Latest news with #landscaping
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wet July bad news for landscaping, good news for garden centres
The wetter, cloudier and gloomier July brings a mix of good and bad news for the city's landscaping and garden centres. Friday night's rainstorm has been only one of many heavy rainy nights the city has experienced during a month usually known for its sunny days and arid climate. For garden centres, it means a dip in summer work of watering the outdoor trees and ensuring a full staff to take on plant care. However for landscaping businesses, the rainy climate means project delays and multiple stops in work, reducing just how much can get done during the industry's busiest season and how much can be earned. 'Historically, Calgary and the area has been through a prolonged drought that has lasted years,' Tricia Katelnikoff, owner of Cobblestone Garden Centre. 'So this is a big catch-up on our precipitation and we badly need it.' No shortage of rain On average, the city receives around 65.7 mm of rainfall in July but this year's precipitation has already exceeded averages with monthly rainfall totals adding up to 99.4 mm. Katelnikoff described the higher precipitation as welcome relief for the environment. 'It's going to help replenish the water table, all the reservoirs and wetlands,' she said. As the owner of a garden centre, it has also meant easier business. As an eco business, the garden centre collects its own water into a pond designed to hold several million litres. 'So this rain actually helps to fill the pond up, ' she said. 'And the point is at a level that I haven't seen for several years.' The fresh water has also improved pond quality, she added. It has also meant 'less work watering the tree lot, because nature is just doing it for us,' she said. 'And in regards to customer impact, I think the overall impression by staff and customers alike is that we are happy for this rain. We're really happy for it.' Brad Hitchings, store manager for Greengate Garden Centre, echoed the same. 'It's been great for the plant material,' he said. 'We sell outdoor trees and shrubs in our tree lot so those have to be hand watered, so when you get good douses, then the tree lot is good for a couple of days? It saved on labour and water and everything else.' Landscapers hit hard However, Nam Vu, owner of Day 1 Landscaping, said the constant rain has been a deterrent to his ability to complete projects for clients and has meant delays and income loss. 'For landscaping, this is seasonal,' he said. 'So if you lose two weeks in the summer, that's a lot.' He said he and his staff regularly check the Weather app, but there's little they can do on a rainy day. 'You can't do anything about it,' he said. Related How is July rain affecting business at large? Compared to last year, Vu said he has only been able to do half the usual amount of work this year. Satwinder Singh, who owns Great North Landscaping & Construction Ltd., said that almost every day this month has been 'off from work.' Customers usually book in advance two months ahead, but the weather has meant a lot of uncertainty around scheduling and following through. 'If the wet weather were to continue, it would mean no business, zero income,' Singh said. ddesai@
ABC News
3 days ago
- General
- ABC News
This garden was built on a small budget. Here are the key elements
How do you transform a blank-slate backyard into a plant-filled retreat when you don't have a clear plan or many resources? Jayne Varnish's inner-city Adelaide garden on Kaurna Country is a haven of plants and memories collected over almost three decades. The layout emerged organically, "I just made wavy paths and shapes around trees," Jayne says. Over time, the garden beds were filled with "foolproof plants that were easy to propagate" such as salvias and geraniums. Here's how her garden came together on a small budget and around existing trees. Wild gardens like Jayne's include a variety of textures, which come from foliage. Leaves can be plain or patterned, narrow or broad, shiny or furry, lobed or pointy. Different textures and forms create variation in light and shadows and keeps the garden interesting year-round as you're not reliant on flowers or lots of sun. "I've always loved gardens of all kinds, it doesn't matter the style as long as there's lots of texture — a mix of strappy, fluffy, and wavy things fluttering around," Jayne says. She has used a variety of materials for edging and paths, including bricks, logs, and stepping stones, to delineate zones in the garden with texture. It means she's not stuck needing to find and buy lots of the same material, rather making use of whatever is on hand. A huge mulberry tree takes up a lot of space and is the natural centrepiece of the yard and it's likely as old as the house itself. It provides plenty of fruit and the leaves become part of compost making. Being deciduous, the tree provides summer shade and winter sun for the nearby seating area. While tough, strappy plants such as clivias can survive in the ground beneath trees, Jayne has "resorted to putting things in pots there because tree roots take all the moisture." Even if you can plant in the ground, pots still have an important role to play in any garden, containing fast-spreading plants, and creating interesting vignettes with plants at different heights. This garden has never been just for people. The abundance and density of shrubbery and small flowers attracts birds and invertebrates. "I have this deep feeling that we must have more green spaces in dense urban areas. All the old houses around me are being subdivided and I feel like I need to garden for the whole suburb," she says. For the resident blue tongue lizards and geckos, Jayne saves branches from the garden or downed street trees to make sculptural lizard shelters. She has also invested in a mulcher machine to turn every scrap of wood into mulched paths. It's the perfect material for bugs and worms to live in, and water permeable to keep the soil moist and healthy below. "There's water everywhere too, we've got handmade mosaic dishes around and bird baths. We have lots of birds that come in — magpies, rosellas, a family of little yellow honeyeaters," Jayne says. Catch up on Gardening Australia's latest special 'A Passion for Plants' on iview.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Turf Management Services Updates Website to Simplify Access to Landscaping Services in Erie, PA
07/18/2025, Erie, PA // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // Turf Management Services is excited to announce the launch of its updated website, designed to simplify access to its full range of landscaping solutions for homeowners and businesses in Erie, PA. The new platform offers an improved experience, which makes it easier for customers to explore the company's services, view project examples, and request consultations. As one of the most trusted landscapers in Erie, Turf Management Services has built its name on comprehensive property care. It offers landscape design and installation, lawn care, seasonal maintenance, hardscaping, mulching, shrub and tree care, as well as snow and ice management. Whether managing a small residential yard or a large commercial property, the team brings attention to detail and a commitment to enhancing curb appeal, functionality, and sustainability. The new Turf Management Services website features a user-friendly layout that guides visitors through each service it offers. Erie property owners can quickly find the solutions they need, from routine mowing and fertilization to complete outdoor makeovers. A dedicated service area section outlines the neighborhoods and surrounding communities Turf Management Services serves, helping potential clients determine if they are within reach of the company's expert team. Turf Management Services proudly serves properties throughout Erie, including areas near well-known landmarks such as Presque Isle State Park, the Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park, and Millcreek Mall. These vibrant local spaces showcase the natural beauty of the region and inspire the company to create landscapes that complement Erie's unique charm. What sets Turf Management Services: Trusted Landscaping in Erie PA apart is its ability to provide comprehensive care throughout the year, ensuring each property remains healthy and attractive through changing seasons. The company understands that every client has unique needs and preferences and tailors its services accordingly. Its team of landscapers uses proven techniques, high-quality materials, and well-maintained equipment to enhance both the appearance and value of each property. Clients can rely on the same high standards of professionalism, no matter the time of year. To showcase the company's quality work, the new website of Turf Management Services features photo galleries of past projects, offering a glimpse of its craftsmanship. Visitors can also read testimonials from satisfied clients and use the streamlined contact form to easily request a personalized quote or schedule a consultation. With its updated online presence, Turf Management Services continues to evolve alongside the needs of the Erie community. The company remains committed to delivering personalized and reliable landscaping solutions that improve the beauty, health, and value of outdoor spaces year-round. For more information about Turf Management Services and its services, visit its updated website at About Turf Management Services Turf Management Services provides professional landscaping solutions for residential and commercial properties in Erie, PA, and surrounding areas. Its experienced team specializes in creating and maintaining vibrant and functional outdoor spaces year-round. ### Media Contact Turf Management Services 3645 W Lake Rd, Erie, PA 16505 (814) 833-8898 newsroom: Source published by Submit Press Release >> Turf Management Services Updates Website to Simplify Access to Landscaping Services in Erie, PA
Telegraph
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Giovanna Fletcher: ‘I used to get up early for my children; now I get up early for the garden'
Actress, author and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher launched her podcast Happy Mum Happy Baby eight years ago, and was crowned the winner of I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! in 2020. She met her husband, the McFly singer Tom Fletcher, at drama school; they married in 2012 and have three children. Four years ago, they moved into a country house with what she describes as her dream garden. Where do you live? About four years ago, my husband Tom, our three boys and I moved to a little village in Hertfordshire. The house used to be the farmhouse of the 'great house' next door and was built in 1710, so straight away there was a sense that we were its new custodians, as well as its owners. Things like the electricity and plumbing were quite patchy, so we did have to pull that out and start again, but I couldn't wait to turn my attention to the garden. The house has an orangery at the back and came with five acres, including a woodland, a field and a very large south-facing garden divided into different sections. At a glance, we knew the previous owners must have loved it, because it had an immaculate lawn, a large weeping willow, flower beds, hanging wisteria and lavender around the patio. What's your main interest in the garden? I used to grow vegetables in our last garden, but by the time we moved here, that had turned into an obsession, and I couldn't wait to get my hands in the soil. Having said that, not long after we arrived, a huge storm blew all the glass out of a lovely old greenhouse at the bottom of the garden. I didn't want to get rid of it, so we swapped the glass for the polythene used in polytunnels and gave it a lick of paint. The next job was to build raised beds. I'd never done this before and, while I wouldn't call Tom a keen gardener, he did a brilliant job making them. They're 60cm high to avoid at least one pest – carrot fly. Potatoes went in, then all sorts of seeds which I buy from Real Seeds and Tomato Revolution – chilli, pepper, cucumber, carrot, cherry, courgette. The funny thing is, when the kids were babies and I was up at night, I'd be looking on my phone to buy things they needed. Now, if I can't sleep, I'm looking at seed varieties! Which veg is your favourite? At the very top of my list are tomatoes and it's probably because it connects me to the Italian side of the family, particularly my father's mother, Nonna. She lived to the age of 96 and left a huge impression on me; Dad idolised her. She was born and raised in a mountain village, just outside Naples, and when she married my grandfather, she went to live with him on his farm. Then in November 1980, there was a terrible earthquake, and their village was nearly wiped out. They had to live in tents and eventually got a prefab house but still had to go up the mountain for water. Most importantly, they got a garden where Nonna used to grow tomatoes. We'd go over there in the summer just as they were getting ripe, so there were always plenty of amazing salads, but Nonna would also begin the tradition of making pots of passata which would keep for months. In memory of her, I now make it too. Do your children help you in the garden? We have three boys – Buzz, 11, Buddy, 9, and Max, 6 – so the garden is their playground, but they'll often come and see what I'm doing or help me plant something. We have a bed full of strawberry plants which they love picking as soon as they're ripe, and last summer, Max and his friend had great fun helping me pull up the potatoes. He also brought home a broad-bean plant from school, and, like any parent, I refused to let this plant die! Happily, it lived and went on to produce lots of beans which we replanted this year, so Max now has loads of broad-bean babies which he's very pleased about. I just need to find some great recipes to use them up. Did you have a garden as a child? My family lived above a café in Canning Town in East London until I was three, when we moved to Essex. We then had a garden, which was used by my brother, sister and me for bikes and paddling pools, but I also remember parading around it in Mum's high heels and fake fur coats. Then when I turned 13, we were living in a village in Essex called Ingatestone and I applied for a Saturday job at the village's family-run florist. It was the week before Valentine's and they'd just lost their bucket girl. It was mayhem! A few weeks later, it was Mother's Day, and we were inundated. It was a real focal point for the community and life's big occasions – babies, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and funerals. I loved it and stayed for four years. I only left because I got my driving licence and got a job at Debenhams in Chelmsford. Did your floristry experience give you a particular affinity for flowers? I absolutely love anything that blooms. And when we came here, we were lucky to inherit some wonderful flowers, including large peony bushes and hydrangeas which have the biggest flowerheads I've ever seen. They also turn from beautiful shades of lilac blue to powder pink. On one side, there's a small pond which looked like the perfect spot to create something new, so we got a company called Dig to help us build an herbaceous area to fill with flowering shrubs. It has a pink and peach theme and looks gorgeous. Sometimes, I wish we had a proper cutting garden. Problem is, I'd probably struggle to cut the flowers and bring them in. Is the garden home to much wildlife? In the field we have beside the house, there's a much larger pond. Next to it, the previous owners had made a sauna, and we fully intended to go in the sauna and jump in the pond every day. That didn't happen. Bit by bit, the pond was overtaken by wildlife which is wonderful. We also have ducks, as well as rescue chickens, and they love it. Next, we had newts, toads and frogs moving in, which the boys – who already have a bearded dragon lizard and a giant African land snail – go down to look for all the time. They did want us to add some big fish to the pond, and we nearly made the massive mistake of buying koi. Just before we did, Tom found out that they would have eaten everything else in the pond. Do you often find yourself 'disappearing' into the garden? I spent 11 years getting up ridiculously early to sort out the boys. Now I find myself getting up ridiculously early to water the plants. The greenhouse is slightly removed from the house, so I'll often go in there and listen to a podcast or some music; at the moment it's this lovely album by Michael Kiwanuka called Small Changes. The music and the garden just seem to transport me somewhere else. I've come to realise that gardening teaches you to stop… to calm down and switch off. As in life, the garden comes with failures as well as successes, and it's the failures that teach you resilience, perseverance and plenty of patience.
CBC
15-07-2025
- General
- CBC
Southwest Winnipeg couple sues city, neighbour and contractors over wall of earth
A southwest Winnipeg couple is suing the City of Winnipeg, their neighbour and three of her contractors over a wall of earth that divides the two properties. In a statement of claim filed July 9 with Manitoba's Court of King's Bench, Glen Hart and Dana-Lee Maeren are seeking an order to dismantle a nine-metre-tall, 120-metre-wide hill on the property to the north of their home in Winnipeg's South Wilkes neighbourhood. The couple is also seeking an order preventing their neighbour from building any similar landscaping projects. As well, Hart and Maeren are seeking damages from the city, the neighbour and the other defendants. According to the statement of claim, Hart and Maeren's neighbour hired contractors to begin a landscaping project that includes what the couple now calls "a massive hill" along their property line. "It dominates the view from the front of the Hart House, further, the Hill slopes downwards and backs onto a drainage trench, which has resulted in a large wall of mud immediately outside the Hart House," the claim states in part. The couple also claims the neighbour built the hill because she "was motivated by a personal animus for the owners of the Hart Property." Hart and Maeren claim in the statement the use of heavy machinery to conduct the landscaping operation has undermined the structural integrity of a shared lane used by both property owners. The couple also claims the City of Winnipeg failed to properly review and permit the plans for the landscaping project. Hart and Maeren are seeking damages, asserting the landscaping poses a hazard in the event of a natural disaster, a drowning risk to young children and has caused drainage problems, damage to their own property and the shared lane, according to the statement of claim. They also claim in the statement the value of their property "has been diminished as a result of the unsightly and negative aesthetic of the Hill." The allegations have not been tested in court and no statement of defence has been filed.
