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One can never trust infomation on new varieties from anyone! This is because some of these varieties are less than 10 years old they have not even had a chance to be observed as a fully mature tree. Until then one can only speculate on the mature size and shape of the plant. It is a good place to observe new varieties that are beginning to show up…[Read more]

GIS is an incredibly powerful tool for large scale design and planning. I used it regularly at Colorado State University yet I would consider myself a novice because I’ve only scratched the surface of it’s capabilities.

Senior year I used ArchGIS to site a mid-mountain lodge for “resort design” class. With Arch GIS I was able to analyze slope,…[Read more]

Yes, the key is to define the scope and lock it up as tight as you can. Then it is easy to price. I often put a cover letter in saying that this is the scope that I think matches their needs, but I can revise it if they feel like they need more services included, which would change the bottom line. That will keep you in the mix much better than a…[Read more]

Thanks, Andrew. I was worrying about being able to estimate an appropriate amount of time in which to complete the work. Having it broken down like this puts it more into perspective…

Well I think I would try to attend some nursery trade shows like CENTS in Columbus, OH. This will enable you to see new varieties of plants that are entering the market. It will also give you a better idea of what is available. Just because you spec something in a design does not mean it is available for sale in the industry. So much of learning…[Read more]

Now I see what you are looking for. It is a flat price that they are after.

The trick to not getting screwed on a flat rate job is to define exactly what you are going to do for that flat rate and then to write very clearly that all things not specifically covered in the contract is an extra and will be billed as such.

I start every contract…[Read more]

Make sure you have liability and e&o insurance before submitting a proposal. If they are a reputable client, they will ask for proof of your insurance with a maximum liability coverage. Grading and vehicular issues will incur greater life/safety issues. Make sure you know your scope services and where the division of services between you and the…[Read more]

Why would you not charge what you normally charge?

I agree with Jonathan. Planting design theory is the place to start to be very effective in residential design. Understanding what you are doing with the plants to enhance experiences and aesthetics is going to affect the outcome of the project in much bigger ways than a plant list. Moreover, explaining why something that a homeowner wants does…[Read more]

In my (very brief) experience, the effectiveness of GIS has everything to do with project type/scope and the availability/accessibility of data. For planning it can be a great tool; for a strictly landscape architecture practice, the potential is there unless you’re simply too small a firm to chase the big municipal projects that large…[Read more]

My own experience has taught me that it’s more important to understand plant design theories, why combination look good together, than simply look for good plant combinations. Anyone can see that autumn joy sedum with fountain grass is a killer combo, but why?

Try reading books by Piet Oudolf. Subscribe to Garden Design, Fine Gardening and…[Read more]

Respectfully, I don’t see how people do not see that GIS has a great potential in LA work. It is an invaluable analysis tool. Maybe not so much for the Jone’s pool and patio, but I assumed we were thinking beyond that. However, it’s uses there are not overlooked. I am not a blind advocate of GIS. I can assure you, we use it on a daily basis for…[Read more]

Oh, I wanted to add that our attrition was a combination of retirements (which usually meant managment or upper levels), one new child (we do not allow part-time or remote-access employment), one firing (due to some unrevealed severe infraction), and people hired away into new jobs elsewhere (these were interesting to me since it meant some…[Read more]

Colin,
I don’t know where you live, but they probably have a county extension service in your area. Call them and talk to the hoticulturalist and ask them to send you some info. They usually have the latest plantlist that do well in the geographical area that you are working as well as any soil ammendments that you should be aware of. Also, don’t…[Read more]

If you’re working design / build your use of plants is often limited by what is available. For better or worse the use of common landscape plants is often very different than what you would use in a garden situation. To clarify landscape plants are your tried and true varieties that when used in the right places are more adaptable, more insect and…[Read more]

By the way, for those of you who may not know (I didn’t), Olmsted, the son of a Connecticut merchant, dropped out of college (supposedly due to sumac poisining) and his father bought him a farm on Staten Island in 1848. He had previously been employed as a seaman, merchant, and still as a journalist, which apperantly led to his 1850 trip to…[Read more]

I went thorugh a similar change a year or so ago. I had been doing planting plans, but found I needed to expand a little for the residential market. I try to get out to nurseries and botanic gardens to better my plant id skills and to keep things creative, but the biggest coordination item for me has been developing my xcel bid sheet to have a…[Read more]

I’ve been slowly reading Walks and Talks of an American Farmer in England, I skipped the “at sea” portion and I am only up to page 92., but it quite fascinating to hear Olmsted describe the English landscape as he first observes it and then knowing what he achieves later in his life. It is available in full view on Google Books.

How about a discussion on the history of our profession and its early pioneers. Ive been re-reading Design on the Land, so its a current interest.

I am in the public sector (community planner for a county) and we have had a hiring and wage freeze for two years. We might get a 2% increase for 2011. We have lost, through attrition, about 15% of our workforce (20% of our planners, including management). Our work assignments have shifted to more planning and fewer project reviews. So, the…[Read more]