When you mix a love for the outdoors with a heart for helping neighbors, you get someone like Zach Farmer, better known as 731Zach on YouTube. Zach is a full-time wastewater plant operator in Tennessee, but outside of work, he spends his free hours doing something that has inspired thousands online:
Cleaning up overgrown properties, restoring neglected yards, and tackling heavy-duty landscaping jobs for free as part of his fast-growing YouTube channel.
In this episode of Home Service Headquarters, Jack sits down with Zach to talk about where his passion started, how a single video changed everything, and why helping his community is at the core of everything he does.
From Park Ranger Dreams to Free Landscaping Cleanups
Zach’s love for the outdoors goes way back. Fresh out of high school, he spent his summers mowing lawns and doing landscaping work while pursuing a degree to become a park ranger.
“I’ve always loved wildlife and being outside,” Zach says. “Landscaping was something I did on the side, but it stuck with me.”
Those early mowing jobs weren’t glamorous. Most were done using his dad’s mower. Eventually, he bought his own, only for it to literally catch fire one day on the side of the road. Thankfully, insurance replaced it, and Zach took that as a sign to give back.
That moment became a turning point:
If he was blessed with something new, he wanted to pay it forward.
How the 731Zach YouTube Channel Started
At first, YouTube was not even part of the plan. But after watching a friend’s channel grow from 200 to 800,000 subscribers, Zach wondered if he could do something similar while using landscaping as a way to help neighbors.
“I did a couple of free jobs before YouTube was even a thought,” Zach says. “Then my buddy Al Blades said, ‘If you’re already mowing, just film it.’ So I did.”
His very first mowing video reached 2,300 views and brought in several subscribers.
That was all the confirmation he needed.
Helping Neighbors, One Yard at a Time
Many viewers assume people jump at the chance for free help, but Zach has learned that is not always the case.
“Some folks look at me like I’m crazy,” he laughs. “They’ll say no even when their yard is grown up past the windows.”
Others, however, are relieved. Many cannot handle the work due to age, disability, or financial limitations. For them, Zach’s landscaping work is more than a cleanup. It is a genuine act of service.
He has even had neighbors thank him for cleaning up a yard that does not belong to them.
“No one wants to live next to an overgrown property,” Zach says. “Helping one person usually helps the whole block.”
This theme, helping neighbors and improving the community, runs through nearly every video he posts.
Finding Jobs: Sometimes It’s Just a Drive Around Town
Zach finds most of his content the old-fashioned way: by driving.
Viewers also tip him off to local properties, though not all of them are the right fit.
Some are too easy and won’t make a good video.
Some are borderline impossible with the equipment he currently has.
And some require days of slow, back-breaking work.
“But when I look back at the before and after,” he says, “it’s worth every second.”
Rapid Fire: Hit or Miss With 731Zach
Just like other episodes, Jack throws Zach into a “hit or miss” round:
Hit or Miss: You need a lot of equipment to do landscaping cleanups.
Miss.
“All you really need is a mower, a weed eater, and a shovel. Most people already have that.”
Hit or Miss: People always want your help.
Miss.
“Some won’t let me touch their yard even for free!”
Hit or Miss: Everyone understands why you film the work.
Hit.
“People are confused at first, but once I explain it, it clicks.”
Can Cleanup Work Be a Side Hustle?
Short answer: absolutely.
Even though Zach does most of his work for free, YouTube revenue helps cover fuel and expenses. It has also opened doors to paid work, including cleaning up properties for real estate listings.
But the beauty of Zach’s approach is that anyone can start the same way. All you need is a mower, a phone to film with, and the desire to help neighbors.
“You do not need a fancy setup,” Zach says. “People want to see the work. If you can film it, you can grow.”
The Power of Just Starting
Zach’s #1 piece of advice?
“Don’t wait. Start the YouTube channel today.”
Too many people tell him they want to start a channel… and then never do.
“You can film on your phone. Post a video. See what happens. The first one won’t be perfect, but that’s how everybody starts.”
His own growth is proof. In just over a year and a half, Zach has climbed to nearly 7,000 subscribers and continues to gain support from people who appreciate his commitment to landscaping and helping neighbors.
Landscaping as a Vehicle for Neighborly Impact
What Zach does is more than landscaping. It is a way to uplift the community, one yard at a time. His passion shows how using your skills to help neighbors can create real change.
Hard work, kindness, and a simple camera have turned his side hobby into something much bigger.
If you want to be part of his story, or maybe start your own, check out the full episode and head over to his channel to show your support.
Watch the Episode:
Connect with 731Zach
📺 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@731Zach
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@731zachmowing
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/731zach/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552957794095
