Kushners Garden & Patio

Description

Kushners Garden & Patio is the kind of place travelers stumble upon while cruising the Youngstown area and then talk about all the way home. It’s a family-run garden center turned full-on outdoor living destination, with more than six decades of local know-how baked into every greenhouse bench, every curated furniture vignette, and every stack of stone waiting for its moment in a backyard makeover. The team here blends classic nursery charm with practical landscaping services, premium patio furniture, and a surprising amount of expertise in both water gardens and landscape lighting. Think of it as a one-stop shop for turning any patch of lawn into a place you actually want to be.

What makes it stand out isn’t only the variety—though the variety is big, seriously big—but the way staff share guidance that’s tuned to Northeast Ohio’s soil, frost dates, and sunlight patterns. Travelers swinging through Poland, just south of Youngstown, get more than a browse; they get educated. And not in a stuffy way. Friendly, plain-language advice cuts through the noise: this perennial likes morning sun and afternoon shade, this shrub thrives in clay, these Unilock pavers will handle freeze-thaw cycles without losing their good looks, and that particular chair? It’s comfortable for tall folks, which is rarer than you’d think.

Over the years, the place has grown from a neighborhood nursery into a multi-faceted garden and patio hub. There’s a greenhouse for seasonal color and tropicals, a yard loaded with trees, shrubs, and unique plant material (including options suited to aquatic landscapes), and a pro-grade supply area with mulch, topsoil, aggregates, and stone. The landscape side can handle design and installation—from front walk refreshes to full patios, lighting plans, and even special touches like bocce courts. They’re also an authorized dealer for Unilock paving and wall systems, which is a big deal if you care about long-term durability and design depth.

Inside, the furniture showroom is a revelation: it’s the largest in the area, with over a hundred outdoor furniture sets on display. That scale matters because you can actually sit in the pieces you’re considering—sling, cushion, woven, aluminum, teak—and compare colors and fabrics in real life. Brands include Mallin, Lloyd Flanders, Ebel, Casual Creations, Tommy Bahama, Tropitone, TELESCOPE, KETTLER, and Olympia Lighting for outdoor illumination. You’ll find statement dining tables, deep seating sectionals for lingering evenings, clever storage benches, umbrellas with performance fabrics, and lighting that shifts the mood from daytime coffee spot to evening lounge with the flip of a switch.

There’s also something to be said about having a dedicated outdoor leisure specialist. Here, that’s Betty Kushner. Travelers who want quick, practical direction can ask for Betty and expect a straight-shooter’s perspective: what lasts, what wears well in local weather, and how to mix furniture, planters, lighting, and paving so it looks cohesive without being matchy-matchy. If you’ve ever wandered a big-box aisle feeling lost, that level of personal service is refreshing. And yes, this is a small business—so the pride shows. You’ll see it in how the shrubs are pruned, how the furniture displays are styled, and how staff carry stone samples to sunlight so colors read true.

As for the vibe, it leans upbeat and helpful. Most visitors call out the strong selection and attentive guidance. A few mention that peak-season weekends can be busy and that premium brands come at premium prices. That’s fair. Quality outdoor furniture and Unilock pavers aren’t bargain-bin buys. But many travelers do the math and appreciate the longevity, warranties, and buy-once-cry-once logic, especially if they’re outfitting a second home or investing in a yard they intend to enjoy for years.

For plant lovers, the appeal is real. The plant inventory is broad, featuring the latest cultivars of perennials, annuals, and shrubs, plus trees that grow to their ultimate size sensibly for neighborhood lots. The greenhouse vibe shifts with the seasons—right when your hands start itching for spring soil, fresh shipments arrive. You’ll find notes on required light conditions so you don’t accidentally fry a shade perennial in full sun, and staff can walk you through deer resistance, pollinator value, and water-wise picks. Aquatic-friendly plants show up during warmer months to elevate ponds and water features. And yes, curbside pickup, in-store pickup, and delivery are available—handy when you’ve fallen for two large evergreens and your rental car has other ideas.

Planning services deserve a special mention. If you’re dreaming of a front entry redo, a patio for long summer suppers, or better nighttime ambiance, the design crew can help. They’re experienced with digital previews—imaging that lets you see a planting or hardscape concept on a photo of your actual home before committing. It’s a great sanity check and frankly, it saves money. Toss in landscape lighting design and you’re not just planting shrubs; you’re crafting a destination. The crew installs too, and it’s not just talk—watching them set pavers and fine-tune base compaction is oddly satisfying. The result? Hardscapes that stay level and look crisp year after year.

Travelers with accessibility needs will appreciate the accessible entrance and parking, wide aisles in the furniture room, and courteous assistance for heavy or bulky items. Payments are modern and flexible: cards, checks, and tap-to-pay are supported, which makes quick visits even quicker. And the staff’s willingness to haul samples outside or pull cushions so you can test thickness? That’s the kind of small gesture that keeps people coming back.

Key Features

• More than 60 years of local expertise serving the Youngstown and Poland area
• Full-spectrum garden center with greenhouse, unique plant material, shrubs, trees, and aquatic-friendly options
• Authorized dealer for Unilock paving and wall systems for premium patios and retaining walls
• Outdoor furniture showroom with 100+ sets on display to try before you buy
• Top brands on the floor: Mallin, Lloyd Flanders, Ebel, Casual Creations, Tommy Bahama, Tropitone, TELESCOPE, KETTLER, and Olympia Lighting
• Landscape design and installation, including hardscapes, landscape lighting design, and specialty projects like bocce courts
• Landscaping supply store with mulch, topsoil, aggregates, natural stone, and paver selections
• Landscape lighting designer on staff to create warm, safe, and energy-smart evening ambiance
• Service options: curbside pickup, in-store pickup, and delivery
• Accessibility: wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking
• Flexible payments: credit cards, debit cards, NFC mobile payments, and checks
• Quick visit friendly: efficient staff, organized displays, and clear signage
• Looking for paving materials for the floor of your outdoor room? Compare natural stone with Unilock shapes and colors side-by-side
• Personal guidance from outdoor leisure specialist Betty Kushner on furniture style, durability, and layout

Best Time to Visit

Spring is the show-stopper. As winter lets go, shipments of perennials and annuals arrive in waves, and the place feels alive with color and possibility. If you’re filling new beds, planning a front-yard spruce, or you just love the smell of fresh mulch, spring is prime time. Staff are energized, selections are deep, and you can snag that hard-to-find variety before it disappears. It’s also a smart season to choose Unilock pavers and get a design consult on the calendar before installation slots fill up.

Summer turns the spotlight to outdoor living. The furniture showroom becomes the star with new collections, updated fabrics, and often American-made pieces that stand up to Midwestern weather. If you’re deciding between sling vs. cushion seating or searching for the perfect umbrella in a performance fabric, summer visits make sense. Warm-weather plantings like tropicals and heat-loving annuals are still going strong, and aquatic plant material looks especially good in hot months. And if you’re traveling through, a quick stop can turn an ordinary patio into a loungey retreat without much fuss.

Fall is strategic. Cool nights and warm days help roots establish, making it a smart season for trees, shrubs, and perennials that will come back stronger next year. You’ll often see good availability on landscape materials too: mulch to finish beds, stone to edge borders, and topsoil for leveling. It’s also when lighting design shines—literally. Shorter days mean more evening time outdoors, and a lighting plan elevates safety and mood in one go.

Winter is quieter but underrated. Think off-season furniture promotions, time to plan projects without the spring rush, and the chance to grab lighting or hardscape samples while crews have more bandwidth for design work. Hours can shift with the season, so it’s wise to call ahead. But for those who love to plan, winter visits are about getting a head start.

How to Get There

Kushners Garden & Patio sits along the Western Reserve Road corridor in Poland, a quick drive from Youngstown and within easy reach of Boardman and Canfield. Drivers coming from downtown Youngstown can hop onto the main north–south routes and be there in about fifteen minutes, traffic permitting. If you’re road-tripping from the Pittsburgh area, it’s a straightforward hour-ish northwest run, making it a handy detour for anyone curious about regional garden centers or outfitting a lakehouse patio.

Parking is on-site and simple, with space for larger vehicles and easy loading for heavy items like stone, mulch, or furniture boxes. Accessibility is thoughtfully handled: the entrance and parking accommodations support wheelchairs and strollers, and staff will gladly assist with bulky goods. Public transit in the region is limited for garden-center destinations, so a car, rideshare, or rental is the way to go. And because garden hauls can be messy, consider bringing a tarp if you plan to pick up bulk materials or soil bags.

For travelers unfamiliar with the area: signal is typically reliable, but it still helps to screenshot plant lists or furniture measurements before you set out. The store is well signed from the road, and you’ll know you’re close when you spot rows of evergreens, shade trees, and neat stacks of Unilock pavers and stone.

Tips for Visiting

Make the most of your stop with a little prep—and a few insider moves gathered over many visits:

• Bring measurements. For patios, decks, and porches, measure the footprint and any door clearances. For planting beds, jot down length, depth, and the nearest water source. This turns browsing into buying with confidence.
• Take photos of your space. A few daylight shots help the staff read light conditions and style cues. Overcast photos are even better for true color.
• Note sun and shade patterns. Plants come with required light conditions; a quick chart of morning vs. afternoon sun saves you from crispy hostas or sulking roses.
• Ask for samples. Unilock pavers and natural stone look different inside vs. outdoors. Bring samples into sunlight to see their real hue.
• Try the furniture in-person. Sit, lean back, and check seat height. If you’re tall, test deeper seats and taller backs; shorter guests may prefer firmer, shallower seats for easy standing.
• Consider fabric performance. Umbrellas and cushions with performance textiles resist fading and mildew better—a smart choice for Ohio summers and shoulder seasons.
• Talk to Betty for styling help. Mixing woven elements with powder-coated frames and a couple of statement planters creates that collected, high-end look without going overboard.
• Plan installation early. Spring and early summer fill fast for landscape work. Book ahead if you’re dreaming of a patio, lighting plan, or planting overhaul.
• Ask about digital previews. Seeing a planting plan on a photo of your home is incredibly helpful and reduces rework. It’s also fun, not gonna lie.
• Mind your hardiness zone. You’re in Zone 6, give or take. Staff will steer you to hardy varieties and help fine-tune for wind exposure and microclimates.
• Bulk materials tips. If you’re grabbing mulch, topsoil, or aggregates, drive a vehicle with cargo space and bring a tarp. The crew will help load, but your trunk will thank you.
• Delivery saves the day. For furniture, trees, or heavy stone, delivery is worth it. Ask about timing and how far they service while you’re at the counter.
• Budget with strategy. Premium brands and pro-grade pavers cost more up front. But they last longer, often with solid warranties that beat replacing budget options every couple years.
• Timing matters. Weekday mornings are calmer for long consultations. Weekends hum with energy—great for inspiration, but plan a little extra time.
• Use quick-visit perks. If you’re on a tight itinerary, leverage curbside pickup and NFC payments. You’ll be in and out quicker than a coffee stop.
• Looking for paving materials for the floor of your outdoor room? Say so at the counter. Staff will walk you through Unilock shapes and colorways, then show coordinating wall blocks and caps for a cohesive build.
• Check lighting after dusk. If you can swing an evening follow-up, viewing landscape lights in the dark helps finalize beam spreads and color temperature choices.

A small aside, the kind only a traveler notices: there’s a certain delight in watching other shoppers turn an idea into a cart. On one visit, a couple puzzled over evergreens for a privacy hedge; a staffer rolled out a dolly, measured root balls, and made sure the ultimate size would keep the hedge friendly with the neighbors. Ten minutes later, they left grinning with delivery set up and a plan to bring refreshments when the crew arrived. That’s the groove here—practical solutions, clear next steps, and a little fun.

Last thing, and it’s easy to forget on the road: hydration and weather-appropriate shoes. Greenhouses can feel warmer than the outside air, and browsing stone or mulch yards means walking on gravel and compacted base. Sturdy footwear keeps the focus where it belongs—finding the plants, furniture, and materials that make your outdoor spaces feel like a getaway. Whether you’re furnishing a lake cottage, freshening a rental patio, or plotting a backyard overhaul worthy of long summer evenings, Kushners Garden & Patio turns ideas into tangible, durable, good-looking results. And that makes the detour more than worth it.

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