October 23, 2024
Rest, reflect and reset for the next season
BY KARINA SINCLAIR
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. I welcome this visual feast as sugar maple, red oak or dogwood transform our canopies from verdant greens to blazing oranges, reds and yellows. It’s a final flex of nature’s creativity. It’s also a signal to Canadians to start anticipating the next great season. The first fall of snow may be just around the corner, offering a reset to a busy year.
Before that happens, there’s a final push to complete garden clean ups, plant bulbs, rake leaves for mulch or 100 other tasks that need to be done before the 2024 growing season wraps up. Once you get a chance to relax, grab a beverage, put your feet up and settle in with the Grounds Management and New Plants issue of Landscape Trades.
If you’re already craving a return to spring, head over here to read up on new plants coming to market in 2025. This yearly feature is a favourite for our team to put together, with help from Rodger Tschanz, trial garden manager extraordinaire from the University of Guelph. You’ll find a dazzling array of woody plants, annuals and perennials sure to delight even your most demanding clients. We’ve included a new category for tender perennials because we just couldn’t resist some of the fun specimens being released next spring.
With scorching temperatures and low water tables this past summer, many municipalities implemented water restrictions. Julia Harmsworth brings us insights from across the country as landscapers shared their frustrations — and water-wise solutions — as they managed landscapes during droughts. Dr. Nadina Galle also explores sponge cities and takes us on a tour of a smart storm pond diverting millions of gallons of water from New York City sewers.
Landscapers who spend time in tall grasses or naturalized areas might want to tuck their pants into their socks after reading about zoonotic diseases. Lynn Fraser brings us some eye-opening statistics about the various viruses and illnesses that insects and animals can transmit to humans, and offers advice for avoiding infection.
Recently, I toured a gorgeous garden by Samantha Ulasy, a young landscape designer winning all kinds of accolades in Kelowna, B.C., including accreditation as the first Canadian to be designated a Proven Winners Certified Landscape Professional. She shares how her love of plants, strong brand loyalty and belief in herself has propelled her career forward. Read her profile and then enjoy an episode of Down the Garden Path featuring her three-tiered Tuscan-inspired landscape on YouTube: youtu.be/LaQIfOODbWM.
Whatever your fall looks like, I hope you take time to reflect on and relish your accomplishments so far and feel excited for what comes next. For some, that means the snow and ice season; for others, it means business development, training, marketing and maintenance. As the growing season ends, lots of new opportunities are just beginning.
We’re always planning our next issue and we’d love to hear your feedback, story ideas and thoughts. Reach out to me at editor@landscapetrades.com.We wish you a sunny and productive summer — and a great snow and ice season ahead!