By Paul Brydges
If the 2020s have taught us anything so far, it is that nothing is as expected anymore and that we have to be adaptive and reactive in business. After coming through the busiest few years the horticulture sector has ever experienced, 2024 has proven to be slower than normal. The pandemic did allow companies to grow and thus be able to complete more work than previous years, but this season’s slowdown is more than being able to handle more volume — there is simply substantially less work being priced and completed.
In some cases, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Many business owners are still feeling the fatigue of what felt like a three-year rush with no breaks during the pandemic. Also, the chronic shortage of qualified staff is the perennial issue for our sector. Taking time to conduct additional training for new staff hired during the rush, as well as implementing more efficient processes, will allow us to tighten our belts, which will hopefully keep new employees busy enough to develop into long-term assets to the company.
An incredible number of new companies have popped up in the last few years with the huge boom seen in the horticultural sector. Unfortunately, without the strong client network and brand recognition of more established firms, this slowdown will likely have a harsher effect on these new companies. Other slowdowns have shown us that some more established firms regain some great team members as the smaller young companies can’t keep their employees busy enough to keep them on. While this is a neutral equation,it shows us how deeply connected we all are in our respective marketplaces. Returning staff who wanted to see if the grass is greener elsewhere often come back with a renewed sense of value for the firm they are returning to.
Speaking of networks, it is during the slow times that networks are the most important. It is tempting to find work outside of typical scope to keep crews busy but this rarely transfers into profitable work. In a stable network you can find work inside your scope or bring in project partners and earn small profit margins in project management. This keeps everyone busy, while ensuring everyone is working within their lane for quality and profitability.
As the construction season for 2024 draws to a close it is an excellent time to prepare for 2025 and spring construction. Design continues throughout the year; if designers are not busy with projects, that likely means there is less work coming down the pipeline. There are very few projects of any consequence that do not require permits in today’s market, which therefore typically means drawings must be created.
Also, as we continue to see more infill projects within municipalities, the need for proper grading, drainage plans and construction has proven to be a key piece of work that more designers are seeing brought to their studios. Massive rainfall events are becoming the norm; with more hard surfaces being installed within every development, the need for proper grading is key. This is also an incredible opportunity for low-impact design technologies, such as permeable paving, rainwater harvesting and soakaway pits. Incentives for some of these measures are starting to be put in place by municipalities so developers are more willing to look at incorporating these possibilities.
As the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) and its provincial partners continue to seek grants and support from government programs it is slowly becoming understood that horticulture is one of the key solutions to mitigate climate change. The dedicated advocacy efforts by the professional members of the CNLA board, staff and committees has advanced the discussion and awareness of our influence at all levels of government.
Congress 2025 will showcase many innovative products and technologies for designers to explore, as well as provide a venue for our community to compare notes and celebrate our associations’ successes of 2024.
So while 2024 may not have felt like a banner year for some, we are all building up for continued success as we move into 2025.
PAUL BRYDGES BLA, CLD, APALA, ASLA, CSLA, OALA, FLP is a senior landscape architect at Brydges Landscape Architecture based in Guelph, Ont., and is chair of the CNLA National Landscape Designer Sub-Committee.
