Knowing when to pursue a lead and when to back down has been beneficial for a New Jersey landscape business owner. Drewe Schoenholtz, owner of The Green Scene in Hopewell, NJ, says there’s a delicate balance between sizing people up incorrectly and what he calls “chasing the wind.” Finding that balance has come with years of experience in the business.... read more
Stockner’s Nursery is a third-generation family business based in central Virginia. Launched in 1981, Stockner’s designs, installs and maintains landscaping and hardscaping and provides grounds management. It recently branched out to a retail extension, Twigs Garden Center, to complement its residential design/build division. Company president Gary Stockner discusses this interdepartmental synergy, as well as effective client communications, rising fuel costs... read more
A client’s desire for weed control leads Allan Cole to WeedEnder—and a profitable niche. When Allan Cole’s longtime client asked him to eliminate the weeds around her fenced-in property, it launched for Cole an add-on business. Cole, who owns Willow Springs Nursery & Landscaping in Rubicon, WI, had been spraying around his client’s fence annually, but the weeds returned year... read more
By Jamie Gooch Even clients who want low-maintenance plantings can benefit from a perennial service plan. Perennials have long been the middle child of lawncare. Stuck between attention-hungry turf and the boastful blooms of annuals, perennials have dutifully emerged, year after year. That low-maintenance dependability is a trait that many homeowners seek in a landscape, and because breeders have been... read more
I have spent the better part of the first quarter in an airplane, traveling the country meeting with contractors. I’m happy to report there’s good news out there: Prospects for recovery look better than they have in a long time. Contractors I have talked to are increasingly upbeat. They have been able to maintain a positive, proactive attitude even during... read more
By Randy Strait Proper post-season maintenance is key to optimum performance next season. Containment snow pushers are among the most common attachments found on small equipment such as skid-steers and tractors. When winter winds down and the snow diminishes, most look forward to giving their pushers a break. But before parking the winter workhorse, take time for post-season maintenance. It’s... read more
