Name of your website?The Garden Counselor: Lawn Care
Your name?
Dan
Your Location (city, etc)
San Diego County
Please give us a short summary of your website?
I provide advice to help the novice or experienced gardener tackle lawn problems and yard projects. Detailed information gives step-by-step methods for dealing with gophers, crabgrass, weeds, fertilizer, and irrigation. Gardeners learn how to eliminate and prevent typical problems, use proper techniques, and understand why things work the way they do in their yard. Photos help clarify many of the solutions for lawn care issues.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
People like to have someone they trust for answers to their garden problems. When I left my position as manager of a garden center, many customers kept calling me at home for advice. They said they could not get good information from anyone. I researched the internet and discovered that most of the info was too basic and repetitive, and did not offer valuable assistance to the average homeowner.
How did you decide on a name for your website?
The name Garden Counselor seemed like a natural way to share what I know. I always listen to people and ask questions before offering a solution. People appreciate hearing from someone who doesn't just throw out a pat answer. I like to address the problem as I see it, then give options to people. There is not one answer that fits everyone. A good counselor provides insight and motivation for people to make a good choice.
What makes it different from other, similar offerings?
The difference people will find at the Garden Counselor site is in the details. They can find a checklist of chores in most any garden publication. I want people to understand why they should choose, avoid, or be careful with various gardening approaches. I advocate organic methods, but not everyone will accept that, so I don't isolate myself with one exclusive way. I want to promote sensible solutions that will lead people to wise choices that can also save them time, money or effort.
What is your eventual goal?
I envision the Lawn Care site as the first in a series of niches that will fall under the umbrella of The Garden Counselor. Future sites may deal with Pest Control, Vegetable Gardening, Planting and Pruning. I'll look for any venue that seems to be an area of need for quality information. It's hard for people to find everything they need without wasting time and getting frustrated.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
At some point it might not be possible to respond to individual questions as I am able to do now. I am compiling a list of Frequently Asked Questions to prepare for that day. People will be able to search the site for previous answers and that will cover most of their concerns. I will always welcome questions, but it may become more practical to post some of the responses in our monthly Newsletter, especially those items that get multiple inquiries.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Providing information on a website is quite different from the approach I would take to write a book. A published book would be laid out chapter by chapter in a concise orderly fashion. I have elected on my website to respond to immediate concerns that people have, rather than following an organized format. Consequently, I write articles on subjects that people request before I write on topics just because it is a basic item to discuss. I'll be glad when I get to the point that more of the foundational issues have been covered on the site.
What background or expertise do you bring to this niche?
Professionally, I have dealt with landscapers and homeowners for more than eleven years as manager of a garden supply store. I was owner/operator of a lawn maintenance company for more than five years. Classes, private study and research and a lot of trial and error make up the rest of my experience. Gardeners are a fascinating bunch, and I am always learning more as I interact with them. They are always willing to share their successes and their failures. I look forward to many years of interacting with them.
What is your website address?
The Garden Counselor: Lawn Care
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