From front, holding issues of Lawn & Landscape magazine’s Best Places to Work issue from the past two years: Aiden Lowney, Joe Lowney, Cole Lowney, and VPs Mike Schumacher and Chris Van Groll.

Lowney’s #2 in Magazine’s Best Places to Work in North America

Lowney’s Landscaping Center has been ranked #2 in the Medium Employer Category and #7 overall among all companies in North America in the 2026 Lawn & Landscape Magazine Best Places to Work program, unveiled in the August 2026 issue.

The recognition marks Lowney’s 2nd consecutive year on the list. The Best Places to Work awards program is primarily employee-voted and recognizes landscaping-industry employers making a positive impact on their employees, the industry, and the broader economy. The Lowney’s team personally received the award at a trade conference in Arizona in late July but the announcement was embargoed until now. The Medium Category covers companies with 50-99 U.S./Canada employees.

“Of all the awards we’ve won, this one means the most to me because our employees are the ones who decide it,” said owner Joe Lowney, who founded the company in 1997. “Great companies have to start from within. Great customer service in landscaping starts with employees who care about the work they do, and it’s hard to care about your work if you don’t care about your job. Knowing our people believe Lowney’s is a great place to work is something I’m extremely proud of.”

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First-Ever Clearance Sale at Lowney’s Garden Center

The first-ever Fall Clearance Sale of outdoor furniture and grills is taking place at the Lowney’s Landscaping Outdoor Center, just north of Appleton near Mackville. All in-stock LuxCraft and Royal Teak Collection furniture is 20 to 30% off, and in-stock grills and pizza ovens from Blaze and Breeo are marked lower than we can advertise.

In addition, starting next week, hundreds of trees, shrubs, and perennials will be priced to go, including half-off specials and select trees that are marked as low as $100.

There will be no online component to this sale. The Garden Center is located just north of Mackville on Highway 47. Click here for a map.

Robot Mowers Not Yet Ready to Roam

Robotic mowing technology is one of the fastest-growing trends in commercial landscape maintenance, and Lowney’s Landscaping has begun testing robotic mowers in select applications throughout NE Wisconsin. While the technology is advancing quickly, our early experience suggests that robotic mowing is neither a gimmick nor a complete replacement for traditional mowing crews.

“We’re learning where the robots shine, where they struggle, and how to match the right machine to the right environment,” says Brent Westemeier, Commercial Maintenance Consultant at Lowney’s Landscaping. Areas around solar panels, courtyards, slopes, ditches, and other tight spaces have shown some of the biggest advantages.

Some larger units still struggle to match the speed and productivity of commercial mowing equipment operated by experienced professionals, particularly in thick, vigorous turf. At the same time, quieter operation has proven to be an unexpected benefit for senior living communities, healthcare facilities, and other properties where noise matters.

For now, we believe the future of commercial mowing includes both skilled professionals and robotic technology working together. “I think the future is lawn care professionals learning how to use robots effectively,” Brent said.

Read the full story on our website.

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Bad Year for Plant Diseases

This summer’s combination of wet weather, dry stretches and persistent humidity has created favorable conditions for fungal diseases in lawns and landscape plants.

“We had a really wet spring, followed by a dry period, and now we’re dry again, but the humidity has remained very high,” said Jeremy Stryhn, Lowney’s Maintenance Director. “When nighttime temperatures stay in the low to mid-70s for an extended period, fungal diseases can really take off.”

Homeowners may notice discolored patches in their lawns, spotted or yellowing leaves, wilting plants or other unusual symptoms. Lowney’s generally does not recommend routinely treating residential lawns for fungal disease because the treatments can be expensive and require repeated applications. Diseases affecting trees, shrubs and perennial plants, however, can sometimes cause lasting damage if they are not identified correctly.

“Some problems can be treated with commonly available fungicides or insecticides, but the first step is knowing exactly what you’re dealing with,” Jeremy said. “A photo can help with the initial identification, but when the damage is severe or the diagnosis is uncertain, it’s best to have someone experienced take a look.”

Treatment is not always the best answer. “Sometimes our advice is not to waste time and money spraying,” Jeremy said. “For certain perennials, the best option may be to cut the damaged growth back and hope for healthier conditions next year. The plant may survive even though it won’t look its best for the remainder of this season.”

The most important thing is to address unusual symptoms early. Monitor your plants, avoid excessive watering during humid periods and contact a Lowney’s maintenance professional when you are unsure whether a problem is temporary, treatable or potentially fatal to the plant.

August Highlights: New Home, Lakefront Landscaping, Church

This short video gives you ideas and inspiration for a new home, a lakefront property, and an outdoor classroom and prayer space.

Next Spring’s Outdoor Living Space Should Start This Fall

Many homeowners assume they’ve missed their chance to build a patio, fire feature, outdoor kitchen, or other outdoor living project this year. In reality, there is still time to complete many projects before Winter arrives, but the window is getting shorter.

Maybe you’d love an outdoor TV area ready for football season. Maybe your hunting cabin needs a new patio, firepit, or gathering space before the rut starts. Or perhaps you’re already planning a graduation party, wedding, family gathering, or other event next Spring. If you know you’ll want the space to be ready in April or May, waiting until next Spring to start the conversation may be too late.

Among the advantages to building this fall: your landscape gets a head start. Lawns, planting beds, and surrounding areas have months to settle in before next season arrives. By the time spring rolls around, your property will be much farther along than if construction is just beginning. Call now to start the process.