Pro Landscaper September 2011

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Concept to Delivery

September 2011

DEDICATED TO THE LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY

Let’s hear it from...

Mark Gregory, Landform Consultants and Chairman of the APL

An inspired transformation of the grounds at Heath Manor, Longdon, Worcestershire:

Latest kit at IOG Saltex 2011 Show highlights Published by

Business intelligence

KEYSCAPE’S

MASTER PLAN

LA IS UN SU C E H

Portfolio See how three companies have designed and implemented their projects

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Welcome 3

SEPTEMBER 2011 EDITORIAL editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk Director – Lisa Wilkinson lisa.wilkinson@pro-landscaper.co.uk Tel: 01903 234077 Content Manager – Joe Wilkinson joe.wilkinson@pro-landscaper.co.uk joe.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234077 ADVERTISING Business Development Manager – Jamie Wilkinson Jamie.wilkinson@pro-landscaper.co.uk Jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234077 Sales Executive – Luke Chaplin luke.chaplin@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234077 Sales Executive – Kyle Barrett kyle.barrett@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234077 Sales Executive – Marcus Chant marcus.chant@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234077 Managing Director – Jim Wilkinson jim.wilkinson@pro-landscaper.co.uk jim.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 234077 GENERAL ENQUIRIES Tel: 01903 237779 CIRCULATION Subscription Enquiries: lisa.wilkinson@pro-landscaper.co.uk Tel: 01903 234077 MANAGEMENT Managing Director: Jim Wilkinson Director: Lisa Wilkinson Business Development Manager: Jamie Wilkinson Marketing & Content Manager: Joe Wilkinson Pro Landscaper is published 12 times per year

by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2011 subscription price is £50.00. 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.

WE’RE IN THIS

TOGETHER All of our readers know the excitement that comes starting a new business or new project. And that’s an excitement we share as we bring you this, the first issue of Pro Landscaper. Today marks the culmination of months of hectic preparation as we plotted and planned content for our new journal, determined to meet information needs of professional contractors in a a practical, no nonsense way.

Those of you we’ve already met stress you’re busy and don’t have much time for reading. But you’ve also said you’re always on the look out for new design ideas, tips on latest build techniques and updates on new products and materials.

That’s the mix Pro Landscaper will provide. Plus we’ll talk to fascinating personalities driving this fast-changing industry, as well as offering commercial business tips to those of you, like us, running their own business.

So who are we? Well, let’s admit we’re both new to landscaping. We’ve a lot to learn and we’re very keen to have your views and suggestions about how we make Pro Landscaper even more useful in your workplace. But we do reckon to know a good fair bit about publishing. We put together a great team who like us have worked for the biggest publishers on award-winning journals serving readers in architecture, construction, transport and engineering. Professional communities with info needs very similar to those of you in landscape contracting.

Thank you for the good wishes we’ve already received – and do let us have your ideas and feedback.

We’re in this together!

Lisa and Jim Wilkinson

IN THIS ISSUE 5

News Shed A news round up and diary of upcoming events.

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Let’s Hear It From…

Mark Gregory

Printed by Pensord Press Ltd, Gwent, UK Published by © Eljays44 Ltd - Business Intelligence 2011

Business intelligence

www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

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Design, layout and reproduction by Vivid Associates Ltd, Sutton, UK

Eljays44 Ltd County House, 3 Shelley Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 1TT Tel: +44 (0) 1903 234077

“Our aim is to be your first port of call when looking for innovative ideas and business advice and to help you develop and grow your company effectively.”

How to make a profit in Landscaping Sam Hassall of LandPRO Ltd shows you how to understand the ways of making your business profitable.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Marketing David Winch explains the importance of promoting your business.

19 Chairman of the Association of Professional Landscapers – on the APL, RHS Chelsea Flower Show and The London College of Garden Design.

Portfolio

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In The Night Garden How to produce the wow factor by introducing clever lighting techniques within the garden.

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IOG Saltex With this year’s show just around the corner, we preview some of the most interesting offerings for landscape contractors.

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The Little Interview Take a peek into the lives of people within our industry...

See how three companies have designed and implemented their projects.

Volume 1 | Issue 1 | September 2011 |

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4 News Shed

DIARY…

2011 SEPTEMBER 6-8 September IOG Saltex Windsor Racecourse,Windsor www.iog.org/shows-and-events/ iog-saltex

16 September An Evening with Mark Gregory Cedar Court Hotel, Harrogate www.bali.org.uk/news_events/ events/275/an-evening-withmark-gregory

19-21 September Glee NEC Birmingham www.gleebirmingham.com

28 September Palmstead – Design for Maintenance Seminar Ashford International Hotel www.palmstead.co.uk

OCTOBER 4-5 October RHS London Autumn Harvest Show RHS Horticultural Halls, London SW1P 2PE www.rhs.org.uk

25-26 October Creating Landscapes Capel Manor College, Enfield, Middx www.creatinglandscapes.org.uk

NOVEMBER 2-3 November IOG Scotsturf 2011 The Royal Highland Hall, Ingliston, Scotland www.iog.org/shows-and-events/ iog-scotsturf

EcoScape® and Allplay work ‘hand in hand’ on TV debut EcoScape® team members or products have been used in 3 episodes of the new Channel 5 program, Garden ER, featuring gardening expert David Domoney, Wednesdays 7.30pm.

Episodes include EcoScape® loose fill rubber mulch materials installed at the home of celebrity couple Angelica Bell and Michael Underwood; SoftBond® bonded shred for a ‘Wow factor’ garden in the West Midlands, and EcoScape® Director of Business Development, Mr David

solid rubber tyres and colour coated to replicate natural tones. They can be seen on stand C21 at the Saltex show, Windsor Racecourse, September 6-8th.

Canning Town to host UK’s first self-watering eco-garden

Pro Landscaper launches website

Pioneering plans are under way in Canning Town for a garden made from recycled materials that waters itself.The ultimate environmentallyfriendly landscaped water garden aims to offset the carbon emissions created building the Vermillion flats in Canning Town.

Designed by Churchman Landscape, the Rathbone Market garden will feature a pond, lawn and herbaceous borders constructed from renewable hardwood timber.

Plants will be carefully selected to suit the feeding and nesting habitats

Pro Landscaper launches its website, www.pro-landscaper.co.uk. We also have a LinkedIn group, Facebook page, and you can follow us on twitter @ProLandscaperJW. The website contains all the latest news stories for the landscaping and garden design industries, along with informative videos, latest tenders and a product page for all the latest kit out there. There are advertising opportunities on our website, with buttons and banners available.

Contact Jamie Wilkinson 01903 234077 for more information.

of the bird species around the River Lea and the Thames.The garden will even look after itself as it will be linked up to the roofs of the surrounding buildings so that it can collect the rainwater, which can then be filtered down to aquatic plants.

First monastery for Liverpool in over 100 years

17 November The Landscape Institute Awards The Bewery, Chiswell St, London EC1Y 4SD www.landscapeinstitute.org

Your event: If you have a diary event you wish to publicise, send details to the editor at: lisa.wilkinson@ pro-landscaper.co.uk

Dury using his surfacing expertise, fitting artificial grass with specialist installation company Allplay, at TV presenter Kate Garraway’s London home. The SoftBond® impact absorbing surface was laid by Allplay and EcoScape® working hand in hand, along-side David and his expert makeover team. Selected for its natural bark like appearance, without the associated maintenance of a loose fill bark. The EcoScape® range of products are manufactured from shred taken from recycled

Work gets under way on first monastery to be built in Liverpool for more than 100 years. Work has begun on the first monastery to be

| September 2011 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

built in Liverpool for more than a century. The building at Maryton Grange will be the new home for the Carmelite Sisters who are relocating from their current location in West Derby.

The Prioress, Sister Mary, said: “We felt it was time to move to a location which will be more compatible with our way of life. For example, the new monastery will

allow us to be much more energy efficient and the gardens will also enable us to be self-sufficient while also protecting the local habitat.” As part of the scheme, extensive landscaping works will be carried out on the gardens, including the planting of new wildflower meadows and water features to benefit the local wildlife and habitat, together with the planting of more than 1,500 trees. www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

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APL urges consumers to be wary of rogue traders The Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) is backing calls for all consumers to be vigilant when it comes to rogue traders who offer garden and landscaping services.The Office of Fair Trading has recently launched a consumer awareness campaign advising householders to be cautious when being approached by doorstep sellers and tradesmen.

Last year Consumer Direct received more than 13,000 complaints about uninvited traders and almost half of these complaints related to home maintenance work. With complaints about home maintenance peaking in key gardening and landscaping seasons from July through to the Autumn, APL are urging consumers to always double check the landscaper they are employing has a recognised

accreditation. We are all susceptible to rogue traders, but the most vulnerable are the elderly, who can feel pressured and intimidated by such selling techniques. If approached by such tradesmen with offers of help in landscaping or gardening maintenance, protect yourself by remembering the following: • You are not obliged to purchase anything.

Do not hand over any cash • without seeing the completed work.

• Get a second opinion from a person you trust and other quotes for comparison • Research the landscaper fully before agreeing to anything – who will actually be doing the work, does the landscaper sub contract to other individuals?

APL Chairman, Mark Gregory

IN BRIEF… Record breaker

The Association of

Professional Landscapers

APL Chairman, Mark Gregory said: "The public often think that these traders offer value for money. In my experience, they rarely do, the work is mainly rushed, botched and not thought through.The public also do not realise that they are responsible if the tradesmen have accidents on their property resulting in their injury and can be sued even after the job has been finished and paid for.The APL represents the best in the industry for garden works and construction. The skills and knowledge these businesses bring to consumers and confidence to buy count for so much. You get one chance on a major investment to your property. It has got to be right.

Westminster has been named as having the cleanest, safest and best maintained parks in London.

The borough scooped a record 24 Green Flags – up from 21 last year – more than any other London borough.

Honorary degree President of the Royal Horticultural Society Elizabeth Banks has received an honorary degree from the University of Greenwich.

She was awarded the degree of Doctor of Design (HonDDes) in a ceremony at the Greenwich Campus on 18 July.

Locked out Gardeners are careless with keys, according to a recent survey. More than a third claimed they had spent over an hour locked out of their home while gardening, on the allotment or in the garden shed due to lost keys.

Community award

BIGGA to stage education presentations at Saltex The British and International Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) is for the first time staging a day-long series of education presentations at this year’s (IOG) SALTEX show at Windsor. The free-to-attend BIGGA Golf Education Day on Wednesday 7 September aims to provide turf professionals with an insight into the art of golf greenkeeping research,

technique and experience. IOG chief executive Geoff Webb said:

“Establishing the programme for this special BIGGA Golf Education Day is not only a reflection of the ongoing dialogue and co-operation between the IOG and BIGGA, but it also highlights how IOG SALTEX continues to evolve to meet the demands of our audience.”

Full details are available at www.iogsaltex.co.uk

Daniela Coray and Arne Maynard to join forces at Chelsea

Daniela Coray is set to work with garden designer Arne Maynard on the Laurent Perrier garden at Chelsea www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

in 2012 after winning the RHS National Young Designer of the Year title for her garden A Stitch in Time at the Tatton Park show. Falmouth based landscape designer and artist Coray completed her studies in 2010 and went on to set up her own design practice in the town, while enrolling on University College, Falmouth's newly-established art and

environment masters course. Coray said: "The course is about continuing education and professional development. "The RHS has also suggested that she enters the new Fresh category,which has replaced urban gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. It involves building modular 3x3m gardens. See Daniela in our Look Out for... feature in next month’s issue.

Castle Garden in Malton has been recognised as one of the best community-run green spaces in the country. The gardens, which are managed by a group of volunteers, have been awarded a Community Award by the Green Flag consortium in recognition of the site being a well-managed and welcoming place, central to the local community.

Green flags increase There will be a total of 1288 Winners of Green Flag awards this year, up from 1200 last year.Voting closes on the 11th September.

Big impression The episode of DIY SOS on the 9th August showcased the work of Carrick Landscapes in Kent.

They made a big impression and produced a wonderful garden.

It’s great for our industry to get a project on a BBC primetime programme.

Volume 1 | Issue 1 | September 2011 |

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Meet the Team 7

Meet the Team

visit us at IOG Saltex – Stand T05 Jim Wilkinson – Managing Director An experienced professional in publishing for 25 years – at Director level for the past 12 years, within the largest business to business publishing houses in the UK – Jim also has an interest in property renovation and embraces the concept of ‘bringing the outside in’. He is a football fan and lifelong supporter of Queens Park Rangers and his favourite pastime is walking along the South Downs with his three Jack Russell dogs.

Lisa Wilkinson – Director Lisa is an experienced Office Manager and has worked in an editorial capacity on consumer and business to business magazines and for a while in the property sector managing a busy local Lettings business. She loves foreign holidays (despite been terrified of flying) and likes to combine garden ideas from abroad with traditional English planting. She is very excited about working within the Landscaping industry and is constantly learning and gathering ideas for her own garden renovation.

Joe Wilkinson – Marketing and Content Manager Since an early age Joe has had a way with words! His early ambition was to have a career in journalism and he has now ‘picked up the gauntlet’ and is an invaluable member of the team. In keeping with family tradition, he is also a QPR fan and enjoys playing for a number of local teams.

He also enjoys cooking, has a wide and varied interest in music and all sports – watching and playing. He has previously worked in publishing on film industry magazine titles and in vehicle leasing.

Jamie Wilkinson – Business Development Manager Jamie’s working career has been focused on sales, and he has a great quality of building good relationships with his clients, whether they be multi-million pound companies or small businesses.

His hobby is web development and he has built a very successful fan site for his favourite football team (yes you’ve guessed it – Queens Park Rangers called www.qprupdate.co.uk – check it out if you’re a fan!) He is mad on classic scooters and recently became the proud owner of a 1975 Vespa.

Pro-Landscaper Advisory Panel

Mark Gregory Chairman APL & owner Landform Consultants

Jerry Gosney PPA Director and Editorial Consultant

Sam Hassall LandPRO Ltd

Stuart Marler TVG Landscaping

Other team members Kyle Barrett – Online Sales Joker in the pack!

www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

Luke Chaplin – Sales Executive Sporty and serious!

Marcus Chant – Sales Executive Energetic and engaging!!

Russell Eales Owner, Russell Eales Lawncare

Volume 1 | Issue 1 | September 2011 |

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Let’s Hear it from... 9

LET’S HEAR IT FROM...

MARK GREGORY Landform Consultants and Chairman of the APL

A busy man is Mark Gregory. He heads up Landform Consultants, chairs The Association of Professional Landscapers and when we caught up with him he was up to his elbows in the proverbial, constructing award-winning gardens at Chelsea. So tell us, we asked him, about you, your business and challenges for the industry.

It’s great to be here Mark, amongst the cream of the industry, getting ready for another great Chelsea Flower Show.

Well it’s the best theatre in the world, and great to have on your CV which is why I come back year after year. It’s such a huge thing now, and the media have played a big part in making it so.

Twenty years ago Chelsea was shown for half an hour on BBC2 and now we have 13 hours over the week. Gardening is becoming more than just a national pastime now.The RHS are trying to get horticulture onto the curriculum but unfortunately it’s dropped at secondary school level which doesn’t help to encourage young people into the industry. www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

➧ Volume 1 Issue 1 | September 2011 |

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10 Let’s Hear it from...

1 So how did you start out in the industry?

Well I was at college for 6 years altogether, I went to Lancashire College on a one year certificate course, then proceeded onto Askham Bryan College where I did a diploma and I also did a year with the RHS at Wisley. My love of horticulture came from my grandparents and the technical construction side came from my father who was a builder. My father talked me out of the idea of becoming a builder when I was 16 so really what I do is a combination of the two.

How important do you think qualification levels people need to come into the industry are?

When I started out there was no educational path in landscaping – to be honest if you came into it you were considered a little bit thick – but now people | September 2011 | Volume 1 Issue 1

are increasingly finding it as a career later in life.

People go into the City, into say engineering – they get bored and fed up and then find this fantastic, rewarding thing to do with their skills. Personally, I think I’m the luckiest guy in the world! I’m working with the HTA to try and get young people globally interested in horticulture, as it’s a good place to start.

You need to know about soil, turf and plants to build a good garden. Then you can specialise in turf culture, greenkeeping, garden design or landscape architecture – whatever you want to do. The industry is a great one to get into but not if you come into it thinking it’s easy money and 9-5! If you want a fantastic lifestyle, a decent wage and something satisfying, it’s an amazing career. Then if you choose to run your own business you need to be taught how to be professional in presenting quotations and close sales, so I think a lot of landscapers would benefit from an education in

business skills as well. Running your own business is hard work but it can also be very rewarding.

And your involvement with trade bodies you are associated with?

Well, I’ve been the Chairman of the APL for a year but need more time to do what I want to within the Association. I think I’m the right man for the job at this time. I plan to get all garden designers to use an APL member, our growth will come from links with the SGD and landscape architects. I also sit on the Board of the HTA and am a member of BALI. There are moves afoot to combine the Associations but there’s a lot of work to be done – given time this may happen. To have separate Associations can be a massive cost, I’m paying almost £2000 to be a member of two trade bodies which is ridiculous, however by being associated you have to go through an audit www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

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Let’s Hear it from... 11

Diversification – A lot of our clients are conscious about ethical sourcing – sustainability. My advice to small businesses is to be prepared to change the way you work.

1 RBC New Wild Garden under construction 2 Erecting the structure of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne 3 The finished Pavilion

and quality check. This is where they come and look at your office and procedures, health & safety, insurances, risk assessments etc. and you have to submit 20 jobs of which 10 they write to for references – so in this way the standards are kept very high.

So do you think there should only be one body?

Absolutely, 100% and I think the industry in general agrees. But landscaping is such a massive cathedral – you’ve got grounds maintenance, materials – and then commercial and domestic business – so there would have to be defined boards under each section.

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3 www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

So how would you define your business? Will you only take on contracts over a certain size? How do you win the business and do you work nationwide?

No I’ll do anything – I mean – the bottom line is that the last two or three years have been really, really tough. Most of our work is by recommendation and the work I take on is generally top end domestic. We have the ability to deliver, are trustworthy and reliable which are the most important elements to our clients, it’s not necessarily all about price. I used to work all over the place but I don’t tend to now, my area covers Central London, from Docklands to Newbury, from the South Coast up to Oxford – I don’t need to travel all over the country now.

Are you still quite hands on?

I am at Chelsea, I’m marketing the Company here – there’s a good atmosphere and I’m doing 1/4 million pounds worth of work here so I don’t want to get it wrong.

And trends that people should look out for?

Diversification – A lot of our clients are conscious about ethical sourcing – sustainability. My advice to small businesses is to be prepared to change the way you work. The way people have done things for years and years isn’t necessarily the way things are going to be done now. For instance, when I came into the business, it was totally alien to dig a hole and bury things in the garden. But now if you do that – you’re doing a good thing, you cut down on carbon emissions, skips and lorries – now that’s the way things are working.

We have got specifications that call for zero use of cement so you go back to spot bedding which was frowned upon in my early years. Nothing’s the same, it’s more technical than ever. Another interesting point is that sub-contractors used to be a dirty word with clients – but now we couldn’t operate without them. We have got welders for steelwork, glass fibre, carpentry, tree surgeons, lighting and security, also fibre optics and audio systems – there are so many different specialist trades, the whole industry is becoming so much more technical. You need to read publications and go to trade shows and see new products to keep educating yourself.

What has affected the industry most in recent years?

Things like the media, Ground Force had a massive effect to our industry – garden centres were cleared out at the weekends after people were inspired to have a go at designing and creating their Volume 1 Issue 1 | September 2011 |

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12 Let’s Hear it from...

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1 Building the pathway of the Royal Botanic Garden Melbourne 2 RBC New Wild Garden – habitat wall 3 Waterhole of the Australia garden 4 Artistic use of materials

own gardens. People started to dig holes and realised it was hard work out of their depth and we got quite a few calls saying my husband’s given up can you come and finish it off. I think we now need a new champion of the industry, someone young and light hearted, to help demystify it all – a Jamie Oliver of the landscape industry to help attract young people into the industry…..

Isn’t that you then?

I’m a bit old (laughs)! But they need someone to encourage younger people and stop them feeling terrified of going to a garden centre because they know nothing about it. All the books are too technical, they want to design an iPad app that can scan or search for a plant so people can learn what it can do. Things are changing – these are interesting times but we are still in a culture where people don’t just don’t seem to bother about these things.

I’m a bit old (laughs)! But they need someone to encourage younger people and stop them feeling terrified of going to a garden centre because they know nothing about it.

And tell us about your college?

I have always taught at private colleges like Merrist Wood. I do masterclasses and work a lot with the societies, I believe that we have to give back. It was a no brainer for me to get involved with two other partners to set up The London College of Garden Design. Its based in Kew Gardens with 20 | September 2011 | Volume 1 Issue 1

students who pay to get trained by the best. We have some fantastic lecturers and it opens new doors for people. We’re currently taking on new students for September for our third year of the Diploma course.

You seem like the busiest man – how do you split your time between leading the business, and all your other commitments? And how do you relax?

It’s not just a job, it’s a lifestyle. I enjoy what I do and love nothing more than getting in the car and going away for the weekend visiting gardens that I haven’t seen and photographing them. I read, collect books and I love my motorbikes.

What are the prospects for the coming year?

It’s going to be a tough year again, the bottom end of the market has been hammered by people living with the threat of redundancy which means they’re not going to spend money on a new patio or driveway. The top end, which is the field I’m in, is buoyant and holding up, but it’s still not easy. We all have to be cautious and adaptable, which I guess is essential in these interesting times.

Thanks for your time Mark, when it’s obviously something you have little of, I hope our magazine can be the voice that APL needs to encourage new members and we look forward to hearing more from you in the future.

Since the interview took place, the two show gardens at Chelsea constructed by Mark’s company, Landform Consultants, took a Gold Award (Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne – designed by Jim Fogarty – charts the passage of water

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through Australia’s landscape) and Silver-Gilt Flora (Royal Bank of Canada New Wild Garden – designed

by Nigel Dunnett and inspired by the book The Wild Garden by William Robinson). Congratulations on these achievements.

REFERENCES Landform Consultants

L A N D F O R M

The Nursery, Bagshot Road Chobham, Surrey GU24 8DB C O N S Tel: 01276 856145 Email: mark@landformconsultants.co.uk Web: www.landformconsultants.co.uk

U L T A N T S

London College of Garden Design 74 Sydney Road, London SW20 3EF Tel: 01483 762955 Email: info@lcgd.org.uk Web: lcgd.org.uk

APL (Association of Professional Landscapers) Horticulture House, 19 High Street Theale, Reading, Berkshire RG7 5AH Tel: 0118 930 3132 Email: apl@the-hta.org.uk Web: www.landscaper.org.uk

The Association of

Professional Landscapers

SGD (Society of Garden Designers) Katepwa House, Ashfield Park Avenue Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR9 5AX Tel: 01989 566695 Email: info@sgd.org.uk Web: www.sgd.org.uk

BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries) Landscape House, Stoneleigh Park Warwickshire CV8 2LG Tel: 0247 669 0333 Email: contact@bali.org.uk Web: www.bali.co.uk

HTA (Horticultural Trades Association) 19 High Street, Theale, Reading, Berkshire RH7 5AH Tel: 0118 930 3132 Email: info@the-hta.co.uk Web: www.the-hta.org.uk

www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

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14 Business Tips

HOW TO MAKE A PROFIT IN LANDSCAPING 1. How much is this going to cost me to do?

2. What is the minimum profit I am prepared to make on this job?

3. What is the maximum profit I can put on this job and still win it?

The 2 latter questions and answers are a matter of your needs risk and acumen.The first question is simple – It’s just arithmetic and that is the one we will deal with now.

4. Your salary, the office expenses and the Christmas party all have to come via the workforce.

4. Readers can customise these table tables for their own needs or can contact the writer for a copy of the Excel sheet via www.landpro.co.uk.

THE BIG QUESTION What should my hourly rate be?

The Table 1 provides basic rates for a 3 man team and a vehicle.

• Each operative is paid a basic salary.

• National insurance is added.

• An allowance for clothing is added on an annual basis.

• An allowance for replacement tools is allowed for each operative.

• The hourly rate shown is based on UK building industry working hours for 2011/2012 of 1795 hours. I reduce this further to 1740 to allow for sick and inclement weather down time.

• The basic pay rates are those for a typical London team.

CLARIFICATION We are only talking about COST. THE BIG ANSWER It depends on the company but below is my theory of how to calculate this.

THE COSTS OF LANDSCAPE LABOUR Ensuring your profit from Landscape contracts THE THEORY 1. There is no point in working if you are going to lose money.

2. You have to understand your costs.

3. As a landscape contractor all of your revenue only comes via the workforce – i.e. the men and women with “spades” in their hands.

It is not possible to make a profit until you fully understand your costs.When your client asks you to submit a price for a job there are 3 questions you need to ask yourself.

Sam Hassall reports.

BASIC COSTS OF YOUR LABOUR Notes:1. Most landscape companies base their team sizes on either 2 or 3 operatives.This is for ease of transport in vehicles and efficiency on sites.

2. For purposes of this cost investigation we will examine the standard 3 man team.

3. There may be a number of 3 person teams on any site.

ADMINISTRATION COSTS The next part of this calculation then examines the administrative cost of the company. This is the cost of all your administration which is required to

TABLE 1: NETT COST OF LABOUR Working Hours per year (2011/2012) 1740 Allows sick and weather down time Foreman Craftsman Labourer

Number of Labour team 1 26000.00 1 20000.00 1 17000.00 3.00

Vehicle Costs Inclusive of Fuel Insurances etc

63000.00 Working Days 225.25

Nett Average Cost per man Hour

15.75

| September 2011 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

NI 3250.00 2500.00 2125.00 0.00 7875.00

Nett Cost 29250.00 22500.00 19125.00 0.00 70875.00

Uniforms 200.00 200.00 200.00

Site Tools 200.00 200.00 200.00

TOTAL 3 Man Team

600.00

600.00

£72,075.00

£ /Day 45.00 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

£10,136.25

TOTAL

£82,211.25

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Business Tips 15 TABLE 2: OVERHEAD COSTS

TABLE 3: THE TOTAL COST OF YOUR LABOUR

These are the expenses of running the company which have to be recovered via the work excecuted by the workforce

The information here is dependent on the data in the previous screens.

Fill in the amount of labour on your work teams to see the total cost of labour

COST CENTRE MD: Salary only: excludes profits: I Contracts manager Secretary Book Keeper (Part time) Other office staff Rental Insurances Telephone and Mobiles Office Equipment Stationary Advertising Company cars Other vehicles not allocated to contract teams Other consultants Accountancy Lights water Other expenses TOTAL OFFICE OVERHEAD

Number of

Cost

Total

1 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 12.00 1.00 12.00 1.00 12.00 12.00 2.00

45000.00 40000.00 20000.00 20000.00 15000.00 1000.00 5000.00 200.00 1100.00 40.00 1000.00 5000.00

45000.00 40000.00 20000.00 20000.00 15000.00 12000.00 5000.00 2400.00 1100.00 480.00 12000.00 10000.00

1.00 1.00 1.00 12.00 1.00

7200.00 4000.00 4500.00 75.00 5000.00

7200.00 4000.00 4500.00 900.00 5000.00 204580.00

TOTAL NR OF SITE STAFF

Admin Cost per hour

Total Rate per Man Hour

3 6 9 10 12 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 70 80 90 100

39.19 19.60 13.06 11.76 9.80 5.88 4.70 3.92 3.36 2.94 2.61 2.35 2.14 1.96 1.68 1.47 1.31 1.18

54.94 35.35 28.81 27.51 25.55 21.63 20.45 19.67 19.11 18.69 18.36 18.10 17.89 17.71 17.43 17.22 17.06 16.93

NOTES ON FIGURES IN TABLE 3 • Obviously a company that had an administration cost of £205000 and deployed only 3 people would not be a very viable entity.

The range of figures though, are shown for clarification and so that readers can examine the viability of their current labour costs.

• The optimum of this table is a company deploying 25-40 people.

• Companies doing specialised work and who are employed by reputation may be able to charge more but may have higher administration costs.

• Companies who are doing tasks such as maintenance may be able to deploy a higher amount of workers with the same administrative cost.

place your work force on the ground each day. It is all the lost time for lost tenders, your rentals insurances and your non site based staff.

It also assumes that the managing director is paid a basic salary and that he takes the rest of his remuneration through profit.

The model shown below is for a medium sized company with the overheads as shown.

Again, the figures here should be adjusted to suit readers needs.

Table 2 shows the overhead expenses for a fairly typical landscape company which costs £205K to run on an annual basis.

• Every possible expense of the company from new computers to toilet paper should be included here.

• Optimally this model would be for a medium sized company where the Owner /director and the Contracts manager each run 3-4 teams each with an optimum of 25-35 people overall.

As a guide, the optimum in today’s competitive market in London is a cost rate of between £18.00 to £20.00 pure cost of labour.

NOW FOR THE INTERESTING BIT: The big question is what should the cost be of every person on my workforce?

The following table takes the value of each labour resource as per Table 1 and combines it with the administration cost of deploying that labour resource.

CONCLUSION Once you have your labour rate carefully worked out, you are well on the road to making a profit.

You may not win as many jobs as you did with a lower labour rate but you will not lose money on a job provided you workforce executes the work efficiently.

www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

NEXT ISSUE We will examine some of the actual costs for common tasks in our industry. Readers are invited to submit their suggestions to editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sam Hassall is the UK’s only dedicated specialist landscape cost consultant. As Managing Director of LandPRO Limited he consults with Landscape professionals both on cost and implementation of Landscapes. His range of services are to provide cost information to both Landscape design professionals and Landscape contractors. Sam’s expertise is gained from his formal training and many years of experience in the landscape industry. As part of his portfolio Sam also compiles the Spon’s External works and Landscape price book and developed the market leading LiberRATE Estimating system.

Further information is available from www.landpro.co.uk or by calling direct to LandPRO Ltd 01252 795030

Volume 1 | Issue 1 | September 2011 |

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16 Business Tips

o know the Niche you are trying to generate leads from. Don’t believe you can sell to everyone, or even to a large amorphous subset of ‘everyone’. Do define your niche by ‘public domain’ information. Things you can only find out by asking come later. And when I say ‘know’ I mean ‘have a strong affinity with’. You do have to know what they think, what worries them, what keeps them awake at night. What excites them. What makes them tick. What their needs and goals are.

Do write down all of their ‘pains’ and organise these into short logical sequences “... which means that ... which means that ...” Do make sure you have many, many of these pain sequences. Turning these on their head will give you sequences of ‘pain relief’ which will be hugely interesting to your niche.

Time invested in this will mean you don’t have to reinvent the wheel later, every time you put together a promotional item.

D

‘PRODUCT LADDER’ This pain relief is obviously what your niche needs, and you are the only one who can supply it your way. Do select and create products that meet these known needs. Do create sequences of products/services of different values at different prices, and help your customers move gently up your ‘product ladder’. Do always know what you’d like a customer to buy next. Don’t be tempted to include products that are fun to design or challenging to source when none of your niche is interested in them.

Don’t believe that a great Marketer can market anything, nor that a great Salesman can sell anything.

Do realise that a product or service selected as described is far easier to promote and sell.

You do have to know how you can communicate with all of your niche, personally, very easily.

And I don’t mean by spam e-mail or junk snail-mail.

Do formulate your Promotional Strategy and do put in place mechanisms to measure the effectiveness of each individual thing you try – Test

Don’t believe you can sell to everyone...

Do think from the customers’ point of view. | September 2011 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

THE DOs AND DON’Ts OF MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS Don’t fall into the trap of believing that Marketing is only about promotion. Do realise that there are three other major facets of Marketing – Place, Product and Price.

Product and Price are fairly easy to comprehend, but Place? Do replace Place with Target Market or Niche in your mind if you prefer. And then there’s Sales, which is also an integral part of Marketing. By David Winch. and Measure! Do have many ways of promoting what you need to promote.

Do think from the customers’ point of view – Answer their “What’s in it for me?” questions.

Don’t write bullshit or ‘so flaming what’ copy. Don’t believe that saying you do things your customers expect to be able to take for granted will set you apart from your competitors. Do communicate ‘value outcomes’. Do talk about numbers, free stuff, exclusive stuff and rapid results, and do serve them up in bite-sized chunks. Do be sparing with educational ‘You will learn how to ...’ messages.

Do spend a lot of time on writing your headlines. They are what attracts and holds attention. Don’t give people lots of different things to do. Do ask them several times to do just one thing. Having spent time and money getting them to read what you have to say, do make sure you collect their contact details. These are the small section of the world’s population who are very interested in you and what you’re selling. Do make sure you can send more of your interesting stuff

directly to them. Do create sequences of followup material to send them. Don’t just keep sending the same thing.

Don’t get things back to front like many people do. When you are promoting and lead generating, be as narrow and specific as possible. Do realise you can’t sell a list, not even just two or three items.

We all know you can do more than one thing for more than one niche, but don’t confuse people.

DON’T BE TOO NARROW When it comes to the selling part, don’t be too narrow. Do offer your customers choices. Do listen to what they say and where appropriate, do tell them about the other relevant things you can do.

If you would like to find out more about making sales without selling and getting paid what you're worth, visit www.sws3.co.uk to download 30 more free practical ideas that you can implement straight away in your business. Or you can contact David directly at david@davidwinch.co.uk www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

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18 Sustainable Development

The golden wildflower meadow flanking the Olympic stadium.

THE STORY BEHINDA

WINNING LANDSCAPE

London 2012 gardens – the garden representing the Temperate America zone taking shape.

Credit: Professor James Hitchmough, University of Sheffield

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Credit: Sarah Price

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H

| September 2011 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

are capable of being designated as Grade 1 importance in London.

Wildflower meadows, created by Professor James Hitchmough and Dr Nigel Dunnett from the University of Sheffield, provide a dramatic backdrop to the parkland landscape. Following extensive trials, seed mixes have been produced and are already flowering onsite on a scale not seen before. One of the main challenges has been to ensure that the meadows flower in late July at the time of the games rather than in June as they would usually do. Not only will these swathes be highly attractive to visitors, they also help provide variation to the landscape structure which in turn helps drive the biodiversity onsite.

JOURNEY THROUGH DISCOVERY The London 2012 Olympic Gardens, with planting designed by the LDA Design/Hargreaves team and designer Sarah Price, are a journey through the discovery and development of cultivated plants over the past 500 years featuring plants from Western Europe, Temperate Americas, Southern Hemisphere and Temperate Asia. Over 65,000 of these plants have been grown by Palmstead Nurseries.

With extensive experience from rejuvenating Central Park in New York, Tim Marshall from ETM Associates is responsible for looking after the park’s legacy – its long term management and maintenance. He comments, ‘The park is a class A design and it is paramount that it has class A management also – not only for the landscape but as a place for people to come and use.’

Frog ponds and log piles have been created to attract wildlife onto the park.

Credit – HTA

opkins was one of a number of key players involved in developing the Olympic Parkland speaking at the APL event ‘Designing and Delivering a Winning Landscape’ in London in July. Delegates heard, and later saw on a tour of the Olympic site, how the 250 hectare area has been transformed for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games next July.

The project has had many challenges – not least because of the sheer scale of it being the largest urban park development in the UK in the last 100 years. The area, once occupied by battery and match making factories, has required a substantial cleansing and restoration programme in order to make it fit for purpose for the Games and the future.

Landscape architect Neil Mattinson from LDA Design explained how the soil within the parkland had been treated onsite in a number of ‘soil hospitals’ – a procedure that saved the movement of 90,000 trucks! With regards to planting, there was a desire to include as many native materials as possible – over 2,000 semimature trees from Hilliers Nurseries have been planted already.

The vision for the games was to create a sustainable legacy for London and the UK. When the ODA took over the site in 2005 there were 45 hectares of designated wildlife habitat and an equivalent area needed to be restored as part of the development. For Dr Peter Shepherd from LDA Design Ecology it has been no mean feat to ensure that the ten different habitat types created, including the UK’s largest wet woodland,

Credit – HTA

The Olympic Park will set the standard for future restoration projects – demonstrating that a good functioning and working landscape can be achieved anywhere in the UK, according to John Hopkins from the Olympic Development Authority (ODA). ‘The landscape is fundamental to sustainable development and to creating value’, he added.

The APL event brought together key players involved in developing the Olympic Parkland l to r – John Hopkins (ODA), Neil Mattinson (LDA Design) and Tim Marshall (ETM Associates).

Summing up, APL Chairman Mark Gregory said, “This event has provided a unique opportunity to hear the story of the development of the park from the key players involved. From the overall strategy down to the detail of seed mixes in use it has provided a fascinating account of the work that has gone on. The landscaping of the Park is fundamental not only for the Olympics but for the long term legacy which will enable people to enjoy the area long after the games are over.”

The HTA and APL would like to thank the Olympic Delivery Authority for their support in hosting this event. ◆

The Association of

Professional Landscapers

For further information about the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL), visit www.landscaper.org.uk www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

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Portfolio 19

KEYSCAPE’S

MASTERPLAN Ruth Gwynn and Rupert Keys of Keyscape Design & Construction have created an inspired transformation of the grounds at Heath Manor, Longdon, Worcestershire.

ABOUT KEYSCAPE

eyscape were asked to look at a project at Heath Manor, Longdon,Worcestershire by the new owners, Mr and Mrs Smith.The Manor had stood empty for a while and the new owners were keen to renovate both the inside and the outside of the property. A draft design had been undertaken and Keyscape were asked to continue refining the Masterplan and detail it ready for construction.

Mr and Mrs Smith had firm views over how they wanted the finished terraces to look and had already chosen a source for the Yorkstone slabs they liked, having visited a quarry in Huddersfield.

The first step for Keyscape was to revise the draft design, there were certain ‘problem’ areas that needed addressing to improve the whole look and feel of the garden.The original proposals for the swimming pool terrace saw a brick wall demolished and rebuilt some 1.5m away from the building. Keyscape’s idea to do away with the wall and incorporate steps, meant that the view from the indoor pool and adjacent terrace was now unimpeded of the existing lawn and shrubbery.

K

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±

Keyscape Design & Construction is a creative landscape gardening company based in picturesque Pershore, Worcestershire. It is owned and managed by husband and wife team Rupert Keys and Ruth Gwynn. A consistently award-winning team, they have received a number of Royal Horticultural Society medals at the Malvern Spring Garden Show, Hampton Court and Gardeners World Live at the NEC, building gardens for Chris Beardshaw, Ali Ward and for other designers.

Ruth is the designer of this project. As well as being a director for Keyscape she runs her own landscape architects and garden design practice. If you need any further background on Keyscape you can visit our website www.keyscapegardens.co.uk

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20 Portfolio

It was important that throughout the project we worked to a very high standard and as a result the final snagging list was minimal.

A new Orangery had just been completed which lead off from the large new kitchen; the terrace outside was to be raised by one step to emphasise its prominent position. From this terrace a central path with sunken water feature lead away from the house to an oak pergola.

Having completed the design the next task was to measure and order the stone. Three sizes of slab were chosen, a larger 500 x 750mm slab for the terrace to replicate the tiles used in the Orangery with a 500x 500mm edging strip to emphasis the step edge. All other slabs were 500mm x random lengths. Each step was to have a bull nosed finish with mitred corners where necessary; these were all detailed on the plans.

Sunken area with bull nose steps. Paving for curved steps were cut on site to give precise radius.

The client opted and carried out planting of herbs to lower border.

The other area of greatest change was adjacent to the Cottage where a symmetrical sunken area had originally been proposed. Working with Mr and Mrs Smith the final layout incorporated a set of curved steps leading to an existing bricked up doorway within the original 10’ garden wall. Once unblocked this would give views from the garden across the adjacent paddock to the wider countryside beyond.

VERY HIGH STANDARD Retaining walls were required in the sunken area and these were constructed as block and render and painted to match the existing Cottage.

The oak pergola was designed with reclaimed brick piers, with the oak timber sourced and sawn locally.

It was important that throughout the project we worked to a very high standard and as a result the final snagging list was minimal.

We commenced the project in September 2009 and completed by March/April 2010. Due to the Winter in January 2010 we were delayed by approximately 2 weeks. Luckily, there was not a deadline date for the works. If a completion date was set, this would not have been achieved as the client requested further works in and around the

property.The additional works consisted of gravel paths with steel edging, turfing, erection of gates, stone edging around main terrace, further steps and paving to side and front of property utilising materials on site from previous works and planting of Buxus hedging.

The paving was sourced from Johnsons Wellfield Quarries Ltd, Huddersfield. All of the 750x500mm and bull nose stone was cut to order. In all, approximately 250 square metres were produced for the project.

The pointing mix between the paving was sourced from Tarmac special mortars.This was a sand and lime mix of which we added a white cement to at a ratio of 3 parts sand :1 part cement.This gave an excellent colour match to the stonework.

Some of the works were also delayed by unearthing old vaulted brickwork. Upon extensive investigation by excavating in and around the vaults we found that it had been capped adjacent to the existing building and it was therefore redundant.

This enabled us to then fill with concrete.

We also came across clay drainage systems within the sunken area. The clay pipes were cleaned and inspected and found that they connected into a large soak away outside the main garden. We were then fortunate enough to utilise the system and connect into it for the new rainwater drainage.

Overall cost of contract was ÂŁ90K plus vat Rupert Keys and Ruth Gwynn Keyscape Design & Construction

IN PROGRESS

Above left: Construction of block retaining walls in and around sunken garden. Centre: All paving was carried by hand to rear of property and placed carefully on to pallets.

Right: Oak pergola was coated with boiled linseed oil to prevent tannin dripping onto paving below. | September 2011 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

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Portfolio 21

Ornamental pool was constructed with a prefabricated butyl liner between block and blue engineering brick walls.

Blue slate was laid to the base.

Inset: Brick piers awaiting oak for pergola construction.

Hand drawn plans which gave a personal touch to the design.

REFERENCES Paving supplied by:

Suppliers for the Oak pergola were:

Turf was supplied by:

Johnsons Wellfield Quarries Ltd

Hillbarn Sawmills

Teal Turf

Crosland Hill, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD4 7AB Tel: 01484 652311 Fax: 01484 460007 Email: sales@johnsons-wellfield.co.uk Web: www.myersgroup.co.uk/jwq/

Snowshill, Broadway, Worcestershire WR12 7JY Tel: 01386 858304 Fax: 0386 858336 Email: info@hillbarnsawmills.co.uk Web: www.hillbarnsawmills.co.uk

Teal Farm, Wadborough, Worcestershire WR8 9HJ Tel: 01905 840279 Fax: 01905 841460 Email: enquiries@tealturf.co.uk Web: www.tealturf.co.uk

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The Plants (Buxus and Carpinus Panels) were supplied by:

Readyhedge Ltd Court Gate Nursery, Station Road, Eckington, Pershore, Worcestershire WR10 3BB Tel: 01386 750585 Fax: 01386 750197 Email: simon@readyhedgeltd.com Web: www.readyhedgeltd.com

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22 Portfolio

AFTER

A SMALL GARDEN WITH

‘‘WOW’’ FACTOR! The brief for this small garden in Reigate was really quite simple “I want a garden with “wow” factor!” Lisa Cox came to the rescue.

ABOUT LISA COX I have been connected to the outdoors since I was a young child and I have wonderful memories of spending time in the garden with my sister and our friends playing games, building camps and hiding out in the tree house that my dad built for us.

My real interest in creating gardens came to me when I finally got my own garden 10 years ago and I became inspired to transform it from the “back yard” that it was then into a place where I could relax and lose myself – a garden.

Over the years, especially after I learnt how to do it properly of course, I have made changes to it, but the essence of the garden still remains and I love to be out there.

I adore what I do, helping my clients to turn their dream garden into reality. There’s nothing quite like the moment when the design comes together and my clients really see their new garden, how it looks and, much more importantly, how it feels.

| September 2011 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

SIZE OF PROJECT – 50m² TIMELINE OF DEVELOPMENT The designer first met the client at the end of April 2010. Construction phase of the project started at the end of July 2010 and took 4 weeks including planting so total project time from start to finish was c. 3 months.

COST – £15k CLIENT BRIEF The brief for this small garden in Reigate was really quite simple “I want a garden with “wow” factor!”

The client had recently moved into her house, a new-build mews style property with a typical newbuild style garden – a bit of cheap decking outside the back door, boundary fences and a lawn. So we really had a blank canvas to work with.

Perhaps the most wonderful thing about the garden was the church beyond the end boundary, www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

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Portfolio 23

Presentation plan

BEFORE

literally at the end of the garden. Stephanie had a clear idea of how she wanted to feel when she was out in the garden. She longed for a calm and peaceful haven where she could enjoy a glass of wine in the evening on her own but she also wanted a space in which she could entertain her friends and family.

She liked the idea of raised beds but her preference was for flowing lines and romantic lush planting so she was unsure if this could be achieved in such a small garden. There were practical things to accommodate too, a small BBQ, water butt, birdbath, a storage chest, an existing table and chairs, pots and 2 beautiful sculptures – quite a challenge in a space measuring 5m x 10m!

SOURCING MATERIALS I worked with English Garden Joinery for the timber work in this garden and it was all constructed using green oak, chosen so that over www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

time the timber would weather and move and become more rustic.The beds were constructed off site at their workshop and brought to the garden in sections. This meant that they only needed to spend a few days on site. The paving and aggregate was sourced through Silverland Stone and the plants through North Hill Nurseries in Chobham.

PROBLEMS TO OVERCOME The circular bed at the far end of the garden was quite challenging to construct because of the tight curve. Each raised bed was constructed on a framework and clad with 150mm timbers, designed to look like sleepers.The challenge with the tight curve came with bending the timber, but because they were able to construct the beds in sections, off site, each piece of timber could be dealt with individually and built up gradually.

Lisa Cox Lisa Cox Garden Designs

Axonometric plan

“The client longed for a calm and peaceful haven where she could enjoy a glass of wine in the evening on her own but she also wanted a space in which she could entertain her friends and family..”

REFERENCES Lisa Cox Garden Designs 11 The Withies, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 7EY Tel: 07776 255997 Web: www.lisacoxdesigns.co.uk Email: lisa@lisacoxdesigns.co.uk

North Hill Nurseries Scotts Grove Road, Chobham, Woking, Surrey GU24 8DW Tel: 01276 858800 Web: www.northillnurseries.co.uk Email: sales@northhillnurseries.co.uk

Silverland Stone Ltd Head Office: Holloway Hill, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 0AE Tel: 01932 570094 Web: www.silverlandstone.co.uk Email: enquiries@silverlandstone.co.uk

English Garden Joinery 8 Chertsey Road, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8NB Tel: 01276 855955 Web: www.englishgardenjoinery.co.uk Email: info@englishgardenjoinery.co.uk

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THE

REFLECTIVE GARDEN The Reflective garden by Hendy Curzon Gardens Ltd is a ‘healing sensory garden’ designed specifically to be positive for people with disabilities.

ABOUT HENDY CURZON GARDENS LTD Based in the Cotswolds, established 2004,Adrienne Curzon and Nick Hendy design all of their client gardens and manage their own landscaping team to ensure that the projects are accurately fulfilled.

Both come from a background of technical film set production which makes their approach to garden design unique. Their combined horticultural knowledge and technical construction experience have accumulated from years of hands on experience implementing, constructing and sustaining landscaping schemes ranging across UK cities, coastal Britain and rural Cotswolds gardens.These have covered a vast range of briefs, styles and project sizes.

| September 2011 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

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Portfolio 25

ll of the garden elements are present in order to improve access and mobility and to stimulate the senses, providing a haven of calm.The Garden was created to enrich everyone’s experience through the full range of the senses with water as the primary element of this.

When designing this garden for the residents of a care home in Oxfordshire, UK, the other users of the space; friends, family and staff were all considered.

A series of pools cycle water continuously and enclose the garden space.The water pools are accessible at wheelchair height, enabling the residents to interact with them and benefit from the healing properties of the water itself.

Zones of bold, textural planting further enhance the experience in the garden.

Covering all the senses for mental well being and stimulus the garden provides surfaces to touch as well as to display colour, sound and light.

A

BEFORE

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DURING

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Âą

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The water pools are surrounded by Bamboo and detailed perennial planting schemes with long seasons of interest.The central water pool acts as the heart of the garden scheme and is planted with aquatic plants with architectural qualities.

The Reflective garden was constructed from a series of concrete walls that were rendered.The bespoke pools and planting zones contain comprehensive pump, filtration and lighting systems.

The floor was surfaced with Silver haze pavers to create smooth transitions and improved mobility between indoors and out.

The ‘reflective corner’ of the garden enables staff to comfortably sit with residents, surrounded by a backdrop of scented Jasmine living walls and tactile White Paper Birch trees.

GARDEN OBJECTIVES G Touch dry. Full of texture, shape and scent. Also tactile trees with white paper-like bark.

G Touch wet. Containing surfaces, pebbles, plants and interactive water pools throughout the scheme.The presence of water is essential.

G Sight. Colourful plants with contrasting form and shape. Beneficial wildlife is attracted to the garden.

Wind chimes, Light catchers and a bespoke timber structure covered in a living Jasmine wall.

G Sound. Water feature pools, surrounding plants such as Bamboos and wind chimes.

G Smell.The scheme is packed full of scented plants.

MOBILITY OBJECTIVES The hardscaping has been designed to ensure that the garden is an extension of the resident’s house.

Surface materials have been selected to ensure ease of access in and around the garden. Raised curved walls containing the sensory planting and water features are at a height that is appropriate for wheelchair users.

MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES The Reflective Garden has been designed to be low maintenance. A schedule will be provided of necessary tasks to maintain the garden.

The garden cost £11,000.00. It took two weeks for our team to clear site and complete the build including all planting.

Adrienne Curzon and Nick Hendy Hendy Curzon Gardens Ltd | September 2011 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

THE REFLECTIVE GARDEN PLANT LIST Structural Stachys byzantia Betula utilis jacquemontii Stipa arundinacea (White Paper Birch trees) Matteuccia struthiopteris Phyllostachys Nigra Allium Giganteum (Black stemmed clump Allium Mars forming Bamboo) Buxus sempervirens spheres Colour & form (box) Miscanthus sinensis Stipa gigantea ‘Zebrinus’ Jasmine (various vars.)

Agapanthus ‘Black Pantha’ Opiophogen nigrescens Textural Achillea filipendulina Phormium purpurea groups ‘Cloth of gold’

Crocosmia ‘Luther’ Echinacea ‘White Swan’ Tulip ‘Ballerina’ Tulip ‘Jackpot’ Tulip ‘Queen of night’ Iris ‘Purple sensation’ Iris ‘Sultan’s Place’ Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’ Salvia verticillata ‘Purple rain’ Aquatic Equisetum japonicum

REFERENCES Hendy Curzon Gardens Ltd

Brett (Paving)

85 Woodstock Road, Witney, Oxfordshire OX28 1ED. Tel: 01993 771522 Web: www.hendycurzon.co.uk

Sileby Road, Barrow Upon Soar, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 8LX Tel: 0845 608 0570 Email: landscapinginfo@brett.co.uk Web: www.brett.co.uk

Blagdon (water feature supplies) Interpet Ltd Vincent Lane, Dorking, Surrey RH4 3YX Tel: 0845 226 74372 Email: customercare@interpet.co.uk Web: www.blagdonthepondmaster.co.uk

Plants sourced from various local resources in Oxfordshire

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Look Out For… 27

@ProLandscaperJW re-tweets:

LOOK OUT FOR...

CHARLOTTE MURRELL Charlotte Murrell is a bright young spark in the garden design industry, and it’s been a busy year for her since winning the Student Design and Build Award 2010 launched by Wyevale East Nurseries. Here she describes it all. n October 2010 I won the Student Design & Build Award, launched by Wyevale East Nurseries, providing sponsorship to build and exhibit a Small Garden at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2011. After a successful application to the RHS for a place at the show, the planning and sourcing for the garden, entitled ‘Wild in the City’, began in earnest.

It has been eight months of steep learning, putting all that I have studied at college into practice. I chose to manage the project myself, which has taught me a great deal. Ranging from how to manage a team, source materials and talk to suppliers, estimate, work to a tight budget, complete official paperwork and handle publicity, construct a garden, talk to the public, and the list goes on! It’s been the most amazing experience, with little sleep, real highs and a few lows, but for the most part, just a whole lot of fun! I am now

I

Wyevale East Nurseries, in conjunction with the Royal Horticultural Society launched the Student Design & Build Award in February 2010.

Now in the Award’s second year, this year’s submissions are being emailed and posted in already. This unique Award is aimed at students on horticultural and design courses nationwide giving a rare and real opportunity to design and build a garden in the Small Garden category at Hampton Court. Judging is based on the applicant’s ability to www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

Tomatillos are kicking out lanterns, toms are starting to ripen and crazy purple French beans are appearing. It’s happening. @MarshallsGroup Hardscaping company 12/7/11 The Government attaches great importance to the design of the built environment.

Good design is indivisible from good planning

completely hooked, and would love to exhibit again.

The week following Hampton Court I graduated with an FdSc in Garden Design from Sparsholt College Hampshire where I have been studying for the past three years. I am now really looking forward to beginning my career as a Garden Designer and I hope to find work with a Garden Design practice, with a long-term goal of running my own business.

Charlotte Murrell www.charlottemurrell.co.uk

@plantmadnige UK based garden writer & journalist. 20/7/11 The Royal Horticultural Society is launching National Gardening Week – 16 to 22 April 2012, to get the nation growing @RHSthegarden The Garden Magazine 2/8/11

@AlysFowler ex presenter of Gardeners World 28/7/11 Just finished a Marshalls 100 year history talk to the Stonemarket management team seemed to go well to an interested audience-thanks @talklandscape The Landscape Institute 25/7/11 Off to do battle with my sweet peas – those the squirrels left me.

Lovely, lovely rain.

The plants are partying, now, but so are the weeds @The_RHS The Royal Horticultural Society 25/7/11 Sorry to say, but used a Karcher for the first time last night, on garden furniture. Its good!

Wife now wants everything ‘Karchered’...!

Follow @ProLandscaperJW for information and news about all things Pro Landscaper. Also recommend a few people to follow. We at HQ would love to hear from you.

demonstrate a holistic and applied knowledge of all stages in the design process, from client brief to paper plan to the final implementation of the scheme. The winning design is then submitted to the RHS’ judging panel in January for inclusion in Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in the following year. The winning design is given £5000 for costs towards construction, materials and labour.

There is no budget for the plants which are supplied by Wyevale East Nurseries.

The ethos behind the Award is to offer a chance to a newly qualified designer to launch their career in a prestigious show and to ensure that they understand all of the processes associated with designing and building a garden to a client’s brief and budget. www.gardendesignaward.co.uk

Volume 1 | Issue 1 | September 2011 |

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28 Garden Lighting

You don’t have to fly in the face of environmental concerns if you want to enjoy your garden after the sun has gone down, as this scheme in Essex proves. Lux magazine reports. n these energy-conscious times, lighting for a garden could be considered an extravagance.

But David Atkinson Lighting Design has created a scheme at a large private garden in northeast Essex to prove that such a scheme can be carried out with sensitivity to the environment.

The clients brief to the lighting designer was to enhance the new landscape design which was densely planted with shrubs, grasses and seasonal flowers by Deakinlock Garden Design but to ensure the scheme was energy efficient.

Atkinson believed he could achieve both of these objectives by using LED and metal halide light sources throughout the scheme. Both sources are relatively efficient and were capable of creating a subtle visual impact in the garden from one season to the next.

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THE WISE BOX But it’s not all about low wattage light sources.

Lighting designers have another method of ensuring efficiency in their toolbox controls. The garden scheme is controlled by a wireless remote system which lets the client alter the appearance of the scheme and, says Atkinson, ensures an element of future proofing.

The Wise Box communicates using radio frequencies with switches for each element of the scheme.

The first of those elements is the general planting, which is accented by stainless steel LED spike fittings from Commercial Lighting Systems rated at 7W. Atkinson says the cool 4000K LEDs | September 2011 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

IN THE

NIGHT GARDEN used in the fittings help define the variations of planting and colour.The fittings are sealed to IP55.

General lighting to the main terrace area is from 35W metal halide box up/down lights from Ares.

They are positioned on the black weatherboarding on the barn, which limits and controls the amount of light reflected out to the space.

There are two water features in the garden terrace.The first is a stainless steel dish that is lit externally by another fitting from Commercial Lighting Systems, in this case a custom-designed 2W LED head mounted onto a 600mm stainless steel rod.

The second water feature is a long trough with water pumped from one end. After a number of trials, Atkinson decided to mount an IP68-rated 7W LED below the water outlet, which helped to

reflect the water back off the surrounding brick wall and grasses.

ACCENTUATE FORM Large mature trees at the rear of the garden – including poplar and walnut were uplit by narrow beam 35W HID spot fixtures from Meyer.

They were fitted with elliptical spreader lenses.

Smaller trees and shrubs are backlit by 70W symmetric floods from the same supplier, which help to accentuate their form with and without foliage. Barn doors ensure the floods target the shrubs accurately.

Atkinson positioned most of the light sources in the garden discreetly at a low level to create a naturalistic approach by limiting the apparent number of point sources. N www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

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Garden Lighting 29

PROJECT DETAILS PROJECT: Private garden, north east Essex Landscape designer:

Lighting consultant:

DeakinLock Garden Design

David Atkinson Lighting Design Ltd

Earsham Hall, Hall Road, Bungay, Suffolk NR35 2AN Tel: 0845 603 8716 Email: info@deakinlock.co.uk Web: www.deakinlock.co.uk

13 Palace Road, Hampton Court, Surrey KT8 9DJ Tel: 020 8979 6113 Email: information@dald.co.uk Web: www.dald.co.uk

Lighting suppliers: Commercial Lighting Systems • Ares • Willie Meyer

www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

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| September 2011 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

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www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

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Introduction 31

shape your space

IOG SALTEX ALLOWS YOU TO

SHAPE YOUR SPACE With over 300 exhibitors, a host of special feature areas and a not-tobe–missed Education programme, this year’s IOG SALTEX will be THE turf care and open space management show of the year.

Don’t fo rget to come a nd visit the team o n Stand T 05

s well as displaying thousands of products, many of them being launched with live demonstrations, and addressing the needs of the complete spectrum of the open space industry, this year’s show will also feature a number of special attractions including:

A

• The Education Zone • The 4 x 4 off-road course • The World of Arb Area The Education Zone, a new feature at this year’s show, will offer visitors a resource of back-to-basics turf skills, a showcase of industry-specific colleges and a series of demonstrations of machine servicing and checking.The Zone will also embrace the everpopular Sports Turf Skills Village – a daily programme of demonstrations of basic natural turf maintenance skills.

Then there’s the exciting off-road 4x4 course, specially-constructed, tested and marshalled by Polaris staff, where visitors will be able to test their driving skills and experience at first hand a number of Polaris 4x4s.

Along with demonstrations, workshops and seminars, the World of Arb area will feature the ‘Climb a Mile’ tree-climbing relay race in aid of the Help for Heroes charity.The challenge will involve a team of professional arborists climbing a tree in relay to achieve a total height equal to or greater than a road mile.

In the Grandstand, there will be a programme to appeal to a wide range of interests, including sessions on sustainability, contracting, the Big Society and apprenticeships.

Another first for IOG SALTEX, this year the show will host professional football’s Playing Surfaces Committee’s bi-annual Conference, a programme of informative and interesting seminars www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

and debates on a range of topical issues of concern to groundsmen from the 92 professional clubs in the Premier League, the Championship and Leagues 1 and 2.

It all adds up to a three-day extravaganza of unrivalled expertise, skill sets and products that will ensure visitors can keep pace with the demands of the ever-changing, evolving and challenging open space management landscape.

IOG SALTEX 2011 (www.iogsaltex.co.uk) will be held on September 6-8 at: Windsor Racecourse,The Racecourse, Maidenhead Road, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 5JJ 2011 Dates & Show Hours: Tuesday 6th September 2011, 9.00 - 17.00 Wednesday 7th September 2011, 9.00 - 17.00 Thursday 8th September 2011, 9.00 - 16.15

By Road: See map.

By Rail: You can travel by rail to Windsor & Eton Central or Windsor & Eton Riverside stations from London Waterloo or to Slough station from Paddington or the South West. Pick up the FREE water taxi service at French Brothers Pier beside the River Thames to get to IOG SALTEX. See details below.

History of IOG Saltex IOG Saltex started humbly in 1938 at The Hurlingham Club in London with just 25 companies showing their products. Known as 'The Field Day' it was organised by the National Association of Groundsmen. After a break during the war years it restarted in 1947, at the same venue until 1965 when it moved to the London University Sportsground at Motspur Park.

IOG Saltex experienced considerable growth over the next 16 years and by 1979 the show's expansion required a move to a bigger venue,The Royal Windsor Racecourse.

IOG SALTEX The Institute of Groundsmanship 28 Stratford Office Village, Walker Avenue, Wolverton, Mill East, Milton Keynes MK12 5TW Tel: 01908 312511 Email: iog@iog.org Web: www.iog.org Volume 1 | Issue 1 | September 2011 |

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32 Exhibitor Information

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RED AREA

rget to Don’t fo the nd visit come a

A-Z AT SALTEX RED AREA Access Platform Sales Ltd DAC15/DAC15a Agria-Werke Gmb U09/U10 AgriArgo UK Ltd Q15 Altrad Belle S17 Am-Tech Platinum X01 Amazone Ltd S35 Andreas Stihl DAC03/04 Anglo American Oil Company X18a Aquaclear Water Management Ltd DAC20/20A Aquatic Solutions UKX13A Arien DAC24 ASPEN X18A Avant Tecno (UK) Ltd DAC22/DAC13 BSS International Ltd X03 Bago Tools for Litter T40 Baroness Products T11 Belle Engineering (Sheen) Ltd S17 Blisster X01 Bomford Turner Ltd S25 Briggs & Stratton T10 Broadwood International R04 Complete Weed Control Ltd U26/26A Charterhouse Turf Machinery U22/22A CMS Blotter Ltd U15B/U15C Countax DA24 Digacrusher T35 Electric Powered Solutions R22 English Braids X17 Etesia U04/U05 EverEdge X02 Flow Control (GB) Ltd DAC01 Fuchs Lubricants UK PLC U17A GD Products S06 GGP UK Ltd R06 M Hall Welding X05 Harry West (Prees) Ltd R23 Henry H Sheash Lawnmowers Ltd S06 Heyland Marine X20 The Hire Supply Company S07 Hirebase Q04 Honda (UK) S17 Honey Brothers Ltd DAC5 Huxley Golf T09 Indespension R07 Industrial Power Units U17/U16A Insdie2Outside L16 Iveco T04/T04A John Deere T42/T40A F R Jones & Son S13/S11 KB Industries UK Ltd S32 Kawasaki Motors Europe U12 Kirkby Tyres Ltd R27A Kirogn S02 Kubota S39 Kyoeisha UK Ltd T11 Landscaping feature U1-08 Leica Geosystems Ltd T28 Lombardini and KOHLER U17B Machinery Ring Association of England & Wales S37 | September 2011 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

Major Equipment R05 Mantis UK Ltd T60 Metcheck X18 Midland Power Machinery Q25 Miltek t/a Quercus T28A Miltek Recycling Solutions T17 Optimal DAC02/02A Outside Structure Solutions Ltd L16 Parkland Maskinfabrik T41 Pasquali Tractors Ltd L01 Peacock Salt T27 Perfectly Green X07 Portek Ltd Q03 Prime Irrigation Ltd T48 Pro Landscaper Magazine T05 RT Machinery U15B/U15C Rake n Lift & Co T01 Ransomes Jacobsen R02 Renault UK S31 Richard E Brown t/a Cemo UK R26 Robert Acton Product Developments T40 STM Company Ltd Q01 Shannon Plant S36/S36A Sorbus International S01 Strettons Spreading Services Ltd X13A Techneat Engineering Ltd T26/T25 Thames & Kennet Machinery Ring Ltd S37 Thanet Craft X05 DW Tomlin S03 Ted Hopkins/Tractor Hire Ltd U18 Unger Ltd T08 Vale Engineering (York) Ltd S23 Vauxhall R17 West Country Steel Buildings Ltd R25 Whotz Hot X19

SEMINAR PROGRAMME

Other stands you should visit:

ROOM 5 – OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT MATTERS

BLUE AREA Allett Mowers Ltd BALI DJ Turfcare Equipment Ecoscape UK Ltd Rochford Garden Machinery Rock Croft SCH Supplies YELLOW AREA Blec Global Groundscare Products Groundsman Industries Hayter Husqvarna Massey Ferguson Muck Truck Multihog Sanli UK Ltd Southern Tank Services Team Sprayers Timberwolf Woodchippers Tracmaster Ltd

A18/A18A F16A D24 C21 H42 H26 E02

V50/DAA42 V51/V51A DAA19 V01a/W01 W42 W15 DAA31/DAA33 V28 W44/W46 V11 V08 DAB53 DAA56/58/58A

n team o 05 Stand T

TUESDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER 10.15-11.15 Maintaining Playful Landscapes Design Seminar Workshop presented by Adam White CMLI Landscape Architect.

11.30-12.15 Green Infrastructure – how it can be delivered at local level Explaining the underlying principles of GI and how it can be progressed under the emerging localism agenda. Presented by The Landscape Institute’s Ian Phillips, Landscape & Planning Consultant.

12.30-13.15 Quality Compost – a resource efficiency solution in turf and landscape management Disease suppression, reduced fertiliser and herbicide needs, increased drought resistance…some of the benefits of quality compost. Presented by Lee Best – WRAP. www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

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Exhibitor Information 33

COME AND SEE US AT STAND T05

BLUE AREA

YELLOW AREA

13.30-14.15 Critical times for Amenity Pesticide Use With changes in legislation, funding cuts and related items, the focus on amenity pesticide has never been greater. Be aware of developments and act appropriately. Presented by John Moverley, Chairman, Amenity Forum.

14.30 Arboriculture – tree safety & inspections : the owners obligations Presented by Rhoderic Taylor, Chairman, AA Education & Training Committee.

WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 10.00-11.00 Maintaining Playful Landscapes Design Seminar Workshop presented by Adam White CMLI Landscape Architect.

11.15-12.00 Green networks and the importance of planning at a local level The importance of local neighbourhood plans for identifying a series of projects that together can add up to a Green Network. Presented by Liz Kessler, Urban Designer.

12.15-13.30 Panel Debate: How to survive your toughest maintenance budget ever www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

Hello, Pro Landscaper is now officially launched and we are very excited about it here at Pro Landscaper HQ. We have a young, vibrant team that would love to meet you and hear your feedback on the magazine they have seen grow from a seed into a budding flower that they can be proud of. The Managing Director, Jim Wilkinson, will be in attendance and will be available for meetings about any ideas you may have. We also have a very good competition (see page 35) where you can win Dickies work wear!

See you soon!

Joe Wilkinson Marketing and Content Manager Pro Landscaper

Leading groundscare practitioners share ideas and solutions to help cope with reduced maintenance budgets. Hosted by Horticulture Week.

10.30-11.30 Maintaining Playful Landscapes Design Seminar Workshop presented by Adam White CMLI Landscape Architect.

14.00-15.00 Landscaping – combining quality, training and safety for business benefit Employed in combination, NHSS18, the Landbased Industry Skills Scheme and the Register of Landbased Operatives Health and Safety Awareness Course can deliver benefits for clients, employers and employees. Presented by Denise Ewbank, BALI.

11.45-12.30 Playing for Greenspace – new opportunities – facing challenges Examining ways in which greenspace projects and management can be funded, and making the most of emerging planning policies. Presented by Sue Morgan, Director, Around The Block.

THURSDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER 09.30-10.15 Arboriculture – Tree Inspection and Bio Mechanics This presentation reviews key bio-mechanical features which may indication weakness in trees and includes recent research on shear failure in branches, the stem, at the base of the stem and roots. Presented by Jack Kenyon, Lecturer & Course Manager for professional and craft Arboriculture Courses at Merrist Wood (Guildford College).

12.45-13.30 Greening your greens: sustainability in sporting events Why sustainability is relevant to your sporting events. Overview of standards and reporting, plus case study. Presented by Katy Carlisle, Positive Impact.

13.35 Open Forum: Contractors and contracting – maintaining quality and awareness A series of speakers and panel of experts from The Contractors Forum – and others – discuss how contractors can help inform debate and support the continued delivery of quality services.

Volume 1 | Issue 1 | September 2011 |

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EDITOR’S CHOICE BALI – The British Association of Landscape Industries will be at stand F16a.They are the largest independent trade association for garden designers, landscapers, grounds maintenance contractors etc. in the UK. With a membership of over 700, BALI supports, promotes and inspires its members to be leaders of an environmentally sustainable landscape industry and works with other industry groups to promote landscaping and green space. BALI is the UK’s representative in the EU through its membership of ELCA (the European Landscape Contractors' Association). www.bali.co.uk

Tracmaster – Tracmaster will be launching their new CAMON C8000 Hydraulic Rotavator at stand DAA58.

Tracmaster's new CAMON C8000 Hydraulic Rotavator offers a fully hydraulic drive, which allows an infinitely variable speed to suit all ground conditions. No belts, chains or clutches mean that the machine is very low maintenance, keeping running costs to a minimum.The machine is powered by a Honda GX390 petrol engine and has a working width of 50cm. www.tracmaster.co.uk Major Equipment – stand R05 is the place to see Major Equipment, who are renowned for their range of high quality, durable grass cutting products. The products are manufactured and distributed under the brand name MAJOR. Grounds maintenance keepers are under continuous pressure to deliver perfect results on increasingly tighter budgets. In tougher current economic climate, it is easy to overlook replacing front line machines. With these products, you will be able to keep within your budget without compromising the quality of the finish. www.major-equipment.com

| September 2011 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

Massey Ferguson – Visitors to Stand W15 at IOG SALTEX will be able to view just a few of the products that are helping keep Massey Ferguson at the top of agricultural, horticultural and turf mechanisation. Making its debut at this year’s show is the MF 1532 H compact tractor, a new hydrostatic transmission model powered by a 32hp three-cylinder, water-cooled Diesel engine.

The tractor’s features include three-range hydrostatic transmission, selectable four-wheel drive, dual hydraulic circuits and a large area floating-floor operator platform. www.masseyferguson.com

Pro Landscaper – Pro Landscaper is a brand new, in-depth, monthly magazine for the UK landscaping industry published by Eljays44 Ltd and launching at IOG Saltex in September. With experienced writers and great content, Pro Landscaper will be a mustread magazine for the biggest landscape contractors, garden designers and grounds men.

Visit T05 for a conversation about how to get involved in this brilliantly designed magazine, and to pick up a copy for yourself. www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

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TWO WAYS TO WIN THIS FANTASTIC RANGE OF DICKIES WORK WEAR WAY 1 WAY 2

Come and visit Pro Landscaper at IOG Saltex on stand T05.

Speak to one of our representatives and sign up for our magazine Visit www.pro-landscaper.co.uk, fill in your name, address and company name and sign up to receive our magazine.

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE MAGAZINE BECAUSE:

• You would read the best designed magazine in the market.

Registering for the best landscape magazine will give you the chance to win these fantastic Dickies products.

• The content is fantastic; from business advice to inspiration for your projects to all the latest products in the market.

• We have interviews with some of www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

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the biggest names in the industry on a monthly basis.

Volume 1 | Issue 1 | September 2011 |

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ALTRAD-Belle – As Europe’s largest wheelbarrow manufacturer, the ALTRAD-Belle Group will exhibit products from it’s FORT, Limex and Belle rages at Stand S17. The Belle Warrior wheelbarrow features a virtually indestructible 100-L high density Polythylene tray. A range of low vibration plate compactors and concrete mixers from both Belle and BarOmix and hydraulic power packs and breakers will also be exhibited. www.bellegroup.com

Avant Tecno – Finnish compact machinery specialist Avant Tecno will be holding regular demonstrations of its mini 4-wheel drive articulated loaders from stand DAC22. In addition, they will have a large display of other products, including a launch of the new budget priced 419 model which has a 20 HP Kohler petrol engine.This lightweight unit has the same hydraulic drive and lift pumps as fitted to the company’s diesel-powered 420 machine. www.avanttecno.com

DJ Turfcare – DJ Turfcare will be showing a range of products at stand D24. The Plugger PL850 is an aeration machine with hydrostatic-drive and it uses both solid and hollow tines. It is easy to move and is ideal for superior grass maintenance in difficult areas, being easy to transport.

Bowling clubs have found it particularly useful for greens maintenance. Also on display will be the Aton Bunker Edger, now celebrating its fifth year as a leading product for the golf industry. www.djturfcare.co.uk

Blec Global –The GKB Sandfiller tractor-mounted scarifier and sandslitter will be on display at stand V50. It removes and collects spoil and fills grooves with sand in one pass. The machine is specifically designed for aerating and draining sports turf. It can cut grooves at 40mm centres with carbon-tipped blades that go as deep as 4cm. With a 3-point linkage and a 1.2m working width, the Sandfiller is ideal for tractors from 40 HP upwards. www.blec.co.uk

Etesia – Etesia UK returns to IOG Saltex to launch six new products on stand U05, which is the biggest stand it has had, adding 50% of demonstration area to the existing plot. No less than 4 new products, along with two new Pellenc products, will all be there for the first time. No details will be given away until the first day of the exhibition, for a big surpise. www.etisia.co.uk

GE Views – GE Views will be launching a new range of wood effect planters called Newforest from stand A08. With the looks of a natural wood planter, the range has the durability and strength of plastic with the added advantage of no painting required. This range also has a water reservoir, which allows less frequent watering. www.geviews.co.uk

| September 2011 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

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Husqvarna – Husqvarna are promoting the new Husqvarna P524 on stand W42. It is a new petrol front mower with all the same features and benefits as the dieselpowered P520D, but at a lower price. Also on the stand will be the T540 XP professional chainsaw and the new 500 series brush cutters with high performance and reliability as well as easy movement. www.husqvarna.com/uk John Deere –The new range of walk-behind greens mowers and wide area front rotary mowers will both be seen on stand T42, where you will find John Deere.

The SL Series PresionCut walkbehind mowers has been designed to deliver a high quality finish on golf courses, tennis courts, cricket squares and bowling greens. They feature low noise and vibration levels, a powerful 4hp petrol engine and easy bedknife-to-reel adjustment. www.deere.co.uk

Hayter – Stand V1b is the place to see Hayter Limited, the UK manufacturer and distributor of Toro grounds products. This year, they are working alongside Lely (UK) – distributors of Toro golf and fine turf products, to promote the broad range of Toro equipment.The Groundmaster 360, a new ride-on mower, will be unveiled for the first time. www.hayter.co.uk

Polaris – A custom made off-road 4x4 course is being built

by Polaris at this year’s IOG SALTEX on stand W13. Speciallyconstructed, tested and marshalled by Polaris staff, the IOG SALTEX-Polaris off-road course will be sited adjacent to the Windsor showground’s North entrance. The ever-popular feature will enable guests of Polaris to test and experience at first hand a number of Polaris 4x4s. In addition, a comprehensive selection of Polaris vehicles will also be available for close inspection on the company’s stand. www.polarisindustries.com

| September 2011 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

Kubota – Kubota Tractor and Groundcare will be offering a range of solutions from affordable, versatile equipment to competitive finance to ensure savings can be made while sorting out groundscare requirements on stand S39.There will be a range of professional rideon mowers that can cope as easily with rough as well as sports surfaces.These will be shown alongside a variety of tractors and the RTV900 all-terrain utility vehicle. www.kubota.co.uk

www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

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Sanli – Outdoor power equipment specialist, Sanli, will be appearing at stands W44 and W46 with a bigger machinery display which will include several new additions to the portfolio as well as a number of machines not seen before in the UK, such as the Sanli LSPR48 rear roller rotary mower with 48 cm AMS cutter deck and a competitive price tag. www.sanli.co.uk

RT Machinery – Stand U15b will have a number of new products which are being launched by RT Machinery, including Tow n Mow – a range of low cost, re-manufactured and new trailed gang mowers. This will be shown alongside RTM gang mowers, topdresser systems and hand greens mowers. www.rtmachinery.co.uk

Shannon Plant – Shannon plant will demonstrate the new remote control Solo mower designed with a 1m cut, twin rotary blade on stand S36. The mower is part of the Solo mini transporter range which is remote control and has a range of over 100m.The machine is designed to make bank mowing, busy highways, motorway junctions and any areas where the operator could be at risk easier. www.shannonplantsales.co.uk

Sorbus International – New to IOG Saltex will be the range of acclaimed Japanese ARS pruning products, including saws, secateurs, shears, loppers, telescopic pruners/polesaws, scissors and fruit pruners, at stand S1. Also on show will be a wide range of day to day work related products including first aid/safety, corporate, high visibility and flame retardant clothing. www.sorbus-intl.co.uk

Simon Richard – This is the UK agent for the Reform bank tractor and Muthing flail ranges.They will be on stand V17 showcasing it’s wide range of amenity and grounds maintenance solutions.This year’s display will back up the message of operator safety and the machine’s multi-functionality, as well as high performance and reliability. www.slopemower.co.uk | September 2011 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

Simon Tullet Machinery – STM will be displaying its established SCAG and HUMUS range of grass cutting machinery, including two new products, from stand Q01. Also being shown is the new Schell Universal SG100 unit, a one hundred HP multi-implement machine with climate control in the cab and out-front facilities for a three or five rotary cut contourfollowing cutting head up to 4.20m, or a range of other accessories. www.st-mach.com www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

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41

Advertisement Feature

TIMBER EFFECT RECYCLED PLASTIC –

GOOD OR GIMMICK? istorically the perceived inflated cost and unnatural look of recycled plastic signage has swayed people from choosing it over signage made from more traditional materials.Today however, signage products made from recycled plastic can be procured far more competitively and offer the benefits of being maintenance free and rot proof, whilst also blending in well with nature.

An excellent example of this is the new natural timber effect sign range recently launched by sign company Fitzpatrick Woolmer.

H

DESIGNED TO COMPLEMENT THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Made from 100% recycled plastic with a grained cedar effect finish, Fitzpatrick Woolmer claim the www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

raw material used for their signs offers a beautiful, natural timber look, specifically designed to complement the natural environment.

The main argument for procuring products made from recycled plastic seems to be that organisations are under increasing pressure to demonstrate sustainable procurement policies and to help reduce landfill, both things that recycled plastic is aligned with. Bearing this in mind, when people discover recycled plastic is priced favourably to timber and steel and is maintenance free and rot proof, the argument is more why wouldn’t you consider it as a viable option?

Fitzpatrick Woolmer Managing Director Mark Woolmer comments: "The move to a natural timber effect plastic for our recycled range has

been a great step and one that really responds to market feedback. Our customers, all of whom want to see landfill reduced, have been looking for a way to do their bit but without spoiling the environment through the use of artificial looking materials. Our natural timber effect products not only look very good but they are saving our customers money by reducing their signage maintenance costs to zero!"

CONTACT US To decide for yourself whether Fitzpatrick Woolmer’s natural timber effect recycled plastic is as good as it seems or just another gimmick visit www.fwdp.co.uk/recycledplastic or telephone 0800 130 3630 today to request a sample.

Volume 1 | Issue 1 | September 2011 |

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In October’s Issue: ATV Sprayers Commercial Vehicles Fencing Turf Contact Jamie Wilkinson 01903 234 077 jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com

Have you got that spot in the garden, by the pool or on the terrace or in the conservatory that deserves something to lift the soul, to create a rapture, or simply a focal point?

www.artparks.co.uk is probably the best source of sculpture in every situation

ArtParks International Limited Sausmarez Manor, St. Martin, Guernsey.

Tel: 01481 235 571 Email: sausmarezmanor@cwgsy.net

| September 2011 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

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Latest Kit 43

GOANDSEEAT If you are going to the GLEE exhibition at the NEC on the 19th – 21st September, we have singled out a few stands that we believe would be of great interest to you.These are:

Natural Paving Products is a national supplier of quality, ethically sourced natural stone to the Landscaping Industry. Natural Paving will be launching many new stone products for 2012 and can be seen at GLEE in Hall/Stand 4E32-F33. www.naturalpaving.co.uk

Deco-Pak offers a comprehensive range of decorative aggregates, paving, growing media and water features. Last year Deco-Pak launched, with great success, an exciting winter collection of rock salt, coal, logs and other solid fuels to complement their extensive product offering... expect even more home and garden inspiration this year. Hall/Stand 4J04-K02. www.deco-pak.co.uk

Lafarge Cement is part of building materials world leader, the Lafarge Group.

At GLEE, Lafarge demonstrates the latest innovations in packed cement for the landscaping market. Lafarge showcases its re-launched packed cement portfolio, including ready-to-use products Postcrete and Slablayer, developed for landscapers, garden centre retailers and their customers.

Hall/Stand 4F20. www.lafarge.co.uk ALM manufacture a range of consumable parts and accessories suitable for all popular makes and models of Garden Power machinery.

Produced in the UK and supplied in Informative and attractive packaging the range is ideal for Garden Centres, DIY and Hardware shops. Hall/Stand 5E18-F19. www.almmanufacturing.com

Draper Tools Ltd is a familyrun company supplying tools to industry since 1919.The Company sells hand and power tools in all major categories including gardening, DIY, woodworking, and has more recently diversified into hobby, leisure and other non tool lines. Hall/Stand 5A02-B03. www.draper.co.uk

www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

Garden Zone by Elstead Lighting is a range of professional quality landscape lighting. It offers a versatile selection of high quality, easy to install and energy efficient products for all parts of the garden landscape, designed for use by professional gardeners, landscapers and architects.

Fittings include: spikes, spotlights, in-ground lights for decks and patios, mini floodlights, wall lights, pagodas and eyelid lights. All the fittings within the plug & go series use high power LED light sources, which have very good light output properties alongside exceptionally low energy consumption.The Garden Zone Premier Collection is a range of lifestyle bollards and wall fittings, individually designed to enhance the surrounding where ever they are installed.

Hall/Stand 4D10-E11. www.elstead-lighting.co.uk Volume 1 | Issue 1 | September 2011 |

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44 Latest Kit –Workwear

The B342 Carhartt Cotton Ripstop Pant is constructed from 245gm 100% cotton Ripstop fabric. It is the Ripstop technology that provides this pant with enhanced durability and functionality. Carhartt use triple stitched main seams, giving the additional strength in the areas where stress can be an issue when working, which will keep you from replacing them as often. These pants feature a double layer of the material over the front giving you two layers, increasing the resistance to wear through in those vulnerable areas by 100%.There is an added Cordura lining to the pockets to ensure that as you use them, you won’t wear out the material. www.carhartt-europe.com

Renowned the world over for its durable, protective workwear, Dickies offer a wide range of practical garments and footwear designed to protect from the vagaries of the weather and the adverse outdoor conditions it can create.

Examples of these include The Dickies Raintite Jacket and Trousers which are especially effective in exposed situations where ultimate protection is needed from heavy rain and wind. Made from 100% polyester double knitted 200gsm, the strong, waterproof fabric is perfect for agricultural, industrial or leisure use.The jacket has a two way zip under a full studded storm flap, two pockets with flaps, adjustable cuffs, a drawcord adjustable hem and an internal zip pocket, whilst the trousers have an elasticated waist, side pocket access and adjustable hem studs. Both garments are available in 6 sizes from S – XXXL and there is a colour choice of green or navy. www.dickiesworkwear.com

Dickies have introduced one of the lightest and most comfortable Wellington boots on the market - the fully insulated, 100% Polyurethane, Non-Safety Landmaster.

Polyurethane is extremely light, the boots are especially suited for farmers who need to wear Wellingtons all day, whether it’s driving around the farm or off to market, feeding the sheep or walking cattle from the fields to the parlour.This revised version of the company’s previous Wellington has improved resistance to oil, fats and manure, greater slip resistance and a new sole profile. Moisture absorbing insoles have also been introduced, which together with the lightness in weight, leave feet feeling fresh even after a long day’s work, dubbing them ‘The Farmer’s Slippers’.The Dickies Landmaster Wellingtons are available in green only and sizes 6 – 12. www.dickiesworkwear.com The Timberland PRO® 333 women’s T-shirt is a cotton elastane T-shirt that ensures comfort and freedom of movement without sacrificing smart feminine styling. It comes in dark black or vintage blue.

The development of the women’s protective clothing range comes in response to recent employment trends. Some 1.5 million additional women have entered the job. market, and the proportion of women is steadily rising in many sectors – such as transport, industry, construction and logistics – previously considered typically male. For example, according to figures from the French Construction Federation, the proportion of women in this sector had reached 10% by 2007 across all trades, including traditionally male-only jobs such as cranedriving, bricklaying, tiling, electrical fitting and painting.

By the end of 2009, the Federation estimates that the number of women in construction site and workshop jobs will have risen from 10,000 to 30,000.This trend is expected to be replicated in the UK. www.sperianprotection.co.uk

| September 2011 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

Portwest are market leaders in the manufacture of protective clothing, safety footwear and personal protection equipment including specialist gloves, helmets and respirators. Established for over 100 years, products are of guaranteed quality and conform to the latest EU safety regulations. With over 900 individual product lines, Portwest can truly be described as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for all PPE requirements. The impressive product range also includes footwear, with a further 100 new products due in the October 2011 brochure. The brochure will also carry new styles in our innovative Flame Retardant collection.The FW60 Multi-Norm Coverall was recently awarded the BSIF Safety Excellence Award for 2011, and to continue with this excellent design we have now introduced an additional jacket and trouser in the same multistandard fabric and colour ways. www.portwest.com

Timberland PRO® has launched a brand new range of products for the construction industry.The new construction range combines style, performance, durability and comfort, with products that are easy to wear, lightweight, flexible and ideally suited to the toughest workplace conditions. With its triple-function lining, combining a waterproof membrane,Thinsulate® for warmth and a fast-drying, breathable textile, and its cold insulation certification the Cruisemax Rigger Boot offers the ultimate in comfort and protection in any working environment.The boots are quick and easy to put on, thanks to the exclusive Kevlar®-reinforced handle-pulls.The heel reinforcements allow for the user to easily take the boots off as well. Like the Snyders ankle boot, the Cruisemax is made in premium full-grain oiled leather with waterproof stitching, and features a breathable, anti-bacteria insole.The self-cleaning outsole affords exceptional flexibility, lightness and wear resistance. www.sperianprotection.co.uk

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46 Latest Kit – Exterior Lighting

Thorn Lighting’s EyeKon is ideal for most exterior applications as well as building surrounds, universities, public spaces, forecourts and entrances, and as amenity lighting in any situation where appearance – combined with a high level of operating efficiency – is important. Further benefits of the EyeKon range for landscape artists and specifiers include its flexibility as a lighting tool in a wide range of applications, since it can be mounted on walls and ceilings or – in single or two-way combinations. www.thornlighting.com/eyekon Metro Ltd is a British based firm specialising in producing high quality classic English period lanterns.The standard range is based on the classic styles that lined the streets of London and across England during the Victorian era of 1837 - 1901.

During this period the lanterns were powered by London’s gas network for lighting and heating which was introduced in the 1880’s, but with modern advances they now incorporate the latest in low energy technology in their lanterns which are extremely efficient and cost effective.

The lanterns are suitable for both commercial and domestic applications and can be supplied in polished solid brass and copper finishes which will suit a broad range of environments. Lanterns are available in post mounted and wall bracket form with a selection of cast aluminium and wrought iron bracket arms. If you would like further information on products, please do not hesitate to contact the sales team who will be delighted to help with your current and future projects. sales@metroltd.co.uk Aura Light has developed the first real Long Life Metal Halide lamp. It more than doubles the lifetime of standard products and has an average lifetime of 36,000 hours in any burning position. The lamp is designed to be applied in city centers, pedestrian areas and street lighting as well as other applications where high quality white light is important. Aura CRYSTAL Long Life gives you crystal clear white light while reducing your maintenance costs by at least 50%.

www.auralight.com

| September 2011 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

Notos by Thorlux Lighting is an in-ground adjustable luminaire with IP67 die-cast aluminium body finished in black and has a clear glass cover. Up to 75 degrees elevation and 360 degrees rotation make the Notos ideal for building exteriors and facades, sign lighting, feature and landscape lighting, access routes and architectural highlighting.Versions are available for either 42W TC-T or 70W CDM-T lamps. www.thorlux.com

Lighting for Gardens has launched the Aqualight led underwater light, a simple budget-priced led spotlight for use in smaller fountains and water features. Aqualight incorporates a high power 3w white led in a black polyethylene and fibre glass moulded body: it is supplied with spike and surface mounts and can also be mounted on the jet of a fountain. Aqualight has a patented IP68 connector and connecting cable up to10m long for connection to a transformer or to connect up to three Aqualights together in a line. Aqualight is part of the Seliger range of IP68 lighting and water features from Germany, which is distributed in the UK by Lighting for Garden Limited. www.lightingforgardens.com

The ASD LiteHouse bollard provides a stylish, robust and efficient unit for defining routes and edges within designated areas. Provided as either surface or root mount, this unique stylish range has been designed to provide superior light output with minimal up-light.

The LiteHouse range offers a comprehensive range of operating options and lamp variants and is provided with either high impact PVC or extruded aluminum pole and vandal resistant shatterproof polycarbonate head and lens. The LiteHouse has an additional optional halo pinline effect. www.asdlighting.com www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

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Volume 1 | Issue 1 | September 2011 |

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48 Latest Kit – Editor’s Choice

Globus will be adding some exciting new additions to its market-leading Showa range of gardening gloves. New Twin Packs of the gardener’ favourite glove, the Showa Floreo 370 will be available in four colours – pink, purple, blue and green across a range of small, medium and large sizes.The Twin Packs represent a considerable saving for the retailer and the customer. While the normal retail cost per pair is £6.99, the Twin Pack will be available for just £9.99, representing a healthy profit margin for retailers and a saving of £3.99 for the customer. www.globus.co.uk

KFS Special Vehicles Ltd has provided a simple but effective solution by way of their Plant & Go range to both New Forest District and Havant Borough Councils faced with logistical problems as a result of changing legislation.The vehicles have proved an enormous success in providing a genuine alternative to trailer towing or the use of vehicles over 3.5 ton.

The range is a more cost effective solution, in whole life and operating costs than what has been traditionally used. Another benefit

is that younger employees within the grounds maintenance departments who have been restricted regarding the type of vehicle they’ve been able to drive, are now able to move mowers to site and cut grass without the need for a second employee being involved. Ian Knight, Managing Director at KFS said “We have been developing the Plant & Go range for some eighteen months now and are very excited about supplying New Forest and Havant Councils with a genuine solution to an increasing problem faced by the Ground Maintenance Departments within both the private and public sector.” www.kfs-specialvehicles.co.uk

Cape Reed thatch tiles are an excellent way of creating a thatched roof, but without the expense and time associated with a genuine thatch.This do-it-yourself thatching system is easy to install, durable and long lasting. No special tools or skills are required. Tiles can be used to cover existing structures or provide an alternative finish on new projects. All tiles are supplied with clips that can be fastened to an 8mm bar or rope. Alternatively they can simply be nailed to a standard roof baton. We would recommend a minimum roof pitch of 30 degrees.Tiles should be installed with a minimum overlap of 50mm. Once installed tiles are 98% water tight, require no maintenance and have a lifespan of 610 years. Standard tiles are supplied in boxes of 6 tiles and cover 1.6 sqm. www. thelapacompany.co.uk

| September 2011 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

Zeosoft Hand Cleaner is a new high performance natural hand cleaner that cleans ingrained grime and dirt and absorbs odours leaving hands feeling fresh and supple. Zeosoft is developed and made in New Zealand using active natural minerals to clean and care for hands and the environment in an entirely new way. As it gets rid of stains and nasty odours from hands and clothing, Zeosoft is great when dealing with soil, building materials, manure, mastic, glues and other materials in day to day landscaping activities. For more information view Zeosoft on the Kiwiosity Products Ltd website at www.kiwiosity.co.uk

John Deere’s PowerGard Maintenance and PowerGard Protection programmes are now available for new compact and utility tractors, including the 20 Series and 3036E compacts and 5 Series utility models. Combining both plans allows customers to budget for their machinery maintenance and repair costs.

PowerGard Maintenance is an agreement between the dealership and the customer to do all the maintenance work on the machine according to the service schedule in the operator’s manual, and the dealership must perform at least one annual inspection. Customers can pay at each service, in regular

instalments or for the entire contract in advance, with the cost of the plan including all parts, maintenance fluids and routine labour.There are two levels of PowerGard Protection plan that cover the cost of machinery repairs for up to five years, and must be bought with a PowerGard Maintenance plan. The basic PowerGard Protection is for limited coverage of the powertrain and engine, while PowerGard Protection Plus provides more comprehensive coverage of all key machine components. www.deere.com

One of the largest turf-specific demonstrations of its type ever staged at IOG SALTEX will take place on the 960 sq m Everris stand – B1 – on all three days of this year’s show. Combining a spreader calibration demonstration with a hands-on technical workshop, the event has been organised by Everris (formerly named Scotts) to help provide answers to one of the most frequent questions received by the company’s turf and amenity sales team, namely, how to correctly set up and operate spreaders to achieve accurate and cost-effective applications of fertilizer.The spreader calibration demonstration at IOG SALTEX will be carried out on behalf of Everris by spreader and sprayer testing and calibration specialist, SCS Spreader and Sprayer Testing Ltd, based at Wheaton Aston, Staffordshire. Machines to be featured during the practical working demonstrations include an Everris SR-2000 pedestrian rotary spreader and a Vicon PS04 oscillatingspout machine mounted on a compact tractor. www.everris.com www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

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Classified 49

To be a part of our newly launched classified section please give Marcus a call on 01903 234 077 or email marcus.chant@eljays44.com

www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

Water is becoming a valuable commodity, our climate makes the British Isles an ideal place to make the most of water from rainwater harvesting by storing the rain water in a water tank during the rainfall for use at a later date.

Call Chris on 01985 248 555 or email chris@tankservices.co.uk Volume 1 | Issue 1 | September 2011 |

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THE

NICKY PATTERSON Designer & Landscaper – gardenimprovements.com What would you say is the best thing about your job?

Meeting new clients and delivering creative solutions to them.

What made you want to get into the industry?

I fell into it by chance but grew to love working outdoors and creating new good-looking spaces for people that enjoy using them.

Challenges ahead in your work?

Educating the potential market locally to what is possible

LIZ HUGHES BSc Hort (Hons) – Wyevale East What would you say is the best thing about your job?

In a word – people. Anyone who has a connection with plants, soil and the natural environment tends to be down to earth and open to sharing ideas.

What made you want to get into the industry?

I spent much of my childhood on river banks and just generally outdoors with my parents. I guess this rubbed off on me more than I ever realised. When I left school I realised that I wanted to learn a trade that would be with me throughout my working life – not just any job.

Challenges ahead in your work?

Hampton Court is around the corner, at the moment this is my biggest challenge. Wyevale East Nurseries launched The Student Design & Build Award last year, aimed at all design and horticultural students nationwide. Our winner, Charlotte Murrell is busy gathering the hard materials

JIM WILKINSON Managing Director – Eljays44 Ltd What would you say is the best thing about your job?

The variety and being my own boss

A small insight into the world of other professionals in our wide and varied industry. If you would like to appear in a future issue please email lisa.wilkinson@pro-landscaper.co.uk. to achieve in their garden – saving them from mundane thoughtless and unimaginative landscaping.

How is the bulk of your work made up?

All of our work is based on a redesign and redevelopment of a residential garden space.

Your company’s plans for the next five years…

To hire 2 new designers and expand the core team of hard-working landscapers; to offer designs Europe wide, and also to break into commercial tenders and designs

produce spaces as good as these guys.

Favourite film and TV shows…

Anything Scorcese is immaculate in my mind.

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

See the world…and take my time with it!

Favourite song?

Moonshiner Bob Dylan’s version.

Who are you inspired by?

Diarmuid Gavin is who inspired me most as a start-up designer but Tom Hoblyn, John Brookes, Piet Oudolf and their peers inspire me immensely...one day I hope to

Where’s your favourite holiday destination?

The UK is stunning in all weathers to be honest, my breath has been taken away by some of the spectacular visions of Scotland especially.

while I am still sourcing plants and organising what goes where.

summer – but the seaside comes into its own in the autumn and winter!

How is the bulk of your work made up?

On a daily basis – quotes, serving customers and tending to the plants we hold on site. I also write press releases, update our website, write booklets and organise stands at trade shows. At the moment most of my time is spent organising Hampton Court and all the paperwork that involves!

Your proudest achievement?

My proudest achievement has to be sailing across the Atlantic Ocean delivering a boat from Martinique to France. Would I do it again?....................hmm................

How do you remain competitive?

Wyevale East Nurseries remain competitive by offering a great customer service. Our online ordering system is a fantastic way for our customers to order and keep up to date with our stock. We also attend many trade shows to remain in focus with customers and trends in the industry.

Who are you inspired by?

My family. I’m a very lucky person in that respect!

Countryside or seaside?

Both.You can’t beat the British countryside in spring and

Your company’s plans for the next five years…..

Leading resource for business information in our chosen sectors.

Favourite song?

Anything by Stevie Wonder or Robert Plant – hard to choose between the two! Then again, there’s the Rolling Stones – depends how nostalgic I feel. If I had to choose only one – Superstition.

Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter?

Spring, Summer and Autumn – I don’t do Winter!

Where’s your favourite holiday destination?

Anywhere warm and tropical, surrounded by jungle in one direction and beach in the other! Maybe I haven’t found it yet! I still have not headed East to Asia – that will be the next big trip.

Countryside or seaside?

Mixture.

Your proudest achievement?

Having two children that are still speaking to me!

How do you remain competitive?

Understand the market place that you are in and pricing that is real value for money...

Favourite song?

You do something to me – Paul Weller

Challenges ahead in your work?

Delivering the best magazine and website in the UK landscape industry.

Who are you inspired by?

Positive people.

Spring, summer, autumn or winter?

Summer – The Sun.

How is the bulk of your work made up?

Meeting and contacting new clients, directing the team.

Favourite film and TV shows…

Film – Love honour and obey.TV –The Wire.

Where’s your favourite holiday destination?

Portugal.

Current trends in the market?

Movement to deliver valuable content online.

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

Run a marathon.

| September 2011 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

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The Little Interview 51

ANGUS LINDSAY Group head of assets and fleet management – The Landscape Group What would you say is the best thing about your job?

Working with employees, management and clients to bring new techniques to our industry which improve operational efficiencies and safe working practices.

What made you want to get into the industry?

It happened by accident, literally an accident, I am an agricultural engineer to trade but a serious road accident in the Yemen whilst working for Massey Ferguson made me review my career, with jobs in UK agriculture difficult to find in the early 90’s I looked to other land based industries and here I have stayed.

Challenges ahead in your work?

Keeping the competitive edge in challenging economic times where local authorities are facing cuts, fuel prices are rising and certain area’s of legislation make the day to day job very difficult.

How is the bulk of your work made up?

Managing the group’s fleet of vehicles and machinery, assisting the business development team on new tenders, working with the QHSE manager to improve and streamline our systems and make the paperwork side of the job less arduous.

Current trends in the market?

Local authority cuts will always be a challenge but need to be looked at as an opportunity to tighten up specifications and work together to achieve the best for both parties.

RUSSELL EALES Managing Director – Russell Eales Lawn Care What would you say is the best thing about your job?

Working outside.

What made you want to get into the industry?

I started on a golf course and love sport so it was a way to work outside and with sport.

Challenges ahead in your work?

Building a solid client base and as always the weather.

How is the bulk of your work made up?

All lawn care, weed, feed and maintenance.

Your company’s plans for the next five years…..

Build solid foundations and look to expand to cover larger areas.

www.pro-landscaper.co.uk

There are still too many grey areas of legislation in which our industry seems to be lumped in with agriculture or haulage, our sector needs to have a stronger voice.

Your company’s plans for the next five years…

To remain profitable and the company that people want to work for and with.

How do you remain competitive?

Innovation, attention to detail, communicating and working with people.

Who are you inspired by?

People who take a stand and work towards a fairer society.

Favourite film and TV shows…

Silent Running,Top Gear, Psychoville.

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

Climb Kilimanjaro.

Countryside or seaside?

Countryside.

Your proudest achievement?

Sitting on the wing of a crop spraying aircraft with three others whilst flying at 100mph 3m off the ground !

Favourite song?

India/Mountain Time by Joe Bonamassa Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter?

Autumn.

Where’s your favourite holiday destination?

Peru.

Who are you inspired by?

My family.

Favourite film and TV shows…

Any Jim Carrey/The Apprentice.

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

Have a family.

Countryside or seaside?

I love both!!

Your proudest achievement?

Building a business.

Favourite song?

UB40 – Kingston Town.

Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter?

Spring.

Where’s your favourite holiday destination?

Spain.

STUART MARLER TVG Landscaping Ltd. What would you say is the best thing about your job?

Freedom to choose when and where to work, the ability to give customers the garden of their dreams, meeting people and the scope of services we offer, giving an enjoyable and satisfying career.

What made you want to get into the industry?

The love of the outdoors, ability to work for myself and help others, whether its in providing services for them or employing people.

Challenges ahead in your work?

Employing people, growing my company and legislation.

How is the bulk of your work made up?

Landscaping services and grounds care.

Current trends in the market?

Sustainability.

Your company’s plans for the next five years…..

To grow into a million pound company, grow both sides of my business and possibly set up separate businesses along side my main business of landscaping.

How do you remain competitive?

Be aware of legislation, new products/services, provide a quality service.

Who are you inspired by?

James Steele-Sargent and Mark Gregory.

Favourite film and TV shows…

Anything comedy,The Blues Brothers;TV series: Lie to me, Dexter.

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

Sky dive solo.

Countryside or seaside?

Both.

Your proudest achievement?

Getting married to my first (and only!) wife, Clare.

Favourite song?

Minnie the moocher, Cab Calloway Spring, Summer,Autumn or Winter?

Spring.

Where’s your favourite holiday destination?

Fiji.

Volume 1 | Issue 1 | September 2011 |

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