Nov. 9, 2018 – The mountain pine beetle epidemic in Western Canada is becoming critical, and the federal government needs to take action, the CBC's Paul Whittacker says. If action isn't taken soon, it will become a widespread problem throughout Canada, he suggests.

Nov. 9, 2018 – How best should fallen leaves be handled? Should they be raked, bagged, mulched or left alone? Solid arguments can be made for each approach.

Nov. 5, 2018 – The history of "the lawn" is an interesting one. The origin of a lush green ground cover dates back almost 500 years ago in Europe and has evolved over the centuries from something associated with the rich and noble to what we have today. An Orillia newspaper columnist takes a look at the lawn and how it has become commonplace yet still revered in some circles.

Nov. 2, 2018 – Sustainable landscaping practices will be discussed Nov. 13 in Lakefield, Ont. by the president of a Beaverton company that promotes sustainability. Anna Van Maris, president of Parklane Landscapes, will speak about such practices as rain-collecting rain gardens that are aimed at collecting rain water and melted snow that naturally runs off roofs and other features.

Nov. 1, 2018 – A growth potential model can help turfgrass managers make better decisions about their maintenance practices and how they should be timed. In an editorial contribution to Golf Industry Network, Jason Haines, superintendent at Pender Harbour Golf Club in British Columbia, outlines his approach toward a better means of managing his turf.

Oct. 19, 2018 – Terra Nova Landscaping of St. Albert, Alta. (https://terranovaalberta.ca/) has put together its top eight landscaping trends for 2018, noting among the hottest trends are outdoor seating and yoga spaces, native plants, mood lighting and drip irrigation.

Oct. 10, 2018 – It almost pains me to write about this in a publication read by golf course superintendents, but a recent poll of more than 1,000 Americans suggests that a certain game involving a set of clubs, a ball and 18 holes is the dullest sport to watch and the one that’s best to cure insomnia.

Better infield dust control and improved playability are the result of water cannons having been installed at all 10 ball diamonds at Moncton, N.B.’s CN Sportplexe. The completely skinned infields were notorious for the amount of dust that would be kicked up by the prevailing winds that negatively affected the way the game was played.

It’s not that hard to walk into a dealership, take a look around, and pick out one of the least expensive snow blades. It’s new. It’s made to move snow. And, the price seems reasonable.

Regular and proper maintenance of artificial turf sports fields can extend their lifespans another three to four years, giving municipalities a much greater return on their investment.

A well known and respected figure in the Canadian turf and grounds maintenance industry – and perhaps most notably as a pioneer among women – has retired from a career that spanned four decades.

Oct. 2, 2018 – An opinion piece in the Vancouver Courier suggests it's time for city residents with synthetic turf lawns to do away with them and turn toward other natural alternatives if they don't wish to maintain a natural grass lawn.

There are many types of water aeration available on the market, ranging widely in application and price. As a result we are often asked, “How do you choose what is best for me?”

Understanding how fungicides work and knowing what part of the plant should be targeted will greatly assist golf course superintendents with their spraying programs, an audience of superintendents was told in March during a Syngenta-sponsored forum in Milton, Ont.

May 31, 2018 – Landscape professionals may have more choices of plant material than they think. Many imported trees and shrubs care fare well when mixed with native species, adding diversity.

May 17, 2018 – A Kitchener-area lawn care professional says aerating and overseeding lawns is an ideal way to choke out weeds, including dandelions. An a University of Guelph academic adds that regular fertility will produce the best lawns.

May 16, 2018 – A little bit of natural precipitation over the next few days will perk up dried out conditions at the La Verendrye Golf Club near Steinbach, Man., the club's manager has said. Tank watering is being done, much to golfers' dismay.

May 10, 2018 – Drought has beset southern Manitoba, affecting everything from farm land to golf courses. Cracks in the ground at the Old Drover's Run Golf Course in Niverville clearly reveal how parched conditions have become.

May 10, 2018 – While much of Atlantic Canada has been praying for rain to go away, the opposite is true in most of Manitoba. The superintendent at Quarry Oaks in Steinbach said a dry fall followed by one of the driest Aprils on record has left the golf course thirsty.

Lawn care professionals need to get out in front of a problem before it starts, incorporating integrated pest management into their programs, an audience of lawn care practitioners attending the Ontario Turfgrass Symposium were told in February.

Sodium and bicarbonates in the soil are a “big deal” and can rob golf courses of their nutrient dollar, superintendents attending BrettYoung’s annual spring turf academy were told in March at the Links of Kent Golf Club in Chatham, Ont.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Ontario’s cosmetic pesticide ban, and some lawn care professionals are still lamenting that they can no longer use some of the pest control products they once took for granted.

Nov. 8, 2018 – In spite of the opposition of three councillors, city council in Sault Ste. Marie voted this week to pay up to $150,000 for a private driveway accessing a sod farm and landscaping business as the result of the widening of Second Line. "City taxpayers shouldn't foot the bill for this," one councillor remarked when discussing the complicated issue.

Nov. 7, 2018 – Trees destroyed by the emerald ash borer at Niagara Falls' Patrick Cummings Park in Chippawa are being replaced by new trees and a 500-square-foot pollinator garden aimed at helping the struggling monarch butterfly. Dozens of volunteers, including students and others from the community, helped city staff with the work to help the park return to its former glory.

Nov. 1, 2018 – Staff with the City of Prince Albert, Sask. have been tasked with counting the number of trees in the municipality. The strategy is not only effective for budgeting and management, but is also expected to help keep better track of Dutch elm disease.

Oct. 30, 2018 – The onslaught of the destructive mountain pine beetle has led the Canadian Chamber of Commerce to request federal funding be freed up to stop the insect's spread. The infestation is of national significance, the chamber claims.

Oct. 15, 2018 – A Calgary city councillor says a new artificial turf sports field is badly needed for the city's Genesis Centre, recommending $2 million from the city's fiscal stability reserve fund be earmarked for such a project.

Oct. 11, 2018 – An interest-free loan provided to a Stratford, Ont. soccer organization for the installation of an artificial turf field last year has prompted the city to develop a policy that governs loans to community groups. Concerns were raised after the more than $600,000 interest-free load was awarded.

Oct. 2, 2018 – The budget has been increased to complete a park restoration project in Orillia, Ont. Another $15,000 has been approved to complete the Victoria Park project that includes planting beds, an accessible ramp and interpretive signage.

Sept. 27, 2018 – The presence of weeds on roundabouts in two municipalities in the Cornwall, Ont. area has local councillors upset. The mayor of South Dundas said the roundabout in her area should be visually pleasing since it's regarded as a tourism gateway coming off Highway 401.

Sept. 24, 2018 – Plans for a $3.7-million upgrade to the sports fields at Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School in Peterborough, Ont. will be unveiled at an on-site public meeting. An existing natural grass field will be converted to artificial turf and lighting will be installed to allow additional play.

Sept. 19, 2018 – The fate of the former McArthur Island Park golf course in Kamloops, B.C. has been decided, but it's not sitting well with all parties. The city has declared the property will be turned into a multi-use space, including a site for disc golf, but it's incompatible with a nature park, says a board director with the Kamloops Naturalist Club.

Sept. 10 – Although recreational marijuana use becomes legal in Canada on Oct. 17, at least two communities in the Montreal area are taking measures to ban cannabis usage anywhere near sports fields, public parks and other green spaces. The new bylaws would fall under the same laws that prevent cigarette smoking and electronic vaping in such vicinities.

Nov. 6, 2018 – Weego's 66 Jump Starting Power Pack has been upgraded with new features, maintaining its reputation as a safe, reliable, rugged and powerful power pack among 12-volt battery systems.

Oct. 29, 2018 – The new C245 Super Boom® compact track loader from New Holland is the company's most powerful vertical lift loader that features cab comfort and visibility with a flip-top cab that is easy to service.

Oct. 26, 2018 – KIOTI's NX Series of tractors includes 14 models ranging from 45 to 60 horsepower. Equipped with the Daedong ECO Technology Common Rail Diesel Engine (CRDI), they are as eco-friendly as they are powerful.

Oct. 25, 2018 – A new hybrid energy system will help power rental companies expand their markets, cut maintenance and fuel costs, improve efficiency and reduce emissions. The technology behind POWR2's Hybrid Energy System (HES) will help extend generator life and increase resale value.

Oct. 25, 2018 – The future is green with Mean Green Mowers' new Evolution Series lithium-powered electric commercial EVO-72-inch zero turn radius mower, new for 2019.

Oct. 4, 2018 – Solesbee’s, a premier equipment and attachments manufacturer, offers its excavator Stump Puller for efficient stump removal and land clearing.

Sept. 25, 2018 – Snow-Ex has introduced on oscillating skid steer mount for its heavy-duty and Speedwing™ snow plows. The mount contributes to better scraping performance and less wear on the plow's cutting edge, and it can quickly be attached to any brand of style of skid steer loader.

Sept. 19, 2018 – As part of its initiative to bring its commercial solutions to the contractor market, Winter Equipment is announcing the launch of its V-Plow Guard system. The complete system features steel blades, centre and outer PlowGuards, hardware and installation instructions.

Sept. 19, 2018 – Used primarily to separate rocks and large debris from soil and sand, Cat® Skeleton Buckets feature heavy duty construction and find application in a number of industries, including agriculture, construction, land clearing, demolition, landscaping, and scrap handling.

Sept. 19, 2018 – Cat® Side Discharge Buckets are designed for use with skid steer loaders, multi-terrain loaders, compact track loaders, and compact wheel loaders, and collect and transport loose materials such as sawdust, sand, mulch, and topsoil and then discharge these materials via a belt-type conveyor from adjustable openings (doors) on either side of the bucket.

Sept. 14, 2018 – Foley United's ACCU-Sharp 618 gives golf superintendents and maintenance technicians a precision reel grinder that has the ability to do touch-up spin and also perform gauging and relief grinding as required.