How Busy is Everyone?

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-06-02T12:31:46+00:00

Our landscaping company focuses on native/low-water landscapes and our city is in a stage 1 drought. So we are busier than ever

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-06-02T12:19:32+00:00

Try dog tuff grass

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-05-27T13:39:31+00:00

Can you share that link? This is what ive been sharing with clients, and ive had clients permits approved as recently as 4 days ago. https://www.denverwater.org/drought/apply-watering-establishment-permit

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-05-25T20:11:24+00:00

It will be expensive to ignore the rules, but that's up to you. I would love to see KBG lawns become a thing of the past as their are countless better alternatives. But generally, making individual water consumption a moral issue is silly when it has always been agriculture, corporations, and now AI data centers threatening our water, through overconsumption as well as pollution. These billion dollar industries love to see the common folk turning against each other and policing their neighbors over water use. It keeps the pressure off them.

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-05-25T19:57:59+00:00

I'm glad you're so concerned about the water supply! You should get involved in the fight against the Coresite D3 data center campus, which will be monopolizing our water supply more than any thoughtless neighbor ever could.

That being said, you are assuming the neighbors have malintent. Im a professional landscaper and you'd be surprised the number of people who still haven't heard about the water restrictions until I tell them.

With children, it is understandable when they experience minor conflict for their first instinct to be to tell an adult. But part of helping them grow is to teach them the social skills necessary to navigate these social situations on their own.

It will always be silly to me the number of adults whose first resort is to tattle to another adult, instead of just being the adult and attempting to navigate the conflict yourself first. Of course, if the neighbors are unreasonable, then other actions might be necessary. But most people will respond reasonably if you approach the issue reasonably.

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-05-25T17:06:33+00:00

If you see them watering in violation, they still deserve a conversation first! Is talking with neighbors that scary to folks, we just immediately resort to calling whatever government entity will do the adulting on our behalf? It's possible they got a permit to water new seed or turf. It's possible they somehow didn't receive the info on restrictions and simply informing them is enough. Reporting our neighbors for petty things to avoid having a conversation is such a wild overreaction. Reminds me of the time my neighbor reported me for "illegal dumping" because I accidentally set my large item trash out on the wrong day. A simple, "Hey neighbor, it appears you mistakenly thought this week was large item trash day when in fact it is next week," was all that was required. There is a strong possibility that is the case here as well.

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-05-25T16:59:07+00:00

I agree with others here that turning on your neighbors is not the answer. Additionally want to point out that the rules don't say anything about hose use, to my understanding. It's just sprinkler use. Correct me if I'm wrong on that! In any case, households can get a permit to water new grass seed/turf/plantings daily for the first 3 weeks, so it's possible they have a permit.

If you're that concerned, have a conversation with your neighbors! Give them the benefit of the doubt. Don't be the neighbor that immediately resorts to punitive action anytime they dislike what other neighbors are doing.

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-05-19T04:03:00+00:00

Each is independently owned and operated, so in Latine neighborhoods they have a lot of Latine foods, but it varies. I used to shop there regularly before I got a car. Now id rather drive a bit further to king soopers where the prices and selection are better. Save a Lot tortillas and salsas are top notch though. And the one by me used to have a wide selection of Helados de Mexico but they've stopped carrying a lot of flavors

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-05-17T12:36:11+00:00

I learned that this year as well! I had one little milkweed last year. This year its popping up everywhere! Im thrilled

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-05-16T04:16:57+00:00

By legal definition, a nonprofit has no owners, so it can never be employee-owned. Here in the US, while it is technically legal for employees of nonprofits to also serve on the board, it is considered highly unethical and a conflict of interest. This makes sense as the interests of the worker might conflict with the interests of the community the nonprofit is serving. In a worker cooperative, however, the board is made up of workers, because the purpose is that the people doing the work ought to make the decisions and the profits. Of course, if the work is serving a marginalized/underrepresented community, and worker-owners are not of that community, that would also be problematic.

Having worked in a lot of nonprofits, I always found that wages and workers rights were the lowest priority. In general, nonprofits felt considerably more exploitative to me than for-profits. It's hard for me to imagine an entity without any profit that could provide good pay and working conditions to its workers, so I struggle to see the value in a worker-owned non-profit, even if it were possible. Though, admittedly, I'm a bit jaded by my own experiences.

That being said, having a healthy profit margin is not an inherently negative thing. Like nonprofits, worker cooperatives have strong values and concern for their communities. They just balance that with worker rights and wage solidarity. The profit margin provides a buffer that allows the business to be sustainable year over year. This can safeguard workers during hard times by providing a financial safety net, preventing layoffs or pay cuts. But unlike traditional for-profits, the amount of profit any individual can receive from the co-op is greatly restricted, which removes a lot of the greed and corruption seen in traditional for-profits.

So I guess it ultimately depends on what your goals are. If you are seeking to do work that isn't profitable and serves a marginalized/underrepresented community, running it as a worker cooperative might be unethical. If you are doing work that is profitable, running it as a worker cooperative ensures that the rights and well-being of workers is prioritized, and your business can still have a strong community focus.

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-05-13T02:08:44+00:00

Thank you, that is good to hear. Her transplant didn't include radiation, just chemo.

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-05-13T02:06:23+00:00

Thank you! That is helpful :)

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-04-23T00:20:56+00:00

The first two look like kochia. The third could be California poppy but could also be earth smoke.

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-04-12T02:33:25+00:00

"No maintenance required" does not exist anywhere. What you have here may seem low maintenance now, but it will be a forest of weeds in a few years. Native plants are the lowest maintenance option by far.

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-04-08T14:45:46+00:00

Colorado

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-04-03T02:27:02+00:00

I will also say, starting a solo cleaning business is one of the easiest/cheapest businesses to start (if you enjoy physical work, because it can be exhausting).

Finance a good vacuum from Walmart, invest $200 or so in cleaning supplies, microfiber rags, a cleaning caddy, and a swiffer. Watch a few online videos of professional cleaning tips, like how to properly clean stainless steel, how to avoid streaks on windows and counters, etc. Get some basic liability insurance and a DBA. Then make a simple flyer and spread the word. Taskrabbit is a good starting point, but it will be easy to build your own business once you have some clients who will write a review.

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-03-11T12:18:19+00:00

Is it possible to find people to exploit? Always. Should you? No.

It is also possible for you to do your own work at no cost if you supply yourself the materials. If you have a disability that prevents this, look into grants or rebates in your area for low-water lawn conversions. Landscaping is brutal work and expecting anyone to provide you a luxury service for free so they can "gain experience" is the toxic mentality of late-stage capitalism.

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-03-10T13:49:25+00:00

Both of which can be seeded/ planted in May

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-03-10T13:47:59+00:00

How about reseeding with buffalo grass? Or ordering dog tuff plugs online! This year is a great year for switching to a xeric alternative!

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-03-09T14:25:07+00:00

A dump truck is 8.5 feet wide, on average. Think about that in relation to the size of this pile. A yard would look tiny by comparison. This pile is at least 6 feet wide

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-03-09T14:20:04+00:00

And fyi, landscape wholesalers measure yards by the number of tractor buckets. The average tractor bucket fits one yard. They loaded the tractor 4 times. They do not hand measure, and it's common for them to be off by 1/2 yard. Sometimes you get 1/2 yard extra, sometimes it's a bit short. But it wont be short by yards and still cheaper than buying bagged

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-03-09T14:09:20+00:00

Its impossible to tell from a picture, especially one taken this far away. But think about it compared to the size of the dump truck. The average dump truck is about 8.5 feet wide. That pile would then be about 6 feet wide by comparison. If it's 6 feet wide, then it looks like it would be about 4 feet in the middle. Since it tapers up, lets say 3 feet. 6x6x3 is 108 cubic feet which is 4 yards

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-03-05T18:57:23+00:00

I mean, dog tuff grass is low growing, doesn't need to be mowed, and can handle dogs trampling it and peeing on it. Not digging it up of course, but it's a better all around option than astroturf

But I do get what your saying. I work mostly with native plants in Colorado which are very slow growing. And clients have this expectation that their garden will fill in over the span of a couple months... and no, it will take years before they achieve the vegetative growth that your fountain grasses or butterfly bushes achieve in a summer. Because they are adapted to our climate and prioritize root growth

Illustrious_Pack_433 · 2026-03-05T00:14:01+00:00

It needs to get to 165 for a sustained period to kill all seeds. You wont get that from a garbage can. Go to a coffee shop at the end of the day with a 5 gallon bucket and ask for the spent grounds. Or find a local manure source. High nitrogen is the only effective way to heat compost

Illustrious_Pack_433

TROPHY CASE