We’ve all heard the adage “you don’t get a second change at a first impression,” and it rings especially true when you’re a business owner with a brick & mortar location. What’s different today than a decade or two ago is that the first impression isn’t just for your consumers – it’s for your potential team members, as well.  

As it gets chillier and you reflect on the spring and summer, are you wishing you spent more time enjoying your outdoor living space? If so, you’re not alone. Many people tell us that they don’t spend nearly as much time in their outdoor space as they’d like, and it’s usually because the space just doesn’t meet their wants and needs. If you’re looking to do an outdoor living renovation in Spring 2025, here are 5 things to do now to make sure you’re ready!

If you ask anyone in the Montano family what the driving force was in 1992 when the business started with a used truck and a lawn mower, they will all give you the same answer – Maria. Juan may have been the one driving that truck and doing the work making people’s lawns beautiful, but Maria’s encouragement and support was the special sauce. Join us on a drive down memory lane as we share the Montano’s Landscaping story.

Alright, we’ll hop on the Christmas in July trend, landscaping style. When it comes to choosing plants that beautify your gardens in the Chicagoland area, most of us think about spring, summer, and fall. After all, who is worried about landscaping when we’re dealing with snow and ice? But if the curb appeal of your home is important to you year-round, there are plants and shrubs you can choose that remain lovely even when the snow flies. Here are some of our favorites.

One of the most common questions we are asked as local landscape designers is how to choose plants, trees, and shrubs that are able to withstand the extreme weather we’re accustomed to in the Midwest. Here’s the inside scoop, directly from Carlos Montano, the second-generation owner of Montano’s Landscaping.