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FROM THE EDITOR
Welcome to our highly anticipated Technology Issue! This edition is dedicated to the innovators who are reshaping the future of our industry. We’re shining a spotlight on the leaders who, having built successful businesses themselves, are now turning their expertise to technology development—tailored specifically for us in the landscape, design and maintenance sectors. These pioneers understand what it takes to thrive in this competitive field and are using their knowledge to push the boundaries of what’s possible. So, the question is: Are you up to speed on the latest trends and tools?
But that’s just the beginning. We’ve got a packed issue for you, with features on some truly intriguing projects that are redefining the landscape of what’s possible. You’ll also find practical education on navigating the H-2B visa process—an essential for small business owners looking to build a seasonal workforce. Plus, our tree-buying guide will teach
you how to ensure the highest quality for your clients by knowing what to look for before making that purchase.
After an inspiring trip to Cultivate’24, we’ve handpicked some standout plants that are perfect for your next design project. These selections are guaranteed to elevate your landscapes and help you create spaces that are both beautiful and functional.
And, finally, let’s talk about the event of the year: SYNKD Live 2025! After years of growth and success, this January we’re pulling out all the stops to make this our biggest and best event yet. We’ve moved it to the off-season to make it easier for you to attend, so start planning now! With a perfect blend of leadership summit and curated tradeshow, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Industry legends like Frank Mariani, Jim McCutcheon and Cindy Code are already praising the value and impact of SYNKD Live, and we can’t wait to welcome you to the next evolution of this industry-defining experience.
As you dive into this issue, we hope you find the tools, inspiration and motivation to take your business—and this industry—to new heights.
See you at SYNKD Live 2025!
JANUARY 14–16, 2025
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
News
Industry news & dates to save
Q&A
What are the top technologies today & for tomorrow?
Industry Leader
Joel Northrup
Deep Lawn
Inside Electric Sheep Robotics
Under 30 Leader
Erik Zamora
Zamora Design & Build
Biophilia & Horticulture
Elements for Design
Fabián Sanin
Monarch Landscape Companies
Materials Have Meaning Angelica & Matt Norton
Open Envelope Studios
Embracing the Future
Robin Champ
LBL Strategies
What’s That Plant?
Dr. Damon Abdi
LSU Ag Center
Attention Deficit & The Green Industry
Chris Cooper
SynkedUP
Invigorating Future Land Stewards Community Foodscapes Georgia
Transparency in Design Stangby Designs California A Vision for Tranquility Cuhaci Peterson Florida New Products Hot new products you need to know about
FALL 2024
323 Polk Street Lafayette, Louisiana 70501
SYNKD Live 2025: Register Today!
Understanding Trees, Part 1
Scott Seargeant Seargeant Landscape Arboriculture
Training Wheels For H-2B
Nataly Mualem Mualem Law Firm
Plants That You Need to Know About
A new regular feature on design-worthy plants
UNDERSTANDING TREES Scott Seargeant advises what to look for before you buy a tree
Next Issue: SYNKD Winter 2025 Plan for Success
Contact Angelique Robb at angelique@synkd.io for more information on how you and your company can be featured in upcoming issues.
FOUNDER & CEO Angelique Robb angelique@synkd.io (337) 852–6318
SALES DIRECTOR
Tom Schoen tom@synkd.io (773) 490–9557
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Mike Watts mike@synkd.io (252) 256-8086
SYNKD is published four times a year and distributed to 5,000 qualified members of the green industry per region.
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SYNKD verifies information as much as possible. The views expressed by editorial contributors and the products advertised herein are not necessarily endorsements of the publishers. Reproduction of any part of this magazine is strictly forbidden.
INSIDE OUR COMMUNITY PAGE 8 Industry News | PAGE 10 Q+A | PAGE 12 Industry Leader: Joel Northrup | PAGE 16 Inside: Sheep Robotics | PAGE 19 Industry Leader: Erik Zamora | PAGE 21 Fabián Sanin | PAGE 22 Angelica & Matt Norton | PAGE 24 Robin Champ | PAGE 25 Dr. Damon Abdi | PAGE 26 Chris Cooper
INDUSTRY NEWS
Expansion for ServeScape
ServeScape, an Atlanta-based online marketplace, is expanding into Nashville, Tennessee, and Charlotte, North Carolina, this September. The platform connects homeowners, builders and industry professionals with locally grown plants and expert landscape design services, delivered directly to their doorsteps. Since launching in 2020, ServeScape has delivered thousands of plants across the Southeast.
CEO Mario Cambardella emphasizes that ServeScape’s mission is to make high-quality plants and design expertise accessible to everyone, regardless of their gardening experience. The company’s Plant Nerd AI tool offers personalized advice on planting times, soil needs and plant pairings, ensuring thriving landscapes. ServeScape also partners with local landscapers and designers to help them showcase their services.
To celebrate the expansion, ServeScape will host “Pints and Plants” events at local breweries in Nashville and Charlotte, offering a fun way for the community to learn more about plants and landscape design.
Heralding Horticulture
Arecent study reveals a resurgence in horticulture degree enrollments across the U.S., with bachelor’s programs reaching a 10-year high in 2021. Nearly half of universities surveyed in 2024 reported increased enrollment over the past five years. Two-year horticulture programs, which had seen a decline, also experienced growth, partly driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study, co-authored by John Dole and Melinda Knuth, highlights the growing interest in horticultural careers, particularly among female and Hispanic students. Jazmin Albarran, director of Seed Your Future, emphasized the need for ongoing industry engagement to sustain this momentum.
The report also noted a rise in students entering horticulture programs directly from high school, signaling increased interest among younger generations. Universities are responding by expanding programs, with Colorado State University leading in bachelor’s degree enrollment and Pennsylvania State University topping associate degree enrollments in 2021.
John Dole and Jazmin Albarran
ECHO’s Environmental Consciousness
ECHO has made significant strides in automating its manufacturing processes, improving efficiency, product quality and employee wellbeing. A recent tour of ECHO’s headquarters showcased the company’s efforts to bring more production in-house while minimizing repetitive tasks for workers, which has positively impacted employee health. The increased automation has allowed ECHO to scale its product delivery while maintaining strict quality control, driven by their desire to “control their destiny.”
The company is also expanding its warehouse facilities to accommodate growing demand. Innovation is evident throughout their operations, from the automated construction of cardboard boxes to the palletization of products for shipping. One of ECHO’s standout achievements is reaching zero waste at the facility. Plastic waste is recycled, and even the dust from cutting plastic parts is pelletized offsite and reused to create new products.
ECHO’s advancements in manufacturing serve as an inspiration to the industry, with further improvements and innovations on the horizon.
Prioritizing Biodiversity
The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has released its first national survey on landscape architects’ efforts to address biodiversity
through planning and design. Nearly 300 U.S. landscape architects, designers and educators participated in the July 2024 survey. Results show that 96% of respondents are aware of the biodiversity crisis, with 45% prioritizing biodiversity conservation in their practice and another 41% incorporating it into their organization’s environmental goals.
Key barriers to biodiversity efforts include a lack of client demand, public awareness, funding, native plant supply and policy challenges.
Despite these obstacles, landscape architects are increasingly using nature-based solutions and native plants to restore ecosystems. Common projects contributing to biodiversity goals include green infrastructure (49%), neighborhood parks (41%) and ecological restoration (36%).
Top design strategies to boost biodiversity include integrating nature-based approaches (63%) and using a high percentage of native plants (62%). Some landscape architects are setting biodiversity net gain (BNG) targets, aiming for improvements in ecosystem services, habitat creation and wildlife connectivity.
TECHNOLOGY: WHAT ARE THE TOP
Foo
San Jose, California Gabe
Western Regional Manager, Kress
I see two major developments on the horizon. First is the need to integrate AI into outdoor automation, irrigation systems, plant and turf systems and weather and growth systems. Second, we need to revolutionize the way we charge electrical and battery-powered landscape equipment.
Robots and cobots (collaborative) lawn mowers today are great at cutting grass and offer landscapers the capability to shift valuable labor to more valuable jobs, close labor gaps and reduce and control
rising labor cost centers. Today’s robots are intelligent enough to safely mow in public spaces, measure productivity and can be tracked to prevent theft. But in the context of smart phones, today’s robots are like flip phones compared to a smart phone integrated with apps.
5G cellular technology network expansion, RTK service integrated into 5G and new computing chip processing speed will allow AI integration at “the edge” or in the palm of your hand.
The transition of gas-powered equipment to battery-powered equipment is dependent upon four key ecosystem components: commercial quality equipment, battery technology, energy and safe recycling.
Landscapers have great choices on durable pro-quality equipment, and companies like Kress have innovated battery technology to produce gas-like power with the capability to rapidly charge overnight or at the jobsite.
Widespread battery-tool adoption stagnates when landscapers lack access to power. Not every commercial landscaper yard has access to power, and our industry needs more options. Landscapers can’t invest in power infrastructure when they don’t own their yard property. What options exist? Portable power banks, affordable solar options that can be moved to other yards or open access to the network of EV vehicle charging stations.
Equipment manufacturers are focused on developing equipment and battery technology. We lack capital, expertise and resources to build charging infrastructures.
TODAY ? WHAT ARE THE HOT TECHNOLOGIES FOR TOMORROW ?
Joe Langton
President, Langton Group CEO, Automated Outdoor Solutions
Chicago, Illinois
People are looking for the latest technology development, but in my opinion that is not the issue. The industry will need to consolidate so the service professionals can begin to raise capital to use the technology. The future of technology for the landscape professional will hinge on software that tracks production with automation, helps make routes with automation and accurately silos off the profits those systems drive. When we develop that, the adoption curve will come. The lack of capital is the fire blanket to the industry that should have already exploded.
Richard Ogawa
CEO
&
Cofounder,
Gardenland Power Equipment & Co.
CEO, Towa Industries Inc.
Campbell, California
In today’s industry, the transition from gas to battery-powered equipment, driven by new legislation, is reshaping the way we operate. It’s now more important than ever to partner with companies that consider the entire battery life cycle—from manufacturing to end-of-life recycling. To push the industry forward, we need continual improvements in battery technology. One critical area is optimizing runtimes while reducing equipment weight without compromising performance. As a dealer, I’ve seen firsthand how advancements in battery technology have made tools more efficient and easier to handle, allowing landscapers to operate longer with less downtime and fatigue. However, further development is needed to decrease battery weight while maintaining top-tier performance and extended runtimes.
Asset tracking and fleet management are also becoming essential, especially in safeguarding against theft and ensuring safe storage. With more batteries in use, businesses need systems that provide real-time alerts, monitor battery health and offer maintenance insights. This proactive management helps our customers reduce operational risks and keep their equipment running efficiently.
Lastly, smart power management and charging infrastructure are critical to reducing fire risks and preventing misuse. Smart charging systems, especially those utilizing off-peak hours, can optimize energy use.
Zach Coward
COO, FiveTraks
Atlanta, Georgia
The landscaping industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with technology playing a pivotal role in enhancing client satisfaction, efficiency and sustainability. The most important technologies shaping the industry today include customer relationship management (CRM) systems and workforce management and scheduling tools. CRM tools are essential in managing client interactions, enhancing the speed of client communication and improving overall customer satisfaction. These systems help track client preferences, automate follow-ups and provide a more personalized experience. With dynamic scheduling software, landscape businesses are better equipped to utilize their labor resources based on real-time demand, weather conditions and job complexity. These tools help manage labor costs, reduce idle time and ensure optimal staffing levels are in place.
Looking ahead, I believe that the technologies that will drive our industry forward and enhance sustainability are autonomous equipment and artificial intelligence. The introduction of robotic mowers and vehicles is revolutionizing routine tasks and addressing labor shortages. These machines offer consistent service quality while reducing the need for manual labor. AI is increasingly being used to automate customer relationship management, optimize resource allocation, streamline project planning and enhance business operations. It helps business owners make data-driven decisions, improving service delivery and operational efficiency.
Joel
Northup CEO, Deep Lawn Austin, Texas
The widespread use of robotic mowers and robotic equipment is going to continue. Electric equipment is going to continue to be more widespread. I think that’s inevitable with just all the benefits of electric, but also the regulation that’s coming. I think there might be more hybrid approaches to equipment.
AI is going to continue to become a bigger and bigger thing. What’s great is that, with AI, companies can be more lean with less overhead. That’s very important when you have a startup that you’re bootstrapping, which many people are. Companies that answer phones will be replaced with AI automated bots to then direct the call either to customer support or give pricing over the phone.
Smart spray technology—I talked about this a couple of years ago at SYNKD Live 2023—and it’s becoming more widespread, and we’re very early on the adoption curve. This technology will track chemicals sprayed, where they’re sprayed, how much is sprayed and document this to ensure you are following regulation. I think that’s a big issue. You know, people talk about climate change in this vague sense, but I think communities need to be more focused on local waterways, local soil, local pollution.
Adapting for SUCCESS
At just 14, Joel Northrup and his brother kickstarted their entrepreneurial journey by pushing a lawnmower down the street and offering to mow yards. It started as a way to earn some extra money during high school, but as Joel grew older, so did his ambitions. Joel was beginning to see what was possible for someone with a can-do attitude. He was ready to figure out how to scale a service business.
“I think I got my entrepreneurship from my dad and my business skills and efficiency from my mom,” he shares.
By 16, he and his brother had saved enough to buy out a competing company, taking on additional routes. With a hiring push, they expanded their operation. This business move opened up opportunities for them to begin offering higher-revenue projects in hardscaping and outdoor living.
The business flourished over the next few years as they began focusing on high-value customers and weeding out ones that were unprofitable. During this time of growth, Joel admits he had to let potential clients think he was older. Fortunately, his time outdoors helped the 18-year-old easily pass for early twenties. Any time someone found out he was only 18, they couldn’t believe he had the skills for the demanding projects he was leading. But as revenues rose, the profits they expected didn’t materialize. Their revenues had
skyrocketed, but after they had accounted for labor, overhead, drive time, materials and the time and effort to find new clients, they had only a 5 percent profit margin.
“You know, we were one ‘black swan event’ from being out of the game,” Joel says. Despite all they had accomplished, they were cutting it too close to breaking even. A strategic pivot was needed.
Industry Leader | Joel Northrup
What’s great about lawn care, even lawn maintenance, is that revenues are very predictable.
The Unanticipated Downside of Success
Moving out of lawn care and into hardscapes seemed smart at the time. It was a sign that they were staking their claim in the world of landscaping and proving their skills. But that shift brought a big challenge.
“There’s no recurring revenue with a lot of hardscape projects; they’re one-off,” Joel says. “You have to continue to go out and sell new projects. What’s great about lawn care, even lawn maintenance, is that revenues are very predictable.”
Slim margins left them feeling like they were doing a lot of hard work with very little to show for it.
By 2017, Joel boldly decided to identify their highest margin service and lean into it. That would mean scaling back their hardscaping business to focus on an area of landscaping where their financial statements told them they could make the highest profits. And those key areas were fertilization, weed control and tree care. This meant repeat clients, steady revenues and low overhead.
“So, we transitioned into that new model, and it initially really hurt our top-line revenue,” Joel recalls. “But within a year or two, our profits were considerably higher.”
With this move, profit margins tripled. It allowed them to stabilize the company and focus on growth again.
Joel’s story underscores the importance of adaptability for landscaping businesses. It is critical to look at financial statements and identify what isn’t working and why. Joel and his team may have entertained thoughts of becoming hardscape juggernauts, but financial numbers forced them to calibrate their thoughts when the numbers did not align with their entrepreneurial ambitions.
How to Scale a Service Business: The Critical
Importance of Route Density
Joel would face yet another hurdle and valuable lesson about scaling.
“In our pursuit of aggressive growth, one of the mistakes we made was opening up satellite branches in other markets,” he explains. “We spread ourselves a little too thin. So, rather than focus on building route density in the markets we started in, we were trying to over-expand.”
Through this mistake, Joel learned the importance of maximizing efficiency within a geographic area before trying to scale that efficiency into a new market.
Part of that efficiency came in the form of leveraging the latest technology.
“We got into robotic mowing as well. We were one of the first robotic mowing installers in the Midwest, I think second behind Joe Langton,” Joel says.
According to his website, Joe Langton is an industry leader and CEO of Automated Outdoor Solutions.
“What’s crazy is, we were never able to purchase enough mowers for our customers because Joe Langton would buy them all up,” Joel adds. “He was snatching up all the robotic mowers in the Midwest.”
Despite the competition, Joel’s move into automated lawn care would catalyze a new business venture.
Joel Northrup (left) and his younger brother Toby (right) in 2011 next to a water feature and outdoor patio they built. Joel Northrup (left) and one of his company’s team members at a trade show in 2013
Joel Northrup filming content for Deep Lawn in early 2024
In our pursuit of aggressive growth, one of the mistakes we made was opening up satellite branches in other markets. We spread ourselves a little too thin.
Launching a Tech-Driven Revolution
In 2020, Joel sold his successful lawn care business and shifted his energy into solving a key problem in the industry: lawn care quotes. Lawn care service quoting was a very time-consuming and expensive process. The labor intensive activity previously required sending someone out to look at the yard, measure the lawn with a measuring wheel, calculate the yard area and provide quotes for services. The entire process was fraught with the potential drops and delays, miscalculations, back and forth haggling with customers and no guarantee of a new paying customer.
Deep Lawn™ was born to tackle this challenge head-on, offering AI-powered tools that allow companies to generate instant quotes based on up-to-date satellite imagery. This ensures accurate measurements, drastic reduction in quote time from days to seconds, and ensures companies using Deep Lawn™ can be the first to quote—a huge advantage in securing clients.
The Deep Lawn™ platform has revolutionized the way lawn care companies operate with 24/7 instant quotes based on geospatial data. This technology has already spread across every U.S. state (except Hawaii) plus all of the Canadian provinces. Joel’s next goal is to take this technology to the European and Australasian markets.
Joel’s visionary approach doesn’t stop with Deep Lawn™. He’s already testing Density Blaster™, a new tool that helps lawn care companies overcome a major hurdle that Joel is all too familiar with.
“One of the biggest issues service companies face is that their customers are spread out,” he says. “Geographic distribution creates a lot of drive time. Density Blaster™ helps companies acquire a greater density of customers in specific neighborhoods.”
His solution combines the power of the humble postcard with AI data to attract new clients in neighborhoods where companies already have recurring landscaping maintenance projects.
As Joel looks at what’s next, he sees continued advances in electric lawn care and automated lawn care as well as the use of augmented reality to improve the hardscape design process and numerous uses for AI. His journey reflects the incredible potential for growth in this industry.
GET IN TOUCH WITH
Joel
Northrup
CEO | Lawn care e-commerce software
Deep Lawn Austin, Texas
Phone: (319) 310-3836
joel@deeplawn.com | deeplawn.com
HOW TO SCALE UP YOUR BUSINESS: Key Takeaways
Profitability Over Flash – High-ticket projects may seem appealing, but recurring revenue streams (like lawn care) often provide more financial stability.
Adaptability – Knowing when to pivot is crucial. Transitioning to services with higher margins can save a business.
Route Density Matters – Focusing on serving more clients in a smaller geographic area boosts efficiency and profits.
Tech Is Your Friend – Embrace AI tools to streamline operations and provide faster customer service.
The Deep Lawn team giving a demo during the 2023 Equip Expo in Louisville, Kentucky Joel Northrup filming content for Deep Lawn in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2024
Automated Landscape Care Addressing a BIG Industry Challenge
INSIDE Electric Sheep Robotics
The landscaping industry has always been deeply rooted in tradition. Among the familiar scents of freshly cut grass and gas-powered trimmers, landscaping maintenance companies continue to improve their skills and pass them on to the next generation.
But within this traditional framework, a quiet revolution is brewing. It’s a shift that could change how lawns and gardens are designed, built and maintained forever. This blending of cutting-edge AI (artificial intelligence) tech-
nology with age-old practices is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in landscaping.
I was fortunate to sit down with Jarrett Herold, co-founder and COO of Electric Sheep Robotics, who many consider an industry pioneer in automated landscaping. I asked him how he believes automation in lawn care will shape the future of the industry.
Embracing Change in a Tradition-Loving Industry
For decades, the landscaping industry has relied on tried-and-true methods—manual labor, fuel-powered equipment, early morning hours and a lot of sweat. But Jarrett Herold, a landscape professional, saw an opportunity to do things differently. “We wanted to bring a higher level of attention to innovation in the industry,” he tells me. This vision led to the creation of Electric Sheep Robotics, a company at the forefront of integrating AI and robotics into landscaping.
“When I moved back to the U.S., I realized how much the industry here was lagging,” Jarrett shares. “There was so much potential for the advancements in AI and machine
There was so much potential for the advancements in AI and machine learning to transform the way we approach our work.
learning to transform the way we approach our work. And what’s more is that our industry is very well positioned to leverage these advancements, since the physical work we do outdoors provides unique data sets with which to train and improve models that will ultimately drive commercialization of many different types of robots.”
Europe has embraced automated lawn care for over two decades. Meanwhile, the U.S.
JARRETT HEROLD
was still stuck in a ‘90s landscaping mentality, relying heavily on human power and back-breaking labor in brutally hot conditions for much of the season.
Jarrett’s goal? Elevating the industry. He wanted to help landscaping become more sustainable and eco-friendly and see the industry work smarter, not harder—and thrive.
The Challenges of Automation & Birth of the RAM
Introducing lawn care robots isn’t just a matter of swapping a human for a machine. It requires a rethinking of how landscaping businesses operate. He had to ask some tough questions. “If we’re going to bring intelligence to a piece of equipment, what should it be?” They soon identified mowing as a major opportunity for automated landscape maintenance of the future.
“Mowing is one of the biggest labor costs in both commercial and residential landscaping,” Jarrett explains. “By focusing on lawn care automation, we realized we could significantly reduce these costs and improve efficiency.”
The idea was to develop an autonomous mower that didn’t just replicate what humans were doing but revolutionized the process altogether with machine learning in landscaping.
This innovative thinking resulted in the development of their flagship lawn care robot,
Verdie, who they affectionately call “RAM.”
Unlike traditional mowers, which are bulky, noisy and powered by diesel, the ram is sleek, electric and smart—the representation of an “electric sheep” grazing. Were these the creatures that the robots of science fiction author Philip K. Dick dreamed about?
“Our mower knows what turf is,” Jarrett explains. “It learns as it goes, adapting to different environments and challenges, which is crucial for a successful robot lawn care service.”
But the journey to create RAM wasn’t a straight line. “We started by retrofitting existing equipment,” Jarrett says. “It was all about making incremental improvements.” But, over time, the team realized updating old
machines wouldn’t cut it. They would have to build a lawn care robot from the ground up, making every component fully autonomous and integrated with AI landscaping technology.
And they’re not just stopping with a lawnmower. They’re exploring how one AI-powered lawn care robot can perform many functions, from edging to mowing to leaf blowing and cleanup through multiple fully integrated attachments.
Building the Perfect Partnership Between Human and Machine
Landscaping is an industry dedicated to its people, strengthening client relationships and small family-owned businesses. Jarrett knew there would be pushback from those who wanted to continue doing things the way they always had, especially if a new way led to massive industry layoffs and cold client relationships. No one wants that.
“There’s always a fear that robots will replace human workers,” Jarrett acknowledges. “But that’s not our vision.” Instead, he sees automation as a way to augment human labor, not replace it.
His vision is aligned with current trends in the landscaping industry. The demand
ELECTRIC SHEEP’S R&D TEAM BASED OUT OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
DEPLOYED MOWING ROBOTS WITHIN ELECTRIC SHEEP’S LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE BUSINESS
for landscaping maintenance services has grown an impressive five percent per year for the last seven years. It now employs over one million people nationwide. But, as it grows, it’s becoming harder to find workers willing to meet the demands of these labor-intensive roles.
According to the National Association of Workforce Boards, 600,000-plus mostly small landscaping companies in the U.S. are competing to hire 300,000 employees each year—a number that cannot be fully satisfied by available workers. This has led many landscapers to embrace the potential for greater automation without fear of displacing humans. With landscaping AI and lawn care automation, people can work more efficiently and help small landscaping companies grow with the industry.
Think
“Our robots handle the repetitive, back-breaking tasks, freeing up our crew members to focus on more skilled work that requires a human touch,” Jarrett suggests. This approach not only improves efficiency, but also enhances job satisfaction, allowing workers to engage in more creative and fulfilling tasks. “The goal is to automate landscaping in a way that benefits everyone— from the business owner to the customer, to the environment,” he adds.
How Will This Impact Our Landscape Businesses?
Integrating AI lawn care and greater landscaping automation will allow designers to bring more elaborate visions to life, knowing your clients, as well as your friends on the landscaping maintenance side of the industry, can cost-efficiently maintain it through automation.
During the building phase, automation in lawn care can streamline processes, especially in preparation and cleanup. A landscaping robot can handle many repetitive tasks, reducing labor costs and time to complete a project and increasing potential profits.
This technology can easily change everything, transforming how properties are managed and how many properties can be managed by one crew.
By embracing automated landscape care, businesses can enhance their service offerings across all sectors—design, build and maintain—leading to better outcomes and more satisfied customers.
ELECTRIC SHEEP ROBOTICS TEAM
USING THE RAM IN THEIR OWN BUSINESS TO SHARE THE BLUEPRINT WITH THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY
Erik Zamora
Strategizing a
STARTUP
Under 30 Leader | Erik Zamora Talks About Scaling His Family’s New Design & Build Business
Every successful business idea faces its own set of challenges. For Erik and his brother, Jose, it began when two engineering students decided they wanted to start a landscaping business on the side while continuing their schooling. That decision would result in a big move, a lot of discomfort, low-paying gigs and spending their last dollar on a marketing boot camp after months of trying to build a social media presence and networking to build their company on their own.
“We spent the last money we had going over there,” Erik recalls. But they were inspired
and now knew how to turn their inspiration into a thriving company.
A Change of Plans
Erik and Jose came from a family that highly valued getting a degree to land a stable job. They were both working toward their engineering degrees when, one day, out of the blue, Jose told Erik that he and their father had been discussing starting a landscaping company. The idea hadn’t even been in Erik’s mind before that day. But as they began talking it through, it began to look like a family business idea they wanted to explore … as a side hustle while they continued schooling.
But they soon found out they were onto something more.
Building a Landscaping Startup
Drawing on their engineering experience but with a little landscaping knowledge, Erik and his brother attempted to grow a landscaping business on their own using conventional methods, starting a Facebook page and using an online home services job platform to find customers. But they quickly found themselves in bidding wars to rock bottom prices with other landscapers on the site. On top of that, the platform took a chunk of their meager earnings.
You have to get uncomfortable. If you’re not uncomfortable in business, you’re not growing.
On the one hand, they knew that they might have to “pay their dues” doing jobs for little to gain experience and referrals, but as they continued to work themselves to the bone, they realized they weren’t making progress. Until they stopped working without a strategy, they’d never dig out of this hole.
“Our Last $200”
Erik realized they had a lot to learn and were wasting time trying to teach themselves how to run a successful business, so they spent what little money they had saved to attend a marketing boot camp in Miami. There, they learned valuable lessons about sales, marketing and scaling a business. Erik realized they might have been stuck forever if they hadn’t stopped what they were doing and taken some time to learn from others. “We came back home with, like, $200,” Erik recalls, highlighting the financial strain but newfound motivation.
Starting Fresh in a New Town
After the boot camp, one thing became crystal clear: The market in their hometown could not support a growing landscaping company. They faced a big decision. They could move their business to a bigger town where they didn’t know anyone. Or, they could continue to try to build with a limited customer base.
They realized they needed to expand their reach and explore new opportunities to grow their business further. So, they found a town near home where they could continue working toward their degrees while building a landscaping company.
“We decided to move to Kennesaw [Georgia],” Erik explains. “It was a tough choice because we were leaving behind everything we had built, but we knew we needed a fresh start to take our business to the next level.”
But moving brought new challenges. “We had to start from scratch, knocking on doors again, introducing ourselves to a whole new community,” Erik recalls. “But we knew it was the right move for us. We had to get out there and make ourselves known.”
Seeking Mentors
As Erik and his brother continued to navigate challenges, they sought inspiration and mentorship from others who had built great landscaping companies. They met with someone who was running a $10 million landscaping company. “We saw these massive projects with pools, decks and pool houses. It was inspiring to see someone who started just like us and had grown to such heights.” Erik says his eyes were opened, and he could finally see what was possible. “We thought, if we invest in ourselves, we can only get better.”
The brothers immersed themselves in the daily operations, watched how they interacted with clients and absorbed everything. “We asked about overhead, understood his mindset and learned what it takes to get uncomfortable in the business.”
What they learned surprised them.
“You have to get uncomfortable.” their mentor told them. “If you’re not uncomfortable in business, you’re not growing.”
“Learning that somebody else felt that way [uncomfortable] allowed me to be like, ‘OK, so this is how it’s supposed to feel,’” Erik says. Seeing his mentor’s success gave Erik the confidence to push forward.
From then on, “the only thing we did was reinvest the profits that we made into the business.”
Growing a Landscaping Business from the Ground Up
They landed a steady job working for an HOA, mowing yards and fixing neglected landscaping when HOA residents did not maintain
their yards as they should. Erik admits he thought the neighbors would see them as the “bad guy,” enforcing HOA policy. However, this opened up new job opportunities as neighbors saw the skill and dedication the brothers demonstrated. They wanted Erik and Jose’s company to manage their yards.
Inspired by their mentor and equipped with new skills, they expanded their services to include design and build, which made good use of their engineering education. “[Design] is a different skill set than building [or yard maintenance],” Erik explains, noting the importance of diversifying their offerings.
Sharing with Others
Recognizing how important networking and mentorship had been in their journey and with a desire to help others avoid common mistakes, they started a community. “We started a group called Rise and Build for guys starting in the industry that are trying to learn how we were and we created this community.”
They have set ambitious goals to double their revenues next year. “Our goal within the next year is to double in size and hit the $3 million mark,” Erik shares.
We look forward to seeing him at our upcoming SYNKD Live event.
Cruxlon Hardscaper University
Joining the Chamber in Dalton, Georgia
FABIÁN SANIN
BIOPHILIA & HORTICULTURE ELEMENTS FOR DESIGN
Fabián
Sanin
, Regional
Project
Manager
for Sustainablity & Nature Experiences at Monarch Landscape Companies
As a project manager, I use different strategies to understand the client’s needs, challenges and goals. Listening is the first key component to gathering the correct information and creating a plan that fits the need. Biophilia is one of many methods I focus on as an essential component to creating and designing horticulture elements for community connection to nature within the built environment. Biophilia is our connection to nature, a natural occurrence that happens when presented with the opportunity to be immersed in a green space. With this in mind, areas that can mimic natural ecosystems, where all elements support each other and contribute to the overall health of the environment, are key.
Several factors must be considered when reviewing the horticulture elements of a design to ensure that the review is comprehensive and effective.
Identify the Horticulture Elements
The first step is to identify the horticulture elements that need to be reviewed. This may include plant selection, landscape design, irrigation systems, soil management and pest control.
Evaluate the Design
Evaluate the design of the horticulture elements in terms of their functionality, aesthetics and sustainability. Consider whether the design meets the site’s specific needs, including factors such as sunlight exposure, soil conditions and climate.
Consider Maintenance Requirements
Evaluate the maintenance requirements of the horticulture elements, including the frequency of watering, fertilization, pruning and integrated pest management (IPM). Consider whether the design is practical, sustainable and can be maintained with available resources.
Evaluate the Use of Technology
Consider whether technology is being used effectively to support the horticulture elements, such as irrigation systems, soil sensors and pest management systems.
Assess the Environmental Impact
Evaluate the environmental impact of the horticulture elements, including the use of IPM, fertilizers and water resources. Consider how to make the design sustainable and whether it promotes biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Identify Areas for Improvement
Identify areas where improvements can be made to the horticulture elements that are present or can be integrated, including plant selection, irrigation systems, soil management and rain gardens. Consider the potential benefits and tradeoffs of different approaches. By following these factors, you can effectively review the horticulture elements of a
design and identify areas for improvement to ensure a sustainable, functional and aesthetically pleasing landscape.
The final result should be a design space that promotes mental and physical wellbeing by providing opportunities for relaxation, reflection and physical activity. By integrating these elements and philosophies, areas designed for these unique nature experiences can offer immersive, educational and sustainable interactions with the natural world, fostering a deeper appreciation and commitment to environmental stewardship.
Natural walking path for company meetings Gathering space for company team collaboration
CONTACT
Fabián Sanin
Regional Project Manager for Sustainability & Nature Experiences
Angelica & Matt Norton , Landscape Designers & Owners of Open Envelope Studio , Beyond Aesthetics and Budget: Evaluating Properties, Constructability and Cultural Connotations
When selecting materials for landscape design, it’s essential to consider more than just aesthetics and budget. Through our experience with design/build projects, we’ve identified three factors that expand material considerations: material properties, ease of constructability and cultural connotations.
Material Properties
Material properties go beyond basic durability. Consider how a material ages—will it maintain its appearance over time or develop an appealing patina? Think also about repair and modification ease. Products with factory finishes or proprietary elements can be challenging to adjust. For instance, a failing component in a fire feature might necessitate replacing the entire unit rather than just the faulty part. In climates like Texas, heat retention is also a crucial deliberation; darker hardscapes absorb and retain heat, affecting their suitability for barefoot surfaces like roof and pool decks.
Ease of Constructability
Another question worth asking is: “Does this material make construction easier or harder?” Ease of constructability affects both labor costs and team morale, potentially leading to mistakes from exhaustion or apathy. The weight and fragility of materials, along with their transport and handling on-site, have tangible impacts on craftsmen. Softwoods are easier to cut than hardwoods or steel, which can increase labor time and complicate feasibility. Heavy or delicate materials work well near their delivery points but could pose risks if moved further into the site. Availability also matters; running out of something and facing long lead times can delay projects, especially if sourced from distant locations. We’re not against using challenging materials but emphasize knowing what’s most appropriate based on the project’s needs.
Cultural Connotations
Lastly, one should analyze a subtler aspect of choosing a material. Cultural connotations involve emotional and contextual impact of materials. Some are associated with specific regions and can either blend seamlessly or feel out of place. For example, palm trees in the mountains or rusted steel in refined residential settings might seem mismatched. This one is tricky because we like to push and re-contextualize materials, but it’s worth deliberation. Perceptions of aging also vary, either appreciated for their weathered look or thought of as needing upkeep. Emotional responses matter, too.
Stone can convey permanence or safety while wood adds suppleness and warmth. Depending on the design, steel can project a lightness, industriality and, in the case of stainless steel, cleanliness.
If you contemplate the facets listed above, we believe you will make a more informed choice for your design. In our next article, we will explore how plants can support, accent or even counterbalance your material choices, enhancing the emotional and aesthetic dimensions of your landscape design.
EMBRACING THE FUTURE: INNOVATIVE TRENDS SHAPING THE LANDSCAPING INDUSTRY
ARobin
Champ ,
Vice President
of Strategic Foresight, LBL Strategies and Mark Bills , Managing Director at Transformativ, LLC
s the landscaping industry progresses in 2024, it faces an era defined by technological advancements, sustainability imperatives and shifting customer expectations. From AI-powered analytics to self-healing materials and enhanced data security, the future of landscaping is being shaped by trends that promise to revolutionize the way outdoor spaces are designed, maintained and enjoyed. Here’s a look at some of the most impactful trends that professionals in the landscaping sector should be aware of to stay ahead in this dynamic field.
AI-Powered Predictive Analytics
AI-powered predictive analytics harnesses artificial intelligence to analyze historical data and predict future trends and behaviors. This technology helps businesses anticipate customer needs, optimize resource allocation and make informed, data-driven decisions. With AI-powered analytics, businesses can make proactive, strategic decisions that improve profitability and provide a competitive edge.
Self-Healing Materials for Landscape Structures
Self-healing materials are engineered to automatically repair damages such as cracks or abrasions, significantly extending the lifespan of structures without human intervention. The introduction of these materials in landscaping can transform the construction and maintenance of garden paths, retaining walls and other hardscaping elements. Embracing
self-healing materials enables businesses to offer more durable and sustainable projects, meeting the increasing client focus on longterm value and environmental responsibility.
AI-Curated Ecotherapeutic Landscapes
Ecotherapeutic landscapes are designed to enhance emotional and psychological well-being, and AI technology is advancing this concept. AI algorithms analyze data on plant species, layout designs and user feedback to create environments that promote mental health and wellness. AI-curated ecotherapeutic landscapes merge technology with wellness, driving a shift toward designs that prioritize the emotional and psychological benefits of outdoor environments.
Enhanced Data Security Measures
Enhanced data security measures leverage advanced technologies like AI-driven threat detection and response systems to protect sensitive business and customer data. These measures are crucial for preventing data breaches and ensuring compliance with data
protection regulations. Prioritizing data security protects both the business and its clients, fostering a secure environment that supports long-term success and trust.
Landscaping-as-a-Service (LaaS) Platforms
LaaS platforms integrate Internet of Things (IoT) devices, cloud computing and mobile applications to offer continuous, dynamic landscaping services on a subscription basis. These platforms enable real-time environmental monitoring, automated adjustments to systems and predictive maintenance. LaaS platforms exemplify the move toward a more service-oriented approach in landscaping, driven by the integration of advanced technologies to deliver personalized, efficient and responsive solutions.
As 2024 progresses, staying informed and adaptable will be key for landscaping professionals looking to succeed in a market shaped by technological innovation and evolving consumer expectations. Embracing these trends not only positions companies for immediate success but also sets the stage for long-term growth and industry leadership.
Robin Champ
Vice President of Strategic Foresight LBL Strategies www.lblstrategies.com
DR. DAMON ABDI
WHAT’S THAT PLANT? THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN USING PHONES TO IDENTIFY PLANTS
Dr. Damon Abdi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Landscape Horticulture, LSU Ag Center
Phone applications for identifying plants have become increasingly popular among horticultural contractors and consumers alike. These tools provide instant answers, but not always the correct ones. Similarly, sending pictures to different people asking “what is this plant?” is often accompanied by images that leave much-needed information to the imagination. In practicality, utilizing a combination of new technology (phone applications), trusted sources (people and webpages) and personal experience is the ideal way to identify plants. This article highlights some practical advice for using phones to identify plants, ranging from photo angles to background adjustments. So, whether you rely on an app or a person to answer your identification questions, you can set yourself up for success using these tips.
The objective in identifying plants is to whittle down the list of possible plants that this mystery species could be. First, take a big step back (literally) to evaluate the issue. A photo that highlights the entire plant is necessary to get a general idea of the size (height and width) and form (upright, spreading, weeping, etc.). Far too often, people only take close-up photos that fail to capture the plant as a whole. While this is less of a critical consideration when identifying smaller plants (annuals, perennials, compact shrubs), focusing too close may mean you miss important clues and make premature judgements. Close-up images (and real-life inspection) provide value by allowing you to hone in on key identifying features—such as leaf arrangement (i.e. opposite or alternate buds) and leaf morphology (i.e. simple, compound, pinnately compound, or even bi-pinnately compound leaves). Last, but certainly not least, it is necessary to consider the season—particularly for features such as flowering (bloom time, size, color) and foliage (evergreen vs. deciduous, foliar color).
Many phone applications will provide several possible answers when you take a picture; the hard part is discerning between the available options. Taking photos of the same plant from different angles is a good way to see if the potential plant ID app suggestions change—also a simple way to double or triple check the solution. Once you have a short list of potential options, key in on the identifying features stated above (flower, leaf and bud arrangement/morphology) to discern between possible options. Use a
combination of tools to identify plants, and soon enough you will pick up on the key features to key in on and effectively answer “what is that plant?”
Vitex in flower provides a distinctive feature that separates it from Japanese Maple. Japanese maple leaves look similar to Vitex, but a closer look reveals the Vitex’s compound leaflets are distinctive compared to the simple leaves of the Japanese Maple.
GET IN TOUCH WITH Dr. Damon Abdi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Landscape Horticulture at LSU Ag Center
Email: dabdi@agcenter.lsu.edu
CHRIS COOPER
ATTENTION DEFICIT & THE GREEN INDUSTRY: A NATURAL FIT?
Chris
Cooper, The Quirky Green Guru at SynkedUP
In my 33 years in the green industry, I’ve noticed a trend. Many of us (myself included) are neurodivergent to a degree. This often manifests as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I’d wager around 80 percent of us have some form of this neurological wiring. We shoot from the hip, fly by the seat of our pants, rewrite our schedules three times per week when something changes—and when folks say “that seems chaotic,” we just shrug and say “that’s just the nature of the industry.”
Except it isn’t.
It’s how our brains are wired, and we run our businesses that way.
We crave novelty, and this industry delivers in spades.
Sound familiar?
This industry is a magnet for us. The constant variety—different days, seasons, clients and plants—is like catnip for our ADHD brains. We crave novelty, and this industry delivers in spades. Our heightened sensitivity to sunlight and circadian rhythms makes us thrive outdoors. Plus, our creative minds excel at problem-solving and design, transforming neglected landscapes into stunning showcases.
However, we often struggle with the business side. Impulsive decision making, chaotic schedules and financial oversight are common challenges. We’re passionate and creative, but numbers and structure aren’t our strengths.
The key to success lies in understanding and embracing our strengths and weaknesses by building a support system. By implementing systems, processes and a strong team, we can harness our creativity while managing our ADHD tendencies. We have to surround ourselves with the tools that help us do the things well that
we don’t from an executive-function standpoint.
Let’s focus on building efficient systems, hiring skilled team members and embracing continuous improvement. With the right approach, we can create thriving businesses while enjoying the beauty and challenges of the green industry.
Remember, even a wiggly brain can create stunning landscapes and build a thriving business.
CONTACT
Chris Cooper
The Quirky Green Guru SynkedUP chris@synkedup.com
Chris is the budget guy at SynkedUP, helping contractors understand their costs and pricing just a little bit better.
inspirational works
INSIDE INSPIRATIONAL WORKS
PAGE 29 Invigorating Future Land Stewards (Georgia) |
PAGE 33 Transparency in Design (California) | PAGE 37 A Vision for Tranquility (Florida) | PAGE 41 New Products to Raise the Bar
Invigorating
FUTURE LAND STEWARDS
Breaking Down an Outdoor Classroom That Never Stops Inspiring With Mike McCord
Raised garden beds, wildflowers, vegetable wash stations, rainwater collection stored in old olive transport drums with solar-powered pumps, pollinator housing, a geodesic dome greenhouse, benches made from repurposed materials, hammocks shaded by coniferous trees … can you picture a place more ripe for hands-on learning?
Community Foodscapes is a Georgiabased, full-service, edible landscaping company with a permacultural and educational flare. Although most of their jobs are residential, founder Mike McCord treasures any opportunity to use landscaping as a means to inspire community-wide joy. Touched by the mission driving Atlanta’s Booker T. Washington High School, Mike knew from the start that this endeavor would be one to remember.
“The school works with the conventional STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics curriculum, but they include Agriculture as a fifth pillar,” says Mike. “They have required agriculture classes and a FFA (Future Farmers of America) student group. It was motivating to think that every student attending this school would have opportunities to interact with this project.”
Branching off from a one-time fruit tree lecture Mike (a certified arborist) presented at the school as a favor to a friend, the staff was eager to learn more about his design work in the city. Before long, Mike was back, scoping out a site for what would become an educational garden and lab.
“We met with the principal and faculty members like science teachers, culinary teachers and facilities managers to imagine what this space could be,” says Mike. “There’s this concept in permaculture called zones of use where you have concentric circular shapes or almost a bubble diagram showing the frequency of someone engaging with different areas. You can use that to inform where different components go. One example is annual vegetables and herbs. You want to check those almost daily to see if they are wilting, ripening or experiencing a pest. We chose this part of the campus because we knew there would be eyes on the space.”
Visible to staff entering the building from the parking lot, this gated and mostly sunny location was spot-on with what Mike and his team had in mind. Involving the staff in the intricacies of resultsbased decision-making processes was made simple with the client communication tools ingrained in Community Foodscape’s operations. Before that initial meeting, the team sent the school a detailed comprehensive site analysis (CSA). When visiting the site, Mike carried a binder, essentially a portfolio with a catalog of plant and material options clients can virtually order off of like a menu. In addition to the staff, however, a slew of perspectives remained to be sifted through before establishing the master plan for this project.
“There were some specific elements the admin team wanted, and we incorporated those in a real conceptual first draft,” says Mike.“ The school then gathered feedback from several classes of students. They gave us good input, and we made some tweaks. We went back and forth a few more times. That whole process took months. It can be challenging to sneak design review time into a curriculum plan. At the same time, we always want to encourage our clients to break out of the status quo, like why not rethink the idea of having a lawn or grass at all?”
Day one of installation:The first order of business was to remove all existing turf—without heavy equipment. Access was limited and with the hillside slope, entering the site with so much as a skid-steer loader presented difficulty. Knowing that they would be planting a lot of vegetation soon, the team foresaw the efficiency in eliminating soil compaction. So, they used a sod cutter, breaking up the first inch of root growth and tossing remnants onto a compost pile on site.
“Then, we started on the infrastructure,” says Mike. “That meant installing the automated drip irrigation system for the whole garden, constructing the cedar raised beds, the PVC pipe geodesic dome greenhouse frame, the three-bin composting system and the shed with the
connecting rain barrels and solar pump. Some drainage infrastructure was pre-existing on the site that we had to address in the design with an overflow rain garden that we added along the perimeter. The parking lot-facing section turned into a wildflower meadow with a summer cover crop of cowpeas and buckwheat. There were a lot of different ideas culminating here.”
The goal was to offer as many ties to available courses as possible so that, at any point in a student’s high school experience, there would be a reason to venture to the outdoor classroom. The Community Foodscapes team built the 4-foot by 4-foot’ cedar beds so classes could have designated mini gardens. Bees, cared for by a third party, bring endless discovery opportunities for young scientists. In the next phase, Mike hints at
adding a fruit tree orchard to the meadow with berries and vines lining the fence.
“I think one of the most important things we can do for the next generation is to get kids in the dirt,” says Mike. “The average graduating class at Booker T. Washington has about 600 students, so 2,400 are walking those halls year by year. We want to motivate these students to go outside and interact with their environment. Let’s
get everyone learning about worms, bugs and plants.”
If you experience the wonders of nature at a young age, you have that connection for the rest of your life.
Mike is not just a landscaper. He is also a business consultant, helping general contractors and other landscape business owners retain employees and grow. As such, he knows the power of word-ofmouth advertising. Doing good, quality work and seeking out projects that align with his values has been paramount to his success with Community Foodscapes. When reflecting on what led to this project, Mike recognizes how relentlessly staying true to himself over the years paid off with a chance to exercise his passions and impact countless others.
When it comes to residential landscape design, Josh Stangby of Stangby Designs in Fresno, California, believes in a straightforward principle: transparency. As we chatted about his approach to building creative outdoor spaces, it became clear that his success lies not just in his design skill— although that’s undeniable. His true strength lies in communicating how to turn client vision into reality, guiding them through a collaborative landscape design process that leads to stunning, yet surprisingly low-maintenance, landscapes.
The Challenge of Balancing Creativity & Reality
Finding balance isn’t always easy, but it can be very rewarding. Josh shares how important it is to guide clients through the
By Leigh Clayborne
Collaborative Solutions for Clients
design process, embracing their creativity and exploring what’s possible. He recalls one project where his client, an artist, had these fantastical ideas that required adjustments.
“I had to show her that certain plants she wanted wouldn’t survive in our climate without excessive maintenance,” he explains.
He was then able to present her plants that appealed to her creative vision but required less water as they were more suited to California weather. They discussed the commitment she would have had to make to keep those plants alive and the high risk of disappointment when she couldn’t.
He didn’t shoot her ideas down, nor did he take the easy road of just giving her what she asked for and letting her learn the hard way. He instead communicated openly and brought her around to a low-maintenance
landscaping idea she could be delighted with. By taking time to have this talk, they were able to strike the perfect balance between aesthetics and practicality.
A Flexible Mindset Leads to Better Outcomes
Josh shares his experience with last-minute plant substitutions, which taught him the importance of remaining agile throughout the design process—even up to the last minute.
“We had to make changes to the plant palette, but the substitutions ended up looking great,” he shares, emphasizing how pivoting around roadblocks instead of trying to crash through them can stretch your creativity and lead to better outcomes. It’s all about maintaining the right mindset that focuses on solutions, not problems.
A Strong Collaboration Defines Effective Client-Designer Partnership
For Josh, landscape design is more than creating beautiful spaces—it’s about listening to your clients and finding ways to work with them to create something you can both be proud of. He believes that frequent feedback is what’s made him the successful designer he’s become today. He mentions the importance of establishing a robust feedback loop when working with clients who have strong artistic visions. “The more feedback, the better the outcome,” he always says.
The last thing anyone wants to do is spend hours or days working in the wrong direction. Josh believes that integrating regular opportunities for feedback into his design process has saved him a lot of time and frustration, while preserving the integrity of the client relationship. It’s also allowed him to gently coax clients away from impractical design solutions, while finding common ground that leaves everyone happy with the finished project.
Finding Inspiration in Nature & Travel
When I ask Josh where he finds his inspiration, he doesn’t hesitate: “Travel and nature.” Whether he’s hiking through a forest or exploring a new city, his brain is always thinking about how he can use what he sees and experiences in his outdoor designs. He finds endless inspiration on his travels and enjoys bringing those ideas back to his clients.
“I love observing how natural landscapes are formed, and that influences how I approach design,” he explains.
Outdoor spaces are meant to be lived in.
Finding the Right Tools Matters
Josh has come a long way since his early days, teaching himself SketchUp and evolving into more advanced tools like the gen AI tool Vizterra. “I use my sketchbook on my iPad for brainstorming,” he tells me, laughing at his sketches, calling them “Willy Wonka stuff.” But then he uses Vizterra to refine his ideas, combining that creativity with precision. This ensures the designs are not only beautiful, but also scalable and practical, achieving that
balance between creativity and reality he seeks.
What’s Next for Josh & Stangby Designs
Josh plans to double down on residential design projects, focusing on multi-functional outdoor spaces. “Fire features, outdoor kitchens—people want their outdoor space to feel like an extension of their home,” he says.
He shares how he’s looking forward to embracing this growing landscaping design trend and leading the way in this shift toward spaces that don’t just look good on Instagram. “Outdoor spaces are meant to be lived in,” he adds.
Key Takeaways for Design, Build & Maintain Sides of the Landscaping Business
Communication is critical in each area of the landscaping business. Creating a feedback loop that includes checking in with the client can enhance client loyalty and save you from costly redos. For designers like Josh, it’s important to listen to a client’s vision and guide them through the design process; you can create spaces that reflect their needs while staying realistic about budget and maintenance.
For designers, merging bold ideas with functionality is essential. Like Josh, you can incorporate artistic elements while ensuring sustainability and low maintenance. If you’re on the build and maintenance side, it’s important to network with designers to learn
from each other how best to balance artistic vision with realistic build and maintenance expectations.
And we can all learn from Josh’s adaptability. Adjusting plants and site conditions as soon as a conflict arises, rather than trying to make the wrong thing work, can help projects stay on track without compromising quality.
In an industry where design trends and client demands are constantly evolving, Josh’s commitment to transparency, flexibility and meaningful client collaboration has set him apart. “At the end of the day, it’s about helping people connect with the outdoors in a meaningful way,” he tells me. And with exciting projects on the horizon, it’s clear that Stangby Designs is only just getting started.
CONTACT Josh Stangby Stangby Designs
Phone: (559) 835-5674
www.stangbydesigns.com
Mark Your Calenders for #SYNKDLIVE2025
DATE: JANUARY 14–17, 2025
LOCATION: ATLANTA, GEORGIA
At SYNKD Live I was surrounded by like-minded people from the industry that were there with the common goal of learning. The environment was infectious & I walked away feeling a new clarity about where our business should go next & how to get there.
Matt Norton Co-Owner & Designer for
Open Envelope Studio
A VISION FOR Tranquility
The Future of Resort Design by
In the vibrant landscape of Florida, where sun-kissed beaches meet lush greenery, a groundbreaking resort development is on the horizon, crafted by the talented team of Walter Bone and Juan Gimeno from Cuhaci Peterson. This innovative project promises to redefine luxury living, seamlessly blending the natural beauty of the surroundings with worldclass amenities. Central to this design is a meticulous hand sketching process, where the interplay of textures, line hierarchy and shade and shadow played a crucial role in bringing their vision to life.
Hand Sketching: The Art of Conceptualization
At the heart of this development is the creative exercise of hand sketching, which served as the foundation for the entire design process. Walter and Juan believe that sketching allows for a more organic exploration of ideas, facilitating a deeper connection to the environment. Through this tactile approach, they could visualize how various elements would interact within the landscape.
Their sketches brought forth an array of textures—from the soft undulations of grass to the rugged surfaces of stone pathways. By employing line hierarchy, they guided the viewer’s eye, establishing a flow that mimics the natural rhythms of the landscape. The use of shade and shadow added depth, creating a sense of dimension that made the final concept feel alive and inviting.
Nature Trails: Embracing the Outdoors
One of the hallmark features of this resort is its expansive network of nature trails, designed to encourage guests to immerse themselves in Florida’s unique ecosystems. These paths will wind through lush gardens, native plantings and tranquil wooded areas, showcasing the region’s rich biodiversity.
The trails will be designed for accessibility, featuring smooth, wide surfaces that accommodate strollers and wheelchairs, ensuring that every guest can partake in the exploration. Informational signage along the way will educate visitors about the local flora and fauna, fostering a deeper appreciation for the environment and promoting ecoconsciousness.
Swimming Complexes: An Oasis of Relaxation
Water is a defining characteristic of any Florida resort, and this design takes it to new heights with innovative swimming complexes. Envisioned as serene retreats, these complexes will feature multiple pools— including an infinity pool that seemingly merges with the surrounding landscape— a family-friendly splash zone and a tranquil adult-only area.
The hand sketching process was instrumental in visualizing these water features, allowing Walter and Juan to experiment with textures and light reflections .
The addition of natural elements—such as cascading waterfalls and lush tropical landscaping—creates an inviting oasis where guests can unwind and rejuvenate.
Recreational Amenities: Fun for All Ages
A diverse array of recreational amenities will ensure that there’s something for everyone at the resort. For the active traveler, facilities will include tennis courts, fitness centers and outdoor yoga pavilions set against stunning backdrops.
Families will find plenty of activities to keep them entertained, including climbing walls, obstacle courses and interactive play zones, designed with safety and fun in mind. Walter and Juan’s sketches capture the playful spirit of these spaces, showcasing how they blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape while providing safe, engaging environments for children and adults alike.
Tranquility by Ponds and Lakes
The design includes several picturesque ponds and lakes, integral to creating a tranquil atmosphere. These serene water bodies will provide opportunities for canoeing, paddleboarding and quiet fishing,
allowing guests to connect with nature in a peaceful setting.
Walter and Juan envisioned these water features as more than just aesthetic additions; they are vital for the local ecosystem, attracting wildlife and enhancing the resort’s natural charm. The hand sketches reflect the interplay of light on the water’s surface, showcasing the calming effect of water while also highlighting areas for relaxation and reflection.
Artistic Touches: Accent Paving and Themed Statuary
Attention to detail is a hallmark of this resort design, and the use of accent paving will create a cohesive and inviting atmosphere. Pathways will be carefully planned to guide guests through gardens and recreational areas, using ecofriendly materials that reflect the local environment.
Themed statuary will add an artistic flair, celebrating Florida’s rich culture and history. From whimsical sculptures depicting local wildlife to elegant representations of regional folklore, these art pieces will engage visitors and enhance the overall aesthetic. The design team’s sketches skillfully illustrated these artistic elements, demonstrating how
they would enhance the guest experience while encouraging exploration.
All-Access Friendly Venues: Inclusivity in Design
In today’s travel landscape, inclusivity is paramount, and this resort development prioritizes accessibility for all guests. The design features carefully planned layouts to ensure that everyone can navigate the resort with ease. Accessible restrooms, pool lifts and wide pathways will allow individuals of all abilities to fully enjoy the amenities.
Moreover, the concept includes sensoryfriendly spaces, designed to provide calm environments for guests who may feel overwhelmed in traditional settings. The commitment to inclusivity means that families, individuals and groups will all find a welcoming atmosphere throughout the resort.
A New Era in Resort Development
The collaborative vision of Walter Bone and Juan Gimeno from Cuhaci Peterson is set to transform Florida’s resort landscape, offering a unique blend of luxury, nature and accessibility. Their commitment to thoughtful design, emphasized through the hand sketching process, ensures that every
detail enhances the guest experience while respecting the environment.
As this resort prepares to welcome visitors, it promises to deliver an unforgettable experience—one that celebrates the natural beauty of Florida and provides a sanctuary for relaxation and adventure.
With its innovative approach, the project stands as a beacon of the future of resort living, inviting all to connect with nature in comfort and style.
CONTACT
Walter Bone & Juan Gimeno
Cuhaci Peterson
Phone: (407) 661-9100
www.c-p.com
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The Plott 900HT rotary laser is a connected, dual-slope rotary laser for precise indoor and outdoor leveling. It enables users to set slope and automatically dials in the angle of the laser beams on both the x and y axis. The PRL900HT has accuracies of 1/16-inch at 100 feet on horizontal applications and 1/8-inch on vertical applications, with a range of 2,000 feet with detector. It is ideal for leveling and grading applications for sport fields, parking lots, driveways and more. Once connected to the free app, users can control rotation speed, scan angles, slope of x and y axis and many other functions up to 1,000 feet away from the laser.
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Hybrid HD Edging is the way of the future. Easy to cut and form around curves makes it very user friendly. Hybrid Edging stands above all competition. In a dense grade application, it has superior resistance during freeze and thaw cycles and top of the line lateral resistance in a permeable base. It even allows grass to grow right up to the edge!
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Set up Geofences and optimize pricing with Geopricing™. Easily add a price surcharge for lawn care or pest control services based on where your customers are located. Pricing is the most important factor affecting your profits. Deep Lawn gives you all the tools that you need to price effectively for higher gross profit margins. A great example of what you can do with this software is only offer lawn mowing services in certain neighborhoods, while offering fertilization and weed control across the entire city.
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GeoCeramica® Porcelain Paver
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MOWFLEET
Robotic Lawn Care Systems
MowFleet is revolutionary for the landscape professional looking to offer mowing but without all the people and equipment. This patented system charges your robotic mowers and allows you to drop off multiple mowers or single mowers at your locations, allowing you to perform other detailed tasks at that property at the same time—or move on to other properties while the robots take care of the lawn. This is a fleet solution for professionals and is fully grid independent. The flexibility allows you to change the game.
mowfleet.com
VERDTECH
Varden Living
Retaining Wall Blocks
Based on 30-plus years in the plantable retaining wall market, we have invented a landscape retaining wall block designed for ease of shipping, handling and installation, while providing the structure to build walls up to five feet tall. Each full-size module covers one square foot, is made of reprocessed plastic and weighs only three pounds! These plantable blocks are a revolution in the DIY and landscape retaining wall business, designed to be covered with thriving plants, growing within each block for “living” face coverage. Varden walls cool the environment while creating green-space and habitat.
verdtech.com/retaining-walls
raise the bar
INSIDE RAISE THE BAR
PAGE 46 Understanding Trees [Part 1]: Inspection Prior to Purchase | PAGE 48 Nataly Mualem: Training Wheels
For H-2B | PAGE 50 Plants That You Need To Know About
to revolutionize your business at the
This exclusive, must-attend event unites leaders from the design, build and maintain sectors, serving as the ultimate crossroads for innovation, inspiration and industry intelligence. Our carefully curated trade show showcases the newest and most transformative products and services set to redefine the landscaping industry Visit our website at www.synkdlive.com for more information! SPONSORS
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Franco D’Ascino, President of D’Asign Source, The Coastal Home Experts: Architecture, Interior Design, Landscapes, Furniture & Accessories
Roy Heintz, Professional Speaker, Coach and Author, Building a Team that Loves Working and Excels
MAIN STAGE PANELS
Innovation-Forward Action
How are business owners doing things differently to BUST inflation? The road to innovate and change is wrought with time and cost, so how did these leaders tackle this and what can you learn to take action immediately in your business.
Stay Curious Mentality
To stay ahead in today’s market, our industry leaders need to stay curious and keep learning and adapting. Meet these leaders who share their wisdom in how they approach problems and solutions to stay relevant and push the boundaries for more progress.
The Next Iteration to Outdoor Living Companies
Why are these companies changing how they describe their companies? Are you ready to incorporate more services in your business? Learn how these businesses grew successfully.
Trees vs. Hardscape
There’s a battle to keep mature trees healthy in our ever-increasing hardscape world. These experts weigh in on how you can have both successfully!
Solutions to Attract Long-Term Candidates
Are we really having a labor shortage or are we looking for the wrong people? Some companies have a waiting list for employees! Hear from these business owners on what has been successful in their hiring process and how to emulate this in your company.
Better Services to Add-On
So you want to add more services, but which ones and what would compliment your current services?
Million-Dollar Business Owners Under 30 Years Old
Hear from a group of entrepreneurs building businesses in their own way—How they got there, what they are doing differently and how they see the future of our industry.
BUSINESS BUZZ
• Self-Care for Business Owners
• Do You Know Your Costs? Teaching Overhead Recovery
• Management vs. Leadership
• Subcontracting: Developing Relationships with Other Companies
• Making Robotic Mowers Work for your Business
• The Five Marketing Mistakes that Landscape Businesses Make
• Digital Tools to Help Manage Your Business Better
• Factoring Risk in Your Project Planning
• Building the Right Culture
TECH TALKS
• Living Retaining Walls: What, Why and How
• Justifying Higher Quality Products During D&B
• More Permeable Options for Your Projects
• Lighting Design and Build
• Building Water Features
• Creating solutions For Land Developers
• Outdoor Kitchen Construction 101
• Outdoor Audio Design and Build
• Adding Pools to Your Repertoire
NEW IN 2025!
• Spanish Area with Previous Talks in Spanish
• January 14 – Tour of HighGrove Partners
• January 17 – Hands-On Experience with New Materials – Constructing a Therapy Garden in Cumming, Georgia, as part of the Take It Outside organization
Understanding TREES
[Part 1]
Inspection Prior to Purchase
Most people have little idea what a quality nursery tree looks like. They purchase trees that are bushy at the top thinking that is a good tree. Rarely do they look beyond the canopy. In this first part of three articles, I reveal flaws that professionals and homeowners can avoid when purchasing container nursery trees. The more flaws in a young tree, the more likely it will have structural or health issues. The one thing we cannot get back is time, so don’t waste it by planting a problem tree.
BAD GRAFTING
Larger roots growing out of the container and into the soil can indicate a rootbound tree. Rootbound trees are not desirable.
Original main leader
Weak graft union (see included bark)
Turning trunk
ROOTS GROWING IN SOIL
Small roots growing out of the container and into the soil are OK. Prune them right before planting.
MULTIPLE
Many trees are topped in the nursery. This causes multi-leaders growing in clusters. These branches are not strongly attached and can split after 8-12 years. Look for trees with branches spaced along the main trunk or leader.
GIRDLING ROOTS
SAP FLOW
Oozing sap can indicate a disease infection, insect damage or mechanical damage. Sometimes it is a benign natural occurrence. It is best to purchase trees without oozing sap flow.
TRUNK BENDING STAKE
Staked trees often lean above their stake, causing a bend in the trunk. Pick straight trunks.
There are at least two girdling roots pressed into the trunk flare. Purchase trees without girdling roots.
girdling root was the cause of this tree falling over (red arrows). The girdling root was pressed against the trunk (white arrows).
NATALY MUALEM
TRAINING WHEELS FOR H-2B: GUIDING FIRST-TIME FILERS THROUGH THE PROCESS
Nataly Mualem, Managing Attorney at Mualem Law Firm
Navigating the H-2B visa process for the first time can feel like balancing on a unicycle—challenging, unpredictable, and with plenty of opportunities to lose your footing. For new filers, it’s essential to approach the process with a full understanding of the complexities involved, from how the Department of Labor (DOL) handles applications to the timing of recruitment and the reality of the program’s cap limitations. Without a clear strategy, the experience can easily become overwhelming.
The process often begins with assessing your eligibility, a delicate balancing act in itself. Employers need to determine whether their peak labor demands fit the strict seasonal requirements of the H-2B program. Add to this the challenge of navigating the annual cap on visas, which fills up quickly and can leave first-time filers out of luck if they underestimate the competition. It’s critical to prepare for this stage by ensuring
your timeline is carefully aligned with the filing periods. Not getting everything submitted on time can derail the process entirely.
In that first year, the experience can feel precarious, like riding a unicycle—one wrong move, and you're off balance. Missteps, like missing recruitment deadlines or misunderstanding the local labor market test requirements, can lead to delays or outright denials. However, as each season passes, the program starts to offer a smoother ride. Returning workers, who are already familiar with your operations, add a layer of predictability. At this stage, the process starts to resemble riding a regular bicycle—there’s more control, but you’re still learning how to navigate smoothly. You gain momentum with returning workers and a more streamlined approach to registration.
Eventually, you add the proverbial training wheels. With experience, returning staff, cap-exempt employees, and being registered as a seasonal business, navigating the H-2B program becomes far more manageable. By this point, you’ve learned the nuances, and you're no longer at the mercy of uncertainty. The ride becomes steady, allowing you to confidently plan your workforce.
The key is to approach the H-2B program as part of a long-term workforce strategy, not a last-minute solution. Proactively analyzing your labor needs and building a system that
incorporates seasonal workers as a core element of your staffing strategy is crucial for success. Don’t wait until you're in dire need to pull the trigger—anticipate the learning curve, and understand that over time, the process shifts from unstable to sustainable. Taking time to develop strong relationships with recruitment agencies, foreign laborers, and legal professionals can also provide an advantage in future filings, ensuring your team is not scrambling to meet deadlines year after year.
While your first season might feel like a test of endurance, each subsequent year will bring more balance and stability. Soon, you’ll find that your business is no longer wobbling on uncertainty, but coasting smoothly on a well-oiled system designed for long-term success. By building experience with the program, you’ll reach a point where the H-2B process becomes second nature, a reliable tool in your company’s broader labor strategy.
CONTACT
Nataly Mualem Managing Attorney
Mualem Law Firm
Phone: (216) 312-4700
www.mualemfirm.com
PLANTS THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
We’ve chosen some standout plants that can help you in your planting plans
Platinum Beauty®
Lomandra
Lomandras look like grasses, but are actually tough, low-water perennials. Platinum Beauty is the first green-and-white striped variegated form and looks great with succulents and other low water use plants. An attractive choice in borders, containers or slopes, Platinum Beauty is water-wise and easy care for effortless landscaping. Deer, disease and pest resistant as well as salt-tolerant, it also works well in coastal or mass plantings. Platinum Beauty matures to 2-3' high by 2-3' wide and thrives in USDA zones 8-10 (Sunset zones 5, 8, 9, 12-24).
Abelia grandiflora Tres Amigos®
A vibrant tri-color foliage show! For gardeners on the hunt for elegant, but interesting foliage. Tres Amigos abelia seems to change each time you visit it out in the garden. In spring it starts out with green, cream, pink and yellow-tinged foliage. Its most vibrant color is yellow, bringing sunshine into the slowly filling garden. By summer, the yellow has left completely and the pink edge on the leaf takes over. The new growth at the end of each stem is almost entirely a warm watermelon pink with sporadically placed white flowers. Each flower is fluted, perfect for inviting hummingbirds and butterflies into the garden, and has a lovely jasmine-like fragrance. Its compact habit of 3' high and 5' wide suits the front of the border, in containers and in mixed borders with perennials and annuals. This shrub is hardy in zones 6-9 and thrives in partsun to full-sun.
Do you want this to become a regular feature? Let us know via email at angelique@synkd.io.
Tabernaemontana australis Sebastian’s Storm
Sebastian’s Storm is a bold and dramatic new cultivar of Tabernaemontana australis, the “Australian Pinwheel Jasmine.” Collected as a sport of Silver Ice, another T. australis cultivar, Sebastian’s Storm has silver-green foliage, with speckles, streaks and spots of cream, green and silver. Its flowers are a brilliant white and show up beautifully against the foliage, and in warm climates it is a repeat bloomer. It is appropriate for low hedges or screens, and it makes an attractive focal point. We estimate the hardiness at USDA zones 9 and higher. The first crop will be available spring 2025.
Combining Eutrochium fistulosum (joe-pye weed) and Panicum virgatum, Thundercloud creates a striking, wildlife-friendly planting with year-round interest. Eutrochium fistulosum has lance-shaped leaves with large pinkish-purple vanilla-scented flowers, while Panicum Thundercloud offers a strong vertical presence with its green foliage and airy, open panicles. Both plants are native to North America, supporting ecosystems by providing nectar, seeds and shelter. Ideal for green infrastructure projects like rain gardens, bioswales, meadows and naturalistic plantings, due to their low-maintenance and drought-resistant qualities. Additionally, they are excellent choices for privacy plantings and as backdrops for borders, creating a balanced and sustainable landscape design.
Eclipse® Bigleaf Hydrangea
Eclipse® is the first true dark-leaf Hydrangea macrophylla on the market. Its intense, dark purple foliage holds its color, even in warm climates. The striking foliage, paired with gorgeous amethyst or cranberry-colored blooms, will make a big impact at retail, in the garden and in a decorative container. Eclipse® is a grower-friendly plant that offers excellent mildew and Cercospora resistance, holds up well in a garden center and is a standout in the landscape. It can grow up to 5' wide and tall and thrives in USDA zones 5-9. It was recently awarded the Reader’s Choice award at the 2024 Greenhouse Grower Evening of Excellence at Cultivate’24.
EVO is the most beautiful outdoor lighting fixture on the market. At the heart of EVO is a custom-designed, highpower LED module. EVO is 50% smaller than traditional outdoor LED lamps enabling the fixture to disappear into the landscape when you only want to see the light effect. And the compact form enables EVO to be a celebrated design element that compliments that outdoor scene when you want it to be visible. Hundreds of solid brass fixtures can be configured into unique assemblies to perfectly match the needs of any landscape.
Available through authorized dealers and contractors. coastalsource.com | 800.719.1996
