Free Online Resources

Organic landscape management
Pesticides
GMOs
Xenobiotics
Sudden oak death
Business management

Organic landscape management

Sustainable landscaping - the hidden impacts of gardens (pdf - 8.3Mb)

Clay soil or sandy soil? A wealth of information, including soil distribution maps, to help you determine the native soil in your area.

Compost tea (pdf - 306kb)

Turf Wars - Organic turf management in the United Kingdom and North America (pdf - 146kb)

Give your lawn an organic makeover (pdf 1.7MB)

Organic gardening - the first steps (COG Reference Series) (pdf)

Improving soil fertility and organic amendments (COG Reference Series) (pdf)

Composting for gardeners (COG Reference Series) (pdf)

Attracting beneficial insects to the garden

Drought tolerant plants for city boulevards (pdf - 115kb)

Free Irrigation Scheduling Tutorial and On-Line Calculator

Edible flowers 
A comprehensive list with pictures, instructions for selection and preparation, and even great recipes!

Poisonous plants and plant parts

Effects of synthetic fertilizers on the soil ecosystem (pdf - 93kb)

Tree Identification Help for the ISA Certification Exam (pdf - 8.35MB)

Go For Green
Gardening for Life is a national Go for Green program that supports the idea of natural gardening including the careful use of water, tree planting for home energy efficiency, and avoiding the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers.

Cyber-Help for Organic Farmers
Resources and training for organic farmers.

Business management

Landscaper's Safety Guide (pdf - 1MB)
This guide was developed by FARSHA, the Farm and Ranch Safety and Health Association. Print it out and keep a copy in each truck. Prevent accidents by reviewing your own and your staff's safety habits frequently!

Business Fundamentals I (pdf - 1MB)
This document was developed as training and handout material for the Residential Landscape Technician course offered through Burnaby Continuing Education. It's an introduction to fundamental legal aspects of running a small business:
- Business structure (proprietorship, partnership/ incorporation)
- Employment Standards (B.C.)
- WCB (B.C.)
- Business Licenses
- PST and GST
- Builders Liens
- Bid, Performance and Payment Bonds
- Small Claims Court (B.C.)