Ascent Blog

Good soil is the foundation to a healthy garden. Learn what you can do to keep your soil healthy all year long.

Branches that grow out of the tree roots are called suckers. Suckers are fast growing and grow long and straight. These are fast growing, skinny branches that grow out of the roots or around the base of the tree.

How to get a lush, green lawn free of moss

Five common reasons why your lawn might be patchy in Victoria

Loppers or a handsaw work for cutting small and medium size bamboo, large patches will require power equipment. This method works well for managing a bamboo patch, but cutting alone will not eradicate it.

Cut the vines to ground level - Loppers, a hand saw, or garden shears will work for small blackberry bushes, while large patches will require power equipment. Cutting works well for managing blackberry bushes, but cutting alone will not eradicate them.

A Comprehensive Guide

Clover or “Oxalis” is an ornamental and invasive plant widespread on Vancouver island. There are many varieties of clover, some of which are more invasive than others. This article is focused on the invasive varieties. Clover establishes itself quickly and grows a deep taproot as well as a rapidly expanding system of roots and stems that sprout new plants. A single clover can produce up to 5000 seeds per year.

Small and young buttercup plants can be pulled out from the roots. This is easiest when the soil is soft and wet.

Cut it to ground level with loppers, hand pruners or a hand saw. Cutting alone will not eliminate daphne but it is an important first step.

English Ivy is an invasive species widespread on Vancouver Island. The Invasive Species Council of BC states “English Ivy is an evergreen vine that is a serious, smothering invasive”.  It quickly forms a dense mat that suppresses native plants. English ivy grows rapidly and needs very little light or water once it is established, and even grows during the winter.

Cut it down to ground level with a handsaw, large loppers or chainsaw. Cutting alone will not eliminate gorse as it will regrow from its roots but this is an important first step.

Cut it down to ground level with a handsaw, large loppers or chainsaw. Cutting alone will not eliminate holly as it will regrow from its roots but this is an important first step.

Mint is an ornamental and edible plant that has invasive properties. Mint forms dense thickets that rapidly expand in size. Mint patches grow an extensive root system that spreads rapidly and creates new plants that spread outward.

Winning the War on Weeds

Here are nine effective strategies to remove moss from your lawn

It is very important to wear gloves, long sleeves and other protective gear when working with myrtle spurge. Myrtle spurge releases a latex sap that is very toxic.

Cut it down to ground level with a string trimmer, hedge trimmer or hand clippers. Periwinkle will regrow from its roots but this is an important first step.

The lower the broom is cut to the ground the less likely it is to re-grow. Cut it below the lowest branches, at or below soil level.

Cut it down to ground level with a handsaw, large loppers or chainsaw. Cutting alone will not eliminate snowberry as it will regrow from its roots but this is an important first step.

Tent caterpillars are fuzzy, reddish brown caterpillars that average 2-3 inches in length. They usually make tent-like nests in between branches of trees and shrubs. They are considered pests.

The lower the thistle is cut to the ground the less likely it is to re-grow. Cut it below the lowest leaves or right at soil level.

Cut wild rose to ground level - Cut it down to ground level with a handsaw, large loppers or chainsaw. Cutting alone will not eliminate wild rose as it will regrow from its roots but this is an important first step.

Here are steps to help you get weeds out of your lawn in Victoria

Encourage your apple tree to yield a bountiful harvest

Here are effective strategies to maximize fruit production on your fig tree

Effective tips to help your figs ripen

Encourage your magnolia tree to produce more blooms

Follow these tips tailored to the local conditions

Key steps to achieve lush, dense boxwood hedges