EDITORIAL Use Industry Resources

Anyone who’s worked in the landscape industry for any length of time knows the enormity of the marketplace. Identified not only by its regional diversity, but by the sheer differences in company revenues and the number of people they employ.

The $52 billion industry is comprised of professional lawn and landscape contractors who toil countless hours to augment the value of property and to enhance the lives of the residential and commercial customers they serve.
 
Whether they're designing striking outdoor entertainment areas and yards for families or installing and maintaining beneficial curb appeal for commercial properties, the professionals who work in the landscape industry strive to improve our environment every day.

Like in any profession, you don’t jump from ground zero to a multi-million company overnight. But you can make the leap a lot faster by using the vast resources this industry has to offer.
 
From associations to distributors and dealers to county extension, resources are available to help you manage employees, test soil pH and keep your equipment running.
 
Because the editorial mission of Lawn & Landscape magazine is to help you grow your business, become more efficient and improve your profitability, we bring to you this month our annual Professional Resource Directory.
 
This comprehensive guide connects you with the suppliers, dealers, landscape architects, arborists, irrigation contractors, growers and service providers, who can partner with you to help solve your daily challenges, keep your customers happy and your cash flow steady and your profitability improving.
 
As a refresher, this directory is organized into three key areas. First you’ll find industry events, associations, university and regulatory agencies. In the middle are supplier listings to help you find new equipment, construction supplies, pesticides and business resources to tap into. In the back, you’ll find a state locator listing dealers, growers and service subcontractors near your business operations.
 
This directory is designed to be used over and over by you and your associates. Keep a copy of it handy so you can refer to it during your planning meetings, as you add another service offering for your customers, as you review industry events and meetings that provide valuable networking and continuing education credits and as you search for new and replacement equipment to keep your business functioning at optimum efficiency.
 
Monthly we put you in touch with contractors and service providers so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel every step you take. We hope you find this annual directory valuable to your business. Along with this print version, its online companion can be found at www.lawnandlandscape.com and is available to you 24/7.
 
We’ve strived to present you with everything you need in this resource directory. Write to us and let us know which sections you use the most, what else you would like to see and how we can continue to work with you to keep this amazing industry thriving and becoming more professional every step of the way.