Industry News
In this section we have gathered some of the most popular information sources, such as trade journals, magazines, blogs, and association websites. Industry information is always changing. For the latest news, current issues and popular opinions, try following one or more of these sources. In addition, interacting with the websites that provide this information through commenting and asking questions may also provide you with more information.
Associations
Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for your business plan. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.
Canadian Associations
Canadian Society of Landscape Architects | A professional organization providing programs and services to increase public awareness and promote the profession as well as provide opportunities for professional development.
Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) | The CNLA is a national not-for-profit federation of nine provincial green industry associations representing landscape professionals, landscape suppliers, retail garden centres, and nurseries.
British Columbia Society of Landscape Architects (BCSLA) | BCSLA is a regulatory body for landscape architecture in BC.
BC Landscape & Nursery Association (BCLNA) | The BCLNA represents more than 500 members including nursery growers, landscape professionals, retail garden centres, and other horticultural businesses.
Landscape Alberta Nursery Trades Association (LANTA) | LANTA is a non-profit organization that supports and represents the landscape horticulture industry across Alberta. Check out the Resources section.
Landscape Ontario (LO) | A trade association with more than 3000 professional members, LO is organized by chapters and sectors with the goal to provide development opportunities, industry, trade shows and conferences, and more. Take a look at the Learning Resources section.
Manitoba Nursery Landscape Association (MBNLA) | MBNLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of interests of horticulture and landscape professionals.
International Associations
AmericanHort | AmericanHort was founded through the consolidation of the American Nursery and Landscaping Association (ANLA) and the Association of Horticulture Professionals (OFA). It represents the horticulture industry, the nursery, and landscape industry among others in the US. Members grow, distribute, and retail plants of all types, and design and install landscapes for residential and commercial customers.
National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) | NALP, the National Association of Landscape Professionals, is an international association serving lawn care professionals, exterior maintenance contractors, installation/design/build professionals, and interiorscapers. Their official publication The Edge Magazine covers a variety of topics including events and issues within the green industry. Only select editions are available to non-members.
International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) | IFLA represents over 70 national associations with goals to develop and promote the educational and professional development of Landscape Architects. Take a look at their Knowledge Hub, an open-source platform for information and themes related to landscape architecture.
International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) | The AIPH is a coordinating body representing horticultural producers' organizations all over the world. Check out the AIPH Newsletters.
Magazines & Trade Journals
Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for business planning. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.
Landscapes / Paysages | A professional journal of landscape architecture in Canada. Published 4 times per year, back issues are also available to view.
Landscape Trades | Canada's premier horticultural trade publication. Landscape Trades features business information for contractors, growers and retailers. Published 9 times per year.
Landscape Online | Landscape Online is an information resource dedicated to the commercial landscape industry.
Landscape Ontario | Previously known as Horticulture Review, Landscape Ontario, is published up to 12 times a year and offers free subscriptions to its electronic issues.
Garden Design | Garden Design is a magazine that focuses on outdoor living spaces and unique gardens. Published 7 times per year. Their free weekly newsletter offers information for gardeners of all levels.
Consultant & Other Websites
MarketWatch - Industry Analyzer | The Industries section contains current data on Dow Jones Industry Sectors. Aggregate data as well as company-specific data is available.
PriceWaterhouse Coopers Canada (PwC) | Global consultancy firm that produces reports on the state of various industries.
Firsthand | A free source of industry information. Use the Industry Profiles to research growing industries and best industries by major, and Company Rankings and Profiles to find news, company information, and industry-specific sample professions. Basic monthly membership is free and offers access to blogs, discussion forums, and job listings.
Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre | This free resource created by the Vancouver Public Library is an online and in-person resource that helps newcomers to Canada find information to get a job, explore different careers or start a business.
Blogs & Discussion Forums
Landscaping Blogs:
80 Best Landscape Design Blogs and Websites | A collection of the best landscaping and landscape design blogs.
The Spruce - Landscaping | Posts are written by a variety of experts including professional contractors and landscapers on a range of landscaping topics from lawn care, plant and weeds removal tips, pet friendly plants, and more.
HGTV - Landscaping | Maintained by the HGTV television channel, this landscaping blog has tips on choosing the right plants and landscaping maintenance.
Landscaping Podcasts:
35 Best Lawn Care Podcasts | A curated list of lawn care podcasts.
The Landscape Ontario Podcast | This monthly podcast features a speaker or current topic ranging from women in landscaping, health and safety topics, and leaders with a passion for landscaping.
Lawn & Landscape Radio Network | With over 140 episodes, the Lawn & Landscape team brings you the latest news and hottest trends from the green industry.
Landscape Disruptors | This weekly podcast is a news network to keep landscapers up-to-date in industry trends, technology, marketing and business.
Landscaping Discussion Forums:
LawnSite.com | An active discussion forum with a large user community of lawn care and landscaping professionals.
Contractor Talk.com - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum | A large online community of professional construction contractors. Discussion forums are arranged by specific trades.
HortEducation | HortEducation is the Industry Training Organization that serves the ornamental horticulture industry in British Columbia. HortEducation is sanctioned by the BC provincial government's Industry Training Authority (ITA). HortEducation coordinates the skill needs of horticultural employers, workers, and trainees with available training and education programs and services.
TIP: As with all sources, news articles and blogs should be carefully evaluated. For information on how to evaluate your information, watch video tutorial Module Five: Using Information Responsibly.