Chris Melo's work as a landscaper is more than just grass and flowers.
It's a blend of design, technical skill and professional know-how.
He first got into the business of mowing lawns while studying communications and political science at the University of New Mexico about 20 years ago. Then, it was just a side job he did with a couple of his buddies for extra cash.
After an internship at then-Channel 2, he decided an office job was not in his future. Instead, Melo and two friends formed MBC Lawn and mowed lawns together.
"We had 25 clients mowing lawns," Melo said about the early days. "Then they (his partners) left to get real jobs."
Today, Melo runs the company with his wife, Dina, and, over the years, it's grown into a full-fledged landscape design company that raked in an estimated $1.2 million in 2006, he said.
But Melo's success comes from knowing a lot more than how to mow lawns, he said.
In New Mexico's arid climate, knowing which kind of tree or bush or plant to choose isn't as simple as picking what seems prettiest. Landscapers must know things like not tying in grass and tree irrigation together when constructing a design.
"Or you'll have an irrigation system that could waste a lot of water," Melo said.
He also insists on answering all incoming calls so he can consult personally with potential clients to find out if they have a "green" or "black" thumb, which helps him understand how much maintenance the client can handle.
Other important factors when designing a landscape are the client's plans for the yard, their lifestyle and their personal taste, Melo said.
For instance, a client whose dog spends the majority of its time in the yard shouldn't get grass, because it won't grow properly, he said. And a business person who travels a lot shouldn't get plant life that's high-maintenance, he said.
In the 20 years he's been in the business, New Mexico landscaping trends have changed dramatically, he said.
"Back then, any new construction had grass," Melo said. "Today, everyone wants Santa Fe brown rock and outdoor living spaces."
Although Melo and his crew stay busy, it's not always rosy owning your own landscaping business, he said.
For industry newcomers, the red tape and bureaucracy can make a hopeful entrepreneur's head spin.
A myriad of New Mexico permits are required from the Construction Industries Division and the Department of Agriculture, in addition to a $35 business license.
Landscapers have to take tests for various licenses and must also have experience under a licensed landscaping business owner.
The American Nursery and Landscape Association based in Washington, D.C., acts as a clearinghouse of information for landscape architects and aids them in navigating the tangle of bureaucratic requirements.
The organization also provides tools and educational resources on starting and maintaining a business, said Jonathan Bardzik, director of marketing and industry relations.
"There's tons of education out there for those who want to dig a better hole or pick a better tree," Bardzik said. "We help them run their business better."
Knowledge, professionalism and talent are key to making it all work, but first a landscaper has to win the bid. And with rising material costs, it presents another challenge.
In the last 18 months, landscapers have seen a 20 to 25 percent cost increase in cement, steel, wood, plants and rock and gravel.
Melo handles this by offering high-quality design and work, which don't necessarily go hand-in-hand with the lowest bid, he said.
"We are usually never the lowest bidder, and that's fine," Melo said. "A rule of thumb (when selecting a bid) is to take out the highest and lowest and pick the middle. That's where we stand."
He charges $500 for a design and requires a 50 percent deposit before work begins.
Melo guarantees his company's workmanship and even the quality of the plant life, provided it's been maintained as instructed, he said.
Contrary to what some may believe, there's never a down period in his industry, although they reach a peak in the summer when they clock 15- to 20-hour days, he said.
During this winter's snowstorms, Melo and his crew removed snow on many private parking lots.
"There's always something to do as a landscape contractor," he said. "It's a matter of how resourceful you are."