Ideas & Trends

By John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, Posted in Outdoor Landscaping

James Abbett retired from his position as Outdoor Service Foreman at the end of 2019.? At the start of the 2020 outdoor season, it was the beginning of the Pandemic.? By April, NYC was at the peak of the Pandemic, but our customers needed their gardens prepped for spring.? With all the operational c... read more.

• December 18, 2020

By John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, Posted in What's Happening At John Mini

I have always had a passion for animals, giant horses and cows. Dog and cats and snakes oh my! I didn’t find my true passion in life until I was 27, chickens. I spent many years researching and visiting animal sanctuaries to learn how to be a “Chicken Tender&rdqu... read more.

• January 07, 2021

By John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, Posted in What's Happening At John Mini

One of my absolute favorite parts of my job is that it allows the opportunity to experience the most awe-inspiring views New York City has to offer. Many of the landscapes we build and maintain are perched upon the highest floors of the tallest sky-scrapers in New York City. ... read more.

• January 15, 2021

By John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, Posted in What's Happening At John Mini

Jorge Villeda has been a part of the growth and success of John Mini Distinctive Landscape since 2015. He joined the team during a crucial moment of the exterior service department; this was when we split territories and created an Uptown department. Since then, we have grown 68%. (2015: ~80 account... read more.

• January 20, 2021

By John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, Posted in What's Happening At John Mini

Driven by passion, the people of our community inspire us every day. This past year has emphasized that we need to cultivate unity and recognize sincerity. We are sharing their stories, in the hopes that they do the same for you.  ... read more.

• February 05, 2021

By John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, Posted in What's Happening At John Mini

During the pandemic, there are only two types of days: the days you receive packages and the days you do not. On 'delivery' days,?my son and my dog both swarm the door when the new box is brought inside—a very exciting, but chaotic scene. Just the other day, a package... read more.

• February 18, 2021

By John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, Posted in What's Happening At John Mini

"Koi fish are associated with perseverance in adversity. I have to admit, I didn’t draw one because of their symbolism, but as it turns out, the meaning rang quite true after I was finished. Adversity is all around us and often surprises us when we least expect it. It’s all abo... read more.

• February 19, 2021

By John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, Posted in What's Happening At John Mini

Towards the end of last year, we were contacted by a developer we have previously worked with and asked to provide?design solutions for the new construction of a Manhattan property.? Matt Spencer, Samantha Bertrand and I decided to collaborate on the desi... read more.

• February 22, 2021

By John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, Posted in What's Happening At John Mini

I have been a member of BOMA NJ (Building Owners and Managers Association) for over 20 years.  In December of 2019, I was asked by the President of BOMA NJ if I wanted to be the Allied Services Rep.  After getting approval from Jack Harris, I happily took... read more.

• February 26, 2021

By John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, Posted in What's Happening At John Mini

Some problems are big, some are small. This one was BIG!  One day, early in my career, I received a phone call from an architect. He asked me if we did indoor rock gardens. I determined that plants were involved, not always the case, said yes and agreed to meet. When I arrived at... read more.

• March 12, 2021

By John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, Posted in What's Happening At John Mini

Named 2021 Plant of the Year, the red maranta prayer plant signifies the seemingly impossible gratitude in such an arduous year. We were challenged to reflect on our lives in a new light and appreciate those moments, people, and places that surmounted chaos to bring us pockets of solace. Like clockw... read more.

• March 24, 2021

By John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, Posted in What's Happening At John Mini

My family lives in an old house. It has many “old house issues”, including every time there is a decent rainstorm, we get water in the basement. The solution was to build a drainage trench to get the gutter discharge water away from the house.... read more.

• March 26, 2021

By John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, Posted in What's Happening At John Mini

Ever since I was a young kid, I have had a fascination with numbers. Yes, numbers and mathematics were a thing that long ago!  My dad was a bit of a numbers guy and he saw an ability early on, which he fostered.  We would be riding in the car and out of nowhere he would ask me a math probl... read more.

• March 29, 2021

By John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, Posted in What's Happening At John Mini

One of my favorite parts about my job is my ability to directly impact nature everyday! I’m proud to say I’m part of a green/organic organization. We use 0 chemicals or pesticides! We treated this lawn 100% organically in the Spring and got phenomenal results. By choo... read more.

• March 31, 2021

By John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, Posted in What's Happening At John Mini

Driven by passion, the people of our community inspire us every day. This past year has emphasized that we need to cultivate unity and recognize sincerity. We are sharing their stories, in the hopes that they do the same for you. "New York City’s over 550 community gardens offer open space,... read more.

• April 02, 2021

By John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, Posted in What's Happening At John Mini

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• April 09, 2021

By John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, Posted in What's Happening At John Mini

Are you right brain dominant or left brain dominant? Right brain-ers are more creative, rhythmic, holistic thinking, intuition-based folk, while left brain-ers are the strategic, mathematical, logistical fact checkers who crave order. Well, personally, I hate that question because I&n... read more.

• April 15, 2021

By John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, Posted in What's Happening At John Mini

During the pandemic my family and I decided to build a garden. A place we can go to disconnect from what’s going on around us during these trying times. Working at John Mini and being able to see the different landscaping designs and presentations, it inspired us to start from the ground up. I... read more.

• May 11, 2021

By John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, Posted in What's Happening At John Mini

As a 2-year new home owner I finally was able to work on my front house planter bed. As you can see on the image with nothing in it, my son and l added some spring color to brighten the planter bed giving it a warm welcoming to home sweet home. John Mini supplied all these beautiful flowers and with... read more.

• May 17, 2021

By John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, Posted in What's Happening At John Mini

I consider myself very lucky that what was once just a hobby for me is now a part of my career! I’ve always been big on houseplants in particular so I thrive in exploring new ways to get creative with my indoor plant design and horticultural skills. That being said, wh... read more.

• June 02, 2021