The National Weather Service has put the Kansas City Area under a Winter Weather Watch.  The latest Weather Bug Update for severe weather indicated the metro area could receive accumulations of 4-8”.  The track of the storm may change and we may not see any accumulating snow, but regardless of snow the temperatures will once again drop below freezing.

Many ornamental trees and shrubs have starting flowering or producing flower buds.  The lows for Friday and Saturday night will be anywhere from 30-26 degrees (according to the most recent forecast).  Some tender ornamental trees and shrubs may need some protection from the freezing temperatures.  Some Lilacs, Azaleas and other spring blooming trees and shrubs could lose their tender flower buds in the cold weather.  Chances are if the flower buds are lost they may not bloom this spring.

There are a few precautionary steps you can take to help protect any plants you feel may be affected:

First, find a semi-transparent garbage bag or light colored light weight sheet or cloth. You will want something that will allow some light to pass through.  The next thing you will want to do is go out and cover any plants you know usually bloom early in the spring or plants you have noticed starting to produce flower buds (but not necessarily blooming yet).  Most shrubs should be easily protected, but some ornamental trees may be too large to cover effectively.  If you have any questions about any plants you think should be covered feel free to email me at mitch@highland-outdoor.com.

On a second note regarding the snow that may be falling over the weekend, Highland Outdoor offers an emergency snow removal service.  If your residence or business needs any accumulated snow cleared or any ice melt put down please contact us.  We are available 24-Hours a day for Emergency Snow Removal Services.

Contact us via email at sales@highland-outdoor.com (this email is forwarded to our phone) or call us at 913-238-0164 during non-business hours, or 913-782-3700 during regular business hours.  This is for Commercial Clients only in the Greater Kansas City Area.

In 2006, Kiplinger.com published an article featuring Highland Outdoor and Jason Cupp on the value of landscaping, design/build work and creating outdoor living spaces.  Just this month, Kiplinger republished the article, with a few new quotes, ideas, and relevancy related to our current economy.

Here is a quote from the opening portion of the article from Jason:

Jason Cupp, co-founder of design/build, landscape company Highland Outdoor, Olathe, Kan., says his clients frequently ask whether renovating their yards will add value to their property. If two similar neighboring houses were for sale and one had a great landscape design, that house would sell faster, he says.

To read the entire, updated article, click here.

Last fall, my brother Joseph returned to our family business - to serve our clients in our Maintenance Division - after a six year stint in the Service Industry.  I am proud and excited to have Joseph back in the mix.  It’s amazing that he is working with clients that he worked with (when our company was much different than it is now) in his first tour of duty.

I have to admit, the office has a different “energy” to it - Joseph loves to listen to Sports Radio, so it is constantly on during the day in his office - and he LOVES college basketball.  Just last week, as the NCAA Tournament got into full swing, Joseph implemented our “Friends and Family” pool, and had stapled everyone’s picks up in the office!  (Needless to say, that only lasted a few hours until I saw it and kindly asked him to post them in a non-client area….  Ha.)

That said, just a few weeks ago, I wrote this about Joseph’s return to Highland in a letter to our clients:

This season, I’m excited to welcome my brother back into the fold of Highland Outdoor.  Joseph Cupp has returned to our family business, and is managing all of our extra services – including snow and winter services, holiday lighting, exterior landscape and architectural lighting, mulching and horticulture services, turf fertilization, as well as our maintenance division.  If Joseph can assist you in any way possible, you can reach him at the office at 913.782.3700, or via cell at 913.238.0164.  You can also reach him via email at joseph@highland-outdoor.com.

I think the most telling part of Joseph’s journey at Highland the last six months can be found in his first three notes to be posted here on the blog.  I’m actually surprised that he never asked me why they didn’t make it on the website, but those that know me know that I was thinking something “different”…  Check out what he wrote - I love his passion for our company, our clients, and myself…

Blog Entry Number One:
Hello, my name is Joseph Cupp and I am Highland Outdoor’s newest employee.  If my last name sounds familiar, your right.  I am Jason’s brother.  I joined the company on July 27th at Jason’s request in order to help coordinate and manage the maintenance side of the company.  The position was supposed to be a part-time, but, as you guessed, now it’s full time.

I spent the last several years working in the service industry at one of Kansas City’s oldest bars.  To be honest, the job was getting pretty boring.  Now, working for Highland Outdoor, I do something different every day and I love it!  One day I may be driving a dump truck back and forth.  Or, I might be sitting in on a meeting to discuss the construction of a three season room, pool and patio.  I can also be found managing the installation of one of our many landscaping projects.  And the best part of all, I get the opportunity to work and learn from my brother Jason, and the rest of our staff.

I am looking forward to a mild winter and a busy spring and summer.  I am also looking forward to getting to know our clients.  Hopefully I will be involved in your next project!

Happy Holidays!

Blog Entry Number Two:
As I sink into my new job here at Highland Outdoor, I have been given an opportunity to help manage one of the coolest jobs.  My brother Jason recently sold a job to a client in Leawood, KS.  Mitch Benjamin put together a design that is truly one of a kind.  He designed a pool, two patios, a three-season room, with a fireplace and several retaining walls.  Jason and Mitch’s vision is truly amazing.

Even though the project is just beginning, this outdoor living space is going to be something that the client will be able to use for years and years to come.  It is so nice to be involved in a project that builds something so useful.  So far we have stage one and two completed with the installation of the pool.  We completed the demolition of the existing patio last week and we are starting the construction of the various retaining walls.  We are also close to beginning the construction of the three season room.

All of this is very exciting and challenging.  Coordinating our guys with sub-contractors, engineers, vendors and our client is like putting together pieces of a puzzle.  The only difference is that with a puzzle you get a nice picture.  With this project we will be creating an original, sleek, outdoor living space.  I will keep you posted as we move forward.

Blog Entry Number Three:
WOW!  As most of you know, we had the biggest snow storm of the season over last weekend.  Highland Outdoor responded and we tackled snow fall totals of up to four to six inches!  Our crew did a great job and I am very proud of our success.  Just when we thought that it was time to start gearing up for Spring Services we were hit with a changeling snow storm.

Today our crews spent the day getting our trucks ready for the task ahead, spring.  We are preparing to put our fertilization program and maintenance programs into action.  I look forward to hitting the ground running with mowing, fertilization, spring clean-up’s and mulching service.  I am excited about servicing our existing clients and adding several new ones.

Have a great Spring, and remember to give us a call if you are in need of any Spring service this year.

Joseph’s return to Highland meant I needed to call mom up and have her dig up a photo of Joseph and I when we were kids.  The picture above was when I was 3 and Joe was 7.  Pretty hilarious!

It is no big secret that in these tough economic times we are all feeling the effects of the economy in some way.  I am sure that most people are thinking of ways to save money and become more efficient in everyday life.  The smallest of things can make a difference if we choose to become “greener” in our everyday lives.  By simply turning off a light when you walk out of the room or recycling paper are all considered “going green”.

Here at the HO office we have implemented some of these tactics to save money as well.  We are opting to send as many invoices and statements to our clients via email instead of postal mail.  If you would like to get on the list to help save the planet and would like all Highland Outdoor related news or invoices sent to you via email, please email me (natasha@highland-outdoor.com) to get on the list.

Here are a few tips to help you in making the change and heading towards a greener earth:

1.    Instead of using your sprinkler system or faucets to water plants, use something that will actually catch the rainwater.  Try hooking something like a large barrel up to your gutter system and use the rainwater to water your plants instead.
2.    Use space heaters instead of your heating/cooling system.
3.    Turn the water off when you are brushing your teeth or washing your face so that you aren’t wasting water.

When you have decided to go green, go through your utility bills from a year ago and compare to this years bills to see how much money you have saved! Saving money and being respectful of the environment will surely bring a smile to your face!

Thanks for becoming part of the greater good to save money for not only Highland Outdoor, or yourself, but for everyone.  It truly has a lasting impact on more things than you know!

Last month, Jason attended PLANET’s (Professional Landcare Network) Executive Forum held at Disney’s Beach Club Resort in Orlando, Florida. This event brought 235 attendees, including spouses and children, to renew a commitment to the balance of life, work and wellness.  In these difficult economic times, we all could use a reminder on how to balance life stresses.

Here is a shot of our fearless leader…

This photo was featured recently on the Landscape Management website, and in an email blast to the entire green industry. Based on this photo I’m sure there were a few laughs shared at Executive Forum!

Most Kansas City Residents have noticed the temperatures increasing and feeling more like spring.  The plants in our environment are also sensing the warm weather.  I was meeting with some current clients yesterday and noticed some ornamental trees and shrubs starting to produce flower and leaf buds.  The newly emerging buds are very susceptible to frost and freeze.  I would recommend covering any small ornamental trees or shrubs you may have that are starting to bud out.

A cold snap like the one we are currently in could freeze those newly emerging flower and leaf buds and cause them to drop off.  This will not kill the plant but it could affect the spring flowering trees and shrubs the most.  For example, spring blooming lilacs and azaleas are very susceptible to a late freeze because they are starting to produce flower buds.  If the flowers freeze the plants may not bloom this spring.  Usually the lilacs, tulips and azaleas are the sign that spring is finally here.  If the proper precautions are not taken they may not bloom this spring (similar to the effect the late freeze had on a number of plants in the spring of 2007).  A clear or semi transparent garbage bag works well to cover smaller plants or a light weight sheet will also work to help insulate your plants from the cold weather.

If you have any questions, please contact the office at 913.782.3700 or reach me via email.