If we’ve learned anything from being in the landscaping business for nearly two decades, it’s that everything is always changing. That concept, though a bit scary, has kept our business constantly adapting, always searching for new solutions, and evolving consistently throughout the years – a process that we’ve loved from the very beginning.
In the 20 years that we’ve been proudly and fortunately serving the Tampa Bay area, Landcrafters has learned a thing or two – from the tried-and-true, never-going-out-of-style staples to the newest, latest and greatest fads in the industry, we’ve consistently kept ourselves abreast and on top of everything that’s happening in our landscaping world.
Like we said, it’s constant change – something we can’t get enough of.
There are a few things, however, that stay the same.
These things always ring true, and after 20 years of living and learning, we’ve decided to share them with the clients we appreciate and respect more than anything.
Check out a few of our favorite lessons and insights we’ve picked up over the years and get a better idea of how we’ve learned to stay on top of the constantly evolving industry.
Florida is Florida, and That’s Okay
Yeah, yeah, we know – this is an obvious one, but it’s a lesson people learn every day, over and over, when dealing with landscaping issues in Florida. It clearly didn’t take us a long time to determine Florida is a tropical, humid paradise (anyone who has been in the state for more than ten minuets can tell you that), but it did take us a bit to hammer out all of our tried-and-true Florida methods.
We learned what works here and what simply doesn’t no matter how hard we try; we learned how to care for plants in drought and how to avoid drowning our fauna during heavy rain seasons; we learned how to prepare our plants for hurricane seasons and which plants to cross of our lists to avoid the hassle of hurricane prep altogether.
In other words, we’ve learned the demands of Florida’s weather and climate inside and out to best understand what works here and what never will. We know Florida, and we know Florida landscape.
Native Plants are a Win-Win
This goes for most areas, but especially for our gloriously humid and tough-to-grow-most-plants home state. When it comes to planting in Florida areas, sticking with the native plants are always a great option.
Native plants are hardy, durable, and tough. But more than that, native plants are reliable. They won’t fall victim to pests, infestations, or diseases – they’ve got thicker skin than that. Choosing the right native plants can make all the difference for Florida properties. They need less water (once established), they need less care overall (again, once established), and they’re (most of the time) instrumental in helping you create a wildlife garden of seeds, fruits, and nuts that the local critters will thank you for.
In other words, native plants are a durable choice that help make the ecological world go ‘round, and most of the time, they look pretty dang good doing it.
Spicing it Up Pretty Much Always Pans Out
We’re traditionalists at heart, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t adapted to new, exciting, and unique variations and trends. While our Landcrafters ethics and morals will always stay true to the heart of what we believe (like how hard work always pays off and that focusing on our clients’ needs is the key to success), we’ve allowed ourselves to adapt to the ways of the future, and often that’s included spicing up varietals.
The plant world is constantly evolving, and there are millions of options available to consumers this day in age. We have our tried and trues we can always rely on (that’s a direct call-out to you, native plants), we know that spicing it up with new varieties, or at least being open to these options, can sometimes knock traditional issues right out of the park.
In our experience, spicing up varietals and being open minded about the newest, brightest, and best can make our clients happy, and in the end, that’s what we’re looking to do.
Technology is the Way of the Future and We Welcome More of It
From software advancements to smart irrigation to predictive programs that can help you best understand how your landscaping will look in the long run, the new technology in the industry is drastically changing the game.
And you know what? We can’t get enough of it. Embracing new technology with open arms has been one of the keys in keeping us on top of our industry and what keeps us in touch with our customers wants and needs. As technology grows, we must grow with it – a lesson we’ve learned throughout our 20 years, and one we think we’ve been successfully embracing.
Everything is Always Changing, and We Need to Change with It
Like we said, the only constant in the landscaping business is that everything is always changing, and at Landcrafters, we’re more than happy to grow, adapt, and change with it. One of the best ways we can do that is stay up to date on the latest technologies, regularly attend industry conferences, and keep ourselves invested in landscaping workshops.
Doing all of these things helps us come back refreshed, more inspired, and more prepared than ever to bring you the landscape you’ve been dreaming of.
Of course, there’s plenty more than just those few tips and tricks that we’ve learned in our 20 years of Landcrafters experience. The good news? We want to share it all with you! For more information, advice, tips and tricks, and inspirations, check out our Landcrafters blog. Rifle through our posts, get a better idea of what we’re all about, and let our Florida landscape love engulf you! Want to talk with us directly? We sure hope so. Give us a call at (727)-201-3947. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Cheryl Wethington
