Green Industry Leaders Network

The green industry affords young entrepreneurs in landscape and tree care services, a great opportunity to run their own business. In an environment where there is often more demand for work than there are contractors to get it all done. Lawn & Landscape's newly released, 2019 State of the Industry report, says  business owners are once again confident about the industry overall. However with median revenues decreasing year over year, for the past 3 years, it's more more important than ever, for business owners to maximize their margins and profitability.This can be challenging for a skilled contractor who's trained in horticulture or arboriculture, to understand all the important aspects of business. Or looking down the road, trying to build a successful business that they can sell when they're ready to retire.So where do they turn for some sound advice to improve their business and get to the next level? Hiring a business consultant to help is a great option but that can be more than what a new business

Without a doubt, one of the most popular flowers, is the rose. Not only for sending to someone special but also to grow them in the landscape. And despite the common belief they can be being difficult to grow and maintain, today's roses are are bred to be hearty and low maintenance. The stunning flowers combined with their incredible fragrance, makes their popularity easy to understand. With over 150 species of roses and 1,000s of hybrids, there is definitely something out there to suit everyone's taste.With so many options, when it comes to selecting a new rose for your garden and landscape, it can be confusing figuring out which one would work best for you. One way to know which are the standsouts among the rest, is selecting one that performs well in rose trials. The Biltmore Rose Trials held each year in September, is one of the most prestigious rose events. Judges from all over, come to judge roses that have performed well, withstand the elements, while providing the most spectacular flowers.Joining us o

There are many great benefits of having trees growing in your landscape or on your property. Such as increasing the property value, providing shade on a hot summer day, privacy from the neighbors, or that seemingly endless harvest from fruit trees. While we enjoy all those benefits, there is one thing that home and property owners don't enjoy as much...the cost to maintain them.Tree maintenance and specifically, tree removal can be rather costly to have a certified professional come out and do the work. Understanding what to ask and working with a certified professional, can often get the results you desire at a fair price.On this treechat episode, master arborist, Tchukki Andersen of Tree Care Industry Association, explains why tree services can be expensive, offers insights on working with a certified professional and what you should be asking them before you hire them.  For more information about locating a certified arborist, visit their help site, treecaretips.org.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTTchukki Andersen a

If you are a regular listener of our podcast, or actively involved in the green industry, sustainability is a topic that comes up often. And why shouldn't it? Being sustainable is good for businesses, good for the planet and good for everyone.One of the best champions of this who, is often promoting this topic in the industry, is Warren Gorowitz, a regular guest on our podcast. He's recently made a big transition into the manufacturing world joining Hunter Industries, as their new director of corporate social responsibility. In his new role, he's expanding the sustainability platform to a broader corporate level and looking at how businesses can do their part to be socially responsible in their operations.Warren joins us on this #landscapechat episode to share a bit about making the move to corporate social responsibility and how he brings these two topics together. He also discusses Hunter's annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report, which listeners can download.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTWarren Gorowitz - Tw

Owning a landscape business can be a rewarding experience for an entrepreneur. These days there are plenty of great opportunities and quite often, more demand for work than business owners can handle. It's a great problem to have yet there are plenty of new landscape businesses that fail. While some established businesses stay busy, they struggle to make a profit from year to year.That's were Lawn & Landscape magazine's Turnaround Tour comes in. In its 3rd year, the Turnaround Tour helps 3 landscape companies turn their business around to be streamlined and more profitable. Owners open their books and expose every aspect of their business to in order to take the next step to become a better, more profitable business.At the center of the tour are business consultants, Bill Arman and Ed Laflamme of the Harvest Group, who join us on this #landscapechat episode and share some of their experiences since the tour began.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTSLawn & Landscape - Twitter, FacebookThe Harvest Group - Twitter, F

Sustainability as it relates to landscape is a topic we cover frequently on this podcast. We've learned over several episodes that the term is often confusing and as an industry, we've over complicated it. More importantly, how it's been communicated to home and property owners.Many of them think of a sustainable landscape as one that is cactus, concrete and rocks. But there are agencies like the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy in Salt Lake City, who are helping to change the way we look and think about our landscapes. It's a fundamental mind-shift to think of sacrificing our lush landscapes, and upgrading to one that is functional as well as beautiful to look at.Joining us on this #landscapechat episode is Cynthia Bee, who is the Outreach Coordinator at the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District. She is an experienced landscape design professional dedicated to teaching everyday homeowners how to create landscapes they'll love, which also fit the climate in which they live. She specializes in teaching lands

There are approximately 37 million people who face hunger in the U.S. — including more than 11 million children and over 5 million seniors. We might not think about it, but it's happening in every community, including yours. On this plantchat episode, we're focusing on how one person can make a tremendous impact on helping to feed those who are hungry, one garden at a time.What started off as a 9 year old's school project grew into a 40 pound cabbage that fed nearly 300 people, Katie Stagliano, now age 21, has established a national organization called Katie's Krops that teaches kids to garden and donate their food to local food banks and homeless shelters.Joining us on this episode is our guest, David Ellis of the American Horticultural Society (AHS), who asks Katie about some of the things she has accomplished, what she's learned along the way and where she's headed next.It's an inspiring message for all of us and it demonstrates how each of us can make a difference. Katie has been recognized for her achiev

Many gardeners think about planting in spring, when the weather starts to warm up. However when it comes to weather and temperatures, fall and spring are very similar. There are some big advantages to planting shrubs and trees in fall. As well as some important dos and don'ts regarding what you should be planting and activities to avoid in fall.On this #plantchat episode, we welcome back expert horticulturist, Stacey Hirvela with Proven Winners. She discusses why planting in fall is ideal since cooler temperatures will help with root growth and plant development, soil retains more moisture and how a thick lay of mulch will help protect new plants from freezing temperatures throughout winter. She also covers why you should put down your pruners and fertilizer this time of year.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTStacey Hirvela at Proven Winners - Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.CONNECT WITH USEnjoy this episode or have questions? We want to hear from you. Connect with Chris Sabbarese at Corona Tools on Twitter and our new G

Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer for many Americans, with kids being back in school, the football season kicks off, and the days are getting noticeably shorter. The fall season is a great time for planting trees and shrubs and planning how to provide a habitat to support birds, butterflies and other garden wildlife.Joining us on this #plantchat episode, podcast is David Mizejewski, a naturalist and television host with the National Wildlife Federation. He is an expert on restoring wildlife habitat by creating wildlife-friendly gardens.David works to promote the National Wildlife Federation’s Garden for Wildlife program, which encourages people to plant native plants, to garden naturally, and to certify their yards and gardens as wildlife habitats. He's the author of the award-winning how-to book, Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTSDavid Mizejewski for the National Wildlife Federation - visit his website to for upcoming appearances, books and co

What is something that flies and you can never have too much of? Time of course...It's true for everyone and something you will never get back. Effective time management can help ensure you make every minute count. Whether you are at the office, in your home life and everywhere in between, there are proven techniques and hacks to maximizing your time On this #landscapechat episode Kate Spirgen, editor at Greenhouse Management's Produce Growers and Garden Center magazines joins us to share some tips for being more efficient in the work place. CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTS Follow Kate at Greenhouse Management on Twitter and Facebook CONNECT WITH US Enjoy this episode or have questions? We want to hear from you. Connect with Chris Sabbarese at Corona Tools on Twitter and our new GILN Facebook Group. This closed group is like-minded individuals who care about and discuss, gardening and plants, trees and landscaping related topics.

On any given day, you can turn on the news, or come across an article mentioning something about the Earth's rising temperatures. The topic has certainly brought the subject of climate change to the forefront in many households. There is a growing trend where more and more Americans are concerned about the environment and want to be be more sustainable in their gardens. On this plantchat episode, guest Debra Knapke, or as many know her as The Garden Sage joins us to share ideas for making sustainability easy in the garden. She is passionate about gardening, sustainable garden design and the natural world. She enjoys sharing knowledge through her writing, public speaking, and garden consulting in the private and public sectors. Debra has also served on various local and national committees and boards, that focus on education, the environment, and sustainability. CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST Debra Knapke - Website, Blog CONNECT WITH US Enjoy this episode or have questions? We want to hear from you. Connect with Chris

If you want a preview of what will be in your local garden center in the coming seasons, a great way to do that is attending the Cultivate trade show. It's the largest horticultural trade show in the US, held in July. It's put on by American Hort and has approximately 10,000 attendees. This is also a time when garden center owners are thinking about what holiday plants and accessories to feature in their shops. Joining us on this #landscapechat episode is Kate Spirgen, editor at Greenhouse Management's Produce Growers and Garden Center magazines. CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTS Follow Kate at Greenhouse Management on Twitter and Facebook CONNECT WITH US Enjoy this episode or have questions? We want to hear from you. Connect with Chris Sabbarese at Corona Tools on Twitter and our new GILN Facebook Group. This closed group is like-minded individuals who care about and discuss, gardening and plants, trees and landscaping related topics.

More than likely you know someone who has said they have a black thumb and they can't grow anything. Maybe that's you. The good news is there is no such thing, however people can have a real fear of being responsible for another living thing, such as a plant. Along with the anxiety that it could possibly die or it's too much of a commitment. Regardless of what triggers the plant fear factor, expert horticulturist and marketing manager, Stacey Hirvela with Proven Winners, joins us on this episode to dispel these fears and offer so excellent solutions to overcome them. Included, the mind set that it's less about the plant and more about learning experiences, what to do with that plant you received as a gift that isn't really your taste and what to do with that plant that you've just grown tired of. Once you get past the plant fear factor, you'll begin to appreciate all that the experience provides such as reducing your stress level, adding a focal point in your garden or landscape, to the confidence boost when

For home and property owners, planting trees is an ideal way to anchor a well-designed landscape. Tress increase the property value, provide shade on a hot summer day and privacy from neighbors too. There are many reasons we invest time and money into planting trees, but what happens when things take a turn for the worse with your tree? When you seek help from a tree care professional, only to find out the reason is it was planted wrong from the start. On this episode, master arborist, Tchukki Andersen of Tree Care Industry Association, explains how professionals go about diagnosing this problem and discusses options for getting your prized tree back on healthy ground. Or helping a property owner to determine if it's beyond saving. For more information about proper planting techniques and best practices, visit their help site, treecaretips.org. CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST Tchukki Andersen at TCIA - the VoiceofTreecare, on Twitter and Facebook CONNECT WITH US Enjoy this episode or have questions? We want to hear

We all enjoy a beautiful outdoor space. Whether it's a public space, our own garden or a backyard oasis to entertain guests. There is a lot to appreciate about a well-designed garden or landscape. And regardless if you are a landscape professional or the do it yourself gardener, it's not always easy to put together a beautiful garden space that is an inviting and relaxing sanctuary from our busy lives. Joining us on this #plantchat episode is Jan Johnsen, author of Gardentopia - Design Basics for Creating Beautiful Outdoor Spaces. Jan and her husband, have operated a landscape-design build business for more than 30 years. She's studied landscape architecture at University of Hawaii and worked in Kenya, Japan, Hawaii, New Orleans, Vermont and New York. And authored several other garden books including; Heaven is a Garden - Designing Serene Outdoor Spaces for Inspiration and Reflection and The Spirit of Stone - Stonescaping Ideas for Your Garden. Her blog, Serenity in the Garden, offers tips, inspirational gar

Sustainability is a big word often used in our industry. Ask most anyone, and they will likely have an opinion or interpretation on what it means. It may sound like a complicated term and concept, but practicing sustainability can be something easy that we can all do, while having a tremendous impact on the world around us. As an industry, it can be simple things like a landscaper installing drip irrigation lines, using hand tools or other clean energy power tools, and using native plants that require less water to maintain. For a landscape business, being sustainable can translate to doing good is good business. And as individual, practicing and supporting sustainability, benefits everyone on the planet, and our planet itself. Our guest is Warren Gorowitz, vice president of sustainability, at Ewing Irrigation and Landscape Supply. Joining him is special guest, Judy Guido, a noted speaker on sustainability and through her work as an executive business coach, advisor, and consultant at Guido and Associates. Do

In today's busy and often rushed society, it's easy to become overstressed and overwhelmed in our day to day lives. There are many benefits to growing herbs, which can help relive stress and anxiety that so many of us struggle with. Whether it's enjoying a relaxing cup of chamomile tea, a meal prepared with generous amounts of herbs that's flavorful without the need for excessive salt, or spending time in the garden growing and tending to fresh herbs. Joining us on this #plantchat episode is Geri Laufer, also known as Garden Geri, an accomplished garden book author, public speaker, studied horticulturist, and host of #herbchat, a live weekly gathering on Twitter to discuss all things herb related. She's an authority on this topic and a wealth of information and insights. CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST Geri Laufer - Twitter and Instagram CONNECT WITH US Enjoy this episode or have questions? We want to hear from you. Connect with Chris Sabbarese at Corona Tools on Twitter and our new GILN Facebook Group. This closed g

For someone new to gardening, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to figure out where to start. There are so many product and plant options available and a wealth of information as well as misinformation online. If there is a way to provide someone with all the skills and knowledge they need to garden successfully, along with all the plants and materials, odds are good, you would have a recipe for success for the novice garden. That's where the new start-up and urban Chicago based, City Grange, has stepped to serve the local communities. Forbes Online covered the City Grange grand opening and wrote, "it is unlike any other garden center, yes they have plants but it’s the environment it is creating, that makes this place more exciting..." It's the flagship location and first of its kind, a garden center, education center and social enterprise all rolled into one. City Grange is owned by LaManda Joy, a local resident who founded the Peterson Garden Project, a victory garden in the Chicago community,

When reading emails or scrolling through news feeds, It's hard to pass up a good list of what's hot or top reasons for doing something. So why not discuss what are the hottest trends in plants? Well, plants in and of themselves aren't trendsetters. And it's difficult if not down right impossible to produce plants to match what's hot in our society. Suffice it to say, when it comes to plants, having the latest colors that might allow you coordinate your landscape with the color of the year, isn't likely to happen. Plant breeders can however, spot changes in our society and promote their plants in a way that meets the needs of gardeners, property owners and the landscape professional. Our guest on this #plantchat podcast is Stacey Hirvela of Proven Winners. She explains that while plants may never be trend setters, many breeders have the ability to meet current trends, simply by how they promote their plants. Whether it's marketing a popular plant that may not grow well outside in a particular zone, but could

Every spring there is an industry event that takes place in California called the California Spring Trials, aka CAST, for short. It's an event where all the big plant breeders come, to present the new plant introductions for the coming year. All the latest and greatest plants that have taken years of breeding and trialed in gardens across the country. It's probably the equivalent of a New York fashion show only the plants are center stage, rather than models. Joining us on this #landscapechat episode is Kate Spirgen, newly promoted editor at Greenhouse Management's Produce Growers and Garden Center magazines. CAST is an event that relatively few attend, but it has significant impact for those of us in the landscape industry. If you want to know what will be available and learn about new plant varieties, CAST is the place to be. Check out Greenhouse Management's behind the scenes and see some of some of the fascinating new plants. CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTS Follow Kate at Greenhouse Management on Twitter and Fac