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We are passionate about plants and ponds & are immersed in maintaining & creating beautiful, healthy gardens & ponds. Our softscape landscape maintenance, installation & design services are provided using up-to-date, sustainable horticultural principles. Over 14 years Professional Landscaping Experience Red Seal Endorsed Landscape Horticulturist. Family-owned & operated. Caring for & beautifying gardens & ponds in The Cowichan Valley from Cobble Hill - Nanaimo since 2019. Really Love Your Yard! Button

Pond maintenance needs vary through the year. Let us do these many pond maintenance tasks by entering into one of our pond maintenance contracts. Pond Maintenance Calendar Contact The Pond Pixie Spring: As signs of the end of winter begin to disappear, the pond, flora, and fauna will slowly start to awaken in early spring. Test pond water temperature & chemistry: ammonia, pH, nitrates, nitrites, Calcium Hardness (KH) & General Hardness (GH) Treat as needed. Remove all plant debris and sludge that accumulated in the pond over winter. Check pump(s), filter(s), skimmer, water fall(s) fountains for proper working order & repair as needed Check for & repair any leaks Compare pond water clarity, color to its peak condition last summer. Check for foul smell. Spring Cleanout (full or partial) depending on pond conditions BEFORE water temperature reaches 55°F/12.8°C for several days. When water temperature is above 50°F / 10°C for several consecutive days: Replace Ultraviolet Clarifier bulb, clean crystal and inspect housing (if applicable) Jump-start the pond in the spring by adding supplemental cold water bacteria per manufacturer instructions. Inspect fish for any symptoms of disease and treat accordingly. (March) Start feeding your fish- begin with small amounts of a high quality fish food formulated for colder water temperatures (50°F - 60°F /10°C - 15.5°C). Do not overfeed! When water temperature is consistently at 55°F/12.8°C - 60°F/15.5°C: Feeding- Increase amount to moderate. Do not overfeed! Observe and inspect fish for symptoms of disease. If any spots and ulcers are present, give them appropriate treatment. Treat algae with barley straw bales or extract - avoid algicides. Return perennial aquatic plants to their proper water depth Add new perennial aquatic plants (May is typically the best time in our area). Mid-late spring: thin aquatic plants as needed Cut water lily leaves below the water level After the threat of frost is gone: add tropical aquatic plants & floating annuals Pond surface should have 50% - 60% coverage via a combination of aquatic plants to help control algae, provide shelter for fish from predators & to help keep water cooler during the hottest months of the season. Late spring: Divide & repot water lilies and other perennial aquatic plants as needed. Throughout the spring: Test pond water temperature & chemistry: ammonia, pH, nitrates, nitrites, Calcium Hardness (KH) & General Hardness (GH) Treat as needed. Remove plant, leaf and other organic debris on a regular basis. Skim pond surface on a regular basis or install a pond skimmer to remove pollen and floating debris on surface of water. Rinse filter media using pond water as needed (do not over rinse- keep the beneficial bacteria!) Partial water changes of 5-15% once a week- based on water test results. Be sure to treat new water to remove chlorine & chloramine. Summer: As the temperature of the pond water increases during the summer months, it is especially important to test water temperature. Warm water has a low capacity for holding oxygen. Adding a pond aerator is an ideal solution. Shade from aquatic plants is also required. Prune aquatic plants as needed to maintain open water surface area while maintaining coverage of 50% - 60%. Inspect water lilies for pests, remove damaged leaves. Throughout the summer: Test pond water temperature & chemistry: ammonia, pH, nitrates, nitrites, Calcium Hardness (KH) & General Hardness (GH) Treat as needed. Feed fish high protein diet in the morning (do not over feed) Remove plant, leaf and other organic debris on a regular basis. Skim pond surface on a regular basis or install a pond skimmer to remove pollen and floating debris on surface of water. Rinse filter media using pond water as needed (do not over rinse- keep the beneficial bacteria!) Partial water changes of 10- 20% once a week- based on water test results. Be sure to treat new water to remove chlorine & chloramine. Thin out oxygen plants and remove finished flowers and brown leaves of water lilies and marsh plants. Feed water lilies monthly. Feed perennial and tropical aquatic plants as required. Fall: As fall arrives, the number of brown & dead leaves start to make their presence known in and around the pond. Installation of a pond net at the onset of fall will over the pond surface will help prevent vegetation from falling into the pond. Prune all brown, dead leaves off all aquatic plants. Stop fertilizing all aquatic plants when the weather gets colder to signal the end of the growing season. Feeding fish: As the evening air temperatures begin to fall, transition fish to cold water fish food. STOP feeding fish when water temperature is around 55°F (10°C) Remove all tropical & free floating (such as water lettuce and hyacinth) aquatic plants after the first frost and compost them. Hardy water lilies will turn brown after the first hard frost. Remove leaves and flowers - cut below water level. Remove the pond net when water temperature drops below 41°F / 5 °C. If your area experiences periods of extremely cold weather (IE: snow/ below 32°F / 0 °C) during the winter months, consider installation of pond de-icer to allow toxic gases to escape the pond and oxygen to enter. Combine with aerator for maximum benefit. Throughout the fall: Test pond water temperature & chemistry: ammonia, pH, nitrates, nitrites, Calcium Hardness (KH) & General Hardness (GH) Treat as needed. Partial water changes of 10-20% - based on water test results. Warm air and water temperatures are a good reason to continue weekly partial water Be sure to treat new water to remove chlorine & chloramine. Winter: Here in the Cowichan Valley & Eastern Vancouver Island, our winters are mild compared to what most other Canadians experience. There are a few things our ponds need in order to be in their best health when spring arrives: Feeding fish: Colder weather results in colder water temperature. When water temperature in pond is between 60°F / 15 °C - 50°F / 10 °C- feed fish cold weather food with less protein. STOP feeding fish when water temperature reaches 50°F / 10 °C. Undigested food in the fish digestive system can lead to loss of fish. Continue adding cold water bacteria - per manufacturer guidelines. Ponds without fish: Our climate means you can keep your pump running as a waterfall or stream throughout the winter months. Ponds with fish: Our climate means you can keep your pump running- move the pump from the bottom of the pond- closer to the surface to create a gentle bubbling on the water surface. It's important to keep a hole in any ice that may form on the pond so that any gases created by organic material decomposition have a place to exit the pond. Another option is to add a pond aerator sized to you pond. It is highly recommended to turn off and the waterfall or stream throughout the winter months. Left on during freezing temperatures, waterfalls and streams can have a cooling affect and de-stratify the water & jeopardize fish health. Due to the colder water temperature, the biological activity in your pond will be insignificant as a result of low light levels during the winter months - your filter and your Ultraviolet Clarifier (UVC) can take a break until spring. Pressure filter: remove, drain, clean per manufacturer instructions & store in a dry warm place. Gravity filter : Can be left in full filtration mode. If your pond doesn't have any anti-freezing features, consider alternatives such as an aerator or a combination of aerator & de-icer to prevent pond from freezing. If ice forms on the pond - remove any snow that accumulates on the surface of the pond, to provide sunlight into the pond. Following a good seasonal maintenance routine is the way to a happy, healthy pond ecosystem. "The Pond Pixie" and her team are happy to help you really love your pond all year long. Contact The Pond Pixie for a Free Estimate Contact The Pond Pixie Into the Garden Inc. Landscaping Services Call or Text Into the Garden Inc. (250) 466-9339 Contact Us/Request Proposal

See examples of our work with these "before" and "after" photos. Our work reflects our quality, skills and passion... To see the difference Into the Garden Inc. of landscaping services and pond services... click on the image to view Before Before Michael, Landscape Horticulturist, RSE, of Into the Garden applied his expertise & skills to this client's front yard. After Into the Garden Inc. After Michael, Landscape Horticulturist RSE, Into the Garden Before Before Michael, Landscape Horticulturist, RSE, of Into the Garden applied his expertise & skills to this client's front yard. 1/2 landscaping services pond maintenance Before Trees before Michael, Landscape Horticulturist, RSE, of Into the Garden After Trees after Michael, Landscape Horticulturist, RSE, Into the Garden Before Trees before Michael, Landscape Horticulturist, RSE, of Into the Garden 1/2 Before Heather before Michael, Landscape Horticulturist, RSE, Into the Garden ... After Heather after Michael, Landscape Horticulturist RSE, Into the Garden Before Heather before Michael, Landscape Horticulturist, RSE, Into the Garden ... 1/2

We do weeding, mulching, seeding, leaf removal, gutter and downspout cleaning and much more. Other Services Power washing of hardscapes and walls Patio and container gardening design, and installation Pond & Water Feature LED Lighting Installation landscaping services pond services Client Testimonial "Michael was absolute perfection at our home. I had a lot of trees and shrubs to prune. Also had a rose bush we absolutely massacred, and he brought it back to life. He is a master at his trade. Thank you , Michael." - L.M. - Maple Bay landscaping services

We offer seasonal landscape maintenance contracts, softscape installation services, pond maintenance services, and pond revitalization services. Plants & Ponds Our Passions Michael & Lynn ... Our Business, Our Life We love living in Canada's ultimate garden paradise: Vancouver Island! After years of living in Vancouver, we decided to transplant ourselves to Vancouver Island and put our roots down in the beautiful Cowichan Valley where we could fulfill our dream of growing a landscaping services business and share our passion for plants & ponds while cultivating a close connection to nature with our neighbours in and around the Cowichan Valley. We really love what we do and dig that we get to help others really love their gardens and ponds on Canada’s most beautiful island. Our commitment: To work to create beautiful, healthy gardens & ponds from Cobble Hill to Nanaimo. Our vision: Make Into the Garden Cowichan Valley’s most loved, most trusted, owner-operated and detail-oriented landscape and pond services company. We create & maintain a close connection to nature through color, texture and form; we strive to help our customers really love their yards/gardens/ponds. We are rooted in: Integrity Honesty Trust Pride Excellence Teamwork Collaboration Efficiency Safety Contact Into the Garden Inc. Today! Landscaping Services Contact Michael Michael, Own er & Operator Red Seal Endorsed Landscape Horticulturist Hi, I'm Michael! My love for plants began early, watching in awe as my mother’s dahlias grew from tiny tubers into towering shrubs bursting with color. As a teenager in suburban Montreal, I planted my first radishes, carrots, and lettuce—an experience that sparked a lifelong passion for growing things. For 17 seasons, I worked in the silviculture industry, planting over a million trees across Canada. Scrambling through the bush, searching for the perfect spot for each seedling, and working in awe-inspiring landscapes cemented my love for plants, the outdoors, and hard, rewarding work. Landscaping became the natural next step. By 2009, I transitioned into the industry, working my way from gardener to field supervisor while gaining hands-on experience with the plants that thrive in the Pacific Coast climate. Wanting to deepen my expertise, I enrolled in the four-year Canadian Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist program, completing my apprenticeship and earning my certification in 2016. My wife, Lynn, and I spent nearly a decade in Vancouver, turning our small balcony into a lush garden before making the move to Ladysmith. In 2019, we founded Into the Garden Landscaping Services, where I now share my expertise and enthusiasm with the Cowichan Valley community—helping clients Really Love Their Yard . Contact Michael Landscaping Services Call or Text (250) 466-9339 Our CFO (Chief of Feline Operations) Really Love Your Pond ! "The Pond Pixie" Spreading the magic of beautifying ponds in the Cowichan Valley one pond at a time.... Lynn, " The Pond Pixie" Pond Services Contact "The Pond Pixie" Contact Lynn "The Pond Pixie" Pond Services Hi, I'm Lynn! I have always had an affinity for water, plants and fish. Goldfish had my attention from a very young age. So much so that "goldfish" was one of the first words after mom & dad. I grew up in Hawaii and California surrounded by the magic of all of the beautiful flora and fauna. Nature captured my imagination early on and cultivated my interest in what germinated into a lifelong passion: the creation of beautiful, colorful and unique gardens inspired by nature. As The Pond Pixie of Into the Garden, I have the pleasure of spreading the magic of beautifying ponds one pond at time in the Cowichan Valley. I am Into the Pond and Into the Garden ! Really Love Your Pond Our Mission We are passionate about plants and ponds and are immersed in maintaining and creating beautiful, healthy gardens and ponds throughout the Cowichan Valley. Our services are provided using up-to-date, sustainable horticultural and pond care principles. We create and maintain a close connection to nature through color, texture, and form and strive to help our customers really love their yards, gardens, and ponds. Our relationships with clients, employees, and community partners are founded on integrity, excellence, and trust. Contact Into the Garden Inc. Cowichan takes its name from “Quw’utsun,” the name given to the valley by its original inhabitants, the Quw’utsun people. It is rooted in the Hul’q’umi’num word “shquw’utsun” which directly translated means “to warm one’s back in the sun,” and is why our valley is, and always has been known as The Warm Land."- Tourism Cowichan

Privacy Policy ​ Intothegarden.ca (the “Site”) is owned by Into the Garden Inc. (“Into the Garden”) who places a high priority on protecting your privacy. Privacy Policy Intothegarden.ca (the “Site”) is owned by Into the Garden Inc. (“Into the Garden”) who places a high priority on protecting your privacy. Purpose The purpose of this privacy policy ( the “Privacy Policy”) is to demonstrate Into the Garden’s firm commitment to the privacy of our clients and Site visitors and to inform Site visitors of the following: The personal data we will collect; Use of collected data; Who has access to the data collected; The rights of Site users; and The Site’s cookie policy Data Collected Automatically When you visit and use our Site, we automatically collect and store the following information: First and last name; Email address; Phone number; and Address. We collect the above information from Contact Us Forms completed by Site visitors. We also automatically collect the following information when you visit and use our Site: Your IP Address Name of the browser you use to access the Site The Site pages that you visited The data we collect automatically is used for the following purposes: To evaluate effectiveness of the Site; To determine location of Site visitors; To determine which web browsers are used by Site visitors; To help diagnose problems with our server; To administer the Site; and For statistical metrics used to track Site visitor traffic. Who We Share Personal Data With We share personal data only with our owners and employees. We may disclose user data to any member of our organization who reasonably needs access to user data to achieve the purposes set out in this Privacy Policy. Third Parties We may share user data with Google for the purpose of providing Site analytics. Google will not be able to access user data beyond what is reasonably necessary to achieve the given purpose. How Your Information May Be Used We use your personal information to provide you with personalized service; to send e-mail alerts to you; to answer your requests; etc. You may choose to opt out at any time, which will cease all communications from us. We may also use your information to track visitors of the Site. This lets us see which of our features are the most popular so we can better serve our users' needs. It also enables us to generate aggregate data about our traffic (not identifying you personally, but showing how many visitors used which features, for example) to outside parties which track and analyze website traffic for us. Cookies The Site uses "cookie" messages to automatically help provide better services. You are given the option on the Home Page of accepting or not accepting cookies. Cookies remind us of who you are and your preferences for our website based on what you've done and told us before. The cookie is placed in your computer and is read when you come back to our website. Cookies let us take you to the information and features you're particularly interested in. They also let us track your usage of the Site, so we know which parts of our sites are most popular. How Long We Store Personal Data User data will be stored until the purpose the data was collected for has been achieved. You will be notified if your data is kept for longer than this period. How We Protect Your Personal Data To protect your security, we use the strongest available browser encryption and store all of our data on servers in secure facilities. All data is only accessible to our employees. Our employees are bound by strict confidentiality agreements and a breach of this agreement would result in an employee’s termination. While we take all reasonable precautions to secure that user data is secure and that users are protected, there always remains the risk of harm. The Internet as a whole can be insecure at times and therefore, we are unable to guarantee the security of user data beyond what is reasonably practical. Children We do not knowingly collect or use personal data from children under 13 years of age. If we learn that we have collected personal data from a chile under 13 years of age, the personal data will be deleted as soon as possible. If a child under 13 years of age has provided us with personal data, their parent or guardian may contact our privacy officer. How to Access, Modify, Delete or Challenge Data Collected If you would like to know if we have collected your personal data, how we have used your data, if we have disclosed your personal data, and to whom we disclosed your personal data, or if you would like your data to be deleted or modified in any way, please contact our privacy officer here: Lynn Nelson Email: privacy@intothegarden.ca Address: PO BOX 115, Station Main Ladysmith, BC V9G 1A1 Other Disclosures We will not sell or share your data with other third parties, except in the following cases: The law requires it; It is required for a legal proceeding; To prove or protect our legal rights; and To buyers or potential buyers of this company if we seek to sell the company. Email Privacy Into the Garden does not provide, sell, or rent email addresses to anyone outside the company. External Links The Site may include links to external websites. These links do not fall under the Site domain, and Into the Garden is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of external websites. Your use of any linked website is solely at your own risk. Modifications We may amend this Privacy Policy from time to time. Please review it periodically. We maintain the option to modify this Privacy Policy at any time by electronic notice posted on our website. Your continued use of our website after the date that such notices are posted will be deemed to be your agreement to the changed terms. February 2, 2023

For a complimentary estimate for Into the Garden Inc. to help you Really Love Your Yard or Really Love Your Pond, please use this form. Be sure to: Tell us a little about your project. Indicate the services you are interested in: landscaping, pond or both. Have a photos of your project? Please, send photos to info@intothegarden.ca Request a Free Landscaping Services and/or Pond Services Estimate

We do weeding, mulching, leaf removal, gutter and downspout cleaning and much more. Other Services Power washing of hardscapes and walls Patio and container gardening design, and installation Pond & Water Feature LED Lighting Installation landscaping services Contact Into the Garden Today (250) 466-9339 Into the Garden Inc. Client Testimonial "Michael was absolute perfection at our home. I had a lot of trees and shrubs to prune. Also had a rose bush we absolutely massacred, and he brought it back to life. He is a master at his trade. Thank you, Michael." - L.M. - Maple Bay

Landscaping Maintenance Calendar, Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter Landscaping Maintenance Calendar January: Prune fruit trees. Prune grape vines, berries, etc. February: Plant trees, shrubs, and ground cover. Continue pruning fruit trees. Continue pruning grape vines, berries, etc. Prune deciduous trees. March: Fertilize established trees and shrubs. Apply pelletized lime to lawn about every three years or according to soil. Continue planting trees, shrubs, and groundcovers. Finish pruning fruit trees early in the month. Finish pruning grape vines, berries, etc. early in the month. Continue pruning deciduous trees. April: Begin mowing lawns. First lawn fertilizer application. Prune roses (early in the month). Apply a horticultural spray oil to fruit trees. Watch for aphids, spider mites, and other unsavory chewing insects. Begin fertilizing flowering plants monthly with bone meal. Continue planting shrubs through April. May: Prune flowering shrubs after blooming Continue fertilizing flowering shrubs with bone meal As a preventative, spray shrubs with a horticultural spray oil Fertilize and dust roses for black spot, powdery mildew, and insects If ants or other lawn insects become a problem, apply diatomaceous earth Mulch flower beds, shrubs, and trees Begin setting out annuals and perennials after threat of frost passes (about May 4 in our area). June: Hand weed beds to avoid using chemicals. Prune evergreen shrubs (hollies, boxwood, camellia, leucothoe, junipers). Continue fertilizing roses. Remove dead roses. If Japanese beetles emerge, use beetle traps or an organic repellant. Apply more than once as needed. If chlorosis appears, (leaves turning yellow between veins) on boxwoods, azaleas, camellias, and other plants, apply liquid iron. Apply bone meal around Azaleas and Rhododendron to stimulate spring blooming. July: If evergreens red spider mites or other insects, spray with a horticultural spray oil. August: Prune shrubs again, as necessary. September: Plant trees and shrubs- through December. Seed, reseed, and fertilize your lawns with a slow-release lawn food. October: Plant spring flowering bulbs in late October . Divide and transplant perennials, peonies, ground covers, and bulbs. Cut back perennials. November: Mulch trees and shrubs. Continue planting trees and shrubs. December: Last chance to plant bulbs! Remove leaves from grass and around shrubs. Decaying leaves will choke plants. Contact Into the Garden

We offer pond cleaning, repairing, renovation and maintenance services in these areas, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Colville Town, Cedar, South Wellington, Cassidy, Saltair, Chemainus, Westholme, and Duncan "The Pond Pixie" Spreading the magic of beautifying ponds in the Cowichan Valley one pond at a time.... Pond Services: Pond Cleaning Pond Care & Maintenance Pond Repair & Renovation Request a Pond/ Water Feature Service Proposal Pond Cleaning Every pond requires regular maintenance and a professional cleanup at least once a year in order to be a beautiful, healthy, and happy ecosystem. " The Pond Pixie" cleaning services keep your pond looking exactly how it’s supposed to: clean, healthy & beautiful. Spring pond clean-outs are one of the most important things to do to keep a balanced, well-maintained pond / water feature. Just moved into a new home with a pond? Looking to learn the health of your pond? Have a pond & don't know what's wrong with it? " The Pond Pixie" can help with our Exploratory Drain & Clean Service: Comprehensive cleaning A complete pond inspection to determin e the overall health of your pond. After performing our Exploratory Drain & Clean, we will have a clear idea of your pond’s overall health, any leaks or issues with the pump(s) & filter(s) We educate you, discuss our findings, and share tips & tricks to set you and your pond up to be a happy, healthy success. Contact The Pond Pixie Let us get dirty so you don't have to! Contact The Pond Pixie " The Pond Pi xie" Pond Maintenance Programs "Silver Pixie" Monthly Care: Good if you are a pond owner who wants some help by a professional in maintaining your pond, you have some time to dedicate to pond care & you don’t mind occasional pond muck. "Gold Pixie" Bi-Weekly Care: Ideal if you are someone who wants professional help performing most of the maintenance of your pond. You can spend a little each month on pond care. You prefer to spend time enjoying your pond. A splash or two of pond muck is something you can tolerate if absolutely necessary. "Platinum Pixie" Weekly Care: Perfect if you are a pond owner who doesn’t want to spend time maintaining your pond and you want to avoid any and all muck throughout the year. ♦ Includes Annual pond cleaning Our care and maintenance service programs require a minimum 3-month commitment. New contracts are subject to a clean-up fee, based upon the condition of the pond/ water feature. We also provide spring start-ups and winter shutdowns for ponds & water features. Contact The Pond Pixie for Maintenance Program " The Pond Pi xie" Pond Re pair & Renovation Services Pond & water features require lots of skill to keep everything running smoothly and to keep your fish and aquatic plants happy & healthy. There are many reasons why a pond may require repair and/or renovation. If your pond is in need of repair or renovation, The Pond Pixie & her team are here to help you really love your pond... again! Some of the common problems we fix: Leaks: We will work with you to find the problem and discuss solutions Discoloured / cloudy water: This might be due to leaves & debris falling into the pond, or be caused by something more permanent. Pump needs replacing: It is natural for pumps to wear out over time. Our pumps include manufacturer warranties. Repair or Renov ate? That is a good question. Sometimes a repair such a patch to fix a leak is what might make you love your pond again. If the thought of getting your pond "back to where it was before" does not make you really love your pond again ... or ... your pond does not reflect your vision of how you want it to be... it may be a time for a pond revitalization. We take great pride in restoring & revitalizing ponds that reflect the lifestyle and personalities of each of our clients. We create unique, customized pond revitalizations via a collaborative consultation process . Renovations include: bringing ponds up-to-date with renovations, including new or improved pond surrounds, aquatic plants, lighting and landscaping. Renovation & Revitalization Services are available as paid consultation with design recommendations or full service: consultation, design & installation. Contact The Pond Pixie for Repairs / Renovations Into the Garden Inc. Client Testimonial "Lynn came to revitalize our school pond and gave exceptional service. She truly cares for the ponds she works with and her knowledge is so vast. She taught our students how to care for the pond and did follow-up care. She went above and beyond! I couldn’t recommend her more if you want to build a new pond or need help caring for an existing pond." J.P. - Shawnigan Lake

Help us better reach out to people interested in landscape and bond maintenance services by letting us know how how found us. How Did You Learn About Us? We would really appreciate if you would take a minute and let us know how your learned about us. Check one or more of the following choices Internet search Facebook Instagram Print Media Neighbor Friend Logo on your trucks & equipment Saw your posting in a local store Your company's community involvement Other Submit Answers Thank you for sharing your feedback! landscaping services pond services

Want to see some examples of our work? Take a look at our Gallery. Our work reflects our quality, skills, and passion... Before Michael, Landscape Horticulturist, RSE, of Into the Garden After Michael, Landscape Horticulturist, RSE, of Into the Garden