May 2012

What a winter! What a spring!

Each year I find the transition from winter to spring a shock to my lifestyle.

Volunteers return to refurbish St James Park

St. James Park gets an early Earth day clean up by volunteers

Landscapers’ Appreciation Night

200 contractors attend April 19 event at Hamilton Builder’s Supply in Burlington.

Ten applications for Waterloo school planting project

Waterloo Chapter’s School Greening project has become so popular that this year, 10 submissions were received from public and separate school boards from Waterloo and Wellington County.

Landscaper’s canoe trip to aid river’s health

Derek Lippert CLP, owner of Quiet Nature of Ayr, agrees that it’s crazy to paddle a canoe 250 km down the Grand River during the industry’s busiest time of the year.

Windsor celebrates Earth Day

Members of the Windsor Chapter celebrated Earth Day with St. Anne’s French Immersion Elementary School on Apr. 20.

The G&L Group supports children’s garden

Last summer the Children’s Garden at Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto underwent a magnificent transformation with the help of The G&L Group.

Rooms ‘N Blooms helps families feel positive

For the last few years Rooms ‘N Blooms of Waterdown has donated time and resources to Walls of Hope

Deck Masters of Canada assists with family’s loss from tornado

Deck Masters of Canada was briefly acknowledged for its efforts on the Marilyn Denis Show.

Waterloo Chapter helps Foundation

Waterloo Chapter continued its generosity with funds raised at the 2011 golf tournament.

Putzer Nursery to host Industry Auction July 19

Work is presently underway in preparation for the one event each year when LO growers show off their work.

Solty offers soil App

In early April, Solty Garden Centre in Cookstown announced the launch of the new Soil Calculator App, now available on iTunes for free.

Member-only savings with John Deere

Landscape Ontario members can take advantage of many special discounts available through the CNLA Members Savings Program.

Trade show planning underway

Teams are busy already preparing for Landscape Ontario’s two largest trade shows, Expo 2012 and Congress 2013.

Randy Adams has served his Chapter for 15 years

In the early 1990s, after Randy Adams of Adams landscape Supply in Kitchener moved into the topsoil business, he began to hear from his customers that he should become a member of Landscape Ontario.

Norm Mills nurtures future gardeners

Norm Mills wants to help kids discover a love of gardening, one seed at a time.

Canada Blooms: 16 years of new energy

Canada’s largest Flower and Garden Festival, underwent many changes in 2012, co-locating with The National Home Show to create the largest consumer event in Canada and largest home and garden event in North America.

Special fund-raising program has deep meaning for Willowbrook

One of the most respected nursery operations in Ontario, Willowbrook Nurseries has taken on a project with deep personal and emotional meaning.

Why does Landscape Ontario exist?

Associations are built on synergy.

Great schedule of summer events

It’s that time of year again at LO home office, when the phones stop ringing and emails slow down, all because our members are off improving landscapes all across the province.

LO community spirit strong in Sarnia

A chance to speak with a few of members at the Sarnia Home Show in April.

Ironwood offers some interesting features

If you are not yet appreciative of bark, perhaps ironwood will win you over.

Protect outdoor workers from heat stress

When heat is combined with other stresses such as hard physical work, loss of fluids, fatigue or some medical conditions, it may lead to heat–related illness, disability and even death.

LO and OPA play major roles in Green Infrastructure presentation

The 40-page report contained six recommendations that ask the Ontario government to have a greater focus on green infrastructure projects.

Garden centre recycling program RETURNS

The 2012 National Plastics Recycling Event will run from June 22 to July 1.

Final report approved on alternatives to ash

The final report on the Alternatives to Growing Ash and Norway Maple Trees in Nurseries has received approval from the Agricultural Adaptation Council.

More insects in 2012

Pam Charbonneau, OMAFRA turfgrass specialist, says this spring has seen an increase in grub calls and infestations.

CFIA expands areas regulated for the emerald ash borer

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has expanded the ministerial order for the emerald ash borer in two areas of Ontario.

Calls for halt to ash sales

In Peel Region, a group calling itself, Peel Region’s Urban Forest Strategy, called for a halt to the sale of ash trees in the municipality. It received council’s endorsement.

Municipalities concerned with loss

Many Ontario municipalities are spending large portions of their budgets dealing with the ash borer issue.

LO part of Trees for Life project

The Trees for Life project, formerly known as Toronto Tree Canopy Coalition, has set a goal to double the tree canopy of Toronto and surrounding areas by 2050.

The Underground Police: TSSA

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is as much of a police organization as the Ministry of Labour (MOL).

Leverage tax dollars to develop human resources

We now have an HR Toolkit available with templates and samples for employers to adapt for their own business.

Networking is opportunity to share goals and solutions

I hope when you mange to take time out of your frantic schedule to read this, it might help you examine the many levels of stress you have experienced during this crazily busy month.