Starting my picture thread for my company. Been in business for a while but decided to break out on my own. Was going to put up a few more pictures, but computer is not letting me. Will try again.
I didn't want to, but I chose a school 4 hours away. Glad I did it. My business wouldn't be supporting my wife and I if I wouldn't of.
I would doubt you would find anything online. Your learn more in your labs with hands-on work. You don't have to give-up your business. Nachadoches isn't that far away from Longview. Go to SFA. You can sometimes schedule classes where they are only on Tuesday and Thursday. That's the way to go. Leaves lots of time to work.
One man's opinion, but I wouldn't waste my time on an online program. I don't know they may be out there and they may be great. But thinking of what I picked up during school, 90% was affirmed in labs. Don't think I would know how to apply what I learned without labs.
I'm not in Longview proper, I'm closer to Gilmer, which puts me right at 1.5-1.75 hrs away from SFA. That's my main beef. I'd have to have yet another vehicle that gets good mileage to commute back and forth. That's in addition to at least one if not 2 (most likely) trucks. That gets expensive!
I might add, you can do very well in this business without a degree. There are many on here that do very well without. But, personally, I wouldn't be in as good of shape with my new business without.
Talking about degrees.
You may think this sounds crazy, but after years in this field I think it is best to get a business degree if you are going to have your own company. If you plan on working for someone else the horticulture degree would be the way to go.
Mikegyver, You could most likely get a business degree online and do well with it. Turf Dawg, How many years since you graduated and how many years in business?
If anything I'll try to clep a lot of the non-hort stuff required for the degree (US history, Political Science, Social Science, Performing arts, etc). Or I may just take the hort classes and not get the degree. I'm not into the whole "college experience" and would rather spend less time in classes for things I don't need. I already have all the experience I feel like i need in the area of public speaking, I am the vice president of a organization of 280+ people and regularly speak in front of 130+ people at monthly meetings. I also took some college level courses while I was in high school in subjects like history and such. Plus my dad teaches history and economics so I'm kept well versed in much of that. Not to say that classes like that are not good, its just I don't feel like it is necessary for me for the path I am taking.
Like I said somewhere else, I'd like to take some further business classes. Mainly some accounting to reinforce what I already know. I've taken accounting 101 but would like to build on that. Maybe some web classes.
Mikegyver, You could most likely get a business degree online and do well with it. Turf Dawg, How many years since you graduated and how many years in business?
Ah man, you are making me show my ignorance :laugh:
I graduated High school in 1985. I did enroll in Jr College but working full time that only lasted a semester. I started mowing part time in 1995 and went full time in May 2004. I would have went full time sooner but I needed 17 years of service to get full retirement.
Trust me, I have nothing against Horticulture degrees and feel they are a great thing to have [wish I had one]. I do think time in field, short courses, seminars, reading, ect...... can also give you knowledge in this field. I truly feel that "People Skills" and business sense is what can make you or break you.
After replacing a burned up pump this morning on my sprayer. Sprayed good for one yard and it started clogging. After much "stirring" (thinking the solution had settled out or something while I was changing the pump) I reached into the bottom of the sprayer to find this guy lodged into the intake. Don't ask me how he got in, the tank was closed up all season under the shed... That'll ruin a morning.
Turf Dawg, completely agree on hands on, seminars and short courses. Nothing can replace the hands on. I probably learned just as much in 6 months at the golf course internship as I did in at least a year or two of college. Nothing can substitute the hands on experience.
What branch did you serve in? Much respect. Posted via Mobile Device
Rained most of today. Secured a new large maintenance account today. Organized the job trailer. (I'll actually post pictures of it now that it looks acceptable.) We usually pull this in and park it on a new install. I keep an assortment of fittings, slip fixes, glue tools, valve locator etc in the F150 for service calls. Don't want to have to drag a trailer everytime I go to do a repair. Also use this to transport small loads of plants.
Hey guys I'm extremely new to this industry and very young. I'm 18. I still have another year of high school to get through. I plan on getting a business management degree with a focus in entrepreneurship. However, I have recently found myself torn between going ahead with that, and getting a degree in horticulture. I'm just wondering if you guys think that it would be at all possible to get schooling in both? Whether that be just getting the business degree while doing the seminar/some classes/reading kind of self taught approach...or actually going through and getting my business degree and then getting a hort degree on top of that...?? Any advice on this or hell, anything regarding this industry would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Hey guys I'm extremely new to this industry and very young. I'm 18. I still have another year of high school to get through. I plan on getting a business management degree with a focus in entrepreneurship. However, I have recently found myself torn between going ahead with that, and getting a degree in horticulture. I'm just wondering if you guys think that it would be at all possible to get schooling in both? Whether that be just getting the business degree while doing the seminar/some classes/reading kind of self taught approach...or actually going through and getting my business degree and then getting a hort degree on top of that...?? Any advice on this or hell, anything regarding this industry would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
You might consider a Hort Major and maybe a Minor in business if you ware wanting to get a degree in both. I had 1/2 dozen classes in the school of business in my degree program anyways. I should of looked into a minor. I probably only lacked 3-6 hours from getting a minor. I would recommend the Hort Major because if you do decide to work for a municipality, golf course, sports field or maybe a large landscaping company. They would consider you with the Hort major. If you are going to strictly be an entrepreneur, doesn't really matter all that much. I will say that I graduated with 12 other Hort majors the semester I graduated... All of us had jobs lined up to go to on Monday after we walked the stage on Saturday. A few of us had already started. I know of quite a few business majors that are still waiting on their break into the entry level positions of their desired careers. Business degrees are valuable, but in a soft economy those jobs are hard to come by if you do have to look for employment somewhere other than yourself. Hort majors are in high demand.
However, unless you're working as a high level executive for a decent sized landscape company (ops executive, etc) the job you'll get with a hort degree isnt very high paying. Now, starting a business, the possibilities are endless. Posted via Mobile Device
However, unless you're working as a high level executive for a decent sized landscape company (ops executive, etc) the job you'll get with a hort degree isnt very high paying. Now, starting a business, the possibilities are endless. Posted via Mobile Device
Most definitely. Not any money to speak of in large organizations unless you get your LA. Decent money in golf course. Going to have to pay your dues, but there will be a good return on that job. 80% of my class went golf course. Posted via Mobile Device
Yeah you can make a decent living as a Superintendent. But I dont want a job. That's how my school is. Not too many landscape guys, mostly golf course/turf, a couple (large & not attractive girls) for greenhouse management, and one guy wants for grounds maintenance. For landscape there are about 10 of us. I don't know most as they're first year students, the ones I know, 2 guys own a partnership company but basically mow, its pretty much a front for their dope selling :laugh: 1 works for his dads solo op and I honestly don't see him going off and starting his own, 1 (who I am rly good friends with) started a company this fall, we teamed up on a couple installs (patio, retaining wall w/ stairs & a 3500 sq ft rock removal & install black dirt & seed) and he did a good amt of clean ups, he has similar goals that I have and works for his dad's $1.2 million primarily maintenance & snow company as a guaranteed paycheck. Posted via Mobile Device
Yeah you can make a decent living as a Superintendent. But I dont want a job. That's how my school is. Not too many landscape guys, mostly golf course/turf, a couple (large & not attractive girls) for greenhouse management, and one guy wants for grounds maintenance. For landscape there are about 10 of us. I don't know most as they're first year students, the ones I know, 2 guys own a partnership company but basically mow, its pretty much a front for their dope selling :laugh: 1 works for his dads solo op and I honestly don't see him going off and starting his own, 1 (who I am rly good friends with) started a company this fall, we teamed up on a couple installs (patio, retaining wall w/ stairs & a 3500 sq ft rock removal & install black dirt & seed) and he did a good amt of clean ups, he has similar goals that I have and works for his dad's $1.2 million primarily maintenance & snow company as a guaranteed paycheck. Posted via Mobile Device
Just finished writing another proposal. Figured I would update before bed. Here are a couple of shots of the before pictures on the beds we will be installing across the front of this house. House was completed in 2012 and are now landscaping. No landscaping in the back for now. Un-fortunately we hadn't met this customer before they irrigated. Sprinklers are already in place. Suprisingly, we didn't have to do very much moving around of heads to get adequate water on what will be going in. Kind of excited about this one. Customer wanted to pay homage to the Texas hillcountry a bit with their plant material and home layout. We will be using a few different materials that are used a whole lot in our area. Excited to see the results.
That looks like a fun project. I have yet to have a client want any designs, but I love taking a blank unlandscaped house.(or a crappy existing) and creating a masterpiece. Posted via Mobile Device
That looks like a fun project. I have yet to have a client want any designs, but I love taking a blank unlandscaped house.(or a crappy existing) and creating a masterpiece. Posted via Mobile Device
I don't think I have had a customer specifically ask for a plan, but I know of 5 jobs we have gotten over the competition because of our design process.
I know there is nothing that I can install in East Texas that can actually fill the bill to a tee of a hill country landscape, but we are going to give it a shot. Please note, I am not using any Austin stone in this job, as it stains a rust red with our soils in east texas. Not a good choice. I am going to refer to this one as the "Hill Country" job from here on out. Here's a few pictures from today. Sod stripped off, edges cut, compost tilled in. Installing Flex Edge tomorrow. Will do a most of the plantings on Friday. There will probably be a few Perennials that we might have to wait a few weeks for availability.
Looks like a fun project. I like your lines, curves are nice and flowing with a nice look and easy to mow around. I also like the way the house is laid out with some nice soild walls that are in line of sight where you can put some plant height if you want to.
If their budget would allow water on the right side of the porch would be great. I love how these change color but was not too impressed with the pots in daytime. http://www.atlanticwatergardens.com/#&panel1-1
If their budget would allow water on the right side of the porch would be great. I love how these change color but was not too impressed with the pots in daytime. http://www.atlanticwatergardens.com/#&panel1-1
Funny you should mention water... Observe the attached prints I drew up.
You're right about them looking cool at night. I am with you about them not looking so hot during the daytime. I was blown away by their prices on their website. The price on the basin and pump was astronomical. We will be putting in a pottery water feature with basin and river rock. Stay tuned. It shouldn't look too bad at night either.
Looks like a fun project. I like your lines, curves are nice and flowing with a nice look and easy to mow around. I also like the way the house is laid out with some nice soild walls that are in line of sight where you can put some plant height if you want to.
Yes, I am excited about this one too. I am a little hesitant to go too crazy with much height by on the gables because of the windows & (i guess you call them) dormers over each window. Didn't want to cover up that feature on the house. Also, homeowner was not about the landscape being very formal looking. We did make a little change today to utilize some leftover stone from the house today. Tomorrow planting and finishing up another landscape we have been rained off of for several weeks. Have only had to wait on building a bench, but have had to wait on the area to dry out so we can work there.
Please do not think I am being critical of your plans, because I am not, but I do have a few questions. I do not know about your area but most of the plant material you are using in my area would be dormant in my area for several months. Are you going to have anything besides the Red Yucca that will have color during the winter? I was also wondering, unless it is for budget, but why use a 15 gallon Vitex when they grow so fast and only use 5 gallon Elm and Oak trees?
I second this. I'd get 15 gallon trees and maybe a couple 5 gallon or smaller vitex. That stuff is invasive and grows like crazy. I have a hedge row of it. Also, don't know what variety you are getting, but it does get height to it over time.
Come to think of it, I was in your area for a couple of years many moons ago. Around 1971 I was in Naples for 1st grade and then in Mt Pleasant for 2nd grade. I remember that Naples was a big bunch of nothing at that time, might still be, but Mt Pleasant was fun for a kid and his bike. I think Mt Pleasant has grown quite a bit since back when I remember it.
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