Outdoor Living Supply acquires The Rock Garden

Abstract

"It's an interesting time to be in the market," Hawthorne says. "I'm not so worried about myself, but I am worried about how the littler guys are going to navigate the waters with supply line issues, the prices of fertilizer and gas and everything else. I'm concerned about those guys." Prior to last season, Hawthorne says his company instituted its highest price increase since it was established in 2006. "Water's a big thing and I want to make sure that if I move into an area customers won't have to cancel their lawn care service because they aren't allowed to water their lawns." Ultimately, Hawthorne says the growth of the town or city is the primary factor. "It's another layer of customer service and adds to the lawns looking better than their neighbors'. It's pretty competitive here, so it always boils down to that." Despite Austin being a boomtown, Hawthorne says its lack of water has made business more difficult lately. That's why Hawthorne has made water retention and water conservation a priority. If you offer a top dressing service, it makes the soil better," Hawthorne adds. In the three years since Emerald Lawns started offering water retention products and irrigation services, Hawthorne says most of his customers have taken advantage of it for the added benefits to their lawns.