Hops and Hedges

In this episode, I'm talking with Lindsey Best from EXT.tech in Ottawa and Canada. We're talking about the importance of communication, FLP (Fusion Landscape Professional program & certification), real paper books vs. digital (fyi - paper is always better!), "bottom of the barrel beers" - though - she did go on an adventure after we recorded this episode and tried one called "Naughty Octopus",...

Hold onto your hats! This is a long one but a great one. In this episode, I'm talking with Lindsey Ross from Living Green Landscaping Inc. We're talking about that time we were all navigating the workplace during COVID, the incredible support within the Peer to Peer network within Landscape Ontario, his crazy journey into landscaping, hourly wage, managing burnout and of course - BEER! BEE...

In this episode, I'm talking with Will Joyce from Cudmore’s Landscape & Design Ltd. in Oakville, Ontario. We're talking about the importance of storm water management, being a 2nd generation family business owner, his family cottage in Coboconk, aka 'Cobby' ON. (very fun word to say), KSMI weather app, connecting younger kids to our profession, "Chaos Gardening" and o...

In this episode, I'm talking with George Uvari from Knowledge Tree Consulting and Oriole Landscaping (Retired) in Toronto, Ontario. We're talking about the importance of mentorship, learning from your mistakes and the mistakes of others, altruism, his passion and gratitude for Landscape Ontario and all the members and culture, the facility tours, his consulting business, helping people opt...

In this episode, I'm talking with Matt McFarland of The Growing Season in Bolton, ON. We're talking with this very entertaining, self-identified "Bolton Boy", podcast and radio show host about working with his dad, drafting landscape designs as young as the age of six, studying at Humber, finding his own way, and of course - BEER! BEERS etc.: Glenlivet Scotch Whiskey 14 (or 18) a...

In this episode, I'm talking with Art Vanden Enden in Oshawa, Ontario. We're talking about his 44 years in garden retail, his work with Landscape Ontario, "the Art of Gardening", writing for the Landscape Trades magazine, his 25 years with Wheel & Cullen and then with Sheridan Nurseries, microbreweries, visiting keukenhof gardens in the Netherlands and of course - BEER! BEERS...

In this episode, I'm talking with Ranger Emily Febrey from London, ON. We're talking about her tv show "Learn with Ranger Em" (going into it's 5th season!), her love for the outdoors, environmental stewardship, Environmental Design, connecting kids to nature, and of course - BEER! BEERS: Michelob Ultra Life in the Clouds by Collective Arts Horizon by Canvas Brewing Tesla'...

In this episode, I'm talking with David Hobson in Waterloo, ON. We're talking about his experience gardening, writing for the Waterloo Region Record, the Facebook Group "Grand Gardeners" (make sure to join it is AWESOME!), Gardens in the the UK, DavidHobson.ca (blogs), Gardeners World & Monty Don, the Chelsea Flower Show and of course - BEER! BEERS: Guinness Juiced Seagull Wh...

In this episode, I'm talking with Paul Doornbos from Thornbusch Landscaping in Lansdowne, ON. We're talking about his installation and maintenance business, getting incorporated, investing in equipment to make jobs easier to do, his Austrian shepherds, succession planning and of course - LOT OF BEER! BEERS: Guinness 40 Creek Rye Cowbell's Sunsplash IPA (Blyth, ON.) Todd is an Absolute...

In this episode, I'm talking with Mike Norris from Designated Drinks in London, Ontario. We're talking about his non-alcoholic beer store, moving from a garage and living room to a warehouse, making the switch over to non-alc beers, educating others using his own story, leaving the 9-5 to be a full-time entrepreneur and of course - LOT OF BEER! BEERS: Free "Dented Beer" Partake H...

In this episode, I'm talking with Lynzee Bewcyk from Foodscape Gardens in Nelson, BC. We're talking about her experience helping homeowners grow their own food, apple picking in Tasmania, cultivating patience, being a garden educator in Tofino, smelly mushrooms (Devil's Stinkhorn), lasagna gardening and of course - BEER! BEERS: Non-Alc beers: Sunsetter Peach Wheat Ale by Stanley Park B...

In this episode, I'm talking with Laurie-Ann Stuart (affectionately known by many as "LA") of LA Gardens in Barrie/Innisfil, ON. This episode we're talking about Landscape Ontario Congress, travelling to see gardens, finding a sense of belonging in the Landscape Profession, being a farm girl, forest bathing, and of course - BEER! BEERS: Eden Grove (Zero Carb) Dry Cider The Mutant...

In this episode, I'm talking with Joe Salemi CAE, Executive Director at Landscape Ontario in Milton, ON. This episode we're talking about his 22+ years experience with Landscape Ontario, his time with Dynascape and the CNLA, never saying "no" to the right opportunities, hosting "Happy Hour Fridays" at work during the pandemic, so much more and of course - BEER! BEERS: I...

In this episode, I'm talking with YOU...or am I talking to myself? Yup - it's just me this time celebrating the mid-way point through this first season of "Hops & Hedges".  It has been a ride! I am so grateful to all the people who have reached out in support or who have come on the show to share their experiences, lessons and stories. I am a Landscape Designer at My Landscap...

In this episode, I'm talking with the ever-fabulous (and one of my personal mentors) Lindsay Drake Nightingale from Yorkshire Garden Services Inc (22 years in business!) in Concord, ON. We're talking about her presidency with Landscape Ontario, her shift from working in the not-for-profit world to owning a landscape business, how the people along your path influence you and project you for...

In this episode, I'm talking with Amy Fedele from Pretty Purple Door (you have GOT to check her out on Instagram!) based out of Northeastern Pennsylvania! We're talking about her awesome marketing and branding, her online teachings/resources and ebooks, her Youtube channel, content creation, making landscape design accessible, Blue microphones, and of course - BEER! BEERS: Watermelon Beet...

In this episode, I'm talking with Jonas Spring, owner of Ecoman & the Toronto Plant Market in - you guessed it - Toronto Ontario. We're talking about his landscaping and garden business (20 years in business!), his retail native plant operation called the "Toronto Plant Market", arranging the plants in the garden center by their ecological region/reference or ideal growing conditions INCLUDING hou...

In this episode, I'm talking with fellow entrepreneur and business owner - Melissa V from Melissa V. Photography & Planning in Belmont, Ontario, CANADA. For something a little different - Melissa doesn't own a landscaping business AND she doesn't drink beer - CRAZY! Yet I am so glad she reached out to me to talk about gardening, being an entrepreneur (and the supportive partners we...

In this episode, I'm talking with Blake Tubby from Arbordale Landscaping in Vaughn/Concord & Toronto Ontario. We're talking about how his parents started the company in 1981, Humber College, serving your "niche", working with subcontractors to complete projects, and of course - BEER! BEERS: Heineken (old ye faithful) Red Wines (California Cab Sauvs, Silk Road & Italian pr...

In this episode, I'm talking with Ed Hansen from Landscape Ontario, EXT.tech, TEC Canada and others centered in Ottawa, Ontario. We're talking about time planning, prioritizing the important stuff, his journey to becoming the President of Landscape Ontario, Green Melon branding, how entrepreneurs don't fit in the "box", asking for help, community and of course - BEER! BEERS:...

In this episode, I'm talking with Almas Khalam from Truleaf Garden Consulting in Brantford, Ontario. We're talking about Planting Seeds, Vegetable Gardens, Edibles, Herbs, Floral Design, growing your own food, Radishes and Lettuce, coming to Canada from India, "London Fog", Tea and of course - BEER (though not really...in this episode)! BEERS: *NOT THIS TIME* Kraken Rum from Prox...

In this episode, I'm talking with Adam Braun from Belleview Landscapes based in Cambridge, Ontario. In spite of some technical difficulties, we talk about Hardscaping, Sustainable Softscaping, Natural Materials, Biophilic Design, Native Plants, and of course - BEER! BEERS: Sunkiss NEIPA by Jackass Brewing Van Full of Wierdos by Refined Fool Tracksuit Smash IPA by Refined Fool BOOK RECOMMENDATI...

In this episode, I'm talking with Joanne Shaw from Down2Earth Landscape Design and Host of the "Down the Garden Path" Podcast based in Pickering, Ontario. We talk about her start into the world of Landscape and landscape design, her podcast which she started as a radio show in 2013, her landscape design business, air plants, her book "Down the Garden Path: A Step by Step Guide t...

In this episode, I'm talking with the infamous Terry Childs from Nature's Way Landscaping in Gananoque, Ontario. He's been in the Landscape profession for more than a quarter of a century! In this episode we talk about the many hats he's worn with Landscape Ontario, CNLA, Fusion Landscaping (& FLP training), , and of course - BEER! BEERS: Iron Brew (Scottish Soft Drink) Charlot...

In this episode, I'm talking with David McEldon of David McEldon Landscape & Design in Toronto, Ontario. We're talking about his interest in Design, visualizing possibilities for a space in our minds, his idea for a podcast "Wisteria and Wine", the Rouge National Urban Park, horticultural therapy, combining hardscape materials, and of course - BEER! BEERS: Westmalle Tripel by...