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Ahmed Hassan TV

Consultation · Design · Nursery · Build

Badassery

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“Badassery”… it’s the stuff that hero’s are made of.

The Avengers know this well

The Avengers know this well

It’s true! I believe in being a show off! I believe in knowing how to do something so well that you can entertain others with your magnificence. There’s something magical about the confidence that each one of us has around those things we know how to do well. Others are awestruck at the mere sight of our performance.

Most folks know me simply as the guy that hosted that HGTV or DIY Network show “Yard Crashers”.

Ahmed Hassan TV Host

How is this for a #TBT pic?!!

What you’d also know, if you’re truly familiar with the show, is that once I was removed and replaced as host, the show never quite appealed to people in the same vein. This is because of one simple fact that the network nor the production company ever took into account. Yard Crashers was not a “gardening” show, and it was hardly a show to teach people about landscaping. It was a show about Outdoor Living and Badassery!

It was a show that brought millions of viewers the latest and greatest on backyard bling. It was also a show where I worked with various other badasses in order for us to collaborate, and create some of the most impressive backyards that the average man or woman could ever imagine. My team and I get to take the credit for these Outdoor creations. This was not simply Ahmed designing and installing each one these fabulous, flamboyant yards. Before we went to work on crashing the yards,  I would work with my young, dynamic, and ambitious producers; Tiffany Cascio and Kristel Devries, in order to develop our plan of what we simply thought would be cool, different, and most appealing to the homeowners, viewers, and ourselves. We also had a pretty dynamic dude that worked as program director for Scripps Networks by the name of Ross Babbit. Ross was the final shot caller for all intents and purposes. He would send us love notes letting us know what he/the network liked or disliked. In other words, what they wanted more of or less of.

When I was hired as a TV host for DIY Network, what the network liked most about me was that I was a real, and authentic, landscape professional. This was what the network was all about; having real life professionals, not just a pretty face TV host. Of course, having a pretty face can only help.

ahmed-hassan

Who could resist this face, right?

What the network also appreciated about me was my vein of arrogance. I have been doing outside work in landscaping most of my life. The only other thing I’ve been doing as long as landscaping is roller skating as many of you know. Roller skating and landscaping are my 2 favorite hobbies.

Ahmed Hassan Roller Skates

Me lacing up my skates!

I want you to know that there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a show off. We should actually aspire to being a little more pride filled in all of the things that we do. Taking pride in how we carry ourselves is what I learned from growing up, and being exposed to the Nation of Islam as a child. I was taught etiquette, to speak properly and carry myself in such a manner of respect and royalty, so that others would learn to treat me with respect in turn.

This is somewhat of a social psychological game where a person creates a socially acceptable way in which they are perceived in order to manipulate another person so that they respond to you according to the perception of your choosing. There are of course times to play the humble and meek roles like both the Buddhist and Christian philosophies teach, but there’s also a time and place in which we must stand tall and lead by example. In order to get people’s attention we must do this in an impressive way.

Ahmed Hassan Mystic Force Foundation

Mystic Force Director Sylvia Vanni and Daniella Collazo

The reason I share this information with you is because yesterday I posted and utilized the word Badass all day long. I actually put out a call to my fellow Badasses and invited you all to unite with me around the plight of sweet little Daniella Collazo.

She is a 2 yr old little girl living with stage IV Neuroblastoma. Daniella was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma when she was just a baby. She is living a life that is already challenged beyond any sort of what we might call fairness. Cancer isn’t fair. The survival rate for children living with Stage IV Neuroblastoma is 30%. Life isn’t fair. Neither is Neuroblastoma. It merely is what it is, a degenerative disease that attacks the immune system and literally takes lives. Now I’m not trying to save the world and cure all of it’s problems, yet I am seeking to stand tall and lead by example. I strive to not just be “the best”. I want to do my personal best. In order to do that I’ve gotta dig my heels in, clarify my internal self talk and create, then maintain a sense of urgency and determination like an Olympic athlete.

ahmed hassan hero for positive change

Heroes for Positive Change

Badassery is the name of the game folks. It’s time we all focus a bit more on our Badassness and do it for the most noble of causes. Be a hero for positive change like the people pictured here…. Stand firm and be committed to creating a beauty filled life for yourself and those around you. Be a conscious warrior for our generation and leave your mark as all good Badasses do. I thank you for your time and contemplation in doing so.

Follow Celebrity Landscaper Ahmed Hassan on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

  #GoGreenWithAhmed #TeamAhmedTV #DoItForDaniella

Green it Up This Valentine’s Day

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ROSES are red…

                  VIOLETS are blue…

Boy do I have a GREEN Valentine’s Day idea for you!

ahmed hassan- green rose

Go green with your love this year

It’s that time of year again, not only is Valentine’s day a reminder of the official day to start your annual rose pruning stateside, but it’s also the prickly cash crop’s largest harvest of the year. The interesting thing is, roses aren’t even blooming in February, unless of course they’re grown in green houses or shipped from South America.

Have you ever thought to consider just how many folks will head out this holiday, and buy roses, or some other fresh cut flowers this Valentine’s day?  And have you ever considered that cut flowers could be anything other than “Green”or eco friendly.

You might be surprised to find the stats from last year as to how many folks had the same idea you did and decided to buy their significant other some fresh cut flowers on February 14th. Going green and not being all party pooperish is still fairly easy to accomplish. Because I love both the planet and the human race I’ve decided to make it my duty to spread a lil love and some creative and affordable ideas for you this Valentine’s Day.

Ahmed Hassan Valentine

Valentine’s Day Love from your favorite Celebrity Landscaper!

Cut flowers, foliage, branches and berries all make attractive bouquet ingredients. Dry flowers and even seed pods can all be assembled in some fashionable arrangement to where your significant love interest is bound to feel special on the day of love.  There really aren’t any hard and fast rules with regards to what Valentine’s day brings. The pagan holiday started way back when, while it’s significance on several levels is somewhat warped and wrapped up in our history. The only reason I even celebrate the day is because the essence of what I understand is that it’s a day to recognize our loved ones.

The day before V day I ended up flying out of town to a skate party in Arizona. I did however leave a few early Valentine’s day gifts for both Tiffanie and the kids. The kids merely got aloe vera gummy bears and a personalized, loving note from Dad. Tiffanie got a little more substantial gift and I hope she knows that in spite of us spending time separately this weekend, I love her dearly.

Ahmed Hassan- Tiffanie Hassan Power Partner

Me and My Valentine

Upon my arrival to AZ, I drove by the Arizona Flower Market and couldn’t help but say hi to my fellow Petal Pushing friend Brad Denham. Brad owns 3 businesses that will provide you with local or imported fresh flowers, foliage, and accoutrements for making your own DIY floral arrangements in the greater Phoenix metro area.

Ahmed Hassan Petal Pusher

Me and fellow petal pusher Brad Denham

 

Behind the scenes at Arizona Family Florist:

Ahmed Hassan Greenery

Brad spices his arrangements up with accent greenery

Ahmed Hassan More Accent Greenery

More greenery used for making your flowers look spectacular!

Ahmed Hassan Flower Bouquets

Brad’s “canvas” that he uses to create his artwork!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here you might be a bit more limited within your own garden space or desire an extra bit of floral color. Brad also operates 3 other businesses all designed to assist you with gifts and floral or plant decor in AZ. All of his pricing is quite reasonable since he’s wholesale to the public, and family owned and operated. They sell floral supplies, arrangements, floral services for weddings and special occasions, and delicious, edible, decorative fruit bouquets!

Ahmed Hassan Fruit Bouquet

One of many delicious fruit bouquets Brad offers!

Follow Celebrity Landscaper Ahmed Hassan on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

#TeamAhmedTV #GoGreenWithAhmed

10 Interesting Tree Facts!

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Yesterday’s pictures and Facebook post led me to thinking I should share 10 interesting facts about trees with my peeps. That’d be you if you’re reading this!   So here they are in no particular order. I assume I can even come up with 10, if not I might just wing it and make up some stuff (kidding).

1. Did you know that trees are quite different than all other plant species? Unlike herbaceous plants, trees develop a large wooden structure that rises high above the ground. This allows the tree’s canopy (it’s leaves that actually feed the plant and keep it alive), to reach high above other plants, and receive the necessary light it needs in order to survive.

2. In the plant world, trees are the tallest members, the most prominent, and the most permanent. While I wouldn’t say that they are the most important, I will say they add value to your property because they are considered a permanent structure. Of course they must be healthy, in the right location, and have been properly and aesthetically maintained to be of value.

Ahmed Hassan - Tree in Yard

Trees add value to your property when maintained properly.

3. Because of their height, trees nurse smaller plants beneath them. Smaller plants benefit from the micro climate-controlled area created by the trees. They also benefit from fallen leaves that decompose, and recycled nutrients around the base of the tree. One more thing, the trees canopy drips for hours after rainfall. This continues to moisten the soil around it’s base, not only benefiting the tree’s roots, but the neighboring plant roots of other lower canopy plants.

4. Trees are typically sold…

trees in burlap

ball and burlap

Bare-Root-Trees

bare root during dormancy

monrovia plants

pot or container

 

5. Leaves have evolved from needles and other appendage like structures that are attached to the wooden scaffold/branches of the tree. Earlier trees that existed were more closely related to our current coniferous species. Trees have evolved and adapted to their environment.  In colder, more severe weather areas, trees began shedding their leaves during times of drought, and during the winter. Once the snow melts and weather begins to warm, leaves reemerge enough to resume regular growth rates and development of the tree.

6. Trees in the nursery are sold in several forms.
Street Tree: Typically tall with first limbs up around 6ft or higher
Standard: This one is very common. The term means that the tree looks somewhat like a lollipop or the way that a child draws a tree, with trunk and a head.
Multi Stem: Means just what it says. The tree has a single trunk then splits into typically 3, sometimes more trunks, fairly low from the ground.
Low Branching: Is when the tree develops it’s first branches fairly close to the ground. A tree can have multiple trunks and also be low branching. Conifers are typically sold this way. If the low branches get in the way of the landscape design, they are just sawn or lopped off.

7. Many shrubs and grasses are grown as trees and are often thought of as trees even though they are technically shrubs or grasses. A few examples are Citrus, Crape Myrtle, Palms, and Manzanita just to name a few.

8. The primary difference concerning the use of trees and shrubs in your residential landscape is as follows. Trees should be planted and given space from your house foundation, sidewalks, etc., whereas shrubs can be planted much closer. They will do less damage because their roots don’t grow as large in size. They are far less likely to damage your hardscaping by pushing it up.

9. When trees come from the nursery they are shipped with a nursery stake. This stake aids the nursery grower in shipping the tree. You can and most often should remove this stake once the tree is planted. Otherwise it’s likely to do more damage than good by rubbing against the trunk and preventing branches from developing where the stake is. Proper staking techniques can be found in this YouTube video. I approve of what he’s doing, but might need to shoot my own video soon.

10. Wow! I’m already at #10 and I’m just getting warmed up! So the last couple of things I’ll tell you about trees is that once the tree has reached the same size, or is larger in caliper (trunk thickness) than the stakes, feel free to remove them. The tree will actually sway in the wind a bit, but that’s okay. Every time it sways, the roots are gently stimulated. They will respond by growing even more roots, thereby increasing the foundation and stability of the tree helping it to weather the next storm.

10.5 Sorry, I couldn’t help myself! Whenever you find a fallen or leaning tree, only straighten it and lift it into position once. Gather your guy wire, tree stakes, and straps. Then fix the tree once, remembering not to make the stake or bracing so tight that the tree can’t sway a bit. Think of it like a brace or cast on your leg. If you wore your brace too long and too tight, you’d never become a strong track runner. Your tree needs to sway and be challenged a bit in the wind in order to develop it’s root system in the same way that your body needs movement to develop your muscles. The stakes or braces are merely to keep it from being toppled completely.

So there you have it, 10.5 great facts about trees you can use the next time you consider planting or staking your tree. The weather will warm up in the next few months and you’ll likely be able to put this information to good use. One final thank you to my photographer and friend Tim Engle for the feature image on this post. This is just one of many amazing outdoor images he has collected. Don’t just take my word for it though, click the link and see for yourself.

You can follow Celebrity Landscaper Ahmed Hassan on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

#GoGreenWithAhmed #TeamAHmedTV

Shifting Towards Sustainability

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Sustainability involves death. You might be thinking that is a bit counter intuitive. When we hear the word sustainability we most often think about something lasting. However, that is just one aspect; true sustainability involves so much more. Nature teaches us that nothing truly can last forever in a single form.

Consider how things change…

  • We have 4 seasons each year.
  • The weather continues to shift and change as it pleases.
  • The water and waves wash onto the shore only to be swept back into the sea.
  • The sun rises in the east each morning then sets along the western skyline.

About the only thing that is truly permanent is change and the cycles of life! I’ve never had a “new” anything that kept it’s “newness”. I’ve never visited any place that didn’t look different with the passing of time each time I returned.

So what does it really mean to be, and live, sustainably?

In my opinion it takes an understanding that the earth is alive. It takes respecting the fact that products and inventions are created, and they (just like nature), will deteriorate and return to the earth. It is not something that MIGHT happen, it is something that WILL happen.

I tell people this…

“The only thing live plants need in order to survive is the decomposition of dead plants,

aka organic matter or compost. “

In the beginning there was nothing and everything. Mankind figured out how to build and create. Stone, then straw and wood. Being a Landscaper was not my initial goal. As a kid I remember wanting to be a carpenter. I wanted to build and create. Landscaping was what I settled into because I learned from my dad how to work outside. I discovered how to improve the aesthetics around my home and yard. I digress; let me get back to the issue of sustainability.

Wood, as dimensional lumber, is still hugely popular as a building material and I assume that it will be for some time to come. It is sustainable. We grow trees for harvesting. Once harvested, the wood is milled and utilized for a multitude of purposes. Those uses have evolved over the years as sustainability practices have improved.

First we have pressure treated wood. This evolved from our desire to slow the natural deterioration process. The chemicals used are harmful to the so called “pests” that feed on the wood. This makes the wood last longer and slows the need for harvesting more natural resources.

Some is used for composite decking. This was developed as a means to give a bit of permanence to wood. Much of today’s composite decking is actually made from recycled plastic bags and a blend of recycled wood pulp. It assists us with not having the need to develop, grow and or exploit new raw materials and other goods. It is sustainable!

There are also several other inventions like PVC decking, bamboo decking and unique products like Nyloboard. These boards are made from recycled carpet fibers. Pretty neat stuff!

Celebrity Landscaper Ahmed Hassan - Carpeteria

From carpet to concrete, we have been loving our floors for a long time!

When I was a kid growing up here in the states, everyone had carpet in their homes. Wall to wall carpet was the norm. These days many folks are more interested in hardwood floors, or laminate, if not concrete and tile.

My point in all of this is to say that there is no ultimate evil when it comes to manufacturing. As mankind evolves we are merely seeking to develop and create sustainable products that will both suffice for whatever the intended purpose is as well as generate the capital needed to maintain and build businesses, while also supporting the global economy.

Ahmed Hassan Celebrity Landscaper- Dollar Signs

Our innovation creates capital for global sustainability.

In the United States we’ve become accustom to recycling, reusing, and manufacturing our new products with formerly used products (our waste). Our sustainability, and global health, require us to do this. We must continue to seek out better ways to create a greener environment, and do less damage in the process. My hope is that every person reading this blog will begin using the word “sustainability” in your regular vocabulary.

Then put that word to use by taking action on the following questions:

1. How can I personally assist nature and be a part of the natural solution?

2. How can I relate to others and build relationships that are sustainable?

3. How do the products that I buy and use support our local, regional and global sustainability?

You will begin to notice your life moving in cycles is you do this. Recycling bottles, Reusing shopping bags at the grocery store, saving scraps for your compost pile, etc. That is completely normal. Remember that things come and go, it is what we do at the end of their life cycle that contributes to sustainability. After all, to quote myself…

“The thought of any product living and existing forever is scary and in no way sustainable.”

-Ahmed Hassan Celebrity Landscaper

For more info, and a LOT of landscaping ideas, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

#GoGreenWithAhmed #TeamAhmedTV

Balancing Kids, Family Life, Work, and Fame

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This week’s Blog Topic was inspired and requested by none other than my Facebook friend Maria Strickland.

The week of Jan 12th has been quite a busy week indeed. I realized late on Wednesday that I had yet to write a blog for this week, so I put a post on my Ahmed Hassan Celebrity Landscaper page. I asked for inspiration for today’s blog post because this week’s project is very time and energy consuming.

Ahmed Hassan - Richie Rich

Richie Rich was very different than me in many ways.

Maria offered a suggestion, and this morning I’m refreshed and ready to delve in head first! First of all, I want to acknowledge and share with so many of you that while you might see me as some big time celebrity, I waiver and waffle at this notion. I consider myself a regular guy. I know that I’m popular and all, but I’m in no way an “A List” celebrity. Here’s a funny story that I’ve rarely shared. When I was a kid growing up, I watched a cartoon character named “Richy Rich”. What fascinated me about this cartoon character was that he was so much different than I was. He was white, I was black. He was rich, I grew up poor. He had everything; I was taught by my dad, mom, and step mother Mabel, to appreciate everything I did have.

I actually remember stating to God or the Universe, “I don’t wanna be rich”. It was one of those prayer like affirmations that we sometimes make when we “claim” something. We’ve all heard that money is the root of all evil and I distinctively remember this Richie Rich character having so many challenges to deal with because he had so much money. I was like, “I just wanna be comfortable, but not rich”. It wasn’t until my 30’s that I realized that being comfortable in today’s society was considered being “rich” by the standards I was raised by.

You see, everything is relative. Some people might see me as some big time celebrity that’s got it made. In fact, I’m that same kid who’s been hustling, doing yard work all my life. I finally decided that I would be “ok” with being rich. Yet, I want to also be responsible and enjoy my life, family, and fame. I’m not rich now, but I am willing and wanting to experience the reality so I continue to prepare.

Ahmed Hassan- Power Partner Tiffanie Hassan

My Power Partner, Tiffanie Hassan!

You’re probably wondering, “So what about the balancing act that Maria asked about?”. When it comes to balancing and being there for my kids, I could not do it without Tiffanie. It’s Tiffanie who is the primary chauffeur, back to school mom, the one that pays the bills, and the one that creates most, if not all, of the structure that the Hassan’s have at home. Tiffanie and I are business partners, friends, lovers, and co parents. I often refer to us as “Power Partners”. We have teams of others that we work with in order to do all that we do, but it’s she and I that manage all things Ahmed Hassan Celebrity Landscaper, as well as Ahmad Hassan Landscape Services.

I actually run and maintain 4 businesses. I create and provide web video assets and content for my industry and national brands like Monrovia Nurseries, Hunter Industries, FX Luminaire, and Shindaiwa, just to name a few. I also do personal appearances at home, garden, and builder shows around the country. I continue to maintain and operate my own business in the greater Sacramento area, and in 2014 we began operating a couple of small nurseries in Shingle Springs where we live. The way I manage everything is with a little bit of patience, understanding, love, and inspiration. I’ve learned that being perfect is overrated, it’s merely a matter of being present.

Ahmed Hassan- Family

Tiffanie helps keep the smiles on these faces!

I love my wife and kids. I love my fans and friends. I love my work and creating beautiful, functional, outdoor living spaces. I love teaching and inspiring others to find, explore, and exploit their passions. I continue to dream up new things and ideas because I’m in love with life. Truly I am! There’s absolutely no reason that Yard Crashers should have become as big a hit on television as it did except that it was a show with this crazy, energetic guy who was in love with what he was doing. He actually knew something about landscaping, building, creating, and gardening.

That brings us full circle to the work I have this week. I am going to design, build, create, and develop a new presentation for the Like Water Event at Free Flow Academy’s Rocklin, CA location. It’s a health and wellness event happening this weekend. I’ll be right there in the gorgeous space that my team and I are developing. Everything I do requires the help, assistance, and buy in from so many others. This weekend’s event is no different. This space is an area that a couple of Master Gardeners are going to use. I’ll be using it to host a workshop on Gardening, The Original Crossfit.

I’m tired and fatigued this week because I’m creating. I work within the metaphysical realm, designing, plotting and planning. Then I utilize all of my natural powers to communicate, explain, design, acquire, and create what it is that I see in my minds eye. It’s tiring work. It’s physically and mentally taxing. Yet it is what my life looks like and I’ll continue down this path. I love life and seek to do everything, and experience anything, I see as beautiful and worthy while I’m here. Thanks for this mornings inspiration Maria Strickland. Thank the rest of you all for reading.

Follow Celebrity Landscaper Ahmed Hassan on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest to stay current on upcoming events! Check out the sponsors below for this weekend’s event!

 

#TeamAhmedTV #GoGreenWithAhmed

 

Energy, Intention, and Faith for the New Year!

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The 3 ingredients in the title are needed to accomplish anything.

I sometimes lie in bed in the morning and begin to think about what I want, or need to do, on a given day. At some point I’m finally inspired to get up and get things going. I’m either INSPIRED or MOTIVATED with fear. I don’t wanna miss out or be late!

My ENERGY and intentions have me living the life that I do and chasing after those dreams that inspire me. I take full advantage of my Celebrity status wherever I can and yet I’m fully aware that I’m the same kid that dropped out of High school in the 11th grade because I was simply more interested in smoking weed and hanging out than I was in academia. Today I intentionally live my life in a way that pleases and inspires me. It seems foolish to do anything but this! Being clean and sober was the best choice I could make 22 years ago.

My ENERGY and INTENTION are the fuels that keep me going. My FAITH, coupled with the conscious action I put towards making my dreams come true, helps me execute my wants around my business, and the whole of my life.

The concept of ENERGY is used everywhere around us, but what is energy?

The dictionary definition of the word states as such:

: The ability to be active
: The physical or mental strength that allows you to do things
: Natural enthusiasm and effort
: Usable power that comes from heat, electricity, etc.

So it seems that energy is any number of things, but they all come from the state of being alive, able, and capable… which is what we all are.

When you’re dead. You’ll lack any energy or capability.

Now let’s consider the word INTENTION. It means:

: That thing you plan to do or achieve
: An aim or purpose

Bear with me for a moment and assume that you’re just like me; a regular person that lives, breathes, and goes about your day doing things that you either need, want, or have to do. Have you ever noticed how different tasks during your day affect you emotionally?

This is true for EVERYONE.

I have things that I’m inspired to do that come from something I might have imagined, or something that someone else has collaborated with me around and we’ve decided we’re going to make it happen. My energy and intention around this event might range from, “I’m super excited and can’t wait to get started with things!” OR “I know that things need to get done but I lack the urgency or desire to get them going right now”. I choose to focus daily on staying inspired.

Ahmed Hassan - Celebrity Landscape - Energy

Here’s to a beautiful day!

I’m best known for my television work on HGTV and DIY Networks Yard Crashers. This is a show that came into existence because of my passion and love for landscaping. The show was developed by me, a few producers at a very small production company, and Scripps Networks. We developed a show that was based around me, playing myself, on television. At the time of the shows creation, I was merely a landscape gardener. I wasn’t yet a licensed contractor. I became one because the network wanted to feature me as such, and I had already intended on becoming one because I wanted to grow my vision for Ahmad Hassan Landscape Services. However, I lacked the money and was already over booked with local work through my word of mouth network.

DIY paid for the cost involved with me obtaining my license. I took the classes, passed the contractors exam, and to date, I am still a licensed, bonded and insured C-27 (California Landscape Contractor). Sacramento never had it so good! I have been learning and working in landscaping most of my life. My bio says since the age of 10 because that’s when I recall having the drive and ambition.

While landscaping isn’t all that I do, it’s what I call my occupation and what people mostly know me for. I was featured on HGTV’s “Landscape Smart” shows dating back to 1999. I didn’t start hosting until 2007 for DIY Network. As a kid I always imagined myself as someone that would be in the limelight. I sang choir and did a little acting in junior high and always enjoyed entertaining, teaching and leading.

As a host for a landscape and gardening show I believe I’m unparalleled due to the energy and excitement I have around the Green Industry. When you’re interested in something, it’s amazing how much you’ll commit to learning, exploring, and becoming the best at it. When Yard Crashers first came out it was a dynamic television show. My energy mixed with my creative team of professionals, artists, and contractors; our real world approach to making Outdoor Living spaces,it was all something that hadn’t yet been featured on television. Not like this at least.

As each season was produced, I evolved. As a professional, I became interested in making more of an impact with what I taught and the messages I sent out to folks. I eventually out grew it and became bored with the format of my own show. Folks began recognizing me everywhere and that too changed the dynamic of the show.

Oh yeah, another word to define! “Dynamic” Means:

: always active or changing
: having or showing a lot of energy
: of or relating to energy, motion, or physical force

Ahmed Hassan - Celebrity Landscape - Action

Whatever you do in this life remember… results require action!

As a result of my becoming complacent with producing the same formatted show again and again for television; many of my fans are beginning to see why the man that they first became interested in on TV is no longer there. I get bored easily and have to switch things up here and there. While TV evolves as an industry, a particular show doesn’t typically allow for evolution to happen within a formatted program. Yard Crashers had awesome appeal and was real when it began. What it evolved into was a tightly formatted television program that no longer held my interest.

In 2015 I intend to return to television. That is to say that my Energy, Intention and my entire life’s work will be focused on bringing this idea, and plan, into existence.

When you have dynamic energy like I have you’ve gotta simply support your thoughts and ideas with one key ingredient in order to make life happen. You’ve gotta take ACTION. Even if you don’t know how or know where to start.

All of us started life in the same way. We had no clue or idea. We grew up and we acquired all of what we needed to get us right here. If we want to go further, we must focus on what it is that we want. We must set our intention; focus, manage, and maintain our energy and momentum; and apply the action that’s required on a daily basis to bring our life’s desire into reality. Sure it’ll be a challenge. All of life is!

Religious people say just pray on it. Others say to meditate. Then there are those that subscribe to the law of attraction and understand that it’s merely your energy, intention, and action bringing all of what you focus on into reality. You decide which concept works best for you but at some point you’ve got to DO. Take action and make things happen. As you believe, so shall you receive.

I have faith in you. 2015 is a new year. I know that if I can do it, so can you!

#GoGreenWithAhmed #TeamAhmedTV

Follow Celebrity Landscaper Ahmed Hassan on Twitter and Facebook. If you are brave and really want to have your mind blown, check him out on Pinterest!

Understand You Might Be Misunderstood

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When we say, “CHANGE your thinking, CHANGE your life,” we acknowledge the Power of language, of words, to affect us in this world. The combination of language plus image plus emotion is the builder of consciousness. Words trigger images, images trigger feelings, feelings have impact on our belief system. Words matter. Sometimes our word to another may be Powerful. That is, it may have more intention behind it than our word to ourselves.The capacity to keep one’s promises and agreements is paramount in a Spiritually mature person. When we use words loosely or without clear intention, we waste their Power. When you speak to yourself, mean what you say or do not say it. When you speak to others, do the same. If it is not your habit to do that now, then be with the discomfort inherent in making a worthwhile change. Do not lose anymore Power or Love in your Life.

— From The Science of the Mind Magazine

Celebrity Landscaper Ahmed Hassan- Birmingham, AL Home and Garden Show

Me giving tips at the Home and Garden Show in Birmingham, Alabama 2013. I think they “understood” what I was talking about!

Yes words are powerful. They are also quite limiting, considering we use them with ourselves and others, who may have a very different understanding of the same words.

As a landscape contractor and creative entrepreneur, I use words all the time. Emails, contracts, and text messages are just a few of the ways in which I communicate and seek to clarify and define what’s intended. Descriptively, there are a slurry of words that I use to convey my intentions around any number of relationships between clients, workers, sub contractors and others. I draw upon my mental thesaurus and let ‘er rip!

I need always keep in mind that even though I feel like I’m speaking directly to what we might be crafting an agreement around, there is always room to be misunderstood. It can happen. Universally it DOES happen!

When it does, it tends to annoy us, piss us off, and can even lead to divorce or major catastrophe. We sit back and wonder why…

Look at Merriam’s definition of the word “Understand”

1. to perceive the INTENDED meaning
2. INFER something from information received.
3. to KNOW how (someone) thinks, feels, or behaves

Now according to those three definitions, how could you truly know how someone thinks, feels or behaves? You can’t.

This is why in contracting I use my wonderful little “Landscape Design and Scaled Drawing”. This is nothing more than a visual tool. It assists me with describing what goes where. It also assists my female client, her husband, their neighbors, the attorney, and the judge; so that if there were ever any question, we can all see just what is or was expected and involved with their project. Of course, there’s also got to be a written description for the work and services that are to be included as part of any landscape and construction project.  In this way, we can all be a little more clear with what’s expected, and agreeable with regards to time, money, and expectations.

When I hosted Yard Crashers, the homeowners paid for nothing out of pocket so a fiduciary contract was not required. The Network paid for the yards with their “Show budget” and the production company administered this expense by contracting out the various jobs and all of the work. It’s amazing how smooth things can go when you’re giving someone something for free. My team and I pretty much had free reign with being creative. Of course, because I’ve been doing landscaping and reading people for a long time, I always seek to truly appeal to my clients and what they’re really wanting and needing in their outdoor living space.

Celebrity Landscaper Ahmed Hassan - Yard Crashers Yard

A yard I crashed when I hosted the show. More pictures of crashed yards can be found by following the Yard Crashers link in this post!

It’s like offering the hungry homeless person your leftovers while walking down street. If he’s truly hungry, he’s appreciative. It’s up to him what he wants to eat and/or discard. Yet, you take this same guy into a restaurant and have him pay for a meal, request no onions or salt, and it’s served to him with both onions and salt; he’ll likely return the whole damn plate! Or… he might simply decide to pick through the onions and deal with the salt. One can never say because choice is the privilege that each of us has.

Like the affirmation says, words trigger IMAGES, images trigger EMOTIONS, and emotions bring about CHANGE. As it relates to Ahmad Hassan Landscape Services, that change is either moving us closer towards what we’re agreeing on, or further away from what was mutually shared, discussed, understood, or misunderstood.

My day to day job is that of a designer. I design landscapes, my two retail nursery locations, my home, my yard, and so many other aspects of my livelihood. With each of these items I’m not alone. I live just like you do in a world filled with other beings that also view the world differently than me. Some like it hot, some like it cold. Some listen to Country music, while others prefer Reggae. I like tomatoes in my salad, my wife Tiffanie prefers cucumbers.

Each of us has our own unique view of life and everything in it. We’re as different as our finger prints.
It’s no wonder that we don’t agree on everything in life with a single person. How could we?
Integrity lies in doing what you said you would do. This must always start with YOU. Then expand outward.

To practice self love and respect, we’ve gotta learn how to forgive ourselves and give ourselves a break. Since we do this for other people that we love, it is essential that we take time to do the same for ourselves.

Not too long ago I made a social media post that stated, “Our birthright is to always maintain the right to say “YES, NO, MAYBE SO, & I’VE CHANGED MY MIND”.

The reason I state this and continue to tell this to folks that I am close to is because we all need to learn how to love ourselves. We live in a society where we are taught to do for others and love others. Yet concepts such as “self love, self respect, and taking care of our mental, emotional and physical self” isn’t necessarily understood so well or applied.

I encourage you to utilize your words, your print(type) and your intentions for good.

Do your best to clearly and courageously communicate but don’t get stuck thinking that everyone else must understand.

You’ll likely always be somewhat misunderstood. You’re unique! I thought you knew. 😉 Uniquely you!

 

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The Season of Abundance

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Everything in life is cyclical. As a gardener, I know this oh so well. Just yesterday my general contractor buddy William Rogers was asking me about the difference between annuals and perennials. I explained that Annuals grow from seed, are established, and live their entire life cycle in a single year. Sometimes they’ll weather over and last for several years. When that happens it is primarily because those plants aren’t true annuals. They are perennials disguised as annuals.

Celebrity Landscaper Ahmed Hassan Bedding Plants

Me giving a demonstration on different bedding plants

Perennial plants, on the other hand, are plants that typically grow, and last, for a minimum of 3 years. They bloom for a season, then survive a couple of more seasons doing minimally okay, but they do last. These are the kinds of plants we typically do our ornamental landscaping with.

Then there are biennial plants. These plants take an entire year to develop, then they bloom only every other year. Plants like Fox Gloves, Trillium and Holly Hocks are all biennial. You might also like to know that cabbage, kale, brussels sprouts, carrots, and even celery are biennials. We typically harvest these plants and eat them in their first season, which is why we never see their flowers.

I share this with you because as a gardening philosopher I see all of life as cyclical. Our moods and feelings shift just like the weather.  I once remember Tiffanie saying that Oregon, with it’s gloomy, wet, foggy, and overcast weather, was the suicide capitol of the US. I thought , yeah, I could see that! Then I Googled it and found this was not actually the case. Oregon was merely number 12, not number 1. How could that be?  All of the rain and overcast gloom, there has to be something to it right? There must be some connection between depression and the weather.  As it turns out, there is. Take a look at this information from Wikipedia…

“Environment variables, such as the amount of sunlight, occurrence of natural disasters, and the inability to protect and shelter oneself, can result in suicidal behaviors”. Parasuicide, which is the strongest known indicator for a future successful suicide attempt, is known to have a strong association with weather patterns. As noted by Barker in their 1994 article on seasonal and weather factors in parasuicide, “A major finding of this study was…the greatest mean daily number of parasuicide episodes in late spring/early summer and a trough in December/January”. Their approach involved developing a linear model to accurately separate any “seasonal effects and seasonally-related weather effects”. Climate factors affect parasuicide differently in women and men. The data indicated that the meteorological factors to account for large parasuicidal effects in women were maximum temperature, rainfall, and cloud cover. On the other hand, rain, cloud cover, poor visibility, and windy days were the most important meteorological factors in men. These findings state that elevated levels of environmental heat have been known to “produce thermal stress causing physiological and behavioral change, which may predispose a person to parasuicidal behavior, or precipitate parasuicide in someone already considering it”.

Translation… weather does affect our mood. Throw in the holiday season and it is affected even more. We need to find a way deal with those feelings. I spend a lot of time thinking. It’s one of the reasons I so enjoy gardening. For me, gardening is a moving and productive meditation. It allows me to float, and allows my thoughts to remain fluid, drifting in and out as they please. It also allows me to move and keep my endorphin production going. I’ve used gardening and landscaping as my medicine when I first lost my dad 20 years ago.

My last blog talked about him and I paid homage in my own way to his memory and legacy. My topic for this week is the season of abundance and I’m talking about how things are cyclical because It’s what I notice in both nature and society. Duhh, we’re all from nature and we all make up this society. I share my thoughts so that others can also relate and know that they are not alone.

Just like the plants that I mentioned have various growth stages and cycles in which they produce , we as humans experience a similar shift according to our environment. I’m no meteorologist or psychologist but I do enjoy researching and learning about the ways in which nature affects us all. I spend most of my life teaching and creating in the realm of beautiful outdoor living spaces.

It has been said that cleanliness is next to godliness and I mean who doesn’t enjoy an aesthetically pleasing space? I know I feel best when things are clean, neat and organized. I also enjoy the process of designing, working, building, and creating so that we can get there. The journey is part of the fun.

So I encourage you in this season of Christmas and abundance.

Take note of what you’re thankful for.

Do something nice for someone else, something that contributes, something that “gives”.

I know it’s cold and snowy in some places, so give thanks that you have a warm and cozy house to call your home.

Maybe you have extra blankets and clothes that you can donate to the homeless or less fortunate. The best way to step up out of your depression during this holiday season is to give to others.

This has nothing to do with shopping at Target or buying people gifts. We all have an abundance. We need to merely skim off some of our excess and create balance with nature. There’s a cyclical time for everything, just look at her.

She is our greatest teacher.

Ahmed

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It All Started a Few Months Ago…

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Hi folks my name is Jason Britt and I serve as the blog editor/manager for AhmedHassan.tv. That’s me in the pic there.  Ahmed asked me to log in and share a few thoughts this week concerning our relationship; specifically, how we met, and how we work together. I think you guys will get a little insight into the world of Ahmed, and my hope is that you can use this post to inspire some resolve and focus in your own life.

Celebrity Landscaper Ahmed Hassan - Jason B freelance

When I’m not writing, I’m outside!

So with that where should I begin. It all started a few months ago when I reached out to Ahmed about his blog. I was a fan of Yard Crashers and kept up with him on Facebook. Every now and then, I would send him a message with a little tidbit about life or leadership, and he would respond. Over time, we developed a friendship that spans the coast. He lives in Sacramento, California, and I myself hail from Savannah, Georgia.

One day I’m online and notice that he has launched his website, AhmedHassan.tv. I messaged him to let him know that if he ever needed help with his blog, that’s what I do. I freelance for people who are literally scattered all over the world and as such, write/manage a lot of content throughout the week. What happened next was a flurry of events! We exchanged phone numbers, and set up a conference call where I was introduced to several other key players on #teamAhmed such as Tiffanie, his wife and business partner; Marie, his friend and author, and Aimee and Lynne, web design and content gurus extraordinaire. I was thoroughly vetted.

They said things like “Do you like his writing?”, “Is he good enough?”, “Be honest guys”, etc. It was a very direct interview. Lesson One… anything you want to do in life deserves to be examined and scrutinized before you make decisions. That is just sound business. Anyway, after that first call, I knew I would fit in well with the gang. I appreciate honesty and am a “get it done” type of guy. So after another conference call, the blog took shape and we launched the ship. What has happened since then is nothing short of amazing. Each week Ahmed comes up with advice on life and landscaping. He is funny, engaging, practical, and authentic. Yet pulling off what is necessary to get a post up in a week’s time is more challenging than you might think. I mean come on let’s be honest, this is not me or you getting up and going to work in our home office. This is a guy who makes a celebrity appearance at a Home Show one weekend, the Today Show two weeks later, Gardening Shows four days after that; the list goes on and on. In a word, Ahmed is busy.

Celebrity Landscaper Ahmed Hassaan - Savannah GA

Life on the Georgia Coast is great!

As such, that means I have received mid flight texts, pictures on the fly from the set of the Today Show, and topics at 5 pm for posting the next morning. He is dedicated to the task and gets it done. If you are a guy, you know how much you appreciate working with a guy like that. No hiding behind emails and no voice mail screens. For all his busy-ness, Ahmed is accessible. I know my job is done when I get a“Thanks brotha Jay”, or “Awesomesauce!” text from him. So now that you see a little bit of the flurry and scramble that is involved with a weekly posting, I will leave you with this…

You can do it!

No matter how busy, how depressed, how ADHD, how happy, or how unprepared you think you are, you can do it. Each week #teamahmed proves this time and time again. No is simply not in our vocabulary and is not how we live our lives. We are all upbeat, positive people who really want to achieve some great things and have a definite course set for our lives.

Speaking of, stay tuned in 2015 because Ahmed has some pretty neat things planned and it is exciting to see them take shape. That is one of the privileges you get when you work with the Wizard of Oz. You get to be the “man behind the curtain” and see ideas take shape as they go from seed to fruit. However, don’t think for a minute that the Hassan’s need a brain, a heart, or lack courage. I have deep admiration for who they are and how they do life. I’m just a guy who is grateful to follow them down the yellow brick road!

With Much Love and Admiration,

Brotha Jay 🙂

P.S. For all the latest updates, be sure to follow Celebrity Landscaper Ahmed Hassan on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

Keeping Your Christmas Tree Healthy for the Long Haul

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The folks over at the Today Show asked me to stop by and do a segment on Christmas trees with them. So earlier yesterday, I joined Al Roker and Natalie Morales on the outside studio plaza to educate the masses on different types of Christmas trees and the best way to keep them looking healthy throughout the holiday season.

Celebrity Landscaper Ahmed Hassan Three Christmas Trees

Three types of Christmas trees used for my segment on the Today Show (pictured in photo background). Douglas, Fraser, and Noble Fir (l to r).

To begin with, let me just say that there are many types of trees that are used for Christmas trees depending on where you might live. Today we only focused on what I’ll call the big three during our 4 minute Today Show segment. These are the Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, and Noble Fir evergreen varieties.

Douglas Fir
There are a few differences worth mentioning between each type of tree. For starters, the Douglas Fir is the most popular because quite frankly, it’s the cheapest. I mentioned on the segment that back here in Sacramento, we commonly use this type of tree for construction lumber because it is so plentiful and grows relatively fast. As such, it makes for a cheap Christmas tree during the Holidays as well. That’s why many families choose this common evergreen. It’s a great way to get a live tree without breaking the bank.

Fraser Fir
Second, the Fraser Fir has been rated as America’s favorite Christmas tree year after year. Part of this reason lies in the fact that the leaves are somewhat two-tone with their blue green color, and they also give off a fantastic scent! Also, their limbs are much sturdier than the Douglas Fir, making them the perfect appendages for holding all of those ornaments, garland, and lights.

Noble Fir
Finally, we have the Noble Fir. This is one of those grand statement piece trees. Nice full branches that are evenly spread out, an aroma that makes you feel like you’re in the forest, and available in any type of size you need, these are majestic trees for sure. In fact, the one pictured below is the tree that they will be lighting in Rockefeller Center tonight. While it looks a lot like a large Noble Fir, it’s actually a Norway Spruce.

Celebrity Landscaper Ahmed Hassan Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

This majestic Norway Spruce will serve as the Christmas Tree for Rockefeller Center this year

Maintaining Your Tree
Regardless of which variety of tree you choose, there is one thing you need to do in order to get the most out of your cut specimen during the holiday season. When you take your tree home, make a fresh cut towards the bottom of the trunk just before you place it into your already, water filled, tree stand. Be sure to not put too much, since it’ll over flow. You can always top off the tree stand with water once you’ve got the tree straightened out to your liking.

Keeping the fresh cut moist so it takes up water will ensure that the sap does not run to the bottom of the tree trunk and seal it off. This can happen really quick, that’s why I suggest you cut the tree just before you place it in your tree stand rather than at the tree lot. Many Christmas tree farms will offer to cut trees on site, however, don’t do it. Just kindly thank them and make this final cut when you get home; that will be sufficient. Your tree will continue to take up water, just like cut flowers do. Ideally it should last for the entire month of December or at least until until the last Ho, ho, ho is heard and many memories are made; since that’s what it’s all really about right? 😉

Christmas trees are about tradition. For the last 5 years or so, we at the Hassan household have used a wonderful fake Christmas tree. It came with lights and it spun. I say that as past tense because it no longer spins and half of the lights no longer work. Oh, and it’s a hand me down. Tiffanie’s sister Angelique had it for a year or two prior. Have I mentioned that I’m frugal? I’m also a “Green Industry” pro and a believer in recycle/reuse.  As such, I haven’t been willing to toss this tree into the landfill.

My kids, however, were vocal this year and asked if we could get a real live (actually, cut down and dead they just don’t know it) Christmas tree next year. Something about my son Julian wanting to cut down his own tree and them all wanting the smell of Christmas, aka the smell of juniper or pine, in our house. I did, of course, invite them to go outside and cut some of the green juniper to bring in and decorate with. That’s when my daughter Faith rolled her eye’s and exclaimed, “Dad!” I just smiled like a dad who knows that in spite of what makes good, financial sense… I need to encourage the exploration of my lil one’s dreams.

After all:

Who am I to stand in the way of Julian being a lumberjack on my dime?

Who am I to limit the essence of that beautiful fresh cut pine smell throughout my home each year?

Who am I to think about sustainability and being frugal over the dreams and aspirations of these young Hassan’s?

Come January 1st I’ll take on the task of figuring out just how complicated it will be to recycle the metal framed tree that used to spin and light up. I imagine I’ll need wire cutters and a whole lotta patience. I will likely get lil to no help from momma and the kids, but then again… that’s why they call me Daddy.

 

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