The Tuff Turf Story

One man’s vision created a local success story

Scott Foster started the business while working full time for Boise Cascade paper mill and part time as a lawn care service door-to-door salesman. “You would not believe the number of doors I have knocked on or how many cold calls I made”. When the owner of that lawn care service folded the business, Scott found himself with about 250 clients and no means of providing the service he promised them. He and his friend decided to start their own company, Tuff Turf. At first they worked out of his friends home to provide service. As business grew, they moved to its current location in 1982.

In the lean, early years, Scott continued to work swing and graveyard shifts for Boise Cascade and would often go straight to Tuff Turf after a shift at the mill. Just before 1982, Scott left Boise Cascade to focus full-time on Tuff Turf’s success. In 1985, Scott bought his partner out and remains the driving force behind Tuff Turf’s commitment to quality production and superior customer service.

What makes it all worthwhile to Scott is when he is out walking or driving with his wife, Linell.   “I get great, personal satisfaction in passing through a neighborhood and being able to pick out the lawns we service.  Seeing a Tuff Turf lawn that is healthy, green and weed free is the reward for all the hard work.”  Occasionally Scott gets out of the office to help with production and provide quality control expertise. This lets him do the work he still loves and  ensures Tuff Turf is providing the highest quality of service in the industry.  Scott’s philosophy is that our team treat every landscape like it were their own.  This personal commitment is why Tuff Turf continues to be a local success story.