Musquodoboit Valley Quality Sod

RTF SOD >> GORGEOUS AND ITS ONLY APRIL 14th!

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:06:59 +0000

VIDEO: TURFGRASS SOD BENEFITS TO ENVIRONMENT

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:06:15 +0000

Turfgrass Sod Benefits to the Environment!

THERE’S A NEW SOD IN TOWN. IT’S GREEN IN EVERY SENSE

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:04:09 +0000

There is a new sod in town: Pesiticde lovers need not apply – the green organic is in!

Spring will soon be here, which means that people will be exploring ways to ensure that they have greener and more healthy lawns.

While a new season will soon kick in, there is something even more special that’s going on that will no doubt attract the attention of consumers this spring.

You see, Musquodoboit Valley Quality Sod (MVQS) has just unveiled a new “green organic” sod, which marks a new era in the landscape industry – a green revolution.

MVQS is the first in Nova Scotia, and their sister company, New Brunswick Quality Turf (NBQT) is the first in New Brunswick to now offer RTF (Rhizomatous Tall Fescue), a green-friendly sod.

>>>Link to News Release by Salt and Pepper Media News Inc

ENVIRO PROGRESS IN NOVA SCOTIA, WHAT COPENHAGEN DEAL?

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:03:28 +0000

Renewable energy for Nova Scotia is a winner…what deal at Copenhagen?
Nova Scotia won a green initiative award at Copenhagen because of effort to reduce Nova Scotia’s carbon footprint. If the main thrust of how this will be achieved is through investment in renewable energy for Nova Scotia…it may just make sense. From bio-massed fuelled power plants to tidal energy from the Bay of Fundy. From what I took in on the comments by the Premier of Nova Scotia on Andrew Krystal’s News 95.7 FM Morning News talk show this morning, Nova Scotia has a real opportunity to achieve GHG target by 2020 in accordance to the Environmental Goals and Sustainability Act. The Premier, Darrell Dexter in fact spoke of the spirit of discussion he and his provincial delegation had with potential international financial investors in Copenhagen, and he seems to recognize in a business sense the opportunity that presents itself with research suggesting the Bay of Fundy is North America’s best site for tidal power generation. Research in fact suggests the Bay of Fundy has the “in-stream potential of 300 megawatts of energy from two sites close to the exiting grid — enough power for about 100,000 homes.”

Local investment in Nova Scotia to support fuel for power plants from bio-mass – instead of relying on coal from Columbia – equals renewable energy can become a new primary local resource that will create more jobs, more industry in urban and rural areas, and bring real dividends in our economy.

Promoting environmental sustainability and growth in our economy in this sense can work hand in hand in Nova Scotia, and put us on the world map by capitalizing on our assets. Much the same as we ourselves as stewards of the climate can make a difference. From curbing our transportation habits, buying more fuel efficient automobiles, cycling, to helping our ecosystem by using more eco-friendly lawn seed/nursery sod in RTF® (Rhizomatous Tall-Fescue) that requires less water and less external inputs (i.e. fertilizer & chemicals), to green roofs…it all makes a difference.

Deal at Copenhagen?

The editorial spells out that the accord that was reached in Copenhagen spells out nothing more than nations will basically decide for themselves what if anything they’ll do about climate change. A deal that the US, China, India and South Africa could live with for the time being. When we look at this as the result of weeks of negotiation at Copenhagen after years of planning and discussion it is clear it will take time to get all nations on the same page, then again is that event realistic? Maybe for the sake of it and Canada’s perspective there is some truth to the notion that our environmental agreements should start with a North American plan between Canada and the US that will work for our economies.

TANGIBLY SPEAKING ENVIRO PROGRESS NOT AT COPENHAGEN

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:02:07 +0000

No matter the push by skeptics & extremists at the summits, environmental progress really happens in bi-lateral agreements between nations well in advance of the Copenhagen Summit and personal choices we make at home

In advance of the Copenhagen meetings between nations on climate change and the climate summits call for action, media articles are poping up either led by skeptics or extremists. Some of the media releases and blogs push with a sense fear articulated from the scientific data and the claim that all (over 90%) of scientists concur it is fact that something must be done. Other articles (by skeptics) point to the notion that other factors from water to wealth re-distribution may be behind what is leading the environmental push. And now with leaked information from emails between scientists from world’s leading climate research units at Britain’s University of East Anglia that begs to questions the choir of environmental groups, not much wonder this environmental religion is facing some hard questions from skeptics and the public is becoming irritated.

What the leaked material appears to reveal is there has been a series of conspiracies to exaggerate data concerned with man-made global warming. For example, one of the emails reads: “I’ve just completed trick of adding in the real temps to each series for the last 20 years and from 1961… to hide the decline.” And, “The fact is that we can’t account for the lack of warming at the moment is a travesty. The data published on 2008 shows there should be even more warming. Our observing system is inadequate.”

So with this information now public, is it a saboteur to the green agenda by world nations, is it a suggestion that there may be a scandal in the scientific data? What can one expect at Copenhagen? Then again is much of the environmental progress really made at the Copenhagen summit or in advance of the summit?

Well, in the case of Canada (contrary to the view of some detractors) we should be happy to see Canada making environmental deals with major developing regions like China in advance of the summit. This agreement between Canada and a major emitter like China shows there is recognition that something must be done to both foster realistic environmentally-friendly technologies, and adopting to climate change responsibilities in amongst the ambitions to increase trade. This is progress. And with Canada & the US both looking to meet very similar emission targets & friendly discussion between the PM & President, a North American made agreement is likely all but an done deal.

With more questions starting to be raised about the data and the science of climate change and people ask themselves if cap & trade (wealth re-distribution) is really going to do anything to actually reduce carbon emissions we have every right to be irritated. And we should recognize that we are empowered to help promote environmental sustainability with decisions we make at home.

Sometimes I think the media and environmental groups put to much of the focus on national government decisions, and fail to put enough focus on what we can do ourselves in our actions and use of new technologies. We can be more green & help the ecosystem by taking more steps to encourage recycling, to composting to how we use our green space by utilizing new advanced sod & seed technologies like RTF® (Rhizomatous Tall-Fescue) in our landscapes. Because RTF® seed/sod has greater amount of natural inhibiters against common plant disease, weed & pests, while at the same time requiring less watering and exterior nutrient input it can qualify for LEED credits. So to be clear RTF® in a landscaping seed or sod that with it’s rhizomes (creeping stem or runner that extends outward from plant underground) & endophyte enchanced tall-fescue nature helps the environment by self-repairing, reducing water usage & requiring less nutrient & chemical inputs. RTF® is truly an effective tool in home, business or commercial application to improve green space, reduce the use of chemical application (improved health & reduces unsafe chemicals into our water ways) & help the ecosystem, much the same as replacing incandescent light bulbs with CFL light bulbs is an effective method in green energy reduction.

Progress and environmental sustainability can start at the home whereby we know we are making a difference. Perhaps we should be more realistic with our expectations on the results that will be coming out of Copenhagen — as most realistic bi-lateral commitments between nations, I suggest, are likely already agreed upon well in advance of this years summit.

HALLOWEEN, SWINE FLU & YOUR TURF

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:01:21 +0000

Halloween, Swine Flu and Your Turf

It’s not landscaping that we are buzzing about these days…but everything from swine flu (should I get the H1N1 flu shot) to Halloween preparation. If you are a parent with young children, you have the joy of taking your children out from home to home to trick or treat (all dressed up as Spiderman, a ballerina or some other theme costume — whatever their pleasure) And in the view of some parents I am sure, it’s a bonus if your children are too young to eat the candy so you can be bad and eat their loot!

As always (with no children of my own yet, with the exception of a cat and dog that act like kids) Halloween season always brings out the best in me to try to derive some crazy spooky entrance to the porch of my home with over 200 children landing between 5 and 10 pm for candy. While it is excellent that Halloween lands on a Saturday this year, I am still debating if after the show of dishing out candy to trick or treaters is done, I will dress up to attend a Halloween party or choose to stay home and watch scary Halloween TV movies with my wife!

Your Turf! With Halloween now just around the corner and weather starting to change to cooler temperatures in Nova Scotia & New Brunswick it is always important to try to get your landscaping work done by laying new sod sooner rather than later. Be it to have a lush, green lawn for the safety of the children coming to your home to trick or treat on Halloween, or just the sense of accomplishing the last piece of your new home with some nice looking lawn before winter hits!

We welcome you comments to the question on this weeks blog! What is you doing this Halloween? Are you heading out to a Halloween party this Halloween Saturday, staying in to watch scary TV movies, taking your young ones out to trick or treat, standing in line-ups to get your H1N1 shot or landscaping your yard?

IS YOUR METHOD RAKE OR LEAF BLOWER TO GATHER LEAVES?

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:00:09 +0000

Answer to why we have to gather up fallen leaves!

What is your method: Rake or leaf blower?

Once you have your newly sodded lawn established, lawn care responsibility goes by season. And now its fall and everything from the odd shrub, plants varieties and of course hardwood trees leaves start changing colour. It’s beautiful, but as the season goes on, these tree leaves fall to the ground. And yes, even if you have a small yard and there are no hardwood trees as far as the eye can see, even still, the leaves land on your lawn just like everyone else.

Why do we have to rake up the leaves from our lawns, why is it necessary? Well, lawns having to breathe (oxygen) and being covered by a thick layer of leaves chokes the lawn if you will. More to that point, fall leaves deprive lawns the three very elements grass plants need to grow in our predominately cool climate in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick >> sunlight, nutrients and water. And impacting the grass plants cycle of growth in the fall and in the spring after our often snowy winter tends to impact not just the lawns aesthetics, but also the lawns health!

We welcome your comments on the questions of today! What is your gather leaves preference? Do you rake your leaves into a clear bag for disposal or use a leaf blower to gather up the fallen leaves (or blow into your neighbour yard)?

THE STORY ON PALLETS (SKIDS SOD IS DELIVERED ON)

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:59:31 +0000

Landscaping and the skinny on Pallets (Skids sod is delivered on)

Pallets (skids) >> They are wooden and bare. Long before the pallets the sods are delivered from Musquodoboit Valley Quality Sods (MVQS) in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Quality Turf (NBQT) in New Brunswick they are made in house. These pallets are unique, they are able to handle well over 2 tonne of weight, built with 2 x 4 and 1 x 4 materials that are nailed together with the company logo sprayed on the side.

Why are these pallets 3 ft x 4 ft? What are the benefits?

Better use, better service and peace of mind. The 2-way, 3 ft x 4 ft pallets are designed to maximize stacking of the one-fold sods (16” x 48”) supplied to MVQS & NBQT customers (1 pallet equals 85 pieces of sod that covers 450 square feet of area). And the 3 ft x 4 ft pallets allow the flaps of the nursery sod to be situated for ease of unpacking by the customer.

For ease of delivery in tight spaces/driveways these pallets are unloaded by a boom truck operator. This delivery service and the reach of the boom arm (up to 25 feet) in combination with the 3 ft x 4 ft pallet frame allow the boom operator both the ability unload and place the sods to locations of customer convenience, as well as maximizes the volume of sods that can get delivered on each truck load. So from the standpoint of direct delivery to the home owner, the larger the order the more one will save on delivery cost!

Also, as is the case in the delivery of sod by all sod growers and suppliers, a small fee is charged for each pallet to help pay for the production costs. In the case of MVQS & NBQT you can recover 67% of this fee by setting the empty pallets at the bottom of the driveway for pick-up by a dedicated driver once your landscape sod installation is complete. And there is also the option for one to recover 100% of the pallet fee by driving the pallets out to the sod company farm during business hours.

5 THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE HIRING A LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:58:56 +0000

5 things to consider before hiring a landscape contractor!

Let me start off by saying that landscaping a lawn is not a task that should be taken lightly. Landscaping is an investment that both increases the value of one’s property with curb appeal and is an outdoor representation of their lifestyle. And everything from the landscape design a homeowner chooses, to property size, where they source their products or whom they hire to do the landscape installation impacts price. Generally speaking based on these factors landscape installation range anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000.

Typically after a homeowner makes the decision they will be hiring a landscape contractor to do the installation, they contact a few local companies to drop by and give them a quotation. And there is nothing wrong with that in principle, but unfortunately many homeowners find themselves in the dark on the importance key elements they should be looking for in the quote or asking the contractor directly! For example, how will the landscaper prepare the sub-base, complete the site grading & water drainage? What type of physical soil composition will they be installing and at what depth? Will the landscaper be using quality sod, fertilizing and fine grading?

Quite often we like to jump at and hire the landscaper that offers the low price, but it is always important to consider that one or many of the important factors listed above are impacted when you go with the lowest price. And this can be the difference between the finished product being a beautiful landscape you can be proud of, or a ruined sodded lawn installation!

As a grower and supplier of premium quality sods we are often asked by homeowners to recommend local landscape contractors. Our suggestion to homeowners in Nova Scotia & New Brunswick looking to hire a landscape contractor to do their landscape instalation is to both pay attention to the details of any quotation they get, and we recommend they only consider hiring landscapers that have the following qualities.

1. Have a certified horticultural technician on staff (CHT, or university horticulture degree)

2. Have minimum 2 to 5 years experience in the landscape contracting field

3. Have an excellent job completion record

4. Utilize or recommend only premium quality sods

5. Warranty their work for minimum 1 year after completion

SUB-DIVISIONS: IS LANDSCAPE THEIR TERMS OR HOMEOWNERS?

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:58:09 +0000

In today’s sub-divisions, landscaping is often part of the package

Today landscape contractors are often hired by building developers to install soil, sod and a planting bed in many of the homes in new sub-divisions in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick urban centers such Halifax, Moncton and Saint John. So, quite often before you move into the new home both the building of home and outdoor exterior (landscaping) is already completed on their terms.

Is this to the benefit of the new homeowner who is the end-user of the property? While on one hand landscaping is done and out of mind for the new homeowner, but how can you be sure this landscape of your outdoor property is aesthetically pleasing and appropriate for you and your family? Is there an option when you are at the negotiating stages to purchase a new home in these sub-divisions to detach landscaping portion from the contract? Because for your own security on the quality workmanship of the landscape would it not be beneficial if you can hire your own professional or do the landscape sod installation yourself, as should be your right!

Check out this photo of a lush, green and vibrant newly sodded lawn with the backdrop of a wooded area located just outside the bustling of Halifax. The homeowner did a wonderful job this fall in the sod installation. Everything from sub-base preparation, to site grading, to raking in the soil and sod installation play a role in having a straight edge!

For best results we encourage homeowners about to do their own outdoor home construction / renovation (landscaping) to review the 7-steps to a beautiful lawn installation guide on this website as well as view the tips and techniques recommended by an accredited professional in the landscaping sod installation video in our blog archives!

**There is no better time than this fall to lay new sod! In fact there are 5 reasons why fall is best time to sod as well as information you should know about how to claim your eligible expenses and work performed with the Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC). You can link to this and other articles relevant to sod & landscaping by visiting our blog archives!