Are the ingredients in mulch safe for children and pets?
Q. Are the ingredients in mulch safe for children and pets? A. We asked this question to one of our members, Gro-Bark (Ontario), which produces many varieties of mulch. The response is below for the products Gro-Bark produces. We are unable to speak for all mulch producers, but the colourant Gro-Bark uses is an ironoxide colourant that is […]
I would like to plant a Bloodgood Japanese Red Maple
Q. I’d like to plant a Bloodgood Japanese red maple in one of the corners of my yard. I have a fenced-in yard that gets lots of sunshine. How far from the fence should it be placed? A. Bloodgood Japanese red maple (Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’) is a beautiful tree, and is known as the best for reddish […]
Where can I find job postings?
Q. I am looking for a job in the landscaping field. Where can I find job postings? A. Landscape Ontario member companies that are looking to hire for horticultural-related positions are posted to our trade website on the Employment Opportunities page. Most contractors work in a number of cities and towns, and not just in the area where […]
Where can I find a list of Toronto landscape contractors?
Q. I am looking for a list of landscape contractors in the Toronto area. How do I find them on your website? A. On the Landscape Ontario Green for Life website at www.landscapeontario.com, click on Choose a Professional in the top left corner and then choose Find a Professional from the drop-down menu. Choose Contractor from the drop-down menu and select Toronto on […]
Can I grow spaghetti squash in the south-end of Ottawa?
A. Spaghetti squash requires 100 days from sowing the seed to harvest. It is easy to grow in your area. Plant it in rich soil, in a sunny site, and give it plenty of moisture. Your harvested squash will keep several months in cool storage, so you’ll enjoy them right through the winter.
Will a smokebush survive in Northern Ontario?
Q. How far north in Ontario can a golden spirit smokebush survive and thrive? The tag on the plant in the nursery says zone 5, and I live in Aurora on the borderline between zone 5 and zone 4. A. You’re quite right that smoke bushes are usually listed as zone 5 trees. However, my Sudbury (350 […]
Do vines hold their leaves all winter?
Q. Can you please tell me if most vines hold their leaves all winter? We have a trellis between us and our neighbour and would like some year-round privacy. Looking for any suggestions on a nice flowering vine that keeps it leaves all year? A. Unfortunately, there are only a few vines that keep their leaves […]
Can you suggest a vine that will not attract bees?
Q. Can you suggest a vine that will grow on our pergola and will not attract bees? A. I would recommend a clematis called ‘Prairie Traveller’s Joy.’ It is very hardy, unusually vigourous, and produces small white flowers in mid- to late-summer (unlike many clematis cultivars) that do not seem to attract pollinators. It still sports […]
How close should I plant my Japanese Maple to my house?
Q. How far from the house should I plant and Emperor 1 Japanese maple, so that I do not have to worry about the roots causing a problem with the house foundation? A. Japanese maples do well when carefully pruned so can be planted just a metre from the house. The north and east sides of the […]
Can you recommend a small tree (max. 10 feet), east facing, that can withstand wind?
Q. Can you recommend a small tree (max. 10 feet), east facing, that can withstand wind? We have gone through two weeping pussy willows in the last five years. The trees flowered and started to grow leaves, then died shortly after. Unfortunately, the last few years, we’ve had warm weather, then cold, then warm, etc., […]