Evernote is a free organizer service that allows you to create notes and sort them into notebooks. You can use Evernote's virtual filing system to create a tickler file very similarly to a paper one. To get started, create twelve notebooks and label them for each month, preceded by the month number. Put a "0" before each single digit month so that they sort correctly.  For example, "01 January, 02 February, 03 March ... 09 September, 10 October, etc." To create new notebooks, click the boxed arrow icon next to the Notebooks header in the left menu and click "New Notebook...". After you've created your notebooks, start stacking them. Drag the "02 February" notebook on top of the "01 January" notebook. You will be prompted to name the stack, so name it ".Tickler". The "." ensures that the Tickler collection of notebooks stays at the top of the Notebooks list. Click the notebook for the current month and then click the "+ New Note" button. Name the first note "01" for the first day of the month. Repeat this for each day in the month until you have a note for every day. When you are finished creating each note, click the "View Options" menu at the bottom of the window and select "Title (ascending)". This will sort the list of notes so that they stay in the correct order. Now that the structure is in place, you can start filling in your notes with the information you need. Like a physical tickler file, make sure that you put items in the day you need to start a task, not the date it is due. Add tags to help you search and sort your tickler file information. Use the alarm clock icon at the top of the note to set an email reminder. Once you work your tickler file into your morning routine, you won't need reminders anymore.
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One-sentence summary -- Create twelve notebooks. Stack your notebooks. Create notes for each day of the month. Fill your notes. Add reminders.


You will need to differentiate yourself from other landscapers out there. Find some particular aspects of landscaping or garden work you do well, and market yourself as a specialist. This should not be the only thing you do, but it can help target customers by making you stand out. Chances are you do not own all of the equipment you will need to be an effective landscaper. You should make sure the equipment is quality, but you do not need to purchase all new equipment. Yard sales and auctions may have quality pieces at better prices than buying brand new. You also don't need to purchase every possible piece of equipment out there. Your individual needs will vary based on the variety of services you intend to offer, but there are some important basics.  Lawn mower. Cutting grass will be an important part of your work, so you will want a quality lawnmower. A riding mower can be more efficient, especially if you are planning to cut a number of large yards, though will definitely be more expensive. If you are cutting grass on a steep hill, or with a more intricate garden, you may want to have a push mower as well, which is safer for you and the area you are working in.  Edger. A gas-powered edger will help trim the edges of a lawn, particularly around walkways and driveways. Gardening tools. If you plan to do any gardening work, a shovel, rake, and weed puller will be necessary. Safety gear. Since you will be working with machinery, gloves and safety goggles are important for the personal safety of you and your employees. With some machinery, you may also consider hearing protection. Transportation. You will need something to carry your equipment and crew. The type of transportation you require will depend on the rest of your equipment, but you will need at least something like a truck, large van, or trailer. Make sure you have insurance for your equipment, to guard against issues like theft or mechanical breakdown.  Other items you'll use on a daily basis include; a watering can, extension leads (if you have electric power tools), foam knee pads for planting in comfort, twine for tying up plants and a push broom. . No matter how built up a property is, there is will probably be some grass that needs cutting. Use your lawn mower to keep the lawn trim and neat, and an edger to keep grass away from sidewalks and other installations. The essence of landscaping, what makes it different from lawn care, is the transformation of a piece of property using additional natural materials like trees, flowers, rocks, and sod. More advanced designs may include artificial items like lights.  This is a collaborative process, as your customer must approve of the design you come up with. Things to keep in mind include making sure your customer knows what they want the space for and properly accounting for weather and sunlight patterns.  Part of this process involves making a good estimate of the time it will take to make these changes and how much they will cost. Be honest with yourself and your customer about what it will take so that you both can get a fair estimate of costs. Neither of you will want any surprises when the time comes to pay. Your job as a landscaper involves taking your design and installing it on to your client's property. Create a plan for installing different materials, and follow through for as long as it takes. Make sure you have the proper equipment for whatever work you plan on doing. This means scheduling a regular return to your client's location to perform basic tasks like weeding and applying pesticides. If you live in an area with pronounced seasons, you'll need a plan for keeping the landscape maintained in different weather conditions. Since you will be outdoors regularly, weather is a constant concern. When designing your work schedule, leave some space in the work week for delays from the weather. While it rains, you can take the opportunity to keep up with your business' paperwork.
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One-sentence summary --
Find a niche. Purchase equipment.  Mow and maintain lawns Design natural landscapes for your customers. Install new materials. Maintain your creations. Prepare to deal with weather.