down time

[mrgreen]

This is currently my first season in the lawn care industry and I an wondering what to do during the winter. I would like some suggestions on ways to make extra money during the winter.

[walker-talker]

Well in your area it looks like snow plowing is out of the question. One thing I have cosidered, but have not done much research on, is hanging Christmas lights and decorations. I have heard there is big money in this.
Matt

[casey]

I do snow removal but a friend does carpet cleaning in the winter & makes good $$$. He uses his LCO customer base for referrals & jobs. Initial investment is low.

[lawnboy82]

I thought that down there they do seasonal cleanups in the winter?

[MATTHEW]

In the past I have applied for general labor at temporary agencies. You get a break from the lawn work and it is even kind of fun because you know that you are soon to return to fun in the sun while the others are stuck there.

[David Gretzmier]

I starve. my brother goes to florida for a month or so and lives with the old snowbirds in hotels on the cheap cause it is the off season there. you literally could live in florida in a hotel for a thousand bucks for a month if you bought groceries. sure beats those winter blues in January. I try to go for a week or two. Daveg

[captdevo]

if i was still there, i'd be at my camp in Leeville catching speckled trout and redfish and huntin' a few ducks.


I'll be back......................

[MIDSOUTH]

What part of louisiana are you from?

[65hoss]

You should have leaf jobs basically all winter. Here in TN I do leaves almost all winter. Maybe a couple of weeks completely off.

[1grnlwn]

Quote commercial jobs, Build new racks/equip, update fert quoting system and clean my office. In between I do home improvement items such as plumbing, electrical, carpentry etc. for hire. Its also a good time to get your hemroid surgery. If there is ever a good time for that. Oh, I also do snow blowing for res. cust. I avoid the plow, like to sleep when it's dark.

[awm]

david ,that just sounds cool. oh well gotta take the kid to school
later now TM

[KerryB]

All of my commercial accts are year round. Leaf clean up, plant panses, plant shrubs and other landscaping, Ck props for trash blow parking lots submit bids for new props. Those props we seed with rye we cut through dec. Snow not really a problem here. Not enough of the white stuff to warrent buying equipment.
Oh and hopefully no hemmeroids. lol

[kutnkru]

You might want to rethink your mulch applications if you can do them in late to mid februray before the growing season starts. you could also check into gutters, x-mas lights, light carpentry, deck work, concrete work, hardscapes/light landscaping depending on the weather patterns, etc.

Hope this helps.
Kris

[HOWARD JONES]

How about all the shrub trimming/cleanup - and a step up from that would be tree trimming or even firewood.

[lawnboy82]

I second tree work, however the investment / risk is a lot larger than cutting grass and doing fert.