Trim It Up

03/24/2026

I want to quote something, written in two posts to the forum "growing fruit".
Quoting member "Clarkinks" there at Growing fruit.
(Edited - and made into a single quote, by me.)

This really gets to the concept of fruit tree pruning.
I'm usually uncomfortable assigning thought and reaction to trees, but this sort of does speak to them having a reactive instinct.

You can argue details (and there are a number of...frankly contradictory techniques) but the basics, the big view that you need to understand, is as follows:

****

" After a person prunes they are satisfied they shaped the tree. The tree doesn’t see it that way! Its limbs and foliage were removed, so it must respond to what in nature is a severe herbivore problem, doing so with rapid growth.... outgrowing its "predator".
Growth of fruit? Well, that can wait until after the tree eater attack has passed. Notably, it will try to grow very tall now to stay out of reach of the deer, moose, elk or whatever ate so many limbs and leaves.
I see people not "get it": the fruit is put on hold because the tree refocuses on its need to grow more foliage.
Cutting off fruiting wood is crazy and every year I see it every where I go. This last spring I saw pears that would have fruited get put back into vegetative states after pruning. It’s a difficult thing for many to see.
They blame the pear tree saying things like, "One year I got a dozen pears... a lot of other years, nothing. I take good care of that pear too! prune it, Fertilize it every year!" - and of course fertilizing, at least with a nitrogen containing compound, is wholly counter productive."

/end quote

FWIW, I use and recommend this easily sourced, low priced product. I do it with an initial watering the first few days of May, and again as the fruit takes initial shape.
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/vigoro-600g-all-purpose-plant-food-in-shaker/1001035478
Notice it doesn't say anything about fruit trees, but it is very suitable!
It's form is basically like instant coffee. Scoop some out per directions- don't go overboard, shake it into the dripline of the tree.

And at least at the spring feed, water it in well.

Later, not watering it in per se, will give a slower release.

VIGORO ALL PURPOSE organic-based plant food is designed to improve the soil`s nutrient content and optimize conditions for healthier plants. For all indoor and outdoor plants

03/16/2026

I've mentioned I'm looking for small handyman jobs.
It maybe be best for you to review what I have for tools, more than I just trying to make a list of sub-trades.

Partial list of tools I have:
Air compressor 4.9cfm rated (largest "portable". Rigid brand)
table saw
portable band saw with conversion stand to use as fixed-position
reciprocating saw
Couple angle grinders with wood power rasp discs and diamond discs and wire wheels
circular saw with multiple wood and diamond discs
drill press
corded drills- 2 of 1/2 and 1 of 3/8 and a cordless 3/8 with a large selection of bits and hole saws and forstners
cut out tool (giant dremel)
router
belt sander
impact wrench
impact driver
power ratchet
oscillating tool
2 types of digital angle measurer
Wet/dry XXL size Rigid shop vac
65" HD crow bar
indexible-head extending pry bar
ratcheting load-bar/jacks
40 ton press

I have a lot of automotive skills and equipment, but that is somewhat a controlled industry with obviously liability. I can for a very small fee, review your options and provide a further explanation on a repair... Or "edit" or "shop" a quote you have received. That part I've done professionally.
I can shop for service, parts or a whole car (for the right compensation). Get one started after it's been sitting all winter. Things and stuff. Just what is legal.

Same sort of situation exists legally and ethically for me doing anything for you electrically. My father taught the electrical trade at Lakeland College, so I have a strange background of, on one hand, letting him do anything that came up, but also, of getting some ultimate-quality in-depth explanations. I can suggest things, just can't do them.

I do furniture repair. Not really in terms of refinishing work, but more thinking decent looking, often invisible repairs so that for example, a chair out of a set can be returned to use.
- & of course, assembly of kit-type purchases (online, Ikea).

I can repair old style wood frame windows.

I can do small concrete jobs and small asphalt jobs (have torch).
I built myself a freestanding grey "brick" (pavers from Home Depot) planter, custom curved to match my front walk. That exact project was a first time thing for me... and time consuming and even the number of pavers ended up adding up to $$$, but certainly I can do one of those.

With regard to previously mentioned landscaping and eaves trough skills, I can certainly set up a water catch system. I can source you barrels, I know the trick to adding a faucet to one, and make them fill each other...and to not getting unpleasant scent later in summer.

As always, gates are a specialty. If you have one that doesn't latch well, I'm your guy.

Call now to connect with business.

03/16/2026

Hey just wanted to say I am still around.
A few people in real life asked me if I'm doing the usual landscaper thing of snow removal. And I did it for them. But... no. :) IDK Maybe. ha.

I originally had hopes I'd build up over summer 2024 to get some winter/year round contracts from former employers (car dealers). When that fell through I did not invest in winter specific equipment.
Now obviously, I can do a lot with my backpack blower and shovels and scrapers and a coarse broom.
But it's tough for me to chase that work.
Let me say first, I'm outdoor hardy as can be but, a pair of slip and falls on top of a prior injury have given me sacroiliitis- a pain in back of my pelvis. I can still do everything I want, including work, but another fall or two would be serious.
Another factor is the travel around the city on icy roads. If I travel 45 minutes each way and work at your yard or small medium business for 25 minutes, what do I charge? Note I'm into it for 1h55m....
That was a real case. And I got stuck on the yellowhead at 4:45pm, so I was actually into it for 2h20m.
I can joke about it now, and at no time did I lose sight of the fact $50 for 25 min seemed a lot to ask of the customer...but any less was not a business model.
So... I'm in the area of 60 st north of the river.
(Nicer area than people think, fwiw)
And... if that isn't too far from you then could be that snow help is on the way...call me :)

So, this winter I am:
- designing and building an enclosure of my deck. A sun room conversion of a very asymmetrical deck that adds major complexity. It's already improved my ability to estimate.
- I'm taking on handyman work, inside. I'll follow up that statement. This post is more the social side of social media.
- I'm dealing with an immediate family member aging.

- Professionally, looking ahead, I have sourced 2 separate products to control the over size earthworms that appear in some lawns.

Why? Well some people like them, some don't. The larger ones in some lawns make a mess.
Still some defend them.
Did you know that for the Prairies technically earth worms are NOT native?
There are some stories that they are beneficial. The answer is complex but the TLDR; is: sort of, often not really).
Both treatments are natural (ish).
In the first case, a use of an acidifying type of ammonium not all that different than you'd use to fertilize acid loving plants. The second is a dried "mash" left over from tea leaf (the drink) production- actually compounded specifically for this purpose. I have application methods figured out, but not amount/rate. I'll experiment on my own lawn, first.

11/06/2025

A good example of how I deal with leaves.
Not by manual raking.
The mow is looking nicer than the neighbour's on the left.
Very slow walk the mower forward, grass was long. Pull it back to "vaccuum" the remains Go to the next line. Do about 2 lines and dump the bag. Leaves are shredded, takes have the bags or less, and less manual work.

10/16/2025

Speaking of fences. I'm generally known as the "gate whisperer" having had 3 instances where I was able to fix a client's "difficult" gate. Simple, but a nice bonus to a couple landscaping jobs and a handy man job.

10/16/2025

Oct 10-14 I planned and installed a used chainlink fence, something the "professional installers" would not.
Concreted posts, privacy slats, full features.

Plan is for returning the garage to ready access. (Orange arrow)
Photo taken a few hours prior to wrap up.

10/16/2025

Apple tree. Did not capture a before. I wish I did. It would drive business ! But all the dead branches on the pavement came out of this tree.

07/29/2025

Back on here, continuing to offer plant-focused smaller scale services.
I'm not your guy for retaining walls and hardscape patios.

But if it involves plants, shrubs and trees, very good change I am your guy.

Not planning to invest in snow removal equipment, so as I am writing this. a bit of a flash in the pan business plan!

Let me know how I can help! Neglected residential properties? New to home? Planning to put a property on the market? Interested in doing a fall planting of fruit trees or other ornamentals?
I'm practising with AI doing renders (landscape renderings)...discounted rates.

Based in the NE quadrant of the city (66st and Yellowhead).

Send a message to learn more

09/03/2024

Collection of equipment:

leaf blower

eaves pipe for blower (with separate inspection camera! not shown)

pole trimmer - its 20+ feet add to my 6' and any ladder's height. Max about 1.2" branches.

Lawn leveling rake don't use this a ton, but going into winter can be used to fill low points and smoothen rough lawn.

mower (bag or mulch)

w**d wacker
scissor trimmer (reduces damage compared to w**d wacker, eg edging along stained fence)
dandelion w**der/puller
edger
hoe
leaf rake
manual aerator (specific uses, does not take the place of an mechanical aerator, but nice to have. I've contoured areas subtly by agresive use couple with watering)
Planting shovel
brooms
PPE
Auger planter
hand spades
sawzall * - many blade choices
chainsaw *
w**dwacker* ( *have portable 120v supply)
Pressure washer
concrete cleaning pressure washer attachment

NOT Shown:

Lopper - 24"
pruners
gloves
pails and bags

Minimal if any chemicals.
Open to non chemical, but can explain options.
Chemicals do save labour and get results, and some are very natural- eg iron selective herbicides- we have centuries if not longer, of familairity with iron.

09/03/2024

Two views of an unusual project.
Lawn was "hu**ed" and draining toward the house, and draining excessively to neighbours yard, in spring.
(** back story- previous owner build the very nice stack stone raised bed to the right, and did a very nice job- road crush base, well fitted. But... he overbought on soil to fill it, and rather than deal with the waste, he over filled the backyard....!)
We (myself and a part time labourer I have on call for larger projects, my ex's room mate), rented a sod stripper, and preserved the lawn- quite a bit of dirt tracked into it in the 2nd photo, but I assure you I was mowing it a few weeks later.

Soil was removed, sod replaced.

09/03/2024

Planter I built. Best way to explain its construction is to say a barrel with the hoops on the inside.
I'm afraid I did not keep track of hours on this one, and each custom install is unique.
Give me an idea of what you want and a photo of the site location and I will give you an estimate.
Mixture of bulbs (lilies), known hardy perennials (wintergreen, Bergenia, Astilbe, Bugbane, Artemesia) and some experimental perennials (Japanese fern, Primrose 'wanda') along with some annuals (Coleous, petunia, Angel wings) and wheat grass.
Selections limited by shadiness of location.

09/03/2024

Commercial work I have done in a professional capacity.
Dealership was adopting new corporate colours, so new black mulch was a start. You work with what you have.
Certainly planting columnar Aspen was not my choice.
I tend to agree with this weblink [No Association] when they say it's borderline unethical to plant those. Maintenance and removal of them is assured...
https://www.arborcare.com/blog/why-arborcare-no-longer-recommends-columnar-aspen

Maybe to my detriment business wise I prioritize low maintenance, natural growth, and shrub health over (IMO) faux hedge trimmed "neatness". Doing that tends to strip a large portion of green growth off, reducing hardiness of the shrub, plus create a maintenance requirement that need not exist.

I am no longer doing their work, due to a change in ownership.

References available on request- it was an amicable parting.