Mow-blow-go landscaping is something California is famous for. Companies hire Hispanics and run them through many residences in one day. The workers mow, edge, do a courtesy blow and go to the next site. Some are most likely illegals happy to get steady work.
Mow-blow-go
Mow-blow-go operations are common in the Lower Mainland as well. Some landscapers love the simple routine. They quickly mow the lawns and line trim the edges. After that they do a clean-up blow, pack up and move on to the next site. It isn’t anything super special. They are providing a service for busy home owners. As some people get older, they simply give up. I used to see a North Shore lawyer who early on wanted to have the best landscaping on his street. Eventually he lost interest as the seasons piled up. Then he started calling for help.
Machine dudes
I find that most, but not all, male landscapers prefer machine work to finesse work. That’s my personal observation after 18 seasons in landscape maintenance. Many females prefer finesse work which entails bed work and pruning. In Japan, for example, the sexes are clearly separated. You will see a group of women weeding and nearby a group of men will line edge and blow.
Total pro
Becoming a total landscape professional dictates that you must be able to do both machine and finesse work well. I have no doubt about that. We can’t have any discrimination. We are aiming for total proficiency.
A great alternative
This leads me to a great alternative I absolutely love: a residential client who doesn’t have any lawns to cut. This is a dream client. For example, one I know tells me that it was difficult to find help because most operators preferred the mow-blow-go style. They weren’t interested in weeding, pruning and cultivation. Too bad for them.
I consider this type of client beautiful. There is no need for loud machines other than a blower for courtesy clean-up blows. Detailed weeding suits me just fine. Pruning is also way more fun than mowing.
Some of the maintenance issues are:
- weeding, which is a great task to off-load on professional help
- pruning for sight lines, namely ornamental grasses which are programmed to spike out
- formal hedging to keep nicely sheared
- back patio clean-ups, because this is where guests are entertained
- periodic pine needle clean-up
Count your blessings
Having residential clients without lawn care needs is a blessing. If you don’t have any, try to find some. Consider trying something different from the usual mow-blow-go routine. It might surprise you.
