Green Onion Landscaping's Brand New Look

February 3rd 2011 Gazette By : Mike Hughes

A STOCKTON landscape gardener has set out the essential steps for branding a small business.

At the back end of last year Andy Smith realised that Green Onion Landscaping needed to be recognised as a brand with a positive marketing strategy.

He turned for advice to Business Link and adviser Mark David to address the marketing and design of the company van, uniform, stationery and website.

Andy, of Fairfield, Stockton, said: “I’ve worked in the landscaping business for 18 years. My own business was successful and had been growing steadily for the past four years. I had heard of a few local landscaping businesses closing down. I decided that my company wasn’t going to join them and I started thinking about the opportunities still out there as a result of the closure of other firms in the area.

“The inspiration for my new logo design came from my love of the 1960s. My nickname is ‘Onion’ because there’s a 1960s song called Green Onions by Booker T and the MGs, I’m known for loving this, amongst other 60s tunes. The name Green Onion also stands out in your mind.”

The new Green Onion logo has now formed the basis of a new branding and marketing materials. The company is in the process of delivering new leaflets locally to coincide with the seasonal start of gardening projects.

Business Link adviser Mark David was able to help secure funds towards the marketing, design and branding project through the Over The Threshold project run by Stockton Council in conjunction with North East England Investment Centre. They secured designer Ian Shield from edot3 in Newcastle to design the brand and put together a marketing strategy.

Andy said: “Ian did a great job designing my new brand; it’s very professional and clean looking with that bit of a twist, it exactly depicts what Green Onion Landscaping is all about. I’m very creative and a perfectionist.

“My partner Catherine Houston has spent a long time doing SEO on the site and uploading all the images and writing articles, this has really paid off. We are now ranking in the top three for most of our landscaping services in Teesside, Stockton and Darlington.”

The strategy is backed up with a regular blog, gardening ideas and tips for customers and a subscribable newsletter. “I feel it’s time to put Green Onion Landscaping on the map,” said Andy.

To read this article on line visit: http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2011/02/03/green-onion-landscaping-s-brand-new-look-51140-28107986/

Green Onion landscaping were in the news on August 18th 2011.

Andy Smith played live at The ARC backing his idol Booker T and The MG's.

Article from The Gazette By Lindsey Mussett.

The Day I Met My Idol

SINGER Andy Smith lived the dream of performing on the same stage as his idol when a soul legend came to town.

Stockton man Andy 41, admires Booker T Jones so much he even named his landscaping business after the multi-instrumentalist's most famous hit, Green Onions.

Former singer with his own band, Jarvis Humby, Andy wasn't about to let the opportunity pass him by when offered the chance to warm up for Booker T when he came to town last Friday to perform at Stockton's ARC.

Andy, of Fairfield in Stockton, who has a partner Catherine Houston and a step daughter Milly, 14 said: " I probably got familar with Booker T and The MG's when I was about 12 and have loved them since.

" I used to be in Jarvis Humby and when Booker T asked for a band we were suggested to Ten Feet Tall, the organisers. Unfortunately the band split up last year but it was too good an opportunity and I thought 'I can't pass this up'.

"Some friends have got a Northern Soul band, The Roundells, and although they're more souley than we had been I asked if they would do it. Their own female singer did five songs then I did five - it was fantastic.

"The idea was a bit daunting at first but it went really well. I met Booker T when I first got there and we had a good chat - I told him about my business and took some business cards.

" He was really impressed, and I think pretty chuffed to be honest. He was a really cool bloke,quite laid back and chilled out.

"It was a once in a life time opportunity...I'm so pleased I was asked."

To read this article on line go here:

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/gazette-communities/ts19-stockton-fairfield-and-hardwick/ts19-elm-tree-fairfield-hardwick-news/2011/08/18/stockton-singer-lives-the-dream-with-soul-idol-84229-29258948/

Green Onion Landscaping is a name likely to stick in your head and that's the philosophy of Andy Smith who runs the gardening company.

Andy, 40 from Stockton, believes a name gives a business an identity to stand out from the crowd which, judging by the quality of his work, it does.

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Rock gardens

A rock garden, or rockery, with its layers of large rocks and colourful alpine plants, can make a very striking feature if put together correctly, resembling a rocky outcrop on a mountain or cliff face, it is an ideal way to link different garden levels. One of the most important features of a rockery is that it should look like a natural rocky outcrop rather than a heap of large stones with plants growing on it. This requires considerable skill in selecting the site and the stones, and in laying the stones so that they look as though they belong together.

Very little soil should be visible in a rockery - it should be packed into crevices between the rocks and perhaps covered with a layer of gravel or grit. This will not only disguise its presence but will also help to retain moisture in Summer.

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Barbecue cooking is great fun

Summer wouldn't be Summer without the mouth watering smell of barbecued food wafting round your garden. Allied to the growth of interest in eating outdoors is a similar growth in cooking outside. The food from a barbecue tastes different from anything cooked inside, and is a good way to bring together fun, friends and family!

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IN THE GROW: Landscape gardener Andy Smith, who has re branded his business

Landscaping firm will stand out from the crowd

BRANDING could be the key to helping small firms expand, a landscape gardener believes.

Andy smith, has been running Green Onion Landscaping for four years.

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Pergolas

Traditionally pergolas are used to support vines, pergolas consist of a series of arches, which can be covered in trailing plants to create a semi - solid barrier. Pergolas are perfect for setting off an area, drawing attention to a feature or simply providing a sheltered refuge to sit and enjoy your garden.

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Article originally published in "Stockton News" September 2009

A brand new garden development is being enjoyed thanks to green fingered tenants at Aspen Gardens in Hardwick.

With spades at the ready, local company Green Onion Landscaping joined enthusiastic residents and staff to celebrate the first removal of turf at the extra-care scheme.

The project was part funded by Stockton-on-Tees Primary Care Trust (PCT) through a scheme to develop and offer a wide range of opportunities for people over 50 to enjoy physical activity outdoors.

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Raised bed gardens made from hay bales

Not many people know this, but you can actually grow plants in a bale of hay! No Grow-Bag, no compost, no soil, just a normal bale of hay. So even if you haven't got a garden, and your house is surrounded by nothing but concrete, you can still grow your own fruit, veg and herbs on a fairly large scale with a small amount of effort and fuss. You can do this because hay or straw bales contain micro-organisms which, when activated by water, start the process of breaking down the hay, creating compost.

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What are green onions

The green onion (Allium fistulosum) is white, elongated, tube-like onion with long green leaves which have a mild onion flavor. Unlike a standard cooking onion both the long green stalk / leaves and the bulb can be eaten.

Sowing green onion seeds

Start your green onion seeds in a tray of shallow, peat free potting compost, preferably inside or in a green house. The seeds should be lightly covered with soil a fine layer of compost. Germination takes place in 10-14 days.

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There are many types of soils and composts, each different type is specifically designed for a particular job. Whether you are growing your own vegetables, fruit or simply making your garden beds, baskets or pots look neater, Green Onion Landscaping are confident that we can advise you on which soil or compost you will need. We can also supply you with any of the soils or composts mentioned below.

Specialist compost

Specialist composts ensure that your plants receive an ideal blend of compost, loam and nutrients for the best results, for example ericaceous compost is great for acid loving plants like Rhododendrons and Camellias.

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Weeding can take a lot of time and effort for the amateur gardener so trust in Green Onion Landscaping professionals to do the job quickly and efficiently so your weeds are kept under tight control!

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