November 28, 2023
Make 2024 your best year yet
BY KALI PEARSON
As we close out 2023, we’re taking stock of what we have accomplished this year — and what we hope to achieve in the year ahead. As editor of Landscape Trades, my New Year’s resolution is to make sure that every issue we produce informs and inspires, moving the needle for our readers — and the industry as a whole.
Your feedback from our third annual State of the Industry survey indicates there’s a lot to build on as we continue to elevate public perception of the trades — and lots to look forward to when it comes to making a real and positive impact within our communities and for the climate.
Of course there are also lots of challenges ahead as professionals continue to feel the pressure from a slowing economy and sky-high prices caused by inflation and rising insurance premiums. Flip to page 10 to read what your peers had to say about the year ahead (spoiler alert: they have excellent ideas on navigating some of the key challenges we’re all facing).
A huge thank you to all who took time to participate.
As our survey demonstrates, landscape and horticulture professionals are leaning in more than ever on how they can help mitigate climate change — and if you are looking for inspiration on how to do more on that front, this is the issue for you. Check out Dr. Gilles Lapointe’s article on soil rehabilitation on page 28, Dr. Nadina Galle’s column on digital apps that help quantify the benefits of getting out in green spaces on page 50 and flip to page 72 for some of the exciting initiatives ahead from the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association.
Landscape and horticulture professionals are also getting creative about finding great opportunities that fit with the evolving needs of their clients. While age is but a number, understanding key demographic trends can help identify new areas to explore. Check out Karina Sinclair’s article on generational trends (page 36) for more on that. Columnist Grant Harrison also has some excellent guidance for taking care of your business in the year ahead on page 46.
Last, but definitely not least, check out Julia Harmsworth’s feature (page 22) on getting the most out of Landscape Ontario Congress — a three-day trade show and conference considered to be one of the very best in North America. If you haven’t been, it’s a great way to shop, source, connect and learn to set you up for a fantastic 2024. If you have been… well, you already know all this, and we look forward to seeing you there. We’ll be on the show floor at booth #2412 so please drop by and say hello! Just use promo code LT2024 at LOcongress.com for FREE admission to the trade show, on us.
Happy New Year!
We’d love to hear your feedback, story ideas and thoughts for future issues. Reach out to editor@landscapetrades.com (or stop by our booth at Congress) and let’s chat!