Meet the

Team

Our family-run small business truly cares with friendly service, unique products, extensive knowledge, convenience, and fun. Although our seasonal staff changes, these are our tried and true team members who collectively have over 100 years of service and experience. Now that’s loyalty.

Donna Kutil Ross, co-owner, doting sister, wife, mother, daughter, habitual volunteer, CrossFit athlete, intermediate skier, kick-ass softball player, holds the only hole-in-one for the family. She’s your resident mixologist. Oh, and she gardens too…

Jeff Kutil, co-owner, baby brother, husband, father, son, loyal friend, and better softball player than his sister. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence? Not at this guy’s house! Envy of the neighborhood. He feeds his lawn, not his kids. Wish he had more time to golf guy, wish he had more time to fish guy. Doesn’t like long walks or the beach.  He’ll be the first one at his kids' games!

Mitch Kirkland, manager, long-time friend, adopted brother, best bunter in little league history, husband, father, and son. He is our resident fix-it man and has been spotted running all departments in one day. With two young boys playing sports, he may be working half days soon…

Helen — Helen is a Master Gardener and serves on the board of the Sandwich Garden Club. She is a pollinator pathway enthusiast who loves to be outdoors and get dirt under her fingernails.

Karen Gustafson The fair-skinned, straw-hat lady who is the most patient of us all. Artist, avid crossword fan (we call on her when we don’t have the clue), lover of the beach on non-summer days, reading, the arts, and her adorable pup Cloe.

Laura  — After having helped create the business in 1986 and then leaving for about 25 years, Laura is back to help Donna and Jeff continue to build and mold Scenic Roots. She is excited about seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and getting her hands dirty. Back to her roots.

Linda — Linda is newly involved with gardening but not new to Sandwich. She is the only “townie” in our crew.  She began working here part-time in 2019 after retiring from the Forestdale Post Office. When she is not here you can find her on a field, gym, or rink watching her grandkids. There’s even been a few occasions where they have come to work with us here. While her yard is a “work in progress,” she looks forward to learning from co-workers and customers alike.

Lori is a Cape Cod transplant from Ohio by way of Virginia. If you are wearing anything Ohio State, be prepared to reply with an “I-O” after you are greeted with an “O-H!” When not cheering on the Buckeyes, she can be found with her head in a pot of basil, scouting for garden pests, trying to save every plant, and is our “Plant Rehab Addict.” She loves gardening to attract Butterflies and Hummingbirds, reading about plants and insects, training for a half marathon, walking her two Yellow Labradors, and spoiling her husband and son with what they think are gourmet meals. Ask her what plants the rabbits are NOT eating in her yard, she loves that question!