer. The
landscaping was being installed in a shopping center with typical
islands in the parking area. The designer made a general plan, but requested that the contractor doing the install only put in the
irrigation system and the top soil graded to final grade with no
plantings. Small signs were put up to explain that the landscaping
was still under construction and the shopping center opened for
business.

Within a week there were clear paths in use across various areas of
the landscaping where people decided to take "shortcuts". The
designer than finalized the planting plans and incorporated these
paths into the plan. The paths were formalized with concrete walks
or stepping stones.

The people showed where they wanted to walk and the landscaping
conformed. - Editor

Why should I tell other people what works for me? If I figure
something out that does a better job than what everyone else is
doing and it gets me more work I'm not going to tell anyone. They
can figure it out for themselves. If get an idea its mine!

B.N.
Las Vegas, NV

Be a sport. If you have a technique or a method that is so unique
and exclusive, please don't tell anyone. You are right in that
instance. The things we want to hear about are the clever ways you
tackle everyday problems such as the ideas of above. No sense to
being stingy with a few ideas. - Editor

____________________________________________

Starting a Landscape or Gardening Business:
ProGardenBiz, a landscape and garden magazine for the Green
Industry is your online resource for starting and operating a
business as a landscape contractor or landscape and lawn
maintenance gardener. Related fields covered by ProGardenBiz
are irrigation installation and maintenance, sprinklers -
repair and maintenance, waterscapes, water features, and ponds.
You will also find information on plants, plant identification,
trees and tree maintenance, and many other topics that span the
Green Industry.

If the answers you seek are not readily found, then drop us an
email at: editor@progardenbiz. Your questions are welcome and
will be answered by email and appear in our "Letters" or "Ask?"
columns.
_______________________________________

Contents Of the Current Issue of ProGardenBiz
http://www.progardenbiz.com
Volume 1, Issue 3
Feature Articles

- Being a Pro: A Series on Professionalism: Lawn Maintenance
Equipment, Buying & Using to make a Profit


Volume 1, Issue 3
Feature Articles

- Being a Pro: Equipment
- Irriation Time Savers II
- Project Management
- Custom Designed Pond
- Erosion Control for Landscape Installation
- CLCA Certified Landscape Technician
_______________________________________

You can post questions, comments, thoughts, ideas and more to
our email discussion group at: pgbdiscussion@yahoogroups.com or
the new Forum section at:

http://www.progardenbiz.com/public_html/forum/index.php

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you,

Steve Fleming
Publisher
ProGardenBiz

Irrigation & Sprinkler Repair Service
Create a Profitable New Service to Your Lawn Care Business
Article by Jack Stone
Copyright © 2003 by ProGardenBiz
ProGardenBiz, an online magazine
http://www.progardenbiz.com

One of the most profitable additions to your lawn care service
business can be the repair of irrigation and sprinkler systems.
Although plumbers may do this work, it is not their area of
expertise and their hourly rates are often prohibitive for this
type of work. There are irrigation companies that do
installation that also do repair and maintenance and this is
their speciality. As a lawn care operator you have an
advantage with your immediate contact with an established
client base, your own customers!

Most lawn care operators include minor sprinkler repair as
part of the service. Parts should always be charged separately.
Major problems should be handled as separate jobs and charged by
the hour. The repair of irrigation and sprinkler systems is not
something that can be estimated prior to the start of the job.
The problems often lie underground and cannot be seen. You may
be able, from experience, to look over the problem and give a
rough idea of what is involved, but always charge by the hour
for the work, plus parts.

What you charge will vary from area to area. Generally
irrigation repair is charged at a slightly higher hourly rate
than lawn care service, but much less than what plumbers would
charge. An example would be:

Lawn Care hourly man-hour rate: $25.00 per hour
Plumber hourly rate: $85.00 per hour
Irrigation repair hourly rate: $40.00 per hour

Have a minimum charge of one hour's work and stick to it.
Tell the client the minimum up front. Before you actually
start working you never know if it will be a ten minute job
or a whole day. I could fill pages with the stories of what
we've found underground once we started digging, but at the
same time it's been more than once that I found the problem
was the time clock was shut off or had no power.

Buy your parts at a wholesale supplier that sells to the
landscape contractor market. Mark your parts up a minimum of
30%. Always check the discount hardware retailers in your
area, like Home Depot, as they will often have better prices.
When you buy at the wholesale supplier you will not get the
best discount unless you have a contractor's license, so
sometimes places like Home Depot will have better prices.

Keep a small stock of the most often used sprinkler repair
parts on your truck. Running to the supplier for every
repair job will waste time and eat into your profits.

The first question many lawn care operators ask is do they
need a landscape contractor's license to do irrigation and
sprinkler system repair work? You will need to check with
your State Contractor's license board to be sure, but in most
cases you do not. You would need a contractor's license to
do installations of new systems that exceed certain dollar values
(which vary from state to state in the U.S.A.).

How to Get New Repair Customers

People who need sprinkler systems repaired generally want it
done NOW! They will often take the first bid from the first
repair service to show up (as long as they like the person's
presentation and price). The best form of advertising I have
found for this work is a local classified ad direct mailer.
In my area this is called "The Pennysaver". Most towns and
cities have something similar. It will be a small magazine or
tabloid format publication that consists of classified and
display advertising. It usually is direct mailed to all houses
in the city or county. You can usually advertise by zip code
area which makes for very good targeted advertising. I usually
combine several services to make the ad more useful and cost
effective. An example ad for a lawn care service might be like
this:

Lawn and garden service. Weekly, bi-weekly custom care.
Sprinkler repair, yard clean-ups, trimming.

Add your name and phone number and place the ad. The
sprinkler repair work and yard clean-up jobs will easily pay
for the advertising and bring in extra profit. Meanwhile you
also benefit from building your regular maintenance route.

Tip: Is your regular maintenance route full? Not planning on
adding employees? Then continue advertising. Look for better
accounts, ask for higher hourly rates on the new accounts.
Always continue to improve and refine your maintenance work. As
you add better accounts you can drop the lower-paying or higher
maintenance accounts for the better work and improve your
profits at the same time.

Use the tools we have today to stay on top of your marketing
efforts. Have a cell phone and use it's number in your
advertising. You can take your calls in the field and schedule
to see new clients faster (they may be just down the street).
I've taken a call for sprinkler repair while doing maintenance
a short distance away. I'm usually the first one there and I
get the job done the same day (sometimes within an hour of the
call). Competitors with answering services or that scheduled
a meeting with the client later that day or evening lose the
job.

If you have never done any work on sprinkler systems or with
drip irrigation then get some good books on the subject and
learn the basics. Your wholesale supplier is also a very good
resource for information. They will have booklets and other
material from manufacturers like Rain Bird, Irritrol Systems,
Toro, Hunter, Rain Master, Weather-Matic, Champion, Superior
and more.

Some other good websites with information on irrigation and
sprinkler systems are:

http://www.lawn-sprinklers.net/
http://www.irrigationtutorials.com/
http://www.blueskyirrigation.com/sprinkler.htm
http://sprinklerdoc.4t.com/

__________________________________________

About the Author:

Jack Stone is a Contributing Editor for ProGardenBiz Magazine,
an online magazine for professional gardeners and landscape
contractors. Visit ProGardenBiz to find out how you can get a
free subscription, start-up guidance, business ideas and
inspiration at http://www.progardenbiz.com.
__________________________________________

You have permission to publish this article electronically or
in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines and active URL
are included. A courtesy copy of your publication or location of
link would be appreciated.

Landscape Techniques - Lawn Aeration
Article by Henry Thompson
Copyright © 2003 by ProGardenBiz
ProGardenBiz, an online magazine
http://www.progardenbiz.com

Aerate, in the context of landscape and grounds maintenance,
means "to supply the soil with air". It is a contractor
technique to aid in maintaining and improving lawns. Aeration
improves the lawn appearance, usability, and it's ability to
absorb water from irrigation. Aeration is important for the
garden as well as the lawn, but the techniques for garden
aeration are different than for lawns, and the subject for
another column.

An aerator is the equipment that performs the work and it's a
machine every gardener and landscape maintenance contractor
should own. If you perform lawn maintenance or renovate lawns
you need an aerator. Aeration is a standard component of any
grounds maintenance program. For seasonal work you can rent the
equipment. If you have a larger customer base you should
consider adding an aerator to your contractor equipment.
Landscape companies will generally find it more profitable to
own the equipment instead of renting.

First let's discuss the need for aeration and the benefits of
a regular aeration program in landscape maintenance.

Grass roots need air as well as water and fertilizer. The grass
can actually poison itself as a result of the various chemical
processes that occur in the individual grass plants if the
grass roots do not have enough air. Soil that lacks sufficient
air can result in; slow growth in the affected grass, excess
irrigation runoff due to poor permeability, shallow root
systems, and a lawn that's highly susceptible to insects,
disease, and heat damage.

Soil compaction is the most common example of soil deficient in
air. The growth habits of grass in compacted soil are shallow
root development, a substantial decrease in the number of grass
plants per square foot, and an inability to properly use
applied fertilizers.

Soil compaction in lawns is caused primarily by pedestrian
traffic, whether it is children playing in a playground or
people taking shortcuts across a lawn. Stopping the use of the
affected lawns is generally impractical. A better solution
would be frequent aeration and, depending upon the composition
of the soil, the application of lawn and garden amendments such
as peat, sand, or gypsum.

The benefits of aeration are an increase in the:

- growth rate of the grass thus an improvement in its ability
to withstand and recover from pedestrian use
- ability of water and fertilizer to penetrate to the grass
roots soil's absorption rate from irrigation
- root growth activity contributing to the strength and health
of the grass
- ability of bacteria present in the soil to break down and
decompose the thatch layer thus increasing the soils ability to
hold sufficient amounts of moisture between waterings
- grass's ability to withstand low water situations and heat
stress

Aeration is a technique best applied in late summer or early
fall for cool season grasses and in the spring for warm season
grasses. This can also be a good time to overseed and topdress/
amend the aerated lawn. One drawback to aeration is that it
increases the probability of weed infestation thus it can become
important to include pre-emergent and post-emergent weed control
measures. In addition to being beneficial to the lawn, these
services are an add-on profit center for the landscape
maintenance contractor. Aeration services are also often offered
by garden centers and nursery businesses.

If you have a severely damaged lawn or a lawn area that
undergoes heavy and frequent use you might consider aerating
these areas several times throughout the year. Remember,
aeration does damage the grass, so aerate "lightly" by using a
slightly wider tine spacing or only one pass.

An aerator that pulls plugs is more effective than one that
simply pokes holes. An aerator that pokes holes can further
compact the soil. Soil compaction decrease the available air
to the grass roots and causes excess irrigation run off. Either
remove the plugs or break them up (use a mulching lawn mower or
close the catcher chute on a standard mower). Always apply any
amendment immediately to achieve maximum penetration of the
amendments into the soil. The holes have a tendency to collapse
especially if pedestrian traffic is difficult to keep off.

Contractor equipment varies from dedicated aerators that pull
plugs to rototiller add-ons that simply poke holes. As
discussed, pulling plugs is better. You will also find the
dedicated aerator to be easier and more efficient to use.

Aeration is also a way for many landscape maintenance
contractors, gardeners, and garden centers to make more money.
Most offer the service to their customers as an additional
service. Pricing and costs will vary. Some charge by the
square foot, others by the job. The average price in Southern
California is about $45.00 per 1,000 square feet for owner
occupied single family residences. Other large landscape
maintenance contractors offer aeration as part of the
contracted service, especially for large residential
communities where the single billing cost for aeration could
be prohibitive. They calculate the cost of aerating and divide
the result by the term of the contract (usually one year, 12
months) thus charging the customer a portion (1/12th) of the
total cost each month. This makes the service affordable to the
homeowner association or property management company and brings
in more money to the contractor. The same technique could also
be used by smaller lawn maintenance and gardening companies.

Aeration should be part of your grounds maintenance and
irrigation service. Its an inexpensive way to improve your
customers lawns and make more money. It also makes it easier to
get those yearly increases in fees and keep customers longer.
Happy customers pay much better than dissatisfied customers.
Aerating really can make a big difference in the appearance of
your customer's lawns! Competition in the Green Industry is
strong and added services like aeration will help to put you out
in front of your competitors.

__________________________________________

About the Author:

Henry Thompson is a Contributing Writer for ProGardenBiz Magazine,
an online magazine for professional gardeners and landscape
contractors. Visit ProGardenBiz to find out how you can get a
free subscription, start-up guidance, business ideas and
inspiration at http://www.progardenbiz.com.
__________________________________________

You have permission to publish this article electronically or
in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included.
Must be published complete with no changes.
A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

This is your ProGardenBiz Newsletter! #6

To cancel your subscription click the link at the bottom of
this message. To post messages, ask or answer questions, send
your email to: pgbdiscussion@yahoogroups.com

For those who have email clients that do not accept HTML email
here is a text only version of our last newsletter. The HTML
version can be seen online at:
http://www.progardenbiz.com/ezine/Marketing-Tip-New-Business.html

Just to keep it interesting we've added some additional
articles to this issue. Enjoy!

____________________________________________

ProGardenBiz Landscape & Garden Magazine for the
Green Industry

ProGardenBiz is an online landscape & garden magazine for
professional gardeners and landscape contractors doing
maintenance, irrigation, installation, planting, and
waterscapes.

Quote for today: "Loyalty isn't standing by someone when he's
right... that's good judgement. Loyalty is standing by someone
when he's wrong."
- Susan Estrich


Life's Quips...
"Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes."
- Oscar Wilde

____________________________________________

In this Issue:

- Marketing Tips for your New Business
- Irrigation Installation & Maintenance Time Savers
- Questions from our readers... and answers!
- Factoid - Pine tree's best friend is fire?
- How to Establish a New Lawn from Seed – In 10 Simple Steps
- Starting a Landscape or Gardening Business
- Contents Of the Current Issue of ProGardenBiz

____________________________________________

New this Week in ProGardenBiz:

Free Article Content for Web or Print
Websites that Work
The Plant Man
CAD - Keystrokes
Green Industry Survey


You can read these articles at:
http://www.progardenbiz.com
____________________________________________

Marketing Tips for your New Business

Article by Michelle Dunn

Marketing is one of the most important things you do for your
business. A common mistake new entrepreneurs make is thinking
that they only have to market their business in the beginning to
obtain new customers and get their business off the ground. You
have to market your business every day forever. Here are some
things you can do to help you in your marketing endeavor:

- Networking, join a chamber of commerce or rotary club
- Give speeches or seminars
- Volunteer at local events
- Create a Gift Certificate or Coupon
- Make your self newsworthy by holding a contest, sponsoring an
award etc.
- Ask existing customers for referrals
- Advertise in a local paper and on-line
- Write articles and columns
- Send out Direct mail in an unusual or lumpy package, include
a sample


One clever method is used in my area by a local landscape
company. They place their flyer in a small plastic bag (the
flyer is folded in quarters) along with a few small landscape
rocks and seal the bag. Then in the neighborhoods that they
already work, they drive down the streets and toss these bags
onto the driveways. It's fast, covers many homes, and because
they are unusual, the flyers get looked at and read!

The Federal Trade Commission has strict rules on when a
business can use the telephone to solicit customers. Violation
of these rules can result in a fine. The rules are:

- Call only between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- Inform the customer that it's a sales call
- Describe the goods or services you're selling
- If there is a prize involved, explain the odds of winning
and that no purchase is required to win


Marketing can be a fun part of your business day, make sure to
do at least one thing to market your business every day. Don't
get discouraged; it can take months or even years to see
results from your marketing efforts. I recently obtained a new
customer, which was the result of my visiting their office over
a year ago and leaving a folder of my information!

About the Author:

Michelle Dunn is the author of "Starting Your Own Collection
Agency" and "MAD Collection Letters and Forms." Visit her site
at www.madagency.com or her online credit and collections
community at www.credit-and-collections.com.


------------------------------------------


Irrigation Installation & Maintenance Time Savers

Article by Jack Stone

Over the last few years some clever people have come up with
some clever ideas to make your irrigation installation,
maintenance, and repair jobs a heck of a lot easier. Installing
and maintaining an irrigation system is one of the primary jobs
for any landscape contractor or grounds maintenance business.

First, there was PVC pipe, followed by electric valves and
controllers. Then someone invented electronic controllers and
some other guy invented the PVC pipe cutter. What more could
there be?

For the rest of this article see:
http://www.progardenbiz.com/currentissue/Feature1.html

________________________________________________

Q&A
Questions from our readers...

Q. We are contemplating adding a garden "pool" or pond to our
backyard. We live in hot & sunny south Florida.  I've looked at
the plastic "pond" linings at Home Depot.  Based on the fact
that the plastic garbage can can't last a year in the sun
without cracking, I don't think these are the way to go.  I'm
thinking we will have to build our own using concrete.  Does
anyone have any advice in regard to this? Know of any sites that
describe how to do such a thing?

catharine

A. The plastic pond liners work great.  The plastic is UV
stabilized and won't crack like your trash can.  If you really
want to do a concrete pond you need to consider a number of
areas.  If the pond has steep sides you will need to build a
form to hold the concrete in place until it sets.  A gentle
sloped pond can be done free-form.  Small ponds can be done
with concrete only, but larger ponds will need a wire frame to
help keep the concrete from cracking.  You can add color to the
concrete to give it a natural look.  After the concrete sets you
can coat it with Thompson's water seal to keep it from leaking
(concrete is porous and the water will seep through it without a
sealer).

Check out www.pondmarket.com and pondarama.com  There's also
regular columns on ponds in our online magazine ProGardenBiz. 
Good luck on your project.

Q. We are interested in bordering a vegetable garden with
railroad ties, but someone has told us that railroad ties are
treated with chemicals that will get into the soil and also into
the food.  Have you heard of this problem?

A. Railroad ties are treated with creosote to preserve them.
This can leech into the soil so I would not recommend using them
around a vegetable garden. There are other ways to treat wood to
preserve it, such as Thompson's Water Seal, but you should check
the label to see if it can be used around vegetables.

Another solution is to use a cedar timber. Pecky Cedar works
well. Cedar is naturally resistant to termites, but it will
still deteriorate from exposure to water and sunlight. It will,
however, last for many years.

Q. I really enjoyed the article in your first issue on Pocket
Gophers. Mr. Oliver was very thorough in his description of
traps and chemical controls, but I would be interested in
knowing what biological controls are available. I have heard of
a plant called "Gopher Purge". Is it effective at all?

T.G.
La Mirada, CA

A. We know of no scientific study to determine the effectiveness
of Gopher Purge, but many people have commented that it appears
to work. The only sure way would be to try it. Let us know what
happens.

Q. When mowing lawns do you recommend picking up the clippings
or leaving them?

A. It's better for the lawn to leave the clippings. It adds
valuable nutrients back to the soil instead of removing them.
If you use the proper mower, one that is designed to cut and
mulch, not bag (many are designed to do both) then the clippings
will be cut fine and the mowing job will appear the same as if
the clippings were bagged.


Have questions? We have answers. Send your questions to
editor@progardenbiz. Your questions are welcome and will be
answered by email and appear in our "Letters" or "Ask?"
columns.

____________________________________________

Factoid: Forest fires are pine trees best friends... well sort
of... The Jack Pine tree, as well as many other pine trees,
cannot reproduce without the help of a forest fire.

____________________________________________


How to Establish a New Lawn from Seed – In 10 Simple Steps

Article by Trey Rogers, Ph.D. - The Yard Doctor

One might think that establishing a new lawn is done by simply
placing seeds in the ground and watching them grow into
beautiful green turf.  If that were the case, then everyone
would have a showpiece lawn.  Here are 10 easy steps that will
transform that soil into a lush, lavish lawn.

Bear in mind that establishing a yard from seed is a holistic
process – sort of like brewing a cup of coffee.  If you take
these steps out of order (or omit one), your chances of success
will dwindle.

The following steps are for establishing a new lawn from
scratch.  If your lawn is already established and you just need
to fill in thin or bare spots, skip the first few steps (with
the possible exception of step #1).

Soil test– Have your yard's soil tested at least a month prior
to seeding.  The test results will determine your fertilizer,
lime and soil amendment needs for steps 4,5 and 6.  The
Cooperative Extension Service in your state will conduct a soil
test for a nominal fee

Persistent weed control– Apply a non-selective herbicide
(glyphosate or Scott's RoundupÒ) to the yard about two weeks
before you start seeding.  This herbicide will eliminate weeds,
like quackgrass, that can't be controlled by regular selective herbicides.  You might need two applications, spaced 10 days
apart, to control weeds deeply embedded in the soil.

Rough grading– Get out the mini tractor and move soil around to
your liking if you need to do some leveling, landscaping, etc. 
Remove any stones you find.  Try not to work when the soil is
too wet or dry as this will harm the soil structure.  A good
rule of thumb is to squeeze a fistful of soil.  If water comes
out, then the soil is too wet to work.

Lime– Save time by combining steps 4,5 and 6.  The outcome of
your soil test will determine which of these steps is needed. 
Lime is used to raise the soil's acidity level.  You will need
to add about 100 pounds per 1,000 square feet if the soil's pH
is 5.5 or lower.  Spread the lime and disk it in.

Basic fertilizer– If the soil test shows a phosphorous or
potassium deficiency, add fertilizer that is high in one or both
of these ingredients.  Follow the rate recommendations from your
soil test.

Soil amendments– Depending on what the soil test reveals, you
may need to amend your soil with peat, sand, another topsoil,
etc.  If adding a different soil type or sand, make sure that
your final mixture won't be some form of concrete.  It will be
well worth the effort to consult an expert.

Finish grade – Prepare a good seedbed by removing any stones
and old grass clumps.  Add soil in low spots to ensure constant
surface drainage (settle the surface by watering, if possible).

Starter fertilizer– Place a starter fertilizer down at the rate recommended on the label.  A starter fertilizer typically has a
higher phosphorous rate and more soluble nitrogen than
fertilizers designed for mature lawns.

Seed– A seeding rate of 10 to 15 seeds per square inch will give
the yard the best chance to grow nice healthy plants.  It may
not look like enough, but it is plenty.  Make sure the seed has
good soil contact so it can easily absorb water to start the
germination process.  You can accomplish this with a dry roller
for big yards or the flat back edge of a rake for smaller areas.

Mulch– Applying mulch to the newly seeded area will help ensure germination, control erosion and reduce water use.  Many
products can be used as mulch.  Straw makes the most effective
mulching material, but be sure it doesn't contain weeds that
could take root with the new grass.  Do not use peat as mulch –
it competes with soil and seed for water and nutrients.

Here are some other considerations for establishing a new lawn:

Timing– When is the best time to seed?  It's kind of like
fishing.  Fishing is always good … the catching is a different
story.  There are definitely better windows of time than others
for seeding grass.  For cool-season grasses, the best times are
spring and fall; for warm-season grasses, seed in the summer. 
Your chances for success are better the earlier you are in the
window.

Watering– Once the seeds take in water, the irreversible process
of germination begins, so it's very important to continue
watering once you've started.  After the grass germinates (time
to germination for grass species range from three to 21 days),
increase the amount of water and the time between watering
intervals.

 Fertilizing – New grass will likely use up the starter
fertilizer within the first month.  To keep the grass growing,
apply another half pound to a pound per 1,000 square feet after
30 days and then again at 50 to 60 days.  Make sure the yard is
dry before applying fertilizer to prevent footprints from
appearing in the soil, which will create an uneven surface.

 Weed control – Using a herbicide called siduron at step 8 will
prevent crabgrass in the spring.  You can find this product and fertilizer in the same bag. Do not use any other herbicides on
newly seeded areas as these products will keep both the grass
and crabgrass from germinating.  Wait until after the second or
third mowing, and then use a herbicide such as MSMA, which is
found on the label of several weed control products.

Once grass has sprouted, one of the best products to use is
quinclorac (DriveÒ) because it is the only product that controls crabgrass without harming the new grass. However, it is only
available through lawn care professionals.

Mowing– Mow as soon as you can because it encourages the grass
to spread. Follow the one-third rule; remove just one-third of
the grass plant when mowing.  For best results, set your mower
at three inches for cool season grasses and two inches for warm
season grasses.

For tips from The Yard Doctor see:

http://www.progardenbiz.com/issues/v1issue2/Lawn-Care-Tips-Yard-Doctor.html

Get practical tips for yard care from Briggs & Stratton’s Yard
Doctor. He provides timely information on specific areas of yard
care, including watering, fertilizing, weeding and more. Go to http://www.yarddoctor.com/display/router.asp?DocID=47090 and
sign up today!

____________________________________________

Starting a Landscape or Gardening Business:
ProGardenBiz, a landscape and garden magazine for the Green
Industry is your online resource for starting and operating a
business as a landscape contractor or landscape and lawn
maintenance gardener. Related fields covered by ProGardenBiz
are irrigation installation and maintenance, sprinklers -
repair and maintenance, waterscapes, water features, and ponds.
You will also find information on plants, plant identification,
trees and tree maintenance, and many other topics that span the
Green Industry.

If the answers you seek are not readily found, then drop us an
email at: editor@progardenbiz. Your questions are welcome and
will be answered by email and appear in our "Letters" or "Ask?"
columns.
_______________________________________

Contents Of the Current Issue of ProGardenBiz
http://www.progardenbiz.com
Volume 1, Issue 3
Feature Articles

- Being a Pro: A Series on Professionalism: Lawn Maintenance
Equipment, Buying & Using to make a Profit


Volume 1, Issue 2
Feature Articles

-Irrigation Time Savers
-Install a Water Garden
-Don't Get Ripped Off
-Creative Railroad Ties
-Innovative Irrigation Tool: The Chain Saw!
-I Survived the Landscape Industry Trade Show
_______________________________________

You can post questions, comments, thoughts, ideas and more to
our email discussion group at: pgbdiscussion@yahoogroups.com

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you,

Steve Fleming
Publisher
ProGardenBiz

Selling the Job
Learn the Basics: Landscape & Garden Business
Selling & Marketing

Article by Tom Lanza

Copyright © 2003 by ProGardenBiz

In a national survey of small businesses (less than $1,000,000
sales annually) it was found that the owner or Chief Executive
Officer was a salesperson. Surveys have shown this to be true
of landscape contractors and gardeners as well. The most
successful landscape and garden businesses were all started by
people with strong sales skills. In your own business you have
probably realized that you spend a large part of your time
selling. You bring in new work, upgrade old work, make new
contacts and continue to expand your landscape business. If you
are not, you should be.

Many people believe that they just can't sell. They say they
just were not born with the talent to sell. "I'm just not a
salesperson by nature, I'm a gardener. Wasn't born with the
golden touch like Sam Sellitall over there. If I'd been born
with his wit, charisma, and personality, I could tear'em up
too. But I wasn't, so I'm never going to make it big in sales,
but given the chance I can install that landscape and
irrigation job better than anybody!"

This is the Myth of the Natural Born Sales Wonder. It is a
destructive idea. It allows us to avoid taking full
responsibility for our own performance. This myth will prevent
many people from ever reaching their full potential. The myth
can also work both ways.

A few individuals believe they're naturals. That's great for
confidence, but often it is the source of overconfidence. This overconfidence persuades these people that they do not need to
learn the same sales techniques as us mortals. Sadly, this means
that they too will never reach their full potential.

Most of us started in the field of landscaping and gardening
because of a love of the work. Sales and marketing were not our
passion. To operate a successful business, though, we need our
landscaping- skills, our garden passion, and our sales and
marketing drive.

Don't assume that you are entirely free of the selling myth.
Most people involved in sales that are not successful are
suffering from this myth. Let's attack this dangerous idea now
and get rid of it.

"Salesmen are not born, they are made." This line is attributed
to the same man that stated that "A sucker is born every
minute." Unfortunately, he was not a successful salesperson (a
successful showman, but not a salesperson) because he believed
that prospects were suckers. That is a grave mistake, but he was
right about salespeople. Salespeople are not born great. Imagine
little Johnny one minute after birth in the delivery room
signing the doctor to a long term landscape maintenance
contract. Johnny has a long way to go before he is even out of
diapers. If he is going to be a great landscape salesperson he
has a lot to learn. Psychologists still argue whether it's
instinct or learning that causes us to jump at a sudden loud
noise, but they agree that everything about selling is learned.

So don't use the "myth" as an excuse. Learn the craft of selling
and learn it well. Professionals work on the basics of selling
and marketing once every year. That's where we're going to
start.

To be Great, Learn the Basics

Athletes train constantly to maintain their high degree of
success. They practice the basics over and over. Successful
landscape salespeople do the same thing.

Prospecting: Prospecting is the first step to selling that
landscape job and is essential for every garden business. This
is the sales term for finding good, prospective customers who
have a need and an interest in your landscape and garden
services. Notice I said "good". Don't waste your time chasing
people who will never buy. This is called "qualification". I'll
discuss that later. Prospecting will vary from field to field
and from area to area. In the landscape and garden profession
you usually can't just start calling people on the phone, but
there are ways.

Proper advertising is part of a good marketing program and is
always necessary for generating good leads. Check out the
various options in you area. Compare rates, circulation, market
coverage, etc. When you try something new be sure you track
your results (ask people where they heard of you). Only
advertise where your dollar works. Talk to others to see what
works best for them. Wherever you decide to advertise, just be
sure you do it. No business, landscape, garden, or otherwise
grows without some form of promotion.

Contacts: This is almost more important than prospecting. Every
business marketing plan requires contacts and networking. Many
of your contacts will generate leads. Many contacts are leads
(word of mouth recommendations). Join local business or social
groups. Meet the people the count. Meet the people who want and
need your landscape and garden services.

Qualification: Don't waste your time talking to the wrong
people. Make sure that the person you are talking to is the
decision maker, the one who can say yes and sign the contract.
Also make sure that they genuinely need your landscape or
garden service. We have all heard of the salesperson who can
sell ice cubes to Eskimos, but if he exits at all, I doubt he
was in business for very long.

Objections: We have all heard objections in the course of our
sales. You need to learn how to effectively handle objections
and make them work for you. Write down the objections you have
encountered. Think out positive rebuttals and learn them so
well that in the field they are second nature. There are always
new objections, so this one needs constant attention. Your
selling and marketing efforts will be wasted unless you know how
to convince your customer to say yes. That's the next phase of
the landscape sale - closing the deal.

Closing: This is the most important aspect of sales. Obtaining
the yes from your client. There are many routes leading to the
close, but the most important idea to remember is that you must
ASK for the sale. Many salespeople leave this out and it is the
reason for their downfall. Very few prospects will offer to buy
your landscape and garden service (at least not on your terms),
but most will say yes if asked properly and at the right time.

Closing is one the most important ideas of the five basics
presented here. It is so important that our next article will
be on Closing the Landscape Sale.
__________________________________________

Be sure to see these other "Selling the Job" articles at http://www.progardenbiz.com:

First Impressions - How can we project a good, positive
professional image to a prospective client? In order to do this
we need to know how people judge us. We're judged several ways.

About the Author:

Tom Lanza is a Contributing Writer for ProGardenBiz Magazine,
an online magazine for professional gardeners and landscape
contractors. Visit ProGardenBiz to find out how you can get a
free subscription, start-up guidance, business ideas and
inspiration at http://www.progardenbiz.com.
__________________________________________

You have permission to publish this article electronically or
in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines and active URL
are included. A courtesy copy of your publication or location of
link would be appreciated.

Sniglet: Automatic weapon, a lawn mower that takes a short cut through the deco-rock.

This is your ProGardenBiz Newsletter! #5

To cancel your subscription click the link at the bottom of
this message. To post messages, ask or answer questions, send
your email to: pgbdiscussion@yahoogroups.com

For those who have email clients that do not accept HTML email
here is a text only version of our last newsletter. The HTML
version can be seen online at:
http://www.progardenbiz.com/ezine/Landscaping-People-Skills.html

Just to keep it interesting we've added some additional
articles to this issue. Enjoy!

____________________________________________

ProGardenBiz Landscape & Garden Magazine for the
Green Industry

ProGardenBiz is an online landscape & garden magazine for
professional gardeners and landscape contractors doing
maintenance, irrigation, installation, planting, and
waterscapes.

Quote for today: "Don't accept your dog's admiration as
conclusive evidence that you are wonderful."
- Ann Landers


Life's Quips...
Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no
influence on society. - Mark Twain

____________________________________________

In this Issue:

- Assumptions… Honing your People Skills
- Creative Landscaping with Railroad Ties
- Questions from our readers... and answers!
- Factoid - Daffo-what?
- Spring Lawn Care--It's Time!
- Listen Your Way to Sales Success
- Starting a Landscape or Gardening Business
- Contents Of the Current Issue of ProGardenBiz

____________________________________________

New this Week in ProGardenBiz:

Health Maintenance


You can read these articles at:
htt://www.progardenbiz.com
____________________________________________

Assumptions…
Honing your People Skills

Article by Joan Marques, MBA, Doctoral Student

Patrick was an outgoing person: happy, upbeat, and always well
dressed. People liked him in general. He had been managing the
logistics division of a mid-size company for the past three
years, directly supervising 450 employees at a variety of
levels. Yet there were a few people in his office who did not
seem too fond of Patrick lately. Oh, in the beginning they had
all been very positive about him. In those days he often
received notes and emails from co-workers about their relief of
having a pleasant person like him around, especially after their
previous manager, who had been infamous for his absolutely
apathetic approach. With Patrick such was definitely not the
case. He had made it part of his routine to walk around in the
plant on a regular basis, and make small talk here and there in
order to make workers know that he cared. What made them like
him even more: he knew most of his employees by name!

So why would the people in his office have this aversion against
him? Where did things go wrong? In Patrick’s opinion he really
went out of his way to give them all the opportunities they
deserved: Tanya got promoted from the storage room to the main
office where an extra assistant was needed now that the number
of incoming orders had increased; Shelley got transferred from
the reception to the computer department, where she was now
earning 40% more than her previous salary, and Bill was made the
new head of Human Resources, a once-in-a-lifetime chance in
Patrick’s perception.

Patrick really assumed that by thinking of, and placing all
these workers in the recently opened positions, he had
demonstrated his awareness regarding their possible ambitions,
his thoughtfulness of their hard work, and his eagerness to
reward them with the best opportunities possible.

Yet, the atmosphere in the office became gloomier by the day,
and one day Patrick decided to find out what was wrong. He
scheduled one-on-one appointments with each of his three
recently transferred employees. What he heard in the individual
conversations with them was a hard but important lesson for
Patrick to learn.

· Tanya expressed her dread about working in the hectic and
demanding main office, and articulated her regret of losing her
peace of mind by having to give up her job in the storage room
without being asked. She was not particularly a people-person
and had really enjoyed the serenity of working in a department
that accommodated her need for solitude. She sorely missed that
now.

· Shelley spoke out her gratitude for the salary increase and
the enhanced financial room she now had as a single mom of
three, but she also conveyed her concern about the nature of her
work in the computer department. She had always been a very
people-oriented person, and computers were not so cold and
quiet. She missed the smiles and the little chats of the people
she had come to know through the years, and wished she had been
asked before being transferred.

· Bill nervously communicated his concern about being able to
keep up with the stress of a management position, since he
actually preferred a low-stress job. He was not particularly
looking for a raise or a higher position: he had been perfectly
happy with his previous job, yet felt obligated to accept the
new position, since it was presented to him in such a
convincing, almost demanding way.

Patrick was, in the least, flabbergasted. But he was mature
enough to realize the enormous mistake he had made here: he had
a-s-s-u-m-e-d. He had portrayed his own personality and
preferences on his beloved employees, and thereby made the
capital mistake of disrupting their trusted world by offering
them one in which they felt threatened, stressed, and unhappy.

Fortunately, Patrick was able to find a satisfying solution to
the problem, and even managed to find these three valuable
workers a position in which they DID feel happy, yet did not
have to sacrifice the increased salary they had been earning in
their most recent position.

The moral of the story? It is so easy to assume. We effortlessly
suppose that others will want the same thing we do. But people
are different. And cultures are different. It is therefore of
extreme importance to communicate and find out whether a person
or a group of people is really receptive to the rewards, help,
support, or assistance we want to give them.

Joan Marques, MBA, Doctoral Student
http://www.joanmarques.com


------------------------------------------


Creative Landscaping with Railroad Ties

Article by Jack Stone

Did you know that people are still using railroad ties for all
sorts of decorative and functional purposes throughout their
landscapes? You didn't? Well, where have you been? Railroad ties
are used by landscape contractors as a main design component of
landscaping both homes and businesses. The use of railroad ties
make work easier for grounds maintenance.

Before we talk about all the great things you can do with
railroad ties let's talk about how easy and inexpensive they are
to use when compared to various brick and block structures...

For the rest of this article see:
http://www.progardenbiz.com/issues/v1issue2/Feature4.html

________________________________________________

Q&A
Questions from our readers...

Q. I have used railroad ties to build a wall around a brick
patio.  The ties are looking faded..how would you suggest I
treat them?  Pressure wash?  Can I use a regular wood stain to
darken them back up?
 
Doug in Indianapolis

A. If these are standard railroad ties they are soaked in
creosote to preserve them. The creosote may interfere with
stains, but probably only to the extant that you will need to
use more stain to achieve the desired result. The pressure wash
would be effective to prepare them prior to staining.

Q. The landscape industry trade show sounds interesting--do you
know if there is one offered this year (2003) in Las Vegas? If
there is could you provide me with the site as I have not been
able to find it. Do you have any updated calendar events for
April, May or June? Specifically Las Vegas?

Heather

A. We have not updated our online calendar yet, but I've checked
and I don't see any events planned for Las Vegas through August
of this year. At least nothing that my sources report.

Q. i have a question that i desperatley need answered.. i have a
friend who has a problem front lawn.. it is on a slope.. she had
it seeded last year.. we live in missouri.. the seed never took
hold.. and basically the mud slid down towards her house... not
like mudslides or anything that drastic.. but i think you get
the picture..

a guy suggested fescue grass.. he told me he use to do some
landscaping in san diago.. but i have no first hand knowledge of
this grass.. and would hate to advise my friend to plant it.. he
said it has long roots that will hold the soil in place.. do you
have experience with this grass.. do you believe it would do
the trick or do you think somethingelse would work better..

Is fescue grass.. and yes i think i read there is many varieties
of it.. lol.. but in general is it a good grass for your lawns..

leo
jungleboy6996@...

A. I also live in San Diego.  Fescue grass is excellent for
slopes.  It has deep roots and will hold well once it is
established.  If you want faster results, start with sod, but if
that's too expensive then use seed and get it well established
before the rain season starts.

Q. Out of the three landscape software for design you recommend,
which one would you buy?

http://www.taoherbfarm.com/
http://www.gardencomposer.com/
http://www.broderbund.com/SubCategory.asp?CID=467

Also, thanks for the great information you provide!
John

A. I haven't used these products myself, but "Floral Fan"
responded with this...

John,

I would buy Growit Gold v9 from taoherbfarm.com

Mary

Q. I have a question, how do you get rid of ivy growing on
trees? My neighbor has several tall trees (4) and there is ivy
from the trunk to the top. How can she get rid of the ivy in the
summer it is the pits.

Thanks
Damita

A. The only way to remove the ivy will be to physically pull it
off the trees. You can make the job easier by killing the ivy
first. At the bottom of the tree carefully cut all the ivy vines
away from the tree. Clear a space at least one foot high and all
around the tree. The ivy will no longer have the support of it's
root system and will die. It will then be a bit easier to
remove. The hard part is not damaging the tree bark as you
remove the ivy.


Have questions? We have answers. Send your questions to
editor@progardenbiz. Your questions are welcome and will be
answered by email and appear in our "Letters" or "Ask?"
columns.

____________________________________________

Factoid: Daffo-what? Daffodil, narcissus, and jonquil all
refer to the same kind of flower. Daffodil is the common name
for all flowers in the genus Narcissus, and jonquils are
hybrid daffodils.

____________________________________________

Spring Lawn Care--It's Time!

Ahh, it's spring. The air is finally warm, the birds are
chirping and the sun is shining! Yes, it's time to turn our
attention to the lawn. What should be on our spring "to-do
lists" for the lawn in cooler climes? To get the current scoop,
I went to my "turf diva," Dr. Tamson Yeh of Cornell Cooperative
Extension. Here's what she had to say.

Tamson warns of snow mold (a fungus) damage to turf, especially
in areas where the snow was piled high. Look for turf that
appears wet, nasty and matted. The solution is to allow the area
to dry out. To help it along, you can mow the area low and bag
and dispose of turf clippings. To confirm your suspicions, bring
a sample to your local garden center or Cooperative Extension
office.

This article by Donna Moramarco, from Garden Guides. Learn
more at: http://www.mygardenguide.com

____________________________________________

Listen Your Way to Sales Success

Article by Kelley Robertson

There are many factors and variables that affect our sales on
any given day. There is however, one key skill that will
increase help you increase your sales immediately.

Listen to your customer!

That's it! That's all it takes to close more sales. Sounds
simple doesn't it? Unfortunately, the majority of salespeople
fail to do this.

In the countless sales transactions I watch, I notice that most
salespeople don't ask their customers enough questions. Sure,
they generally uncover a few basic needs that the customer has.
They know what they're looking for in a product with regard to
features, specifications, color, and price.

What they don't do is probe to uncover additional information
about the customer. They don't ask them why they want that
specific product, or why they're considering our store. They
don't learn where the customer has been shopping or what they've
seen. They don't ask what they like and/or dislike about the
other stores they've been in to. They don't find out what their
hot buttons are or what makes them tick or what will motivate
them to buy. They fail to gather enough information!

I believe that there are two primary reasons for this. First, we
don't believe that people will give us this information. The fact
is, people will tell you anything you want to know providing they
trust you and as long as you ask the right questions in the
appropriate manner. For example, if a customer tells you that they
are buying a product because they are going on a vacation, do you
ask where they are going? Do you show interest in their holiday or
are you too concerned with closing the sale? Are you more interested
in your personal problems or watching the clock to care? In many
cases, we are so preoccupied with something else that we miss vital
clues customers give us.

An amazing thing occurs if you demonstrate even a tiny bit of
interest in your customer. They'll begin to open up! They'll provide
you with information you may not have learned otherwise. They'll
talk. They'll tell you everything you need to know in order to close
the sale. People love to talk about themselves and they'll start to
feel more comfortable with you as they talk. When people feel more
comfortable they relax. We all know that a prospect who is relaxed
will be more likely to buy than someone who is tense and uptight.

The second reason for not gathering sufficient information is that
we feel it takes too much time. In my training sessions I frequently
hear that this time is better used overcoming objections. My
response is that if we gain more information and fully understand
the customer's motives and needs, we can often overcome objections
before they occur. Use your time more effectively during the sales
process. Instead of spending so much time overcoming objections find
out what your customer's true concerns are beforehand. This will
help you adapt your sales presentation to meet their specific needs,
address their concerns, and move you closer to closing the sale. Ask
yourself, "What information do I still need to help the customer
make the appropriate buying decision?"

We've all heard the expression that information is power. Gain the
extra leverage in the sales process by investing the time gaining
extra information from your customer. Do it consistently and you'll
develop stronger relationships with your customers, which, in turn,
will help you close more sales.

Kelley Robertson is a Senior Partner of The Robertson Training Group
and the author of, "Stop, Ask & Listen - How to welcome your
customers and increase your sales." Gain practical advice on how to
increase your sales by subscribing to his 59-Second Tip, a free
weekly e-zine at www.robertsontraininggroup.com. Kelley can be
reached at 905-633-7750, 1-866-694-3583 or
Kelley@RobertsonTrainingGroup.com

____________________________________________

Starting a Landscape or Gardening Business:
ProGardenBiz, a landscape and garden magazine for the Green
Industry is your online resource for starting and operating a
business as a landscape contractor or landscape and lawn
maintenance gardener. Related fields covered by ProGardenBiz
are irrigation installation and maintenance, sprinklers -
repair and maintenance, waterscapes, water features, and ponds.
You will also find information on plants, plant identification,
trees and tree maintenance, and many other topics that span the
Green Industry.

If the answers you seek are not readily found, then drop us an
email at: editor@progardenbiz. Your questions are welcome and
will be answered by email and appear in our "Letters" or "Ask?"
columns.
_______________________________________

Contents Of the Current Issue of ProGardenBiz
http://www.progardenbiz.com
Volume 1, Issue 2
Feature Articles

-Irrigation Time Savers
-Install a Water Garden
-Don't Get Ripped Off
-Creative Railroad Ties
-Innovative Irrigation Tool: The Chain Saw!
-I Survived the Landscape Industry Trade Show
_______________________________________

You can post questions, comments, thoughts, ideas and more to
our email discussion group at: pgbdiscussion@yahoogroups.com

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you,

Steve Fleming
Publisher
ProGardenBiz

Being a Pro in the Service Business:
Uniforms - Image & Perceptions
Article by Jack Stone
Copyright © 2003 by ProGardenBiz
ProGardenBiz, an online magazine
http://www.progardenbiz.com

The time has come for all faded jeans to pass. For all torn tee
shirts to seek the shortest path to the rag barrel. The time has
come for UNIFORMS!

What work does your company do? Irrigation and sprinkler
installation, landscape contractor, lawn maintenance,
interiorscape plant care, nursery and growing grounds,
waterscape, landscape design? These all have one common element,
our customers and how they view us.

Many of you have probably noticed the increasing frequency with
which you see your competitor and his employees wearing some
sort of uniform. Whether they are wearing a green tee shirt and
jeans or work shirt with company name, employee name, logo and
matching cap and pants, it all boils down to making you look
like a businessman who doesn't really care about the quality of
his work.

It's all a matter of image and perceptions, both by your
customers, present and potential, and employees. Landscapers and
gardeners who wear uniforms generally get a higher dollar per
hour labor rate from their customers than than those who don't
wear uniforms or they get more work and sign more contracts than
their competitors. This alone should be reason enough to
convince you to start wearing some sort of uniform.

Uniforms do a variety of things all related to image. They tell
your customer that you are professional, reliable, consistent,
and organized. That you have a high sense of self esteem. That
you care, because if you care about yourself you'll care about
them. That you can be trusted, because you or your employees
don't look like burglars. People who look like they know what
they are doing are treated with respect. Uniforms separate you
from your competition. They become an important sales tool as
part of the concept of "first impressions".

Uniforms also contribute to your employees sense of pride, of
belonging to "the team". It reduces their clothing expenses,
thus a uniform becomes a pay raise! Some contractors even have
slight variations in the uniforms of the various crews working
at large residential communities or their landscaping and
maintenance departments to promote a healthy sense of
competition.

Other considerations are that many government agencies require
contractor employees be readily identifiable when working on
public or government property. With increasing frequency
homeowner associations and property management companies are
requiring uniforms.

What uniform is right for you? Before you can answer that
question there are a few things you need to know. Uniforms come
in a variety of forms. You can choose from tee shirts, work
shirts (long and short sleeve), pants, shorts, caps, jackets,
windbreakers, coveralls, vests, belts, socks, shoes, and gloves.
The quality of the material is also important. Are you going to
provide a summer as well as winter uniform? Remember, the
"weight" of the fabric of shirts and pants can vary. Is the
company name -going to be silk screened on or are you going to
use patches? Each employee should have a clean shirt for each
day they work. Can your employees be counted on to launder your
uniforms properly? Many companies that make uniforms have mens
and womens styles, but not all.

Most landscapers and gardeners who wear uniforms or provide them
to their employees choose tee shirts with the company logo silk
screened on the back. This is the least expensive of your
options, especially if you have a high rate of turnover or lots
of seasonal work. The short sleeved work shirt with company
name, logo and employee name is the preferred option. A well
made work shirt can last for years especially if its laundered
properly and isn't abused.

Making the Uniform Work

To make your uniform do what its supposed to do you should
devise a dress code. A dress code is an understanding between
you and your employees as to what you expect them to look like
while on the job. For example, on hot days your employees should
not be allowed to remove their shirts. Half naked gardeners
running around a condominium community do not make a good
impression. That uniform shirt draped on- a shrub or tied around
a lawn mower handle does you no good. Besides, its actually
cooler to wear a shirt. Sweat accumulates on the shirt instead
of evaporating completely away thus keeping the skin cooler
longer. When using power equipment while mowing, edging, using a
weed whip or any other equipment they should wear pants. No caps
unless they are the company cap. Hair should be clean and neat.
Long hair should be tied back. Beards should be trimmed neatly.
No smoking except on breaks and lunch. As you can see there are
many considerations that should go into a "dress code".

Whether you work in the garden, do grounds maintenance,
irrigation repair or lawn care you need to compete effectively
in the marketplace. Uniforms will enhance your business and are
for everyone in every aspect of the Green Industry.

Uniforms and a combined dress code will add professionalism to
your business. It will bring you more clients, create a better
work atmosphere, and help you to make more profits. And that's
why we are in business.
__________________________________________

About the Author:

Jack Stone is a Contributing Editor for ProGardenBiz Magazine,
an online magazine for professional gardeners and landscape
contractors. Visit ProGardenBiz to find out how you can get a
free subscription, start-up guidance, business ideas and
inspiration at http://www.progardenbiz.com.
__________________________________________


You have permission to publish this article electronically or
in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines and active URL
are included. A courtesy copy of your publication or location of
link would be appreciated.

This is your ProGardenBiz Newsletter! #4

To cancel your subscription click the link at the bottom of
this message. To post messages, ask or answer questions, send
your email to: pgbdiscussion@yahoogroups.com

For those who have email clients that do not accept HTML email
here is a text only version of our last newsletter. The HTML
version can be seen online at:
http://www.progardenbiz.com/ezine/Gardening-Perennial-Design.html

Just to keep it interesting we've added some additional
articles to this issue. Enjoy!

____________________________________________

ProGardenBiz Landscape & Garden Magazine for the
Green Industry

ProGardenBiz is an online landscape & garden magazine for
professional gardeners and landscape contractors doing
maintenance, irrigation, installation, planting, and
waterscapes.

Quote for today: "Millions yearn for immorality who don't know
what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon."
- Susan Ertz

Life's Quips...
A fool flatters himself, a wise man flatters the fool.

____________________________________________

In this Issue:

- Gardening with Perennials - Designing with Color
- Installing a Water Garden
- Questions from our readers... and answers!
- Factoid
- Are You a Wildflower?
- Locating Affordable Health Insurance
For Businesses and Individuals
- Starting a Landscape or Gardening Business
- Contents Of the Current Issue of ProGardenBiz

____________________________________________

New this Week in ProGardenBiz:

Equipment Maintenance
Small Engine Advisor
The Yard Doctor
PGMS Salary Survey


You can read these articles at:
htt://www.progardenbiz.com
____________________________________________

Gardening with Perennials
Designing with Color

Article by the National Gardening Association

You can mix and match different colored flowers, from pastels to
bright red, to create the mood and effect that best suits your
garden.

The great thing about flowers is that you really can't go wrong
with them. Even if a perennial bed doesn't turn out exactly like
what you envisioned, chances are it's going to be attractive.
After all, have you ever encountered an ugly flower? And, unlike
the wallpaper or paint color that looked great in the store but
now grates on your nerves, perennial plants can be moved and
rearranged (and even given away) to suit your tastes. It's
easier, and more fun, than re-wallpapering!

Pastels
Soft pink, powder blue, lavender, and peach--these gentle colors
set a mood of tranquility. They are the familiar colors of
cottage gardens--informal gardens that contain a variety of
old-fashioned flowers. Pastel colors look best when viewed from
relatively close up, and they can looked washed out in the harsh
mid-day sun.

Brights
Racy reds, vibrant oranges, magenta, and sunny yellow--these
colors invigorate and energize a garden. Bright colors hold up
well to brilliant sunshine, and attract the eye even from a
distance.

Complementary Colors
Colors that are opposite on the color wheel are described as
complementary. High in contrast, complementary colors add
creative energy and vitality to a garden. Yellow and violet are
complementary colors; as are orange and blue, and green and red.

Harmonious Colors
These are colors that are next to each other on the color wheel;
examples include blue and violet, orange and red, and orange and
yellow. These color combinations tend to be gentler on the eye
than complementary colors. A harmonious color scheme unifies a
garden, while allowing enough range of color that it doesn't
become monotonous.

If you are concerned about your ability to choose colors, a
harmonious color scheme might be a good starting point for you.
Unlike complementary colors, which, if overdone, can seem
jarring and can give a riotous feel to a garden, harmonious
colors are a pretty safe bet. As you gain confidence in your
design eye, you can always add splashes of a complementary color
here and there to liven things up.

Monochromatic Color Scheme
You may have seen gardens composed of all white flowers, and
indeed some of the world's most famous gardens use a
monochromatic color scheme. Instead of relying on different
colored flowers, the gardener creates interest by mixing flowers
of different sizes and shapes, and choosing foliage with
interesting textures and colors. Perhaps you are partial to a
single color such as yellow. You can create varying moods
depending on whether you choose soft pale yellows, bright sunny
yellows, or deep golden yellows. Or you might use a mix of
shades.

See the full version with color plant photos on ProGardenBiz
at: http://www.progardenbiz.com

Article by the National Gardening Association www.garden.org,
www.kidsgardening.com


------------------------------------------


Installing a Water Garden


Article by ARA

Installing a water garden can seem like a monumental task, but
it actually can be a fun project you can easily tackle. It is
especially easy if you purchase a kit that includes everything
you need. This is an excellent profit center for a landscape
contractor. Installation can involve moving existing irrigation
sprinklers. Once the pond is established it becomes another
component of the grounds maintenance. There is much more to
landscape maintenance than just mowing.

The first step in creating your water garden waterscape is to
carefully select the site for your pond in a level area...

For the rest of this article see:
http://www.progardenbiz.com/currentissue/Feature2.html

________________________________________________

Q&A
Questions from our readers...

Q. I am hoping that someone can share their tips in keeping the
mulch beds clean of dead leaves and flower buds. At the
beginning of the season, the mulch beds are pretty messy. Even
during the summer, my rose beds get messy with dead rose buds.
Raking is difficult because the rake gets caught in the plants.
Blowing blows the mulch as well as the leaves. Any suggestions
would be welcome.

Thank you very much.
Brian

A. Many people like the look of a "clean" garden bed and will
rake everything out leaving only the surface dirt. Although
this looks tidy, it's not the best for your plants. Leaving
leaves and other plant debris provides natural mulch and returns
nutrients to the the soil. To make this look better you can
turn the leaves into the soil or cover lightly with a dark
mulch.

The less you remove from your garden, the less chemicals you
need to add to replenish it.

Q. Hi all....I need your advice since I do not have a green
thumb. I live in Arizona and I am looking to put down Desert
Landscaping. But I need to kill whatever is remaining of the
current lawn. So far I have used a tiller to remove from the
roots up and sprayed various chemicals from Home Depot....even
stuff that was suppose to last a whole year. But the grass just
continued growing 2 days later. Can anyone tell me how I can
kill this lawn? What chemicals can you recommend? I am getting
tired of continuesly working on this lawn. Any help would be
appreciated.

Thanks
Mike

A. I'm not sure what chemicals you have already used, but it
sounds like they were either ineffective products or perhaps
used incorrectly. Please be very careful in using any herbicide
that will sterilize the ground for "a whole year". Even though
you are going to put in desert landscaping you will still be
putting some plants in the ground and such chemicals will kill
your new plants as well.

The best product to use to kill the old lawn is Round-up. Read
the label directions completely. It is important to water well
and have a thriving plant prior to using Round-up. Round-up
works best on healthy plants. If used correctly, Round-up will
definitely solve your problem and it will not hurt any new
plants planted later. For hardy grasses it may require more
than one application spaced a week or so apart.

Also, if you will be putting in decorative rock as part of your
desert landscaping then the plastic ground cover you put down
under the rock will also serve to smother any remaining grass or
weeds and prevent them from coming back (except, perhaps, around
the edges of the plastic).

Q. I planted some lantana last year. Do I prune the plant back -
leave it alone or just cut off what looks like it is dead?

Thanks-
Cat

A. It's not necessary to prune back Lantana, but you can to
control it. Here in California Lantana grows all year and needs
to be trimmed regularly to keep it from over-growing the entire
landscape. Definitely prune back the dead material and then
trim the rest to suit your landscape's appearance.


Have questions? We have answers. Send your questions to editor@progardenbiz. Your questions are welcome and will be
answered by email and appear in our "Letters" or "Ask?"
columns.

____________________________________________

Factoid: An ant can survive for up to two weeks underwater.

____________________________________________

Are You a Wildflower?

Wildflowers grow from mere dust to reach their full potential.
Wildflowers grow well, even in adverse soil conditions.
Wildflowers don't require late nights at the office to grow.
Wildflowers grow thick and stick together.
Wildflowers grow strong and tall.
Wildflowers display their brilliant personalities for all to
see.
Wildflowers withstand drought and grow all the more beautiful
when watered.
Wildflowers withstand frost and hale.
Wildflowers last late in the season, when other flowers have
given up.
Are you a wildflower?

This article by David Leonhardt (The Happy Guy) first appeared
in the free ezine: Your Daily Dose of Happiness. Subscribe at
http://www.TheHappyGuy.com/daily-happiness-free-ezine.html, or
visit the home page at http://www.TheHappyGuy.com
____________________________________________

Locating Affordable Health Insurance
For Businesses and Individuals


Finding health insurance, as a business owner, can be
difficult and is usually expensive. But it doesn't have to
"break the bank". Below is a list of valuable insurance
resources and great places to start your research.
Disclaimer: It is the reader's sole responsibility to abide
by all pertinent jurisdiction laws and regulations
pertaining to their business and health. Each person is
responsible and liable for the outcome of acting on any of
the suggestions included in this article. You're on your own
to research and/or purchase the program that is appropriate
for you.

Memberships
Many business organizations include group health insurance
as a member benefit. And many individuals and business
owners join an organization specifically for the membership
benefits. So first, review the benefits of organizations you
belong to or that are located in your community. The list
below may help you get started.

- The National Association for the Self-Employed,
www.nase.org.
- International Computer Consultants Organization
www.icca.org/.
- Public Relations Association www.prsa.org.
- Fraternal companies and organizations such as Modern Woodmen
of America, Knights of Columbus, Sons of Norway
http://dmoz.org/Society/Organizations/Fraternal/Benefit_Societies/
- List Of Organizations
http://coachmaria.com/articles/networktosuccess.html.

State Programs
Some states, Washington for example, provide basic health to
lower income residents and many new business owners fit this
category. For additional information, contact your State
Insurance Department.

State Department of Insurance (DOI)
Locate your states DOI web site and find the area within the
agency that health insurance falls under. Request a list of
registered insurance companies and ask about complaints that
have been filed against them. Many insurers offer insurance
in a state where they are not registered. If anything goes
wrong, you have no recourse.

Insurance Brokers
Check your phone book for Insurance Brokers who will provide
you with health insurance resources they've used. Check a
few brokers in your area since they may deal with different
companies.

Other Companies
There are many companies, who provide, as part of their
overall services, a health plan. Some I found while
researching are:
www.affordableservices.com
www.uicisolutions.com/
www.libertyplusplans.com/
www.affordableservices.com
www.farmbureau.com
www.healthinsurance.com/

Department Stores, etc.
Check your department store and wholesale store memberships.
In some states, Costco , www.costco.com offers health
insurance. So check every potential membership you possess.

Ask Your Doctors
Do you have a doctor(s) you really respect? If so, ask your
doctors what policies they accept and start your research
there.

Spouses and Domestic Partnerships
In some states you may qualify as a "domestic partners" and
therefore share in health coverage. In some companies, even
in states where you might not qualify as a domestic partner,
you maybe eligible for insurance coverage. Your spouse may
have coverage for you, too. Check it all out.

Friends
Ask your friends and colleagues what companies they use.
This is a great way to find out which companies to stay away
from and which to explore.

Bonus
Every few years, conduct a check of the health services and
prices available in your area. Why pay more than you have
to? And remember... always check with your state's DOI
before purchasing insurance from a company - off or on-line.

© 2002 Maria’s Place. Maria Marsala, owner. Helping
professionals, entrepreneurs, and executives elevate their
careers, business and lives though coaching, consulting
and courses. Join 2000 e-zine readers and
receive access to more than 100 articles and reports.
Visit http://CoachMaria.com

____________________________________________

Starting a Landscape or Gardening Business:
ProGardenBiz, a landscape and garden magazine for the Green
Industry is your online resource for starting and operating a
business as a landscape contractor or landscape and lawn
maintenance gardener. Related fields covered by ProGardenBiz
are irrigation installation and maintenance, sprinklers -
repair and maintenance, waterscapes, water features, and ponds.
You will also find information on plants, plant identification,
trees and tree maintenance, and many other topics that span the
Green Industry.

If the answers you seek are not readily found, then drop us an
email at: editor@progardenbiz. Your questions are welcome and
will be answered by email and appear in our "Letters" or "Ask?"
columns.
_______________________________________

Contents Of the Current Issue of ProGardenBiz
http://www.progardenbiz.com
Volume 1, Issue 2
Feature Articles

-Irrigation Time Savers
-Install a Water Garden
-Don't Get Ripped Off
-Creative Railroad Ties
-Innovative Irrigation Tool: The Chain Saw!
-I Survived the Landscape Industry Trade Show
_______________________________________

You can post questions, comments, thoughts, ideas and more to
our email discussion group at: pgbdiscussion@yahoogroups.com

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you,

Steve Fleming
Publisher
ProGardenBiz