Going green with the Gordons
Local couple starts a lawn care business that is designed to be safe for the environmentBy Cindy Votruba
Article Photos
MARSHALL - Joe and Jill Gordon of Marshall and their children love to be outside, whether it's playing, fishing or taking a walk.
But they also want to make sure the grass they play on is safe for themselves and the environment.
The Gordons started Gordon's Cutting Edge, a premium lawn care business that specializes in organic.
"We wanted to offer something that was safe and environmentally responsible, a total organic lawn care alternative," Joe Gordon said.
"We wanted something for the children to do as well, to teach them the ins and outs of business," Jill Gordon said.
Joe Gordon said their 11-year-old daughter Elizabeth is excited about being part of the lawn care business.
"It's just the push of environmental awareness," Joe Gordon said. "We want to also educate why it's (organic) important, that it's safe for kids and pets."
For example, with traditional lawn care, when kids and pets play in the lawn, they will bring the pesticides into the house and into the carpet.
"Once it gets into your house, it doesn't break down," Joe Gordon said. "The residues will stay."
Plus, organic lawn care focuses on the roots, Joe Gordon said.
"We will also take care of your top growth," Joe Gordon said.
Joe Gordon said they offer a full spectrum of lawn care, starting from over-seeding, which is applying grass seed to an already established turf, and aeration. They also use compost teas, a liquid form of compost that's natural, to promote soil and plant health, and implement corn gluten, which is an alternate source of nitrogen.
Joe Gordon said they purchase all their products locally.
Jill Gordon said the advantage of an organic program is that as you make your soil system independent, you don't require any additional soil amendments, or fertilizers.
"The soil is self-sustaining," Jill Gordon said.
"Your plants will recover from a drought system better," Joe Gordon said.
The Gordons offer several different service packages, from Ultimate Green, which includes a soil sampling, corn gluten, compost tea, and premium fall care to fall clean-up, which includes leaf and debris clean-up and removal twice during the fall.
"We run the full program through the season," Joe Gordon said.
The Gordons' season would be six to seven months, starting this month and going through November. Joe Gordon said they already have several jobs lined up.
They're not in the business just for the money, Joe Gordon said. It's because they believe in the principles of a safe environment.
Jill Gordon said she and Joe are also looking into an "adopt a lawn" program for National Guard families who have soldiers deployed overseas. Joe Gordon said they would offer reduced rates for such services as mowing, edging and trimming.
The Gordons said they'd look for sponsors or donors, such as an individual or business, to sponsor a military family.
"It's to help reduce the stress of their significant other being away," Joe Gordon said.
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04-15-09 10:47 PM
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For more information, visit ****gordonscuttingedge**** or call 929-LAWN!
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