I would say no one minds "innocent" solicitation when it comes from someone who didn't sign up the exact same day they posted it. Kind of "nullifies" the innocence you might say.

laag, I didn't mean to be rude. You read too much into it. I was venting because this is my first experience with needing this type work done (my first home). I realize this is the busy season, but I just don't understand anyone not taking a couple of minutes and just calling and explaining why I shouldn't be waiting around for them to show up. It's just rude...no matter what type business. Don't accept the job or say you will show up if you have no plans. If you get busy, then pick up the cell phone and call your other appt and say you won't be able to make it and would like to reschedule. No, I don't have a 20,000 job for them, but that's no reason to be ignored. Word of mouth should mean something and I would think they would want to make potention customers happy too....even if not large dollar jobs. I'm just venting because of my experience. I wished it had been better. I'm not linking all landscape people/professionals into the same group. I'm just venting and telling what's happening to me. I know there are some good dependable ones out there and I'm still looking and will find him.

Hey artemis; a great site you are fortunate to have! Thought I might share something on deer and landscaping in our neck of the woods. First your neighbors are a source of a wealth of information. If you're shy or don't care to go face to face with them just observe what is planted and doing well in their landscapes and gardens. It will tell you a great deal. If you're the gregarious type seek them out and talk to them, the local garden club even, or county ag, extension. Here in Tioga County NY z4 to z5; deer population is I think out of control. Plants that may have been possible to grow years past are not so easy now. You see plants and wonder, how did this fellow manage to grow this, it would never survive at my place. But they are mature plants that were started back in a time when the deer were less. Now they are mature specimens and mostly tall enough to be out of the reach of deer. It is very hard to tell what the deer will eat and seems to very site specific, to the point that things I can't keep the deer from eating, I see doing fine a half mile down the road! Yews are serious deer food on my place, anything lower than 5' is browsed, yet other homes in the woods here have them and they seem untouched. After 20 years trial and error the standbys, as far as the evergreens go, for relative deer resistance are juniper, spruce and pine and box. I often here junipers disparaged, I don't know why, beautiful to me if properly cared for. And tons to choose from, from ground hugging a few inches tall to our native juniper, the eastern red cedar, which is not a cedar at all but juniperus virginiana and can become a full sized and beautiful tree. Every shape and size in between. The same is true for the spruces and pines, of which there are hundreds to choose from, forms, sizes and colors. I keep experimenting and trying new things, lately inkberry; ilex glabra a supposedly deer resistant holly and larch; larix. Such a variety that a completely successful garden is possible with just these few species. Those are the species I can rely on to be deer resistant, as I said I keep experimenting, but with the mindset that I am taking a chance when planting and not to be surprised at seeing a well gnawed stump were a plant used to be. Here's a link to some of the conifers available for the landscape. http://www.iselinursery.com/

Tipping after the completion of a large project here is uncommon. I'm not sure how it goes with other, construction type trades but adequate payment for the workers is factored into the cost/estimates for the project. But baked goods or other refreshments are always appreciated :-)) OTOH, routine yard care personnel are often tipped here at the end of the season or at the holidays. As a designer, I have never received a tip. I guess they figures my fees are sufficient. Big "thank yous", but no cash :-))