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July | August 2024 • Volume 42 - No. 04 HortTrades.com
Landscape Ontario’s mandate is to be the leader in representing, promoting and fostering a favourable environment for the advancement of the horticultural profession in Ontario.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
A community that shapes our industry
As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of our profession, I am reminded daily of the crucial role that each member plays in our collective success. It is with great pride and gratitude that I write to you today, highlighting the significance of your membership in Landscape Ontario.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President - Ed Hansen
Past President - Lindsay Drake Nightingale
Vice President - Lindsey Ross
Second Vice President - Jeff Olsen
Treasurer - Pam Cook
Communications Director - Kali Pearson
Creative Director - Mike Wasilewski
Editor - Robert Ellidge
Managing Editor, Multimedia - Karina Sinclair
Graphic Design Associate - Aisha Shaikh
Account Manager - Greg Sumsion
Account Manager - Liz Lant
Digital Marketing Specialist - Charlotte Guena
Copy Editor - Julia Harmsworth
Communications Coordinator - Angela Lindsay
Accountant - Joe Sabatino
Staff contact info: HortTrades.com/contact
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
Gerald Boot CLM, Vanessa McQuade, Lindsay Drake Nightingale, Jeremy Feenstra, Mark Fisher, Hank Gelderman
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:
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Views expressed are those of the writer concerned. Landscape Ontario assumes no responsibility for the validity or correctness of any opinions or references made by the author. Copyright 2024, reproduction or the use of whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited. Published 6x per year. Rates and deadlines are available on request.
Subscription price: $43.51 per year (HST included). For subscription and address changes, please email subscriptions@landscapeontario.com
STRENGTH IN UNITY
Our association thrives because of the strength and unity of our members. By working together, we create a powerful collective voice that advocates for the interests and needs of our entire industry. Whether it’s influencing policy, setting industry standards or addressing common challenges, our united front ensures we are heard and respected at all levels. Your membership amplifies our ability to enact positive change and safeguard the future of our profession.
ADVOCACY AND REPRESENTATION
As a member, you play a crucial role in our advocacy efforts. We work tirelessly to represent your interests at the local, provincial, and national levels, ensuring your voice is heard on critical issues affecting our industry. From environmental regulations to labour laws, our advocacy initiatives are designed to protect your business and promote a favourable operating environment. Your membership empowers us to advocate effectively on your behalf.
ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE RESOURCES
Membership in our association grants you access to a wealth of resources designed to support your growth and success. From cutting-edge research and industry reports to professional development opportunities and certification programs, we are committed to providing you with the tools you need to stay ahead of the curve. Our wealth of resources are tailored to help you enhance your skills, expand your knowledge and elevate your business practices.
NETWORKING AND COLLABORATION
One of the most valuable benefits of your membership is the opportunity to connect with fellow professionals who share your passion and commitment to excellence. Our events, conferences, Congress, Snowposium, Peer to Peer Network and online information offer a platform for networking, collaboration and the exchange of ideas. These connections foster a sense of community and provide many valuable opportunities for mentorship, partnerships and professional growth.
Continued on page 9 >
ASSOCIATION NEWS
The Landscape Ontario community mourns the loss of a remarkable champion, Steve Neumann, whose recent passing leaves a void in the hearts of all those who knew him. A literal giant in the profession, an inspiring educator, a devoted father and husband, Steve was a man of unwavering principles, whose legacy is one of passion, commitment and profound impact.
Steve's journey began with a deep love for our profession, leading him to become a solid pillar in the Landscape Ontario community. His involvement with Skills Ontario and Skills Canada was nothing short of transformative for students being introduced to or entering the landscape trades. He championed the industry's growth, dedicating countless hours to mentoring young professionals and advocating for the skilled trades. His efforts were instrumental in elevating the standards and prestige of his field, ensuring that the next generation of horticulture people was well equipped and highly respected.
As an educator at Ottawa’s Algonquin College, Steve's influence was profound and far-reaching. He was not just a teacher, but a mentor and a guide. His students revered him for his vast knowledge, his patience and his genuine care for their success. Steve was a man whose presence was as comforting as it was inspiring. His dedication to his students extended beyond the classroom, where he was always available to offer support, guidance and a listening ear long after graduation.
Steve's involvement with Landscape Ontario further highlighted his dedication to his profession. As an active member, he tirelessly promoted best practices and innovation within the landscaping
REMEMBERING STEVE NEUMANN A champion of industry, education and integrity
By Ed Hansen
industry. His peers admired his willingness to stand up for what was right — even when it meant taking the more difficult path. This integrity earned him the respect and admiration of everyone he worked with, solidifying his reputation as a true champion of the industry.
Beyond his professional achievements, Steve was a devoted family man and a great son. He cherished his role as a father and husband. His family was his pride and joy. Steve's home was filled with love and laughter, and he was always there to support his family in every endeavour. His passion for life was evident in the way he balanced his professional commitments with his dedication to his loved ones.
Steve's friends and colleagues remember him as their biggest supporter. He had a unique ability to make everyone feel valued and important, always offering a word of encouragement or a helping hand. His generosity of spirit and persevering support made a lasting impact on everyone he encountered.
In remembering Steve, we should celebrate a life well lived, a man who touched countless lives with his kindness, his wisdom and his steadfast commitment to doing the right thing. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide us, reminding us of the profound impact one person can have on their community and beyond.
Steve's passing is a great loss, but his memory will live on and grow in the hearts of those who knew him. His contributions to his industry, his students, his colleagues and his family are a testament to a life dedicated to excellence and integrity. As we reflect on his life, we honour his memory by striving to emulate his dedication, his kindness and his
uncompromising commitment to making the world a better place. RIDE ON STEVE — I will miss you brother, and I promise your shadow will still cast.
A fitting tribute
Landscape Ontario member
Sarah Johnston, owner of Greenlife Nursery in Ottawa, Ont., and her staff (many former students of Steve) put together a beautiful memorial/tribute and shared it on social media.
“All our horticulture technicians had the distinct pleasure of being taught by Steve Neumann at Algonquin College. He was a professor who ensured that if you needed help he was there to give it. He wanted his students to excel. His loss was felt deeply at Greenlife so his students here decided to create a memory of him. They decided to buy this concrete ornament from our neighbours, Concrete Garden Supply. It is placed in the nursery's native garden and brings happy memories of Steve to us all.”
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The Lyra slab provides both a modern design and a highly detailed surface. Taking advantage of Best Way Stone’s DesignLoc surface refinement technology, Lyra offers a contemporary smooth finish, and is offered in a variety of colours. For a more enhanced finish, Nanoblast colour options are available in this product, providing a fine blasting to the surface, exposing specially selected granite aggregates.
SCAN THE QR CODE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LYRA
SCAN THE QR CODE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LYRA
On June 1, 2024, volunteers gathered at Sunnybrook Veterans Centre in Toronto, Ont., to enhance the tranquil grounds surrounding the campus by planting pollinator-friendly flora.
Supported by Landscape Ontario’s Toronto Chapter, Michael Lithgow, manager of energy and climate action at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, was one of the organizers on site.
“We're very proud of our gardens. The gardens are valuable assets for employees as a place to relax and collect their thoughts and emotions after a hard day at work, or for patients when they can get out. It helps the healing process and it's for the community as well,” Lithgow said.
As one of the co-chairs of the Green Task Force, Lithgow said they were thrilled to take this offer from Landscape Ontario.
“Companies that are members of Landscape Ontario offered to supply plants and some labour to help beautify our gardens,” Lithgow said.
Beautifying the space for the long term was a key goal of this event.
“The plants we embed are perennials. They'll keep coming back year after year. Not a lot of maintenance is required,” said Lithgow. “They are a very valuable food source for the local pollinators as well.”
David Milne, owner of Quercus Gardens and a member of Landscape Ontario’s Provincial Board of Directors since 2022, attended this event as a volunteer.
Toronto Chapter volunteers help to attract pollinators
By Yuantong Anita Liu
Milne estimated 1,000 plants were embedded by the 27 volunteers at the event. People from various organizations and communities engaged in the activities.
“We are losing the connection with nature,” Milne said. “I am so glad to see people coming from different communities, gathering to talk and enjoy the connections with nature again.”
Lorraine Lee, a graduate of Landscape Ontario’s GROW program, learned about this event from an email sent by Landscape Ontario. She decided to invite her friends Maris and Natalie to volunteer together.
“It is awesome,” Lee said. “I get to know more about plants and it's interesting to get planting done with other people as a group event.”
“I felt the connection with nature,” Maris added, “and the chance to accomplish something together with my groupmates.”
It was Maris and Natalie’s first time working in a public garden and they appreciated the expertise on hand as well as the flexibility to use their creativity.
“It's quite relaxing because it does not have very strict guidelines on how we should do it. They just give us very simple instructions and we can plant on our own,” Natalie said.
The Veterans’ Therapeutic Garden is a private visiting garden open for the residents of the K and L Wings of the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre.
Janet Phillips, who has been the horticultural therapist at Sunnybrook Veterans Centre since September 2013, worked in the therapeutic garden and shared insights about how horticulture is beneficial for veterans.
According to Phillips, around 150 people came out from the building and enjoyed this outdoor garden every day before the pandemic occurred.
Michael Lithgow (left) talking to a volunteer.
“The garden is used by four different populations: veterans, chronic care that came over during the pandemic, the transitional community coming from the hospitals, and all the visitors and families,” Phillips explained.
Phillips recalled one of the wives of a palliative care resident: “She walked by me and said, ‘We have to give up our beautiful garden at home because my husband is sick, but when we come out here, I feel like we are home again.
“There are so many different stories about how a garden impacts people, and I don't have to be here for that impact to happen. My job as a horticultural therapist is to keep this place peaceful, safe and interactive.”
Volunteers gathered in Sunnybrook's Bayview Campus to plant flora that attract pollinators.
Communities in Bloom now part of Landscape Ontario
This spring, Landscape Ontario formalized its partnership with Communities in Bloom (CiB), taking ownership and responsibility for this community-based program in the Ontario region. CiB was established as a national program in 1995 — and for over 25 years, Communities in Bloom Ontario has challenged communities across the province to enhance their cities and towns through the creation of beautiful and environmentally-sustainable gardens and green spaces.
CiB’s slogan, “Growing Great Places Together,” says it all. Landscape Ontario is thrilled to take on this partnership as it’s a wonderful way to help municipalities and individuals gain a better understanding of Landscape Ontario, its members and the power of plants.
Landscape Ontario member admin assistant Andrea Bianchi will be working closely with the CiB board and executive director Joe Salemi to modernize and expand the reach and impact of this beloved program, with a goal of engaging small, medium and large communities across Ontario. The CiB board is now a committee of Landscape Ontario and will have access to staff and infrastructure support.
If you would like to get involved, CiB is looking for help with outreach to local communities, as well as volunteer judges. Please email andreab@landscapeontario.com for more information.
Summer call campaign to update member information
Landscape Ontario members can expect to receive a phone call this summer from one of two students recently hired under the Canada Summer Jobs Grant.
Adriana Mazzocco and Jahaan Jamali are carrying out several data management tasks for the association which include updating member contact and company information in the association’s member database.
Information such as company name and spelling, mailing address, website URL, email address, key contacts for membership and billing, as well as any staff listed under the company are all part of the data check.
Members will also have the opportunity to ask any specific questions about their membership or the many benefits available which will be documented and followed up on by a staff member from LO’s membership team.
(L-R) Communities in Bloom Ontario board members Ken Hunter, Ray Hurd and Martin Quinn joined by Joe Salemi and Andrea Bianchi of Landscape Ontario.
Jahaan Jamali (left) and Adriana Mazzocco are reaching out to LO members this summer.
RECOGNITION AND CREDIBILITY
Being part of our association is a mark of distinction that sets you apart in the marketplace. It signals to clients, peers and stakeholders that you are committed to the highest standards of professionalism and excellence. Our professional development programs, educational opportunities, awards program and member profiles provide opportunities for recognition and enhance your credibility within the industry.
COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY
As stewards of the landscape, our association is dedicated to promoting sustainable practices that benefit our environment and communities. Your membership supports initiatives that prioritize ecological health, biodiversity, conservation and sustainability. Together, we can lead the way in creating landscapes that are not only beautiful but also resilient and environmentally responsible.
Your membership is the cornerstone of our association’s strength and success. It enables us to provide you with the resources, support and advocacy needed to thrive in today’s dynamic landscape industry. We are deeply grateful for your commitment and contributions, and we look forward to continuing to serve you and advance our shared goals.
Thank you for being an integral part of our association. WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER, and we are shaping the future of our industry.
Ed Hansen LO President ed@greensideup.com
Landscape Ontario members
help lead green cities initiatives
Volunteers from the Green Cities Foundation (GCF) planted small trees and shrubs on the grounds of Brookmill Boulevard Junior Public School on June 8. The goal was to increase the greenspace in front and back of the Scarborough, Ont., school, and create a sustainable vegetable garden that produces healthy food for those in need, as well as for the school and local community groups.
In the lead up to the planting day, students created six raised vegetable gardens, painting each with the theme of a different Canadian province. The
kids were taught by Landscape Ontario member and GCF director Peter Guinane, who led them through each gardening step, such as adding gravel, soil and top soil before digging in the holes to fill with vegetable plants. The raised planters, as well as the new ornamental garden beds, shrubs and trees planted by GCF volunteers will be cared for by Brookmill students, council and staff.
“It was a lot of fun for the kids,” said Sunny Tang, a special education teacher at the school. “For about 80 per cent of the kids it was their first time touching soil.”
Guinane is among other Landscape Ontario members who are spearheading various projects for which GCF has partnered with local organizations to renovate and rejuvenate derelict spaces within various communities over the next few years.
LAIDLAW UNITED CHURCH, HAMILTON
Volunteers from several organizations, including Green Venture and GCF, came together on June 22 to plant 16 trees and over 500 perennials and shrubs in an effort to transform four areas of the church
grounds. The project included removing a section of the parking lot and replacing it with a community garden full of native plants, adding seating and increasing access to this community space.
The project was led by Landscape Ontario member and GCF chair Alan White with contributions from: Turf Systems, New Nature Landscaping, Planted Perfection Landscaping, Connon Nurseries and Miller Compost.
ROLSTON FOREST IN CAPTAIN CORNELIUS PARK, HAMILTON
The goal for GCF and Hamilton’s Naturalists’ Club is to enhance the park’s seven-acre urban woodland habitat with over 200 native species while continuing to manage invasive shrubs. An existing pollinator garden will also be rejuvenated and used for community education.
Another project led by White, a community planting day is scheduled for Oct. 26, 2024. GCF is looking for support from LO members.
G. ROSS LORD PARK, NORTH YORK
Green Guardians, a new environmental stewardship program led by the City of Vaughan, is encouraging residents and
businesses to get involved in communitydriven events and activities that promote environmental stewardship and help keep Vaughan safe, clean and beautiful.
Together with GCF volunteers, this community group is working to enhance G. Ross Lord Park's greenspace by increasing the overall tree canopy and making landscaping improvements.
Led by Landscape Ontario pastpresident and GCF vice-chair Harold Deenen, a community planting day will be held in the spring of 2025.
GREEN INITIATIVES ACROSS CANADA
Formed as a Canadian Private Charitable Foundation in 2018 and having built its first urban green space in 2019, GCF’s vision is to “protect, nurture and grow urban green spaces for the health and well-being of all.”
Since 2018, GCF has completed a number of projects in various communities, including Birge Street Meadow at Hamilton Health Science Regional Rehabilitation Centre, and at St. Matthew’s House, also in Hamilton, Ont. Projects have also been completed in Newfoundland, Saskatchewan and British Columbia and more are scheduled for
WHOLESALE, LANDSCAPE SUPPLY YARD
B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia in 2024 and 2025. Funding applications are being accepted for 2025 and beyond.
Working with members of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) and each of the provincial trade associations, GCF is focused on improving people’s lives by improving community and climate.
“There are so many benefits of living, breathing landscapes, no matter the size,” said CNLA past president Phil Paxton. “Plants clean the air, provide shade, cool the surrounding area, reduce noise and absorb excess rainwater from storms.”
The resounding message from this passionate group is that green spaces benefit our health and well-being both physically and mentally.
GCF invites you to join them in being a part of something bigger than yourself, and to help make the world a better place for all. Whether you are a student, a professional, a community member or a concerned citizen, there is a place for you in the Green Cities Foundation family.
For more information on Green Cities Foundation, or to volunteer for one of the projects listed, please visit GCFoundation. ca/our-projects.
VOLUNTEER PROFILE
Jon Durzi supports members across Toronto Chapter
By Julia Harmsworth
Toronto Chapter president Jon Durzi wants Landscape Ontario members to know he’s there to support them. From his involvement on the chapter board, to the provincial board of directors, to the COVID-19 Task Force, he loves finding solutions to people’s problems and keeping them in the loop.
“My biggest goal [as Toronto Chapter Board president] is to bring as much knowledge and value from Landscape Ontario to our members as we possibly can,” Durzi explains. “It’s continuously keeping them involved and really listening to them and understanding what they want to see from us.”
Durzi first entered the landscape world in 1999 after a historic Toronto snowstorm caused the mayor to call in the army to help dig out the city. Durzi shovelled sidewalks and operated snow plows for Clintar Groundskeeping.
From there, he transitioned into lawn and garden maintenance and, later, construction and hardscaping. Now, he’s the marketing and sales business development manager for Miller Compost, where he’s been since 2013. Being involved
industry has made Durzi’s career particularly fulfilling.
“It’s been great. I totally fell in love with the industry, the profession, the people,” he says.
Though he had known of LO since the beginning of his career, Durzi got heavily involved in the community after joining Miller Compost. There, he saw an opportunity for the company and LO to support each other — and for him to extend the support he offers his clients at Miller Compost to LO members.
Durzi sat on the Toronto Chapter Board as a director, working on several volunteer projects, including an accessible schoolyard at James Robinson Public School in Markham, Ont., which created a safe green space for children of all abilities. Then he became the chapter’s representative to the associations’ provincial board of directors.
“I really fell in love with [LO] at that level. It was so much shared knowledge at a provincial board level and my voice really mattered,” he says. “I was able to vote on topics and things that were coming down, and I really understood what brought LO together.”
Now, as chapter president, Durzi encourages folks to come to
him with hot topics they’re curious about — like healthy soils or landscape photography — and he’ll get speakers together and plan a meeting or event. His favourite part of being involved with the chapter is having conversations with like-minded members.
This interest brought him to sit on LO’s COVID-19 Task Force, which met frequently throughout 2020 and 2021 and hosted webinars to keep members informed on COVID-19 news and protocols, from lockdowns to legislation.
“We really had no idea what we were getting into, and the size and impact it [would have],” Durzi says. “Before we knew it, it was a rolling ball of thunder down a hill, and it progressed into something fantastic. We were all sharing information on a day-to-day [basis].”
He and the rest of the task force received the Community Leadership Award in 2021 for their work, which Durzi did not expect. He says he was “taken aback greatly,” and felt appreciated by the LO community.
“To have our members know that we were there to support them was rather uplifting. It was a lot of time and energy, but it was more than worth it,” Durzi says. “It’s something that I’ll never forget, that’s for sure.”
Looking forward into the future of the profession, Durzi believes LO must continue to be an inclusive space where every member, in every aspect in the profession, can play an active role. He would like to see the creation of a supplier’s group, for example, to give suppliers a voice at the provincial board level.
When he’s not hearing members’ queries or volunteering, Durzi enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids, travelling and being on the ice.
“From starting from the ground up to where I am now has been a fantastic path,” he says. “I would not change it, that’s for sure.”
SCHOLARSHIP PROFILE
Scholarship helps Lawi Njeremani pursue his long-term vision
Lawi Njeremani was the recipient of the John and Ruth Wright Scholarship in 2023 from the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation (Foundation). This $1,000 scholarship is available to two students entering their first or second year of the Diploma of Turfgrass Management (DTM) program at the University of Guelph. Candidates are chosen not only based on their transcripts, but on a short essay describing their interest and passion for the turf industry. Njeremani learned about the opportunity from a list of potential scholarships circulated by the university.
For Njeremani, it was a surprise influx of funds at a time he was struggling financially. In the future, he says he’d like to pursue further education to learn new industry best practices and wishes to work in a leadership role in the golf industry. According to Njeremani, one of the best benefits of this career path is to see: “the transformation of a golf course from winter dormancy to peak summer pristine conditions.”
Describe any early exposure you might have had to landscaping and horticulture.
Back in my home country, Kenya, I led several tree planting initiatives, one of which saw more than 8,000 seedlings planted outside the International Airport in the capital city, Nairobi. On two other
occasions, I led various volunteer groups, totalling 600 persons from the Scouts and Girl Guides movement, Kenya Defence Forces, Lions Clubs and top corporate companies in the petroleum distribution and hospitality industries, in planting 25,000 trees and followed this up the next year with another 17,000 trees at a water catchment area on the outskirts of the capital city. I have always had an attraction for beautiful and environmentally sound landscapes. My program of study has served to strengthen this interest.
What prompted you to pursue a career in this field?
I started playing golf about a decade ago. Along the way, I started dreaming of the potential of establishing a nine-hole, par three golf course. It was by coincidence that I heard about the DTM program at the University of Guelph when COVID-19 set in. With my previous consulting jobs on freeze, I decided to pursue this new interest and started this journey in a totally new industry and in a new country.
Who are your role models in the turfcare profession?
I look up to my golf course superintendent at Cutten Fields, Bill Green. He has been kind to me on a personal level and has
also been very supportive in providing technical guidance on golf course maintenance. Further, he has been a good sounding board for my numerous ideas.
How did winning a scholarship make a difference in your life?
Winning the scholarship came as a pleasant surprise! The scholarship came at a time when I was in despair and provided a moment of calm, although as time has progressed I have not been able to raise the huge balance demanded from me and I have had to defer my final semester until I can raise the outstanding amount.
The scholarship from Landscape Ontario helped chip away at the outstanding fees. It provided mental relief. The joy I felt could be best described by my housemates, who are also my coursemates, though I can also share that it provided sunshine in a rather gloomy season.
The Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation is a charitable organization whose mandate is to “ensure a healthy future for the horticulture industry.” To learn more about the many scholarships available under the Foundation and Cullen Family Scholarship Program, please visit ohtf.ca/scholarships.
By Kali Pearson
Even before stepping into the offices of Nicola’s Garden Art, potential clients already have a sense of the quality they can expect from the company. Owner Jeremy Kamp recently relocated to Wortley Village, a historic enclave of London, Ont., where Nicola’s Garden Art rubs shoulders with the city’s top retailers, restaurants and designers. “Everyone assumes that everyone who is in Wortley Road is going to be the top in the city,” said Kamp, who has been keeping an eye out for space in the area for years.
In fact, Nicola’s Garden Art has been named one of the top landscape companies in the city by ThreeBestRated.ca and consistently wins service awards with Houzz. But while Kamp said all this positioning is important, it’s what happens behind the scenes — from how they find and nurture talent, to how they approach growth, to their sales and marketing processes — that has made the company a success for over 30 years.
Nicola’s Garden Art was started by Kamp’s mother as a floral design business in 1990. In 2010, she completed a degree in horticultural design at the University of Guelph and the pair partnered to launch a landscaping business, rolling in a fencing and deck business Kamp had launched years prior.
“We're basically a full service — everything from the outside of the house,” said Kamp. “We do design, gardening, drainage, patios, retaining walls and fencing. The complete picture.”
Speaking of pictures, Kamp said the biggest selling point continues to be the sheer creativity of his mother’s designs. “Nicola has been designing for a long time and her work is not cookie cutter at all,” he said. “There are always very neat shapes and the feeling of the property after it's done is great.”
Kamp initially worked with the installation crews, but in 2022 he moved away from crew work to take over ownership of the business. He’s since made it his mission to hire only the best, invest in technology and create a sales model that helps ensure healthy margins and profit — as well as long-term customer satisfaction.
GETTING THE PICK OF THE CROP
As a long-time instructor in the horticulture technician diploma program at Fanshawe College in London, Kamp has a direct line to finding great talent. “Most of our employees come from Fanshawe,” he said. “I get them recommended by other instructors or bring them on for their co-op placements for the diploma program. I get to see all the students for months at a time and decide which are the ones I want to work with.”
Kamp said he has been able to hire “superstars” from the program over the years, including his best foreperson and his customer service lead, who handles all warranty issues and customer concerns. After all, even the best planned
designs and installations can fall victim to the elements or improper care. “She’s the individual dealing with that properly and getting the client back on board with us making sure that they're not upset and not having buyer's remorse if the garden falls apart in front of their face and they've just spent big money on it,” Kamp explained.
He added that this commitment to service from start to finish is the main reason he decided to launch a maintenance team a few years back. Everyone at Nicola’s Garden Art also pays attention to what might be considered as “the little things,” like ensuring all phone calls are answered and client emails are answered promptly.
A STRONG SELL
As president, Kamp leads the sales process as well as operations. Nicola’s designs are the star of the show and the sales process starts with an intake questionnaire to ensure it’s a big enough job to warrant the investment. “You get a lot of tire kickers and a lot of phone calls that aren’t really worthwhile,” he said. “With only two crews, we only want to be taking on jobs that will last two weeks or more.”
Once a client has been qualified, they receive a design estimate. Once they purchase the design, Kamp meets with them in person to quote on the installation — typically at his office so clients have the opportunity to see and touch some of the materials. “By this point they already have the whole vision in place and they've paid in full for the design, so that’s the entry point,” he said.
To keep quotes realistic and jobs on track and on budget, Kamp has invested in specialized software for the landscaping business. He uses LMN, which allows him to set an annual budget and targets, using that budget to create estimates. The program also allows him to invoice clients directly from the platform, track labour hours and handle payroll. “It reduces a ridiculous amount of triple entry stuff,” Kamp said.
TAKING CARE OF FAMILY
In addition to recruiting some of his best students from Fanshawe, Kamp also offers every member of his team the chance to take part in the school’s apprenticeship program. “My hiring process starts with ‘Do you want to be a Horticultural Apprentice?’
That's a part of the interview,” he said. “I ask ‘Are you going to be trained as an apprentice of Fanshawe?’ and many people are like, ‘My god. I've been wanting to go to school for something that I like doing!’ So it's a huge win for they're not completely out of money and they can actually afford to go to school. Some people don't have that opportunity growing up.”
Kamp pays the $600 tuition and employees study over the winter, putting their knowledge to work when the season kicks off. “I'm often their teacher as well, so I also get to train them in the way that I would like people to be trained at my business.”
When it comes to keeping employees, Kamp believes that a continued focus on training demonstrates that Nicola’s Garden Art is a place where careers can grow and flourish. “We're definitely training oriented. Every one of our eight employees is at Fanshawe, with the exception of one employee who is in his sixties or seventies and opted not to go.”
In addition to training, Kamp takes pride in lending an ear when employees need to talk and offering flexible work hours. “We have a lot of young dads, who are the primary caregivers for their family, so they're expected to go and be there when the kids are sick or if they need to get to daycare,” he said. “We create an environment where that's okay.” He said at least one of his employees opted to join just for that reason. “He was feeling the pressure from his other company — basically ‘we don’t care about your kid, just get over it and get to work.’” Getting the right people in place also
extends to building a network around him to fill in gaps where he lacks expertise. “My mom is the designer and my dad loves finance. And so before we had a bookkeeper, he was taking care of the books and doing the financial reports,” he said. Kamp’s wife is in HR and helps with contracts and ensuring the company adopts the right employment practices. “It’s basically this full circle of people all around me who fill in the gaps that I desperately need.”
As for the future, Kamp plans to grow slowly, keeping things small and beautiful. “I've seen in the past where companies that you think are really doing well get a bunch of employees and equipment and machines… and then they're out of business within two years,” he said. “That kind of shocked me and so we took that as a warning signal.” One tactic he believes is a smart one for any landscaping company is to rent equipment until it truly needs to be purchased. His rule of thumb is to not purchase anything until it's needed at least five times a month. He also keeps costs under control by working with vendors who will deliver materials to job sites, rather than wasting employees’ time driving around to pick things up.
At the end of the day, Kamp loves building Nicola’s Garden Art as a great place to work and a company that clients can count on for the long haul. Kamp is a big believer in supporting others in the trade and offers this simple advice for anyone running a business: “It’s going to be long hours and hard work, but the only way it’s going to fail is if you give up. If you don’t give up, it’s not going to fail.”
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
Interview with Bill Hardy, CLHM
This interview originally aired on the Landscape Ontario podcast and has been edited for length and clarity.
Have you ever wondered if what you’re doing as a landscaper to mitigate climate change is enough? The global situation feels so complex and monumental sometimes, and we all wonder at some point ‘how can I, just one individual, make a difference?’
Bill Hardy recently joined the Landscape Ontario Podcast and says the trick is to think globally, but act locally. Hardy is a Certified Landscape Horticulturalist and owns Grow and Gather, an independent retail garden centre in British Columbia. Hardy is currently president of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA). He also serves on the boards of the Green Cities Foundation (GCF) and the International Association of Horticulture Producers (AIPH), as well as a number of other advisory committees. Hardy’s participation in these organizations gives him a wide perspective of how climate change is being addressed by horticulture and landscaping
innovators in both Canada and around the world.
In our conversation, we discussed which countries are leading the way by developing innovative green city solutions, and what an individual landscaper can do to contribute to the big picture.
Tell me about some of the major global events you and the CNLA have attended to stay current with climate mitigation trends.
The AIPH spring meeting this year was in Doha, Qatar. We had a Green City Conference that was specifically around greening cities in arid zones, particularly deserts.
And I found it really fascinating because the technology that is being used in deserts to create green spaces can be adapted to many cities around the world, especially as we're finding that dry periods are drier and longer, and wet periods
are wetter and longer, and more severe. So how people are using green solutions to improve their cities and tackle some of these issues is quite remarkable, and it's amazing to see some of the great work that's being done around the world.
CNLA has invested a fair chunk of time and effort [into participating at the COP Summits]. We started in 2022 in Glasgow. It caught our interest because it was the first time a COP Summit started talking about the other side of the climate cycle, so the capture side versus just the emissions side. Most COP climate summits have been around reducing emissions.
And then in Egypt for COP27, three of us from the CNLA attended. It was interesting to see the remarkable shift in just those few short years of how nature-based solutions seem to be front and centre of most of the conversations. Even though a lot of the policy and some of the larger frameworks were still set around the emission side, the conversation was really opening up around green solutions, especially on a broad scale.
COP is quite amazing. With three of us there, we still covered maybe two or three per cent of what was available. There's literally 1,000 to 1,200 panel sections a day. One hundred and eight-nine countries represented. There's different pavilions around themes like sustainability, et cetera, so it really is a lot of information being presented and a lot to absorb. There's growing awareness of the value of green spaces in cities. A lot of the presentations focused on what was actually happening within the cities, especially around biodiversity and climate solutions.
What countries or regions are proving to be innovative and progressive in this space?
I think the Netherlands leads the way in a lot of respects, along with the U.K. The European Union seems to always be a few years, if not a decade, ahead of us on solutions. Some of the issues that we're experiencing now, they've already experienced with population growth, urbanization and labour issues.
I'm also highly impressed with Australia and what Australia has been able to do, given that it's a country about the same size or population of Canada. The resources that they put into research and development and marketing of plants as a solution has been quite amazing over the years, and they've won many awards. Their Greener Spaces, Better Places website is a really good resource.
What are those countries doing that’s so advanced that Canada should also consider doing?
On the horticultural side, they have a lot of solutions around water management, and around different growing techniques that are more sustainable. We have the issue of plastics in our industry here in Canada that the government is looking at solutions for… the Netherlands has led pretty much the EU on plastic solutions with recycled content and with reusable versus trashable products.
A lot of the cities over there are very old with very old architecture. I always find it a little bit funny that, in Canada, we say we can't do these things because we don't have the space or it would cost too much money, but they're finding solutions over there. There's cities like Barcelona and
THE
PODCAST
This interview was adapted from an episode of the Landscape Ontario podcast, published on June 3, 2024.
To hear the whole interview, visit landscapeontario.com/podcast, or search for it on your favourite podcast app.
I think the common philosophy is that there's really nothing I can do. But if you look at a satellite image of a city, you’ll see most of the space other than the public space that's taken up for roads and commercial buildings is residential. In Vancouver, for example, we had a net loss of trees over the last few years. And all of that pretty much is on private land versus public land. The public is actually increasing plantings well, where private spaces are growing and bigger houses are being built and trees are being removed. So looking at the impact everybody can have in their own individual yards and spaces does impact the larger society.
Maybe even more importantly, it improves their own health and wellbeing. I mean, there are so many research studies out there right now that show that if you're in a hospital room and you can see trees, you get better faster, and the same thing happens with us at home.
There's research being done in the EU right now that I find fascinating around just re-greening schoolyards and the difference it makes for kids in school to have green spaces to go in and play in versus concrete playgrounds.
Not to mention the benefits around air quality alone. Seven million people die around the world every year just because of poor air quality, and it's considered one of the leading causes of preventable death. I can't think of anything else that produces air other than plants.
Spain that have literally changed their city and the way that they live within their city by creating what they call super blocks and eliminating local traffic in those super blocks, creating very livable spaces.
Let's face it, 83 per cent of Canadians live in cities, and that's where we can have the most impact on health. It's also an area that is important, even from a global scale, because 70 per cent of emissions come from cities and reducing emissions in cities is a goal of COP, but making them also more healthy and more livable while we're transitioning is critical.
Individual landscapers might feel too small to be part of a big change. How can they make a difference?
I really think we're making progress. More and more often, we're seeing green solutions as a solution to a very large problem. It's a very easy sell, especially with homeowners, when you're suggesting the value of plants and using them instead of non-permeable surfaces to add to your living space. It is openly acknowledged that better use of green spaces and more green infrastructure would help mitigate flooding disasters.
As we're entering another summer where drought is going to be a problem, solutions for using greywater or being able to clean water and aid in climate mitigation around severe rainfall events is going to become more valuable.
You just have to make the decision that's good for you and good for society and where you live. Getting out into green space and getting your hands dirty and planting things is considered one of the best hobbies in the world.
Elevated standards for 2025 awards program
For over 50 years, Landscape Ontario’s Awards of Excellence program has recognized the outstanding work of some of the top landscape professionals in Ontario. The members-only competition highlights the breathtaking design, skill and craftsmanship in landscape construction, maintenance, design, interior plantscaping, lighting and irrigation projects.
Entries for the 2025 Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence are open from July 1 to Oct. 1 via LOawards.com. On the newly redesigned website you will find entry criteria, rules and regulations, a complete list of categories to enter, plus a list of changes to the program.
Based on valuable feedback and the exceptional quality of work achieved to date, the Awards Committee is pleased to announce it is time to raise the standards for entries as Landscape Ontario members continue to advance the industry and set new benchmarks.
“The awards program should reflect this upward trajectory and with this progression in professionalism our awards program must also evolve,” read a statement by the Awards Committee. “The outstanding quality and sheer volume of submissions we received last year are a testament to the remarkable talent within our community. Your landscapes inspire us all. The creative prowess required to transform given spaces and overcome challenges has resulted in breathtaking outdoor environments that are true masterpieces. This year, the standards will be more stringent, and winners will be those who not only meet but exceed expectations.”
NEW FOR 2025
• Scores between 90-100 per cent will receive an Award of Excellence.
• Scores between 80-89 per cent will receive an Award of Merit.
• A project can only be entered into a maximum of two categories.
• Judges Score Sheets have been updated.
• Judges may deduct points for entries that include: dead plants, untidy work site, appearance of company logo, etc.
• Marketing category has been removed.
• Green Stamp component has been removed from the Construction Program.
• New criteria for the Design Program to better align with the National Awards of Landscape Excellence.
ENTRY CRITERIA
• Only Landscape Ontario member companies may enter.
• Up to 15 digital images of the project.
• Project summary that describes the goals and challenges of the project as well as any unique elements.
• Chart indicating which elements were completed by subcontractors outside the company.
• Authorization form signed by both the member company and client.
• Payment fee of $150 per entry.
Winning an Award of Excellence is a great marketing tool to potential clients that verifies you have the skill, knowledge and expertise to design, build or maintain the property of their dreams. It's also a great boost for your team that validates their countless hours of hard work, attention to details, innovation, problem solving and passion for what they do.
Winners will be announced live at the awards ceremony to be held Jan. 7, 2025 in conjunction with the Congress 2025 trade show and conference. Ticket information will be available later this fall.
All winners receive a special plaque and are recognized in Landscape Ontario magazine and on the awards website. To see past winners, entry criteria or enter, visit LOawards.com.
Ontario Tree Climbing Championship coming to Mississauga
The 34th annual Ontario Tree Climbing Championship (OTCC) will take place Sept. 20-21 at RK McMillan Park in Mississauga, Ont.
This free event showcases arborists in action, demonstrating the exceptional skills required to work safely and efficiently in trees. There are multiple challenges, such as a timed speed climb, a targeted throwline toss, a work climb, an ascent
event using specialized equipment and an aerial rescue. Each challenge gives climbers a chance to demonstrate their skills. Participants from across the province compete to be crowned the Ontario champions. Winners also go on to compete at the International Tree Climbing Championships.
The Ontario Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISAO) invites those
in the green trades and the general public to attend this signature event. The twoday event will also feature educational workshops geared toward those in the green industry, including a tree-planting demonstration and sessions on gear and safety. The event also offers a unique opportunity to network and align with industry peers and the opportunity for anyone to try climbing a tree using
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Mackenzie Hordyk (2023 OTCC female champion) competing at the 2023 event.
specialized equipment under the guidance of experienced professionals. A number of vendors will also be on site as part of the event.
The arborist industry in Ontario is closely linked with other green trades and these links become clearer in the field on a day-to-day basis. Arborist crews commonly cross paths with other green trades on residential and commercial properties, contacts are shared with clients when there are requests for recommendations of reputable companies, and there are even firms that perform both landscaping and arborist work. Our allied industries are linked by our common purpose of maintaining green infrastructure.
Another commonality in our industries is the struggle to ensure the public recognizes the value of skilled professionals in our field. Landscape Ontario plays a crucial role in this regard. For arborists, a primary concern is educating the public not only on proper tree care and work practices, but also on safety. In a large sense, this objective originally inspired what has become the worldwide tradition of tree climbing competitions, as they are based on real work scenarios that arborists deal with in the field or are trained to be prepared for.
This year, 45 people (20 men and 15 women) will compete, allowing ISAO and arborists to illustrate proper industry standards in both practice and safety to members of the public attending the event.
The OTCC leads by example whether to industry peers or homeowners. This can be seen in several ways: First, no activity takes place until the site and trees are fully inspected for safety, for the participants and the public. Second, emergency response planning is always in place. Third, the trees are well protected at all times. No excessive pruning or damage is accepted and arborists will not use spikes on host trees. This is especially important, as this outdated practice is still a commonplace practice for less educated workers and members of the public.
The OTCC will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m on Sept. 20 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 21. For more information, please visit the event page on the ISAO website at isaontario.com/otcc.
We hope to see you all there!
2023 OTCC competitors and volunteers.
Photo by Julie Tucker
Walker Industries expands composting facility
Walker Industries is continuing to strengthen its circular economy operations with a substantial investment at its Arthur, Ont., campus. This investment entails a $25-million expansion of Walker’s composting infrastructure alongside an $18-million state-of-the-art packaging facility.
These strategic investments have added to Walker's capabilities as a resource recovery leader, by diverting 170,000 tonnes of organic materials into premium-quality compost, soils and soil amendments. The expansion has resulted in an increase of the workforce at the Arthur campus, underscoring Walker's commitment to supporting its local communities.
Adam Egan, business operations manager at Walker, expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of the Arthur community, emphasizing the collaborative
effort towards building a sustainable future. "The expansion of our Arthur campus is a testament to our shared vision for environmental stewardship and community prosperity," remarked Egan. Walker began its expansion program at the site in 2020 by constructing 32 new GORE composting cells. The cells are covered with innovative GORE-TEX material, which creates a controlled environment for optimal decomposition. The cover also reduces odours and environmental impacts, allowing for rapid production of high-quality compost.
There are many environmental benefits with this process and Walker is poised to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 11,350 tonnes of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) by 2030 and 137,000 tonnes by 2050.
The new facility came online in June 2024, equipped with two fully automated
bagging lines capable of producing up to 100,000 pallets of garden soil and mulches annually. This increase will help Walker offer new products to the market, like the recently launched GrowBetter Gardens soil and mulch brand. GrowBetter Gardens products are peat-free and made from 100 per cent renewable, recycled materials. This strategic investment aligns with growing consumer demand for sustainable products, positioning Walker as a leader in resource recovery and the circular economy.
Geoff Boyd, vice president of resource recovery at Walker, expressed pride in Walker's contribution to resource conservation and circular economy principles. "Our commitment to sustainability drives us to develop solutions that minimize environmental impact and maximize resource efficiency," shared Boyd.
DELIVERING SUPERIOR SOD WITH QUALITY SERVICE
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(L-R): Arthur Campus Operations Manager Adam Egan; Municipal Relations Manager Diana Aquino; Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae; Wellington-North Mayor Andy Lennox; Walker President and CEO Geordie Walker cut the ribbon to officially open the facility expansion.
Free resources to help you prevent and deal with heat-related illness
Heat stress poses a particularly serious threat to those working outdoors — affecting thousands of workers across Canada every year. The Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers Inc. (OHCOW) is offering a free heat stress toolkit that includes many resources available to employers and their staff to understand and prevent this serious illness.
Heat stress occurs when the body is unable to get rid of excess heat, causing the body’s heart rate and core body temperature to increase, and often leads to heatrelated illness. Resources in the toolkit include a heat stress calculator, heat response plan, reference guides, videos, posters and infographics. The resources are intended to help show you and your staff the warning signs, symptoms, risk and effects associated with this serious illness and many of the resources are available in French and Spanish, in addition to English.
PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS
Employers have a responsibility to protect their outdoor workers. OHCOW provides some tips for protection:
• Fuel up: Drink at least one cup of water every 15-20 minutes and snack healthy often.
• Protect head and eyes: Wear a wide-brimmed hat and UV sunglasses.
• Monitor heat: Adjust your work schedule according to temperatures and weather forecast.
• Buddy up: Watch co-workers for signs of heat stress. These include: heat rash, fainting, head cramps, high blood pressure, convulsions, seizures and rapid, shallow breathing.
Visit ohcow.on.ca/heat-stress-toolkit for a number of resources that were developed to promote the dangers of working in heat, and to guide you in creation of your own heat stress emergency response plan.
Working toward a zero-emissions future EXECUTIVE DESK
Over the last year, more municipalities in Ontario have published reports indicating their position on banning gas-powered outdoor equipment. Not all of them are saying a ban is the right way to go. Landscape Ontario has been there from the beginning to make sure our members are represented in the discussions that directly affect them.
Most recently, the City of Ottawa released their report, which provided an overview of the Public Works Department’s (PWD) plan to transition small gas-powered equipment to electric. The report outlines several key areas where staff have studied how the City of Ottawa’s Public Works Department is currently managing.
The final recommendations from staff are “to continue to document the durability and serviceability of equipment, test equipment from a range of manufacturers, and monitor the progress of technology by conducting annual market scans. Staff will continue to gather data on the life cycle of battery-operated equipment currently in use.”
The key areas City of Ottawa staff studied as part of this report are very much the same key areas Landscape Ontario has been monitoring and documenting over the past year. We
are working closely with municipalities pursuing a ban of gas-powered outdoor equipment like the City of Toronto. We are also working with municipalities who are exploring what a transition from gaspowered outdoor equipment to batterypowered would look like, including London and Oakville.
With each municipality we meet with, we discuss key areas to consider when looking at phasing out or even banning gas-powered outdoor equipment, through the lens of reducing emissions and in some cases working toward zero emissions.
The City of Toronto was the first to vote in favour of pursuing a ban of twostroke engine gas-powered equipment. The report city staff presented to council focused on working toward zero emissions with the types of equipment that produced the most harmful emissions. After learning about the report and when it was being presented, I registered to delegate at a City of Toronto Council meeting. There, I outlined where we are in terms of readiness to make the transition, cost for new equipment and batteries, cost for charging infrastructure and overall willingness to transition to batterypowered outdoor equipment. It was following my delegation that City Council moved to implement a public relations
Joe Salemi CAE LO Executive Director jsalemi@landscapeontario.com
strategy to help residents of Toronto to better understand the benefits of battery-powered outdoor equipment. For now, the City of Toronto has paused their push to ban two-stroke engine powered equipment.
At the end of the day, the landscape horticulture trades and municipal governments across Ontario really do want the same end result. Together, we want to do right by our environment. Together, we want to lessen the dependence on fossil fuels.
Our work continues as we follow the progress of those municipalities who are studying what bans and phase outs will look like in the future. It is our role as the premier landscape horticulture trades association in Ontario to lead the way. We remain at the forefront of important discussions.
Landscape Ontario continues to support the work of the municipalities in Ontario by providing them with our insight into the landscape horticulture trades. By doing so, we remain at the table in a supportive and collaborative way.
If you’re not being faced with a ban on gas-powered equipment in the municipalities you currently work in, you are seeing first hand the value in membership with the Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association.
Ground zero for the Touch-A-Truck expansion MEMBERSHIP
ILONDON CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT:
t’s mid-summer and a little girl wearing a tutu and a “Let’s go play in the dirt” t-shirt is skipping past a skid steer. She looks like she’s singing her favourite Disney song, but you can’t hear over the sound of air horns in the hands of several giggling children. This was a scene from the inaugural Touch-A-Truck, co-hosted by Women in Landscaping and Landscape Ontario’s London Chapter in 2018. This year, the event will roll out across the province, introducing even more families to the landscape trades.
Touch-A-Truck is a free event where families are invited to learn about the industry and explore some of the exciting equipment Landscape Ontario members use in their daily work. Picture an open space with 25 companies displaying heavy equipment for a crowd of hundreds of young people. There are multiple, overlapping wins here. It brings kids outside to stoke their interest in nature — and plants the seed that the landscape trades offer boys and girls a viable career path (with cool machines). This seed may also be planted with parents who might not have realized the wealth of opportunities in the landscape and horticultural industry. On top of these future benefits to the trades, Touch-A-Truck also creates opportunities for face time between service providers and families who may be in the market for landscaping services.
With several similar celebrations launching across the province, we thought it would be a great time to highlight the chapter that started it all.
Landscape Ontario’s London Chapter has nearly 200 members. Despite its name, the chapter actually encompasses a ribbon of territory that extends from Lake
Huron to Lake Erie, Sarnia to Woodstock. In addition to Touch-A-Truck, the chapter also holds an annual golf tournament and informative meetings throughout the year. The Touch-A-Truck event was created by Women in Landscaping (WIL) — a London-based networking and professional development group that was in part founded by London Chapter board members, Pam Cook and Carla Bailey. So when WIL planned its first Touch-A-Truck event, LO provided support (and continues to do so) in the form of insurance and marketing. Organizers expected approximately 500 to 1,000 attendees for that first event, but by the time it was over, they were amazed to see nearly 3,500 people had attended. The partnership between WIL and LO has been building on that success ever since.
Last year, the Ottawa Chapter hosted their own Touch-A-Truck event on the same day as London’s. This year, Golden Horseshoe, Upper Canada and Waterloo chapters are also taking part. On Saturday, July 20, five different Touch-A-Truck events will be held in five Landscape Ontario chapters — all organized and run by member volunteers with support from association staff. The Touch-ATruck boom is upon us and it all started with volunteers in London who wanted to create opportunities for families from all socio-economic backgrounds to have fun, learn about landscape trades and, yeah, blare some truck horns. Learn more about all of the Touch-A-Truck events at horttrades.com/truck24.
Wherever you find yourself this summer, chances are there’s a Landscape Ontario Touch-A-Truck event near you. And if you are in the London area, watch
for more exciting activities from your London Chapter board, including the annual golf event at Echo Valley Golf Course on Aug. 23. You can always find the latest info and events for the chapter at horttrades.com/london.
This fall, London Chapter will be getting down to business with a series of seminars on business development and succession planning, mental health and marketing. In 2025, Plant Symposium will return to London with an outstanding lineup of plant-focused education for professionals and students.
Evan
Watch Landscape Ontario’s weekly e-news and the association event calendar at horttrades.com/event to keep up to date with all of the exciting activity in your area. To learn more about Women in Landscaping and their monthly dropins, look them up on Facebook, Instagram or Linkedin. Tillsonburg,
and shrubs of both deciduous and evergreen varieties.
Make before and after posts shine on Instagram SOCIAL SNAPSHOT
Before and after posts are a classic and easy way to showcase your work on Instagram. They display your services and talent so potential clients can see how you can transform an outdoor space for them. You want them to be as impactful as possible.
Let’s take the example of posts published by @hansenottawa to see why they are effective and how we can enhance them even more.
What makes these posts effective?
• The company takes before and after photos from a similar vantage point to effectively illustrate the full transformation.
• The first slide of their carousel posts are consistent, using the same font and layout to improve brand recognition.
• They are published regularly. Repetition is key. This helps Instagram’s algorithm understand what your posts are about and refine which users see them in their feeds.
Enhance the experience:
• Don’t be afraid to write a long caption detailing what the client wanted, the challenges encountered and what made you particularly proud. On Instagram, you have 2,200 characters to tell a story.
• Tag suppliers. Brands will appreciate the support and might reshare your post. Plus, homeowners and professionals love to know exactly what products you used.
• Take a few in-progress videos to share on your stories alongside your post. You can also make a Reel out of them.
• Include a picture of your team, the designer or someone special involved in the project to add a human element.
• You can now add up to 15 pictures per carousel post, which is a series of images users can swipe to view. Share in-progress pictures as well or a short video that you took during the build.
• Make sure the second picture of your carousel is just as carefully picked as the first one: Instagram shows your carousel posts twice to your audience: once with the first image, then again with the second image.
• Instagram allows you to upload carousels that are 1350x1080 pixels in size — a bit taller than the typical square one. This allows your post to occupy more space on your audience’s screen and gives you a better chance of catching their attention.
Charlotte Guena
LO Digital Marketing Specialist
cguena@landscapeontario.com
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