(PHOTO BY SAMANTHA N. STRIPE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
RIBBON CUTTING … In honor of their 10-year anniversary and the opening of the garden center to the public, Rock Solid Landscape of Wauseon celebrated with a ribbon-cutting and open house on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Pictured is owner Zach Franz (center) with family, friends, employees and members of the Wauseon Chamber of Commerce.
By: Samantha N. Stripe
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
Rock Solid Landscape continues to boom and bloom with the celebration of both their 10-year anniversary and the opening of a garden nursery to the public.
A ribbon-cutting and open house was held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at their Wauseon location on County Road J. Family, friends, patrons and members of the Wauseon Chamber of Commerce joined food trucks, a live broadcast from 94.3 The Buck, as well as representatives for Techo-Bloc, a hardscape and masonry product supplier for Rock Solid Landscape.
The garden center features trees, bushes, annuals, perennials, flower baskets, and more.
“We had a soft opening last year at the [Fulton County] Fair,” said owner Zach Franz of the nursery/garden center. “Last year we…brought in more nursery stock and saw that there was a desire for it.”
‘It’s kind of been our decision behind pushing for a garden center open to the public versus just a garden center here for our customers.”
The business was founded in 2015 by Franz and his wife, Ashley. Franz had learned about landscaping and care of lawns and gardens by helping his grandparents and wanted to transfer his knowledge to a full-fledged business that he could leave to his children.
Rock Solid Landscape provides a variety of services, from commercial to residential landscaping, lawn care and maintenance, snow removal, tree servicing and even holiday lighting design, installation and tear down. They serve a wide range of locations, from Wauseon to Toledo and its surrounding areas.
“We strive to make sure our employees are happy and comfortable and well-taken care of, as well as our customers,” said Vice President Sam Hornstra.
“We want to provide the highest quality services that we can and make sure that we’re providing value to everybody. We’re not just another landscape company; we’re a family-oriented business.”
Hornstra added that every morning employees do a team-building exercise together and discuss the plans for the day. “I think it goes a long way with everybody helping each other out.”
Customers calling the business for the first time can expect a “friendly, informative, no-pressure call,” said Hornstra.
“Depending on the service, a meeting will be set to discuss designs and next steps, with “everything structured and laid out…so they know what to expect.”
Looking forward to the future, Franz explained that they are hoping to continue the momentum by expanding to the Canton/Ann Arbor area in the next few years. They are also considering opening a branch in Indiana, as well as another location in Ohio.
In the meantime, their presence in the Wauseon community is important, explained Chamber of Commerce member and Healthy Spot Wauseon co-owner Lindsey McClain, who also attended the ribbon cutting.
“Small businesses are the heart of our community,” she said. “They give back and provide so much to the people in our community…we need that in this community.”
For more information about Rock Solid Landscape, call 419-330-1610 or visit their website at www.myrocksolidlandscape.com.