About Leanne Philip

Dr. Leanne J Philip, BSc. (Hon.); MSc.; PhD. is the Managing Director & Chief Scientist of Soil Advocates Inc. She studied at the University of Guelph as an undergraduate (Plant Biology, Environmental Management and Urban Horticulture) and as a graduate student (Plant & Soil Interactions). She has a keen interest in soil sciences, which lead her to the University of British Columbia in Vancouver for doctoral studies in soil carbon sequestration and movement within British Columbia’s clear-cut soils. Further work in soil sciences in Europe and Canada reinforced Dr. Philip’s belief that soil processes and mechanisms belowground drive aboveground aesthetics and plant interactions. While active in both research, mentorship and teaching, most recently Dr. Philip has been working in applied soil sciences in industry and community outreach. Dr. Philip is a native of southern Ontario and is a strong advocate for scientific literacy within her community and responsible environmental stewardship.

Should I Seed Or Sod My Lawn?

The path to a green lawn is fraught with choices.  Should I seed or sod my lawn?  Let’s compare the options.

Firstly, establishing a thick, healthy turf surface from seed is dependent on a number of factors.  Before making an investment, ask yourself where you want this turf […]

By |2019-08-20T09:49:25-04:00August 20th, 2019|Categories: Blog, Environment|Tags: , , , |

Don’t Get Burned: Tips for Reducing Landscape Fire Risks

Recent fires have devastated parts of Canada, with many evacuating their homes. It was just a decade ago that the massive Okanagan fire caused $200 million in damage to the province as well. That fire resulted in the destruction of 230 homes.

But it’s not just Western and Northern Canada that suffer from the threat of […]

By |2019-08-13T09:26:22-04:00August 13th, 2019|Categories: Blog|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Help! Why Are My Plants Wilting?

Plant tissues physiologically respond to stress in many ways. One sign your plant is stressed is wilting, or the loss of rigidity in the non-woody part of the plant. If plants are wilted for too long, they will eventually die.

Recent droughts over the last few summers have made wilting a common issue. Ontario farmers have […]

By |2019-08-06T08:32:22-04:00August 6th, 2019|Categories: Blog|Tags: , , , , , , |

Carbon Capture Technology

Carbon emissions are one of the main contributors to global warming. In an effort to mitigate the effects of climate change, scientists have developed ways to lessen the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, working to literally capture the carbon and remove it.

Carbon capture reduces the amount of carbon in the atmosphere during the […]

By |2019-07-30T09:05:54-04:00July 30th, 2019|Categories: Blog|Tags: , , , , |

Top 5 Seed Dispersal Wonders

Plants are magnificently designed to ensure their legacy survives through new plants. Though plants are designed to reproduce more plants, they also have to ensure any new plants don’t grow too close and become competition for light and nutrients. Plants have developed ways to take advantage of nature to disperse their seeds, ensuring they produce […]

By |2019-07-23T09:16:10-04:00July 23rd, 2019|Categories: Blog|Tags: , , , , , |

Diatomaceous Earth

Gardeners are always on the lookout for natural products that can keep their garden free from pests. Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring pesticide that seems almost too good to be true: it repels pests both in your garden and your home and won’t harm your family or your pets.

Let’s take a closer look at […]

By |2019-07-16T08:34:16-04:00July 16th, 2019|Categories: Blog|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

The Heat is On: Understanding Heat Fluctuations In Your Soil Environments

Researchers report that as the planet continues to warm, the carbon stored inside Earth’s soil could escape into the atmosphere at a much faster rate than previously expected. In a worst-case climate change scenario, carbon dioxide emissions could increase by 34 to 37 percent by 2100. In previous predictions, that number was merely nine to […]

What’s All the Buzzing About?

Most people don’t have a positive association with insects. We tend to think of them as pests or nuisances, something rather gross and unwanted. Some, like mosquitos, can even be carriers of disease.

But the truth is that insects play a vital role in our ecosystem and that not all insects are alike. Innovative landscaping techniques […]

By |2019-07-02T09:35:35-04:00July 2nd, 2019|Categories: Blog|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Trees That Can Add More Nitrogen to Your Soil

There are many benefits associated with having trees on your property. They can add quite a bit of value to your property, which is beneficial if you intend to sell at some point in the future. They provide a lot of aesthetic value as well, and greater comfort in the shade they offer various spots […]

By |2019-06-25T08:21:50-04:00June 25th, 2019|Categories: Blog|Tags: , , , , |

Why Do I Need to Know My Soil’s pH Level?

When you are purchasing seeds or new plants to put into your garden, you might notice labels indicating the pH level of soil in which the plant is most likely to thrive. What exactly does this mean, and why is it important to track the pH level in your soil?

Basically, pH is a measure of […]

By |2019-06-18T19:22:16-04:00June 18th, 2019|Categories: Blog|
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