Wind, rain, sleet, and snow. This is Spring in Iowa, even if it is the middle of April. That might have been the start of my day but it wasn't the end. Did you see the beauty of the white snow and the green grass? Did you see the daffodils huddle in the cool weather? Did the lightning stir something deep within? The awakening of a new growing season is upon us. As always, I am not fully ready. Which really must mean by now that I am as ready as I will ever be.
Let me explain the end of the day and how that last sentence fits into it all. The day ended watching Warren sing in the Spring concert at school. I also was able to go out in the halls with Flora and talk to some people while the other grades were performing. After the kids were down for the night at home, I clicked on a link to a video of the stars, clouds, trees, and flowers from on top of the highest mountain in Spain. The piano music in the background was as moving as the images if not more so. I thought of my sister who is about to have some vertebrae fused in her lower back. I about told her to Let Go and Let God. Then I remembered that she really doesn't believe in God but more in a higher power. This lead me to think about Letting Go and Letting God. As a child I came to believe that you can ask God for anything. Be sure to ask for specific things and to make sure that you really want them to happen and that they are or will be truly good for everyone. Follow this by working toward achieving what you asked for because although God can do whatever God wants, God would like you to do it as well. Thus, you can not really Let Go and Let God. Rather, I believe that you should let go of unhealthy fear by finding the real problems and working on them. Asking for help all of the time from everyone. Helping everyone, anyone, or just someone all of the time. Be thankful for everything. Again, Be Thankful For Everything. The wind, rain, sleet, and snow on a cold day in mid April. Be thankful that you could see the snow, feel the cold, hear the rain and sleet, and experience the beauty of nature.
So, I am as ready as I will every be. I am not done yet. There is more learning to do and somehow, I feel, more teaching to do. Not yet, but sometime. I am looking forward to another moment, another day, another sense...
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Spring Tasks
It is time again to think about the upcoming growing season. I have a few tasks that I do annually this time of year to help prepare for a successful growing season.
1. Sharpen my tools. Sharp tools make gardening and landscaping much more enjoyable. Have you ever noticed the difference between a dull knife and a sharp knife when you are cutting fruits, veggies, or other things in the kitchen? I certainly have. The same principal applies to your garden and landscape tools. Make sure you sharpen you pruning sheers, loppers, hedgers, shovels, and any other cutting edges that you may have. This includes lawn mower blades. If you can't or don't know how to sharpen them, you may call me and I can do it for you.
2. Clean out the garden and beds. Some of this means cutting down the 'winter interest' plants such as grasses, sedums, and others. These can be composted instead of thrown in the trash. If you cut them small enough, I recommend tilling them into your garden (just don't put in the seed-heads).
3. Perform any maintenance on power equipment. This may mean changing the oil, gas, air filters, and spark plugs. Some of these just need cleaned and replaced. You don't have to spend the money on buying a new one and filling the trash with good used parts.
4. Plan of action. Plan to do only so much each time out. Do not dive into the landscape thinking you will finish everything in one shot. It can be overwhelming and very tiring. Instead, plan on a section or one task each time out. Such as cutting back the grasses, cleaning out the leaves, mulching the beds, or weeding. Weeding now when the soil is moist and the weeds pull easy is great.
5. Mulch. Mulch. Mulch. Mulch is important to in the landscape. It serves several purposes. First, it looks nice and visually ties together the different beds and plantings. Second, it conserves moisture for the plants. Third, it reduces weeds. Fourth, mulch degrades into compost and provides some nutrients for your plants. Remember to mulch now when the plants are small or not up yet. It makes for a much easier job. You can also put down corn gluten meal before the mulch. This works not only as a fertilizer but also as a pre-emergent. Best of all, it is all natural and safe for everyone!
1. Sharpen my tools. Sharp tools make gardening and landscaping much more enjoyable. Have you ever noticed the difference between a dull knife and a sharp knife when you are cutting fruits, veggies, or other things in the kitchen? I certainly have. The same principal applies to your garden and landscape tools. Make sure you sharpen you pruning sheers, loppers, hedgers, shovels, and any other cutting edges that you may have. This includes lawn mower blades. If you can't or don't know how to sharpen them, you may call me and I can do it for you.
2. Clean out the garden and beds. Some of this means cutting down the 'winter interest' plants such as grasses, sedums, and others. These can be composted instead of thrown in the trash. If you cut them small enough, I recommend tilling them into your garden (just don't put in the seed-heads).
3. Perform any maintenance on power equipment. This may mean changing the oil, gas, air filters, and spark plugs. Some of these just need cleaned and replaced. You don't have to spend the money on buying a new one and filling the trash with good used parts.
4. Plan of action. Plan to do only so much each time out. Do not dive into the landscape thinking you will finish everything in one shot. It can be overwhelming and very tiring. Instead, plan on a section or one task each time out. Such as cutting back the grasses, cleaning out the leaves, mulching the beds, or weeding. Weeding now when the soil is moist and the weeds pull easy is great.
5. Mulch. Mulch. Mulch. Mulch is important to in the landscape. It serves several purposes. First, it looks nice and visually ties together the different beds and plantings. Second, it conserves moisture for the plants. Third, it reduces weeds. Fourth, mulch degrades into compost and provides some nutrients for your plants. Remember to mulch now when the plants are small or not up yet. It makes for a much easier job. You can also put down corn gluten meal before the mulch. This works not only as a fertilizer but also as a pre-emergent. Best of all, it is all natural and safe for everyone!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
2011 Spring Plant Sale
Well, I have struggled with Google lately. They made some changes that I did not like and I could not share this list with you via my website as intended. I did find a solution, or a better description is a loop-hole. I can post it as a picture whereas I could not post it as a spreadsheet for you to view unless you had a google account. Tricky Google and tricky Willie.
Anyhow, Please look over the list and place your Spring Tree Order with me by March 31, 2011.
515-708-0922 or insite@wwellington.com
Friday, March 18, 2011
Spring is near
Well, it has been a while since I last updated my blog. In the meantime I have sent out my annual Spring Newsletter with directions to go to my website for a special deal this year. Several of my customers have sent back the sign-up sheets and are anxiously awaiting spring. I also did another snow removal that was wet and very heavy.
I researched and purchased a laptop computer to take with me on landscape design/estimates. My intention is that I can take photos and some measurements of the property, put those into my design software, and do a quick design and estimate on-site. This brings me closer to one of the original meanings of Insite - truly being in the site when I do the design work and later the installation.
I have also updated many programs and some hardware on my desktop. It is amazing how fast technology can be outdated. With the help of a good friend, Jim, I have learned more about computers and also how much Google can do for you for free. I have made phone calls via gmail for free and am looking forward to video chatting with family members that we don't get to see very often (also free).
Insite is also looking to hire a person or two to start working immediately. I can offer up to 10 hours or so right now and am sure that will expand as spring really comes on. Most of the work will involve riding a bike, mowing, and general landscaping. Pay starts at $9 per hour. I need to talk with my tax advisor, who will probably also be doing my payroll, on how to offer benefits. I want to be a company that people want to hire and want to work for. I will not tell my employees that I am paying them to work not to think. I was told that by a supervisor once and it made a deep impression on me. I want employees to think and come up with ideas. I want them to feel free to change things for the better as long as it conforms to our standards of environmental care, great service, and fair pricing. If you know of some people who would like to work for/with Insite, please call or email me. 515-708-0922 insite@wwellington.com.
I researched and purchased a laptop computer to take with me on landscape design/estimates. My intention is that I can take photos and some measurements of the property, put those into my design software, and do a quick design and estimate on-site. This brings me closer to one of the original meanings of Insite - truly being in the site when I do the design work and later the installation.
I have also updated many programs and some hardware on my desktop. It is amazing how fast technology can be outdated. With the help of a good friend, Jim, I have learned more about computers and also how much Google can do for you for free. I have made phone calls via gmail for free and am looking forward to video chatting with family members that we don't get to see very often (also free).
Insite is also looking to hire a person or two to start working immediately. I can offer up to 10 hours or so right now and am sure that will expand as spring really comes on. Most of the work will involve riding a bike, mowing, and general landscaping. Pay starts at $9 per hour. I need to talk with my tax advisor, who will probably also be doing my payroll, on how to offer benefits. I want to be a company that people want to hire and want to work for. I will not tell my employees that I am paying them to work not to think. I was told that by a supervisor once and it made a deep impression on me. I want employees to think and come up with ideas. I want them to feel free to change things for the better as long as it conforms to our standards of environmental care, great service, and fair pricing. If you know of some people who would like to work for/with Insite, please call or email me. 515-708-0922 insite@wwellington.com.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Small Business and a Blizzard
I read this post on another blog the other day and thought that I would share it with you. It is about the contribution of small business to the local economy.
It makes a lot of sense to me being that I am an extremely small business (one person). Although, I can also understand the market for scale and economy (big business and internet sales). Hey, we all need to save somewhere right? Currently, I don't have to compete against the internet for business. Rather, I get to use it to increase sales and inform and educate my clients and potential clients. Big business is something that I do compete against. Businesses like Country Landscapes, Earl May, Dan's Custom Landscapes, R & C Landscapes, Lowes (plant sales), All American, and Spring-Green. All of these companies have the advantage of scale. They can buy most everything at larger discounts. From fertilizer to plants to insurance. I can not compete on the purchasing scale. Somethings that they can not compete against me with is heart, desire to treat my customers with respect, honesty in pricing, and personal service.
As you think about the services you use daily, think about who owns the company, who actually does the service, who takes care of you, and where do your hard earned dollars go when you pay the bill? If it is Insite, I own the company, I actually come out and do the service, I take care of you and your property, and your hard earned dollars stay here in central Iowa. Thank you for caring.
The 3/50 Project
3
Think about which three independently-owned business you'd miss most if they were gone. Stop in and say hello. Your contribution is what keeps those businesses around.
50
If just half the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month in independently-owed businesses, their purchase would generate more that $42.6 billion in revenue. Can you imagine what 3/4 of the employed population could do?
68
For every $100 spent in independently-owned store, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home.
1
The number of people it takes to start the trend......you.
This challenge is especially important in smaller towns like Ames and Boone. I hope all of you can try to make it your goal to shop at more local businesses this year. Feel free to comment below with what your favorite local businesses are!
It makes a lot of sense to me being that I am an extremely small business (one person). Although, I can also understand the market for scale and economy (big business and internet sales). Hey, we all need to save somewhere right? Currently, I don't have to compete against the internet for business. Rather, I get to use it to increase sales and inform and educate my clients and potential clients. Big business is something that I do compete against. Businesses like Country Landscapes, Earl May, Dan's Custom Landscapes, R & C Landscapes, Lowes (plant sales), All American, and Spring-Green. All of these companies have the advantage of scale. They can buy most everything at larger discounts. From fertilizer to plants to insurance. I can not compete on the purchasing scale. Somethings that they can not compete against me with is heart, desire to treat my customers with respect, honesty in pricing, and personal service.
As you think about the services you use daily, think about who owns the company, who actually does the service, who takes care of you, and where do your hard earned dollars go when you pay the bill? If it is Insite, I own the company, I actually come out and do the service, I take care of you and your property, and your hard earned dollars stay here in central Iowa. Thank you for caring.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Presentation to Boone County Master Gardeners
Today I presented: Starting the Switch to Natural Lawn Care for the Boone County Master Gardeners. It went great. The audience enjoyed the topic and had many questions that I answered. It was nice to get out and talk about lawns while the snow is melting in late January. I know that there is plenty of winter left and even more snow in the forecast as I write, but I am anticipating the spring weather already.
Now it is time for me to write my annual spring newsletter to my friends and clients. As always, I talk about how Insite did last year and some of the things that I am thinking of doing this year. I also provide some tips on lawn care and/or landscaping. I like to think that I spread a bit of my 'Spring Fever' around during the winter blues.
Take care and have fun!
Now it is time for me to write my annual spring newsletter to my friends and clients. As always, I talk about how Insite did last year and some of the things that I am thinking of doing this year. I also provide some tips on lawn care and/or landscaping. I like to think that I spread a bit of my 'Spring Fever' around during the winter blues.
Take care and have fun!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Snow Removal
Hello everyone,
Today it is snowing once again. I am looking forward to removing this snow. It is light and fluffy due to the cold weather. The last snow was also the same. The snow that happened on Monday, January 17th was different in many ways. It snowed and then sleeted. Nothing different about that. After the sleet, it rained and some of the rain was freezing rain. I can not remember rain in January so it threw me for a loop on how to take care of the snow. I have to removal lists: 1"+ or 2"+. Well, the snow was only 1.5" deep. So, I cleared my one inch list and when I was done, the freezing rain started. Everything was now thinly coated with ice. Thankfully, the sun came over the next two days and quickly melted that thin layer of ice. I had a few clients call in to ask me to go ahead and remove their snow as well after the weather system passed. This was difficult as the snow/rain/ice all packed into hard snow or just ice. The places where people walked or drove was solid ice and would not scrape up off the ground. I put down a little ice melt after I was done clearing what would come off and the ice melt worked great even though the temps were near zero. Next time that we get rain in winter, I might call around to my clients and see who would like to have me remove the snow before it freezes in place. This would solve some of my unrest of worrying about what to do and provide better service to my clients.
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