Matt Olson, Author at The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals

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Author: Matt Olson

Matt Olson is a freelancer for the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

How to Manage Overtime Before It Becomes a Profit Leak

Overtime can be the deciding factor in finishing a job or missing a deadline. These extra hours can be beneficial in the moment but can also dig into your bottom line if not managed properly. Like many aspects of business, having a system in place is key for healthy profit margins, and overtime is no […]

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Restoring an Overgrown Quarry

For many years, this quarry was a notable feature of this private school in Dallas, Texas. Over time, the site became neglected, overgrown with vegetation. This led to safety concerns for students and reduced the visual appeal of the area. To restore order, the school reached out to Southern Botanical, Inc., based in Dallas. Their […]

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How to Build a Better First Week for New Hires

Hiring is a costly process, and that’s why a strong system is needed for onboarding. From day one, an employee should have clear expectations and a sense of purpose in their role. The first week can be stressful for a new hire, but having a plan will help ease them into the company. Ā ā€œWrite a […]

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How to Make Job Ads Sound Less Generic

First impressions can be everything, especially in the job market. That’s why a job ad needs to be memorable, in a good way. As you’re filling new roles, tailor the ads to provide relevant details about the position and share why they should join your team. Generic postings are often filled with fluffy language. ā€œPhrases […]

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Raising the Bar for a Retirement Community

A half-hour drive from Phoenix, Arizona, takes you to a luxurious retirement community with nearly 10,000 homes. It also features four golf courses and abundant parklike areas. Gothic Landscape, based in Valencia, California, has maintained these landscapes for over 25 years, allowing them to uphold high standards. Their efforts led to them earning a 2025 […]

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Keeping Crews Motivated During the Summer Grind

Summer can feel like an endless list of projects and problems for landscapers. Despite the challenges, there are ways to help your employees find satisfaction in their work during this intense season. When you have a full set of projects, it’s tempting to solely focus on finishing tasks and solving problems to meet those deadlines. […]

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Creating Modern Elegance with Limited Space

After many years, this family was ready to upgrade to their dream home in the northwestern suburbs of Washington D.C. Their wish list included a modern, luxurious space for entertaining. Additionally, they wanted a low-maintenance landscape that would fit their travel schedule. For the design and installation, the owners reached out to Rossen Landscapes, based […]

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Transforming a Riverside Oasis: Blending Function with Aesthetics

A short drive from Annapolis, Maryland, leads to a new riverside landscape near Chesapeake Bay. For three years, McHale Landscape Design, Inc., based in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, transformed this property into an oasis, featuring swaths of native plants, rain gardens, and modern plantings that match the new house. Their efforts led to them earning a […]

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Where Agronomy Meets Athletics: Crafting a 5 Star Racing Surface

For five years, the Fair Hill Racetrack in Elkton, Maryland, was preparing for its first horse race. In 2024, their vision became reality as they hosted the Maryland 5 Star. Less than a year later, the turf track saw its first racing action. The groundwork for those events began in 2020, when Ruppert Landscape, based […]

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Two Decades of Dedication: Systems and Stewardship Behind Lasting Landscape Excellence

For 20 years, this gorgeous home outside of Boston, Massachusetts, has been under the care of NatureWorks Landscape Services, Inc., based in Wellesley, Massachusetts. With over 2.5 acres, the property requires lawn care, fine gardening, snow removal, and plenty of pruning. While the standards have remained the same, the site has evolved, bringing challenges and […]

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