Our Story
The La Belle family has been part of Durham and Scarborough's horticulture industry since the early 1950s.
Joe La Belle would harvest pasture sod from local Pickering farms, then transport the hand-cut sod to the newly built Scarborough houses, parks, & industrial developments.
This operation predated nursery sod farms and automatic harvesters used today.
In 1977, Joe purchased a small parcel of land on Kingston Road in Pickering Village.
Two years later, La Belle's Garden Centre was officially open.
A True Family Operation
Over the years, the La Belle family had many companies which expanded and evolved including: 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 Larry La Belle, Joe's son.
Several developments and parks in the Greater Toronto Area were landscaped by a La Belle company.
In 2008, due to Larry La Belle's health issues, the companies eventually downsized. Larry La Belle then retired to his Pickering farm, shared with his daughter Belinda,
Belle Wood Equestrian Centre.
Larry's two children, Belinda and Lucas, are looking forward to continuing their family legacy through the new "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 also town incentives, sponsorships and events.
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.