Frequently Asked Questions

LANDSCAPING

What is softscaping?

Softscaping is that part of landscaping that deals with the living, “soft” landscape elements such as the lawn, soil, sod, trees, shrubs, vegetable and herb gardens, and annual or perennial flowers, and colour schemes.  Softscaping essentially encompasses the horticultural elements of landscaping that require maintenance and care.

What is hardscaping?

Hardscaping is that part of landscaping that deals with the “hard” landscape elements such as driveways, walkways, retaining walls, outdoor firepits or kitchens, decks, patios, stone benches, arbors, gates, fountains, sprinkler systems, pools, and even water features such as ponds and waterfalls.  An outdoor space can be beautified and enhanced with a balanced use of both hardscape and softscape.  

How do I care for my hardscaped areas in winter?

Cold temperatures, snow, ice, wind that blows debris, and the occasional mid-winter thaw and refreeze are weather events that affect hardscaped areas.  Some simple measures help to minimize their impact on your hardscaped areas.

Before the cold season: Seal cracks and effect repairs.     
During the cold season: Keep areas clean of debris.  Shovel snow from hardscaped areas on a regular basis.  Avoid harsh chemicals.

LAWN CARE AND YARD MAINTENANCE

What is lawn aeration and why is it important?

Lawn aeration is the process of mechanically creating small holes or spaces in the lawn in order to allow it to “breathe”.  A well aerated lawn permits air, water and nutrients to penetrate through possible areas of built up lawn or thatch and feed the soil beneath.
This in turn helps to keep your lawn healthy and free of disease.  An annual or biannual aeration of a lawn is normally recommended.

How often should I mow my lawn?

You guessed it: it depends.  
It depends on how fast your lawn grows and on what type of grass your lawn is made of.  

A rule of thumb:  mow your lawn when it is approximately one third taller than its recommended mowing height.  Tip: keeping your grass at a height of three inches helps promote root growth.  This helps your lawn have a strong root system and this, in turn, helps promote lawn health.   

Where can I get information about pesticide use in London and Middlesex County?  

The City of London, Ontario has strict rules regarding the use of pesticides within its city limits.  To inquire about whether or not pesticides are permitted for your specific purpose, you can contact the City of London at 519-661-4500 or online:

https://www.london.ca/pages/contactus.aspx

For information regarding pesticide use in Middlesex County, you can contact the county at 519-434-7321 or online: https://www.middlesex.ca/contact

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