Landscaping companies have seen big budget impacts during the recent rise in fuel costs.

“We have to start thinking, how can we operate differently to try to hold down our costs on the fuel,” said Neal Goldberg, co-owner of Goldberg and Rodler. “Our maintenance crews, they have their mowers and their blowers and their weed eaters. All that small power equipment that all takes fuel, too.”

Crews at Goldberg and Rodler say it could take $250 to fill up a truck and all the landscaping equipment they need to complete a maintenance job. They’re trying not to pass that price increase on to the customer.

“Because people are all spending more money to fill their cars and all their SUVs, then they might not have that money to spend on gardening and services related to their properties,” Goldberg said.

At country gardens nursery, owner Matthew Gettinger is feeling the impact, too. He says some of the truckloads of products they buy have increased by thousands of dollars.

“With diesel prices being up over $6 a gallon right now, all of our tractors, our trucks, even our irrigation systems, rely upon diesel fuel,” Gettinger said. “And they have a dramatic impact on the cost of doing business here.”

Landscapers say if you're looking to save a bit on your yard this year, you can opt for smaller plants and trees

“The nice thing about plant material is that it all grows,” Gettinger said. “…you got to be a little bit more patient, but it's a way to save a little bit of money, budget accordingly and, and be able to get that landscape project done.”