HomeStars News and Updates
It’s winter! And we’ve already had the first snowfall of the season. Just because there’s global warming doesn’t mean that there isn’t going to be lots of snow. This weekend in Vancouver we had a big dump of snow and there’s more on the way. Here at the HomeStars HQ in Toronto we’ve had a small amount of snow, but there’s forecasted to be more in the next few weeks.
As a homeowner, it’s nice to wake up and not have to shovel the car out of the driveway. There are snow removal companies that can do this for you.
Finding a good snow removal company can be tough. Reading the reviews for many of these companies there seems to be a tendency to over-promise and under-deliver. Companies promise that within a certain number of hours after a snowfall they will come and remove the snow on your driveway, but, as happens in a snowstorm, circumstances can get the better of the situation and they end up late, or not showing up altogether – especially after the customer has paid for the service. Ontario Snow Removal’s reviews are a case in point.
Snow Removal We mailed them a cheque for the full amount, they came once to do have of the job and we never saw them again, I did the shoveling by myself and I called them hundreds of times and they never got back to me, they are absolutely the worse thieves ever, they used to call us twice aday before they got the money and then after they got the cheque, they never answer the phone.
Well reviewed Red Robin Home Solutions recently launched a snow removal listing, and given their positive reviews for their other services, one can expect them to be good. But dig down in the Toronto listings and you’ll see the category thin, with Cunha Snow removal leading with only a single review!
If you think the category is thin on reviews in Toronto, Vancouver doesn’t yet have a single review. We’ve heard the Bur-Han Lawn Care provides the service in the winter, so if you’re looking in Vancouver, give them a call.
In Calgary take a look at GSR Professional Landscapers who also have a review, and also provide the service.
Some tips from the experts, and from the reviews:
- Get clear expectionations of what to expect up front
- Remember that Snow Removal companies get busy and things can get complicated during a storm, but they should show up in a reasonable amount of time
- Don’t pay all your money up front – spread the payments over the course of the season
Have you had a snow removal company for the season? Write them a review and help other homeowners.
Posted by BrianS
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In our first home we took advantage of the Toronto’s downspout disconnection program and added a rainbarrel to our house. It captured all the rainwater from our roof and we used it regularly to water our plants. It filled quickly and we never ran out of water (mind you it was only for the plants, we didn’t use it for the lawn). The one drawback of the rainbarrel system I found was that it collected a lot of goop — brown sludgy stuff that was probably old leaves and other rotting vegetation. I suppose if I’d been a better gardiner and we’d stayed at that house, I would have had to figure out a way to clean out the rain barrel every few years.
Aquascape RainXchange diagram of how it works
A new-to-Canada underground rainwater collection system is the Aquascape RainXchange. Rainwater from your roof top, or even through permeable patio stones, is filtered and collected underground. A pump works to circulate the water and put it through a water feature above ground. Because the size of the cistern, it can be used for watering garden beds, and lawns if necessary. Seperate pumps are used to deliver water to the yard and hoses can be hooked up as you would to your municipal outdoor tap.
Some of the advantages of using rainwater versus municipal water:
- Rainwater isn’t treated and therefore better for your lawn, meaning less fertilizer is needed.
- Using rainwater means you aren’t limited to municipal watering restrictions in times of drought
- Water from downspouts (those detached from the city’s sewer system), doesn’t pool in one place
- Less municipal water use (decreases your water bill)
- Eases stress on city sewer system
Connie Cadotte of Garden Retreats has just finished installing one under her backyard. Placement of the system is determined by the location of your downspout. There are several sets of filters, an overflow tank in case there’s been a lot of rain, hose outlets and a water feature — in her case a bird bath that helps circulate the water.
Below are some pictures taken during and after the RainXchange in Connie’s backyard:
For more information on the RainXchange, see their website.
Excavation
Permeable Patio Liner
Reservoir Liner
Bird Bath (complete project)
Posted by CathyR
1 Comment » | Permanent Link
The weather has been beautiful of late, but my summer plants are starting to look on the seedy side. My garden urn in particular is looking less than spectacular. When I go to the grocery store and browse through the nurseries I am uninspired by the purple cabbage and purple grasses that are on display. I like them, I just need a bit more colour for my taste.
I contacted Connie Cadotte of Garden Retreats and asked her to give me some suggestions for colour for this time of year — both for the garden and my urn.
Here are her suggestions:
Annuals: In addition to kale and flowering cabbage, she also recommends asters, blanket flower and icicle pansies.
Perennials: Sedum autumn joy, some lavender varieties, Black-eyed Susans, Japanese Anemone, Russian Sage, Salvia, Hydrangea shrubs and perennial grasses.
And, looking towards next spring, tulip, crocus, daffodil, narcissus, and grape hydrangea bulbs need to be planted in the fall.
Happy gardening!
Posted by CathyR
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