Post on 15-Mar-2016
description
Small is Beautiful
Big ideas for tiny yards
WETLAND Transformation
Soggy backyard becomes resort-style paradise
Turf war
Design Advice
Secrets from a landscape award winner
PuertoBackyarda
Creating the ultimate staycation experience
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Page 33
Page 46
Page 41
CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD MAGAZINE
CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD MAGAZINE
CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD MAGAZINE
CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD MAGAZINE
NL
the naked truth about real vs fake
8-PAGE FOLD-OUT
A Pu
blica
tion
by
N
atur
al La
ndsc
ape I
nc.
0 374470 99757
21
S/S 12
CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD MAGAZINE
CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD MAGAZINE
CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD MAGAZINE
CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD MAGAZINE
NL
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1 | SPRING 2012 | $4.95
CAN/US $4.95
Page 28
UNLIKE OTHER DECKING MATERIALS, AZEK® DECK RESISTS MOLD, SCRATCHES, AND STAINS.
AZEK Deck looks so beautiful and lasts so long, why would you ever choose anything else?
Preferred by builders across the country, low-maintenance AZEK Deck products are the
embodiment of durability. At the end of the day, all you really have to do is enjoy it.
Deck | Porch | Rail | Trim | Moulding | azek.com
Ontario’s largest and only Full Line AZEK Dealer1-866-765-AZEK (2935)sales@deckmasters.ca
Promoting excellence in Landscape Design Build throughout Canada.
Publisher/editOr in ChiefDave Maciulis C.L.D.
editOrSteve McNeill | McNeill Communications
Creative direCtOrEric Pezik | Infinite Design House Inc.
COntributOrsBeth EdneyVictorial FordJohn KernaghanSamantha Sanjuan
staff writersChristine BosanacLori SweezeyChantel Pintos
PhOtOgraPhersRoy Timm | Roy Timm PhotographyJeff McNeill | McNeill Photography
advertising salesChantel Pintos
Published by natural landsCaPe inC. President Dave Maciulis C.L.D.
Phone: (905) 627-1466FAX: (905) 627-9600Email: info@naturallandscapemagazine.comAdvertising: info@naturallandscapemagazine.com Natural Landscape is published two times a year (Spring and Fall) Single copy price is $4.95 Subscription rate: Canada - $8.95/yearUS - $16.95 USD/yearInternational - $49.95/year Printed by Best Choice Print and Marketing Solutions Distributed by Globe & Mail Also available in Chapters and Indigos accross Canada. Delivered to bookstores by Disticor Magazine Distribution Services Mail payment to: Natural Landsape Inc. 103 King Street East Dundas, ON L9H 1B9 Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. Reproduction without express written permission is prohibited.
Cover Photographer
- Rabee Younes
Cover Model
- Samantha Sanjuan
2Letter from the
PubLisherDave’s in the Garden of Eden and ready to bite
the apple.
9AWArD-WiNNiNG
ADViCeSecrets from the Duning-ton Grubb Award winner
13Not Just Your AVerAGe Joe
Featuring the real people who work behind the scenes
16WebsPirAtioN
Learn how to find what you need on the web
18bLue PLANet
Enhance your yard and save the Earth
21NAturAL treNDs
The garden accessories that make a difference
23the three rs
Landscapers go green - restoring, re-purposing
and recycling
33 FOLD-OUTbACKYArD trANsformAtioN
Wetland backyard becomes resort-style living
CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD MAGAZINE
CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD MAGAZINE
CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD MAGAZINE
CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD MAGAZINE
NL
Small is Beautiful
Big ideas for tiny yards
WETLAND Transformation
Soggy backyard becomes resort-style paradise
Turf war
Design Advice
Secrets from a landscape award winner
PuertoBackyarda
Creating the ultimate staycation experience
+
+
+
Page 9
Page 33
Page 46
Page 41
CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD MAGAZINE
CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD MAGAZINE
CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD MAGAZINE
CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD MAGAZINE
NL
the naked truth about real vs fake
8-PAGE FOLD-OUT
A Pu
blica
tion
by
N
atur
al La
ndsc
ape I
nc.
0 374470 99757
21
S/S 12
CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD MAGAZINE
CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD MAGAZINE
CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD MAGAZINE
CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD MAGAZINE
NL
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1 | SPRING 2012 | $4.95
CAN/US $4.95
Page 28
NL_Magazine_Spring_2012_Full_Book_v7.indd 1 12-03-08 8:07 AM
CONTENTS SPRING 2012 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1
NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM SPRING 2012 NATURAL LANDSCAPE | 1
FEATURE FOLD-OUT
28
25
9
25DYNAmite DiY
KitCheNWith a grill like this,
you may never want to go indoors
28the eVe of fAuX
Weighing the pros and cons between real and
fake grass
46Puerto bACKYArDACreating the ultimate staycation experience
53soothiNG AND
hYPNotiCThe recent popularity
of bamboo
41smALL is beAutifuLBig ideas for tiny yards
54bACKYArD
iNNoVAtioNsProducts that make life easier and more
pleasurable
56ALfresCo
A quirky little restaurant serves up a lush garden patio
62KNot Just DeCKsUsing new trends to
create unique outdoor rooms
FeaturesFeatures50
I must be in the Garden of Eden and I’m about to bite the apple. In just one year, we’ve achieved something heavenly – we’ve grown the magazine from our inaugural 48 pages to 68 this issue. Unbelievable.
It’s like seeing the birth of your child and then watching him or her
grow. I can’t help but have this same feeling with this little baby of
mine. I launched Natural Landscape Magazine last year as a vehicle to
educate the consumer, to promote landscape design/build and to raise
awareness about the need to deal only with certified professionals.
I believe Natural Landscape Magazine is doing that and more. And
we’re beginning to tackle some tough debates. Maybe it’s my devilish
side, but I just love to stir the pot. So, in this issue we’re taking on
a subject where both sides are claiming to be eco-friendly. We’re
examining grass – synthetic over real. It’s our cover story and we
examine why we give in to our temptations for things that are
convenient and easy. I hope you enjoy The Eve of Faux. I think
you will find some interesting pros and cons.
Our feature spread Wetland Transformation is a great tale. Here
we had a backyard prone to flooding; that was constantly wet and
almost unusable. Today the makeover is absolutely stunning –
something we’ve dubbed White Sands for its resort-like style and
the white stone used in its construction.
This issue is chock-full of other great articles and advice columns,
from landscaping small yards, to trends, to plant picks, to a little
Montreal secret – a restaurant patio that is unusual, to say the least.
Check it all out in our largest issue yet. Happy reading, and here’s
to great ideas leading to beautiful yards.
Enjoy your yard – naturally,
Dave Maciulis, CLD Publisher Natural Landscape Magazine www.naturallandscapemagazine.com
2 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE SPRING 2012 NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM
Visit us online
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FairwayBuildingSupply_Full_Spring2012_v6_Final.indd 1 12-03-06 5:48 AM
The door bell rings and Sarah eager-
ly answers to greet the architect.
Her partner, Beth, can’t wait to see
the proposed house plans that they have
waited months for.
The architect unravels the plans of
their dream home, and after two hours
of reviewing the plans and the budget,
Sarah and Beth look at each other with
much disappointment. They soon realize
that their dream is way over their budget.
Costs were piling up due to natural stone
from a stone supplier up north, a custom
deck and side cladding made from cedar
cut from the local mill, natural flagstone
porch and outdoor kitchen to match the
stone around the house.
Do Beth and Sarah have hope? They
paid for the plans they asked for, but
needed to find a builder who was willing
to help them achieve their objective with
some alternative build solutions.
They called Fairway Building Supply –
one of Canada’s largest builder suppliers.
Founded just five years ago, Fairway has
been one of the fastest growing supply
facilities in the country by providing top
quality products, exemplary service and,
above all, fairness.
“We’ve worked hard to break away
from how people perceive building
supply businesses – we’ve modernized
with leading-edge processes and sys-
tems, we’re striving to stay ahead of the
game and we’re introducing new and
better products,” says Jez Hundert, sales
at Fairway.
Beth and Sarah were given names of
reliable contractors to work with and
some worthwhile advice from Jez.
“We continuously strive to help make
the industry better,” Jez explains. “We
d e C K i n g ga r d e n wa ll s
a d V E R t O R I a L
TheFairWay Fairway BuiLdiNg SuppLy
ESTaBLiShES iTSELF aS a LEadiNg LaNdSCapE aNd BuiLdiNg SuppLiEr
4 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE SPRING 2012
value professionals who maintain their
training and improve their skills and we
seek innovations in products. When a
homeowner calls for advice, we can dis-
cuss the products they need and connect
them with a good contractor; someone
who is going to be fair and deliver what
the client wants,” he says, adding, “And
we sell to the public as well.”
Beth loved the fact that precast slabs
could easily replace the flagstone and that
the outdoor kitchen could still be built
within their budget, after the house and
landscape were completed.
Jez runs through a list of products that
have made tremendous advancements
in the past number of years which pro-
vide the homeowner with not only the
appearance of being real, but with superi-
or performance. Techo-Bloc, for example,
has stone products that look great but are
easier to install, provide a more uniform
fit and come in colours or tones that can
complement any home exterior – provid-
ing a cohesive look throughout.
The couple agreed that the cedar deck
was not something that they wanted to
maintain, so with the significant sav-
ings on the other choices they put some
money back into composite decking –
“colour ready” and no staining required.
Fairway knows as our lives get busier and
we struggle to find quality downtime,
composite products can provide a main-
tenance-free luxury you won’t find with
real wood. And unlike wood, compos-
ite products carry a warranty for years of
worry-free enjoyment.
Their hopes of achieving their goals
continued to climb as Sarah fell in love
with a stone-like product that saved a lot
of money and still had a similar look and
feel of real stone.
Lastly, Sarah and Beth went with
stucco instead of the cedar cladding. They
were impressed with the new line of EIFS
(stucco) from Dryvit, which looks like
stone, brick or granite, but provides a
better thermo rating, has a higher R-value
and will last longer.
Inside the house, even the humble dry-
wall has made some significant strides.
CGC has a new line of drywall that is
making it easier for professionals and
do-it-yourselfers to install. The secret is
each sheet is 30 percent lighter and there-
fore reduces installation time.
Sarah and Beth feel at ease that every-
thing is in financial reach and, being
proud of the big red leaf, they are happy
to be supporting Canadian companies
with most of their purchases. Close to 90
percent of the products carried by Fair-
way are Canadian made.
They are also pleased to learn their
choices of manmade products could
be considered green. Production is less
energy intensive than mining and log-
ging operations, and by locating the
manufacturing facility close to the cus-
tomer, transportation is reduced, thereby
cutting fuel emissions, Jez explains.
“We deal directly with the contractor,
but if a homeowner calls, we are here to
help. We provide expert advice and rec-
ommend only the best contractors and
trades. Our priority is customer service.
Customers depend on us to do a job – and
to do it right the first time,”
Sarah and Beth finally feel they got what
they wanted – to be treated the Fairway!
s tuCCO Pav e r s
a d V E R t O R I a L
SPRING 2012 NATURAL LANDSCAPE | 5
6 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE SPRING 2012 NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM
Landsc
ape On
tario
Live theDreamwhat to ask when choosing a landscape contractor
are you in love with the plants and flowers you see
growing green and tall — on your neighbour’s
property? Does your family need outdoor space
to play and enjoy time together? Do you have a vision for
your property, but lack confidence to take the first steps?
media celebrity denis Flanagan travels across the country, meeting
many people at home shows and gardening events, and chats
with thousands of homeowners on radio and tV shows.
through those experiences, he has collected numerous
questions and concerns about landscaping — Denis
interviews Lee ann Knudsen of Landscape ontario
horticultural trades Association for some answers.
dF: what advice could i give to new homeowners about investing in landscaping?LAK: Experts consistently say that home improvement payback is especially strong in two areas: landscaping and kitchen/bath. Land-scape Ontario members do not build cabinets, but their work really does enhance property values — a beautiful, healthy outdoor environ-ment for your family is a bonus.
dF: i know from all the questions i get at home and garden shows that people are sometimes over-whelmed. where should they start?LAK: Consumers can find a wealth of informa-tion and contacts at www.landscapeontario.com. The site is built for homeowners with plenty of province-specific plant and landscape information. Look at the Professional’s Gallery
to see hundreds of beautiful landscape ideas. Photos are searchable by keywords such as ponds or arbors. Landscape Ontario members are experts in their fields, including contracting, designers, garden centres and more.
“Find a Company” is the heart of the site. Select a specialty such as construction contract-or or garden centre and enter your postal code to find companies serving your area. Results show a list with links to profiles showing com-pany information, photos, awards and more.
dF: at a recent home show, most of the questions were about the cost of landscaping and how to get a fair price. do you recommend a strategy?LAK: I would encourage homeowners to not be intimidated about phoning a pro and asking questions. The companies listed on Landscape
NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM SPRING 2012 NATURAL LANDSCAPE | 7
Ontario’s website are true experts, and they want to listen and help. You hear from people worried about the expense of a landscape job, especially because they may have never worked with a professional before. Profes-sionals, on the other hand, are motivated to provide work that is safe, beautiful, a good value and will last for years.
dF: a young couple at a garden show this year asked me how they could be sure they were going to hire a competent contractor. how can they?LAK: Consumers can find helpful guidelines on selecting contractors at www.landscapeontario.com. You can even fill out a worksheet to rate companies by points, which takes a lot of uncertainty out of the hiring process. It sug-gests checking out specifics such as workers’ compensation and liability insurance, supplier references, skill certifications, supervisor/employee ratios and so on. Association member-ship is a great pre-qualifier; members of our association represent the most experienced, progressive, efficient and accountable green industry companies. Keep in mind, companies of all sizes can do excellent work; you are looking for one with the right resources, know-
ledge and experience to do your unique job.Always ask for more than one estimate. And
do not be surprised if the estimates vary quite a bit, even if you have exclusively asked trade association members to quote your job. Ask for references from other customers. Every-body knows that best value rarely means the lowest price, whether you are looking to buy shoes or landscaping. Talking to other home-owners, along with the rating worksheet, are your best strategies for success.
aBOVE: talented designers and contractors can literally paint your landscape with light, dramatically extending its functionality — and safety. Welwyn Wong Landscape design.
Before: a problem wet area. after: a stone-lined swale doubles as outdoor dining. Inside & Out Garden design.
the trend to outdoor rooms has not slowed. this outdoor kitchen was designed with asian serenity in mind. International Landscaping.
most enterprises have trade associations
to further their industries. Landscape
Ontario’s mission is exactly that: To pro-
mote the joys and benefits of green spaces.
many homeowners are familiar with Land-
scape Ontario as a founder of Canada
Blooms. associations providing similar
services are in place across Canada.
Bring Your Outdoor Rooms To Life.
Cooking Without Limits
For more information on Lynx Outdoor Kitchens call 1.800.268.4086. www.lynxgrills.caJoin us for our open house Saturday May 5th,10am-8pm. RSVP: www.eventbrite.com
Unit 113, 1100 South Service Road, Stoney Creek, ON. L8E 0C5. 905.643.6888www.lakeshorelivinglife.com
lakeshore living_full_page.indd 1 12-03-06 5:58 AM
NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM SPRING 2012 NATURAL LANDSCAPE | 9
By Christine Bosanac
the Dunington Grubb winning project by S. Rebelo Landscapes involved a 14-foot slope and a
client’s wish list for an eco-friendly design that maximized available space. The list included storage, a large dining area, a lounge-type seating area, a built-in barbecue, a pool with multi-purpose poolside cabana and privacy.
Major alterations required to fix the grade resulted in exposing the founda-tion of the house. Strategic installation of concrete forms and retaining walls corrected this, providing a re-contoured landscape with which to work. Adding an extensive drainage network had the added eco-benefit of saving rainwater to
use for watering the gardens.The raised deck and columns were
formed and poured with concrete and the top slab was waterproofed, resulting in a dry seating area below for lounging or dining. A space-saving spiral staircase provides access from the upper level, while cedar panels added throughout define spaces and create desired pri-vacy. Environmentally friendly LED lights accentuate key features, provide safety at night and warm the hard-scape. Integrated storage in the form of benches and cabana meets the home-owner’s needs.
The resulting landscape blends seam-lessly with the home, while the variety of materials used creates amazing visual interest.
thE OUtdOOR ROOM addItION BLENdS SEaMLESSLy WIth thE ORIGINaL hOME. ONE WOULd NEVER GUESS that It WaS addEd aftER thE fact.
CoNqueriNGthe Key ingredients tO a suCCessful PrOjeCt
Challenges
Award Winners
10 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE SPRING 2012 NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM
landsCaPe OntariO awards Of exCellenCe
Landscape Ontario’s mission is to promote the horticulture industry in Ontario and the joys and benefits of green spaces. Over 600 members of the trade association gathered in January to recognize the achievement of fellow professionals at the annual awards of Excellence Ceremony held in Toronto.
awards of Excellence for Construction, maintenance and design fall into 39 cat-egories. Following are some of the winners:
l a n d s C a P e C O n s t r u C t i O n
zAden earthworks, North YorkzAllweather Landscape, torontozArbordale Landscaping/moonstruck Landscape
Lighting, Concordzbellaire Landscape, maidstonezbenj Art inc. Landscape Architects and
Contractors, owen soundzbetz Pools, stouffvillezboffo Landscaping, maplezbruce Wilson Landscaping, KleinburgzCedar springs Landscape Group, AncasterzClintar, markhamzCypress hill Design and build, ClaremontzDA Gracey & Associates, VaughanzDeKorte’s Landscaping, fenwickzearth incorporated, torontozearthscape ontario, elmirazeco Landscape Design, st. Catharineszfern ridge Landscaping, miltonzflynn Canada, mississaugazfocus on Landscapes, burlingtonzforestell Designed Landscapes, ottawazfossil Landscapes, etobicokezGarlatti Landscaping, LasallezGelderman Landscaping, WaterdownzGreentario Landscaping (2006), hamiltonzGriffith Property services, richmond hillzheritage Green Landscape Contractors, hamiltonzhutten & Co, owen soundz JC Landscaping, boltonz Juergen Partridge, CaledonzKent ford Design Group, torontozKim Price Landscape Design, torontozKiVA Landscape Design build, fonthillz Landscape effects Group, bell riverz Leishman Landscaping, torontozm Davis Landscape & Design, richmondzNeighbourhood Landscaping, etobicokezoakridge Landscape Contractors, hannonzoutside Professional services, NewmarketzParagon Landscapes, WhitbyzPlanit Green Landscapes, AncasterzPlantenance, Dollard-des-ormeauxzPm Landscaping, thunder bayzPremier Landscaping and Design, richmond hillzPro-Land Landscape Construction, bramptonzr J rogers Landscaping, Karszryan heath Professional Landscaping, Keswickzs rebelo Landscapes, hamilton
By Christine Bosanac
for Steve Rebelo, president of S. Rebelo Landscapes, design inspiration began during childhood. Steve is a second-
generation landscaper who literally grew up learning how to landscape, to build properly and to design creatively.
and while he has enjoyed many successes in his career, winning the prestigious dunington Grubb award 2012 at the Landscape Ontario awards in toronto in January is something he considers his best accomplishment to date. this top award, for the best overall construction, requires the recipient to achieve the highest score in the combined residential construc-tion categories – no easy feat. “It’s a humbling experience to be acknowledged by your peers amongst so many entries,” Steve says.
One quote that keeps Steve motivated to grow and excel as a business owner is. “If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.”
Steve combines his years of experience and insight to answer a few questions for Natural
Landscape magazine readers:
nl What do you see as continuing or emerging trends for 2012?sr clients are looking for clean, simple, modern designs that are low maintenance and eco-friendly combined with a variety of materi-als for added interest. Outdoor kitchens and living rooms will continue to be a trend. they’re also asking for more interesting fire features. they don’t just want a fireplace; they want unique fire bowls and tables.
nl how do you see the electronic/digital times we’re living in impacting the landscape industry?sr clients are more tech-savvy today. they want to be able to see their space in two- and three-dimensional ways, not just flat drawings. SketchUp and dynaScaPE software programs provide designers with tools to convey images to clients in a better way. clients feel more comfortable when they can see virtual rep-resentations of the outcome.
nl What are some key questions you think a homeowner should ask a potential designer/contractor before signing a contract?sr homeowners should review the company’s portfolio of projects and previous clients’ references so they’re comfortable with the designer/contractor’s abilities. It’s important to fully understand the contract they’re sign-ing – ask questions about the materials and services costs, payment schedule, timelines,
s. rebelo landscapesd u N i N g T O N g r u B B a w a r d 2 0 1 2 w i N N E r
WinningadViCE
right: fIRE taBLES aRE a PREVaILING tRENd fOR 2012 aNd thE S. REBELO dESIGN fEatURES
ONE IN thE hEaRt Of thE OUtdOOR ROOM. thE taBLE aLLOWS a PLacE tO PUt yOUR
fEEt UP OR hOLd taPaS aNd dRINkS WhEN ENtERtaINING.
PhOtOS: McNEILL PhOtOGRaPhy
NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM SPRING 2012 NATURAL LANDSCAPE | 11
Canada’s bestnatiOnal awards Of landsCaPe exCellenCe
winners of the 2012 National awards of Landscape Excellence were announced during the 9th annual awards gala at the westin Nova Scotian hotel in halifax in February. The event showcased landscape expertise from around the country. the winners are:
RBC GRoweR of the YeaRsheridan Nurseries Ltd., ontario ChRYsLeR GaRdeN CeNtRe INspeCtIoN awaRdzmost imProVeD:
sheridan Nurseries (mississauga) Ltd., ontarioztoP AChieViNG: Canadale Nurseries Ltd., ontario dYNasCape awaRd of exCeLLeNCe foR LaNdsCape desIGNhighland Landscapes for Lifestyle for Wentworth Park in Nova scotia CateRpILLaR awaRd of exCeLLeNCe foR CommeRCIaL LaNdsCape CoNstRuCtIoN/INstaLLatIoN Alpha better Landscaping for Central memorial Park in Alberta CateRpILLaR awaRd of exCeLLeNCe foR ResIdeNtIaL LaNdsCape CoNstRuCtIoN/INstaLLatIoNDaccord Webster Paysage for Panorama on the river in quebec JohN deeRe awaRd of exCeLLeNCe foR CommeRCIaL LaNdsCape maINteNaNCeupper Levels Landscape management Ltd. for royal Park towers in british Columbia JohN deeRe awaRd of exCeLLeNCe foR ResIdeNtIaL LaNdsCape maINteNaNCeshades of summer Landscaping and maintenance for Attention to Detail in ontario
zshades of summer Landscaping & maintenance, milgrove
zsnips Landscape & Nursery, Wellandzst. Jacobs Country Gardens, elmirazsycamore Landscape, bramptonzthe Great Garden revival Company, markhamzthe Landmark Group, thornburyzthe Pond Clinic, ottawazthe scott Wentworth Landscape Group, PictonzVogel Landscape Design & Consulting Group,
Collingwood
l a n d s C a P e M a i n t e n a n C ezAllweather Landscape, torontozboot’s Landscaping & maintenance,
richmond hillzDr. Landscape, scarboroughzheritage Green Landscape Contractors,
hamilton
zshades of summer Landscaping &
maintenance, milgrove
zsnider turf & Landscape Care, Waterloo
zstrathmore Landscape Contractors, montreal
zthe Cultivated Garden, toronto
l a n d s C a P e d e s i g n
zbenj Art inc. Landscape zArchitects and Con-
tractors, owen sound
zCedar springs Landscape Group, Ancaster
zDr. Landscape, scarborough
zPlantenance, Dollard-des-ormeaux
zthe Landmark Group , thornbury
zVogel Landscape Design & Consulting Group,
Collingwood
zWelwyn Wong Landscape Design, ottawa
zYards unlimited Landscaping, Nepean
abOve: caScadING WatER faLLING GENtLy INtO thE POOL aLONG WIth ScattEREd PLaNtINGS at ItS EdGE hELPS tO SOftEN thE haRdScaPING.
company licences/insurance, compensation coverage for workers onsite, permits required and warranties provided. homeowners have to feel comfortable on a personal level with the designer/contractor during the first meetings. you’ll have to work together to overcome any challenges that may arise during the project and that takes clear communication, so make sure you’re a good fit before signing.
s P e C i a l a w a r d s
CaNada BLooms soft LaNdsCapING suppLIeR of the YeaR 2011: braun Nursery, mount hope
CaNada BLooms haRd LaNdsCapING suppLIeR of the YeaR 2011: Permacon Group, milton
CaseY VaN maRIs awaRd 2012, most unique & Innovative Construction entry: earth incorporated, toronto
duNINGtoN GRuBB awaRd 2012, Best overall Construction: s. rebelo Landscapes, hamilton
DESIGN. BUILD. MAINTAIN905-648-2161 gustinlandscape.com
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aVERAGE is not a word that comes to mind when you meet Craig Rogers. This 44-year-old married father of three is full of surprises and talents.
He’s the guy who people want to be around because he just oozes great energy; the guy who finds something good about every situation.
The first of two children, Craig was born in Burlington, Ontario to Butch and Donna Lynn Rogers. Craig, a Pisces, was destined to live his life in or around water. An Australian buddy appropri-ately coined his nickname Finz.
When he was a boy, he wanted to be a policeman, but he remem-bers his grandmother, the wife of a police chief, telling him: “It’s a hard life for your loved ones, kid; don’t do that to your family.” After that, he recalls simply want-ing to work very hard – like his dad. By age 13, Craig’s land surveyor father would bring him along. So there began his work ethic. Work hard, be thorough, but have fun with it. His biggest supporters throughout his life have always been his parents. Never holding him back, always supporting the exhilarating
journey his life was and still is.He began scuba diving at the age of 12 and the
family vacations in Florida afforded him every opportunity to fine-tune his talent and love for both diving and surfing. The call of “Posei-don” led the teenager to the Great Lakes, the
East and West coasts of Canada, and even Hawaii; hanging out in the places where he felt most at home in the water.
At 18, he began selling his air-brush art to help put himself through school studying graphic design. Murals, vans, t-shirts – whatever you put in front of him, he’d turn it into a masterpiece.
Skateboards, long boards and body boards; Craig rides them all. He custom-makes them too. So many talents packed into one guy.
Craig gives credit to Ted Philchuk of Blue Hawaii Pools in Port Credit for teaching him the
ropes in the pool business. They would surf the Great Lakes together. Ted offered Craig his first “pool boy” job, which would eventually lead him to open his own business, Aloha Divers Pool Service. Check out his website www.alohadivers.ca to learn more.
NOT SO aVEragEJoe Featuring the real
PeOPle who work behind the scenes to create those dream landscapes
Craig rOgers, owner of aLOha diVErS pOOL SErViCE
favOurite fOOd:
Fish tacos
favOurite PastiMe:
hanging with his 18,15 and
3 ½-year-old kids
and fishing
favOurite sPOrt:
Sup (standup paddle
boarding)
COffee:
Like his trucks – large
and black
Craig’s favOurite reCiPe
FrESh FiSh TaCOSSERVING fOR ONE
z 1.5 mahi-mahi fillets (one fillet is 4 oz)
z 1 tsp olive oil
ThE SaLSa
z ¼ med-sized tomato (¼ cup)
z 1 jalapeno pepper
z ⅛ med-sized onion (2 tblsp)
z 1 tblsp of fresh cilantro
z lime juice to taste
z 3 corn tortillas
dirECTiONS:
1. Brush fish fillet with olive oil. Grill or broil until cooked and it flakes easily with a fork.
2. chop tomato and jala-peno. Mince onion and cilantro.
3. Mix these four ingredients and flavour with lime juice to suit your taste.
4. flake fish and serve on the warmed tortillas with the salsa.
Not So Average Joe
NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM SPRING 2012 NATURAL LANDSCAPE | 13
COLOURS
Range MaRgaUX beige Range aMbOiSe beige Range newpORt gReY
new Lafitt® tandeM waLLthis revolutionary wall can be used many ways: in retaining walls, columns, double-sided walls, benches, steps, etc. it is comes in luminous colours that, more than ever, replicate the natural look of stone. the stone’s surface and edges have a chiseled look. Similar in appearance to the popular Lafitt stone, used as exterior masonry cladding.
Pillars stairs
retaining Wall Double-siDeD Wall
learn more about lafitt tandem Wall:
to receive a free installation DvD or to ParticiPate in a training session call us at 1-888-permacon.
By Samantha Sanjuan
you’ve scoured the magazine racks at the local book store, you’ve crawled the web for hours on end – all in the
name of finding your dream yard. Well, let me defrag your web skills, reformat your bookmarks and queue browsing techniques.
The web is still the richest resource to mine, but finding what you want is like look-ing for Waldo. Allow me to simplify your search with some great social networking sites that will open your eyes to some amaz-ing possibilities – Stumble Upon, Pinterest and Houzz – social networking à la mode. These user-friendly websites are designed to allow browsers creativity and personal-ization within their accounts. They can be particularly helpful for homeowners look-ing for fresh ideas in home improvement.
For the explorer, Stumble Upon: A simple toolbar interface with an end-less number of possibilities. Select your interests, click the “stumble” button and you are on your way to finding the cool-est backyard trends and innovative ideas to help build your dream home.
For the visionary, Pinterest: Let your
imagination lead the way and browse the millions of photographs uploaded daily by fellow users. You are able to make your own “boards” and “pin” pictures to them that you find interesting – Pinterest. It doesn’t get much easier than that. Caution, how-ever, this site may become addicting. For the social-savvy webmaster, Houzz: Users can collect and upload their favourite photos to their “ideabooks,” find design professionals in their area and swap tips and questions with other users. The social networking comes into play through the option to follow others’ accounts, boards and ideabooks. This is a great opportunity to see what inspires others and what is trending in the landscaping and home improvement world. Happy designing.
Online
Resou
rces
webspiration... if yOu KnOw where tO lOOK
the internet is a treMendOus resOurCe ...
www.houzz.com
www.stumbleupon.com
www.pinterest.com
16 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE SPRING 2012 NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM
Imagine the Possibilities
Grounds Keeping
Residential
Custom Design
Serving the Golden Horseshoe and GTA for 20 years. www.oakridgelandscape.com • 905.856.4569
oakridge_full_page_v6.indd 1 12-03-08 6:45 AM
BlueNow you caN eNhaNce
your yard aNd help save the eNviroNmeNt
planet
18 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE SPRING 2012 NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM
in Canada we take water for granted. It’s all around us – lakes, rivers and springs. And yet, much of the world gets by with very little. Rationing is a way of life in Africa, Australia and
many other parched continents on the planet. Canadians, on the other hand, are among the world’s highest consumers of water.
That is slowly beginning to change. We still have an abundance of water, but our social conscience is beginning to kick into gear and we are coming to the realization that as part of a global village, we need to do our part to protect the planet – including conserving water.
“The Earth is known as the Blue Planet for a reason,” says Perry Molema of Aquascape. “It’s no surprise that water is a dominant part of our every-day lives. The world’s current challenge is to improve the planet’s water quality and then maintain clean and healthy water that supports all life forms in our diverse environment.”
For this reason, Perry says he has a growing number of clients seeking infor-mation about rainwater harvesting and Aquascape’s innovative RainXchange system (www.rainxchange.com). Today, he says, his clients are forward–thinking consumers; people who are developing green habits and are cognizant of the growing scarcity of fresh water in the world. “They are also willing to pay extra to pave the way,” Perry adds.
But as this green consciousness creeps into mainstream thinking, the move-ment towards rainwater harvesting will become increasingly prevalent in our lives. From the simple (rain barrels sold at most hardware and department stores) to the elaborate (underground storage tanks) to the complex (grey water recovery systems in new homes), the signs of a profound attitudinal change are obvious.
Perry outlines some of the benefits of rainwater harvesting:z Reduce water bills, including storm
sewer charges.zAlleviate demand on municipal
systems.zAvoid strict watering schedules.z Rainwater is rich in nutrients for
healthier lawn and plants.z Reduce fertilizer use.z Rainwater contains none of the
chemicals found in tap water.When choosing a rainwater har-
vesting system there are some important
factors to consider, Perry advises. Make sure the system you select cleans and filters the water being stored to prevent stagnation and growth of unhealthy bacteria; underground storage systems maintain the integrity and beauty of your home; water that is constantly circulated and aerated becomes a sanc-tuary for wildlife; a water storage system drastically reduces the need for chem-ically-treated traditional water sources.
z 1 inch of rainfall on a 2,000 square foot residential roof generates 1,250 gallons of water
that can be reused.
zThat same roof in a region receiving 30 inches of annual rainfall generates 41,000 gallons
of reusable water.
zThe average household with a 10,000 square foot lot uses 5,000 gallons of water weekly
for landscape irrigation.
zrunning a sprinkler for 2 hours can use up to 500 gallons of water.
did yOu KnOw?
NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM SPRING 2012 NATURAL LANDSCAPE | 19
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Dealer of
• Premium Natural Stone Products.
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www.ontariostonesupply.com
OSS_quarter_page.indd 1 12-03-08 6:47 AM
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NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM SPRING 2012 NATURAL LANDSCAPE | 21
NATUR ALTrENDs
by chaNtel piNtos
Gensun Outdoor Furniture
The Lotus table and chair collection by Gensun Casual Living is just one of many distinctive outdoor living pieces they have
to offer. So take a “Lotus” off and enjoy!
~ GEnsUncasUal.cOm ~
Giardini Venti UmbrellaNo need for Gucci sunglasses when you have a Giardini Venti
sunshade umbrella. Shading more than 165 square feet of area and with the 360-degree swivel feature, you will be even cooler!
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Freek Outdoor rugs
Get your “Freek” on… the floor! Thanks to these vibrant and durable outdoor rugs you can now find your feet dancing on
ultra-soft synthetics.
~ WWW.FrEEk.nl ~
Natural Trends
regency Fire TableMove over fire pit, your
stylish cousin is here to stay! He is functional and sure to light up the night. Keep the
drinks coming on him…literally!
~ rEGEncy-FirE.cOm ~
carson rotisseriesHost a Brazilian grilling party in your own backyard this year
with this portable rotisserie. “Samba-da” wanna grill”?
~ carsOnrOTissEriEs.cOm ~
HAMILTON: 905-309-1618 GRIMSBY: 905-309-9762 OAKVILLE: 905-842-7167 www.springshowers.ca
is a family owned business that takes the utmost pride in our work. Our name has grown rapidly as a result of our prompt service and unbeatable workmanship. Our areas of service include Dundas, Ancaster, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, Grimsby, Niagara, and surrounding areas.
As a locally respected company, we are committed to continuous education, water
conservation, and total customer care. We are a fully Certified Irrigation Contractor with
membership in both the Irrigation Association and Landscape Ontario. Neither of these
qualifications are a requirement for any sprinkler company in Ontario, however being
certified has helped us provide our clients with the most professional workmanship in the
industry. In addition to excellent service and know-how, our company uses top quality Rain
Bird product that is highly recommended amongst irrigation professionals. From design
to install, we do it all. We offer free estimates and flexible pricing for your convenience.
Creating your dream, maintaining your lifestyle
Let our professionally trained staff take care of your investment so that you have the time to relax, entertain, and enjoy. We offer customized year-round property maintenance programs to suit your needs.
www.applebylandscape.com • 905.332.5423DESIGN • BUILD • MAINTAIN
Serving Burlington, Oakville and surrounding areas for over 20 years
new
restOre
Restoring is bringing something back
into use or back to its original state.
Craig Rogers, from Aloha Divers Pool
Service, does just that. He restores old
pools by installing new vinyl liners or
shining and freshening old tile or even
sandblasting concrete and then paint-
ing it with a Low-VOC product. The
idea is “to extend the life of the pool,
while preserving and protecting the
concrete below,” he says.
When considering a landscape pro-
ject, why not try restoring certain
elements and then using the money
saved towards spectacular upgrades or
professional design services?
The New 3 R’s
the 3R’slandsCaPers gO green: restOring, re-PurPOsing and reCyCling
By Christine Bosanac
recycling is more than just a trend; it’s a way of life now. and the landscaping profession is taking notice of the need to be green – putting its own twist on the old three R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle. for landscape contractors today, it’s
more restore, re-purpose and recycle. Whether installing pools, hardscapes or green materials, landscapers today are finding creative ways to incorporate green strategies into their work.
POOL REStORatION PROJEct
NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM SPRING 2012 NATURAL LANDSCAPE | 23
24 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE SPRING 2012 NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM
info@plangreenhome.com
289-339-9600
PLAN GREEN H MEYour Green Home Experts
PLAN GREEN H MEYour Green Home Experts
Greening the WorldOne Surface at a Time™
www.PlanGreenHome.com
Why go GREEN?Reduce Heating/Cooling Costs.
Reduce Sound Pollution.
Increase Air Quality and Temperature,while Reducing Green House Gases.
Collect and Save Rain Water.PLAN GREEN H ME
Your Green Home Experts
PLAN GREEN H ME
Your Green Home Experts
LIVING ROOFS | LIVING WALLS
PalnGreenHome_quarter_NLSpring12_v2.indd 1 12-03-07 8:38 AM
restOre:
Rather than tearing out your old pool, why not have a company like aloha divers Pool Service restore it to its former glory? Restoring saves money and the planet!
re-PurPOse:
check out the Earth day canada website (www.earthday.ca) to view a creative project for transforming a “junky patio set” into a beautiful piece of usable outdoor art.
reCyCle:
Recycle what you can’t repair or re-purpose. ask your landscaper where his company is sending the materi-als he removes and request that they be recycled.
reCyCle
Recycling is extracting useful materials from waste. It’s
something that most people do on a daily basis with
their blue bins, and landscapers are no exception. Steve
Rebelo, from S. Rebelo Landscapes Inc., has not only used
recycled materials when appropriate but also sends things
like concrete and green waste to be recycled. John Bos, of
BOS Landscaping, does the same and also sends wood to
be shredded into mulch and asphalt to be recycled into
new asphalt.
Applying the three R’s to your landscaping project is a
trendy way to go green. Help preserve the natural beauty
of Canada and conserve our planet for future generations.
re-PurPOse
Re-purposing is taking something
old and changing it for a new use.
There is a current trend called
upcycling, which involves rescuing
something from the garbage or the
recycling process and transforming
it into a different useful – and some-
times beautiful – object. Earth Day
Canada featured an Upcycling Challenge during 2011. The campaign goal was to
“stress the importance of re-use and waste reduction.” Visit their website to view
the good that comes from upcycling, including reducing major causes of green-
house gases such as pollution and emissions.
Landscapers are embracing the upcycling movement too. Kevin Ritskes, from
Rustic Pines, once had a client ask him to incorporate an old heating grate into a
design; he added it as a panel in a gate. Craig Rogers rescues old pool sand filters
and takes them to someone who cuts them in half, sprays them with granite paint
and turns them into planters.
To hop on the re-purposing trend, you need to get creative, review what you have
and imagine what it could be.
MEtaL GRatES USEd aS accENtS IN fENcES aNd/OR GatES.
REcycLING UNUSEd WOOd INtO NEW MULch
NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM SPRING 2012 NATURAL LANDSCAPE | 25
summer is short in Canada,
so we all strive to extend the
time we have – or at least
make the most of the out-
doors while we can. Grabbing a few
more weeks of grilling time is one of
our objectives. After all, barbecuing is
a national pastime, and when we can
extend your time at the grill – well,
that’s just priceless.
The trend today is to build a back-
yard that contains more than simply a
patio, pool and gardens. More and more
Canadians are creating outdoor rooms –
sitting rooms, entertainment areas and
the ultimate goal – a kick-ass kitchen. Russ
Springer of Legends Landscape Supply
in Burlington, Ontario, has the answer.
In fact, he’s assembled an amazing out-
door kitchen at his supply facility that
combines an easy-to-build system by
Techo-bloc with some of the best outdoor
appliances on the market from Lynx.
“Techo-Bloc has created an outdoor
Outdoor Kitchens
dyNamite KitchenDIYwith a grill liKe this, yOu May never want tO COOK indOOrs
kitchen system that’s perfect for the
do-it-yourselfer,” Russ explains. “All
you have to do is go online, select your
layout, and Techo-Bloc completes your
order and sends you the materials and
directions to put it together.”
Pairing it with a Lynx barbecue
makes your DIY kitchen professional
and long-lasting. “Both these prod-
ucts are built to last and come with
lifetime warranties,” Russ explains.
“They’re user-friendly and the Cadil-
lac of products.”
That said, they don’t come with a
hefty price tag and they give home-
owners the chance to create their
perfect outdoor living space, Russ says.
“This system means you are building
something once – and enjoying it for
a lifetime.”
want to learn how to build an outdoor kitchen that is easy to assemble, but your neighbours and friends will think you called in the professionals?
attend one of the spring and summer seminars
at legends landsCaPe suPPly.
where: 1150 heritage road, Burlington, ON
when: Saturday may 19th, 2012.
Call tO reserve yOur sPOt: (905) 336-3369
26 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE SPRING 2012 NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM
build yOur Own OutdOOr KitChen
barbecuing is a national pastime, and when we
can extend your time
at the grill – well,
that’s just priceless
a dO-it-yOurself delight
BUILdING yOUR OWN aMazING OUt-dOOR kItchEN IS aS EaSy aS LEGO WIth a cUStOM kIt fROM tEchO-BLOc.
Build foundation
Set in BBq
add the counter top
all rock is not created equal.
Great designers leave nothing to chance, especially the quality of the products they choose. That’s why more landscape architects specify Kawartha Rock. They know what
we know – all rock is not created equal. Kawartha Rock – ask for it by name. We supply stone to landscape and building architects, engineers, landscapers, large and
small landscape depots and garden centres around the corner and around the world.
www.letusrockyourworld.com1•866•503•8770
Markham, Ontario. Canada.
“when the truck pulled up I honestly thought, I’ve never seen such beautiful stone in my life.”
- Lisa P
kawartha rock_full_page_v5.indd 1 12-03-06 5:55 AM
the eVe of
Faux
The Ev
e of Fau
x
weigh the pros aNd coNs
wheN coNsideriNg real or FaKe grass
28 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE SPRING 2012 NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM
By Lori Sweezey
temptation. Since the begin-
ning of time, it’s been an issue.
Just ask Adam. It’s everywhere,
taunting us like the school-
yard bully. The thing about
temptation is that there is usually some-
thing in it for us: something enjoyable,
something that makes life easier. That’s
why we are tempted in the first place, right?
But there is always an aspect of naugh-
tiness or inappropriateness to balance the
scales of decision-making. It causes us
to ponder, to weigh the pros and cons. If
the things we were tempted about always
prompted good decisions, I guess we
wouldn’t have to feel “tempted.”
It appears we are raising children who
will grow into adults who want everything
now, and with the least amount of work.
Lazy kids, busy lives – let’s face it, we could
all use a break.
So whenever there is an opportunity to
make things a little easier for ourselves,
the temptation is just so – tempting. For
example, the hot topic in the landscap-
ing world, one which can save us time and
stop the teenagers from complaining, is
synthetic grass. No more cutting, weed-
ing or raking.
The issue is synthetic versus real, and in
our quest to save time, what are we doing
to the environment? Are we helping or hin-
dering by choosing synthetic over real?
Let’s examine the realities.
Synthetic grass has come a long way since
the appearance of its cousin “Astroturf.”
Remember when Dad took a piece of that
green grassy-like carpet and glued it down
over the cement stairs at the front of your
house? It’s so very different now, though.
After having the opportunity to set my bare
feet onto some synthetic grass recently, well,
I was astounded. Neither my feet nor my
eyes could tell the difference. I have always
been skeptical about the fake stuff, but now
I’m feeling tempted. Now I’m Adam.
It’s a very personal choice to make, but
there are several things to consider when
making your decision.
Consider this: A blade of real grass is made
up of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen
vsreal
faux
NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM SPRING 2012 NATURAL LANDSCAPE | 29
synthetiC style
Water is one of earth’s most
valuable resources and a
lawn requires an incred-
ible amount of water to stay
healthy and green. but, as
our weather patterns change
and areas of our country see
less rainfall, it is incumbent
on us to conserve whenever
we can, says todd Croden of
ez-grass.
synthetic grass saves
time, solves those shaded
situations where it is tough
to grow the real thing, elim-
inates the need for harmful
pesticides and herbicides
and reduces gas emissions
from lawnmowers.
it can also save thousands
of gallons of water each year,
he says. there may be heat
build-up, he admits, but that
can be reduced with a turf
infill product like envirofill.
fur thermore, synthet-
ic is, itself, a green product,
todd explains. it’s made from
recycled plastic bottles and
can be recycled itself – so
nothing is going into a landfill.
faux grass
yay
z Lasts for 35+ years with no maintenance
z No mowing and no gas emissions
z No watering, great in dry regions or metered water
z No weeding
z No fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides
z a piece of cake for the elderly or disabled
z always aesthetically pleasing
z No damage from root-eating critters
z Pet urine can be washed away with hose
Nay
z End-of-life decomposition. do we want this product sitting in a landfill?
z Waste from the chemical manufacturing process?
z has a hard time dissipating heat
z Greater installation expense
z does not release oxygen back into the atmosphere
z are there questionable chemicals present like silver, lead and zinc that can leach into drinking water, ponds or other water habitats? Studies are inconclusive
z Where are the robins going to find their worms?
real grass
yay
z Grass decomposes
z Beautiful when well maintained/watered/weeded
z Emits oxygen
z Provides food and habitats for insects, birds and other little critters
z Rainwater is able to soak into the ground, replenishing the water table
z can last indefinitely with a lot of tLc
z can clean and renew itself
z Is able to cool the air near the ground
z Pet urine can be hosed away
Nay
z Uses approximately 21,600 gallons of water per year
z herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers are needed
z time away from the family
z difficult for the elderly and those with physical limitations
z Gas emissions from mowers
z If grass is treated with chemicals, how does this affect children and wildlife?
z Burn spots from female dogs’ urine
and a few other micronutrients.
To make faux turf, scientists use carbon,
hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen to make nylon,
with the final ingredient being polyethylene
(which is made of only carbon and hydrogen).
Tough call.
It’s probably one of those topics that one
should never bring up at a party. Like politics
or religion. It’s just such great food for thought,
and I guess we really do have to debate it. So
go ahead. Throw it out there at the next party
you attend. Mother Nature versus technol-
ogy. The jury is still out. Research, testing and
government regulations have come to no solid
conclusions at this point. It just depends on who
you’re talking to and what team they are on.
Real grass and artificial grass are about even
from an environmental standpoint. The
Internet is a wonderful instrument to gather
information, as well as LEED (Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design) sheets, to
do your research, weigh the pros and cons, and
make sure you check with your municipalities
concerning the bylaws before installing your
faux front yard.
Continued on page 32
If a horse won’t eat it, i DoN’t WANt to PLAY oN itbase ball Pl aye r diCK alle n‘‘
‘‘30 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE SPRING 2012 NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM
NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM SPRING 2012 NATURAL LANDSCAPE | 31
he beauty of landscaping enriches the
quality of your life and enhances the value
of your property. Whether you choose to
entertain, exercise or simply escape, Beaudry
will help you achieve your outdoor sanctuary.
T
DEDICATED TO THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE S INCE 1976
Landscape. Design. Build.
905.639.65024031 Fairview Street, Suite 215, Burlington, Ontario L7L 2A4www.BeaudryGroup.com
THE ART OF OUTDOOR LIVING
32 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE SPRING 2012 NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM
a MasterPieCeDuNDAs VALLeY sChooL of Art DeCiDeD to Go fAuX With its froNt eNtrANCe YArD
Arthur Greenblatt gets the biggest kick out of watching
passersby lean over and touch his grass. “People are
having a hard time figuring out if it’s fake or real,” says
the executive director of the Dundas Valley school of Art.
the winter is the exception of course – when it’s the
only green lawn in the neighbourhood.
When it underwent a $5 million renovation last year,
the school considered whether to replace the front lawn
with turf or go out on a limb and invest in synthetic grass.
the entrance to the school was all torn up. hydro had
already removed the trees and bushes to put in a new
transformer and a trench for drainage. A large empty
space was all that was left.
“the issue was that during our summer camps we have
100 children playing on the lawn, morning and afternoon.
the grass is dead in two weeks, the children track dirt into
the school and they can’t sit in the yard,” Arthur explains.
the solution became a synthetic lawn. today the
ground provides a softer landing pad for spills and tum-
bles children take on a playground, they can sit or stretch
out in the summer sun and no more muck is being tracked
into the school.
on the financial side, while a hefty initial outlay of cash
was needed, the synthetic grass is saving the school a
significant amount in annual maintenance costs. Arthur
figures it has to be well over $1,000 a year in savings –
enough for that investment to pay for itself in a few years.
And then there are the compliments. “i get more com-
ments about the lawn than the $5 million renovation,”
Arthur laughs, adding that many elderly people walk-
ing past the school will stop to comment how nice it is
to see children playing and sitting in a well-maintained
and green yard.
how can you replace a living plant with something man-made and
argue you are saving the planet? asks Peter rauwerda, operations
manager for hamilton sod. “Aren’t we creating enough of a concrete
jungle without introducing synthetic lawns? As we strive to create
more greenbelt areas, why would we replace real grass in our yards?”
the benefits of grass include the cooling effect living plants
have, he explains. Planting trees and grass in our open spaces
help to reduce our heat pattern and keep our earth cool, he argues.
major cities in China, for example, were developing without
greenspaces and, as a result, they were becoming smog-filled
dustbowls where residents had to wear masks to avoid inhaling
polluted air. today that is being reversed. they have learned their
lesson and realized that we need natural areas to balance the
impact of progress.
Peter asks: so why are we going backwards?
in addition to its cooling effects, there is no better filtration
system for rainwater than mother Nature. A lawn will take in rain-
water, the thatch will break down the chemicals and minerals and
the root system will provide the drainage. “You can’t ask for a better
recycling source,” Peter argues.
he adds: if we are serious about shrinking our carbon footprint,
how can we turn our backs on natural grass and plants?
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226.27
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MAIN FLOOR ELEVATION228.30
228.22UPPER DECK
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B/E=226.10T/W=226.83
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EXISTING RYCBELEV = 226.13 T/W=226.83
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226.77
226.75
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226.75
226.65
226.76
226.72
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226.55
226.45
226.50
226.40226.35
225.46POOL STORAGE FLOOR 225.46
228.22
226.79226.79
226.79
226.79
226.79
226.96
226.94
226.75
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TOP C.B 228.19
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B/E=226.10
EXISTING RYCBELEV = 226.13 T/W=226.83
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B/E=226.43T/W=226.83
(226.42)
(226.32)
MAIN FLOOR ELEVATION228.30
(226.54)
(226.59)
226.77
226.75
B/E=226.44T/W=226.83
(226.7
3)
226.75
226.65
226.76
226.72
(226.59)
226.55
226.45
226.50
226.40226.35
225.46POOL STORAGE FLOOR 225.46
228.22
226.79226.79
226.79
226.79
226.79
226.96
226.94
226.75
225.70UNDER DECK ELEVATION
TOP OF C.B 226.25
TOP C.B 228.19
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LEGENDARYVISION
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Viva las vEGAS
ISSUE 2 | FALL 2011 | $4.95
THREE AMIGOSTHIS ECO LIVING TRIO ARE SHAKING UP THE LANDSCAPE WORLD
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FITNESS GURU JOHN SAVIDIS HITS THE JACKPOT WITH HIS BACKYARD
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