Saturday, December 11, 2004

Write your own Santa Letter

Christmas is fast approaching and soon we will turn over yet another year. It is hard to believe that we are in the year 2005. With Christmas and the New Year come a lot of parties, a lot of eating, and for many people a lot of non-productive time. For children though, they use this time to get some things done. You see, Christmas is also the time of year when millions of children write letters to Santa with their wishes. There is a HUGE lesson to learn from kids who do this.

Children often pursue the things they hope for at Christmas with some relentless enthusiasm and determination. Generally when kids get something in their mind, they are incredibly persistent in focusing on that goal. No matter how many times you tell them no, they keep asking. I have 4 kids, all boys except for 3, so I know this deal well. I have already seen my kids' letters to Santa for this year, and it's amazing how detailed they are. Even though my kids sent their letters weeks ago, they still know everything that was in them. My one daughter, Katie who is 8, has a photocopy of her letter that she refers to often. When kids put their wishes in writing, their dreams take on a life of their own; they, in a sense, become achievable and believable. This, by the way, is a proven leadership habit. Now, I hope that you'll do the same.

I want you write out your own letter. I want you to write out your own wish list. Christmas is a time of year many businesspeople waste. They think they can't get anything done. What a bunch of hooey! Don't be one of those people who gets nothing done between now and the new year. Sit down today and write out some goals you want to accomplish next year. Once you've written them down, get to work. There is a lot you can get done before the end of the year.

If you don't know where to start with your letter, then take some of your clients to lunch and ask them what they think your company needs to work on. Tell them you want to be successful and know that the best way to make your company more successful is to make sure your clients are happy. Ask them what they would do if they owned your company. Two things will happen if you do this; number one, you will get some great ideas. And number two, you will impress your clients that you cared so much about them that you asked them for help. It is rare that meeting with clients and asking them to help you with your business is not a beneficial exercise.

The other group of people it is smart to ask for feedback is your employees; I prefer to call employees team members. Ask them what you need to work on, what they think your company is good at. Ask them what they see as opportunities for your company to grow. Ask them what they'd do if they owned your company. The key issue is to try and identify some things you need to work on.

Another thing you might want to do between now and the new year is to look at your budget. How did you do? What is your budget for next year? Look at your company's systems. Can your company run without you yet? If you can't leave for even 3 days, then your company is in need of some systems. Remember, companies that can run without the owner are much more valuable than those firms that need the owner present to operate effectively.

Lastly, talk to those close to you and ask them what you need to work on. If they truly love and respect you, they'll tell you. I have found the most successful people to be open to criticism. People who let others know they want to get better tend to get a lot of help getting there.

So as the New Year fast approaches, don't let this month, or 1/12 of a year, slip away. Don't get lazy; use this month to get some things done. Write out your wish list. Then put it in a letter and mail it to yourself and your closest confidant. I know you might think this is silly, but it helps make this process serious. And by sending your wish list to your confidant or mentor, you'll get a little nudge, if you need it, in getting those things done.

Oh, yeah, just so you don't think I've lost the Christmas Spirit, use some of the time to relax and enjoy your family and friends. But don't play too much; remember, as Ogden Nash so eloquently put it many years ago, "If you don't want to work, you have to earn enough money, so you don't have to work." Simple words, yes. True, yes, very true.


Martin J. Grunder Jr!
Entrepreneur, Speaker, Author, Consultant, Dad, & Husband
Marty Grunder! Inc.
Grunder Landscaping Co.
Dayton, Ohio
www.martygrunder.com
www.grunderlandscaping.com

Author of "The 9 Super Simple Steps to Entrepreneurial Success"

Saturday, August 14, 2004





The Green Industry Directory is Growing:


770 listings as of August 14, 2004 and growing daily. 273 categories of landscape and garden related websites.



Add your landscape or garden related site to the Green Industry Directory:


To add your website to the Green Industry Directory click on the "Register" button (it's FREE) on the Green Industry Directory Index page.



After you register, log on and you can suggest as many sites or categories as you wish. After your suggestions are reviewed they will be added or excluded from the Directory and you will receive an email notification. Almost all Green Industry related sites would be approved.


Suggest a Category: Follow the same instructions for adding a link.


Become an Editor: Help build the largest Green Industry Directory of websites on the Internet. Become an Editor and add sites, approve site submissions, and develop new categories. To apply to be an Editor first suggest three new sites for the directory. Then send an email to: editor@progardenbiz.com. In your email include your log-on name and the three sites you suggested. Tell us the category in which you wish to be an Editor (if a new category, suggest it first) and why you wish to be an Editor. We will respond by email to make the arrangements.


Still have questions? Send an email to: editor@progardenbiz.com


Tuesday, August 10, 2004

Pour Your Lawn a Drink

Watering the lawn is both an art and a science. The science comes from the integral role water plays in benefiting plant growth and development. The art encompasses volume, timing and frequency, all of which can change based on environmental conditions. The following watering guidelines will help create a great-looking yard now and throughout the season.

Just an inch will do - How much water does a lawn need to stay healthy and green? The general rule of thumb is that most grass requires 1 inch of water per week. Research has shown that proper mowing and fertilizing practices encourage a deeply rooted, healthy lawn that efficiently uses its water supply. However, a lawn may need more water if it is under stress from foot traffic, insects or other environmental factors.

Conditions that require higher water use are the same as those found in desert climates – abundant sunshine, low humidity, high temperatures and wind.  The combination of these factors can remove as much as one-third of an inch of water per day from the plant and soil system. Conversely, the absence of these conditions makes watering requirements relatively low.

Before starting a watering schedule, it can be very helpful to determine how much water a sprinkler or irrigation system is putting down and where the water is going. Secure a few shallow tin cans (tuna cans are perfect) in a 10 to 20-foot grid in the yard, measure the depth of the water in each and make any needed adjustments. If puddles begin to form in the yard and earthworms rise to the surface, the lawn is getting too much water. Either water less or in shorter time periods, i.e., replace a 30-minute watering session with two 15-minute sessions spaced three to four hours apart.

Knowing when to water - If most lawns require an inch of water each week, how does one know when to water? While current weather conditions offer the best indication, most lawns exhibit physical signs when they're thirsty. For example, grass can turn a bluish color in direct sunlight. (These spots are easily seen with polarized sunglasses.) Also, footprints that stay in the lawn after walking on it indicate the grass needs a drink. Water aids dramatically in the recovery of grass that is under stress from foot traffic or pests.

Early morning, between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m., is the best time of the day to water. Winds are minimal, the sun is not intense and the water is less likely to evaporate. Watering early in the day also reduces the amount of time that standing water (a catalyst for turfgrass diseases) is on the grass.

The heat is on - While spring showers naturally take care of lawns, hot summer days present the biggest challenge. The 1-inch-per-week rule is best accomplished in a few 30-minute watering sessions. Occasional rain may take care of watering needs for a few days, but if it is windy, hot and dry for a long period, you may need to add one or two more sessions to the weekly schedule.

Grass has the ability to go dormant during droughts and will recover nicely when water returns to its system. So, it's acceptable to not water during hot, dry weather – even if the grass begins turning brown. However, after deciding to let the grass go dormant, stick with the decision. Suddenly replenishing the water supply without committing to a schedule will stress the plant and make it more susceptible to damage.

The ultimate convenience - Automatic irrigation systems are very handy for keeping a consistent watering schedule. Just remember that watering too frequently promotes shallow rooting of the grass, which weakens the turf and makes it more susceptible to damage. One of the best devices for regulating water distribution is a rain or moisture sensor that shuts down the system upon detecting moisture. The sensor also prevents the embarrassing scenario and waster of resources that occurs when sprinklers run during a rainstorm.

Does an automatic sprinkler guarantee a great yard? No, but it helps.  While watering is accomplished with anything from a sprinkling can to a hose, the key is the amount of water that is applied. Automatic systems that are forgotten can waste water and money, and provide a less than ideal environment for the yard. (Remember that it is OK to use the on/off switch.)

When combined with proper mowing, prudent fertilizing and heads-up weed and pest control practices, watering will help ensure that your yard looks great all summer long. Watering is a little bit of art, a little bit of science and well worth the effort.

Yard Doctor is sponsored by Briggs & Stratton
© Copyright 2002 Briggs & Stratton Corporation.

Tuesday, August 03, 2004

Lawn Equipment Tools For The Job - Popular Service Tools!



It should go without saying that having the right tools to work on lawn mower equipment is a major aspect of any job.



Most of what you need is an assortment of common hand tools that are usually already available around the average home or workshop.



I've listed below a few specialty tools that you should have access to in addition to your common hand tools. Most of these are relatively inexpensive and can be used for more than troubleshooting small engines and lawn mowers.


Read the complete article here...


Wednesday, July 28, 2004

Safe Storage and Disposal of Lawn and Garden Products Protect Family Well-Being and the Environment


MARYSVILLE, Ohio, Jul 28, 2004 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Lawn and garden products are key to growing and maintaining beautiful lawns, flowerbeds and other landscaping around homes. When those products are put away for the season, however, their proper storage and disposal can also contribute meaningfully to a more beautiful world in other ways.

"Lawn and garden products can be used safely year after year, but their proper storage is critical," said Chris Schmenk, director of Environmental Stewardship at Scotts. "It is never appropriate to spill excess product down the drain or into a storm sewer. It is also important not to allow products to be spilled onto a hard surface where they can drain out to the driveways or a street. Proper storage and disposal will keep products where they belong -- on lawns and in gardens -- and help ensure we keep our water clean and our families safe."

Safe storage of these products goes hand in hand with using them responsibly. It is important to limit unnecessary exposure to people and avoid unwanted release or runoff of garden products into the environment. For example, fertilizer should be stored in tightly sealed bags and kept away from wet or damp conditions. Similarly, liquid lawn and garden products should be tightly sealed -- preferably in their original container. This not only makes it less likely for the products to be spilled, but also less likely to be mistaken for something that is edible or enticing to children. These products also should be kept from freezing.

If products have been completely used, it is appropriate to place the empty package or container in the trash. A partially filled package that will not be used next year should be taken to a local solid waste disposal agency.

Scotts suggests homeowners adhere to the following "dos and don'ts" for proper storage and disposal of pesticides:


* Do keep lawn and garden products in a safe place away from children and pets. Store them above the reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet.
* Do store chemical-based products above ground in waterproof, airtight containers to avoid leaks.
* Do keep products in their original containers with the label intact to avoid confusion and possible ingestion.
* Do only buy the amount of product needed for one season's use. Consider purchasing ready-to-use products versus concentrates to avoid having to mix the chemicals and then safely store the leftovers.
* Do dispose of a small amount of extra product by using it on your lawn or garden. If that option is not available, work with state and local agencies (800/CLEAN-UP) to determine chemical disposal options.
* Do read the instructions on the back of each Scotts' package for instructions on proper storage or disposal of the product. Please contact our experts if you have further questions at 800/543-TURF or http://www.scotts.com .
* Don't store pesticides near a source of water or a location susceptible to flooding.
* Don't store pesticides near sources of heat, flame or spark.

Dedicated to a Beautiful World

****************************************

The Scotts Company is the world's largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care, with a full range of products for professional horticulture as well. The Company owns the industry's most recognized brands. In the U.S., the Company's Scotts(R), Miracle-Gro(R) and Ortho(R) brands are market leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup(R) brand which is marketed in North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto. In Europe, Scotts' brands include Weedol(R), Pathclear(R), Evergreen(R), Levington(R), Miracle-Gro(R), KB(R), Fertiligene(R) and Substral(R).

SOURCE The Scotts Company
http://www.scotts.com