What Landscape Curbing Contractors Should Do Now to Prepare for Peak Spring Season
Appleton, United States – April 16, 2026 / Curb Depot /
APPLETON, Wis. (April 14, 2026) — With temperatures climbing and the landscaping season gaining momentum across much of the United States, landscape curbing contractors are entering the narrow spring window that often determines the profitability of their entire year. Industry data underscores the scale of the opportunity: the U.S. landscaping services sector has grown to a $188.8 billion market, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 6.5 percent over the past five years, according to IBISWorld.
For curbing contractors specifically — those who operate extrusion machines to lay continuous decorative concrete borders around flower beds, driveways, and property lines — the weeks between early April and mid-May represent the most consequential planning period of the year.
Ryan Wolfrath, co-owner of Curb Depot, a Wisconsin-based curbing equipment and training company founded in 2015, says that how operators use this window directly affects their bottom line.
“The contractors who have the most consistent seasons are the ones who use March and April to go through every piece of equipment, restock materials, and plan their route schedule before the phone starts ringing,” Wolfrath said. “Once May hits in most markets, you don’t have time to troubleshoot a machine issue or wait on a parts order.”
Why Spring Preparation Matters for Curbing Operations
Concrete extrusion requires ambient temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit and stable weather conditions for proper curing, which confines the working season to roughly April through November in northern states and extends nearly year-round in southern regions. That compressed earning window means a single week of downtime caused by equipment failure or a supply shortage can represent thousands of dollars in lost revenue.
The broader landscaping industry’s growth trajectory amplifies the stakes. The National Association of Landscape Professionals reports that the number of landscaping service businesses in the United States reached 692,777 in 2025, a 4.8 percent increase over the prior year, with the industry employing more than 1.4 million people. More operators entering the field means greater competition for homeowners’ landscaping budgets during peak season — and an advantage for those who are ready to begin work the moment weather permits.
Equipment Readiness: The Foundation of a Productive Season
Wolfrath recommends that curbing contractors begin their spring preparation with a thorough inspection of their extrusion machine. Key checkpoints include examining the motor’s oil level and air filter, inspecting the mold system for concrete buildup or wear, verifying that the sliding plate operates smoothly, and testing the machine under power with a short dry run before the first scheduled job.
“Molds and trowels take the most abuse over a season,” Wolfrath explained. “If you’re running a bolt-free mold system, check the fit and the edges. A worn mold produces inconsistent curb, and inconsistent curb leads to callbacks that eat into your margin.”
Beyond the extrusion machine itself, the curbing trailer requires attention. Contractors should verify that the loading ramp operates properly, check tire pressure and bearing grease, and organize storage compartments so that stamping tools, color additives, and release agents are accessible on-site without unnecessary delays.
Materials Planning and Supply Chain Timing
Securing a reliable concrete mix is equally critical. Curbing operations typically use a low-slump mix with specialized admixtures that improve workability and reduce shrinkage cracking during extrusion. Contractors should confirm their mix ratios, test their admixture inventory for shelf-life integrity, and establish delivery schedules with their local batch plant before peak demand creates longer lead times.
Color hardeners, stamping release agents, and sealers also require inventory checks. Running short on a specific color mid-project creates quality inconsistencies that are visible to the homeowner and difficult to correct after the concrete sets. Ordering a full season’s supply of high-use colors in spring, when suppliers are less backlogged, reduces the risk of mid-season shortages.
Business Operations Beyond the Jobsite
Spring preparation is not limited to curbing equipment and materials. Wolfrath encourages contractors to review their pricing structure against current material costs, update their project portfolio with photographs from the previous season, and confirm that insurance coverage and business licenses are current.
“A lot of curbing contractors are one- or two-person operations, and the business side gets neglected when you’re busy running jobs,” Wolfrath said. “Spring is the time to update your pricing, refresh your marketing, and make sure your estimates reflect what materials actually cost right now.”
For contractors entering their first season or expanding an existing landscaping business into decorative curbing, the spring months also represent the ideal window for training. Learning proper extrusion technique, stamping methods, and color application before committing to customer projects reduces the risk of costly rework and protects the operator’s reputation during those critical early jobs.
Looking Ahead
As the 2026 landscaping season accelerates, curbing contractors who invest time now in equipment maintenance, materials planning, and business readiness position themselves to capture a larger share of the growing demand for decorative concrete edging. Contractors seeking additional information on seasonal preparation and curbing equipment can visit curbdepot.com or contact Curb Depot at 920-740-2218.
About Curb Depot
Founded in 2015, Curb Depot is a curbing equipment, training, and supply company headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin. The company provides landscape curbing professionals across the United States and Canada with the Harpten Curbing Machine, curbing trailers, stamping tools, curbing profiles, and the Assurance admixture. Curb Depot offers both in-person and online training programs, along with complete startup packages ranging from basic equipment setups to full business packages with trailers. For more information, visit curbdepot.com or call 920-740-2218.
Contact:
Ryan Wolfrath
Curb Depot
920-740-2218
Contact Information:
Curb Depot
2355 Lynndale Ct Unit 5
Appleton, Wisconson 54914
United States
Ryan Wolfrath
920-740-2218
https://curbdepot.com
