A unit of Lasting Forests
Sustained forests; sustained profits
evolving since March 30, 1999

Project Pivotal-Rig

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Enterprise 49 The Gardens Group

Pivotal Gardens that are products of Pivotal-Rig, Inc. and The Gardens Group are scientifically designed gardens using modern concepts of horticulture to grow profitable, healthy and healthful, beautiful garden produce for profit in the region.

Reviving some of the concepts of World War II "Victory Gardens," these gardens are placed by the company on private lands and produce is used by the owner and sold in large lots after being collected from the plots.

Contracts and temporary easements are let for long-term plot use. Private land owners may request that their area (s) be developed as profit-making units of the regional Lasting Forest effort. Not "organic" produce, that which is produced (flowers, fruits, vegetables, herbs, decorations) is marketed as local, a special superior product of Pivotal-Rig, Inc. healthful, clean, and displayed in beautiful settings for the people of the region, visitors, and those nearby. The well-tended gardens, abundant throughout the county, give a distinctive look, additional charm and beauty to the area.

Existing soils are analyzed and then, based on conditions found, adjusted to an optimum standard of texture, organic matter, and fertility. Catchments assure moisture in water-limited periods. Fencing protects the gardens from vertebrate pest damage and vandals. Each garden is specifically located with GPS, a data base for each is prepared (from data from the following computer-produced map showing unexpected patterns of temperature and moisture). Optimum seeds are provided for the most profitable crops that can be produced on plots with the specified location. Garden owners are encouraged in maximum quality production for it is purchased from them. They may use limited amounts of produce from their land, but it is thus not available for sale.

The Gardens Group is a company exercising dispersed gardening, centralized sales, voluntary contractual use of private property, economies of purchasing seeds, fencing, moisture structures, fertilizers, sands, and mulch, and insurance.

• Economies are gained in cultivation equipment, drying, processing, packaging, and marketing products.
• Cultivation may be privately done or by contract (similar to a lawn-care activity) with The Gardens Group.
• Integrated pest damage management (vs. IPM) is promoted.
• Contests are conducted major prizes are offered based records.
• Regional shifts are made in the corporate productivity as knowledge is gained from the annual production of hundreds of gardens (research plots) in the region.
• Independent lab analyses on produce are performed and reported publicly.
• A membership is offered with newsletter, website, (and web chat room) and The Pivotal Gardeners are organized.
• Human nutrition is promoted.
• Surpluses are developed for needy charitable centers.
• Select herbs and seasoning is produced for products developed by The Rabbit Group
• Items from The Sculptors are sold and displayed
• A human health program (The Chi Concept) is studied and likely to be promoted in relation to insurance and expanded healthful life expectancy and lowered infant death rates.
• Sales of tested superior gardening equipment and supplies are done through local affiliated companies. These sales are for gardeners working off Pivotal Gardens.
• Sales of select national gardening magazines are promoted (gaining commissions).

Estimates Development costs are $50,000. Profits:

• Low - $ 1,000
• Mod - $ 5,000
• High - $ 10,000

Prospect

Prospects seem great for expanding The Gardens Group into closely related work with yards. Increasingly people are moving from the cities. The residential-area people are moving to the rural fringes. There are growing needs for wild animal population and other environmental management at the rural fringe. Quarries, roadways, powerlines, farmyards, and industrial areas ... all have wildlife that can be managed ... to increase or decrease it. The variety of conditions is so great that it is difficult to generalize. The key activities are within gardens and for birdhouses, feeders, and birdbaths. There are needs to reduce pests (e.g., pigeons or their effects) and collisions with autos.

Whether in the city, town, or rural area, yards can be managed for great satisfaction. Service can be supplied (like that of the lawn-care companies). Landscaping can improve energy conservation in buildings and provide food and nesting sites. Free-roaming pets are a significant problem and poor sanitation can attract many animals that may become pests. Runoff controls are needed and water supplies need protection. The program of the alternative new Group related to wildlife and gardens may include:

• Bird houses
• Bird feeders
• Bird baths (with winter heaters)
• Feed (supplied under contract to meet species-specific needs of desired birds)
• Neighborhood feed supplier
• Neighborhood bird club organizer
• Deterrents
• Baffles and protectors
• Arbor day programs
• A neighborhood arboretum
• Hazard-tree removals
• Fruit tree plantings and pruning
• Nest tree and nest-shrub plantings
• Maps (local and property)
• Storm-drainage area improvements
• Lighted areas (for insects and bats)

• Re-leaf projects
• Leaf pickup and composting
• Bark spreading
• Tree and plant inventories
• Energy saving inventories
• Fire wood supplies
• Lightning protection
• Night lighting
• Pest deterrence
• Tree evaluations
• Land appraisals

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This Web site is maintained by R. H. Giles, Jr.
Last revision June 26, 2002.