Re: helping landscapers become plant people

**"* W* B* <c*@gardengate.net>**

Yes. True and we do that, of course, (I have learned a few things over  
my 45 years) but if the customer is not interested or receptive and  
does not want to be educated do you throw in the towel and loose the  
sale?

Of course not, we just put in the right plants anyway and they love  
it. Most of them don't care about the plant selection anyway so we are  
free to make it work.

On Jan 29, 2010, at 12:27 PM, jo ellen meyers sharp wrote:

> We can blame the customer, but it's a missed opportunity for us to
> educate him or her about what's in their landscape, how it can be
> improved and new plants. I do a lot of landscape installations in
> commercial and residential settinsg and I have yet to have a customer
> demand burning bush once they've seen an Itea, for instance.
> jems
>
>> Don't paint us all with the same brush. That is truly unfair and
>> definitely not accurate. You seem to be judging by a single event?
>> Those of us who are truly active in industry associations are doing
>> way more than you realize on all fronts. Don't throw stones at us
>> until you have all the facts.
>>
>> BTW money is the driver from the consumer. If we did it "perfect"  
>> most
>> all would not pay for it. They'd just find someone who will give them
>> a cheaper price and they honestly don't go a rat's paootie (technical
>> term) about the results. Cost is there motivator period.
>>
>> Been at this for 45 years. Scream at the consumer, they are in the
>> drivers seat and we have to figure out how to walk a line in order to
>> put food on our families table like everyone does.
>>
>> And BTW the green movement is stuck in neutral because the consumer
>> won't fund it, even when they believe in it. We offer organic
>> maintenance and have only a couple of takers since it costs more and
>> you don't get the results. The guy wants a green, weed free lawn
>> period. Don't blame me for what the customer wants and they don't  
>> want
>> to hear that they can't have it, especially the ones with enough  
>> money
>> to pay for services.
>>
>>
>>
>> Charles Bowers, President
>> Garden Gate Landscaping, Inc.
>> 821 Norwood Road
>> Silver Spring, MD 20905
>> Main: 301-924-4131
>> Direct: 301-924-8652
>> Fax: 301-570-3212
>> charlie@gardengate.net
>> www.gardengate.net
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jan 28, 2010, at 7:57 PM, clfornari@mail.com wrote:
>>
>>> Dear All,
>>> A flyer for a regional landscapers trade show and symposium has me
>>> pondering how to best contribute to the situation in a positive way.
>>> Please weigh in with your ideas and opinions:
>>> http://wholelifegardening.com/blog/
>>>
>>>
>>> thanks,
>>> C.L.
>>>
>>>
>>> www.gardenlady.com
>>> blog www.wholelifegardening.com
>>> "Looking for relaxation and inspiration? It's all in your own
>>> backyard"
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>
>
> -- 
> Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
> The Hoosier Gardener
> Director Garden Writers Association
> Writer * Editor * Speaker * Garden Consultant
> Co-author,The Indiana Gardener's Guide
> Editor, Indiana Living Green magazine
> P.O. Box 20310, Indianapolis, IN 46220
> E-mail: hoosiergardener@sbcglobal.net
> http://www.hoosiergardener.com
> http://www.IndianaLivingGreen.com
> E-mail: editor@IndianaLivingGreen.com
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> &quot;Gardenwriters on Gardening&quot; &lt;gwl-g@lists.ibiblio.org&gt;
>
> For GWL website and Wiki, go to
> http://www.ibiblio.org/gardenwriters

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