mark foster

Tosh, The “rock and a hard place” of small business is not only credit, the other is a tax policy which brutally punishes you if you try to save money.  As my accountant says every year: “head for zero”, meaning don’t have much money (“profit”) laying around to get taxed at 50-700%.  Most small profitable companies (yes, they do still exist) spe…[Read more]

Heather,
“Small business loan” is like bigfoot– a lot of people believe it is real, but no one has seen it..Your best bet is to go with the financing offered by the manufacturer (if new), or take it out on a credit card.  Good news–there are business credit cards with MUCH lower interest–still high but not outrageous.
 
A true story:
After m…[Read more]

Good article, Roland.  Mostly anecdotes, but it echos my perceptions–not fancy jobs, but jobs nonetheless..

Huh? Who said the economy has turned around?  I was just trying to answer your question…

Most new “green” jobs I see are not readily identifiable as distinct new trades/professions.  They are expanding markets for existing ones. 
 For instance, geothermal heating/cooling is really big here.  New firms are popping up daily, and there is a waiting list.  Traditional hvac companies have benefited from the demand for high-ef…[Read more]

Well said everyone. My two cents worth:
No two clients are the same, and every project relationship is different.  It’s part of what makes this profession so interesting (the psychology of this is a topic all it’s own)  Thanks for the concept of  “facilitator”.  It is very apropos–especially with clients who have strong opinions!    At every…[Read more]

I knew I used the font–I was talking about my hand lettering… easy there big fella.

There was another thread about hand lettering, and now this one.   I just discovered that not only do I use Papyrus often, my hand lettering even looks like it.  Forever un-cool will I be, young skywalkers. 
Here are a few I think we need to develop:
1.  “Carpenter Gothic”– best when used with a dull knife-sharpened carpenter’s pencil, works well…[Read more]

I don’t know a lot about “landscape urbanism”, but it sounds like Arendt’s “conservation planning”.   Are there substantive differences?

Steve,
It is in a public space.  Thanks for the links!
 
 

Great replies all,  Jason thanks for breaking it down– I’m actually relieved to be wrong on any or all of this.  Actually I do see plant selection getting better in the nurseries–I just don’t see it getting used.  (maybe just a time lag thing).  And your description of contractors–Ha!  I smell “The Money Pit” sequel coming..
Funny story about …[Read more]

I did not bring this up as a design build issue.  Of course I have found opportunity in it.  But I am still a landscape architect concerned with trends and the future of my profession.

jr,
You may want to look at Mike Lin’s first book.
Also this is kind of interesting:  http://aext.net/2009/08/20-awesome-handwriting-fonts-for-a-beautiful-design-you-should-not-miss/  Might give you a starting point.  
Point is to develop your own style– I do a lot of hand lettering (am D/B too), and I just evolved a lower/upper case style wh…[Read more]

Great questions Andrew.
What would you do differently tomorrow to move ahead in your career if there were no landscape architect registration?  Except for the feeling of accomplishment and a small marketing edge, registration amounts to nothing more than a minor annoyance and cost (15 ceu’s/yr).   But, I am D/B– I am sure it is more valua…[Read more]

Gotta love a site where pruning invokes such passion.  
So, who’s going to tell the Brits, French, and Dutch they are wrong (see pollard, coppice).  Maybe the church is Anglican or reformist…  Ha! 

So……. if the ordinance has been in place since 1978, and the church has been doing this every 3 years–why now?  I agree, the reporter should have given some history of “church vs. city” if there was one.  
I have also run into some little-known existing laws which are suddenly and vigorously enforced with no warning.  I think it is a good ex…[Read more]

Heather,
Your return email address is “do not reply” and my response bounced back.
Mark
 

Heather,
Your experience matches mine.  The economy is looking up–still soft, but hopeful.
 You will find most design builders to be a helpful lot, because most are geographically centered and don’t mind sharing with others a few cities or states away.
I am not trying to discourage you from the plant route.  I have a relationship with a couple of…[Read more]

I didn’t get my license until I began considering owning my own business.  I second the opinion–it may not seem important now, but may be later–and you don’t want to try and pass the test with a middle aged memory!!!

Heather,
Usually design and build, but sometimes just one or the other.  I am d/b and specialize in high end landscape construction, so I tend to get involved in projects which require a complicated mix of media and/or using mundane materials in odd ways (i.e  .I am designing a “steampunk” concept for an urban park design at present, for in…[Read more]