King Green Shares National Lawn Care Month’s Impact - The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals

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King Green Shares National Lawn Care Month’s Impact

April often marks the month when many lawn care companies’ season starts and is also designated National Lawn Care Month.

This is a time to educate consumers about the benefits of healthy lawns, and it highlights the professionals committed to maintaining those healthy green spaces.

“It brings attention to an industry that has been in my family for generations,” says Jason Bishop, regional manager for King Green, based in Gainesville, Georgia. “Whether it be on the educational side or application side of the industry, making the world a beautiful place and seeing families enjoy the outside is something I get to be a part of.”

Jennifer Jorge, COO of King Green, adds that lawn care has provided careers to so many people in her life, and it provides value to the community.

Benefits of Lawn Care

Far beyond the scientific value of turfgrass, which includes producing oxygen, capturing carbon dioxide and reducing runoff, Jorge and Bishop note that lawns create a space for people to relax and find peace.

“For me personally, the benefits my family and I receive from our lawn and landscape is enjoying spending time together outside,” Jorge says. “Our yard provides an escape from our daily lives. Whether it’s homework, screens, projects or to-do lists, they disappear, if only for a short while, so we can enjoy our outside area together. My hope is that by providing a well-maintained yard, King Green can provide this escape to all of our customers.”

Bishop says over the years, expectations for lawn care have increased as homeowners want to know and receive what they are paying for. Jorge says that opinions toward healthy lawns have shifted to real value and positivity over the past few years.

“People are spending more and more time at home, whether by choice or due to lack of ability to travel and see the world,” she says. “It’s our job to ensure the spaces they are spending their time in are suitable for them, healthy, and safe. We can provide that for our customers, their families, and their pets. Therefore, what we can provide gives a positive outlook on lawn care for the future.”

Setting the Record Straight  

While more homeowners are seeing the value in lawn care, it is still often targeted by legislation. Jorge says in the past, this was because of a lack of proper representation and a perceived lack of professionalism.

“In recent years, the representation and advocacy that NALP provides, along with our state and local associations, offers so much more success and positive exposure for the lawn care industry,” Jorge says. “What lawn and landscape companies provide is a professional service that professionals take care of. Licensing and education requirements are essential to ensure that the end user understands how our professionalism and education assists them and their families enjoy a healthy lawn.”

One way to help increase the representation of the lawn care industry is to join Voices for Healthy Green Spaces. Jorge says participating in this movement brings value to lawn care companies and the communities that the companies are a part of.

“The more voices we have in our industry, the more we will be heard,” Bishop says. “In this day and age, it is important to be heard and have a presence at state and federal levels. The more of us that get involved with supportive organizations, the more pathways to success will open.”  

Educating Clients

One common myth about lawns is that they are not sustainable. Bishop argues that in the right environment, turf is sustainable. Often homeowners are trying to make something work that will not happen because of environmental factors.

“Education is a big part of what we do at King Green,” Bishop says. “Starting with our CSR staff all the way to our customers. We educate so that we can operate and expectations are set and understood. Sustainability requires effort. We are part of that effort.”

Jorge says they educate their clients by sharing images, stories and a purpose behind keeping yards well maintained. The company also has newsletters on current issues involving turf and shrubs. Customers can also utilize a real-time chat service through their website.

“Being sustainable doesn’t have to be the removal or restraint of something,” Jorge says. “Sustainability can be adding the appropriate things so longevity can occur. By maintaining your property, you are providing proper drainage, runoff, the production of oxygen to offset carbon dioxide, and sustaining a property to not only increase home value, but increase your family’s value in the outdoors.”

Jill Odom

Jill Odom is the senior content manager for NALP.