Landscape Ontario's Horticulture Review Online

Garden Inspiration: Order your bulk copies

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:44:38 -0500

Landscape Ontario produced a fabulous promotion last year, with the flip-format double magazine Garden Inspiration/Canada Blooms Show Guide. The colour piece featured photo spreads on Award of Excellence winners, new plants and info on Canada Blooms.

We will publish this colourful 64-page project again in 2010. Join the excitement, and order bulk copies for your customers today!

This wonderful promotion will inspire them with the beauty of plants and landscapes, and distinguish your company as a Landscape Ontario Green for Life member.

Contact Angela Lindsay, alindsay@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5305, to order copies or if you have questions. Deadline for bulk orders is March 1.

Lawn Care Sector Group chair reviews work to resolve pesticide issue

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:30:59 -0500

By Steve Tschanz

I would like to thank everyone in the association for their loyal support over the last few years, as our industry worked hard to survive the changes that were imposed upon us. Landscape Ontario went the extra mile as we worked in the background with a lobbyist, while the new act and regulations were still under the pen of government officials.

We were also in touch with lawyers and other groups, discussing ways in which we could have more products available to us, or rework the regulations. This process even had us looking at going through the court system.

The Lawn Care sector group will continue to look at the whole industry, as it investigates different avenues to pursue. We welcome suggestions from members on new areas to investigate. Remember, we are your voice, but if we do not hear it, then we cannot act upon it.

The results of the pesticide act are far from what we had hoped for. It is especially frustrating for members after the many hours put forth in an attempt to allow our industry to maintain some important tools in the toolbox. In that vein, I would like to thank Gavin Dawson, Kyle Tobin, Mark Goodman, Alan White, John Wright, Roger Mongeon and Dan Passmore for their patient and extended contributions to the industry in the past year.

As we continue to live with the new regulations, we have new challenges on the horizon. These include the HST, Stewardship Ontario and fertilizer bans. Landscape Ontario and the sector group are working to create seminars and meetings to find out more information on these topics.

The horizon is beginning to look brighter, as new products are registered and older ones improve. Fiesta is a new broadleaf herbicide that is expected to be available this spring, while Sarritor has a revised label with the addition of clover and plantain. Also, a new liquid non-selective herbicide is available. As for the Scotts living herbicide, the registration application was made late last year and will be potentially available in 2012, if not sooner.

Hopefully, everyone will have a great season.

LO establishes fund to help Haiti disaster

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:33:43 -0500

Landscape Ontario members may help the Haiti disaster with financial donations in the name of Green for Life.

The idea to have LO involved came from chair of the Landscape Design Sector Group, Anthony Lombardi. "I was watching some of the videos and was shocked at the footage. With estimates of death and injury on a staggering scale, I felt compelled to help some way."

To start things off, the Designers Group will donate $500. "I will add to it by contributing $100 from my own company," says Lombardi.

He also issues a challenge to all the sector groups and chapters to contribute to the fund. Although it is understood that many may have already donated to the cause, the fund will be open to individual members.

Funds by LO will initially be allocated to the Red Cross (www.redcross.ca). Lombardi's brother Dr. Rocco Lombardi. MD, MSc., works for CMAT (Canadian Medical Assistance Team) which is sending medical units to Haiti. He recommends that the Canadian Red Cross is the best way to go at this time, as it will be able to manage the money the best and most efficient way.

A tally of the fund's level will be communicated each week through the enews broadcast of LO This Week, as well as on www.horttrades.com.

To fill out the form with your name, company, and credit card info, go to secure.landscapeontario.com/membership/haiti.

Toronto Mayor David Miller presented with the Landscape Ontario Environment Award

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:15:54 -0500

The City of Toronto and Mayor David Miller were presented with the LO Environment Award during the Mayors' Green Egg Breakfast at Congress 2010. This award is presented to an organization or individual for outstanding contributions and achievement in maintaining or promoting a sustainable healthy environment.

LO is pleased to present Mayor Miller and the City of Toronto with the Environment Award since one of Mayor Miller's core values has been environmental stewardship. Hundreds of environmental activities, programs and initiatives are a testament to this commitment, especially through their commitment to green roofs, which provide numerous benefits to a city that is running out of green space.

The Mayors' Green Breakfast, a kick-off to LO's Green Forum at Congress 2010, was hosted by LO, the Ontario Parks Association and Communities in Bloom, and provided Mayors and municipal officials with an opportunity to come together and discuss the importance of green spaces in their communities. Nearly 70 mayors and councilors from Oshawa, Goderich, Halton, Woodstock, Waterloo, and Newmarket attended the breakfast. In addition to receiving the Environment Award, Mayor Miller was the keynote speaker.

Two LO projects receive funds to research pesticide alternatives

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:39:19 -0500

Two LO projects are among the six announced to receive funds for research into finding alternatives to manage pests in lawns, gardens and parks.

Following the Ontario cosmetic pesticide ban becoming law in April, the provincial government, through the Ministry of Environment, provided an initial $480,000 to the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) to establish the Cosmetic Use Pesticide Research and Innovation (CUPRI) funding to investigate new approaches. The ban brought with it an urgent need to develop alternatives to the use of pesticides. The ACC was named administrator of CUPRI.

"The MOE designed the CUPRI Program in recognition that research and innovation is a necessary part of ongoing pest control in Ontario," says Jim Rickard, chair of the board of directors of the AAC. "The Agricultural Adaptation Council is pleased to help allocate funds to companies and organizations in the sod, turf grass, landscape, and lawn care sectors. These projects will build on the already strong Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system used extensively by landscapers, turf specialists and farmers in Ontario where pest damage is minimized by a number of economically and environmentally sound methods including soil cultivation, resistant crop varieties and natural enemies."
The objectives of the approved projects will be to undertake research and innovation to accomplish the following:
-     Encourage development of biopesticides and lower-risk pesticides for managing lawn and garden pests
-     Assess the feasibility of commercialization of biopesticides and lower risk pesticides for maintaining lawns and gardens
-     Promote innovation of alternatives to the use of pesticides for lawn, garden, parks and turfgrass care
-     Support growth of "green" industries and "greener" approaches to maintaining landscapes

Throughout the summer, the AAC solicited project proposals from companies, commodity associations, trade organizations and research and academic institutions. The successful applicants were announced in December. They are:

Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association, $22,992 - This project will look at the effectiveness of using steam and solarization treatments for weed control in ornamental gardens and lawns.


Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation, $86,500 - Biological control strategies will be identified and developed to address the problem of white grubs in lawns and turf grass.


University of Guelph, $112,968 -- New research projects at the University will evaluate alternatives to cosmetic pesticides to manage weeds in lawns, and fruit and vegetable gardens.

6310907 Canada Inc., $60,000 - The purpose of this project is to develop the fungus Curvularia into an effective and selective bioherbicide for crabgrass.

Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation, $21,000 - The efficacy of the Mustard Bio-product CA-1 will be evaluated for use as a bioherbicide.

Environmental Factor, $30,000 - Hydrolyzed liquid corn gluten will be evaluated for efficacy in controlling weeds, compared to the granular formulation.

All projects are to be completed by March 31, 2011.

The Agricultural Adaptation Council sources and provides funding programs with a primary focus on the Ontario agriculture and agri-food industry. The AAC is a non-profit coalition of 72 agricultural, agri-food and rural organizations in Ontario.

Team to examine alternatives to ash and Norway maple

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:26:09 -0500

Landscape Ontario, through its growers' group, has created a working committee to examine alternative trees that will perform well in urban Ontario landscapes.

In the past few years, two tough urban trees have lost favour in landscaping. The once popular trees are ash (Fraxinus spp.), due to the emerald ash borer, and Norway maple (Acer platanoides), as a result of its reported invasive characteristics. As for the latter, research continues to determine if all types and cultivars pose a threat to native landscapes.

The impact of losing these trees from the landscape menu is considerable for growers, urban foresters, landscape architects, contractors and retailers. There is an urgent need to find alternative species that will tolerate the difficult and stressful growing conditions encountered in street plantings and urban environments. The cosmetic pesticide ban and the efficacy of dealing with the potential problems of mature trees are also issues that will be taken into account.

Over the next few months, the working team will review existing information from regions of North America with similar growing conditions, conduct surveys and seek input from a broad range of interested parties and stakeholders. "Participation from those interested in the project is important and valued, regardless of the sector," says Chris Graham, acting team leader.
Supported by funding from the Farm Innovation Program, the working group assembled to investigate the issue includes Sean Fox, assistant manager at the University of Guelph Arboretum; Jennifer Llewellyn, OMAFRA nursery crops specialist; Dr. Glen Lumis, Professor Emeritus, University of Guelph; Luba Taylor, BritAli Gardens and Chris Graham, former director of horticulture at Royal Botanical Gardens.

"There may be some skepticism, as underused and overlooked species are recommended, but we need to keep an open mind," says Graham. "Without doubt, there will be challenges for growers to include new product to their inventory. Equally, end-users may be reluctant to accept alternatives."

For information or input, contact Glen Lumis at glumis@uoguelph.ca.

New logo for certification coming in 2010

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:50:59 -0500

As of January 2010, members who have achieved certification, or who are in pursuit of certification, such as CHT, CLP, CLD, will fall under the unified title Landscape Industry Certified. With the changes in logo and brand, all certified individuals in North America will be easily identified by consumers. The goal behind the change in the brand is to ensure that clients and the public understand and recognize the logo. With one, unified symbol, industry members can prove their practical and theoretical competency in at least one of the designations. The consumer will be able to recognize competent certified individuals and firms who employ certified staff by the logo on their trucks, marketing material and business cards. This marks the first time Canada and the U.S. will have a consistent name and brand for certification, paving the way for broader recognition of industry certification across North America. The new Landscape Industry Certified brand is expected to lead to great consumer demand for certified people and drive the growth of competency and professionalism in the industry. The national certification program, administered by CNLA, seeks to align itself with the certification industry's best practices as defined by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) standards. NCCA is the accrediting body of the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA). For more updates contact Sally Harvey at sharvey@landscapeontario.com, or Rachel Burt at rachel@landscapeontario.com. Information is also available on CNLA website, www.landscapeindustrycertified.org, or call the office at 888-446-3495.

First lighting symposium set for February

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:47:04 -0500

The first full one-day symposium by LO's Lighting Sector Group will take place on Feb. 11 at the home office in Milton. The symposium will be of interest to lighting contractors and designers. Topics featured during the day will include marketing tips, trouble shooting, pricing work, a manufacturing showcase and more. Registration is open at 8 a.m., with the presentations beginning at 8:30. A special early bird price of $75 for LO members and $95 for non-members is available until Jan. 25. The price jumps to $95 for members after Jan. 25, and $115 for non-members. To register, go to www.horttrades.com/LS2010. To view the complete brochure on the day click here. For more information, contact Rachel Burt at rachel@landscapeontario.com, or 905-875-1805, ext. 326.

Floor plan available for Canada Blooms

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:31:01 -0500

The floor plan for Canada Blooms is now online to take reservations for what promises to be one of the best festivals in recent years.

The new home for Canada Blooms is at the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place, from March 17 - 21, 2010. With over 7,000 parking spaces on site and a heated underground garage, visitors can buy plants and associated garden-related items and with little effort, take them to their cars.

At this year's festival, there will be a complimentary parcel check and carry-out service (provided by Rent-a-Son), a New Products Showcase, the VIA Rail Garden Route travel area, the European Travel area (featuring Tourism Ireland), Ontario Horticultural Association, Master Gardeners of Ontario, Communities in Bloom, Indigo Book Store and the Scott's Ask the Experts area.

This year's Festival is guaranteed action-packed and a must-attend for all "Passionate Gardeners"!

Reserve your booth in the Marketplace by viewing the interactive floor plan. Space is filling up fast, with over 60 per cent SOLD OUT! Do not miss your opportunity to jump start your 2010 sales. Contact Gilles Bouchard regarding the purchase of a booth in the Marketplace at Canada Blooms, by calling 800-265-5656, ext. 323, fax 905-875-3942, or email, gbouchard@landscapeontario.com.

ORCGA summits begin in January

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:39:04 -0500

Between January and April 2010, the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA) is hosting Stakeholder Summits throughout Ontario. The purpose of the summits are to raise awareness about damage prevention and educate industry about the shared responsibility, industry standards, how to get involved and what still needs to be achieved; Provide the participants with an opportunity to network with local representatives from utilities, regulators, one call, locators and other ORCGA stakeholders and participate with interactive and educational seminars. Rsvp, clearly indicating which session you plan to attend. Mail your registration to 195 King St., Suite 105, St Catharines, ON L2R 3J6, or fax it to 1-866-838-6739. A registration form is available by clicking here.