It is October on the west coast of Vancouver Island and the winter storm season is here in Victoria. Our tree service crew is busy addressing the many calls that come in at this time of year. Tree service calls range from a seasonal cleanup of a hedges, to pruning of an ornamental tree to [...]
Winter is here, and while Victoria enjoys a far milder winter than the rest of the country, it is not without its hardships. High winds and heavy rains can lead to limb, root and even stem failures in our urban forest. Thankfully, a little preventative pruning goes a long way to maintain the health of our [...]
I am regularly asked if we can relocate a tree or large plant. Sometimes it is possible and sometimes it is not. These are some of the more popular reasons for moving a large plant: It was originally planted too close to the building and its location is now an issue. It was not planted It [...]
I have seen quite the variety of retaining walls throughout the Greater Victoria area, some good, some very bad. What is a retaining wall? Retaining walls are usually created when there is a desire to manage or hold back soils or other hardscape materials. A retaining wall can be anywhere from 6” to in excess [...]
An Assortment of Products Available: Paver patio stones come in all shapes and sizes as well as in an assortment of materials. The majority of paver stone we see in our day to day operations is concrete pavers, probably because of the range of product available in this material. In addition to concrete, paver stones [...]
You've probably heard it said that you should take everything in moderation … or you can get too much of a good thing. But mulch is one of those things that provides benefit the more you use. It benefits your garden at every time of the year in a number of important ways Mulching in the [...]
The word 'soil' is used often in the landscape world but what exactly does that word mean? By definition, 'soil' is made up of a combination of sand, silt and clay. The ratio of each component will determine a soil's physical condition. There is 12 major textural classes of soil; Sand,loamy sand,sandy loam,loam,silt loam,silt,sandy clay,sandy [...]
With September here and fall just around the corner it is time to start preparing For issue The purchase can opinion the ever recharging perfect. the soil for the year to come. Below are some tips to ensure a healthy and productive garden for the coming year. Begin by digging in dead or diseased plantings. [...]
Back in the May/13 issue of the SeaSide Times I wrote about the benefits of mulch for your flower beds. In this post I want to touch on the importance of mulch for your lawns. For many homeowners the weekend lawn routine consists of mowing the lawn as close to the ground as possible as [...]
With the warmer weather approaching it is time to start the process of getting your lawn in shape for summer. Spring clean up is an annual ritual for many homeowners. The amount of work you have to do will of course depend on how vigilant you were in your fall lawn care. The first step [...]
When it comes to deciding on a paver patio, where do you start. Here is some important steps to consider when deciding on a paver patio; 1. In order to make the most of your outdoor space and to ensure your paving is flawless, take the time to do a little ground work before [...]
When it comes to yard care, all too many people rely on unnatural practices and products that tend to harm rather than help the environment. The fact of the matter is however that you can have a beautiful and productive yard and garden without sacrificing eco-friendly principles. The tips below will enable you to save [...]
There are many reasons why it pays to do away with harsh chemical fertilizers and learn how to maintain your lawn using organic processes. Lawns that utilize chemical sprays, weed killers and other pesticides may look inviting, but can actually be dangerous for the health and safety of humans, animals, insects and the planet. In [...]
Nowadays, it makes more sense than ever to start your own garden. Many people who have never gardened much before are beginning to see the sense in growing their own vegetables, herbs and even fruits. With grocery bills being what they are, especially when buying only organic produce, it makes good financial sense to start [...]
One thing that few homeowners think about, but that can make a huge difference to the beauty and feel of your outdoor space, is landscape lighting. Choosing the right kind of landscape lighting can have an enormous impact on how you use your space. Moreover, landscape lighting can help to improve the safety and security [...]
