We are a locally owned horticulture company with three internal divisions.
Lawn Fertilization & Weed Control
Ornamental Fertilization & Pest/Disease Control
Irrigation, Drainage, and Landscape Lighting
Our Guiding Principles
Chemical Reduction. Our programs can reduce chemical inputs by up to 90% without sacrificing control of weeds, pests, and disease. Unfortunately, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides are still required to achieve our standards.
Quality. We represent the alternative to the standard business model. Being cheap is NOT our goal. We choose our products and methods by asking two questions: Is it the most effective option? and Is it the safest option? Price is a secondary consideration.
Knowledge. We have real humans to answer your calls, emails, and texts, and they actually work here... in this building. Everyone from techs to office staff are trained extensively. We've created a unique process to catch, notify, and educate clients of issues before they even ask.
Integrity. Our culture is one of mutual respect for our staff and clients. By implementing policies and procedures that demand personal accountability, paying industry-leading salaries to employees at every level, and culling those who don't meet our high standards, integrity has become inherent and "baked into" our DNA.
Putting it simply, we use the highest quality products, applied with the most meticulous methods, by the most well trained staff.
Our Founding
Natural State Horticare was founded in 2012 by best friends Andrew Kenley and Kyle Melton, who had been inseparable since junior high school. Their journey began immediately after completing apprenticeships at an organic farm, where they cultivated a shared passion for sustainable agriculture and soil stewardship.
Starting a business with little more than a dream, Andrew and Kyle faced the challenge of launching a company without any financial backing. In a bold move, Andrew traded his car to purchase their first truck. Basic equipment was bought on a credit card, and the company’s first “shop” was the basement of Kyle’s childhood home. Their initial marketing strategy was as grassroots as it gets—flyers pinned to light poles around town.
From these humble beginnings, Natural State Horticare has grown into an industry disruptor, boasting a 10-vehicle fleet and operating out of a 10,000-square-foot facility in North Little Rock. This transformation was fueled by a vision that drew from their time on the farm, Andrew’s experience working at renowned golf courses like The Alotian Club, and the influence of Kyle’s father, a respected superintendent of several golf courses in Central Arkansas. Together, Andrew and Kyle set out to redefine lawn care.
Their vision was clear: to combine the meticulous, no-expense-spared approach of PGA-level golf course management with the ecological principles they learned on the farm, such as soil stewardship, safety, and chemical reduction. They sought to create a new kind of lawn care company—one that equally prioritized quality and responsibility.
As industry outsiders, Andrew and Kyle entered a field they viewed as stagnant and often reckless, determined to set a new standard. Their innovative approach has not only challenged the status quo but reshaped expectations for what lawn care can be. Over the past decade, they’ve remained deeply involved in every aspect of the business, continually refining their methods and striving for excellence.
From trading a car for a truck to leading an industry, the story of Natural State Horticare is one of grit, vision, and an unwavering commitment to doing things differently—and better.
