The grass really is always greener on the eco-friendly side.

Amber Daley

It may be winter, but it's not too early to begin thinking about yard maintenance. In fact, while you're making your new year's resolution to buy more eco-friendly products, why not consider greening up your lawn care program, too?

According to the EPA, one gas mower spews 88 pounds of CO2 and 34 pounds of other pollutants into the air every year. And the amount of gas spilled each year refueling lawn and garden equipment? Seventeen million gallons, more oil than was spilled by the Exxon Valdez.

Rich Talbert, owner of Solar Green Lawn Care in Eagle, saw the environmental impact made by gas mowers and wanted to offer a more eco-friendly alternative. So, every spring, summer and fall since 2008, he has armed himself with a bevy of electric push mowers, trimmers and blowers—and gotten to work. Talbert's utility trailer (the one he uses to transport equipment) even sports solar panels. The solar generator comes equipped with a battery bank that enables him to recharge said equipment as he travels from place to place. For commercial properties, he uses a bio-diesel burning mower.

“When I first came up with this idea, I had a desire to go into business for myself. I may have been ignorant in my original thinking, but now I've gotten more invested in my solar and trailer equipment than most other lawn care operations of similar size,” he says. “My ignorance was a good thing, because the more I learned about the limitations [of solar green lawn care], I realized it's probably not the best business model.” Not only is there a need to use multiple tools (all of which need recharging), but the relative efficiencies of electrical equipment make it harder work. Self-propelled mowers, after all, are not for the faint of heart. “Summer time is good for me and my weight loss program, that's for sure,” Talbert jokes.

Despite the challenges, he enjoys his work and consumer feedback has been positive. And it's no wonder. Not only is his brand of lawn care more environmentally friendly, it is quieter as well. The U.S. Department of the Interior Green Seal Report estimates electric lawn mowers cut noise emissions by 50 to 70 percent. Not to mention, Talbert insists upon keeping prices affordable for his customers. “I'm of the mind that if any environmental friendly technology is going to succeed in the market, it's got to be price competitive,” he says. “I've built up a nice little following. My customers are loyal to me and I appreciate that, but that's not just because of using electrical equipment, it's about customer service and being attentive to their needs,” he comments. “This business is about much more than cutting grass.”

While Talbert's clients appreciate his environmental perspective, he says, “The bottom line is, they want a well-cared-for property.” He is indeed achieving his goal: providing the same service but in an environmentally friendly fashion. He explains, “There's some skepticism about the ability of electrical equipment to perform. But my four years of experience tell me that the electrical equipment is certainly up to the task and getting better all the time. Some large riding electric mowers are about to show up on the market that are capable of doing a few acres on one charge and they're pretty efficient.”

Recently, Solar Green Lawn Care also incorporated lawn fertilization to its services, by means of organic and natural products. And now is the time to beginning thinking about preparing the soil. “It's something that can certainly be applied early in preparation for the spring,” he says.

Talbert sees expansion in his business's future. “I want to serve more properties, but I want to control that growth so I can continue to provide top notch customer service,” he says. “I don't have any grandiose schemes of becoming a landscape magnate. And at the same time, I'd like to be in more of a management capacity and that means running a few crews.” Given the early success of the business, it should be no problem for this eco-friendly professional to take green to the next level.

Sidebar: Solar Green Lawn Care services both residential and small commercial properties. Contact Rich Talbert at (208) 867-5295 for an estimate or visit www. www.solargreenlawncare.com to learn more.