April 30, 2012

Value of Composting and Keeping it Local (customer testimonial)


My parents were avid gardeners in the middle of farm country. I never imagined that childhood years of trotting through garden centers and nurseries would result in such a deep passion for growing things. Living in the Willamette area for over 10 years I maintained a lovely yard complete with a front lawn matching all the neighbors. I weeded, mowed, pruned, aerated, fertilized and made occasional trips with debris to either Dan Davis Recycling or S&H Logging. Both close to home and more cost effective than waiting in line at a scaled station farther away. The choice of which place to go to was a matter of business hours and who was driving the truck to help. 


A serious knee injury three years ago provided time to reflect on a long-imagined yard project. Unable to pull weeds, lift or bend down I could only contemplate the design and the plants I wanted in it. As the weeds constantly mocked my inability to remove them, the premise of my design became clear. I don't want the new landscape to own me.  Essentially I am a lazy gardener. I want to plant something once and have it thrive.  Dragging hoses around before or after work was out. Fighting clay soil with a shovel in July is not fun. 


After removing the entire front lawn I thought the hard part was over. It was just the beginning of an intense but rewarding project. Today it is lush, productive and a joy to keep playing in. The neighbor kids want to see all the monstrous worms when I plant.  


S&H Landscape Supplies was a huge part of my success. With a torn up lawn and the clock ticking on dug up bushes/plants potted in buckets, I didn’t have the luxury of waiting a season for manure and leaves to compost. After the drip irrigation was installed S&H delivered a truck full (7 yds.) of the most gorgeous blended premium soil. The delivery topped off with a carton of farm fresh eggs. The neighbors were blown away by how fast everything grew that summer. 



As a working professional I cannot emphasize the gift it is to have supplies and services close to home with generous business hours. Whether I have hired professionals, worked alone or had volunteer help, the clock is ticking on work days. S&H gives favorable rates to landscapers dumping, is quick to load materials and has nearly all the products I could need in the yard. Bonus on having farm eggs, produce and meat to throw on the grill.  The value of your business to the community in keeping it local is underrated.


Having grown up in America’s Dairlyland and living next to a dairy farm, the only hazard we ever experienced was a loose cow tearing up mom’s flowers. I am happy about being able to buy composted manure in bulk and avoiding bagged versions from big box stores miles away. It’s also easier than convincing a friend to loan a truck to pick up manure.
Thank you all for providing such an overlooked but vital community service to anyone that has a yard, a few potted plants or a desire for local eggs and meat. A local and sustainable business in the true sense.


- Kim B.  (West Linn, Oregon)



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