Dreaming of Spring

As I sit at my desk looking out on a snowy wonderland, sun dancing off icicles still clutching to our gutter, I wonder what spring will bring.

You see I am one of those people that covet winter.  I love how quiet and graceful snow makes everything seem.  I relish that the world feels more peaceful and still. 

This winter has been long and cold and even in my household we are getting tired of clearing off yet another snowfall from our drive and walks.

Although I love the serenity winter brings I am now dreaming of crocus, thawing lakes and streams, and even what varieties of vegetables will grace my little garden.  I am looking forward to a display of spring bulbs which should do nicely given the insulation of their cozy snow blanket.  My husband is ready to break out the smoker and start up the grill. And my poor child told me yesterday, "mommy, I know you love winter, but I don't.  I am ready for it to be warm."

This winter has been record breaking and truly epic in nature and yes, it is time for it to pass, but am curious to see what this winter's legacy will be come spring.  

Post Election

There are a lot of opinions floating around today post election on facebook, twitter, newspapers, bus stops, water coolers and possibly watering holes. 

I for one like to keep my opinions to myself unless I am talking to those who I know share my views or more importantly, can discuss the issues without becoming defensive or belligerent.  I am so grateful for the right to vote, the freedom to speak, but this year have found the politics almost unbearable...on both sides.

So to calm my throbbing head I am going to focus on the many tasks at hand here at our little landscape company, ILT Vignocchi...

People might find it hard to believe that there is so much to do November 7th in the landscape industry but there is...here is my short list...

Winter containers:  We design, build and install over 50 winter green displays annually.  That doesn't include the tens of thousands of square feet of evergreen boughs we will install.  Each winter green display is unique in its design.  It takes seven of us five days to complete them so they are ready to be installed the week of Thanksgiving.  The best part...it smells like Christmas in the shop!

Bulbs:  Getting tulip, daffodil, and other spring blooming bulbs installed prior to the ground freezing is a a chore in itself.  Most of our seasonal staff is ready to hang up their shovels by Thanksgiving (and who can blame them)!  This year we will go from Winter container and bough installation right into getting bulbs in the ground.  Each year I think to myself, "why didn't I think to wear just ONE more layer of clothing.  It is so cold out here!"

Snow removal:  It always amazes me that one day our trucks have no plows on them and seemingly the next...shizam!  They all have plows.  Most of it can be attributed to our wonderful shop manager Ricardo and his assistant Brian.  We are so blessed to have these guys.  We also maintain a 500 acre office park plus several other HOA's.  The planning and coordination of these efforts is paramount in making certain everything runs smoothly when snow starts falling.

As I said, this is my short list.  And the list has many contributors that make it a shared responsibility...but I'll leave that for my Thanksgiving blog!!

Are you willing to pay more for Green Products

The big debate continues. We find that our residential customers are more abt to pay more but our commercial customers are not. In this economy it is very hard to blame them.

What people don't understand is that green products are not ...

just more expensive. They are also not as effective and that results in the need for more hand labor to do things that pesticides and herbicides to more efficiently...like weeding by hand.

I do hope for a time when the additional cost is not only more worth it, but that the economy can sustain it.

 

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