Inside the R&D greenhouse with entomologist Matthew Rawlings

Bringing a new consumer solution to the shelf isn't an overnight task; the development timeline can range anywhere from six months to five years. Much of that critical, multiyear work happens right here. With 17,000 square feet of space and three miles of garden rows, the Kelty greenhouse is a hub of year-round lawn and garden research.

Matthew collaborates with our teams of expert scientists to design testing protocols and run complex trials that prove a product's safety and efficacy.

"There are many different things that I love about my job," Matthew says. "I’m working with so many different teams and so many extremely creative and intelligent people. Everything is always different from year to year, week to week and even day to day."

Here is a look at what the teams are working on right now:

• Evaluating future blooms: To ensure the highest quality before transitioning plants to our outdoor field station rows, the team starts by growing dozens of flower species in the greenhouse. These indoor trials help scientists closely evaluate plant performance.
• Tracking seedling resilience: To guarantee vigorous grass seed, we test thousands of seeds planted on the exact same day. Scientists use color-coded markers to track the precise timing of the seedlings’ emergence, creating a visual map of their resilience.
• Pest control and education: We're passionate about protecting your family and pets from pests, but we’re just as big on education. Alongside our research colonies, we keep a collection of unique, exotic insects in the greenhouse to help educate visitors on the essential role insects play in our environment.