Three lawn owner types
I came across the three lawn owner types while I was re-reading Dr. Trey Roger’s 2007 excellent book “Lawn geek.” Rogers has been called the “god of grass” so if you own a lawn, you would do well to read this book. He really is an expert.
Rogers writes about three lawn owner types: lawn slob, lawn snob and lawn geek. So, let’s have some fun by examining two clients I know.
Lawn slob
This is the funniest of the three lawn owner types. My friend Darren (his real name) is a classic lawn slob. He hates landscaping work and it shows. Once, when I showed up to cut his weedy, ugly meadow-like front lawn, his neighbor whispered to me to do the back as well!
Once in a while I get e-mail notification about a deposit made by Darren and I know he’s sending me some lunch money to knock down the mess at his place. Lawn slobs don’t have the time nor inclination for proper lawn care, which is sad because great looking lawns require regular watering, proper mowing and seasonal fertilizing.
Pro tip:
Great looking lawns require regular watering, proper mowing and seasonal fertilizing.
Lawn snob
Darren’s neighbour is a lawn snob but not by choice. He suffers from serious neck problems which don’t allow him to perform physical labour. Allegedly. But, he loves his lawn!
I know this because he had an irrigation system installed a few years ago. He also paid me to put down nematodes after his lawn suffered European Chafer beetle related damage. And, best news ever, he finally convinced his kids to give up their trampoline. Not only was it a nightmare for me to move it and not damage the lawn, it also shaded out the grass.
This lawn snob will pay for fertilizer, check on my mowing heights and point out weeds. As the god of grass tells us, all lawns have weeds!
Pro tip:
All lawns have weeds!
After building a new patio, this lawn snob ordered ten-day lawn cuts, moving to three cuts a month.
Lawn geek
I this blog post, I am the Landscape Industry Certified lawn care technician geek. I do the heavy labour and before I drive off, I look over my professional work. The lawns should look green and healthy. When they don’t, I sleep poorly.
Inspired by Trey Rogers, I’m writing my own humble volume called “Vas on Grass” which aims to answer people’s most common lawn care questions. All regular readers of this blog can get free copies after it’s published this fall.
Lawn geeks care about straight mow lines, and sharp blades. Edging must be sharp and mistake-free. And all seasonal fertilizers must be applied correctly. Lawn geeks also re-read books like Lawn Geek and shell out US dollars for online access to turf education seminars.
Which type are you?
If you own a lawn, which lawn owner type are you? If you ever need help from a lawn geek, text or e-mail me. I can help you!
