Thinking Outside the Van: How These NYC Landscapers Build in Impossible Places

Most landscapers load up their trucks, roll up to a job site, and get to work. But what if your “job site” is a rooftop 40 stories above the streets of New York City—with no easy way to get plants, soil, or even tools up there? That’s the daily reality for John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, a team that transforms urban spaces into lush, thriving environments in one of the most challenging places to do it.

At the NALP Elevate Conference in Charlotte, I met with Mark Mini and Matt Wessol from John Mini to find out how they pull off these jaw-dropping installations. They've mastered the art of urban landscaping, from carrying materials up staircases in historic high-rises to figuring out how to fit a full-blown landscape into a tiny rooftop. And their clients? They’re not your typical homeowners. They’re commercial developers, architects, and property managers looking for premium, high-design outdoor spaces in the middle of a concrete jungle.

But it’s not just about logistics. Mark and Matt share how they’ve built a company culture that thrives in high-pressure environments, why they call their team “landscaping ninjas,” and what they’ve learned about problem-solving in one of the most challenging markets in the world. Plus, they reveal their plans for expanding beyond NYC and let’s just say they’re not stopping anytime soon.

Do you want to know how they make it all work and how you can apply their creative problem-solving mindset to your landscaping business? This episode has it all.

Watch the FULL episode to learn:

• 🏢 Landscaping in Extreme Conditions: How John Mini installs and maintains landscapes where they technically shouldn’t exist.
• 🌱 The Hell Yes Customer for Urban Landscaping: Why their ideal clients think differently about green spaces.
• 🚛 Creativity Over Equipment: How they manage high-end projects without the trucks, trailers, and tools most landscapers rely on.

Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at one of the most unique landscape companies in the country—watch now! 📺 

Show Notes:

📺 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: landscapersguide.com/podcast 

🥩 Want free beef jerky? Get yours here: landscapersguide.com/toolbox 

Learn more about John Mini Distinctive Landscapes:

🌍 Website: www.johnmini.com 

🔗 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/john-mini-distinctive-landscapes 

📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/jmdlandscapes