Ecological Restoration

Our firm specializes in Landscape Design and Construction of environmentally sensitive areas. We have an extensive knowledge and experience in the following:

Native Species

We have access to one of the most extensive collections of native plants in the area. All plants are Nursery grown, not collected from the wild. We also have an excellent knowledge base and experience in the design use and cultural requirements of these plants. This enables us to use native plantings for erosion control, windbreaks and shelterbelts, naturalization projects and plantings for difficult sites. We also develop native planting schemes that attract wildlife and provide habitat for specialized species including bees, birds and butterflies.

Sand Dune Restoration  

We have extensive experience in the design and implementation of sand dune restoration projects. Sand dunes provide erosion control, flood control and provide critical wildlife habitat. As such they are becoming recognized for there tremendous value for shoreline landowners, and are now becoming regulated for protection by various governing bodies. We have worked with regulating bodies including the Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation, local Conservation Authorities, local Municipalities and landowners to conserve and enhance this dynamic beach resource.

Dune Restoration Projects have included the design and construction of beach access points through dunes, replanting of degraded dunes with native beach grasses and native dune species, and interpretive signage and demonstration projects. Our dune restoration projects have been initiated in the public beaches of the Southampton, Port Elgin and Sauble Beach shorelines as well as numerous private shoreline residences.

Schoolyard Naturalization Projects  

Our firm has been involved in the design and construction of naturalized schoolyards. Using native species in our design scheme, we incorporate natural materials, plantings and schoolyard requirements into a design that creates and/or improves wildlife habitat, involves and educates the students and improves their outdoor environment. Involving the students in all aspects of the construction phase from planting to maintenance ensures that they are active stakeholders in the project. This provides an excellent educational opportunity for the students as well as ensuring the care and perpetuity of the naturalization project.

Environmental Initiatives

We have undertaken numerous environmental iniatives in our Landscaping, Garden Centre and Botanical Gardens divisions.

Garden Centre

Our Garden Centre carries a complete line of natural and organic pest control products. We do not stock pesticides, herbicides or fungicides. Rather, we offer and encourage the use of Dormant Oils, Insecticidal Soaps and other natural pest control products. We also carry garden nematodes to control white grub lawn infestations. We stock a complete line of soil amendments, mulches and fertilizers that promote good plant health. Healthy plants are a solid preventative measure against insects and diseases.

Botanical Gardens

Our Botanical Gardens are all maintained naturally. We do not use pesticides or fungicides on our plantings. Rather, we plant naturally disease and pest resistant plant varieties. We also maintain plant vigour. Healthy plants are not prone to infestations! We also encourage wildlife diversity in our grounds and the resultant abundant birds and beneficial insects play a large role in natural pest control in the gardens. Severe infestations are dealt with using organic pest controls.

Lawns

Our lawns are not sprayed. We rely on aeration, overseeding , slow release fertilizers and proper mowing heights to ensure a good turf that can stand up to the heavy foot traffic it is subjected to.

Water Conservation

Rain barrels collect rainwater for use in the Garden Centre. Plantings are heavily mulched to conserve moisture, and the proper plants are matched to the soil conditions in the grounds. Dry soil regions are xeriscaped, wet poorly drained soils have moisture loving plants etc. Drought tolerant plants are also widely used. As a result of these practices we only regularly water new plantings until they become established.

Composting

We compost all of our personal and staff household organics, mulch all our grass clippings and the garden's leaves. These soil amendments improve our soil's structure and add soil nutrients including micronutrients that a commercial fertilizer would not supply. Our soil's moisture retention is also improved and all of these benefits improve our plant health and growth. As a result of these actions we do not fertilize any of the permanent plantings in the gardens. Annuals and potted plants are the only conventionally fertilized plantings, saving time, energy and resources.

Mulching

We mulch clients yard waste from our Landscape Construction division and use the heavy branches and limbs to construct wildlife brushpiles in the Botanical Gardens natural areas. Our landscaping division also collects leaves from local municipalities and use them as compost and mulch in our Botanical Gardens.

Stream Rehabilitation of Greenock Creek

We are involved in the Stream Rehabilitation of Greenock Creek which meanders through the Botanical Gardens grounds. This process involves planting native trees and shrubs along the creeks banks to shade and thus cool the water. This provides critical habitat for Brook Trout, which are a threatened fish species that require a coldwater habitat. Brook Trout are present and spawn in Greenock Creek so we were very keen on protecting and improving their habitat. We also ceased cattle grazing that had historically occurred on this property before we purchased it. The cattle grazed in the wetlands and creek, causing erosion, siltation and degraded fish habitat. Through a partnership with local landowners, the Ministry of Natural Resources, local High Schools and our lanscape construction team we have expanded this project downstream as well. We have rehabilitated sections of the Creek since 2002 and this project is ongoing.

All of these iniatives have contributed to the health and beauty of our Botanical Gardens and saved us time, money and energy. There has been a great environmental benefit as well. All of these gardening techniques and ideas are easily implemented in the average homeowners garden. You can improve your outdoor environment as well!