Simmons Landscape & Irrigation, Inc. started in 1915 by Dave’s great-grandfather George Simmons. Mr. Simmons worked as a master gardener until 1910, at Kew Gardens, 10 miles from central London, adjacent to the river Thames. In 1910 he came to the United States, settling in Bay City, Michigan. In 1915, he moved to Toledo to start what was to become the company we now operate. Dave is the fourth generation to own and operate Simmons Landscape. According to Dave, “It is with great appreciation that we now direct the activities of this highly respected company. Everyday, I acknowledge my responsibility to my family and my clients.” In 1995, Dave purchased Simmons Nursery & Landscape, Inc. from his parents, Mel & Barb (Simmons) Matthews, and changed the company name from Simmons Nursery & Landscape, Inc. to Simmons Landscape & Irrigation, Inc. to reflect Simmons significant commitment to the irrigation business.

The Company started as a Lawn Maintenance Business. "With a trusty horse and wagon, my Great-Grandfather, my Grandfather, and his Half-Brother would mow and maintain yards in what is now called The Old West End. Scottwood, Glenwood, Parkwood, Robinwood, Islington, and Bancroft were streets frequented by our company. Because of requests, my relatives began landscaping for clients. Moving trees and shrubs, planting flowers, and soon care of those plants proved to be a growing business."

Simmons Landscape & Irrigation Inc. was located near Sylvania Ave. and several other locations over the years. In 1940, the property at 2260 Eastgate Rd. in Toledo was purchased to grow plants and a family. Prior to that time, commercial nurseries were not easily accessible, it was necessary to grow your our plants, including “Hybrid T Roses” a family favorite. With expressway construction and growers improvements Simmons began increasing purchases and reducing growing. Today, Simmons Landscape & Irrigation, Inc. purchases 95% of what we plant. In 1997, the family decided to sell the 16-acre property on Eastgate and move the Company to its current location at 7135 Angola Rd., Holland, Ohio.

According to Dave Matthews, "The business is changing. This change means that we don’t have to sell just what we have, but can sell anything that is available. Our sources supply high quality materials, of which my Great-Grandfather would have been proud."

Our work on sprinkler systems started in the 1940’s. One of our earliest clients was “Queen of the Holy Rosary Cathedral.” The Cathedral had one of the earliest sprinkler systems in Toledo. It was a copper system, which we maintained for years. In 1985 we entered the sprinkler installation business, with a strong commitment from Dave Matthews.

Simmons has installed sprinkler systems at many homes and businesses in and around the Toledo Area. To push our Company, Dave has increased his qualifications to include both the Certified Irrigation Contractor, (CIC) and the Certified Landscape Irrigtion Auditor, (CLIA). Both of these certifications are regulated and overseen by The Irrigation Association (the premier organization of the industry) and involve a year's worth of preparation and the successful completion of a four hour test. In a field where so few are certified, these two tests are a testiment to our commitment to the irrigation industry.