Overheard a landscaper call a plant 'just a weed' at a job site

It was a patch of clover, and he was about to spray it. Made me remember reading that clover fixes nitrogen in soil... helps the grass around it. Do you ever point out the good in 'weeds' to people, or is it a lost cause?

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3 Comments

the_fiona7mo ago

Ever ask a landscaper what the client's actual goal is? I told one guy, "If they want less fertilizer use, that clover is doing half your job for free." He paused, then skipped that patch. Framed it as a tool, not a lecture.

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hall.nina7mo ago

Look at it from his side though. Clients pay for a clean, uniform lawn, not a science lesson. That clover might help the soil, but it also looks messy and spreads like crazy into flower beds. Most people see a weed, they want it gone. Pointing out the good just comes off as preachy when someone is trying to do their job and make the customer happy. Sometimes a weed is just a weed.

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carter.terry7mo ago

Notice how often we treat people like machines, just expecting them to follow the order without using their own eyes or brain.

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