How are Egyptian pyramids, Buckingham Palace, Desmond Tutu, and the New York Times connected to NHLA? The common thread among these landmarks, people, newspapers, and NHLA is Mike Barwell!

Mike, who is an NHLA Board Director and chair of the Education Committee, has a casual but fast-paced manner of speaking about his background and how he landed in New Hampshire, ultimately connected to our Association. In an hour and a half conversation, his multi-faceted litany of life experiences came across as taking place seamlessly, and they were shared in a lighthearted, humorous way.

How his background led to our organization is summed up in his own words, “I’m something like a border collie. You can understand this with the riddle: How many dogs does it take to change a light bulb?” Proceeding with humor and a bit of pantomime, he answers this riddle with examples, such as:
— The black lab will say he can do it, while running around asking if there’s food – and can I lick you?
— The Afghan answers with indignation – saying he doesn’t change lightbulbs. Someone else can do it, but I do enjoy good lighting.
— And finally there is the border collie, who is gleeful about the opportunity to change that light bulb. The border collie continues with a full paragraph, which

Barwell delivers with a huge smile: “I will change the bulb; I will see if any other bulbs should be changed. I will see if everything is ok with the fuse box downstairs; I could also check the wiring throughout the house. Then I’ll go to the neighbor’s house and do the same thing.”

As I heard about Mike’s pathway to NHLA, the border collie analogy became clearer and more accurate! He is a 1975 graduate of Gordon College, Wenham, MA, where he started out as an English major following a teacher track that would have led him to be a conventional high school English teacher. But that wasn’t his trajectory. He got involved with the school newspaper, and as I learned more about Mike, I understood how his education in English, training as a teacher, and experience with journalism, logically led to his various positions with daily, weekly, and regional papers. He refers to himself as representing “Gutenberg to Zuckerberg.” From linotype machines printing newspapers, to digital publications and social media, Mike’s career has kept up with all the communication changes along the way.

During one period of his career, he was the media guru for the Diocese of Southern Ohio, which was one of the many large-scale organizations under the Episcopal Church. It was during his tenure with the Diocese that he traveled extensively for national and international conventions, conferences, and symposia. On one such business trip to London, Barwell found himself interviewing the Archbishop of Canterbury and touring Buckingham Palace – parts of which were not on ordinary guided tourist routes.

On another business trip with this group, when he had gone up in the ranks and was in charge of newsrooms at the conventions (sometimes with 10,000 attendees), he had the good fortune to work with Desmond Tutu. His travels seemed limitless. One tale was about a trip to Moscow. Speaking casually, but excitedly, he described learning firsthand about the journalists there and their view of Western media as Communism collapsed in 1992.

When and where during these exciting travels – that other people dream about – did Mike come upon horticulture and landscaping? At one point, between positions and while living in Cincinnati, OH, he realized he’d always had an interest in landscapes. In his travels he was drawn to public parks, gardens, and pathways for walks and relaxation. So what did Barwell do then? He started a landscape business!

After completing a few projects, a very wealthy passerby frequenting the same neighborhood, complimented some of the gardens Mike designed and asked if he could do the same for his estate. What turned out to be a monumental project was accomplished (in Barwell’s words) using techniques implemented by ancient Egyptians. He built a series of nineteen stairs up a hillside by moving the stones with rollers (logs) tied and lugged up! (The project remains one of the highlights of his career, and it was the kindling for his work with the Stone Trust here in New England, where he was recently elected vice president. He will help the Stone Trust develop clear goals, Standard Operating Procedures, and more publicity for their outstanding work.)

After moving east, Mike worked as communications director at St. Paul’s School in Concord and later as media relations manager for Dartmouth Hitchcock. The move to New Hampshire enabled him to devote more time to what he was increasingly more curious about – plants and trees. After retiring from Dartmouth-Hitchcock in 2018, he decided not to “rust in retirement” and took some UNH Cooperative Extension courses, becoming a Master Gardener and a Natural Resources Steward.

Around this time he became an NHLA member and early on joined the Education Committee. With his journalism background and all of his experiences working with different cultures and backgrounds, it was a perfect “fit” – an opportunity to offer his expertise in organizational behavior, group retreat facilitation, and publicity/marketing efforts. His planning and streamlining skills have aided NHLA in its current efforts to increase membership and to bring the news to members in a digital format.

His leadership helped NHLA develop Safety Days, Field Days, and more evolved relationships with similar organizations. He was instrumental in reviving our Dinner Meetings and in re-energizing Landscape After Hours events (formerly Twilight Meetings). His resourcefulness connected us with appropriate presenters and brought new ideas to increase attendance at these events.

Mike has been pivotal in the new NHTI – NHLA collaborative effort that is developing a rigorous, short-term, affordable certificate program giving students an introduction to the Green Industry. Hardscapes, lighting, irrigation, and plants are all folded into the curriculum, which will bring long-term benefits to NHLA and the condition of landscapes throughout the state. The first certificate program debuts this spring, focusing on developing a culture of safety in the work-place.

It’s obvious that Mike’s expertise and passion have had a positive impact on the many groups and non-profits he’s collaborated with over his career, including NHLA.

Before closing out the interview with more details, however, Mike insisted on noting that the growth in NHLA is due to the work of the Board and the Education Committee. He was quick to describe the pride he has in the way NHLA Board members have established and outlined goals through honest, open-minded, and safe conversations at its meetings and yearly retreats. They have diligently pursued creative programming for business owners as well as with team and crew members working directly in the field. Many landscapers become managers, who may have a passion for plants, but not as much experience on the business side. By offering informative sessions on topics such as human resources, insurance, health and safety of employees, and accounting practices, members can attend the sessions that provide the professional expertise they need.

Mesmerized by his experiences and his open-minded approach to working with the Education Committee and the Board, it was tough to bring the conversation directly back to plants! His voice calmed down a bit when asked, “what’s your favorite plant?” A quick two-fold response was offered. Favorite plant – columbine. He gave a short and sweet description of columbine and the delicate nature of the blooms, and just as quickly added that he loves peonies. With both flowers, he related some sentimental stories of saving seeds from his grandmother’s garden. Those columbine seeds have been planted and grown in New York, Michigan, and Ohio at the many homes he and his family have lived in. He likes thinking they have provided new owners great joy when their blossoms open each spring. Peonies from his great grandmother’s gardens have also been a part of the Barwell family’s moves to other properties.

After the nostalgic stories dissipated, Mike smiled broadly and announced that he has a new venture. (Remember the Border Collie analogy? He just can’t be still!) It’s a garden care business relying primarily on word-of-mouth (“the best advertising anyone can have”) in his hometown of Contoocook – Tooky Gardens. His clients are interested in the estate-style gardening and plant choices he’s been fascinated with since creating his first garden as a ten-year old. We’ll see how many clients find themselves with new varieties of columbine or peonies in different colors alongside interesting companion plants, all displaying an elegant sophistication with which he hopes to pepper Tooky Garden properties.

NHLA is fortunate to have captured Mike Barwell’s energy and imagination. His efforts have helped the Association increase member benefits and, overall, have contributed to the health and safety of Green Industry businesses and their employees.

Introduce yourself to Mike when you see him at Dinner Meetings, Safety Days, or the big event, NHLA Field Day at the Belknap 4-H Fairgrounds (which is getting larger every year). Be prepared for a welcoming and invigorating conversation that may lead to new ideas and new programming.

The post The Winding Pathway to NHLA: An Interview with Mike Barwell appeared first on New Hampshire Landscape Association (NHLA).

March is when the energy in our industry really starts to build. The snowbanks are shrinking, the phones are starting to ring, and landscape companies across New Hampshire are preparing for another busy season. This time of year, always reminds me how important it is that we invest not just in equipment and schedules, but in our people and our industry’s future.

One of the most exciting developments this month is the launch of our first course in partnership with NHTI – Concord’s Community College. The program began on March 11 with Intro to Safety and Basic Equipment Use-Landscaping, giving new and emerging professionals a strong foundation in safety and equipment operation. This is exactly the kind of program our industry needs, practical hands-on training that prepares the next generation to step onto a jobsite with confidence. A tremendous amount of work has gone into bringing this course to life, and it is a big step forward for workforce development in New Hampshire’s landscape industry.

We are also looking ahead to one of the most valuable training opportunities of the year, NHLA Safety Day 2026 coming up at the end of the month. Safety Day is always a highlight because it brings crews, managers, and owners together to reinforce the practices that keep our teams safe and productive. As someone who works closely with field teams every day, I know that a strong safety culture does not happen by accident. It is built through training, communication, and leadership. This event helps set that tone for the entire season.

Behind the scenes, the NHLA Education Committee has been working incredibly hard to make all of this happen. From developing the NHTI course to organizing Safety Day and planning our popular After Hours networking events for the upcoming season, this group continues to move the industry forward. I am excited to share that the schedule for the After Hours events will be released soon. They are always a great way to connect with peers, share ideas, and strengthen the community that makes this association so special.

As we head into the season, I am proud of the momentum we are building together. When our members invest in education, safety, and relationships, the entire industry benefits. Here is to a strong start to the season and to continuing to raise the bar for landscaping in New Hampshire.

Andrew Pelkey
President, New Hampshire Landscape Association
President@NHLAonline.org
www.nhlaonline.org

The post President’s Notes March 2026 appeared first on New Hampshire Landscape Association (NHLA).

Medical professionals point to many reasons why we can become dehydrated during the cold winter months. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, we are 40% more likely to suffer ill effects from dehydration in the winter than in the summer. The main reasons for this include the fact that we are less likely to feel thirsty when it’s cold outside – the thirst response isn’t triggered like it is on hot summer days. Feeling less thirsty means it is important to remind yourself (and your coworkers) to take a water break and have water available in your truck or work vehicle. Additionally, with the many layers of clothing absorbing sweat, we don’t feel sweaty, so a thirst response isn’t triggered as when we’re aware of perspiring. With cold air unable to hold the moisture (compared to a hot humid summer day) our lungs loose water vapor with every breath.

Winter or summer, the negative effects of dehydration are the same. From a mild headache to aching muscles, fatigue, and even symptoms requiring medical attention, dehydration is something to always consider. No matter if you are tending to a lush green landscape in the summer or shoveling an icy sidewalk on a winter night, be mindful of the health benefits of drinking plenty of water while you’re working.

Considering other health and safety tips for landscape teams working in the winter months, we cannot ignore the more severe effects hypothermia can have on our bodies. The rigorous work required in winter can create a situation in which your body is losing heat through wind and the evaporation of sweat you produce doing physically demanding work. Loss of body heat will cause your temperature to drop, sometimes significantly, and as that body temperature drops, you will experience different phases of hypothermia. Mild symptoms vary, but people will be shivering or feel cold hands and feet. This is because your body is drawing the heat from your hands and feet to the core, protecting your torso and organs.

Stiff muscles are a more intense sensation of hypothermia, and you might write that off to being sore from the repetitive motions of shoveling and moving heavy ice and snow around. We’d hope that before hypothermia becomes any more severe, you’d help a colleague remove wet clothing (gloves first, for instance) and warm up in an indoor environment – the cab of your company vehicle would be the first go-to. Sipping water is beneficial. The tendency to drink hot liquids is one suggestion when trying to warm up and recover from the first uncomfortable stages of ill effects of the cold weather. But your body uses energy to cool down the hot liquid, and that energy is better spent on getting the blood circulating back into the arms, hands, legs, and feet. So make sure the victim is taking sips and not drinking a lot of warm or hot liquid at once. Just as we keep water on hand during the hot summer months, it should be available to all crews during the winter months as well.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of shivering or are encouraging a crew member to address those symptoms, focus on warming the neck and head, then chest and groin area so circulation is restored. With those areas warmed, hands and feet will become more comfortable.
Sources for information and training modules about winter temperature safety are offered through the American Red Cross, Center for Disease Control, and the Mayo Clinic.

Before a person experiences hypothermia, frostbite can be a danger to consider for landscapers doing outdoor work. OSHA training modules include Cold Stress courses. In those courses, you’ll learn to recognize the effects of winter temps on the skin, drive down the skin temperature, and eventually, drive down internal body temperature. If left untreated, skin damage can be irreversible causing nerve damage and sensation will be severely limited. Numbness or tingling in the fingers are the first warning signs of frostbite. The tendency to rub the fingers together is natural, but is the wrong response. That action can cause damage to the nerve endings and will not help warm up the fingers or toes. Don’t put the hands or feet in warm water. Again, this seems at first to be a helpful answer but will only cause damage to the skin tissues and likely cause damage to the nerves, too.

Lead in Photo :
Cold weather responses in plants are complex mechanisms to protect the plant. Our responses to cold weather protect our bodies and circulation, too. Each has a trigger point to protect their life cycles.

The post Yes, You Can Become Dehydrated in Winter appeared first on New Hampshire Landscape Association (NHLA).

The NHLA Certification Committee would like to acknowledge the anniversaries of these NHCLPs.  This achievement reflects their commitment to continued leadership, learning, and engagement in the landscape industry.  We appreciate your continued leadership!

20 Year

John Crooks #55, John’s Landscaping of Madbury, Madbury, NH

Richard D. Simpson #59, Chapel House Farm, Portsmouth, NH

15 Year

Derek Jolie #89, D.S. Jolie Landscapes, Raymond, NH

Lizette Slitter #91, Garden Life, New London, NH

Stephen Mitchell #95, Natures Elite Landscaping, Meredith, NH

Cris Blackstone #97, Make Scents, Newmarket, NH

Nathan Doty #123, The Doty Group, Inc., Amherst, NH

10 Year

Jenny Stuart #144, The Secret Gardener LLC, Barrington, NH

Steven Davis #147, Ashburnham, MA

5 Year

Daisy Chinburg #166, Site Structures Landscape , Eliot, ME

Lise Marie McNaughton #167, LM Land Design LLC, Brentwood, NH

Meredith Borgioli #168, Hollis, NH

Samantha Allen #169, Stone Blossom Landscape & Design, Manchester, NH

Mark J. Olson #170, Landwright LLC,  North Hampton, NH

The post Congratulations to these NHCLPs appeared first on New Hampshire Landscape Association (NHLA).

As we reflect on another brisk winter in the Granite State, it’s clear that snow and ice management is not just a seasonal necessity. It is a significant part of how many of our members sustain and grow their businesses through the slower months. Historically NHLA has focused primarily on landscape services, but our Board of Directors has been listening closely to the evolving needs of the membership. More of our members supplement their income with winter snow operations, some running modest crews while others manage full scale programs. It is time our Association reflects that reality by equipping members with the tools to operate safely, professionally, and profitably through all four seasons.

That journey begins this spring with an expanded educational offering developed in partnership with NHTI. Our first collaborative program, Intro to Safety and Basic Equipment Use, kicks off in March and is designed for crew leaders and managers looking to raise their safety game on every jobsite. This certificate style series blends classroom learning with hands-on training, emphasizing safety culture, equipment operation, hazard recognition, and compliance. These foundational skills benefit landscape and snow teams alike and represent the first step in a broader commitment to year-round professional development.

Looking ahead into summer and fall, we will roll out a broader suite of courses covering landscape management, irrigation, lighting, hardscape, and snow. These offerings are part of our ongoing course development partnership with the college and are being shaped with real world input from members like you. Quality training is not an expense. It is an investment in your people, your reputation, and your long-term success. NHLA is committed to delivering education that strengthens your business in every season.

To deepen our snow and ice curriculum, we will lean on the expertise of SIMA and the NH Green SnowPro program to build a ground level snow and ice management course that members can use as a practical training option for their teams. Our goal is to create accessible, meaningful education that supports both smaller operators and larger snow programs. This is about raising the bar together, improving safety, protecting our environment, and positioning our industry as the professional force it truly is.

I am proud of the direction we are headed and grateful for the engagement of this membership. As winter begins to loosen its grip, I encourage you to think about how you want to develop your team this year. NHLA will continue building resources, strengthening partnerships, and championing the growth of our industry across every season.

See you soon,
Andrew Pelkey
President, New Hampshire Landscape Association
President@NHLAonline.org
www.nhlaonline.org

The post President’s Notes February 2026 appeared first on New Hampshire Landscape Association (NHLA).

Ryder, former president of the The Stone Trust (TST) and current Level 2 Instructor, gathered a team of volunteer Level 1 and 2 experts to build a 32-inch, four-foot-tall round dry stacked stone pillar as a permanent display at the Belknap County Fairgrounds in Belmont, NH. The pillar is one of several features used in testing for Level Four testing for stonework proficiency. Ryder donated most of the materials.

This is the third year The Stone Trust and NHLA have offered a live demonstration for Field Day, providing active, hands-on experience for landscapers to experience dry stonework. The past two demonstrations included building a 30-foot retaining wall outside the fairground administration building and the following year a large Goshen flagstone patio behind the wall.

David DeJohn, a Level 1 mason who is also a former president of NHLA, and Mike Barwell, a board director of both TST and NHLA, as well as chair of the NHLA Education Committee, helped coordinate all three events.

TST experts helping with the build were Level 2 masons Lu Booth, who shaped two of the top features of the pillar; Andras Lazar, who demonstrated stone shaping of the Goshen stone; Jordan Keyes, Level 2 representative of Trow and Holden; and Level 1 worker Matt Humphrey.

Brian Post, current treasurer and former executive director of TST, joined the build after giving a well-attended hour-long workshop entitled “Why Use Real Stone in Landscape Design.” Post is a certified landscape architect and Level 4 instructor and tester for the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain (DSWA).

TST board member Duncan Murphy also attended the event.

Observers that day included new TST Executive Director Christine Frost, who started her new role only the week before. “I was impressed not only with the quality of the work being shown but also with how many young people and women were involved and interested in doing stonework.”

“This is the type of retail marketing the TST needs to do,” said Barwell. “When people can really get their hands on stone they understand the beauty and durability of using natural stone in their landscape projects. We need to be out there building enthusiasm.”

~ by Mike Barwell

The post NHLA Field Day: The Stone Trust Leaves Lasting Impression appeared first on New Hampshire Landscape Association (NHLA).

The NHLA Certification Program has a very thorough ID course in both woody and perennial plants, as I recall, but not a lot of landscapers highlight horticultural related services. Maybe they should. Unique design work, proper planting, pruning, and maintenance almost seem to be less common.
I don’t mean to belittle or neglect the site work or hardscape segment of our industry. They play a vital part and generate a large percentage of the revenue, but these multi-million dollar corporations seem to be weaker in the plant business as more and more mergers take place.

I’ve noticed this consolidation of landscape companies, nurseries, and other horticultural businesses all across the country…. It’s not just a New England thing. It will be interesting to see where things go.

~ by Phil Caldwell, a past president of NHLA (1989) who now lives and works in Maine.

The post Point of View: Landscape Company Trends appeared first on New Hampshire Landscape Association (NHLA).

In the early stages of building a company, owners wear every hat. From sales and marketing to pricing, scheduling, and recruiting, they become the engine behind every function. This all-hands-on-deck approach is often necessary—but it’s not sustainable. As the business grows, so does the complexity of leadership. The real shift happens when owners move beyond delegating tasks and begin delegating roles—freeing themselves not just from doing, but from deciding what needs to be done in the first place.

At this stage, the owner performs many tasks and fills many roles. Approving payroll, signing checks, and creating estimates are tasks. Creating and executing the marketing and sales plans, being the financial leader (pricing model, reporting, profit margin optimization), and creating and executing the crew recruiting strategy are examples of roles. Tasks are well defined; roles usually require analysis, creativity, planning, and leadership.
As leadership expert John C. Maxwell put it, “If you want to do a few small things right, do them yourself. If you want to do great things and make a big impact, learn to delegate.”

Delegating tasks is an important first step. However, the real value in delegating comes from delegating roles. When delegating a task, an owner is free from doing. When delegating a role, an owner is free from both thinking and doing because the person in the delegated role determines the tasks that need to be done to achieve a desired result.

Delegating in Five Steps
Here are five practical steps to help make this transition:

1. Inventory Your Tasks and Roles. Determining tasks is easy; create a list as you perform them. For roles, you might want to think about what executives and managers work at a $50 million landscape company. It is easy to see those roles by reviewing a company’s website or looking on Linked In. Small companies have the same roles; the difference is that people, including the owner, are attempting to fill multiple roles.
2. Begin to Delegate. Determine tasks and roles to delegate to existing employees.
3. Focus on High-Value Activities. Determine what you enjoy and where you excel – areas that have the biggest impact on growth or profit. Prioritize those roles and let go of the rest. You can also think five years ahead. How do you want to spend your time? That envisioned future helps identify what to delegate.
4. Your Next Hire. Determine what role(s) you would like the next management level hire to fill.
5. Outsource Strategically. Determine what roles can be outsourced to a specialized firm or a freelancer (contractor) through a marketplace like Upwork.

Outsourcing
Peter Drucker put it simply: “Do what you do best and outsource the rest.” That statement is true at the personal level as well as for the company. Outsourcing is the most overlooked opportunity for delegation.

When outsourcing roles, you will want to find people who are masters of their craft. Many owners have decided to outsource marketing and IT services. Clients of The Herring Group decided to outsource portions of their financial leadership (pricing, operational reporting, incentive plans and business strategy). The key to the successful outsourcing of roles is to make sure responsibilities and expected results are communicated clearly. When done well, the return on investment will be significant.

Marketplaces like Upwork provide opportunities to find freelancers for virtually any type of task and even some roles. Just post your project, review freelancer proposals, and choose the best fit based on profiles and ratings. Collaborate and pay securely through the platform by the hour or by the project. At The Herring Group, we have used many freelancers with great success. By leveraging freelance platforms, even a small company can tap into a vast network of professionals.

Ultimately, owners have a choice: they can delegate roles and grow, or they can keep their current roles and stop growing. What is your choice?

~ The author is the CEO of The Herring Group, a professional services and data analytics firm providing data and outsourced financial leadership to the landscape industry. We are on a mission to improve the profit margin of companies, the life margin of owners and executives, and the autonomy of employees. 

The post Beyond Tasks: Why Delegating Roles is the Key to Growth appeared first on New Hampshire Landscape Association (NHLA).

As the calendar winds down and snow begins to make its annual appearance, this is the perfect moment for owners to shift gears into budget and planning season. While you’re still juggling winter operations, client expectations, and the day-to-day rhythm of the business, it’s essential to give yourself and your team space to assess what worked this past season and map out what you want to accomplish in the next. Look at your financial performance, evaluate your equipment needs, revisit your pricing and staffing models, and think strategically about where you want to invest your energy and resources. Taking the time now to thoughtfully build your next season’s blueprint will save stress and unlock opportunity once spring arrives.

Part of solid planning includes connecting with the industry, sharpening your leadership skills, and staying current on trends that can help you lead your business more effectively. The New Hampshire Landscape Association has a lineup of events designed to support that growth. On January 22, 2026, NHLA hosts a Dinner Meeting focused on Safety First, a great kickoff to the year and a timely reminder that a safer operation is a more profitable one. And on February 19, 2026, NHLA will hold another Dinner Meeting, this one spotlighting CrewHero, a tool for transforming frontline operations and improving crew coordination and communication. These are excellent opportunities for owners and managers alike as you refine your 2026 strategy.(See links below to these events.)

For managers and team members, December isn’t just about wrapping up, it’s also a chance to seek out training and professional development that will pay dividends come spring. Whether you’re aiming to earn certifications, strengthen your technical skills, or build leadership capacity, now is the time to ask your leadership about opportunities and to carve out your own development goals. NHLA’s calendar already includes structured learning and networking through dinner meetings and more informal connections with peers, and you can expect additional programs to be added in the new year.

Remember: planning and training aren’t luxuries; they’re investments in your resilience and success. Owners who thoughtfully plan and involve their teams build stronger, more agile businesses. And team members who pursue growth position themselves and their companies to thrive. Let’s close out the year with purpose, prepare for the season ahead, and keep pushing our industry forward together.

The post President’s Notes December 2025 appeared first on New Hampshire Landscape Association (NHLA).

Nighttime lighting can affect migrating birds in a multitude of ways. From disturbing their ability to navigate by seeing familiar points on the horizon to disorienting them with the glare the lights can cause on windows or other reflective surfaces, birdstrikes do account for a large number of fatalities. This is a disturbing fact, disrupting many aspects of the cycles of life, that healthy habitat customers care deeply about.

Bright lights after sunset are also harmful to many beneficial bugs and insects, interrupting their breeding cycles, to cite one aspect of the harm caused by the lights. What can be done to help mitigate the deleterious effects of the lights, while offering customers the four-season appeal garden and landscape lights offer?

Learning more about landscape lighting can be as involved as you, your employer, or company want to be. Certifications are available through businesses such as CAST lighting and CREE lighting, which you can search for and see if these companies address your interests and what your customer base might be interested in. With any additional certification, you gain your customers’ confidence and can market yourself as having additional knowledge and professionalism many customers respect and rely on.

As a quick overview of nighttime landscape lighting, we need to acknowledge the benefits to the property owner, including enjoying the scenery you have worked to create and maintain for beauty and relaxation. Extending the view from daylight to twilight and into the night is financially a benefit to the clients! Property owners’ health and well-being is enhanced by a relaxing garden and beautiful landscape scenes. We also need to recognize that the client base is keenly aware of the controversial issues about disrupting wildlife and migration of insects and birds. How to mitigate those issues? (Hint: limit use of blue and violet in lighting; incorporate amber tones, which are especially beneficial to amphibians and turtles – which are beneficial in any garden.)

The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) is one of the premier go-to’s for this information. Janet Lennox Moyer is recognized as a highly sought-after professional, with forty decades in the architectural lighting field. She pioneered work in educating other professionals about aspects of the field, such as how humans’ perception of light is different from animals’ perception of light. One of her educational philosophies includes, “how nighttime lighting provides visual transportation between scenes.” It’s important to be familiar with lighting concepts so we avoid light pollution and avoid disturbing neighbors! Certainly, putting lights on timers is the first way to ensure minimal disruption.

From there, through commercial, or non-profit certification or from a knowledgeable sales representative of a lighting company, you can share information with your clients about how correctly installed lighting will not harm deciduous trees or evergreens. Janet Lennox Moyer has written many books which are considered the best resources for this topic. The Art of Landscape Lighting is a revered, vetted source for all aspects of landscape lighting. This could be a perfect reference book for your company library or as a gift to valued clients to help demonstrate your level of expertise.

Early outdoor light systems included designs which were directed too close to root flares, and triggered fungi and other diseases. With the knowledge we have now, tree health is preserved. One particularly helpful Fact Sheet comes from the Purdue Cooperative Extension. Check out their “Does Night Lighting Harm Trees?” flyer, which is free and can be downloaded and shared with your clients to help them decide and understand what your company can offer as an additional service for their landscape.

With education, possibly additional certification showing your dedication to professionalism, and communications with your clients, you will be able to share what you learn and how your best management practices consider all the angles of the landscape. Including property owner satisfaction and increased joy with the consideration of healthy wildlife encouragement, you will see increased business opportunities.

Nighttime lighting in your landscapes can bring added appreciation for the hard work you put in to designing, maintaining, and bringing to life the look your clients desire and visualize.

~ by Cris Blackstone

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