By Nancy Brumback, Contributing Writer
Business name: Northern Landscape Design & Plowing
Address: 26 Hyder St., Westborough
Owner: James Mugford
Contact Information: 508-330-9466
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How did you get into this business?
“I have operated a snow plowing business for over three years. I have also done some landscaping for hotels, a couple of retirement communities, and a few individuals who have specifically asked me,” said Jim Mugford, owner of Northern Landscape Design & Plowing.
“I grew up around plants and gardens my whole life because of my grandparents’ business, Mugford’s Flower Shoppe in Westborough. I enjoy landscaping and thought it was a great way to expand my company and business.”
What landscaping services do you provide?
“We do garden installations and can design a whole garden, including installing trees and shrubs. We can put in retaining walls and playground enclosures. We’ve rehabbed overgrown courtyards.
“We would design the garden and recommend plants that do well depending on the shade and sun. If a customer wants certain plants, we can say where they would do well and where they would not. We work with two different nurseries to get shrubs and plants, so we can get anything anyone is looking for,” Mugford said.
“It’s been tough this summer with the drought. For new installations, we need to make sure customers water morning and night. We’ve actually set up sprinklers on timers because we can’t warranty the plants if they aren’t cared for. We set the timers to run when the water bans allow.
“We do landscape maintenance as well, mowing, trimming, pruning. We can repair irrigation lines, though we don’t install whole systems. We do fall cleanups, and now is the time to get on that list. We clean the sticks, leaves and acorns out of the yard and beds. It makes it easier when it’s time to do spring cleanup, pruning and new planting.”
Do you do hardscape designs as well?
“Yes. We install stone, brick, block or timber walls and walkways. We’ve built firepits. “
What plowing services do you offer?
“We do both commercial and residential snow plowing. For residential customers, we plow the driveway and salt it if the customer wants. We also clear walkways. For commercial customers, we do salting, plowing, and snow removal if they need the snow off the lot. We shovel walkways and take care of any salting applications they want.
“We can do roof raking and snow removal from roofs.”
What geographic area do you serve?
“For snow plowing, I go to Northborough, Marlborough, Southborough, Grafton, Upton and some Shrewsbury, basically all the surrounding towns that touch Westborough.
“For landscaping, we can go out a little farther, toward Milford, Clinton, Sutton, Northbridge.”
What sets your company apart?
“I’m a Westborough native. My grandparents owned Mugford’s Flower Shoppe in Westborough, so I grew up with flowers and plants and gardens. They just sold the shop about 10 years ago. Both my brothers, Matt and John, work with me, and we get along great.”