Factors to Consider Prior To Starting a Landscape Supply Company
Factors to Consider Prior To Starting a Landscape Supply Company
Irrespective of one’s financial status, starting a company or rather business is not a walk in the park. It gets even harder when it is a landscape supply company. Unlike other supply businesses, a landscape supply business is highly profitable. Suffice to say, it is a very lucrative business that requires one to have necessary resources and ample skills to effectively run it.
Therefore – prior to starting such a business – it is imperative for one to understand what needs to be done, when and how to go about the entire process that is involved in the daily running of a landscape business. Being a self descriptive venture, it provides customers with landscaping supplies for the beautification of their gardens and lawns. Listed are factors to consider prior to setting up a landscape supply company.
For starters, structure your business’ entity. Structuring ones business entity is inevitable and crucial at the same time. To be legally allowed to run a landscape business, one can either form a limited liability company; sole proprietorship or better, a corporation. However, the process of establishing a business entity requires the assistance of an attorney or a certified public accountant. Visiting ones secretary of state website to form a limited liability company can also suffice.
Next, obtain a tax identification number from the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS). This is the second and the most fundamental step to starting a landscape company. In order to carefully plan and manage the running of a landscape business, in regards to hiring employees, expanding and effectively building credible business credit; obtaining a tax ID is necessary, if not very important.
For the records, one can easily obtain a tax identification number by calling an IRS representative over the phone. Or – if detailed processes are your thing – you can gladly print form SS-4 from the Internal Revenue Service’s website then physically put it in the mail. Nonetheless, the simplest and easiest way to apply for one is just by visiting the IRS website, period.
Lastly, acquire a license. While this is necessary, it is noteworthy to check first with the secretary of state or local chamber of commerce to determine if a business license is required for the operation of a landscape supply company in your area. Afterward, determine if you want to operate solely the company through an office or online with just a website. Finding suppliers that can sell landscape supplies to customers, establishing a merchant account and creating marketing materials can also be considered at this stage.…
More Trees in Your Landscaping
More Trees in Your Landscaping
Trees then and now
When I was a boy I was surrounded by trees. One step out my back door and there they were, trees of all sizes and shapes.. But where are those trees now? New homes have so much stone, so much grey, and so little green, they are surrounded by walls, brick fortresses, built to keep us safe. Trees aren’t safe, there fun, they’re beautiful, they don’t tell others to keep out, not like a brick wall does. A tree is welcoming, and that does not seem to be popular these days. They take time to care for, time to water, time to prune. Stone
doesn’t need us to care for it, stone is happy alone.
My father and trees
My father was always so enthusiastic about the trees in our yard, he took special care to explain the different varieties to anyone who would listen. He would tell them about a certain tree and where it came from, when he planted it, and how much fruit it had given to him. I dare say he spoke more about the trees than he did me. Of course I didn’t give him buckets of fresh fruit, and I cost a lot more to raise than the few dollars it took to fertilize a tree. Dad would often arrive home from the office, change out of his stuffy suit, grab his pruning shears, and head outside to give his trees a little trim. He was at his happiest then.
Why plant more trees?
We all know how trees benefit the environment and how they give us clean air to breathe. Did you know that one tree releases enough oxygen into the atmosphere to support two people? Other than clean air, trees supply us with food in the form of fruit. One apple tree in your back yard can supply an apple a day to a family of five. Apples are just the beginning though, depending on your local climate, you can plant plum trees, apricot trees, citrus or pear trees, and a host of others. As well, a fruit tree will feed the local bird population and keep small animals fed and happy. Besides providing fruit, trees give us shade, privacy, and nesting areas for the local bird population. There is so much a tree can offer to you and your family. We need trees to feel something softer than stone, something only a tree can give, a connection to something outside of ourselves. So today I am going to plant a tree, and I hope you’ll do the same.…
How to Build Your Own Fencing Panels
How to Build Your Own Fencing Panels
Building your own fencing panels may seem like a difficult thing to do by yourself, especially if you’re not a professional, but actually it is a very simple and quick task to do if you have the right tools and knowledge such as fence maintenance and safety.
The first major step to take when building fencing panels is to decide the number of pickets your fence will need. To estimate this, you will need to measure the distance across and split the total number of inches by six. The number six is used because it contains the picket width and the space between pickets.
The second step that you will need to take after you have all your measurements down is to brand two marks three inches down from the top of all your pickets. Placing the marks on the outside edges is more convenient, as they are easier to erase this way. After that you will need to make a second mark on the top midpoint of each picket. To create a point the technique that you should use is to mark each wedge in the shape of a point on all the tops of the pickets.
To start to cut the marked areas you will need a circular saw because it leaves sharp pointed tips on the tops of each picket. To shape out the bottom of the picket you need to start by marking the tops of each of the pickets eight inches south of the initial point you have just created. Mark the bottoms eight inches down towards the lower edge, again to ensure an easy removal of the mark. Continue to make the same mark on all the outside edges of your pickets. Creating these lines will give you the ability to line up all your pickets evenly on the rail.
After you have done this you can go ahead and place two on your fence rails on a flat surface and space them about twelve inches away from each other. Make sure that the outside edges are approximately seven inches away from the end of the rail. Use your nails to attach each picket to the railing and use the frame square to assure that each picket is at a 90 degree. Make sure to check that all your measurements are correct. After you have ensured that all your measurements are correct you can mount your fence.
Next, once your picket fence panel is finally mounted, you will need one extra picket on all joints at the end of your panel to hide the joints on your pickets in the rails. Make sure to not complete this step until after the panel has been mounted. Once you have completed this last final step you should be left with a beautiful fence panel that involves easy fence maintenance and upkeep.…
Your Back Yard Influences the Sale of Your House
Your Back Yard Influences the Sale of Your House
If you want to have the best chance of selling your house in this economy, you need to do as much as you can to spruce it up and make it appealing to a buyer. It is a buyer’s market right now and probably will be for some time that means buyers are going to be picky and demanding.
One of the things you should not overlook is your backyard. Many homes have very plain yards and that is OK as long as you make sure it is well groomed. Your backyard is part of the house and how it is taken care of reflects on you and how you view your house. It is best to have a complete product (house and yard) that look equally nice and well kept.
Some people go overboard in their yards and make them very personal. For instance, having a nice Japanese garden in your back yard is great, but it might in fact hurt your ability to sell the house. This is because you would have to find someone who also loves Japanese gardens and is willing to take one on. If you have a nice house and a yard that is elaborate to your exact personal tastes, it will mean the new homeowners much share your passion for that type of yard.
Upgrading your yard to make it presentable for selling your house does not mean you have to spend thousands of dollars. It just means you should have a nice layout that complements the house and also looks comparable to what the other houses have in your area. If all the other houses have nice yards, so should your house.
At the least, you should have a yard that looks like it is taken care of and cared for. Many homeowners get lazy and don’t water their grass and mow the lawn like they should. If you want to have the best chance of selling the house, green grass looks so much better than brown grass that shows you don’t care. The bottom line is that no one wants to buy a house that looks like the previous owners haven’t cared for it and the yard is an extension of the house that helps form an opinion.…
Lawn Sod and Grass Sod
Lawn Sod and Grass Sod
Are you tired of looking at your yard with disgust? Lawn sod and grass sod may be just what you need to give it an overall appearance that is very different from what you see right now. There are many different reasons why your grass may not be growing properly on its own. It can be the environment, the soil, or a combination of factors. It can be expensive and time consuming to make various changes along the way to see if that helps.
You can avoid such costly hassles though with law sod and grass sod. This is a viable solution for any environment. There are several types of sod offered so you can even pick what you would like for it to look like when it is all finished. A professional can install it so that it looks very nice. This is the route to take because installing it on your own can be a headache. It can also be disappointing when you see the way it looks compared to when a professional does the job.
Always take your time to find the right person to do the work for you. That can make a huge impact when it comes to the finished look with lawn sod and grass sod. Compare prices but also compare value. When you get estimates from businesses, ask for a break down of the cost. Then you can see how much they are charging you for supplies and how much of it is for the labor of installing it.
What you will often find is that the cost is quite comparable with lawn sod and grass sod for the materials. Those that are bigger companies may be able to offer a bit less of a price because they can buy it in bulk. The major difference in pricing will be in terms of the cost for the labor.
With lawn sod and grass sod as an option, your lawn problems are a thing of the past. It won’t take long at all to transform your lawn from what it is right now to something you are very happy with. The fact that it is also an affordable option makes it one that many people are highly interested in pursuing. You may have seen lots of different lawns out there you are envious of. However, changes are the majority of them look great due to the application of lawn sod and grass sod.…
Show Off Your Home – Top 3 Landscaping Tips
Show Off Your Home – Top 3 Landscaping Tips
We all know that the value of a home increases when you enhance it both inside and out. One way that you can enhance your home outside is to make it a point to keep your landscaping looking nice. You can do this by maintaining your yard and adding in new elements such as furniture, water elements, lighting and other d?�cor. If you are not skilled, you might call on the help of a landscaper, but that can become quite expensive. If you are willing to do a bit of labor yourself, here are five landscaping tips that will have you on your way to a beautiful yard in no time at all!
Get a Beautiful Yard
Before you can jump right in and start buying items for your yard or garden, you have to understand that planning is essential. It is not as simple as buying and planting, there is much more involved, especially if you do not want to run the risk of wasting money.
Inspect your land- get to know every nook and cranny. This is important because it is known as space planning. You need to know where the sun shines, how long it shines and be familiar with the patterns. This is especially true if you plan to plant flowers. Flowers can be tricky because some varieties require more care and specific locations than others.
Research the Trends – learn what will work with your particular home style and available land. You want your property to look nice – not too sparse and not too crowded. Learn the modern trends in outdoor d?�cor to avoid an outdated look. Color trends tend to change with the seasons, but you can find the newest information in publications at the local gardening store.
Equip Yourself with the Proper Tools – if you have a lot of property you will need to invest in a good lawn mower. If you have one with mulching capabilities, you can create your own mulch for composting purposes which will help fertilize your grass and make it rich. Other such tools you will need include garden rakes, hoes, digging tools as well as sculpting tools if you plan to sculpt your hedges and bushes.
Once you have everything planned out, you are ready to start gardening and landscaping your own yard. Remind yourself to take it slow and do it right – the rewards will be endless!…
DIY Meets Professional: Some Landscaping Design Companies Offer the Best of Both Worlds
DIY Meets Professional: Some Landscaping Design Companies Offer the Best of Both Worlds
You might think hiring a landscape designer is an all-or-nothing proposition. You tell them what you want and watch as your yard becomes the garden, lawn, or oasis of your dreams. But what if you enjoy gardening, and want to get your hands dirty? What if you’ve sketched out plans or purchased the materials, and just need help getting started?
DIY lawn care and landscaping is popular for a reason. For gardening aficionados, it’s soothing to water, trim, and weed, and fulfilling to see something you planted grow. But for amateur gardeners, certain tasks are simply too complicated or time-intensive to take on by yourself. Maybe you need professional help to ensure that stepping stones and retaining walls are installed properly to handle erosion. Maybe you’ve never worked with a certain plant before. Whatever the case, you can find a landscaping design company to help you out without sacrificing the do-it-yourself element.
The staff at a landscape design company bring a variety of skills to the table. They’re trained in architectural design to come up with harmonious, attractive, and functional plant arrangements and hardscape structures for a given property. They may have expert experience and knowledge related to trees and plants that are native to your area, or may specialize in keeping non-native plants alive in your location. Maybe they also provide lawn and tree services to keep your property looking neat and orderly. In many cases, you can hire a landscape designer to function in anywhere from one to all of these capacities.
Scenarios in which you might want to maintain a DIY element in a landscaping design and installation project include:
You’re an avid gardener, but need a professional to design an aesthetically pleasing arrangement of plants, trees, and shrubs for you to plant and maintain.
You’ve personally designed your desired landscape layout in rough or complete form, down to what plants you want and where each footpath will go. However, you don’t have any gardening experience and want to ensure your plants are going to survive long-term.
You want to add a patio, outdoor kitchen, or landscape lighting to the garden or yard you have already begun working on.
You truly want to construct and plant everything yourself, but need advice and guidance on what to purchase and how to complete the job for best results.
If you choose to go the partial or total DIY route to complete your landscaping, it’s still a good idea to solicit and listen to advice from the pros. After all, landscape architects, garden designers, and lawn care professionals plant trees and flowers and install patios for a living. Their experience can be extremely valuable to you as you create a plan of action for your own project. While working on a garden or backyard landscape can be fun and satisfying initially, it can become frustrating quickly if you have to redo work that was done incorrectly or watch your new plants die because you missed some crucial element in their care. Unless you yourself are a trained botanist, arborist, landscape architect, or other expert in the field, you can always benefit from asking for help.…
Best Landscaping Ideas For Your Home
Best Landscaping Ideas For Your Home
Landscaping is one of the most exciting things to do in your home. You can easily turn your empty backyard or front yard into a lovelier and more attractive view. Landscaping varies according to the availability of your vacant space at home. You can actually start landscaping your yard without hiring a contractor. However, if you really wish to have the most outstanding landscape done by a professional then it is best to seek for assistance to facilitate your plan and the construction. To know more about landscaping, here are some useful ideas that will surely help you in developing a beautiful landscape for your home.
Simple landscaping idea is the best since you will not be involving yourself to a very complicated plan including the technicalities, contractors, style, latest trends, etc. Always stick to your budget that is not beyond your capacity. You can still create an attractive landscape even if you will use the simple and affordable style. Flowers with different colors will surely bring a glowing appearance to your yard. You can add some shrubs to enhance the charming look of your yard. Trim them regularly because uniformity in shape will make it more fun and interesting. Front yard landscaping is very popular to homeowners nowadays. It brings tremendous beauty and charm to ones house. The house will be more appealing and lively if it obtains colorful and organized landscaping that can surely be pleasing to visitors and guests.
Make your landscaping more creative by choosing the appropriate lighting system. There are so many light bulbs available in the market that is suitable for landscaping. Different colors of light bulbs can bring dramatic effect. Try focusing the lights to the areas that you want to give emphasis. You will surely see the difference of illuminating some special landscape area. Using your own creativity can already bring big changes to your landscaping as long as every object found in the area complements with each other so that good harmony will be created which is pleasing to the sight of everyone.
Customize your design. If you are having difficulty in deciding and conceptualizing your landscaping ideas, do not hesitate to opt for online research. Internet offers a lot of specific ideas about landscaping that fit to your taste. Personalizing your designs can reflect to your personality. We all know that every person has distinct characteristic. Other people like your visitor who will come to visit your home will surely be able to identify easily the unique look of your landscaping design. To have an attractive yard does not entirely depend on a contractor. Sometimes, you just have to believe in yourself that you can make a difference on your own.
Include some fence, rocks and stones. These materials are commonly used to enhance the beauty of your landscaping project. They are also cost-effective. You can save more if you will use stones then paint them so that they will have brighter color. Landscaping has a great contribution to your outdoor decoration. Therefore, do your best.…
Ingredients For Landscaping the Gold Coast
Ingredients For Landscaping the Gold Coast
Gold Coast, a city in the south-east corner of Queensland in Australia, generally known for its sunny subtropical climate and a rainforest hinterland in the west of the city, envelopes a wide variety of landscaping. Landscaping the Gold Coast brings to light the science, design skills and the art of blending nature with construction required by a landscaper.
Landscaping includes modifying living elements, such as flora and fauna along with the art of growing plants with a goal of creating a beautiful environment within the landscape; man-made elements such as buildings, fences etc; natural elements such as terrain shape, elevation and water bodies, and abstract elements such as weather and lightning conditions.
A landscaped backyard could be all that your luxurious house needs. Instead of spending time and loads of bills on a vacation close to nature, spend a little time along with a few of those loads of bills on landscaping your backyard and what you get in return is a beautiful vacation close to nature yet within the premises of your house. Swimming pools and hot-tubs are the most widely accepted additions to landscaping. Installing swimming pools or hot-tubs in your backyard could bestow on you the facility to loiter under the hot summer sun.
In case, you feel you cannot give in the required amount of time and money your landscape needs, you could go in for patios which need low maintenance. You could also try using brick patios or flagstones that are available in a range of colours, sizes and shapes. A small patch of grass on it would further beautify your patio.
You could also take into account the advise of an expert to landscape your backyard.…
Gardening by the Ocean
Gardening by the Ocean
Maintaining a garden in an ocean front location is not all blooming hibiscus and scented plumeria. Extreme conditions such as high winds and drought can play havoc on the sturdiest landscape. When planning your ocean front garden, you need to do you homework. Here are some flowers that love to bloom in the toughest of environments.
Rugosa Rose: This Siberian native knows all about tough climates. the Rosa rugosa endures extreme temperature shifts, drought, wind and salt spray. Expect scented blooms from string to fall accompanied by colorful rose hips that will attract the birds.
Lavender: A hearty plant in most climates, and tolerates sandy soil well. Position the plant in front of your roses for a fragrant walkway. The bushy shrub also hides the bare rose stems.
South American Verbena: This is a nice complement to your lavender with its showy lavender/purple blooms on stems that can extend up to 6 feet tall. Butterflies love this plant.
Daylily: These do well in most climates and have a variety of colors and patterns to choose from. When not in bloom, their grassy foliage makes a nice border.
Hydrangeas: This delicate looking plant is actually a pretty tough cookie and doesn’t mind wind and salt. It’s wise to plant it in a partially shaded area where it will get the morning sun and afternoon shade. Set up an irrigation drip for this one, hydrangeas don’t tolerate drought very well. To keep it blooming, trim off the old flowers as soon as they start to fade.
Ever wonder why some hydrangeas have bright blue blooms and others are pink? It all has to do with the amount of acidity in the soil – the more acid, the bluer the flower, the less acid, or more alkaline, and the pinker the bloom. Use aluminum sulfate to increase acidity and dolomitic lime to decrease it.
Juniper: This is a hearty evergreen that adds color and texture to your garden year round. Choose from blue, green or gold foliage, and tall or creeping styles of plant. The low growing selections work well in sandy rock gardens or for erosion control on hilly areas.
Wintercreeper: This is a hearty groundcover that still looks great in the winter with its variegated leaf.
Portulaca: This is a popular plant commonly found along walkways at the beach. You can forget to water it, expose it to wind and sea spray and it will respond with colorful blooms. Its trailing flowers make a nice accent in an ocean facing window box. Although it is an annual, it will generally self seed.
Yarrow: Also considered a herb for its medicinal qualities, yarrow will endure, sun, rain, cold, drought and wind. It comes in a variety of colors such as yellow, orange, pink and white. Plant it in a spot where you can keep an eye on it, yarrow loves to spread its roots and wander.
Gaillardia: This colorful flower blooms from summer to early winter, resists drought and doesn’t balk at sandy soil. It’s brightly colored blooms attract butterflies and make perfect cut flowers.
Cuphea: This is the new kid on the block and what an interesting plant it is. It has bright red crinkly petals with purple middles that bloom non-stop in the hottest, dryest, salt and wind blown conditions. Keep it moist and fertilized, and you will be assured of constant color all season.…