About ProGrow Gardening
Our Story
Ottawa's Trusted Gardening Professionals
ProGrow Gardening is a locally owned, owner-operated garden maintenance company based out of Barrhaven Ontario, serving Ottawa South and the surrounding communities. We work on these principles: arrive to a job fully prepared, be fully transparent with clients on any unexpected delay or extra work involved (gardens are full of surprises), and take care of every property the way we'd want our own looked after.
ProGrow was founded by Malcolm Grace, a Horticulturist and graduate of the Horticultural Industries program at Algonquin College. Before starting ProGrow, Malcolm built his experience across a wide range of landscape gardening work, including tree pruning, shrub shaping, garden design, planting, and full seasonal maintenance programs. He has led garden maintenance teams, worked with students learning the trade, and trained staff at all levels. That background in both the hands-on work and the people side of it is what drives the standard of care ProGrow brings to every property.
That background shows up in practical ways: plants selected for how they actually perform in Ottawa's Zone 5b climate and clay-loam soil, pruning timed to each plant's biological cycle, weed control using Fiesta iron-based herbicide approved under Ontario's cosmetic pesticide regulations, and pest management through Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles that address root causes rather than symptoms.
ProGrow has been serving Ottawa homeowners since 2017. Every property gets the same standard of work, and every visit is done by our own team -- not subcontractors. Clear communication, consistent results, and no shortcuts.
Curious about how we approach specific gardening challenges? Visit our Ottawa Gardening FAQ for answers written by Malcolm.
Qualifications & Background
Algonquin College, Ottawa, ON ยท View credential
9+
Years of Experience
5-Star Google Reviews
Eco-Friendly Methods
No Hidden Costs
What We Stand For
The Principles Behind Every Visit
Rooted in Ottawa South
We live and work here. We know the soil conditions, the planting seasons, and the neighbourhoods: Barrhaven, Nepean, Riverside South, Manotick, and Kanata. That familiarity informs every recommendation we make.
Trained, Not Just Experienced
Malcolm holds a diploma in Horticultural Industries from Algonquin College. Our approach to plant health, weed control, and horticultural solutions come from formal training backed by years of practical work in Ottawa gardens.
No Guesswork, No Surprises
Getting started is easy. We come to you for a complimentary assessment and provide you with a clear, itemized estimate before anything begins.
How We Work
The Approach Behind Every Visit
Soil-First Philosophy
Most garden problems start underground. We assess soil conditions before making recommendations, and we amend Ottawa's clay-loam soil with organic matter rather than fighting its natural composition. Healthy soil produces plants that need less intervention over time.
Integrated Pest Management
We apply IPM principles across all maintenance work: identifying the root cause of pest and disease problems, monitoring on every visit, and treating only when thresholds are exceeded. Cultural controls come first. Chemical intervention is a last resort, not a default.
Eco-Friendly Weed Control
ProGrow uses Fiesta iron-based herbicide as our primary broadleaf weed treatment. It is registered with Health Canada, approved under Ontario's cosmetic pesticide regulations, and safe for families and pets once dry. For garden beds, we rely on manual removal and strategic mulching rather than chemical treatment.
Timing Matters
Ottawa's growing season runs from May through October. Pruning, planting, fertilizing, and weed treatment all have windows where they are most effective. We schedule work around those windows, not around what is convenient to book. The result is better outcomes for the same effort.
Right Plant, Right Place
The most common source of garden problems is a plant in the wrong location. We select species matched to your actual soil, light, and moisture conditions -- not what looks good at the garden centre. Plants in the right place establish faster, need less maintenance, and last longer.
No Subcontractors
Every ProGrow visit is carried out by our own team. We do not send subcontractors to properties. That means consistent standards, consistent communication, and a team that knows your garden from the previous visit and can track how it is progressing over the season.
Where We Work
Serving Ottawa South & Surrounding Areas
We focus on Ottawa South so we can serve our clients well, respond quickly, and arrive on time. If you're in one of the neighbourhoods below, get in touch and we'll sort out the rest.
Not sure if we cover your area?
Send us a message and we'll let you know if you're in our service area. A free quote takes just a few minutes.
Ready to Get Started?
Let's Get Your Outdoor Space Looking Its Best
Whether you need regular garden maintenance, a seasonal cleanup, or a second opinion on what your lawn needs, we're happy to help.
Request a Free Quote Garden Packages