When I first came across Matthew Daum on YouTube, his lawn care videos caught my attention for their simplicity and authenticity. No clickbait titles, no overproduced intros—just a guy sharing what he knows and showing what works.
Matthew is the creator of Lawnporn, a YouTube and Facebook brand that’s helped shape how thousands of Australians think about their lawns. His videos have now been viewed millions of times, and his Facebook page has grown to over 100,000 followers. I had the chance to sit down with him to talk about how it all started, what’s kept it going, and the lessons he’s picked up along the way.
“I Just Started Paying Attention”
I asked Matthew Daum how this all began. For someone with such a strong following today, his entry point into lawn care was remarkably down to earth.
“I was a police officer for 20 years,” he explained. “Before that, I worked in hotels. Lawn care wasn’t really something I took seriously until I moved back home in 2014.”
He told me about the time he lived next to a bowling green in Port Wakefield. “I started watching how they maintained the green. That got me interested in trying some of those practices on my own lawn.”
He picked up a cylinder mower, started experimenting, and began posting photos to his personal Facebook account.
“It kind of took over my feed,” he laughed. “Friends joked and called it ‘lawn porn,’ so I made a separate page—and that’s where the name Lawnporn came from.”
In August 2016, the Lawnporn Facebook page and YouTube channel were officially launched.
A Competition That Got Bigger Than Expected
I was curious when Matthew Daum realized that Lawnporn had reached more people than just close friends and fellow hobbyists.
“There was a period when the local steelworks in Whyalla was under threat of closing down,” he said. “People were stressed, the mood was low. So I started a lawn competition just to give folks something positive.”
He expected maybe ten entries from people in Whyalla and Port Augusta.
“Next thing I knew, it had gone national. We ended up with over 17,000 entries.”
That unexpected response made it clear that there was a broader audience for lawn care than he’d anticipated. And with that, his content started gaining more traction—not just in his hometown, but across the country.
Millions of Views, One Simple Process
Matthew’s YouTube channel has now racked up millions of views, but I was surprised to learn how casually he approaches content creation.
“I don’t plan much,” he said. “I shoot when I can, usually on weekends. If I forget to say something, I’ll record a voiceover and add it later.”
His videos often walk viewers through equipment tests, mowing techniques, or seasonal care routines. They feel personal—more like a neighbor explaining what worked for him than a scripted tutorial.
“I avoid the long intros and personal updates,” he said. “People just want to get into it. That’s what I try to give them.”
An example of Matthew’s video that I liked is where he shares 10 Autumn Lawn Tips.
Staying Focused on the Message
There’s a genre of viral lawn videos online—overgrown yards being transformed in fast-forward with dramatic stories behind them. I asked Matthew if he ever felt tempted to follow that format.
“I’ve had people suggest it,” he admitted. “But I’m more interested in helping people manage their own lawns. I want to teach, not entertain for the sake of views.”
It’s this clarity of purpose that seems to resonate with his audience. He gets feedback from a wide spectrum of viewers—from new homeowners to turf professionals.
“I’ve had people from golf courses and sports fields reach out to say they picked up a few things,” he told me. “That’s always encouraging.”
Matthew Daum’s Advice for People Just Starting Out
I asked what guidance he’d offer someone in lawn care who’s thinking of putting content online.
“You don’t need expensive gear,” he said. “Use your phone. Get a small tripod. A lapel mic helps with audio. Just start.”
He also encourages creators to learn a basic editing tool. “I use Final Cut Pro now, but I started with iMovie. Even basic edits make a difference.”
And when it comes to publishing? “Before posting your first video, have five ready to go. That gives you breathing room and takes the pressure off.”
He’s not a fan of forced frequency either. “You don’t have to upload every day. Just be consistent and realistic.”
And this is exactly related to what Sean Asberry from Silent Spark Electric shared with me in our last interview.
What Makes the Lawn Work
Toward the end of our conversation, I asked Matthew what tip he thinks is most overlooked in lawn care.
“Consistency,” he said immediately. “If you let your lawn go too long without mowing, you get thatch, uneven growth, and it’s harder to recover. A lot of the problems people run into could be avoided with regular maintenance.”
He doesn’t try to pitch products or push techniques. “I talk about what I use, but the message isn’t about gear. It’s about doing the basics well, and doing them regularly.”
You can visit Matthew Daum’s website www.lawnpornonline.com to learn more about him and the amazing lessons he is sharing.