New Research Finds Majority of Americans Lack Lawn Care Knowledge

28 Mar 2016, 00:00 AM CDT

National Association of Landscape Professionals releases results of
latest consumer survey in recognition of National Lawn Care Month in
April

HERNDON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The National
Association of Landscape Professionals is kicking off National Lawn
Care Month this April by releasing the results of a new consumer survey
that takes the pulse of Americans’ lawn care knowledge. The results of
the survey, conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of NALP in
February among over 2,000 US adults, suggest the majority of Americans
lack basic knowledge about how to properly care for and maintain their
lawns.

The survey confirmed that America’s affinity for lawns is still going
strong, as 78 percent of U.S. adults report having a home with a lawn
and/or landscaping. The vast majority of that group (94 percent) say
lawn and landscaping services were performed at their home in the past
year – with 81 percent saying they or someone else in their household
performed any services themselves and 44 percent reporting they hired a
professional to perform any services.

Although 74 percent of Americans who have a lawn/landscape say they know
how to care for their lawn each season and 68 percent of Americans
report feeling confident in their lawn care knowledge, data from the
survey tells a different story. According to the findings, many
Americans actually lack basic lawn care knowledge. When quizzed:

64 percent of Americans falsely believe all grass needs to be
fertilized in the spring.
57 percent of Americans mistakenly believe if a lawn is not green, it
is not healthy.
Nearly one in three Americans (32 percent) admit they aren’t sure how
often a lawn should be watered.
31 percent of Americans who have a lawn/landscape say they don’t know
how to grow a healthy/lush lawn.

Even more telling, nearly seven in 10 of Americans who have a
lawn/landscape (69 percent) admit their lawn could use improvement,
despite their reported knowledge and confidence.

“The findings from NALP’s latest consumer research suggest that despite
the popularity of lawns and the widespread effort homeowners put into
caring for them, many people are inadequately maintaining their own
yards,” says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NALP.
“This speaks to the important role lawn care professionals play in
responsibly managing and maintaining yards to ensure their maximum
health and environmental benefits for communities and the people who
live, work, and play within them. Professionals have the training and
knowledge to ensure lawns are healthy enough to ward off disease
carrying pests, protect against debilitating weed-induced allergies and
provide oxygen, air purification and other environmental benefits so
families have healthy outdoor spaces to enjoy.”

NALP recommends the following tips
for a healthy lawn:

Water properly. Watering in the early morning is best because
less water evaporates, allowing it to penetrate into the soil. Water
more deeply and less frequently – one deep watering every three days
is better than daily, light watering.
Mow correctly. Many people mow their grass too low to the
ground. By keeping the lawn at a longer, finished cut height the lawn
will need less water, be more resistant to weeds, and will have a
deeper, greener color.
Make sure your soil is healthy. Talk with your landscape or
lawn care professional about testing your soil to ensure it has the
correct pH balance.
Aerate your grass. Aeration allows air, water and nutrients to
penetrate grass roots, helping them to grow deeply and produce
stronger, more vigorous lawns.
Fertilize smartly. Different species of grass prefer different
nutrients at different times of the year. It’s important to use the
correct fertilizer and apply it at the right rate, in the right place,
and at the right time.
Keep in mind that a lawn doesn’t necessarily need to be green to be
healthy. Under extreme heat or drought conditions, a lawn goes
into a dormant state. Grass that has entered this state may be brown,
but that doesn’t mean it is dead. It can stay in this dormant state
for quite some time, until it receives rain or irrigation returns it
to a green color. Monitor your lawn and water when necessary to keep
your grass alive, but remember it’s okay to embrace a few weeks of
brown grass in the summer.

For more information on how to care for your lawn and landscape, or to
find a qualified landscape professional in your area, visit LoveYourLandscape.org.

About NALP

The National Association of Landscape Professionals represents an
industry that employs nearly 1 million landscape, lawn care, irrigation
and tree care professionals who create and maintain healthy green spaces
for the benefit of society and the environment. For more information,
visit LoveYourLandscape.org.

About Harris Poll

Over the last five decades, Harris Polls have become media staples. With
comprehensive experience and precise technique in public opinion
polling, along with a proven track record of uncovering consumers’
motivations and behaviors, Harris Poll has gained strong brand
recognition around the world. Contact us for more information.

Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris
Poll on behalf of the National Association of Landscape Professionals
from February 3-5, 2016 among 2,178 adults ages 18 and older, among
which 1,695 say they have a lawn/landscape. This online survey is not
based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical
sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology,
including weighting variables, please contact Kaitlin Moyer at kmoyer@vaultcommunications.com.

Contacts

Vault Communications
Kaitlin Moyer, 610-455-2749
kmoyer@vaultcommunications.com