Kevin Manning

Kevin Manning

Kevin has deep roots in the Chicagoland area, growing up in Plainfield and now residing in Naperville. He holds a degree in Ornamental Horticulture from the University of Illinois and serves on the board for the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA). Since KD's inception in 1998, Kevin has loved creating outdoor environments to match the lifestyles of thousands of customers. In his spare time, you can find him spending time on the water with his wife, daughter, son, and labradoodle.

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Recent Posts

6 Great Privacy Plants for Your Backyard in Chicagoland

6 Great Privacy Plants for Your Backyard in Chicagoland

*While this article offers helpful landscaping tips for residential properties, we now specialize exclusively in commercial landscaping services. If you manage a commercial property or HOA, see how we can enhance your landscape here.


Privacy is sacred, especially when you live in a neighborhood where houses are a bit closer together or back up to each other.

Even when you enjoy chatting with your neighbors on occasion, every once in a while you need a little solitude. It’s OK to want a little secluded oasis to enjoy your time outdoors without a lot of interruption.

One way to get that is with some great backyard privacy plants.

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Stones vs. Mulch in Landscaping: Pros & Cons of Each

Stones vs. Mulch in Landscaping: Pros & Cons of Each

Looking around at home landscapes in Greater Chicago, you’ll see lovely plant materials, gorgeous trees, functional hardscapes, and tidy landscape beds.

In those beds, you’ll also see a variety of materials surrounding the plants – shredded hardwood mulch or stones. These two aesthetics might make you question which is better for your landscape. Should you use stones or mulch for your landscaping?

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5 Traits & Skills We Value in Team Members at KD Landscape

5 Traits & Skills We Value in Team Members at KD Landscape

Being a part of a great team is a rewarding experience.

As part of a team that works well together, you can embrace a special feeling of working on a similar goal, sharing in the journey and achievements along the way.

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4 Reasons Our Team Loves Working at KD Landscape

4 Reasons Our Team Loves Working at KD Landscape

Are you interested in learning more about a career in landscaping? Maybe you want to try something different, switch up your current job, or possibly just work at a place that helps you build a career path versus just working at a job.

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DIY Outdoor Fireplace Kit vs. Professional Installation in Greater Chicago

DIY Outdoor Fireplace Kit vs. Professional Installation in Greater Chicago

Nothing creates a more striking and stunning focal point in your Greater Chicago backyard than an outdoor fireplace.

Whether it’s the warmth and ambiance from the flickering flames or the gathering place it creates for conversation and hanging out with family and friends, you can’t deny the boost this type of feature provides in your space.

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Paver Patterns For Patios and Walkways: How to Choose

Paver Patterns For Patios and Walkways: How to Choose

Your patio is always there for you to enjoy—whether it’s a quiet moment while having your coffee in the morning, grilling something delicious for dinner so you can dine al fresco, or prepping for a fun night with friends playing games and catching up.

While you may know you want a patio to enjoy these spring, summer, and fall moments, you may not be sure exactly what you want your patio to look like. And maybe you don’t want it to be like everyone else’s in your Chicagoland neighborhood.

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How to Choose The Right Plants for Landscaping in Illinois

How to Choose The Right Plants for Landscaping in Illinois

Whether you have a small space, a large entryway, a grand patio and outdoor living area, or just a space that needs sprucing up, plants can make a world of difference, adding pops of color, unique texture, and interesting elements to your Chicagoland landscape.

But there are so many options out there, which makes choosing the best plants for your space overwhelming. You certainly don’t want to install plants that don’t do well in your space or are the wrong fit for your goals and vision.

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Best Container Garden Plants for Sun and Shade

Best Container Garden Plants for Sun and Shade

*While this article offers helpful landscaping tips for residential properties, we now specialize exclusively in commercial landscaping services. If you manage a commercial property or HOA, see how we can enhance your landscape here.


Containers are a great addition to any Greater Chicago landscape.

They can add unique shape, color, texture, and interest to your space. They can also be switched up by season or for variety, based on your needs.

You can also move containers to suit your purpose or refocus decorative elements in outdoor entertainment areas.

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Outdoor TV Setup Design: 5 Tips to Installing an Outdoor TV

Outdoor TV Setup Design: 5 Tips to Installing an Outdoor TV

It’s easy to picture yourself enjoying a beautiful Chicago day in your backyard. There’s probably a refreshing breeze and bright, blue skies. What could make this day even better? Being able to watch your favorite TV show, movie, or sports team on the big screen while you relax in this idyllic setting.

How can you make this happen? By installing an outdoor TV. Today, there are a wide selection of outdoor TVs designed to withstand the elements. You might be craving a smaller TV for your patio or a larger one near your pool or outdoor kitchen area. Mounting options today make all of these locations possible.

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4 Landscape Lighting Ideas For the Front of Your House

4 Landscape Lighting Ideas For the Front of Your House

*While this article offers helpful landscaping tips for residential properties, we now specialize exclusively in commercial landscaping services. If you manage a commercial property or HOA, see how we can enhance your landscape here.


When you approach your house after being gone for the day, you want to come home to a vision. You want to be proud of your landscape and your home’s facade.

When other people pass your home, you want your curb appeal to give your house a chance to shine in your Suburban Chicago neighborhood.

No matter whether it’s night or day, you want a landscape that looks good. And that’s where landscape lighting can take your frontage from plain to powerful with the right design scheme.

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