Why We Need More Landscape Contractors

The landscaping industry is booming. While other industries are cutting jobs, landscaping has huge gaps that need to be filled with skilled workers. Beautiful outdoor spaces matter to homeowners and businesses. Without reliable, quality landscaping companies, those beautiful spaces are neglected and jobs go unfulfilled. Many young people hesitate to explore these opportunities, leaving gaps in the workforce.

I've been wanting to write this for a while and now feels more urgent than ever. I strongly believe after 27 years landscaping that entering the landscaping industry can be a rewarding choice, especially for young people, and that includes the chance to start and run their own landscaping company.

This is the fun part!

The Growing Need for Quality Landscaping Services

The demand for landscaping services is increasing. Employment for landscaping and groundskeeping workers is growing faster than the average of other occupations. More homeowners are investing in their landscaping because it adds value to their properties and helps protect from drought and wildfire, real concerns at this time. On the commercial side, landscape maintenance is essential on the grounds of companies, business parks, campuses, parking lots and beyond. Sounds boring? Consider that the top grossing landscaping companies just servicing commercial properties have an annual revenue in the millions and some in the billions. Yep, no joke.

A business park that relies on regular landscaping service

The Benefits of a Career in Landscaping

Creativity and Personal Expression

A career in landscaping allows for substantial creativity. Landscape contractors design and bring unique outdoor spaces to life, reflecting their style and client preferences. The ability to shape the environment adds a personal touch that is very cool and fulfilling. Landscape maintenance service offers a year-round relationship with plants and trees and requires expert skills in irrigation (plumbing and electrical), lighting and many other issues that exist in the landscaping. Landscaping requires strong people skills because like in any business, it's about relationships and meeting the needs of your workers and clients.

Physical Activity and Outdoor Work

Whether you're a project manager or worker, landscaping involves physical labor and provides a perfect alternative to typical desk jobs. I knew landscaping was the work for me after a few desks jobs and then spending the day working outside. An early job was in the Stinson Beach area where we floated in a canoe during lunch and another where we built a vineyard for a start up. Coming home after a day at work outside managing jobs and people and butterflies felt like a dream, I was hooked and did the leg work to make the business side of things work for the long term.

Providing Jobs

There's a lot of talk about looking and landing a job but not much about who provides those jobs. Imagine a world where you're the employer and your staff relies on your company (that you started), year after year for their salary and livlihood. The job not only serves the individual worker, it serves the community they live and work in. Small businesses are the engines of the economy and we need more of them.

Show Me the Money

Starting a landscaping business can lead to significant financial rewards both in the residential side (where DtE has focused on) and commercial (where the big money's at). With relatively low startup costs, young people can launch a business focused on residential or commercial properties with a few tools, basic quickbooks knowledge and some sunscreen. New landscapers can build their brand locally with signs and on social media and attract a customer base by delivering quality services. My first clients were friends who owned homes and believed in our services. It was as simple as that.

DtE in the early days designed and built a labyrinth from recycled materials

Skills and Training Needed

While the landscaping business offers many opportunities, acquiring specific skills is essential. If you're new to landscaping, you should consider focusing on the following areas:

• Horticulture: Knowledge of plant species, soil composition and sustainable gardening practices, as well as sub categories like drought tolerant and deer resistant plantings and wildfire prevention are important to know about.

  
  

• Irrigation and Lighting: Knowledge of efficient water design and repair and lighting is as essential as plants and soil. These often overlooked areas by lesser quality services create many avoidable problems in the landscaping.

• Design Principles: Familiarity with design concepts such as balance and harmony, as well as needs like screening and slopes, help landscapers create functional and beautiful outdoor spaces.

  
  

• Learning the Tech: Software and apps make up the majority of how the landscaping is managed from design, irrigation and lighting to business management. Having strong skills to not only fix problems in the field but also to set up and show clients how to use the tech is an essential part of the work.

  
  

• Business Management: Understanding financial management, marketing, being an employer and customer service is crucial for long-term success. I don't do this alone, I have a essential bookkeeper and accountant who I rely on so I don't have to try to do everything (which is impossible for one person to do!).

  
  

• Communicating in Spanish

  Spanish speakers are an essential part of the landscaping workforce. Company owners would be at a huge disadvantage if they are unable to communicate with many of the best candidates for the jobs needed.

  
  

Many community colleges and trade schools like Merritt College (Oakland) offer programs in landscaping and horticulture for a low cost, as well as online resources that teach the Spanish vocabulary essential for landscaping.

Overcoming Misconceptions

People often hesitate to consider landscaping due to common misconceptions.

It's Just Mowing Lawns

While many see landscaping as merely mowing lawns, it actually involves a variety of services including landscape design, installation, maintenance service, repairs, and hardscape construction. Offering to build fences, walls, pergolas and patios can set you apart from your competition. By understanding all the opportunities available in landscaping, new landscapers can approach the industry with a clear perspective.

It's Not a Real Job

Some people view landscaping as less legitimate than other careers, but the truth is that it is a skilled trade requiring expertise and a commitment to the constantly changing environment. I've always said that we're the general contractors of the outdoors, requiring skills in every aspect of the inside, only outside!

The Future of Landscaping

As the demand for landscape services continues to rise, the industry is evolving with new technologies and sustainable practices. The recent focus on wildfire prevention is expanding the discussion of the need for drought tolerant plants as the days warm and rainfall decreases. More homes and businesses are going with eco-friendly options like xeriscaping and using native plants to conserve water and reduce maintenance waste.

A beautiful landscape with sustainable features like native plants and efficient drip irrigation

The Path Forward

The landscaping industry offers opportunities for people that want to work outdoors and build their own company. With a growing demand for skilled workers and a chance to express creativity, it's a good time for landscaping!

Jesica