Mentor Moment
Oct 23, 2024
On the hunt for superior seeds
A founder of Linnaea Nurseries — a wholesale plant nursery in Langley, B.C. — Folkerts is also a passionate seed collector, always on the lookout for particularly hardy specimens of native plants thriving in unusual places.
Aug 5, 2024
On a mission to redefine blue collar
Mikayel Ter-Grigoryan is on a mission to redefine how people see careers in the trades. Read on for what he hopes that will mean for the industry — and how it can grow for the future.
May 12, 2024
AI: Just one more tool in the tool box
With Artificial Intelligence emerging in all sectors, Sara Bendrick shares her perspectives on working with technology, where it might be helpful and what it can’t replace.
Mar 14, 2024
5 marketing mistakes to fix right now
Vanessa McQuade's five common marketing mistakes to avoid in order to set yourself up for success.
Feb 13, 2024
Investing in new equipment... wisely
While I love new products, I also caution you to be patient. Don’t jump on something because it sounds cool, or because it has a great salesperson or because you think you need it.
Dec 6, 2023
Looking into the future of trade shows
Heather Macrae has been at the helm of Landscape Ontario Congress trade show and conference since 2013, when she joined the organization as director of events and trade shows.
Oct 5, 2023
Taking part in trade shows is good for business — and for employee morale
Brent Vanderkruk is the customer service manager of NVK Nurseries, a fourth generation wholesale nursery based in Dundas, Ont. With over 100 years in business, NVK is one of Canada’s largest wholesale nurseries, serving customers across the country and in several U.S. states.
Aug 2, 2023
Landscapers can create peace by embracing Indigenous ways of knowing
As an urban indigenous woman, Jody Harbour started deeply exploring her own heritage and roots a little over 10 years ago.
Apr 25, 2023
Leslie Cornell — Mentor Moment
To Leslie Cornell, a career in horticulture isn’t just about growing plants — it’s about nurturing a community of people and their passion for gardening.
Feb 26, 2023
Game Changer — Mentor Moment
As the vice president and general manager for Positec Canada, Philip Fitzpatrick played a key role in launching the Kress brand in North America this winter. Fitzpatrick believes the landscape industry has reached a tipping point for the electrification of outdoor power equipment.
Feb 5, 2023
Built Canadian tough
Jason Longley has been part of the transportation industry for more than 20 years, starting with Cervus Equipment/ Peterbilt, and for the past four years as the general sales manager for Miska Trailer Factory.
Dec 4, 2022
Building a respected profession — Mentor Moment
For more than 30 years, Landscape Trades readers have benefited from the experience and wisdom of Marty Lamers. A member of the Landscape Ontario Communications Committee since the early 90s, Lamers has served on the LT advisory committee.
Aug 3, 2022
Taking on the storm
Christopher Thacker went from being a 12-year-old kid with a shovel to running one of Toronto’s largest snow removal operations.
May 12, 2022
Year of the Garden 2022
Gloria Beck is encouraging Canadian landscape and horticulture professionals to support Year of the Garden 2022.
Feb 8, 2022
Building on “The Rock”
Landscape Trades recently had the opportunity to talk landscaping with builder Randy Spracklin, of HGTV’s Rock Solid Builds fame.
Dec 14, 2021
Plugging into nature
An ecological engineer by training, Dr. Nadina Galle researches, designs and pilots emerging technologies to better monitor (and reconnect people to) urban ecosystems — a framework she coined in her doctoral thesis titled “Internet of Nature” (IoN).
Oct 13, 2021
Making the cut in landscape maintenance
Brad Paton is president of Shades of Summer Landscaping, based in Waterdown, Ont.
Aug 9, 2021
Reducing salt output
Nichole Ashton is a trainer and the contractor representative for the Smart About Salt Council (SASC).
May 4, 2021
Signing off, one last time
Landscape Trades publisher Lee Ann Knudsen retired in January, after more than 20 years with the magazine.
Feb 1, 2021
50 years (and counting) in horticulture
Jan Pedersen is an icon of the horticultural industry and he has earned that reputation, with 50 years of service in our trade.
Dec 1, 2020
The training train
Sandy Roberton, retired from operating Earthcraft Landscape in Bedford, N.S., has spent his career pushing for educational and certification opportunities in the profession he loves, landscape horticulture.
Oct 3, 2020
Passion for plants
Peggy Walsh Craig is well known in the industry — especially within the nursery sector for her many contributions to the ornamental sector as the Managing Director of the Canadian Ornamental Plant Foundation (COPF), a position she held for 21 years from 1990 to her retirement in 2011.
Sep 1, 2020
Okay to get dirty
Rita Horan, Woodstock, Ont.’s, parks and forestry supervisor, directs boundless energy toward getting kids and families active outdoors.
Aug 1, 2020
This is a great business
Kelvin Vanderveen, owner of Vanderveen’s Greenhouses in Carman, Man., is known for his humility, integrity and his devout beliefs.
Apr 1, 2020
Partnership of respect
Youbin Zheng is a professor at the University of Guelph School of Environmental Sciences, and a researcher for the nursery sector.
Mar 2, 2020
Aspiring mentor
Fred Post would like to share his knowledge and help out newcomers to the landscape industry.
Feb 5, 2020
Blessed with fun
Steve Snider is the proud recipient of this year's Don Salivan Grounds Management Award.
Dec 3, 2019
Talent magnet
Jeff Foley, of Para Space Landscaping is being noticed for his success with recruitment and retention.
Nov 1, 2019
Give me a shovel
I see plants as the solution to heat and air problems, and they tie in with my economic responsibility to make the world better.
Oct 1, 2019
The value of being different
John Schroeder was also known as an innovator and someone who embraced cutting edge technology.
Sep 1, 2019
Doing it his way
Drew regards each property as his own and ensures that everything is in good order.
Apr 1, 2019
Gerry Brouwer: "It's all about people"
I always enjoyed helping people accomplish something. Business is all about people.
Mar 1, 2019
An advocate for growers
Rita Weerdenburg has spent her career promoting the green profession.
Feb 1, 2019
Making the stars align
Anthony O’Neill’s passion for horticulture came from his father, Joe, who was an avid gardener and small business operator in Spaniard’s Bay, Nfld. In the 1990’s.
Jan 1, 2019
Building on passion
Michael Pascoe is dedicated to nurturing budding talent at Fanshawe College in London, Ont.
Nov 1, 2018
Catalyst for trust
Jacki Hart administers Landscape Ontario's Peer to Peer Network and coaches landscaping pros and other clients.
Oct 1, 2018
The power of questions
Gerry Aubin is a fourth-generation nurseryman supplying wholesale trees, shrubs, fruit plants and perennials to retailers and landscapers in cold climates.
Jun 14, 2018
Supporting one another
Rogers calls himself the type of leader that gently guides the ship from the bow, rather than manning the rudder, and every other detail, from the stern.
Apr 1, 2018
A mentor remembered
Paul Olsen of Brookdale Treeland Nurseries in Schomberg, Ont., passed away suddenly in March. This column interviews his associates across Canada; everyone contacted
appreciated Paul’s leadership, and had a story to tell.
Mar 1, 2018
Price for prosperity
Jim Mosher of Landscape Plus in Toronto, Ont., is an enthusiastic community supporter, involved in several charities, including the Fight to End Cancer.
Jan 8, 2018
Nature is always in style
Randy Tumber shares his ideas and expertise in native habitat restoration; overall project and site planning; working with natural stone and creating natural-looking water features.
Oct 1, 2017
Let's educate the trade
A lot of new varieties and breeders who have developed new plants are going to the branding companies because of the exposure and the sales opportunities.
Sep 28, 2017
Business plan: More and better
High volume at reasonable prices was Wade's motto, and his savings were often passed on to his customers
Sep 28, 2017
Work, learn, grow and inspire
Be upfront during the sales process for services and commit only to what you can perform
Jun 1, 2017
Here because I love it
Bob Osborne of Corn Hill Nursery mentors anyone who comes within a 20-foot radius.
Mar 29, 2017
Environmental opportunity adds value
Christine Stenhouse LeVatte offers her views on environmental stewardship.
Jan 1, 2017
Love the small jobs, too
Over the past five seasons, van Roessel has brought two talented team members into an ownership partnership, demonstrating an innovative approach to management and transition planning that has benefited his company.
Nov 10, 2016
Community commitment
Bob Allen shares advice from over 40 years of experience working in the green profession.
Oct 1, 2016
Growth and culture
When Jeremy Miller began providing marketing advice to a friend in the landscaping industry in the early 2000s, he had no idea of the amazing opportunities the green profession had to offer.
Sep 1, 2016
Always teaching
Dieter Martin has had a long career in horticulture, a very long career.
Aug 1, 2016
Build a reputation
Bob Wilton, founder of Clintar Landscape Management in Markham, Ont., offers advice to young snow and ice operators.
Jun 1, 2016
Construction supports maintenance
Heike Stippler, president of Heike Designs in Whistler, B.C., is the mentor for the June 2016 issue of Landscape Trades. Heike Designs provides design, installation and maintenance services.
Apr 1, 2016
Trust your instincts, go all in
John Eckhardt of LawnPro Landscapes in Chilliwack, B.C. shares a lesson on controlling expenses to match your company's size.
Apr 1, 2016
Positive work culture empowers employees
Kevin Nauss CLP of Price Landscaping Services in Moncton, N.B. gives Landscape Trades readers his take on mentorship. His leadership roles include a board position with the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, advisory service with the Landscape Horticulturist Red Seal program and governance for the New Brunswick Landscape Horticulture Training Institute.
Mar 1, 2016
Top notch staff key to conquering rapid growth
Brian Dougherty finds a fulfulling career in the landscape profession after a stint in the restaurant business.
Jan 1, 2016
Support value — by charging
This month’s mentor is Peter Guinane, CEO of Oriole Landscaping in Toronto. He has held many leadership positions, including board member for both Canada Blooms and Landscape Ontario, chair of its Contractor Sector Group, and member of the Landscape Canada Committee.
