Drought Dries up Business
By: Paige Preusse
Updated: July 30, 2012
The recent drought is drying up business for lawn and garden services across the Valley.
"We just take it a day at a time and pray for rain," said Larry Gibson.For All Season Lawn Care owner, Larry Gibson, the heat and dry weather means more than just trying to stay hydrated, it means trying to stay in business.
"No one is buying mulch or plants, and the grass isn't growing. The water bill is getting bigger because of all the watering, said Larry Gibson.
He says it's been two months since he's had any landscaping business.
"It's just not there like it was last year. We were doing decks and patios; I haven't done one patio this year," said Gibson.
Gibson adds that sales are down about 70 percent compared to last year.
"We just do the best we can to try and survive," lamented Gibson.
Meantime he offers price negotiations to stay afloat. Terre Haute's Apple House garden center offers discounted plants since their sales are also down.
"Things are wilting, and overall it's been stress stress stress," said Zachary Presnell with the Apple House.
It's not just Valley businesses, but locals who also feel the burn.
"I bought some flowers and then left for several days, and now they're dead," said Terre Haute resident Jean Veach.
"My grandsons and I love to cut the grass, but it's not growing so it's been about three weeks since we last cut it. I put feeder on it, but there's nothing else we can really do for it," said Terre Haute resident David Collier.
Experts say we're amid the worst drought since 1988, and some of the highs we're hitting we haven't reached since the Dust Bowl in the 1930's.
"You try to water, but it's just like giving it a sip," said Veach.
