Green Pencil
May 6, 2025
Know when to call it a day
Making the most of the spring rush doesn't have to mean running yourself into the ground.
Mar 6, 2025
Finding solid ground in an ever-shifting world
Finding solid ground in an ever-shifting world by moving forward together
Feb 14, 2025
Looking forward to brighter days
Spring is coming, and with it, longer days and more sunshine. And for landscapers, it means a return to the work that brings you so much pride and satisfaction.
Nov 27, 2024
A blue sky state of mind
As we wrap up another year, I’m reminded to take stock of everything we’ve accomplished over the past 12 months and look ahead with a blue sky state of mind.
Oct 23, 2024
Rest, reflect and reset for the next season
At this time of year some flower beds and containers still boast a few colourful end-of-season blooms, and we’re starting to see spots of colour in the trees.
Aug 5, 2024
Sunny days are here - but snow won't be far behind...
Whether you own, operate or work for a business that specializes exclusively or seasonally on snow and ice management, this edition of Landscape Trades is for you.
May 12, 2024
Designing and building a better world
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.
Feb 14, 2024
New products and ideas to usher in spring
While the verdict on exactly when to expect spring across Canada was mixed this Groundhog’s Day, it’s a sure bet that the season is coming up quickly for those in the landscape and horticulture sector coast to coast.
Nov 28, 2023
Make 2024 your best year yet
Our resolution is to help your business — and the
landscape and horticultural industry — thrive.
Oct 4, 2023
Easing into sweater weather…and dreaming of spring
Even before the first frost, landscapers and gardening enthusiasts across the country (myself included!) are already dreaming about what to plant come spring.
Aug 1, 2023
Gaining momentum in the snow insurance crisis
The snow and ice management industry is facing an insurance and liability crisis — and it’s essential we act now.
Feb 25, 2023
New and improved LT Source Book
We believe there remains a place for our online Source Book that is accurate, comprehensive, and curated specifically for you. Not instead of an internet search, but a resource you can use in addition to Google and the like. That’s why we’ve implemented enhancements to our online Source Book at LTsourcebook.com to coincide with the discontinuation of the printed version.
Feb 6, 2023
Record Breaking Congress 2023
After two years without a live event, it was so nice to be back at Landscape Ontario Congress. As the official media partner of Congress 2023, the Landscape Trades team was thrilled to be part of a record-breaking event.
Oct 11, 2022
Lawn haters can kiss my grass
Landscape Trades's editor and publisher rebuts recent critiques of grass in Canadian media, pointing to the environmental and recreational benefits healthy lawns provide.
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Aug 2, 2022
It’s time for regular, year-round pay
I believe it is a great time to own a snow business.
May 11, 2022
Creating greener communities together
Make a green impact this year with Trees for Life, Year of the Garden and the Green Cities Foundation.
Feb 8, 2022
What's new for 2022
Each year, Landscape Trades dedicates an issue to showcase new equipment and products for landscape and horticulture professionals.
Dec 13, 2021
Reconnect at Congress
For our profession, Landscape Ontario Congress is more than just a trade show.
Oct 19, 2021
Highlights from the 2021 Trial Gardens
Being a bit of a plant nerd, I never grow tired of my role as Trial Garden manager at the University of Guelph.
Aug 4, 2021
A Canadian snow and ice management standard
When the Landscape Ontario Snow and Ice Sector Group was formed 25 years ago, it was clearly stated by Robert Kennaley (LO’s legal counsel) that the industry needed a standard in order to deal with the significant risk management issues.
May 3, 2021
The next chapter
Landscape Trades publisher Lee Ann Knudsen retired in January, after over 20 years with the magazine.
Dec 1, 2020
Peers: There for you
Looking back on the past year, I’m reminded of what it was like when I first started my business.
Oct 3, 2020
Congress lives
Volunteering for Congress is a part of my resume I value a lot. I am chair of its Show Committee this year — isn’t it just like me to get the most unique year ever!
Sep 1, 2020
Ashes to ashes. Invasive pest fells a shy beauty
In the early 2000s, the emerald ash borer was first discovered in Canada. It’s a foreign insect that kills ash trees, and it has spread quickly. But who is noticing?
Aug 1, 2020
Self-defence 101
Documentation is important, although low on the list when avoiding or defending a lawsuit. The first thing is, you don’t want one coming your way.
Apr 1, 2020
Get battle ready
As owners and leaders, continue to hope and remain calm and confident as we make hard decisions today that will bring us out the other side stronger.
Mar 2, 2020
How you treat suppliers affects your bottom line
If you have a salesperson who knows his or her stuff, serves you promptly and professionally, and is respectful of your time, then you have a winner.
Feb 5, 2020
You are never alone. Snow fighters' latest challenge: insurance
Snow fighters are not just contractors — we’re emergency service providers. We save thousands and thousands of lives every year, just by providing this service.
Nov 1, 2019
Necessary endings
One of the best feelings in management or ownership is hiring new people.
Oct 1, 2019
What's in a name? Botanical nomenclature sparks interest in nature
People are taking initiative to learn as much as they can about the trees and plants around them
Sep 3, 2019
Ignorant, negative comments are real, but I don't let them change me!
Remember, if you don't believe in yourself, how can you expect other people to believe in you?
Sep 1, 2019
Green Pencil September 2019
Mr. Piccini has been outstanding in furthering the Highway of Heroes campaign in the Ontario legislature.
Apr 1, 2019
The best succession strategy: Develop your people
Developing great people is the deciding factor on the future success and longevity of your business.
Mar 1, 2019
Productivity drives profit
Efficiency and productivity: the eternal promise of new products.
Feb 1, 2019
Start now with business succession
Any well-defined business plan will have succession as part of its long-term planning.
Jan 1, 2019
Energize kids outside
Great outdoor spaces engage all of our senses and compels us to reach out and touch the natural world.
Aug 1, 2018
Elephant in the room
Canadian landscaping and horticulture business owners are wondering if staying in business will become even more challenging with the legalization of cannabis.
Jun 1, 2018
Bad for Canada
Proposed changes to federal income tax rules threatened small family businesses across the country.
Apr 1, 2018
How high is it?
Knowing the attrition percentage may help new companies in the landscape industry.
Mar 1, 2018
Love: The next killer app
We need to understand the importance of developing and mentoring the next generation. I don’t think we have an industry problem, I think we have a loving and caring issue — from the top down.
Jan 1, 2018
Living respect
Our commitment is to honour Canadians for military service by planting trees along the Highway of Heroes.
Nov 1, 2017
It's a jungle
In the landscape business, you need to decide how to get to the top and realize you will make mistakes getting there. Just like an animal trying to survive, it really is a jungle out there!
Oct 1, 2017
Cooperation enhances safety
Landscape designers and landscape architects are working together to provide better services and public safety.
Sep 1, 2017
Plenty of promise for the garden centre industry
The best-managed garden centres will continue to find a corner of the fiercely competitive retail landscape, and will, through leadership and innovation, succeed into the next generation.
Aug 1, 2017
Passing the torch
I take my hat off to all family-run businesses. Kudos to all involved.
Apr 1, 2017
Green with gratitude
Your products, plants and landscapes actually are, in fact, green. Voila!
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