Short and Sweet

Short and Sweet

It’s incredible how powerful 2 words can be. 

Spring time is always a validation time for a seasonal landscape company.  With every renewal received, you the customer, answers our questions.  And we want to be the first to say Thank You, short and sweet.  Thank You for your business, and Thank You for your trust.

Did we meet your expectations last year?  Are we competitive?  Do we deliver on our promises? The list goes on and on.  It’s always good for a business owner to ask these questions, perhaps no better time than now, during the renewal period.  Things are fresh on your mind.  So with that, we have just 2 questions, short and sweet:

             Why did you initially decide to hire Green Valley?

             Why do you decide year after year to rehire Green Valley?

Your Opinion Counts! 

We wrote that on the back of our business cards this season.  I get it.  I am a consumer as well, you know, the quiet loyal one, maybe just like you. I don’t take the time to answer surveys, let alone post reviews on social media.  I don’t complain.  Just keep me happy and I will renew year after year.  Quietly.  No bellowing.  No reviews.

Isn’t it so unfortunate? It seems like only the angry ones take the time to bellow away on social media.  Wouldn’t it be great if at least some of the happy ones took that same effort?  What if you posted something positive on Social media, like Facebook, Google+, Yelp, to name a few.   Your service providers will be unbelievably humbled and grateful for your kind words.

So go ahead.  Post something online today.  Tell it Short and Sweet.  Your opinion really does count! 

Fine wine takes time

Fine wine takes time

It’s a safer approach for people, kids, pets, and the environment, so why aren’t lawn care purchasers requesting organic lawn care options?  There may be several reasons for this, but first we must understand the difference between an organic lawn care program and the more common program of today, the synthetic lawn care program.   Organic programs are designed to feed the soil; synthetic programs are merely there to feed the plants, almost at the expense of the soil. An organic program creates and feeds micro organisms (biology) in the soil which in turn supply food to the plant (grass) and create an environment where the plant can grow and thrive. A synthetic lawn care program uses manufactured products solely to feed the plant (grass), creating an environment whereby the grass increasingly becomes dependent on more synthetic products like fertilizer and pesticides for its survival.  The organic program relies heavily on what’s living in the soil; the synthetic program merely uses the soil to support the grass. So why not just change from a synthetic program to an organic program?

Here are 4 possible reasons why customers are not asking for this:

First, time, an organic lawn care program needs time to reverse the effects of a synthetic program, or poor soil conditions inherited from the not so “soil savvy” builder.  An organic program needs time to build up microbes in the soil, sometimes 1-4 years.  Today’s lawn care purchaser doesn’t have time, and they need instant gratification, problem #1.

Second, tolerance, an organic lawn care program preaches tolerance, acceptance of a few weeds, a few imperfections here and there, problem #2.  Lawn care purchasers are not tolerant, it’s a perfect culture, perfect rules, no one is advertising imperfect, everything must be perfect, gone are the days when the lawn was just a place where the kids played and that made it imperfect, today’s kids don’t play on the lawn, they are inside gaming on the TV or their mobile device, the lawn is now solely to show off the house, the whole package, curb appeal, the lawn must look pristine.

Third, a weed, an organic lawn care program doesn’t have an effective way to handle weeds, problem #3.  Lawn care purchasers of today don’t want to see any weed, that’s why they are a purchaser of lawn care. If they were ok with weeds, they wouldn’t be buying lawn care in the first place and the lawn would be what it would be.

 Fourth, cost, an organic lawn care program costs more than a synthetic lawn care program, this is not to say customers won’t pay more, but they do need to see results, they need to see value and it’s real hard to sell value when you can’t see microbial activity with the naked eye. Lawn care purchasers want to see what they are buying, namely green, they want to see dead weeds, they want to see holes in the lawn from core aeration, they want to see it day 1, and if they can’t see it, they are skeptical, they won’t buy.

A Solution is found

As a local lawn care provider, we have tried and failed to get past these fundamental problems, until today.  We are pleased to announce that this season we will be offering a new Premium Lawn Care Program which answers “why” no one is asking for an organic lawn care program.  We are offering a program which by design eliminates a percentage of those synthetic products and replaces them with organic products, thus creating a “hybrid” program.  For the first time, we are offering a program that has been tested and has had great results at residential, commercial, sports fields, and golf courses alike. 

We truly believe this is a cutting edge Premium Program, a plan that will position our customer’s lawns way ahead of the curve toward a soil healthy, pet friendly, kid friendly, eco-safe lawn and garden.  A Premium Program that delivers a lush green, weed & grub free lawn you demand, plus it’s safer for people, pets, and watersheds. Day 1!

Compare the value of this Premium Plan, versus your tired old synthetic plan.  Compare the affordable price.  Compare the value.

Now is a great time to start the transition. Time goes by faster than you think.

The Uncertainty of a Professional Snow Shoveler

The Uncertainty of a Professional Snow Shoveler

Sometimes you work during the day, sometimes at night,

Sometimes you work a lot of hours, sometimes only a few,

Sometimes you wake up to find more snow than predicted, sometimes less,

Sometimes you even wake up to find no snow,

Sometimes you can to push the snow, sometimes you need to scoop it,

Sometimes it’s light and fluffy; sometimes it’s wet cement,

Sometimes it’s nice and warm; sometimes it’s brutally cold,

Sometimes it’s still snowing while you work; sometimes it’s sleeting or raining,

Sometimes the shovel just breaks,

Sometimes you are dressed just right, sometimes you are not, thank god for layers,

Sometimes you need to do a lot of extra shoveling, because that someone left cars in the driveway,

Sometimes the next day is full of a lot of hurt, sometimes it’s not,

Sometimes you hit a mailbox and it breaks,

Sometimes you watch the forecast and see all the snow is going to New England, and you say but what about us, sometimes you say, please god, not us,

Sometimes you have something else to do, but instead, you now need to shovel,

Sometimes the dog comes out to play with you, sometimes it comes out to bark at you,

Sometimes your fellow shoveler talks too much, sometimes nothing at all,

Sometimes you eat all you food before lunchtime,

Sometimes people flag you down because they too need a shoveler, sometimes you show up to find the shoveling has already been done,

Sometimes you slip on the ice, ouch,

Sometimes you feel like you are the only person outside,

Sometimes it’s eerily quiet, sometimes the wind howls loudly,

Sometimes the moon is very bright, sometimes it’s pitch black darkness,

Sometimes the township plow guy piles all the snow at the entrance to the driveway, that’s a bummer or worse yet, plows all the snow along the city sidewalk that still needs to be shoveled,

Sometimes it’s just a great few hours of exercise, and a sense of accomplishment, sometimes you say that’s it, no more shoveling for me,

Sometimes you can’t wait for the next storm, sometimes spring just can’t come soon enough.

Three Easy & Eco Friendly Tips For Your Lawn

Most people want to have beautiful lush green grass both in their front and back yards. The problem is that it takes a lot of time and a lot of effort. There are many things that can go wrong if the proper care is not given to it.

Below, you will find easy and eco-friendly lawn maintenance tips for the best looking grass.

Maintenance Tip #1: Inspect the Quality and the Condition of the Grass on a Regular Basis
By doing so, any diseases or other problems will be identified early enough so that they can be treated and the grass can be saved. That means taking a walk around the grounds every couple of weeks or simply keep your eyes on the the grass when trimming to spot any problems. The inspections should go on throughout the spring, summer and the fall.

Drought, weeds and pests can destroy the lawn, but the routine inspections can eliminate or at least reduce their impact. This is true even with the most damaging of insects that can infest a lawn which is known as the Japanese Beetle. The beetle goes through different stages before it matures but its grub stage is the one that inflicts damage to the grass. These white grubs can take a severe toll on the it if it isn’t healthy and well maintained.

Therefore, with seasonal fertilization and proper care, a stronger and healthier root system will develop which can withstand various problems, even those caused by the white grubs. It will also reduce the amount of weed growth as the strong root system won’t allow the room required for the weeds to thrive. However, avoid chemical pesticides as these are unhealthy to people, pets, wildlife and the environment as a whole. Even with environmentally friendly methods one can still have an exceptional lawn.

Maintenance Tip #2: Water the Lawn Only When Necessary
Before turning on the sprinkler system, make sure that mother nature hasn’t provided that drink naturally. This will result in less stress to the environment without wasting our precious water. If the blades are cut to the perfect height for the particular season, it can save water. For instance, in the hot summer months, the mower should be lifted to allow for longer blades, which will avoid drying out the roots and thus reduces the need for watering.

Maintenance Tip #3: Trim the Grass Before it Gets Too Long, But Do So with Sharp Blades
Dull blades can cause disease that will ultimately spread throughout the entire lawn, resulting in severe damage. Let the short trimmings fall into the ground so that they can decompose naturally and provide the lawn with more nutrients. This is good for the environment as well!

http://www.mommymatter.com/easy-and-eco-friendly-lawn-maintenance-tips/

Find Green Valley Anywhere!

On Facebook...

http://facebook.com/gvalleylandscape

On Twitter...

http://twitter.com/GValleyLand

On Google...

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=landscaping+skillman+nj&fb=1&gl=us&hq=landscaping&hnear=Skillman,+NJ&cid=10068706648658474365

On Manta...

http://www.manta.com/c/mmdz2s0/green-valley-lawn-landscape-inc

On Yelp...

http://www.yelp.com/biz/green-valley-landscapes-skillman-2

On Linked In...

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=106931067&authType=OUT_OF_NETWORK&authToken=X-0x&locale=en_US&srchid=854d3a8d-f99d-404f-80a1-02a649f220a9-0&srchindex=1&srchtotal=1&pvs=ps&pohelp=&goback=%2Efps_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1_Green+Valley+Lawn+%26+Landscape%2C+Inc*3_*51_C_Y_*1_*1_*1_false_1_R_true_*1_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2

And Finally... Our Website! Learn all about Green Valley and the services we provide.

http://www.gvalleylandscapes.com/

Volunteer Work At the Montgomery Arboretum

The Professional Landcare Network is an international association serving lawn care professionals, exterior maintenance contractors, installation/design/build professionals, and interiorscapers. PLANET is the Association of members who create and maintain the QUALITY OF LIFE in communities across America. PLANET provides its members with a good business foundation to help them evaluate, plan, and better manage their companies. Member firms have direct access to marketing tools, industry specific business publications, updates on legislative issues, and networking opportunities that can assist them in becoming more profitable. (www.landcarenetwork.org)

On April 22, 2011– In celebration of Earth Day, Master Gardener and owner, Richard Mercurio, of Green Valley Lawn & Landscape Inc. has offered his own personal time as well as his staff to perform seasonal maintenance at the local town arboretum. In conjunction with the Professional Landcare Network’s [PLANET] Day of Service, Green Valley will donate the day of April 22 to the Arboretum. The newly maintained arboretum will bring a brightened area to the already beautiful park. By planting new trees, pruning existing ones and redefining the tree surroundings with mulch, the arboretum will be restored from the bad winter that had past and open the community into the new spring. With great pleasure Green Valley Landscapes has been servicing the Montgomery and Princeton Townships for the past 10 years, providing best in class landscape maintenance, lawn care, irrigation services and snow removal. Visit www.gvalleylandscapes.com to learn more about this A+ rated, Better Business Bureau accredited business.