LANDSCAPING
DESIGN
At Alternative Landscaping, you can count on a professional approach to planning your outdoor spaces. As designers, we strive to creatively incorporate the elements and features important to you in such a way that the basic design principals of order, unity, rhythm, and function are taken into account. What is achieved is an engaging design that is both beautiful and functional, but also achieved within your budget.
Professional landscape design and installation is an investment in the future of your property. For residential properties, it increases usable living space; in both residential and commercial settings, it increases property value. Importantly, landscape design and planning helps avoid costly mistakes as it ensures plants and the correct materials are used properly.
CONSULTATION
Meeting with you and learning about your needs, wants, and dreams for your landscape project is where our process starts. After this takes place, a site visit is required to create a comprehensive landscaping plan. When you make an appointment with one of our designers, the first step is to complete our design questionnaire. We’ll then arrange a meeting with you and our design team which will last approximately one hour. The designer will review your completed questionnaire at this time. You’ll be provided a cost for the landscape design which will be payable at this time to move the design into reality. The designer does all site measurements from which they will prepare a computerized concept drawing. During a subsequent meeting at our office, the designer will review the concept drawing with you to ensure we are communicating the vision and function, then the plan will be finalized and printed. Build and estimating process follows the design process.
INSTALLATION SERVICES
We specialize in the installation and construction of:
• Total landscapes for residential or commercial projects
• Hardscaping – retaining walls, driveways, patios and walkways, ponds and water features, lighting, fire pits and fireplaces, and custom outdoor kitchens to complement your lifestyle and current property function
• Complete planting beds, complete softscaping, and outdoor living spaces that enhance surroundings.
YARD CARE
SPRING CLEAN UP
This is done as soon as the surface frost is sufficiently out of the ground which usually commences around the 3rd week of April. It consists of de thatching of all turf areas (does not include city boulevards), first mow & trim, bagging and hauling all debris away. It is important to remember that excessive thatch, like 25 Thatch, a tight mat of dead rhizomes, stems and roots, can build up under the surface of your lawn during the growing season.
Although some thatch is beneficial to lawns, too much blocks water, air and nutrients from reaching the soil. If thatch is thicker than ½", grass roots will grow in the thatch, not the soil. Power raking or hand raking followed by a short mowing with a high vacuum mower removes as much thatch as possible. To finish, the lawn will receive its first mowing and trimming of the season.
CORE AERATION & OVER SEEDING
Technically speaking, aeration is the naturally occurring process of air exchange between the soil and its surrounding atmosphere. Practically speaking, aeration is the process of mechanically removing small plugs of thatch and soil from the lawn to improve natural soil aeration. It’s commonly called “core aeration” in the lawn service industry. Core aeration can help make your lawn healthier and reduce its maintenance requirements through these means:
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Improved air exchange between the soil and atmosphere.
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Enhanced soil water uptake.
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Improved fertilizer uptake and use.
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Reduced water runoff and puddling.
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Stronger turfgrass roots.
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Reduced soil compaction.
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Enhanced heat and drought stress tolerance.
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Improved resiliency and cushioning.
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Enhanced thatch breakdown.
GARDENING
Wedding Shrub beds, natural areas with mulch and ground cover areas will be weeded on every visit during the year. We hand pull weeds within the canopy of shrubs or ground covers. We use selective herbicides for persistent perennial weeds and grass control as needed. There will always be some weeds present in a fertile growing environment. Our intention is to al-ways control weeds with no injury to shrubs, ground covers, or trees.
Shrub Care: It is important to remember that pruning plants is a process, not an event. There is no one-day of the year that all plants are to be pruned. Each species has very specific pruning needs based on flower production and the growing season. There will always be plants that require pruning in the landscape. First priority is pruning for bloom production, second is structure pruning for plant development and third is space management. Space management is most common in mature landscape environments. (Bed maintenance services subject to individual estimates.)
FIESTA PROGRAM
The best and most sustainable way to prevent weeds from invading your lawn is to maintain it by keeping it properly fed, cut weekly and watered on a regular basis. Thick healthy lawns are less likely to have weed infestations as weeds most often pop up where turf is thin and damaged.
Our program of products and services increases the overall health of your lawn. The Province has issued a ban on all herbicides and pesticides. An organic product called Fiesta has replaced this weed killer.
Our program begins in the spring with 2 applications 21-27 days apart. FIESTA product is applied in conjunction with our NEW Premium Liquid Fertilizer that will enhance the overall outcome of the Fiesta by slowly releasing over the first month. This is followed by a second application of Fiesta combined with a slow-release granular fertilizer that will continue to release over the next 8-12 weeks. The third application of Fiesta occurs in the fall, combined again with fertilizer additive. The fall application is a very important part of the Fiesta’s success for the growing season.
LAWN MAINTENANCE
Service typically consists of weekly visits to perform trimming, mowing and hard surface cleanup.
Commercial and residential services available, and are based on a 5 month contract.
FALL CLEAN UP
There are many benefits to having a fall clean up... it’s not just about the appearance of your property that should make you decide to have a Fall cleanup! By removing the leaves from the lawn, it helps to keep lawn fungus’, such as Gray and Pink Snow Mold, at bay. Snow mold is caused when there is an extended period of snow cover on ground that is not completely frozen. Snow mold can also occur under leaves that have not been cleaned up or among long grass that should have been mowed once more before winter set in. Leaves can smother the lawn and kill it off, which becomes expensive in the Spring when you get the new grass to grow. Last but not least, wet matted leaves are harder to clean up in the spring, which takes more time and thus your cost increases.
SNOW CLEARING
Residential Snow Clearing
Removal of snow from your driveway, front walk and entrance, city sidewalk. Price is based on a 5 month contract.
Commercial Snow Clearing
Removal of snow from all sidewalks, entrances and exits and any city sidewalk bordering the commercial building. Price is based on a 5 month contract.
Commercial Ice Management
Scrapping and chipping of all ice from sidewalks, entrances and exits, and/or application of ice melt products on iced areas. Cost of Ice melt products extra.
GIFT SHOP
Get inspired to make your home your own with unique gardening-themed products from our giftshop.This quaint but large space is filled with great gift ideas and items for your garden and home. Choose from decorative art, home décor, fountains, lanterns, garden sculptures, tropical house plants, and more. During the festive season (November to December), the gift shop is transformed for the holidays into a Winter Wonderland with white twinkling lights, festive decorations and gift ideas, and fresh-cut Christmas trees and decorations.
GREENHOUSE & NURSERY
We’ve got you covered from Alocasia to Zinnia! Each spring, our greenhouses are filled withover1000varieties of beautiful annuals and over 2,000 varieties of perennials, herbs, vegetables, house plants and tropical plants. Our well-stocked nursery carries a wide selection of hardy trees and shrubs, hanging baskets, roses, and combination planters. And you will find all the accessories and materials you will need for all you DIY projects. We are proud to be Westman's exclusive Nurseryland dealer!
Not sure what you are looking for? Please check out our plant guide or gallery.
NEW
EVENTS
ADDED!
LANDSCAPE RETAIL MATERIALS
We specialize in providing the highest quality landscaping materials, soil amendments and mulches for your gardening, landscaping and growing needs, all at competitive prices. Choose from retail bulk products including locally-grown Kentucky Blue Grass mineral sod, bedding mix, screened topsoil, garden mixes, washed sand, A-base gravel, pea gravel, granite, limestone, washed stone, river rock, wood mulch (multiple colours), Barkman™ and Belgard Concrete Products, landscape fabric, pond liner and even firewood. We deliver within a 2 hour radius of Brandon!
PLANTER PROGRAM
Alternative Choice Garden Centre can add a splash of colour to your outdoor space any season! We can create a custom spring, summer, fall or holiday planter to add a splash of colour to your home!
We can deliver the fresh and elegant beauty of a custom planted arrangement right to your doorstep, and pick it up at the end of the season. We store your planters or liners and then the next season we do it all over again!
Our talented custom planting team tailor each arrangement to your taste, budget and style of home.
INDOOR GARDENING NEEDS
We carry a large variety of planters, soils, soil amendments, pest management, mini greenhouses, grow lights and so much more for you to be able to be successful in your indoor gardening as well as your outdoor gardening. We are known for our German-made Lechuza® self-watering planters that provide water directly to the roots of your plants, saving water. Enjoy the convenience of not having to water your plants every day; a handy indicator shows the level of water in the reservoir. Removable, interchangeable liners make your plants easily portable. Available in a variety of sizes for both indoor and outdoor use, Lechuza® planters are a stylish addition to any patio, deck or walkway.
WINTER WONDERLAND
Our Winter Wonderland at the Garden Centre is absolutely beautiful: filled with white twinkling lights and festive decorating throughout. Our gift store has something for everyone; home décor, tropical house plants, decorations for trees and fresh cut Christmas trees.
Come visit our Garden Centre, Festive Season, during the months of November and December.
BARKMAN AND BELGARD CONCRETE PRODUCTS
Create beautiful, functional outdoor living spaces with a large variety of concrete products. From walkways and driveways to flower beds, patios, and water features, the classic look of natural stone can transform a home or commercial landscape. In addition to traditional pavers, these large lines of products also include sidewalk blocks, slabs, retaining walls, do-it-yourself landscaping kits, and pre-cast planters and concrete steps.
EXCAVATION
CONSULTATION
Specializing in complete civil work, our Excavation Department has the professionalism and experience to complete site preparation and demolition, grading and compacting, sewer and water, loading and trucking, and erosion control projects.
OPERATOR AND EQUIPMENT
Available on a per job, hourly contract or tendered project basis, our excavation equipment and services allow us to offer full heavy excavation for all commercial and residential civil work - starting with site clearing, demolition, site/lot preparation, digging for basements and pools, to complete sewer and water projects, grading, backfilling, and supply and installation of all aggregate required.
CIVIL SITE SERVICE
We've been serving Brandon and the surrounding area since 1998, and have vast experience with infrastructure challenges. Offering full civil site construction has been a growing part of our business.
EQUIPMENT
We have a full fleet of equipment to serve you:
Large track excavators, wheel loaders, dozers, graders, skid steers, and a semi and tandem fleet. We are well prepared to take care of your excavation and snow removal needs.
COMMERCIAL SNOW CLEARING
We provide professional and reliable snow clearing services in Brandon. Offering both clearing and hauling services, we will make sure your lot is clear, clean and safe for your customers. Commercial service consists of removal of all snow from sidewalks, entrances and exits, as well as city sidewalks bordering your property.
ICE MANAGEMENT
Commercial ice management includes scraping and chipping all ice from sidewalks, entrances and exits, and the application of environmentally friendly ice melt products.
CORPORATE GIFTS
Our Corporate Gift Service offers companies and organizations custom gift services for any budget or quantity. Whether your goal is to individually recognize each member of your staff, extend a token of gratitude to a few colleagues, or to show your entire roster of clients that you care, we can accommodate your gift-giving needs.
We carry a large volume and an extensive selection of quality gifts and plants throughout the year. We can accommodate just about any request.
Examples of Corporate Gift Ideas:
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Poinsettias
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Gift Baskets
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Gift Cards
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Living Plant Planters
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Orchids and Flowering Plants
Give us a call or send us an email for more information.
UNIQUE FUNDRAISERS
Are you looking for a fun and different way to raise money for your committee, school, or sports team? We have some great options to get everyone excited for all seasons!
The current seasonal information is listed below.
Fill out the form for more information on how we can help you reach your goal!
Fundraising Program Information Request
Fall 2022 Fundraising Program- COMING SOON
Christmas 2022 Program- PROGRAM FULL
Spring 2023 Program- COMING SOON
