And-Rod Construction

As winter approaches, gardens across the Bruce Peninsula start their seasonal rest. Preparing your garden properly during late fall ensures that your plants, soil, and landscape remain healthy and ready for spring growth. With the right steps, you can protect your outdoor space from harsh weather and save time when the snow melts. 📍 Clean Up and Clear Out Before the first frost arrives, give your garden beds a good clean-up. Pull out any dead annuals since leaving them can attract pests and diseases. Trim off dead or damaged branches on perennials, shrubs, and trees. Rake up fallen leaves because thick piles can smother your grass and cause mold, but shredded leaves make great mulch. You can compost healthy plant waste to create rich, organic fertilizer for next season. 📍 Protect Your Perennials Even tough perennials need a little help to make it through winter. Cut them back to about 3 to 4 inches above the ground, then cover the soil with a thick layer of straw, shredded leaves, or...

As the cool autumn air settles over Bruce County, it’s the signal to start preparing your yard for winter. Fall garden care is all about protecting your plants, soil, and outdoor spaces so they’re ready to shine again in spring. With a few simple steps, you can keep your yard healthy, resilient, and looking good all year long. 1. Clean Up Garden Beds Clear out dead plants, weeds, and garden debris to cut down on pests and diseases. Don’t clear everything, though. Plants like coneflowers with seed heads are a natural food source for birds. A tidier bed also makes mulching and bulb planting way easier. 2. Mulching Matters Think of mulch as a warm blanket for your garden. Add 2–3 inches around perennials, trees, and shrubs. It helps keep roots insulated, locks in moisture, and even prevents frost from pushing plants out of the ground. It also keeps weeds under control. 3. Lawn Prep Give your grass a strong start for next year. Aerate compacted soil so roots can breathe, reseed bare patche...

Through And-Rod Construction’s Huron Home Package, Tobermory homeowners benefit from a trusted partnership with Gentek Building Products, specifically their Sequoia Vinyl Siding . This collaboration ensures that homes are designed with siding that delivers durability, style, and long-lasting value, tailored to the region’s weather and lifestyle.  1. Strength That Withstands Harsh Weather Sequoia Select features an extra-heavy .046″ wall thickness, offering superior rigidity and structural strength. It includes a full-roll nailing hem and an Advantage Lock System to securely interlock panels, improving overall stability. The product is tested to meet or exceed wind-load resistance standards (ASTM D5206) for negative windload—meaning it resists being pulled off the structure in high winds. In a region like Tobermory, with storms, snow load, freezing cycles, and strong winds off Lake Huron, these structural features help prevent warping, buckling, or panel failure. 2. Natural Beauty w...

Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate and is a popular choice in landscaping because of its natural color and texture, strength, and resistance to weather. Its durability allows it to withstand temperature fluctuations, making it ideal for long-term applications. Compared to other materials, it also requires less upkeep. Limestone is commonly used for pathways, garden edging, retaining walls, and decorative features. It adds both structure and visual appeal to landscaping projects. Why Choose Limestone? Natural beauty The rocky shoreline and wooded areas of the Bruce Peninsula blend in well with the earthy tones and textures of limestone. Every piece has a distinct pattern that gives character. Its organic appearance fits in perfectly with outdoor areas, giving patios, walks, and retaining walls the appearance of being an extension of the surroundings. Durability The Bruce Peninsula faces harsh winters, hot summers, and constant freeze-thaw cycles that ca...

Bruce County is known for its diverse climate, with warm, breezy summers along the lakeshore and cold, snow-heavy winters inland. Georgian-style homes, rooted in 18th-century architecture, are not only admired for their symmetry and elegance but are also highly practical for this environment. Beyond their classic appearance, the design characteristics of Georgian homes naturally complement Bruce County’s seasonal extremes, making them a wise and lasting choice for homeowners who want both beauty and comfort. High Ceilings in Warm Summers Summer on the Bruce Peninsula can get hot, especially in July and August when inland temperatures rise. One of the standout features of Georgian homes is their high ceilings, often ranging from 10 to 12 feet. It provides natural cooling as hot air rises, keeping the lower living space more comfortable. Their symmetrical design allows cross-ventilation through large windows, letting breezes from Lake Huron and Georgian Bay flow easily through the home. ...

When warm weather hits the Bruce Peninsula, it’s time to give your outdoor spaces some extra care. Summer landscaping isn’t just about making things look pretty; it’s also about protecting your investment, improving property value, and creating outdoor areas where you actually want to spend time. Whether you're focused on lawn care or garden updates, the following warm-weather landscaping tips will help you keep your property looking fresh and functional. Water Smart, Not Hard In summer, it's easy to overwater or water at the wrong times. The best time of day to water your lawn during the summer months is early in the morning, typically between 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. The lawn should be watered for about 30 minutes, two or three times per week. The next-best time to water your lawn in summer is between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. That's for homeowners who don't have an automatic irrigation system and need to manually operate and move the sprinkler [Lee Wallender, 2025]. Th...