Dec. 12, 2018 – The positive response to our first Top 10 Under 40 competition has prompted a follow-up. Turf & Rec is calling upon its readers to nominate deserving young professionals under the age of 40 who are leaders, innovators or difference makers in the industry, whether it’s the golf, landscaping, lawn care, sports turf, academic, sod growing, business or other sector.

Remember The Dating Game? If you’re younger than 50 you may not. How about Love Connection? If you’re younger than 35, you may not.

Dec. 10, 2018 – One of Canada's most renowned and important golf course architects is the subject of a new historical publication written by a Prince Albert, Sask. physician. Dr. James Harris has completed Stanley Thompson and Icons of Canada, a five-year project that delves into the life and career of the architect who designed upwards of 150 golf courses in Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and South America.

Exposure to noise, too often, is more than just annoying and disruptive – it can permanently damage our hearing. Occupational noise is one of the most common health hazards in the workplace and can affect people differently, depending on how susceptible they are.

Nov. 29, 2018 – Although golf has evolved over the past few decades as a more environmentally aware and environmentally conscious sports, few Canadian golf courses have taken advantage of the Audubon Co-operative Sanctuary Program for Golf. Slightly more than 80 Canadian golf courses – from among thousands – have joined the program.

Nov. 9, 2018 – An Elmira, Ont. landscape contractor is using technology to cut overgrowth on steep slopes without endangering his employees. Conestoga Contracting Group is using the remote-controlled Flailbot to cut in challenging areas that would ordinarily pose a safety hazard.

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.

These days, homeowners are being pulled in more directions than ever and their free time is increasingly precious. As they look at how to simplify their lives, more and more of them taking a long, hard look at their lawns – and gardening centres must therefore be ready with both good replacement options and good guidance.

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.

Dec. 13, 2018 – The first draft of a plan for a new park in Fredericton has been released. The park is slated to include a large green space, a splash pad and playground area. About five acres have been set aside for the park in an area that is currrently forested.

Nov. 20, 2018 – The Ontario government’s plan to leave all tree seed services to the private sector endangers southern Ontario species that are not commercially profitable but are critical to maintain biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, the chairperson of AWARE Essa says. The environmental group opposes the Ontario government's decision to close the Tree Seed Plant in Angus.

Nov. 15, 2018 – The Town of Osoyoos, B.C. has developed an urban forestry plan believed to be a first for the municipality. The plan highlights several benefits of trees, including environmental, social and economic.

Nov. 14, 2018 – City council in Fredericton has chosen a plan to save four more mature trees at Officers' Square than it originally intended, but the redesign of the downtown park is going to cost an additional $190,000, increasing the project's cost to $9.1 million.

Nov. 9, 2018 – A Winnipeg-area woman, told her naturalized yard violated a local bylaw, can now keep it in its current state as long as she adheres to a number of conditions. The non-traditional yard is grown to a number of native prairie grasses. It has been in place for the past eight years.

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.

Dec. 3, 2018 – Caterpillar's newest backhoe loaders provide top lifting performance, high breakout forces and improved operating comfort and ergonomics. The Cat 440 and 450 centre pivot models have recently been added to the company's backhoe loader lineup.

Dec. 3, 2018 – A municipal-quality cutting edge system extends snow blade life and decreases downtime for contractors. Winter Equipment has launched a snow plow cutting edge system designed for medium- to light-duty trucks that brings large plow technology to the contractor marketplace.

Nov. 30, 2018 – Ecolawn Applicator has introduced a new topdress attachment – the ECO 600T. The three-point hitch attachment is unique in Ecolawn Applicator's line of broadcast topdressers.

Nov. 16, 2018 – Caterpillar's recent foray into the utility vehicle market has taken another step forward. The company has since introduced its gasoline-powered Cat CUV85 and diesel-powered CUV 105 D models. 

Nov. 13, 2018 – Joining M.K. Rittenhouse & Sons Ltd.'s product line is the Ripagreen Thermal Weeding System, a high-velocity thermal weeder that uses heat to control weeds in urban and rural areas with no chemicals required.

Nov. 13, 2018 – Contractors have a new option for faster snow clearing with Toro's Power Max® HD commercial snowblowers. The Power Max HD line sets new standards for size and power and offers a range of major enhancements for increased productivity and durability.

Nov. 7, 2018 – SiteOne Landscape Supply has launched the new LESCO Smart Guided precision spray system, featuring an easy-to-install GPS that maximizes labour efficiency, minimizes application error and optimizes chemical budgets.

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.