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Author Archives: Heidi McLaren

Snow Clearing No Comments

November was a busy month preparing for snow clearing. We had a small dusting of snow early in the month but thanks to Mother Nature the snow has melted and we are starting with a clean slate! According to The Weather Network, Ontario should experience an average winter snow fall, but with the east coast expecting heavier than average we could easily be affected by this. With the fronts coming just a little farther west and north things could easily change for us in Ottawa.

Being prepared for our clients entails a lot of equipment maintenance and training for our employees. IMG_5192Trucks, salters, plows, tractors and snow blowers all must be ready to go. We have been working on this since late September and things are in to place. Learning the routes takes a bit of time but practice runs have been done by our new employees. Stakes are placed to help the drivers know where the edges of the driveways are as well as making it easier to identify the properties that we maintain.

For our residential clients we recommend parking your cars in your garage if at all possible and if you do not have a garage we suggest pulling your car up to the front of the driveway as far as you can. Our driver will pull as close as they can to the back of the car to clear the driveway. Returning to clear the windrow left by the city plows is completed once the city has finished plowing the neighbourhood streets. Timing for sending our crews out depends on the particular storm. If it is going to be a shorter storm we will wait until the snow finishes and then send the crews out to clear. If it is a big event with snow fall lasting over 12 hours we will do two runs. One half way through the storm and head out again once the storm has finished. All walkway clearing is done at the end of the snow fall regardless of the timing.

I was going to end with “stay warm”, but after this last few weeks, how about “stay dry”?

Clearing a driveway in Elmvale Acres

Clearing a driveway in Elmvale Acres

Employment No Comments

Lindsay Landscape is a busy, growing landscape construction and maintenance company located in Ottawa. We are always on the look out for motivated and experienced employees. IMG_2455In our industry there is a high turnover of casual labourers from year to year, as many of our summer workers are students. We are always accepting resumes for positions, including construction foreman positions. At this time we are actively seeking, for immediate hiring, the following:

Lindsay Landscape Inc. is seeking an intelligent, organized, efficient and hardworking individual with diverse landscape construction skills and experience to join our growing team.

Successfull applicants will have 3 to 5 years of landscape experience, preferably in a leadership position. Formal landscape tech, construction technology, carpentry or related trade education or certifications are helpful. The successful applicant will have a variety of landscape construction skills including (but not limited to) interlock walls/steps/patios, masonry, irrigation, fences/decks, planting, large and small grading, etc. A clean and valid G drivers license is required, and a D/Z or A/Z license would be an asset. Reliable transportation to our shop/yard is required.

This is not an entry level position and we are looking at hiring a serious, professional applications for full-time, year-round employment only. A cover letter must be submitted and references will be contacted.

You may download your resume directly through our website. Go to Contacts/Careers and fill in your information and please include your resume.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The Lindsay Landscape Team

Design No Comments

Now that the warmer weather has arrived, that project you put off last fall seems important again. We have been busy fielding calls lately from clients with lots of questions about how to move forward with their landscaping ideas.

Of course it depends on how big the project is as well as your budget but it always is a good idea to begin with a plan. Lindsay Landscape recommends a design for larger projects and we have talked about that in our blog before. You can refer to that information here:

Hiring a Landscape Designer

Sometimes an overhaul up of a garden bed is all that is required to make your space feel more inviting. There is nothing worse that sitting down with your morning coffee and feeling like you really should be weeding instead.

A few things to think about when deciding on a plan for your garden:

  • How do you plan on using the space?
  • How much work do you want to do to maintain it once it is redone?
  • Is it a sunny or shady space? If it is sunny do you want some shade?
  • Do you have a pet that shares the space? What requirements do they have?
  • Have a budget in mind.
  • Keep an open mind and be flexible.

Options are endless today. A well planned space will ensure you get the most enjoyment out of your yard, as well as increasing your property value.

Gardening No Comments

I can hardly wait to get out to the garden come spring. The cool spring temperatures mean spending time weeding and tidying up the garden is much more enjoyable. Peeking for green shoots, tender buds on the shrubbery and of course monitoring those daffodil and tulip bulbs that were planted last fall, are all what makes spring gardening my favorite time.IMG_1450

Landscape Ontario is a resource for us and as usual they have some tips here for the eager gardener: http://landscapeontario.com/spring-gardening-tips-for-eager-green-thumbs

Usually I hold off and plant annuals after the May long weekend. I prep and cut back anything I didn’t get to in the fall. This year requires some soil amendments in the veggie garden, so I will do that soon. Of course, I will be careful not to disturb the garlic that has already sprouted up 3 or 4 inches. I noticed this year that my oregano didn’t make it through the winter. I have been lucky in the past with my herbs, even having my thyme survive the winter, but not this year! I will be starting fresh with the herbs, although the chives prove to be hardy as usual!

The other disappointment in the garden this winter was the loss of 2 Dwarf Alberta Spruce trees. Last winter there was some damage but this year did them in. I will have to decide on their replacement. I look forward to a browse through the garden center!

The large garden bed on the corner that we had constructed in 2013 was finally planted last spring. I have been closely monitoring the shrubs, FullSizeRender-2grasses and the weeping crab apple, looking for signs of life or winter damage. I have noticed the lilies I planted along the boulder edge are poking up, which is a relief. I planted them a bit late last year in an effort to fill in along the edge. I’m excited to see how it will look when they start to mature.

I am a big fan of boulders in the garden. I purchased a few last season, two in particular were very large. It turns out these have become a welcome playground to my two grandkids, who enjoy climbing and jumping off in to the mulch. I am okay with that, for what is a garden if it is not enjoyed by all.

Construction No Comments

Today is the day! Although we have been preparing for the construction season for a while now, today the construction crew is starting our first project of the year.

When we start fresh each year, we have a vision of what we hope to accomplish for our clients. Maybe a beautiful new entranceway, or backyard, but we also hope we help to improve their lives. For some clients it is about taking an overgrown yard and making it more manageable for them to maintain. For others it is about safety and accessibility. Sometimes though, it is all about beauty! Everyone wants to look out and see a beautiful yard, or a beautiful entranceway when they drive up to their home. DSC_0009

The good news is that money spent on landscaping your home is a good investment. Proper landscaping can help you see a good return on your financial stake. Adding value as soon as the work is completed and which over time will appreciate. A well landscaped home will also sell faster, something to keep in mind if you are planning on putting your home on the market.

Start with a good design, keeping in mind that outdoor living is a huge trend in today’s market. Think about adding a fire pit, a dining area and remember to incorporate some shade in to the mix. DSC_0059Don’t forget to add lighting to accent key features of your yard, like a lovely weeping mulberry, a vine covered obelisk or trickling stream. Adding trees, native plants and a nice green patch of lawn all make for an inviting yard.

We are excited to get started and will share photos and videos as we progress.

Updates No Comments

February 2015 will go in to the record books for the coldest in Ottawa’s history. We also broke the record for continuous days of skating on the Rideau Canal. This may or may not be a good thing depending on how you feel about winter. Of course winter is part of the reason Lindsay Landscape exists. We spend half of the year servicing our winter clients, both commercial and residential.

That being said, we are just as excited about spring as you are. We are getting ready for the Ottawa Home & Garden Show at the EY Centre March 26 – 29. Please come and introduce yourself. We would love to talk design, gardens, patios and decks. Whatever your needs are we can help you find the right solution for your yard.

Landscape trends for 2015 include the continued desire for low maintenance gardens, high quality natural materials, versatile spaces for outdoor living, privacy planting is always a popular request and continues for 2015. This year we are also seeing the trend towards blended gardens incorporating edibles.

Stay tuned for more spring 2015 updates

education Snow Clearing No Comments

Snow shoveling can be a risky job. Every winter many people are injured while shoveling snow. Heart attacks are also common during this time as well. Some careful planning and a few safety tips may help you stay healthy. Advances in snow shovel design over the last few years have help many people who do their own snow shoveling. With a slight bend in the handle the new shovel design means you can stay more upright, putting less stress on your lower back. FullSizeRenderLarge shovels designed just to push the snow are common place and make it easier to push a larger amounts of snow. Using a smaller shovel to then throw it up on the pile. Before heading out to shovel physiotherapists recommend some doing some stretching. Working in the cold is hard on the muscles until they get warmed up. Clearing the snow in a few stages instead of waiting until there is a large accumulation, is also a good idea if possible. Also remember to drink lots of water. Even though you are probably a bit cold and drinking cold water isn’t too appealing, it is important to keep hydrated. Snow shoveling is a trigger for heart attacks. Many people just don’t think about the dangers of snow shovelling. According to Patrick J. Skerrett, editor of Harvard Health : “What’s the connection? Many people who shovel snow rarely exercise. Picking up a shovel and moving hundreds of pounds of snow, particularly after doing nothing physical for several months, can put a big strain on the heart. Pushing a heavy snow blower can do the same thing. Cold weather is another contributor because it can boost blood pressure, interrupt blood flow to part of the heart, and make blood more likely to form clots. When a clot forms inside a coronary artery (a vessel that nourishes the heart), it can completely block blood flow to part of the heart. Cut off from their supply of life-sustaining oxygen and nutrients, heart muscle cells begin to shut down, and then die. This is what doctors call a myocardial infarction or acute coronary syndrome. The rest of us call it a heart attack.”

DSCN1866

It is easy to forget how much snow we get!

So when you head out to shovel that walkway or driveway, please remember to stretch, drink plenty of water and take your time. Also consider spreading a little ice melt to keep the walks from being too slippery.

 

clearing Snow Clearing No Comments

November has been a busy month preparing for snow clearing. We had a small dusting of snow early in the month but thanks to Mother Nature the snow has melted and we are starting with a clean slate!

According to The Weather Network, Ontario should experience an average winter snow fall, but with the east coast expecting heavier than average we could easily be affected by this. With the fronts coming just a little farther west and north things could easily change for us in Ottawa.

Being prepared for our clients entails a lot of equipment maintenance and training for our employees. IMG_5192Trucks, salters, plows, tractors and snow blowers all must be ready to go. We have been working on this since late September and things are falling in to place. Learning the routes takes a bit of time but practice runs have been done by our new employees. Stakes are placed to help the drivers know where the edges of the driveways are as well as making it easier to identify the properties that we maintain.

For our residential clients we recommend parking your cars in your garage if at all possible and if you do not have a garage we suggest pulling your car up to the front of the driveway as far as you can. Our driver will pull as close as they can to the back of the car to clear the driveway. Returning to clear the windrow left by the city plows is completed once the city has finished plowing the neighbourhood streets.

Clearing a driveway in Elmvale Acres

Clearing a driveway in Elmvale Acres

Timing for sending our crews out depends on the particular storm. If it is going to be a shorter storm we will wait until the snow finishes and then send the crews out to clear. If it is a big event with snow fall lasting over 12 hours we will do two runs. One half way through the storm and head out again once the storm has finished. All walkway clearing is done at the end of the snow fall regardless of the timing.

Stay warm.

Composting education No Comments

Love them or hate them we have been forced in to using the Green Bin Program in Ottawa with the reduction of garbage pick up to biweekly. Admittedly, using the green bin is a bit of a pain, but in our house we have adjusted and jam it full every week. In the news this week, certain councillors running in the upcoming election have suggested that if they run they will end the green bin program and return to weekly garbage pick up. It has been suggested this could cost the city millions of dollars, so I suggest the we get used to biweekly pickup and using the Green Bin.

All this talk of green bins got me thinking about how I never used to compost until the biweekly pickup started, now it is routine. A few tips to help you get used to using the green bin.

1. Keep a small covered compost bin in the kitchen and line it with purchased bags or homemade liners. Like these: http://youtu.be/BfEX85V9n8w

2. In the warm weather keep meat scraps in it’s own lined bin in the freezer until pick up day. This helps with the control of maggots.

3. If you are going to be prepping a large amount of veggies and fruits at one time, prep them right on to a few sheets of newspaper, then wrap and put in the Green Bin.

Many people are still not sure what can go in to the Green Bin. You can of course dispose of the expected items of food scraps and yard waste, you can also dispose of BBQ and fireplace ashes (cooled of course), kitty litter, pet fur, hair and feathers, to name a just few items. Check the City of Ottawa website for a full list here: http://ottawa.ca/en/residents/garbage-and-recycling/green-bin-and-leaf-and-yard-waste/what-goes-your-green-bin

Naturally, as a landscape company we are keenly aware of the requirement of good organic matter for the gardens we build and maintain. As a homeowner, you can benefit directly from the city’s composting endeavors by purchasing (very inexpensively) compost which has been produced from matter the city has collected. It is a “serve yourself” at the Trail Road facility in the city’s west end.

Think green and keep on composting!

Uncategorized No Comments

At Lindsay Landscape we are often asked about building a deck or base for a hot tub. Many clients also inquire about what to look for when buying a hot tub. I decided to invite Laura from Chinook Hot Tubs and Saunas to write a guest blog to answer all your questions!

Choosing a hot tub for your backyard project

Hot tubs are designed to provide a hot relaxing soak and massage for your aches and pains. They will soothe overworked muscles, loosen stiff joints and melt away the stresses of everyday life.

There are two basic types: 110 volt (also called ‘Plug and Play’) which are plugged directly into an existing dedicated outlet; and 220 volt which are hardwired into your home’s electrical system. Either option will make a relaxing and enjoyable addition to your backyard plans.
When making the decision as to which hot tub is right for you, there are many things to take into consideration. It is important to compare your options in all the critical areas. We know the lists of specs, features, and add-ons can be overwhelming, so we have put together an inventory of the most important features to compare when evaluating the quality of any hot tub.

  • Pumps and heaters are the heart of the hot tub. The engineering of the system begins here. The size and number of pumps will dictate the configuration and number of jets and water features.
  • Jets are designed for their hydromassage capabilities. Different jet styles and jet placements provide a different massage effect.
  • Proper filtration is crucial to water hygiene. When the filtration system is designed properly it enhances your spa water quality.
  • Like a home, a good foundation is necessary to allow for a long and reliable life-span of your hot tub. Structural integrity is also needed to carry the large weight of a hot tub; hundreds of liters of water and bathers.
  • As Canadians, we all know the importance of insulating properly. Trapped air space is as crucial to efficiency as is the insulation itself. Having every component containing water kept inside the insulated space provides the safest and most energy conserving operation of your hot tub.
  • Most high quality hot tubs are made of cast acrylic sheets that resist weathering, infrared/ultraviolet radiation, staining and scratching. High gloss or textured finishes are a matter of taste rather than durability.
  • Warranty and technical service after purchase are crucial to enjoying your hot tub worry-free. Having parts and a knowledgeable technician available lets you relax knowing someone has you covered.

Established 32 years ago, Chinook Hot Tubs & Saunas is Ottawa’s oldest hot tub retailer. We are a family business that provides saunas, hot tubs and service to the capital region. Chinook will help you choose the right hot tub for your lifestyle, and we’ll keep it well maintained with our vast technical service experience. We specialize in personal service, and believe in quality; that is how we keep our customers coming back to us.