NORWICH – Now that summer is in full tilt, Larry Ashton, owner of Alpine Clippers, is at the peak season for his mulch and landscaping business and this year, he’s running his operation from a new location on Country Club Road in Norwich.

When Ashton bought Alpine Clippers of North Norwich from the previous business owner in 2001, he said he wasn’t sure what to expect. It had become increasingly difficult for local landowners to buy material, such as mulch, needed for landscaping and everyday yard work, he said, adding that what was available quickly became too costly and wasn’t of high quality. He decided it was worth the risk of investing in a new venture, offering services in lawn maintenance in addition to different varieties of mulch.