Zen and the Art of Lawn and Yard Maintenance

Hello, my name is John Gulius. I’m a resident of Greenville, South Carolina, and a turf consultant by trade. I own a small landscaping and lawn maintenance business called Carolina Turf Solutions that has carved out a nice niche in this welcoming town, and I spend my days driving around in my work truck, making sure my clients’ yards and lawns are healthy, well-tended, and nice to look at. 

I really enjoy my job. There are a couple major reasons why, and I’d like to share them with you—just so you can learn a little bit more about me, as well as the sort of subjects I’ll most likely blog about in the future. For starters, I love working among the soil and the plants, ensuring their health and vitality, and molding and trimming them into visually pleasing shapes. I find it to be extremely calming work, especially being surrounded by the beauty of nature. The birds chirping and the bees buzzing are all part of the experience that brings me joy.

Making my living by landscaping also means that I’m outside in the sunshine all day, soaking up the vitamin D that scientists always say is so key to maintaining good health and a good attitude. The fresh air and warm sun not only make me feel good but also keep me energized and in a positive mood. 

What’s more, as I go from job site to job site, I get to talk with people in the community. Meeting new folks, hearing their stories, and helping them breathe new life into their lawns and beautify their yards is very fulfilling. I love bringing satisfaction and seeing the smiles when they see the finished product - makes all the planning and effort well worth it. I find that simply performing my job is a wonderful way to connect with others.

Yes, the work is hard, especially in the heat of the summer. I get body aches and also stress headaches from managing a small business. There are so many little details to keep track of. But it’s rewarding work. Beyond carving out some success for myself in the business world, I’ve found a true passion. While I'm not really a ‘zen Buddhist’ kind of guy, I do find some zen-like contentment while tending to the soil and the plants of northwestern South Carolina.

So, I invite you to visit this site on occasion to hear about the trials and tribulations of running a small landscaping business. Whether you’re a fellow landscaper or just someone looking to learn more about maintaining a beautiful lawn, I hope you find my insights helpful and my stories enjoyable. Until next time, keep your hands dirty and your heart happy.