BUSINESS
INDUSTRY TRENDS CONSUMERS WILL EXPECT IN 2022
Planting with Natives
This trend has been coming on for a while and is gaining serious momentum. There’s tons of research about the benefits of planting with native species, and consumers are catching on. There’s been an uptick in requests from many landscape customers to plant native species. Secondly, the recent headline-grabbing uptick in invasive species has consumers concerned. What you can do: Learn the natives in your market well, including heartiness, what plant hardiness zone you’re in, soil, shade and water requirements for each plant — all of it.
Using Fewer Chemicals
Consumers are beginning to ask their landscapers and lawn care companies many good (and fair) questions about pesticide use. They’re concerned about the use of manufactured chemicals around their family and the environmental impact. An increasing number of states are beginning to regulate product usage. For
14 GREEN INDUSTRY PROS
GIP0122_14-15_Business.indd 14
❙
example, in Maryland, businesses must follow fertilization guidelines from the University of Maryland. This trend isn’t slowing down. What you can do: savvy green companies in this climate will offer their customers and clients choices. For example, if you run a landscape company that offers bed weeding, offer choices. Instead of only spraying glyphosate, offer them three options: straight spraying (least expensive), 100% manual removal (most costly) and a middle road where small weeds are sprayed and larger ones removed by hand (middle of the road cost). Ryan Drake, account manager at J.F.D. Landscapes, Inc. in Ohio says, “We have clients that have requested fewer pesticides on their properties, so we have a hybrid program for them.”
Battery-Powered Equipment The recent legislation in California banning small engine use by 2024 will ripple across the country. The same week it passed, a LinkedIn connection of mine shared an opinion piece from a local news outlet advocating the same. When I talked to Cyrus DeVere, CEO of California-based A Plus Tree, Inc., he said they were already feeling the impact. In October, DeVere said, “I’ve got a job running right now where the client insisted we use battery-powered blowers after hearing about the ban.”
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
❙
M
cia
yo on ru
wh are tim mo
©romaset – stock.adobe.com
T
he last two years have seen tremendous growth. Across all industry segments, companies are seeing consumers spending more to improve their outdoor living spaces. We’re all aware of the “business” trends happening in our space — labor shortages, navigating price increases, etc. — but here are some you might not have considered. Seriously consider these trends to stay competitive in 2022 and beyond. For one, to keep your edge in the green industry, you’ll likely need to go “greener” than you are right now.
C M
qu of mo
There may not be viable alternatives for some equipment in our industry. Some pieces of equipment aren’t “up to par” yet. Others may never be (I’m waiting to see the batterypowered core aerator), but that doesn’t mean public sentiment will change. This is a change that’s coming. What you can do: Begin to invest in this equipment. Start buying reliable tools where it makes sense (blowers, string trimmers, etc.). You will set the trend in your marketplace since this sentiment is still pretty “early days.” Plus, you won’t be caught off guard with massive bills for new equipment when this type of regulation comes to your area. Read more at greenindustrypros.com/21977498.
Jay Worth Marketing Manager SingleOps
www.greenindustrypros.com
2/3/22 11:15 AM
