Ditch the chemicals for a naturally beautiful lawn and garden, using living fertilizers and other nontoxic treatments.

Soil

The foundation of a healthy landscape is healthy soil. This is the mantra of many landscape architects. An organic garden relies heavily on compost, because it’s the best method of returning decomposed organic matter back to the soil. Compost tea, manure tea or broken-down compost from your yard waste bin will work magic on your plants.

Other ways to help create a healthy soil ecosystem include the use of organic fertilizer, like fish emulsion and adding mycorrhizal fungi to your soil. The fungi benefit plants by helping them to absorb more nutrients. It’s a natural process that you can foster in your own soil to help your garden thrive.

Living fertilizer. White clover (Trifolium repens) is a nitrogen-fixing low ground cover plant that adds nitrogen to the soil. It does well in nutrient-poor soils and can make a lovely lawn addition. Add clover to your lawn and let the bees and pollinators have a great time.

Clover is very easy to maintain and looks good. Adding a “living fertilizer” like clover contributes to a healthy soil that is rich with nutrients.

Lawn

This is the obvious first place to consider reducing chemical applications. Lawns make up a large percentage of North American homeowners’ landscapes. Who doesn’t love lounging on a lush lawn, and it’s a great surface for kids and pets to run around on. 

Lawn Aeration and Thatch

You may need to aerate your lawn to allow for some oxygen to reach the upper crust of soil. This will improve the soil tilth under your sod and is usually necessary if you have been using synthetic chemicals and fertilizers for several years.

One way to evaluate if your lawn and the soil below are acting as a healthy ecosystem is by looking at the amount of thatch collected under the grass blades. Thatch is the dead, brown grass blades that are meant to break down into the soil. There should be some thatch in your lawn, but not a buildup of more than 2 inches. A buildup means that your grass is not properly breaking down into the soil. Establish a healthy soil ecosystem and the thatch will begin to break down into the soil to feed your lawn.

Mowing

Mowing has a huge impact on the health of an organic lawn. Setting your mower to a higher height that allows the grass to grow longer will actually help shade out some weeds.

There are mixes of grasses called “no mow” and “low mow” that combine several species of grasses that perform and look great on an infrequent mowing schedule.

You also have the option of completely reworking your lawn into a short-grass meadow of sedge. Carex grasses that are native to your region can be densely planted and allowed to grow long to provide a very nice natural look. This type of alternative lawn has been growing in popularity as more gardeners are discovering the beauty of long grasses.

Mulching Your Lawn

Let your lawnmower mulch the grass clippings. This means that the grass clippings are added back to the lawn to break down and feed the soil. For this to work properly, your lawn has to be able to break down organic material. Only start to mulch your grass clippings once you have aerated and established a healthy soil in your lawn, and there is only a small amount of thatch present.

Trees and Woody Shrubs

Do you regularly have a shrub that is diseased or a host to pests? One of the easiest ways to get a pest-free landscape is by using natives. Native plants do not come under attack like the nonnative, ornamental varieties. You can add native plants yourself or do a major overhaul by working with a designer who specializes in native plantings. 

The same principles for building healthy soil apply to trees and shrubs. Be sure to collect your leaves and clippings to add to the compost pile. Adding the dead organic matter to your pile, letting it decompose and then adding it back to your soil is a way to mimic the decay-growth cycle of nature.

Weeds

Weeds are a nuisance to the home gardener. Eradication of weeds can be a constant battle. The key is to be one step ahead of those pesky plants that sprout up in the most undesirable places. Weeds can be hand pulled or removed with hand tools so they are fully dug up.

Pests

There are many, many beneficial garden insects. Learn to differentiate between the good and bad. An influx of a pest is typically a sign of an imbalance in your landscape. Solve the imbalance organically and you may have fewer issues over time as your landscape becomes healthier.

Professionals

Talk with a landscape maintenance company about switching to an organic plan. The lawn-mowing, weed-removing business is very competitive, and your hired company will want to keep you as a client. Communicate that you want to transition to an organic plan. If your current company is unable to provide organic service, find somebody else. 

Landscapes and gardens are always a work in progress. There will be a give and take as you discover how to succeed with your garden organically.

With patio furniture, you can extend your indoor style to your landscape or try something completely different. You can mix and match for an eclectic feel. One important consideration, no matter your style, is how well your furniture will hold up to your weather conditions, including moisture, hot sun and strong winds.

More expensive pieces tend to be of better quality and longer-lasting, but don’t use that as your only guide. Check out how well each piece is made and educate yourself on the pros and cons, as well as the care issues, for different materials. If you’re finding secondhand pieces, which can be great bargains, evaluate them with the same eye.

Wood

Wood has long been the go-to option for outdoor furniture. It’s long-lasting, it can handle different weather conditions and it’s wonderfully versatile when it comes to style. You’ll find everything from traditional wood benches and tables to contemporary wood pieces.

Pros

Sturdy, long-lasting and readily available. It doesn’t absorb heat like many other outdoor options. It adapts to any design style. Many options are resistant to mold, decay and rot and repel water and insects. Teak is a good choice for seaside locations.

Cons

Good-quality pieces can be expensive. It requires some yearly upkeep, especially if you don’t want the pieces to weather. May succumb to rot and decay earlier than expected if placed on soft ground or grass without protection. Can splinter and crack in harsh weather.

What To Look For

Wood that is naturally resistant to mold, decay and rot and, ideally, is water and insect repellant. Teak, cedar, old-growth cypress and redwood are the most familiar of these woods, but other options include acacia, eucalyptus and the tropical shorea woods.

Test For Solid Construction

Check for dowels or mortise and tenon construction or hardware made from stainless steel or brass, or that has been treated to be rustproof.

Maintenance

Oil or stain the wood and seal it yearly if you don’t want it to weather to a silvery gray. If you’re painting your wood, use a paint with UV filters to protect from the sun. If possible, cover pieces or bring them inside in winter.

Wicker and Rattan

Wicker and rattan outdoor furniture give your outdoor space a classic country or beach-style look — as long as you keep it under a cover. These natural materials, along with similar options like bamboo and natural grasses, can’t handle prolonged exposure to sun and rain.

If you want to move your furniture to a more exposed outdoor location in summer, seal the wicker with wood furniture sealer or marine varnish (test first in an inconspicuous spot to be sure you like the results) or with tung oil to help preserve it. Painting is another option; finish with marine varnish to help seal the surface.

The good news is that new synthetic options, often called “all-weather wicker,” look like the real thing but will easily handle outdoor conditions.

Pros

Inexpensive, lightweight and easy to care for. Style options range from traditional to contemporary. Natural materials can also be painted. Wicker look-alikes made from resin are a good choice for seaside locations.

Cons

The natural materials will deteriorate with exposure to weather. Strong winds may topple or move lighter pieces.

What To Look For

Solid construction, thick weaving and no fraying or gaps, especially on used pieces. Check how comfortable it is and if you will want cushions.

Maintenance

Vacuum up crumbs and dirt periodically. Wipe surfaces with a cloth or soft brush dampened in a mixture of water and dishwashing detergent. Rinse with cold water. Check periodically for how well the material is holding up. If you seal your furniture, reapply once a year. Cover or store indoors in winter.

Aluminum

When it comes to easy-care furniture, aluminum is at the top of the list. It’s tough enough to stand up to almost anything Mother Nature can throw at it and requires almost no maintenance. It’s also less expensive than many other options. Hollow or tubular aluminum furniture is lighter and less expensive than cast aluminum and generally offers more style options. Cast aluminum, which is sturdier and more expensive, is also usually more traditional in style.

Pros

Inexpensive, lightweight, naturally rustproof and highly durable, especially when coated with a finish. Pieces are available in a wide range of styles and finishes. Cast aluminum is very durable. A good choice for seaside locations if wind isn’t a problem.

Cons

Hollow aluminum is not a good choice for windy areas. It can retain heat from the sun. You also may need to add cushions for comfort.

What To Look For 

Strong construction and a minimum of welds or joints in longer sections; stainless steel or other rustproof hardware. Powder-coated finishes are the most durable.

Maintenance

Clean periodically with a mild soap and water. Cover during winter for added protection, or bring indoors.

Stainless Steel, Steel and Metal

Stainless steel and galvanized steel furniture bridges the gap between aluminum and wrought iron. It’s a good compromise between the two when it comes to its weight, being heavier and less prone to being bounced around than lightweight aluminum pieces but not as massive as wrought iron. Styles range from retro metal chairs to modern design in a wide range of colors.

Pros

Sturdy, durable and easy to care for. You’ll find pieces available in a wide range of styles.

Cons

Steel conducts heat and can become hot to touch. You may need cushions to offset this, or just for general comfort. You will need to apply a protective finish every year or two to galvanized steel furniture if it hasn’t been treated.

What To Look For

Tight construction and smooth joints. Non-stainless steel pieces should be powder-coated to prevent rust.

Maintenance

Clean with a mild soap and water, and rinse with water. Add a protective finish every year to steel to protect against rust.

Wrought Iron and Cast Iron

If you want furniture that can stand up to strong winds, then iron is the way to go. Both wrought iron and cast iron are remarkably solid and also add a sense of historic graciousness and beauty to your space.

Wrought iron, in particular, is known for its ornate, decorative designs. Wrought iron is best used where it can be sheltered from the elements, but you can find rustproof pieces or add a protective finish.

Pros

Solid construction and classic styling. Very long-lasting. Powder-coated pieces are rustproof, although you will need to touch up any scratches.

Cons

Heavy. Will need periodical rust prevention and possible touch-up paint to stave off rust. May need cushions for added comfort.

What To Look For

Choose welded pieces that are solid with smooth finishes. Powder-coated pieces with UV resistance provide the best durability. Test any springs or moving parts to be sure they function well. Check the weight to be sure you can move the pieces.

Maintenance

Wash with a mild soap and water, and rinse to clean. Let it dry thoroughly. You can also apply a wax finish to smooth surfaces and baby oil or mineral oil to other surfaces for added protection. Oil moving parts and springs once a year. Apply rust protection and any needed touch-up paint periodically. Bring inside or under shelter in winter.

Modern Man-Made Materials

Plastics, polyethylene, resin and fiberglass — whatever they’re made from, synthetic options have come into their own as outdoor furniture. They can hold up to almost any weather conditions, although strong winds may be a challenge for lightweight options.

Available colors are almost limitless. When it comes to looks, some choices are unabashedly synthetic; others mimic other materials almost exactly, from Adirondack chairs to futuristic lounges. Many are also made of recycled materials, making them eco-friendly. If you’re at the seaside, look for furniture made of HDPE (High Density Polyethylene).

Pros

Extremely low-cost options make it easy to “furnish” your patio or garden without spending much. Materials are extremely durable and style options seem endless. Synthetic replicas of natural materials may be almost indistinguishable from the real product and hold up better to wear and tear. High-end options may be individualized.

Cons

Plastic resin and PVC aren’t as long-lasting. The lower-end products can be flimsy and colors can fade.

What To Look For

Pieces that don’t wobble or look poorly made. Options with UV protection will last longer, as will higher-end furniture. Check fit to be sure they are comfortable.

Maintenance

Check with manufacturer’s directions, but you can wipe down most pieces with a mild soap and water, and rinse. Store to protect from harsh winter weather and to minimize fading.

If you’re considering working with a landscape designer, finding the right fit — and avoiding surprises midway through the project — is largely about knowing which questions to ask upfront and being familiar with the range of services these professionals provide.

First, Get Your Ducks In A Row

Before reaching out to a professional, write a wish list for your garden remodel, establish your priorities and budget, and decide which parts of the process you’d like to hire a pro for help. With this on paper, you’ll have a clear sense of what you’re looking for in a designer before you begin to contact professionals.

Questions to Ask

What Services Do You Offer? 

First and foremost, determine what services a landscape designer offers to see if he or she is the right person for your project. The best question a client can ask is: ‘Are you experienced with the scope of work we want, and can you design and manage it?’

Generally speaking, landscape designers fall into one of three categories, depending on the services they offer:

Design Only

Some designers specialize only in the design process. This typically includes a site analysis and discussion of a client’s needs, a preliminary design, revisions based on your feedback, and a final detailed master plan for your garden. This detailed planting plan and construction document is then handed over to you (or a landscape contractor of your choosing) to take it from there.

Design-Build

Others offer the design service described above, as well as overseeing plant purchase and all installation. Contractors are needed for permitting and hardscape installation — sometimes the landscape designer is also a registered contractor, and other times they have landscape contractors on their team or ones to recommend and oversee.

Full service — Design-Build and Maintenance Program

For the highest-touch service, some landscape designers will offer all the above, plus oversee ongoing maintenance of the garden.

Can I See Examples of Your Past Work? 

Consider the style of the designer in relation to the garden you want. If you want a modern city garden, have they designed any before? Or if you are looking for a cottage-stye garden, do they have the plant knowledge to deliver?”

Alternatively, if a designer’s portfolio doesn’t include the particular style you’re looking for, check out his or her credentials for evidence of the training to make the vision of your garden a reality. Degrees from accredited landscape design colleges and memberships in professional organizations are both good indicators.

Do You Offer Garden Consultations? 

Some landscape designers will offer one- to two-hour garden consultations. During this meeting, a designer will typically come over to your property, join you for a walk around the garden, listen to what you’d like to accomplish with your remodel and begin to bounce some ideas around for the design.

This is a great opportunity for you to determine whether you have a fit with the designer, and for the designer to see if he or she fits with you as a client. It is important for you to determine what role you want to play. Are you interested in a collaboration, [want to] defer completely to the designer or have a clear idea for your garden and just want someone to implement it?

Don’t expect an initial consult to be free of charge — it is, after all, one or two hours of a professional’s time — though some designers will put the consult fee toward the cost of the design if you end up hiring them.

What Ideas Do You Have For Our Garden? 

After you’ve shared your wish list and budget with the designer, and the designer has had a chance to view your property, ask what vision the designer has for your landscape. Designers have different mediums of presenting their ideas for your landscape, ranging from a collage-style mood board with inspiration images for plants and hardscape materials to a two-dimensional, to-scale drawing created with a CAD program or by hand.

This is the time to speak up about what you like and dislike in the design or if you see anything that’s missing from your wish list — for example, more space for tool storage, room to grow vegetables or an area with shade. Following this meeting, a designer will draw up a revised design drawing based on your feedback.

What Is Your Process? 

A designer’s process depends on the services he or she offers. Get to know the process — and whether you or the designer is responsible for overseeing each step — from the beginning so that you’ll know what to expect once the project is underway. If you’re hiring a designer who specializes in design only, ask yourself whether you have the time or experience necessary to oversee the project installation or if the designer has contractors to recommend.

What Is The Estimated Cost? 

Clear communication regarding the estimated cost of the project and your budget is essential. Ask your designer for a range of cost for both the design and the installation. Most installation estimates are drawn up by a contractor based on the cost per square foot of installing areas of hardscape outlined on the plan for the yard.

Another key question to ask your designer: “How are changes in scope handled during the design and installation process?” Given that unanticipated design changes often come up midproject, it’s important to be clear on whether a designer will charge additional fees for the time it takes to change the design plan or installation.

As a responsible client, you also need to be honest with a landscape designer regarding your budget for the project. Knowing a budget beforehand is crucial, it doesn’t mean that a designer needs to spend the budget but dictates what [he or she] can realistically design for. If a look you like is over your budget, designers often have creative ways to stretch your budget and give you the best garden for your space.

Are There Any Ways To Reduce Cost? 

Pathways, patios, retaining walls and decks are generally more expensive than planted garden areas, so the more hardscape there is in the design, the more it’s likely going to cost to install. Plus, the materials used for hardscape can vary widely for both the product and the installation.

It’s best to have a conversation with a designer when you are discussing the initial plan about ways to reduce the cost of the landscape to stay on budget. The designer will have ideas about where you can save money without compromising style, and what elements are worth a splurge.

How Long Will Installation Take? 

The time it takes to design and install a landscape depends on a number of factors: size and scope of the project, availability of contractors and other installation specialists, ordering and delivery times for materials and plants, dry weather for laying hardscape, and unexpected setbacks during installation. Instead of asking a landscape designer to have the installation done by a certain date, ask for an estimated range for the project to be completed.

As eager as you may be to enjoy your new landscape, keep in mind that skilled installation of hardscape and careful planting takes time. While landscaping on TV is inspirational and great entertainment, high-quality work takes time to install.

When Will The Garden Grow In? 

The time it takes for a garden to grow in depends on the scope of the design, what types of plants are proposed and how mature the plants are when they’re planted. A smaller area with ornamental grasses and perennials can grow in within a single season, but larger and more complex designs with trees and large shrubs can take years to reach maturity. Ask your designer which plants make sense to splurge for semimature specimens (like focal-point trees or shrubs needed for screening) and which plants can be purchased small and fill in quickly (like most ground covers, vegetables and ornamental grasses).

How Much Maintenance Will It Take To Keep The Garden Looking Good? 

Different styles of gardens and plants require very different levels of care. Be upfront with your landscape designer about how much maintenance you are willing to commit — either your own time or that of a hired gardener — going forward. Once you’ve invested in hiring a landscape designer and installing a garden, you’ll want to keep your landscape alive and flourishing for years to come. Ask your landscape designer if he or she has recommended maintenance gardeners or specialists to take care of the garden going forward.

Overwatering to planting too tightly, are some of the most common gardening faux pas which are born from the best intentions; however, these mistakes can lead to plant stress or its demise. If you are like me you maybe making these common gardening mistakes.

Wrong Plant, Wrong Place

Solution: Choose plants suited to your climate (check plant tag and hardiness zone); plant them in the right sun exposure and soil type.

If you plant a shade-loving fern in the hot sun, there’s just no way it will thrive. The same goes for putting a sun-loving plant in dark shade or planting a dry-climate shrub in an area with heavy rainfall. While this may seem obvious, planting the wrong plant in the wrong place is one of the most common gardening miscalculations. If you make this mistake the plant will show signs of distress, such as yellowing or burnt leaves or little growth.

Choosing the right plant is important but can be challenging for beginer gardeners to get right.

A good place to start is to look up your climate zone. Look at the sun and shade pattern of the area you would like to plant as well as the soil type and moisture level. Cross-check with plant tags at your local nursery. A well-chosen plant, whether native or exotic, suited to your climate and site will need little care to thrive. A landscape designer can help choose plants that will grow well in your climate and garden. Use the expertise of your local nursery.

Forgetting About Soil Health

Solution: Enrich soil with compost before planting, and adopt practices that build healthy soil long term.

While we only see what happens aboveground, it’s what’s below the surface that feeds your plants.  Spend some time and effort into creating a rich, well-drained soil before putting any plants in the ground.

Do a basic soil test before planting to check soil pH and for the presence (or lack thereof) of essential plant nutrients and minerals. Then enrich the soil with high-quality compost and organic fertilizers to address any nutrient deficiencies.

To build healthy soil long term, avoid practices that strip the soil’s top layer and kills the beneficial organisms that help plants grow. Leave leaves below shrubs and trees or use high-quality mulch to keep soil protected. Avoid chemical-based fertilizers and pesticides that, if used incorrectly, can kill soil organisms.

Overwatering

Solution: Water according to plant needs. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.

Most plants don’t like sitting in water-logged soil, and overwatering, particularly if soil does not drain freely, can lead to root rot and plant death.

Overwatering is the most common mistakes gardeners make: too-frequent watering leads to lazy root growth. Overwatering makes plants too dependent on water and doesn’t allow them to establish deep roots. There is one exception to this rule: new plantings do need frequent consisten watering.

Check on plants regularly and give water when plants show signs of needing it.

Underwatering

Solution: Monitor plants’ water needs. Water young plants frequently; trees deeply.

Equally, little to no watering is a common problem. Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves, drooping branches and dry soil. Seedlings and young plants that have yet to establish root systems are the most vulnerable to drying out; water them often.

Large shrubs and trees require a good soaking when it is hot or windy. Set a hose on very low dribble and move it around the drip line of a tree for up to an hour.

Neglecting Weeds

Solution: Weed regularly, use mulch and choose plants that cover soil.

Weeding is always on a gardener’s to-do list, and it’s a rookie mistake to fall too far behind — particularly if you’ve recently planted a garden. Be vigilant in pulling weeds, especially when your plants are young, as weeds compete for both water and nutrients in the soil.

Weed by hand instead of using herbicides that can damage surrounding plants and soil microorganisms. Decrease weed spikes by covering bare areas of soil with bark mulch or choosing plants that fill in to form mats, which will naturally suppress weed growth.

Planting Too Closely

Solution: Space plants according to plant tags; estimate for three to five years’ growth for larger plants.

Overplanting and plants too close together is a common issue. Plant larger anchor plants for the garden with three to five years growth in mind (checking the plant tag for mature size and working backward to determine spacing) so the plants get correct light exposure and air circulation.

Overplanting and planting too close together can lead to plant diseases, uneven growth and the need to potentially pull out overgrown plants a year after planting.

Planting Too Far Apart

Solution: Space plants according to plant tags; avoid big empty spaces between larger plants, fill in with perennials and ground cover plants.

Planting plants too far apart raises different issues than planting too tightly. Plant plants so they grow next to each other like in nature. This suppresses weeds and keeps the soil cool. In short, plant close enough that there are not huge empty spaces. Or, fill in around large plants with perennials and low-growing ground covers.

Overpruning Shrubs

Solution: Start with the right size plant for your space; then, prune gently.

Overpruning by shearing the top and sides of a shrub can weaken the plant overall and make it more vulnerable to disease. It also leads to a dead, twiggy center, which can be difficult to rectify. Instead, prune gently and selectively, opening some areas to facilitate air flow.

Most overpruning stems from starting with a wrong-size shrub for its placement and use in the garden (think: wrong plant, wrong place). If you’d like a low-growing border hedge, for example, choose a dwarf shrub that will naturally stay small and you’ll run into fewer challenges than if you try to force a shrub that wants to be 8 feet tall to stay lower than 2 feet.

Mowing Lawns Too Short in Summer

Solution: Raise lawn mower blades to 3 inches in warm seasons; skip mowing during heat waves.

Mowing too short in the summer months and scalping the lawn to dirt is a misjudgment. Mowing when it’s too hot or dry and mowing too short are the most common problems. Allow the lawn to grow longer between mowings, skip mowing when it’s hot and dry and avoiding cropping too short can boost lawn health. Lawn mower blades should be raised to 3 inches high during the warm season.

Making Mulch Volcanoes

Solution: Keep a mulch-free ring (think moat, not volcano) around the trunks of trees and mature shrubs.

While mulch can be helpful at keeping weeds at bay in bare areas, it should not be piled up around tree trunks to form what some people call a mulch volcano.

When the mulch gets wet, it can lead to decay in the bark, which then exposes the plant to diseases. Instead, keep mulch pulled back from the trunks of trees, shrubs and woody perennials, avoiding contact between mulch and bark.

Reaching for Pest Sprays Too Quickly

Solution: Allow beneficial insects to arrive; use sprays as a last resort.

Seeing a cluster of aphids on your favorite rose may have you diving for the insecticide spray. But intervening too quickly doesn’t allow time for beneficial insects to arrive and intervene. Ladybugs, for example, make short work of aphids.

Instead of relying on pesticides, try to establish strong, healthy plants, that can withstand a nibble, and grow companion plants that attract bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects.

If you do want to use pesticides, always follow the instructions on the box and use protective gear.

Overfertilizing

Solution: Follow instructions on the box; stick to organics; prioritize soil health.

It’s natural to think that if giving some fertilizer can help plants grow, giving more will make them thrive. This isn’t the case with synthetic-based fertilizers. Overdoing it can have harmful effects, such as giving chemical “burns” to plant roots or leaves, killing soil microorganisms and causing spikes in plant diseases.

Enhance planting beds with compost and organic fertilizers before planting and you’ll have little need for fertilizing.

For lawns, focus on improving soil quality. If you want to use fertilizers, use organic.

Leaving Trees Staked Too Long

Solution: Remove tree stakes after one or two years.

Some trees are planted with stakes to help them grow straight. While stakes can be helpful for the first few years, after that point, it is unnecessary at best and potentially detrimental to the tree at worst. Stakes are really only necessary for trees growing in exposed, windy sites.

Deer ticks can be vectors for Lyme Disease. The great outdoors is a refuge. Getting outside for some exercise is one of the few activities still permitted amid the current provincial shut downs. But as the warmer temperatures return, so does the hazard posed by ticks. Ticks are out already.There are a lot of people finding ticks on themselves and their pets as they're out and enjoying the trails.

Ticks can be anywhere, including backyards. Usually, they hang out on top of long grass or in the bushes, and as people or animals walk by they jump onto them and bite — often without the victim even knowing it.

Therefore, It's really important that when you come back in, you just do a full body check to make sure you or your pets don't have any ticks on them. Ticks can spread disease through their bites. One tick in particular, the blacklegged or deer tick, spreads Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

The tell-tale sign is a bullseye-shaped rash. Symptoms of Lyme disease, whick usually appear between 3 to 30 days after a bite, include fever, chills, fatigue and muscle pain. Lyme disease can potentially harm systems the heart, nerves and liver. Symptoms from untreated Lyme disease can last years and include recurring arthritis and neurological problems, numbness, paralysis and, in very rare cases, death.

Most tick that carry Lyme disease in BC are found in southwestern BC, including Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast, Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

Only about 1% of ticks carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. They can be found year-round but they are most likely to bite from March to June.

To protect yourself from ticks: walk on cleared trails, wear light coloured clothing so you can see them, tuck your pants into your socks or boots, check for ticks once you return home. If you find a tick, remove it immediately, check children, pets and outdoor gear, put clothing in a hot dryer for 10 minutes to kill any possible ticks.

When removing a tick make sure you remove all its parts. If it hasn’t burrowed completely you can remove it yourself. If it has buried itself deep into your skin, it’s a good idea to get it removed by a doctor. 

You can get a tick tested for Lyme disease, but it will cost you money unless it is submitted by a physician. 

Enjoy our beautiful trails, but when you are out there stay out of high grass and keep your pets out of it too.