BCExterior.ca

TL;DR Himalayan blackberry is one of the most persistent plants on Vancouver Island. Cutting them back keeps them controlled but they will keep coming back. For permanent removal dig out the thick root crowns six to twelve inches down using a pickaxe, digging bar, and trench shovel. Any roots left behind can resprout so monitor for two to six weeks and retreating as needed. The herbicide method cuts them back, waits for fresh growth, then applies a triclopyr based blackberry herbicide to new leaves in late summer to fall when plant energy moves into the roots. Smothering with heavy tarp,…

TL;DR Sealing is worth it if your driveway is concrete, shaded, older, stains easily, exposed aggregate, or gets moss, algae, or salt exposure. The best product is a penetrating silane siloxane sealer, not a glossy coating. It reduces water absorption, freeze thaw damage, algae staining, and makes future washing easier. It will not stop all oil stains. Not urgent if your driveway is newer, well drained, uncracked, gets a lot of sun, or rarely stains. Always pressure wash and let the concrete fully dry before sealing. Best timing in BC is late spring to early fall with two dry days…

TL;DR Most BC driveways need pressure washing once per year, ideally late spring or early summer. If your driveway is shaded, north facing, under pine or cedar trees, or showing moss and algae clean every six to twelve months. Sunny open driveways can go every one and a half to three years. Driveways surrounded by pine or cedar trees need washing every six to twelve months. Deciduous trees every twelve to eighteen months. Never pressure wash when temperatures are at or near freezing. Signs it is overdue include black or green film, moss in cracks, slippery surface when wet, dark…

TL;DR Prune late winter between January and March on a dry day. The goal is airflow, light, and structure; not shaping. Remove dead, diseased, crossing, rubbing, and inward growing branches along with vertical water sprouts and suckers. Always use thinning cuts, which means removing the whole branch back to the parent limb or collar. Avoid heavy heading cuts as they cause bushy water shoots. Never remove more than 20% in a single year; 30% maximum if the tree is severely neglected but not recommended. Disinfect your blades with 70% isopropyl alcohol, Lysol, or a 10% bleach solution after cutting any…

TL;DR Use a biodegradable concentrated glass cleaner diluted with water. Wet the entire window first with a garden hose, apply the solution, then dry the frame and sill with a microfibre cloth before squeegeeing — especially above the glass so water does not drip back down onto it. Squeegee in overlapping passes and wipe the blade with a clean microfibre cloth between every single pass. Streaks are caused by leaving water on the glass — minerals and ions in tap water are the culprit. The only way to eliminate streaks entirely is deionized or demineralized water which requires professional equipment.…