Landscape Ontario
Contact us 1-800-265-5656 My profile
  • Join now!
  • News
  • Events
  • Business Tools
  • Training/Education
  • Member's Area
  • Chapters
  • Sectors
  • Trade Show
  • Magazines
  • Foundation
  • Careers
  • Member's Area
  • My Profile
  • Join now!
  • News
  • Events
  • Business Tools
  • Training/Education
  • Member's Area
  • Chapters
  • Sectors
  • Trade Show
  • Magazines
  • Foundation
  • Careers
  • Member's Area
  • My Profile

Green Pencil

May 6, 2025

Know when to call it a day

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.
Mar 14, 2024

Welcome to the future

This month in Landscape Trades, we are talking about tech.
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.
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.
Terry Childs
Dec 13, 2021

Reconnect at Congress

For our profession, Landscape Ontario Congress is more than just a trade show.
Trial Gardens 2021
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.
Gerald Boot
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.
Scott Barber
May 3, 2021

The next chapter

Landscape Trades publisher Lee Ann Knudsen retired in January, after over 20 years with the magazine.
Brent Ayles
Feb 1, 2021

Covid-19 created supply chain headaches

And we’re not out of the woods yet.
Alan White
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.
Terry Childs
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!
Paul Epp
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?
Mark Humphries
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.
Brent Ayles
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.
Nicole Ashton
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.
Dec 1, 2019

Come home to Congress

Michael LaPorte explains his personal connection to Congress.
Brent Ayles
Nov 1, 2019

Necessary endings

One of the best feelings in management or ownership is hiring new people.
Jeff McMann
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
Tony Lombardi
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?
David Piccini
Sep 1, 2019

Green Pencil September 2019

Mr. Piccini has been outstanding in furthering the Highway of Heroes campaign in the Ontario legislature.
Brent Ayles
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.
Brent Ayles
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.
Arvils Lukss
Oct 17, 2018

Marketing myopia

Do you have a marketing and sales strategy?
Lee Ann Knudsen
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.
Brent Ayles
Jun 6, 2018

The hard way

Business lessons learned in the fast lane
Hank Gelderman
Jun 1, 2018

Bad for Canada

Proposed changes to federal income tax rules threatened small family businesses across the country.
Lee Ann Knudsen
Apr 1, 2018

How high is it?

Knowing the attrition percentage may help new companies in the landscape industry.
Brent Ayles
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.
Mark Cullen
Jan 1, 2018

Living respect

Our commitment is to honour Canadians for military service by planting trees along the Highway of Heroes.
George Uvari
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.
John Zaplatynsky
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.
Brian Perras
Aug 1, 2017

Passing the torch

I take my hat off to all family-run businesses. Kudos to all involved.
Lee Ann Knudsen
Jun 1, 2017

Proud to serve

It’s a wonderful time for Canadians to be proud of country and heritage.
Lee Ann Knudsen
Apr 1, 2017

Green with gratitude

Your products, plants and landscapes actually are, in fact, green. Voila!
George Uvari
Mar 1, 2017

What are you worth?

Your attitude and belief in your self-worth have a huge impact on your financial success.
Donald Ziraldo
Dec 20, 2016

Colour Canada green

Phil Paxton
Nov 1, 2016

Power tool

The newly-launched Canadian Landscape Standard
Oct 1, 2016

Sentinel elms

Roadside shape sparks memory and muse
tom shay
Sep 1, 2016

Control the questions

A simple strategy for retail sales success
Lee Ann Knudsen
Aug 1, 2016

Family ties

When business is drama, comedy and soap opera
Lee Ann Knudsen
Jun 1, 2016

Mister Overhead

Industry appreciates Charles Vander Kooi’s legacy.
Brent Ayles
Apr 1, 2016

Make time for results

What could be more important than engaging employees?
Lee Ann Knudsen
Mar 1, 2016

None of your business

Financials are deep secret top classified.
Brian Perras
Jan 1, 2016

Good, better, best!

First impressions define your company’s value.
Jul 15, 2011

Invest in new habits

Systems-based management works, now keep the momentum going.
Sarah Willis
Nov 1, 2001

In with the new

Some of you will open our annual New Plants issue with anticipation, while others turn noses up at “more new heucheras and petunias.”

Contact Us

7856 Fifth Line South
Milton, ON   L9T 2X8
1 905 875 1805
1 800 265 5656

Privacy Policy

About Us

  • Our History
  • Statement of Ethics
  • Why hire a member?
  • Become a member
  • Member benefits
  • Subscribe to e-news

Resources

  • LOawards.com
  • LTsourcebook.com
  • LandscapeTrades.com
  • LOcongress.com
  • HorticultureTechnician.ca
  • GreenCareersCanada.ca
  • Landscape.Jobs
  • GrowOutdoors.ca

Our Mission

Our mission is to be the leader in representing, promoting and fostering a favourable climate for the advancement of the horticulture industry in Ontario.

© 2025 Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association