Let’s talk football.
The coaching staff at the University of Georgia led the Bulldogs to back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. That ain’t luck. That’s recruiting.
Every single year, the football team loses players. They graduate. They go pro. Some transfer. Others get hurt. And yet — their team stays on top. Why?
Because recruiting youth is the coaches #1 job.
Now, what in the world does this have to do with you, the proud owner of a lawn or landscape business?
Everything.
You say your number one problem is finding and keeping great employees? Then let me ask you: How’s your recruiting game?
Because just like every football team, you’re gonna have players come and go. And if you don’t have a recruiting system, you’re gonna lose. Game over. No championship. No progress. Just more complaining.
And here’s the kicker…
The talent is graduating right now.
All across America, millions of young people are leaving high school and college. In your very own town — yes, yours — there are kids who WILL work.
I know what some of y’all are thinking.
“Kids these days don’t want to work.”
“They won’t go outside.”
“They’re scared of getting dirty.”
“They’re addicted to TikTok and Starbucks.”
“They don’t even know how to hold a rake!”
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’ve heard it all.
But I’ve also seen the truth. I’ve seen youth join landscaping teams and get fired up. I’ve seen them run circles around old-timers. I’ve watched ‘em grow into crew leaders, estimators, even business owners.
So what’s the real issue?
Most landscapers don’t know how to recruit youth — or how to keep ‘em.
Let’s break it down.
First: Yes, There Are Rules
Hiring youth means you’ve got to follow the law.
- Minors under 18? There are safety restrictions and hour limitations.
- Under 21? They can’t drive commercial vehicles according to some insurance policies.
- Operating dangerous equipment? Depends on your state.
But listen, that ain’t a reason to quit. It’s a reason to learn the rules and work with ‘em.
You’re smart enough to cut laser-straight stripes into Bermuda grass. You can figure this out.
Second: Youth Have Other Priorities
This one’s real important.
- School comes first. They’ve got classes, projects, and exams.
- Family matters. If mama says they’re going to the beach, guess what? They’re going.
- Social stuff matters. Haircuts, ball games, dances, sports — they’re gonna do it.
This means you’re hiring part-timers.
And landscapers hate part-timers.
They mess up the schedule. They can’t work a full day. You gotta train ‘em. Wah, wah, wah.
But y’all — during the summer, these “part-timers” become full-blown workforce boosters. With the right mindset, you can plug these players into your lineup and win more jobs — and more profit — than ever before.
Third: Why You Should Hire Youth
Let me remind you what youth bring to the game:
- ENERGY. They move fast. It’s contagious. They put a little pressure on ole-timers.
- LOWER WAGES. You don’t pay the same as seasoned pros. No benefits either. That’s savings.
- YOUR FUTURE BENCH. You are literally building tomorrow’s team — crew leaders, managers, mechanics, and more.
The 3 People You Gotta Win Over
You can’t win with youth unless you win trust from three groups:
- The Student. You gotta make the job sound fun, flexible, and worth their time.
- The Parent. They MUST believe you’re running a safe, decent operation.
- The School. Whether it’s the guidance counselor, principal, or work-study coordinator — they want to know you’re teaching, not just looking for cheap labor to run a weed whacker day after day.
Until you win all three, your recruiting will spin and slip like a bald tire on a wet lawn.
Final Word: Stop Complaining. Start Recruiting Youth!
The national champ football coach ain’t crying about last year’s starting quarterback leaving and chasing his little girlfriend down to Miami. He’s already signed the next one…and the next one…and the next one…going 3-4 years deep…a new one every single year!
You want a better team?
Then stop whining. Stop waiting.
Start recruiting. Start coaching.
Start building a bench of youth who grow with your company.
Every year you sit out the recruiting game is another year you fall further behind.
👉 Read the full playbook in The Landscaper’s Guide to Finding, Hiring and Keeping Great Employees
Includes strategies to build your own internship program and attract motivated youth in your hometown.
📘 Order now: superlawntoolkit.com/great-employees
Includes a free $250 consultation to help you build your team. Just like a great football coach would. 🏈
Let’s go win…just like those Georgia Bulldawgs!
Tony Bass, founder, employer and proud recruiter of youth
PS – If you think I’m jerking your chain about this recruiting YOUTH stuff – you are flat wrong. I live this stuff in my own company. Check out this YOUTH ATTRACTION page and watch the videos that show you how we excel at recruiting youth. Yes – click here and watch the two videos…or just keep complaining about employees at your company. The choice is yours 🙂
