Our Story
The La Belle family has been part of the local horticulture industry since the early 1950s.
Mr. J. La Belle would harvest pasture sod from many local Pickering farms, then transport the hand-cut sod to the new suburban Scarborough houses, parks, and industrial developments.
This operation predates nursery sod farms and automatic harvesters used today.
In 1977, a small parcel of land on Kingston Road was purchased in Pickering Village, and two years later, La Belle's Garden Centre was open.
Approximately 20 years later, Mr. J. La Belle retired.
A True Family Operation
Over the years, many companies expanded or evolved, such as J. La Belle Contracting Limited, Landscape Contractors, La Belle Limited, Site Development Contractors, La Belle Fence Limited, Commercial Fence Contractors, all under the guidance of Mr. Larry La Belle.
Several developments and parks in the Greater Toronto Area were landscape by a La Belle company.
Due to Mr. La Belle's health issues, the companies downsized.
In 2008 Mr. La Belle retired to his Pickering farm, Belle Wood Equestrian Centre.
Belinda and Lucas are looking forward to continuing their family legacy "La Belle's Garden Centre" alongside Larry.
The Original Garden Centre
Community
Over the years, The La Belle companies have always had a strong involvement within the local communities. From sponsoring minor sports teams to bringing Junior A Hockey to Ajax for 20 years and Town incentives.
In 1992, Ajax council was considering cancelling the annual Sports and Recreation Banquet, honouring many Town volunteers; Larry, in conjunction with the Town Council, agreed to a financial sponsorship for the following two years. The award program still goes on to this day.
Environment
At La Belle's Garden Centre we are aim to do our part to minimize our environmental impact.
All of our hydro is solar powered limiting the use of non-renewable resources.
Our parking lot is made from asphalt grindings reused from old roads, allowing over 200 hours of diesel carbon monoxide to be saved during this operation.
