Green Industry Professionals
Landscape contractors and construction companies, landscapers.
Landscape contractors (landscapers) and landscape construction companies supply a wide range of landscaping services - across-the-board or specialized support.
Landscape contractors (landscapers) and landscape construction companies possess a wide range of abilities and services (landscaping). Services range from:
- design of residential and commercial landscapes to
- installation and maintenance of landscapes.
Jobs may include :
- turf or lawns,
- trees and shrubs,
- ornamental gardens and
- hardscape installation.
Landscaper and landscaping are jargon terms often used to describe these individuals and their work. Green Industry is another relatively recent way to describe the trades that include these individuals' work. Their services may include:
- lawn, tree and garden care,
- landscape management,
- complete design-build-installation of landscapes,
- growing and retailing plants and even,
- interior plantscaping.
Unfortunately, as with landscape designers, standardization and consistency within the trade are almost nonexistent. Educational backgrounds and practical experiences vary from little and poor, to extensive and excellent. Anyone may, to the customer's disadvantage, advertise and work as a landscaper.
However, some individuals train extensively and well at:
- vocational schools,
- two-year degree- granting courses,
- professional certification programs, and
- 4-year college degree curricula.
They then keep up their education and training by attending local workshops and continuing education programs. Some companies encourage and compensate employees for continuing education.
Many companies as well as individuals also belong to professional organizations like:
- PLANET, the Professional Landcare Network, an association of green industry professionals,
- The American Nursery & Landscape Association, which calls itself the voice of the (American) horticulture industries and
- The Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association.
Such organizations offer ongoing education programs, certification series, and business courses that help and offer professional recognition. They also provide standardization, solidarity, and camaraderie while members strive for professional excellence.
Landscape contractors or construction workers may provide full, across-the-board service, or be specialized in one of several services such as installation and maintenance of:
- Turf and lawns;
- Trees and shrubs – Arboriculture;
- Flower gardens and specialized beds, borders and containers;
- Rock and brick features;
- Water features; and
- Excavation and grading.
These Green Industry individuals may work alone or form small local companies. They may also work for larger regional and national companies or educational and institutional grounds departments.
Landscape contractors and construction companies are good choices for homeowners or managers of small commercial properties who correctly know what they want in the way of a landscape design, installation, or construction. Project results usually finish in a better than average fashion when the customer is close at hand to answer questions, make suggestions, and supply opinions as inevitable construction difficulties and dilemmas arise.
Landscape Professionals - the first article in this series presents information on the different roles landscape architects and landscape designers play in creating landscapes; the third article describes landscape professionals who provide a multitude of services. The fourth and fifth articles look at how to choose the correct professional for a project, and how to find and hire a professional.
©Text and photograph by Georgene A. Bramlage January 2007. Reproduction without permission prohibited...
