The list for May 9, 1996
The Top 17 Signs You’ve Hired
the Wrong Landscaper

  1. Says he’ll water the roses as soon as he finishes his case of Bud.

  2. Actually grazes in your yard rather than mowing it.

  3. Plans call for entirely too much dynamite.

  4. White porcelain “fountain” has a flush handle.

  5. Sidewalk replaced with giant Slip and Slide.

  6. Resume includes the Brady Bunch back yard.

  7. Offers you a cut of the “cash crops” he’s planted in the garage.

  8. Keeps mumbling, “Huh-huh. You said ‘hoe.’ Huh-huh-huh.”

  9. Extends your lawn over nearby Native American burial grounds.

  10. His weeding technique: Call in an airstrike.

  11. Always has a big smile on his face when he’s done fertilizing.

  12. You find him shacked up in a cabin on a remote part of your property claiming to be exempt from US law.

  13. Automatic sprinkler system consists of dozens of “peeing cherub” statues.

  14. Insists that a few giant Chia pets would really set off the pink flamingos.

  15. Keeps showing neighborhood kids his “green thumb.”

  16. Wants to be referred to as the Landscaper Formerly Known as Prince.
And the Number 1 Sign You’ve Hired the Wrong Landscaper…

  1. Leaf blower? A bowl of chili and a strategically placed funnel.
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CREDITS
Selected from 141 submissions by 38 contributors.
Today’s list authors were:

  • Christopher Troise, New York, NY — 1
  • Tim Blankenbaker, Washington, DC — 2, 7
  • Joe Desiderio, New York, NY — 3
  • Bill Burnett, Lexington, MA — 4
  • JB Leibovitch, Oakland, CA — 5
  • Lemon/Rinaldi, San Francisco, CA — 6
  • Steve Hurd, San Ramon, CA — 8
  • Kermit Woodall, Richmond, VA — 9, 15
  • Michael Wolf, Bronx, NY — 10
  • Jim Louderback, New York, NY — 11
  • Steve Maybo, Carlsbad, CA — 12 (Hall of Famer)
  • Perry Friedman, Menlo Park, CA — 13
  • Kim Moser, New York, NY — 14
  • Sam Evans, Charleston, SC — 16 (Hall of Famer)
  • Ken Woo, Encinitas, CA — 17 (Hall of Famer)
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