In this episode of Green Side Up, Jordan and Jason sit down with Zack Pitchford, owner of Wilcox Nursery & Landscape in Largo, Florida, to unpack his unconventional journey from high school nursery hand to retail nursery owner and landscape leader. Zack walks through his early days in environmental horticulture at UF, sweating it out on Jordan's maintenance crews, his eye‑opening internship at Valley Crest, and the multiple times he launched (and quit) Pitchford Design & Landscape before ultimately acquiring the historic Wilcox Nursery. He shares how he navigated the numbers, financing, and risk of buying a land-heavy business, rebuilt the team and hierarchy from the inside, and grew both the retail and services divisions. The conversation dives into leadership development, promoting from within, marketing strategy (Google Ads, SEO, email, and video content), and what he's seeing in today's softer design/install market. Zack also breaks down his water-conscious irrigation approach and lawn philosophy, talks about the rise of native plant demand and fine gardening maintenance, and reflects on building a business that can run without him while still serving his community and family.

Connect with Zack:
🌐 Wilcox Nursery Website
📸 @wilcoxnursery on Instagram

Connect with Jason and Jordan:
🌐 Green Side Up Podcast Website
📧 Email: [email protected]
📘 Facebook: Green Side Up
📸 @greensideuppodcast on Instagram
📸 @skyfroglandscape on Instagram

Visit Our Businesses:
🌿 SkyFrog Landscape
🌳 Independent Tree Service

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Sponsors & Partners:

👉 MitoGrow 🌱
🎥 Intrigue Media on Instagram (@imintriguemedia)
📍 GS TrackMe

Podcast Produced by:
🎧 Mr. Producer (@mrproducerusa)