Basics of the Landscaping Business – Rutgers NJAES Office of Continuing Professional Education

Stop working too hard for too little. Learn strategies to improve your landscaping company and maximize profits from a 25-year veteran in this one-day class!

Image of a clipboard with an estimate document on it and a person about to write on the document with a landscaped yard in the background.

NEW COURSE!

This course was just added to our landscape program area. Be one of the first to take it and learn how to run a successful landscaping business!

Course Status Notice – Not Scheduled

We do not have an offering of this course scheduled at this time. Please join our email list to be notified when the next offering is scheduled!

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Course Details

Course Name: Basics of the Landscaping Business
Course Code: AL0324CA26
Date of Most Recent Offering: March 19, 2026

Date: March 19, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm (Check in time: 8:30 am)

Location: Operator Training Center, 16 Ag Extension Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (Directions & Map)
Format: Classroom course

Registration Fee: $210

Registration Closes: March 16, 2026

Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Course Overview

This class is part of the Landscape Management II Certificate Program.

Are you working hard in the landscaping business but not making enough money? For 25 years Alex Burke has owned and operated Burke Environmental, a thriving landscaping business in New Jersey. In this one-day class, Alex will tell you what worked for him—and what did not work. He’ll teach you what he knows about overhead, estimating, staffing, growth, scaling, and marketing.

Learn from someone who’s been there and done it and is still doing it today.

Questions are welcome!

Who Should Attend?

Individuals who currently own or aspire to own a landscape business or are involved in the business operations of a landscape company can benefit from this training, including:

CEOs and Company Presidents
Field Managers
Foremen
Landscape Business Owners

Landscape Designers
Production Managers
Project Managers
Supervisors

Meet Your Instructor

Alex Burke, Burke Environmental

Alex is a third generation horticulturalist. When he was in high school he started his first business, Burke Lawn Services, mainly doing lawn maintenance. While still in high school, Alex became one of the youngest people ever to get his pesticide license from the State of New Jersey. After high school, Alex went on to Rutgers University, Cook College, where he received a degree in Environmental Planning and Design, with a concentration on seashore environments. After Alex graduated in 2000, he incorporated his business under a new name, Burke Environmental. Burke Environmental was founded as a landscape design, installation, maintenance company with a focus on Jersey Shore properties.

As Burke Environmental grew, so did the services it began to offer. Alex got his irrigation license and became certified in concrete pavers and retaining wall construction. In 2008, Alex began co-teaching the installation of concrete pavers course for Rutgers University. Alex now teaches several continuing education courses for Rutgers and guest lectures for the Department of Landscape Architecture. He is also a certified instructor for the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI). ICPI helps set the national standards for concrete pavers and is viewed as a nationally recognized certification. Alex is one of less than 75 ICPI instructors in all of North America.

Student Reviews

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Continuing Education Credits

There are no credits offered for the Basics of the Landscaping Business course (5.5 contact hours).

Course Requirements and Policies

Meals

No breakfast will be provided. Lunch will be available for pre-registered attendees only.

NOTE: If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please alert us at least two (2) weeks in advance of the course start date so that we can make reasonable accommodations. We cannot guarantee accommodations for special requests made after that time.

COVID-19 Policies for Face-to-Face Classes

Please visit our policies page for the latest information.

Pre-registration/Walk-Ins

Pre-registration is required. We’re sorry, but we cannot guarantee a seat, materials, or meals for walk-in registrants.

Location Changes

Location is subject to change; registrants will be notified in the event of a change.

Campus Parking Policy

All visitors must register their vehicles ONLINE to park on campus. Please follow the guidelines below. Failure to comply with these policies may result in a citation.

A link to register your vehicle will be provided in your course confirmation email. Please be sure to complete this important step prior to traveling to campus.
When you park on campus, be sure that your license plate is unobstructed and visible from the driving aisle.
All Rutgers faculty/staff/students must use their regular Rutgers permit and park in the nearest lot assigned for their permit type.

Email Requirement

A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.

If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
- Your full name
- The shared email address that needs to be changed
- Your unique email address
- A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions

Cancellations and Substitutions

A $35 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you have any questions about Basics of the Landscaping Business, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Program Coordinator: Joe Canzano
848-932-7317
joe.canzano@rutgers.edu

Administrative Assistant: Damiana Parada
848-932-7107
damiana.parada@rutgers.edu

For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.