Working alongside family brings a unique blend of camaraderie and professionalism to the workplace, and for Sheryl Hoefler, it’s a dynamic she thoroughly enjoys. As a vital member of the Blue Sparrow team, Sheryl plays a key role in the day-to-day operations, focusing primarily on office management tasks.

From handling HR matters to managing accounting responsibilities, Sheryl ensures that the administrative aspects of the business run smoothly. In a small business environment, versatility is essential, and Sheryl happily takes on additional responsibilities such as scheduling jobs and assisting in the Garden Center.

While every project brings its own sense of satisfaction, Sheryl finds particular joy in seeing hardscape patios and outdoor living spaces come to life. Witnessing a backyard transform into a versatile and inviting space for year-round enjoyment is always an exciting moment.

Outside of work, Sheryl embraces quality time with her loved ones, often playing the role of “Uber Driver” for her teenage daughter. When she’s not shuttling between activities, Sheryl enjoys indulging in girl’s nights out, relishing in the thrill of scary movies or visiting haunted attractions for an adrenaline rush.

Looking ahead, Sheryl is excited about the growth and expansion of Blue Sparrow, including the development of a new Garden Center space and the prospect of engaging community events. She eagerly anticipates the continued growth of the team and the opportunities for team building that lie ahead.

Join us in celebrating Sheryl’s dedication and contributions to the Blue Sparrow family!

I was born here in Excelsior Springs and went to High School in Lawson. I started my career in the Hotel industry at the age of 18, working for John Q. Hammons properties, Marriott, Holiday Inn, and even The Elms Hotel in Excelsior Springs. I worked as a Director of Catering; Events and Wedding Planner for over 20 years and helped plan over 300 weddings. In 2020, the COVID pandemic forced me to make a career change and I was again faced with the question “What do I want to be when I grow up?”.

I knew I wanted to spend more of my time outdoors and less time wearing high heels. In the Spring of 2021, I found myself shopping one day at Blue Sparrow’s Garden Center and knew I wanted to work for this company. As soon as I met the owner Jesse and his sister Sheryl, it felt like family. What a perfect fit!

Thanks to my Momma, I had a pretty good knowledge base of flowers, and perennials….or at least I thought I did! I’m now going into my 3rd year at Blue Sparrow and I continue to learn something new about plants every single day. In my off time, I love to spend time with my family, take walks with my dog Ryder, and cheer on the KC Chiefs with friends. I also co-own a plumbing company called R & J Mechanical on the side with my husband Richard.

You’ve probably seen me cruising your neighborhood in the “Speedy Sparrow”, giving out estimates on landscaping. If you happen to see me out and about, give me a honk and a wave!

Now that Spring is here, it’s time to start thinking about your lawn! Below we’ve got some lawn tips for you to consider this season, and some information on our Premier Lawn Fertilization and Weed Control Program.

Apply Crabgrass Preventer

Apply crabgrass preventer through mid-April. The best time to do this is before it rains, so the preventer soaks into the soil and prevents the crabgrass seeds from growing roots and germinating. If there’s no rain in the forecast, apply the preventer and then soak the soil with water.

Mow at the Right Height

When you start mowing this Spring, don’t remove more than one-third of the leaf blade height. This is because the longer the blade, the more shade there is for the blade, keeping it cooler, allowing it to not dry out as quickly as if there were a shorter blade. Four inches is probably about the right height. Special considerations would be bluegrass or tall fescue, which needs mowed to 3 inches.

Sharpen Blades

Sharpening your mower’s blade often gives you a more even cut that leaves your lawn looking healthy. Every 6 to 10 mowings you should consider sharpening the blades, or every 20 to 25 hours of use time. You’ll know when you need to sharpen your blades because the tips of your grass will become brown and ragged. This is due to your grass being less able to store water and nutrients, making it more likely for disease.

Don’t Bag It

Let your grass clippings fall into the grass and don’t catch it to dispose of elsewhere. Leaving your clippings on the lawn allows them to decompose, releasing water and nutrients back into your lawn’s soil. This will help your grass be healthier, and look greener and thicker.

When to Water

Watering in the morning is the best time, so that the plant has some humidity throughout the sunny day. More mature plants don’t need as much water, but need a larger amount when they are watered. This is so the roots can thrive deep in the ground. It’s not recommended to water plants at night because the moisture then could develop fungal problems for your plants.