MILWAUKEE - A Georgia couple may want to consider joining the lawn and landscape industry following the results of the third annual All-American Lawn Contest, sponsored by Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse and Briggs & Stratton. Contest entrants’ results, and the contest in general, represent the ability of a typical homeowner to do some of the work of a lawn and landscape contractor by both learning the processes and purchasing the supplies right from a do-it-yourself store - an increasing trend that poses a potential threat to the growth of the industry.
In the five years since Tina and Daryl Simpson bought their home in Hiram, Ga., their yard has gone from what they regarded as “a big pile of dirt” to a showplace that just won them the $5,000 grand prize in the contest. Nine other homeowners received $250 Lowe’s gift certificates for having runner-up lawns.
Judges selected the lawns that typified the all-American look, either impeccably groomed or well-used for gatherings of family, friends and neighbors.
The Simpsons did all the yard work themselves, from landscape design to routine maintenance. Tina did the planning; Daryl did the heavy physical labor - clearing rocks, building structures and heavy lifting. Together they installed a gazebo, walkways, a wooden play set and an underground sprinkler system. They laid Bermuda grass sod and even built a waterfall and goldfish pond.
A panel of experts judged the entries according to the following criteria:
- Lawn use or lawn care program
- Overall appearance
- Health
- Creativity
- Character