Archive for June 2011

Landscaping Business Tips?

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

My friend and I are starting a landscaping business next summer and we were wondering what type of equipment we would need, nothing like lawnmowers and weed wackers but other stuff, and any tips would help, thanks.

If you are just maintaining landscapes, not installing them, then mentally walk your way through a typical…and untypical yard.

Of couse mower, edger, trimmer, but what about shrubs? Are you going to be shrub butchers and just use hedge clippers? Or are you going to do some sound horticultural work with proper pruning? Then you need loppers, hand pruners, pruning saws of various sizes. Sharpening stones, oil.

Rakes, shovels……pole pruners, buckets to carry stuff to the trailer and disposal, brooms, garbage sacks, tarps.

First aid kits. Safety goggles. Sunscreen, insect repellent, wasp spray (just in case you disturb a nest).

Sprinker repair? You need all the fittings and glues…pipe and emitters, nozzels you should also carry spares for your clients so you don’t loose time running to the store.

Motor oil, spark plugs, extra drive belts, extra air filters.

Fertilizer spreaders. If you get into pest control (including weed control….at least in this state) you’ll need a Pesticide Applicators License, insurance, and proper spray equipment, masks, proper gloves, mixing equipment.

Categories : Landscaping Tips

I just planted a hydrangea snow mountain and i’m scared of over watering it. The leaves are turning yellow and also the tips are drying up and cracking. I’ve covered the soil with mulch to help retain moisture. Do i keep watering? It’s growing new leaves and some are wilting. Any advise?
PS;the soil is mostly clay but i dug a hole thats 2 feet in diameter and about 20" deep and added good quality earth.

It sounds to me like it’s just going through normal transplant shock so I wouldn’t worry too much on it unless it’s still not doing well in a few weeks. Stick your finger in the ground near it and if it’s moist then don’t water. If it feels like it’s getting dry then water until it’s moist again.

Categories : Mulching Tips

An all-male maid/handyman service? (hot guys in tight shirts getting craaaazy intense with the Magic Eraser)

Or an all-female lawn-care company/handyman service? (greater liabilty, probably, but the girls would be contractors, not employees, and they’d sign waivers and stuff.)

Oh, and the clients could choose from three levels of competence: the strictly decorative/inept would get paid less per job, but they’d strictly BANK in the tips department. They could do simple tasks reasonably well, but mainly they’d flounce around looking hot.

The decorative AND fairly competent could use standard lawncare equipment and look hot while, say, weed-eating.

The upper echelon would be the hotties with vo-tech certifications and a real passion for their trade. They’d be like the real-live version of one of those Naughty Mechanic calendars. Scantily clad stunners weilding welding torches with a fierce intensity that borders on orgasmic. Soulful rockstars biting their lower lips while polishing silverware.

Which is a better idea? Pros? Cons?

I’ve got a better one.

Make a huge business, employ tons of people and then fuck everything up and have the U.S. bail you out.

Categories : Lawncare Tips