Pro Landscaper February 2013

Concept to Delivery

February 2013

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

Esse Landscapes

FOUNTAIN OF LIGHT An impressive entrance to a grand manor house

Let’s Hear it From...

Mike Cafferky, Operations Director of P Casey (Land Reclamation) Ltd

Portfolios See how three companies design and implement their projects

Green Roofs A look at the future of green roofing

February 2013 | Volume 3, Issue 2

REGULARS

PORTFOLIOS

4 News Shed Round up of news from the industry

11 Association News The SGD, APL and BALI report

29

15 Business Tips

Graduate Gardeners

More useful advice from our regular team of columnists

25 Let’s Hear it From…

Mike Cafferky, Operations Director of P Casey (Land Reclamation) Ltd

36

32

40 Plantsman’s Plot

Esse Landscapes (Cover photo by Sarah Medway)

Janine Pattison Studios

Popular plants and trees on the market

48 Latest Kit & Products

FEATURES

Turf, Spreaders and Scarifiers & Aerators

61 Trending Pro Landscaper takes a look at what’s different

8 View from the Top Introducing the first column from Phil Jones of ISS

EDITORIAL editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk Director – Lisa Wilkinson lisa.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234 077 Editorial Assistant – Rose Hales rose.hales@eljays44.com

47 Turf The TGA offers advice on choosing the right turf

ADVERTISING Business Development Manager Jamie Wilkinson Jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234 077 Sales Executive – Luke Chaplin luke.chaplin@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234 077

EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANEL Mark Gregory Chairman of APL and Landform Consultants Sam Hassall LandPRO Ltd Russell Eales Lawn care expert Karl Harrison Decking expert Keith Sacre Tree expert

Sales Executive – Sophie Abbott sophie.abbott@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234 077

FUTURESCAPE CO-ORDINATOR Joe Wilkinson joe.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234 077

GENERAL ENQUIRIES Tel: 01903 234 077

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Managing Director – Jim Wilkinson jim.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234 077

51 Green Roofs Angela Lambert on green roof development

62 People Events Diary and The Little Interview

64 Site Visit Crowders Nursery, Lincolnshire

MANAGEMENT Managing Director Jim Wilkinson Director Lisa Wilkinson

PRODUCTION Design and reproduction: Kara Thomas

Business Development Manager Jamie Wilkinson

Printed by Pensord Press Ltd, Gwent, UK

Office Manager Joe Wilkinson CIRCULATION Subscription enquiries: lisa.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234 077 Pro Landscaper is published 12 times per year by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2013 subscription price is £95.00. Subscription records are maintained at Eljays44 Ltd, County House, 3 Shelley Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 1TT, UK. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of Eljays44 Ltd and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publishers. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, uncommissioned photographs or manuscripts.

Published by ©Eljays44 Ltd – Business Intelligence

Business intelligence

Eljays44 Ltd County House, 3 Shelley Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 1TT Tel: 01903 234 077

The Association of

Professional Landscapers

Pro Landscaper is proud to be an affiliate member of BALI

Pro Landscaper is proud to be an associate member of The APL

February 2013

3

News Shed

Exciting announcements...

As we settle into 2013, Pro Landscaper is really excited to announce the launch of the FREE Pro Landscaper App, which can be found by searching Pro Landscaper in the iTunes App Store, so you will now be able to read the magazine whilst you’re on the go, as well as make the most of the interactive features.

We have lined up some interesting new columns starting this month, check out page 8 for the ‘View from the Top’ from Phil Jones of ISS Facility Services Landscaping. Following on from the hugely successful debate held at FutureScape in November, we have asked Phil to give us his views on the current hot topics in the industry – this month he concentrates on how to get the best from your staff. Also, Jacob Tompkins of Waterwise, the UK-wide water efficiency organisation, talks about the new e-learning programme developed to provide professionals in our industry with information on water efficient practices.

Finally, remember to save the date for FutureScape 2013 which returns to Kempton Park Racecourse, Sunbury-on-Thames on Tuesday 19 November – we plan to build on the success of 2012 and launch some new and exciting happenings at the event. As always we love to hear your feedback, tweet us @ProLandscaperJW. Have a great month!

Jim and Lisa Wilkinson

Gavin Jones retains Investors in People Award Announced at the annual Christmas lunch attended by over 300 Gavin Jones employees, representatives from IIP presented the company with a Gold certificate which re-accredits Gavin Jones as an Investor in People – Gold. Colin Alsop and Paul Cook, who have over 30 years’ experience with the IIP framework, said neither could recall another organisation placing so much focus upon the content of the framework to enhance business growth and development, and without exception, employees are positive and enthusiastic about the organisation.

Will Clark, GJ Managing Director added; “I would like to thank the staff for all their hard work and enthusiasm in helping to make Gavin Jones a high performing business where we are continually looking for ways to improve and develop the service we provide for our customers and clients.” www.gavinjones.co.uk

OCS wins project to enhance green spaces around Heathrow Airport International facilities management provider OCS, has been awarded a project from Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) to enhance its green spaces. The works will include creating a woodland area;

replacing plants along the perimeter roads and at the main entrance tunnels; replacing old shrubs around the approach to Terminal 4 with a combination of ivy and turf to open up the area;

infilling hedgerows; and creating new planters with seasonal bedding for Terminals 3 and 4. The 17-man team involved in the project was also responsible for creating flower displays at

Garden Planters & Urns Giant Boxes, Troughs & Cylinders available

www.roundwood.com Tel: 01435 867 072 OAK & DECKING PRODUCTS | OAK FRAMED BUILDINGS | HOME & GARDEN FEATURES

Heathrow during the Olympic Games. They were recognised for their work by winning the Team of the Year at the annual OCS Heathrow awards. www.ocs.co.uk/horticulture

News Shed

The Landscape Group transforms wasteland into community garden East Staffordshire Local Policing Team (LPT) and the community of Barton-under-Needwood have teamed up with local businesses to transform an area of wasteland plagued by anti-social behaviour and littering. With the community behind the project, a plan was drawn up by Thomas Goodwin, and The Landscape Group was approached for support. The garden was officially

opened in December. Adam Lewis, for The Landscape Group, comments: “The Landscape Group was happy to be involved in such a great scheme. The community garden has not only improved the area for residents, it has also brought

BALI South Thames AGM – an evening with Tom Hart Dyke Members attending the BALI South Thames AGM at Merrist Wood were treated to a fabulously entertaining presentation from Tom Hart Dyke, the modern day plant hunter who runs Lullingstone Castle in Eynsford, Kent, with his family. The audience were fascinated by the pure passion Tom has for orchids, and were given a delightful taste of the range on show at Lullingstone. In 1997, at the age of 24, Tom took a trip to Australia and South East Asia with friend Paul Winder, to look for rare

orchids and was captured by FARC guerrillas at Darién Gap, a large swathe of undeveloped forest separating Panama’s Darién Province in Central America from Colombia in South America.

For nine months they were held captive and threatened with

Hardwood Decking

Ipe • Balau • Oak • Garapa • Larch Components • Fastenings

www.roundwood.com Tel: 01435 867 072 OAK & DECKING PRODUCTS | OAK FRAMED BUILDINGS | HOME & GARDEN FEATURES

local businesses, organisations and the community together.” www.thelandscapegroup.co.uk

death almost daily. In order to deal with the situation he found himself in, Tom’s mind concentrated on an idea for creating a ‘World Garden’ in the grounds of his home in Kent.

Without warning and completely out of the blue, the two were released and rescued by the Red Cross two weeks before Christmas. On his return home, the design he had created whilst captive was developed within the grounds.

The garden has now been established for seven years and is open to the public from April to September from Friday to Sunday. www.lullingstonecastle.co.uk

NURSERY NEWS Wyevale Nurseries: New outlook for 2013

2013 at Wyevale Nurseries, the Hereford-based wholesale nursery, has started with a new outlook.

Gone are the blues of 2012; Wyevale Nurseries is lifting trees, transplants and the whole range of nursery stock (field and containergrown) for landscape orders to be delivered nationwide.

“With £250,000 of our capital investment in nursery stock production, this is just a snap-shot of our commitment to special lines including container shrubs, hedging transplants and container trees,” Steve Ashworth, MD, commented, “All staff inside and out are fully committed to the task in hand of supplying top quality plants to the trade. We have a vastly experienced team; for so many here it’s their life’s work in both production and customer service. We have all weathered the storms of 2012 but are ready to take on all our commitments and actively seek new projects in 2013”.

www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk

www.futurescapeevent.com IN ASSOCIATION WITH

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

TE! A D E H SAVE T

Tuesday 19 November 2013 at Kempton Park Racecourse

One Day One Indu str One Even y t

For more information please contact: Jamie Wilkinson 01903 234 077 jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com

News Shed

NEWS IN BRIEF Design strategy for La Défense

Willerby announces construction of two Chelsea Show Gardens

French architectural practice AWP will present its design strategy for La Défense, one of the most important public spaces in Paris, at this year’s MIPIM property event in March.

RHS photography competition

Michael Balston and Marie-Louise Agius whose client is Delancey, joint owner of East Village, the first residential legacy to result from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. www.willerby-landscapes.co.uk

The RHS is running a photography competition on Facebook/Twitter to mark the centenary of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Willerby Landscapes will be constructing two gardens at Chelsea 2013; one for Robert Myers and his client Brewin Dolphin, one of the UK’s largest independent private client investment managers, and the other for landscape architects

Canary Wharf undergoes new design

Quadron wins contracts with Surrey Schools

Peter Walker & Partners Landscape Architecture has been appointed to design the 20-acre mixed-use site at Wood Wharf, east of Canary Wharf.

Classiflora and Zelari form alliance

A business alliance between Classiflora and Italian grower Zelari has been formalised, with Zelari taking an active shareholding in the Essexbased company. The deal is seen as a sign of Zelari’s confidence in the long term prospects for the UK market.

Quadron is pleased to have been awarded three new contracts which will see the company providing grounds maintenance services to schools in East Surrey for four years from January 2013.

The company will provide regular programmed visits promising minimal disruption and high standards of customer care, with staff adhering to a strict code of conduct developed specifically for schools clients. Quadron brings considerable experience of working with schools to encourage children to become interested in horticulture and promoting healthy eating, by introducing school

Oak Framed Buildings

Garages • Gazebos • Dining Areas Outbuildings • Smoking Shelters

www.roundwood.com Tel: 01435 867 072 OAK & DECKING PRODUCTS | OAK FRAMED BUILDINGS | HOME & GARDEN FEATURES

vegetable plots and planting sessions. Managing Director of Quadron, Clive Ivil, commented, “We are extremely pleased to add East Surrey’s schools to our portfolio of educational clients and look forward to building a relationship with them as we develop the service.” www.quadronenvironment.com

Glendale awarded increased responsibility to their existing contract with North Somerset Council The strong partnership built between Glendale and North Somerset Council has resulted in the company being awarded the street cleansing, grounds maintenance and beach cleansing contract in addition to the £150,000 arboriculture contract they already provide. Glendale is able to recycle and recover approximately 4,500 tonnes of waste which will be managed at their state-of-the-art recycling centre on the outskirts of Exeter.

“It is expected that nearly £1million will be saved through efficiencies and recycling waste away from landfill,” explains Terry Doyle, Glendale’s Regional Director for the South West. As par t of the contract mobilisation process, approximately 60 locally based staff members will transfer from OCS and The Landscape Group. The new staff will benefit from progression through the company and will be provided with award-winning, LANTRA-, NPTC- and RoSPA- accreditedtraining sessions. www.glendale-services.co.uk

News Extra

View from the Top Phil Jones discusses how those at the top can learn and build their businesses by engaging with their staff on the front line

We are now well into the new calendar year and no doubt fully occupied with achieving the key priorities of our businesses. In each of my 33 years in landscaping, it has occurred to me that our ‘real’ new year comes with the early spring, which brings renewed interest from many quarters in the work we do.

Every new year I read a lot of the expectations that we all have and what we think will affect our success. There is always the danger that we will overlook one important element of our preparation for the spring; that is the collective expectations of our employees.

So, how about looking into the landscaping ‘new year’ through the eyes of our staff? By ‘new year’ I mean the point at which each individual resets their own clock, puts behind them the residue of the autumn and winter and looks to spring. What are the expectations of this most valuable resource and how do we harness these hopes to ensure we collectively succeed every season?

The front line From my days ‘on the tools’ I know the early season excitement that comes with the sun on your back, which brings with it the motivation for a new start. In today’s climate, the thought of another year under leaden skies must be a particularly unpleasant prospect for those literally out in the elements.

Those for whom passion for land based work is the key driver – and there are still a huge number in our industry – need to look to their leaders for strong direction and support. In these economically challenging times they will even look for just the feeling 8

February 2013

of comfort and security. It is how we assess and react to the hopes and expectations of our staff that dictates our future success.

Our staff are on the front line; they see the changes in customer priorities and market conditions at the sharp end much earlier than those at the top of businesses ever can.

So, how about looking into the landscaping ‘new year’ through the eyes of our staff?

By engaging with our people we harness their ideas, their visions and their enthusiasm, which enables them to contribute and add value to the end goals of our customers.

Engaging with people comes in many forms.

The most effective way of adding value to our employees and encouraging them to contribute to our customers’ ultimate goals is through education – a real effort to focus jointly with our people on the things that matter most to them individually, to our customers, and to the success of the business. Education, in this context, is a two way process; leaders must not only teach, but must be willing to learn from their ‘students’.

Whenever the ‘real’ new year comes for each of us, we need to be sure that we will be ready. We all know we benefit from working in partnership with our customers; that relationship should extend to all of the stakeholders, but principally to our employees.

ABOUT PHIL JONES Phil Jones is Managing Director of ISS Facility Services Landscaping and is based at the company’s head office in Woking, Surrey. He gained an HND in landscape construction and moved into grounds maintenance early on in his career, further gaining an MBA. He has been with the company since 1987 and as well as running the landscaping business he also sits on the UK operational management board of ISS Facility Services. www.isslandscaping.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Seats

Litter Bins

Bollards

Shelters

Studs

Cycle Stands

Signage

Best get in early to avoid disappointment!

Balustrades & Railings

s Lunch-time ircus dilly C are like Pica got these since they ches. nice new ben

Stainless Steel Poles

BenchMark. Off-the-shelf street furniture that doesn’t look it.

Now Gatic offers the best of both worlds. With StreetWise you can have project-specific street furniture to your own design or choose from our new BenchMark series.

Advertising Drums

The BenchMark range looks exactly like an expensive custom-built product but is in fact, readily available off-the-shelf. The new range features corrosion resistant 316 stainless steel, rugged machined Iroko hardwood and an attractive oval design motif and section.

More than just benches

Sculptures

As well as the benches, seats, bins and bollards, shown here, there is a list of more than 20 other, equally stylish stock items available, covering every conceivable street furniture requirement – from balustrades to bus shelters and from sculptures to tree protection.

If we don’t have what you need, just ask and we’ll make it for you.

Bespoke design service Bursting with your own ideas about the kind of street furniture best suited to your project? Why not talk to our design team? We can help you refine your ideas and bring them to production.

Bump Rails

To find out more or to discuss a project with one of our advisors, please visit www.gatic.com or call our StreetWise team on +44 (0)1304 203545

Door Barriers

Kerbing

Internal Bollards

Cladding

Rosettes

Skirting

Corner Guards

Specialised Engineering. Special Advice.

Wall Guards

Tree Protection

Benches

NICHOLSONS

A passion for excellence in all we do!

Trees,Hedging Screening &Topiary

We have over 10 miles of container grown established hedging on our nursery- ready for your schemes.

Contact Shirley, Merlin or Fenella to see how we can help you.

“The customer focus at Majestic Trees is very impressive, there is a genuine team enthusiasm for the client’s needs and love of their trees is very evident. The nursery runs with an air of confident efficiency, care and attention to detail that is conveyed right until the trees are delivered to site.

It is easy to do business with Majestic Trees.”

Mark Gregory, Landform Design and Construction, winner of 20 Gold Medals at The Chelsea Flower Show

We look forward to your call.

Open Monday-Friday 7.30am-4.30pm

• DELIVERED • PLANTED • GUARANTEED •

01582 843881 www.majestictrees.co.uk

NICHOLSONS North Aston, Bicester, Oxfordshire. OX25 6HL. 01869 340342 e-mail sales@nicholsonsplants.com

www.nicholsonsplants.com

Majestic Trees is open Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5pm and Saturday 10am - 4pm* *5pm close on Saturdays March 1st to October 31st

LONDON LUTON AIRPORT

M1

JUNCTION 9

Chequers Hill, Flamstead, Nr St.Albans, Herts, AL3 8ET Tel: 01582 843881 Fax: 01582 843882 e-mail: info@majesticgroup.co.uk

Association News – BALI

A

fter what can only be described as a truly memorable year for BALI in 2012, the BALI team is now hard at work shaping the association’s future, following both the major market research project we undertook in 2012 and our stated intention to increase collaboration with other industry bodies. The market research told us that BALI has the potential to increase its membership to around 1,600 – and this would certainly make sure our members’ collective industry voice was heard at the highest level. Chief Operations Officer Wayne Grills is already communicating BALI’s future plans to grass roots members at the regional AGMs, which started with North Thames on 8 January and end in Scotland on 14 March.

If your own region’s AGM hasn’t yet taken place, don’t miss it!

BALI briefing Business as usual?

Not quite!

Sustainable Growing Media Working Group Following a recent meeting between BALI and Defra to discuss the specification and use of sustainable growing media in landscaping and contract horticulture, and more specifically the procurement supply chain for plant contracts, BALI has BALI Technical Officer sought agreed to bring together As part of the market a small working group research findings and of relevant and membership feedback, representative and in line with BALI members the BALI Board’s to contribute strategic review, the to Defra’s association is now consultation on looking to recruit an the issue. Landscape exceptional individual to 2 contractors, nurseries, take on the new role growing media suppliers/ of Technical Officer. manufacturers and specifiers (local Not only will strong contemporary authorities/landscape architects/ cross-discipline technical landscaping etc) who would be prepared to and health & safety knowledge contribute to the working group be required, but so too will an (two members are required from appreciation of the wider landscape each industry group) should email industry’s challenges and issues. denise.ewbank@bali.org.uk as The ability to provide technical soon as possible. support to BALI members and to work alongside BALI Board members in engaging at policy Landscape Collaborative and strategic level with other Working Group professional and trade bodies, Continuing the theme of and government departments, is working across the industry, the also required. For a detailed job next meeting of the Landscape description please email kirsty.

Collaborative Working Group wood@bali.org.uk in confidence. takes place at Merrist Wood www.prolandscapermagazine.com

1

1 BALI Landscape House 2 Trial nursery stock growing in a sustainable growing medium

College, near Guildford, on Thursday 14 February.

This group, initially brought together in late 2011 by former BALI National Chairman Paul Cowell, currently comprises the chief executives/senior officers of 16 industry bodies, including BALI,

3 Young landscapers at the WorldSkills UK heats 2012

easier and more cost effective.

The new website will provide the best possible job board platform on which BALI members can advertise vacancies and attract the horticulture industry’s best talent.

People looking for work will be able to go onto the website and view

The BALI team is now hard at work shaping the association's future and is an opportunity for these organisations to talk freely and openly under Chatham House rules about the issues facing the wider landscape industry, and improve communication and the dissemination of information between industry sectors.

The meeting on 14 February will be hosted and chaired by the new Principal and Chief Executive of Merrist Wood College, Mike Potter CBE.

the latest job opportunities posted

by BALI member companies.They will also be able to sign up to one of the site’s feeds so that they can be alerted when new vacancies are posted. Companies requiring additional recruitment support can take advantage of multi-buy advertising discounts and use the enhanced Search and Select service provided by FCR-Jobs.The BALI jobs website is due to be launched imminently.

And finally...

Two exciting new initiatives of which BALI members should be aware:

● BALI Chalk Fund £1,000 grants BALI member companies who are considering taking on a landscape 3 apprentice can apply for a grant of £1,000. For further information contact kirsty.wood@bali.org.uk.

● BALI Jobs This new service, exclusively for BALI members, is designed to make employee recruitment

February 2013

11

Association News – SGD

Calling all designers...

2012 Award winning design by Ian Kitson FSGD

W

ith the ink barely dry on the 2012 Awards certificates, the Society is turning its attention to the 2013 SGD Awards, which are now open for submissions from SGD members. With four new award categories, including one open to the general public, the SGD Awards are now more accessible than ever.

Sponsors The new headline sponsor for the 2013 Awards is the tree specialist Barcham Trees, and the Society is pleased to welcome back many existing category sponsors including Landform Consultants, Euro Plants, Stonemarket, Instant Landscapes, Stockscape, Architectural Plants, and Alitex alongside a host of new companies keen to be part of the Awards.

Award Categories New award categories for 2013 include Big Design, Small Budget – an award which recognises that great design need not be restricted by budget; Paper Landscapes – which offers an opportunity for designers to submit creative ideas that might never have been built; and Renovation – an award for the renovation of an existing garden or the creation of a new design for an existing landscape.

To reflect the value of some of the smaller community spaces, the 12

February 2013

Start planning your entries for the 2013 SGD Awards!

new Designing for Community Spaces Award will invite SGD members and non-members alike to enter gardens they feel have benefited the local community.

Other on-going award categories include the highly prized Judges’ Award; the SGD Grand Award – the most prestigious award of the ceremony, which was won last year by Dan Pearson MSGD; and The John Brookes Lifetime Achievement Award which is gifted by the SGD Council to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the industry. Last year this went to landscape architect and author Charles Jencks.

The Society is also continuing to work with media partner Homes & Gardens magazine who will be running the People’s Choice Award, calling on their readers and the general public alike to cast their vote for their favourite garden.

Launching the new scheme, awards organiser Helen ElksSmith MSGD said: “the SGD looks forward with confidence to building on the success of the 2012 SGD Awards in supporting and promoting the work of its members and engaging with the industry on landscape and garden design. The range of award categories reflects the businesses of our members and we look forward to seeing further

2012 Award winning design by Amanda Patton MSGD

examples of the incredible work produced by the membership.”

2013 Awards ● INTERNATIONAL AWARD (Sponsored by Landform Consultants) ● PUBLIC OR COMMERCIAL OUTDOOR SPACE ● LARGE RESIDENTIAL OUTDOOR SPACE (Sponsored by Provender) ● MEDIUM RESIDENTIAL (Sponsored by Euro Plants) ● SMALL RESIDENTIAL (Sponsored by Stonemarket) ● NEW: BIG DESIGN, SMALL BUDGET (Sponsored by Natural Paving Products) ● FUTURE DESIGNERS (Sponsored by Deepdale) ● PLANTING DESIGN (Sponsored by Instant Landscapes) ● NEW: RENOVATION (Sponsored by Haddonstone) ● HARDSCAPE (Sponsored by Stockscape) ● LIGHTING ● STUDENT DESIGNER (Sponsored by Architectural Plants) ● NEW: PAPER LANDSCAPES (Sponsored by Modern Garden Company)

● NEW: DESIGNING FOR COMMUNITY SPACE ● THE JOHN BROOKES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (Sponsored by Alitex) ● PEOPLE’S CHOICE (Sponsored by Homes & Gardens) ● THE JUDGES’ AWARD (Sponsored by CED Natural Stone) ● THE GRAND AWARD (Sponsored by Barcham)

Key dates for main awards: 8 March 2013 – Register intent to enter along with entry fee to receive an early bird rate 12 April 2013 – final deadline for submissions Key dates for Student Award and Designing for Community Spaces Award 8 July 2013 – Register intent to enter along with entry fee to receive an early bird rate 12 August 2013 – final deadline for submissions January 2014 – Awards Ceremony Visit the new SGD Awards website for information on all the award categories and details of how to enter: www.sgdawards.com www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Association News – APL

Announcing the...

The Association of

Professional Landscapers

APL Awards Shortlist 2013 This year’s shortlist is revealed...

Vandenberg-Hider Landscape Design won the Special Feature Award in 2012

A

nnually, since 1995, the APL have been proud to recognise and reward the high standard of landscape contracting carried out by APL registered members. The expert judging panel met in December to review the entries and pick out the all-important winner of the prestigious Supreme Award. The panel includes APL chair Mark Gregory, Richard Barnard from Hillier Landscapes, Adam Frost from Adam Frost Designs, Juliet Roberts from Gardens Illustrated, and Sarah Eberle from Sarah Eberle Landscape Design.

Those companies shortlisted for the 2013 awards are: ● Project Value Under £20,000 Adams Landscape Contractors Artscape Design & Build Ltd Hambrooks Landscapes James Bird Landscapes Ltd ● Project Value £20,000 - £40,000 Garden Makers James Bird Landscapes Ltd ● Project Value £40,000 - £100,000 Artscape Design & Build Ltd Vandenberg-Hider Landscape Design Wildroof Landscapes ● Project Value £100,000 - £250,000 Artscape Design & Build Ltd Walmsley Shaw www.prolandscapermagazine.com

● Project Value Over £250,000 Acre Landscapes RG Landscapes & Construction Ltd ● Hard Landscaping Adams Landscape Contractors Claudia de Yong Designs Garden Makers ● Overall Design and Build Arun Landscapes Frogheath Landscapes New Eden Landscapes Ltd ● Commercial Garden Acre Landscapes Plevey & Sons Ltd The Garden Builders ● Special Feature Artscape Design & Build Ltd Marshall Landscapes The Garden Builders ● Young Achievers Award To be announced at the Awards The presentation lunch will again be held at the Roof Gardens in Kensington High Street, London.

It is the perfect venue for the event, with three themed gardens covering 1.5 acres that include over 70 full sized trees, a stream stocked with fish and resident wildfowl, and flamingos!

The awards, which are sponsored by Bradstone, are a great

opportunity to celebrate the best in British landscaping and promote members’ commitment to quality landscaping and keeping their customers completely satisfied.

For further information and to book your place visit www.aplawards.co.uk APL Networking Seminar – Ethical & Sustainable Landscaping The APL is delighted to invite you to a seminar and networking event for landscapers and garden designers at Classiflora, Essex on Wednesday 6 March 2013.

The event provides a great opportunity for APL members to get together to listen, learn and share experiences. The theme of the seminar is the ever-increasing industry issue of ethical & sustainable landscaping.

The seminar will be lively and informative and will provide advice and guidance from a host of experienced industry professionals. The exciting line up of speakers includes Angela Lambert of Q Lawns, who will explain the environmental benefits of living green roofs and wild flower

meadows; and Wayne Langford, Director of Sudscape, who will highlight the ethical importance of porous paving and help to clarify the revised legislation for sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDs) coming into force in April 2013. There will also be time during and after the seminar to discuss issues raised.

In addition to the packed programme the seminar coincides with Classiflora’s open days; seminar attendees are encouraged to arrive early and enhance their visit by attending the Q&A session with popular garden writer and broadcaster Monty Don at 2pm. Guests will then have the opportunity to take a tour of the Classiflora site before the seminar commences at 4pm.

Following the seminar there will be a buffet and refreshments along with additional networking opportunities to meet other landscapers and designers.

Places cost just £15 + VAT per person for APL members or £30 + VAT per person for non-members. For more information or to book your place contact the APL events team by emailing events@the-hta.org.uk, calling 0118 9303132 or visiting www.the-hta.org.uk/events.

February 2013

13

Van den Berk – genuine tree experiences Van den Berk trees can make any green dream a reality, from city garden to manor lane, from office park to market square. Van den Berk Nurseries offers an almost inexhaustible choice of trees.

Quality trees which offer the necessary green counterbalance and which create a harmonious picture. Trees which add atmosphere to your project and make everyone feel at home...

Donderdonk 4 ı 5492 VJ Sint-Oedenrode ı The Netherlands ı Tel. + 31 (0)413 - 480 480 ı Fax. + 31 (0)413 - 480 490 ı www.vdberk.com

The Finest Decking for Beautiful Projects by

Exterior Decking supply the finest decking materials to commercial and domestic projects across the UK and Europe.

With the largest range of decking materials in the UK, Exterior is the first choice by Architects and Designers for specifying projects where their clients demand the best.

Exterpark Hardwood decking is available in 10 timber species, 3 thicknesses and is the only timber decking to have a patented invisible stainless fixing system providing a beautiful screw-less decking project.

TEAK • IPE • KEBONY • ELONDO • DOUSSIE KURUPAY • MERBAU • LAPACHO CUMARU • MASSARANDUBA

Exterior Decking advert.indd 4

Exterior Decking exclusively uses and recommends Owatrol decking oil

17/10/2012 15:52

Business Tips

Landscaping+water a new approach Jacob Tompkins celebrates the important collaboration between the water and horticultural sectors, and introduces the e-learning programme for water efficiency

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

KARA THOMAS

The main outcome of the meetings was an This is my first column about water use exemption from hosepipe bans for domestic in landscaping. In future columns I will be trickle irrigation; this might not sound like a lot highlighting ways to use water more but it is a demonstration of the water industry’s efficiently and discuss best practice, commitment to working with the landscape sector. but I will start by talking about the In addition, a lot of water companies began to new e-learning programme for provide lower grade water for landscaping water efficiency. This is putting the purposes.The next key area being discussed is cart before the horse but it’s how to deal with turf laying during hosepipe bans, something that’s happening now that will which has led to the development of a water affect everyone in the industry. I will talk efficiency e-learning programme. about how to demonstrate water The water industry is supporting the efficiency this month and the why, what professional bodies that represent the garden, and where next time. landscape, turf and sports industries (APL, Last year was all about water, too BALI, HTA, IOG, RHS, SGD and TGA – much and too little, with the worst ever a prize to anyone who can email me with an groundwater drought followed by the appropriate watery anagram from this lot!) second wettest year on record. to develop a Waterwise e-learning The weather provided probably the programme on water efficiency. worst conditions possible for the The e-learning tools are being horticultural, gardening, and developed right now and the aim landscaping industries. is to provide landscapers, Whilst there are now gardening professionals, and enough water resources to groundskeepers with suggest no hosepipe bans in information on water 2013, it is clear that in the efficient practices, to future we must expect encourage learning, and more floods and more One positive thing to to test knowledge of droughts. However, come out of last year’s best practice (in terms one positive thing to events was a better of water use) in the come out of last year’s industry. The learning events was a better relationship between will all be online, can be relationship between the horticultural and done remotely, and will the horticultural and water sectors lead to a Waterwise Best water sectors.

Practice Certificate.

Waterwise and the HTA The hope is that professionals kicked off detailed discussions will undertake the learning modules between the water industry and key and use the knowledge to improve practices and players in the gardening sector, like the RHS to demonstrate their water efficiency credentials and a number of landscaping and garden to clients. Ultimately it will form part of the centre company representatives.

requirements and audit procedures of the professional and trade bodies in the sector.

Hopefully it will also mean that water companies who are providing funding for the setup of the scheme, will be able to identify landscapers who are committed to best practice in water use.

It may also enable flexibility in Temporary Use Bans (hosepipe bans), although this will require a lot of negotiation.

This initiative represents an excellent step towards embedding best practice in water use, and provides a way for landscape professionals to demonstrate a responsible approach to water efficiency and resilience. So keep an eye out for the new water efficiency e-learning; it will be good for the environment and good for business.

ABOUT WATERWISE Waterwise is a UK NGO focused on decreasing water consumption in the UK and building the evidence base for large-scale water efficiency. Waterwise is an independent, not-for-profit organisation working closely with the water industry, governments and regulators, manufacturers and retailers. Waterwise is acknowledged by governments and regulators as the leading UK authority on water efficiency. www.waterwise.org.uk Jacob Tompkins is the Managing Director of Waterwise, the independent water efficiency organisation: jtompkins@waterwise.org.uk

February 2013

15

Business Tips

Future approval

It may come as a surprise to many people, but European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) is now upon us.

For trailers it has been with us since the end of October 2012; this means it is illegal for a manufacturer to sell a trailer in the UK without legally recognised approval – regardless of the build date. For commercial vehicles, the process started back in 2009 and should be completed by 2014 with the aim of ensuring that all vehicles, their systems and components are approved to the appropriate national and European environmental and safety standards.

So why mention it now you ask, surely the vehicle manufacturers are sorting all this out and it won’t affect me other than an inevitable increase in the cost of a new vehicle? Well yes, that is the case, unless you buy a vehicle as a bare chassis and have the bodywork constructed to your own specification. We all know the scenario: “I want a tipper, but it needs to do several jobs, so it’ll need a toolbox – no, two toolboxes, then sides and possibly a roof for wood chipping, loading ramps to carry machines” and so on. Before you know where you are you’ve got Thunderbird 2 parked in your yard.

Unfortunately, new vehicle bodywork must now also be type approved so that everything from the tie-down points to the drop sides complies with the standard. You may find that your coachworks offer you several variations for which they have gained approval but this might not suit your applications.

16

February 2013

Angus Lindsay looks at how the new Vehicle Type Approval regulations will affect the landscaping and amenity industry

Before you know where you are, you’ve got Thunderbird 2 parked in your yard On a similar theme, manufacturers of mowing machines will have to catch up and comply with changes in engine construction regulations in an effort to reduce emissions. If 2012 was anything to go by then global warming is definitely a reality, changing weather patterns, flooding, and freak storms have all been attributed to man’s influence on the environment. We’re all aware of the need to reduce emissions in cars and large commercial vehicles (currently the Euro 5 emission limit has been enforced, with Euro 6 just around the corner) but what of construction and agricultural machinery? These always seem to be last when it comes to changes in engine emissions, although the latest tractors and earth movers now feature urea injection systems as used by commercial vehicles. So where does it

leave the ride-on mower, is it small enough in terms of size and volume not to be an issue?

Unfortunately this is not the case.

In the future, small engine manufacturers such as Kubota, Yanmar and Briggs that still use diesel fuel will have to develop cleaner engines using ‘lean burn’ or SMART technology and/or larger catalytic converters. Catalytic converters require an occasional burst of heat – up to 600°C – to burn off soot, which is not a problem on road vehicles but could prove interesting where dry grass is concerned. It could also see a rethink on alternative fuel use – such as using petrol, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), and even electric power for commercial mowers. None of these solutions are out of the question but they could increase the physical size of the machine and make the engines more powerful, and one thing is certain – the cost will go up.

Ultimately, improving efficiency and machine utilisation is our best way forward So what else is on the horizon? Despite HMRC relaxing the rules on the use of red diesel in tractors to allow farmers to help grit and clear snow from public roads during extreme weather, it is unlikely that the landscaping and amenity industry will see any changes that might benefit us. Ultimately, improving efficiency and machine utilisation is our best way forward.

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

also spent a year at Silsoe, gaining an MSc in Agricultural Engineering and Mechanisation Management. Returning to the UK he joined Glendale as machinery manager in l994 – going on to become Company Engineer – before joining The Landscape Group in 2009 as Group Head of Assets and Fleet.

Contact: alindsay@thelandscapegroup.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

THE GROUNDS MOWER THAT’S MADE-TO-MEASURE. The CT Compact range of triple mowers from Toro provides the perfect machine when access is limited or restricted. Ideal for situations where obstacles such as trees, bollards or gateposts make cutting difficult, the CT Compact permits efficient mowing without leaving areas uncut.

Designed with an exceptionally narrow transport width of just 130cm, it fits comfortably on a trailer, truck or even in the back of a van, but still offers a generous cutting width of 212cm.

FREE

ONSITE RATION DEMONST

ON CALL LELY 9 84 01480 226

Available as either the two-wheel-drive CT2120 or four-wheel-drive CT2140, the range also boasts powerful, proven cutting units with numerous blade configurations and a whole host of other features to make the CT the most flexible mower in any situation, however tight.

Call 01480 226849 or visit toro.com

THE CT2140 COMPACT TRIPLE MOWER Grounds mowers from Toro – now brought to you by Lely, award-winning UK distributors of Toro for over 30 years.

Toro Grounds Products are distributed by Lely (UK) Limited, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire PE19 1QH. Tel: 01480 226849 Email: toro.info.uk@lely.com www.lely.com www.toro.com

GM360 QUAD-STEER

LT3340 HEAVY-DUTY

GM3400 ROTARY

TM7490 TRAILED

Business Tips

Britain in Bloom has done much to raise the profile of horticulture in our communities.

At a time when green spaces are under threat due to reduced public funding, the competition has become increasingly significant in ensuring that our communities are attractive places in which to live, work and visit.

One of the competition’s great strengths is the fact that it involves people from all walks of life: from amateur gardeners to professional landscapers and local authorities. In fact, the competition now involves around 200,000 volunteers across the UK. Key to the success of Britain in Bloom is familiarity with the three main judging criteria: horticulture, environmental and community participation, and what they involve. These concepts should underpin the entry and be demonstrable to the judges.

Community involvement One of the main aims of Britain in Bloom is to create community participation, so aim to involve a wide section of the community.

Include local businesses, charities and volunteers by issuing regular appeals.

The competition has significant benefits for businesses so write to them outlining the benefits and share plans for development.

Horticultural practice This should include a structured maintenance programme, clearly documented so it can be judged. Budget is also a consideration; the most cost effective plants are those that last the season, so invest in high quality plants and suitable compost. Pick plants that naturally thrive in the environment; a plant local to the region will be judged favourably.

If money is tight, Jeff Bates, Vice Chair of the Britain in Bloom judges’ panel has some practical advice: “Don’t do what you do less well, do less of it. For example, you could put fewer plants in a bedding display by spacing them further apart, but this lowers the quality.

Far better to permanently plant a bed or two, or even grass some less prominent sites. It’s an opportunity to re-think how horticulture can best meet current local needs.”

Be inventive in the selection of plants and designs; consider using promenade planters which will enhance walkways and frontages, 18

February 2013

Britain in Bloom John Williamson of horticultural suppliers Amberol explains how to prepare a successful bid for Britain in Bloom

1

2

and fountain planters to create stunning displays.

Hanging baskets and window boxes draw the eye up and add another level of interest.

Addressing environmental issues Sustainability and the environment are an important part of any entry, so build this into design, planting and maintenance schemes.

Self-watering containers are well received by the judges as they require less maintenance and conserve water by releasing continual moisture to plants. Judges will also be looking for evidence of conservation and biodiversity, resource management and management of local heritage, so ensure that you address these issues.

Plan the route Planning the judging route is crucial: include well maintained private gardens but remember that community gardens and allotments also form part of the judging criteria. Recognition of wild areas is also considered, so include these where possible. Whilst planning the route, beware of problem and neglected areas. In Bloom is not just about the blooms themselves, but the community as a whole.

Britain in Bloom may be hard work, but those who take part understand its worth.

As Jeff Bates comments, “Britain in Bloom makes places greener and cleaner, involves all ages within communities, encourages visitors and brings people together – there is no better community campaign.”

3

1 Planters in Saltburn, North Yorkshire.

2 Amberol baskets in Norwich.

3 Floral displays in Birmingham.

ABOUT JOHN WILLIAMSON John Williamson is the marketing manager at Amberol. Established in 1969, Amberol is a family run company which makes and supplies a range of horticultural products including planters, self-watering containers, benches and talking rubbish bins.

For more information about Amberol’s products please visit www.amberol.co.uk or call 01773 830 930. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Business Tips

Clients: who needs them?

Chat to any designer for even a short period of time and clients will figure in the conversation; the language that surfaces is not always complimentary.

Andrew Wilson comments...

Although some clients are visionaries and truly on board as an enlightened part of the design team, these national treasures are great rarities.

As well as teaching students and delivering professional workshops I often feel the need to aim some of my training at future clients – they represent the absentee in the education of the three way partnership with the landscaper and designer.

Of course the clients own the sites on which we work and bank roll the whole project; they also have to live with the results. But, and it’s a big but, their awareness of the cost of garden and landscape design is so minimal that it threatens the whole balance of the relationship throughout the entire project. For the domestic client this lack of awareness often leads to a strange mis-connection between illusion and reality, thus big ideas and expansive dreams often tumble once costs are discussed.

Fact: building a new garden costs money. Skill levels, labour, and material rates are equivalent to any other part of the construction industry.

Fact: employing a designer costs money. Their time and expertise need to be supported.

These seem like obvious statements but so many clients continue to be surprised by what they perceive to be excessive costs.

For commercial clients, budgets are often in place before design discussions begin, and so www.prolandscapermagazine.com

many times these budgets are unrealistic, minimal or open to abuse. Landscaping budgets are rarely ring-fenced and are all too often pillaged by other professionals working alongside, supposedly in the same team.

The commercial client often sees the landscape in negative terms, perhaps as an enforced planning requirement or as a maintenance liability rather than a positive investment in the wider environment for future users.

This lack of foresight is common to both domestic and commercial clients. For most, the reason they might employ a designer is to give a sense of scope and to see what is possible.

If only they would realise this as they revoke decisions and slash proposals that often they originally requested.

I am not suggesting that the designer always knows best here, although their professional training and experience surely have to be taken into account, but the client is the fundamental cornerstone of good design. They need to have the will, the wherewithal and the sense of partnership, of shared goals that can achieve optimum results and often save money.

The creative capabilities of the designer and landscaper team, and an understanding of the character and personality of the site form the other two essential elements.

It is up to the designer to tease out client needs and aspirations but also to keep everyone’s feet firmly on the ground. At Wilson McWilliam Studio we firstly introduce ourselves and the approach we take before discussing the designs we produce. We show example

So many clients continue to be surprised by what they perceive to be excessive costs schemes which have an easily identifiable associated cost. Alternatively we produce a typical cost per m², in relation to the size and likely treatment of our gardens and landscapes.

We invest time in the briefing discussion and then work to several sketch design options.

What then ensues is both a presentation and often a re-briefing as the client starts to see the possibilities unfold. We find that this approach develops trust but also a sense of what is possible and why.

We need to support our clients both in the work they want to commission and enjoy, and for the benefit of our own businesses. Why not share your approach at editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk and let us all learn from each other’s good practice.

ABOUT ANDREW WILSON Andrew Wilson is a landscape and garden designer as well as Director of Wilson McWilliam Studio. He is also a Director of the London College of Garden Design, an author and an RHS judge of Show Gardens. www.wmstudio.co.uk

February 2013

19

Business Tips

Companies with quality, environmental or health and safety management systems such as ISO9001, ISO14001 and OHSAS18001 will be familiar with the requirement to demonstrate evidence of ‘continual improvement’.

For some businesses, especially those that are small, it can be difficult to know what to set as objectives and targets to achieve such improvements.

Here Jodie Read shares some of the ideas that have been implemented by other landscaping businesses.

SMART objectives lead to continual improvement

Improvement opportunities can arise from across any part of the business; from sales and marketing to operations or human resources.

Some may be low cost initiatives that are easy to implement, whilst others may take more time and investment. All can be planned to ensure the greatest chance of success.

Examples of real improvements that have been achieved Examples of some real improvement projects implemented within landscaping businesses include: ● Introduce new estimating software for improved accuracy of job costing. ● Introduce the use of simple site survey forms to improve the consistency of data-gathering from initial visits to prospective client sites. ● Reduce the amount of green waste being sent to landfill by setting up a composting process on site (subject to Environment Agency approval). ● Improve operational efficiency and reduce both the financial cost and environmental impact of carrying out grounds maintenance visits by amending route plans so that technicians focus on sites within geographic clusters. ● Deliver refresher manual handling training to all operatives.

Using fact based information Each business is unique. The right improvements for any business will therefore also be unique.

The examples above won’t be right for every business, but were selected by landscaping businesses using fact based information from their

20

February 2013

own systems. Such information can be derived from an organisation’s own internal audit findings reports, nonconformities or customer complaints etc. Recurring trends can help a business to focus on what actions should be taken to improve performance.

SMART objectives and targets Before setting any improvement objectives, it is worth remembering the words Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound (often represented by the acronym SMART). In order to achieve an improvement objective, it is likely that a company will need to achieve a number of smaller targets. To ensure that each step

is planned properly, the improvement objectives and the associated targets should be documented.

A suggested ‘Improvement Action Plan’ template can be downloaded free of charge from: www.penarth.co.uk/about/resources as a starting point, and allows progress to be recorded.

Following the plan By following the documented improvement objectives and the associated targets, companies are more likely to succeed in achieving their aims and will therefore be able to demonstrate continual improvement.

ABOUT JODIE READ Jodie Read is the Managing Director of Penarth Management Limited; a company which helps to make businesses better, greener and safer through the provision of specialist compliance consultancy and training for quality, environmental, health and safety management. She and her colleagues assist companies to implement and maintain management systems, such as

ISO9001, NHSS18, ISO14001 and OHSAS18001.

Jodie is also one of only a few approved ROLO trainers in the country. The company is an affiliate member of BALI and one of the first ever winners of the prestigious BALI Affiliate Award for Exceptional Service. If readers have any queries regarding continual improvement in business management systems, they are welcome to contact Jodie via email: jodie@penarth.co.uk or by telephone on 029 2070 3328.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

TENDERCARE

Mature & Formal Hardy Plants

Unrivalled range of mature plants To provide instant effect in your planting schemes.

Online Nursery - One Stop Shop

Plants in the 'Nurseryman's Art' exquisitely formed and pruned trees.

• • • •

Bay, Box, & Yew Topiary Evergreen Screening 1 to 6 metre tall 9cm and 1 litre Herbs & Alpines 1 and 3 litre Shrubs & Perennials over 2000 plant varieties • Specimen & Architectural plants • Mature Trees and much more...

Maturity Matters - Semi-mature trees 'character', parkland and avenue specimens including graceful conifers.

Trees - 'Through the garden gate' ideal for the smaller garden.

Japanese maples and bamboos admired the World over.

Shrubs for the connoisseur larger than sold by your garden centre 10L to 1000L pots.

01590 683487 agrumi.co.uk info@agrumi.co.uk

Fruit trees - perfect for the Potager! Mature trees, espalier, fan-trained and 'step-overs'.

Nationwide delivery or Cash and Carry from Agrumi Limited Meadow Farm, Sway Road, Tiptoe, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 6FR For competitive quotes contact Stanley Jackson on 0778 606 4018 Wyevale Ticket Advert Jan 2013:Layout 1

10/1/13

13:48

Your ticket to a greener landscape

Page 2

Hedges-for privacy and structure prepared units to form'instant', clipped runs.

Plants of the Mediterranean - and 'Planthunter' exotics - olives, palms and spikey plants for the arid and tropical look.

Wall-trained shrubs and climbers grown and trained for immediate impact.

'Instant borders' - seasonal herbaceous plants, ferns and grasses - foliage and flowering plants, deciduous and evergreen, to add form, texture and colour for any location.

Exotic specimen plants for interior landscaping -Flowering & evergreen specimen tropical and arid plants. Citrus trees to 2.5m Aloes, agaves to 160L grown in our 125m2 greenhouse. Extensive range of containers, sundries & expert advice.

We source and hand-select plants worldwide from over 150 specialist and unique growers

Wyevale Nurseries Ltd, Kings Acre, Hereford HR4 7AY Tel: 01432 845200 Email: sales@wyevale-nurseries.co.uk www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk

Nationwide Delivery Planting Services Southlands Road, Denham, Middlesex UB9 4HD 01895 835544 sales@tendercare.co.uk www.tendercare.co.uk Open Monday - Saturday 8am - 5pm

AVOID GETTING

IN A SPIN BODPAVE™85

Grass & Gravel porous pavers Applications Grass or Gravel surfaces Parking areas Emergency/HGV access routes Walkways & disabled routes Benefits Up to 400t/m2 bearing (Gravel filled) Colours: Black, Green & Natural 100% recycled (Black & Green only) SuDS source control compliant

Fiberweb Geosynthetics Ltd

Tel: +44 (0) 1621 874200 www.grass-reinforcement.com ™ indicates a trade mark of Fiberweb plc or a Fiberweb Group company, many of which are registered in a number of countries around the world.

Pro-Landscaper-118x186-AGIAS1.indd 1

A

BUSINESS

16/01/2013 10:18

Decking

Top deck Karl Harrison, expert on hardwood decking, offers tips and advice for the perfect installation

How to maximise your profits for commercial decking construction Maximising profits is not necessarily about using the cheapest labour or the cheapest materials.

It’s about having the sound knowledge of your materials and understanding of correct construction to enable your finished project to stand the test of time and have no cause for any call back.

Understanding deck construction Why employ a specialist company for a green oak timber construction and not a regular carpentry company? It makes absolute sense as they have the right experience, tools and a thorough understanding of exactly how the wood will move and react after installation; whereas a non-specialist carpenter, albeit qualified, will appear to have done the same job but quite simply won’t.

Decking installation companies have specialist skills, experience and can provide peace of mind.

Thinking about the service the surface can provide after 10 years, not 10 minutes, is key to a successful decking installation.

Manage your materials There are no cheap hardwoods, only poor grade, low quality, and timber not fit for purpose. Quality hardwood timbers for decking are well established timbers that have a history of being used because they last for decades.

Quality will also serve during the installation; first grade timber from a reputable source will

be finished to a high standard and thus reduce the installation time.

Teak – Ipe – Elondo – Kurupay and Merbau should be specified as they are stable, durable, and will guarantee longevity.

The deck fixings Wherever possible you should always use stainless fixings. Based on a 100m² project and 42 screws per m², 5p screws would equate to a costing of £210.00; when compared to 11p each for quality stainless screws with an increased cost of only £252.00, this on a £20-£25k project is not a corner worth cutting.

When to install your decking As part of a larger project, treat your decking as a piece of fitted furniture. Consider trying to fit a bespoke piece of furniture whilst the plasterers are still working. Having completed your deck and then be called back because someone has caused damage because of ignorance will cost a small fortune after you have had to return to the site to sand down and re-oil a deck. Install your deck as near to the end of the project as possible.

Client expectations So who told clients that Ipe comes in lengths that are unrealistic? Maybe in years gone by we could have supplied lengths of up to 6.34 linear metres, but not any more. Customers should be made aware that long or fixed lengths should be avoided. Longer lengths will increase the instability of the deck and you’ll get called back to fix it back down after the screw heads have been ripped off.

The decking structure Create the largest possible space under the surface of your decking. Consider the water under your deck after rain, and then when the sun comes out and dries and warms the surface; the underside is in almost permanent shade therefore is almost always cold and wet. This could lead to the timber trying to cup and move excessively. So when you have a small or limited space under your deck (under 200mm), you should ideally have an increased timber thickness of 28mm or 35mm as this will increase the stability and reduce movement.

So, to get the best value from your hardwood timber, use shorter, more commonly available lengths, and make sure it is FSE certified.

Garapa – Massranduba – Cumaru – Balau – Sucupeira are not to be trusted, they are unstable and have a short life span.

ABOUT KARL HARRISON Karl Harrison runs Exterior Solutions Ltd based in Buckinghamshire, with his wife Lana. The company offers expert decking advice and is the sole UK distributor for high-end timber decking manufactured by Exterpark. www.exteriordecking.co.uk

February 2013 23

RH Pro Landscaper 'Ready':Layout 1

5/6/12

19:20

Page 1

Ready when you are.

Moonlighting

Our hedging is grown specially for landscapers and garden designers, supplied spaced and ready to plant, in troughs or in our easy-to-handle Readybags.

See the full range of ELIPTA professional garden lighting at

For more information

www.lightingforgardens.com

call today on 01386 750585 email simon@readyhedgeltd.com or visit www.readyhedgeltd.com You’ll find we’re ready when you are.

e-mail: sales@lightingforgardens.com Tel 01462 486777

Trade accounts with online ordering, real-time stock availability, discount and next-day delivery

Quality garden lighting for creative lightscaping

Let’s Hear it From...

LET’S HEAR IT FROM...

Mike Cafferky

1

P Casey (Land Reclamation) Ltd finished off 2012 in a spectacular way at the BALI Landscaping Awards by winning the BALI Grand Award for their extensive refurbishment of two historic parks in the centre of Lichfield. They also won the Principal Award for the Restoration and Regeneration Category, at the awards ceremony in London in December.

Mike Cafferky, Operations Director gives us an insight into the success of the company, based in Rochdale.

How was the company formed?

P Casey (Land Reclamation) Ltd was formed on 11 July 1973 trading alongside associate company P Casey & Co Ltd and becoming part of The Casey Group of Companies in June 2001.

What was your first contract?

Our first contract was in the summer of 1973 for Salford City Council, where we were first located. It was a hard and soft landscaping scheme around the Hanky Park estate in Salford providing paving and common green areas around the estate. It was to be the first of a number of prestigious projects in and around Salford and the Castlefield area of Manchester which included the famous Merchants Bridge over the Canal Basin.

How has your company developed over the years?

We have come a long way in the 39 years since we were formed. Through diligent, careful trading we have developed our work experience across a number of different

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

disciplines, establishing a sound track-record of quality work in each market sector.

Through diligent, careful trading we have developed our work experience across a number of different disciplines Starting out as a land remediation company doing hard and soft landscaping in urban and rural environments, we developed into public realm and highway works mostly for local authorities. However, our evolution also moved slowly into environmental improvement schemes for Registered Social Landlords, many of whom were procured under long term partnering arrangements or framework agreements.

2

3

February 2013

25

Let’s Hear it From...

4

We have a strong brand, and are recognised for our versatility in diverse markets As the requirements of the commercial market place changed, Casey responded by expanding our operations into public park construction, becoming specialists in multifaceted projects which not only included our core disciplines of hard and soft landscaping, but also paving, fencing, stonework, and listed building restorations.

Moreover since the advent of the Heritage Lottery Fund we have developed our specialisms even further into major multi-disciplined and multifaceted HLF funded park restorations. We have completed 15 such projects in recent years, one of which was the BALI Grand Award and Principal Award winning Lichfield Park project.

Our HLF funded park restoration work experience goes back to 2003 when the prestigious Heaton Park was completed for Manchester City Council. That too won a BALI Award at the time, being the largest public park in Western Europe and Manchester’s first designated Country Park, one of only nine such sites in North West England nominated by Natural England.

Over the last 10 years, however, our rate of development has increased in both market sector and contract value. The reason for this is in the synchronicity of our management and workforce, who have evolved into a multi-disciplinary team

26

February 2013

with long term experience in successfully delivering quality projects and achieving high levels of client satisfaction.

The result is a team of management and support staff capable of delivering the most high quality and precise service provision across all our market sectors. A classic example of this expansion is our now firm establishment in the public realm, highways and urban landscaping markets delivering complex multi-faceted projects. We now have a solid portfolio of high quality projects in these market sectors, such as the superb St Johns Precinct in Blackpool’s busy town centre in front of the famous Winter Gardens.

Completed at a cost 6 of £4m we provided an extremely high quality granite paved public realm scheme for Blackpool Borough Council providing a completely pedestrianised precinct with fountains and water features, street art and specialist lighting. Other similar schemes in our portfolio are the complex

5

highway reconstruction scheme in Poynton Cheshire, which was designed to provide an innovative solution to traffic flow in a busy town centre. Previously controlled by traffic lights, the scheme now allows safe continuous vehicle movement across the junction. In the same way a similar highways and public realm project for Sheffield City Council provided an upgraded road system and public realm area close to Hallam University for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Paradoxically, the work disciplines of high quality paving, lighting, water features and footpaths used on these projects are also an integral part of the hard and soft landscaping works used in public park restorations.

How many staff do you have?

Our management and staff including Project and Site Managers, support staff, health and safety, group procurement, IT, administration and workforce amount to some 116.

What is the current turnover and was this increased or decreased in 2012?

Our turnover for 2012 was in excess of £22m, contributing to the groups turnover of over £45m.

The trend is increased and consistent over recent

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Let’s Hear it From...

years which is indicative of the company’s growing reputation in the industry.

How are you planning 2013 and do you think it will be a tough year?

We believe in trading cautiously in the market place and being fairly prescriptive in selecting the projects we bid for. The market is undoubtedly in a state of recession and we are expecting the coming year to be harder than previous periods.

However, we do have a very good reputation and strong brand and are recognised for our versatility in diverse markets. Moreover, in the last 18 months we have been extending our geographical area of operation, bidding in London and the South East as well as Birmingham and the Midlands. Lichfield Park is a case in point, and our recent inclusion on the Royal Parks Framework until 2016 is an indication of the strength of our brand increasing UK-wide.

Our plans for the coming year are to continue our careful trading policy within the sphere of our industry identifying opportunities in the market place as they arrive, and responding to them in line with our business plan.

What are you doing differently from your competitors?

The competition for work in our market place is fierce and the bar is being raised almost monthly by required improvements in articulating and illustrating our abilities in prequalification and tender quality submissions, and providing authentic evidence to potential clients who are becoming increasingly demanding in their quest for achieving transparency and best value.

An active and authentic policy of continuous improvement in every element of our service delivery has been a significant part of our overall planning and operational activities for several years, and will continue to do so ad infinitum. We are well placed to continue to improve through our extensive experience of high quality hard and soft landscaping and many other construction disciplines involved in multi-faceted park restorations and public realm schemes. This versatility, and the development of it, is essential in order to help maintain our position in a competitive market.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

7

8

9

1 Lichfield Park, Staffordshire.

6 Corporation Park, Blackburn.

2 St Johns Precinct, Blackpool.

7 BALI Membership Certificate.

3 Lichfield Park, Staffordshire.

8 Merchants Bridge

4 Remembrance Garden, Lichfield.

5 Poynton Town Centre.

What awards has the company won?

We have had a number of awards bestowed upon us over the years. The most recent in 2012 – the BALI Grand Award and Principal Award are perhaps the most appreciated, however these are not the first awards we have received from BALI. Our HLF funded park restoration scheme on Heaton Park for Manchester City Council won a BALI award in 2005, and since then we have achieved the Green Flag Award which was also for the Lichfield Park project.

Some of our more notable awards are: ● The Green Apple Award for Parks & Gardens for Stanley Park in Liverpool ● RHS Flower Show Tatton Park Gold Award 2008 for our show garden ● Street Design Award and Civic Trust Award for St Johns Precinct Blackpool ● RoSPA Gold Awards for 2009/10/11 and 12 ● British Safety Council Distinction Award 2012

Castlefield, Manchester.

9 Arundel St Public Realm, Sheffield.

As clear evidence of our continuous improvement policy we have, over the last five years, been awarded the following accreditations: ● ISO 14001 Environmental ● ISO 9001 Quality ● OHSAS 18001 Health and Safety ● Investors in People What is your involvement with BALI now?

We have been a member of BALI for over 20 years now and it is our full intention to remain so.

CONTACT P Casey (Land Reclamation) Ltd Rydings Road Rochdale OL12 9PS Tel: 01706 341 121 Web: www.casey.co.uk

February 2013

27

Photo by Prof J Hitchmough

With proven success on many complex and prestigious planting projects and over 2000 species grown, Palmstead can make a real difference to your schemes. Call or visit us online and start benefiting from our award winning quality plants and excellent service.

.co.uk

Untitled-1 1

DEEPDALE TREES LTD

T: 01767 262636 • F: 01767 262288 mail@deepdale-trees.co.uk

www.deepdale-trees.co.uk

01233 813340

22/01/2013 10:44

Portfolio

INTO THE WILD

Graduate Gardeners A previously disconnected cottage and main house were bought by a client who wished to use the garden to unite the buildings and link them with the countryside beyond

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

February 2013

29

Portfolio

More images at: www.prolandscapermagazine.com

O

ur initial brief was to create a garden concept drawing for the entire property, to include the area around the main house and the cottage. The first stage was to develop the detailing of the design around the cottage, which had undergone extensive refurbishment and extension works by the current owners.

Previously, the two properties had been owned separately and consequently there was a lot of screening between the two, blocking the fabulous views from the main house. Now under single ownership, the brief was to create more openness and connection between the two properties.

MINIMALIST DESIGN Random natural York stone paving has been laid around the cottage. This leads from a front courtyard area with a raised pool, through and around to the main seating area with an outdoor fireplace, which is integral to the new extension and lounge style furniture. The main terrace running along the north easterly side has been kept very simple in its design. With great views over the Toadsmoor Valley, an open and uncluttered design was required; steps lead down from the lawn into the paddock below.

Along the upper bank above the cottage, prairie style planting drifts down towards the end of the garden where the planting merges with wildflowers, which in turn leads out into the open pasture. The idea was to make the garden flow out into the countryside without any physical barriers.

A spherical Archipod garden building links with two spherical David Harber sculptures, which contrast in form with the meadow planting.

Garden lighting has been used throughout the scheme to complement the overall design.

The new garage that has been built into the slope has a green roof, which blends with the grass banks above. Steps lead up and around the garage to the main house, where we are currently working on the second phase of works.

5

30

February 2013

The brief was to create more openness and connection between the two properties 1

3

4

6

7

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Portfolio ABOUT GRADUATE GARDENERS

Graduate Gardeners is a multi-award winning garden design and build company, with over 35 years of experience in creating exquisite gardens in Gloucestershire and the surrounding counties for those seeking outside spaces that are both beautiful and functional. From small courtyard gardens to full-scale rural landscaping, we offer our clients a complete range of services, from design to construction and on to maintenance, delivered at every stage of the process with an outstanding quality of service and attention to detail.

www.graduategardeners.co.uk

1 The spherical Archipod garden building.

2 Random natural York stone paving around the cottage, with views across Toadsmoor Valley.

3 Prairie style planting over different levels.

4 Garden lighting highlighting a single tree.

5N ight time view of the cottage and main seating area, with outdoor fireplace. he random natural York stone pathway 6T complemented by garden lighting.

2

ffective garden lighting implemented 7E on the newly built garages.

REFERENCES Designer Mark Draper, Graduate Gardeners Ltd Calfway Lane Nr Bisley Gloucestershire GL6 7AT Tel: 01452 770 273 Email: enquiries@ graduategardeners.co.uk Web: www. graduategardeners.co.uk Main contractor Graduate Gardeners Ltd Calfway Lane Nr Bisley Gloucestershire GL6 7AT Tel: 01452 770 273 Email: enquiries@ graduategardeners.co.uk Web: www. graduategardeners.co.uk

Random York paving and sawn tumbled setts Rand & Asquith Tuck Royd Quarry Halifax Road Brighouse West Yorkshire HD6 2PL Tel: 01484 719 263 Email: info@ randandasquith.co.uk Web: www. randandasquith.co.uk

Cotswold walling stone Cotswold Stone Quarries Brockhill Quarry Naunton Cheltenham Glos.

GL54 3BA Tel: 01451 850 775 Email: garry@

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

cotswoldstonequarries. co.uk Web: www. cotswoldstonequarries. co.uk

Lighting, pond pump and filter Landscape Plus Unit 1 Kemble Business Park Crudwell Nr Malmesbury Wiltshire, SN16 9SH Tel: 01666 577 577 Email: info@landscapeplus. com Web: www.landscapeplus. com Planting Genus Plant Sourcing Puddlesworth Lane Stonehouse

Eastington Gloucestershire GL10 3AH Tel: 01453 791 022 Web: www. genusplantsourcing.co.uk

1½ ton digger (below) Kubota (UK) Ltd Dormer Road Thame Oxon OX9 3UN Tel: 01844 214 500 Email: diggers@kubota. co.uk Web: www.kubota.co.uk

Surrey KT3 4HH Tel: 0208 336 9131 Email: yhko@daewoo. co.uk Web: www.daewoo.com

1 ton high tip dumper (above) Terex HT1000 Terex Central Boulevard Prologis Park Coventry CV6 4BX Tel: 02476 339 400 Web: www.terexce.com

6 ton dumper (below) Thwaites Thwaites Limited, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 7NQ Tel: 01926 422 471 Email: ianbrown@ thwaitesdumpers.co.uk Web: www. thwaitesdumpers.co.uk

6 ton 360° digger Daewoo Daewoo Int’l Corp.

10th Floor CI Tower St.Georges Square New Malden,

February 2013

31

Portfolio

SEASIDE SPLENDOUR Janine Pattison Studios The brief from the owner of a stylish coastal residence was to create a garden to match the high-spec, modern architecture of the property

32

February 2013

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Portfolio

2

1 3

We decided to create an exclusive 'garden spa retreat' for the client

J

anine Pattison Studios was commissioned to design this project in Dorset by leading architect David James, who was looking for a sympathetic landscape to suit his stylish new glass and render house. The client, a retired lady with grown up children, was looking for a simple, elegant, romantic and beautiful garden that she could enjoy for many years to come. The budget was in the region of £250,000.

THE SITE The plot was technically and logistically very challenging, with extremely difficult access, and a four-metre level reduction at the rear of the site.

The levels differences made the space almost unusable. There were also major privacy issues, with neighbouring properties overlooking the garden. The house has sea views and the new garden needed to be designed bearing in mind the maritime climate.

DESIGN SOLUTIONS The house demanded an elegant and stylish design solution that was in harmony with the top-quality build of the dwelling. We decided to create an exclusive ‘garden spa retreat’ for the client, including elements such as a sedum-roofed

garden lodge with sauna, shower and exclusive bar area, mosaic swim spa pool, with large patios and level lawn. As the property was four storeys high, with balconies on each floor, the overall design had to take into consideration that it would be viewed from above and needed a broader perspective of balance and harmony.

There was no doubt that resolving the overall design meant dealing with the garden’s difficult levels issues. The ambitious and innovative solution required structural calculations, planning permission and 200 tons of backfill in order to create the level area to site the spa pool, garden lodge, patio and lawn.

We designed a 4m high retaining doubleskinned wall and reinforced concrete ‘raft’ to maintain the structural integrity of the lower garden and bring the levels up. Creating a level garden has made the garden accessible for the client for years to come and maximised the design potential for the entire space.

We decided to use a pre-cast pool because of access difficulties and time constraints.

A logistical challenge, the pool was craned over the property by a 250 ton crane. This involved us getting a license from the council, shutting the road down and getting a police escort! The swim spa is a full mosaic pool with

4

5

1 Video: an overview of the garden.

2-5 Various 3D visuals of the garden, swimming pool, and sedum-roofed garden lodge.

ABOUT JANINE PATTISON STUDIOS

Janine Pattison Garden Design Ltd is a leading UK garden design practice, renowned for creating stylish and contemporary gardens throughout Dorset and along the south coast of England.

They work for both private and corporate clients, and have been featured in many garden publications. Janine is also a regular editorial contributor to Pro Landscaper.

www.janinepattison.com

February 2013

33

Portfolio

More images at: www.prolandscapermagazine.com

1

2

3

This once difficult, barren and unusable site has now become a sustainable, accessible garden, elegant and romantic – in complete harmony with the house and wider landscape. a remote-driven retractable cover, and a uniform depth of 1.2m. It has a ‘swim spa’ system so the client can swim against a current.

Bespoke colour-changing LEDs make the pool a wonderful space to relax in by night.

The western red cedar garden lodge also has a sedum roof, enabling us to deal effectively with sustainable drainage and making sure that rainwater remained within the curtilage of the property. As the house is a four-story property, we designed the roof to be as attractive as possible from all balconies. To the rear of the lodge, we designed a utility area with rainwater collection system for the irrigation of the garden.

To resolve the privacy issues, we decided to incorporate a 2m-high yew hedge, generous wildlife-friendly planting beds with pleached hornbeams and clipped boxwood, back-planted with herbaceous perennials, and spring bulbs.

The planting was designed to provide year34

February 2013

round colour and interest and to be easy to care for. The bespoke lighting scheme we designed runs through an advanced Lutron system to allow pre-programming for different mood lighting. Warm white LEDs create a romantic and soft atmosphere. LED strips hidden under the lip of the raised composite recycled Ecodek by the house creates the illusion of a ‘floating’ deck. The patios are grey flamed granite slabs with minimal jointing to reflect the palette and quality of the interior finish.

This once difficult, barren and unusable site has now become a sustainable, accessible garden, elegant and romantic – in complete harmony with the house and the wider landscape.

Logistically and technically very challenging, this deceptively simple garden belies its design sophistication. We are delighted to have been awarded the BALI Design Excellence Award for 2012 for this stunning garden. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Portfolio

4

4

5

6

7

REFERENCES Design Janine Pattison Studios 1077 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH7 6BQ Tel: 01202 426 143 Email: denise@ janinepattison.com Web: www.janinepattison. com Construction Classic Landscapes 31 Bradstock Close Poole, Dorset, BH12 4BT

Tel: 01202 387 546 Email: ianhall@ classiclandscaping.co.uk Web: www. classiclandscaping.co.uk

Paving: Fullerton flamed granite slabs Cranbourne Stone Unit 1 Houghton Down Farm, Houghton Down, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20 6JR Tel: 01264 810 813 Web: www. cranbournestone.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Lighting LED ZIP Unit 6, Longham Business Centre, Longham, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH22 9BU Tel: 01202 577 400 Email: simon@led-zip. co.uk Web: www.led-zip.co.uk

Irrigation Waterscape Solutions Limited Gulliver Cottage, 41 Dragon Lane, Sandford, Ringwood,

Hampshire, BH24 3BS Tel: 01425 482 906 Email: john@ waterscapesolutions.co.uk Web: www. waterscapesolutions.co.uk

Swimming pool Aquarian Pools Beecroft Nurseries, Queen Anne Drive, Merley, Wimborne, BH21 3BA Tel: 01202 889 100 Email: info@ aquarianpools.co.uk Web: www.aquarianpools. co.uk

1 Looking back towards the glass and render house (by architect David James).

2 A view across the levelled garden which has maximised the space and made the entire area completely accessible.

3 Full mosaic pool with a remote-driven retractable cover and a ‘swim spa’ system.

4 Planting the yew hedges and beds with pleached hornbeams and clipped boxwood, as well as herbaceous perennials and spring bulbs. he four-metre level reduction at the rear 5T of the site. he pre-cast mosiac pool that was craned over 6T the property by a 250 ton crane. onstruction of the sedum-roof garden lodge 7C and installation of the swimming pool.

February 2013

35

Portfolio

SET IN STONE Esse Landscapes The owners of a grand historical manor house wanted their visitors to experience a breath-taking entrance which matched the status of the property

T

sound, light; something unique and impressive that would create an immediate ‘wow factor’ for arriving visitors.

DESIGN ELEMENTS The old timber barn on three sides of the courtyard was treated with a black woodstain to create a foil for a specially commissioned 1.4m diameter ‘Dark Planet’ sculpture by David Harber. This was mounted on a pale granite-clad plinth above two stacked infinity pools constructed of polished black granite.

Overall the feature measures 10m by 5m.

SARAH MEDWAY

he property, a 14th Century manor house, and its associated outbuildings, surround a central courtyard that provides a natural focal point.

Arriving visitors drive through the courtyard to reach the main parking beyond, while several of the rooms in the house have a view of this area. For many years the central feature had been two shallow pools of green water, and little else!

The clients regularly entertain guests and their wish was to replace the still pools with a substantial water feature, to provide movement,

36

February 2013

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Portfolio

ABOUT ESSE LANDSCAPES

Something unique and impressive that would create an immediate 'wow factor' for arriving visitors www.prolandscapermagazine.com

ESSE Landscapes offers an award-winning, comprehensive design and build service covering the private and commercial sectors. Construction work is undertaken by ourteam of experienced specialists to the highest industry standards.

www.esseland.co.uk

February 2013

37

Portfolio

More images at: www.prolandscapermagazine.com

A combination of foaming fountains, directional water jets and the continuous overflow of the pools provide sound and movement. The water is collected in a pebble-covered gully surrounding the feature.

This creates a visual separation between the horizontal infinity pools and the gently sloping Indian sandstone paving of the adjacent area.

Integral lighting both under the water surface and within the globe illuminate the feature at night.

Water from the feature flows into a large underground reservoir that contains the three pumps; one for each pool and a third for the jets. Pipework passes through a series of control valves in the barn, which also contains a sand filter, ultra violet clarifier and bromine doser together with the electrical control system.

In total the feature pumps (recirculates) around 100,000 litres an hour.

Planting in the surrounding beds is of Buxus topiary shapes, to echo the central sphere and Acer Palmatum Osakasuki which provide contrasting texture, colour and movement.

Planting in the surrounding beds is of Buxus topiary shapes, to echo the central sphere

1

1 Planting in surrounding beds.

2 Water feature detail.

3 Buxus topiary inspired by the central sphere.

4 The water feature during construction.

REFERENCES Designer Sue Oscroft, Blooming Planters Garden Design Tel: 01732 863 438 Email: sue.oscroft@ gmail.com Web: www. bloomingplanters.co.uk Construction & technical design Stephen Etheridge, Esse Landscapes Samares, Domewood, Copthorne, West Sussex RH10 3HD Tel: 01342 714 095 Email: sales@esseland. co.uk Web: www.esseland. co.uk

Sculpture David Harber Blewburton Barns, Hagbourne Road, 38

February 2013

Aston Upthorpe, Oxon OX11 9EE Tel: 01235 859 300 Email: sales@ davidharber.com Web: www.davidharber. co.uk

2

3

Granite Rock Unique Dryhill Lane, Main Road, Sundridge, Sevenoaks TN14 6ED Tel: 01959 565 608 Email: stone@ rock-unique.com Web: www.rock-unique. com Plants English Woodlands Herring Lane, Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 0UG Tel: 01435 862 992 Email: sales@ ewburrownursery.co.uk Web: www. ewburrownursery.co.uk

4

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

MANORFARM nurseries

wholesale catalogue 2013

www.manorfarmnurseries.com Hellidon Road, Charwelton, Northamptonshire NN11 3YZ Tel: 01327 260285 Fax: 01327 263285 Email: gordon.catlin@manorfarmnurseries.com

www.provendernurseries.co.uk

Adverts.indd 3

what's

21/01/2013 13:35

so special

about working at provender?

"What's not to love about a place where I'm surrounded by interesting and amazing plants, get to meet and help some really great people and have colleagues who are coming round to the idea that BeyoncĂŠ really is a genius?"

CLARE ENDERSBEE

PROVENDER N U R S E R I E S Plants: 01322 662315 Products: 01322 662130 Fax: 01322 663895

Plantsman’s Plot

Plantsman’s PLOT A round-up of trees and plants available at some of the country’s best nurseries To appear in Plantsman’s Plot, please send your plant of the month, details and image to rose@pro-landscaper.co.uk

The Acer Davidii is a beautiful small tree which develops a spreading crown of arching branches and is one of the best of the ‘snakebark’ maples. The stunning bark starts red on the young shoots, eventually turning to green and white serpentine stripes. The tree’s delicate yellow spring flowers, winged fruits and large mid-green leaves which flush orange, pink, and yellow in autumn add year round interest. It prefers a sheltered location, but is fully hardy and will grow in almost all well-drained soils. A perfect specimen plant as either a standard or multi-stem, it is ideal for a courtyard or garden setting. www.deepdale-trees.co.uk

In the depths of winter a miracle of colour bursts forth from a superbly vigorous shrub in the form of Hamamellis x Intermedia Diana.

This stunning Witchhazel has possibly the best copper-red flowered form, with good rich red autumn foliage. It lights up any border with little strips of paper-like curling spiky flowers. Each and every branch is covered in tiny firework explosions along each twiggy length. Plant this alongside Hamamellis x Intermedia Jelena – a stunning yellow copper flowered form – and you’ll have your own miniature firework display in January through February. www.nicholsonsplants.com

The dog’s-tooth violet is an unsung hero of the early spring garden – bearing nodding clusters of elegant, lily-like flowers above lush clumps of decorative foliage, just when the garden needs it most. These woodland specialists willingly spread themselves in dappled shade where the soil is moist and humus-rich. They come in a range of colours, but the sulphuryellow lanterns of Erythronium ‘Pagoda’ are hard to beat – with each stem bearing up to ten exotic blooms. Let them naturalise under the skirt of spreading see-through shrubs or cover the ground in the dappled light between deciduous trees. They will light up the bare earth while the overhead canopy is leafless, and then during the summer they will go dormant in the drier, shady conditions.

These versatile plants can make graceful additions to containers or raised beds too, where the dainty nodding blooms and bronze-mottled foliage can be viewed at close quarters. Wherever they are planted, combine them with dwarf bulbs such as narcissi, anemone Blanda and scillas for an authentic woodland springtime tapestry of colour. www.hortusloci.co.uk

40

February 2013

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Plantsman’s Plot

Have you thought about perennial bedding? It doesn’t need to be changed twice or more each year, and therefore is a permanent and more sustainable planting solution, costing less than £2 a m2 per year to maintain. Now that’s a big saving on traditional bedding but without a too significant loss of colour. This continental planting system has proven to be successful in Holland where it’s used extensively on roadside areas; it involves careful preparation and dense planting 9-10 plants per m2. A limited range of perennials have been shown to work well, such as geraniums, sedum and nepeta Walkers Low. It makes a good planting – no significant weeding, a closed canopy by late spring and a good display which is readable from a passing car. Management involves an annual flail down to mulch the bed and give plants an early “Chelsea chop”. More information is available from Palmstead Nurseries where partnership trials with local authorities would be welcome. www.palmstead.co.uk

Ilex castaneifolia, the sweet chestnut-leaved holly, is a great favourite at Barcham. It is female and a vigorous grower of French origin.

Like all hollies it will thrive in most soils so long as they are well drained.

We grow it as a full standard tree; check out a video of it on the following link: www.buythetreeyousee.com/trees/buy-holly-ilexcastaneifolia-instant www.barcham.co.uk

Griffioen Nurseries concept

Looking for a splash of autumn and winter colour from November to March in your garden? Then select Mahonia x media “Winter Sun”.

This evergreen has leathery spinney holly-like leaves, topped by a spray of fragrant bright yellow flowers on erect racemes that are also frost resistant. The blue-black fruits that follow give this versatile plant its common name of Oregon Grape.

The raw flesh is quite bitter, but is often used to complement muesli and porridge (if you can be bothered to sort out the many seeds).

Architectural form, abundance of fragrant flowers and fruit – “Winter Sun” is a must for all gardens and shrub borders. A range of sizes is available now. www.colesnurseries.co.uk

Rosemary is not your typical bedding plant but its interesting texture contrasts very nicely next to other bedding plants and other herbs. Rosemary is a very desirable ornamental which can be groomed into topiary shapes and is, of course, great in the kitchen for seasoning and enhancing a variety of foods and dishes. It smells great too! Agrumi specialises in importing the best plants from the best nurseries around Europe, supplying a wide range of quality plants to landscapers and designers across the UK. Agrumi also has close ties with local New Forest nurseries in order to supply a full range of plants. www.agrumi.co.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Plants of the Verbena family are often tender perennials and whilst not strictly ‘bedding’ they cannot be relied upon to overwinter successfully.

Many new hybrids have been introduced in recent years, from the spreading Seabrook’s Lavender and Homestead Purple to the tall spires of Verbena Bonariensis. At Dingley Dell we also have the new short version which is aptly named ‘Lollipop’. They give a reliable display of colour all summer long and in the right place may carry on for some years. www.dingleydell.co.uk February 2013 41

Ethical Trading

Ethical update In July last year, Pro Landscaper spoke with the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) about responsible sourcing of sandstone from India. The multistakeholder organisation talked about increased consumer and business interest in how this product is sourced, following reports about alleged labour rights issues within the sector.

We caught up with ETI’s Head of Programmes, Debbie Coulter, to learn more about why ethical sourcing is such an important issue for landscape professionals to engage with.

Debbie Coulter (Head of Programmes, Ethical Trading Initiative) talks about the growing importance of ethical sourcing within the landscaping business sector

Rajasthan, India. Rajasthan is one of India’s major producers of sandstone, with a large proportion coming from the Kota and Bundi districts.

“We are there on the ground, speaking with suppliers in order to understand more about working conditions within this supply chain,” says Debbie. “Our India representative is visiting the quarries and sandstone processing yards, talking with industry players and with workers.”

One of the key challenges is the complexity of the sandstone supply chain, and the impact this

Some of the major players are really sitting up and taking note, and wanting to learn more about ethical trade practices “Consumers are increasingly aware about where clothing and food has been sourced from, and have been asking pointed questions for some time,” says Debbie. “This trend is starting to catch up with other products and sectors.”

Debbie says that ETI’s sandstone importing member companies mainly sell their natural paving products to builders merchants. “Some of the major players in this sector are really sitting up and taking note, and wanting to learn more about ethical trade practices. This is a really positive sign, and possibly reflects increased levels of consumer awareness. It also sets out the challenge to landscapers and landscape architects to supply these savvy customers with the genuine article.”

ETI, in collaboration with member stone companies, NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and trade unions, is putting in place a programme that seeks to drive positive change for workers in the export sandstone sector of

42

February 2013

has on workers. For instance, in some cases not all of the people working at a quarry will be classified as permanent employees, many will be contract workers, and workers with informal contracts. This issue raises questions about social security for these workers.

“It’s clear that contractors and traders can help play a vital role in helping drive change within this supply chain,” says Debbie. “We are looking at how we can put in place training for contractors, helping them understand international codes and standards, and the benefits of delivering improvements for all workers. With strong relationships with contractors comes an increased ability to address health and safety issues in processing yards and quarries.”

So how can professional landscapers learn more about responsible sourcing of Indian sandstone? “Our advice is to start talking to our sandstone importing members. By being an ETI member, these companies have committed to implementing our Base Code of labour practice within their supply chain. They are demonstrating leadership in the ethical stewardship of their supply chain, and can talk you through the steps they’re taking to drive sustained and positive change for workers.”

You can find a list of ETI’s members at www.ethicaltrade.org.

ABOUT THE ETI

The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) is a groundbreaking alliance of companies, trade unions and NGOs working together to improve the lives of workers around the world. Its vision is a world where all workers are free from exploitation and discrimination, and work in conditions of freedom, security and equity. Last year, its corporate members’ ethical trade activities touched the lives of more than 10 million workers. www.ethicaltrade.org

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

No.1 Importer and Trade Supplier

Artificial Grass £2.99 from

LOWEST

PRICE

GUARANTEED

per sqm

Be Smart, Buy Direct 8 grades of grass available 2 with

PAVING SUPERSTORE 0333 358 3588 • 08458 332 337 info@pavingsuperstore.co.uk Borderstone

spring back action

Bradstone

5 pile heights in 2m & 4m widths Up to 10yr Guarantee

Brett

Tested to BS 4790 & BS EN1177

Cemex

Child and Dog Friendly

Strata

R

smart direct

Global Stone

IMPORTERS OF ARTIFICIAL GRASS

0844 800 9660

info@smart-direct.co.uk www.smart-direct.co.uk

Marshalls Natural Paving Pavestone Stonemarket

The only store to offer all major brand paving!

Fencing Materials for Landscapers Direct to Site Deliveries - Helpful Expert Advice • 8 Branches across UK • UC4 Quality Fence Posts • Huge Stock of Sleepers & Decking • Full Product Guarantees

www.pavingsuperstore.co.uk We pride ourselves on holding the largest range of paving available for online purchase and home delivery

AVS Fencing Supplies 0800 288 8324 www.avsfencing.co.uk Adverts.indd 5

Super Fast Delivery

Paving Superstore half page.indd 3 21/01/2013 14:22

13/12/2012 09:08

V I S I ON R E A L I T Y Our aim is to make your vision a reality with effective yet practical plant solutions.

Whatever your involvement in the horticultural industry, be it, Garden Designer, Landscape Architect. Domestic or Commercial Landscaper, Greenline Plants can offer all the plants you will need.

To see our plant portfolio visit www.greenlineplants.co.uk Forshaw Heath Road | Earlswood | Solihull | B94 5JU T: 01564 703947

GREENLINE PLANTS_PRO LANDSCAPER_quarter page_FEB ISSUE 2013.indd 1

21/01/2013 11:32

Paving

Seal of approval

Steven Walley, Managing Director of London Stone answers some of the most common questions asked about sealing natural stone paving Sealing natural stone has always been considered as something of a black art and the process of sealing natural stone is one that contractors and designers are often reluctant to get involved in. But do people really need to be so scared of sealing stone? The fact is, that as the popularity of sawn paving grows then so will the requirement for sealing.The purpose of this article is to dispel a few of the myths about sealing and to give people more confidence in what is a relatively simple process.

So why does sawn paving need to be sealed more than riven stone?

This is quite simple: when paving is sawn, the pores of the stone are opened up. This makes sawn paving more susceptible to water absorption, frost damage and algae. A quality impregnating stone sealant will coat the pores and repel water, while still allowing the stone to breathe.

Will sealing stop my stone getting dirty altogether?

Absolutely not, this is one of the most common myths surrounding sealing. Sealed stone can still get dirty but the difference when stone is sealed with a quality impregnating sealant is that the dirt cannot penetrate into the stone as easily. This makes maintenance of sealed stone much easier.

Should I seal the underside of stone?

There is another common misconception that sealing the underside of stone will prevent leaching and efflorescence. Sealing the underside of stone will seriously compromise the bond between the stone and bedding layer and should never be done.

When should I seal stone?

This is a key point. We always recommend that stone should be sealed with two coats prior to installation. Stone paving needs to be bone dry before it can be sealed and with the UK’s damp climate, contractors sometimes have to wait for weeks for the Common Common Impregnators Impregnators DRY DRY TREAT TREAT STAIN STAIN PROOF PROOF right weather conditions to seal after installation has taken place, Water.

Water.

Water.

Water.

D D Zillions D DD D D D Zillions of STAIN of STAIN potentially delaying the D D LargeLarge insertinsert PROOF PROOF clusters. clusters.

D D D DD DD D D D polymer polymer molecules. molecules.

EachEach cluster cluster completion of a project and contains contains zillions zillions of of activeactive STAIN STAIN Your Your surface surface Your Your surface surface PROOF PROOF sealing sealing holding up vital stage payments. It ( stone, ( stone, tile, paving, tile, paving, brick,brick, ( stone, ( stone, tile, paving, tile, paving, brick,brick, molecules. molecules. concrete, concrete, groutgrout etc) etc) concrete, concrete, groutgrout etc) etc) is also much easier to clean the inevitable mortar spills from stone that’s been pre-sealed. Save WaterWater WaterWater evaporates evaporates evaporates. evaporates. yourself all this trouble and seal and the andclusters the clusters into contact into contact D Dcomecome D DD D D D your stone before its laid.

D D with the withsurface the surface D DD D LargeLarge insertinsert polymer polymer molecules molecules start start to to form form a micro a micro coating. coating.

TheirTheir size size limitslimits penetration penetration into the intomaterial. the material.

LargeLarge insertinsert polymer polymer molecules molecules form form a a micromicro coating coating on the on the surface surface

No permanent No permanent bonding, bonding, so sealer so sealer is worn is worn awayaway by traffic by traffic and cleaning, and cleaning, and must and must be regularly be regularly re-applied. re-applied.

Without Without a deep a deep sealersealer barrier, barrier, waterwater carrying carrying harmful harmful dirt dirt and minerals and minerals can travel can travel right right up toup thetotop thesurface top surface and and causecause visible visible damage. damage.

D D

D D D D

The STAIN The STAIN PROOF PROOF liquidliquid repelling repelling barrier. barrier.

releasing releasing zillions zillions of of active, active, penetrating penetrating STAIN STAIN PROOF PROOF molecules. molecules.

STAIN STAIN PROOF PROOF molecules molecules penetrate penetrate deeply, deeply, even even into into dense dense surfaces surfaces (e.g (e.g granite) granite) and bond and bond permanently. permanently.

The deep, The deep, permanent permanent STAIN STAIN PROOF PROOF barrier barrier provides provides greatgreat stain stain protection, protection, plus by plus keeping by keeping waterwater with dissolved with dissolved impurities impurities well away well away from from the visible the visible surface, surface, you are you are protected protected against against manymany otherother common common typestypes of unsightly of unsightly damage damage (e.g salt (e.gefflorescence, salt efflorescence, picture picture framing, framing, spalling spalling and freeze and freeze thaw thaw damage) damage)

What type of sealant should I use?

Avoid multipurpose paving sealants and avoid anything that’s cheap. Stone sealants are like everything else in life, you get what you pay for! You should always use an impregnating stone sealant as impregnators don’t significantly change the colour of

the stone. Impregnating sealants will also penetrate deeper into the surface of the stone.

Cheaper stone sealants can leave a horrific sheen on the surface of the stone and your client’s brand new patio will be completely devoid of its natural characteristics. In our opinion Dry-Treat’s ‘Stain Proof ’ is the best stone sealant available.

Dry-Treat offers a 15-year guarantee on its sealant when installed by an accredited installer.

Sounds expensive? Not really, because Dry-Treat provides a free, on the job training to contractors so that they can become accredited installers.

Anything else to consider?

Always make sure that stone is completely clean and dry prior to sealing. Stone can be sealed with a brush or roller but we have found that the most efficient method is to use a sprayer. The techniques of sealing stone can differ slightly depending on the type of stone being sealed (always take professional advice prior to embarking on sealing) but in general terms a first coat should be applied and then left to dry for 10-15 minutes. A second coat should then be applied and left for 10-15 minutes. Any excess sealant pooling on the surface should then be wiped off with a cloth.The stone should now be left to dry for 24 hours before it can be worked with.

London Stone was incorporated in 2005 by former Landscape contractors & brothers, Gavin, Steven & Duncan Walley, from Stoke-on-Trent. Whilst working in the landscaping industry they came across natural stone paving and developed their business into the importing of natural stone paving. London Stone is now one of the UK’s leading natural stone paving suppliers. London Stone are active member of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) and is committed to trading relationships which are ethical and commercially viable. www.londonstone.com

February 2013 45

Create a buzz with

Lindum’s Biodiverse Range

TURF GRADES FOR EVERY LANDSCAPE & GARDEN

Wildflower and sedum mats for green roofs, gardens and landscaping Green innovation to enhance biodiversity and combat climate change – pleasing to people and pollinators

Tel

+44 (0)1904 448675

www.turf.co.uk

Email

T: 01759 321 000 · F: 01759 380 130 alex@inturf.co.uk · stephen@inturf.co.uk www.inturf.com

lindum@turf.co.uk

@lindumturf

Adverts.indd 2

22/01/2013 08:56

You don’t have to go to these lengths to join the Green Evolution!

New Year.

New Great Grass.

Breeding. Production. Sales.

+

Industry leading average germination rate of over 90%.

+

Coupling our fully analysed sandy loams with high grade cultivars gives your grass the best possible start.

=

Bourne Amenity are a proud distributer of the BAR Range range and have worked with Barenbrug over 5 years to establish bespoke cultivar blends to match the reliability our customers demand.

Grass Seed Mixtures direct from the breeder

Mixtures for a wide range of amenity applications

www.eurograss.com

Euro Grass B.V., Heino Schaupp, Tel. 01366 388 223, heino.schaupp@eurograss.com

01797 252299 www.bourneamenity.co.uk

AMENITY GRASS SEED A quality range

Developed in partnership with

Turf

Turf choice When it comes to choosing turf, you can’t ask too many questions.

Making the right selection means the difference between a job done and a job well done Get to know your grower Establishing a good relationship with your grower, ideally a member of the Turfgrass Growers Association (find a TGA grower at www.turfgrass.co.uk), or one of their distributors, is essential – after all, they want to supply you with the best turf for your project and you want nothing less than the best. Turf growers want to listen. Only by having a full understanding of end-users’ requirements and the issues they face can they ensure that they continue to produce turf that meets the needs of those who manage it.

Right turf – right job The choice of grass cultivars in turf has always been critical but changing times have made it more so. For years, growers have been aware of the need for grasses that are more tolerant of drought, flood, turf diseases, shade, heavy traffic and, in coastal locations, salt. Seed producers invest heavily in their breeding programmes, working hard to develop cultivars which will address the issues facing the users of turf in the future. Growers, as an end-user themselves, take a keen interest in these developments and work with seed companies in taking their developments through to the

(left) Grasses like Rhizomatous tall fescue can withstand drought with their extensive and lengthy root systems

finished product. Ask your grower for a breakdown of the grass varieties in their turf.

Turf types All turf is not the same! In the Knowledge Base on the TGA website, you’ll find specifications for turf used for ornamental landscaping, for heavy traffic areas, and for general use.

Here are some of the specialist turf grades available for more demanding environments:

•Tackling shade problems

Maintaining healthy turf in shaded areas can be particularly challenging as the lack of sunlight inhibits photosynthesis, causing stress to the plant.

Because some grass species are better at tolerating shade than others, some growers produce shade tolerant turf grown from Poa supina, a grass cultivar that flourishes in a shaded environment. Native to Alpine areas, Poa supina is the last grass to fall into dormancy and the first to grow actively in the spring. Its lateral aboveground stems (stolons) grow outwards from the main plant, reproducing more shoots as it develops, enabling the plant to repair itself in a continuous manner. However, other factors must also be taken into consideration in shaded areas.

Increasing the height of cut increases the amount of leaf surface, enabling the plant to take full advantage of the available light. If shade is caused by trees, the turf may be under increased stress from drought and nutrient deficiencies as tree roots take up any available moisture and nutrients from the soil. If this is the case, additional watering and feeding may be required to keep the turf healthy.

•Drought tolerance Rhizomatous tall fescue produces rhizomes, an underground stem that grows outwards from the main plant, producing more shoots as it goes. In this way this type of turf has the ability to repair itself to produce and retain a dense sward. It is hardwearing with a deep green colour, and can withstand long periods of drought. It also has a remarkable root system that can grow down to a depth of 1.5 metres, giving it the ability to withstand periods of both drought and waterlogging. Even in severe drought, when other grass goes brown, tall fescues recover quickly with the first rain.

•Reinforced turf Reinforced turf is particularly useful for areas subjected to heavy wear, such as fire access roads, walkways, grass car parks, banks and play areas.

There are several different variations available but they all consist of natural turf grown into a synthetic fibre reinforced rootzone. This type of turf offers unbeatable strength and stability where it’s needed most.

•Wild flowers For a splash of colour and to attract pollinating insects, don’t forget that some growers also supply wild flower turf, available as a mat of established plants that makes the creation of a wild flower area easier than sowing it from seed. www.turfgrass.co.uk www.turfshow.co.uk Follow the TGA on Twitter @TGATurfandWater

February 2013 47

Latest Products

TURF Established in 1985, Inturf offers a wide variety of different landscaping turf in conventional square metre rolls or our Big Roll format for speed of installation. We also offer topsoil and bark and have equipment to produce topsoil materials that meet nearly any

In 2013, Q Lawns turf growers will be celebrating two decades of supplying quality turf to the landscape industry with a series of events, offers and promotions.

Chris Carr, Sales and Marketing Manager has been at the helm since the first sales were made in 1993 and recalls that Q Lawns started by growing 30 acres of

Sovereign Turf grows its turf in coastal Suffolk. Light, freedraining and fully irrigated soil in

Lindum has developed a range of wildflower mixtures for landscaping and green roofs. They are UK grown at our turf nursery and we can deliver nationwide. Lindum Wildflower Mats are supplied as ready-to-roll-out blankets that are easy to lay, to provide an instant vegetation layer that will establish rapidly. Lindum’s Wildflower Meadow Mat is a balanced

48

February 2013

amenity turf. Today, Q Lawns, a member of the TGA, has over 1,000 acres of turf in the ground and offers next day delivery to

the unique Suffolk climate all combine to produce an ideal environment for the production of consistent quality turf throughout the year.

A wide selection of mixtures is produced for domestic, amenity

mixture of native wildflowers and non-aggressive meadow grasses growing in a moisture-retentive felt, to provide an instant wildflower meadow. Lindum’s Biodiverse Wildflower Mat contains a vibrant mixture of wildflowers, herbs, flowering perennials and sedums to promote biodiversity and to flourish in dry conditions.

It also creates an excellent habitat

specification. We have two production nurseries with more than 4 million m2 of turf in stock and we pride ourselves on quality, service and flexibility. Inturf is a Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA) founder member.

WWW.INTURF.CO.UK

trade and domestic customers throughout England and Wales.

“Despite the problems with the economy and the weather, Q Lawns’ turf sales increased in 2012 compared to the previous year” reports Chris, “buyers get a good deal at Q Lawns and they come back to us time after time.”

WWW.QLAWNS.CO.UK

and sports usage, which are mainly delivered in South East England. Our turf is often used in a number of high profile situations where quality is of paramount importance by discerning customers.

WWW.SOVEREIGNTURF.CO.UK

for pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

WWW.TURF.CO.UK

Euro Grass is one of Europe’s biggest breeders of amenity grass. We have at our disposal a large number of listed varieties widely spread across the species.

Our most important species are: Perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne; Strong creeping red fescue, Festuca rubra rubra; Chewings fescue, Festuca rubra commutata; Slender creeping red fescue, Festuca rubra trichophylla; Smooth-stalked meadow-grass, Poa pratensis; and Tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea. Our newest Perennial ryegrass, CORDUS, is a multipurpose variety which performs extremely well in ornamental lawns as well as under tough sport conditions; it has an extremely high shoot density and very high scores in wear tolerance and regeneration.

WWW.EUROGRASS.COM

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

PROUD SPONSORS OF THE GREEN ROOF INSTALLATIONS & ROOF GARDENS AWARD

SUPPLIERS OF PROVEN & AWARD WINNING GREEN ROOF SUBSTRATES Call our specialist advisors on 01536 510515 or visit www.boughton.co.uk

Reaching new heights Grassroof

Intelligent green infrastructure

with

helping our cities breathe easier

Our 40 years of grass paving expertise at ground level takes to the roof with the new Grassroof system.

Treebox is dedicated to transformational urban greening by providing     

Vertical rain gardens Reusable living hoardings and screens High-impact green walls Vertical food growing Temporary or permanent leased options

info@treebox.co.uk

0208 543 4530 www.treebox.co.uk

Treebox.indd 2

Grass Concrete Limited Duncan House, 142 Thornes Lane, Thornes, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF2 7RE England Tel: +44(0)1924 379443 Fax: +44(0)1924 290289

www.grasscrete.com

21/01/2013 14:48

Green Roofs

Green Roofing Food for thought Angela Lambert looks at green roof development, and what the future holds for this increasingly popular product Over the last decade, the UK has seen a huge rise in the number of green roofs being installed and some incredible changes in the innovation and the way these roofs are designed, planted and used. 10 years ago the concept of a living roof was just beginning to reach architects working on commercial buildings, but in the domestic realm it was virtually unheard of, or was regarded as the domain of hippy dippy eco-warriors.

As we enter 2013, with thanks mainly to the gardening and home improvement media, green roofing is undoubtedly more mainstream, even though the sight of a flowering roof or a vegetated balcony is still unusual enough to attract attention. Thanks to innovations and research from around the world, the choices for green roofing materials, build-ups and designs is expanding rapidly.

Sedum matting remains one of the most popular methods for creating a small green roof. It’s lightweight, so there are fewer issues regarding loading; it’s easy to handle, and the build-up normally consists of fabricated drainage and water retention layers topped with a pre-grown blanket of droughttolerant succulent plants. It’s quick to install so labour costs are minimised, and the customer receives an instant green roof at a not-too-painful price.

Biodiversity is topical at the moment both at ground level 4 and on the roof. On super-sturdy buildings we’re seeing an increase in the popularity for predominantly native, varied planting.

Research in Sweden has shown that whilst a mixed species sedum mat provides a fantastic habitat for mini-beasts and a great source of pollen and nectar for butterflies and bees, there is greater diversity of

both flora and fauna to be found on roofs where there are more potential habitats.

The typical biodiverse green roof is based on a deep layer of growing medium – the minimum is 150mm but often they are deeper and allow more plant species to survive. Obviously, the more growing medium used, the heavier the roof build-up will be and it’s vital that the building is able to cope with the extra loading. On a purposely designed new-build this shouldn’t be a problem, but on a wooden building or a retrofit it’s always wise to employ a surveyor or to ask the client to sign a disclaimer absolving you from any expensive liability should the building fail to support the roof.

1

2

There is no reason why a sedum blanket roof shouldn’t be combined with a biodiverse roof – just work out where the roof is strongest (usually, but not necessarily above supporting pillars) and create deeper layers of substrate or some wildlife-friendly features such as log piles in the strong spots.

Dusty Gedge, President of the European Federation of Green Roof Associations, is predicting that in the future green roofs will begin to benefit humans in new ways, not just through reducing energy bills: “Food production (on green roofs) is on the increase, and I think this will continue; although maybe not for mass production as it’s not cost effective. I think it will be more like market gardening – small scale producers growing herbs/salads etc for local use, in restaurants for example. I think it will also be part of a ‘social’ awakening whereby food on roofs brings communities together, and helps them make a little money. This is already happening in the States”.

3

1 A well maintained, sedum roof.

2 A green roof in July.

3 Viking house with green roof.

4 Butterfly on Spurium flower.

Angela Lambert from Q Lawns will be talking about green roofing at the APL Networking Seminar on Ethical & Sustainable Landscaping at Classiflora, Essex on 6 March visit www.the-hta.org.uk/page. php?pageid=809 for more details, or phone Lauren Swanborough on 0118 930 3132 The Green Roof Centre in Sheffield is hosting a Green Roof Systems Conference on 18 –19 March 2013: Email Jeff Sorrill greenroofs@thegreenroofcentre.co.uk

February 2013 51

GET READY FOR SPRING! Regardless of the weather, create a new look in 2013 by injecting colour and vibrancy into your garden with our painted trellis.

Available in 25 stunning colours including natural ďŹ nish.

Modern lighting solutions

Select from one of the following 25 COLOURS...

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

Request a FREE Sample & Leaflet with code SPRING1

08454 96 96 49 www.trellisdirect.co.uk

lighting catalogue with style shots available on request 0208 123 7914 • www.modernlightingsolutions.co.uk

final mod lighting.indd 1

21/01/2013 15:20

Timber Business Treatment Tips

Timber Treatment

1

2

1 Sample stained to show poor penetration in treated timber.

2 Sample stained to show good penetration in treated timber.

Mark Whiting, Marketing Director of AVS Fencing Suppliers, bemoans the ending of CCA timber treatment and suggests useful strategies to ensure that wood is fit for purpose and will offer longevity of use

A reputation within any industry is something that needs to be protected; this is especially true in times of recession. It is an on-going problem these days, when an excellent landscaper providing reputable workmanship is tainted when the timber used begins to fail prematurely.The client is left feeling dissatisfied and their focus will of course return to the architect or contractor used. Hard work building a good reputation is ruined, and personal relationships with clients are compromised.

Fence Posts Ruin Reputations Problems started several years ago when CCA, a timber treatment used successfully by sawmills and timber treaters, was banned following EU legislation; the UK timber supply chain was ill prepared. Initially, the problem didn’t appear as devastating as it soon became. Many were shocked and incredulous that what was sold and used in good faith did not live up to expectations. Affected wood included square posts; new railway sleepers; machined round timber; and peeled round stakes, often used for tree planting, soil retention and retaining structures, as well as fencing.

The consumer may not be aware of the maxim caveat emptor – ‘let the buyer beware’.

This places the responsibility in the hands of the buyer and not the seller! However, a level of complacency from the perspective of the buyer is the natural result of previous experiences with sustainable timber. More transparency within the industry is required, so that the specifier and

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

buyer of treated timber are both aware that they must be explicit about what is required.

It is time for the buyer to take more control, make specific requests and do their own thorough research before committing to buy Treated timber is utilised for different end uses, so use classes range from 1-5 with 5 being for the most extreme. For example, roofing timber UC3 (use class 3) and ground contact work, like fencing UC4 (use class 4); the service life can also be specified.The penetration required for these use classes is detailed in BS8417:2011 (preservation of wood, code of practice). Providing correct treatment of treated timber, to guarantee that it performs satisfactorily, is a complex science with several factors affecting the eventual result.

These factors are: ● Species of timber being treated ● Moisture content when treated ● Depth of treatment penetration ● Strength of the active ingredients retained in the timber The solution available to combat this problem is a shift of responsibility from provider to user.

Specifiers and buyers must be clear in their instructions, for instance where ground contact

timber is required, buyers must ask for treated timber to comply with UC4.The confidence of the buyer is reliant on the proper documentation, and where possible, treatment certificates and guarantees.

There is no independent regulation of the treatment industry. This leaves the policing and research within the remit and ultimate control of the buyer. In addition, there are just a few large providers of treatment chemicals and these companies are mostly unable or unwilling to guarantee and underwrite their product usage. Therefore, in light of the current climate, it is time for the buyer to take more control, make specific requests and do their own thorough research before committing to buy.

There is always pressure to provide value for money as well as sustainable materials. In an unregulated industry, the client isn’t always aware of the quality of the product used.

In a recession quality may be compromised; only strict specifications made by the landscape designer, and purchasing through a competent established supplier, will ensure the aforementioned is not the result.

Mark Whiting is a Director at AVS Fencing Supplies Ltd with over 26 years experience in the fencing industry. AVS specialise in supplying quality UC4 treated fence posts backed by their own guarantee. www.avsfencing.co.uk

February 2013

53

Ecobuild 2013 CANAL

Go and see at

Ecobuild

ExCel, London Tuesday 5 – Thursday 7 March 2013

Stand Lindum Turf Lindum Turf will be 8 exhibiting a range of wildflower, sedum and grass mixtures specifically for use on green roofs. Lindum SedumPlus is a pure sedum mat, sown with 16 stunning varieties of sedum to combine drought tolerance with extended interest and colour throughout the growing season. Lindum Wildflower & Sedum Mat, developed as an alternative to pure sedum, includes a ready established mixture of drought tolerant sedum, wildflowers, herbs and flowering perennials that will thrive in the conditions created on a green roof and encourage biodiversity.

WWW.LINDUMGREENROOFS.CO.UK

S1700

8

Dura Composites Ltd Stand Dura Composites Ltd, manufacturer and supplier of eco-friendly timber composite decking, cladding and accessories, will be showcasing its product range at this year’s Ecobuild.

Its Dura Decking and Dura Cladding ranges look and feel like natural wood, are UV stable, require minimal maintenance and won’t splinter, rot or warp throughout their 50-year life expectancy (up to 25 year warranty).

The Dura Composites alternative to natural wood is made from 87% recycled timber and is available as 100% FSC certified – an industry first for a composite!

WWW.DURACOMPOSITES.COM

Natural Paving Natural Paving, the UK’s leading independent supplier 8 of natural stone landscaping products, is preparing to make a debut appearance at Ecobuild. The company will display their stunning variety of natural stone paving flags, block paving, walling and accessories.

With a product for all budgets and projects, collections include Premiastone, Cragstone, Fossestone, Classicstone and the renowned Fired Earth range.

Natural Paving will also be showcasing their new and exclusive products for 2013 bringing a fresh European feel to the market place.

WWW.NATURALPAVING.CO.UK

54

February 2013

S920

Stand

S1720

Stand

S742

When it comes to making an entrance grand, CANAL has the knowledge and engineering expertise to transform contemporary ideas into magnificent architectural structures that make impressive statements. CANAL will be exhibiting for the fourth time this year at Ecobuild, presenting a range of architectural project pieces.

From staircases and balustrades, to canopies and sculptures, CANAL can make your vision a reality starting from the simplest concept all the way through to the completion of the project.

WWW.CANALENGINEERING.CO.UK

Stand

Wildflower Turf Ltd S1861/ Wildflower Turf Ltd is S1870 celebrating after a highly successful year in which it was the sole supplier of Wildflower Turf

for the London Olympic Opening Ceremony and the Athletes Village. Visitors to the stand will be able to see first-hand how the Olympic stadium was transformed for that memorable night back in July 2012.

Illustrating the tremendous benefit Wildflower Turf can bring to the biodiversity of an area, a bee box will also be on the stand. Wildflower Turf will be launching a new Wildflower Border Mix Turf, providing gardeners and landscape professionals with a low maintenance Wildflower Turf with more vibrant colours and an extended flowering season. For a chance to win 20m of the new Wildflower Border Mix Turf, follow @wildflowerturf on Twitter, visit the stand or our website.

WWW.WILDFLOWERTURF.CO.UK

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Latest Kit

SPREADERS The AccuGreen 3000 (1) is perfect for large lawns and comes fully assembled. It is Everris’ largest drop spreader with a 1,800 cubic inch hopper. The spreader’s easy-rolling 12-inch wheels provide more than three inches of ground clearance. It has a heavy-duty frame for optimum stability and a

As part of its on-going product development programme, Supaturf has introduced a comprehensive range of pedestrian spreaders, purpose-designed to provide efficient and cost-effective application of fertilisers and other turf treatments to sports grounds and managed amenity turf. With hopper capacities ranging from 56kg down to 25kg, the range offers ideal solutions for most applications. All machines feature moulded plastic hoppers and corrosion resistant, powder coated or stainless steel frames, and heavy duty gearboxes.

Calibration of machines is simple, and rate setting controls are easy to operate. All spreaders can also be used for salt spreading during icy weather.

WWW.SUPATURF.CO.UK

A recent addition to Kuhn’s Amenity Pro range is the K51, a wheel driven machine with a 50-litre plastic hopper that will spread from 0.5–6.0 metres due to adjustable disc vanes.

Spreading can be limited to the left hand side only and the drive is easily disengaged to allow the machine to be moved without

From spin-style topdressers for accurate spread with the lightest footprint, to heavy-duty materialshandling solutions, the Toro ProPass range complements Toro’s existing application equipment offering, such as the

Topdresser 2500. Toro promises to help turf professionals achieve improved agronomic conditions for healthier, more consistent surfaces.

The ProPass 200 broadcast-style topdresser is particularly popular; it delivers accurate spread patterns

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

(1)

(2)

cushioned u-shaped handle with mounted locking-release lever.

The AccuPro 2000 (2) is a professional rotary spreader for

multi-use. It has large 139 Turf Saver 2 pneumatic wheels for an easier push, extended handle with tuff-foam grips for added comfort and a large diameter frame for improved durability. Everris’ patented helical cone guarantees a uniform, consistent spread pattern.

WWW.EVERRIS.CO.UK

spreading. Hopper bottom, agitator, shutter, spread limiter and spreading disc are all made of stainless steel. An accurate application rate scale is included on the K51, so the machine can be used reliably for seed and fertiliser, as well as for spreading salt, sand and fine gravel.

WWW.KUHN.CO.UK

The EarthWay Ev-n-Spred C22HD professional broadcast spreader is a favourite amongst the UK’s professional grounds staff. Built in the USA, the EarthWay range of spreaders is built with the commercial user in mind and are the most flexible and accurate spreaders on the market today. Incorporated in the design and build is the

Pro-shut off plate which provides the user with the ability to control the spread pattern as well as the flow ensuring accurate spreading time after time. The EarthWay Ev-n-Spred C22HD has an ergonomic handle bar design, a strong dual painted steel frame and large pneumatic turf tyres.

WWW.DMMP.CO.UK

from ultra-light dustings to heavier aeration hole-filling applications without any guesswork. Available with a wireless remote controller which makes it even easier to set and control the spread functions.

WWW.TORO.COM

February 2013

55

No matter how small the job The SE750 Trailer will take the weight of it With the SE750, a potential nightmare becomes nothing as you can now get the right gear to the task in hand.

Versatile, robust and fixed sided, the SE750 can be used to transport a wide range of materials and machinery starting with the lightest of lawn mowers!

For more details & info, call Jason Hardwick on:

07900 195065 or e-mail:

info@indespension.com

20 Stores Nationwide Trailers

Pro Landscaper Sept12-186x118h.indd 1

Towbars

Parts

Hire

Service

24/09/2012 14:51

Latest Kit

SCARIFIERS & AERATORS Offering effective aeration up to depths of 40cm, the ProCore SR Series of deep-tine, tractor-mounted aerators alleviate subsurface soil compaction, penetrating the compaction layer sometimes caused by traditional aeration methods.

The SR Series’ tines fracture the soil, creating channels through the root-zone that allow oxygen, water and valuable nutrients to penetrate deep into the soil profile, improving drainage and deep root growth.

Turf is healthier and more

vigorous as a result, in turn helping to guard against disease and making more efficient use of fertilisers while also reducing water usage.

WWW.TORO.COM

John Deere’s D45C walk-behind scarifier is suitable for a range of commercial customers, from landscapers to sports clubs. It features a powerful 4kW four-stroke OHV petrol engine, a working width of 45cm (18in) and 19 steel blades to ensure maximum removal of moss and thatch. The lightweight, cast aluminium deck makes the Good aeration is vital for the health of any lawn and it has never been easier to achieve than with the CAMON LA20 Aerator. Built to the highest standards, in the UK, the CAMON LA20 Lawn Aerator is incredibly reliable, durable and most importantly it provides fantastic performance. In terms of features, the ‘off-set’ crank operating system allows the power of the engine to punch the tines into the ground resulting in perfect aeration and is supplied with both hollow corer tines and solid spikes as standard. The LA20 has pneumatic tyres to eliminate tread marks on the lawn and at only 71cm (28 inches) wide it will easily fit through standard garden gates, while the location of the tines, at the rear of the machine, ensures they are easy to access – and can be changed in less than five minutes.

WWW.TRACMASTER.CO.UK

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Groundsman has been manufacturing aerators for over 20 years earning the reputation for rugged simplicity with optimum performance. A wide range of quick-change tines are available for Solid (spike) and Hollow Coring on fine turf surfaces such as parks and gardens. Needle and Cluster tines are available for close pattern

scarifier easy to handle, and working depth is infinitely adjustable from a central position. The whole blade system can be quickly lifted to protect the blades during transport, while the handlebar folds for easier transport and storage.

Net weight is 44kg, and fuel capacity 2.8 litres.

WWW.DEERE.CO.UK

surface aeration and re-seeding.

The Flexblade Core Collector attachment saves time by gathering the soil cores as they are being produced. Groundsman Industries specialise in the manufacture of pedestrian and tractor mounting turf aerators, and soil core collectors.

WWW.GROUNDSMANINDUSTRIES. COM

The CAMON Lawn Scarifier range comprises three machines, the CAMON LS42 Lawn Scarifier with free swinging blades, the CAMON LS42R Lawn Rake with springs and the LS42F CAMON Verticutter with fixed blades. The reels for the three machines are also sold separately

and can be interchanged between each different machine, offering a truly flexible and versatile scarifier.

CAMON scarifiers are designed to ensure that they can stand up to the heaviest of workloads as we understand that reliability is as important as performance.

WWW.TRACMASTER.CO.UK

February 2013

57

Anthony de Grey Trellises

Architectural Trellises made to order, in a wide range of panel designs and lattice options Arbour seats, Gazebos, Pergolas, Pavilions, Planters and Decking

020-7738 8866

www.trellises.co.uk

sales@anthonydegrey.com Adverts.indd 7

21/01/2013 13:29

Specialist supplier of planters in natural stone, steel and composites • Custom manufacture • Large range of stocked designs

http://commercial.iotagarden.com

01934 522617

Latest Products

PLANTERS Pure Straight Round High This smooth planter is beautiful in its simplicity and is perfect for inside or out – a complete statement piece.

The elevated bottom is practical and also used to prevent this high model from toppling when the bottom has been filled with sand. An eye catcher of stature!

40cm, 50cm or 60cm RRP: from £112.50 WWW.ELHO.COM

Narciso The stylish Fiore range is a unique selection of beautiful designs recreating the look of a handmade turned clay pot. Lightweight, robust, environmentally friendly, and weather proof. Seam free. Available in a choice of five colours and 10 styles.

RRP: from £19.39 WWW.ADVANTAY-GARDENIA.CO.UK

The Poppy Bowl in Rusty finish These planters are pure and sculptured forms with a finely textured surface, and will stand in their own right as beautiful objects, but will also complement the planting and harmonise with the surrounding architecture.

118cm diameter, 58cm high RRP: £856.80 WWW.URBISDESIGN.CO.UK

Sarratt Planter This planter is handmade and hand painted in Farrow and Ball colours of your choice, and can be made in any size – square or trough. The planter comes with a metal lining, and each leg is raised slightly off the ground to protect the planter from dampness.

RRP: from £199 WWW.SANDMANPLANTERS.CO.UK

Tracks These contemporary planters are made from galvanised, powdercoated steel with an embossed geometric design, available in many sizes with an optional hydroponic system. Tracks are suitable for both exterior and interior use with minimal maintenance.

RRP: from £339 WWW.ENCOMPASSCO.COM

Stainless Steel Frame Cubes with slate effect panels These come in various sizes of cubes, troughs and tall squares, the panels are GRP so the planter will last for 10 years or more! Can be used inside or outside and different slate colours are available.

400 x 400 x 400 inches RRP: £176.95 WWW.EUROPLANTERS.COM

Fibrestone Planters In addition to the standard range, these planters are now available in jumbo 1.2m and 1m boxes, which are ideal for trees and large shrubs.

Fibrestone is an innovative composite that combines the durability of fibreglass with the weight of stone, which will not weather or easily chip.

1.2m x 1m x 1m RRP: £430 WWW.ROUNDWOODTRADING.COM

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

February 2013

59

It thinks like you do In whatever trade, tendering accurately for contracts has always been a difficult job...

Adverts.indd 8

LiberRATE makes this critical task so easy and with very little training!

LiberRATE ensures you know what the Job is going to cost you to do. Once you know your cost, you minimize risk and can apply profits to suit your market.

LiberRATE lets you manage changes to the tender quickly and efficiently.

LiberRATE gives you tools to manage your Job once you’ve won it by producing work schedules and buying lists

LiberRATE gives you time related project information. You can tell your client exactly how long you will be on site

LiberRATE makes your quotes and tenders look superior to your competitors

LiberRATE demonstrates the detail of your thinking and shows your prospective client that you are a professional

LiberRATE allows you as an employer to ensure that your estimating staff are submitting viable tenders

15/01/2013 13:44

25 YEARS IN BUSINESS

ARTIFICIAL GRASS

LANDSCAPING • LAWNS • LEISURE

Quality British Products & Established Brand Name Supplier To The Trade Accredited Installer Opportunities Next Day Delivery Direct To Site Bulk Discounts Available

01254 831666

LiberRATE is the Estimating System of Choice for the UK landscape industry. It is no wonder that most of the award winning contractors use LiberRATE to secure and manage their Landscape and Garden contracts. LiberRATE is about maximizing your estimating time and making a profit.

FREE 90 DAY TRIAL

www.verdesports.com

Download from www.landpro.co.uk or call: Sam Hassall - 01252 795 030

The Grass “IS” Always Greener

Sam advert.indd 1

20/12/2012 16:14

Trending

Pro Landscaper looks at what’s different this month AMBEROL DEVELOPS NEW PRODUCT TO SAVE COUNCIL MAINTENANCE COSTS A Derbyshire company has launched a new product designed to save local authorities time and money on their communal floral displays. The Quad Planter, developed by horticultural supplier Amberol, is a self-watering container which uses patented technology to release moisture as and when needed. This reduces the need for maintenance visits from staff whilst conserving water. The Quad Planter is made from durable polyethylene with an impervious waterproof lining that retains compost and holds plants in position. The water is stored under the soil, so it doesn’t evaporate whatever the weather conditions. This means that even in the hottest, driest conditions, the planters only need to be watered once or twice a week, saving on both water and maintenance. www.amberol.co.uk

PERMACULTURE IN POTS: HOW TO GROW FOOD IN SMALL URBAN SPACES BY JULIET KEMP

ANNA GARFORTH’S MOSS GRAFFITI Unlike vandals who scrawl graffiti tags all over derelict buildings, artist Anna Garforth has found a much better way of tagging forgotten walls. Clearly inspired by the guerrilla gardening movement, Anna attaches moss, which she grows herself, onto the walls of derelict buildings using biodegradable materials – forming the moss into words and letters. The hope is that the living moss will continue to grow, slowly taking over the wall until the bulldozers and developers move in. www.crosshatchling.co.uk/Grow.html

‘MYBUNJEE’ MOBILE PHONE SAFETY HOLDER This clever little product, the myBunjee, prevents your mobile phone from falling out of your pocket and getting lost or damaged. The nifty clip is attached to an expandable cord so if the phone falls it is caught before it hits the ground. Perfect for landscapers and nurserymen, anyone with an active job or lifestyle, or just if you’re particularly clumsy! Available in lime green, hot pink, or black. £6.95 with free delivery. www.shop.perennial.org.uk

The price of food – in particular fresh produce – is soaring. If you’re keen not to miss out on those necessary vegetable vitamins, then it’s all about growing your own, even if you don’t have a garden. Permaculture in Pots offers advice on how to start your own food growing revolution on a balcony, windowsill, or concrete patio – or anywhere else you can think of. The book is helpfully divided into months and can be used as an on-going reference guide; easy-to-follow advice on what to plant, when and how, things to be done each month, and most importantly when to harvest your bounty.

There is also advice on storing, preserving, cooking (including recipes) and eating. This book proves that you don’t necessarily need a garden to grow your own throughout the year. RRP £12.95 www.thegmcgroup.com

A handy laboursaving snow shovel for clearing the heavier snow falls from paths and driveways, this shovel comes in five colours: yellow, HEAVY DUTY LARGE red, pink, lavender, SNOW SHOVEL and dark purple – for brightening up those dark winter days. Height: 102cm.

Scoop: 51cm x 32cm. Weight 2.3Kgs. Material: Polypropylene. £19.99 www.cowellsgc.co.uk

People

THE

LITTLE INTERVIEW Sean Butler Cube 1994 Ltd www.cube1994.com In business terms, do you expect 2013 to be better than 2012?

Yes, 2013 already has some very interesting projects lined up.

What is your most important piece of machinery/equipment?

Our 360° Kubota. It saves many man hours and has paid for itself multiple times.

Name one thing unique about your business.

Our ability to take on any project. My background is in civil engineering and this gives us the upper hand on everyday landscape companies.

Do you monitor your competitors’ progress?

No – I don’t follow the sheep, I like to lead.

Richard Wanless Twigs Gardens Design and Build www.twigsgardens.co.uk In business terms, do you expect 2013 to be better than 2012?

I think it’s going to be much tougher; make or break for us.

What is your most important piece of machinery/equipment?

A tape measure.

What is the busiest time of year for you?

Late summer is generally the quieter time.

How important is social media as a means of communication with clients?

Increasingly important – I don’t think you can beat an online testimonial.

62

February 2013

A small insight into the world of other professionals from our wide and varied industry. If you’d like to appear in a future issue please email enquiries to lisa.wilkinson@pro-landscaper.co.uk How do you find new clients?

We are recommended by many happy clients and designers, being an MSGD also helps.

Describe yourself in three words Creative, charitable, honest.

What are your unfulfilled career ambitions?

To win a Gold at Chelsea.

Best book you’ve ever read?

Papillion by Henri Charrière.

Your most inspirational garden?

The Old Vicarage at East Ruston. It’s truly amazing whatever the time of year you visit.

I once said to the owner, Alan Gray “you can see and feel the love in this garden”.

Your dream job?

The one I am doing, which is running my own landscape design and build business.

How do you find new clients?

I don’t really, whenever I try it doesn’t seem to work, thankfully they find me.

Describe yourself in three words.

Glass half full.

Your most inspirational garden?

Wakehurst Place, it was where my career started.

Very happy memories…

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I ran away from home and joined the circus.

First album you ever bought?

Not my proudest moment, Voulez-Vous by ABBA. If you could be any Superhero – who would it be?

Danger Mouse.

Olivia Kirk Olivia Kirk Gardens www.kkearchitects.co.uk What would you say is the best thing about your job?

Being in the office one day and knee deep in mud and plants the next.

What made you want to get into the industry?

Being married to an architect and realising I could bring the ‘architrees’ he put on his plans into landscape designs. Architects are scared of real live green stuff.

How is the bulk of your work made up?

Designing landscaping around the buildings designed by my husband at KKE Architects.

Current trends in the market?

Preserving rainwater and protecting wildlife.

Your company’s plans for the next five years…

To build upon the specialist knowledge we have gathered in healthcare, housing and education.

Who are you inspired by?

As a previous musician and music teacher I often find parallels in landscapes and classical composition – form, rhythm, repetition, harmony and dissonance, so I’m going to say Stravinsky.

Favourite film and TV show?

I’m addicted to The Great British Bake Off. Countryside or seaside?

Countryside – the Lake District.

Your proudest achievement?

Working with Brian Herbert at Outdoor Options to achieve a Gold medal at Chelsea last year.

Spring, summer, autumn or winter?

Spring – full of hope and plenty of time to get things in order.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

People

Rachel Kay Managing Director, Green-tech Ltd www.green-tech.co.uk

Challenges ahead in your work?

Remaining independent within the industry is one of our strengths and we intend to keep it that way.

How do you remain competitive?

Continuously reviewing costs, processes and products.

Favourite TV Show Downton Abbey – clearly I was born too late.

What would you say is the best thing about your job?

Working with a dynamic team, and being able to offer our loyal customers a ‘deal’ without being restrained by lots of red tape.

How is the bulk of your work made up?

I am very much office based, oiling the internal wheels, setting and reviewing strategy plus troubleshooting any internal processes.

What made you want to get into the industry?

My husband, Richard, and I have agricultural backgrounds and wanted to work together; an opportunity presented itself and we decided to go for it.

Your company’s plans for the next five years…

Having grown by 46 per cent in the last three years, 2012 was a consolidation year for us in preparation for achieving a £15m turnover by 2015/16.

Favourite song?

Don’t Stop Believing – Journey.

background of my team means we understand the needs of our customers.

How do you find new clients?

Word of mouth is always the most effective form of generating new clients.

Nick Angel Director of Instant Landscapes Ltd www.instanthedges.co.uk In business terms, do you expect 2013 to be better than 2012?

Yes. We have grown continually over the last eight years.

What is your most important piece of machinery/equipment?

The telehandler – it allows us to load and unload our lorries easily.

Name one thing unique about your business.

The extensive horticultural and landscaping

One thing you want to do before you are too old?

Take off around Europe in a Winnebago or keep up with the kids skiing.

Where’s your favourite holiday destination?

I haven’t been there yet!

What is the busiest time of year for you?

January – during the root ball season we have a full team out delivering and installing.

Describe yourself in three words.

Passionate, motivated, hardworking.

What do you think the trends/changes will be in 2013?

Pleached and formed trees are becoming increasingly popular.

Your dream job?

Genuinely my job now; I enjoy sharing my passion for plants and nature.

How important is social media as a means of communication with clients?

We find Twitter useful and our Facebook site is also an invaluable tool to showcase gardens.

If you could be any Superhero – who would it be?

Ironman. He has all the cool gadgets and I want his suit!

DIARY FEBRUARY 06–07 Executive Hire Show: Ricoh Arena, Coventry www.executive hireshow.co.uk 19–20 RHS London Plant & Design Show: RHS Horticultural Halls, London www.rhs.org.uk

MARCH 05–07 Ecobuild: ExCel London www.ecobuild.co.uk 13 APL Awards: Roof Gardens, Kensington www.aplawards.co.uk 26-27 RHS Great London Plant Fair:

RHS Horticultural Halls, London 25-28 Harrogate Flower Show, Regional Agricultural www.rhs.org.uk Centre, Great Yorkshire Showground, APRIL Harrogate 09–11 The Commercial Vehicle Show, NEC Birmingham www.flowershow.org.uk www.cvshow.com 27 SGD Spring Conference Imperial College, 19-21 RHS Flower Show London SW7 Cardiff, Bute Park, Cardiff www.sgd.org.uk www.rhs.org.uk

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

February 2013

63

Site Visit

Site visit

Crowders Nurseries 1

A family business trading for a staggering 214 years, Crowders Nurseries is now in its seventh generation. Robert Crowder, the current company chairman is a direct descendent of the nursery’s founder William Crowder; the nursery is highly experienced to say the least.

As well as the involvement of family members, the company benefits from a very low staff turnover. Most of the current employees have been working for Crowders for 30 or 40 years; they are knowledgeable, understand the customers’ demands, and how a successful nursery operates.

The nursery occupies around 150 hectares of land in 8 Horncastle, Lincolnshire; the perfect environment for the nursery.

The turnaround on orders is between a week and 10 days, but often customers can place an order and take delivery within three working days. Crowders benefits from having a transport contractor – RASE Distribution, to do all of the contract haulage; they deliver to the UK, Channel Islands, Ireland and Northern Ireland and the customer doesn’t have to worry about offloading.

Meeting demand Currently, Crowders Nurseries has an annual turnover of £6 million; they grow approximately 50 per cent of their plants, and the remaining 50 per cent are bought in – the majority from the UK, but some from Europe: Germany, Holland and Italy in particular. Crowders doesn’t use contract growers, instead there are supply partners; the UK market changes year to year so it is impossible to predict what the market is going to demand.These contacts are visited three or four times a year to check quality; the most important thing in sourcing plants is that success is 64

February 2013

built on good relationships with the people you are working with. In terms of growing, the nursery responds to market patterns, growing elements that sell year on year and supplementing that with large scale contract growing; a current example is for the Olympic Park transformation. Over the last three years Crowders has seen a growth in high value ornamental planting schemes, including the Olympic Park, social housing, schools and Heritage Lottery Funded parks.

Contractors are invited to the nursery, and Crowders prides itself on supplying the whole package, doing host inspections to certify that the whole order is confirmed and of the highest standard.The company’s philosophy is to do exactly what they say they’re going to do; by understanding the needs and concerns of the customer they can ensure that neither time nor money is wasted, by being as helpful as possible.

The nursery’s target market is commercial landscape contractors, but it has also become heavily involved with private domestic works over the last five years, mainly on large scale projects.

The nursery aims to gain customers through its ethos of service, quality and added value to the customer. The plants are in the mid-range in terms of cost, but the quality is always high and its contractor customers value the low returns and hassle-free service. There will always be price negotiations as it is a competitive environment, but Crowders markets itself as being the best company for the job and “doing what we say we are going to do”.

The next step for Crowders Nurseries is to continue to expand its e-commerce business, a ‘garden centre online’ which sells plants, trees and shrubs to the general public. The company is also increasing its share of the “High Net Worth” private client market.

2

3

4 5

6

7

1 Aerial view of Crowders Nurseries, Lincolnshire.

2-4 Growing at the nursery.

5 Robert Crowder, current company chairman.

6 Jenny Hall, buyer and order administrator.

7 Tom Owen, sales manager.

8 View through the nursery.

W. Crowder & Sons Ltd. Lincoln Road, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 5LZ Tel: 01507 525000 Email: simon.ellis@crowders.co.uk Web: www.crowdersnurseries.co.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Why not visit our website!

www.fawcettsliners.co.uk or telephone for a brochure and samples:

Classified Call: 01772 612125 Fax: 01772 615360

Classified

��� ���� ������ �� FawcettsLiners_B182919_1LB

IRRIGATION

�����r�i���o�

Landscape Irrigation, Sportsturf and Golf Distributor: Arcadia Irrigation � ��� 01252 714986 s���s��r���i�irri�tio���o�u�

LANDMARK Timber Products Metal Estate Tree Guards, electro galvanised & black powder coated. Easily assembled in 3 sections & with ground anchors.

6ft x 2ft £100.00 7ft x 3ft £160.00 All plus VAT & delivery

Tree and Nursery Supplies & all Planting Sundries

Mark Vigrass Ltd 01507 604201 / 07971 190345 www.markvigrass.co.uk 0808 129 3773 www.landmarktimber.co.uk

Pop uP Power Supplies Ltd. Safe

Silent

1

2/2/10

12:47:01

T: 01282 453900 E: sales@balmersgm.com Visit our new website: www.balmersgm.com Compact Tractors with mowers John Deere 1026R c/w: 54” mulch deck - EX DEMO, 26hp, 6hrs..................£10’950 John Deere 2520 c/w: 200CX loader, 60” RD deck, turf tyres, 26hp, 783hrs...£11’750 John Deere X740 c/w: 54” SD deck and collector, 24hp - choice of 3.....from £6’250 John Deere X748 c/w: 48” RD deck, 24hp, turf tyres - choice of 8.......from £10’000 John Deere X748 c/w: 48” SD deck + Hi-Tip collector - choice of 5.....from £8’000 Kubota B2410 c/w: 54” SD deck + collector, 4WD, 2239hrs.........................£4’500 Kubota BX220 c/w: SD deck + collector, 22hp, 2328hrs...............................£5’500 Kubota G1700 c/w: 48” SD deck + collector, 15hp, 783hrs..........................£3’500 Kubota G18 c/w: 48” RD deck + collector, 18hp, 597hrs .............................£6’750 Kubota G23 c/w: 48” RD deck + collector, 23hp - choice of 8..............from £ POA Kubota G26 c/w: 44” RD deck + Hi-Tip collector, 26hp - choice of 4....from £6’500 Ride-On rotary mowers Ferris TS1500Z Zero Turn mower, 44” deck - ON choiceAof NATIONAL 2....................from £3’250 SNOW CLEARANCE NEEDED BASIS John Deere 1445 out front mower, c/w: 62” RD deck - choice of 10....from £7’000 Johnyou Deerehave 1445 out mower, c/w: 60” SD deck, cab,need 2126hrs.............£9’750 Do a front tractor / teleporter?

We you to clear John Deere 1445of outour front winter mower, c/w: NEW 60” snow blade, 1949hrs.......£9’750 snow as part maintenance programme.

Ideally John Deere 1445 out front mower, c/w: 62” SD Flex deck.............................£4’500 we would like you to work locally to your base and clear John Deere 1445 out front mower Power unit only (no deck) 3142hrs ......£7’000 snow from our clients’ sites. Competitive rates offered John Deere 1545 out front mower, c/w: 62” RD deck, 251hrs.......................£15’500 dependant on machinary type.

John Deere 1545 out front mower, c/w: 72” RD deck, 544hrs.......................£16’000 Contact gritting@ground-control.co.uk John Deere 1565 out us frontat mower, c/w: 62” RD deck, cab, 1044hrs.............£10’500 John Deere 1600T wide area mower, c/w: cab - choice of 3.................from £8’500 John Deere 997 zero turn mower, c/w: 60” RD deck, 151hrs...............from £12’000 John Deere F1145 out front mower, c/w: 60” Trimax flail deck, 1744hrs......£4’500 All machines (unless otherwise stated) are subject to VAT, come fully serviced and a 90 day warranty Nationwide delivery available.

Visit our website for more machines, photos and information www.ground-control.co.uk

OverThe 500+Stables, quality used commercial ground care machinesCM12 IN STOCK NOW!!

London Road, Billericay,Essex 9HS Balmers GM, Trafalgar Street, Burnley, Lancs, BB11 1TQ

contact: Mike Brown Tel: 020 8551 8363 Email: mbrown@popuppower.co.uk

www.popuppower.co.uk

Secure

Power

Electrical power that pops up out of the ground when you need it and hides underground when you don' t.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com Markets Markets Town Town Centres Centres Shopping Shopping Centres Centres

ORNAMENTS OF DISTINCTION For all your golf, sportsturf and landscape irrigation needs.

December 2012

Stadia Stadia Parks Historic Areas Areas Historic

51

by CHILSTONE

Buy online at www.lws.uk.com

The Chiswick House Project.

C hiswick House having undergone a multi-million pound restoration is ready to safely host a wide range of events that will increase revenue and introduce more people to this historic site.

The Pop uP Power installations were an important consideration when planning the restoration of this stunning historic area.

w w w . p o p u p p o w e r . co . u k 50

December 2012

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Tel 0345 230 9697 • 60th www.lws.uk.com Anniversary 1953-2013

Victoria Park, Fordcombe Road, nr Tunbridge Wells, TN3 0RD www.prolandscapermagazine.com February 2013

65

3773

Classified Classified

For all your golf, sportsturf and landscape irrigation needs.

Buy online at www.lws.uk.com

Tel 0345 230 9697 • www.lws.uk.com

LANDMARK Timber Products

50

Buy online at www.lws.uk.com

Tel 0345 230 9697 • www.lws.uk.com www.landmarktimber.co.uk

86

Classified

(01984) 667458 sales@stuartgarden.com www.stuartgarden.com

Classified

0808 129 3773

Fawcetts Liners

FawcettsIRRIGATION Liners

Pond Liners

Pond Liners

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Established 1948 and still going strong due to quality being our main concern.

Buy from manufacturers and save £££!

Also big savings on pumps and filters!

Why not visit our website!

www.fawcettsliners.co.uk or telephone for a brochure and samples:

Call: 01772 612125 Fax: 01772 615360 1

o�

olf

F

For all your golf, sportsturf and landscape irrigation needs.

� �� FawcettsLiners_B182919_1LB

N

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

December 2012

��� ���� ������ �� FawcettsLiners_B

Established 1948 and still going strong due to quality being our main concern.

�����r�i���o�

Buy from manufacturers and save £££!

Also big savings on pumps and filters!

Why not visit our website!

Landscape Irrigation, Sportsturf and Golf www.fawcettsliners.co.uk or telephone forIrrigation a brochure and01252 samples: Distributor: Arcadia � ��� 714986 Call: 01772 612125 Fax: 01772 615360 s���s��r���i�irri�tio���o�u�

2/2/10 12:47:01 ��� ���� ������ �� FawcettsLiners_B182919_1LB

IRRIGATION

�����r�i���o�

1

2/2/10

12:47:01

For all your golf, sportsturf and landscape irrigation needs.

Metal Estate Tree Guards, electro galvanised Buy online at www.lws.uk.com & black powder coated. Easily assembled in 3 sections & with ground anchors.

S

Do sno w s

6ft x 2ft £100.00 7ft x 3ft £160.00 All plus VAT & delivery

Landscape Sportsturf and Golf 01473 328272 •Irrigation, www.schsupplies.co.uk

Distributor:British Arcadia Irrigation � ��� 01252 714986 built, robust equipment Bespoke orderss���s��r���i�irri�tio���o�u� taken – we can build to your specifications SNOW CLEARANCE NEEDED ON A NATIONAL BASIS

50 February December 2012 66 2013

Do you have a tractor / teleporter? We need you to clear snow as part of our winter maintenance programme. Ideally

Tree and Nursery Supplies & all Planting Sundries

Mark Vigrass Ltd 01507 604201 / 07971 190345 www.markvigrass.co.uk Tel 0345 230 9697 • www.lws.uk.com SNOW CLEARANCE NEEDED ON A NATIONAL BASIS www.prolandscapermagazine.com www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Do you have a tractor / teleporter? We need you to clear snow as part of our winter maintenance programme. Ideally

T

3773

Classified

LANDMARK Timber Products

www.landmarktimber.co.uk

0808 129 3773

Contact us for more information on our range or to request a trade sample pack.

www.hitechturf.co.uk | 01244 289 182 | info@hitechturf.co.uk

For all your golf, sportsturf and landscape irrigation needs.

For all your golf, sportsturf and landscape irrigation needs.

Buy online at www.lws.uk.com

Buy online at www.lws.uk.com

GREAT VALUE TRELLIS AVAILABLE IN A RANGE OF COLOURS 08454 96 96 Tel 0345 230499697 • www.lws.uk.com www.trellisdirect.co.uk 50

December 2012

w w w. r o c h fo r d s . n e t

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Tel 0345 230 9697 • www.lws.uk.com

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

J o s e p h R o c h fo r d G a r d e n s L t d , P i p e r s E n d , L e t t y G r e e n , H e r t fo r d , S G 2 7 H E Te l : 0 1 7 0 7 2 6 1 3 7 0 Fax: 01707 262847 E m a i l : s a l e s @ r o c h fo r d s . n e t

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

February 2013

67

R

NEXT GENERATION ARTIFICIAL GRASS

For an nspirational lawn.

Designed exclusively for Landscapers.

With a dedicated Account Manager, huge stocks, next day delivery direct to site and 24/7 technical support, iGRASS is a brand you can rely on.

The iGRASS range combines high density with durable, yet soft to touch yarns.

Trade Exclusive Free Delivery* Bulk Discounts * On all orders over 25sqm's. Subject to terms and conditions.

Free Samples Call today on

Breathe new life into a tired garden or transform hard landscaped areas.

08000 884 339 www.igrass.co.uk iGrass 速 Trade Division of Evergreens UK Ltd.

Tel: 08000 884 339 Email: info@igrass.co.uk