How I Do It Archives - The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals

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How I Do It

How I Do It: Dealing with Truck Repairs and Maintenance Delays

Landscape professionals depend on trucks, mowers and other equipment to accomplish their work. But trucks and mowers often need maintenance or repairs to continue performing properly. “Not doing the work due to not having equipment is something we work hard to avoid,” says Nelson Alvarado, fleet manager at Russell Landscape Group, headquartered in Sugar Hill, […]

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Photo: GrassRoots Tree and Turf Care Inc.

How I Do It: Implementing Crew Body Cameras

When you think of body cameras, you probably think of the ones police officers wear in the line of duty. However, this technology doesn’t have to be limited just to law enforcement. Josh Wise, CEO of GrassRoots Tree and Turf Care Inc., based in Acworth, Georgia, started using body cameras for his crews back in 2020 after […]

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Photo: Sullivan’s Landscaping & Maintenance

How I Do It: Focusing on Your Ideal Client

Everyone needs lawn and landscaping services, so technically, your business should serve everyone, right? Not necessarily. If you are looking to grow and sustain your business, at some point you need to determine who your ideal client base is and pursue them. Julie Hayes, a branch manager for Sullivan’s Landscaping & Maintenance, based in Milford, […]

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Photo: Kingstowne Home Services

How I Do It: Adding a Home Services Division  

If you have your residential clients often asking if you know a handyman or provide home services, you may be considering taking on these services yourself. This was the case for Krisjan Berzins, founder of Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, based in Alexandria, Virginia. He started offering painting services for his clients over 10 years ago. “I […]

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Using a tiltrotator provides the operator a better range of motion when moving materials.
Photo: Local Roots Landscaping

How I Do It: Implementing New Equipment Efficiencies

With labor being a constant challenge in the landscape industry, taking advantage of various equipment innovations can help you make the most of your current workforce and boost morale. Local Roots Landscaping, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, started seeking equipment that could increase their efficiency after buying a wheel loader in 2019. Patrick Murray, managing partner of […]

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Photo: Wonderland Tree + Landscapes

How I Do It: Keeping Employees On All Season

Since the 1980s, Wonderland Tree Care + Landscapes, based in Oyster Bay, New York, has been able to keep all their staff on during the off-season by providing tree care services. The company started as a tree care company that eventually added landscape services. David Golon, general manager for Wonderland Tree Care + Landscapes, says […]

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Stephan Saia (far left) with one of the company's ECS work crews and their director of grounds maintenance, Chris Calvisi (far right).
Photo: EPSI

How I Do It: Employing and Helping Homeless Individuals

Enterprise Professional Services, Inc. (EPSI), based in Lakeway, Texas, started in 2011 with a mission to provide employment for people with disabilities. They saw an opportunity to help another group of people in 2018 as Austin’s homeless situation was snowballing. EPSI is an AbilityOne nonprofit agency that specializes in custodial, grounds and hospital environmental services […]

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Photo: Ideal Landscape Group

How I Do It: Cultivating a Successful Company Culture

In 2017, Ideal Landscape Group, based in St. Louis, Missouri, really started putting effort into cultivating their company culture. Their efforts to create a better culture paid off as this year they were named one of the 2022 Top Workplaces in St. Louis by The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. To be considered for this list an […]

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Photo: Limbwalker

How I Do It: Breaking the Mold of the Average Tree Operation

Like many other companies in the industry, Limbwalker, based in Louisville, Kentucky, had humble beginnings. Cory Petry and Chris O’Bryan started the business with a truck, an old chipper, some chainsaws and climbing equipment in 2004. Now 18 years later, they have 45 employees and more ISA Certified Arborists on staff than any other company […]

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Mulhall's Infants at Work program allows employees like Brett Hicks, to bring her son Cannon to the office until he is mobile or six months old.
Photo: Brett Hicks

How I Do It: Creating a Workplace that Supports New Parents

Having a child is a full-time job. It is common for women in America who return to their jobs after having a baby to find the workforce is an unsupportive environment for them. This isn’t the case for Mulhall’s, based in Omaha, Nebraska. Founded in 1956, the company takes the phrase ‘family business’ far beyond […]

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