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Mentor Moment

May 7, 2025

John Higo lights the way

Mar 6, 2025

Reimagining traditional roles

Carla Bailey believes it’s time to use technology to prevent professional stagnation and reimagine traditional gender roles.
Feb 14, 2025

Securing your legacy

Tips to help owners prepare for the eventual transition of their company’s management and ownership to maintain continuity and reduce stress for families and employees.
Dec 18, 2024

Share the wealth

Four years ago, Fred Post set out on a mission to share his decades of landscape design expertise. Today he’s doing just that through an online learning platform. With courses, ebooks and personal coaching, he’s helping new contractors and homeowners navigate their landscape design questions. Balancing his career and passion for mentorship, Fred is committed to helping others thrive in the industry he loves.
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.
Volunteers celebrated the grand opening of HUGS on June 22, 2022.
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.
Gloria Beck
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.
Nadina Galle
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).
Brad Paton
Oct 13, 2021

Making the cut in landscape maintenance

Brad Paton is president of Shades of Summer Landscaping, based in Waterdown, Ont.
Nichole Ashton
Aug 9, 2021

Reducing salt output

Nichole Ashton is a trainer and the contractor representative for the Smart About Salt Council (SASC).
Lee Ann Knudsen
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.
Jan Pedersen
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.
Sandy Roberton
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.
Peggy Walsh Craig
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.
Reta Horan
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.
Kelvin Vanderveen
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.
Youbin Zheng
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.
Steve Snider
Feb 5, 2020

Blessed with fun

Steve Snider is the proud recipient of this year's Don Salivan Grounds Management Award.
Jeff Foley
Dec 3, 2019

Talent magnet

Jeff Foley, of Para Space Landscaping is being noticed for his success with recruitment and retention.
Alan White
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.
John Schroder
Oct 1, 2019

The value of being different

John Schroeder was also known as an innovator and someone who embraced cutting edge technology.
Drew Millard
Sep 1, 2019

Doing it his way

Drew regards each property as his own and ensures that everything is in good order.
Rob Welsh
Aug 1, 2019

Learning is a career

I love horticulture because my job changes every day.
Gerry Brouwer
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.
Anthony O'Neill
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.
Michael Pascoe
Jan 1, 2019

Building on passion

Michael Pascoe is dedicated to nurturing budding talent at Fanshawe College in London, Ont.
Jacki Hart
Nov 1, 2018

Catalyst for trust

Jacki Hart administers Landscape Ontario's Peer to Peer Network and coaches landscaping pros and other clients.
Gerry Aubin
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.
Hans de Jongh
Sep 1, 2018

The finest trade of all

An interview with one of the greatest industry salespeople.
Robert Kennaley
Aug 1, 2018

Words mean things

Robert Kennaley offers advice for snow contractors.
Richard Rogers
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.
Paul Olsen
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.
Jim Mosher
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.
Randy Tumber
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.
Wilbert Ronald
Jan 1, 2018

Dr. Wilbert Ronald: Creator and believer

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.
Wade Hartwell
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
David Lammers
Sep 28, 2017

Work, learn, grow and inspire

Be upfront during the sales process for services and commit only to what you can perform
Bob Osborne
Jun 1, 2017

Here because I love it

Bob Osborne of Corn Hill Nursery mentors anyone who comes within a 20-foot radius.
Christene Stenhouse LeVatte
Mar 29, 2017

Environmental opportunity adds value

Christine Stenhouse LeVatte offers her views on environmental stewardship.
Lexi Dearborn
Feb 28, 2017

People, process and portfolio

Lexi Dearborn of Dearborn Designs & Associates.
John van Roessel
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.
Bob Allen
Nov 10, 2016

Community commitment

Bob Allen shares advice from over 40 years of experience working in the green profession.
Jeremy Miller
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.
Bob Wilton
Aug 1, 2016

Build a reputation

Bob Wilton, founder of Clintar Landscape Management in Markham, Ont., offers advice to young snow and ice operators.
Heike Stippler CLD
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.
John Eckhardt
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.
Brian Dougherty
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.
Peter Guinane
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.
Sep 1, 2015

Advice is yours for the asking

Tim Kearney continues to help business owners via Landscape Ontario's new Prosperity Partners program.
Paul Doornbos
Jun 17, 2015

Two letter word, No, is a great business tool

In this new feature, Paul Doornbos shares how he grew his business into becoming an industry leader.

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