Category: On The Stump
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No One Wants an Adequate Landscape
How often do people call and say, “John, I want you to design an adequate landscape for me. It doesn’t matter the plants or materials you use. Make it look adequate.” The short answer. Never. When I meet clients I meet people who want to make their home more beautiful. Clients want interest in all seasons.…
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Daffodils Poking Through the Snow
Last week I noticed a sure sign Spring is coming; Daffodils were poking through the snow where I had shoveled access for the oil delivery. I admit, for me, January is one of the toughest months of the year. As a plant lover, I thrive on sunshine, and there is very little sunshine in January.…
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It’s All About Self-Expression – INFJ Personality Type
I was watching a video on Myers-Briggs Personality Types today and learned that my type has an artistic side. Well duh! The speaker mentioned INFJ‘s often draw, paint or play an instrument. This left me feeling a bit perplexed. I’ve never felt a desire to draw or paint. Yes, I took piano lessons for a…
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First Shade Day 2020
First Shade Day this year was on May 12th. I returned from the grocery store and looked across the lawn to see a deep, crisp shadow. First Shade Day is the day you notice deep shade for the first time every spring. This is my second post about First Shade Day. Last year was a…
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Two Types of Leaders
Watching the news lately I’m noticing a pattern. So-called ‘leaders’ are not leading. These people in leadership positions have their self-interests in mind and not the greater good. There are two types of leaders. Those that seek power and those that seek to enhance the greater good. The ‘Leader’ Who Seeks Power This is the…
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Qualifying Potential Customers
In any business, you’re never going to get every job. That’s a simple fact. Never get discouraged if you don’t get every job, or even half the jobs you look at. That’s a simple truth. Every year I talk to a lot of people about landscape work. Over time I’ve come to recognize the signs…
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Don’t Let Others Determine Your Worth
A recent email reminded me of a lesson I wish I learned sooner. A prospective client wanted my expertise pruning a hedge in a town 45 minutes away. I calculated travel and gave a rough estimate to see if we were in the same ballpark. They said the job was worth a quarter of my…
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Some Mistakes Have to Be Made
A few weeks ago I changed the spark plugs in my wife’s car. If you’re a mechanic or done the job before, it’s simple. I’ve never done the job before. I read the service manual which makes car maintenance similar to building with Legos. Remove shroud D (See diagram) then disconnect coil pack and remove…
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Saying Goodbye
Yesterday was a melancholy day at Land Designs Unlimited LLC. A client of 5 years is moving and yesterday was my last visit. There’s a chance the new owners will want my services, I hope they do. Unfortunately, experience has taught me it rarely works that way. This landscape is special for a couple of…