Category: On The Stump
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Look Out Any Window
I woke today before 6 am and walked around the yard. The alarm didn’t wake me, the sun told me it was time to greet the day. I saw a hummingbird gathering itself on the arbor, as it does every morning at sunrise. The hummingbird wraps its feet around the wire on the top right-hand…
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First Shade Day 2021
This year First Shade Day landed on May 6, 2021. If you are confused as to what First Shade Day is please read my first post on First Shade Day. I almost pulled the trigger on First Shade Day a week ago but the shade wasn’t quite deep enough. It’s been a very odd year…
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No One Wants an Adequate Landscape
How often do people call and say, “John, I want you to design an adequate landscape for me. It doesn’t matter the plants or materials you use. Make it look adequate.” The short answer. Never. When I meet clients I meet people who want to make their home more beautiful. Clients want interest in all seasons.…
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Daffodils Poking Through the Snow
Last week I noticed a sure sign Spring is coming; Daffodils were poking through the snow where I had shoveled access for the oil delivery. I admit, for me, January is one of the toughest months of the year. As a plant lover, I thrive on sunshine, and there is very little sunshine in January.…
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It’s All About Self-Expression – INFJ Personality Type
I was watching a video on Myers-Briggs Personality Types today and learned that my type has an artistic side. Well duh! The speaker mentioned INFJ‘s often draw, paint or play an instrument. This left me feeling a bit perplexed. I’ve never felt a desire to draw or paint. Yes, I took piano lessons for a…
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First Shade Day 2020
First Shade Day this year was on May 12th. I returned from the grocery store and looked across the lawn to see a deep, crisp shadow. First Shade Day is the day you notice deep shade for the first time every spring. This is my second post about First Shade Day. Last year was a…
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Two Types of Leaders
Watching the news lately I’m noticing a pattern. So-called ‘leaders’ are not leading. These people in leadership positions have their self-interests in mind and not the greater good. There are two types of leaders. Those that seek power and those that seek to enhance the greater good. The ‘Leader’ Who Seeks Power This is the…
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Qualifying Potential Customers
In any business, you’re never going to get every job. That’s a simple fact. Never get discouraged if you don’t get every job, or even half the jobs you look at. That’s a simple truth. Every year I talk to a lot of people about landscape work. Over time I’ve come to recognize the signs…
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Don’t Let Others Determine Your Worth
A recent email reminded me of a lesson I wish I learned sooner. A prospective client wanted my expertise pruning a hedge in a town 45 minutes away. I calculated travel and gave a rough estimate to see if we were in the same ballpark. They said the job was worth a quarter of my…