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DESIGN-BUILD ISSUE TRADES LANDSCAPE
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26
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Features 16 DESIGNING ARCHIE
26 STRESS CHECK
University of Guelph's interdisciplinary collaboration brings innovative green space and wellness to campus life. BY KARINA SINCLAIR
P ractising self-care and prioritizing mental health can help business owners navigate challenging situations with clarity and calm.
20 RELIEF FOR TRADE TENSIONS
28 LET’S TALK ABOUT PRICING
F eeling the pinch of economic uncertainty? The federal government offers resources to survive the financial challenges presented by tariff threats. BY KARINA SINCLAIR
Find the confidence to raise your prices with advice from seasoned professionals. BY JULIA HARMSWORTH
ABOUT THE COVER Archie, a custom-built interior garden space at the University of Guelph, offers a sense of serenity to students and faculty. Photo by Aisha Shaikh
MAY 2025 | 3
May 2025 VOL. 47, NO. 3 LANDSCAPETRADES.COM LANDSCAPE TRADES
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Penny Tantakis CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mike Wasilewski MANAGING EDITOR, MULTIMEDIA Karina Sinclair ASSISTANT EDITOR Robert Ellidge GRAPHIC DESIGN ASSOCIATE Aisha Shaikh ACCOUNT MANAGER Greg Sumsion ACCOUNT MANAGER Liz Lant COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Angela Lindsay DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST Laura Fox
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Columns 6 GREEN PENCIL Making the most of the spring rush doesn’t have to mean running yourself into the ground. BY KARINA SINCLAIR 32 ART OF GARDENING E mphasize execution, customer service and employee care to maximize peak season sales. BY ART VANDEN ENDEN
ACCOUNTANT Joe Sabatino STAFF CONTACT INFO AT LANDSCAPETRADES.COM/CONTACT ADVISORY COMMITTEE Gerald Boot CLM , Lindsay Drake Nightingale, Jeremy Feenstra, Mark Fisher, Hank Gelderman CHT , Vanessa McQuade Landscape Trades is published by Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 comments@landscapetrades.com www.landscapetrades.com Landscape Trades is published six times a year: February, March, May, August, October and December. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One year – $46.90 | Two years – $84.74 | Three years – $118.64 HST included. U.S. and international please add $20.00 per year for postage and handling. Subscribe at www.landscapetrades.com Copyright 2025. All rights are reserved. Material may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Landscape Trades assumes no responsibility for, and does not endorse the contents of, any advertisements herein. All representations or warranties made are those of the advertiser and not the publication. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the association or its members, but are those of the writer concerned.
36 DESIGNERS CORNER Seven clever design ideas for maximizing small spaces. BY JOHN BRIGHT
39 LAWN SCIENCE G et to the root of the turfgrass controversy with research-driven insights and real-world applications. BY DR. SARA STRICKER 40 WORRY-FREE BUSINESS Adopt a “fairness-first” philosophy to foster a richer company culture. BY GEORGE URVARI 42 HEALTHY HORIZONS N ewly promoted supervisors need to understand their legal obligations around job site safety. BY JENNIFER COCCIMIGLIO Departments 8 PROFESSIONAL CONFESSIONAL 10 NEWSSCAPE 44 CNLA NEWS 48 NEW PRODUCTS 50 MENTOR MOMENT John Higo shares what it takes to build an illuminating career in landscape lighting.
ISSN 0225-6398 PUBLICATIONS MAIL SALES AGREEMENT 40013519 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT LANDSCAPE TRADES MAGAZINE 7856 FIFTH LINE SOUTH, MILTON, ON L9T 2X8 CANADA
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GREENPENCIL Know when to call it a day
BY KARINA SINCLAIR
THERE’S A RHYTHM to good work. You feel it on those days when everything just clicks — when the crew is humming, the weather is on your side and the job moves along so smoothly you start thinking maybe you could squeeze in one more task before quitting time. That’s the moment you face a choice: keep
Once you’ve got personal health and wellness sorted out, it’s time to strengthen the health of your profit margins. Julia Harmsworth asked experienced landscape designers, architects and contractors about understanding their value and building confidence to raise their prices. Check out Let’s Talk About Pricing on page 28. In addition to our already solid lineup of columns, such as Art of Gardening (page 32) and Designers Corner (page 36), I’m excited to introduce Lawn Science by Dr. Sara Stricker, a brand new column dedicated to the challenges and opportunities of turf management. With a blend of environmentalist passion and scientific rigour, this column delves into common misconceptions around grass and its role in contemporary green spaces. But wait — there’s more! We have a second new column launching on page 40. Seasoned landscape business owner and consultant George Urvari brings us Worry-free Business to explore the psychology of building better teams and processes to avoid burn out (and maybe even have some fun). This column will alternate with Growing Your Business. So, seize the moment when opportunity knocks. Say yes to the big contract, invest in training when your crew is eager to learn and take advantage of mild spring weather before summer’s furnace kicks in. But don’t confuse momentum with an obligation to run yourself into the ground. The best pros know sustainability isn’t just about plant choices or materials — it’s about energy. Your own, your team’s, your business’s. So by all means, make hay. But also, know when the work is done for the day. What’s one way you protect your energy during busy seasons? Let’s hear it. LT
pushing while things are going well, or recognize that a productive day doesn’t have to be an exhausting one. We all know the saying: “Make hay while the sun shines.” It’s classic farmer wisdom, and something I heard often growing up in a rural area. When the weather’s good, you get to work.
No hesitation, no excuses. In landscaping, it’s the same. You can’t lay pavers in the rain, and you don’t want to plant annuals in a heatwave. So when conditions are just right, you go all in. But here’s the part seldom mentioned: even farmers don’t work from sunrise to midnight every day. They know that overworking the land — or themselves — leads to diminishing returns. What I’m really trying to say is ‘care for yourself as well as you care for the plants you nurture and the landscapes you design and build.’ In this issue of Landscape Trades , we’ve rounded up advice to help you reduce stress, avoid injury and thrive during ‘go time.’ We want everyone to return home at the end of the work day with minds and bodies intact. If talk of tariffs and trade wars makes you anxious, head to page 20 to learn about some financial programs the federal government is offering to Canadian business owners and growers. There’s also some great advice from a certified psychological health and safety advisor for saving your sanity on page 26. Hint: give up doomscrolling. Everyone knows jobsite safety is priority one, but do your crew supervisors know that the law requires them to enforce this? The Healthy Horizons column on page 42 sets out expectations that help businesses build a culture where safety is top of mind.
Sincerely,
Managing Editor, Multimedia Karina Sinclair
6 | LANDSCAPE TRADES
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MAY 2025 | 7
Professional Confessional Design/Build What do you wish the general public understood about designing and building beautiful, functional and sustainable landscapes? A thoughtful design and skilled construction can transform a plain lawn into a lush landscape. The pros know bringing an outdoor space to life requires a talented and diverse team of specialists. However, misconceptions persist — like the idea that landscape design and construction are only about aesthetics, or that designing a garden with software is simple. Landscape Trades asked landscape designers and builders to help dispel myths around their professions.
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“Speaking as a landscape designer, clients may not fully understand the complexity of making beautiful, environmentally friendly, practical designs uniquely matched to the priorities of people and the special features of their site. Additionally, metropolitan areas like Ottawa contain a variety of soils (ranging from sandy to clay, silt, gravel, rocky etc.) and we have climate zones ranging from zone 4b to 5b, possibly 6a in protected microclimates — that's a very wide range of possibilities, and professional advice can be game changing!” - Martine J. “I wish the general public knew that you can't price out a job without a design in place. Being a landscape designer allows me to communicate clearly what the client gets for what they pay for. One myth I’d like to dispel about my profession is that landscaping is expensive. I’d like my client to understand that collaboration is key. The biggest challenge I face as a landscape build contractor is red tape with permitting.” - Blake T.
“So often we battle against people unaware of the cost to do the job right. They want to hire a pro because they think we get materials at a discount and offer free trucking and a magical way to get rid of soil. Unfortunately some people are unaware of the true costs for running a business and dump illegally. The playing field is full of new startups, people doing side work, unemployed who have a truck and wheelbarrow and the legitimate contractor. Each has a place but I hate wasting my time giving advice to the people who don't intend to pay the price for a good job. Working strictly by referral is helpful but limits your reach. I wish it was harder to get into our industry and for people to access products. Is it time for us to be a
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MAY 2025 | 9
NEWSSCAPE
Report offers insights into Thai ornamental horticulture trade opportunities
with a North American nation," said Suchat Chomklin, Thailand’s deputy minister of
spans 40 countries and economies, including Thailand and nine other member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). “As Canada’s ornamental horticulture industry explores new global opportunities, the Thailand Report provides invaluable insights into a dynamic and expanding market. The data and analysis presented in this report will support our members in identifying trade potential and building connections in the ASEAN region. We thank AIPH and the Horticultural Science
An industry report focused on ornamental horticulture in Thailand was published at the 2025 AIPH Spring Meeting in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), via the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA), and produced by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), the report offers valuable industry data and provides insights into potential trade opportunities with Thailand. With a population of nearly 70 million people, the Kingdom of Thailand is the second strongest economy in Southeast Asia, following Indonesia. Thailand enjoys ideal environmental conditions for producing a wide range of cut flowers and ornamental plants. Skilful growers, well-structured grower organizations, good transportation infrastructure and efficient, up-to-date production techniques are also key ingredients contributing to the success of the Thai ornamentals sector. Titled Country Profile – Thailand , the report details production and consumption of the floriculture industry in Thailand and showcases key export and import data. In 2023, Thailand’s exports of ornamental products amounted to $132 million. Orchids ranked as the most important floral export from Thailand accounting for over 70 per cent share of the total export value in 2023. By comparison, in the same year Thailand imported $43 million worth of cut flowers and $16 million in live plants and cuttings. According to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the Indo- Pacific region is Canada’s second-largest export market after the United States. It
commerce. The latest round of negotiations included meetings of seven working groups, covering crucial areas such as phytosanitary requirements, which is under the jurisdiction of the
Department of Agriculture of Thailand. Thailand is rife with opportunities for business development. While surveys reveal a demand for culturally significant plants grown in Thailand, there is also a need for quality plant material, post- harvest management and improved research to mitigate climate challenges. Consumer preferences indicate there may be opportunities for supplying new and emerging growers with nursery plant materials needed for establishing production of plants and flowers not widely available in Thailand but which are currently in demand. The Country Profile – Thailand report is available to download for free from the AIPH website.
Society of Thailand for their collaborative efforts in making this report possible,” said Victor Santacruz, executive director of the CNLA. According to the report, Canada and ASEAN began negotiations to form the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement in 2021. Several rounds of negotiations have been conducted since the agreement was drawn and it is expected that they will conclude by the end of 2025. The agreement has the potential to create new opportunities in a fast-growing market and increase Canada’s presence in the region. "Thailand fully supports the ASEAN-Canada FTA and its completion in 2025, as it will mark Thailand's first free-trade agreement
10 | LANDSCAPE TRADES
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Bobcat Company is a member of the Doosan Group. Doosan is a global leader in construction, grounds maintenance and material handling equipment, power and water solutions, and engineering that has proudly served customers and communities for more than a century. Bobcat ® , the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. ©2025 Bobcat Company. All rights reserved. | 1624 Bobcat Company is a member of the Doosan Group. Doosan is a global leader in construction, grounds maintenance and material handling equipment, power and water solutions, and engineering that has proudly served customers and communities for more than a century. Bobcat ® , the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. ©2025 Bobcat Company. All rights reserved. | 1624 Bobcat ® and the Bobcat logo are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. ©2022 Bobcat Company. All rights reserved.
MAY 2025 | 11
NEWSSCAPE
LMN and Attentive.ai announce strategic partnership
This sentiment was echoed by Shawn Prince, president of field services at Attentive.ai, who reinforced the importance of AI in reshaping workflows for landscaping businesses. “AI is no longer the future; it’s the present, and it’s set to completely change the landscaping industry,” said Prince. “Together with LMN, we’re creating a robust ecosystem that ensures landscaping businesses thrive in this ever- changing market.” The integration will enable landscape contractors to leverage AI-powered technology for instant measurements, automated material calculations and optimized estimating workflows. Customers already using both products independently have experienced significant efficiency gains, and with the upcoming integration, these benefits will be even more pronounced. The partnership will focus on developing seamless workflows between the two platforms, with the first phase of integration expected to roll out later this year. Additional features and capabilities will be announced as development progresses. www.beavervalleystone.com t: 905-886-5787 or t: 416-222-2424 A WIDE SELECTION OF NATURAL STONE AND PRECAST CONCRETE PRODUCTS • Flagstone • Masonry products • Aggregates • Bulk/bag road Salt • Retaining walls • In-Lite LED Lights • Interlocking • Accessories • Natural & Concrete Stone Veneers Main Office & Yard: 8081 Woodbine Ave. SE Corner Woodbine/407 Office & Yard: 125 Langstaff Rd E., SE Corner Yonge/Hwy 7-407 Nursery & Garden Centre: 402 Queensville Sd. Rd., Holland Landing Milliken Yard: 4266 Steeles Ave., E., N/W Corner of Kennedy Rd. Manufacturing Plant: 12350 Keele St., Maple
and simplifying estimating to providing end-to-end management tools, LMN and Attentive.ai both empower landscapers to operate more efficiently while maximizing profitability. “Our partnership with Attentive.ai represents a significant step forward in our mission to empower landscape contractors to win customers for life,” said Mark Sedgley, CEO, SingleOps and LMN. “With Attentive.ai, our customers can dramatically reduce the time spent on measurements and takeoffs while improving accuracy, and then deliver highly professional proposals through LMN using those measurements. Our integration will make this workflow even more seamless.” Attentive.ai shares this vision of transforming the landscaping industry with AI-driven automation. “Partnering with LMN allows us to deliver a one-stop solution that integrates our AI-led innovations with their industry-leading business management capabilities, setting a gold standard for efficiency and growth in the landscaping industry,” said Shiva Dhawan, co-founder and CEO of Attentive.ai.
In February 2025, Landscape Management Network (LMN) announced a strategic partnership with Attentive (Attentive. ai), a pioneer in AI-powered mapping and measurement for field service industries. Through the partnership, the companies are now working toward a product integration that will combine LMN’s comprehensive business management platform with Attentive.ai’s Automeasure product, enabling contractors to generate precise measurements and material quantities from aerial imagery and plans more quickly and easily. LMN previously announced in November of last year that it had merged with SingleOps, forming a robust business management software and payments platform serving the full-service landscaping, tree care, design/ build and snow removal industries. This partnership between LMN and Attentive.ai underscores a shared commitment to equipping landscaping professionals with streamlined solutions that address their most pressing operational challenges. From automating takeoffs
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MAY 2025 | 13
NEWSSCAPE
TO START THE SEASON WITH FOUR REASONS
New plain language toolkit helps workplaces Spell It Out for safety The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has launched Spell It Out, a new toolkit aimed at creating safer and more inclusive workplaces through plain language. In today's diverse work environments, using acronyms, jargon and complex words can create barriers and make it hard for everyone to understand important health and safety guidance, including people who are new to the workforce or those who speak a different first language. These misunderstandings may lead to confusion, errors, injuries and feelings of exclusion among employees. “Clear communication is the foundation of a safe workplace,” said Anne Tennier, president and chief executive officer for the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. “We hope to inspire others in health and safety to use plain language and affect positive change across Canadian workplaces.” The toolkit highlights the need for clear and simple communication. Key recommendations include: • Avoid unnecessary jargon and acronyms. Spell out acronyms and use words everyone understands, regardless of background or experience. • Use plain language principles. Follow guidelines that promote clarity. Use active voice, organize information logically and choose familiar words. • Create an inclusive culture. Understand that complex language can make workers feel excluded. Take steps to foster a welcoming work environment through plain language. The free Spell It Out toolkit provides practical tips and resources on how to use plain language. Sharing the videos, posters, infographic and social media posts can encourage others to adopt plain language, too. "There’s no room for confusion or misunderstanding in health and safety,” Tennier said. “With clear safety messages and guidance that are easy for everyone to understand, we can make our workplaces safer and more inclusive.” Access the resources at ccohs.ca/spell-it-out and learn more about using plain language in the workplace.
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MAY 2025 | 15
A JOURNEY OF INNOVATION, COLLABORATION AND WELLNESS ARCHIE
BY KARINA SINCLAIR PHOTOS BY AISHA SHAIKH
16 | LANDSCAPE TRADES
A t the University of Guelph (UofG), in Guelph, Ont., students and faculty know that if they need a moment of peace and serenity they can climb the stairs to a sunny corner of a hallway and visit Archie. Located at the Student Wellness Centre, Archie is not a therapist, yoga instructor or tenured professor. Archie can make you feel wrapped up in contentment nonetheless. Archie is…just that, an arch. A structure of wood beams and shelves holding a multitude of plants, while dappling the sunlight streaming through large windows. Although inanimate, Archie serves up serenity while sparking collaboration. THE SEED OF AN IDEA The idea for Archie began in 2017. John Phillips, PhD, senior design engineer of the Interdisciplinary Design Lab at UofG, saw a news article about a spherical garden, built by IKEA’s innovation hub, called the growroom. Designed to be built with a rubber mallet and simple plywood, the sphere held many plants within deep shelves. The goal was to encourage people to develop their own local urban growing projects as part of a movement toward sustainability, food security and self-sufficiency. “We immediately saw that and thought, ‘Hey, that would be an interesting thing to do as a practical design project with art students,’” Phillips said. “It was a very interesting design. It was all slot joinery, hammered together, and so we had gotten some funding to build one.” Under Phillips’s guidance, students built their own version of the spherical growroom and exhibited it at various events in Toronto, Ont., including the Royal Winter Fair and Canada Blooms. The question then became what to do next with this structure. GROWROOM V2.0 “Someone got a hold of the wellness centre on campus. It has physiotherapy and a rehabilitation centre. It's right next to the gym, and they had a nice open atrium area,” Phillips said. “Somebody contacted me and said, ‘Hey, we saw that spherical garden — is there
MAY 2025 | 17
any way you could do an install?’ So we began working with Allison Burnett, the director of student wellness.” Allison Burnett oversees the wellness services on campus, including health counselling, accessibility, sexual and gender-based violence support and other aspects related to improving the physical and mental wellness of students. “Back in 2019, we moved into this new space and we had this spot at the top of the stairs that was kind of open and looked out onto the parking lot,” Burnett said. “But it was nice and bright.” So when Phillips’s design team brought their spherical garden back to campus, Burnett asked to have it set up in the open space at the wellness centre. “We got really super feedback about it as the students enjoyed finding time and space in there just to sit and relax, feeling encased in plants,” Burnett said. “It was great, but it was also a temporary thing.” As popular as the sphere was with students, the structure didn't necessarily fit the space technically as well as it could have. “One of the ideas was, ‘Hey, wouldn't it be great if we could do something a little bit more permanent and design something that's architecturally meant to be fit for that space?’” Phillips said. Understanding how soothing the experience could be for stressed students, Burnett took the concept to the Alumni Association, who supported the idea of creating something similar, but custom, and offered funds to develop a more permanent installation at the wellness centre. “We have an amazing alumni group on campus,” Phillips said. “They're always wanting to support students, so I think that idea of being able to do something practical resonated with them.” With funding support in place, conversations around the next iteration of a growroom concept began. Rodger Tschanz, horticulture technician and instructor in the school’s Horticulture program, helped select and produce plants for the space. “We brainstormed plant selection before the structure was even built and had even started growing some of the plants we thought would be suitable in the Bovey greenhouse,” Tschanz said, referring to one of the university’s on-site greenhouses he manages. And then major global events stalled everything. Shortly after the funding was offered in early 2020, not only did the pandemic change the in-person experience at the school, but the war in Ukraine interrupted the supply chain of necessary building materials and supplies. The project was delayed a few years, and the plants that had started growing left the Bovey greenhouse to be maintained elsewhere until the project could restart. “Finally, in 2024, we got the design done,” Phillips said. “We had completed a full 3D scan of the entire area. We went to a very technical level, and every single little bolt and nut was designed. We did a lot of virtual models.” The design was finalized through collaboration with the Alumni Association. “We did some scale models of the structure, as well, to convey the idea of what it was going to look like before we even built it.” THE INTERSECTION OF ART, DESIGN AND HORTICULTURE No longer shaped like the original sphere, the project needed a new name. It was during a consultation with the Alumni Association that inspiration struck. “We had been calling it the growroom,
and then the green space,” Phillips said. “Then someone looked at the design and threw out the nickname ‘Archie.’ I was like, ‘Hey, I think that's not bad.’" Now that it’s installed, Archie gracefully softens the hard angles of a hallway corner. The minimalist style feels modern and airy. Rows of pale wood planks sweep up and over the walkway while multiple shelves create cubbies for potted plants. A curving bench anchors the structure, allowing visitors a chance to rest, reset or recover from daily stressors. Students and faculty alike are often seated there, sometimes tapping away on laptops, listening to headphones or simply watching the play of sunlight on the floor as it passes through the structure. The plants reach for the sun while also greenifying the view of the parking lot beyond. “Archie has become a focal point for the entrance way to this wellness centre. It's a place that staff and visitors gravitate towards in their spare time or in between appointments,” Tschanz said. “The structure is pleasing to look at in its own right; the plants soften the architectural edges and offer an ever-changing view to its visitors. I think this facility is well worth having on campus and will ultimately become a destination for campus tours as it becomes more established.” Burnett shares Tschanz’s enthusiasm. “I knew it was going to be successful. I knew it could have a positive impact,” Burnett said. “People come and sit. You can see it from outside, too, so it's just a nice, architecturally pleasant visual from inside and outside. And then having people like John and Rodger and I having those opportunities to bring like interdisciplines together has been fantastic. When you have these opportunities to work together, it's very meaningful in different ways and can have real positive impacts.” Phillips also commended the experience as an opportunity to bring fine art, design and horticulture disciplines together. Archie also serves as an example of what’s possible when people work together to solve a problem. “Within my design classes, I can use this as an actual place where we can go and talk about the design challenges involved in an atypical room,” Phillips explained, describing it as a journey for both him and the students involved. “Trying to fill the space, trying to look at the balance of the plants with a little bit of a sitting area so that you could take a breather. And then it's just the scope of it — the number of pieces and how you manufacture those things. It is quite advanced to do something like this.” TAKING OWNERSHIP OF CARE A structure like Archie creates the opportunity to bring more greenery to a bland, utilitarian and sun-baked space. The power of plants was noticed early on. “My students were in the lab for about a year before the project began. I had them doing investigations on different hydroponic units, or different plants that could go in,” Phillips said. “A lot of them responded that being able to take care of plants was therapeutic in itself. It was very atypical from the duties we usually do within my design studio.” However, caring for plants was exactly what other students were hoping to do. “Once the structure was installed at the Student Wellness Centre, it was ready for adding the final touches, including the plant installation,” Tschanz said. “A group of students from the campus Horticulture Club reached out to the project and indicated
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that they would be interested in helping maintain the plants growing on Archie.” That sounded like a win-win situation to Phillips. “When Rodger was able to connect us with the Horticulture Club on campus, it seemed to be the best kind of fit for an organized group to get involved,” Phillips said. “And they've been wonderful and really got excited about taking it on. They've been doing things like light readings and trying to monitor the plants and really taking it to a different pedagogical level and I'm fully supportive of that.” Phillips’s one stipulation was the plants had to look good and not harm the structure. Given Archie is made of wood, it could be damaged by spilled or standing water. He also acknowledged that it would be difficult to manage frequent watering, so that influenced some plant choices. “We tried to make it as manageable as possible so students would still be involved but not have to require too much time on their end,” Phillips said. “And that was another area for learning. I want to learn more about plants, too, and I can't wait to see what the horticultural students come up with over the lifetime of this project.” “When it comes to selecting the right plants for a location, it cannot be understated the importance of knowing well what the growing environment will be like,” Tschanz said, explaining that Archie’s hallway location has a variety of microclimates that change with the seasons. “Shade from outside deciduous trees disappears in fall. Sun angle changes. The humidity changes in the room with the switch from air conditioning to heating. Some of our plant choices worked, some didn't, but it has been an interesting real-life growing experience for the students to learn from.” THE WELLNESS FACTOR Having spent most of her career focusing on student wellness, Burnett knows bringing the outdoors in can have a positive impact on mental health. “I'm also a firm believer in using more proactive approaches to mental health as opposed to reactive. We know there's good documentation on the impacts of nature on health and well-being. When we talk about bringing wellness into planning, and specifically mental health, often those are the first things to go when budgets are tight,” Burnett said. “I would challenge people to think a little bit broader if they can, around some of the impacts that a project like Archie could have. I know money's tight. The economy is not great. But if you can, bring in some green spaces that can actually have a positive impact on people's mental health.” At its most basic, Burnett sees Archie as a space to bring people together. “We know that a sense of belonging and community is probably one of the biggest factors associated with positive mental health. So if we can help cultivate those spaces for people to come together, that’s gonna have a long, long, lasting impact,” Burnett said. “Let's be honest — the state of the world is not feeling super hopeful for a lot of people right now. For a young person, it's got to be feeling pretty challenging,” Burnett acknowledged. “Archie is serene. It's a place that's maybe not infiltrated by all the noise out in the universe. It's a quiet space. It's a place where people can reflect, or just sit quietly in a space that's lovely.” Phillips, Tschanz and Burnett would all love to see versions of Archie across the campus, and even expand to other institutions.
John Phillips, PhD., University of Guelph senior design engineer.
Burnett is confident such spaces could have a positive impact on student health over the long run, and added, “I think it is something that can be replicated in other places, you know, when we're looking at campus planning and designing spaces, bringing those kinds of elements into the planning process so that we can create more of these spaces.” Archie represents more than just plants and sleek wood shelves. At the intersection of art, design and horticulture, Archie has been engineered to provide tranquillity and community in an otherwise overlooked space. It is a solution that can fit anywhere — this Archie graces the corner of a hallway, but future iterations could bring life to neglected nooks and crannies in any type of institutional or corporate building. It is living proof that using plants to solve problems can enhance mental health and promote a sense of belonging. And other than some sunlight and water, Archie asks for nothing in return. LT
MAY 2025 | 19
20 | LANDSCAPE TRADES
Relief for TRADE TENSION
BY KARINA SINCLAIR
A s we recently marked the five-year anniversary of the arrival of COVID-19, the term “unprecedented challenges” comes to mind. The series of lockdowns and supply chain disruptions rocked the nation, and the threat of the unknown left many businesses struggling to stay afloat. Although landscape companies and garden centres enjoyed a surge in business overall — given how social distancing sparked a desire for backyard sanctuaries and plant parenthood — it’s taken all this time for the economy to settle down again. And then came a trade war, once again initiating unprecedented challenges sooner than we’d hoped. As we grappled with the on again, off again threat of tariffs in the first quarter of 2025, many professionals in the landscaping and horticultural sectors wondered how these disruptions would affect their livelihoods. Even if not directly involved in foreign trade, landscape- related businesses would potentially face higher cost of supplies, reduced availability of materials and tools, scaled back or cancelled projects, overstock of live plant goods, political unease and other impacts yet unknown. The “elbows up” rallying cry of “Team Canada” inspires patriotism, but the reality is business needs to continue. Landscapers have a short window of time for the bulk of their work, and any disruption for an unprepared business owner could spell financial struggles, layoffs or even full closures. Fortunately, the Canadian federal and provincial governments offer several measures to help businesses boost resiliency and competitiveness. These measures offer financial assistance, training opportunities and risk management tools to navigate economic uncertainty. We bring you an overview of these programs, drawing from recent announcements by the Department of Finance Canada, as well as Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), which helps create the conditions for the long-term profitability, sustainability and adaptability of the Canadian agricultural (including horticultural) sector, while mitigating risk and growing both the domestic and global marketplace. Staying informed about these programs can help businesses survive the impacts of trade tensions and position themselves for future growth. Trade Impact Program On March 7, 2025, the Department of Finance Canada announced the launch of the Trade Impact Program through Export Development Canada (EDC). The program, built on existing supports, is intended to assist exporters in navigating the challenges posed by potential tariffs and trade interruptions. The Hon. Rechie Valdez, minister of small business, said: “To Canadian small businesses: You’ve built this country’s economy. You keep our communities strong. And we will have your backs.” This is important for Canadian growers of floriculture and nursery stock who export live goods with soil. It’s been difficult to determine whether U.S. tariffs would be applied to plants. At times, the Trump administration was going to apply tariffs to all goods from Canada. That quickly changed to temporarily exclude products under the CUSMA (or USMCA as it’s known in the U.S.) trade agreement. By the time this goes to print, the situation could have changed again. The Trade Impact Program will deploy $5 billion over two years to help businesses explore new markets and manage economic uncertainties resulting from the tariffs. The program addresses issues such as losses from non-payment, currency fluctuations, cash flow constraints and barriers to expansion through the following means. continued >
MAY 2025 | 21
minimum duration of six consecutive weeks and have the potential to be extended to a maximum of 76 weeks. Eligible employers must have been operating in Canada for at least one year, and have a minimum of two EI eligible employees who agree to the Work-Sharing program. The expanded eligibility under the special measures applies to businesses (including unionized workplaces), non-profits and charities experiencing a reduction in revenue related to the tariffs. It also includes seasonal employers, as well as employees who are not year-round, permanent, full- or part- time. This program allows businesses to maintain their workforce and ensures employees continue to work and develop their skills while supplementing reduced wages with EI benefits. For more information about this program, visit: canada.ca/en/employment-social- development/services/work-sharing.html. Tariff remissions: The federal government has also outlined a framework for considering remission requests, if or when the government decides to impose tariffs on products entering Canada from the U.S. Under specific circumstances, remission allows for relief from tariff costs. This addresses situations where goods used as inputs can’t be sourced domestically, or from a non-U.S. source. It may also address exceptional circumstances that would have detrimental effects on the Canadian economy. Any request for remission will be assessed by the Department of Finance, in consultation with relevant federal departments. Only companies registered in Canada are eligible to make requests for remission. Inquiries or remission requests should be sent to: remissions-remises@ fin.gc.ca, including “U.S. Remission” in the subject line. The required template for submissions can be found on the department’s website: canada.ca/en/department-finance/ programs/international-trade-finance- policy/process-requesting-remission- tariffs-that-apply-on-certain-goods-us. html. Advance Payments Program (APP): In response to the threat of U.S. tariffs in March, Minister Lawrence MacAulay,
Loans: Recognizing the financial strain that tariffs can impose, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is offering $500 million through six-year working capital loans, ranging from $100,000 to $2 million to commercially viable businesses. The loans will also be priced favourably, at BDC’s base interest rate minus two per cent. The flexibility to postpone principal payments for up to 12 months may also be available. Business risk assessment: In addition to financial assistance, BDC provides advisory services in areas like risk assessment, financial management and HR management to improve long-term stability. This includes AgriStability and AgriInvest programs. Consultants can audit a business’s current state to identify trade vulnerabilities, and coach owners on strategies to build resilience. Even if outside forces — like trade wars or other future unprecedented challenges — turn the economy upside down, business owners can feel in control of their own destiny by being well prepared. Line of credit: Another support program for growers is available through Farm Credit Canada (FCC). The Trade Disruption Customer Support program will provide relief for viable customers and non- customers in the agriculture (including horticulture) and food sectors who meet the necessary lending criteria. This includes access to an additional credit line up to $500,000 and new term loans. Current FCC customers have the option to defer principal payments for up to 12 months on existing loans.
“We know that agriculture and food producers across Canada are bracing for uncertainty,” said Justine Hendricks, FCC president and CEO. “FCC is ready to provide meaningful and immediate support to keep the industry moving forward at this critical time.” Hendricks added FCC will rapidly deliver solutions for the industry with a focus on addressing cash flow challenges so that businesses can adjust to a new operating environment. FCC customers and non-customers should contact their local FCC office or call 1-800-387-3232. Work-sharing special measures: For working Canadians impacted by the threat or potential realization of tariffs, the federal government is implementing special measures through employment insurance (EI) and the EI Work-Sharing Program, which helps employers avoid layoffs. These special measures are in effect from March 7, 2025 to March 6, 2026. Even if not involved in import/export activities, a landscape business may still be affected by trade tensions, such as clients scaling back or cancelling landscape projects. To help those businesses keep experienced crews and avoid layoffs during periods of decreased business activity beyond their control, the EI Work-Sharing Program provides EI benefits to employees who agree to work reduced hours. All employees participating in the agreement must experience at least a 10 per cent reduction to their regular weekly earnings. Work-sharing agreements under the U.S. tariffs special measures must have a
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ALONSO WALL SKY GREY
Suitable for both walls and borders
Meet Alonso — the sleek, modern concrete block that blends strength with style. Designed to enhance any out- door space, Alonso brings clean lines and contemporary elegance to landscaping projects of all sizes. Whether used as a sturdy retaining wall or a refined border for garden beds and pathways, its versatility makes it a go-to choice for both function and aesthetic.
RINOX.COM
MAY 2025 | 23
Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced the Government of Canada will raise the interest-free limit of the Advance Payments Program (APP) from $100,000 to $250,000 for the 2025 program year. This is the portion of advances on which the Government of Canada pays the interest on behalf of agriculture producers. This includes those in the horticultural sector who grow non-food crops, such as nursery trees, shrubs and non-edible ornamentals. The Advance Payments Program offers low-cost cash advances based on the expected value of products. Since it takes time for crops to grow, it can be months before products are ready for the marketplace. This support allows producers to access necessary funds to purchase essential inputs and cover operational costs for growing crops, without the immediate pressure of sales. By enabling producers to sell their products when market conditions are most favourable, the APP helps provide relief to some of the financial challenges posed by trade uncertainties. “Raising the interest-free portion of the Advance Payments Program will give our hardworking farmers [and growers] some extra cash flow and savings as we head into the 2025 growing season,” Minister MacAulay said. “In the face of different challenges and trade uncertainty, our hardworking producers continue to show their resilience and deliver top-quality products for Canadians, and the world.” Under the APP, cash advances are calculated based on up to 50 per cent of the anticipated market value of eligible products that will be produced or are in storage. With the interest-free limit increased to $250,000 for 2025, participating producers could save up to $5,000 in interest costs. This change will represent estimated savings of up to $65 million for over 13,000 producers. Apprenticeship service and skilled trades support The Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy is a funding program that supports skilled trades workers and their employers. Although this support is not specifically in place to address the trade situation, it
can help create stability and maintain high standards in the workplace. Tuition for apprenticeship programs is subsidized to lower the barrier of entry for participants, and apprentices receive EI benefits while completing in-class training. Those in the skilled trades experience relative job security during economic downturns due to a constant need for maintenance and repair services. While a trade war creates uncertainty, becoming or supporting a landscape horticulturalist is a sound choice. For employers: The Apprenticeship Service supports employers in hiring first- year apprentices in 39 Red Seal trades, including Landscape Horticulturalist (or Horticultural Technician, as it is known in Ontario). While the program is currently under renewal, it has historically provided financial incentives to small and medium- sized employers, offering $5,000 for each eligible new first-year apprentice hired, and $10,000 if the apprentice is from an equity-deserving group. This initiative, offered through Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), aims to build a skilled, inclusive, certified and productive trades workforce, which is essential for the growth and sustainability of the green trades. The apprenticeship job creation tax credit (AJCTC) is a non-refundable investment tax credit (ITC) that allows eligible employers to claim 10 per cent of the eligible salaries and wages paid to eligible apprentices. Employers can claim a maximum credit of $2,000 per year for each eligible apprentice. Any unused credit can be carried back three years and carried forward 20 years. Individual provinces and territories may have additional financial incentives for employer sponsors, such as the Trades and Occupation Wage Subsidy Program in Northwest Territories or the Paid Work Experience Tax Credits in Manitoba. For apprentices: Apprentices also
receive support through various tax credits, scholarships and loans. Apprentices can access up to $16,000 in EI benefits, and up to $20,000 in interest-free Canada Apprentice Loans ($4,000 per period of technical training, for up to five periods). The Tradesperson’s Tools Deduction is an annual tax deduction of up to $500 to help tradespeople cover the costs of tools necessary for their trade. Again, provinces and territories may offer additional support for apprentices, such as the Graduate Retention Program (GRP) in Saskatchewan or the Office to Advance Women Apprentices (OAWA) in Newfoundland and Labrador. Visit red-seal.ca for more information about apprenticeship support. Planning for whatever comes next It’s entirely possible that the trade war situation will look completely different by the time this article goes to print — for better or worse, we can’t say. Unprecedented challenges are unpredictable like that. But having survived the COVID-19 crisis, the ensuing soft economy and the mayhem of the new U.S. administration’s first 100 days, it might be wise to assume there’s something else just lurking over the horizon. But don’t throw your hands up in despair just yet. There’s plenty to be done to strengthen your business relationships, finances, operations and resiliency before that happens. Look for future initiatives from government agencies and seek out help before you think you need it. And don’t forget to follow the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (cnla.ca) or your provincial landscape trade association for ongoing updates. Remember, the grass always needs mowing. The snow needs shovelling. And the need for serene landscapes grows greater and greater. LT
Want to know more about Canada's current horticulture trade situation? Read our supplemental overview for more context and details on our website at gfl.me/hbSI
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