Landscaping involves thoughtful processes that keep and maintain the beauty of the outdoor space you are hired to care for. Researching fertilizers and plants is just the beginning of the methods you will develop and use as an effective landscaper.
The main landscaping duties and responsibilities of a landscaper are:
- Applying Fertilizers
- Maintaining Landscape design features
- Removing Weeds/Dead Plants
- Water plants as needed
- Plants new flowers, trees, grass, hedges, and bushes
- Removing Pests
Main Landscaping Duties and Responsibilities for a Landscaper include; applying fertilizers, maintaining landscape design features, removing weeds/dead plants, watering plants as needed, planting new flowers, trees, grass, hedges, and bushes, and removing pests. All of these are just the beginning of what you can expect from fulfilling the job duties of a landscaper. Fertilizers should be researched to determine what will make plants thrive. To keep plants vibrant removing weeds and dead plants may seem basic, but this is an essential part of job duties to keep up the appearance of the lawn. It will also promote healthy plant growth.
A few other responsibilities that are much more essential than they would first appear to begin with watering the plants. Keeping plants properly watered is a delicate process. There should be an appropriate amount of water for certain types of plants based on the type of environment in which you are located. Planting new growth is another great way to keep the lawn looking good. You can plant in groupings, some plants thrive off being planted close to one another. Keeping the lawn free of pests also makes for a pleasant yard.
Applying Fertilizers
When applying fertilizer, the landscaper needs to be considerate of what plants he or she is applying the fertilizer to. Is the plant in question grass, a vegetable patch, or flowers, all of said plants require different nutrients and minerals. Also, the origins of the pants need to be considered. Take tulips for example, they are plants that prefer zones 7 and 8, which means they prefer well-draining, neutral to slightly acidic soil. To find slightly acidic soil look for fertilizer containing things like ammonium sulfate/ nitrate.
Some additional nutrients plants need that can be absorbed from fertilizer are Nitrogen, phosphorus, and Potassium. Nitrogen helps plants form their essential proteins which make the plant’s building blocks. Phosphorus assists the plant in storing and using energy. Potassium increases the overall quality of plants, so they can better withstand disease.
Timing is key when it comes to fertilizer is important. Fertilizing Spring through Fall is best because, after the cold months, your plants are the most in need of those essential nutrients. They have been in a sort of hibernation. Just be sure when handling fertilizer, to wear gloves.
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Maintaining Landscape Design Features
A client will probably have a non-plant decor on their lawns that will need maintenance. For example things like water features, and/or statues. Keeping those clean and working will be an essential part of your duties. This includes keeping walkways clear of debris and maintaining any installed lighting.
Removing Weeds/Dead Plants
Dead plants and weeds are unsightly and should be removed. Also, weeds absorb the nutrients from the soil and water which could be used by the other plants deliberately added to the lawn. They also take up space. Some weeds can even be parasitic, feeding off healthy plants directly. They sometimes grow on other plants.
By removing weeds and any dead plant material you are promoting a healthy, beautiful lawn. Removing dead plants also promotes the future and healthy growth of the still-living parts of the plants. It also makes room for more new plants. As a landscaper, you may also find yourself using a chainsaw to cut trees down to size. You could also be trimming bushes with shears or cutting back overgrown vines.
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Water Plants as Needed
Watering plants as needed is important, because just as with fertilizer, how much water you use depends on the plant. For example, if you water an Aloe Vera plant a lot it will die from root rot. Whereas plants like Irises, Ferns, and Cauliflower need a lot of water. How much water they get is dependent on the environment this plant evolved.
One way of keeping plants that need a lot of water is mulch, compost, and bark. These additives put on top of the soil will reduce evaporation. How the watering is done is important too, try to water close to the roots to make it easier for the plants to grab a hold of.
Avoid watering plants during the hottest parts of the day. This is because a lot of that water will evaporate and not get a chance to be absorbed by the plant. Also, it is more effective to water your plants slowly.
Planting new flowers, trees, grass, hedges, and bushes
When choosing plants for landscaping first you must decide what is the desired look your client wants to go for. Do they want a modern look, a desert look, a rock garden, there are a lot of options. A desert look going with cacti would be a safe bet. For a more modern look sleek simple plants will contribute to the vibe.
Also, based on the choice of plants, hedges, and bushes, the level of maintenance that will need to be performed will be set. How much trimming does a bush require to keep looking neat? As you can tell the choice of plants is very important because it goes hand in hand with the other duties set for you, but at the end of the day, your client will probably be doing most of the plant choices.
So, to ensure all the plants thrive make sure before planting check the soil before you get started, the type of soil you have may not be suited for certain types of plants. You may want to invest in some good fertilizer before you get to work so the plants can settle comfortably into their new home. Also, make sure when planting you properly prep the hole for the new plant that way the plant can firmly settle in.
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Removing Pests
As it is commonly known, with plants you get bugs. Landscapers are also responsible for keeping bugs and critters at bay. This is because those bugs may eat the vegetation or bother the humans who would be using the outdoor space.
Getting rid of unwanted guests may include knocking down hornet’s nests or trapping snakes. Making sure to dispose of the critters humanely should be kept in mind with this step. Also, if you encounter poisonous bugs, snake’s excreta practice caution, and use gloves.
There are many things you can concentrate on as a landscaper, the above are only a few of those. One of those tasks involves installing new plants in the garden. Choosing appropriate plants is essential, it will directly impact the work needed to maintain the garden. It also will of course impact your client’s satisfaction with their lawn. Also, the plants chosen will decide how much and how often you will have to water the plants to keep them perky.
Some of the additional responsibilities of a landscaper are removing dead plants and weeds. Keeping the lawn free of dead materials and pesky weeds will give additional space for the plants that are desired and allow for more space for healthy plants to flourish. Maintaining non-organic design features is also a part of the job. Some such things may be fixing lights and sometimes maybe even repairing a sprinkler system. Applying fertilizer is another part of the job description, keeping those plants looking fresh. You also may have to chase off any pests that may harm any plants or people who enjoy the outdoor space.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should a sprinkler system be installed in the yard?
This depends on what type of yard the client desires. If they have grass, or other plants which are not drought resistant and need regular watering. The best way to go about watering a yard would be to water two times a day. If this is not achievable manually, then you may want to install an irrigation system. Sprinklers get the widest areas; however, a drip irrigation system is efficient and direct.
Do I have to grow grass to have a nice outdoor space?
No, actually along the west coast, it is encouraged to instead have drought-tolerant plants in your yard. They are usually filled with things such as succulents, and cacti, or sometimes they opt for a rock garden instead. However, your yard is your yard, don’t be afraid to think out of the box, but at the same time do it how you want it.
What are Hardscaping and Softscaping?
Hardscaping and Softscaping are two words that get tossed around in the landscaping field. Hardscaping is working with stones, wood, decks, lighting, and the parts of the lawn that don’t involve plants. Softscaping is all about planting and molding the ground into a productive space for those plants.
To learn more on how you can start your own landscaping business, check out my startup documents here.
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Meet Shawn Chun: Entrepreneur and Landscape Business Fan.
I’m a happy individual who happens to be an entrepreneur. I have owned several types of businesses in my life from a coffee shop to an import and export business to an online review business plus a few more and now I create online resources for those interested in starting new ventures. It’s demanding work but I love it. I do it for those passionate about their business and their goals. That’s why when I meet a landscape business owner at a job site, driving down the road or anywhere else I see myself. I know how hard the struggle is to retain clients, find good employees and keep the business growing all while trying to stay competitive.
That’s why I created Landscaping Business Boss: I want to help landscape business owners like you build a thriving business that brings you endless joy and supports your ideal lifestyle.