Texas Nursery & Landscape - Working For You Blog

Diesel Disaster Declaration Update: What It Means for Hauling and Red Diesel Users

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 21:30:27 GMT

Governor Greg Abbott declared a statewide disaster on September 28 in response to record diesel prices, covering all 254 Texas counties. Since then, two federal actions have changed the picture: President Trump signed an executive order on October 5 addressing federal taxes and penalties on dyed diesel, and the EPA approved Texas's request to temporarily waive low-emission diesel rules.

The changes affect TNLA members in two different ways. The hauling relief mainly helps growers moving nursery stock. The red diesel changes matter to any member who buys red-dyed diesel for off-road equipment, including growers, landscape contractors, soil and mulch yards, and tree care companies. Here's where things stand.

Hauling: Heavier Loads for Growers

Who this helps: Growers hauling nursery stock and other agricultural products, plus fuel and timber haulers. Raw wood chips are specifically listed as a covered timber product. Processed or dyed mulch, soil, and growing media are less clear. If you're unsure whether your loads qualify, call TxDMV at 1-800-299-1700.

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles has issued a suspension notice, effective September 28, that temporarily waives oversize and overweight permit requirements for vehicles hauling certain products. Read the notice.

Who it applies to: Vehicles carrying agricultural products and equipment, fuel, unrefined timber, wood chips, and timber-loading machinery. The notice defines agricultural products using a Texas Agriculture Code section that specifically includes horticultural products. That definition covers products grown, processed, or otherwise given added value in Texas, so stock shipped in directly from out of state may not qualify.

How it works: Qualifying vehicles may operate at up to 95,000 pounds gross weight without a permit, up from the usual 80,000. Drivers must carry copies of both the TxDMV suspension notice and the Governor's disaster proclamation, including any amendments or extensions, and show them to law enforcement on request.

Some rules still apply:

Your vehicle and load must still meet the standards that would normally qualify for an overweight permit. If you're unsure whether your truck qualifies, call TxDMV at 1-800-299-1700.
Don't cross a bridge where your gross or axle weight exceeds the posted limit.
Safety, insurance, escort, and nighttime travel requirements remain in effect.
Check road conditions and restrictions before each trip.

For growers hauling dense loads such as balled-and-burlapped trees or field-grown nursery stock, this could mean fewer trips.

How long it lasts: The relief stays in effect until the Governor ends it or the disaster declaration expires. The declaration runs 30 days, through about October 28, unless the Governor extends it.

Fueling: Red Diesel on the Road

Red-dyed diesel is the tax-free fuel used in off-road equipment. Many TNLA members buy it: nurseries running tractors and forklifts, landscape contractors running skid steers and mini-excavators, soil and mulch yards running loaders. It normally can't be used in trucks or other highway vehicles. Both the state and federal governments have now acted, but neither has made on-road use tax-free, and key guidance is still missing.

Before you switch:
Anyone weighing on-road use of red diesel should keep in mind that federal penalty exposure is shrinking, but the state tax still can't be paid, the federal tax is deferred rather than waived. Watch for IRS and Comptroller guidance.

What Texas did:
The Governor's proclamation suspends the state rules and penalties that ban dyed diesel on Texas roads. As described by the Governor's office and the Comptroller, the suspension is not limited to agricultural users. It does not change who can buy red diesel tax-free; you still need a Comptroller end-user number.

The state tax is still owed. The Texas Comptroller has confirmed that the declaration does not waive the 20-cent-per-gallon state tax on dyed diesel used on the road. The Comptroller is still working out how that tax should be reported and paid, so there is currently no process for paying it.

What the federal government did:
On October 5, President Trump signed an executive order on dyed diesel. It does three things:

Penalty relief. The IRS must announce by October 10 that it will not impose federal penalties when dyed diesel is sold for highway use or used on the highway from October 5 through December 31.
Tax deferral. If Treasury determines it has the legal authority, the 24.4-cent-per-gallon federal tax on dyed diesel used on the road during that period will be deferred without penalties or interest. Deferred means postponed, not forgiven. Treasury will set a date when the tax must be paid.
Possible forgiveness. Treasury is directed to explore ways, including legislation, to eliminate the deferred tax. That is not guaranteed.

The executive order does not by itself make on-road use legal; state rules still apply. In Texas, the federal relief only helps while the Governor's proclamation is in effect. If the declaration isn't renewed after October 28, Texas's ban on dyed diesel on the road returns, even though federal relief runs through December 31. If you drive into other states, their rules vary.

Treasury and IRS guidance spelling out who qualifies, what conditions apply, and when deferred taxes are due has not been issued yet.

Low-Emission Diesel: EPA Waiver Granted
The EPA approved Texas's waiver request on October 5. It lifts Texas Low Emission Diesel (TxLED) requirements, which normally apply in 110 counties, and temporarily allows diesel with up to 500 ppm sulfur to be sold anywhere in Texas. The goal is to let more fuel reach Texas pumps.

Check your engine first. Higher-sulfur fuel is only allowed in:

Highway vehicles with engines built before the 2007 model year
Off-road equipment with engines certified to Tier 1, 2, or 3 emissions standards

It can't be used in Tier 4 equipment or in anything with a diesel particulate filter or catalytic emissions controls. Those engines must stay on ultra-low sulfur diesel, and higher-sulfur fuel can seriously damage them. The emissions label on the side of the engine shows its model year and certification tier. Sellers must post a warning on any higher-sulfur fuel they sell.

The waiver runs through October 24, the maximum 20 days federal law allows at a time. The EPA says it intends to keep renewing the waiver until supply conditions improve. Because higher-sulfur fuel has to be produced and handled separately, the effect on prices may be limited.

What to Watch For:

IRS penalty relief announcement, due by October 10
Treasury and IRS guidance on who qualifies for the federal tax deferral and when deferred taxes are due
Comptroller guidance on how to pay the 20-cent state tax on road use, and whether road use costs signed-statement buyers their tax-free purchasing
EPA's decision on whether to extend the fuel waiver past October 24
The Governor's decision on whether to renew the disaster declaration before it expires around October 28

Learn More

TNLA will update members as soon as more information is available.

Questions? Contact Curtis Smith at Curtis@tnlaonline.org or (512) 579-3851.

Finish Strong: Reviewing Financials, Contracts, and Client Opportunities

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 17:16:28 GMT

Finishing the fiscal year strong starts with understanding where your business stands and where improvements are needed. In TNLA’s “Finish Strong” webinar, Chris Psencik and Kevin Keim of McFarlin Stanford explain how to review P&L statements, evaluate contract performance, address underperformance, and identify enhancements that add value for clients. Watch with your team to guide conversations about year-end priorities and opportunities for improvement. The webinar is available for free by logging in to TNLA’s Path LMS. (If you need help logging into TNLA Path LMS contact certification@tnlaonline.org.)

Corpus Christi: Rain Helped, but the Water Problem Is Not Over

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 21:48:08 GMT

Lake Corpus Christi. Photo: Simiprof/Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Background
Corpus Christi has spent the last several years dealing with one of the most serious water shortages in Texas.

Earlier this year, the city’s two main reservoirs Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon Reservoir had fallen to historic lows. Combined storage dropped below 8% in April, and city leaders were preparing for the possibility that the region could eventually reach a point where available water supply could no longer keep up with demand.

Then the weather changed.

Heavy rain and upstream flooding this summer sent a large amount of water into the reservoir system. By late August, Lake Corpus Christi had climbed above 90% full, while combined storage in Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon had recovered to more than 40%.

That improvement allowed Corpus Christi to move from Stage 2 back to Stage 1 water restrictions on August 27.

Policy Implications
Under Stage 1, automatic irrigation systems and hose-end sprinklers can be used once per week on a designated watering day, before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Hand watering and drip irrigation are allowed on any day during those same hours.

The city also allows temporary exemptions for certain uses, including new plantings for up to 60 days. That provision can make a major difference for landscape contractors trying to establish new turf, trees, shrubs and other plant material. Corpus Christi says customers seeking an exemption or variance should apply through Corpus Christi Water.

Those details matter because drought restrictions do more than tell homeowners when to run their sprinklers. They can affect when landscape projects are installed, what irrigation methods contractors use, how new plant material is established and what customers are willing to invest in.

Rain Bought Time
The recent rain brought much-needed relief, but Corpus Christi’s long-term water challenge did not disappear.

Corpus Christi depends heavily on surface water from lakes and rivers. That makes the region especially vulnerable when several years of drought occur back-to-back. More than 96% of Corpus Christi’s supply has historically come from surface water.

The city is now trying to add more sources of water so it is not as dependent on rainfall.

Corpus Christi is pursuing groundwater supplies, reclaimed water and other projects intended to increase the amount of water available to the region. The city’s current planning also includes the Mary Rhodes Pipeline and other supply projects. According to the city’s water-supply dashboard, reclaimed water is expected to begin offsetting some demand, with additional supply increasing over time.

Seawater desalination is one of the city’s most prominent proposals for developing a drought-resistant water supply. However, on September 1, the Corpus Christi City Council voted 5-3 against moving forward with the nearly $1 billion Inner Harbor desalination plant. The project was expected to produce about 30 million gallons of water per day, but concerns over cost, location and environmental impacts ultimately prevented it from moving forward.

The decision puts even more attention on the city’s other proposed water sources and illustrates why long-term planning matters.

What This Means for the Green Industry
For TNLA members, one of the biggest concerns is predictability.

A landscape contractor planning a project today needs some idea of what the watering rules may look like next summer or even two years from now. A homeowner investing in trees, turf and landscaping wants to know that those plants can be properly established and maintained. Nurseries and growers also need confidence that customers will continue investing in living landscapes.

If Corpus Christi repeatedly moves between drought stages whenever reservoir levels rise and fall, those businesses have to continually adjust.

That makes the city’s Drought Contingency Plan important to our industry. Details such as establishment watering, drip irrigation, alternative water sources and temporary variances can determine whether contractors can continue working during drought conditions.

A Lesson for Communities Across Texas
Water conservation is important, but conservation alone cannot create new supply. Cities will need both: practical conservation rules today and reliable new water sources for tomorrow.

TNLA will continue supporting policies that reduce water waste while recognizing the needs of healthy landscapes, trees and professionally installed irrigation systems.

Recent rain gave Corpus Christi valuable breathing room. The real question is what the region does with that time before the next drought arrives.

Questions? Contact Karan Mehta at karan@tnlaonline.org or (512) 579-3874.

September Pest Watch: What to Watch for in Texas Landscapes

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 07:00:00 GMT

September can feel like a transition month in Texas, but don’t put the scouting tools away yet. Warm temperatures can keep many landscape and nursery pests active, while plants may be stressed from a long, hot summer. A quick walk-through now can help you catch pest problems before they become expensive or difficult to manage.

Keep an Eye Out for Scale
Scale insects should remain on your September scouting list, especially on crape myrtles, hollies, shrubs, and other woody ornamentals. Look closely at stems, branches, and the undersides of leaves. Signs such as honeydew, sooty mold, yellowing leaves, or declining plant vigor can indicate a scale problem. If you find scale, determine whether it is alive before deciding on a treatment.

Check New Growth for Aphids, Whiteflies, and Thrips
Tender new growth and flowering plants can continue to attract aphids, whiteflies, and thrips. Look at growing tips and the undersides of leaves for insects, distorted foliage, sticky honeydew, or discoloration. For thrips, check flowers and young foliage for scarring or distorted growth. Early detection gives you more management options.

Don’t Forget Spider Mites
Hot, dry conditions can favor spider mites, particularly on plants already experiencing water or heat stress. Look for tiny yellow or white spots, bronzing, leaf drop, or fine webbing. If you suspect mites, tap or shake affected foliage over a white sheet of paper and look for moving specks. Confirm the pest before treating, beneficial mites and insects may be helping keep populations under control.

Scout Turf for Fall Armyworms
September is an important time to check lawns and turf for fall armyworms. Look for areas of thinning or chewed grass and inspect the turf closely for caterpillars. Because armyworm populations can build quickly, regular scouting can help prevent widespread damage.

Use IPM Before Reaching for the Sprayer
The most important September pest-management tool is scouting. Walk the property regularly, identify the pest before treating, and determine whether the population is actually causing unacceptable damage. Consider beneficial insects, cultural practices, and other nonchemical options before selecting an insecticide. September is not the time to stop scouting. A few minutes spent checking plants each week can help green-industry professionals catch pest problems early, protect plant quality, and avoid unnecessary treatments as Texas landscapes transition into fall.

Rafia Khan, Ph. D.
Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist
Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center,
Overton, TX.

Dare to Be Ready for What’s Next at the 2027 Lone Star Hort Forum

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 20:59:47 GMT

What will 2027 bring for your business, your employees and the Texas Green Industry?

At the 2027 Lone Star Hort Forum, we're challenging professionals across the industry to Dare to Be. ready for what's next, willing to lead and prepared to approach today's business and industry challenges with new ideas.

From the economic outlook and workplace challenges to leadership, business strategy and the future of plants in Texas, this year's education is being built around issues that affect the work you do every day. And it begins with a look at what's ahead.

Explore Lone Star Hort Forum & Register

Dare to Be Ready: Economic Forecast for 2027

Dr. Charlie Hall of Texas A&M University will open Lone Star Hort Forum on Monday, February 22, with an Economic Forecast for 2027.

For business owners and industry professionals, understanding what's ahead can help inform the decisions being made today.

The opening keynote sets the stage for a Forum focused not simply on what's happening now, but on how our industry prepares for what's next.

Dare to Lead

Leadership isn't just about a title.

It's about communicating clearly, navigating change, managing difficult situations, building stronger teams and knowing how to respond when workplace challenges arise.

The 2027 education program is being developed with practical leadership and management topics designed for the people responsible for moving teams and businesses forward.

Dare to Think Differently About Business

Running a successful Green Industry business takes more than technical expertise. Lone Star Hort Forum education will explore issues surrounding business relationships, execution, decision-making, negotiation, compensation and other challenges affecting how companies operate and grow.

Dare to Build a Stronger Workplace

Today's workplace continues to change. HR and workplace education at Forum will address topics ranging from employee engagement and succession to employment law, accommodations, investigations, workplace behavior and emerging issues such as AI in HR. Whether you work directly in HR or manage employees every day, these are conversations that can affect your business.

Dare to Grow What's Next

What will the Texas landscape look like five or ten years from now?

Forum will also look ahead at the plants and environmental challenges shaping our industry, with education being developed around Texas heat, water restrictions, native plants, future Texas Superstar® plants, new plant genetics and more.

Dare to Be Part of It

But Forum is also about something bigger: bringing the Texas Green Industry together.
It's where we learn from one another, strengthen relationships, exchange ideas and celebrate the people and companies helping move our industry forward.

That includes the TNLA Awards Festival on February 23, when our community will come together to recognize outstanding achievement, service and leadership across the Texas Green Industry.
So the question isn't simply what sessions you'll attend.

What will you Dare to Be? 📅 February 22–24, 2027📍 Waco Convention Center | Waco, Texas

Explore Lone Star Hort Forum & Register

Fall IPM: Small Steps Now Can Prevent Bigger Pest Problems Next Spring

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 20:49:55 GMT

As summer winds down and temperatures begin to moderate, fall is an excellent time for nursery and landscape professionals to review pest management practices and prepare plants and production areas for the next growing season. Although pest activity may decline with cooler temperatures, many insects and other pests can survive the winter in plant debris, weeds, soil, bark crevices, greenhouses, and other protected areas. A few simple integrated pest management (IPM) practices now can help reduce pest pressure next spring and make future management easier.

Sanitation should be one of the first priorities during fall clean-up. Fallen leaves, spent flowers, dead plant material, weeds, and other debris can provide shelter for overwintering pests and pathogens. Remove heavily infested plant material and dispose of it properly rather than allowing it to accumulate around production areas. Pay particular attention to greenhouse interiors, nursery blocks, container yards, and landscape beds. However, before removing plant material, take time to scout. Inspect stems, branches, leaves, and the soil surface for signs of insects such as scale, aphids, whiteflies, thrips, spider mites, and caterpillars. Look for honeydew, sooty mold, stippling, distorted leaves, feeding injury, and other symptoms that may indicate pest activity.

Fall is also a good time to pay special attention to scale insects on woody ornamentals. Carefully inspect trunks, branches, and areas where branches meet the main stem. Identifying an infestation now can help determine whether additional monitoring or management will be needed next season. Avoid making pesticide applications simply because a pest is present. Consider the pest species, life stage, population level, plant condition, and timing before selecting a management strategy. When possible, use cultural and mechanical practices to complement chemical control.

Greenhouse sanitation deserves additional attention before plants are brought inside for winter production. Remove old plant material and weeds, clean production areas, inspect irrigation and drainage, and carefully examine plants before moving them into protected environments. Treat, isolate, or remove infested plants as appropriate. Establishing sticky cards and a regular scouting program can also help detect flying pests early. Monitoring records from the fall can provide valuable information about pest trends and help guide decisions during the next growing season.

Finally, use fall as a time to review what happened during the current season. Which pests caused the greatest problems? When did populations increase? Which plants were most affected? Were management practices effective? Recording these observations can help identify recurring problems and improve next year's IPM plan. Fall management is not about eliminating every insect; it is about reducing pest reservoirs, improving early detection, and making informed management decisions. Scout, sanitize, monitor, and plan now; small steps in fall can prevent bigger pest problems next spring.

Rafia Khan, Ph. D

Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist
Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center
Overton, TX

Who Is Helping Shape the Future of the Texas Green Industry?

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 19:30:59 GMT

Leadership doesn’t always come with a certain title or number of years in the business.

Sometimes, it’s the person who steps forward with a new idea. The one who brings others along, gives back to the industry or community, mentors the next generation or takes on greater responsibility when there is work to be done.
Those are the leaders TNLA wants to recognize through the TNLA Young Leader Award.

Established in 1996, the award recognizes young professionals for outstanding achievement and service to the Texas Green Industry, with special consideration given to involvement in TNLA and the community.

And if you’re wondering what that kind of leadership can look like, our 2025 recipients offer two very different examples.

Leadership That Creates Opportunities for Others

Lauren Kirchner, President of Spring Creek Growers, has spent years growing within her family’s Waller, Texas, business from Sales and Marketing Director to President.

Her leadership, however, extends well beyond the company.

Lauren served TNLA Region II as Grower Director, Vice Chair and Chair, helped lead the region’s annual Winter Workshop, has shared her knowledge at industry events and has contributed articles to GrowerTalks magazine.

She has also taken her passion for horticulture into local schools, sponsoring and leading garden clubs that grew to involve more than 150 students.

For Lauren, receiving the Young Leader Award represented something larger than individual recognition.

“Winning the Young Leader Award as a woman in horticulture is an incredible honor. It reflects not only my own journey, but also the growing recognition of the vital role women play in shaping the future of this field.”

She hopes that recognition encourages other women to pursue careers and leadership opportunities in horticulture with confidence. And her focus reaches even further ahead.

“For me, it’s also about inspiring the next generation, teaching children the value of horticulture and showing them that their ideas and passion can help shape a more beautiful future.”

Leadership That Builds Momentum

Our other 2025 recipient, Matthew Hogue, President & CEO of Hogue Landscape Services, demonstrates another side of young leadership.

After years of involvement with TNLA while working in the industry, Matt launched his own company and made TNLA the first organization he joined.

Since then, he has continued to serve the industry through TNLA committees, events and programs while encouraging employees to get involved as well. At the time he received the award, Hogue Landscape had grown to nearly 150 full-time employees.

For Matt, the Young Leader Award wasn't an endpoint. It was motivation to keep going.

“For me, winning the Young Leader Award was more than an honor — it was a spark. It reminded me that our industry thrives when we’re willing to innovate, mentor, and set bold goals.”

He also pointed to something important about leadership: its impact extends beyond the individual.

“The recognition gave me fresh energy to keep building teams, serving clients, and giving back through TNLA programs and in my local community.”

Young Leadership Doesn't Look Just One Way

Lauren and Matt have different stories. And that's the point. A Young Leader nominee doesn't need to follow one particular career path or hold one particular job title.

Look around your company, your TNLA Region and the professionals you work alongside.

Who is taking initiative?
Who is developing their team or helping others succeed?
Who brings new ideas to the business?
Who gives their time to TNLA, the industry or their community?
Who is mentoring others or helping bring the next generation into horticulture?
Whose leadership are you already noticing?

That may be the person TNLA should recognize next.

Help Us Recognize the Next Young Leader

Nominees must be under age 41 at the time of nomination and must own or be employed by a TNLA Member firm, or be a TNLA Member. Nominees should demonstrate outstanding leadership in the Texas Green Industry.

Any owner or employee of a TNLA Member firm, or a TNLA Member, is encouraged to submit a nomination.

The nomination gives you an opportunity to tell us about the individual's contributions to TNLA, their business and their community and why you believe their leadership deserves to be recognized.

Nominations close October 31, 2026.

Nominate a TNLA Young Leader Here

Help TNLA Recognize a Member Company That Raises the Bar

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 21:17:00 GMT

Some companies make an impact that goes far beyond their own business.

They show up. They share their time and expertise. They support education, advocate for the industry, encourage others to get involved and give back to the communities around them.

The TNLA Summit Award recognizes a TNLA Member firm that demonstrates that kind of commitment through exceptional service and contributions to TNLA and its members.

It is the highest honor TNLA bestows on a Member firm.

What Does “Showing Up” Look Like?

There isn’t one single way. Take Austin Wood Recycling, the 2026 Summit Award recipient.

A TNLA member since 2015, Austin Wood Recycling has built a long history of involvement with the association and the Texas Green Industry.

Their team has served on the TNLA Board of Directors and Education Committee, volunteered at TNLA events, contributed to educational programming and advocated for Green Industry businesses at the Texas Capitol.

Their involvement is also easy to spot at the Nursery/Landscape EXPO.

For more than 15 years, Austin Wood Recycling has supported the event through booth displays, sponsorships and volunteer support. Their team is known for embracing the EXPO theme, and they have even hosted EXPO Rallies that bring members together through food, music and community.

Beyond TNLA, the company supports the communities where its employees live and work through local organizations, schools, youth programs and other community efforts. It’s not one activity that makes the difference.

It’s a pattern of showing up.

More Than a Single Achievement

That’s also how Austin Wood Recycling described receiving the Summit Award:

“This award represents much more than a single achievement. It reflects years of hard work, innovation, service, and a shared commitment to doing things the right way.”

For their team, being recognized by their industry peers made the honor especially meaningful.

"To be recognized by this group, the people that represent the very best of our industry, truly means the world to our team"

And that’s an important part of the Summit Award. It gives TNLA members the opportunity to recognize companies whose contributions they’ve seen firsthand.

Who Have You Seen Showing Up?

Think about the TNLA Member companies you’ve worked with, served alongside or gotten to know over the years.

Who consistently gets involved?
Who gives their time or expertise?
Who supports education, certification or TNLA programs?
Who encourages others to participate?
Who represents our industry well in their own community?
Who do you see showing up when it matters?

That may be the company TNLA should recognize next.

Don’t assume someone else will nominate them.

The nomination is simple. Tell us which TNLA Member company deserves to be considered and briefly share why.

Summit Award nominations are due October 31, 2026.
Please email michelle@tnlaonline.org or call 512 579 3852 if you have any questions on submitting a form.

Download form

TNLA Brings Green Industry Priorities Before Texas House Agriculture Committee

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 22:10:39 GMT

Texas green industry businesses are facing rising production costs, persistent workforce challenges, and an increasingly unpredictable operating environment. The Texas Nursery and Landscape Association is making sure state lawmakers understand what those pressures mean for our members and what Texas can do to help keep the industry competitive.

On August 18, TNLA submitted written testimony on behalf of the Texas green industry to the Texas House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock as the committee examined the resiliency and future competitiveness of Texas agriculture.

TNLA thanks Chairman Ryan Guillen for holding the hearing and providing Texas agricultural industries the opportunity to share the economic and regulatory challenges affecting their businesses.

Putting the Green Industry’s Economic Impact on the Record

In its written testimony, TNLA highlighted the green industry’s significant role in Texas agriculture and the broader state economy.

According to a 2025 Texas A&M University economic impact study, the Texas green industry supports 224,490 jobs and generates $35 billion in total economic output. Nursery and greenhouse crops also rank as Texas’ third-largest plant-based agricultural commodity by cash receipts, behind only cotton and corn.
But the cost of doing business continues to climb.

Production costs for nursery and greenhouse growers increased 67% between 2007 and 2025, including increases of 95% for labor, 68% for containers and 67% for freight. At the same time, industry operating margins have tightened, leaving businesses with less room to absorb additional costs or uncertainty.

What TNLA Asked Lawmakers to Consider

In its written testimony, TNLA urged lawmakers to consider several practical solutions that could strengthen the long-term resiliency of growers, suppliers and landscape businesses:

Fair property-tax treatment for agricultural production inputs, including seeds, fertilizer and pesticides held by growers as essential production inventory. TNLA specifically highlighted legislation similar to Chairman Guillen’s HJR 31 and HB 255 from the 89th Legislature.
Workforce-development pipelines supporting careers in agriculture, horticulture and the landscape trades.
Efficient processing of H-2A and H-2B applications to help businesses that depend on seasonal labor navigate federal workforce programs.
Greater regulatory and economic predictability so Texas businesses can better plan, invest and grow.

These recommendations reflect a challenge TNLA members know well: businesses can adapt to changing markets, but planning and investing become much more difficult when labor costs, trade policy, regulatory requirements, and other major expenses remain uncertain.

Working for You

The House Agriculture and Livestock Committee’s interim work will help inform legislative discussions heading into the next legislative session. TNLA will continue engaging lawmakers throughout that process to ensure the green industry’s perspective is represented.

Our members grow the plants, supply the materials, build the landscapes and maintain the green spaces Texans interact with every day. TNLA will continue making sure policymakers understand both the industry’s significant contribution to the Texas economy and what our businesses need to remain resilient and competitive.

Read TNLA’s full written testimony below.

Why Enter the TEIL Awards? Past Winners Share What the Recognition Means

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 17:30:06 GMT

You've completed the project. The client is happy. Your team has moved on to the next job.
So why take the time to enter an awards program?

For past winners of the Texas Excellence in Landscaping Awards (TEIL), the answer goes beyond bringing home an award.

TEIL gives Texas green industry professionals an opportunity to document their best work, recognize the people behind it and earn industry recognition for what their companies have accomplished.

With the October 5 application deadline approaching, we asked recent winners what earning a TEIL Award meant to them.

View Application & Brochure Here

Recognition for the Work Your Team Is Already Doing

For Southern Botanical, earning a TEIL Award provides outside recognition of the quality its teams deliver.

"Winning a TEIL Award means a great deal to Southern Botanical. It’s tangible recognition of the caliber of work our teams deliver.”

Jeanette Gallardo, Marketing Coordinator at Southern Botanical, also has simple advice for companies wondering whether they should enter:

“If you’re on the fence about applying, do it: the recognition speaks for itself.”

There's an important point in that advice: your team has already done the difficult part.

The project has been designed, installed, maintained or transformed. Entering TEIL gives you an opportunity to document that accomplishment and put the team's work in front of industry peers.

An Award Can Help Build Your Company's Reputation

For Set Roots owner Kyle McLaughlin, TEIL recognition became part of a much larger company story. After purchasing the company in 2017 following 12 years working for a large commercial landscape maintenance firm, McLaughlin says Set Roots initially took on smaller projects because those were the opportunities available to the company.

As the business grew, so did the work.

McLaughlin says earning a TEIL Award “legitimized us as a high-end residential design build company” and became a testament to the work of his team.

For him personally, the recognition represented something more.

He described reaching that level as a remarkable achievement, something he hadn’t imagined would be possible when the company was getting started.

That’s one of the strongest reasons to consider entering. The project you’re completing today could become part of the story you tell about your company tomorrow

Even the Submission Process Can Have Value

Winning isn't the only benefit.

Landscape architect Matt W. Stevens began submitting projects to TEIL a few years after starting his own company and overseeing the installation of his designs.

He found value in the process itself.

“The process gave me a chance to self-reflect and share my process with others.”

The project photography he gathered for his entries also became material he could use on his own website. Stevens says he values having a statewide organization that can validate the work being done in the landscape design-build industry.

Gallardo shared a similar perspective, noting that preparing a submission can “deepen your appreciation for the work your team has already accomplished.

Think Your Project Isn't Award-Worthy? Take Another Look.

TEIL recognizes outstanding Texas landscape projects across residential and commercial installation, maintenance, design, special projects and unique features.

Your project doesn't have to look like someone else's winning project. Instead, consider the story behind your own work.

What challenge did your team face?
What expertise or craftsmanship did it require?
What solution did you develop?
What changed because of the work?

Those are the stories worth documenting.

A strong TEIL entry doesn't require complicated marketing language. Start with a clear challenge → solution → result, then use strong project photography to support the story.

Your Work Is Done. Don't Let the Opportunity Pass.

If you've already started a TEIL application, now is the time to finish it. If you haven't started, there is still time to put your project forward. Applications close October 5.

TEIL is open to green industry professionals with projects in Texas, and TNLA membership is not required. Entry fees are $250 for TNLA members and $300 for nonmembers. Winners will be recognized February 23, 2027, at the TNLA Awards Festival during the Lone Star Hort Forum in Waco.

Your team did the work. Give them the opportunity to have it recognized.

Start application here

Questions? Contact Amber Aultman at amber@tnlaonline.org or call 512-579-3864.