Pro Landscaper April 2024

LET'S HEAR IT FROM Garden designer Manoj Malde on his new book

HIDEAWAY Nature’s

KATHRYN COX GARDEN DESIGN STUDIO

CLOSING THE GENERATION GAP

Introducing RHS Wisley's Youth Engagement Panel

BEING SOCIAL IS ESSENTIAL

Four companies making the most of social media

CONTACT

Eljays44 Ltd, 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA

Tel: 01903 777 570

EDITORIAL

Head of content – Nina Mason nina.mason@eljays44.com

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Design – Kara Thomas kara.thomas@eljays44.com

ADVERTISING

Sales executive – Lewis Everle lewis.everle@eljays44.com

Tel: 01903 777 588

Sales executive – Ollie Finch ollie.finch@eljays44.com

Tel: 01903 777 579

Horticulture Careers – Ollie Finch ollie.finch@eljays44.com

Tel: 01903 777 579

MANAGEMENT

Managing director – Jamie Wilkinson jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com

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MARKETING & CIRCULATION

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Published by ©Eljays44 Ltd – Connecting Horticulture. Pro Landscaper’s content is available for licensing overseas. Contact jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com

Pro Landscaper is published 12 times per year by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2024 subscription price is £128. Subscription records are maintained at Eljays44 Ltd, 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA, 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.

Whilst every effort has been made to maintain the integrity of our advertisers, we accept no responsibility for any problem, complaints, or subsequent litigation arising from readers’ responses to advertisements in the magazine. We also wish to emphasise that views expressed by editorial contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Reproduction of any part of this magazine is strictly forbidden. Pro Landscaper

Welcome

It’s embarrassing for me to admit, but when considering using a company, I’m immediately concerned when they don’t have a presence on social media. Before buying clothes from a brand for the first time, I head to their page to find out how many followers they have, whether someone I know is following them, and what people are saying in the comments. When heading to a new restaurant, I’ll scroll endlessly through photos of the meals to decide what to have – or whether to switch reservations to a different venue. I know I can’t be the only person who does this, which means your potential clients are bound to do the same thing when looking for a garden designer or landscaper.

A social media presence matters, and it has to be a good one. There’s no point having a Facebook account if your last post was one year ago – that could suggest that your company is no longer operating. Don’t just take my word for it (considering my last Instagram post was back in December, I might not be the best source). Four award-winning companies share how they utilise their social channels for the biggest impact on page 61, in particular the free marketing potential that Instagram can provide.

If you’re looking to put some money behind your social media marketing and are considering Facebook advertising, specialist Matthew Freestone sets out the pros and cons (page 22), from reaching your target audience to sifting through the enquiries.

Regardless of the route that you choose, a theme that comes up in both articles is that trial and error is not only likely but is crucial to finding the best platform, style and frequency for your company. So, have a play! It might take a lot of time to begin with, but finding the right fit could make this time a lucrative investment.

8

Pro Landscaper Business Awards 2024 finalists

The 58 shortlisted organisations have been announced across the 17 categories for this year’s awards

21

The Four Ps to Progress Hyphae Learning’s Sam Grayson walks us through setting and achieving your goals, be they personal or professional

25

Let’s Hear It From... Manoj Malde

The award-winning garden designer on his new book, switching careers and making Chelsea history

CONTENTS April 2024

45

31

Merging Monton’s Past and Present DK Garden Design gave the land of a 1930s house a contemporary twist whilst ensuring it was in keeping with the art deco property

37

Nature’s Hideaway

The Pro Landscaper Project Award-winning garden by Kathryn Cox Garden Design Studio is a transformed Victorian courtyard in north London

45

Cultivating Community

A new community garden has been created for local residents and wildlife by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council

FEATURES

61

Being Social is Essential

If you’re not making the most of social media already, then four companies explain how you could be missing out on a key tool for engaging clients

67

Closing the Generation Gap

RHS Wisley’s new Youth Engagement Panel is hoping to attract the younger generation to horticulture by making the industry more accessible

73

Is Soil the Unsung Hero?

Rachel Bailey explores how soil could be the hero of carbon sequestration

PEOPLE

79

It’s Time to Act on Landscape and Carbon President-elect Carolin Göhler details the Landscape Institute’s new report, in partnership with BALI, on tackling the industry’s carbon reduction

80

Why Only Native?

Lewis Normand adds his thoughts on the ongoing debate over whether a solely native planting palette is best

83

5 Minutes With...Katherine Holland

Ahead of this year’s Chelsea, the garden designer tells us about the Sue Ryder Grief Kind Garden for Project Giving Back

18

How Can I Ensure Initial Design Consultations are Beneficial?

In this month’s Ask the Experts, Rosemary Coldstream shares how to make the most of the first meeting with a client

22

Facebook Ads: The Pros and Cons

It’s a popular choice for many, but there are downsides – Matt Freestone breaks down whether Facebooks ads are the right choice

54

Looking After a Liquid Asset

How irrigation could help reduce and monitor a garden's water usage

Cover image ©Limelight Interiors Photography/ Kathryn Cox Garden Design Studio

AUSTIN DESIGN WORKS ACHIEVES B CORP CERTIFICATION

Austin Design Works has become a Certified B Corporation (B Corp), recognising the landscape architecture’s 20+ year commitment to sustainable landscape design and architecture.

The Gloucestershire-based architectural design practice achieved an overall impact score of 97.1 across the five assessment pillars: governance, workers, community, environment and customers.

Contributors to the practice’s certification include its collaboration with

ROUNDUP Industry Updates

‘URGENT’ ACTION NEEDED SAYS NEW LI AND BALI REPORT

Anew report tackling carbon reduction in the landscape sector launched by the Landscape Institute (LI) and British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI). The report, Landscape and Carbon, is positioned as a direct response to the UK’s target to reach net zero by 2050.

It outlines the actions being undertaken by the sector and how best landscape can provide solutions for reducing and sequestering carbon in development.

Calling to action the landscape sector and wider industry to work collaboratively and use its combined

skills to reduce carbon in landscape schemes and works.

Together, the LI and BALI will build on the existing work put in place by the sector to agree on carbon methodology, put standard data and practical tools in place and support the sector in improving the level of awareness and skills needed.

LI CEO, Robert Hughes, says: “Collaboration and openness will be vital to take these recommendations forward.”

For more information or to get involved, visit: landscapeinstitute. org/policy/landscape-and-carbon/

Find out more about the new report on page 79.

ecologists to create enriched wildlife habitats and exceeding the minimum 10% uplift for biodiversity net gain, which came into effect last month.

Rachel Emous-Austin, director of Austin Design Works and her brother, Matthew Austin say: “We have always been passionate about building a sustainable practice that is deeply rooted in the Stroud Valleys.”

The practice will undergo a recertification process every three years to update its impact assessment, with the intent to recertify as a B Corp. austindw.co.uk

ALAN TITCHMARSH’S NEW TV SHOW WELCOMES GARDENERS FROM “WIDEST RANGE OF BACKGROUNDS”

Anews series offering practical gardening tips is launching on ITV1. Alan Titchmarsh’s Gardening Club will feature the title host alongside other industry experts offering advice to both novice and experienced gardeners.

The new series has been produced by Penny Lane Entertainment. Creative director Lee Connolly says it has “set out to welcome gardeners from all levels and the widest range of backgrounds around the whole of the UK.

“Alan and our broad team of voices will provide the expertise to allow you to make the most of any garden or green space.”

Joining Alan Titchmarsh will be community gardener Tayshan Hayden-Smith, horticulturists David Domoney and Camilla Bassett-Smith, eco-friendly gardener Anna Greenland and houseplant expert Sarah Gerrard-Jones.

Alan Titchmarsh’s Gardening Club has been part-funded by lawn care service GreenThumb. Managing director Paul Edwards says the series is “about making gardening accessible for everyone”.

The hour-long episodes will air every Monday at 2pm for 11 weeks (taking a hiatus on 1 April). itv.com/watch/alan-titchmarshsgardening-club

©Jason Hawkes for LLDC

“LANDMARK” UNIVERSITY MERGER TAKES PLACE BETWEEN WRITTLE COLLEGE AND ANGLIA RUSKIN

Land-based education provider Writtle University College has merged with Anglia Ruskin University (ARU).

Established in 1893, Writtle is one of the oldest specialist institutions in the UK, providing courses in a range of subject areas, including horticulture. Under its new

NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR ANNOUNCED FOR FROSTS LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION

Frosts Landscape Construction has announced that Alistair Bayford will become its new managing director, taking over from Ken White in May.

The change in leadership comes as the commercial landscaping company transitions to an Employee Ownership Trust, effective from 26 March. Bayford says he is looking forward to leading Frosts “through this exciting era as it transitions to employee ownership” in its 65th year.

He continues to say: “I look forward to working closely with our dedicated colleagues to drive innovation, deliver exceptional service to our clients, and uphold the company’s reputation as a leader in the industry.”

name, ARU Writtle, it will continue to provide its full range of degree courses.

To continue to offer its existing courses for 16-18-year-olds and adult learners, a specialist Further Education college called Writtle College has been established.

The Writtle campus, near Chelmsford in Essex, will receive a cash injection of £10m from ARU over the next five years for improvements and to develop its offering.

It’s a “significant milestone” for ARU, says vice chancellor Professor Roderick Watkins. “What makes this merger so significant, and sets us up for future success, is our shared values, and how we place our students at the heart of our institutions.” aru.ac.uk

White, who has been managing director since 2012 and was revealed as one of Pro Landscaper’s Most Influential in 2022, says he is “immensely proud of what we have achieved together” and that he has “full faith in our talented team’s capabilities under Alistair Bayford’s leadership to continue our legacy of excellence.”

Two existing colleagues have also been appointed as directors. George Mowbray will assume the role of operations director and Jonathan Salem will take on the role of commercial director. Adrian Meeker will continue as company director. frostslandscapes.co.uk

GREENWOOD PLANTS RECEIVES PLANT HEALTHY CERTIFICATION

UK wholesale nursery Greenwood Plants has been awarded Plant Healthy certification as part of its ongoing commitment to biosecurity. An audit was conducted of the company’s six nurseries, which span more than 50 hectares across the UK, back in February.

Head to prolandscapermagazine.com

19 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM SOILSCON 2024

Here are a few of the key things we picked up from eight insightful sessions: prolandscapermagazine.com/19-keytakeaways-from-soilscon-2024

LEE CONNELLY: "STARTING SMALL IS THE KEY TO GETTING GARDENING INTO SCHOOLS"

Schools: the “epicentre of children’s gardening”? prolandscapermagazine.com/starting-smallis-the-key-to-getting-gardening-into-schoolssays-lee-connelly/

©Tim Howe l l

5 THINGS I WISH I’D KNOWN WHEN I BECAME A GARDEN DESIGNER

Emma Tipping shares her experiences. prolandscapermagazine.com/5-things-i-wishid-known-when-i-became-a-garden-designer

LOOK OUT FOR OUR URBAN GREENING SPECIAL ON THE WEBSITE THIS MONTH, FROM 15-19 APRIL

Greenwood handles around six million plants each year across all of its nurseries, as well as growing all of its plants in a 100% peat-free manner.

Managing Director of Greenwood Plants, Melanie Asker says: “Ensuring we grow the sector responsibly and sustainability by proactively managing biosecurity, is essential to our future growth potential.” greenwoodplants.co.uk/biosecurity-policy

Crimson Kings Midlands Ltd

GroundLord Ltd

John O’Conner (Grounds Maintenance) Ltd

The Environment Partnership (TEP) Ltd

Tony Benger Landscaping

Elmtree Garden Contractors Ltd

Kingston Landscape Group Ltd

P1 Contractors Ltd

Palmer Landscapes Ltd

Quality & Service Ltd (Q&S)

Total Protection Landscaping

Acacia Gardens

Cube 1994 Ltd

Landform Consultants Ltd

The Garden Company Ltd

The Garden Design Company (Midlands) Ltd

Wright Landscapes Ltd

Access All Areas - Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council

Glendale Countryside Ltd

Kingston Landscape Group Ltd

Elmtree Garden Contractors Ltd

Green-tech

Harris Bugg Studio

Maydencroft Ltd

Quality & Service Ltd (Q&S)

Tyler Grange

Beautiful Wild Garden and Landscape Design

Consilium Hortus Ltd

Lavender Landscapes

The Garden Company Ltd

Tythorne Garden Design Ltd

Nurture Landscapes

Scofell Landscapes Ltd

Spacecare Ltd

Tivoli Group Ltd

West Hill Garden & Landscaping Services Ltd

Canary Wharf Management Ltd

in collaboration with Biotecture

Consilium Hortus Ltd

in collaboration with Provender Nurseries and Arc Waterproofing

House of Stewart Gardens Ltd

in collaboration with Elements of Nature Ltd

mmcité UK Ltd

in collaboration with WoodCMTE

Tisserand English Gardens Ltd

in collaboration with Paul Baines Garden Design

Walworth Garden

in collaboration with Michael Faraday Primary School

Nurture Group

Urban Planters

Wright Landscapes Ltd

Maintaining a

GREEN CAPITAL

Planning cities to include green spaces wherever possible is the first step in making our urban areas healthier, but is the longevity of these necessities being overlooked when it comes to maintenance and funding?

WORDS: ASHLEIGH BROWN

Those on lower incomes and living within overcrowded urban areas are living 10 years less than those on a higher income who live amongst more accessible green spaces. Or at least, that’s what a study of over 40 million British people suggests. Dr Richard Mitchell and Frank Popham investigated the link between income inequality, access to green spaces, and life expectancy, finding that exposure to the natural environment has an independent effect

It's trying to try to understand what the next step is once it's been installed, so that you're not just a contract, but you're actually seeing the project through for the next three years or so

Oscar Sorabjee, operations director, Elite Landscapes

published back in 2008 but are no less relevant. A more recent study by journal Science Advances published last year found that living nearer green spaces could add 2.5 years to a person’s life expectancy.

To reduce the risks to physical and mental health, as pointed out by Mitchell and Popham, and to also better the quality of life across the city, bold plans have been unveiled to expand green spaces in the capital. The Mayor of London has set out new policies to not only include the protection of the city’s natural areas, but also to ensure that more than half of London is green by 2050, with the city’s tree canopy cover also to increase by 10%. Khan signed the London National Park City Charter in July 2019 in City Hall, with London becoming the world’s first National Park City, “celebrating the wonders of urban nature”, says Sadiq Khan.

However, with the population of London alone predicted to reach three million by the year 2050, there is also a huge housing demand, and developments are now set to include green roofs, walls, and other urban greening techniques. This all sounds great in theory, but is

ELITE LANDSCAPES

CAMDEN HIGHLINE CAMDEN ROAD BRIDGE CATWALK ©JCFO

funding being allocated to ensure these spaces last?

It’s a problem other existing public spaces are facing, says Oscar Sorabjee, operations director at commercial landscaping company Elite Landscapes. He has been working with developers for the last 15 years specialising in urban built landscape environments, “oversight of projects from pre-tender through construction, maintenance and adoption or handover to a managing agent.”

Green spaces can take different shapes and forms within urban environments, and in Sorabjee’s experience, it takes clever engagement with architects and a willingness from clients to overcome the challenges that these spaces can present.

“The space wouldn’t need to be big or expensive to make a difference, but the foresight and planning for it is what really makes the difference,” says Sorabjee.

It is the maintenance and long-term costs to keep spaces looking good, though, that is often not reinforced or thought out properly and, for Sorabjee, these are the most important aspects of any project.

Once the planning is in place and the lifespan of the project is considered, spread the funding across it all, making sure that the efforts do not go to waste

that’s been created at Southall which has suddenly transformed a barren landscape to a green vibrant community space,” says Sorabjee. Also working to overcome the challenges of funding and maintenance within the capital is Simon Pitkeathley, CEO at the Camden Highline, a new “park in the sky.” The disused railway viaduct is set to be transformed into a linear park connecting Camden Town to King’s Cross. He says: “Exploring brownfield sites and seeing how accessible they can be is an obvious opportunity that shouldn’t be dismissed.” Pitkeathley says that there are a multitude of ways in which green spaces can come to life no matter how big or how small, but in some cases, the enthusiasm to create the space outweighs the ability to keep it going: "The challenge is pretty much always funding and maintenance. We must be cautious of an individual saying they've got a great idea and not understanding the full picture because it will require more maintenance than is realised. Once the planning is in place and the lifespan of the project is considered, spread the funding across it all, making sure that the efforts do not go to waste."

Simon Pitkeathley, CEO, the Camden Highline

To avoid issues like these, Sorabjee tries to collaborate with the architect on each project and ensure that both the client and the contractors are heavily involved in the process as early as possible. “It's trying to understand what the next step is once a project has been implemented. Planning the maintenance of the landscaping for the next 10 years or so in order to keep the space welcoming is a detail that is as important as the construction phase.”

Focusing on commercial projects and new developments, Elite Landscapes aims to offer maintenance and support for its projects in the initial development years to ensure that each project is managed properly and makes a difference. “Green spaces contribute towards community making, and people who use them will see the benefits instantly. A great example of this in London is the nursery and hub

With life expectancy at risk and only 26 years left to reach Sadiq Khan’s target, there is a stark need for more green spaces in the city. But if the spaces that already exist are not being maintained, the problem could be exacerbated rather than solved.

ELITE LANDSCAPES

CAMDEN HIGHLINE EDIBLE GARDEN ©JCFO

CAMDEN HIGHLINE ARTEFACT WALL ©JCFO

A SOLID

Focused on delivering its new five-year business plan, Palmer Nurseries Ltd has come a long way since its opening in 1983

investment

WORDS: ASHLEIGH BROWN

At the start of the year, Palmer Nurseries celebrated an investment from Rabbit Holdings, a property development firm owned by ex-Green-tech founders Richard and Rachel Kay. It sparks a new chapter for Palmer's as their three businesses in Leeds gear up for growth.

Starting as a nursery production site, Palmer Nurseries along with its sister company Palmer Landscapes serve the requirements of local landscapers, DIYers and construction companies based in west Yorkshire. Palmer Plants, its retail operation, opened in 1995. Now, managing director of Palmer Landscapes and director of Palmer Nurseries, Adam Palmer, wears many hats as each business continues to flourish with the backing of its new investors.

After 30 years working together in their respective businesses, the Kays are

collaborating with the Palmers to create an interconnected services business for the landscape and construction sectors in the Leeds area, having built their own successful businesses in the Yorkshire county.

They sold Green-tech to Origin Enterprises three years ago, after starting it from scratch and growing it to become one of the leading suppliers in the industry. And now, they’re helping Palmer

Nurseries to make a name for itself too.

“Our commitment to supporting our friends in their entrepreneurial endeavours not only reflects our belief in their vision and capabilities but also underscores our dedication to nurturing this business and fostering a culture of mutual growth and success,” says Richard Kay.

We are genuinely looking to help our customers grow their businesses with a better, more reliable service, with a sustainable and innovative approach to supplying all horticultural products and services

Adam Palmer, managing director of Palmer Landscapes and director of Palmer Nurseries

Palmer

Nurseries’ vision is to deliver and build profitable returns on all its services and income streams to create a green service-based business park. “We are genuinely looking to help our customers grow their businesses with a better, more reliable service, with a sustainable and innovative approach to supplying all horticultural products and services,” says Adam Palmer.

He describes himself is a “hands-on” stakeholder with a can-do attitude, getting projects on the right track; but there have been hurdles to overcome in order to reach

THE KAYS MEETING THE PALMERS

BEN PALMER, STEPHEN EDWARDS, ALEX EDWARDS, ADAM PALMER & COOPER

his current position. “One of the biggest challenges over recent years was having strategic focus when there are numerous family members involved,” says Palmer. It is the investment deal and trust from the Kays that has given the family a clear focus and growth plan, he explains.

Currently with four main income streams and a budgeted turnover of £1m for the next 12 months, Palmer Nurseries products and services span across several markets, with its key customers being landscapers, tree surgeons, fencers, and the building and construction sector.

The investment sees the launch of Palmer Nurseries' ‘Horticultural Hub’, where it has developed a range of landscape supplies, including plants, topsoil, bulk bags, and turf, in collaboration with Inturf. Becoming the West Yorkshire stockist for Inturf’s Classic turf is another step forward in its site

becoming a “one stop shop for landscaping needs,” says Palmer.

Our priority is to work with the whole team to ensure we have the right culture, mindset, business systems, and strategies to maximise all of our income streams which will enable us to deliver our five-year plan

Alongside its horticultural trade supplies the hub includes letting of outdoor spaces and a recycling operation – where it accepts green waste, waste wood and construction aggregates – Palmer Nurseries also announced last year the arrival of the first fully automated self-service collection point for small batch concrete, mortar and screed in Yorkshire. The drive-thru service uses a Fibo collect machine to fulfil orders for landscapers, builders and DIYers.

Richard Kay, Joint Managing Director, Palmer Nurseries

Having known the family for over three decades, Kay recognised the Palmers’ determination and eagerness to take on the next challenge for the company but was aware that external skillsets were required to bring the various income streams together to be able to create a long-term and sustainable future.

Sustainability is not just key to its finances but is an integral part of the company’s approach. “Palmer Nurseries is committed to sustainability,” says Kay. Its facility recycles 100% of incoming streams of waste and produces biomass for energy and crushed aggregates back into the supply chain. Additionally, it offers a variety of products and services on site to help customers save time and resources by reducing the need to travel to multiple locations. “This approach aligns with the ethos of providing a sustainable supply solution, as it minimises environmental impact, promotes resource efficiency, and enhances customer convenience,” says Kay.

"Time is the biggest difference we aim to offer to our customers,” Kay adds. With a broad range of essential products and services backed up with a quick collection or delivery with amazing customer service, Palmer Nurseries is aiming high.

“Our priority is to work with the whole team to ensure we have the right culture, mindset, business systems, and strategies to maximise all of our income streams which will enable us to deliver our five-year plan.”

“Watch this space – the Kays are always looking for the next great idea,” says Palmer. With big plans and sustainability at its core, and if the success of Green-tech is anything to go by, Palmer Nurseries appears to have a bright and lucrative future ahead.

RACHEL AND RICHARD KAY

FIBO DRIVE THRU CONCRETE & MORTAR PLANT

PALMER NURSERIES: HORTICULTURAL HUB

AS K THE EXPERTS

How can I ensure initial design consultations are beneficial?

Rosemary Coldstream advises how to make the most of the first meeting with a client and how to avoid wasting your time

Initial design consultations are your time to glean as much information from the client as possible. It is your time to impress them with your knowledge and skills and for you to learn as much about them as you can. This all needs to be done as efficiently as possible while selling your services and skills.

Ideally you should be charging for a consultation if you are a professional designer. Your time is valuable, and you can spend a lot of your time giving away free consultations

Ideally, you should be charging for a consultation if you are a professional designer. Your time is valuable, and you can spend a lot of your time giving away free consultations. Most people are happy to pay a sum to cover your time (and travel costs built in). The odd person will take offence, but they are not the clients you want. This is also a way to vet if the client is serious. Another way to sound them out is in a phone conversation in advance by discussing budgets –more on this later.

Paid or unpaid, consultations should take from one to one and a half hours for an average garden. You want to find out why they want their garden designed, how they want to use the garden and their wish list. You are also gauging the style the client likes, and seeing their

interior décor can tell you a lot about a person. Along with this, you are ‘reading’ the client – are they clear in their thought processes or confused? Decisive or indecisive? Do they like to chat, and the meeting has gone on for more than two hours which means you will be factoring that into your design fees?

Always discuss budget. If they have no idea or are cagey, show them some projects in your portfolio and say what they cost and why. Show them how you present your plans and the detail involved – and why your fees are worth it!

Give them a ‘starting from’ figure (though not always easy to do), but make sure it is caveated by saying that it ‘depends on the design and details’.

Following the meeting, write up the brief and outline your fees. Ensure you make them aware of what is and isn’t included (for example, structural engineers). Make sure your payment terms and Terms of Engagement are included. And lastly, make sure they have something to sign when they accept – digitally or otherwise – and they know it is a binding contract.

Then the fun begins!

The panel

HOLLY YOUDE

Chair of the APL, Holly Youde, is a director at Urban Landscape Design in the North West and The Landscape Academy, a purpose built training centre dedicated to landscaping in the UK.

JAKE CATLING

Jake founded his domestic landscaping company, The Landscaping Consultants, aged just 24. He is now a BALI board director and the BALI South Thames chairman, and has delivered various awardwinning gardens and outdoor spaces.

KEN WHITE

Ken White, former chairman of the APL, leads the multi-award-winning Frosts Landscape Construction, which carries out large commercial and private estate projects across the UK.

ROSEMARY COLDSTREAM

Rosemary has won numerous awards for her work, creating high-quality gardens for both domestic and commercial clients. She is a fully registered member of the SGD and sits on the board of directors at BALI.

SARAH EBERLE

Chelsea’s most decorated designer boasts a collection of RHS medals and is a member of the LI, SGD and the Institute of Horticulture. Sarah strives to create as sustainable gardens as possible.

Down the DRAIN

Gareth Wilson kicks off a new series on common drainage issues, with a few pointers for installers to keep in mind

As I’ve previously mentioned, the constant deluge of rain is an ongoing issue, particularly as there doesn’t appear to be much light at the end of the tunnel as I write. I’ve visited several expert witness projects over the last 12 months where drainage has either not been accounted for or has been installed incorrectly.

By far the most common issue is SuDs (sustainable drainage systems) regulations which aim to manage surface water runoff in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way. This involves using permeable driveway surfaces or installing soakaway AquaCells/crates and channel drains to allow rainfall to drain naturally into the ground rather than overwhelming traditional drainage systems or causing runoff pollution.

It's essential for homeowners and contractors to understand and comply with these regulations to ensure that driveways are constructed in an environmentally friendly manner and prevent surface water runoff issues. This way, surface water can be effectively managed on-site, reducing the risk of flooding and pollution.

The installation basics here are quite simple in so much as you must manage your own surface water runoff on your drive and mustn’t allow it to run onto the road where it could freeze and cause a slip hazard, or pick up contaminants such diesel, petrol and oil which can then end up in rivers and eventually the seas.

By clamping down on noncompliant contractors, councils can promote better drainage practices and better protect the environment

It's good to hear that local councils in Wales are now taking the issue seriously and enforcing regulations. By clamping down on non-compliant contractors, councils can promote better drainage practices and better protect the environment. It won’t be long before the whole of England follows suit.

Prior to installing soakaway crates/ AquaCells, I would highly recommend a contractor carries out the percolation test, which will give them an indication of the design or cubic meterage of cells required.

On ambient ground, one cubic metre or AquaCell will service 50m2 of driveway.

The positioning of soakaway crates/ AquaCells is important too, and should be a minimum of five millimetres from the house as well as two metres from a structure such as a wall or a fence.

Contractors must also take into consideration when quoting a driveway in the future that excavation, muckaway, the

soakaway crates/AquaCells, channel drains, connecting pipework, geosynthetics and geotextiles, and drainage aggregate will increase the cost of a non-permeable driveway surface. Permeable block pavers require aggregates that aren’t commonly kept in builders’ merchants and are often more expensive; for example, MOT type 3 more often than not requires a special order from nearby quarries.

GARETH WILSON

Leaving college at 17, Gareth has worked in the landscape industry since 1989. Progressing onto high-end projects, he has picked up seven RHS gold medals. He is a member of multiple professional bodies. He provides technical and product advice to large companies, mentors and trains contractors and garden designers in landscape construction and on show gardens logistics across the UK. Gareth also provides mediation services, he is a member of the BS7533:102 committee and is an industry awards judge. gkwilsonlandscaping.co.uk

SOAKAWAY CRATES

THE FOUR P'S to progress

In the first of a new bi-monthly series, Sam Grayson shares how to set great goals and adopt a winning strategy to achieve them

No matter who you are or what you do, you will have goals. There is a principle called the four Ps, which can help you to tighten up and tweak these goals you may be working on. So, grab a piece of paper and write down what the goal is. Now, let’s try the four Ps;

PRESENT

Is this goal too far in the future or too close that it is going to happen anyway?

For instance, if my goal is to have enough money to retire (and I am only 30), that might seem quite far away, so saving £10k this year might be a more present goal.

To put this into practice, it has been a longrunning (no pun intended) goal of mine to run the London Marathon, and I am fortunate enough to have got a place for this year. Running 26.2 miles may not be everyone’s idea of a great goal but here are my four Ps in action:

POSITIVE

If you were asked to not think about a pink elephant, what are you thinking about now?

So, if you were to set a goal to 'not' do something you are automatically thinking about 'that' thing. So, can you reframe the goal in a positive way? An example would be,‘I don't want to go bankrupt’ (that may be a motivator) could be transformed to,‘I will have enough money to live the lifestyle that I desire’.

What does the goal mean to you personally? The strongest motivator as to why we ever do anything or implement any behaviour change is for the personal benefit. Even if it is to give to charity, the strongest reason for doing so will be how it makes you feel. Don't get confused about this being selfish –what is good for me is good for we!

PERSONAL POSSIBLE

This P requires some reality (not too much) to analyse if the goal is actually possible. For instance, to be a Formula 1 driver at 75 years’ old might be quite a stretch (given an F1 driver's average age and history, and so on). Growing a business from £100k to £2.5m in six months might also set you up for disappointment. Your goal should stretch you but also be contextually possible.

• Present: It is definitely close but there's still enough time to train and set myself a challenge. It is not too far away that I may lose motivation.

• Personal: It would mean a lot to me personally, not only for me but the feelings that I will get from making my wife and children proud will be epic!

• Positive: I am raising money for a charity, I am getting fitter, my diet has improved, and I am looking at all the benefits. This goal is positively framed!

• Possible: My goal is just to run the London Marathon, not run the race within a certain time. I see thousands of people every year finish the race, so I believe it is possible for me.

SAM GRAYSON OF HYPHAE LEARNING

Founded by award-winning landscaper Jake Catling and performance coach Sam Grayson, Hyphae Learning partners with businesses to help them to attract, train and retain talent, with learning resources and innovative tips.

FACEBOOK ADS:

Considering advertising through Facebook?

Matt Freestone helps you to weigh up whether it’s the right fit for you.

With over three billion active users monthly, Facebook is still the most popular social media platform in the world by far.

As of 2024, a staggering 93% of marketers regularly invest in Facebook ads, and for good reason.

No advertising platform is without problems, though. If done wrong, you can quickly waste a lot of money.

So, to help you decide if it’s a platform worth exploring further for your business, I’ve weighed up the pros and cons of using Meta/ Facebook ads to attract more enquiries and projects.

WHAT ARE THE PROS?

VISUAL APPEAL

Landscaping is a visually appealing industry, making Facebook ad images and videos highly effective. Half the battle to be successful with Facebook ads is getting people to stop scrolling, and beautiful photos of projects can easily achieve this. Once you’ve grabbed their attention, you can combine these photos with good copywriting skills and a no-brainer offer to get lots of enquiries.

2 3

FAST RESULTS

1 4 5

COST-EFFECTIVE

It’s not uncommon to have a cost per lead in local areas of £10 to £25. There are many factors that can come into play here, such as your offer, audience size, and company reviews; but even at the higher end of £30 per enquiry, you can quickly create a large sales pipeline and get far more quotes booked onto your calendar than other channels.

Once you know your conversion rates and profit from running Facebook ad campaigns, you can create a cash machine where you put £1 and get £4+ out in profit.

Unlike other marketing channels like SEO or organic social media posting, which can take months or even years to see a return on investment, you can get enquiries using Facebook ads in as little as 24 hours when done right. However, Facebook doesn’t work in a vacuum, and you are more likely to have success with the platform if you combine ads with a strong social media presence.

PRECISE TARGETING OPTIONS

Facebook allows targeting based on demographics, interests and behaviours, enabling you to really home in on your target market. While many landscapers just target their general location and certain age groups, you can also use Facebook to get in front of affluent audiences, targeting users based on specific postcodes, interest in high fashion brands, car brands, expensive hobbies or frequent international travel.

RETARGETING

How many times have you been looking at something online and have been distracted by the phone and forgotten all about it? Using the Custom Audiences section of Meta Ads Manager, you can retarget people who have already viewed your website, engaged with your Facebook or Instagram page or a list of your previous quotes. Facebook’s retargeting options are seriously under-utilised by landscapers but can really help to increase the likelihood of conversion, so consider giving it a go!

the pros and cons

WHAT ARE THE CONS?

LEAD QUALITY

Enquiries through Facebook ads do not have search intent, meaning that, unlike Google ads, they do not actively search for a landscaper near them. Instead, they grab their attention, and in turn they have raised their hand. As a result, while you can get a lot of enquiries, many won’t be financially qualified while others won’t pick up the phone. You can, however, add more qualifying questions to your lead forms or landing page, but you need to be prepared to sift through enquiries so that you don’t waste time going to visit people who are never going to buy.

LEARNING CURVE

The Meta Business Manager platform can be tricky to wrap your head around at the start. While ‘Boosting’ your posts instead might be tempting, it often wastes money by showing your ads to people who are unlikely to enquire, so it’s best to take the time and learn the platform. Once you’ve got the knack for it, you’ll want to test different images, text, and offers to see what works for you. This testing period requires a bit more upfront investment, but once you find winners, you can scale them fast and get enquiries on demand.

INCREASED COMPETITION

There are lots of landscapers advertising on Facebook nowadays, which can make it challenging to stand out amongst the crowd.

The easiest way to get attention is to have superior imagery or video, a better offer, and grab potential client's attention quickly by calling out the area e.g. “Homeowners of Leicester.” It’s also important to note that while Facebook enquiries are more likely to be shown ads from other local landscapers once they’ve engaged, so following up quickly is key to success.

AD FATIGUE

If you operate in a small local area with limited population size, ads can become repetitive. This means that while an ad might work for some time, after a while, it will have been seen many times by people in the area, causing it to become less effective. Avoid this by updating ads with new photos and videos of your projects and testing new offers.

1 2 3 4 5

FOCUS ON SALES PROCESS

These are leads from cold traffic. They don't know, like, or trust you yet and they often expect you to contact them quickly and get quotes over to them faster than referrals do. This doesn’t mean they’re ‘bad’ enquiries, but they can be more demanding than referrals, so you may need to tighten up your sales process and act fast to close jobs successfully.

There are a lot of opportunities in Facebook ads to ensure a steady stream of enquiries and a return on investment; but to be really successful, it takes a bit of time, effort, and trial and error. The best thing you can do is get out there and start testing some of the ideas above to see what works for you and your business. Good luck!

MATT FREESTONE

Matt Freestone is a social media specialist who’s worked with household names such as Deliveroo, Warner Music and Currys PC World and has experience growing Facebook, TikTok and Instagram pages online to millions of followers. He set up and now runs New Leaf Media, a marketing agency that specialises in finding landscapers more enquiries, site visits and projects through innovative social media marketing and appointment booking processes.

Head to page 61 to learn how top garden designers are using social media to widen their reach

©Paul Madeley

“THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN I FELT THAT I’VE BEEN OVERLOOKED, AND I’VE HAD TO STRUGGLE TO MAKE MYSELF KNOWN. BUT I NEVER TAKE THINGS LIKE THAT AS A NEGATIVE.”

From TV appearances to making Chelsea history, Manoj Malde is going from strength to strength, with a new book that he hopes will change the public’s perception of garden designers

WORDS: NINA MASON

Manoj Malde might have only been in the industry for just over a decade, but he’s already become a household name.

As well as appearing on our TV screens on BBC Two’s Your Garden Made Perfect, the garden designer also made RHS Chelsea Flower Show history last year when he and his partner became the first couple to tie the knot on a show garden.

It’s his TV stint that sparked an editor to get in touch with an idea for a book that she thought Malde would be best placed to write, believing his presenting style could translate well into print – which it has.

Your Outdoor Room: How to Design a Garden You Can Live In “gives readers an award-winning designer who can hold their hand and guide them step by step on how to do it properly,” says Malde.

“It could be that they’ve bought their first property and they’re real garden enthusiasts who want a beautiful space but don’t necessarily have the budget to engage a garden designer.” So, the book breaks down the garden design process, going into detail about site preparation and soil, for instance, as well as how to incorporate sustainability and biodiversity and aftercare considerations. Readers can dip and out of the book as required, whether it be to learn how to source

inspiration or put together a planting plan, through to how to choose materials or introduce water.

“A lot of the time, the mistake that homeowners make is that they work on areas of their garden in isolation, and the end result is a bit disappointing. But if they start with a plan of the whole space, then they can break it down into phases and follow that plan. That way, they get a garden that works cohesively and works with their home too, which is really important; we should never

think of our gardens as a separate entity. They’re part of our home and we mustn’t undervalue them.”

Some might wonder if Malde is putting himself out of business by giving homeowners the tools to design their own gardens. But that’s not the way Malde sees it. Instead, he says it raises awareness of what it takes to be a garden designer.

“This book shows people the amount of detail and information that garden designers need to collate, and that garden design isn’t about drawing pretty pictures; it’s so much more than that. It includes science and maths. We have to consider drainage and soil type, for instance. Once people begin to understand and appreciate that, they will then know the skills of a garden designer. And my hope is that, once they start appreciating that, then maybe when they go

on to buy their second home, they might engage a garden designer, even if it’s as a consultant or to create a drawing that they can then follow.”

We should never think of our gardens as a separate entity. They’re part of our home and we mustn’t undervalue them

This is arguably an extension of what Your Garden Made Perfect is trying to achieve. The show strives to showcase the behind the scenes of designing and building a garden. It’s the “best programme on TV for actually showing the general public what garden designers and landscape contractors do,” says Malde.“It went through the planning stages and the questions that garden designers ask their clients and why they ask them. As designers, we need to understand how our clients want to use their space and what’s important to them.”

One of the gardens he designed on the show was for a couple who had a son with autism. They were looking for a garden that

©Paul Madeley

would be suitable for Franik, who was mute and struggled to communicate, but also a garden where they could entertain and have date nights.

“They were so stressed out by their existing garden, and so the onus was on me to get it right. It’s important to have that step away from everyday life and have a bit of time to themselves. So, I gave them a space where they could do that and there were overjoyed; the mum was in tears. And Franik, who throughout the build had never approached me, came up to me as the build was coming to an end and stood behind me. He leant into me and put his hand on my head. I believe that was his way of communicating with me. I was welling up when he did that.

“What I realised is that by designing that garden for them, I’d actually changed their lives for the better, and that’s what garden designers do, to a degree; they change people’s lives for the better.”

Malde hasn’t always been a garden designer, though. After graduating with a Masters in Fashion Design at the Royal College of Art, he worked in the fashion industry for 18 years, climbing his way up the ladder to become creative director. It was a job he loved, “working with colour, texture and prints.” But he could see that the industry was heading in a certain direction that “wasn’t a pretty picture. The creativity was almost being pushed out of the window for the sake of profit margins.”

His partner at the time, now husband Clive Gillmor, had already started his own garden maintenance business, which was going well.

He was put forward by the English Gardening School’s vice principal Simon Pyle to help Diarmuid Gavin on a show garden at RHS Chelsea, an opportunity he grasped and which kickstarted his show garden career. The following year, in 2012, he helped Chris Beardshaw on his Gold-medal-winning Furzey Gardens’ exhibit.“I really enjoyed working with Chris. I got to know the intricacies of doing a show garden with him. I learned it was all about the details.”

That’s what garden designers do, to a degree; they change people’s lives for the better

So, Malde saw the potential of stepping into the horticulture industry, something which Gillmor was really supportive of, telling him to “follow his instincts.”

So, he quit his high-paying job as creative director and went to study Garden Design full time at the English Gardening School. It’s been a fast-paced career ever since, but not without its hurdles.

“It’s not been easy. There have been times when I felt that I’ve been overlooked, and I’ve had to struggle to make myself known. But I never take things like that as a negative; you just have to go in there and make yourself heard.”

This all culminated in Malde designing his own show garden for RHS Chelsea five years later. The Beneath a Mexican Sky garden is arguably one of the most memorable show gardens in recent history, due to its bold and vibrant colour scheme. His debut design was inspired by the work of the late Luis Barragán, a Mexican architect who is renowned for his contemporary use of bright colours. Malde’s garden for the RHS last year was just as eye-poppingly colourful, this time inspired by his own Indian heritage. It came about from a passing conversation that Malde had with the RHS, where the

1 The mandap on the RHS and Eastern Eye Garden of Unity under which Manoj and Clive got married ©Lynne Taylor

2 Roof garden in Hampstead, designed by Manoj Malde ©Paul Debois

3 The two grooms on their wedding day with best men Mark Holman and Alex Gillmore

organisation suggested that he design a show garden around equality, diversity and inclusivity. He heard nothing for a while, but then got a call from the RHS in May 2022, giving him the green light.

Once the contracts were signed, he then asked the RHS if they’d be happy for him to marry his partner of 33 years on the garden – something that would be a Chelsea first. Unbeknownst to him, Gillmor had already approached the RHS back in 2017, asking if they could host their wedding on Malde’s debut show garden. But there were only two weeks left until the show opened its doors and so they couldn’t get a license for an outdoor wedding in time. When Malde put forward the idea of RHS Chelsea holding its first wedding on his RHS and Eastern Eye Garden of Unity in 2023, he says the RHS jumped at the opportunity.

amazing work. They have been ridiculed for not being inclusive and diverse, and that’s wrong. And if you want to be part of something, you need to go and make the effort with them –that's what I did.

Let’s not be negative about it; it’s positive thinking that will make things happen and help us to go in the right direction

RHS asked Malde to be its ambassador for diversity and inclusivity, a role which he uses to consider ideas for how the RHS could “open its doors even wider” to make more people feel part of horticulture and gardening.

“It was really important for me to get married on that garden. I’ve always been a supporter of the RHS because they do some

I wanted to show that the RHS is inclusive and diverse.”

It was Malde who put forward the idea for the annual RHS Festival of Flavours, which takes place throughout its gardens across the UK. He was given a tour of the World Food Garden at RHS Garden Wisley by curator Matthew Pottage (who is leaving the RHS at the end of March after 20 years) and garden manager Sheila Das, which sparked the idea to bring in celebrity chefs from different cultures, traditions and backgrounds to use produce growing in the gardens to attract a more diverse audience. It’s hardly surprising, then, that the

“We have to start step by step, because it can’t happen overnight. The RHS realises this and is trying really hard. They want everyone to enjoy gardening and horticulture. The more people who join from different backgrounds, the more people there are to generate new ideas and encourage new conversations to take place. So, let’s not be negative about it; it’s positive thinking that will make things happen and help us to go in the right direction.” And whilst his new book is not directly aimed at

bringing in a more diverse audience, it is another way that Malde is looking to make horticulture more accessible. Launching on 21 March, Your Outdoor Room will hopefully encourage readers to “get involved in their gardens and start utilising their outdoor spaces,” says Malde.

“I wanted the book to be one that people would be proud to put on their coffee tables but also, when they read it, it draws them in because the language that we’re using is very understandable; it’s not a whole load of industry jargon.

“One of the most difficult things about writing this book was the language. How can I give them the confidence to be able to create a plan on their own? So, it was about using simple language to get that message across.”

“I wanted the book to reflect me, my character, my handwriting, and when you go into the book, it has a lovely vibrancy that carries people into a little bit of a dream world. But there’s also a lot of practical information in there and a lot of learning about how to do it yourself.”

It has a lovely vibrancy that carries people into a little bit of a dream world. But there’s also a lot of practical information in there and a lot of learning about how to do it yourself

Alongside his first book being published, with a series of book signings set to take place, Malde has a range of client projects on the books, from a garden in Edinburgh to a sensory garden for a clinic in Southall. He has also been invited back as judge for this year’s RHS Chelsea, where he’ll be judging the All About Plants category for the first time and hoping to undertake further training in this area in order to deliver feedback to the designers.

Your Outdoor Room

Malde played a huge part in designing Your Outdoor Room, right down to the small motifs around the inside cover pages.

Malde also teases that he has been approached by a company to design a Sanctuary Garden for next year’s show,

HOW TO DESIGN A GARDEN YOU CAN LIVE IN Manoj Malde

though he’s staying tight lipped. “I can’t say too much about it at the moment, but I’m really excited.”

Knowing Malde, it will be yet another memorable garden and an opportunity that he’ll be grasping with both hands and a whopping amount of positivity.

4 Agave americanas sit dramatically against a clementine wall ©Jonathan Buckley

5 Large micro-cement slabs cantilevered over an aquamarine pool ©Jonathan Buckley

6 A long-term project in Crete ©Manoj Malde

©Mark Spencer

TORO WORKMAN AND PRODUCTIVITY lithium leads the way with power

Its new battery-powered utility vehicle has impressive capabilities

When it comes to managing difficult landscapes, the Toro Workman lineup has set the standard for tough and hard-working utility vehicles for decades. Now, battery power arrives to the range bringing the same strength and durability landscapers rely on with all the benefits of lithium-ion technology.

Toro’s Workman MDX Lithium delivers the same payload, trailer towing capacity and comfort the original Workman MDX is known for – but in a new and sustainable package.

Optimised run-time

Toro’s proprietary, patent-pending lithium-ion HyperCell batteries have passed extensive environment and third-party certification testing with specific attention paid to performance for reliability and longevity. These batteries provide diagnostic information to simplify and streamline service needs and are essentially maintenance free, which allows operators to

spend less time checking the power supply and more time checking tasks off their to-do list.

Convenient re-charging

There’s no need to keep track of a charger – it’s already onboard. At the end of a long workday, the onboard charger conveniently plugs into a standard 120v wall outlet and fully charges the vehicle overnight, so it’s ready to go again in the morning.

Tough enough for any job

It’s a vehicle built to haul your toughest load and work in whatever conditions are thrown your way

With commercial-grade durability, a 748kg payload capacity, and a double-walled plastic cargo bed, the MDX Lithium can get more jobs done in less time. It’s a vehicle built to haul your toughest load and work in whatever conditions are thrown your way. And with hydraulic brakes on all four wheels, operators can be safe in the knowledge that they’re in complete control.

When it comes to a comfortable and smooth ride no matter the working environment, Toro has brought in some clever design features. There’s an extended front frame for additional leg room and a coil-over shock absorber suspension design with a twister joint that connects the front and rear chassis. The result? A decrease in operator fatigue and an increase in productivity for your team.

To learn more and to explore the range available from Reesink Turfcare, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Battery: Toro HyperCell

• Cargo Bed Capacity: 1,250lbs (567kg)

• Charger: On-board high efficiency 1200W smart charger

• Ground Clearance:

Front: 10" (25.4 cm)

Rear: 7" (18cm)

• Ground Speed: Forward: 16 mph (25.75kph) standard, adjustable from 5-19mph (8-30.5kph)

• Towing Capacity: 400lbs (182kg)

Merging Monton’s PAST AND PRESENT

DK GARDEN DESIGN MONTON ECCLES

Just a stone’s throw from the stunning new RHS Garden Bridgewater sits the charming Mancunian village of Monton, where DK Garden Design was commissioned to undertake a large project to transform the gardens of a 1930s art deco-style house.

When garden designer David Keegan went to visit the owners at their previous property, the garden was the size of a “postage stamp,” with an artificial lawn and a few trees. The brief for their new and significantly larger garden was to end up with the complete opposite of that.

The couple also wanted their new outdoor spaces to fit in with the exterior of the house but with a modern twist. They’d considered knocking it down entirely and building a new house from scratch, but after a conversation with the planners realised that they could instead modernise the front facade and build onto the back. The landscaping design then needed to be completed before the main building works on the house commenced so that any tree felling required and structured site clearance could be carried out beforehand.

PROJECT DETAILS

Project value £250k

Build time 13 months (including 2-3-month winter break)

Size of project 1,655m2

Overall, Keegan was asked to provide plenty of space for entertaining, a shaded area, and for the garden to be relatively low maintenance. For the front garden, for instance, Keegan had initially designed a small orchard with a wildflower meadow, but the clients decided against this on maintenance grounds, instead opting for a formal lawn that an aftercare company maintains on their behalf.

At the front, the aesthetic was somewhat dictated by the art deco facade that they were retaining, so Carpinus betulus columns was chosen as a nod to the history of the house. The existing beech hedging that formed the perimeter of the site was to be removed, as the client was set on having evergreen rather than deciduous hedging. Instead, Keegan designed external walls, railings and gates adjacent to the garage for a more secure barrier to the back of the property, with a Portuguese laurel hedge – Prunus Lusitanica – down the side to help screen the visual noise of the block of apartments on the opposite side of the road.

For the driveway, Keegan was reluctant to use just one single material to avoid it looking “bland” and monotonous. So, as with all his projects, he used a form of inset detail

to make it a more “dynamic” area. Two lanterns for large candles then create a focal point for those driving up to the house, drawing their eyes across the terrace.

At the back of the property is the main entertaining space, with a large louvered, remote-controlled pergola that provides shade when needed. The louvres can be drawn, and screens can drop down the sides as well. An outdoor kitchen, pizza oven, and table and chairs complete the space, with a lounging area that leads to a secluded woodland garden with a swing seat.

In front of the pergola sits a sunken garden – which was one of the trickier and more expensive parts of the build – with a fire pit and modern porcelain paving. Keegan says he has more or less stopped using natural stone, preferring porcelain as “in the long term, it is a more sustainable

solution due to its low ongoing maintenance requirement – unlike natural stone which requires regular maintenance.” The same goes for decking, he adds. Despite the initial cost of Millboard decking, “it pays for itself again in low levels of ongoing maintenance. It also helps to avoid the use of unsustainably harvested timbers.” On top of this, it is designed and produced in Britain, as are the pergolas from Caribbean Blinds.

To the right of the house is the final phase of the garden transformation –a Mediterranean style space that includes raised beds made from oak railway sleepers. Two circular benches surround flowering cherry trees, which were inspired by small villages in France, where there are areas for playing boules and nearby seating areas beneath trees for people to sit and watch. There’s also a family dining area, with a table and chairs. This area of the garden has a “different sensory experience” to the more contemporary entertaining area beneath the pergola, says Keegan. Here, there are mainly herbs and edible plants, with some ornamental planting for colour and texture.

The entire garden, as requested, has a “fairly low maintenance” planting palette, with a lot of evergreen shrubbery. As a result, it’s a somewhat paired back planting scheme considering the size of the garden, says Keegan. On the boundary and the car park, there are a lot of prickly berberis for added security and for screening. Along the fence, from the back of the pergola across the Mediterranean style garden, there’s a repetition of Betula pendula (silver birch), Cornus sanguinea (dogwood) and Fargesia bamboo. This was to add a “rotation of colour as a backdrop during the winter and summer months” and for a change in contrast between the foliage,

1 New porcelain pathway with inset granite strips

2 Plan view of designs for the gardens

3 Mediterranean inspired gravel herb gardens

4 Flowering seed heads of Allium christophii

5 Oversized candle lanterns by A Place In The Garden

6 Bees feeding here on Salvia inflorescence

7 Millboard boardwalk steps leading to sunken garden

stems and branches. Lavender frames the sunken area, with Liquidambar offering autumn colour.

The existing soil type was also “really good” to work with, being a sandy loam rather than heavy clay, which is typical for large parts of the northwest of England. A leaky pipe system was installed to save hours of labour for the hedges and ferns in the first summer seasons, though a gardener makes regular visits.

Keegan’s preferred contractor, Garden360, undertook some of the planting and installed the pergola, but one of the client’s fathers was a retired engineer, so he efficiently handled the build of both the house extension and the

REFERENCES

Circular bench seats

Cyan Teak Garden Furniture cyan-teak-furniture.com

Table and chairs

Patio Life patio-life.co.uk

Sofa Housing Units housingunits.co.uk

Raised beds – timber Brooks Bros (UK) Ltd brookstimber.com

Outdoor kitchen myoutdoorkitchen.co.uk myoutdoorkitchen.co.uk

garden, including site preparation and organising the various trades, from bricklayers to joiners. There was a slight hitch when they were building the boundary walls as per the design as a complaint was lodged that there was no planning permission for it. This was quickly resolved after a visit from a planning officer, with a separate planning application put in for the walls, gates and railings that swiftly received approval. Otherwise, Keegan says the process was fairly smooth, from start to finish, creating a series of sensory experiences for the clients as they wander through their new garden.

Aggregate Breedon Special Aggregates breedon-specialaggregates.co.uk

Millboard decking Beers Timber & Building Supplies Ltd beersltd.co.uk

Lighting

Warrington Electrical Services warringtonelectrical.co.uk

Fire pit

Patio Life patio-life.co.uk

Pergola Caribbean Blinds cbsolarshading.co.uk

Porcelain and granite London Stone londonstone.co.uk

Lanterns

A Place in the Garden aplaceinthegarden.co.uk

Plants

Bespoke Garden Elements Ltd

Topsoil Tarmac tarmac.com

8 Burnt orange Helenium inflorescence

9 Pergola dining terrace

ABOUT

David Keegan is an international, national and regional award-winning garden and landscape designer. His design philosophy centres on a naturalistic planting style. David’s garden design projects are located around the UK, in Manchester, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire and the north-west of England. dkgardendesign.co.uk

SIMPLE TO INSTALL

AFFORDABLE MAINTENANCE FREE

LASTS A LIFETIME

EDGING RINGS PLANTERS

PROJECT DETAILS

Project value

£35k

Build time

3-4 weeks

Size of project 20m2

Bordering a busy trainline in north London lies a small Victorian terrace courtyard. The owner wanted an outdoor space designed just for her. She asked for a naturalistic garden to counteract the location, bringing a touch of the countryside to the heart of London to attract wildlife, birds and pollinators.

HIDEAWAY Nature’s

KATHRYN COX GARDEN DESIGN STUDIO

NATURALISTIC WILDLIFE COURTYARD & PRO LANDSCAPER

PROJECT AWARDS 'DESIGN UNDER £50K' WINNER (2023)

The client desired a little path so she could potter around and be surrounded by planting, with places to sit in the sun and shade. She wanted a picture window view when the bi-fold doors are open and closed, and to retain all existing plants, including the mature shrubs and roses, along with adding romantic planting, in purples, whites and pinks. A limestone paved area also needed to be replaced.

The property is southwest facing with a small 20m courtyard in North London. Built in 1900, the Victorian terraced house, constructed from light brown brick, is two storeys, with a new contemporary rear extension with bi-fold doors. It was enclosed by an old blue wooden fence on the brink of falling down and behind a 2.3m high silver metal fence denotating the boundary to the Network Rail line. With

trains going past at high speed all day, there is constant noise, vibration, and pollution, so it was key to the client to disguise this disturbance.

Sealed limestone paving dominated the majority (73%) of the space, with 14.57m2 of hardscape versus 5.43m2 of rear planting bed, making the courtyard extremely hot in the summer. A heavy terracotta pot blocked inspection cover access. The space receives the southern sunshine all day with the rear fence casting shadows over the rear planting bed of the garden.

Kathryn Cox Garden Design Studio was brought on board to turn the courtyard into a more inviting space. A new brick wall boundary was designed on all sides of the garden to reduce trainline noise and pollution and to increase safety, as well as new permeable paving and paved seating

spaces, contrasting with new Siberian larch bench seating and wall topper. Cox was insistent, though, that hardscaping was kept to a minimum to increase biodiversity.

Materials were chosen to favour natural tones with one main colourway (cream) across paving, boundary walls and timber landscaping, keeping the space bright and light, making the courtyard feel larger. The materials were selected to complement the Victorian terraced house, along with having a freshness that complements the new contemporary kitchen rear extension and interior design.

The majority of Cox’s design, features soft landscaping to create a naturalistic wildlife courtyard and sustainable drainage. Cox wanted to allow the client to feel immersed in nature, despite the size of the space.

The focus of the planting is ‘country cottage’ for the desired naturalistic feel, which suits the Victorian property and client demographic.

It has year-round interest, but with a spring and summer focus, consisting of three main borders with their own micro-climates and light conditions. The new planting scheme saw a mix of natives and non-natives species to attract wildlife.

The plants complement the setting with the use of verticals. Tall perennials and climbers, like Digitalis purpurea f. albiflora and

Trachelospermum jasminoides to maximise the planting space, whilst being species rich and resilient.

A colourful palette of purples, pinks, whites and greens provides contrast to the neutral surroundings, allowing the planting to pop off the background. Naturalistic planting sees evergreen shrubs, perennials and grasses all intermingled in single plantings and small groups.

A new Ficus carica tree and evergreen shrubs will provide habitats, fruits, and berries for birds. Perennials, flowering shrubs, and climbers will attract pollinators. Ornamental grasses were selected for screening or weaved through a border with value for wildlife, and evergreen ferns, shrubs and perennials for the shady rear borders suits the garden’s conditions.

Prior to planting, the existing soil was reworked by incorporating organic matter and horticultural grit with mulch applied throughout. The plant varieties chosen grow in the same place year after year, which

1 Naturalistic courtyard hero border

2 Corner snug seat for shade

3 Connecting living inside out

4 Seating immersed in nature

Photographs ©Limelight Interiors Photography

REFERENCES

minimises annual soil disturbance, helping with carbon capture.

But before the garden could be transformed, there were a few obstacles. Due to the location of the property, Network Rail’s Asset Protection and Optimisation department had to be notified and approve garden works backing onto the railway line. Access through the property was also a challenge, as well as adverse winter weather conditions.

The landscape was also consumed with clay soil and had impeded drainage. Compacted soil from building work and rubble could be buried under paving, resolved by reconditioning the soil and improving drainage by incorporating new organic matter and horticultural grit as well as drought resilient planting which can also survive winter downpours.

What was an unused and almost completely paved space is now a naturalistic wildlife courtyard filled with colour. With spaces to sit in the sun and shade, the client can feel immersed in nature with birds, bees and butterflies taking over.

This Naturalistic Wildlife Courtyard demonstrates what can be achieved in a small space, with every inch maximised and balanced in terms of hard and soft landscaping. The courtyard feels a world away from the nearby trainline, feeling enclosed whilst welcoming in the local wildlife.

6 Kathryn Cox

ABOUT

An award-winning creative director from the advertising industry, Kathryn Cox has turned her eye for design and detail to the natural world. Based in London, Cox has a passion for blending interiors with exteriors, designing outdoor spaces as beautiful as her clients’ homes. Cox believes in gardens filled with colour, with a focus on biodiversity and sustainability. A graduate of the London College of Garden Design, British Academy of Garden Design and Central Saint Martins, Cox is doing her bit to help the planet, one garden at a time. kathryncoxgardendesign.uk

Plants

Provender Nurseries provendernurseries.co.uk

Build

Acacia Gardens acacia-gardens.co.uk

Photography

Limelight Interiors

Photography

@limelightinteriors photography

Westminster

Clay Pavers

London Stone londonstone.co.uk

AluExcel Stainless Steel Edging Kinley kinley.co.uk

London Multi Stock

London Reclaimed Brick Merchants lrbm.com

Topsoil and Mulch

Thompsons of Crew Hill thompsonsofcrewshill.com

5 Picture window view from kitchen

Photographs ©Limelight Interiors Photography

F.H.BRUNDLE: SHAPING LANDSCAPES AND HELPING YOU BUILD THE DREAM

Michael Brundle, managing director of long-standing suppliers F.H.Brundle, walks us through the products helping landscapers and garden designers transform the outdoor environment

We used to talk about gardens – now we talk about outdoor spaces. What’s changed? On the surface, not all that much. We build homes with lawns and patios the same way we have done for decades. But arguably, it’s the way we think about them that’s shifted.

People loved gardens, but they often saw them as completely separate from the home itself. Since the turn of the millennium, that’s totally transformed. Today, they are increasingly seen as an extension of the indoor living space – places where style, comfort, and versatility are now major considerations.

For landscapers and garden designers that’s presented big challenges, and even bigger opportunities.

Where once people were satisfied with functional-looking products that just ‘did the job’, now they expect the exceptional.

Few outdoor products have soared the same way decking has over the last 20 years, establishing itself as almost a standard feature in outdoor spaces

This is why we’ve continued to expand our range of products for this audience, providing greater style, range, and flexibility to meet the demands of homeowners and landlords.

Let’s delve into some of the standout examples on the market today.

Outstanding decking

From our experience, few outdoor products have soared the same way decking has over the last 20 years, establishing itself

as almost a standard feature in outdoor spaces. Today’s cutting-edge solutions like aluminium, are a superior alternative to traditional wood decking and offer unparalleled durability as well as being non-combustible, making it a great option for balconies and high-rise buildings, as well as gardens. Moreover, its eco-friendly attributes make it ideal for the more environmentally conscious consumer.

But the scope of decking solutions extends beyond aluminium with wood plastic composite (WPC) as the main contender in recent years. Combining the visual aesthetics of timber with enhanced durability and lowered maintenance, composite decking offers a cost-effective way of achieving the outdoor oasis homeowners are looking for. Both solutions are why we continue to push for innovations in the products we provide.

CROSSBAR AND STAINLESS-STEEL STRAND WIRE BALUSTRADE

WOOD PLASTIC COMPOSITE DECKING AND GLASS BALUSTRADES

First-class fencing

Fencing used to mean timber and nothing but timber – but not anymore. Now, as with decking, alternatives like aluminium and wood plastic composite (WPC) are the innovative front runners.

Homeowners love wood's timeless aesthetics, but the level of maintenance required to keep it looking its best has driven the rise of these more durable alternatives. Offering low-maintenance and available in a huge range of colours and finishes, aluminium and WPC offer the aesthetic versatility and performance landscapers and gardeners need. We’ve also seen a rise in the popularity of screens, which is why we added our quality laser-cut aluminium screens to our Marano® fencing range.

Best-in-class balustrades

Modern design trends see glass increasingly integrated into both indoor and outdoor spaces and there is an extensive range of

Elevate to another level!

But it’s not all about the obvious garden essentials; gardeners and landscapers alike are always looking for that something special to elevate their gardens and we think this could be it – Straightcurve®. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill garden accessory; it’s premium stuff designed to stand the test of time.

From modular garden edging to raised garden beds, the range has everything – quality, durability and elegance. Plus, this solution, which we have exclusive UK supply of, is perhaps the most flexible and versatile professional solution on the market.

Modern design trends see glass increasingly integrated into both indoor and outdoor spaces and there is an extensive range of framed and frameless glass balustrades to choose from

framed and frameless glass balustrades to choose from. In my opinion, it is, without doubt, still the most stylish, modern and eye-catching way to finish a deck or patio area.

However, there are a range of alternatives available, and our crossbar and stainless-steel strand wire systems offer sleek and adaptable options that cater to a range of architectural needs without compromising on looks or practicality.

Interested in learning more?

Want to learn more about F.H.Brundle’s exceptional range of landscaping products? Visit our website to order a brochure or catalogue for free today!

For more information, call free on 0808 134 2086, or visit fhbrundle.co.uk/lp/landscapers/

STRAIGHTCURVE® EDGING

MARANO® FENCING

GLASS BALUSTRADES

CULTIVATINGcommunity

PROJECT DETAILS

Project value £44,520 Build time 8 weeks Size of

Aspace set to provide a new experience for the local community and consist of a layout not too dissimilar to a physic garden, this particular garden was to be associated with interpretation, artwork, and opportunities to provide a resource for both volunteering and educational purpose.

Adjacent to a primary school and close to a large secondary school, Troedyrhiw Park is located centrally within the community. It’s a priority open space that gave Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council an ideal opportunity to increase the value of its parks with a new recreational space and visitor experience.

The purpose of the garden was to provide forest food, medicinal plants, culinary herbs, and native useful plants. It would also be an

MERTHYR TYDFIL COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL – PARKS AND COUNTRYSIDE

NATURE’S GIFT GARDEN

asset to the local community, benefitting schools, groups, and visitors alike, as well as attracting visitors to the area and boosting the local economy.

Whilst the park itself is bordered by terraced housing and a railway, the space selected within it is close to a play area and consists of the remains of an abandoned, disused tennis court. Planted areas are surrounded by and interconnected with a series of edged and resurfaced footpaths on the level for ease of access, so the space presented the perfect location for such a garden.

Local contractors were used for the initial phase, with plants being grown locally especially for the project. No fertilisers, pesticides, or topsoil were used, and the recycled green waste was supplied locally. However, there were a series of challenges

throughout the build, with a very limited budget for Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council to change the area from ‘grey to green’.

No topsoil was brought into the garden for sustainability purposes, so an initial test was made of the substrate beneath the tarmacadam, as the area had a past industrial use. The poor quality of the material beneath the tarmacadam, while not found to be contaminated, contained a mixture of shales, ashes, stone, brick, and a degree of domestic refuse in the form of bottles, shoes, and so on. Therefore, the site had to be picked over for detritus by hand.

To further enhance the sustainability of the project, AluExcel aluminium edging was used to contain the beds and provide an ease of maintenance and tidy appearance. All the plants used were chosen for both their origin, biodiversity opportunities and ability to cope with hostile terrain.

Contained beds were created using aluminium edgings, and recycled green waste was incorporated to provide some organic content for the plants. Mycorrhizal fungi were added to improve the health of the growing conditions and plants were selected in groups for their ability to grow in challenging soil conditions, drought tolerance and ability to attract invertebrates.

1 Nature's Gift can be seen from the foundations of the garden all the way up to the skies above

2 Wider view that encompasses paths, trees, edging, flowers and the surrounding landscape

BEFORE:

REFERENCES

Garden designer Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council merthyr.gov.uk

Contractual landscape works

LWEP

lwep.co.uk

Herb garden

Herbal Haven herbalhaven.com

Trees

Keepers Nursery keepers-nursery.co.uk

Seating Benchmark benchmark-ltd.co.uk

Plants

Edible Garden Nursery theediblegardennursery.co.uk

Wyevale Nurseries wyevalenurseries.co.uk

Propagation Place propagationplace.co.uk

Burford Garden Company burford.co.uk

Blackmoor Nurseries blackmoor.co.uk

Wildflowers Naturescape naturescape.co.uk

Plant purchasing Beth Chatto's Plants and Gardens bethchatto.co.uk

The four central beds used the poor nature of the soil to establish native wildflowers within their colour groupings. After an initial significant weed flush from the green waste, the closed nature of the planting eliminated this. Some of the plant material was so niche it had to be acquired from specialist nurseries, with some grown from seed and cuttings for the project.

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council had to deal with initial scepticism from the public; however, as losses were replaced, it says it continues to win the public’s confidence and support. They have been able to witness the benefits of the food plants, perennial vegetables, fruit, and herbs being picked locally as well as proof of local photographers on site enjoying the plants and insects. Local children enjoy the smells of the various thymes, mints, and oreganos.

Delivered by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, the garden has exceeded expectations in terms of the power of colour that it introduced into an otherwise barren space. It provides an invaluable hub for nature and a chance for local volunteers to assist in its establishment and maintenance, becoming a key addition to the community.

3 Planting creates pleasing views and pathways

Photographs ©Gillian Hampson and Tom Bramley

ABOUT

Screening panels and moongate Stark & Greensmith Ltd starkandgreensmith.com

Heritage signs Dab Graphics dabgraphics.co.uk

Rubber edging

Delta rubber deltarubber.co.uk

Edging

Kinley kinley.co.uk

Soil sampling Geotech Ltd geotech.ca

In 2016, Merthyr Tydfil CBC completed an Open Space Strategy for all the urban green spaces within the County Borough. The main priorities arising from the strategy are to focus on the existing green spaces and look to improve the quality, quantity, and accessibility of these based on the recommendations of the strategy. The strategy supports the Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Nature Recovery Action Plan. merthyr.gov.uk

PROVENDER NURSERIES

PROMOTION

FEATURED IN PORTFOLIO 2: Naturalistic Wildlife Courtyard by

Kathryn Cox Garden

Design

Studio

Award-winning trade supplier of quality plants and related sundries to all horticultural trades. Plant Healthy since 2021. Diverse and exciting range of trees and mature shrubs to bring your projects to life. sales@provendernurseries.co.uk provendernurseries.co.uk

PORTFOLIO

Explore a selection of products featured in this month’s portfolios

FEATURED IN PORTFOLIO 1: Monton Eccles Garden by DK Garden Design and PORTFOLIO 2: Naturalistic Wildlife Courtyard by Kathryn Cox Garden Design Studio

Explore one of London Stone’s nine showrooms, located nationwide, to be inspired by hard landscaping products including porcelain, natural stone, clay paving, cladding, pergolas and planters. londonstone.co.uk

FEATURED IN PORTFOLIO 1: Monton Eccles Garden by DK Garden Design

Caribbean Blinds' original louvered pergola transforms outdoor spaces into versatile havens, regardless of weather. With innovative aluminium louvers, easily adjust between sun, shade, or shelter. Optional windproof side screens, ambient LED lighting, and instant infra-red heating ensure comfort day or night, summer or winter, for a pleasant terrace experience. Tel: 0344 800 1947 cbsolarshading.co.uk/louvered-roofs

PRODUCTS

Domestic clients are becoming more selective and picking the right tree for the right place based on their specific local climate, says Stuart Gibbs, sales manager for Heart of Eden. Commercial clients, on the other hand, are sticking to tried-and-tested, more native species that they know will perform, observes Rolawn’s sales and marketing manager, Jonathan Hill. But how does the use of bark and mulch affect the growth of trees across these settings?

Improving soil biodiversity: by providing a natural, woodland like environment with slow breakdown and adding nutrients back into the soil as it decomposes

Aware of the damage to soil bacteria that can be caused, Hill would recommend applying a natural un-dyed mulch that is free from chemicals as key to the success of the soil, saying that “chemicals in mulches can be detrimental to the health of a tree, weakening its immune system, as they leach into the soil and get absorbed.”

Protecting the roots: by improving the structure of soil around roots so that it is not too compact nor too loose, it helps the soil to retain warmth and insulates roots to protect against hard frosts – particularly relevant for saplings or older, more vulnerable trees

Soil that is too compact will restrict the growth of the tree, particularly saplings, as it prevents the roots from establishing and spreading, leading to a smaller anchor and inevitably a higher risk of damage.

Commercial director of EarthCycle and the Woodhorn Group, Mike Jupp recommends replenishing the mulch if the surface area becomes too compacted. “Especially if only top dressing with decorative bark, ensure a 'knuckle deep' layer of mulch or manure beneath to feed the soil,” says Jupp.

Heart of Eden’s Gibbs agrees, adding that the mixture should only be spread under the tree to the limit of its canopy area but not right against the trunk. With an optimal depth of 10cm, a finer size bark will allow for a loose bedding that microorganisms and worms are able to travel through in order to work with the roots of the tree and help it grow.

Bark to BASICS

From saplings to fully mature trees, there are numerous benefits of using bark and mulch for tree planting

Weed suppression: Keeps weeds at bay, so the tree isn’t fighting for nutrients and helping it thrive

Supressing competitive growth is key to the success of any planting scheme, and for trees planted in a domestic lawned area, mulch prevents weeds and grass from encroaching on its nutrient sources. Especially good for new trees still trying to establish themselves, mulch works especially well with orchards, ensuring that each tree has the space required to mature before fruiting seasons, adds Jupp.

Protection from drought: Retains moisture in the soil by reducing evaporation and avoids scorching on developments where limited watering will take place

Helping to protect trees from drought by retaining moisture through reduced evaporation, “saplings and young trees will benefit most from the protection that barks and mulches bring from weather extremes,” says Hill.

However, it is important not to apply mulch right up to the trunk of a tree as mulch holds water and when that sits against the tree trunk it can encourage diseases and rot. Therefore, Hill would suggest leaving a space around the trunk of around four to five centimetres.

Aesthetically pleasing: It provides a more decorative finish than leaving bare soil around the base of the tree

Used extensively by landscape contractors, Jupp says that bark is ideal for finishing off around trees and decorative areas on new developments due to its aesthetic qualities and ease of use. More commonly found across commercial projects, it’s a theme that can adapt to domestic as well – providing the perfect all-rounder solution.

With its ever-growing list of significant benefits, bark and mulch definitely has its place within our landscapes, no matter where they may be.

ROLAWN

EARTHCYCLE/WOODHORN GROUP

EARTHCYCLE/ WOODHORN GROUP

CLEANING

Enhance gardens with these musthave cleaning and maintenance products

PATIO BLACK SPOT REMOVAL CO LTD

Patio Black Spot Remover for Natural Stone

Completely restore the natural colour of patios and paths, of any age, within two hours. Patio Black Spot Remover for Natural Stone provides stunning, long-lasting results. In 12 months' time, buy and apply Patio Black Spot Preventer to maintain the condition. The Patio Black Spot Removal system puts you in complete control of unwanted organic growth. Biodegradable, acid-free and safe to use in the garden. For more information visit:

and aftercare

KRESS UK AND IRELAND

Kress 20V Portable Power Cleaner (bare tool)

Price: From £39.60

patioblackspotremoval.com Tel: 0800 500 3032

MAKITA

DUH502RT 18V LXT Brushless Hedge Trimmer

The Kress KG633E.9 Brushless Portable Power Cleaner provides unmatched freedom for various tasks. Its versatile five-in-one nozzle ensures efficiency in different applications, delivering up to four times more power than standard garden nozzles. Suitable for cleaning decks, boats, outdoor furniture, and vehicles, it allows water to be easily drawn from various sources like pools, lakes, buckets, or bottles, and can be connected to a garden hose quickly and easily. The Kress KrossPack battery (sold separately) is interchangeable with all 20V and 40V Kress tools, providing cordless power without constraints.

Price (incl. VAT): £130 kress.com/en-gb/

HLS SUPPLIES LTD

Composite Decking Aftercare Pack – including composite decking cleaner and composite decking aftercare

Powered by a single 18V battery to deliver 4,400 SPM, the brushless DUH502RT LXT 18V hedge trimmer has a 500mm blade capable of cutting branches up to 21.5mm. Notably, the machine features a multi-positional rear handle that rotates in five positions to make trimming quick, easy and comfortable for operators when cutting at various angles. For full control, users can choose between three speed settings and the machine also features a reverse function that releases the blade in the event of a jam.

Price (incl. VAT – average street price): £339 (including batteries and charger). Or, body only (DUH502Z): £239 (incl. VAT) makitauk.com

Get the ultimate clean on your composite decking with our CD-50 Composite Decking Cleaner and CDA-50 Composite Decking Aftercare multipack. This pack contains 5L of CD-50 Composite Decking Cleaner and 5L of CDA-50 Composite Decking Aftercare. CD-50 Composite Decking Cleaner is a highperformance cleaner and restorer that has been designed to quickly and easily clean and restore your composite decking. CD-50 Composite Decking Cleaner can also be used to clean heavily soiled composite decking where other treatments will not suffice. CD-50

Composite Decking Cleaner removes dirt, grease, grime, traffic film build-up and most types of mould and algae, leaving your composite decking looking like new again, hygienically clean and with a slip-free finish. Price (incl. VAT): £29.99 hlssupplies.co.uk

•

• UK based, in-house design team

• Working with the UK’s leading design &

University by Dr Geoff Whiteley. It is made from wheat straw, is an earthy brown colour has a neutral pH and lasts on the surface for up to two years.

Strulch stops weeds germinating by blocking light, retains moisture in the soil and the added minerals and texture deters slugs and snails.

13.5kg bags of Strulch are available on pallets of 12, 25, 40 and 48 bags. Delivered within 4 working days.

Trade discounts available

Looking after a

LIQUID ASSET

Water is a precious commodity, and irrigation systems are continually being developed to ensure this scarce resource isn’t being wasted

There might appear to be an abundance of it – certainly to those who have experienced Britain in the winter months, or sometimes even in the summer –but water has to be treated as a scarce resource, says the United Nations. Demand for water is surging as the world’s population swells.

By the end of 2022, there were eight billion people across the globe – more than three times the population in 1950 –and this is expected to reach a staggering 9.7 billion by 2050, perhaps surpassing 10 billion by the mid-2080s.

Water availability is becoming more of a practical, environmental and sustainability issue which irrigation can strongly support

irrigation contractor Watermatic. He highlights ‘global weirding’, the belief that climate change will cause weather extremes to intensify. We could expect to see “longer, drier summers with intense rain that drains away too fast, followed by shorter winters with variable rainfall insufficient to properly recharge the groundwater and reservoir supplies.

Zac Ribak, managing director of irrigation contractor Watermatic

Campaign groups such as Waterwise are actively encouraging those in the UK to reduce their water usage, running initiatives such as Water Saving Week in May. “The facts are that we are getting the wrong type of rain in the wrong places, at the wrong times with less water available,” says Zac Ribak, managing director of

“And all this whilst demand is increasing, so water availability is becoming more of a practical, environmental and sustainability issue which irrigation can strongly support. It is already being seen in planning permit conditions and the preferences of an increasing number of individuals who are conscious of these matters.”

So, whilst irrigation might at first appear to be part of the problem, it could instead be utilised to help reduce water usage when used wisely. “A professionally installed automatic drip irrigation system can save as much as 80% of the water normally used in other types of irrigation systems, as it will only use the required amount of water at the right time and the right place,” explains Ribak. A spokesperson for Rain Bird agrees that drip irrigation is advantageous. “[It] applies water directly where it is needed, at the roots of a plant, so the risks of misdirecting irrigation, wasteful run-off and evaporation are eliminated. Investing in an automated or manually controlled irrigation system will not only help maintain healthy a landscape, but will help to ensure it gets just the water it needs with no over or under watering.”

There’s not a ‘one size fits all’ approach to irrigation; rather, it’s a “maintenance tool” that needs to be adjusted to suit the landscape, says Paul Jeffery, managing director of specialist Waterscapes Ltd. “It’s a bit like a mower; you would adjust the blade heights to suit the required grass length. A professional landscaper wouldn’t mow that grass too short because they may risk damaging the plant. Irrigation is no different; the

landscaper needs to understand how much moisture is in the soil already and how much water those plants need at different points throughout the year.”

Roof podiums, for instance, can dry out quite quickly as the temperatures rise, depending on the soil type and profile, so the irrigation will need to be turned on earlier than, perhaps, a shaded courtyard. Cycle times are all scheduled through a controller, with planting separated into “zones”.

“Trees, shrubs, hedges and lawns should all be placed on different zones because they have different water requirements,” says Jeffery. “We put the designed cycle times into the controller for how long they need to run, setting them up for our typical British summer – that might be a week of, say, 25°C to 30°C.”

These controllers have a ‘seasonal adjust’ facility, though – or a percentage. At 100%, this would be the designed operating time for that zone, but this can be dialled up or down by a percentage when necessary to give the plants more or less water, depending upon all the varied parameters that make up any landscape, such as whether the site is shaded or sloped.

As well as installing the irrigation system, Waterscapes –which focuses on commercial projects – can also maintain the system, working with the grounds maintenance contractor to make any adjustments to the irrigation to ensure that

How can irrigation cope with hard water?

“There are hard water areas in the London area; this can result in blocking the drip irrigation emitters over time,” says Zac Ribak. “To prevent this from occurring, there are several options including the installation of water conditioner or water softeners.”

Water softeners or base-exchange units were always used historically, but these require regular maintenance, with ongoing costs to replenish, labour and space for storage – all of which are significant for commercial projects. So, Waterscapes considers electronic water conditioners as the preferred method to reduce the risks that hard water presents.

“Where drip lines have small holes for the water to emit, these will gradually calcify up and block. So, we’ve moved to water conditioning, which is essentially creating a magnetic field around a pipe. The units use pre-programmed micro-chips to transmit pulses of electrical charge into the water at varying frequencies/ amplitudes. These ‘signals’ cause

Investing in an automated or manually controlled irrigation system will not only help maintain healthy a landscape, but will help to ensure it gets just the water it needs with no over or under watering

Spokesperson, Rain Bird

some of the salts in the water to form sub-microscopic clusters. Instead of the hard encrustation on pipes that normally occurs, the precipitation takes the form of tiny calcium carbonate crystals that float suspended in the water. These invisible fine crystals are carried away with the flowing water, but it shouldn’t block the outlets.”

Waterscapes only use water conditioners now, not just in London and other areas where there’s hard water, but across the country “as an insurance that we’re trying to do the best we can for that system.”

On top of that, it filters the water before it goes out through a strainer, to make sure there’s no debris running through that could block the drip line. “We’re putting tools in place that maintain it for the client, so they don’t necessarily have to perform maintenance too regularly, other than checking that the system is working.”

Does a hosepipe ban include irrigation?

Last summer, a hosepipe ban came into force across Kent and Sussex following a surge in demand for drinking water. This is nothing compared to the hosepipe ban that last over a year in the South West Water region. Should this summer see more hosepipe bans, does this mean switching off the irrigation?

In domestic gardens, irrigation can only be used if it fits into the following:

“Automated irrigation system that comprises of irrigation controller, drip line irrigation and a Cat 5 break pump and tank. Using this equipment means that you are exempt from hope pipe ban,” says Zac Ribak. That, and a watering can, he adds.

A hosepipe ban isn’t always a blanket ban on irrigation, says Paul Jeffery. It might be spray irrigation that’s included in the ban for instance, which is “not the most efficient watering method,” but drip line could still be used. These types of irrigation can all be in their own ‘zones’ on the irrigation program and therefore can be switched off separately to meet the extent of the ban.

The grounds maintenance company needs to establish the details of any water authority hosepipe ban as there may be exclusions allowing maintenance of plant stock, but it is vital that the water provider is consulted.

the right amount of water is being applied, like adjusting the height on a mower. “The aim is to deliver what’s been lost through evapotranspiration – so, what the plants take up. We don’t want to put more or less on, otherwise the plants could suffer.”

Controllers and irrigation management tools have been a key focus for development at Rain Bird, with the emphasis being placed on providing smarter, more versatile solutions.

The aim is to deliver what’s been lost through evapotranspiration – so, what the plants take up. We don’t want to put more or less on, otherwise the plants could suffer

“For example, the RC2 Smart Irrigation Control Solution used in conjunction with the Rain Bird mobile app, enables users to manage remotely residential and light commercial installations, with or without Wi-Fi. When paired with the app, contractors and site managers have full remote control of irrigation scheduling for multiple sites and zones,” says the spokesperson.

Flow sensor technology has developed significantly at Rain Bird too. “By using a sensor to monitor high or low flow rates, issues such as leaks, line breaks or blockages can be identified. Rain Bird's latest Ultrasonic Flow Sensor Series uses ultrasonic waves to sense flow rates. This not only enables the sensors to read a wider flow range, but also ensures significantly more accurate readings when detecting flow rates,” says the spokesperson.

Paul Jeffery, managing director, Waterscapes Ltd

Additional technology such as flow and moisture sensors as well as weather stations will contribute to even more water and cost savings, he adds.

“By connecting the automated irrigation controller to the local weather station, the system can perform with maximum efficiency; for example, it will not irrigate the night before if it knows that rain is coming the following day,” explains Watermatic’s Ribak.

Waterscapes – which has worked on the irrigation for a series of high-profile projects, from the regeneration of Battersea Power Station to the Sky Garden in Fenchurch Street, or ‘walkie-talkie’ building, – predominantly uses Rain Bird products, which Jeffery says have several useful features. One of these is the control systems that have the ability to ‘learn flow’. It measures and records the flow of water to a particular ‘zone’, and if that suddenly increases because someone has accidentally cut through a pipe, for instance, then it will register that and close the valve. So, it will stop the flow to that zone after recognising that there’s a fault. It can then send a warning, via email, to the contractor, who can dial into the system via the cloud.

Jeffery says that, whilst Waterscapes can be brought on board for regular or reactive irrigation maintenance – this makes up a third of its business, with projects making up the majority – it’s worth any grounds maintenance team incorporating irrigation

into their regular routine as they are on site more often. “The irrigation contractor is not on site every day – practically no-one has the budget for that. So, when the landscaper walks around the sites to look at the condition of the trees or the plants, they should also be checking that the irrigation is working.

"There are control boxes in the ground where the zone valves are located; these can be manually turned on and off. Check whether you can hear it running or whether it’s leaking, and keep reports of when things change, such as turning up the run time one week and turning it down the following week. It might also be a way of tracking

Both

IRRIGATION BY WATERSCAPES LTD

IRRIGATION BY WATERSCAPES LTD AT SKY GARDEN, LONDON

problems, if you’re having the same fault in the same area. These can then all be communicated to the irrigation contractor when they visit the site.”

The irrigation sector is growing and developing all the time, and there are numerous developments ongoing

This technology is only set to become smarter with time, and “a complete insight into all energy data used to manage buildings is essential for optimum management and conservation,” explains Rain Bird. It continues: “Many companies are now looking for more information on irrigation performance.”

It also says the development of the API (Application Programming Interface) for Rain Bird's IQ4 irrigation management platform is addressing this. “It enables communication with a Building Management System and interface with other third-party systems to export detailed irrigation data. Overall water usage, consumption over specific time periods, programmes, watering schedules, station run times, flow rates, water pressure and other details managed within the IQ4 platform

can all be accessed to provide an integrated view of water, energy and other resources.”

“The irrigation sector is growing and developing all the time, and there are numerous developments ongoing,” says Ribak. “For example, a complete wireless system which will hit the market in a year or two.”

As water demand increases along with the population, smart irrigation is seemingly switching from a nice-to-have to a must-have, and constant monitoring of how irrigation is being used is essential to avoid wasting a drop.

Zac Ribak, managing director of irrigation contractor Watermatic

Photo© @WaterscapeLtd & @paul_upward_photography

IRRIGATION BY WATERSCAPES LTD AT BATTERSEA POWER STATION

“Premium

Nicholas Dexter Garden Design

BEING SOCIAL IS ESSENTIAL

What are the facts?

1

2

3

4

5

OF BUSINESS LEADERS AGREE THAT STRONGER BRAND REPUTATIONS ARE BUILT ON SOCIAL.1

OF BUSINESS LEADERS SAY SOCIAL DATA HELPS THEM GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR CUSTOMERS 2

OF USERS USE INSTAGRAM TO DISCOVER NEW PRODUCTS OR SERVICES, AND 80% USE IT TO FINALISE THEIR PURCHASE DECISIONS. 3

OF SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE UK GENERATE MORE SALES FROM SOCIAL MEDIA THAN FROM ANY OTHER CHANNEL, INCLUDING E-COMMERCE AND BRICKS-AND-MORTAR STORES.4

94% 91% 83% 28% 62.7%

OF INSTAGRAM USERS FOLLOW OR RESEARCH BRANDS AND PRODUCTS ON THE APP.5

Social media is an anathema for many people in the gardening and landscaping industry. Those who are outdoorsy or all about nature are unlikely to want to stare at a screen. And those who are office-based probably only want to stare at screens for as long as they must. This is all very well and good, but having a social media account is as essential as having a website.

Tony Pec, co-founder of Y Not You Media, writing for Forbes, went so far as to say, "If you have a business and are not building your brand and marketing on social media, you are choosing to get left behind". Digital strategy consultants Kepios' analysis shows there are more than five billion active social media users* worldwide, so it's difficult to argue with Pec's assertion.

If social media isn't already part of your business strategy, you're missing out

WORDS: ANNA MUGGERIDGE

What are the benefits of social media?

First and foremost, it promotes your brand, and gives your potential and existing clients affirmation. It's also a way for you to gain valuable insights about your customers, foster relationships with them, and get their feedback, which in turn can help develop and improve your business. Social media is also great for enabling networking opportunities with fellow professionals. In addition, it's undoubtedly a valuable source of inspiration, keeping you aware of new and emerging trends worldwide. And last but not least, it's free.

On the next few pages are four examples of companies who have made social media a success.

*Active social media users refer to the behavioural pattern of actively creating content or interacting with others.

Gina Taylor Owner, East London Garden Design

@eastlondongardendesign eastlondongarden.com

Social media was a massive help in launching my business at the very beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, as back then, you couldn't exactly go anywhere or do anything other than look at your phones or iPads and scroll.

Social media, specifically Instagram, is an integral part of my business. It's free, and you have total freedom in terms of what you want to do with it. Likes don't generate money, so you need to be clever about what, how and when you post.

When I started, I did some sponsored posts because I felt like I needed to get the business seen, but I quickly learned I didn't need to. In fact, the more time I spend on social media, the more I find things like sponsored posts irritating or frustrating, as you see identical posts repeatedly.

I have noticed what posts people like more than others. I have posts scheduled to come out in the coming weeks early in the morning and at 5pm when everyone is scrolling on their way home from work. I also post daily. I don't find it difficult or time-consuming; it takes me a few minutes to choose a picture, and then I'll add music to the post or write a joke. Individuality is so important. We live in a world of AI enhancement, so I feel that just being yourself makes you interesting. Don't be scared to show your failures. Sometimes, showing things you have done wrong brings in engagement!

Likes don't generate money, so you need to be clever about what, how and when you post

Gina Taylor

Instagram is a brilliant tool for building brand awareness and allows you to build a rapport with people who follow you, build trust, meet new people, exchange ideas, and spread the word. So many of my clients come to me through Instagram.

During the three years of running my company,

Chris Pike

Head of client liaison, Rosebank

@rosebanklandscaping rosebanklandscaping.co.uk

Although Pinterest may not be an obvious platform for social media, we consider it to be an incredibly important tool for showcasing our work and fostering connections, relationships, and communication with other professionals and potential clients. We get 16,000 monthly views on Pinterest. Creative studios often utilise the site to curate mood boards. As a result, the greater our presence on the site, the more opportunities arise to captivate and inspire individuals to reach out to us.

Utilising platforms like Instagram and YouTube will be instrumental in garnering publicity for us

Chris Pike

However, overall, Instagram is the most powerful tool for our business. It consistently generates new inquiries and reaches a significantly broader audience. A single post on Instagram can reach millions, including some of the most influential figures globally.

Some of our projects receive acclaim within the design community but may not necessarily receive much engagement on the platform. Our focus is on ensuring that we showcase both the popular images and those that

Through Instagram, I have met many wonderful people – landscapers, garden designers, and project managers – whom I can turn to for advice. It's a great community. From this, we have started networking events because we're all about the same thing and have the same interests and problems, so we'll meet every few months for a cheeky little drink.

At the end of the day, it's not the likes, comments or engagement that pays the bills. If I post one thing, such as clearing a pond, and that gets me one client, that is a success.

highlight the breadth of our work and the talented professionals we collaborate with.

We have collaborated with a couple of clients who have not only helped us build a following but also strengthened our brand. These relationships have developed naturally. In one instance, a client experienced significant growth in followers over a short period of time and they continue to promote and tag us in their posts. Additionally, we are continually striving to foster relationships with affiliated brands and individuals who inspire us. There are some architecturally exciting projects we are currently working on that attract influential brands. Utilising platforms like Instagram and YouTube will be instrumental in garnering publicity for us.

I think it's easy to lose your brand identity. When you see popular posts that are flashy and extravagant, it's tempting to fall into the trap of copying them. However, it's important to stay true to your brand and continue posting authentically.

©Rosebank Landscaping

Helen and James Scott

Owners, The Garden Company

X @gardencomp

Instagram @thegarden_company Website thegardenco.co.uk

When people are considering investing in a design or landscaping service, it's not a quick decision. We don't advertise. People come across us organically through various touchpoints. We see social media as part of the customer journey. It gives people confidence in us. Potential clients can see we are credible and that other people like us and say positive things about us, which is what people need to nudge them towards a purchasing decision.

We have Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn accounts and we are interested in exploring other platforms such as TikTok. However, most of our attention is on Instagram.

James maintains his own personal activity on X because we're promoting not only The Garden Company brand but also James. People often know the name James Scott rather than the company name, so we need to have both names in mind. If James is out and about and sees something beautiful in the natural woodland where we live, he might write a post about it, which still promotes our company as it shows his love of nature.

We found that was what Facebook was – people who needed their hedges cutting on the same day!

©James Scott

We have been selective in the platforms we use. If you don't choose the right platforms, then you might end up with a lot of enquiries that aren't right

Helen and James Scott

We have been selective in the platforms we use. If you don't choose the right platforms, then you might end up with a lot of enquiries that aren't right. We're looking for considered enquiries and people who engage with the design process. We're not an impulse purchase.

About seven years ago, we deliberately began to take a more structured approach to social media, and we have a content plan. We try to do an Instagram story every day, certainly at least three to four a week. Instagram stories are great, as you can put a hyperlink in them which, given that our goal is to drive traffic to the website, is useful. Our Instagram posts are less frequent – about two to three per month. We try to make sure they are evergreen and will add visual appeal to our gallery. Having said that, we've recently put a picture up of just the two of us. It's a bit of an experiment. We're finding that we get really nice responses to pictures of our team; people seem to like it, so we're trying a bit more of that at the moment. Social media can be a time thief and there are some time-saving devices that help. We're trialling an AI app to give us a first draft of captions and hashtags, but we won't hand it all over to AI; we do need to personalise it. We also use a software tool to schedule regular posts and we repurpose content from blog posts James writes.

We have learnt a lot over time about social media, and we enjoy it. One important detail is that social media needs to be soulful. You need to put a bit of yourself or the work in it. That's what people engage with.

WANT SOME TRAINING?

If you're new to digital marketing and/or social media, there are several free courses you can sign up for that take anywhere from a couple of hours to a few days. Here are a few of them:

• Google Digital Garage

• BT Business Skills

• Free courses in England

Andy Sturgeon

Owner, Andy Sturgeon Design

@andysturgeondesign andysturgeon.com

I'd had an Instagram account for years but didn't use it. Then, we did some market research, and I asked a lot of clients how they felt about social media. Some expressed disappointment that we didn't have a good Instagram account because it is a visual medium. So, in 2019, I started taking it seriously.

The advice I would give is to start posting as soon as possible and as regularly as possible. I have someone who works part-time who helps me with it, but it's not their primary job. I have a phone full of millions of photos. I think it's important to keep it personal, which is why we almost exclusively post about things that relate to private gardens or has some relevance to it rather than posting about our commercial work. If I started muddling up interesting paving details in some commercial project, I'd lose all my followers! I have had work directly through Instagram and I have recruited through it. If you are recruiting, whether for private or commercial

If you are recruiting, whether for private or commercial work, everyone is going to look you up on social media and they will scroll through your feed

Andy Sturgeon

have a few brilliant posts, but if you've got some not-so-good pictures in there as well, that can be a problem. Using social media is not just a way of getting work but also a way of focusing on the type of work and the quality of the work you get. I do think the website will remain an important part of the customer journey. Instagram is not complete. It doesn't give you the whole picture. I can scroll down through someone's account and make an opinion in less than five seconds. Whereas websites are designed to make people stay for as long as possible. If someone is genuinely interested, it is the website that they will return to. Clients may look at your portfolio five or six times before they make a decision.

HOW DO I KNOW WHICH SOCIAL NETWORK TO USE?

It depends on what your goal is. Instagram is definitely the gardening world's favourite. Landscapers, designers, gardeners and architects are prolific on this platform. It's a visual medium, so that makes sense. However, the other platforms shouldn't be entirely discounted and can be helpful for other purposes. Here are a few of the most popular ones:

• X (formerly Twitter)

A good place to share links as well as post thoughts and ideas on trending topics, e.g. #chelseaflowershow

• Facebook

The analytics on this platform are excellent, enabling you to target specific demographics at peak times, and so on.

• TikTok

If you think this is just for kids, think again. Launched in 2016, TikTok is the fastest-growing social media app of all time. This younger generation of social media users might not have the disposable income right now, but this will only grow alongside them.

• Pinterest

Another industry favourite, thanks to its fantastic visuals and potential connections.

• LinkedIn

An excellent tool for recruitment and networking.

• YouTube

The best platform for posting longer-form videos. It's also the second-biggest search engine in the world.

The Mind Garden by Andy Sturgeon (RHS Chelsea 2022)

DISCOVER TWICKENHAM PLANT CENTRE

Sempervirens, now named Twickenham Plant Centre, was established in 2001 and remains a family-owned and operated business. Recently, we completed a significant restoration and rebranding effort to make it more pleasurable for our clients and expand our offerings. Despite the change, our friendly team stays the same and remains dedicated to providing expert advice and service. Visit us at Twickenham Plant Centre for a wide range of beautiful plants, expert advice, and high quality landscaping supplies.

Twickenham Plant Centre, Hospital Bridge Rd, Whitton, Twickenham TW2 6LH 0208 898 7131

twickenhamplantcentre.co.uk

Beautiful plants, expert advice, and high-quality landscaping supplies

Planting for the Future with Pictorial Meadows Turf

Tried and tested in diverse climatic conditions

Breadth of species allows for dynamic adaptation to climate challenges

100% flowers, upwards of 150 plants per square metre

100% peat-free product with no plastic netting

Treasure Chest

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Super Pollinator

The Air Flo 3 was the product of choice for reopening a lake in Croydon

When it comes to creating a beautiful landscape, there’s a reason that Otterbine’s subsurface aeration systems are the first choice for many landscape architects. Striking the perfect balance between efficiency and tranquility, these aerators improve water quality while protecting the landscape’s natural ambience.

Take the Air Flo 3 aerator for example, sitting completely under the water; it works silently beneath the surface to boost your lake’s oxygen levels, making for cleaner, clearer, healthier water.

Subsurface aeration systems are often referred to as ‘bubbler’ systems because lakes gain oxygen by absorbing the bubbles the aerator produces.

Sustainability practices apply to water bodies in landscaping as much as the materials or maintenance practices used, and with Otterbine delivering the highest oxygen transfer and

TRANQUILLITY MEETS EFFICIENCY with OTTERBINE

pumping rates in the industry, it capably eliminates the chemicals otherwise needed for healthy water.

The Air Flo 3 can add as much as 3.3lbs or 1.5kg of oxygen per horsepower hour into the water and pump over 920 GPM or 199m3/hr per horsepower. It was these credentials that led to the product being chosen by Pinewood Scout Centre in Croydon as part of its

efforts to reopen the lake after a period of closure due to poor water quality.

An algae bloom forced the lake into a prolonged closure, as Jim Clements, site manager and scout leader, took on Pinewood Scout Centre, explains: “Getting oxygen into the bottom of the lake is critical and the thing I like with the Air Flo 3 is that all the electrics are on the bank. There’s absolutely nothing in the water that could pose a risk to people using the lake.”

Since installing the Air Flo 3 system, Clements says: “The circulation and improved oxygenation of the water has massively improved the quality in terms of clarity. I think it’s the best it’s potentially ever been.”

Thanks to this Otterbine solution, the Pinewood lake is ready to be used for a summer

of water-based activities; but it’s not just the scouts that are benefitting from the new system. Clements says: “We're seeing a lot more fish and amphibians in the lake, and the marginal plants are all really thriving too.”

To learn more about the Otterbine range of aerators and fountains, contact distributor Reesink on 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Complete package for all systems: includes compressors, cabinet and diffusers

• Highest oxygen transfer rates in the industry

• Ideal for lakes and ponds with depths in excess on 2.4m (8ft)

JIM CLEMENTS

AIR FLO 3 SYSTEM IN ACTION

GENERATION GAP Closing the

Attracting the next generation of horticulturists is a common challenge across the wider industries and working with outdated practices and perspectives, the industry is overdue a modernisation

WORDS: ASHLEIGH BROWN

Contributing an eye-watering £9bn a year to the UK economy, the horticulture industry employs over 300,000 people across several sectors. Despite this, the majority (around 70%) of businesses are finding the recruitment process more challenging compared to previous years, according to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Training provider Electrician Courses 4U found that, over the last 18 years, employment within horticulture has dropped by a staggering 55%.

initiative funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to bridge generational gaps and amplify the voices of younger demographics within the RHS,” adding that it’s “a pivotal project to enhance youth attendance at the garden.”

The support and commitment demonstrated by the RHS in launching this initiative have been invaluable, allowing us the time and resources to pursue our goals

Sophie Kirk, RHS Wisley’s education and learning manager

Striving to tackle this a new initiative from the RHS. Formed last September, the RHS Wisley’s Youth Engagement panel is the first of its kind. Made up of 18–26-year-olds who meet once a month to discuss long-term tactics and projects, the panel has the intention of creating an RHS garden that is appealing and inspiring to younger generations.

Wisley’s education and learning manager, Sophie Kirk, says it’s “an exciting

In her multifaceted role, Kirk oversees various educational initiatives tailored to diverse audiences. Working with various levels of the educational system, Kirk hopes to ensure that each visit provides an enriching and educational experience, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for horticulture and botanical science among students.

She now also leads the Youth Engagement Panel, working with the 10 volunteers that make up the panel to develop inclusive initiatives. “These dedicated members convene regularly to brainstorm and strategise various projects, offering invaluable insights and

perspectives on engaging younger audiences,” says Kirk.

From advising on social media campaigns to creating tailored events, the members are asking their industry peers what they would like from RHS Garden Wisley. This will inform their plans for an upcoming event at the garden which is designed to captivate and inspire a younger audience. “Through their dedication and innovation, the Youth Engagement Panel embodies the spirit of collaboration and inclusivity, driving meaningful change and fostering a vibrant RHS for future generations,” says Kirk.

Sophie Kirk

©RHS/Megan Taylor

©RHS/Helen Yates

Her vision extends beyond attracting solely horticultural enthusiasts to encompassing a broader demographic of young individuals, which she believes this panel has the ability to help achieve. “The support and commitment demonstrated by the RHS in launching this initiative have been invaluable, allowing us the time and resources to pursue our goals.

"I envision a culture where conversations with our target audiences become the norm, fostering collaboration and genuinely listening to their voices and perspectives,” says Kirk.

One panel volunteer, George Gaia Holmes, found horticulture at a “crossroad” in their life. Previously

working in data analytics, Gaia Holmes left to pursue a new career mid-pandemic and is now a qualified horticulturist. “It was the best thing to ever happen to me… Whilst in therapy, in the solitude of lockdown, I was finally able to gain some perspective on myself, the world, and my place within it,” says Gaia Holmes. They now contribute to the industry through hosting talks and meetings, overcoming anxiety to help bring more people into horticulture.

Fellow

volunteer Charlotte Cole, on the other hand, says she has been obsessed with nature since she was a child. But she still found the route into the industry seemingly impossible due to its lack of advertising and visibility within the national curriculum. Luckily for Cole, she discovered Sparsholt College, one of the UK’s biggest land-based colleges that became the base of her studies for two years.

“I left with tons of theory, practical, and work experience under my belt, as well as an offer to study further with the MacRobert Trust Traineeship at one of the most beautiful hotel gardens in Scotland, Douneside House,” says Cole.

Both Gaia Holmes and Cole are now working as trainee horticulturists with the Macrobert Trust, whilst using the Youth Engagement Panel to drive change in the industry.

“I wanted to make a difference and to help an organisation I believe in to engage the next generation of gardeners and sow those seeds that lead to an awe of nature, a sense of stewardship over the world and a deeper connection to themselves as a result,” says Gaia Holmes.

I wanted to make a difference and to help an organisation I believe in to engage the next generation of gardeners and sow those seeds that lead to an awe of nature

George Gaia Holmes Horticultural Trainee at The MacRobert Trust

“I adored RHS Wisley from the moment I first stepped foot in their gardens back and when the opportunity came up to create an RHS that’s more in-tune with youths like me, it felt like a no-brainer for someone like me who has made it their mission to engage as many young people in the outdoors as possible,” adds Cole.

The pair examine and discuss the RHS’ current tactics of how it engages young people in gardening and those who visit its gardens. They review surveys, suggesting ways in which strategies may be improved and investigating the accessibility of RHS gardens, namely Wisley, for young people.

Cole believes that the industry

George Gaia Holmes and Charlotte Cole

GEORGE GAIA HOLMES

CHARLOTTE COLE

has a long way to go, though. “Promoting inclusivity must go beyond surface-level efforts, such as incorporating antidiscrimination policies into staff training or creating wheelchair-accessible pathways.” True inclusivity demands an ongoing commitment to accessibility and fostering a culture of openness and understanding from the outset, she says.

Creating an accessible workplace to benefit everyone takes a collaboration of initiatives. Features like dropped curbs, which were initially designed for wheelchair users but are also beneficial to cyclists and parents with strollers can make a difference.

Implementing a transparent open-door policy, aimed at accommodating those with mobility or mental health challenges, equally supports individuals facing temporary physical or mental health setbacks, ensuring everyone has the necessary resources and time to thrive.

Encouraging the next generation begins with reshaping the perception of horticulturists as highly skilled professionals deserving of respect

Other effective options include warm lighting, comfortable break rooms, and quiet spaces that are designed for those with sensory sensitivities – these can create a calm environment which also helps individuals dealing with stress or headaches.

There is no one answer, and the workplace should never be expected to conform to a 'one size fits all' mindset as each person has entirely unique obstacles and backgrounds. “It’s crucial that we work towards inclusivity because embracing diversity and allowing individuals to express their vulnerabilities fosters a profound sense of community and teamwork,” says Cole.

By creating an environment where people can authentically be themselves, a more cohesive and collaborative team emerges; this openness enables a deeper

understanding of each team member's strengths and weaknesses. Consequently, working together becomes more dynamic and effective as the team learns to leverage its collective strengths and support one another in overcoming challenges. “In essence, a workplace that acknowledges and values individual differences lays the foundation for a more resilient, connected, and successful team,” says Cole.

As well as bringing the horticulture industry in line with a modern approach to mental health and wellbeing, Gaia Holmes and Cole say there’s a need for horticulture to be more visible in schools for all ages.

"It’s all well and good making the workplace better for those within it, but

Charlotte Cole

Horticultural Trainee at The MacRobert Trust

©RHS/Georgi Mabee

there’s a need to drive young people to enter the industry too.

For Cole, there was never any widespread encouragement to pursue anything land based growing up. “The prevailing narrative, perpetuated by schools, colleges, parents, and media – the influential forces shaping our futures – seemed to reduce it to mere lawn mowing and hedge trimming, or a retired persons’ hobby. Encouraging the next generation begins with reshaping the perception of horticulturists as highly skilled professionals deserving of respect,” says Cole

The expansion of the Young RHS Ambassadors Programme could help in more young people being represented, to break away from the ‘gardening is for my grandparents’ narrative and to show that horticulture is a legitimate career choice, rather than a fallback option. “Fighting this prejudice that horticulture is a field for failures and showcasing the many routes and levels could be a way of enticing people into our industry,” says Gaia Holmes. “Likewise, putting pressure on firms to pay fairly could also make the field more attractive to future generations.” Most people in horticulture have passion in spades; combine that

initial interest with the knowledge that gardening can be financially lucrative, and you have a recipe for success.

Gaia Holmes believes that youth engagement in gardening, both on an amateur and professional level, is key to address the skills gap. They'd like to see the RHS either trial Young Engagement Panels at all its gardens or even set up a Youth Engagement Committee so that there’s a dedicated group with this as its primary focus.

Horticulture is such a unique industry. The majority of individuals within it are welcoming and friendly and want to see you succeed.

Charlotte Cole Horticultural Trainee at The MacRobert Trust

horticulture space. “Horticulture is such a unique industry. The majority of individuals within it are welcoming and friendly and want to see you succeed. Embrace this advantage and you will likely discover that achieving the career of your dreams is well within reach,” says Cole.

Both volunteers say that for more young people to interact with gardening, they need to see people that they can relate to in the

As well as the Youth Engagement Panel, the RHS has launched its New Shoots programme to actively involve younger individuals in horticultural careers to break down barriers. It hopes to create a more vibrant and dynamic horticultural community. To do this, Kirk encourages people to “be patient, open-minded, and willing to include younger people into the conversation.”

Horticulture is a hefty contributor to this country’s GDP, and one that the UK can’t afford to lose. To prevent employment dropping even further, it needs to attract the next generation – and to retain

it

too.

Background image ©RHS/Joanna Kossak

©RHS/Neil Hepworth

©RHS/Joanna Kossak

GEORGE AND CHARLOTTE: 30 UNDER 30 WINNERS IN 2023

RHS VOLUNTEERING DAY

SPRINKLING success

Holts Irrigation provides long-term success with the help of Rain Bird technology

With some 42 acres of the finest landscaped grounds and award-winning sports surfaces to manage, the Hurlingham Club's grounds and gardens team is dedicated to sustainable horticultural practice.

In carrying out its meticulous management and maintenance programmes, the team has worked closely for some 20 years with Andre Holt of East Sussex-based specialist Holts Irrigation.

The diverse natural landscapes of the Hurlingham Club include sensitive historic areas, ornamental lawns and paths, hedging, herbaceous and mixed borders, rose beds, lakeside and wet area planting. Its worldleading sports turf facilities are in use throughout the year too.

Neil Harvey, head of grounds and gardens; deputy head, Tom

Clarke; and head gardener, Aby Parrott, lead a 26-member full time team. Eco-friendly horticultural practice is well established, and conserving water throughout the extensive irrigation regime is a key component of this approach.

The two-acre lake is the water source, and its quality is maintained by sophisticated lake aeration and filtration systems.

At the heart of the irrigation management is a central computerised control system which enables the ground and gardens team to programme, adjust and monitor watering schedules for different areas.

There are some 270-plus fixed sprinkler heads used for sports turf and landscape irrigation on the estate. Holt has recommended and installed Rain Bird 950, 750, 8000 and 5000 Series Rotors with MPR matched precipitation nozzles across different areas. The show tennis court and croquet lawns were fitted 10 years ago, the golf course rotors some 12 years ago and other surfaces in the intervening years. They bear testimony to the reliability and durability of Rain Bird technology.

There is now a concerted move towards the benefits of drip irrigation. The gardens team favours Dripline for its low pressure, precisely directed irrigation whereby water is applied slowly and directly to the root zones of plants in well mulched areas. It is delivered throughout the day, matched to the soil's infiltration rate and wastage through run-off, wind drift and evaporation is eliminated. The risk of damage to delicate plants is no longer a risk.

as a good range of lock-tight compression fittings,” says Holt.

Dripline unobtrusively ensures the necessary hydration with minimal environmental impact

Some two kilometres of Rain Bird's low water volume surface XFS Dripline now features across the estate both in new areas and to replace spray irrigation, with installation being rolled out by Holts Irrigation. This sensitive dell that surrounds the historic icehouse and features curved flower beds and contoured landscaping is one of the latest areas to benefit. “Dripline unobtrusively ensures the necessary hydration with minimal environmental impact. It also has a number of advantages including simple layout, pressure reducing emitters that regulate water flow as well

Rain Bird's TBOS II BT Bluetooth battery operated controllers are used in conjunction with Dripline in many areas of the estate where mains power for irrigation controllers would be too costly or impractical. The controllers have long-life batteries and are highly durable with IP68 rating. Bluetooth allows the team to use smartphones with the dedicated Rain Bird App to pair with the controllers. Features such as sequential start times, seasonal adjustment and rain delay programming all promote close control over water consumption.

To further improve efficiency, a weather station and soil moisture sensors are used so irrigation schedules can be fine-tuned based on weather forecasts and soil conditions to prevent over-watering and unnecessary usage.

"We place a strong emphasis on regular maintenance of the irrigation infrastructure. We can cover the quick fixes, but Andre Holt's experience and service will continue to be indispensable,” says Clarke.

IS SOIL the unsung hero?

Rachel Bailey gives us a new appreciation of soil and its ability to sequester carbon

Terrestrial vegetation, in particular trees, are often given high priority for carbon storage.

However, global soils store more than all terrestrial vegetation combined1, though this depends on climate and land type. In moist temperate climates, such as the UK, soils sequester three times as much carbon as vegetation (above and below ground biomass combined)2

Even urban areas can contribute to soil carbon storage. In a typical UK city, the total soil organic carbon (SOC) was on average 17.6 kg/m2, with SOC making up 82% of total carbon stock (soil + vegetation). Most of the organic carbon was found in soils up to a depth of one metre under greenspace in residential and non-residential areas, with 13% of the carbon under impervious surfaces1

Of the impervious surfaces, twice as much organic carbon was stored under non-vehicle

load-bearing surfaces, such as pavements, patios and paths than vehicle-load bearing surfaces, such as roads. This could be due to the excavation and removal of a greater amount of soil under roads and the continued accumulation of SOC under patios and paths from plant to soil carbon sequestration.

Plant to soil carbon sequestration

Carbon is sequestered in the soil when carbon accumulates quicker than it leaves the soil. The carbon cycle is primarily driven by plants, which converts atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) into organic forms of carbon, such as sugars, through the process of photosynthesis. Organic carbon is then

incorporated into above ground biomass (shoots, leaves, trunks/stems) and below ground biomass (roots). Carbon is transferred into the soil from the plants via the roots through exudates, mucilage, and root cell death, mediating the formation of organic matter and carbon storage in the soil through microbial activity.

Only a small fraction of SOC is directly used by microbes for energy and growth, and indirectly as microbes form the food for other microbes and macrobes in the food web3. Some carbon is also returned to the atmosphere during respiration of plants and microbes alike.

Of particular

importance is the interaction of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant roots, in which carbon is transferred from the plant roots directly to AMF, where carbon is stabilised and stored in the soil matrix as aggregates and on mineral surfaces. Smaller micro-aggregates are cemented together into larger macro-aggregates through enmeshment of larger fragments of organic matter, fungal hyphae and fine roots, resulting in SOC that is inaccessible to decomposition.

All photos ©Rachel Bailey

Fungi also use the carbon from plants to construct more hyphal biomass as they grow. Through natural turnover, the fungal hyphae contribute to organic matter accumulating in the soil4. Fungicidal treatment has been shown to reduce mycorrhizal fungi hyphae networks with a reduction in carbon storage5

Carbon also transfers to the soil via macro- and microbial decomposition of leaf litter within the topsoil. However, root inputs are considered more important than above ground inputs for long term carbon storage. This is in part because of the deeper location of roots in the soil profile than litter and because they are more efficient than litter in forming stabilised microbial-derived mineral carbon6

Studies of natural systems have shown that increased plant diversity is associated with increased microbial diversity and SOC6. This effect was greater over time with a greater amount of SOC stored at depth (>30 cm) seen only after several decades reflecting that the accumulation of soil carbon pools is a slow process.

So, more plant coverage and plant diversity that is managed for the long term will result in more roots in the soil and more carbon sequestration throughout the entire soil profile.

Novel planting media and the potential for carbon sequestration

Whilst most SOC is considered to be in the shallow depths of soil, over half of SOC is stored in soils deeper than 30 cm, which is

hardly surprising given the average depth of plant roots is 104 cm6. Therefore, there is huge potential for deeper soils, especially in undisturbed environments, to sequester carbon given enough time.

The persistence of SOC leads to an accumulation of carbon in the soil, though this is dependent on temperature, water availability, characteristics of the microbial community and chemical characteristics of the soil7. Of course, the persistence of SOC is also dependent on change of land use and soil disturbance, which can result in compaction, damage to the structure of the soil, erosion, and oxidation of SOC as it comes into contact with air, and subsequent carbon release.

Recent focus, led by John Little, has been placed on growing plants in relatively low fertility, crushed waste materials following their observations of brownfield sites to provide attractive, ‘low maintenance’ and high biodiversity plantings. These novel planting substrates could also offer the unique potential for carbon storage and sequestration within our urban environments.

More plant coverage and plant diversity that is managed for the long term will result in more roots in the soil and more carbon sequestration throughout the entire soil profile

A changing climate will also affect carbon sequestration. Drought and high temperatures can inhibit photosynthesis and reduce sequestration of carbon in the soil. Higher air and soil temperatures will also speed up the decay of soil organic matter, releasing more CO2 into the atmosphere and creating a positive feedback loop.

In fact, in a study of green roofs, more carbon was sequestered in waste building material substrate than natural soil over the five-year study period8

Further, low fertility soils of degraded agroecosystems have a large carbon sink capacity3. SOC and soil fertility were increased in degraded grasslands by increasing the number of plant species and plant functional diversity (grasses, herbaceous perennials and leguminous plants)9. Brownfield sites of demolition waste have also been shown to store inorganic carbon in the form of calcite10 adding to the carbon sequestration potential beneath such novel plantings.

Together this suggests that in our built environment, we can use crushed waste

material to create attractive biodiverse and carbon sequestering plantings without bringing in topsoil where it is not already available.

In France, the city of Lyon has developed planted streetscapes using repurposed building waste materials combined with organic waste products creating technosols avoiding topsoil use (Anne Jaluzot, APIH, pers. comms). They have also used a structural ‘skeleton’ growing medium underneath paths and cycleways to maximise rooting volume and create a bridge between areas of planting on either side of the path.

What can we do as designers, landscapers and aftercare managers of gardens and green spaces?

We can design gardens, greenspaces and streetscapes to maximise vegetation coverage including a functional diversity of plants, soil protection and excavation and therefore carbon sequestration. Working with the soil we find onsite, plant species can be selected that will thrive in the onsite fertility, putting down deep roots and maximise carbon sequestration. Above all, we need to design and build our landscapes so that they are adaptable without redeveloping every few years and enabling carbon to be sequestered throughout the full soil profile over decades.

Like everything, there is a trade-off. Growing and specifying plants as bareroot has many advantages. Plants are grown with a functioning microbiome, without the need for compost and plastic pots. However, it does mean soil disturbance during harvesting –though the majority of the plants will be in the shallower depths of soil leaving the carbon already sequestered at depth.

Perhaps we need to re-think how we grow plants for landscaping projects, taking our lead from Peter Korn (Klinta Trädgård, Sweden). Plants could be grown in recycled sand over soil, which potentially could avoid unnecessary soil excavation, allow carbon sequestration and have other advantages including the development of plants with an extensive root system from the outset.

We can use a management and aftercare approach rather than maintenance to create a functioning ecosystem and with it sequestration of soil (and biomass) carbon. Through careful consideration of the selected plants suitable to the soil and conditions, it will be possible to manage our gardens and green spaces without microbiome-destroying

chemicals and with lower disturbance. Plants will be allowed to die back naturally in winter with leaves and decaying plant matter feeding into the carbon cycle where it is needed; herbaceous plants still standing come spring can be ‘chopped and dropped’.

Policy and legislation

Given the importance of soil in gardens and greenspaces for carbon sequestration, legislating for their protection in residential and non-residential sites is paramount.

Best practice for soil management currently exists. However, it needs to be revised to reflect the current importance of soil for carbon sequestration, including not importing topsoil and regenerating existing soil on site11. Similarly, the British Standard

All photos ©Rachel Bailey

HOW CAN WE PROTECT SOIL TO MAXIMISE CARBON SEQUESTRATION?

(BS:5837 [2012]) to protect trees on construction sites needs to extend to protecting other vegetation where possible.

GROWERS

• Develop alternative methods for growing bare root plants to minimise soil disturbance and maximise the health of the plant.

• Don’t use peat.

DESIGN

• Design with existing topography to minimise excavation of soil.

• Retain as much of the existing trees and other vegetation within the design.

• Design for long term change of needs and adaptability.

• Maximise planting areas designing planting adjacent to hard landscaping surfaces.

• Minimise impervious hard landscaping areas especially vehicle load-bearing surfaces (driveways, roads).

• In public realm, design hard landscaping areas so they are permeable and designed to allow plants access to soil beneath paving.

• Work with the soil you have, restoring its carbon sequestration capacity through diversity of plant selection and mix of functional groups (legumes, grasses and herbaceous perennials).

• Where no topsoil is available, use crushed building waste materials to protect topsoil from being excavated and unnecessary carbon release elsewhere and to maximise the carbon sequestration potential.

• Create a soil and vegetation protection plan for the build.

• Specify plants with peat-free compost.

MANAGEMENT AND AFTERCARE

• Leave plant material (leaves, dying back top growth) to return to the soil rather than remove.

• Do not use fungicides, pesticides and herbicides.

• Edit borders rather than traditional weeding.

• Assist in the development of a living green mulch.

• Top up the mulch used at the time of planting whilst planting is establishing.

BUILD

• Physically protect existing soil and vegetation to prevent soil structure damage.

• Avoid compaction when storing materials and operating vehicles; use ground guards.

• Create species-rich lawns in a matrix of native fescue and bent grasses (not rye), whose growth forms allow for self-repair and can easily bounce back after drought (see lawnassociation.org.uk).

• Use recycled crusher run for the sub-base and reclaimed materials where possible to minimise excavation and extension of quarries for new materials.

• Use soft-engineering solutions where possible and root protection methods for constructing near root zones.

• Where hard landscaping is necessary, build to a high standard, without over-engineering (see BS:7533-101 and 102, which is due for release soon) to create landscapes that will last the test of time.

POLICY & LEGISLATION

• Enforce existing policies to protect existing trees and greenspaces in the public realm and during building projects.

• Use species-rich, native grass (such as fescue/bent) mixes for all playfields and open green spaces.

• Invest in skilled horticulturists and budget for and prioritise aftercare and management of existing as well as all new greenspaces – for establishment and long-term.

• Enhance existing greenspaces with a diversity of plant types.

• Develop and enforce new policies to protect all soil and vegetation by law: during maintenance of grey infrastructure as well as during new building.

• For residential gardens, legislate for a minimum of 50% of a small back garden (>90m2) and 75% of a large back garden (>300m2) to be vegetation.

• Front gardens should also have a minimum percentage of vegetation commensurate with size (i.e, the larger the front garden, the more vegetation should be stipulated) and >5% hard landscaping in front gardens should require planning whether permeable or not.

• For public realm and developments, planning should only be awarded for those that encompass meet the Building with Nature standards.

Legislation around urban and domestic planning can be powerful to enforce proenvironmental change. Existing policies can be revised; for example the requirement for >5% impermeable surfaces in front gardens to any hard landscaping, permeable or impermeable, to help reduce the sealing of soils. Similarly, only awarding development proposals that design and deliver high quality green infrastructure (such as projects that meet the Building with Nature Standards12, protect the soil and maximise biodiverse planting.

Government schemes and grants could be awarded to encourage pro-environmental behaviour13. However, best practice and policies need to be enforced and follow-up to awarded grants needs to be taken. Emphasis must be put on the aftercare and management of existing and new green spaces.

Through considered design, build, management and legislation, the urban environment has a much greater potential to contribute to carbon sequestration and at the same time addressing the biodiversity crisis, addressing extreme weather events and offering a connection to plants and nature for our mental health and wellbeing.

References

1 Edmondson et al, 2012. Sci. Rep. 2, 963

2 Scharlemann et al. 2014. Carbon Management. 5: 81-91

3 Lal et al 2015. Curt. Opin. Envir. Sustain. 15: 79-86

4 Frey et al. 2019. Annu. Rev. Ecol. Evol. Syst. 50: 237-259

5 Wilson et al 2009. Ecol. Letters. 12(5): 452-61.

6 Chen et al 2020. Biol. Rev. 95: 167-183

7 Schmidt et al 2011. Nature. 478: 49-56

8 Fan et al., 2020. Envir. Sci. Poll. Res. 27: 40893-40906

9 Furry & Tilman, 2021. PNAS. 118: 49

10 Jorat et al. 2020. Sci. Tot. Envir. 703: p.135573

11 Bossio et al. 2020. Nature Sustainability. 3:391-398

12 Building with Nature (buildingwithnature.org.uk)

13 Cameron et al. 2023. Urban Forestry Greening. 80: 127820

14 Construction code of practice for the sustainable use of soils on construction sites (defra.gov.uk)

RACHEL BAILEY

PHD MSGD MAPL

Rachel Bailey runs an awardwinning design practice with a team of four in Scotland. Her practice creates immersive plant-filled gardens and landscapes, which are good for people and wildlife, and that aim to have a low environmental impact. She is a registered member of the Society of Garden Designers, a design member of the Association of Professional Landscapers, and the sustainability officer for the SGD as well as works with the APL council on sustainability matters. rachelbaileydesign.co.uk

Design

Adolfo Harrison

EXPERTS IN NATURAL STONE

There is a rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all. Rapid and far-reaching transitions across all sectors and systems are necessary. The choices and actions implemented in this decade will have impacts now and for the future.”

This stark warning contained within the International Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report in March 2023, was the verdict of world-leading climate scientists on their assessment of the climate emergency and ways of dealing with it. It is a powerful statement, which makes clear the urgency of the action incumbent on all of us to speed up

the decarbonisation process and reach net zero. This year we’ve seen the warmest February on record in England and Wales, and the wettest since 1836, giving us fresh evidence that our climate is adversely changing. The landscape sector must act now.

Landscape and Carbon is a vital new report to tackle carbon reduction in the UK landscape sector prepared by the Landscape Institute (LI) and British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), and a direct response to the climate emergency we face. The report sets out the climate action the landscape sector is taking, and how landscape can provide solutions for reducing and sequestering carbon in development.

Landscape professionals and landscape projects are in the unique position to help other industries to deal with, capture and store carbon, whilst simultaneously delivering a range of integrated solutions in climate resilience, biodiversity, and public health. The LI’s Skills for Greener Places research (2022) has also established that the sector employs 333,900 people, contributing £24.6bn to the UK economy in gross value added. This value, and the contribution we make to the quality of life for citizens and communities across the country, cannot be underestimated. However, when it comes to accurately measuring the amount of carbon that landscape projects – and the sector as whole – emits, we must do better.

The report was launched in March at the Landscape Institute Jellicoe lecture, and as our

LANDSCAPE AND CARBON It's time to act on

partner, BALI’s CEO Wayne Grills said on the night: “It’s about building partnerships, and a collaborative approach between the LI, BALI, our members and wider industry. It involves planners, designers, contractors and manufacturers – the whole industry.”

The ‘Landscape and Carbon’ report is a call to action, for the industry to work together and use its combined skill and expertise to reduce

8 KEY RECOMMENDATIONS

Agree a carbon assessment and management process for the UK landscape sector and refine the process as new techniques develop.

Agree a standard for the collection and assessment of data to enable the creation of a set of tools to calculate carbon outcomes.

Call on manufacturers, suppliers and assessors to provide Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for all landscape products with fully specified data.

Consider the needs of BALI and LI members, and all landscape practitioners, particularly SMEs, and support their work to deliver net zero projects.

Work with other UK built environment professionals to ensure the importance of the landscape sector in carbon reduction is recognised.

Work with HR, training and development professionals to identify all necessary educational materials and build carbon into wider CPD programmes.

Promote the carbon storage potential of landscapes to policy makers and the wider public and highlight the contribution which landscapes play in addressing the climate emergency.

Create a sector-wide action plan to achieve net zero projects, with timescales for delivery, and assign tasks to organisations.

carbon in landscape schemes and works. We are delighted to be partnering with BALI on this important work, and together we’re inviting stakeholders from across the landscape sector, and wider industry, to come together and engage in the eight key recommendations the report sets out (in the box below-left).

Reducing carbon in landscape involves work that affects the whole sector – including designers, manufacturers, suppliers, training providers, and clients. We need you to come forward with your expertise, information, case studies, good practice, research and evidence. It is vital to remember that the action required can provide opportunities for

us as a sector, and that collaboration, openness and transparency will be essential for making the work that this report sets out a success. We look forward to reducing carbon in landscape development and together, we can make a difference.

Please visit landscapeinstitute.org/ policy/landscape-and-carbon to get involved or contact the LI team at policy@landscapeinstitute.org

CAROLIN GÖHLER

Carolin Göhler FLI is presidentelect of the Landscape Institute, with her presidency due to run for two years from June 2024. She has over 35 years’ experience as a chartered landscape architect and horticulturist, and over 10 years’ experience as a CEO in the charity sector. landscapeinstitute.org

Carolin Göhler FLI introduces a new report by the LI and BALI tackling carbon reduction in the landscape sector

Images ©Landscape Institute

The idea of a native in itself is an arbitrary thing

NATIVE? Why only

Tunnel vision for planting schemes may have its downsides, considers

Lewis Normand

Isaw a discussion thread recently on LinkedIn about the essential nature of planting native plants in order to benefit wildlife. At its core, this was a wellintentioned plea in defence of nature. In reality, though, it made a complex and nuanced discussion overly simplistic in favour of worthy cause advocacy.

Yes, we should support native plants by using them in projects and encouraging greater genomic diversity in our native plants through natural mutations, some of which may benefit them in a changing climate or in response to pests and diseases. Yes, we should plant native plants, because many wildlife species benefit from specific plant food sources, nesting grounds, habitats, and so on. Yes, we should plant with natives because they represent a far smaller risk of damage to our delicate native habitats, where invasive non-natives may otherwise run amok.

All these things are true. But the idea of a native in itself is an arbitrary thing. Native plants in the UK, as far as modern humans are concerned, have been established to have existed in the UK when the land bridge with Central Europe was flooded by what is now called the North Sea and English Channel around 10,000 years ago. In the lifespan of a human, that is a huge period of time; in the lifespan of the planet, a tiny moment, and prior to it, we had thousands of native plant species that either went extinct or were unable to survive the climate change of the ice age.

On top of the idea of native, we have many plants synonymous to our thoughts of UK landscape that are much more recent ‘naturalised’ introductions. The sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and nettles (Urtica sp.) may well both be a Roman introduction to the UK. The same is true of the edible dormouse (Glis glis), which is a naturalised introduction rather than a true native like the hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius). Grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) would be an example of a non-native, but extensively naturalised species that we accept throughout the UK, our native red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) having far smaller ranges and localised populations arguably because of the proliferation of the grey squirrel. There are many plants that are firmly

naturalised in the UK, and many have been for decades or even hundreds of years. All bring benefits and many bring beauty to our parks and gardens.

But some are invasive and may well cause catastrophic damage to sites, especially where delicate, highly sensitive species are easily outcompeted. I do believe we should manage these sites to preserve these highly specialised plants and specific habitats. I feel differently about gardens and public plantings, however, and the idea that our focus should be on native plantings because they are somehow better is simply not going to hold up. Many of the trees used in cities are planted because of their form and their tolerance of pollution from industry and particularly from traffic. Many native species would struggle and even fail in these settings.

While we should be planting native heavy planting in rural environments to help populations flourish, their success will likely be more significantly impacted than many non-natives that have resilience to climate extremes in their DNA. It is here that we need to establish a strategy for plant selection that allows parks, gardens and urban environments to use a palette of plants that can tolerate mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers.

This is the current weather pattern we are experiencing, but it could well change again and again as climate change becomes more impactful on our local environments. Saving native species is a priority, but the animal species will likely adapt far quicker to alternative plant food stuffs and our bigger challenge is to protect our native plants, while determining a long-term strategy for what plants will actually work in the UK going forward.

LEWIS NORMAND

Lewis has worked in a wide variety of roles within horticulture over a 20-year career. He has lectured on garden design and horticulture, and designed gardens in the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Since 2011, Lewis has focused on nursery sales, now working as sales manager at Bernhard’s Nurseries, and has helped to launch a number of new plants into the UK plant market. He is a specialist supplier to show gardens, supplying more than 100 gardens at major shows.

Five minutes with KATHERINE HOLLAND

Drawing on her own experience, Katherine Holland embarks on her next RHS Chelsea journey with the Sue Ryder Grief Kind Garden

How did you first come into the industry?

After studying for a maths degree, I went on to work in financial risk management for 10 years before life ultimately led me to garden design. I’ve had a life-long passion for plants and gardening; I used to get so excited going to the garden centre and buying seeds at the weekends. I even remember designing areas of the garden using free landscaping software that came with Windows 98, including a large-hedged garden in the middle of the lawn as I was obsessed with the Secret Garden film – of course that was never built!

Can you tell us a bit about your company?

I combine my passion for strong design and beautiful planting to design and create bespoke, wildlife-friendly gardens for spaces of all kinds. Everyone deserves a joyful garden unique to their circumstances. Having grown up near Marlborough, I started Katherine Holland Garden Design in 2022 and now provide garden and landscape services for clients across Wiltshire, London, and surrounding areas.

How did you come to work on the Sue Ryder Grief Kind Garden?

I previously collaborated with Sue Ryder at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2022, winning an RHS Silver medal for the concept garden ‘A Journey’ that I designed with friend Becca Nash. I am continuing the conversation around grief with the Sue Ryder Grief Kind Garden at RHS Chelsea and will be drawing on my own

experience of grief to emulate the type of green space I needed myself when I was first bereaved and still do on occasion.

What was it like to be chosen to create this garden?

I’m still pinching myself that Sue Ryder and I secured the generous funding from Project Giving Back. I am so thrilled that Project Giving Back understood our combined vision to raise awareness of Sue Ryder's fantastic Grief Kind movement and bereavement support services through the medium of plants.

Who do you hope to inspire?

Almost half of the public aren’t sure what to say when someone tells them a close relative or friend has died. I hope to inspire people to feel confident with starting conversations about grief and have a better understanding of what good grief support looks like. With 86% of

I am so thrilled that Project Giving Back understood our combined vision to raise awareness of Sue Ryder's Grief Kind movement

people who have been bereaved saying they felt alone, millions of people are grieving without the help they need. We know every visitor to RHS Chelsea will have their own story, and I hope to raise awareness of Sue Ryder’s bereavement services so everyone can access the advice and support they need.

Advice for future generations?

Don’t be afraid to follow your instincts. When it comes to design, don’t be distracted by what others are doing and let imposter syndrome take hold – something I frequently remind myself. Instead, just focus on what you are doing and your own design principles.

CONTACT

Katherine Holland Garden Design

Tel 07378465851

Email hello@katherine-holland.co.uk

katherine-holland.co.uk

'A JOURNEY', IN COLLABORATION WITH SUE RYDER AT RHS HAMPTON COURT PALACE GARDEN FESTIVAL 2022