THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES OF LANDSCAPE PARTNERSHIPS

February gets everyone thinking about relationships. If you manage properties, few relationships affect your daily grind more than your working relationship.

Budget surprises from emergency repairs. Chasing vendors for updates. Sound familiar?

Here's the thing: It's probably not you. And it's probably not even the quality of the work.

You and your vendor are just speaking different languages.

In the 1990s, Dr. Gary Chapman introduced a framework that helped millions understand each other: The 5 Love Languages. His insight? We all express and receive love differently. When people don't speak the same language, the connection gets lost in translation.

Turns out, the same thing happens with landscape partnerships.

Over the years, we've noticed patterns in what makes these relationships work versus fall apart. Property managers who feel truly supported consistently point to five behaviors.

This is the EarthWorks Effect in practice.

We're calling them the Love Languages of Landscape Partnerships:

1. Quality Time = Planning Ahead

2. Words of Affirmation = Proactive Communication

3. Physical Touch = Consistent Quality

4. Acts of Service = Flexibility & Problem-Solving

5. Gifts = Education & Resources

Great vendors speak all five. Here's what each one looks like and how to know if your partner is fluent.

LOVE LANGUAGE #1: QUALITY TIME

Planning Ahead

Ever feel like your vendor only shows up when they want something from you?

Quality Time isn't about how many hours they're on-site. It's about whether they're thinking WITH you, not just FOR you. When someone invests time in truly understanding your goals, challenges, and property, you feel valued. You aren't another line item that needs to get crossed off.

Green Flags:

• Quarterly property walks, even when you're not bidding new work

• Planning sessions in spring and fall—where they show up with ideas, not just bids

• They remember last year's challenges and adjust proactively

• Year-end reviews where you talk about what worked and what didn't—not just the invoice total

• They ask about your goals and budget before proposing solutions

Red Flags:

• Only see them during bid season

• Feels like you're reintroducing yourself every time you talk to them

• "Set it and forget it" mentality

• Zero proactive recommendations

  
  

What this gets you: No more emergency budget asks. No surprise requests for ownership. You can plan quarters ahead because your partner already is.

LOVE LANGUAGE #2: WORDS OF AFFIRMATION

Proactive Communication

If you've ever sent three follow-ups just to get a mowing schedule, you know the pain.

Words of Affirmation means your vendor communicates in ways that make YOUR job easier. Clear, consistent updates that keep you informed before problems escalate. You never have to wonder what's happening because you already know.

Green Flags:

• Weekly or bi-weekly updates, not just when invoicing

• Heads-up before seasonal transitions: "Spring prep starts next week." Here's the plan."

• Transparent about challenges: "We noticed X during the property walk. Here's our recommendation."

• Respond within 24 hours

• Speak in plain language, not jargon

Red Flags:

• You're always chasing them for updates

• Only hear from them when they want something

• Vague responses: "We'll handle it" (but no timeline)

• Tenants are telling you about issues before your vendor does

Bottom line: When you're informed before problems escalate, ownership gets fewer emergency calls, and you spend less time in reactive firefighting mode. In fact, responsive property managers see tenant satisfaction increase by up to 30%, and 80% of tenants are more likely to renew their lease when concerns are addressed promptly Gooddoors.

LOVE LANGUAGE #3: PHYSICAL TOUCH

Consistent Quality

Do you find yourself constantly pointing out missed areas or sloppy work?

Physical Touch might sound odd in a business context, but it's about the work you can SEE and FEEL. The curb appeal you're proud to show ownership. The edging that's always crisp. The beds that never look half-done. Consistent, high-quality work is how vendors show they care.

Green Flags:

• Curb appeal you're proud to show ownership

• Attention to detail: edging is crisp, beds are clean, nothing looks half-done

• Quality doesn't swing wildly week to week

• Work reflects your brand standards: lower complaints, higher retention, increased property value

Red Flags:

• Quality varies depending on which crew shows up

• Must point out the same missed areas repeatedly

• Crew turnover means no one knows your standards

• "Good enough" mentality

Here's why this matters: Well-kept landscapes don't just look good—they lease faster, and tenants stick around longer. According to a 2022 National Apartment Association survey, 48% of tenants said that access to attractive outdoor spaces played a significant role in their decision to renew a lease Pinnacle Properties.

LOVE LANGUAGE #4: ACTS OF SERVICE

Flexibility & Problem-Solving

Does your vendor respond to every request with "That's not in the contract"?

Acts of Service means going beyond the contract when it makes sense. Not doing everything for free—that's unrealistic. But having a mindset of "Here's what we can do" instead of hiding behind "That's not in the contract."

Green Flags:

• Storm response without negotiating overtime rates first

• Flag safety hazards during routine visits, even if not their scope

• Small extras that show they care (cleaning unexpected debris, adjusting irrigation during drought)

• "Here's what we can do" mindset

• Flexibility when you need something specific

Red Flags:

• Every little thing becomes a change order

• Rigid contract enforcement even when common sense says otherwise

• "Not my problem" attitude

• Zero flexibility during emergencies

What this gets you: Problems solved fast. Fewer escalations. Less time playing email tag.

LOVE LANGUAGE #5: GIFTS

Education & Resources

Do you feel like you're always asking your vendor to explain things?

Gifts aren't about materialism. They're about thoughtfulness. In landscape partnerships, it's "I want you to be informed and empowered." Great vendors share knowledge, tools, and insights that make YOU better at your job.

Green Flags:

• Seasonal landscape guides and best practices

• Market insights: "Pest pressure is high this year. Here's what to watch for."

• Budget planning tools or templates

• Heads-up about regulations, trends, or weather patterns affecting your properties

• They'd rather you understand it than need them to explain it every time

Red Flags:

• Only contact you when they're selling something

• Treat information like its proprietary instead of empowering you

• You're always asking them to explain landscape jargon

• Make you feel dumb for asking questions

Bottom line: Education makes you smarter about landscape management, which makes you more valuable to ownership and better equipped to justify budgets, challenge bad advice, or advocate for improvements.

SCORE YOUR CURRENT VENDOR:

How many love languages does your landscape partner speak?

☐ Quality Time (Planning Ahead)

☐ Words of Affirmation (Proactive Communication)

☐ Physical Touch (Consistent Quality)

☐ Acts of Service (Flexibility & Problem-Solving)

☐ Gifts (Education & Resources)

All 5? You've found a keeper.

Three or fewer? That's a relationship worth rethinking.

Here's the truth: great partnerships need all five love languages, not just one.

You might value planning ahead most. But if your vendor doesn't also deliver consistent quality or communicate proactively, the partnership still falls short.

This framework isn't about picking one and ignoring the rest. It's about understanding what matters to YOU, so you can recognize when a vendor is truly showing up—and when they're not.

If your landscape partner checks all five boxes, you've found a keeper.

If you're seeing more red flags than green? You're not asking for too much. You're just working with the wrong partner.

You deserve a partner who makes your job easier, not harder. One who thinks ahead, communicates clearly, delivers consistently, solves problems, and empowers you to succeed.

That shouldn't be a luxury. That's just doing the job right

Curious how your current vendor stacks up? We've made it easy.

Want to See What All 5 Love Languages Look Like in Action?

Take our 1-minute Property Assessment to find out what's working and what needs attention. You'll get an Essential Guide for your biggest challenge—and direct access to one of our Regional Landscape Experts if you want it.

[Take the Assessment →]

Not sure if your current landscape partner is speaking your love language? Let's talk.