June 2015

Reality TV worth watching

Insight can be gained from watching a TV show about a turning around a struggling business.

Property sale, major step in LO history

Back in 1994, the $1.24 million purchase of a 46-acre new home for Landscape Ontario was termed, “the deal of the century.”

Industry Auction features grower awards

Each year at Landscape Ontario’s Industry Auction, growers have an opportunity to showcase their best plant material and enter the Awards of Excellence Program.

Garden centre awards entries open July 1, 2015

Garden Centres come in all shapes and sizes

Work underway to launch Flora Canada 2017

Landscape Ontario and CNLA are gathering support for Flora Canada 2017.

Garden Expo continues relevance to industry

Stay up-to-date with new and emerging trends in the retail industry this September at Landscape Ontario’s 16th edition of Garden Expo.

New project will mentor women in horticulture

MicroSkills and Landscape Ontario are working together on a new project entitled, Advancing Women in Horticulture through Mentorship.

First Landscape Industry Certified exams in July

Those taking part in this year’s Landscape Industry Certified exams will only require one day instead of the traditional two for practical and written tests.

Otium winner manages 777 sit-ups

The winners are...

Outdoor hardscape showcase

Unilock recently hosted an event celebrating completion of its Outdoor Idea Centre.

Social media contest

Those who have achieved Landscape Industry Certification, such as CLT, CLP, or CLD, are eligible for a $500 cash prize.

Scott Wentworth Landscape Group wins CSLA award

Scott Wentworth Landscape Group of Picton received a Regional Citation for the Lake Ontario Park Revitalization Project in Kingston.

In Memoriam Otto Müller

Otto Müller died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of May 14, 2015.

Elizabeth MacInerney: Scholarship helped with more than finances

When Elizabeth MacInerney received a $1,000 scholarship from the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation in 2005, it did more than provide financial assistance.

Michael Pascoe inspires many in industry

While the vast majority of Landscape Ontario members form and shape landscapes, Michael Pascoe CLT does the same with young people wanting to enter the industry.

Horticulture students compete at Skills Ontario

Students from both college and secondary school horticulture programs were among the 2,000 competitors testing their skills in the annual Skills Ontario competition.

Message speaks to graduates and beyond

This month’s column is from the speech given by me at the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture graduation ceremony on Mar. 28, 2015.

Things are heating up

To celebrate Mother’s Day last month, my mom and I took a shopping trip for our first round of purchasing perennials.

Flowers Canada names new director

The Board of Directors of Flowers Canada has announced the appointment of Andrew Morse as executive director, effective June 28, 2015.

National Garden Days from June 19 to 21

The second annual National Garden Days will take place from June 19 to 21.

Construction site emergency preparation is required

Every construction project must have emergency response procedures in place.

Weeding the neighbourhood of criminals

Peel Regional Police have developed programs to encourage homeowners and gardening, such as Weed Your Neighbourhood of Criminals.

Suggestions on preparing for enforcement blitz

Ministry of Labour inspectors are conducting a four-month enforcement blitz

Growers’ research priority report released

The Ontario Horticulture Research Priority Report 2015 has been released by Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.

The plight of horticulture education

I am a horticulturist and I feel privileged to be one.

Signs of spring

Here are three companies that are fine examples of a vibrant horticultural industry in Ontario.

Plan your locate requests

Normally the industry starts landscape construction projects on Apr. 1. Everything, of course, depends on the weather.

Smile, you’re on stage

This is such a great time of year for us all in this industry.