It is our belief that we will get through this trying time together and be better because of it.
–Robert Neville
So said the owner of Ben’s Creek Nursery to our employees a few days ago, and he nicely sums up the spirit behind our efforts during the coronavirus outbreak. Our primary concerns center around the support, safety, and health of our customers and employees. As a result, we have instituted substantial changes in our practices and procedures going forward.
But first, let’s be clear that at this time we are fully operational and plan to stay open pursuant to the direction of the US Department of Homeland Security and NC Department of Agriculture. The DHS and NCDA have designated landscaping and maintenance work “critical to the environmental and physical living conditions necessary in our communities.”
It has done so for a number of reasons. In the first place, unkempt and overgrown yards have always been considered a public health concern; look up any local zoning codes and you will find prohibitions on unmaintained properties. Landscaping and maintenance work are also considered essential treatments for lawns and green spaces to reduce the transmission of dangerous and deadly diseases through pests like mosquitoes and ticks. And finally, molds and other lawn disorders can be prevented through many of the things we do: proper lawncare, replacing old material with new trees or plants, efficient irrigation systems, and correcting the drainage of a difficult topography with a well designed patio or garden area. All of these services and more can strongly contribute to the safety and sanitation of everyone’s property.
Not to mention the psychological morale boost we all get in difficult times from a well cared for yard and landscape.
You might see our trucks, then, even if you happen to be in a so-called “shelter in place” community. But don’t worry. To insure everyone’s safety while our crews are doing their important work, we have sanitized all trucks and our offices, inside and out. Additionally, our employees have been instructed to avoid congregating in close groups, especially between and among different divisions that do not need to gather together for work-related purposes. They are also disinfecting the surfaces of their trucks and equipment daily, and are encouraged to follow sneeze/cough etiquette and frequent hand sanitizing as well. Needless to say, anyone visibly sick will be sent home for their own and others safety.
As for our customers, our work in the wide open spaces of a yard or garden should not present a risk of infection to any household. Even so, our employees are specifically instructed to maintain at all times their distance from homes and living areas. If for any reason a customer feels a need to talk with our crews, we expect our people to be respectful of their personal space in accordance with social distancing rules.
You can rest assured that we will continue to monitor the situation and act accordingly to protect the public, our employees, and customers. For now, we thank everyone for their continued confidence in Ben’s Creek Nursery.
If you have any questions or concerns about this or any other matter, contact us!
