Landscaping Blog
This landscaping blog provides information that will help you keep your lawn and garden healthy and beautiful. Check back often for new tips or contact us if you’d like to suggest a new topic for our gardening blog.
Common Lawn and Garden Pests
Spring has arrived and green is overtaking white. However, the growing season is accompanied by pests who like to feast on our landscapes. Below, we'll shed light on some of the most common lawn and garden pests in Southwestern Ontario - their origins, identification,...
Soil Types and Landscaping
Landscaping that not only is not only beautiful but healthy depends heavily on the quality of the soil that provides a landscape’s foundation. As in most places, Southwestern Ontario’s distinct regional climate and geological conditions shape the native soils. In this...
Compact Trees and Shrubs for Small Spaces
Transform your petite yard into a lush oasis with our top recommendations for compact trees and shrubs for small spaces in hardiness zones 5 and 6. We understand the challenges posed by these demanding climates. But with the right plant selection, you can cultivate a...
Caring for Ice-Damaged Trees and Shrubs
As winter tightens its icy grip, our landscapes often suffer from freezing temperatures, leaving trees and shrubs susceptible to damage. Ice storms can be particularly harsh, encasing branches in thick layers of ice that lead to breakage and stress. However, with...
Colourful Autumn Plants
Perennials, Trees, and Shrubs That Look Great in Autumn As the summer heat gives way to cooler temperatures and the days grow shorter, nature puts on a breathtaking display with colourful autumn plants that herald the arrival of a new season. The changing foliage is...
Post-Pandemic Landscaping Trends That Are Here to Stay
The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a seismic shift in how we perceive and utilize our living spaces. As people spent more time at home, the importance of creating functional and beautiful outdoor environments became evident. While the pandemic itself is receding, the...
Mow Your Lawn Like A Pro
A lush, well-maintained lawn can significantly enhance the curb appeal of your home and provide a beautiful outdoor space for relaxation and recreation. If you want your lawn to look like it's professionally groomed and prefer to do it yourself, the following tips...
Landscaping with Natural Stone
Creating a beautiful outdoor space often involves finding the perfect balance between functionality and aesthetic appeal. Landscaping with natural stone helps elevate outdoor spaces in terms of both beauty and practicality. Whether you're aiming to build a beautiful...
Landscape Lighting
Landscape lighting can have a dramatic impact on the overall look and feel of the areas around your home. Not only does it add visual appeal, but it also increases safety and security, allowing you to enjoy your garden and patio any time of day or night. Good lighting...
The 5Ws of Landscape Design
The Questions to Ask - Who, What, When, Where, and Why - When Drafting a Landscape Design Landscape design is the art and science of creating outdoor spaces that are beautiful, functional, and sustainable. Whether you are starting from scratch or simply...
Fragrant Trees and Shrubs for your Landscape
When choosing trees and shrubs for your home’s landscape you most likely look for varieties that not only look good, but smell nice, too. Fortunately, there are myriad fragrant trees in shrubs for your landscape in Southwestern Ontario. In our region, the climate is...
Budgeting for a Landscaping Project
Budgeting for a landscaping project can often be challenging. However, with proper planning it is possible to stick to your budget and complete the project without breaking the bank. Setting realistic goals and considering the costs of materials, labour, and other...
Keep Unwanted Wildlife Out of Your Backyard
Last month, we shared tips for attracting wildlife to your backyard. Well, we recognize that not all wildlife is welcome on your property. So, this month we're sharing tips for keeping unwanted wildlife away. Keeping rodent pests like raccoons and skunks out of your...
Five Ways to Attract Wildlife to Your Backyard
If you are looking for ways to attract wildlife to your backyard, then you have come to the right place! In this blog post, we’ll be exploring different methods for attracting and nurturing wildlife in an eco-friendly way. We will discuss how native plants can provide...
Landscaping a Small Backyard
Do you have a small backyard? Do you feel like you don't have enough room to landscape it the way you want? Don't worry, we have some strategies for you! In this blog post, we will discuss how to add plants and shrubs for privacy and visual appeal, how to add a small...
Improve drainage in your lawn and garden
At one time or another, many homeowners will encounter issues with poor draining soil. This can lead to flooding of patios, gardens, and low-lying or high-traffic grassy areas. Stratford and area, in particular, has predominantly clay-based soils, making drainage...
Plant Combinations
When it comes to selecting plants, shrubs and trees for your gardens, there are myriad options you can choose to add visual interest, minimize maintenance, and attract birds, bees, and other pollinators. But the real magic happens when you select plant combinations...
Groundcover for Sun and Shade
Groundcover for sun and shade are plants that tend to grow low to the ground and spread. These ranging plants do double duty in your flowerbeds. With their showy foliage and/or flowers, they add visual interest. But just as importantly, if not more so, they act much...
Drought-Tolerant Perennials
When we’re consulting new customers about their goals for new landscaping, “low-maintenance” is typically high on their list of outcomes. One of the key traits that makes a garden low-maintenance is the ability to thrive in dry conditions. And there are plenty of...
Choosing Materials for Your Patio Project
A patio is a quintessential part of a proper backyard and, more often than not these days, homeowners are opting for stone patios rather than poured concrete. This blog post aims to make choosing materials for your patio project easier. But there are so many products...
Shrubs and Perennials for Shade Gardens
When springtime rolls around, homeowners start getting flowerbeds and gardens ready for the growing season. This usually means moving plants and shrubs and adding more to the mix. There are so many options for the sunny spots in your yard, but what about those more...
Colourful Landscaping Ideas
While having a lush, green landscape can be beautiful, most homeowners want colourful landscaping ideas so they can enjoy at least a pop of colour to liven up their gardens. And while many look to tropicals and/or annuals for added colour, there’s a wide range of...
Add Privacy with Landscaping
Suggestions for how to add privacy with landscaping using trees, shrubs, and plants. A great alternative to solid structures with specific recommendations for great results.
Will My Plants Survive the Winter?
Understanding Hardiness Zones This time of year can cause trepidation in novice and non-gardeners. Will that beautiful flowering potted plant make it through the winter? Will that cute ornamental tree that I planted in the back flowerbed see next spring? Well,...
Give Annual Flowers A Second Wind
It's late summer and for many people, that means it is time to start thinking about fall flowers. With fall just around the corner, many people start thinking about pulling out those annuals and overgrown perennials to get ready for the cooler months. However, if your...
Drought-Tolerant Landscaping
With the dog days of summer mere weeks away, homeowners want to spend more time outside, but not necessarily more time working in their gardens. One of the most common requests we receive when working with new landscaping clients is for a low-maintenance design. This...
Increase Your Home’s Value with Landscaping
With the current circumstances – stay-at-home orders and a crazy local housing market – many homeowners are opting to invest in their homes. Money that would otherwise be spent on travel, entertainment, consumer goods, etc. is directed instead to home improvement....
Spring Cleaning for Your Lawn & Garden
Finally, after another long winter, Spring is here. Although the weather in Southwestern Ontario can still be unpredictable, the overall warmer temperatures and increased daylight hours are waking our lawns and gardens up. Before we get too far into the growing season...
Landscaping Materials
Last month, we discussed gardening tools – how to select and use the right ones for your do-it-yourself landscaping needs. What we didn’t address were foundational landscaping materials – what they are, why you need them, and how and when to use them. So that’s this...
Gardening Tools – Using the Right Ones for the Job
Now that we’ve gotten halfway through winter and the daylight hours are increasing, our thoughts are turning to the approaching spring season. You might be starting some seedlings indoors or planning for a garden expansion or landscaping overhaul using some online...
Evergreens for Year-Round Beauty and Function
In Southwestern Ontario’s warmer months, nature abounds with colour, vibrancy, and life. But come late fall, many plant, shrub, and tree species go dormant, sleeping off the current year and preparing for the next. The exception of course is the evergreen, as showy...
Precast and Natural Stone Retaining Walls
Retaining walls can enhance both the appearance and function of your lawn and garden. Some DIYers may opt for wood when building a retaining wall. After all, timber and ties are easier to cut and install, and less expensive than stone options. Unfortunately, the...
What’s Your Landscape Design Style?
Landscaping is a fantastic way to upgrade your home’s exterior. Done right, it improves curb appeal and enhances your enjoyment and the functionality of your outdoor environment. And, like the clothing and home décor you choose, landscaping also provides an excellent...
Flagstone Look on a Paver Budget
When it comes to patio and walkway construction, flagstone is one of the most sought-after materials. Known for its natural and elegantly rustic appearance, flagstone has been used to enhance outdoor living areas for decades. Some homeowners are singularly focused and...
Landscape Planning Apps & Tools
Plan your landscaping with the help of apps and platforms specifically designed to allow you to better visualize your newly renovated space before contacting A Touch of Dutch Landscaping & Garden Services.
Turn Your Pool Area into an Oasis with Landscaping
Enjoy living in your backyard, not just swimming in your pool When adding a pool to your backyard, the actual installation of the pool is only half the job. The other half is comprised of what goes around the pool to give your backyard oasis polish and make the area...
Increase Curb Appeal of Your Home with Landscaping
Enhance the appearance and enjoyment of your home on any budget First impressions are lasting impressions. And this is as true of your home’s appearance as it is your personal appearance. Little updates can go a long way. Of course, extensive updates can as well....
Lawn & Garden Prep Series – Pruning
Episode 4 - Pruning Pruning is something that many DIY gardeners do, but if you're not careful, you could be negatively impacting the health and growth of your trees and shrubs. Johan Bossers discusses the variables that determine when and how to prune.
Lawn & Garden Prep Series – Dethatch and Use Grass Clippings
Lawn & Garden Prep Episode 3 - Dethatching & Using Grass Clippings Johan discusses what thatch is and when you need to do something. You'll also learn how to use grass clippings by adding them to your compost or gardens.
Lawn & Garden Prep Series – Mulching
Episode 2 - Mulching In the second episode of this series, Johan discusses using mulch to help retain moisture and minimize weeds.
Lawn & Garden Prep Series – Edging
Episode 1 - Edging In this series, we're sharing fundamental DIY tips for preparing your lawn and garden for the upcoming season. Here, Johan discusses when, why and how to edge around your softscaping and hardscaping.
Lawn Care 101 – Aerating & Rolling
In our final video of the Lawn Care series, Johan discusses rolling and aerating - when to do it and why you may not need to.
Lawn Care 101 – Choosing Grass Seed
In this video you'll learn how to choose the right all-purpose grass seed for our hardiness zone in Southwestern Ontario.
Lawn Care 101 – Overseeding
In this video, Johan discusses when and why to overseed your lawn.
Lawn Care 101 – Fertilizing
This video covers both when to fertilize and how to choose the right fertilizer for your lawn.
Lawn Care 101 – Raking
Our first video of this segment is super straightforward, but some get it wrong. Check out this quick video to ensure you're not causing more harm than good to your lawn and its root system when raking.
Why Choose Native Ontario Plants
There have been myriad reports over the past few months from backyard birders about the decrease in visitors to their feeders. If you’ve noticed this too, you’ll be pleased to know there are things we can each do to radically reverse the decline of small wildlife in our yards.
Fall Colour – Extending the Enjoyment of Your Gardens
Most of us would be hard pressed to find a person who doesn’t love the colours of fall. Yes, winter will inevitably follow fall, and probably earlier than we’d like. But, in the meantime, we’ve still got warm daytime temperatures, cool evenings, and so much colour to...
Weed Control
Where weeds come from There are several classifications and definitions of weeds. However, in the very simplest terms, a weed is an unwanted plant in your lawn or garden. No plant that’s perceived as a weed today has always been a weed. Once upon a time, they lived in...
Creating a Low-Maintenance Garden
What to expect with low-maintenance landscaping When we’re consulting with clients about their goals for new landscaping projects, by far the most requested characteristic is “low-maintenance”. But keep in mind that “low-maintenance” doesn’t mean “no maintenance”, so...
Retaining Walls, Pathways, and Patios – Oh My!
Enhance the comfort and beauty of your yard with hardscaping Hardscaping is probably not a term you use very often, but it’s actually a common facet of landscaping. In fact, you probably have some hardscaping elements in your yard. The “hard” in hardscaping refers to...
Choosing Native Ontario Plants for Your Garden
Native plants are those that have thrived in their original region for centuries. Just like native animals, they have evolved over the years to adapt to changes in their environment. In the last half of the twentieth century, the ever-burgeoning global marketplace...
Spring Clean Your Pond or Water Feature
If you’re lucky enough to have a pond and/or water feature in your yard, you’ll be positively itching to start enjoying it again this year. But before you fire up the pump(s), a bit of maintenance is needed to ensure the health and longevity of the water feature and...
Spring Maintenance: Lawn & Garden Cleanup
Once again, it’s the time of year we wait for all winter… Spring! While the planting and growing season is more than a month off, you can prepare now by cleaning up and preparing your lawn and gardens. If appropriate for our hardiness zone here in Stratford and Perth...
Landscaping Planning and Design Tips for Beginners
When it comes to landscaping planning and design, many people know what they like when they see it, but just don’t know how to transform their garden from its current state to what they envision. There’s a lot to consider – your preferred style, available space, soil...
Add Winter Interest to Your Gardens
Most of us here in Southwestern Ontario prefer the warmer months. But when the snow falls it’s nice to still be able to enjoy your outdoor landscape, even from indoors. Visual interest in winter doesn’t have to come just from urns, wreaths, and garland that gets taken...
Protect Your Lawn, Garden, Trees, and Shrubs from Winter
In Southwestern Ontario, we’re generally finishing up putting our lawns and gardens to bed for the winter. While some do very little but cut back spent seed heads and dead foliage, others employ measures to cover and protect every tree, shrub, and plant on their...
Fall-ing for Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses have long been a staple in landscape design, offering a contemporary edge to flower beds, acting as natural privacy screens, and adding visual interest, especially this time of year. And they’re fairly hardy, which means than we can...
Why Fall is the Best Time to Seed or Sod Your Lawn
When we reach September, we tend to start thinking about putting our lawn and gardens to bed for the winter season. However, the onset of cooler nights with sunny, warm days is the perfect combination for establishing a healthy lawn. The absence of extreme...
How to Prune Trees and Shrubs
Learning how to properly prune trees and shrubs is an essential skill that will help keep them healthy and beautiful. Below, we’re going to share some pruning basics, discussing not only how to prune but also when.
How much water your grass needs
Landscaping design companies like us install and maintain a lot of grass every season. We sod, we seed, we cut, we weed. New lawns look great – green, lush, and weed-free. But often, maintaining a healthy lawn can be trying, and one of the biggest challenges is...