ProGrass, Portland

Steve Varga—who can be seen on the company YouTube channel and blog waxing poetic on the glory of stone patios and the evils of bronze birch borers—brings nearly 30 years of experience to his post as chief horticulturist at ProGrass. Here, he leads a team of lawnsmiths in all manner of yard-related tasks, from landscaping design to lawn mowing to sprinkler repair. They draw from their northwestern knowledge to draft modern patio designs, dole out gardening tips, and trim hedges to look as well groomed as the queen's troll dolls. He and the crew work under the same local, independent owners who founded the company in 1978, focusing on preserving the environment by using natural business methods, organic products, and water-efficiency techniques.