Jean 's Blog

44 for the 44th

Jean Stevenson (Lawn Leaders Inc) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 06:29:46 -0600

I went to an Obama “Change is Coming” house meeting this weekend. Across the county, 4600 similar events were held, with over ½ million people planning to participate.

The obvious goal is to keep the grassroots movement that got Barak Obama elected going but the emphasis of the meeting was on how local communities of people can prioritize and work together on solutions to local issues. Key was implementing a community service project for the MLK holiday weekend leading up to the inauguration. Our group agreed to do 44 for the 44^th (President) and to reach out to spread the idea and share projects.

Some ideas are gathering 44 cans of food for the food pantry, donating 44 hours with a charity this holiday season, a donation of $44 or .44 cents to Pennies for Peace, tutoring a teen for 44 sessions, spending 44 minutes with a shut-in, I am sure there are many more.

I think that real change can be made if the majority of Americans will continue toiling at the grassroots level to make sure we continue to enjoy true government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

“Sure-2-Grow” Lawn Installation Package

Jean Stevenson (Lawn Leaders Inc) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:57:18 -0500

Lawn Leaders Inc. is proud to introduce its new “Sure-2-Grow” Lawn Installation Package. Lawn Leaders Inc has combined the installation of customized blends of turf grass seed with the rental of the proprietary Dripper Temporary Sprinkler System to offer a low-cost lawn installation package that addresses a range of turf care challenges.

If done correctly, seeded lawns provide superior long-term results, and, to insure germination, Lawn Leaders Inc developed a fully automatic, above-ground watering system that can be rented on a temporary basis.

The “Sure-2-Grow” Lawn Installation Package will save builders and busy homeowners’ time and money, not to mention the aggravation of moving a hose and sprinkler around. The Dripper Temporary Sprinkler System, which was developed as a short-term solution for watering newly installed sod or seed, can also be set-up in vegetable and perennial gardens.

Builders, looking to differentiate from the competition, may up-charge the “Sure-2-Grow” package as a builder-branded lawn installation package or tap into the Dripper brand. In addition to being Northwest Indiana’s exclusive distributor of the proprietary Dripper Temporary Sprinkler System and its “Sure-2-Grow” Lawn Installation Package, Lawn Leaders Inc. offers a full range of lawn and landscape services. For additional information call (219) 712-7847 or on online to www.lawnleaders.com

thanks for the invite...

Jean Stevenson (Lawn Leaders Inc) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:06:56 -0500

What a great idea. I am always interested in more perspective on the local market.

Want to inspire a nature lover?

Jean Stevenson (Lawn Leaders Inc) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:38:11 -0600

Want to help save the plants in your community?

Join Project Budburst and help monitor the natural areas in your community by recording and reporting the exact dates of when native plants bloom, when flowers peak and leaves unfurl.

Project BudBurst is ideal for teachers and students, families interested in participating in a science project, scouts and 4-H groups, gardening clubs, botanical gardens....anyone or any group with an interest in contributing to a socially and scientifically relevant research study.

The project is a national garden partnership that is trying to learn more about the characteristic of local climates so they will be able to better predict the long-term effects of climate changes on plants.

Last year children in Illinois under the age of 12 led the nation in participation. Enrollment information and a complete list of plants to monitor are at: http://www.budburst.org/

The baddest part of town has a whole new meaning…

Jean Stevenson (Lawn Leaders Inc) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 17:58:18 -0600

Greetings from Northern Illinois, where we have run out of salt to remove the ever-present snow and ice. Side roads are covered with 3" ice chunks, my back hurts from driving. Switching on the 4 wheel drive is pointless and it is impossible to drive without your teeth rattling in unison to the ice-lumps and potholes.

Who ever thought we'd be swapping updates about the progress of a Morton Salt barge that is stuck in an ice jam on the Illinois River?

Here is a picture of a typical intersection that I clipped from the Chicago Tribune for all the snowbirds tracking the weather back home.

Got Spring Fever ?

Jean Stevenson (Lawn Leaders Inc) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:54:39 -0600

If you live in the Midwest or are planning a trip to the area, plan to spend a day checking out the Chicago Botanic Gardens, north of Chicago.

http://www.chicagobotanic.org/

They have tons of events and shows for all age-groups. I have started taking classes with the intent of becoming certified by the University of Illinois as a Master Gardener. The classes geared towards professionals are led by business experts, with a real passion for plants, who are more than willing to share the "tricks-of-the-trade", for which I am very grateful.

The park is an oasis even in the winter! Run by the Chicago Horticultural Society, founded in 1890, the 23 gardens are spread out over 385 acres that opened to the public in 1972.

Marketing to families with little kids?

Jean Stevenson (Lawn Leaders Inc) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 10:19:09 -0600

Download our new coloring book aimed at little kids whose families are building a new home. Along with a box of crayons, it will keep the kids busy for about 15 minutes. My New Home Coloring Book, featuring "Dripper" the talking sprinkler head.

Lawn = Status.

Jean Stevenson (Lawn Leaders Inc) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:43:33 -0600

Understanding the powerful draw of a lawn helps us understand our customers.

As you will read, having the perfect lawn is a little bit history and a little bit of the cultural convergence of advertising.

1600's: Lawns become popular in Europe. It is thought that the associations with pasture and the biblical connotations of this word made them attractive culturally. Lawns were a symbol of wealth, as only wealthy people could afford the labor-intensive maintenance methods of scything and shearing.

1827: The Lawn Mower is invented by English engineer Edwin Beard Budding

1850: Europeans migrating to the US begin importing "Turfgrass" to feed livestock and to cultivate areas around their homes. Note: turf grass is not native to the U.S., even the origins of "Kentucky Bluegrass" can be traced to England.

1860: Mass production of lawn mowers begins. By 1862, there were eight models in various roller sizes up to 36 inches.

1871: The first US patent with the title "lawn sprinkler" is issued to J. Lessler of Buffalo, New York (#121949)

1900: Popularity of sports such as lawn tennis, croquet, cricket, football and rugby spark an interest in home lawns.

1920's: Ad Agencies proliferate. The marketing gurus at Toro, Scott, Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Wards begin advertising products that increase a persons "ability and desire to grown and tend lawn grasses" insisting that lawn-tending homeowners will be the envy of every neighbor.

1938: Legislation is passed creating the 40 hour work week, giving many Americans free-time on the weekend for the first time

1948: Housing Bill liberalizes lending, allowing anyone to buy a home with 5 percent down and extending mortgage terms to 30 years.

1950:Levittown and mass-produced housing triggers Suburbia and the quest for the perfect lawn. 17,447 new homes were built in Levittown between 1947 and 1951 and every single one was required to have a lawn.

1962: For the first time ever, an American University dedicates full-time resources to studying turf grass. Rutgers University in New Jersey still has one of the world's most extensive turf grass breeding programs

1976:Bill Veeck replaces the Astroturf at Comiskey Park, home of the Chicago White Sox, with sod.

1993: In a study of how people feel about suburban landscapes, residents said that people with a neat yard "cared about their neighborhood, environment and community".

Today: A NASA-sponsored study estimated the area covered by lawns in the U.S. to be about nearly 32 million acres making it that nation's largest irrigated crop. Estimates of the amount spent on professional lawn care services vary, but a Harris Survey put the total at $28.9 billion in 2002.

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Need to establish a new lawn or a short-term solution to irrigation? Consider the Dripper System, our above-ground, fully automatic irrigation solution. Visit us online at http://www.drippersystem.com/temporary_irrigation

Darn good strategic planning

Jean Stevenson (Lawn Leaders Inc) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:24:54 -0600

Keeping the rhetoric positive.....

Saturday: Win contest by big margin

Sunday: Get Caroline Kennedy endorsement - have it published in the N Y Times
www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/opinion/27kennedy.html

Monday: Get Teddy Kennedy endorsement, hang out with him and Caroline and get all sorts of good press

Tuesday: Attend & respond immediately with specifics to State of the Union address. Bonus: opponent hangs out in zero-value-state, gets questionable press
http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/f9f182fb9c8de5b0/lnYwnY/VEsE/

Wednesday: Get Jimmy Carter to say campaign is "extraordinary" and "titillating for me and my family" - have it published in the Wall Street Journal
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/carter-praises-obama/

I am sure it is calculated and deliberate. It's impressive and positive and I hope there is more coming. I will be updating my blog at http://dripperunderground.blogspot.com/

Increase property values with landscaping - Winter is the time for planning.

Jean Stevenson (Lawn Leaders Inc) — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 17:05:40 -0600

Landscaping is much more than a creative outlet and pretty plants, a good landscape design can add 20% to the value of a property. There have been many published reports stating landscaping is a good place to invest; that with proper planning and maintenance a property can expect a 100-200% return on investment.

It is common to spend 5-10% or more of a homes value on landscaping. Feedback from appraisers, builders, real estate agents, architects, landscapers, combined with research from magazines, the internet and libraries can provide new homeowners with tons of ideas and solid advice about how various projects will impact the value of their home.

"In a garden, everyone may be their own artist without apology or explanation" Or, should homeowners research trends and develop a plan that will result in the biggest return on their investment? It's a personal decision but here are some general tips:

Plan ahead for permanent hardscape areas such as patios, pathways, retaining walls, structures, fences, water features, etc. When combined, the total budget for these items should be in line with the value of the home. Plan to spend a total of 10%-15% of the homes value to realize a 20%-30% return.
Do-it-yourself and spread projects out over a few years. It will save in labor costs and it provides time for shopping around for good buying values on materials.
Use perennials that can be divided and replanted every year, doubling the initial investment annually. This will also help create a desired uniform look across the landscape, similar to using one paint color or type of flooring through-out a house.
Consider investing in solar lighting and portable planters, fire pits etc. The functionality is the same as built-in's and they can be packed up and moved to new a location, making the investment a permanent one.
Plant trees and bushes strategically to shield the home from the weather. This should save up to 25% in heating and cooling costs.
Use native plants. Initially, native plants will require the same level of care in installation and establishment as ornamental plants. Eventually, natives should become self-sustaining and not require much maintenance and, because they are adapted to a local region, they tend to resist damage from freezing, drought, common diseases, and herbivores.
Consider investing in a custom-fit temporary irrigation system. It will save $1000's over an installed underground system and eliminate annual costs for operating the system. Temporary irrigation systems are just as useful in helping a yard become established and in the long run, temporary irrigation may be all your yard needs to get through the hot, dry months.

Remember to talk to a tax advisor and maintain records of what is spent. Various landscaping projects are considered capitol improvements, which can be added to the cost basis of a home. When it comes time to sell, capital gains will be based on the difference between the sales price (less any selling expenses) minus the cost adjusted basis.

What can we do better?

Jean Stevenson (Lawn Leaders Inc) — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 07:48:09 -0500

We are a small landscaper based in Northwest Indiana. Our specialty in installing lawns and plantings for newly constructed homes and commercial developments. Our mission is to drive growth through the introduction of innovated services and products that fill unmet needs.

We developed "The Dripper", our proprietary temporary, above-ground sprinkler system at the request of a builder who was dreading the thought of having to water his models and specs every day. I've since realized that since we have started using it, our callbacks from homeowners with spotty lawn installations have gone down to zero. ZERO Calls!

I would love to hear some feedback from folks in the industry about their landscapers via this forum. What can we do better? What can we do differently? What new product or service would make your experiece better?