Your most pressing questions about working in the landscape business answered. One of the most difficult aspects of transitioning from school to the real world is having realistic expectations. It’s understandably not that easy to know what the job market will be like when, as a student, you haven’t been part of it. You’ve worked hard [...]
Finding ways to stand out from the crowd is an ongoing effort. Standing out from the crowd — in a good way — is great for business. And sometimes the smallest efforts make all the difference when it comes to standing out. Fred Oskanian, owner of Terra Lawn Care Specialists in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, says that [...]
The importance of investing wisely after a financially successful snow season. Once a successful snow season has come and gone, Fred Oskanian, owner of Terra Lawn Care Specialists in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, says that allocating funds appropriately becomes of critical importance. Though the temptation might be there to immediately spend some of that cash, Oskanian says [...]
Though they’ve been around for a while in the professional turf and sports industry, Plant Growth Regulators (or PGRs) are now being considered more often for residential use. Simply put, PGRs are chemical substances that regulate the growth of plants—just as the name says. There are various products that have a range of purposes and there [...]
The outdoor appearance of your home goes a long way in adding value to your overall property. In fact, if you’re considering selling your home at some point in the future, the curb appeal factor can actually make—or break—your sale. Potential buyers desire a home that looks well-maintained and inviting and landscaping can make that happen. [...]
What is the best thing you can do to keep your lawn healthy and thriving? You may be surprised to learn the answer. Though it’s often an overlooked service, aeration is actually one of the most important things that you can do to get a lush green lawn. So, what exactly is this service and why [...]
The outdoor kitchen trend is one that’s here to stay. With the addition of an outdoor kitchen you can cook your meals and eat them all the while enjoying the beauty of your backyard. There’s no question that designed landscape spaces add value to your home and an outdoor kitchen is no exception. It’s a design [...]
As summer heats up, you may find yourself spending more time indoors with the relief of the air conditioner blasting. But if you’ve invested in an outdoor living area, the last thing you want to do is be stuck inside all day. One of the best ways to get more enjoyment out of your outdoor living [...]
Diseases that ticks and mosquitoes carry are both scary and real. If you’ve been paying attention to the news lately you may have noticed that there’s a new tick borne disease that’s getting a lot of press. POW, which stands for the Powassan Virus, is being called more dangerous—and more deadly—than Lyme Disease. But that’s one [...]
The walkways around your home go a long way in boosting curb appeal. Not only do they provide a functional purpose, but they also have the chance to really add aesthetic value. As guests pull up to your home, a front paver walkway is the very first impression that they have—and you want to make it [...]
Landscape lighting has a number of benefits that will help transform your Philadelphia area home. From aesthetic appeal to functionality, lighting up your front and back yards will go a long way in boosting curb appeal and helping you get more enjoyment out of your space. While a lot of homeowners might just think of landscape [...]
There’s nothing quite like a fire feature to add both ambiance and a “wow factor” to your backyard. Whether it’s roasting s’mores with the kids, getting cozy with a loved one or enjoying drinks with friends an family, a fire feature becomes a place where memories are made. Fire features also add practical value by throwing [...]
"Our focus is on getting people to join our team in the first place." Like so many others in the green industry, Fred Oskanian, owner of Terra Lawn Care Specialists in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, is about to enter busy season with less workers than he could really use. Unsurprisingly, he is challenged by finding good people. [...]
The trees and shrubs surrounding your home represent a growing investment that is worth protecting. We have a tree care program of scheduled inspections and treatments to help keep all of your ornamentals healthy and in top growing condition. There are literally hundreds of insects and diseases that can attack and infest your landscape. Our licensed [...]
Everyone wants to make their home a comfortable place for their family. However, your family desire for comfort also leads to a very comfortable environment for insects searching for their families too. Most insects gain access to your home through untreated openings that you don't even think about. Placing a treatment barrier around your home's perimeter can help protect your home against [...]
The trees and shrubs at your home are a growing investment which will increase the value of your home with each passing season if they are maintained properly. If they are not, they may fail to flourish and may decline in health due to lack of proper care and feeding. Caring for your trees and shrubs [...]
There are several types of white grubs that feed on the roots of turf. If they go untreated, all of them may decimate a lawn. These grubs live and feed in the soil and it's difficult to miss them since they slowly cut the roots out from under the lawn until brown patches appear and the [...]
It is a very widely accepted belief that you cannot have your cake and eat it too when it comes to seeding a lawn in the spring and applying a pre-emergent to prevent weed growth. You are either able to seed a lawn in the spring or you could apply a pre-emergent in the spring but you [...]
I often hear from potential customers that company XYZ will give them free lime with their lawn care program and this always bothers me because I know it is just a sales gimmick. The reality is that they might not need lime because their pH might be fine, if they do need their soil pH adjusted, it [...]
So many times I hear people say they will do their own fertilization and weed control for various reasons and many of them are valid. The one I love to hear is that they are very knowledgeable about turf care and weed control. This is a passion of theirs and they take a great amount of pride [...]
