Landscape Trades - May 2024

TRADES LANDSCAPE

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LANDSCAPE TRADES

COMMUNICATIONS

STAFF

GRAPHIC

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Angela Lindsay

DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST Charlotte Guena

ACCOUNTANT Joe Sabatino

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Gerald Boot CLM, Lindsay Drake Nightingale, Jeremy Feenstra, Mark Fisher, Hank Gelderman CHT, Nick Winkelmolen

Landscape Trades is published by Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 comments@landscapetrades.com www.landscapetrades.com

Landscape Trades is published six times a year: February, March, May, August, October and December. SUBSCRIPTION

COLUMNS

Designing

Influencing invasives: Our role in educating garden centre customers.

Empower your workforce with Open Book Management.

Reconnecting people with nature through soundscapes.

DR. NADINA GALLE

DEPARTMENTS

Find inspiration with some of our favourite design resources.

Why

more tool in the toolbox.

ARCHITECTS

Ontario’s Premier Choice For Quality

Sod & Soil

SERVING ONTARIO AND SURROUNDING AREAS

• HAMILTON: 905.389.1315

• CAMBRIDGE: 519.653.7494

• OAKVILLE: 905.389.1915

• LONDON: 519.268.7518

• NIAGARA: 905.892.2681

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Designing and building a better world

BY KALI PEARSON

BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES — whether on private or public property — share a certain element of magic. A well-designed home landscape can foster deeper connections with family and friends across generations. Thoughtful public projects can bring communities together, help the environment and even make people safer.

For our annual design/build issue, we’re celebrating this magic, as well as sharing ideas on how landscape professionals in any sector of the industry can help their businesses thrive.

Across Canada, communities are borrowing an idea from Europe to create “woonerven” — living streets where cyclists and pedestrians can safely enjoy green spaces outside of parks. These projects do more than create pretty streets, they unite the human and environmental potential of urban landscapes. Woonerf can help promote well-being and even attract local businesses that live up to the aesthetic and vibe these urban oases create. Flip to page 22 for more. On a much more modest scale, we rounded up a few bright ideas on how landscape design companies can expand their business and build community year round on page 32.

We also dive into how simple landscaping practices can help safeguard homes and communities with an interview with Cst. Matt Hunt, a practitioner of Crime Prevention Through Urban Design — a movement that underscores the pivotal role landscape professionals, together with law enforcement, have in shaping secure and resilient communities. Flip to page 38 to learn more.

Physiotherapist Bayley Quinn provides some great tips on creating accessible landscapes for clients of all ages and abilities on page 30. When you get accessibility right, you create spaces where everyone feels welcome and valued — and you also build longevity into the landscapes you design and bring to life. When it comes to running your business, marketing and

promoting the work you do is key. Flip to page 34 for tips on capturing images to help your portfolio stand out, whether you choose to hire a pro or shoot images yourself. We also invited Ryan Markewich of Creative Roots Landscaping to share his experience with Open Book Management and how it helped drive more accountability and greater results in his company. It’s a worthwhile model for anyone in the landscape trades to explore. Finally, we have HGTV star Sara Bendrick weighing in on the role of AI in landscape design.

As the weather continues to warm and landscapes come into full bloom there are so many beautiful projects coming to life. No matter where you are in the country, there’s something to explore and celebrate. LT

K Pearson

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

We are thrilled to share that our Internet of Nature columnist, Dr. Nadina Galle, is releasing a new book on June 18. You can pre-order

The Nature of Our Cities: Harnessing the Power of the Natural World to Survive a Changing Planet now through your retailer of choice. Or better yet, email us with your best ideas about how landscape and horticultural professionals can help mitigate climate change at editor@landscapetrades.com for your chance to win one of five copies before they hit the shelves. Please be sure to put “ION Giveaway” in the subject line.

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SCAN TO LEARN MORE

When attendees from across North America converge on Pittsburgh for the 27th Snow & Ice Symposium, you’ll get everything the Best Show in Snow is known for—education, networking and trade show—we also added many new offerings this year.

TRADE SHOW

For the first time in Symposium history, we’re offering a limited number of SIMA+ passes that include several exclusive benefits in addition to the full show pass:

• Early access to the trade show, Welcome Reception and Thursday Night Party

• Reserved education session seating

• Private SIMA+ Lounge (Enjoy refreshments and plush seating away from the action, access exclusive charging stations, and network with other SIMA+ attendees)

• Coaching Session: “Stepping Beyond the Limitations of Management: How Leaders Can Win the Hearts and Minds of Staff and Customers” with Jackson Kerchis

Check out all the exclusive benefits show.sima.org/sima-plus

PRECONFERENCE WORKSHOPS

Team Hiring and Retention Workshop

This full-day workshop will help companies learn how to tackle the challenges of hiring and retaining team members for all roles in your company:

• Hiring and retaining today’s team members

• Creating a culture of attraction

• Developing onboarding and training programs

Sales and Estimating Workshop

Winning business in the snow and ice management industry requires precision-like focus on setting goals, knowing your numbers, choosing your ideal clients and building and presenting proposals to help you seal the deal. Learn all of this and more during this interactive workshop:

• Prospecting and Qualifying Leads

• Estimating and Job Costing

SIMA GARAGE

• Developing and Presenting Proposals

• Sealing the Deal

*Workshop fees are $95/pp and must be selected in advance. Limited availability.

Send your ops and maintenance teams to the SIMA Garage on the trade show floor June 27–28. Talk shop, and get safety and troubleshooting tips.

CANADIAN MEETUP

Connect with your Canadian peers during an exclusive reception Tuesday, June 25!

SOIL SCIENTIST WINS 2023 STEACIE PRIZE

Dr. Asim Biswas, a professor in the School of Environmental Sciences within the Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph, has been awarded the 2023 Steacie Prize, one of Canada’s most prestigious awards for researchers 40 years old or younger.

The award is named in memory of E.W.R. Steacie, a physical chemist and former president of the National Research Council of Canada, to whom much is owed for the development of science in Canada.

“This is a tremendous honour for Dr. Biswas and the entire University,” said Dr. Rene Van Acker, interim vice-president (research). “This prestigious award speaks to the excellence and impact of Asim’s research, which is helping foster the resiliency of agri-food production systems in Canada and around the world.”

“Prof. Biswas is most highly deserving of the 2023 Steacie Prize,” said Lawrence Mysak, chair of the Steacie Prize selection panel and professor emeritus from McGill University. “He was selected from among 32 outstanding nominations in all areas of science and engineering.”

A soil science expert, Biswas aims to increase agricultural production while improving environmental sustainability.

“It could take up to 1,000 years for an inch of soil to form. It is not a renewable resource,” he said. “Data-driven soil management practices can help us better manage the soil we have now and manage it for tomorrow.”

Much like a doctor uses medical tests to understand a patient’s health, diagnostic measurements can provide information that helps producers look after their soil.

Biswas and his research group develop data management tools, soil sensors and soil maps to improve decision-making about soil health and sustainability. Their work enables producers to minimize inputs like water and fertilizer, enhance crop yields and increase overall farm efficiency, while also protecting the environment.

Landscape Ontario’s Snowposium — Canada’s largest trade show just for snow and ice professionals — is happening on July 31, 2004. While the event has historically taken place in September, this earlier date gives exhibitors and attendees alike the opportunity to make important decisions well before the season kicks off.

Snowposium will also be bigger than ever — with over

40,000 square feet of exhibitor space and all-day LIVE Stage Education. The event will take place at The International Centre, located in Mississauga, Ont. Whether you are a snow and ice contractor, municipal manager, property manager or a supplier, this is an event not to be missed!

For more information or to book your booth, visit snowposium.ca

Dr. Asim Biswas, University of Guelph.

LANDSCAPING FOR WILDFIRE RESILIENCE

Landscapers are reminded that spring is a great time to brush up on wildfire resistant landscaping. British Columbia’s FireSmart website has best practices and a list of fire-resistant plants to help professionals make the right strategic choices with beauty and safety in mind. The website also has a tool to enable landscapers to locate B.C. garden centres selling FireSmart approved plants.

Visit firesmartbc.ca/landscaping-hub for more information and helpful downloads.

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A “BOLD” APPROACH

The distributor formerly known for selling in-lite products has taken manufacturing in house to create a new company called BOLD. “I wanted to create a brand that people could be inspired by for its bold aesthetic, its quality and its relentless attention to the customer — with a modern catalogue of products they could turn to redefine how they light the outdoors,” said Ramon Pieters, the company’s founder and CEO. Built to thrive in harsh North American climates, the premium quality products are made of materials such as marine-grade anodized aluminium and cast 304 stainless steel. A BOLD press release indicated the name choice is an expression of who they are and how they approach everything — from design sensibilities, to leadership and customer service. BOLD products are now available online and in store at participating suppliers. “We have big dreams and bigger plans for the future outside lighting,” said Courtney Rocha, head of brand. “We’re in a pursuit to create all kinds of solutions for professionals, and we’re just getting started.”

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NIAGARA STUDENT FIRST CANADIAN EVER INVITED TO INTERNATIONAL GARDEN SHOW

Elissa Astorino, a third-year student at Niagara Parks School of Horticulture in Niagara Falls, Ont., recently attended the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. Astorino is the first-ever Canadian garden designer to be invited to participate.

Astorino was handpicked to showcase her creativity and expertise on a global platform alongside other top international garden designers.

Astorino travelled to Melbourne, Australia for the prestigious event, hosted at the iconic World Heritage UNESCO site of Carlton Gardens and The Royal Exhibition Building. Making her mark on the international landscape of the horticultural industry, Astorino designed her own exhibit and contributed her expertise as part of a team led by renowned Irish garden designer Peter Donegan.

Through her design, Astorino aims to raise awareness for dementia, a condition her late grandmother had. The garden tells a story of unconditional love between a mother with dementia and her daughter, illustrating that even when the sun has set and the sky at times clouded, there are always stars to brighten the night.

Astorino's involvement in this prestigious event stems from her

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proactive engagement in the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture Mentorship Course. The third-year capstone course encourages students to forge connections within the industry. Driven by her passion for design, Astorino sought to establish a mentorship with Donegan, recognizing him as an international leader in the industry. Donegan encouraged Astorino's talents and dedication, supporting her inclusion in the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show 2024. This collaboration represents a significant milestone for both Astorino and the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture Mentorship Course, underscoring the program’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering international partnerships.

Community involvement has been integral to Astorino’s education and she proudly uses her garden design talents to fuel her fundraising efforts for various charitable organizations.

"This opportunity is a testament to the invaluable mentorship and support provided by the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture. I am thrilled to represent Canada on such a prestigious platform and look forward to showcasing our collective creativity and expertise," said Astorino.

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CATERPILLAR EVENT SUPPORTS WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION

Caterpillar’s first Women in Construction Celebration took place this spring in Clayton, N.C. It was a chance for women in the industry to learn and put their skills to the test. Kait Burds, civil operator foreman at Mortenson, successfully demonstrated her advanced machine operator skills by maneuvering difficult job site challenges in record time, earning her top honours at the skills test portion of the event.

Burds was one of 18 women who gathered at Caterpillar’s Edward J. Rapp Customer Training Center to compete.

“I feel really good; the competition was pretty stiff. It’s good affirmation of the hard work I put into my career,” said Burds. “I hope this event gives women in construction

more exposure and gives them the confidence to go out and do things that scare them.”

Along with the tests, the competitors participated in a panel discussion where they shared best practices, discussed managing a successful career in a male-dominated industry and talked about the importance of recruiting more female operators and technicians into the workforce.

In a press release, Caterpillar said the construction industry continues to demonstrate significant growth and although more women are joining the construction industry than ever before, they still make up a small portion of the workforce. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 14 per cent of construction workers in 2022 were female.

NEWSSCAPE

BOBCAT RECOGNIZED FOR INNOVATION

Bobcat has been recognized as one of Fast Company’s 2024 Most Innovative Companies. The honour places Bobcat in the spotlight among other organizations that are transforming industries and shaping society. This year, Bobcat was recognized in the manufacturing awards category.

Bobcat has advanced its manufacturing facilities in recent years — both in terms of its footprint and the technology within its many global locations. Recent updates to its facilities have included a $9.3 million automated press system in its Gwinner, N.D., manufacturing facility; technology in its Statesville, N.C., facility that streamlines component inspection; and a new robotic forming press in its Johnson Creek, Wis., location that minimizes operators’ manual labour while improving precision. All of these advancements have led to improved efficiencies, greater precision and more ergonomic worksites for its employees.

REPORT LOOKS AT URBAN GREENNESS

Statistics Canada has released a new report, delving into how “green” Canadian cities are. "Urban greenness,” as defined by StatsCan, is a measure that assesses the condition and health of an urban landscape.

This is being measured because vegetation contributes to more livable, beautiful communities by helping to clean the air, moderate the local climate, control water flow and provide habitats for wildlife, including mammals, insects and birds.

In summer 2023, just under three-quarters (74.1 per cent) of the land area of 1,016 population centres across Canada was classed as green, up slightly from 72.1 per cent in summer 2022.

Nationally in 2023, Atlantic Canada had the greenest cities and towns, while the Prairies had the least green cities and towns, reflecting geographical climate patterns and their effects on natural vegetation and tree cover.

Canadian cities and towns were a little greener in summer 2023 compared with one year earlier, mostly due to more rainfall in Ontario.

Read the full report at bit.ly/4cSroK2.

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HOW

CANADIANS

ARE BRINGING A DUTCH IDEA TO LIFE

WOONERF

HRF

TRANSFORMING STREETS IN

BY KARINA SINCLAIR

ow often do you add a new word to your vocabulary?

Here’s a good one: woonerf. It’s a Dutch word that roughly translates to “living street.”

Historically, streets have served as bustling social hubs, but the boom of motorized traffic pushed people to the edges of these avenues. To restore community interaction and safety — creating spaces where people can meet, pedestrians and cyclists can move around freely and children can play safely — the woonerf concept emerged in the Netherlands in the late 1960s and gained traction worldwide.

Several communities have recently incorporated woonerven or living streets all across Canada. Planning, designing, building and maintaining a woonerf requires

collaboration between municipal departments, local stakeholders and landscape professionals, providing many opportunities to contribute to one’s local landscape. From permanent installations to pop-up parklets, living streets have transformed barren sidewalks, empty lots and concrete corridors into lush urban destinations.

A PEDESTRIAN PARADISE IN BANFF

In 2021, the Town of Banff invested $9.5 million to transform a downtown block into a pedestrian-friendly zone that better accommodates residents, businesses and visitors. Bear Street, which runs parallel to the main artery, Banff Avenue, was revitalized above and below ground. First, the aging sewers and water lines were replaced. Then,

TO SHARED SPACES

A classic Dutch woonerf incorporates more greenery and less barriers for people to better engage in their neighbourhood.

Converting a street in Banff, Alta., into a woonerf created a barrier-free and engaging community space for residents,

trench drains and soil cell beds were added to collect and filter rainfall and snow melt. “We used underground soil cells for this project because of two things,” Darren Enns, the director of planning and environment for the Town of Banff explained. “One for tree health, because we believe we’ve helped create healthier trees, but also to treat our stormwater drainage at the source so we could help the Bow River.”

These soil cells — stretching roughly eight feet wide and five feet deep below the surface — provide up to four times more soil than a standard urban street planter, allowing more room for tree roots. This also helps the tree canopies reach a mature height more quickly. Sensors in the soil cells trigger automated irrigation for the 80 new trees and other plants added to the woonerf.

Enns said a lot of thought was given to the species of trees planted, especially after noticing that dense conifers were not as welcoming as they matured. “So we learned from that and switched to a deciduous base with a much more seasonal, showy appearance,” Enns said.

Landscapers installed 37 new planter pods bordered with rock boulders, which

double as public seating. Additional electrical power was installed along the street, with outlets on every pod to accommodate events and holiday lighting without generators.

Since Bear Street doesn’t serve as a main vehicular thoroughfare, planners could designate this as a shared street and make it completely level versus building the usual elevated sidewalks. Enns was fascinated to see how removing four inches of concrete curb created a very different environment. “We were worried at the start whether or not pedestrians would take ownership of the street and public space. On the very first day, in the very first hour, pedestrians moved to the middle of the street and asserted their control,” Enns said. “We had all sorts of backup plans for signage and cues to explain how to use the street, but it was intuitive, and that’s a credit to the design itself.”

Canmore, Alta.-based JP Landscaping hand installed 46,848 square feet of pavers in a diagonal pattern, which serve as a visual cue to encourage people to freely cross the street. The pattern also skillfully aligns with drainage and bollards. As an added bonus, these smooth central

areas can be transformed into performance stages any time of the year, or be temporarily converted to pedestrian-only zones. In past winters, the town created a skating rink and planted mini Christmas trees in the planters.

The level surface also makes it easier for strollers and wheelchair users, and since the area has reduced traffic volume and speeds, Enns said it feels safer for all kinds of users: “We had a member of the public come and say how they love to bring their aging parent with dementia to the pedestrian zone because it was such a safe space to just stop and go slow. It’s quiet, stress free.”

GREENING EDMONTON’S CONCRETE JUNGLE

In the City of Edmonton, a section of Jasper Avenue was substantially reimagined in 2022 to highlight the downtown core as a safe area for all, whether they walk, bike, drive or use transit. The goal was to support area businesses and attract visitors. “Downtown Edmonton has seen some challenges and needed some revitalization and some clean up,” said Chris Payne, project superintendent at Seven M Construction, the landscaping company

local businesses and tourists.

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WHAT’S IN A WOONERF?

WOONERVEN HAVE A FEW IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS

MIXED USE

These spaces integrate the needs of residents, visitors and local businesses to create a vibrant and diverse environment.

SHARED SPACE

In a traditional woonerf, there are no distinct markings between pedestrian walkways and car or bike lanes. The space is shared with mutual respect. Barriers, like curbs, are usually not present, but paving stones often replace asphalt or concrete surfaces to delineate areas.

LOW SPEEDS AND TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES

To improve the safety of cyclists and pedestrians, motor vehicles are limited to very low speeds. Curving, narrow lanes, speed bumps and landscaped areas are designed to introduce a meandering path to further slow traffic and demand driver focus.

LANDSCAPING AND GREENERY

Lush tree canopies, shrubbery, garden beds and other natural elements like logs or boulders for ample seating enhance the aesthetic appeal and create a place worth lingering. Trees and boulders can also provide a physical barrier between vehicles and pedestrians.

SOCIAL INTERACTION

Living streets encourage social interaction among residents and visitors, and create space for extended patios, pop-up events, live performances and other positive opportunities to entice people to the area.

Overall, woonerven prioritize people over vehicles, creating inclusive and livable spaces that promote sustainable transportation and community interaction.

responsible for the installation of the project. “It makes sense to have areas for people to enjoy rather than just a concrete jungle,” Payne said.

Similar to Banff’s Bear Street, Seven M installed soil cells, sub drainage and aeration pipes, as well as new site furniture, benches and bike racks. They also removed contaminated soil, carefully excavating around the existing utility corridor. To convert the grey concrete blank slate into something lush and enticing, they added approximately 125 caliper trees and tree grates, 1,474 shrubs and nearly 7,900 perennials.

An informal paving stone path breaks up the harsh lines of a cityscape and invites pedestrians and downtown workers to sit and relax. “Providing that little bit of a walkway and some natural areas like flattened boulders, along with the site furniture and everything else, combines into a cohesive area that people can enjoy. And as it grows, I think it can only look better,” Payne said, adding that the colourful garden beds add some “pop” while still being a functional downtown space.

Not only does the added greenery help locals find serenity amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown, Payne said it encouraged ground-level businesses to match the new and improved local vibe. “There’s still a little bit of work to do

there, but I think it creates a nicer street. You see a lot of businesses, as the streets get cleaned up, investing in themselves as well, so that’s a benefit for everybody.”

CREATING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN TORONTO

Adam Bienenstock, founder of Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds in Hamilton, Ont., agreed that living streets can deeply enrich the experience for local residents and businesses. He said his team is always thinking about “how to take a section and make it alive, make it green, make it change the topography.” Bienenstock is also excited about how that space comes alive in the community. “[We want to] bring in vendors, interpreters and opportunities for engagement. Celebrate the local folks who are doing interesting things.”

The natural playground-focused design/build firm implemented its first living street project in 2012. The team transformed several blocks of Yonge Street in Toronto into a temporary Celebration Park by introducing natural elements, like trees, boulders, grass and logs. The new naturescape also included an amphitheatre, three patios and a cedar fort.

This was the proof-of-concept project that launched LivingStreets.org, a community-focused offshoot

Seven M Construction’s installation of this project ultimately won the firm a 2023 Landscape Alberta Award of Excellence for commercial landscapes over $500,000.

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of Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds. The organization has since installed several more pop-up living streets to promote “going green” across Canada, including: Dartmouth, N.S., Laval Que., Calgary, Alta., and Vancouver and Surrey, B.C., often in partnership with TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. Bienenstock, also the founder of LivingStreets.org, said this initiative is designed to demonstrate how easy it can be, in just a few days, to unite the human and environmental potential of urban landscapes.

“For me, a living street is a tool. I’m interested in how people meet each other, how they relate with the natural environment,” Bienenstock said. “I’m interested in the relationship that nature has with our personal well-being, our ability to knock down stress and be in the moment. Our cities are uniquely designed to screw that up.”

Through the Living Streets Program, Bienenstock worked with

the Cabbagetown Business Improvement Association (BIA) to install the Cabbagetown Parkscape in 2022, a project that won the 2022 TABIA Streetscaping Award and 2023 OBIAA Streetscape and Public Realm Award of Merit. Parkscape transformed 200 metres along Parliament Street in Toronto, Ont. into a natural oasis in just a few days, with 130 truckloads of soil, 3,000 tons of natural materials, 100 new street trees and shrubs and seating for up to 250 people.

“It meant creating parklets along the street and slowing down traffic by having it be serpentine instead of straight. It returned ownership of that street to the neighbourhood and away from the cars. A living street allows you that opportunity to come together, calm down and change your relationship with each other,” Bienenstock said.

According to Bienenstock, adding trees and other natural elements helps reduce the heat island effect, lowering street level temperatures by up to 20 degrees.

Bienenstock also said a survey done with local stores in the area reported a 50 per cent boost in foot traffic. “And we saw a 56 per cent increase in the amount of money that they [shoppers] spent, so not only did they linger more, but they spent more money per capita while there.”

Matthew Mohan, executive director of the Cabbagetown BIA, was delighted to see a return to the in-person stopping experience for local businesses. “One impact of COVID-19 was that people were setting their sights more on Walmart and Amazon when choosing where to spend their money,” Mohan said, explaining that Parkscape was imagined as a way to get people lingering in the high-density, central Toronto neighbourhood again. “I think that's really what you need to do, is provide an experience to visitors, young and old. The Cabbagetown neighbourhood does not have a large community gathering space like some neighbourhoods might have, so this provided us with space that we can program with arts, with live music, that we can give back to our business community and say, ‘Hey, if you want to connect with customers, if you want to forge organic connections, if you want to dabble in what I like to call experiential shopping, let’s do it.’”

Bienenstock reflected on the positive effect the Parkscape woonerf had, both for the community and himself. “There's so much cynicism out there, like, there’s this dystopian future that we all face if we don't get it right,” Bienenstock said. “This is a hopeful thing to do. I have consistently had my faith renewed in humanity when we do these things. I've seen more kindness happen in these communities where people are in close quarters with one another than I have in the sorts of spaces where people are hiding from one another. As long as you're doing this in partnership with the people who are there, and you go in knowing you'll probably have to tweak a few things, then you will be surprised at how well it gets embraced. So look for those opportunities, figure out how to animate a space, and the community will thank you for it.” LT

The Cabbagetown Parkscape provided peaceful settings to linger in an area with busy traffic.

ACCESSIBILITY IN THE LANDSCAPE

Five tips to make everyone feel welcome

BY BAYLEY QUINN, MSCPT

It’s that time of year when landscape professionals are busy chatting with homeowners, designing projects and getting outside. As we start building beautiful outdoor spaces, we need to have access for all on our minds. Creating accessible spaces is crucial to building long-lasting projects that will be used for generations — regardless of our clients’ physical mobility or needs. The key to accessibility is not only building spaces everyone can access but also ensuring everyone feels welcomed and valued within those spaces. This starts with you and the initial conversations you have with your clients. From my perspective as a physiotherapist, here are five tips for creating beautiful, accessible outdoor spaces.

Bayley Quinn graduated from Queen’s University in 2020 with her Master’s in Physical Therapy. She has worked with the Quinte Children's Treatment Centre in Belleville, Ont., and K-Town Physiotherapy in Kingston, Ont., helping children with disabilities and their families. When she isn’t working with kiddos she can be found on the job site with Mark of Excellence Landscaping.

1

ACCESSIBILITY FROM THE GET-GO

Thinking and talking about accessibility from the very beginning of the project shows your clients you are truly invested in making it work for them and their specific needs. It will also save you headaches! When you think about accessibility early and throughout the design process, your project will run more efficiently, be more cost effective, and look more cohesive. The goal is for everyone to be excited and feel included.

2

BE CLIENT CENTRED

3

CHOOSE MATERIALS WISELY

Each and every project should be client centred. Those initial design conversations are essential to ensuring the outdoor oasis you are building meets their specific needs. Talk to the homeowners about what they need from the project. Who will access it? What physical constraints might they have? How do they want to experience the space? Ask your clients to define the ideal use and purpose of their outdoor space. Ensuring it meets the life stages of your client and their loved ones will set you on a path to creating an accessible, beautiful and functional space.

4

THINK BIG

Make smart choices when choosing materials. Able-bodied individuals may give little thought to walking on mulch pathways or flagstone patios. These are actually extremely challenging materials for individuals who use mobility devices, have balance concerns or are learning (or relearning) to walk due to an injury, ailment or surgery. Interlock, for example, makes a more cohesive and smooth surface to support those with mobility challenges. Think critically about what materials you are choosing to address function as well as form.

5

CONSIDER THE SENSES

The more space we can add to pathways, driveways and patios, the greater the access and the more welcoming the space will be. A larger pathway is more accommodating for mobility devices (canes, crutches, walkers or wheelchairs) and for caregivers to support individuals. The larger the driveway is, the easier it is to unload mobility devices or utilize a wheelchairaccessible vehicle. A spacious patio allows more room to navigate around furniture with mobility devices.

When we think about accessible landscapes, we often just think about the physical space, such as stairs, pathways and grade, but often overlook sensory needs. Individuals with neurological conditions, who are dependent on others for mobility, or even very young children, are people who might be challenged with heat regulation. Ensure everyone can enjoy the outdoors by planting or building an overhead structure to create ample shade. LT

FOUR FRESH IDEAS

ou likely have niche strengths and specialties, but sometimes it’s worth thinking outside the box to expand or enrich your connection with consumers and clients. When the economy dips, the weather won’t cooperate or you’re just looking to drive new business, there are lots of creative

PARTNER ON A POP-UP

Consider partnering with a local group or business to offer your clients something special. Plant Gather & Buffalo Rouge Brewery in Kelowna, B.C., for example, have hosted terrarium-building and house plant 101 events together. Collaborating with other businesses is a great way to find a broader client base and foster a greater sense of community.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Holiday lighting and greenery doesn’t have to be limited to December. With some thought, all sectors can find a way to celebrate year-round. Consider offering lighting and horticultural enhancements for holidays, weddings, family reunions and birthdays. LandArt in Beamsville, Ont., for example, has an Enhancements team that provides special occasion service to

YOU’VE GOT MAIL

Consider creating a subscription box to showcase your wares. Plant Shop in Calgary, Alta., has monthly boxes with hand-selected items to create or care for plants, like terrariums or air plant hangers and seasonal picks.

THE FAME GAME

If you’re great at creating landscapes that capture a certain mood, consider reaching out to local film and television production companies to offer your services. Movie Greens in Vancouver, B.C., offers plants for sets and also greenspeople for hire. You can also connect with companies that produce awards shows — from local community affairs to national events like the Junos — to see if they need help greening their red carpets. LT

Picture Perfect

BUILDING YOUR PORTFOLIO WITH PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND DIY TECHNIQUES

BY KARINA SINCLAIR

At Landscape Trades, we love gazing at photos of professionally designed, installed and maintained landscapes (second only to being invited for a guided tour of said landscapes). Building a portfolio of gorgeous photos is one of the most convenient ways to demonstrate your skills to potential clients year-round. These photos are essential for your website, awards entries, social media posts and digital marketing campaigns. There are two ways to gather photos of your projects: hire a professional photographer or do it yourself. Both methods have their advantages, so read on to learn when and how to get the shots you need.

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS

Just like expert landscapers, professional photographers have a critical set of skills learned through training, experience and mastery over their specialized equipment. If you’d rather not fuss with f-stops, bring in a pro to save time and get perfectly composed and edited visuals of your projects. Ask for high-resolution jpegs (300 dpi) that can be used for print, as well as low-resolution versions (72 dpi) that are better suited to websites.

• Research and choose carefully: Select a professional photographer with experience specifically in landscape photography. Look for portfolios that showcase their ability to capture the essence and beauty of outdoor spaces. Ask for references or seek word-of-mouth recommendations from your industry peers.

• Communicate your vision: Work with your photographer to explore how the photos will be used to best represent your work. Determine where they’ll be displayed, such as on a website, in narrow ad banners or in vertical social media posts. Then discuss details about the desired mood, key elements to highlight, what to avoid and any specific shots you have in mind.

• Scout locations together: Before the photo shoot, visit the landscape together to identify the best angles, lighting conditions and perspectives. Discuss potential challenges and brainstorm solutions to overcome them. Don’t forget to get permission from property owners and consider how to maintain their privacy in the final photos.

• Consider timing and lighting: Before the shoot, send a crew to remove dead plants, sweep patios and generally spruce up the area. Then schedule the photo shoot during the golden hours of early morning or late afternoon when the lighting is soft and warm to create stunning visuals. Be ready to adapt to changing weather conditions for the best possible shots.

• Trust the photographer's expertise: While it's essential to provide guidance and feedback, trust the photographer's expertise and artistic vision, just like you’d ask property owners to trust you. Allow the photographer creative freedom to experiment and capture unique perspectives that enhance the beauty of the landscape project.

continued >

DO IT YOURSELF

Whether you collaborate with a professional photographer or not, there are plenty of opportunities and reasons to get your camera out before, during and after each project. Collect “before” shots to compare with “after” the transformation to demonstrate how far you’ve come. And, with permission, get photos of your team working together. These can be used on your website or social media to demonstrate your company values and culture.

• Understand basic photography principles: Familiarize yourself with basic photography principles such as composition, lighting and perspective. This will help you capture more visually appealing photos of landscape projects. Take a look at what your peers have posted, especially those who have won awards for their work.

• Use natural light: Take advantage of natural light by shooting during the golden hours of sunrise or sunset. Soft, warm light enhances the beauty of outdoor landscapes and adds depth to your photos. This also helps avoid harsh contrast or washed out colours from midday sun.

• Experiment with angles and perspectives: Get creative with angles and perspectives to capture unique and compelling shots. Shoot wide and high to establish the scale of the project. Then get medium and closeup shots to show detail. Changing angles can also help avoid undesired elements and maintain privacy.

• Steady yourself: Invest in a sturdy tripod to stabilize your camera and minimize camera shake, especially in low light conditions. A stable camera

ensures sharper images and allows for longer exposure times if needed. If you must shoot handheld, brace against a solid structure, hold your camera with both hands, tuck your elbows in close and breathe slowly.

• Edit with restraint: Use basic editing tools to further enhance your images. Lightly adjust brightness, contrast and saturation to improve the overall look while maintaining a natural appearance — be careful not to overdo it or it will look fake and “photoshopped.” You can also crop or fix tilted horizon lines to improve the overall composition.

Whether you choose to hire a pro, do it yourself or a combination of both, capturing photos of your work empowers you with enticing images that can support sales, marketing and even boost team morale. LT

Embracing the battery revolution

Kress Commercial’s 8-Minute CyberSystem leads the transformation of the lawn care industry

With environmental accountability increasingly on the mind due to legislation like the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, the lawn care industry is undergoing a revolutionary transformation. Hundreds of municipalities have banned various types of gas-powered lawn equipment, and the industry as a whole is facing increasing pressure to make gas-powered commercial equipment obsolete. Your customers – businesses, facilities, municipalities and homeowners – are demanding quieter, greener alternatives. Now that alternative can also save you money.

In the past, technological limitations have made it impossible for the industry to evolve. Landscapers need a viable alternative to gas, without compromising performance or facing costly barriers to transition.

Enter Kress Commercial, whose 8-Minute CyberSystem is redefining the standards of sustainability, productivity and profitability in commercial landscaping.

No compromises: A true alternative to gas-powered equipment

Kress Commercial’s 8-Minute CyberSystem is not just about meeting regulatory requirements; it’s about exceeding expectations and setting new standards for efficiency and user health benefits.

With a charge time of only eight minutes and mobile charging capabilities, this proprietary battery technology ensures that commercial landscapers maintain uninterrupted operations while significantly reducing their carbon footprint – and gas bill – while the operator enjoys reduced vibrations and zero emissions.

In addition to industry-leading charge times, Kress CyberSystem batteries produce higher power output –equivalent to a 55cc two-stroke engine – and offer longer lifespans – up to 3,000 lifecycles – than traditional lithium-ion batteries. This translates to cost savings for business owners, further demonstrating that sustainability and profitability can coexist without compromise.

The 8-Minute CyberSystem is not just a product; it’s a commitment to a sustainable, productive and profitable tomorrow that no other manufacturer is able to provide.

Commercial landscapers can now be at the forefront of this transformative movement, adopting a solution that not only meets the evolving industry demands, but also propels their businesses into a new era of efficiency and profitability.

Visit kress.com to learn more about how the 8-Minute CyberSystem is shaping the future of commercial landscaping.

Join the revolution with Kress Commercial

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

IMAGINE A WORLD WHERE

the landscape design of our neighbourhoods and public spaces serve as a shield against crime. This is the essence of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), a movement that underscores the pivotal role landscape professionals, together with law enforcement, have in shaping secure and resilient environments.

The CPTED concept aims to create urban designs that draw people into public spaces to be the “eyes on the street.” When more people get outside and engage in their neighbourhoods in a positive way, it fosters a sense of community pride and can play a role in suppressing crime.

Constable Matthew Hunt, the CPTED coordinator for the Ottawa Police Service,

has 24 years of policing experience and has led one of the few standalone CPTED units in Canada for the past seven years. He teaches courses on CPTED, reviews site plans on new builds and performs site audits on homes and properties that request help with crime reduction. Constable Hunt joined the Landscape Ontario Podcast to explain how CPTED principles and thoughtful landscaping choices can foster safer neighbourhoods.

Is it really possible to design out crime, and if so, what kinds of crime?

You can't design out crime completely. There's really no way to do that. But it is possible to do a few things to try to alleviate

some of the crime that might be happening. If you have a good landscape plan with open sightlines, pride of ownership and a well-kept space, [that] generally breeds positive activity on the property. So there are a few things that landscapers can do to alleviate some crimes, like break and enters or vehicle theft.

What are some easy ways landscapers can help prevent crime?

Pride of ownership is a key aspect to crime prevention. Well-maintained spaces generally don't breed as much negative activity. The “three-foot, six-foot rule” is an easy win, keeping shrubs down to three feet and/or trimming up the trees to six feet to

INTERVIEW WITH CST. MATT HUNT BY KARINA SINCLAIR

basically take away hiding places and bring about sightlines.

Transition zones are huge. Trying to differentiate between public space and private space — landscaping can do this very well with bushes that lead someone to the entryway, or the “celebrated entrance,” as I call it, rather than being able to cut across the grass. It really differentiates if you're on the other side of the hedge or the bush, that's private space and not public space. So clear transition zones are key. Fencing also is good to differentiate between the spaces.

Hostile plants. A lot of the break-ins that occur to people's residences tend to come through the back way because it's less visible. So if people are climbing your fence and accessing your property, one of the ideas that we came up with is to plant some hostile plants, like some rose bushes. They still look really nice, but they're not conducive for somebody jumping the fence and landing in them.

No tall shrubs in front of windows. We don't want windows blocked out. We don't want doors blocked out, we don't want cars hidden. We want the sightlines to be open because those are all points of access to people's residences. It’s very important to keep foliage well-maintained during the summer months, especially when they can grow a little bit out of control at times.

The other thing is community gardens for bringing people to underused spaces. We want people to come take ownership. Murals are really good for this as well, either the looking after or bringing a mural into an area which might be high graffiti.

As well, in the parks, I like lots of seating for parents to be able to watch their kids because that will discourage some of the negative activity. But sometimes these sitting areas or these picnic tables get moved into other areas of the park where people can congregate. And that's when the drug use and the alcohol abuse and all that kind of stuff happens. So we may have to anchor or secure these things to trees or to the ground so they don't move.

Lighting is also very key that it's not blocked out from foliage, that it's working well with any video surveillance in the area.

But it's all about clear sightlines and the clear transition zone so that it's very obvious to people what is public space and what is private. LT

THE

PODCAST

This interview was adapted from an episode of the Landscape Ontario podcast, published on January 2, 2024. To hear the whole interview, visit landscapeontario.com/ podcast, or search for it on your favourite podcast app.

INFLUENCING INVASIVES

BY ART VANDEN ENDEN

THE HORTICULTURAL INDUSTRY

has long prided itself as being a ‘green’ industry. We can use the word ‘green’ to describe much of what we do. We provide plants and related products to home gardeners, grow plants, design, install and maintain landscapes, as well as promote green living in our communities. Those of us who are growers or work in the nursery sector can potentially have an even more active role: influencing what to grow and what to sell to our customers. This is particularly important when considering the issue of invasive species.

Many sectors of the green industry are impacted by the trade of invasive plants. There is a huge range of opinions within our industry on the impact or seriousness of invasive plants, but I personally see them as a threat to our ecosystems. The knowledge

we have now changes what we believed were good choices made in the past. In the garden centre sector, we have specialty retailers and growers that exclusively provide native plants, and we have contractors and retailers that do not sell or carry known invasive plants. We also have retailers, contractors, growers and designers who do not see the topic of invasive plants as an issue — and even see the push to eliminate invasives as a threat to their livelihood.

This makes a lot of sense. After all, the horticultural industry, like most industries, is driven by supply and demand. In our business, demand generally comes first, followed by supply.

Demand is driven by a multitude of factors — what people find beautiful, what grew in their gardens as children, gardening

influencers and even gardens they see in their travels (after a trip to P.E.I., I became obsessed with trying to grow Lupines in my garden despite their not being particularly suitable for my southern Ontario location). But something none of these sources can claim with the same authority as those of us in the trades and working with customers is a deep understanding of plants and their role in the specific landscapes we have a hand in creating.

Whether you believe invasives to be a threat or not, we are in a position to influence customers — and by extension affect supply and demand. Demand can be strongly influenced by the suggestions of garden retailers and wholesalers. There are also many leading landscape architects and designers who promote and suggest plants and products for clients, as well as

contractors and garden influencers in print, on-air and online.

Let’s take a wholesale growing nursery as an example of how we can influence demand. If this nursery receives several requests from customers for a specific plant, they will likely consider adding that plant to their product line up. If consumers stop buying specific plants, they are motivated to cease production or purchasing. It’s important to note, however, that change doesn’t happen overnight. For nurseries, the

supply chain can vary in length from a few months for annuals, some perennials and small plants, to up to 10 years or more for larger trees and specimen plants.

Recently, I moderated a panel discussion on the impact of invasive plants on our industry at Landscape Ontario’s Plant Symposium in Ottawa. We had excellent panelists from four different sectors, representing retailers, growers, contractors and landscape architects/designers. Within this group we had varying opinions on the seriousness of the

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topic. The one point the entire group agreed upon was the need for more education on invasive plants and species.

My personal takeaway from the discussion was to ask myself who needs to be educated — our customers or ourselves? We are entrepreneurs, we run businesses, we have significant investments in inventory, equipment, staff and business brands. I do not believe we are going to be legislated by the government to ban known invasive plants. This action has been taken in several U.S. states, but does not seem to be on the radar with any levels of our government.

The good news is, we have excellent leaders and experts to guide and educate us, whether that be provincial invasive plant organizations, Master Gardeners or other garden influencers who can and actively try to improve plant selections in our gardens. Workshops, seminars and garden walks can help identify problems, as well as solutions.

There are already many good resources being produced, like the ‘The Grow Me Instead’ program in Ontario. This information is made available to help consumers make better choices on the plants and garden practices they choose. I believe using and constantly improving these tools is required as we learn more about the impact of our current practices and the challenges that nature faces from human activities. It is important that we as an industry continue to educate ourselves, adjust our practices and be advocates for new technologies and best practices.

We are currently in a market where there still is enough demand for some invasive plants that suppliers feel compelled to produce them. My hope is that through improved education of industry members, we will be able to help dry up demand to ensure that known or suspected invasive plants stop entering the environment. LT

Art loved every minute of his 44year garden centre career with Weall and Cullen and Sheridan Nurseries. In retirement, Art enjoys giving back to the profession with Landscape Ontario’s Garden Centre Sector Group, and sharing his experience with Landscape Trades readers.

ART VANDEN ENDEN

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AN OPEN BOOK

Empower business growth and your workforce with this management system

BY RYAN MARKEWICH

EIGHTEEN YEARS AGO, I was at a crossroads with my landscaping company, Creative Roots Landscaping. For the first 12 years of operation, I navigated the business without any formal management system. While a handful of employees and I were passionate about our work and dedicated to delivering quality results, it became increasingly clear that we needed a better way of "being" if the business was ever going to grow beyond just me and 15-20 employees.

That's when a good friend suggested I read The Great Game of Business (GGOB), a book that would forever change how I thought of running my company. As I learned more about the

principles outlined by Jack Stack and Bo Burlingham, I was struck by the unique but rather common-sense approach of OpenBook Management (OBM). Open-book management is a way of running a company that teaches employees the economics of the business. It’s not just about transparency; it is about empowering every team member to understand the impact their actions had on the financial health of the business and how, in turn, one way or another, it affected everyone within it.

Implementing GGOB was challenging. It required a fundamental shift in mindset and a commitment to cultural change within our organization, but I knew it was worth

Creative Roots construction crew members review critical numbers and associated drivers of success for their team.

it. Armed with newfound knowledge and determination, I told myself we would run this way or not at all. So, we began our journey to integrate GGOB into the fabric of Creative Roots Landscaping.

What if people acted like they owned the place?

The results have been more than rewarding. By opening up our financials and involving every employee in the decision-making process, we saw a newfound sense of ownership and accountability within our team. Employees who had previously acted as mere spectators either found their way off the team or became active participants in driving our company's success. The powerful concept that “The Company is the Product” started to really sink in, and people began to reach for the opportunities they were helping create.

Last fall, Mark Bradley brought the LMN Mastermind Group to our facility for a tour and firsthand GGOB experience. He and I sat at the back of the room and watched our teams report, discuss and forecast our critical numbers at our bi-monthly, company-wide huddle. I laughed quietly when he leaned over and said, “They talk just like owners.” At the Mastermind Summit in Orlando, Fla., this past February, Mark shared with the crowd of almost 300 industry professionals what he had witnessed while visiting my facility, saying that “Ryan was redundant.” Everything about those comments tells me we are on the right track.

The synergy between GGOB and OBM became apparent as we embraced a culture of transparency, education and shared responsibility. We didn't just reveal our numbers; we learned together how to interpret them and, more

importantly, what actions to take based on that information.

As Creative Roots Landscaping continued to thrive under the principles of GGOB and OBM, I realized our journey was about more than just financial success. It was about empowering our team to take control of their future and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, winning, camaraderie, exciting challenges and so much more.

The results have reached far beyond the 12-17 per cent net profit we have consistently

achieved or the $107,000 profit distributed to employees in 2023. The more powerful and sustainable advantage of operating in a way that harnesses the collective wisdom of our team lies in the less tangible cultural results of the work we have all participated in. When I hear off-the-cuff conversations between employees, and one says, “I’ve had lots of jobs and never felt I belonged as I do here, so I’m not going anywhere,” and another replies, “Neither am I!” Or several who, over the years, have said they would have a hard time working

for a company that didn’t have a culture like ours, or “No, Ryan, don’t spend money on buying new wheelbarrows — the ones we have are ugly but they do the job just fine,” I know the ownership mentality has effectively crept into the very fabric of the company. Yes, we still have problems like any other business, but I know these problems are better than bigger ones!

What if employees had actual ownership?

I have learned over the years that “A Company Isn’t Worth Anything If Nobody Wants To Own It” — a problem we don’t have. We have brought four employees into ownership over the past six years and have at least two more eager to join when the next opportunity arises.

Reflecting on the journey, I'm proud of how far we've come. By implementing GGOB and OBM principles to meet our needs, we have become a living lab and proof of what GGOB calls the Ultimate Higher Law of Business: "When you appeal to the highest level of thinking, you get the highest level of performance."

This methodology and system have the potential to serve as a powerful framework for landscape companies to navigate challenges, maximize efficiency and drive collective success.

The evidence is clear: The companies that get the people part right will dominate their industries for the foreseeable future, and in my view, the increased role of education (a principle that sits at the very core of OBM) has become an opportunity for those who are willing to step up to the plate. With every set of hands, you get a free brain! Based on experience, I suggest you don't waste that opportunity. LT

RYAN MARKEWICH has been fascinated by business since starting Creative Roots Landscaping in 1994. After selling a majority of his successful company to key employees, he launched Rmark, a coaching service to help other business owners achieve better results, have more time for themselves and find enjoyment along the way.

Every landscape has a

BY DR. NADINA GALLE

IMAGINE WALKING into your neighborhood park. What do you see? The vibrant colours of flowers in bloom, children playing on swings and maybe even a couple of squirrels darting between trees. What do you smell? Perhaps the fresh scent of grass after a recent rain shower or the aroma of blossoms wafting through the air. What can you touch? The rough bark of a tree trunk, the smooth surface of a park bench or the soft petals of a flower. And what do you hear? Birds chirping, leaves rustling in the wind and the distant hum of city life. This rich tapestry of sensory experiences, or “soundscape,” forms the backdrop against which Dr. Mike Edwards, co-founder of Sound Matters together with Harry Coade, invites us to

reconsider our relationship with sound.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Edwards on an episode of the Internet of Nature Podcast. He reminds me that we live in a visual world. "The amount of YouTube hours watched every day, the number of photos taken every minute, the visual nature of social media... We are inundated with visuals, prioritizing them in this world," remarks Dr. Edwards. Yet, amidst this visual overload, sound often plays second fiddle. "It's not to say sound is more important than visuals," Dr. Edwards clarifies, "but we need new ways of engaging with the world, and sound offers an avenue for that."

"No one talked about soundscapes until the COVID-19

Harry Coade (left) and his Sound Matters co-founder Dr. Mike Edwards (right) recording a soundscape in an ecosystem restoration project in the south of Spain.

lockdowns," Dr. Edwards said. As city streets fell silent, many experienced a moment of respite, allowing them to rediscover the subtle symphony of nature. "Everyone said, ‘there’s so many more birds!’ when in fact, "there are not more birds, you could just hear them for the first time," he said, chuckling. We experienced a heightened awareness of nature's sounds during the quietude of the lockdowns. This attunement to the natural world offers more than mere auditory pleasure; it serves as a pathway to cultivating a deeper sense of connection and belonging, vital for our mental and physical well-being.

Dr. Edwards argues that amidst the “cacophony” of modern life, sound is often overlooked, becoming a "lost sense" in our increasingly noisy urban world.

This realization forms the cornerstone of Sound Matters' mission — to reconnect people with their environment through soundscapes. "It was about exploring how sound could connect people to the processes shaping the Earth," Dr. Edwards recounts. Drawing inspiration from indigenous notions of connection to the country, Sound Matters embarked on a journey to uncover the stories told by soundscapes. "We started doing several lectures around this, exploring soundscapes of crisis," Dr. Edwards explains, emphasizing the power of sound to evoke environmental issues like climate change and biodiversity loss.

Their work led them to collaborate with organizations like AlVelAl, Commonland and the Leopold Bachmann Foundation on projects like the Soil Composer — a sophisticated device designed to capture and translate the intricate sounds emitted by soil microorganisms into audible frequencies perceivable by the human ear. "The idea is to take people on a journey from soil that is almost dead to full of life," Dr. Edwards elaborates.

At its core, the Soil Composer comprises an array of highly sensitive sensors embedded within the soil,

capable of detecting the minuscule vibrations and acoustic signals generated by microbial activity. These signals are then transmitted to a central processing unit equipped with advanced algorithms that interpret and translate them into rich, immersive soundscapes. By translating soil quality indicators into soundscapes, the Soil Composer offers a unique way to engage communities in environmental conservation.

As society grapples with pressing environmental challenges, Dr. Edwards believes that reconnecting with nature through sound is more critical than ever. "We live in noisy worlds," he observes, highlighting the need to silence the din of modernity and listen to the whispers of the natural world. Through initiatives like Sound Matters and the Soil Composer, Dr. Edwards endeavors to amplify these whispers, inviting us to listen, learn, and ultimately, reconnect with our environment.

"Sound is not just about what we hear," he asserts, "it's about how we feel and how we connect with our environment." This holistic approach to sound is evident in Sound Matters' projects, which aim to stimulate not only the auditory senses but also the emotional and intellectual faculties of participants.

In one such project, Sound Matters collaborated with urban planners and architects to incorporate sound design principles into public spaces. "We wanted to create environments that are not just visually appealing but also acoustically enriching," Dr. Edwards explains. By integrating natural sounds into urban landscapes, these spaces become more inviting and conducive to human well-being.

The concept of sonic placemaking extends beyond physical spaces to virtual realms as well. "With the rise of virtual reality and immersive technologies, we have new opportunities to create immersive soundscapes," says Dr. Edwards. These virtual experiences offer a means to transport individuals to remote natural environments, fostering a sense of connection and stewardship for the Earth.

However, Dr. Edwards acknowledges that the journey toward sonic stewardship has its challenges. "We live in a world dominated by noise pollution," he laments, citing the omnipresence of traffic, construction and industrial activities. To counteract this trend, Sound Matters advocates for soundconscious design and policy interventions to preserve and restore natural soundscapes.

But beyond the realm of policy and design, Dr. Edwards believes that individual action is equally vital. "Each one of us has the power to shape our sonic environment," he asserts. Whether it's practicing mindful listening or participating in community sound walks, there are myriad ways for individuals to engage with and appreciate the sounds of nature.

"Sound is a gift — one that connects us to the Earth and each other," says Dr. Edwards. In a world increasingly defined by division and discord, perhaps it is through the act of listening that we can find common ground and forge a path toward harmony. And in that harmony lies the promise of a brighter, more sustainable future — for ourselves and generations to come.

For a deeper dive, check out Episode S1E2 of the Internet of Nature Podcast with Dr. Mike Edwards, co-founder and chief listening officer at Sound Matters, or listen to the Soil Composer.

DR. NADINA GALLE

spotlights Internet of Nature (IoN) technologies and practitioners making a difference in how we can optimize soil health, manage urban forests, create livable cities and everything in between.

To learn more about the IoN and to catch episodes of the Internet of Nature Podcast, visit: nadinagalle.com.

PLANT HARDINESS ZONE MAPS

ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL

BY JAMIE AALBERS

Being in the plant business means we all need to be very familiar with and cognizant of where the plants we grow, install and sell will survive. Plant hardiness zone maps are an important tool when determining what plants can be included in a landscape.

But plant hardiness maps in Canada and the U.S. are not created using the same criteria and as such cannot be used interchangeably. Zone 5 in the U.S. is not the same as Zone 5 here in Canada.

The plant hardiness zone map by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which was updated in 2023, relies solely on average annual minimum temperatures to determine its rankings. The plant hardiness zone map developed by Natural Resources Canada, which is currently under revision, considers seven factors averaged over a 30-year time span. These include:

• Monthly mean of the daily minimum temperature of the coldest month.

• Mean frost-free period above zero C in days.

• Amount of rainfall from June to November.

• Monthly mean of the daily maximum temperatures of the warmest month.

• Rainfall in January (important because freezing temperatures following rainfall can be hard on roots).

• Mean maximum snow depth.

• Maximum wind gust in 30 years.

CNLANEWS

Natural Resources Canada also has a map that shows plant hardiness zones for Canada based on the USDA extreme minimum temperature approach. Both maps can be found at planthardiness.gc.ca.

There is about a one zone difference between the two systems. For example, a plant labelled with the USDA hardiness Zone 5 is a Zone 6 in the Canadian seven factor system. Challenges result when plants are labelled in Canada with the U.S. hardiness zone. Obviously that USDA Zone 5 plant will not thrive — or even survive — in the Canadian Zone 5.

As our climate continues to warm, another challenge starting to surface is the assumption that it’s worth experimenting with using plants from a warmer zone in one they historically were not meant to be planted in. For example, Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) is Zone 4-7 in the Canadian hardiness zones. It may be tempting to experiment and plant this shrub in Zone 3, especially after a warm winter like we

recently experienced. Until the Canadian hardiness zones are revised, this type of decision remains an experimental one and you need to be aware this could result in that plant succumbing to winter kill.

In Canada, the extreme minimum temperatures have been trending upward. But closer to the East Coast there are actually some areas of the country where there’s been a decrease in extreme minimum temperatures over time. Part of this is due to things like icebergs spawning and traveling further down the Eastern Seaboard.

Natural Resources Canada will publish an updated version of the Canadian plant hardiness map sometime in 2024. Regardless, it is very important to label plants (at the farm or at the garden centre) with the current and correct Canadian hardiness zone. And until we know better, remember that planting in a zone outside of the labelled zone remains an experiment without a guarantee of success.

INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CENTRE ASSOCIATION VISITS SOUTH AFRICA

Twenty-three delegates from 11 countries visited Cape Town, South Africa, from Feb. 18-21 for annual administrators meetings for the International Garden Centre Association (IGCA). South Africa will also host the International Garden Centre Congress in October 2025.

Representing Canada at this year’s meetings were Robin Godfrey, chair of Garden Centres Canada and IGCA board member, and Rebecca Doutre, IGCA country administrator for the CNLA. Godfrey’s first impression is sheer inspiration by the level of effort going on at the South African garden centres he visited. “The level of plant quality is impressive, as well as the selection and merchandising,” Godfrey commented.

Don’t forget to register for this year’s IGCA Congress in Quebec from Aug. 25-31. You can find more information at igca24.ca.

CNLA AND COHA PRESENT TO THE CANADIAN SENATE

On Feb. 13, Alan White from the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association and Phil Paxton from the Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Alliance (COHA) presented to the Canadian Senate Standing Committee for Agriculture and Forestry.

The duo had the opportunity to communicate to the federal government from the perspective of the CNLA’s more than 4,400 member companies, highlighting the crucial role urban soil plays in the health of urban landscapes, as well its impact on plant health, climate change and the general well-being of all Canadians.

CNLANEWS

MARKETING GRANT OPPORTUNITY FOR CNLA MEMBERS

BY NICOLE XAVIER

The Plants Love You campaign is a sustainable, environmental approach to marketing products for health and environmental benefits. The goal of the program is to raise awareness about the positive impacts plants have on the environment, our physical and mental health and our overall well-being.

Plants are essential in helping create a cleaner and greener planet.

Funding opportunities are available to members who promote the Plants Love You campaign. Those taking part can receive 50 per cent back on their marketing campaign activities.

Participants will be required to report on the size of reach, circulation of promotion, and metrics like the number of website and social media views your channels receive. The CNLA has made promoting the program as straightforward as possible for members. Visit the CNLA website at cnla.ca to access marketing assets that can be used on your own social media platforms, email signatures, websites and more. Simply attach your logo, add your URL and post.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity! If interested, contact Nicole Xavier, member services coordinator, at nicole@cnla-acpp.ca for more information.

Make a difference! Join us today in promoting #PlantsLoveYou.

Conversations on the issues shaping landscaping and horticulture in Ontario NEW EPISODES EVERY MONTH

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NEWPRODUCTS

Using

flexibility to hardscape lighting. The line has five interchangeable tops, which come in stainless steel and antique brass finishes. The drop-in LED modules have interchangeable optics and are perfect for illuminating vertical surfaces, such as pillars, borders, low walls, steps, fences and more.

Turf Care | turfcare.ca

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STAND-ON DEBRIS BLOWER

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G.C. Duke | gcduke.com

BATTERY-POWERED HANDHELD BLOWER

The Kress KC510.0 Commercial 60V Handheld Blower combines active and passive designs resulting in only 60 db of sound from 15 m, allowing commercial landscapers to complete the task comfortably without disturbing their customers.

COMPOSITE DECKING

Composite decking not only gives the feeling and appearance of wood, but can prevent many problems seen with wood decking, like rotting, mildew, cracking and insects. Two-sided composite decking with different colours on each side allows unparalleled flexibility in creating patterns and styles, and the surface texture closely mimics the natural grain found in real wood.

Celer International celerinternational.com

Kress kress.com

ROTO RAKE - POWER BOX RAKE

The RotoRake features a floating rotor design with roadgrade mini carbide teeth, side shields, and optional side cutters. The RotoRake features 25° angle and 28° tilt making it simply the best power box rake on the market.

www.reistindustries.com

NEWPRODUCTS

CHAINSAW

Husqvarna 540 XP Mark III is a nimble and lightweight gas chainsaw in the 40cc class, designed for professional tree care and thinning operations. The powerful engine combined with the optimal choice of SP21G or S93G chain delivers cutting capacity with fast acceleration. The easy, reliable starts — cold as well as hot — and smooth maneuverability make this chainsaw a favourite for any tree care team.

Husqvarna | husqvarna.com

REBRANDED EQUIPMENT

Bobcat has announced that its lineup of newly rebranded products, including turf renovation equipment, such as aerators, sod cutters, dethatchers, overseeders and other specialty products that serve landscaping and grounds care professionals across a variety of industries including golf, sports turf, landscaping and rental, is now available at dealerships across North America.

Bobcat | bobcat.com/na/en

CLARIFICATION

PORCELAIN PAVERS

Porcea Silver Valley showcases a delicate balance of light grey hues with a touch of understated blue, creating a soothing and sophisticated atmosphere in any outdoor setting. These porcelain pavers are maintenance free, anti-slip and high traction, and are resistant to stains and UV fading.

Porcea Stone | porceastone.com

The Reist Dominator Stump Grinders in the February 2023 Landscape Trades are presented by Reist Industries (reistindustries.com) and not Horst Welding as originally shown.

NEWPRODUCTS

LITHIUM-ION BATTERY

The Echo eFORCE 56V 8.0Ah lithiumion battery is a professional-grade, high-voltage battery featuring triple protection electronics equipped to prevent overcharging, overheating and overloading. It fulfills user’s requirements for greater capacity, enabling extended run times and reducing the necessity for battery replacements and with MAXOUT Technology, ensures all X Series compatible tools run at full power until the charge is fully drained.

Echo | echo.ca

AGED BARK FINES

Made up of primarily spruce pine, pureLife Aged Bark Fines have been aged for over 10 years and offer versatile applications as both a soil amendment and mulch, particularly well-suited for enhancing flower beds. When utilized as mulch, the fines form a protective layer that not only retains soil moisture but also acts as insulation against extreme temperature fluctuations with only a one-inch application. pureLife Soil purelifesoil.com

ORGANIC FERTILIZER

Acti-Sol presents Hydrolyzed Fish as a way to help quickly correct deficiencies and is ideal when transplanting to improve soil fertility and nutrient absorption. It is useful for seed or recent transplants and encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria in the ecosystem while stimulating roots and flowering.

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AI: Just one more tool in the tool box

AS A LANDSCAPE DESIGN-BUILD business owner, HGTV media personality and STIHL USA brand ambassador, Sara Bendrick has been exposed to a lot of new technologies and has observed how the ‘landscape’ of the landscape industry has evolved over her past 12 years in the profession. With Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerging in all sectors, Bendrick shares her perspectives on working with technology, where it might be helpful and what it can’t replace.

AI in the landscape

Design is maybe one of the most obvious ways to think of AI being used in the landscape profession. There are various websites, apps and digital tools that anyone from a child to a DIY’er to a professional can use to help imagine a new design for a space. In fact, there are some AI programs specifically for designing building exteriors and surrounding landscapes. While the learning curve can be intimidating, it can be quite fun to see what AI can dream up for your space.

After experimenting with a few programs myself, I did not find the AI designs to be too relevant in terms of turning those ideas into buildable spaces… yet. However, I did find that it generated new ways of looking at the space that I had not considered, which could be an interesting way to design with AI input.

In my personal opinion, I think clients playing with AI might pose a challenge to the design process, since they might come up with something unrealistic. I believe a ‘less is more’ focus, based on the realities of the space, is sometimes better, but many

AI-generated designs are not specific enough to the unique site location. They don’t usually consider the microclimates, soils type, mature plant sizes and spacing, functional circulation, and other logistical concerns that a professional designer would notice.

For professionals on the other hand, I see AI as an extremely useful tool to have on your side. AI can be a quick way to enhance, colour and texturize your professional drawings for clients. Drawings that used to take hours to draft can be sped up with the help of AI to sell the ideas you're trying to share. The biggest difference between a DIY homeowner using AI and a professional is the professional can contribute useful userdefined parameters to hone the design into something that is realistic to the space.

There are a handful of robust AI software options built into some existing drafting tools that will likely become a new standard in these design settings. However, most of these robust programs also have high subscription costs and steep learning curves so will most likely have limited use outside the licensed landscape architecture or urban planning worlds.

AI in the field

Beyond the drafting desk you can see AI being used in the field. The first AI weedkilling robot was created by Carbon Robotics. It's programmed to recognize weeds smaller than human hands can pick and kill them with a laser. This replaces backbreaking labour, it can work 24/7 and remove or reduce the use of herbicides. One farm claims it does the work of “30 people 24 hours a day” according to a news segment “Click on Detroit” Local 4 News. This technology is paving the way for other AI technologies in the agricultural space. I think we’ll likely see changes in emerging technologies like this in the landscape maintenance world at some point in the future too.

AI in business development

Another popular use of AI technology in the landscape industry is business support and marketing.

From technology that helps you map and estimate projects remotely to chatbotgenerated sales support, there are tools that can streamline your business practices. For now, I am hesitant to incorporate a chatbot as my first line of communication as we are a boutique design business and personal touch is something we value… we’ll see if I change my mind in a few years!

One marketing strategy STIHL USA has incorporated is weather-based AI-driven social media marketing. They can push social campaigns in certain geological areas based on weather. For example, why would you want to post about gardening in the middle of a blizzard? It would be an ideal time to promote your snow and ice management services, though. Traditionally, it would be hard to track local weather patterns on a national level, so this AI marketing tool offers an innovative way to navigate sending messages to audiences at relevant times. This seems like a very beneficial way to use AI if you ask me.

From the design desk, to in the field, to business and marketing strategies, we are seeing AI being adopted and tested all around us. I think it will leave an imprint on the landscape industries and change the way we design, build and maintain. Some of it I welcome as a small business owner, and some of it I dread if I am honest. It's hard to be motivated to learn more ‘tricks of the trades’ if your business strategies are already working, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to learn more about AI and other new technologies in the industry that could be helpful — especially if we are on the verge of change. LT

To learn more about Sara Bendrick, visit her website sarabendrick.com.

Platinum Natural Stone specializes in providing high quality Armour Stone for landscaping, retaining walls and shoreline construction projects. Platinum offers a variety of products including: Armour Stone, Flagstone, Weathered Cap Rock, Natural and Saw Cut Steps and Skidded Armour. Platinum is open year round for all your Armour Stone needs. Rain, snow or shine!