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Reflections on 35 Years in Lawn Care

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On February 20, I celebrated 35 years working in the Lawn Care Industry. I can't say that it feels like yesterday when I first walked into the office of Tempo 21 Lawn Beautiful in Wheeling, Illinois. That day started me in my career as I put in lots of time and lots of effort over those years. I didn't know that I would last this long in  lawn care , but I don't regret the direction my life took when I started taking care of lawns and landscapes. Someone gave me a little plaque one time that they found at some gift shop that reads, "Around here, it's easy to grow because there is always plenty of fertilizer available." I realize there is another meaning to the statement, but I know that I have had a chance to work with many wonderful people over the last 35 years who taught be much about myself, the industry and how important my work is in making this world a better place to live. When I first started in 1978, I drove a Chevy C-60 truck with two 500-gallon tanks on the back end. We sprayed almost every lawn and did 4 applications per year. A 4,000 square foot lawn cost $18.50 per application and I was paid $180 a week. Of course there have been many changes over the years, but one of the biggest changes has been the reduction in pesticide use. When I started, every customer basically received the same products. We applied weed control  with every application and most lawns received at least one application of insect control . I am happy to say that we have reduced our pest control product usage and target pest control applications to when and where it is needed - and we do not include these products on every lawn with each application. We have also moved to more granular applications, which allow us to customize applications to individual lawns based on the needs of the lawn. I see a great future for the Lawn Care Industry. Our customers like having attractive lawns, but a healthy lawn has many benefits besides just being pretty. It also: •    Reduces pollution •    Has a cooling effect on the environment •    Reduces soil erosion •    Traps nutrients to prevent it from moving off the lawn area •    Reduces stress •    Creates safer playing surfaces •    And, the list goes on. I am very proud to be an active participant in this industry and of the benefits it provides. I don't think I will still be working in the industry in another 35 years, but I know that I have gained knowledge and skills that will be a benefit to me as I move into my retirement years.