Ever wonder what happens in a landscape company in the morning? Here's a peek in ours.
Its MORNING TIME!
6:45 in the morning. I'm on my way to the office. Coffee tastes good. Its raining. Good day for ducks. Not landscapers. Hope it stops. I don't want to make up shop work today. That's like work. Pulling on the paver parking area marks the end of my silence and absence of responsibility. Gene and James are here already, just like normal. Gotta love those guys. The coffee cup occupies my one hand and my briefcase the other, but I manage to open the door, mainly because this is how I have entered the office a million times before. I like our office. Its just a 14' x 40' "Esh's" Shed. But I love it. I set my briefcase in my cubicle, walk over to the common area. Gene picks up his head from the Bass Pro Catalog. "Goodmorning" James nods in agreement as he clicks on the 10 day outlook from Weather.com. "Is it gonna rain all day?" "Nope, hour by hour says down to 10% at 8:00". "10-4". I walk back to my corner. Checking my email reveals 4 emails that I don't want. I hear the gravel crunch. A look reveals a white Ford Ranger. You'd think a Chevy lover like Dave would never drive a Ford Ranger. But he does. He walks in, peers around the cubicle, "Goodmorning". "Awesome". He exchanges formalities with the fellows in the back, then plunks down at his desk and starts on some office work. Bosses like people that get right to work. Its 7:01. Where's Spencer? Where he was yesterday morning. On his way to work. 7:04. The driveway hums, and then gravel crackles. I don't have to look. It always sounds like that when Spencers zooms in. He pops in the back door. Or tries to. The door is locked. Gene opens it. About an inch. And holds it. Spencer pushes. Gene holds. Spencer pushes harder than Gene wants to hold. Now he pops in, 2 sausage McMuffins in hand, throws Gene a playful punch, laughs. He sits down and starts the process of consuming McMuffins. They disappear in precisely 2 minutes. This fellow is our star, because he works faster than he eats. 7:07. I'm done acting like I'm working back in my cubicle, when in reality I'm reading the news. That's what cubicles are for, I'm telling you. I walk back to the common area. Dave pushes away from his desk and walks back. James stands up. He tells Spencer to go and load 10 yards of hardwood mulch on the F550. "Make sure you load it up good. We're going to back to the job in Chambersburg to mulch. Rain should be over when we get there" Spencer giggles "If not, we'll just stop at Dunkin Doughnuts for coffee and doughnuts". Dave says "So that's what landscapers do, huh". "Yeah, we just goof around". With that Spencer launches his wrappers in the trash can, "well, gotta get to work". He's out the door. I ask Dave "You takin' pavers with you?" "Yeah, I guess". "What rig are you taking?" He pauses, and thinks. "Well, it doesn't really matter". "James do you need the 450 today?" "Nope, just the 550". Dave makes up his mind. "Then we'll take that with the small trailer and load up the pavers we can lay today. We'll take the rest tomorrow". I reply "Sounds good. I plan on stopping at the job around 11:00, because I have to look at a project in the same development at 12:00." "OK". Dave turns to Gene. "Go ahead and load up those 3 pallets of 6x9 and then pull the truck down here. I have a little bit of work here in the office I want to finish". He nods and heads out the door. Its nice to see people working together. I turn to James. "Will you get that job done today?" "I sure hope so. I've got the Smith job scheduled for tomorrow". I didn't know about that job. That's not unusual. I don't know half the customers he works with. I saunter back to my corner. Dave grabs me with a question about a bank statement. Luckily I know the answer. I continue sauntering, and look out the glass front door. The rain has stopped already. Good. Spencer comes around the corner of the shop with the 550 and trailer. James grabs a soda out of the refrigerator, and his briefcase. James takes the wheel, with Spencer riding as co-pilot. One crew gone. A crew that functions well. Without me. 7:30. Gene pulls down with the 450 and trailer loaded with pavers. Dave quick finishes his stuff. I hear him get up. I am sorting through the mail. I like that job. He stops, asks me a question about the pattern of the patio. I confirm that it is as he thought. "Ok, we'll see how far we get today". "Yup, see you around 11:00". He heads out the door with a few envelopes to drop in the mail on his way out. Gene grabs his lunch, jumps in the passenger side, and they're gone. Another crew gone. Now I'm all alone. Its quiet. But don't think for a moment that it'll stay that way. Thankfully it doesn't. There will be calls with questions about how to get a track back on the track skidloader, how to get something to the jobsite that someone forgot, if we should replace the mail box that we backed over rather than giving the customer cash, or what do do about a machine that doesn't start.
Yeah, being a business owner is peaches and cream. Really all you have to do all day is worry about getting jobs, keeping employees, making sure there is money to pay the bills (and payroll of course), and how be the person you wish you would work for.
At least thats my side.
Do I love my Job? I do. Truly.
Another week in July
July 27/2009
Its just another week in July. And another day here at Weavers Landscape Company. Actually, its not just another day nor another week. Things are fixin' to be shook up here a little.
Tyler, our novice Landscape artist, is off today. He's (supposed to be) on his way home from his cousin's wedding in MO today. On Thursday he leaves for a friend's wedding in AR, and I don't think we'll see him back until August.
Our use-to-be faithful Hardscape Foreman/bookkeeper/truck driver will be off tomorrow. And the next day. And the next. And all the way till Friday. We won't see him back until August either. He is pulling a slick one on us. A few weeks ago he stepped back into my cubicle, cleared his throat, and calmly informed me of some bold school-board member in OH that was hassling with his future. Well, I figured it was coming, after he filled in the other winter for a teacher. Once your name gets in "school" circulation, expect to have lots of "opportunities" sent your way. I have no regrets about his plans, and am happy he has the nerve to try to get 30 youngsters to behave all day. He will be working until the middle of August, but goes to a Teacher's Class this week. Good Luck Dave. --You'll need it :)
Just another week? Not really. Always something interesting happening here. The key is to categorize the above scenarios as "interesting", for otherwise you will become someone you won't like. Plus you get to tell everybody that where you work, ITS ALWAYS INTERESTING!
I really should say something about the people that are working here, just like normal, but that would be normal and not interesting. But our business does depend on normal people.
Its just another week in July. And another day here at Weavers Landscape Company. Actually, its not just another day nor another week. Things are fixin' to be shook up here a little.
Tyler, our novice Landscape artist, is off today. He's (supposed to be) on his way home from his cousin's wedding in MO today. On Thursday he leaves for a friend's wedding in AR, and I don't think we'll see him back until August.
Our use-to-be faithful Hardscape Foreman/bookkeeper/truck driver will be off tomorrow. And the next day. And the next. And all the way till Friday. We won't see him back until August either. He is pulling a slick one on us. A few weeks ago he stepped back into my cubicle, cleared his throat, and calmly informed me of some bold school-board member in OH that was hassling with his future. Well, I figured it was coming, after he filled in the other winter for a teacher. Once your name gets in "school" circulation, expect to have lots of "opportunities" sent your way. I have no regrets about his plans, and am happy he has the nerve to try to get 30 youngsters to behave all day. He will be working until the middle of August, but goes to a Teacher's Class this week. Good Luck Dave. --You'll need it :)
Just another week? Not really. Always something interesting happening here. The key is to categorize the above scenarios as "interesting", for otherwise you will become someone you won't like. Plus you get to tell everybody that where you work, ITS ALWAYS INTERESTING!
I really should say something about the people that are working here, just like normal, but that would be normal and not interesting. But our business does depend on normal people.
Building a Pond--Day #2
In reality it is Friday, July 24. But we are going to pretend that its Thursday, July 23.
Day #2 started with Spencer & I arriving at the job site at 8:00. First on the list was to find the courage to deal with all the mud created from last nights downpour. The courage was found within minutes and we went to work. I finished the stream and falls while Spencer finished washing and pumping out the pond. If you look closely (you may have to click on the picture) at the waterfalls, you will notice some black stuff around the rocks. That is "Waterfall Foam" and is one of the nicest things around when building waterfalls and streams. Its purpose is two fold: Hold the rocks together and prevent the water from flowing under the rocks. Its not waterproof (and doesn't have to be because there is liner under the rocks) but it diverts 95% of the water from flowing under and around the rocks instead of over the rocks. Getting it on your hands is not a good practice, as you will be picking it off in church weeks later.
At 11:00 we put in the plants from the old pond. Water garden plants are a very important feature in a pond. Not only do they make the pond look nice, they also help in maintaining the eco-system of the pond. I always tell customers that it is very important to keep the plants watered for the first week after putting them in the pond. :)
11:30. I'm quick trying to get the pump hooked up while Spencer fills up the pond. (you know what I mean, with water) We want to eat lunch with the sounds of water flowing over the waterfalls, but we better hurry! The pump sits in the skimmer and pulls the the top few inches of water it the skimmer, which passes through a mesh net first. Hence the skimmer is called a skimmer because it skims. Wow, brainy name for a product, eh?
12:00. Lunch time. We made our goal. Lunch with nice sound. One of the most rewarding moments of pond building, other that getting paid, is watching how the water plays with rocks you placed in the stream and falls.
Dragging ourselves out of our chairs when lunch was over was a feat. When that was accomplished we put the finishing touches on the pond, which involved cutting off excess liner, putting gravel along the edge, tweaking the falls, placing some boulders around the waterfall berm, and mulching a little around the perimeter. The day finished at 3:30, and we were too.
-Thanks for building this pond with us!
Day #2 started with Spencer & I arriving at the job site at 8:00. First on the list was to find the courage to deal with all the mud created from last nights downpour. The courage was found within minutes and we went to work. I finished the stream and falls while Spencer finished washing and pumping out the pond. If you look closely (you may have to click on the picture) at the waterfalls, you will notice some black stuff around the rocks. That is "Waterfall Foam" and is one of the nicest things around when building waterfalls and streams. Its purpose is two fold: Hold the rocks together and prevent the water from flowing under the rocks. Its not waterproof (and doesn't have to be because there is liner under the rocks) but it diverts 95% of the water from flowing under and around the rocks instead of over the rocks. Getting it on your hands is not a good practice, as you will be picking it off in church weeks later.
At 11:00 we put in the plants from the old pond. Water garden plants are a very important feature in a pond. Not only do they make the pond look nice, they also help in maintaining the eco-system of the pond. I always tell customers that it is very important to keep the plants watered for the first week after putting them in the pond. :)
11:30. I'm quick trying to get the pump hooked up while Spencer fills up the pond. (you know what I mean, with water) We want to eat lunch with the sounds of water flowing over the waterfalls, but we better hurry! The pump sits in the skimmer and pulls the the top few inches of water it the skimmer, which passes through a mesh net first. Hence the skimmer is called a skimmer because it skims. Wow, brainy name for a product, eh?
12:00. Lunch time. We made our goal. Lunch with nice sound. One of the most rewarding moments of pond building, other that getting paid, is watching how the water plays with rocks you placed in the stream and falls.
Dragging ourselves out of our chairs when lunch was over was a feat. When that was accomplished we put the finishing touches on the pond, which involved cutting off excess liner, putting gravel along the edge, tweaking the falls, placing some boulders around the waterfall berm, and mulching a little around the perimeter. The day finished at 3:30, and we were too.
-Thanks for building this pond with us!
Building a Pond--Day #1
For those of you that think I never work, here's something for you.
Today's blog post is fresh and crispy. Its about what happen today in the back yard of a certain house in the Shippensburg area. We arrived on site about 8:30 and started on tearing out the existing pond. The homeowner had installed this one himself 20 years ago, and wanted to have a more natural water garden with proper filtration and a few water falls. It would have been impossible to remodel the existing pond to get those features, so a complete redo was chosen.
The afternoon went both quickly and slowly. But by 4:00 we were pleased with our progress and decided to call it a day. The pond has most of the boulders and gravel placed, the stream and waterfalls are in progress, and it looks like tomorrow we will hopefully enjoy lunch over the sounds of new waterfalls in action. See you then!
Today's blog post is fresh and crispy. Its about what happen today in the back yard of a certain house in the Shippensburg area. We arrived on site about 8:30 and started on tearing out the existing pond. The homeowner had installed this one himself 20 years ago, and wanted to have a more natural water garden with proper filtration and a few water falls. It would have been impossible to remodel the existing pond to get those features, so a complete redo was chosen.
By 9:30 we had the old pond removed, and marked out the perimeter of the new 8'x11 pond, as you can see on the picture below. Take note of the skimmer and bio-falls placed as well.
And then it was jumpin' on the shovel time. Actually, I of course left Tyler and Spencer do most of the digging, while I did the easier work of setting the skimmer & bio-falls. 12:00 saw us with majority of the pond dug, much to the shoveler's delight.
The afternoon went both quickly and slowly. But by 4:00 we were pleased with our progress and decided to call it a day. The pond has most of the boulders and gravel placed, the stream and waterfalls are in progress, and it looks like tomorrow we will hopefully enjoy lunch over the sounds of new waterfalls in action. See you then!
To view larger pictures
If you wish to view a larger picture then shown, just click on the picture. And bingo, you entire screen becomes that picture. Just click the back button on your browser to return to the blog. Or if you are glad for the excuse to move on, just click on the red x on the upper right-hand corner of your screen.
But before you leave, maybe you want to check out this job. This was done a few years ago, and was fun to do, because it went from a sloping back yard that annoyed the homeowner to the truly usable area they wanted. Yup, we like jobs like this.
But before you leave, maybe you want to check out this job. This was done a few years ago, and was fun to do, because it went from a sloping back yard that annoyed the homeowner to the truly usable area they wanted. Yup, we like jobs like this.
Before
After
AfterFront Lawn Wonder
Take a look at the house above. Do you think its missing anything? Well, in the spring of 2009 the homeowners of that property thought it did, and decided to give us a call. After meeting with them, it was determined that they were wishing to see a water feature of some sort taking residence in their front yard. After numerous visits and discussions, a final plan with a pondless water garden was agreed on. In late spring 2009 we arrived on-site with a design, a trailer loads of equipment, rocks, boulders, water garden supplies, and of course, a crew of energetic landscape artists. We were hindered by some rain, and introduced our clothes to some mud, but we did succeed. And you know what? That is one of the joys of our work. Overcoming less then desirable conditions as a team, seeing your co-worker plastered with mud while water is dripping onto his nose from his hair. Of course he is observing the same on you. The end result is always well worth the blood, sweat and tears.
Here is what the homeowner said (I realize that this is as close to self-praise as a real man should ever get)
"Just a note to let you know that we are very happy with the
project you have just completed for us. The final result was
everything you promised and perhaps even more so. The water
features as well as the plantings etc. have certainly met our
expectations and we appreciate the careful workmanship and
attention you paid to all the details. Please let James know of
our satisfaction with his part of the effort. If you ever want to
show a prospective customer this particular installation, please
feel free to give us a call."
Tis so easy!
I have just posted the post below. And I am excited at my accomplishment! I suppose that with my attention deficit nature, my excitement will last exactly one week. And then I'll lose interest. But until then I will post to my heart's content.
A Brand new Blogger!
Today is a day in history! Never before has a blog been posted to this blog (that never existed before). I consider myself a complete inexperienced blogger, but am looking forward to learning how it works.
Yeah, I know, a real blogger from a real landscape company would have a blog on their website. Some day that may happen. I designed our website, and considered that a feat! But I haven't a clue on how to put a blog on it. So I will go the easy way.
This blog will contain the following:
1. Project pics
2. Opinions on varied subjects
3. Comments on things that relate to the industry
4. ...and whatever else is deemed interesting
I enjoy writing, and will endeavor to use this medium as a challenge to myself. I give you the privilege to follow, if you desire.
The picture below is a project we completed in 2008. The dog, of course, was just as pleased with having his ears scratched as the homeowner was with the patio. So long for now!
Yeah, I know, a real blogger from a real landscape company would have a blog on their website. Some day that may happen. I designed our website, and considered that a feat! But I haven't a clue on how to put a blog on it. So I will go the easy way.
This blog will contain the following:
1. Project pics
2. Opinions on varied subjects
3. Comments on things that relate to the industry
4. ...and whatever else is deemed interesting
I enjoy writing, and will endeavor to use this medium as a challenge to myself. I give you the privilege to follow, if you desire.
The picture below is a project we completed in 2008. The dog, of course, was just as pleased with having his ears scratched as the homeowner was with the patio. So long for now!
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