Landscape Services for Today’s Sustainably Minded Clients

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Landscape Services for Today’s Sustainability-Minded Clients

Fann Seminar 2024

October 17th 2024

Bok Tower Gardens

Lake Wales, Fl

Everglades Native Designs Llc

Creating Multiple Streams of Ecological Landscape Services

Getting landscape clients to contact you before clearing to create income you haven’t considered

A complete package of resources and services ensuring your company a steady stream of revenue for possibly decades

But First, a Quick Report…

Are Native Plants Being Used in Other Countries?

Yes!

Allow me to give a quick report on what I found in my ancestral homeland of Poland this summer!

The Center for Biological Diversity and Conservation in the village of Powsin just outside of Warsaw, Poland.

At the Center For Biological Diversity and Conservation

The public can see plants from all regions of Poland…

From an alpine garden from the Carpathian Mountains…

To coastal plants from their beach dunes.

In the Academic Field

● There is a major effort to preserve rare, threatened and endangered species.

● Much of it takes place here at the National Seed Bank.

The Polish government requires replanting of native species in rural areas along new highway construction, reforestation efforts and different levels of urban parks.

Zielen To Zycie

(Green is Life) Trade Show and Seminar Warsaw Expo Center September 2024

Sponsored Annually by the Polish Nurseryman’s Association

Is there any public awareness of the need and or use of native plants among the Polish population?

I went to Warsaw to one of Europe’s largest nursery trade shows in September to see if there is.

A Very Well Organized and Impressive Annual Trade Show and Seminar!

The 3 day trade show had concurrent educational sessions going on with a separate hall just set up for plant sales to the public…

Not to mention the high quality affordable food!!!

A Couple of Bright Spots

Left Mr. Michal Bojanowski Forester, nursery owner Proponent and grower of native trees and plants.

Right

Mr. Mateusz Milczynski President of the Association of Polish Nurserymen. Proponent and grower of Polish native plants.

Maximize a Stream of Income with Clients

By Offering a Wide Array of Services Lasting for Years or Even Decades!

● When it comes to new construction, try to meet with the client before ground is broken.

● Be the client’s trusted advisor on all horticultural and ecological matters.

● Be their ‘go to person’ for anything to do with the landscape.

● These relationships can turn into a stream of revenue that could last for years to come!

Landscape Services for Today’s Ecologically Minded Client

Let’s look at 10 different potential streams for revenue that can come from that initial early visit! It’s not just a ‘one shot’ design or install!

#1 Walking the Property with the Homeowners

And, Hopefully, the Builder Too.

First do a little homework, get familiar with the location, the native habitats and plants in the area. Maybe a little about the local history and especially things like hydrology and local government codes. Once there, assess the native plants, habitats and features worth keeping as an integral part of the landscape.

Determine the clients’ interests and needs.

Identifying Species on a Site

● Know the native plants and the invasive exotics.

● Know the local codes as many communities require invasive exotics be removed from the property. Clients are relying on your knowledge and guidance on what to leave and what to remove.

Better you - the ecological expert do - this than the builder whose contractor may not know plants, habitats or even care about what he runs over!

Maybe put together a report listing the species along with recommendations for preservation and removals.

A Special Find on One of Our Projects!

We were asked to evaluate a residential property before development was to take place on this 10 acres of rural Collier County. Upon removing invasives we found something I haven’t seen in almost 40 years - hand fern - Ophioglossum palmatum.

The property owners are very excited to know they are protecting a rare native plant.

#3

Identifying Natural Areas to Be Preserved.

Preserving natural areas for their aesthetics, wildlife value, shade trees and or natural screens, etc.

You’ll need a good understanding of the local ecosystems so these critical areas can be identified and explained to your client, and the builder, emphasizing the importance of why you are protecting these areas.

This is what the client is paying you well for, your knowledge and expertise on these critical areas as well as your foresight on how this area can be enhanced and maintained as an important and aesthetic part of their landscape.

All of this could be documented in a report with pictures and presented to the client and the builder before clearing begins, leaving you with another source of revenue.

#4

Setting Aside Native Vegetation Areas to Enhance The Overall Property Value and Appearance.

Areas of concern like wiregrass understory, palmetto patches and even the critical root zones of mature pines and oaks can be sectioned off with fabric fence.

Signs can be posted in English and Spanish and affixed to fencing that these are areas of “No Entry,” either by foot or vehicle.

Removal of invasive species on site and possibly contracts to do annual visits to remove seedlings.

Saving large cap rocks for later use in the landscape.

#5

Evaluation of Native Trees and Protection Strategies During Construction

When preserving trees around structures, consider the age of the trees and the affected root zones due to construction.

Also, you may consider the height and canopy… How it may be affected by storms, especially in proximity to structures.

Consider fencing off the critical roots zones within the trees drip line to protect roots.

Transplanting trees like large palms may be another service you can offer your client.

#6

Designing the Project

As a trusted ecological advisor you have been given the task of designing the landscape.

You’ve evaluated the property, now it's time to start a plan based on many of the factors we’ve discussed - on site habitat, trees to be preserved, natural buffers and the wants and needs of the client, etc.

Your input could have bearing on the exact location of the house, driveway, views and other ecological as well as aesthetic factors.

Your horticultural guidance and plan should be reflective of native habitat on site. Hopefully you spec species appropriate to the site.

Again, knowing the species, the area and its unique local characteristics will allow you to design a great project that the customer will love.

#7 Installation And All That Goes With It

Your expertise and design has won you the install project. Don’t forget about other streams of income such as irrigation, professional wildlife-friendly outdoor lighting, hardscaping like patios, walkways, outdoor kitchens, large containers, planter boxes, etc.

On larger tracts of land, offer to create trails through natural areas. You may also be able to replant natives where invasives may have been removed.

#8 Specialty Maintenance Services

Another source of revenue is maintenance. It’s an important service as many lawn companies are not familiar with native plants and habitats or the unique manner in which they are maintained.

Generally such specialty services require more effort but may also call for a higher service fee.

Once a customer likes and trusts you there is often no end to the requests.

#9

Remulching, Repairs and Replacements

Multiple reasons why a client will call your company back.

● Yearly re-mulching

● Bi annual fertilizing

● Irrigation and lighting annual check ups, repairs and adjustments.

● Over time plants may die or get damaged in a storm or accidents. Clients will call you first for a new tree or bed of flowers.

● Maybe things like annual meadow mowing, selective pruning, pest management, storm clean up, even holiday lighting!

● Hand work when control burning is not possible. Reduction of vegetation, vines, invasives,etc.

These are all billable items that started with your initial assessment of the property. It's these items that keep you coming back to the customer for years if not decades.

#10

Getting Other Projects in the Neighborhood or with the Builder

One important thing that’s helped us. If a plant dies on a project ‘happily replace it asap!’ no questions asked, never argue with the customer!

The best source of ‘free advertising’ is a happy client praising you at their next cookout. When friends ask ‘who did your landscape?’ you want them referring you! Don’t try and save $100.00 and potentially lose tens of thousands!

Many Of Our Clients Have Been With Us For Years!

We are at this property at least once a month for something - trimming, replanting, remulching, fertilizing, storm clean up, deadheading, etc, etc.

Advanced Marketing Strategies:

How To Acquire Clients Early In The Process

Advertising in FANN’s Guide for Real Florida Gardeners

Retail nurseries Signage, brochures, printed ads in local papers, magazines and real estate guides, social media - blogs, newsletters, Saturday classes and workshops as well as a web page devoted to this topic.

FANN members See website

Landscape firms A brochure on all the services you provide; printed ads in local papers, magazines and real estate guides, social media - blogs, newsletters and website page devoted to this topic, ads in eco friendly publications.

Work with Landscape Architects and Designers if you don’t have one in-house. Events like FANN’s seminar are a great place to meet the right LAs and designers to work with.

Leaving You With A fall Scene From Florida! Questions

Either now or catch me after the talk. Thank You!

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