Pro Landscaper April 2012

Concept to Delivery April 2012

DESIGN, BUILD AND MAINTAIN

Classic remake for lakeside garden with focal swimming pool and terrace

ARUN LANDSCAPES

POOL OF TALENT

Let’s Hear it from...

Lighting

Portfolios

Q&A with Dan Riddleston, Managing Director of Bowles & Wyer Contracts

LEDs are given a glowing report as more and more designers specify them

Discover how three companies have designed and implemented their projects

Contents

April 2012

REGULARS

PORTFOLIOS 27

4 News shed

A round-up of news from the industry.

8 Association news

Updates from landscaping’s trade bodies, including last month’s APL Awards.

Millhouse Landscapes

12 Business tips

GP Plantscape

Regular features, plus technology in landscaping and blending the garden with the home.

23 Let’s hear it from…

Dan Riddleston, Managing Director of Bowles & Wyer Contracts Ltd.

30

32

52 Latest kit

New machinery and products reviewed.

Arun Landscapes

Hambrooks Landscapes

54 Site Visit

CED Ltd, the natural stone company.

FEATURES Natural turf including fertilizers, sprayers and product test feature.

Training Lantra highlights opportunities for

56 Product DNA Kubota RTV900 utility vehicle.

young people and a round-up of courses.

63 People

The Little Interview, Events Diary and Look Out For...

66 Trending…

43 EDITORIAL editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk Director – Lisa Wilkinson lisa.wilkinson@pro-landscaper.co.uk Tel: 01903 234077 Content Manager – Joe Wilkinson joe.wilkinson@pro-landscaper.co.uk joe.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234077 EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANEL Mark Gregory Chairman APL and Landform Consultants Jerry Gosney PPA Director and Editorial Consultant Sam Hassall LandPRO Ltd Stuart Marler TVG Landscaping Russell Eales Lawn Care expert Karl Harrison Decking expert Keith Sacre Tree expert

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Joe Wilkinson looks at what’s different in the industry.

58 ADVERTISING Business Development Manager Jamie Wilkinson Jamie.wilkinson@pro-landscaper.co.uk Jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234077 Sales Executive – Luke Chaplin luke.chaplin@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234077 Managing Director – Jim Wilkinson jim.wilkinson@pro-landscaper.co.uk jim.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234077 GENERAL ENQUIRIES Tel: 01903 237779 CIRCULATION Subscription Enquiries: lisa.wilkinson@pro-landscaper.co.uk Tel: 01903 234077

MANAGEMENT Managing Director Jim Wilkinson Director Lisa Wilkinson

PRODUCTION Design and reproduction: Russell Cox Design & Production

Business Development Manager Jamie Wilkinson

Printed by Pensord Press Ltd, Gwent, UK

Marketing and Content Manager Joe Wilkinson Pro Landscaper is published 12 times per year

by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2012 subscription price is £75.00. Subscription records are maintained at Eljays44 Ltd, County House, 3 Shelley Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 1TT, UK. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of Eljays44 Ltd and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publishers. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, uncommissioned photographs or manuscripts.

Published by © Eljays44 Ltd – Business Intelligence

Business intelligence

Eljays44 Ltd County House, 3 Shelley Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 1TT Tel: 01903 234077

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

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4

Leader

Presentation is KING Firstly, congratulations to all the winners at last month’s APL Awards. One thing that came to light from the awards was the variation in the quality of the entries – not in the finished gardens but the information submitted to the judges. Presentation is KING, and the need to chart the project from start to finish, taking good quality photographs, documenting all problems overcome and ensuring you tell the full story is paramount.

It was great to meet some of you at The Landscape Show last month – thanks for all your positive comments, we are extremely conscious that Thanks for all Pro Landscaper remains a valuable “ your positive tool for you. This issue sees the comments, we’re first of three articles about very conscious that maximising the use of technology; Pro Landscaper the second feature in the series on remains a valuable natural turf; and Lantra explains the tool for you.” opportunities available for young people entering the world of horticulture and landscaping.

Finally, Pro Landscaper is launching its first event in November, an exciting opportunity to bring all sections of the magazine to life. More information will follow, but if you want to keep up-to-date please sign up via our website: www.prolandscapermagazine.com. Happy reading…

Prime Minister sets out vision for new British towns A new generation of British towns in the countryside will be built with character and green spaces, rather than sprawling “concrete grids”, David Cameron has said. The Prime Minister set out his vision of “characterful” new towns with plenty of gardens and parks, amid fears the Government’s planning reforms will blight parts of the countryside. Critics yesterday said the new towns were still an

“alarming” threat, as the planning reforms due are set to encourage developers to build on rural areas.

In a strong defence of the changes, Mr Cameron said it was crucial for Britain to find places where new towns can be built.

The Prime Minister wants to copy the idea of garden cities, invented in the late Victorian era to make sure new towns have enough green space.

Jim and Lisa Wilkinson editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk

In the May Issue of Pro Landscaper…

Let’s hear it from – one of the leading ladies in Garden Design Build up to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Green roof and Wild flower

Concept to Delivery

DESIGN, BUILD AND MAINT AIN

April 2012

Classic remak e for lakeside garden with focal swimm and terrac ing pool e

ARUN LAN DSC

POOL TALENOTF

Let’s Hear

it from...

Q&A with Dan Riddlesto Managing Director n, of Bowles & Wyer Contracts

APES

Lighting

LEDs are given report as more a glowing designers specifyand more them

Portfolios

Discover how three companies have designed implemented their projectsand

Have you signed up to the new Pro Landscaper Network? Log on to www.pro-landscaper.co.uk and click the network tab to get involved in the latest member discussion

Andy Boorman takes a look at wildlife-friendly bedding

Feature on Pro Mowers Round-up of the latest kit on offer

See us on facebook, twitter @ProLandscaperJW and join our LinkedIn group to stay up-to-date with all that’s happening in landscaping

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

Mott MacDonald to restore seafront gardens in Felixstowe Mott MacDonald has been appointed by Suffolk Coastal District Council on a £2.8 million project to restore and enhance 1km of seafront gardens in Felixstowe.

The scheme has funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund with a grant of £2.2 million along with other projects. One of the contractual requirements of the grant is to aim to achieve Green Flag status in the gardens. This involves providing a management

plan to ensure the gardens’ upkeep for future generations.

Project manager Shaun Ruffles said: “Social inclusion will be the backbone of our design. We want to encourage more people to use the gardens throughout the year for a wide range of activities. We also want to provide educational aspects to the gardens with a heritage trail, highlighting historical events and changes to the gardens as users pass through them.” www.prolandscapermagazine.com

News Shed

Industry responds to proposed water ban The various trade and professional bodies that represent the UK’s landscape and gardening industry have co-ordinated a unified response to the proposed temporary use bans that Thames Water announced on 13 March.

The temporary use (formerly hosepipe) bans have the potential to cause enormous commercial damage to those involved in supplying and delivering landscape services. Signatories to the letter to Thames Water include the Horticultural Trades Association, the Association of Professional Landscapers, the British Association of Landscape Industries, the Landscape Institute, the Society for

Garden Designers, the Turfgrass Growers Association and the Royal Horticultural Society. The joint response highlights the potential impacts of the ban on the

domestic and commercial landscape sector, with reports of cancelled or delayed contracts already emerging before the ban is even in place.

Marshalls Register Awards: winners announced Marshalls, the UK’s leading hard landscaping manufacturer, has once again celebrated excellence in hard landscaping design and installation at its annual Marshalls Register Awards last week.

The national awards covers a range of categories from ‘Best Driveway Transformation’ to ‘Best Use of Marshalls Fairstone’, with this year’s awards attracting more than 800 project submissions from

its 1,000-strong associated Member companies from all around the UK. The day culminated in the presentation of a brand new Toyota Hilux Double Cab to ‘Marshalls Register Contractor of the Year 2011’. This year’s award-winner is Darren Smith (pictured) from Louth-based Maurice Smith & Sons, for his driveway project of Marshalls Drivesett Natrale. Maurice Smith & Sons was also presented with the

awards for ‘Most Creative Use of Marshalls Products’ and ‘Best Patio Transformation over 35m2’, which placed them in the running for the top prize.

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NURSERY NEWS An evergreen tree can provide the solution for high level planting requirement particularly in domestic gardens. Customers often look for an immediate effect with minimum distruption to the existing space. There is a good range of trees, in heights up to 5m and in pot sizes from 60L-160L which can be moved through narrow side passages with tree trollies. ● Colourful Photinia red robin is perfect for suburban gardens giving red tints in new leaf growth. ● Robust cultivars of Prunus laurocerasus are good for planting between young laurel plants to accelerate the overall screening effect. ● Quercus ilex, the stately evergreen oak, is perfect for more rural landscapes. ● The holm oak is ideal for contemporary gardens wanting a sense of theatre and can be clipped to create stilted hedges. ● Hollies – easy to establish in most aspects and good for more shady positions. ● Ligustrum japonicum – widely used for street planting. ● Acacia dealbata for sheltered gardens, with an abundance of honey scented yellow flowers in early spring. www.tendercare.co.uk

Groundcare Machinery & Equipment Importers and Distributors of Ferrari Tractors, Seppi Forestry Mulchers and Caroni Mowers

Our comprehensive range of models, options and attachments will meet all your needs

Lamberhurst Engineering Tel: 01892 890364 www.lameng.com

Fax: 01892 890122 • Email: info@lameng.com Priory Farm • Parsonage Lane • Lamberhurst • Kent TN3 8DS

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Contractors News

NEWS IN BRIEF Timber Decking Tip from Exterior Did you know that by creating a void under your deck you will reduce cupping of the deck boards? Airflow is essential for a good deck construction. So keep your decks off the ground.

‘The APL want landscapers to feel they have a voice’ Pro Landscaper spoke with Phil Tremayne, Regional Account Manager for the APL and HTA covering the South East of England

John Deere tractors at zero per cent John Deere Financial has announced two new interestfree finance programmes for UK customers. All UK business customers may buy any new John Deere compact utility tractor with 1+2 annual payments at zero per cent interest, until further notice.

Free website audit

by Retriever New SEO company Retriever Web Solutions, is offering all Pro Landscaper readers a free website audit and written proposal. Email stuart@ retrieverwebsolutions.co.uk for further details.

Marshalls discounts for our readers Marshalls is offering Pro Landscaper readers a discount when ordering products from its website. When placing an order, enter the code: PROLANDSCAPER.

Gregory is landscape expert for TV show Mark Gregory, Chairman of the APL, has been announced as the landscape expert for TV show Rogue Traders/Watchdog.

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

What is your role as an account manager for the HTA/APL? I have worked for the HTA (Horticultural Trades Association) for just over a year as a Regional Account Manager covering the south east of England. My role is to make sure that members are kept up to date with any new legislation and initiatives, updating members on future events, recruiting new members and ensuring that existing ones are making full use of the benefits of membership.

Tell us about the new cluster meetings Landscaping can be an insular profession and one where

companies can feel unsupported.

The APL wanted to make this particular sector feel they had a platform to speak from and a body to listen to. There was a clear desire for contractors to meet, but finding the right format was the challenge.

Meetings held at the end of the day in an informal setting, with current and informative topics seemed the best way to get good attendance. Topics are decided by the groups and we facilitate these requests wherever we can. We aim to hold six meetings in each area per year.

Who is welcome?

Cluster meetings are open to all HTA and APL members, but SGD, Bali and landscapers/ designers considering membership to the APL are also welcome.

Our membership is the best advertisement for us.

How do I find out about them?

Existing members receive mailings, and we encourage them to invite other interested parties. I advertise the meetings on the APL LinkedIn site, APL Facebook, Twitter and my page on the Pro Landscaper Network.

What’s next?

Progression would be for groups from each area to meet somewhere as one for a single meeting. It would be excellent to get the membership together and discuss how we can continue to develop. The meetings have been very popular with landscapers, designers, nursery men and manufacturers, and attendees have got a great deal from being there.

It is a testament to this industry that when times are tough it pulls together to offer each other support.

Carillion Facilities extends military base contract Carillion Facilities Management has extended its grounds maintenance contract at the Northwood Headquarters with ISS Facility Services Landscaping for a further two years. Under a competitive re-tender exercise, ISS retained the contract based on best value, quality of current service, and the innovative approach taken to this partnership. The re-tender has seen an increase to the contract value and scope due to the major rebuild undertaken at Northwood as part of the PFI. Northwood Headquarters is the UK’s principal military site and home to the Permanent Joint Headquarters. The extension will see ISS’s term at Northwood run to seven years.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

March 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 3

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Association News – SGD 1 SGD stand at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2011 by Amanda Patton MSGD. 2 The Homebase Garden by Joe Swift, Chelsea 2012.

3 M&G Garden by Andy Sturgeon.

4 Garden by Chris Deakin for The English Glasshouse Co and Aga. 5 Arthritis Research UK Garden by Thomas Hoblyn.

CHELSEA BECKONS Society bringing its Fresh ideas to the 2012 Flower Show

T

he new Fresh Trade Stands category at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show will be home to the Society of Garden Designers this year with a stand designed by Amanda Patton MSGD and built by Bowles & Wyer Contracts. As the name implies, Fresh is the place for all things refreshing, bright and innovative and the SGD stand will be just that.

With bold colour-block planting from Palmstead nurseries set among large cubes in SGD corporate colours and an eye-catching wallpaper backdrop, it has a strong abstract feel. The hard landscaping will be supplied by Stockscape and contemporary furniture from Gloster will complete the look.

As in previous years, visitors will be able to receive a free garden design consultation from the stand, meet participating Registered Members and see their work on a series of posters displayed within the stand.

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SGD Members at Chelsea Many of the Society’s Fellows (FSGD) and Registered Members (MSGD) will be back in residence along Chelsea’s Main Avenue this year.

Cleve West MSGD returns from his triumphs in 2011 with a topiary garden for Brewin Dolphin; Andy Sturgeon FSGD will be showing a ‘New English’ garden for the Show’s headline sponsor M&G Investments; and Tom Hoblyn MSGD is staging a garden inspired by the great Italian Renaissance gardens for Arthritis Research UK. Joining them will be broadcaster and designer Joe Swift MSGD and Patricia Fox MSGD who are staging Chelsea show gardens for the first time this year.

Other MSGD exhibiting gardens at the Show include Chris Deakin who is introducing an inside/outside garden concept and Nick Dexter and Chris Gutteridge, both of whom are appearing in the new Fresh Gardens area.

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Further information on all the MSGD gardens at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2012, taking place from 22 to 26 May, can be found on the SGD website: www.sgd.org.uk.

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April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Association News – BALI

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2

House welcomes BALI BRIEFING Landscape new faces into the team

T

he association is delighted to welcome two new key members of staff to the Landscape House Team: Kirsty Wood is Executive Assistant to Chief Operations Officer Wayne Grills. Kirsty’s remit is to support the COO and BALI Board Members and to provide the secretariat for the National Contractors’ Forum (NCF), which has recently partnered with BALI to ensure its members’ interests are well served. Contact kirsty.wood@bali.org.uk.

Judith Day (judith.day@bali.org.uk) joins BALI as the association’s lead Regional Development Officer and events coordinator.

The role of BALI’s Regional Development Officers is to be the face of the association and first point of contact for BALI members at regional level – visiting members to update them on new benefits, initiatives, regional and national events, and to provide members’ feedback and concerns to Landscape House. The RDOs also represent BALI at public and trade exhibitions and events. Judith will have a busy time as the Association enters the ‘show’ season and she coordinates activity on the BALI stand at RHS Chelsea and Tatton Park, the BALI Show and IOG SALTEX.

BALI’s 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner BALI members and their partners are cordially invited to attend the association’s 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner on Tuesday 19 June at the Chesford Grange Hotel, near Kenilworth, Warwickshire. Tickets for this Black Tie event are £69 per person and a special room and breakfast rate has been negotiated for those wishing to stay over. Until 30 April only current and past BALI members and their partners may book tickets. Thereafter tickets for clients and guests may be requested, if available. For further information or to secure your tickets email kirsty.wood@bali.org.uk or telephone 02476 698654.

spent exploring Leuven in the morning, followed by a trip to Brussels in the afternoon.

Sunday will be dedicated to visiting and enjoying Floriade (www.floriade.com) – entry is included in the trip price. Our return home on Monday 9 July with include a visit to Bruge, arriving back at Landscape House at around 6pm. Floriade only happens in Europe every 10 years, so don’t miss this amazing opportunity.

The cost is just £210 per person, based on two sharing, for bed and breakfast accommodation, all trips and entry to Floriade (£70 supplement for single occupancy). To book your seats on the BALI Floriade Trip email denise.ewbank@ bali.org.uk or telephone 02476 690333.

Trip to Floriade 2012 BALI members and their families have the chance to visit the amazing Floriade World Horticultural Expo in Venlo, Holland, in July on an organised tour. Leaving from Landscape House, Stoneleigh Park (free, secure parking) at 11am on Friday 6 July, the coach travels via the Eurotunnel to our hotel in the lovely old university town of Leuven in Holland, arriving in the early evening. The next day (Saturday) is

WorldSkills UK Landscape Gardening Competition For some years now BALI has, on behalf of WorldSkills UK, run the WorldSkills UK Landscape Gardening Competition, which is part of a set of more than 70 UK-wide skills competitions ranging from landscape gardening to hairdressing, electronics and welding.

Open to students of any age who are working towards qualifications in their relevant sector, the landscape gardening competition attracts, on average, 40 competitors from colleges and industry and this year the regional heat will take place at BALI 2012, the Landscaping Show, on 19 and 20 June. This is a great opportunity for colleges to bring along their landscape students to an exhibition specifically designed for the landscape industry with the added interest of seeing their peers competing. The National Final will, for the first time, take place at the new Skills Show at the NEC, Birmingham, from 14 to 17 November. www.bali.org.uk

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1 Worldskills – Team UK hard at it.

2 Chesford Grange Hotel.

3 Floriade World Horticultural Expo. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

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The Association of

Professional Landscapers

GARDEN BUILDERS SCOOPS TOP PRIZE AT APL AWARDS Report from last month’s APL Awards ceremony ondon-based landscaping company The Garden Builders has been named the Supreme Winner at the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) Awards 2012, for its creation of a stunning suburban north

London garden. The winner, announced at Kensington Roof Gardens in London, gains national recognition for its achievements and is testament to the high calibre landscaping offered by APL members.

The awards, sponsored by Bradstone, are a celebration of the high standards that have been achieved by members and demonstrate the APL’s commitment to quality landscaping.

SPONSORED BY:

This year’s judges were Mark Gregory (APL Chairman and Chair of Judges), James Steele-Sargent (Arun Landscapes), Adam Frost (Adam Frost Designs), Jo Thompson, (Jo Thompson Designs), Juliet Roberts (Gardens Illustrated magazine), and Jason Lock, (DeakinLock Garden Design). ● For further information about the APL visit the website: www.landscaper.org.uk TOP AWARD ● Supreme Winner and Project Value over £100,000 The Garden Builders was awarded both Project Value over £100,000 and Supreme Winner, for creating a stunning garden which incorporates a traditional planting scheme with exciting and contemporary design twists.

The design by Lynne Marcus Garden Design balances a combination of structured and naturalistic planting, combining both mature trees and smaller perennials. The rear garden was designed to lead your eye over the reflective water rill to the wider view of Hampstead Heath – which can be appreciated from the bespoke stone terrace.

The glass and lead-clad structure that overlooks the water was designed as a peaceful, contemplative space to be enjoyed all year round. The judges commented that the garden “oozes quality” and is a “wellexecuted and well thought-through scheme, beautifully presented and supported by strong design. The timeless design ties in with the architecture.”

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Association News – APL

category WINNERS

11

JUDGES’ SPECIAL AWARD

● Winner: Project value £20,000 – £30,000 Hillier Landscapes transformed the garden area of a former working mill while retaining a natural stream flowing into a nearby river. The garden was redesigned with the aim of connecting house, garden and water together and unifying the space.

Reclaimed stone was used to tie the garden in with the architecture of the property. The garden has a relaxed and informal feel blending into its wonderful natural setting. ● Winner: Project Value £30,000 – £60,000 Roger Gladwell Landscapes created a secluded courtyard town garden in the centre of Woodbridge, Suffolk. A fresh-looking courtyard with terracing, lighting and height for planting was constructed.

Paving was laid using ethically sourced sandstone paving. Combining this with the installation of river-washed cobbles and Western Red Cedar seating and pergola detailing, this Mediterraneaninspired contemporary garden was completed. ● Winner: Project Value £60,000 – £100,000 The garden constructed by Nascentia Landscapes Ltd was developed as part of a new house build project and designed to provide an extension of the interior outside. High-quality granite paving provides a clean, stylish terrace which leads on to a large open lawn. Large borders of mixed planting, a curved wall with a tree planted within it and a bespoke lighting and entertainment system creates a whole new experience in the garden at night. ● Winner: Hard Landscaping Vandenberg-Hider Landscape Design and Construction demonstrated an impressive commitment to creating a 400m2 granite sett driveway and landscaping at a private house in 4

Vandenberg-Hider Landscape Design and Construction

Rhoscolyn, set on a peninsula of the Isle of Anglesey. Access was difficult – the property is sited almost completely surrounded by the Irish sea and cut off twice a day at high tide.

Highly Commended / COMMENDED

● Winner: Overall Design and Build Garden Art Designs created a new garden to complement a large house and barn extension, linking the old with the new. The project was a traditional garden with a contemporary planting style, which accommodates a children’s play area, a new swimming pool, vegetable garden, natural pond and wild flower meadow, along with areas for entertaining.

● Winner: Special Feature A natural swimming pool designed and created by Keyscape Garden Design & Construction forms the centerpiece of Court Farm garden. Judges said that the swimming pool is “very sharp, complex and demonstrates the skills of a good landscaper”. ● Winner: Young Achievers Award 22-year-old Jake Barton has been with The Millbrook Garden Company for six years, developing excellent customer relationships, picking up skills quickly and proving he is equal in speed/ ability to more experienced landscapers. Promoted to Team Leader last year, he is responsible for his own jobs and has supervised and developed a new apprentice, set a good example and is prepared to go the extra mile.

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● Project Value £10,000 – £20,000 Highly Commended: Nascentia Landscapes Ltd The Millbrook Garden Company Commended: Outdoor Creations ● Project Value £20,000 – £30,000 Highly Commended: Twigs Gardens

● Winner: Maintenance Hambrooks Landscapes continued the high specification of landscape work by maintaining a Wiltshire garden to a very high standard throughout the year.

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● Project Value under £10,000 Highly Commended: Muddy Wellies

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● Project Value £30,000 - £60,000 Highly Commended: Gardenlink Ltd New Ground Landscapes Commended Silvas Gardens ● Project Value £60,000 – £100,000 Highly Commended: The Garden Builders Millhouse Landscapes ● Project Value over £100,000 Highly Commended: Frogheath Landscapes Gardenlink Ltd ● Soft Landscaping Commended: GardensforLife ● Hard Landscaping Highly Commended: Silvas Gardens ● Overall Design and Build Highly Commended: Roger Gladwell Landscapes Commended: Amenity Trees & Landscapes

Gladwell £60,000 – £100,000, Award, Winner, Landscapes.

1 Overall Design Landscapes.

Winner, Nascentia Jake Barton. and Build, Winner, 5 Project Value Garden Art Designs. Landscapes. £30,000 – £60,000, 6 Special Feature, 4 Maintenance Award, 2 Project Value Winner, Roger 3 Young Achievers Winner, Hambrook Winner, Keyscape. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

● Commercial Garden Commended: Muddy Wellies

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

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Business Tips

00

THE COSTS OF

CLEARING A SITE It is not possible to make a profit until you fully understand your expenditure.

When your client asks you to submit a price for a job there are a number of cost issues which will need to be factored in. Sam Hassall reports. demolition and especially surface demolition.

In this new set of cost investigations we are going to review the costs of site preparation and work through various soft landscape options which will be addressed in future issues.

There are a number of cost issues before commencing work that every contractor needs to address.

Items such as access, protection, site setup and general site preliminaries. These are often the hidden costs which will have an impact on your profit. In this issue, however, we are going to begin by looking at site clearance and

SCOPE The site being addressed here is a typical small-to-medium domestic site with existing features that are being removed to make way for new landscape and garden elements.

An existing site may typically have turf, shrubs and trees, hard paved areas, walls and footings, buildings and services, each of which must be safely broken out or cleared and in most cases disposed of off-site.

Table 1: Application of herbicide to turf Area (m2)

Time (hrs)

Cost (£)

/100m2

Herbicide / 100m2

100

0.4

32.18

32.18

0.36

32.54

200

0.8

39.98

19.99

0.36

20.35

500

2

63.38

12.68

0.36

13.04

750

3

82.88

11.05

0.36

11.41

1000

4

102.38

10.24

0.36

10.60

1250

5

121.88

9.75

0.36

10.11

1500

6

141.38

9.43

0.36

9.79

1750

7

160.88

9.19

0.36

9.55

2000

8

180.38

9.02

0.36

9.38

Once the turf has been sprayed and died off it must be removed, transported to the disposal point and taken off site. The hand works are slightly more efficient in terms of the bulkage of material lifted. Table 2 allows for: ● Hand lifted 45mm-thick plus 20% bulkage. ● Machine lifted 65mm-thick plus 35% bulkage.

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

Total £/100m2

NOTES ABOUT THE TABLES All items are shown at cost (readers should allow for profit). The labour rate that has been used is £19.50 per hour.

NEXT ISSUE We will start looking further into other demolition costs associated with a typical site, such as walls, temporary buildings, services and vegetation.

It is good practice to apply a herbicide a few weeks before the clearance operation commences.

This table shows the costs of applying herbicide (glyphosate) to turf areas of various sizes by backpack sprayer. ● The travel time impacts on the higher rate in the lower volume areas. ● An allowance of half an hour each way plus additional non productive time is included in the rates is included for the spraying operative to arrive and leave the site and for breaks etc. ● The productivity rate is based on 250m2 per hour with a maximum of 2,000m2 per day.

Table 2: Removal of sprayed turf (100m2) LIFT AND REMOVE COSTS

DISPOSAL COSTS

Lift and stack

Move to stockpile

Bulkage

Total Vol.

Method

Hrs

Hrs

factor

m3

By hand

5

3

100.56

1.20

5.4

211.30 118.80

By machine

1

1

63

1.35

8.1

316.96 178.20

£/m2

Disposal £/100m2 Skip

Grab

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Business Tips

13

Every contractor must address access, protection, site setup and general site preliminaries – they’re often hidden costs that will impact on your profit.

Below are the two systems usually employed on small to medium-sized sites for breaking out surfaces.

Table 3: Demolition of hard surfaces LIFTING OPERATIONS

MOVE TO STOCKPILE 25M

By hand

By hand

By Machine

By Machine

Lift only

Cost

Lift only Cost

Type of paving

m2/hr

£/m2

m2/hr

£/m2

m2/hr

£/m2

m2/hr

£/m2

Macadam

1

24.71

8

4.65

3

6.50

15

1.70

Block or brick paving on sand bed

4

6.18

12

3.10

2.5

7.80

25

1.02

Brick paving on mortar bed

2

12.36

10

3.72

2.6

7.50

25

1.02

Lift stone paving for reuse

2

12.36

5

7.44

5

3.90

12

2.13

Break out stone paving

3

8.24

15

2.48

6

3.25

18

1.42

Break out concrete slabs

5

4.94

15

2.48

5

3.90

18

1.42

Type 1 base 150 thick

3

8.24

15

2.48

4

4.88

30

0.85

Plain concrete 150 thick

2

12.36

8

4.65

3

6.50

8

3.19

Reinforced concrete 150 thick

1.5

16.47

6

6.20

2

9.75

6

4.25

Table 4: Disposal of hard surfaces SKIP

GRAB

Type of paving

Volume 1m2

Total Vol. m2

£/m

Total Vol. m2

£/m2

Macadam Average 70 thick

0.11

43.81

4.34

114.29

1.93

Block or brick paving on sand bed

0.14

32.28

5.89

84.21

2.61

Brick paving on mortar bed

0.14

32.28

5.89

84.21

2.61

Lift stone paving for reuse

-

-

Break out stone paving

0.09

53.21

3.57

138.81

1.58

Break out concrete slabs

0.07

66.91

2.84

174.55

1.26

Type 1 base 150 thick

0.33

13.94

13.63

36.36

6.05

Plain concrete 150 thick

0.23

20.44

9.29

53.33

4.13

Re-inforced concrete 150 thick

0.3

15.33

12.39

40

5.50

Table 4 – to be read in conjunction with Table 3 – shows the capacity of each paving type for both skip and grab and its anticipated cost. ● The column volume of 1m2 includes bulking factors. ● The total volume column shows how many

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

2

-

-

-

of each surface type will fit to a fully loaded skip or grab.

Nett Volumes and prices Skip, 4.6m3 –£190.00 each Grab, 12m3 – £220.00 per load inert

By hand ● Where small areas are removed it’s often not possible to use excavators and dumpers. We’ve used small electric or pneumatic breakers for hand work.

Machinery ● We have costed using 3- or 5-tonne dumpers with breaker attachments where necessary.

All items listed at COST – allow for PROFIT!

ABOUT SAM HASSALL Sam Hassall is the UK’s only dedicated specialist landscape cost consultant. As managing director of LandPro Ltd his range of services are to provide cost and implementation information to Landscape design professionals and Landscape contractors. Sam’s expertise is gained from his formal training and many years of experience in the landscape industry. As part of his portfolio Sam also compiles the Spon’s External works and Landscape price book and developed the market leading LiberRATE Estimating system which is available as a 90-day trial. Visit: www.landpro.co.uk for further details, or call LandPro Ltd directly on Tel: 01252 795030

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

14

Business Tips

Engaging the best-fit people in our businesses is important for a whole variety of reasons.

Poor recruitment decisions can lead to significant direct and indirect costs. Indirect costs include loss of outputs, loss of efficiency and loss of customers plus implications in terms of time – it takes longer to train someone who’s not suitable for a post, sort out their mistakes, dismiss them, and then start the cycle all over again.

There are also direct costs – re-advertising, and in a case of dismissal, a procedural mistake could lead to legal action which may ultimately result in compensation being paid. These costs are significant and for a small organisation they can be the difference between survival or collapse.

It’s impossible to protect against all mistakes, but having routine processes in place will help get the right person more often. A logical set of steps will improve your success rate in terms of selecting the right people for your business.

PERSON SPECIFICATION The person specification is paramount: the definition of key personal characteristics required of any employee working within the business.

For us, these are closely tied into our core values and philosophy. Our people are the “face” of the company, in that they interact with customers and as such we feel it is essential that they share the values and ethos of our organisation.

Positivity, appetite for learning and problemsolving skills are seen as essential characteristics.

With robust training, learning and development opportunities, we “recruit for attitude and train for skill”. Changing a person’s character is much more problematic than developing their skills. The specific Job Description should identify what you want this person to do and their main duties/ responsibilities, as well as the terms and

PANNING FOR

GOLD

Taking on the best possible candidates is vital to your business, so ensure you implement the correct recruitment processes, says Yvette Etcell. conditions attached to the position – hours, holidays, reporting line and so on, and any special/specific experience or characteristics they would need to possess to undertake the role – for example. a receptionist would commonly need a good telephone manner, a sales person would need tenacity etc. These two elements are an absolutely vital part of the process.

Everything else that follows – the advertisement, the structure of your interview and the ultimate appointment – will flow from this. If you get this

ABOUT YVETTE ETCELL Yvette Etcell is Director of Business Development and HR at Gavin Jones Ltd. With an early career in sales, advertising, marketing and assisting with personal injury litigation she then took a career break to spend time with her family.

Yvette spent five years with English

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

Landscapes as an Operational Contracts Manager (Coventry City GM/Cleansing contract), then as Area Manager with a portfolio of circa £5m/pa contracts. Yvette joined Gavin Jones Ltd in 2003 as Business Development Manager, was promoted to Company Secretary in 2008 and to the board 12 months later.

Contact: yvette.etcell@gavinjones.co.uk

wrong, in all likelihood, you will not get the results you are seeking.

When you’ve identified the skills to do the job, you need to divide them into two categories: essential and desirable. Essential skills are those which the candidate must have from the outset; desirable skills are usually those which the person can be trained in, or those which would be advantageous. A good tip is to keep the essential requirements as few as possible – this is because you should really only shortlist those that have the essential skills for the job in order to keep the process objectively focused.

EQUALITY COMPLIANCE It is important that all requirements are job-related, to comply with equality legislation and to protect you from charges of unlawful discrimination. If the job requires you to answer telephone calls, understand customer queries and write simple letters, it would be quite lawful to require “a good standard of written and spoken English” because you can justify that in terms of the post. However, stating that “applicants must have English as their first language,” could be considered discriminatory.

Having identified requirements, there is one other tip: compile your interview record sheet in the form of a scoring matrix against your person specification – this will allow you to demonstrate an objectivity in terms of your selection; an interviewee is entitled under Freedom of Information legislation to request a copy of interview notes and selection procedures. An objective scoring matrix will help, but do ensure any comments recorded on the form are non-discriminatory or “personal” descriptions – however tempted you may be. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Business Tips

15

OHSAS18001,

rolo and risk assessment

Operating a formal management system to the requirements of standard OHSAS18001 will help you improve your company’s existing health and safety controls. Jodie Read reports.

A well structured health and safety management system implemented to OHSAS18001 can help safeguard the wellbeing of employees, contractors and members of the public through effective risk management.

In the March edition, we explored the Environmental Management Standard ISO14001. OHSAS18001 mirrors that of its environmental counterpart and provides an excellent framework for managing health and safety.

Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires that risk assessments are carried out. For anyone employing five or more people, these need to be documented.

Anybody requiring certification to some safety schemes such as CHAS or Constructionline will also need to submit evidence of suitable and sufficient risk assessments in order to obtain certification.

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has published free guidance (Five Steps to Risk Assessment) http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ indg163.pdf to help companies assess health and safety risks in the workplace.

ROLO delegates understand the concept of risk The Register of Landbased Operatives (ROLO) Health, Safety and Environmental awareness course is available to landscapers, grounds maintenance, tree surgeons and ecologists. Staff at all levels on the course have consistently www.prolandscapermagazine.com

reinforced the idea that the people doing the job best understand the hazards that exist, and the most suitable control measures. Examples highlighted by delegates attending ROLO courses have included: ● Grounds maintenance technicians strimming grass for a housing association understand that, in addition to the ‘normal’ hazards, they face noise, vibration, flying debris such as stones, and vigilance for hypodermic needles, which have the potential to transmit blood-borne viruses. ● Operatives working on highways are aware that they could be struck by motorists and understand the potentially fatal consequences. ● Site work means that ground conditions are likely to be variable. Weather conditions, gradient of slope and rabbit burrows can all affect the likelihood of slips, trips and falls. ● Installers of decking solutions for city apartments recognise hazards such as transporting materials and work at height, especially while installing new balustrades.

Risk Assessments Identifying hazards is not difficult, and in each

case, people understood what control measures were available to them. Without a structured health and safety management system in place, however, people don’t always see the importance of recording their findings on a formal risk assessment.

Alternatively, they rely on a suite of generic risk assessments that may not be site specific or take into account variable factors, such as weather conditions at the time of undertaking the work. That in turn means that companies run the very real risk of not taking into account the very thing that makes a job more hazardous.

By operating a formal management system, to the requirements of OHSAS18001, companies are more likely to keep risk assessments and control measures under regular review because at the heart of the standard, Clause 4.3.1 focuses on the need to establish, implement and maintain a system for hazard identification and the implementation of controls which are necessary to protect people from harm.

Far from being a chore, done well, this will help identify and implement ways in which companies can improve existing health and safety controls to keep people safe.

ABOUT JODIE READ Jodie Read is the Managing Director of Penarth Management Limited which is an affiliate member of the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI).

Jodie is one of only a few approved ROLO

health and safety trainers in the country.

If readers have any queries regarding ROLO, OHSAS18001, risk assessments or any other aspect of health and safety they are welcome to contact Jodie via e-mail: jodie@penarth.co.uk or by telephone on 029 2070 3328.

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

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Business Tips

17

technology

deliver more for less In a professional landscape design business, the use of a good Computer Aided Design (CAD) system is critical, albeit some CAD software offers more than others. At a basic level, many designers already use CAD in their business.

They draw 2D plans, elevations and construction diagrams, helping them to accurately show their design to some extent.

Others go a little further by then creating a 3D representation of the project before finally transferring to another application to create appealing visuals. On one level this works well, but with inevitable client changes, the duplication of effort in this process has to be repeated and changes replicated at each step.

But some CAD software enables you to design in 2D and 3D simultaneously and create high-quality presentations for winning design and build projects within a single application. In these applications, any client changes to the design plan are automatically incorporated into elevations and perspective views. The results are drawings which can transport the client into the heart of your design, making it easier for the client to say yes. Not only that, hard and soft landscaping materials used in the design can be automatically quantified and costed at the design stage ensuring client budget constraints are met.

Working with Architects and Property Developers Since the recession, more and more people have realised that they have to work differently to survive in business. Yes, they need to www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Today’s economy demands that we all save time, money and work more efficiently. In this first of a series of three articles looking at how technology can help your business, Tamsin Slatter analyses the role of Computer Aided Design in the industry. streamline processes, as described above, but they also need to make themselves more flexible and easier to work with. Business survival and growth is possible, not just by monitoring and cutting costs, but by working with other professionals in complementary fields. With a CAD system in place this process becomes easier too.

For designers, working with architects and property developers can be extremely important. As the majority already use CAD, having a system of your own means that you can read their drawings, add the landscape design you’ve created and send it back to them in just the same way you received it. This makes you much more attractive to work with. This aspect of business is the one that has also had an impact on those who have traditionally drawn by hand. In addition, as they embrace

ABOUT tamsin slatter After a 20-year career in IT, Tamsin trained as a garden designer.

Escape from the corporate world, the chance to work with nice people, learning about plants and how to draw was a dream come true and she

CAD, they benefit from not having to repeatedly redraw but yet still retain their own distinctive style.

Many landscaping companies are also looking at CAD as a way to enhance their existing design capabilities to drive revenue and win more business in a similar fashion to above. The capability that some CAD packages have to calculate quantities of materials for a particular design is also powerful, particularly if this information can be passed to an estimating system, as some can. In this situation, you can ensure that you win profitable business.

As part of that process, some CAD packages can create digital 3D models of the site and work out the cut and fill implications of the changes you are planning to make. If you haven’t considered CAD for your business, or you already use it but in a limited way, perhaps now should be the time to review your options. found Vectorworks invaluable. Tamsin now delivers courses and masterclasses to designers, helping them to work faster and more efficiently.

Call 01488 658580, email info@vectorworkstraining.co.uk. View the course schedule at www.vectorworks-training.co.uk.

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

18

Business Tips

1 In a world of rising fuel costs is this the future?

2 A workable, dedicated lawn mower?

It’s vital that your business plans ahead and stays competitive to steer through times of economic hardship and rising fuel prices, Angus Lindsay explains.

RIDE THE STORM I recently received an email from the Fair Fuel UK campaign predicting that fuel prices could reach a staggering £7.50/gallon (£1.87/litre) very soon.

Putting things into perspective, a typical 60-inch out-front rotary mower has a fuel tank capacity of around 50 litres. Based on the predicted price hike it will cost £90 to fill the tank running on red diesel, which costs around £0.45/litre less than white diesel. With an average consumption of 5 litres/hour and operating for 6 hours on an average day, this machine will burn 30 litres of diesel to cut around 25,000m². This is a fuel cost of more than £200/week. When was the last time you looked at your pricing rates?

TRACTORS With tractors, because of the nature of the work we do, HMRC dictates that they must run on white diesel to mow sports fields, parks, open spaces and recreational areas. A tractor operating a side-arm flail to cut a hedge bordering a public highway can do so on red diesel. However, if the same tractor returns to its depot and changes its flail mower for a cylinder gang mower, travels 5km to cut a park which includes two football pitches, then it must run on white diesel. This is difficult to both manage and police, so we default to running all tractor operations on white diesel.

We don’t all have the luxury of several tractors for which we can assign implements and different types of diesel. Having to use different fuel types for different operations defeats the purpose of a tractor as a multifunctional tool carrier. So are there any April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

1

alternatives? To move everything about on low-loaders is unrealistic. It is possible and workable to permanently attach mowing machines to tractors so they become dedicated mowing machines, but you then lose the tractor’s flexibility and problems arise if the tractor or mower fails. You could use ride-on wide-area mowers instead, but these have their own restrictions: low transport speeds, high initial cost, problems with transport weights and so on. They have none of the tractor’s flexibility.

Staying with tractors, typically a 75hp tractor cutting grass with a 4.5m gang mower will consume an average of 10 litres/hour. Its output per 8-hour day will be in the region of 70,000m². Based on the projected fuel prices this could cost £750/week.

What about alternative fuels? Currently, tractor manufacturers such as Steyr and New Holland are seriously looking at bio gas as an alternative source. The big push in the automotive world is for electric or hybrid vehicles. This technology in a more industrial form has been available for many years in large dump trucks where the diesel engine drives

2

electric traction motors. Ransomes Jacobsen is one of the first companies to build a workable greens mower using this type of technology.

STRUGGLING INDUSTRY In these tough times it is difficult to maintain economic competitiveness and the threat of rising fuel costs further handicaps an already struggling industry. Working smarter and more efficiently is now a prerequisite of our daily activities. In a perfect world, manufacturers will develop viable cost-effective and fuelefficient solutions. A more achievable solution is to work with our clients to evaluate and introduce alternative ways of working with the aim of reducing fuel costs.

ABOUT ANGUS LINDSAY As an agriculturist, Angus spent several years working on arable farms in Scotland before joining VSO in Egypt, implementing a mechanisation programme, managing field operations for a commercial cotton plantation in Nigeria and as a contract instructor for Massey Ferguson in Yemen.

During this time he also spent a year at Silsoe, gaining an MSc in Agricultural Engineering and Mechanisation Management. Returning to the UK he joined Glendale as machinery manager in l994 – going on to become Company Engineer – before joining The Landscape Group in 2009 as Group Head of Assets and fleet. Contact: alindsay@thelandscapegroup.co.uk.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Business Tips

MAterials With materials, less is more.

Use too many different materials and you get a bitty and restless result, as seen above, where more than a dozen different hard landscaping materials have been used. If you use fewer materials and choose the same as used in the house you’ll create continuity and harmony between them.

STyle If the house is in art deco slab style then a twee cottage garden just won’t look right. Better to mirror the minimalistic approach and mimic the architecture with large horizontal planes of smooth paving and raised beds rendered to match the house walls filled with lots of a few varieties of plants providing textural contrast. Homes that look out on to countryside near the house need formal features e.g. a rectangular patio and straight paths near the house moving to more natural and relaxed as you move away to blend house and garden into the countryside.

steps to make gardens match their home The best gardens look like they belong to their homes but it’s too easy to create one that bears no relation to the building. Michèle Martin recommends five simple rules to produce wonderfully harmonious results.

Colour Good bricklayers wouldn’t dream of extending a wall without matching materials; most people match cushions with sofas, but this colour care is often ignored in gardens. In the image above, an orange-coloured house with burgundy roof bears no resemblance to the blonde wood fence and pinky-grey paving. Worse still the bright pink flowers clash with the orange render.

Compare this with the images (top) of a walled garden before and after construction of a moongate with bricks that match the existing garden walls and a carefully co-ordinated planting scheme. The result looks like it has been there forever.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

21

Architectural features Homeowners pay a lot for their plot and may have devoted most of their time and money on the built-on bits, ignoring the rest. But this is changing and recent building developments have introduced exciting architectural features to maximise the use of the outdoor space. Modern outside lighting enables you to enjoy your garden 24/7, 365 days a year.

Also consider installing bi-fold doors, which is a great way of getting the home and garden to harmonise.

Scale We instinctively know that window boxes would look ridiculous on a castle.

Yet the country is strewn with small gardens hosting huge monkey puzzles or giant leylandii trees.

These break the rule that features in the house and garden should be on the same scale. The proportions of features next to the house need special care. Put in an undersized patio and the house will look like it’s about to fall over; too large and it dispels the feeling of relaxation.

Ensure the garden and house proportions match by designing using a grid on the same scale as the house. The transformation of the back steps of this country house shows that when the proportions are right, the result is relaxed and welcoming.

ABOUT michèle martin Michèle Martin is a professional garden designer. She’s worked for BBC TV at Chelsea flower show and advised on local radio stations.

She’s currently organising show

gardens and horticultural talks at Southport Flower show, as well as designing and building gardens for clients from the Merseyside coast to The Hague in Holland.

Visit www.outsideinfluence.co.uk

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

Let’s Hear it From...

Dan Riddleston MANAGING DIRECTOR, BOWLES & WYER CONTRACTS LTD Dan, tell us about your company.

Bowles & Wyer Contracts Ltd came about when my good friend Peter Stone and I launched a landscape consultancy business in 1998 helping contractors on larger projects – with tendering, and winning contracts.

By 2003, Pete and I looked at getting into construction and maintenance but didn’t want to start as a ‘one man and a van’ again. We had worked alongside Bowles & Wyer – a very successful design and build company formed by Chris Bowles and John Wyer – on some nice projects for which they employed me to project manage. I really liked the company and approached them about a joint venture. We (myself, Matthew Maynard and Pete – who sadly passed away before the formation of the company) brought additional construction and commercial maintenance experience to the fold.

We had an idea to bolt on a build/ maintenance company and combine them as a group, which started towards the end of 2006.

Last year the group turned over £3m, which we expect to increase in the next year as things go from strength to strength.

The group directly employs 20 people and we have another 20 on contract. In our part of the business we make up half of that figure. As a business, we also run in-house CPD programmes where someone from within the industry comes in to update us all on the latest techniques and current recommendations and so on. All of this keeps us on top of the game. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Where does your work come from?

About 80% of our business is private and residential and 20% commercial. There is a lot of foreign money coming in from Russia, China, India and Brazil and European countries such as Italy and France, but there’s also some English hedge fund money.

Property is still seen to be a worthwhile investment in the UK, so I see things as going well. We had an enormous amount of enquiries in all parts of the business immediately after Christmas, and I guess we’ll get even busier with the arrival of spring.

How big does the budget on a contract have to be for you to consider taking it on?

The minimum construction budget value would

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Dan Riddleston is currently constructing Thomas Hoblyn’s Italian Renaissance Garden for Arthritis Research UK at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, alongside a variety of other projects. We met him for a chat at his home in London’s East Putney. probably be around £25,000 but that would be for a small garden or roof terrace; on a large garden that would most likely only cover the soft landscape. We have core teams on projects full time and then get specialists in for lighting, intricate brickwork and other areas such as joinery and water features. We bring it all together.

We stress how important it is to maintain a new garden when it is finished and ideally like to undertake the maintenance contract for the first 18 months following construction. Our maintenance teams understand that the construction of a garden is just the beginning.

There is no doubt that things will need to be tweaked during this establishment period.

Although we appreciate this is an added cost, it is vitally important.

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April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

24

Let’s Hear it From...

How is your relationship with suppliers?

We usually use those we have experience of, but when choosing new suppliers we look at previous work and ask for references. We run an in house quality system and any new suppliers have to answer a questionnaire covering H&S, insurances and general information. For plant supply we go through our colleague, Stuart Wallace, who has a comprehensive knowledge of plants and where to find them – our very own ‘Plant Finder’.

How do you deal with pricing and working together with designers?

I give a full breakdown – but it is becoming more and more common for the designer to supply the plants as they can add to their income that way. We say, if the designer buys the plants, they have to become responsible for their replacement.

But of course there is a grey area, as the contractor could then become liable if they maintain the plants. If the

contractor buys the plants and maintains the garden they then take on the complete risk of them – both from the designer and client. It’s completely transparent.

Sometimes designers want to supply stone and also split the contract so they have their own specialists coming in to do lighting and irrigation etc, but this just makes the whole process more painful for the contractor as it’s easy to lose control of when people are on site.

Inevitably it is the client who ends up carrying the can if things get too complex in terms of split liability.

What are your plans for the future and who would you like to work with?

We have worked with some amazing people Luciano Giubbilei, Tom Hoblyn, Andy Sturgeon, Arabella Lennox-Boyd – really good designers, and we want to work with these people again.

We also want to increase the amount of designers we work for in the future. Tom Stuart Smith, I’m a great admirer of his work. I like Piet

Oudolf, Robert Myers and landscape architect Robert Townshend. I also enjoy working with Land Use Consultants and would like to again, but a lot of their projects are too large for our business. Currently we are working with a good range of designers and architects – I always enjoy working with new designers, for instance we’ve just completed a refurbishment of a beautiful garden near Saint Ives in Cambridgeshire for Angela Potter of English Eden.

We understand you will be working with Thomas Hoblyn at RHS Chelsea Flower Show again this year Yes, we worked with him last year on his Memories of Cornwall garden for Homebase (currently being rebuilt at The Eden Project).

This year is an Italian Renaissance garden with a contemporary twist for Arthritis Research UK which has been meticulously planned since last September. There’s a lot of construction with travertine stone, installing a water feature, planting some seriously large Italian Cyprus and

3

4

1 (Previous page) Rear garden in Islington for Arabella Lennox-Boyd.

– designed by Colin Nicholson.

5 Homebase’s Memories 2 (Previous page) Surrey of Cornwall Garden garden – BALI Principal at RHS Chelsea Flower Award winner, Best Show 2011 – designed garden over £250,000 –

by Thomas Hoblyn. designed by John Wyer. 6 Private garden in Mayfair – designed by 3 St Paul’s Cathedral Luciano Giubbilei.

School for Land Use Consultants.

7 Boltons Place in Chelsea, – designed by 4 Private garden in Bledlow Ridge, Bucks Philip Nixon.

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

5

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Let’s Hear it From...

creating gravel paving. We have specialist stonemasons and I’ll be on site all the time to help support the team – who will know just what to do. There are always unforeseen issues to overcome so I am like the fixer.

My first ever Chelsea garden 10 years ago was a really nice Mediterranean garden for The Sunday Times with Randle Siddeley. It was a really tight budget of £25,000 – a fraction of the budgets nowadays. Everything in that garden was begged, borrowed or stolen. Last year was the first I’d done with Bowles & Wyer Contracts.

We won a Silver Gilt for the garden which I was pleased about, but we thought we’d done just enough to get a Gold. The judges may not have quite interpreted it in the way it was intended but we all know they have to work to a set criteria and that’s just the way it is.

What are your feelings about the industry associations?

As an industry we’re getting better at marketing

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As an industry we are getting better at marketing ourselves to the end user. Landscaping suffers from the fact that anybody thinks they can do it which dumbs it down – in fact it’s a very skilled profession. ourselves to the end user. Landscaping suffers from the fact that anybody thinks they can do it which dumbs it down – in fact it’s a very skilled profession.

The public don’t necessarily realise that being a member of a recognised professional body involves a lot of legislation and BALI and APL have got good tough standards and the public should be aware of this when they choose a contractor.

BALI has good resources for the larger contractors and the APL tend to represent the smaller contractor effectively. I am also impressed with the SGD – their conferences are interesting and lively, they represent their members very well and have a high profile membership.

We entered the BALI Awards last year and in 2010 we won the BALI Grand Award for a beautiful garden in Sutton, Surrey. We’re www.prolandscapermagazine.com

25

extremely proud of this achievement.

Tell us a bit about Dan ‘the man’ After leaving school, I went to Portsmouth Poly and graduated as a Civil Engineer. I trained through Tilbury Douglas as a Project Manager and gained some experience of quantity surveying. In the 1990s construction recession I jumped ship and looked for a job to widen my experience within a landscape company, so that’s how I joined Siddeley Landscapes.

I met my wife, we married and gave up work to go travelling for six months. On arrival back in the country I got a job at Waterers, then went back to Siddeleys as a Construction Director. In 1998 I started the landscape consultancy business with Peter Stone which then evolved into our association with Bowles & Wyer. My role as Managing Director of Bowles & Wyer Contracts is to make sure

everything runs smoothly, along with Matt who runs operations.

My wife and I have two boys aged eight and 12 who keep us very busy. I was brought up on a small family farm in Suffolk so I have a love of the countryside. I’m a keen cyclist and like nothing more than getting on my bike and going down to the Surrey Hills and back at the weekend, a round trip of about 60 miles. A few years ago I did a couple of stages of the Tour de France, (L’Étape du Tour) but you have to train hard for this and it can interfere with family time. I now play five-a-side football on Monday evenings to keep active.

Any good advice for being successful in the business?

John Wyer passed on a good piece of advice that I find useful, in that our work should fulfil two of the following three requirements: 1 It should be fun 2 It should increase our profile 3 It should make money.

We leave Dan on his wise words which are advice for anyone running a business. We feel privileged to have had the opportunity to meet this thoroughly down to earth, hardworking family man.

contact Bowles & Wyer Contracts Ltd Unit 5, Williams Court, Tunnel Way, Pitstone, Nr. Leighton Buzzard LU7 9GJ Tel: 01296 662439 Email: admin@bowleswyer-contracts.co.uk Web: www.bowleswyer-contracts.co.uk

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

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Design

GLASS ACT Millhouse Landscapes The design and construction firm was tasked with delivering an easy to maintain contemporary garden to complement the new-build Glass House in Tunbridge Wells.

ABOUT MILLHOUSE LANDSCAPES Millhouse Landscapes has been designing and constructing award-winning gardens since 1972. Prior to being shortlisted for this year’s APL Awards, the company has won seven national BALI awards for both domestic and commercial schemes. All projects are overseen by owners Mark and Tim Williams and all work is carried out by experienced staff, assuring client satisfaction and the ability to meet agreed budget and timescales. The company has a design office within Coolings Nursery and operates throughout London and the South East.

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Design proposal

illhouse Landscapes was contacted by the owners of The Glass House in Tunbridge Wells in 2005 and given a brief to design a simple and easy to maintain contemporary-style garden to complement their substantial splitlevel Hauf house.

The budget was £100,000 for the overall project.

The site already consisted of some mature Giant Redwoods, Blue Cedar and Copper Beech trees which were to be incorporated into the new design. The client requested that only natural materials be specified, for example no concrete or artificial products to be used. With

this in mind, IPE was used for the decking and basalt paviors for the driveway, both sourced from Rock Unique.

Subsequently, in 2010/11 Millhouse revisited the clients to carry out further work which included the replanting of additional borders, containing species such as Astelia Chathamica ‘Silver Spear’ underplanted with Ophiopogon Nigresens, Stipa Gigantea and Stipa Tenuissima.

Multi-stemmed Betula Utilis were planted with Box Balls and topiary for planters.

The company also carried out placement of a car port, cladding of walls, supply and planting of pots and containers, together with installing a raised infinity edge water feature.

The client requested only natural materials be specified, i.e, no concrete or artificial products. With this in mind IPE was used for the decking and basalt paviors for the driveway.

Before and during construction.

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REFERENCES Contractor Millhouse Landscapes (within Coolings Nursery) Rushmore Hill, Knockholt Nr. Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 7NN Tel: 01732 590130 Email: nursery@millhouse landscapes.co.uk Web: www.millhouselandscapes. co.uk Paving Rock Unique Ltd c/o Select Garden and Pet Centre, Main Road (A25) – cnr. Dryhill Lane, Sundridge, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 6ED Tel: 01959 565608 Email: stone@rock-unique.com

Web: www.rock-unique.com

Turf Grasslands Turf Farm Ashford Road, New Romney, Kent TN28 8TH Tel: 01797 367130 Web: www.grassland newromney.co.uk Plants Wyevale East Nurseries Ltd The Landscape Centre, Leydenhatch Lane, Swanley Kent BR8 7PS Tel: 01322 662315 Email: richardb@wyevale-east. co.uk Web: www.wyevale-east.co.uk

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Palmstead Nurseries Ltd Harville Road, Wye, Ashford, Kent TN25 5EU Tel: 01233 813340 Email: sales@palmstead.co.uk Web: www.palmstead.co.uk

Lane, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 7NH Tel: 07818 403247 Email: dom.timecircles@ gmail.com Web: www.timecircles.co.uk

Planters Coolings Nursery Rushmore Hill, Knockholt, Tent TN14 7NN Tel: 01959 532269 Email: rushmorehill@coolings. co.uk Web: www.coolings.co.uk

Other building materials Build Centre Crusader Close, Gillingham, Kent ME8 0QQ Tel: 01634 388241 Web: www.buildcenter.co.uk

Sculpture Time Circles Winterfold House, Barhatch

Water Feature Privett International Ltd Unit 3, Little Shellwood Farm, Clayhill Road, Leigh, Surrey, RH2 8PA

Tel: 01306 611040 Email: sales@privettint.co.uk Web: www.privettint.co.uk

Lighting Greenlite Ltd Tel: 07788 105037 Email: info@greenliteltd.co.uk Web: www.greenliteltd.co.uk Ballustrade Aztec Engineering Millfield Barn, Bowl Rd, Ashford, Kent TN27 0HB Tel: 01233 712332 Email: nigel@aztecengineering. co.uk Web: www.aztecengineering. co.uk

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ambrooks celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2010 and its garden at Hampton Court Flower Show epitomised how the company continues to be innovative and create gardens for 21st century lifestyles. A contemporary design based on outdoor living, its concept combined the two elements of entertainment and nature to create The Living Room. With the UK’s inclement climate often affecting the use of our gardens, the design incorporated cover, fire and light to provide an ideal environment for outdoor socialising, whatever the weather conditions. The soft palette of colours in silver, white and green planting lent itself to modern urban style with the harmonising sound of water and subtle lighting effects creating an appealing ambiance.

HOLDING COURT

Hambrooks Landscapes The Living Room concept, which featured at Hampton Court Flower Show 2010, embraced outdoor socialising – whatever the weather

URBAN LOCATIONS Ideally suited for urban spaces the design intended to make good use of either surrounding garden walls or the back of the house. Featuring a large glass roof supported by posts either side to create a veranda facing south or south-west, it enables outdoor entertainment and living to take place in all weathers. Planting on both sides of the plot created colour and helped soften the traditional urban garden boundaries while large birch trees facing the veranda provide privacy from neighbouring gardens in addition to adding structure and focus.

Soil would be one that is loamy and PH neutral. This type of soil has three essential qualities. It holds nutrients well, retains moisture so plants are rarely without adequate water

ABOUT HAMBROOKS Hambrooks employs more than 80 staff to support four businesses under the Hambrooks umbrella brand. Together with the garden centre in Titchfield, which has a design studio and six state-of-the-art show gardens, Hambrooks designs, builds and maintains gardens and has a wholesale yard and nursery at its head office premises in Curdridge.

Managing Director Norman Hambrook has continually evolved the business since the 1970s to become one of the UK’s leading independent landscape companies and winner of several industry awards.

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

Project size Approx 120m2 Timeline Year before entering in Sept 09 made outline of design; 3 months working on design (not full time); 6 months planning and 3 weeks building Cost £45,000

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Planting plan drawing BORDER PLANTING 1. Betula jacquemontii multi stem x 7 no 2. Hydrangea orborescens onnabelle x 24 no 3. Euphorbia wulfenii x 10 no 4. Penstemon white bedder x 12 no 5. Agapanthus praecox Albiflorus x 30 no 6. Artemesia powis castle x 35 no 7. Astellia silver spear x 8 no 8. Fuchsia Hawkshead x18 no 9. Convolvulus Cneorum x 18 no 10. Lavendula Angustifolia alba x 20 no 11. Bacopa sutera cordata x 100 no 12. Festuca glauca x 32 no 13. Thymus Snow Drift x 40 no 14. Oleonder snow white x 15 no 15. Trachelospermum jasminoides x 2 no

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and has excellent draining properties to support often exposed plants in an environment that includes high winds.

Ethically sourced pale sandstone matched the overall calm colours of the planting schemes.

Glass for the veranda allowed maximum light and helped to highlight the movement of water streaming down two stainless steel walls.

Contemporary furniture emphasised the comfort of the ‘living room’, with a feature fireplace, while a day bed under the shade of a tree provided rest and peace among a profusion of plants.

PLANTS AND TREES Combining hues of silver, white and grey plants against a backdrop of lush green foliage helped create a calm, relaxing environment as well as mirror the contemporary colours of the garden structures. A number of plants were chosen to encourage the presence of bees and trees were selected for their positive impact on an urban environment. Scented white climbers on the post of the veranda were situated for maximum impact in the ‘living room’ while thyme between intermittent paving also provided scent and softness. In keeping with the overall colour scheme the birch trees with their white trunks offered shade, structure and privacy.

Much of the hard materials and the majority of plants came from our own landscaping supplies yard and wholesale nursery, reducing our carbon footprint considerably. We planned to recreate this garden at our own show gardens site in Titchfield, Hampshire, so plants and hard materials would be re-used. Any unavailable materials from our own supplies we sourced from suppliers close to the showground.

REFERENCES Hambrooks Wangfield Lane, Curdridge, Hampshire SO32 2DA Tel: 01489 779998 Web: www.hambrooks. co.uk

Crystal chandelier Heals of Guildford Web: www.heals.co.uk

Limestone white paving Strata Stones Web: www.stratastones. co.uk

Outdoor fireplace Burley Web: www.burley.co.uk

Concrete blocks for wall Keyline (Southampton) Web: www.keyline.co.uk

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Day bed and sofa Pink Apple Designs Ltd Web: www.pinkapple designs.co.uk

Glass veranda Elegant Glass Veranda Web: www.glassverandas.co.uk

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FACTOR

ARUN LANDSCAPES Familyowned and managed Arun Landscapes represents the best in Landscape design and construction throughout the South of England. It has a professional team of designers, horticulturalists, builders and carpenters – dedicated to providing dream gardens for its clients. To date Arun Landscapes has constructed well over 60 awardwinning gardens – including three Gold Medals at Chelsea.

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

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Arun Landscapes A ‘funky’ quality or wow factor was part of the client’s brief at this beautiful garden in Weybridge.

T

he existing terrace of crazed sandstone was to be enlarged and repaved with a lighter material and space alongside the kitchen to be developed as a main outdoor entertaining space. This in turn linked to the swimming pool which, although fenced off, provides a focus both from the kitchen and main terrace.

The impact of the existing fence around the pool needed to be minimised. Lighting would be important in the areas close to the house to allow evening entertainment and to add value and character to the landscape after dark from within the house.

A mix of formality and informality in the area was required but also a “funky” quality or wow factor was mentioned as desirable. The garden will be used regularly for entertaining friends and parties.

THE WIDER GARDEN (REAR OF HOUSE) Although this section of the garden had interesting views and level changes, much of the lawn-based planting lacked coherence and in some areas the boundary planting of Rhododendron was overgrown and dominant.

Many of the larger trees had formed good specimens.

The development of a more coherent planting strategy for this area formed part of the masterplan in tandem with the introduction of more sculptural pieces. The intention was to simplify the garden while maintaining and possibly emphasising the main view. Selected trees and artwork could also be lit.

A major requirement was a flat area of lawn close to the house and terrace, which would facilitate children’s play and also the periodic introduction of a marquee for family parties and entertainment on a larger scale.

As the scheme evolved to sketch design stage, the swimming pool area was developed with the suggestion that a separate pool house could be devised. This was taken up by the client who appointed architect Richard Green to design the facility. The pool in turn was altered to remove its Roman end.

The deck at the end of the garden was also increased in size to create a greater sense of a

Lighting would be important in the areas close to the house to allow evening entertainment and to add value and character to the landscape after dark from within the house. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Project size Approx 6,000m2 Cost £500,000 destination at the lake side and to accommodate larger groups when the client entertained.

KEY AREAS The swimming pool was transformed into a deck-level focal point to the space. Perennial planting for dappled shade provided a dynamic and colourful backdrop interrupted by a simple screen wall which provided a backdrop for sculpture display and a focal point for the main axis of the long terrace. Wide, underlit steps dropped down to the informal entertaining space alongside the house and kitchen.

The main terrace now runs across almost the entire width of the garden and along the rear facade of the house. Screen walls at either end provide stops to the view and clear focal points to the paved terrace space. A wide perennial and grass border runs along the length of the terrace, with main steps down to the lawn plateau. Multi-stemmed Amelanchier are strategically placed to frame views into the garden from the house and to give scale to this focal space.

Axonometric drawing

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1 3

Section through steps and pool terrace

2

The original sloping lawn has been remodelled, using spoil from the terrace and wider garden. The remaining lawn was remodelled and re-turfed throughout to create the central view to the lake and wider vista.

Meadows and a new tree belt of birches under planted with a meadow and bulb community frame the main view to the west and create foreground interest to the existing tree belt on the boundary of the garden. This gives way to lower shade planting and shrubs of winter interest. The main border runs to the east of the lawn and occupies an area reclaimed from rampant rhododendron planting. The border meanders both in form and in content with bold swathes of grasses and perennials that create colour and interest from early spring through into winter.

A woodland pathway provides an alternative and secretive route down to the lake and terrace. Planting here has been supplemented with woodland shrub species, bulbs and tree ferns. The pathway is lit for use after dark.

The decked terrace cantilevers over the edge of the lake and accommodates bold contemporary furniture groups for entertaining and socialising. Large wet beds of bog and 1 and 2 During construction.

3 The swimming pool

provides a focus from the kitchen and main terrace.

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

moisture loving species provide a backdrop to the space and soften the retaining walls and central steps.

Drainage problems An inspection of the site at the tendering stage drew our attention to a reasonable amount of water flowing across the sloping lawns. On removal of the main bank retaining wall behind the swimming pool we uncovered an underground stream fed from rainwater percolating down through the sandy soil from the top of the hill.

The cave created by the stream was large enough to crawl up. The water flow was constant – even when there had been no

recent rainfall. We sought the advice of a drainage engineer, who specified a suitable catchment system which would feed an underground network of water storage tanks with a capacity of approx 25m3. This would be used to supply the lawn irrigation. The water catchment entailed the use of slot drains and filters hidden within the paving and borders.

Access lids were hidden beneath recessed manhole covers inlaid with stone. The water storage tanks were then connected up to a network of five underground valve boxes hidden in the borders, into which detachable stand pipes could be fitted for occasional use. This drainage system has successfully stopped the constant flooding of the lawn areas.

references Contractor Arun Landscapes 267 Dairy Cottage, Northstoke, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9LS Tel: 01798 831045 Email: info@ arunlandscapes.co.uk Web: www. arunlandscapes.co.uk Designer Andrew Wilson, Wilson McWilliam Associates The Barley Mow Centre, 10 Barley Mow Passage,

Chiswick, London W4 4PH Tel: 020 3002 6601 Email: info@wmstudio. co.uk Web: www.wmstudio. co.uk

Paving CED ( Civil Engineering Development ) 728 London Road,West Thurrock, Grays, Essex RM20 3LU Tel: 01708 867237 Email: sales@ced.ltd.uk Web: www.ced.ltd.uk

Plants Greenwood Nursery Church Road, Aldingbourne, Chichester PO20 3TU Tel: 01243 544941 Email: sales@greenwoodgroup.co.uk Web: www.greenwoodgroup.co.uk Turf Town and Country Turf Howards Nursery, Handcross Road, Lower Beeding, Horsham, West

Sussex RH13 6NX Tel: 01403 892634 Email: sales@tcturf.com Web: www.tcturf.com

Building Materials Putney Builders Merchants Unit 3, St. Georges Industrial Estate, Richmond Road, Kingston, Surrey KT2 5BQ Tel: 020 8785 4321 Web: www.putneybuilders merchants.com

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TENDERCARE

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www.tendercare.co.uk Exhibiting at Chelsea Flower Show May 22-26 Grand Pavillion F20

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

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LED Lighting

LED lights are commonplace in houses and commercial spaces; as well as coloured decorative lighting it can now replace traditional white light sources such as fluorescent or halogen, says Janine Pattison. arden lighting is now seen as a vital ingredient in the gardens we design for clients and we consider the lighting design at a very early stage in the design process. Lighting a garden adds a whole new dimension to the space – it will suddenly come alive after dark and have a totally different feel.

New technology has made a great impact on garden lighting and none more than the development of LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting. LED technology is sweeping through the lighting industry and is improving rapidly with massive investment from large companies such as Osram and Philips. With this sort of backing, LED is certainly not a flash in the pan and is now commonplace in modern homes, shops, bars and restaurants. It is no longer just coloured decorative lighting but is also capable

of replacing conventional white light sources such as halogen and fluorescent.

LED lighting can do it all; not only are they the most efficient light source available at around 100 Lumens per Watt, they are cheap to run and generate little wasted heat. The good quality LEDs have incredible life expectancy backed up by the manufacturers’ guarantees. A lifetime of 50,000 hours can be expected, this equates to more than 17 years at 8 hours per day for commercial applications and 45 years at 3 hours per day for domestic.

They cost more, but with the above figures they have a quick return on investment. In general terms they are 80% more efficient then halogen and 50% more efficient than fluorescent. There is potential for an immediate saving of up to 80% off an annual lighting bill. Our regular supplier (LED ZIP Lighting) manufacturers a 3W LED floodlight producing 500 Lumens (enough to light an entrance or driveway) costing just £1.50 a year to run at 8 hours a night, 365 days a year.

LED light fittings run on low voltages from 3-30 Volts so are safe to handle and work well in harsh environments, which makes them an ideal choice for garden use. LEDs are based on Silicon chip (Diode) technology and it is

possible to put red, green and blue diodes very close to each other or even on the same chip, enabling an almost unlimited range of colours from a single lamp.

We used this new technology to good effect in our BALI National Design Excellence Award-winning garden by incorporating the lighting into a DMX control system, allowing us to programme fabulous lighting routines that the client could run at the touch of a button.

Another recent garden project was programmed for us by Led-Zip so that the exterior lighting came on automatically at dusk and then slowly faded from one colour in to the next throughout the evening. This then gently faded down to a low level white at midnight. Sensors were positioned so that anyone entering the garden would be detected and bring all the lights back on full brightness.

The same system was programmed with an exit function, that when pressed, would give the occupants time to leave the premises as the garden slowly dimmed. On returning the sensors picked up their approach in the driveway and faded up the lighting to welcome them home – how cool. www.janinepattison.com www.led-zip.co.uk

50,000

hours of life expectancy for good quality LEDs

80%

extra efficiency from LEDs over Halogen

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

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your life easier and increasing your profit April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

38

Green Flag Award

1

2

FLYING HIGH OR HALF MAST?

With a record number of parks and green spaces being put forward for this year’s Green Flag Awards, support for the popular scheme is showing no signs of dwindling.

Andy Boorman reports. n 2012 the Green Flag is still flying high.

There have been a record number of applications for judging this year. Keep Britain Tidy is currently allocating details of more than 1,500 parks to the volunteer judges. This builds on last year’s record 1,288 Green Flags, 149 Community Awards and 50 Green Heritage site accreditations. In addition, 11 sites were granted the Special Innovation Award for making changes that have bought outstanding benefits to the site and their local communities.

The range and types of sites covers virtually all publicly freely accessible parks and green spaces from prestigious tourist hotspots and country parks to tiny community sites. How can very different parks be compared? Well actually they are not. Even though the same eight common criteria are used, each park is judged on its own merits taking into account its local context. It is a great start to have a welcoming April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

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4

place that makes the visitor feel safe, secure and where they can undertake activities that contribute to their health and well-being.

All sites should be clean and well maintained, though not of the horticultural standards expected at sites such as RHS Garden, Wisley.

Clearly sustainability should be embedded into the working of the site. We are keen to see recycling, policies for green waste and the reduction of peat and pesticide use.

Conservation and heritage should be appropriately managed and interpreted.

Naturally one would expect country parks to be proactive and effective in nature conservation.

However, even an inner city site should show engagement with urban biodiversity.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Community involvement should be a key feature for all parks and green spaces. Judges want more

1 Centre for Wildlife Gardening, Southwark, London.

3 Penn Road Gardens, Holloway, London.

2 Belfairs Country Park, Southend.

4 Viaduct at Admirals Park in Essex.

than an active friends group and like commitment from as wide a range of the community as possible. This can include the police, parks wardens, schools, wildlife trusts and sports teams. Events, communication methods, and appropriate provision for all sectors of the community are all looked at. This criterion is particularly important when judging the Green Flag Community Award. Managers should be actively marketing their site and not just relying on the council website or the occasional newsletter; judges like to see an active website or even a Facebook or Twitter account.

Finally, effective management should be apparent and there must be clear links with the management plan and activities on the ground.

A good example is the effective use of partnerships with landscaping companies not just in operations, but in developments and activities.

A current site-specific management plan is www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Green Flag Award

required for the Green Flag and Green Heritage Awards. The judges will assess this and a field visit will be agreed with site managers and community representatives. The lack of a management plan and an unwillingness to produce or update an existing one is often the main reason for not putting sites forward. In my opinion a park without a plan is a contradiction. big society in action The present scheme involves Keep Britain Tidy, Greenspace and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. It is funded by Communities and Local Government (CLG) and English Heritage offer backing for the Green Heritage Award. With active support from local authorities, private landscape companies, volunteer judges, parks friends groups and many other community groups it is big society and 1

Parks funding cuts have meant losses of skilled managers and operatives, reduction of provision and activities – but as yet no general perception of a reduction in quality but are not put forward – for example, Jubilee Park in Canary Wharf. Schools grounds have their own Green Flag, also run by Keep Britain Tidy through the Eco-Schools Scheme. A successful scheme with 16,669 schools registered and 1,609 Green Flags awarded in 2011, it works to provide greener schools.

Most landscape companies are familiar with the scheme, particularly where they work with local authorities. I have seen some highly effective arrangements and real commitment by the private landscaping sector. This very often goes well beyond the contract and shows a genuine sense of corporate social responsibility.

2

1 Southchurch Park, Southend.

2 Southern Country Park, Hertfordshire.

localism in action. The present licence, due to end in February of this year, has been extended to August. It is intended that the licence will be put out to tender, but no details have emerged as yet. Given their public statements of support we hope the scheme will continue to be funded at least in part by the government. If the scheme becomes fully commercial it may be difficult for judges to give their time and expertise for free.

The intention is for 50% of eligible parks and green spaces to be awarded a Green Flag by 2020. Not all parks can be considered, however.

First, they must not charge for entry, which bars National Trust and RHS gardens, as well as some important privately owned historic properties.

Clearly local authority sites dominate, but Oxford Brookes University and the University of Reading both have campuses with Green Flags.

Many of us in the landscape industry can think of privately owned sites that could be considered, www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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This is to be applauded and I hope it continues.

I would encourage you to see if you could help out with smaller places that could be or are Community Award sites. Not to plough in unlimited free resources, but maybe the occasional surplus plants, pots, advice and particularly specialist service and community collaboration. You never know the good works might provide a spin-off, as your good name spreads through the site’s network. view of green space Green Flag sites are very often associated with great places to live and bring up families. UK National Ecosystems Assessment (NEA) 2011 has seen even more value placed on our green spaces. It shows that the health benefits of living with a view of green space are worth up to £300 per person per year. The Natural Environment White Paper published in 2011 highlights further

the importance of our green spaces and the benefits of our natural environment. These three strengthen the significance of the part that we all have to play in developing and protecting parks and green spaces. funding reduction Across the country funding for parks has been and will continue to be reduced. The National Parks budget will be reduced by 35% by 2015.

Parks and allotments are being considered as asset sales and this has seen some sites being sold or threatened. Fortunately, this has resulted in highly organised and effective public protest.

There have been losses of skilled managers and operatives, reduction of provision and activities – but as yet no general perception of a reduction in quality. Most of us do not want to return to the bad old days.

Is Green Flag elitist? Does it lead to resources being concentrated on sites which can achieve the awards, leaving the others with crumbs? It shouldn’t be, but at a time when resources are scarce, it’s somewhat understandable. It is still the only national independent measure of quality. Changes are needed with some already being put in place. The greater use of mystery shopping will reduce the costs for sites which consistently maintain the standards. The scheme is about communities. The landscape industry is part of the community of users of our public parks and green spaces, not just as a place for work. Communities are the key and Green Flag is all about communities and their parks.

ABOUT andy boorman Andy Boorman is a lecturer and consultant in landscape management based in Essex.

An experienced Green Flag Judge, Andy has worked on a variety of projects with landscape companies, local authorities and community groups. He has been interested in researching and building wildflower meadows for more than 10 years. andrew.boorman1@btinternet.com

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Arboriculture

newmoney Making a profit from planting young trees for your clients is a straightforward yet complex process, says Keith Sacre – like a chain that is only as strong as its weakest link. ow do you make money from the planting of young trees? The answer to the question is a simple one. Buy everything, including trees, as cheaply as possible, cut every corner possible with materials and planting technique and disappear over the horizon as soon as the job is done.

When failure occurs, let all the parties involved, designer, nursery, haulier and contractor blame each other until the subject has been exhausted and all parties have given up the ghost of reaching a solution. Unfortunately this process, which is obviously something of an exaggeration, normally results in a dissatisfied client or customer, who is unlikely to invest any money in planting young trees in the future.

The real way to make money from planting young trees is to realise the clients’ vision both now and into the future, by not only ensuring the young trees look good following planting, but actually realise their full potential. The route to such success is straightforward, yet complex, full of little steps which link together to form a continuous process. This process is like a chain which is only as strong as its weakest link. Break that link and the whole chain breaks.

The process of transplanting young trees can be divided into these following links: ● Site assessment ● Species choice ● Nursery production method and tree selection ● Planting ● Management and maintenance.

There are many factors that need to be considered at the site-assessment stage. These include local climate and possible micro-climate, sun and shade patterns, existing vegetation including tree species, as well as details of the ground the tree is actually to be planted in. This means an assessment of soil bulk density, April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

drainage, soil structure, soil texture, profile depth and pH. All of these factors should be considered critical to the selection of the species to be planted. Once all the site constraints have been assessed and recorded the selection of a suitable species can be made.

Another set of choices form the next link of the chain. These include foliage and floral characteristics, shape and final canopy as well as the local landscape character. Once a species has been decided on, the next link in the chain need to be considered – this is the selection of the nursery production method to be used.

There are three principle methods used in the UK, and these methods are set out below: pen ground (bare root): young trees 1O are lifted from nursery rows without any accompanying soil. The root system is exposed, but normally protected by wrapping throughout the process from nursery to transplanting site.

2R ootballed: rootballed trees are lifted from nursery rows with a ball of field soil surrounding the root system of the tree.

This ball is subsequently wrapped in hessian and bound with wire.

3C ontainerised: open ground or rootballed trees are lifted from the nursery field and then containerised, allowing the root system of the young tree, inevitably damaged during the lifting process, to regenerate fully on the nursery prior to despatch for transplanting into the landscape.

The advantages and disadvantages of each of the three predominant production systems in the UK is summarised on the panel opposite.

It is critical that those involved in the process of transplanting young trees should have an understanding of nursery production systems and that all professionals or otherwise should familiarise themselves with each production

1

1 A tree tie too far.

2 High quality tree planting.

3 A rootball broken

open and without roots.

4 What can be achieved.

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Arboriculture

2

41

pros/cons of predominant nursery production systems 1 Open Ground/bare root trees Advantages: ● Cost to end user is lower. ● Trees are lighter, therefore easier to handle/transport. ● Costs of planting generally cheaper.

Disadvantages: ● Appropriate time for lifting from nursery field and transplanting into landscape limited to dormant season. ● All fine roots killed during lifting process, handling and storage, no root activity occurs until spring. ● Only trees that are very stress tolerant and capable of rapid root regeneration following transplanting can be handled successfully.

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4

system and the best practice involved. A failure to understand what best practice is allows for poor practice. A nursery visit should be essential when selecting and purchasing young trees.

Tree Nurseries should be recognised as the specialism they are and if sufficient expertise is www.prolandscapermagazine.com

2 Rootballed Trees Advantages: ● Lifting and transplanting season

extended compared with open ground trees. ● Tree with poor survival percentages when handled in open ground can be transplanted with moderate satisfaction, particularly the broadleaf evergreens, conifers, pines, spruces and firs. ● A soil ball placed in landscape potentially reduces textural and water movement difficulties associated with containerised trees grown in soilless compost.

Disadvantages: ● If nursery practice is poor as much as 95% of the root system can be lost on lifting from nursery field. ● Actual lifting from nursery field limited to dormant season for all but a very small number of tolerant species. ● Handling of large rootballs

not available to evaluate nursery production best practice and/or the quality of tree stock being offered, then this expertise should be obtained externally.

Once a tree or trees have been decided upon the next two links in the process immediately have to be considered. These links are despatch and the planting of the tree. The National Plant Specification is very comprehensive when dealing with the despatch and packaging of plan material and there is little need to extend any description of this here.

Tree planting is again multi-faceted and open to much discussion. There are a number of mythologies associated with the process and a number of essentials, such as correct planting depth. Other elements such as tree-pit design, backfill materials, the value of structural soils, available soil volume, the use of tree guards and other furniture in close proximity to the tree all attract various advocates and critics. There is a tendency to look for formulaic answers and single solutions which are not, and perhaps

is labour-intensive with rootballs being heavy and awkward to transport.

3 Containerised Trees Advantages:

● Root system is entire and undamaged.

● Containerised trees can theoretically be planted at any time of year, although soil conditions in summer may be limiting factor ● Trees are generally easier to handle and store.

Disadvantages: ● Potential problems at soil-compost interface. ● Always potential for root girdling in any container, irrespective of container type. ● It has been argued that container compost media contains none of beneficial mycorrhizal fungi found in soil.

never will be, available. Any answers should and must be based on the original assessment of the site constraints.

Then there is post-planting maintenance. It is here that we come back to the original question and the title of this article. Making money from planting young trees is a question of being thorough and meticulous and understanding the above integrated process, achieving the results the client wants and needs, and ensuring that new plantings have a future beyond our own narrow timespan.

ABOUT keith sacre Keith Sacre, BSc (Hons) Arb, MCIFor is the sales Director for Barcham Trees and is also a member of the Arboricultural Association’s Media and Communications Committee, for which he is a representative on the Trees and Design Action Group.

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

Natural Turf

43

THE DRY FACTS

W

ith the onset of spring, most of us are looking forward to longer days and warmer temperatures.

After another dry winter, however, the issue of water availability is causing concern across the UK. Low groundwater and reservoir levels led the Environment Secretary, Caroline Spelman, to host a Water Summit on 20 February, the day it was announced that the south east of the country was officially in drought.

The summit brought together key players in the water industry to discuss what is being done to tackle drought and to decide upon actions that need to be taken to mitigate against its impact in the future.

It’s not just the Government and the water companies’ responsibility to act against drought; we all need to play our part.

For the past few years, the Turfgrass Growers Association has worked with water companies to educate homeowners about the

responsible use of water in the garden.

During hot, dry weather, the watering of established lawns is, in most situations, wasteful and unnecessary. Our message is not to worry if your lawn goes brown during the summer. Going brown is the natural survival mechanism of grass. When water is in short supply grass responds by shutting down. The brown colour shows that it has stopped growing until more favourable conditions return. We all have an obligation to use water responsibly and we’re trying to do our bit to get the water conservation message across.

To support this, four new factsheets, available from the Knowledge Base on our website at www.turfgrass.co.uk, focus on looking after newly laid and established lawns in warm, dry weather.

So, how do we keep Britain turfing, especially because turf plays an important part in the landscape? One of the many ways in which it benefits our environment is by absorbing rainwater, replenishing the

aquifers that provide our drinking water.

Turf requires watering for the first 28 days after it has been laid, so we have also drawn the water companies’ attention to the Code of Practice and Guidance on Water Use Restrictions which recommends a discretionary 28-day exemption from discretionary use bans for newly laid turf. The TGA has stressed the importance both for the environment and the economy that the laying of turf continues during the summer months.

Over the coming weeks we will be speaking to the water companies in affected areas asking them to clarify their position.

Regular updates can be viewed online at www.turfgrass.co.uk.

Tim Mudge, Chief Executive, Turfgrass Growers Association

DREADING THE DROUGHT? DON’T WITH BARENBRUG’S RTF With many areas of the UK braced for a severe drought, Barenbrug highlights the benefits of its drought-tolerant Rhizomatous Tall Fescue (RTF) to landscapers.

RTF has been bred for its strong and prolific

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rhizomes – the underground stems that tiller through the soil to spread the plant and form new growth. Its swards can withstand prolonged periods of drought due to its 1.5m-deep-rooting capability.

Barenbrug is urging turf professionals to act now to prepare surfaces for the impending drought. Because of its drought tolerance, customers believe the two RTF mixtures – landscaping and sports favourite BAR 10 RTF, and specialist turf grower’s blend RTF Turf – can be sown and successfully established during a drought. That’s not the case.

The key with the RTF mixtures is to consider the seed you are sowing; a large seed needs to be sown a little deeper and then well irrigated (which will be permitted for newly laid/sown commercial turf under the drought regulations).

The species should be sown at soil temperatures above 12°C, to help accelerate germination and

early development. Once RTF has been established it will provide the superb droughttolerant performance you are after.

With its denser sward preventing moisture loss, as well as its deep-roots finding moisture where other grasses fail, RTF conserves water and lessens the need for irrigation. And when the rain finally arrives, RTF’s rhizomatous nature means it’s self-repairing and also brings other benefits, such as wear and waterlogging tolerance, shade, salt and frost tolerance, and the ability to flourish in all soil types.

Both products also include 20% Barcesar, a tufted tall fescue with outstanding shoot density and very fine leaf for the species. This gives a finer appearance and an attractive mid-green colour. Tall fescue is naturally more resistant to browning off in drought, too, so it really is a great choice for your spring overseed this year. www.barenbrug.co.uk.

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

K CK U BA HE T IN

Turf Equipment Built To Use and Designed To Last

SOD CUTTERS

Gets the job done faster, easier and with precision, enhancing lawn quality and reducing labour costs.

New Hydro Drive model also features reverse drive.

AERATORS

Classen have a turf aerator for every application. Our Split-Drive models are designed to turn without lifting the tines out of the ground for non-stop aeration.

TURF RAKES

Classen Turf Rakes are versatile and portable dethatchers.

Folding handles and a range of attachments make these turf rakes excellent for rental use.

TURF SEEDERS

Classen turf seeders make it easy and convenient to seed a new lawn, or overseed an existing lawn. Standard or self-propelled models available.

With over 30 years of excellence in the lawn care industry, backed by an industry leading 2 year warranty for commercial and rental use.

Find our more at www.classen.uk.com or freephone 0800 840 0888

LITTLE WONDER Professionals Demand Little Wonder™

HEDGE TRIMMERS

With double reciprocating blades for reduced vibration and heavier cuts. Little Wonder hedge trimmer blades last 6 to 10 times longer than other steel blades.

VACUUMS

Our design funnels airflow and material into the bag, resulting in less dust for the operator. The toploading bag compacts better than other leaf and debris vacs.

®

Grounds Care

BLOWERS

Ideal for moving leaves, stubborn debris, and standing water; preparing asphalt or flat roofs for resurfacing, or for any job that requires hurricane-force air.

TRUCK LOADERS

Rugged, durable, efficient, and user-friendly, Little Wonder Truck Loaders offer the highest debris reduction ratio available of any debris loaders on the market.

Serving the industry for over 85 years, Little Wonder® products are the choice of landscape professionals who demand quality.

Find our more at www.littlewonder.uk.com or freephone 0800 840 0888 For more information on Little Wonder® or Classen® products go online or call us free today.

FREEPHONE 0800 840 0888

Schiller Grounds Care UK, Orchard House, Hempshaw Lane, Stockport, Cheshire SK1 4LH Schiller Grounds Care UK is an operating division of Mantis UK Ltd

grounds care uk

Natural Turf

NATURAL INSTINCT

Architects and designers should make natural turf grasses their first choice when specifying for projects, as Simon Taylor of Euro Grass BV explains.

f you are considering soft landscaping surfaces for your next project, chances are that you will be thinking of using amenity turf grasses for formal/informal areas. There is a current trend towards using artificial turf as a perceived convenient solution which provides a client with something that is maintenance-free.

Artificial turf has already found its way into many American gardens and public open spaces and now is appearing in the UK, which has traditionally been famed for the Great British lawn. There are many factors when deciding what to install; these can be practical, climatic or financial and, most of all, client expectation.

everyday lives in the form of recycling. Choosing natural turf in a professional capacity is a step in the right direction toward supporting this ethos.

Annual oxygen production and carbon dioxide fixation from one hectare of grass is substantial and exceeds that of forest for the equivalent area. Grass is vital to carbon sequestration; the process of removing carbon from the atmosphere and depositing it within soils. An average 12 tonnes of CO2 per hectare, per year can be captured by this process.

HEALTH BENEFITS Studies have shown that the smells, sensations and experiences of being on or near natural grass bring a number of health benefits by NATURAL TURF SOLUTIONS instilling a sense of wellbeing. It can reduce The benefits of natural turf grass for landscaping stress levels and even reduce your heart rate. are numerous. Advances in turf grass breeding In urban areas, natural turf grass contributes have brought year-on-year improvements. significantly to reducing inner city Significant leaps forward have been to summer temperatures as well as improve turf grass characteristics absorption of atmospheric such as texture, colours, durability, pollution. The grass seed disease resistance, drought industry is a ‘green’ business tonnes of CO2 per resistance, maintenance and its activities work in hectare, per year can requirements and general visual synergy with agricultural be captured by appeal. Above all the use of natural practices. The inclusions of grass natural grass turf grass brings distinct environmental seed production within the advantages over the artificial alternatives. agricultural crop rotation has far wider environmental implications than first Reduce Your Carbon Footprint meets the eye. Its use is an integral part of Natural turf is a sustainable and environmentally improving soil fertility and structure on which all carbon-friendly option. Each of us is responsible other food source crop production relies on. for looking after or enhancing our living Regardless of usage requirements, there is a environment with focus on a greener future. natural turf solution to suit all your projects’ We are already experiencing this in our needs and client demands.

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Improvements to turf grass characteristics have been significant, such as texture, colours, durability, disease resistance, drought resistance, maintenance requirements and visual appeal.

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

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46

Fertilizer

mission: control Everris brings controlled-release technology to landscapers. eading fertilizer manufacturer Everris has launched a new range designed specifically for professional landscapers and horticulturalists.

Landscaper Pro features the latest technology in smaller packs and is intended to bridge the gap between professional sports turf fertilizers, such as Sierrablen, and garden centre ranges.

“There’s a product for every situation,” explains Richard Walton, Business Manager for the UK & Ireland. “The new range in smaller bags is ideal for landscapers treating small to medium-sized areas and they can see from the NPK analysis that they’re purchasing a high-quality formulation.

“Our distributors have also seen increased sales of the range to owners of manor houses, country estates and large domestic properties who want to apply professional products in order to achieve the highest possible standard of turf health and appearance.”

nutrient release rate. They are also expensive considering the low nutrient content. ● Mineral organic fertilizers The organic element of these fertilizers means that nutrient release can be unreliable, so there’s potential for unpredictable growth when the minerals are released. The fast release of minerals promotes top growth, but not root growth. ● Agricultural mineral fertilizers The fast release from these fertilizers again promotes top growth, but not root growth and there is no lasting nutrient delivery.

These products can be harsh on plants, and potentially damaging if wrongly applied.

The Landscaper Pro range is high in available nutrients and the controlled-release granules give a reliable supply of nutrients to the plant steadily and safely.

This not only makes the grass plant stronger, but it promotes hard top growth

that’s more resilient to wear and tear and a strong, deep root system that’s more efficient at taking up water, which is particularly beneficial in drought conditions.

Landscaper Pro ‘Water Control’ is formulated to help increase the availability of moisture in the soil during drought periods. In heavy rainfall areas, the same product helps to increase water absorption to deeper soil, reduces water run-off, produces a more balanced plant growth and improves water storage in pots during dry periods.

The long-lasting effects of controlled-release products mean they’re also great value for money as you don’t need to keep reapplying.

One of the products in the range, ‘Full season’, offers up to nine months longevity.

There are also three grass seed blends – Performance, Finesse and Sun & Shade – which complement the fertilizer range.

For more information about Landscaper Pro, visit www.landscaperpro.eu or call Everris on 01473 237100 or email prof.sales@ everris.com to find your nearest supplier.

Better results, with added benefits Each bag contains high-quality controlledrelease or mineral fertilizers with varying longevity which provides long-term, healthy and sustainable growth to the grass while tackling some of the most common turf problems such as weed and moss infestation.

For beds, borders and pot plants, there’s also Landscaper Pro ‘Flora’ featuring the company’s renowned Osmocote technology.

Not all landscape fertilizers are the same The type of fertilizer you apply has a huge bearing on the health of the turf but there are a number of different fertilizer types on the market, so how do they compare? ● Pure natural organic fertilizers These are low in available nutrients, especially Nitrogen, and have an unreliable

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

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Green by design

NEW!

Specialist grass for your next environmental job.

SPECIALIST PROJECTS? NEED SPECIALIST GRASS?

P CHOOSE THE BARENBRUG WAY A range of specialist products designed by Barenbrug to offer economical and environmental solutions for construction, renovation and maintenance of sports pitches and landscape applications.

These mixtures contain unique species indigenous to the UK with specific tolerance to environmental constraints.

Call 01359 272000 or visit barenbrug.co.uk or scan the code.

Ordered today, Delivered tomorrow, Enjoyed forever

Turf For Professionals With over 50 years experience in the turf industry we understand the high demands on turf professionals. With this in mind we have specifically tailored our products to offer the best possible service to every sector the turf industry nationwide. Whatever the turfing requirement contact Spearhead Turf today.

TURF GRADES FOR EVERY GARDEN OR LANDSCAPE DELIVERED THROUGHOUT THE UK T: 01759 321 000 路 F: 01759 380 130

e: alex@inturf.co.uk or stephen@inturf.co.uk www.inturf.com

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For more information visit us online: www.spearheadturf.co.uk Or call 01638 742901 Spearhead Turf LTD

Spearhead Turf Limited Lords Ground Swaffham Prior Cambridge CB25 0LQ www.spearheadturf.co.uk

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

48

Fertilizer Test

PUT TO THE TEST

Russell Eales, a specialist in lawn-care, trialled the Everris Landscaper Pro range, designed to be the best for grass care.

Landscaper Pro range. From the information on the bag it makes application of the fertilizer a lot easier. The bag provides the settings for the spreader and away you go. It takes away all the hassle of plastic sheets and scales to calibrate correctly. Being overly fussy, I did test using my normal way of calibration, which I will not need to do again as this machine was spot on.

Product packaging For both products, (fertilizer and seed), the packaging is excellent. The seed has a double skin package and the fertilizer bags are very tough and durable. With some other similar products, the slightest sharp edge in the van would pierce the bag and you could lose variable product and money through spillage.

The size of the packages (15kg) also make them easier to handle, transport and store.

Landscaper Pro product The products I have tested have been nothing short of amazing. I thought that I wouldn’t really notice a difference from the normal feeds and seeds that I use, but from the start you can tell that this range should be your first and only stop when treating grassed areas.

First, the maintenance feed gave such a rapid response. I did time this treatment with the forecast of when rainfall was due, and by the time I went back to the site a week later the treated lawn area showed such a vast

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

improvement. Not only had the grass leaf greened up due to the nitrogen levels in the feed, but the leaf itself had not grown wild which for me is a really good sign that the fertilizer must be giving the area the slow release feed in a balanced way that doesn’t risk the health of the plant. I keenly await seeing the longer effects of this feed.

Having laid many new lawn areas over the past month or so, either using turf or seed, I really found the Everris grass fertilizer aided the growth of the root systems. For landscapers, this is always a worry when laying new areas – the quicker and stronger the root systems can be established, the happier everyone is. From using this feed, I feel a lot happier about the nutrients that are needed being provided in the correct manner and at the correct rate to produce a first class end product.

AccuPro 2000 Spreader This product is a must when using the

Conclusion From my many years of working on golf courses using the highest end fertilizers, I conclude that this range of products – from what I have seen – bridges the gap between fine turfgrass feeds and landscape lawn feed excellently. There is no doubt this should be considered when choosing your next product for grassed areas, whether it is to establish new areas or to maintain current grass areas.

The Everris Landscaper Pro range does exactly what each treatment says it will and I will definitely try out the rest of the range as I am 100% confident that each treatment will produce the perfect results that my client’s and I expect.

ABOUT RUSSELL EALES Russell Eales is a lawncare specialist, and runs his own business – Russell Eales Lawn Care in Sussex, Surrey and Kent.

Previously, he worked as a greenkeeper and has vast experience of using all materials related to grass care. Russell is also a member of the Pro Landscaper Advisory Panel.

Contact: russellealeslawncare@yahoo.co.uk www.russellealeslawncare.co.uk

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Professional spreaders for spreading professional fertilisers built by professionals.

CALL - 0845 643 9776 EMAIL SALES@DMMP.CO.UK OR FAX 0845 643 9779 FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.DMMP.CO.UK

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April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

50

Sprayers

MIST

OPPORTUNITIES 1

W

hen it comes to selecting a sprayer, there are several options available on the market so it’s essential that you consider the following criteria: ● Is it suitable for the job you will be doing? ● It is easy for you to operate and maintain? ● Will it do a good job? ● Will it last? ● Are spare parts easily accessible? ● Is it good value?

There are many different types of sprayer to choose from – the most common types used in our industry are: ● Knapsack ● Compression ● Pressure retaining knapsack ● Nursery ● Hydraulic ● Tractor mount KNAPSACK SPRAYER The knapsack sprayer has a non-pressurised tank. The pump may be fitted into or outside the tank and sucks liquid from the tank. It is expelled through a discharge line. A spray boom or a rig may be attached when the area you are spraying is wider.

The typical pressure outputted by the knapsack sprayer ranges between 30-40psi.

COMPRESSION SPRAYER The compression sprayer tank is a pressurised vessel in which the liquid needs to be filled to two thirds capacity. A pressure gauge is usually or safety valve is optionally attached to the tank.

The compression sprayer is normally pressurised to 60psi. A pressure regulator is used on this type of sprayer when the discharge pressure needs to be strictly controlled.

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

Unsure about which sprayer you require? Here we list the most common types and the jobs you should use them on.

PRESSURE RETAINING KNAPSACK Also known as the Battery Sprayer, this type allows the use of more than one tank at a time.

A separate charge pump tank with an inlet and outlet device is used to fill the tank with air and liquid. The tank is first pumped with air up to a pressure of 40-50psi and then charged with liquid, boosting the pressure output to 100-110psi. As soon as the liquid has been expelled from the tank, a check valve, which is designed like a float, seals the outlet vent, which prevents the air from escaping.

NURSERY SPRAYER Nursery Sprayers are small and simple, generally recommended for use in a private garden or, as the name suggests, in a nursery. They produce a fine, mist spray which is operated and controlled with ease. The nursery sprayer has a small compressor variety, and a plunger type is also available.

HYDRAULIC SPRAYER Hydraulic sprayers are engine or electric motor driven and are available with single, double and triple piston pumps. The single piston pump produces a maximum pressure of 150 psi, but the double and triple pistons can output a

1 Hydraulic sprayer.

2 Knapsack sprayer.

3 Compression sprayer.

4 Tractor mount sprayer.

5 Nursery sprayer.

2

pressure of between 300-400psi. Only two discharge lines can be used with the single, and the double and triple pumps can accommodate up to six. These sprayers are usually driven by a power tiller or tractor. This sprayer is recommended for use on larger areas.

TRACTOR MOUNT SPRAYER As the name indicates, this type of sprayer is used when attached to a tractor. The pump is operated by the PTO shaft of the tractor.

The sprayer unit sucks the chemical you are spraying and expels it through the spray boom, or through the discharge line consisting of a delivery hose and spray guns. The boom has a swivel arm to direct the spray. The frame the sprayer is mounted on allows the spray boom to be adjusted according to the height of the produce you are spraying.

Whichever sprayer you choose, it is extremely important to maintain the upkeep of the machine. Training on sprayers is available – the PA01 is the basic sprayers training course, you will need this to do further training, such as the PA02 for tractor mounted sprayers and the PA06 for knapsacks.

Visit www.pesticides-safety-training. co.uk for more information.

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Simple and accurate spraying

Kuhn Amenity Pro’s amenity sprayer range covers hand-held through to tractor-mounted models, with controlled dosing being a good illustration of the company’s commitment to technological advancement.

ControlMix innovation • Single product or dual product application • Dosage rates from 0.15% up to 5.5% • Available on Polypul wheelbarrow sprayers, Actis and Omnis tractor mounted sprayers, and on some other models.

ControlSpot and ControlMix dosage systems treat clean water with either plant protection product or fertilisers immediately prior to the boom or lance, thereby improving accuracy and avoiding wastage from unused tank residues.

Robust construction and innovative application technology are the hallmarks of Kuhn Amenity Pro’s extensive sprayer range.

be strong, be KUHN Like us:

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The Stem Injection System is the most target specific, ecologically sound and effective solution for the eradication of Japanese Knotweed.

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Pro Landscaper half A4 - Amenity_Kuhn A5 Amenity - Kaltz advert 08/03/2012 16:40 Page 1

Professional spreaders for Professional Users built by professionals.

CALL - 0845 643 9776 EMAIL SALES@DMMP.CO.UK OR FAX 0845 643 9779 FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.DMMP.CO.UK

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

52

Latest Kit

SPRAYERS With the ongoing changes to LERAP rules and regulations that are affecting how close to hedge and water course boundaries that spray application is allowed, Gambetti Sprayers now offer the option of an accessory kit to its new and used sprayers, with a 3 star LERAP rating upgrade.

Prices depend on size and type of machine. This is designed to keep sprayer owners and operators one step ahead of legislation.

WWW.BARGAM.CO.UK

Gardenlines.co.uk, the online specialist in home and garden products is offering the Agri-Fab 45-0293 25 gallon ‘Pro’ towed sprayer which is ideal for gardens that can quickly become colonised by weeds and pests. With its unrivalled speed and utility the Agri-Fab can be towed to handle anything

from spot weeds to large area fertilising, and offers the efficiency, capacity and safety

required for most spraying jobs. A 7ft boom spray and adjustable spray wand that reaches up to 30ft will undertake the larger, more taxing areas that typical hand held/backpack sprayers cannot grapple, ensuring gardens are kept healthy and more resistant to problems.

WWW.GARDENLINES.CO.UK

Acuspray Pro is purposebuilt for the professional lawn care groundsman who needs to apply a wide range of products on to small areas. The 25 litre tank covers 625m2. The machine features the unique wheel-driven positive displacement pump used in the Acuspray Elite, in this case driven from the front wheels, providing an accurate repeatable application rate.

Lightweight by design but strong in construction, the sprayer uses the most modern manufacturing processes to produce a robust and durable machine.

WWW.TECHNEAT.CO.UK

Enabling tractor outputs from an ATV-based unit the X-Boom, available from Spraytech, will cover up to 10m width in one pass. The 95L corrosion-resistant tank is fitted with a 14.3 l/m High-Flo pump, glycerine filled pressure gauge, drain plug and deluxe hand gun with adjustable hollow coned nozzle and 4.5m of hose. Nozzles can be adjusted to spray left, right, centre or all three. The outer jets can be angled downwards to reduce the total swath width if needed.

Universal mounting brackets fit most vehicles. £437.50 +VAT.

It can be a real problem: a tight turn and the sprayer boom swinging wide on the back of the ATV catches on a fence post and breaks – but Wessex WS sprayer booms are kept within the width of the ATV, so no snagging on posts, trees or other objects. Standard and offset nozzles and anti-drip valves give an even spray of chemicals ranging from 1.5 to 5m, depending on the choice of boom. Which means that large areas can be sprayed quickly and effectively.

WWW.SPRAYTECH.UK.COM

WWW.BROADWOODINTL.CO.UK

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

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April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

54

Site Visit

1 Overhead view of CED Thurrock.

2 Stone bench.

3 Products on display.

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ced ltd

1

At CED’s Thurrock showroom you can see and feel a large array of natural stone products to match colours, sizes and designs.

P

ro Landscaper visited CED’s Thurrock office last month to gain a better understanding of its business and of natural stone. Anybody who is interested in natural stone should take a couple of hours out of their diary and visit one of the company’s five UK showrooms (Grays, Essex; West Drayton, Middlesex; Langley Mill, Nottinghamshire; Falkirk, Scotland; Omagh, Northern Ireland).

CED Ltd (Civil Engineering Developments Ltd) was formed in 1957, in 1978 Michael Heap reorganised the company to become a supplier of specialist aggregate and stone. From very small beginnings, CED has grown by fulfilling market needs within the field of natural materials ranging from technical uses for fine dried aggregates to beautiful pebbles and huge boulders.

The design and layout of the showroom allows you to see and feel a large array of products. Matching colours, sizes and designs couldn’t be easier. Experienced staff are on standby to offer advice and answer questions.

CPD courses CED can arrange for groups to visit the site and its commitment to contractors and designers goes beyond selling products – the company offers CPD courses throughout the year. It is also very committed to the next generation of landscapers and works closely with all the local colleges to offer an insight into natural stone.

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

For more than 30 years, CED has developed and extended its range of natural stone products, keeping extensive stocks in all of its depots. The advantage of holding large and varied stock means that availability and delivery can be rapid – but CED can manufacture almost anything, as long as it is natural.

The company believes it has the responsibility of giving the right advice to assist all to achieve a good long term result. When it is beyond its capability, CED will suggest where help may be found. Its desire and need is for stone to be used so successfully that good examples can be followed. Looking at past practice, there is a lot of excellent work that has survived in top condition for 100 years or more.

CED is now reaping the benefits that come with greater volumes. Many prices are down, often astonishingly. Not only is stone the winner on a whole-life comparison, but it is often simply cheaper in the first place.

CED supplies mostly British and European material but it also imports from some of the developing countries that have great craft skills, aiding an improvement in the lives of the people in these areas.

CED’s clients are specifiers, contractors and designers and the company seeks correct and effective use of the products it sells and will assist whenever it can.

It really is worthwhile taking some time out and visiting your local showroom.

site visit CED BRANCHES ● South East 728 London Road, West Thurrock, Grays, Essex, RM20 3LU Tel: 01708 867237 ● Thames Valley Trout Road, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7RS Tel: 01895 422411 ● Midlands Unit 4, Langley Park Industrial Estate, North Street, Langley Mill, Nottinghamshire NG16 4BS Tel: 01773 769916 ● Scotland Castlecary Depot, Allandale, By Bonnybridge, Falkirk FK4 2HJ Tel: 01324 841321 ● Ireland 1B Connaghty Road, off Rash Road, Omagh, N Ireland BT78 5NN Tel: 02882 258457

3

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April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4 27/3/12 09:38:03

14 56

Product DNA

2 POWERFUL DIESEL ENGINE Even when hauling a heavy load, the robust 21.6hp, 3 cylinder, liquid-cooled Kubota D902 diesel engine can still power you in, over and through rugged off-road terrain.

1 VARIABLE HYDRO

TRANSMISSION (VHT) This impressive and innovative transmission – a Kubota exclusive – provides the RTV900 with an unmatched level of performance.

The Variable Hydro Transmission delivers three ranges, quick accelleration, optimum traction on any terrain, aggressive hill-climbing power, and smooth downhill rides.

This rugged utility vehicle works harder than anything out there and is able to cruise over the toughest of terrains.

KUBOTA RTV900

7 AMPLE GROUND CLEARANCE With 8.3” of go-anywhere clearance, the RTV900 can cruise over rough and unpredictable terrain without worry. For a stable and comfortable ride, it’s got a long wheelbase and wide treaded tyres.

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

4 HIGHLY DURABLE FRAME STRUCTURE Meticulously crafted from a highly durable, lightweight metal and robotically welded for maximum reliability, the RTV900’s amazingly strong frame structure can endure years of gruelling punishment.

3

1

6 RELIABLE WET TYPE DISC BRAKE Taking on a hilly terrain means frequent braking. With our light-step, wet-type disc brake, you’ll stop quickly and effortlessly.

Plus, its durability means no drop in performance due to wear.

3 RESPONSIVE HYDROSTATIC POWER STEERING Off-road driving requires split-second decision making.

The RTV900 responds just as quickly. It’s the first in its class to be equipped with hydrostatic power steering.

2

4

6

5

5 ADVANCED REAR SUSPENSION On each of the rear wheels, the semi-independent suspensiontype DeDion axle, the leaf spring, and the shock absorber react together to minimise shocks when negotiating rough terrain.

7

SPECIFICATIONS Engine: 3 cylinder, 4 cycle, diesel OHV Weight: 830-925kg Fuel: Diesel Tyres: Knobby Suspension: Independent Load Capacity: 695-790kg Brakes: Wet-disc Steering: Hydrostatic Power

CONTACT

Kubota UK Ltd Tel: 01844 214500 Email: sales@kubotauk.co.uk Web: www.kubota.co.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

91mm x 240mm:Layout 1

Clean fuel= clean air

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Looking for a professional career?

Capel Manor is the largest land-based college in London. Training is offered at our 30-acre working estate in Enfield and in parks across London. Full and part-time courses, short courses and apprenticeships are offered for keen horticulturalists, landscapers and garden designers, including:

• Aspen, alkylate petrol, especially developed for forest and garden machinery, reduces toxic hydrocarbons by 99%.

• We also stock Ecopar, a toxic free, 100% biodegradable alternative to diesel – reduces carbon footprint by up to 50%.

• Both are free of benzene, aromatics and sulphur.

The ultimate health & safety product

Anglo American Oil Company Ltd Anders Hildebrand, anders@aaoil.co.uk 01929 555970, 07802 968016 www.aaoil.co.uk/environment

AAOC Pro Landscaper Aspen Ad.indd 2

20/03/2012

Level 2 Certificate in Gardening – Hard Landscaping OR Garden Expert Level 2 Extended Certificate in Sports & Amenity Turf Maintenance Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Horticulture Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture RHS Level 2 Certificates Intermediate/Advanced Apprenticeships in Horticulture Intermediate Apprenticeships in Sports Turf Level 2 Certificate in Garden Design Level 3 Certificate/ 15:26 Diploma in Garden Design

For a prospectus and further details ring 08456 122122 or visit enquiries@capel.ac.uk

Capel Manor College Centres across London enquiries@capel.ac.uk

Combining qualifications with experience

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

58

Training

GROWING A GREAT CAREER As opportunities continue to abound in land-based industries it’s never been a better time to invest in some training.

T

he British Isles are internationally renowned for their excellence in horticulture, from the wonders of our parks, gardens and landscapes to the production of food and the stellar presentation of worldclass sports surfaces.

There are often many misconceptions about jobs in the sector but it’s not just been about muddy wellies, unsocial hours and manual graft.

Career opportunities are boundless, both in specific horticulture skills areas and the more generic areas, such as business management, marketing, retail sales and many more.

The horticulture, landscaping and sports turf (amenity horticulture) industry includes historic and botanic gardens, parks and green spaces (including cemeteries), interior, soft and hard landscaping and all the elements of sports turf (golf courses and sports grounds).

Lantra research shows that the industry will need 11,000 new entrants before 2020, just to maintain today’s workforce levels, so there will be a lot of opportunities available for young people.

So how can someone get started in horticulture, landscaping and sports turf? Many options are available to help you join the workforce, wherever you live, whatever your age – from the traditional academic route, to road testing various roles by volunteering, to getting stuck in straight away and earning while learning via one of the many apprenticeship schemes.

ABOUT LANTRA As a Sector Skills Council, licensed by the UK government, Lantra supports skills and training for people and businesses in the land-based and environmental sector. Lantra is an independent UK organisation owned and managed by the land-based industries, working with employers and the UK government to address your skills and productivity needs.

Find out more by visiting www.lantra.co.uk.

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

The industry offers a wide range of jobs depending on levels of skills and qualifications, from hands-on to supervisory roles, and continues to need really well-rounded, well-qualified, well-informed people. Many roles do not have formal entry requirements; but having relevant qualifications and experience will only enhance your employment opportunities. Competition for some roles can be high, therefore any applicant must show their enthusiasm and desire for wanting to work in the industry.

APPRENTICESHIPS AND TRAINING Getting involved with an apprenticeship scheme will offer an opportunity to work alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills and work towards a work-based qualification. What sets this apart is that learners earn an income while training. Apprenticeships are available to all ages and can be delivered entirely in the workplace or a combination of workplace and an approved college or training provider.

There are many opportunities for apprenticeships in this industry. You can find out what to expect by visiting www.lantra.co.uk/ love-apprenticeships or get started right away by visiting www.apprenticeships.org.uk.

In addition to apprenticeships, you can also get training or other qualifications through universities, colleges and training providers.

The best way to explore these options is by visiting www.landex.org.uk.

IS THIS THE RIGHT CAREER? Lantra Careers (www.lantra.co.uk/careers) is an online service that helps you discover what it is like to work in land-based and environmental industries and understand the opportunities it has to offer. Whether you are looking to start your career or are already working, this site will provide you with the information you need to plan your career from start to finish.

Lantra Careers will help you find information

on job roles that relate most to your skills and/ or areas of interests. By using this site you can find out what employers are looking for, what the work is like, read real-life case studies and see video testimonials from actual industry professionals.

If you are looking for further careers help, visit the Grow Careers website, which has been developed by many horticulture organisations (www.growcareers.info). This site will also link you to the Horticulture Week journal, which advertises employment vacancies.

Don’t forget, if there were no plants, there would be no planet. This is one of, if not the most important industry in which to have a meaningful career, and there are many opportunities waiting to be taken. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

HORTICULTURE COURSES

BERKSHIRE’S COLLEGE

your adventure!

NPTC Courses:

At BCA, our Horticulture courses have been specially designed to prepare you for an exciting career within the horticultural and associated industries.

● Brushcutter/Stri mmer Operations ● Safe Use of Tra ctor Mounted Sp rayers ● Tractor Operat ions ● Safe Use of Pe sticides – Knapsack Spraye rs ● Prepare and Maintain the Chainsaw Come along to our

● Level 2 Diploma in Sports and Amenity d ase d-b Lan Turf Maintenance ● Level 1 Diploma in ) ure ult Studies (Hortic ● Level 2 Diploma in Arboriculture Horticulture ● Level 2 Diploma in loma ● Level 3 Extended Dip loma Dip d de ten Ex 3 el e Lev tur ● in Arboricul in Horticulture

Courses include:

Interested?

Daily College run transport over 12 routes, picking up from 10 local mainline railway stations.

PLUS

Find out more... www.bca.ac.uk

Open Day on Saturday, 19th May 2012 10am - 3pm For more information and to pre-register your place, visit

www.bcaopendays.co.uk

BCA, Hall Place, Burchetts Green, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 6QR • Email: horticulture@bca.ac.uk • Tel: 0800 0711 666 • Text: 07950 081 234

Health, Safety and Environmental Awareness Course Landscape House, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire Special Show Price!

Standard price = £175 + VAT

Show price = £125 + VAT

Course Details

This course has been designed to increase the profile of health and safety and thereby reduce the number of accidents causing harm to operatives within the landbased sector. It also takes into account the need to align to professional standards such as the competency framework demanded by National Highways Sector Scheme 18 (NHSS18) for the Environment and Landscape including ecology.

Delegates who successfully pass the ROLO course and a separate Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) touch screen test can apply for the new Landbased Industry Skills Scheme/Construction Skills Certification Scheme (LISS/CSCS) card. The LISS/CSCS card is a mandatory requirement for anyone working on NHSS18 projects.

Cost

The special show price is just £125 + VAT per delegate, which includes all course materials, refreshments throughout the day, a light lunch, examination fees and a certificate. Group discounts (for four or more delegates) are available on request.

For more details please visit www.penarth.co.uk/training/rolo or contact us on 029 2070 3328 or via training@penarth.co.uk Penarth Management Limited, Avon House, 19 Stanwell Road, PENARTH CF64 2EZ www.penarth.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

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Training

COURSES OnSite Training UK has responded to concerns in the landscape industry about vehicle and driver regulations. They train and advise staff on the records required to prove compliance. OnSite provides Horticulture, Team Leading and Management qualifications, and have funding for candidates (subject to certain criteria). Team Leading and Management courses are provided through on site and online learning-depending upon the learner’s job role. This gives the flexibility for these qualifications to be delivered to one person or to larger groups.

Capel Manor College has extensive experience in horticulture, garden design and forestry. Day and evening, full- and part-time courses lead to nationally recognised qualifications – students have gained work at Kew Gardens and the Royal Parks and some go on to set up their own businesses. Their five centres across London are equipped with wide-ranging plant collections, specialist laboratories and design studios, and facilities for teaching practical skills.

WWW.CAPEL.AC.UK

WWW.BCA.AC.UK

WWW.ONSITETRAININGUK.CO.UK

Launched by Tamsin Slatter in 2005, Design Software Solutions (also known as Vectorworks Training) has five dedicated trainers, delivering training from its offices and training suite on the outskirts of Newbury.

The company is the largest supplier of Vectorworks training in the UK. It recently became the UK’s sole reseller/trainer of Benchmark Estimating Software. “We understand that for some, travelling to Newbury may be impractical. We also offer onsite and online training,” says Tamsin.

WWW.VECTORWORKS-TRAINING. CO.UK

BCA has extensive facilities and up-todate resources to support educational and practical training plus experienced and qualified staff to support and guide students. From September many students have taken up the opportunity to study A Levels alongside the Level 3 Horticulture or Arboriculture course. They also offer a wide range of part-time and short courses, covering landscape design, NPTC proficiency tests and chainsaw, pesticide spraying and machinery handling. Work based learning is designed to meet employer requirements.

More than £10 million has been invested in improving the facilities at the Bridgwater College Land-based Centre and the resources for land-based training are now considered to be among the best in the country, providing students with state-ofthe-art surroundings for learning and practising their skills. Supportive partnerships with key players in the industry mean that students have regular exposure to current practice and relevant work placements. Others may choose to progress to one of the many higher education courses on offer at Cannington, thus cutting the cost of university study without compromising on a teaching and learning experience which has been graded by Ofsted as Outstanding. Everyone is welcome to view our facilities and speak to staff and students at open events throughout the year.

WWW.BRIDGWATER.AC.UK

As specialists in quality environmental health and safety management, at Penarth we firmly believe in practising what we preach. We deliver quality interactive courses tailored to meet your requirements. Each delegate attending our ROLO courses will receive a personalised course book to keep for future reference. For firms choosing to have this training delivered in-house, we will tailor the content to ensure that it is highly relevant to your own organisation.

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

WWW.PENARTH.CO.UK

Based in the South East, The Landscape Training Group offers a diverse range of bespoke or generic training courses including chainsaw, pesticides, first aid, manual handling and machinery operation. Through the years LTG has built up a network of providers to be able to offer training on a range of sectors. LTG also offer ROLO Health and Safety training. Venues are situated across the region, or trainers can come to you.

WWW.LANDSCAPETRAINING. CO.UK

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

interested in a career in landscape design?

Our Foundation degree and Bsc top-up in landscape design will allow you to: • Study subjects including environmental science, innovation in design, plant anatomy and identification, business and many more • Study a range of industry relevant subjects • Learn within our dedicated industry standard facilities • Design and build show garden exhibits • Create industry links • Participate in study tours • Work on real life projects • Receive expert teaching • Study flexibly (full/part-time). course places available. apply today!

Call Bridgwater College on 01278 441234 www.bridgwater.ac.uk

Landscape Design_ProLandscape Ed feat_April 2012.indd 1

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April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

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Latest Kit

COMPACT TRACTORS Ransomes Jacobsen, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of turf maintenance equipment, has launched a refreshed Iseki TH range of compact tractors. There are three new models in the range; the TH4295, TH4335 and TH4365. The TH4365 features a new, more powerful engine with higher horsepower and torque at comparatively low revolutions per minute, resulting in lower fuel consumption and reduced noise. A new hydrostat has been introduced with greater capacity and which requires up to 50% less effort when depressing the forward and reverse pedals, which helps reduce operator fatigue. The two pedal layout with curved pads is easier and more comfortable to operate.

The ISO-mounted flat operator platform reduces vibration and provides greater operator comfort.

The Ferrari Vega range are 4WD reverse drive tractors from 70-90hp, 16 forward/16 reverse transmission with a synchromesh transmission.

A high lift capacity of up to 2300kg and options including a standard or air-conditioned comfort cab ensure that this tractor is top of its category.

The Vega is priced from £33,376 +VAT WWW.LAMENG.COM

WWW.RANSOMESJACOBSEN.COM

Designed and built

by John Deere, the new 26hp 1026R subcompact tractor offers a number of standard features more commonly found on larger machines. A wide range of attachments and implements, including a mid-mounted AutoConnect side discharge rotary mower deck with cutting widths of 1.37 or 1.52m (54 or 60in), can be changed quickly, easily and safely. For all year round versatility, the new 1026R can carry a wide range of other attachments and implements, including rear or front mounted mowers, a quick attach John Deere front loader with a lift capacity of 380kg to full height, rear mounted attachments on the standard Category I three-point linkage, and front mounted attachments such as a snow blade.

WWW.DEERE.CO.UK

Landscape Equipment for Professionals BCS Two Wheel Tractors

CAMON Lawncare Range

BCS Crusader & Commander

CAMON Rotavators & Tillers

www.tracmaster.co.uk

Tracmaster Ltd | Sovereign Centre | Victoria Road | Burgess Hill | RH15 9LR | 01444 247689

UK

1

People

63

1 Birchfield Nursery in West Sussex.

2 A range of topiary is available at Birchfield.

2

Age is no barrier to this 18-year-old designer and entrepreneur, who recently acquired a nursery to add to his growing business portfolio.

LOOK OUT FOR ...

This guy is unbelievable: designer and contractor, as well as studying and now running his own nursery – not bad for a chap who isn’t out of his teens yet.

In 2008, and at the tender age of 14, Jack Dunckley designed his first Malvern Show Garden, and was awarded a bronze medal for his efforts. Jack has always had a great desire for the outdoors and his passion was set alight by watching the Chelsea Flower Show on TV. In 2009, Jack then presented his first garden at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, where he believed his young age was a benefit for getting him in, but maybe working against him for the colour of his medal. Jack’s garden was two-inone – a lush oasis and a highly designed desert delight. Jack was working on a really tight budget and had to be extremely hands-on, which would have been a big ask for even the more experienced designer.

So with the design part of the business flying, Jack picked up additional design work through his participation at Hampton Court. He then also decided the time was right to buy a nursery – choosing one that he knew well, which had

previously supplied him with plants.

The nursery was in his back yard, but had lacked investment over the past few years and was in need of fresh start. Today, not forgetting he is still only 18 years’ old, Jack runs and owns

JACK DUNCKLEY ‘SIMPLICITY OF GEOMETRY’ Jack describes his garden at this year’s Hampton Court Palace Flower Show as “based on the simplicity of geometry and inspired by a mix of Italian stylistic design and modern contemporary garden designs. It is complemented by both formal and informal planting. A calming atmosphere of tranquility provides a subtle place for relaxation and contemplation.

The hard straight lines formed by the hard landscaping are softened by the planting arrangements. The garden has elements of balanced geometry, shown by the regularity of the hornbeams, and sculptures.

The structure is designed as a simple cube, without sides, to provide a light, airy space.”

a successful design business, jointly owns a design, build and maintenance contractor, and he now has to rebuild and rebrand a nursery.

Jack is still focused on showcasing his design ability and will be again this year, notably at Hampton Court. He is also continuing to build on his undoubted knowledge by attending The London College of Design to develop the technical and presentational aspects of design.

Birchfield Nursery in West Sussex is well and truly on the up, with a good core of designers and landscapers already regular clients. This year will see further development and expansion with a new office featuring an inbuilt atrium that will enhance the nursery visitor experience.

Jack is extremely focused on delivering high quality, reasonable price and efficient customer service and will use this mentality to continue the growth of all his businesses and help him develop a reputation for his brand.

It was great to meet someone so young with exceptional knowledge, great passion and a real flair for what he does. If you are visiting Hampton Court this year or buying plants in Sussex, look out for Jack.

DIARY APRIL 20–22 RHS Cardiff Show, Bute Park, Cardiff Castle www.rhs.org.uk 24–26 Commercial Vehicle Show, NEC Birmingham www.cvshow.com MAY 5 Young Horticulturist of the Year Grand Final, Royal Botanic

Garden Edinburgh www.horticulture.org.uk 10–13 RHS Malvern Spring Gardening Show, Malvern Showground, Worcs WR13 6NW www.rhs.org.uk 16–17 Institute of Chartered Foresters National Conference, Future Forestry, CBI Conference Centre, London

www.charteredforesters.org 22–26 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Chelsea Hospital, London www.rhs.org.uk JUNE 2012 13–17 BBC Gardeners’ World Live, NEC, Birmingham www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com

Landscaping Show, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth www.bali.org.uk 26–27 HTA National Plant Show, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth www.nationalplantshow.co.uk 15–16 The Arb Show, Bathurst Estate, Cirencester www.trees.org.uk

19–20 BALI 2012 – The

YOUR EVENT If you have a diary event you wish to publicise, email details to the editor: lisa.wilkinson@pro-landscaper.co.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

Running alongside

Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire

FREE TO VISIT WITH FREE PARKING

THE PLAY, SPORT & LEISURE ACTIVITY EVENT

The natural choice for landscape professionals Following the great success of the launch show, BALI, The 2012 Landscaping Show returns bigger and better for the next instalment on 19th – 20th June 2012.

• Free learning - Two days of free education designed to keep you up to date with the latest designs, techniques, legislation and policies affecting landscaping today.

• Discover what’s new - Over 80 leading providers showcasing the very latest the industry has to offer.

• Meet the experts – Network and exchange ideas with professionals from leading associations.

• Live demos – See equipment and tools in action in the live demonstration area.

• Free advice – Speak to specialist business advisors in the dedicated Business Zone and find out how best to manage and improve your business.

Find out more at www.balishow.co.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

People

THE

LITTLE INTERVIEW

BRIAN DUNBAR Contracts Manager, Blakedown Landscapes Operations www.blakedownlandscapes.com What is the best thing about your job?

The end result – it’s priceless to see how the landscape makes a difference to the surrounding environment and people within it.

What made you want to get into the industry?

Having been a baker, I fancied the change to working outdoors and getting my hands dirty.

Challenges ahead in your work?

We are embarking on a new venture with two projects – the Epsom Rail Station re-development and the Museum Lane courtyard for the Natural History Museum.

How is the bulk of your work made up?

It mainly comes via large builders and local government works. We aim to diversify into other commercial markets as well as domestic.

Current trends in the market?

Granite. It seems to be everywhere I go Traditional York stone will always have its place, but people are trending more towards granite, as it’s cheaper and is sourced from ethically mined sites. From a commercial view, I’ve noticed that ‘natural’ play equipment is being requested also.

Who are you inspired by?

This comes in numerous forms – a child battling cancer inspires me to make the most of my life; stories of triumph in the face of adversity inspire me to pick myself up when the going gets tough.

On a landscape note, places inspire me. I recently paid a visit to Castle Howard in Yorkshire, which is a must-see for any member of the landscape fraternity.

A small insight into the world of other professionals in our wide and varied industry. If you would like to appear in a future issue please email lisa.wilkinson@pro-landscaper.co.uk ADAM WHITBOURN Head Gardener, Blarney Castle and Gardens, Ireland www.blarneycastle.ie What is the best thing about your job?

I thoroughly enjoy being out and about in nature, working in a historic garden that is still developing.

We are currently renovating the arboretums and developing a new Pinetum. I learn new things every day, and get a lot of job satisfaction.

What made you want to get into the industry?

I always had a passion for the outdoors and nature. Horticulture was a natural progression.

Challenges ahead in your work?

In the last two years we’ve made huge progress in the gardens. The challenge is to continue further renovation and development and keep what we have already developed to a high standard.

How is the bulk of your work made up?

I spend as much time as possible out in the grounds working or supervising staff and students.

The position means an increasing amount of office work, so some mornings are spent behind a desk.

Your company’s plans for the next five years?

We plan to continue the development and renovation of the grounds and gardens around the castle. The long-term aim is to make Blarney Castle’s Gardens recognised worldwide as one of Ireland’s great places to visit.

Countryside or seaside?

Can I not have both?

Your proudest achievement?

My two children.

Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter?

Spring – seeing everything burst back into life.

BEN WINCOTT Head of Residential, Kings Landscapes www.kingslandscapes.com What is the best thing about your job?

Seeing how landscaping enables new open spaces to mature and evolve year after year like a legacy or a work of art that you can appreciate over time.

What made you want to get into the industry?

I used to help an old man gardening when I was very young. Later on I enjoyed design and found that I could combine the two at Writtle College, first doing landscape construction and later landscape architecture.

Favourite film and TV shows?

Film: The Time Travellers Wife. TV: anything with Bear Grylls, Ray Mears or David Attenborough.

Challenges ahead in your work?

Driving the business through these tough times especially in the commercial sector where margins are tighter on tenders.

Your proudest achievement?

Being a major part of our firm’s success in 2011.

Current trends in the market?

The market has a strong view on training, the

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environment and health and safety for staff and public. Using registered waste management centres to recycle site waste gives our clients peace of mind that up to 80% of their waste is being recycled.

How do you remain competitive?

We simply want to do a good job to the highest quality with well-trained, experienced craftsmen and operatives.

Who are you inspired by?

Designers such as Roberto Burle Marx and Beth Chatto, with their grasp on the right plants in the right area.

One thing you want to do before you’re too old?

Visit the Amazon jungle and see the variety of plants and wildlife there.

Countryside or seaside?

Both. My parents have a house in East Sussex in the countryside overlooking the sea – clean air, nice walks and the kind of place where eating fresh fish and chips just feels right.

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

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Trending

Joe Wilkinson takes a look at what’s different this month.

Green-tech Ltd, suppliers of landscaping and amenity products, has launched a new website – www.green-tree.co.uk – specifically for landscape architects. The website covers everything green including tree planting in hard or soft landscaped areas, effective tree and plant irrigation plus the considerations to make when planning a green roof.

The website contains specifications, links to relevant British Standards plus the facility to download Green-tech’s own CAD drawings.

Stylish BBQs with Outdoor Creations

Award winning landscape company Outdoor Creations is proud to announce the release of Luxius Outdoor Kitchens to the UK market.

Aware of the strong trend towards an increased interest in outdoor entertaining, the new range of stylish outdoor kitchens is expected to fulfil a gap in the market for well-designed, high-quality, integrated BBQ equipment and associated appliances and storage. Traditionally, outdoor kitchens have been constructed in situ using bricks or blocks. The Luxius range consists of modular units, which will arrive pre-built in seasoned oak, with stainless steel drawer fronts and polished granite worktops. www.luxius.co.uk

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

Williams F1 has announced that ‘The Williams Story’, a display highlighting the team’s heritage in Formula One will be shown at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2012.

Based around a life-sized topiary model of a Formula One car as well as topiary pit crew, the display seeks to tell the story of the team from its origins to the present day, displaying the skill and artistry that can be achieved through horticulture. Designed by seasoned Chelsea exhibitors King and Co the display will be shown on stand number GP1 in the Great Pavilion for the duration of the show in May.

Apple likes to cloak its new products in mystery, so it seems fitting that visitors to its new energy-efficient headquarters won’t be able to see much of the building from the road. New drawings show the landscaping at the Cupertino, California campus will be extensive – the spaceshiplike building will be entirely surrounded by a thick layer of trees, mostly apricot. Like just about everything Apple, the facility will be impressive – the 2.8 million ft2, four-story circular structure will have huge walls of glass that let Apple employees look out from both sides of the ring on to park-like landscaping.

A team of students from Writtle College are bringing a “slice of an English national park” to the centre of London. Since Monday (date?) they have been working to create a garden outside Earls Court ready for the opening of the Ideal Home Show. The team will meet a panel of judges, including TV gardeners Diarmuid Gavin and David Domoney, who will decide if their creation should win them the “Ideal Young Gardeners of the Year” title.

The aim is to show what can be achieved in small urban locations.

Professional groundsman aim for the highest standards in green and turf care, so when it comes to top dressing and spreading it makes sense to compare today’s top dressers with the traditional. It’s likely you’ll find the old style overweight and outdated when you look at the TurfEx range with its practical features, functions and thoroughly modern design suggests Broadwood International. The powerful 12v electric motors are reliable and have none of the risks usually associated with hydraulic drives and petrol engines.

There’s no risk of liquid spills on turfs, no split hoses and maintenance is low. www.broadwoodintl.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Classified

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

2/2/10 12:47:01

April 2012 | Volume 2 | Issue 4

A True Triple Comfortable, Capable & Robust The 8400, our new, heavy duty, commercial triple mower can hardly be beaten for cutting performance, thanks to its jumbo, 10 inch, cutting units that are ideal for handling long grass.

With the 8400 mower you get the ultimate in operator comfort.

Sit back and enjoy the air suspension seat. What’s more, all machine controls are built into the armrest, giving the convenience of having everything you need at your ngertips.

Ask your dealer for a demonstration – we know you won’t be disappointed!

Freephone 0800 085 25 22

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JohnDeere.com

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And to complete the true triple, the 8400 mower delivers outstanding durability due to its robust construction, designed for the most demanding conditions.

09.03.2012 12:42:32 Uhr