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Rather than waiting until you make a costly mistake or drive your business into the ground, there is a simple solution. Online resources can help you with these essential issues such as how to structure your company, how to find customers, how to promote your business on the internet and regulations and legal issues that apply to landscaping businesses.

1. Sample Business Plans

One of the most helpful resources for starting a landscaping business is a sample business plan. With a sample plan, you can see examples of how other landscapers have started their businesses. You can get a better understanding of potential start-up costs, marketing strategies, business management and operations and more.

Seeing a business plan example will of course help you in writing your own business plan. Palo Alto Software sells business planning software, but also shares sample plans. You can search their site for landscaping business plans and view several samples for free.

2. Sample Sales Letter

Rather than waiting for homeowners to contact you and risk the chance of them choosing your competitor, why not reach out to them first? This may sound easier said than done, especially if you do not have a background in marketing.

However, what if you had a pre-written sales letter that you could simply deliver to those homeowners? Microsoft has a free sales letter template for landscaping businesses that you can customize with your company name and contact information. You can download it directly from their website for free as long if you own Microsoft Office software.

3. Custom Landscaping Business Websites

More important today than ever before are company websites. You can show off a portfolio of your work and provide information on your skills and experience so potential customers can get to know you. With a professional web presence, you can make a great first impression on clients before they even meet you.

However, most landscapers do not know how to build a website or want to spend the time creating one. 
That is where site development companies like Landscape Websites come in handy. You can get a website built for your landscaping business, or you can apply easy-to-use tools to build one quickly yourself – with design templates included.

4. Landscape Business Networks

You can join a professional business network specifically for landscapers, like the Planet Professional Land Care Network. Besides having the traditional benefits of a membership organization, they have industry professional who will help answer your questions on topics like landscaping regulations, safety issues, human resources questions and more.

There are lots of free and low-cost resources on the internet that can help you start and grow your landscaping business. You just need to look, and you can easily give your company a competitive advantage so that customers will be calling you first.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/small-business-articles/landscaping-business-resources-for-growing-your-business-3854064.html

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My front yard has different types of roses, and evergreens adorning the front of the house. Last year I designed and built a nice little water fountain right under my livingroom windlow.

It is simple but it looks nice and sounds pretty when I sit with my windows open. I have landscaping lights on it and the water runs 24/7. I have flowers and plants surrounding the water.

Now my son in law bought me one and is very proud that he did.

I really like it and wanted one for so long. He had heard me talking of one and had some of it hand made.

I don’t really want to pull down my creation yet but I know that if I don’t attempt to put his up some time this summer he will feel slighted. It was expensive and he and my daughter saved for this in hopes to give me a great gift for mother’s day.

any opinions?

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5 Steps to Implementing a Landscape Design

Step 1: Preparation
The first thing you need to take care of is the preparation of your yard. Measure the scope of the area you want to landscape so you’ll know exactly where you should work on. Next, clean up the entire area-get rid of clutter, junk, stones and other objects that can interrupt the process. Get all your landscaping materials and equipment as well so you have everything ready when you need them.

Step 2: Placing the Pipes
The second step is to gather the water supply required for the task. Often times, you’ll be needing some pipes, tanks and drainage systems for your landscaping project, so be sure to have them prepared. Have extension wires, cables and plugs as well to get the water systems up and running.

Step 3: Setting up the Ground
Depending on the details of your design, proceed to leveling out or filling the ground with the appropriate soil type for your yard. See to it that you don’t miss a spot so you won’t have to repeat this step again later on.

Step 4: Installation of Additional Landscape Features
When the ground is finally ready, you can start adding the features you want. Whether you’re installing a fountain, pool, pond, gazebo, bench, statue or footpath, it’s important that you set them up carefully to prevent damage. Placement is also the key to a successful landscape design, so put the features in the right areas to achieve amazing results.

Step 5: Planting Trees and Shrubs
The final step is to plant the trees, shrubs and other flora in your yard. Go ahead and retrieve your gardening tools, put some garden soil and starting seeding in the designated areas. Make sure the plants you’ve chosen are non-poisonous, weed-free and suitable with the climate in your area.

So those are the steps to implementing your landscape design. Always follow them in the right order so you can finish the project in an easy and timely manner.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/landscaping-articles/landscaping-tips-how-to-implement-a-landscape-design-3478276.html

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The origin of the name “Moorpark” is not known, but several sources have been suggested. According to Wikipedia:

“…most sources agree that its origin was Admiral Lord Anson’s estate Moor Park in Hertfordshire where he introduced the apricot in 1688.It is mainly believed that the city of Moorpark is named after the Moorpark Apricot, which used to grow in the area. This was confirmed by Robert Poindexter, the founder of Moorpark, in 1927. One other theory of the name is that when the Southern Pacific Railroad was surveying the local land in the 1800s for its railway, someone in the party said that the area, with its sloping hills, looked like the Scottish Moors. Hence the name Moorpark.”

The region has a mild, year-round Mediterranean Climate or Dry-Summer Subtropical Zone Climate, with warm, sunny, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. August is typically the warmest month, with December being the coolest. Vegetation is typical of Mediterranean environments, with chaparral and grasses on the hillsides and numerous western valley oaks. Its’ elevation ranges from about 500 feet (in the valley), to over 900 feet (in the foot hills).

It is because of Moorpark’ combination of Mediterranean Climate, elevation, and slightly cooler temperatures than the surrounding areas, that affords unique landscaping opportunities.

As part of Southern California, Moorpark enjoys year-round sunshine, with the rainy season falling mainly during the winter and early spring months. Moorpark landscaping projects, therefore, should take into consideration both the abundance of sunshine, and the slightly cooler temperatures due to the ocean breezes coming up through the passes.

Select trees, shrubs, and flowers that will take advantage of this unique combination. Shade from trees will be welcomed in the summer months. However, remember that Moorpark is in a semi-arid region; so work with your landscaper to pick trees, and other vegetation, that will be both drought resistant and that won’t require a great deal of watering. Remember that saving water also saves you money.

Yes, palm trees, cactus, and yucca plants are planted in abundance throughout this area, but there are numerous other examples of indigenous, and hardy, plants that will also work for any Moorpark landscaping project.

Both flower and vegetable gardens also make for popular landscaping projects throughout Moorpark and surrounding communities. Both types of gardens can even be found integrated into larger landscaping themes, adding a colorful and personal touch to everything from patios and gazebos, to waterfalls and pool/spa combinations.
Because of the mild, sunny weather most of the year, you’ll want to consider outdoor entertaining. Patios, backyard BBQ’s, spas, and pools, are all to be considered when drawing up your landscaping plans.

The wide variety of unique designs in patio, pools and spas, and water treatments, along with the extensive use of rock and masonry can add either a subtle, or dramatic, flair to any outdoor setting. Moorpark landscaping designs often enhance the natural environment by utilizing stone or textured concrete on both decks and walkways to create simple, yet beautiful outdoor entertainment areas.

Covered patios and gazebos offer useful and decorative method of enhancing the landscaping of many Moorpark homes. Patios can be enhanced with decorative stone; some of which can be capped off with flat stone or faux-stone and turned into unique seating areas for guests. Likewise, concrete floors and walkways can be made over with the use of stamped, or textured, concrete that can be color-matched to accent the theme of almost any exterior décor.

Moorpark landscaping should also take into consideration the use of walls and fence lines. Instead of opting for the over-used chain-link, or slat, fence, consider masonry walls to bring out your personal flair with a rock or stone look. 
Hillside areas of Moorpark can take advantage of fruits trees. Apricot and peach trees abound in the area. These and other fruit trees can be used to add color to any backyard landscaping design.

If your plans go beyond anything that you are comfortable in completing yourself, you’ll want to seek the advice and expertise of a qualified landscaper. Choosing the right landscaper is the single most important part of any Moorpark landscaping project. Here are a few things to consider:

• How long has the landscaper been in business?
• Has the landscaper received any awards for their designs?
• How well does the landscaper understand your local area?
• Does the landscaper have any customer testimonials?
• Can the landscaper provide and photos and references?
• Is the landscaper certified through industry associations (such as the California Landscape Contractors Association)?
• Does the landscaper understand your vision for your home and yard?
• Does the landscaper employ qualified, professional workers?

Take the time to meet with the landscaper and discuss your ideas – including timeframes, costs, and expectations – before staring your landscaping project. In the long run, you’ll be glad you did.

The above are just a few ideas that people have implemented when undertaking a Moorpark landscaping project. The keys to success lie in being able to articulate your particular vision of a “dream house” to a qualified and professional landscaping company. Remember that your house can become the “envy of the neighborhood” with just a few simple landscaping improvements. You are limited only by the creativity of your imagination, and the experience and skill of a professional landscaping company.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/landscaping-articles/moorpark-landscaping-4475442.html

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This article mentions three programs that fall within my budget. http://www.homecurbappeal.com/three-of-the-best-landscape-landscaping-design-software-programs/

I don’t know which software to choose. Help please! 1, 2 or 3? Any other suggestions?
Thanks!

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