NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Drought Takes The Green Out Of Landscaping

Drought Takes The Green Out Of Landscaping

FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee's drought has taken the green out of our yards - and landscaper's wallets.

The drought in Middle Tennessee is causing some people to lose money. Some companies have been forced to lay off workers to make ends meet.

After 35 years of business, Bill Hewitt thought he had seen the worst of Mother Nature.

"Even the older friends I've got in the business have never seen it like this - it's just so hard," says Hewitt.  

Hewitt runs Hewitt Garden & Design on Hillsboro Road in Williamson County.

He says the lack of rain has killed plants, payroll and profits.

"We run about 50 employees a lot of times, and it's very difficult in times like this to make the payroll," says Hewitt.

Hewitt has had to cut employee hours. So far he has not laid anyone off while waiting for the drought to break. When the rain does come, he anticipates a flood of work.

"There will be a lot of work to do - a lot of dead things in all our area and in subdivisions," Hewitt says.

 Lots of plants died and trees, old trees.

The drought has killed so much plant life, home landscapers may have to pay more to replace plants next year.

"I've got friends down in Winchester and McMinnville... some don't know what they're going to do," says Hewitt.

For Hewitt, it means he can't give up.

"I guess there's to do but fight it with water 24/7 to keep this stuff alive," he says.

Click HERE for more information on drought-resistent plants before making plans to replace your landscaping.