Pro Landscaper September 2013

Concept to Delivery

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

September 2013

LET’S HEAR IT FROM

IAN DRUMMOND of Indoor Garden Design

EXCAVATORS

THE RISE OF THE HUMBLE MINI

PUTTING IN PLACE A

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September 2013 | Volume 3, Issue 9

Welcome to September 2013 Welcome to the second anniversary issue of Pro Landscaper, we truly cannot believe that Pro Landscaper has now been a part of the industry for over two years – we thank you all for your continued enthusiasm and support, and for all your contributions to making it the best read magazine in the landscaping sector.

August was the perfect summer month – lots of sunshine and some rain to keep everything looking beautiful, this was perfectly evident on our visit to RHS Wisley, where the gardens were looking stunning and as a member of the society and not just journalists, we were very impressed by a free tour from an RHS volunteer around the spectacular acres of nature at its best. If you are not already a member of the RHS, it is well worth the fee, four beautiful gardens to peruse at your leisure, great educational resources and the huge importance of preserving and developing species for future generations to enjoy, plus a host of other benefits.

Another massively important part of the work of the RHS is to promote the horticulture industry as a career for the upcoming generations and is one of the topics to be discussed at this year’s View from the Top event at FutureScape.

ALL ENQUIRIES Tel: 01903 234 077 Eljays44 Ltd County House, 3 Shelley Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 1TT Tel: 01903 234 077 EDITORIAL editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk Director – Lisa Wilkinson lisa.wilkinson@eljays44.com Assistant Editor – Rose Hales rose.hales@eljays44.com

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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.

Equipment Editor – Joe Wilkinson joe.wilkinson@eljays44.com EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANEL Mark Gregory Chairman of APL and Landform Consultants Sam Hassall LandPRO Ltd Russell Eales Lawn care expert Karl Harrison Decking expert

September is a very busy month, and there are some important events taking place, Majestic Trees open day and Palmstead seminar to name just a couple.

If you haven’t already registered see inside this issue for further details, we look forward to seeing you there!

The Association of

Professional Landscapers

Pro Landscaper is proud to be an affiliate member of BALI

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

AND THERE’S MORE... www.prolandscapermagazine.com Read everything from up-to-date news to the digital version of the magazine Download the Pro Landscaper App Available FREE from the App Store CONTRACTORS A RCHITECTS Landscape Hub ARCHITECTS GARDENERS LANDSCAPERS ARCHITECTS www.landscapehub.co.uk CONTRACTORS GARDENERS HUB CONTRACTORS ARCHITECTS Visit, join and debate within the LANDSCAPERS DESIGNERS A landscape community Landscape

www.futurescapeeevent.com Save the date – 19 November 2013 Twitter: @ProLandscaperJW Facebook: Pro Landscaper LinkedIn: Join the Pro Landscaper group

MANAGEMENT Managing Director Jim Wilkinson Director Lisa Wilkinson Business Development Manager Jamie Wilkinson Business intelligence

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Contents

September 2013 6 News Shed Round up of industry news

12 Association News Benefits of the BALI Awards, SGD announce Raymond Blanc Competition shortlist, and APL at Tatton Park

14 FutureScape Updated seminar programme announced – details of speakers and topics OPINION

16 View From The Top Phil Jones discusses the ever-deceasing council budgets

Long term sustainability depends on providing a healthy growing environment Janine Pattison

19 New Developments?

Andrew Wilson investigates further into the BREEAM approved planting list

20 A rose is a rose is a rose – or is it?

Anne Wareham challenges our perception of beauty

28 Water Sensitive Urban Design

72

Jacob Tompkins from Waterwise UK on integrating water with the urban landscape TECHNICAL

22 Where There’s Blame There’s

31 Sustainable Landscaping

a Claim – Really?

Janine Pattison on the sustainable management of soil

Angus Lindsay advises on avoiding being hit by preventable insurance claims

32 Garden Irrigation Simon Sales on establishing plants

BUSINESS TIPS

34 Tools of the Trade

24 The Costs of Cutting Grass

Karl Harrison pushes the toolbox boundaries

Sam Hassall of LandPro Ltd begins a new series examining the costs of maintenance contracting

36 Let’s Hear it From

26 Work Related Stress Margaret McNeil on how to spot the signs 4

September 2013

Contents.indd 4

arcus Dawes ograph ©M Cover phot

We talked to Ian Drummond, a director of Indoor Garden Design www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Contents

57 Instant Hedging Six types of instant hedges for various uses

58 Planting Mature Trees With careful selection you can successfully plant mature trees

65 Topsoil

CONTRIBUTORS Phil Jones MD of ISS Facility Services Landscaping Andrew Wilson Garden designer and lecturer

WRAP discuss putting in place a soil management strategy

69 Site Tour The Garden Trellis Company

71 Equipment -90 The latest news, Mark Anthony’s mini excavator advice, Inside Tracmaster, seven pages on IOG SALTEX including map, kit to look out for, company list, and a Q&A with Kubota PEOPLE

92 Three Peaks Extreme Challenge It’s here, the brave team take on the challenge this month

94 The Little Interview Lily pond at RHS Garden Wisley

A short interview with a selection of Pro Landscaper’s readers

PORTFOLIOS

Benedict Green Garden Design rejuvenates a public space in the heart of London

Aileen Shackell Garden Design revitalises a derelict children’s play area

Jacob Tompkins Managing Director of Waterwise UK Janine Pattison Garden designer

Simon Sales Director of Landscapeplus

SEPTEMBER 3-5 IOG SALTEX www.iog-saltex.com

A small garden transformed into an outside entertainment space by Lucy Willcox Garden Design

Contents.indd 5

Margaret McNeil Owner of Onsite Training UK

ARE YOU GOING?

48 In The Frame

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Sam Hassall Specialist landscape cost consultant

Mark Anthony Excavator expert

44 Child’s Play

Plants recommended for September by some of the country’s top nurseries

Angus Lindsay Head of Fleet at The Landscape Group

Karl Harrison Director of Exterior Solutions Ltd

41 Historic Sanctuary

52 Plantsman’s Plot

Anne Wareham Garden writer

48

19 Majestic Trees Open Day www.majestictrees.co.uk 25 Palmstead Seminar www.palmstead.co.uk September 2013

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News

NEWS SHED 58 Green Flags awarded to Quadron-maintained sites Quadron and its clients are celebrating the fantastic achievement of a total of 58 Green Flags in this year’s Awards! Quadron’s Team of Development Managers has once again been working with clients and stakeholder groups to provide valuable assistance with their Green Flag applications.

Andrew Kauffman, Development Team Leader commented, “The award of a Green Flag recognises not only the quality of the park’s maintenance and management, but

also that it is a place in which the local community feels a sense of ownership and pride.”

Quadron’s Managing Director, Clive Ivil, added, “We are extremely proud of the achievement of 58 Green Flags. Thanks and well done to all the staff who work so hard to ensure that the sites we maintain look their best not just on Green Flag judging day, but all year round. www.quadronenvironment.com/ about/awards/green_flag/

Tom Hoblyn to talk at Eden Project

Last year Tom Hoblyn’s Cornish Memories Show Garden for RHS Chelsea 2011 was recreated at the Eden Project in Cornwall. This September, he returns to Eden to

give a talk about the initial design and development of the garden and to see its reincarnation at this important Cornish landmark. Now called The Sense of Memory Garden, the permanently sited garden has been planted with shrubs and plants representing the Cornish memories of the staff at the Eden Project. The talk is on Thursday 12 September and tickets can be purchased by emailing friends@edenproject.com or calling 01726 811 932. www.thomashoblyn.com

Paul Hervey-Brookes sets off to Japan with a piece of England Plantsman and well respected designer Paul Hervey-Brookes has been invited to create a garden at the Gardening World Cup in Japan.The event takes place at the Palace Huis Ten Bosch show ground near Nagasaki from 12-20 October.

Paul’s Garden ‘What Are We’ is a 10m by 10m classically inspired English garden which draws inspiration from the Greek exedrae as a place to communicate, share ideas, values and experiences in.This, according to Paul, is the building block of the organiser’s theme World Peace.The garden includes sweeping mixed herbaceous borders and a nectar bar with

traditional beehives. Paul said “I was thrilled to be asked to go to Japan and I am really looking forward to creating the garden. It is ambitious to recreate such an identifiable space in another geographic location but we are all really looking forward to the challenge”. For full details about the show see: www.gardeningworldcup.jp

Garden Planters & Urns Giant Boxes, Troughs & Cylinders available

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

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News

Training and accreditation from Wildflower Turf Wildflower Turf is relaunching its Accredited Partner Scheme which gives comprehensive training on how to deliver a guaranteed wildflower environment. Accreditation includes benefits such as discounted products, job referrals and marketing support.

For further information and to book your place on the upcoming courses on 26 September, 3 or 10 October, email toby@wildflowerturf.co.uk.

James Hewetson-Brown, Managing Director will also be holding a seminar at this year’s FutureScape event on 19 November, visit www.futurescapeevent.com to register and book your place.

Bowles & Wyer Contracts completes new playground in The Regent’s Park

The Marylebone Green Playground has recently re-opened to the public after refurbishment to provide a range of play features allowing more creative play. Bowles & Wyer Contracts worked closely with landscape architect Noel Farrer of Farrer Huxley Associates, who created an inspiring master plan for the site. Recycling and reuse has been at the heart of the project and Bowles & Wyer Contracts have been

responsible for the refurbishment and adaption of some of the original play equipment giving the playground a distinctly retro feel. A sculptural climbing frame was created from a giant Caucasian Elm (Zelkova carpinifolia) which came down in The Regents Park’s Inner Circle in high winds last winter.The 10-metre trunk of the tree is now sited in the Natural Play Zone.

Dan Riddleston, Managing Director of Bowles & Wyer Contracts said: “We are thrilled to have been commissioned by The Royal Parks. I am particularly delighted to see the spectacular Spiral Folly come to life.” www.bowleswyer-contracts.co.uk

New police powers given to John O’Conner (GM) Ltd employees Two employees from John O’Conner Grounds Maintenance Ltd have been given limited policing powers by Hertfordshire Constabulary under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme.

Contract Manager Stephen Webb and Grounds Maintenance Operative Dominik Ciemierz were given the powers to request the name and address of anyone they suspect of causing anti-social behaviour; and can confiscate alcohol from anyone under the age of 18 as

part of their role to improve community safety across Hertsmere.

John O’Conner has achieved

Scheme accreditation across numerous grounds maintenance contracts such as St Albans City and District Council.

Matthew O’Conner, Managing Director at John O’Conner, said: “We are delighted to have two more of our employees accredited to this successful scheme. We are looking forward to working with police officers in Hertsmere and hope this is the first of many accreditations for our employees.” www.johnoconner.co.uk

NURSERY NEWS Sunshine good for growth Summer finally arrived and watering has been the number one priority at Deepdale Trees this month. Despite the increased demand for water, the rising temperatures have really helped growth on both the container and field grown stock. Great news, as it means that there is a magnificent selection of stock available for now and the coming season.

Such strong growth does mean more pruning and now is the perfect time of year, especially for the hedging plants and topiary specimens.

The candles on the cloud clipped pines have all been carefully pruned back by hand.

Pleached plants, topiary and the instant hedging units have also been trimmed in order to maintain their density and beautifully crisp appearance.

Don’t forget that you need to be especially careful when pruning Buxus to minimise the risk of Blight.

Make sure that tools are sterilised, clippings disposed of and only prune when it’s dry.

www.deepdale-trees.co.uk

Hardwood Decking

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

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

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News Extra

NEWS IN BRIEF Apprentice wins award

Quadron Services Southwark Apprentice, Jake CaterBassett, has been awarded the London Gardens Society Award, at Capel Manor’s annual awards ceremony.

Jake began his apprenticeship with Quadron a year ago and works in Southwark Park.

New head of horticulture at HTA

The HTA’s new head of horticulture Raoul CurtisMachin took up his new role on 12 August.

New home for cows in London park

Quadron have brought four British Longhorn Cows into Holland Park in London to graze on invasive plants.

Cityscapes Remix Garden project Cityscapes are taking the Chelsea 2013 Cloudy Bay Discovery garden designed

by Andrew Wilson and Gavin McWilliam, to the iconic OXO Tower Wharf in the South Bank area, where it will be ‘remixed’ by four upcoming designers into new versions, and displayed between August and October for three weeks each. A fifth version, designed by Andrew and Gavin will then appear at the RHS Shades of Autumn show in October.

The project highlights the creativity of new designers, showcases the Cityscapes approach to greening urban environments, and also presents innovative approaches to recycling, revealing the afterlife potential for RHS

show gardens. It also sees this as being a key example of highlighting the importance of horticultural careers in a creative way, tying in with the new RHS Horticultural Matters report and campaign.The designers participating are: Anoushka Feiler (1-18 August), Jon

Sims (21 August-8 September), Daniel Lobb (11-29 September) and Matthew Childs (30 September-20 October).

The event at the RHS Shades of Autumn show on 22-23 October will feature Andrew and Gavin’s final remix version of the garden. www.cityscapes.org.uk

Good month for...

The Three Peaks Extreme Team, the challenge is just days away (see page 92) Prisoners at HMP Whatton, who won the prestigious Windlesham Trophy Competition for the best kept prison garden in England and Wales The Landscape Institute’s ‘I want to be a landscape architect’ film, over 100,000 hits on youtube

Bad month for...

Crowders awarded Supplier Recognition Licence

The British Olympic Association (BOA) has recognised the part played by Crowders by awarding a licence under their Supplier Recognition Scheme.The licence gives Crowders the right to use the phrase “Supplier of trees and shrubs (Olympic Park and Olympic Village)

to the London 2012 Games”. In the two years building up to the games, Crowders supplied Willerby Landscapes, Frosts Landscape Construction, Gavin Jones, Skidmores of Hertford, Kings Landscapes, and The Landscape Group with trees and shrubs for landscaping within the park and associated facilities. In addition the company currently has a contract for supplying trees and shrubs for the transformation stage which is doubling the size of the park now known as The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. www.crowdersnurseries.co.uk

The gardeners who had to trim Britain’s biggest yew hedge, at 6-15ft wide, and over 150 yards long Ash dieback – a computer game that analyses genetic data on the disease has been launched The Eden Project’s Chief Executive Sir Tim Smit steps down

Oak Framed Buildings

Garages • Gazebos • Dining Areas Outbuildings • Smoking Shelters

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Association Association News

NEWS

Now that the deadline has passed for the remaining category entries for this year’s BALI National Landscape Awards in association with Horticulture Week, the number of entries received confirms what Award winners have been saying for years: winning a BALI Award brings real benefits.

It makes no difference whether you’re a large commercial contractor, a smaller domestic landscaper or an independent garden designer. Winning a BALI Award is an accolade like no other, respected throughout the industry and recognised as the epitome of landscaping excellence by commercial and residential clients alike.

The BALI Awards categories for landscaping and grounds maintenance are the only industry

BALI briefing BALI Awards bring real benefits 2

1

landscaping awards visited, in person, by highly respected judges.They see first-hand the quality and level of professionalism displayed by BALI contractors and get right down to the detail of what has been achieved. Where photographs can be ‘selective’ in what they show, there’s no hiding from the scrutiny of a BALI Awards judge. In the case of BALI Registered Designer entries, the excellence of the design and plans are judged by those with specific design expertise.

The ‘realised’ projects are not visited.

This year the judging panel have been visiting entries up and down the country throughout the summer, speaking to clients and contractors,

SGD bulletin

taking their own photographs and video footage, and painstakingly marking each scheme against set criteria.That work culminates in three days of deliberation when the judges meet to first of all agree the National Award winners and then determine which of those stands out in each category as the Principal Award. With that work concluded the judges’ final responsibility is to select the Special Awards and the Grand Award.

National Award winners are announced initially in September, but the Principal, Special and Grand Awards will be kept strictly under wraps until the ceremony at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane, on Friday 6 December.

Past winners have cited a marked

3

increase in business, heightened staff motivation and greater brand awareness as key benefits of winning a BALI Award. BALI’s Affiliate (supplier) members have embraced the ‘Exceptional Service’ category and, this year, have entered in droves. If you are a BALI Registered Contractor, Designer or Affiliate who has not entered the Awards before, give it some serious thought for 2014 and consider how you can take advantage of this incredible ‘shop window’. If you’ve entered this year – GOOD LUCK!! www.baliawards.co.uk 1 BALI Awards 2012.

2 BALI Grand Award Winners 2012.

3 BALI Awards Judging Panel 2012.

1

Shortlist announced for Raymond Blanc Heritage Garden Competition Congratulations to Alex Johnson MSGD, Anne Keenan MSGD, Karolyn Mowll MSGD, and Kathy Taylor MSGD whose entries have been shortlisted in the Raymond Blanc National Heritage Garden Competition.

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September 2013

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The competition invited Registered Members of the Society of Garden Designers to submit design concepts for a new kitchen garden, using heritage vegetables from the Garden Organic seed library, to be sited within the

kitchen gardens at Raymond Blanc’s two-Michelin star restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons.

Run in conjunction with Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Garden Organic, Hartley Botanic and the

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

14/08/2013 14:14

Association News

APL update Support for TrustMark, and medals at RHS Tatton Government supports TrustMark It’s good news for the APL as the Government has committed to supporting TrustMark (TM). As the only specialist landscape member of TM, the national quality badge for reputable tradesmen in the domestic RMI (repair, maintenance and improvement) sector, APL landscapers stand in good stead to benefit from the news.

The positive act comes via the publication of the Government’s Industrial Strategy for Construction that announces growth within the TM scheme.

The changes are to include a greater proportion of the industry, and promotion of the new core criteria standards as well as the industry and consumer groups that support them.

HTA Business Development

SGD, the competition was conceived to raise awareness of the ongoing work by the charity Garden Organic in promoting organic gardening methods, preserving knowledge and safeguarding rare varieties that were once the mainstay of our British gardens.

Chair of the SGD, Juliet Sargeant MSGD said: “I now know there is no such thing as a typical kitchen garden! Raymond Blanc and Garden Organic gave a complex and challenging brief for this project and I have been amazed by the variety of design solutions that

The Association of

Professional Landscapers

Manager Donna Hanlon comments “Of an estimated two million jobs carried out in 2012

by TM registered firms, only one in every 9,929 jobs were notified as a problem – a rate of 0.01 per cent. This is a real driver for consumer interest and raising the profile of TM tradesmen like the APL Landscapers.”

Liz Male, chairman of TrustMark

and a member of the new Construction Leadership Council said: “TrustMark scheme operators have the capacity and will to bring many thousands more firms into the scheme, so that the benefits of the TrustMark badge can be extended to all the reputable tradesmen in the domestic RMI sector.”

Medal winning streak for APL members at RHS Tatton The APL is celebrating after winning more medals at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park which took place in July.

The Precious Resources garden, sponsored by Bradstone, designed

by Paul Hervey-Brookes and built

1

our members have produced. I am really looking forward to hearing about the design concepts from the designers themselves when they visit Le Manoir in September.”

The judging panel which includes: Raymond Blanc, Bob Sherman from Garden Organic, Head Gardener at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Anne Marie Owens, Juliet Sargeant MSGD and Sean Butler MSGD, will meet the four designers in late September when the design concept will be presented and the winning designer will

be selected.

The shortlisted designs can be seen at www.sgd-raymondblancgardendesigncompetition.com The garden is due to be completed in June 2014.

1 Members of the APL North West Cluster Group with Paul Hervey-Brookes.

2

1 Master plan by Karolyn Mowll MSGD of Turning Leaf Garden Designs.

2 Illustration by Anne Keenan MSGD.

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September 2013

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Association News.indd 13

by a collaboration of the founder members of the APL North West Cluster Group was named the People’s Choice award for the Best Small Garden, as well as winning Silver at the North’s biggest garden party.

A Stainless Century won Gold and Best Large Garden and was built by APL members Garden Style. APL members Greenbelt Landscapes also won Gold for the construction of the Alzheimer’s Society Remember to Reflect Garden and Silver for The Dirty Stop Out’s Garden, which was also sponsored by member Natural Paving.

APL Chairman Mark Gregory said: “This is the first time we have had an APL branded garden at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park and I am delighted to see a medal win for the North West Cluster Group.

It is great to see the APL’s work showcased at this level and we hope the Tatton public will choose APL when considering getting their garden landscaped.”

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Seminar Programme

FutureScape Preview

James Hewetson-Brown

Ann-Marie Powell

Andrew Fisher Tomlin

Time

Dan Flynn

Nigel Clarke Suite

09.30 AM

CONTRACTORS FORUM • NATIONAL (Members Only)

Anne Wareham

10.30 AM

• ANGUS LINDSAY – MANAGING SLOPES AND BANKS: A CONTRACTORS APPROACH

Operating on slopes and banks is never easy, the risks are high, the equipment can be expensive and the demands can be unreasonable, why create the problems in the first place and why not consider a minimum maintenance option?

Patricia Fox

11.30 AM

• JOHN WYER – FINDING WORK IN THE SHIFTING SANDS OF RECESSION

Kate Gould

Ken White

Jo Thompson

Ground Floor

ANNE WAREHAM – WATER IN THE GARDEN •Water in British gardens is characterised by its resemblance to the

“great grey-green greasy Limpopo River”. When you consider the effort people put into their lawns, you might think we could do better than this.

Anne Wareham will consider some of the worst and best aspects of the use of water, and how we could do better.

• JAMES HEWETSON-BROWN – ESTABLISHING

Fi

•S

THE

Hard With more to di

A WILDFLOWER MEADOW: SEED OR TURF?

•A t

HARRISON – THE BEST HARDWOOD DECKING •KarlKARL Harrison will be sharing his passion for maximising the very best

•

The seminar will highlight the benefits of a wildflower meadow, from biodiversity to creative design. It will look at the practicalities of how to establish a meadow, including experience from the company’s 2012 Olympic involvement. Also covered will be the pros and cons of turfing and seeding, including a cost analysis for both.

gar view env the

LIG

from your decking materials. Specialising in the design and construction, Karl has been evaluating the techniques required to transform standard decking materials into projects that stand out. This seminar will discuss how you can select the right materials and deliver a high end deck.

Lan an alw wit ligh

• TIM O’HARE – THE USE AND SPECIFICATION OF GREEN

•

have been going wrong in our businesses. We have been too nice to people! Too nice to staff. Too nice to customers. Too nice to suppliers. Really nice people will find this high energy session particularly useful. Being nice ends here!

This seminar will cover the use of green compost specifically within the landscape industry and help to clarify the benefits and limitations of the material. What is green compost and why is it such a useful commodity to the landscape industry? Why is BSI PAS 100 Standard important, and how to use it. The use of green compost, using various case studies including the Olympic Park soils.

Fol will wit how and exp

• BARRY BROWNE AND DERIC NEWMAN

• JANINE PATTISON – CREATING SUSTAINABLE

•

Ensuring trees survive in an urban environment is the responsibility of all professionals within the landscape industry from planning right through to the final installation stage. This seminar will cover the necessities and pitfalls of tree planting in a hard landscaped area, offering first-hand, on-site experience from professionals in the area of urban planting.

Janine will explore what sustainability means to us as landscape professionals, from the designers and landscapers, to building and maintenance contractors, those who build them and those who maintain them. Not forgetting of course all those who support us with plants, materials, machinery and services. Also covered will be ways to make existing gardens and landscapes more sustainable.

Pa ag tha exa det the

Finding profitable work in a recession can be tough.

Speaking from his own experiences at Bowles & Wyer, John Wyer will explore how to stay one step ahead of the competition, how to exploit new markets and how to get the most out of your own resources.

Janine Pattison

This year’s speakers include...

Lunch 1.30 PM

Frank Newberry

2.30 PM

FRANK NEWBERRY – STOP BEING SO NICE! •A highly interactive and entertaining look at where we

OF GREENTECH – URBAN TREE PLANTING

Angus Lindsay

COMPOST WITHIN THE LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY

LANDSCAPES: BUILDING THE FUTURE

3.30 PM

Tim O’Hare

AN

FO

• ATHp

6.30 PM

T

36

July 2013

FutureScape 4 pages.indd 36

FutureScape seminar programme is sponsored by GreenTech

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

15/08/2013 16:01

effort n this. of the

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REGISTER NOW AT WWW.FUTURESCAPEEVENT.COM FutureScape Preview

David Dodd

Ian Drummond

Mark Gregory

First Floor

• STEVE WALLEY AND GARY TIMPSON –

THE BENEFITS OF SEALING: DISPELLING THE MYTHS

Hard landscaping is a significant component of any landscaping project.

With such a wide range of premium stone paving now available more and more people are choosing to protect their stone. Gary and Steve are here to dispel a few of the common myths around sealing.

HARBER – CREATIVE HOT SPOTS •A talkDAVID on the thought process to integrate sculptural elements into

Adam Frost

David Harber

Tracy McQue

Desert Orchid Suite

SOCIAL MEDIA – MAKE IT WORK •A panel of industry experts who use all the social media tools (Twitter,

Facebook, LinkedIn etc) to enhance their business, will discuss, debate and take question from the audience on how your business can benefit by using social media correctly. With @ArbourDesign, @groundsmaiden, @PoppyheadC, @HollandScapes, @ladylawn and @FutureScapeUK.

MARK GREGORY, KEN WHITE AND DAN FLYNN

The Beauty is in the Build is new for 2013 – we have lined up four of the industry’s leading landscapers, with numerous RHS Gold medals between them and who have worked on some of the most prestigious gardens in the UK. This is your chance to understand what makes them and their businesses successful and to ask questions. It’s an event not to be missed – please pre-register.

• DAVID ATKINSON – “LESS IS MORE” WHEN

PHIL JONES – TEACHING THE WORLD TO SELL •Everybody sells, yet the majority of people still see the term “salesperson” as

Landscape lighting design should always be discreet and create a naturalistic yet dramatic quality. David Atkinson’s approach has always been not to over-light external spaces but to create depth within a landscape scheme, through light and shade. External lighting can create a variety of looks through the seasons.

Phil Jones

• THE BEAUTY IS IN THE BUILD – Q&A WITH: DAVID DODD,

garden design. Key topics will include: perspective and different views, scale, reflection, complementing and contrasting with the environment, producing focal points and playful interaction with the observer.

LIGHTING A GARDEN...

Karl Harrison

Tom Bradley

far less than a compliment. Phil shares the key difference between a sales person and a sales professional, giving you countless real world skills to persuade, negotiate and influence others into action. Phil will show you how making simple changes gets you more of what you want, when you want it.

David Atkinson

• ANNE MARIE POWELL – PLANTS, PLANTS AND MORE PLANTS

HEAR IT LIVE – ADAM FROST •RHSLET’S Chelsea Gold medalist, TV personality and poacher turned gamekeeper

Following on from her book Plans for Small Gardens, Ann-Marie will take a close look at how to maximise space in small gardens with the correct plants, used to their full potential. She will look at how horizontal and vertical plantscapes, matrix planting, structure and “plants that earn their keep” will work to exceed your client’s expectations.

and a great character who is direct and honest. Adam runs a very successful design company, understands the construction of gardens and will answer questions on numerous topics plus anything that the audience may wish to put to him. Make sure you pre-register for this exciting event.

• PATRICIA FOX – FINISHING TOUCHES

• TOM BRADLEY – RAINWATER HARVESTING: BENEFITS,

Patricia highlights those important finishing details which transform a garden from the ordinary into the extra ordinary – a space that feels truly special. Finishing touches will include ideas and examples across lighting, furniture, trees, topiary and paving details, from award winning gardens that Patricia has created over the last few years.

The seminar will outline the importance of water harvesting as part of sustainable landscape design. There will be an overview of systems currently on the market, highlighting any recent developments and future prospects. Case studies will be used to demonstrate how effective systems can perform and the benefits on offer.

FOR STYLISH GARDENS

Steve Walley

LIMITATIONS AND THE FUTURE

Gary Timpson

DETAIL IS IN THE DESIGN – Q&A WITH: JO THOMPSON, IAN DRUMMOND, TRACY MCQUE, ANDREW FISHER TOMLIN AND KATE GOULD • ATHE packed room last year saw four leading designers debate industry topics, take questions from the audience and offer an insight into what makes them tick.

This year we will replicate the event with a new panel and a few additional twists. If it’s anything like last year this will be an exciting event – insightful, thought provoking and fun. Attendance will be limited (last year over 100 people attended) so again to guarantee a seat you will need to pre-register.

•

Ellie Parry

VIEW FROM THE TOP ‘FUTURE OF HORTICULTURE’ – INVITE ONLY

This is our version of Newsnight; we have a host and a panel of experts who will answer industry related questions. This is an invite-only event, the audience will be made up of leading industry figures who will get a chance to question the panel and put their own views across.

ONE DAY. ONE INDUSTRY. ONE EVENT. www.prolandscapermagazine.com WWW.FUTURESCAPEEVENT.COM FutureScape 4 pages.indd 37

Tuesday 19 November 2013

at Kempton Park Racecourse, Sunbury on Thames TW16 5AQ July 2013 37

For more information please contact Jamie Wilkinson on 01903 234 077

15/08/2013 16:02

Opinion

View from the Top Phil Jones comments on the worrying state of ever-decreasing council budgets and the effects that these drastic cuts are having on standards

“You can cut council budgets by a quarter, in real terms, and the majority of people won’t really notice the difference”. So said Stephanie Flanders, BBC Economics Editor, in a recent tweet.

There were many people who took issue with this statement, pointing to social services as one area where people are feeling the hardship.

Stephanie had as her foundation a recent Ipsos MORI poll, in which 48 per cent of people agreed with the statement that “budget cuts have gone too far and threaten social unrest”. Here’s the thing though – in the same poll 65 per cent said they had personally not noticed a change in the quality of their local services.

As I speak to council officers and elected members from a range of local authorities across the country, I am told that although each expects to make further significant future cuts, they all believe they have managed to protect the majority of services so far. Why is there less than expected notable change and no perceived degradation in service delivery?

In my experience this is for a number of reasons. Council officers tell me they are struggling to deliver services because politicians are pressuring them to make cuts, but also to avoid there being a perceptible drop in standards.

As usual, the pressures the politicians have on them is channelled through the officers with, sometimes, undue emphasis. It always interests and frustrates me why so few council officers are willing to stand up and declare that ‘enough is enough’, and that if significant savings have to be made, then we will all have to see and experience the impact.

Other courses of action aside from reducing the frequency and/or quality of services include anything from removal of more posts within local government to undue pressure on service 16

September 2013

View from the top.indd 16

partners, previously referred to as contractors, to further diminish their operating margins.This means that the council pays less for the same service, but essentially the ‘partner’ suffers.

Some authorities have been good at prioritising their services and taking tough decisions, others less so. I don’t think that’s because there is no desire amongst officers

It always interests and frustrates me why so few council officers are willing to stand up and declare that ‘enough is enough’ to do this. We should remember that whilst the survey showed people haven’t seen a noticeable difference, the numbers of people working in local government has dramatically fallen. This has left behind a management team made up of relatively inexperienced, nonsubject matter experts who are expected to manage services they have little or no expertise or experience in delivering.

Why does all this matter to partners from the landscape industry? Well, it has become increasingly important for those of us involved in delivering grounds maintenance and associated services in the public sector to identify the dynamics I have described above, in order to help sustain the local authority service delivery.

Furthermore, in some cases the private sector has become the sole expert in the ‘partnership’.

This is evident, for example, where we have engineers and parks departments merged, or planning and highways with parks ‘thrown in’. Frequently these days we are dealing with

officers who have little or no technical knowledge of parks and horticulture.

Some will say that if no one is noticing the effect of cuts, why worry? I say in reply to that, standards are falling in many areas and there is a steady degradation of council services, no matter how many are noticing it. It will take a few years for the full effects to be seen, but they will be seen!

I firmly believe, therefore, that it is incumbent on us as the specialists to help our local authority customers to be able to maintain standards as far as possible. Where this isn’t possible we have a responsibility to work together to achieve the best possible service delivery and to jointly deliver the message that says “you’ve cut the budget, of course there will be a difference in the outcome”.

This is all about managing expectations amongst all of the stakeholders.

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

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

14/08/2013 14:04

Grow your business with wild flowers There has never been a better time to offer wild flower landscapes to your customers.

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12/08/2013 15:17

Seeing natural stone realise it’s potential gives us enormous satisfaction.

That’s why London Stone offer an in-house, bespoke stone masonry service.

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0844 225 1915 www.londonstone.com

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12/08/2013 15:19

spiTOpinion ssenisuB

this should not be at the expense of a more balanced ecological community of plants that provide a richer food source and habitat.

The problem with a point based system is the dogma that comes with it – there is little or no room for interpretation. Thus a more progressive design that might enhance and enrich a development is penalised over a scheme that has less to offer but manages to tick the right boxes.

Traditionally most planning departments maintained an approved tree and planting list. In most cases they were pretty miserable constructs, but most importantly they were not dogmatically applied. In many ways they were a safeguarding system, a base level below which it was unacceptable to drop. Once planners realised that they were dealing with knowledgeable designers Is the BREEAM approved planting list limiting creativity, forcing designers to create who might introduce more interesting or varied schemes that simply tick the right boxes? Andrew Wilson explores the issue species, then the more ambitious or progressive schemes would often be welcomed.

Progress, design evolution and ultimately better There is quite an interesting difference in designing malaise that sends the overall quality of living habitats and landscapes do not come about a garden for a client as opposed to a developer. For developments down the pan. through point scoring and box ticking. There has to This year’s Palmstead Soft Landscape the former, the garden is a reflection of the client’s be some flexibility both in the system created to Workshop on 25 September focuses on the personality and lifestyle, producing spaces and recent Building Research Establishment’s BREEAM enable good design and in the way in which rules sensations that are specifically tailored to their approved planting list, a well intentioned initiative and requirements are interpreted and applied by needs and aspirations. For the developer, there is officers and assessors. in support of sustainable development which in no such personality as the eventual owner or some ways compounds rather than alleviates the resident has yet to materialise. This creates a problem of developer landscapes and gardens. difficult design premise as the external The list is somewhat loaded to native species but environment needs to be attractive but not overall is limited in scope – perhaps feeding the individual or idiosyncratic. The result for many industry of plant production for developments developments, both large and small scale, is little rather than supporting design potential. more than bland, suggesting that a range of The main issue for opportunities is being designers is that plants missed with each new Developers’ focus is mainly included within the list development. But who is on the buildings and interior, gain points or credits if at fault here?

Historically, developers yet leafy green pictures are used in a scheme, whilst have been loath to invest invariably used to promote many deserving species not included (and there more than is absolutely and sell the developments are many) are either necessary in the exterior rejected or have to be landscape of their builds. fought for. James Hitchmough startled the Their focus is mainly on the buildings and interior, audience at last year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show and yet leafy, green pictures of the setting and by proclaiming that garden and landscape outdoor spaces are invariably used to promote ABOUT ANDREW WILSON publications have got the promotion of native and sell the developments. Planners are generally Andrew Wilson is a landscape species over exotics wrong for most of the last happy to see lawns and shrubs, creating a and garden designer as well somewhat dated sense of what a landscape should half century. as Director of Wilson McWilliam It is the building or creation of diverse or could be. Designers, where they are used, are Studio. He is also a Director of the London College of often hand tied by limited budgets or by a general ecological habitats that include both native and Garden Design, an author and an RHS judge lack of interest or appreciation from the developer non-native species that is most desirable for of Show Gardens. sustainable and wildlife rich results. Whilst it is a team, and contractors simply create what is www.wmstudio.co.uk good thing to promote the use of native species designed and specified – all part of a general

New developments?

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Andrew Wilson.indd 19

September 2013

19

14/08/2013 14:02

©Anne Wareham

Business OpinionTips

A rose is a rose is a rose - or is it?

Are our judgements clouded by what we are told is beautiful – even if it’s not?

Asks Anne Wareham

The other day someone put up a picture on Twitter, claiming that ‘the rose garden looks great now!”

Illustrating this dubious assertion was the usual sight of ugly flower blobs on spikey sticks, immodestly showing their legs and displaying their discordant array of harsh colours. A common enough sight, and one greeted with applause almost everywhere.

It seems that as long as something has a flower, and does not suffer the controversial label ‘weed’ it must be ‘lovely’.

Everything to do with gardens except for slugs is lovely. This absurdity doesn’t confine itself to horticultural enthusiasts. One of the shocks you will experience if you ever appear at the Hay Festival is the ghastly rose you will be presented with when you finish your talk. It will have a rigid stem a mile long with an artificial looking scentless rose perched at the end. The wise chuck it exuberantly into the crowd in an extravagant and apparently generous gesture which actually spares them subsequently carrying the horrible thing around.

The Hay roses have no scent. You might think that would put people off, but one of the most popular and celebrated roses ever raised has practically no scent. ‘Peace’, described by the experienced rose grower Peter Beales as, “without doubt, the finest Hybrid Tea ever 20

September 2013

Anne Wareham.indd 20

raised”, has sold over 100 million plants and most people cannot find any fragrance in it at all.

It produces those typical Hybrid Tea stiff petals which for some reason, probably association, always depress me. For some reason the ideal rose of this kind tends to be far too large – hence the blobby look – and they consequently both frequently weigh the plant down and go over very badly. There is often much discussion of which Camellias shed their

It seems that as long as something has a flower, and does not suffer the controversial label ‘weed’ it must be 'lovely' flowers cleanly (none, actually) but the same problem with roses is rarely acknowledged.

So, full of enthusiasm for these monstrosities people gather them together in a rose garden, which at least offers the possibility of avoiding them altogether. These gardens also frequently feature bare soil, the better to do the feeding, hoeing, fungiciding and the rest that these miserable, often disease prone plants demand.

A healthy, unblemished rose leaf is a rare sight, so the ugly stalks are The Hybrid Tea rose ‘Peace’

inescapable; unless a few miserable perennials skulk underneath along with a stray weed or two.

Then the collection mania emerges.

One colour of rose, indeed one variety of rose, would at least offer the possibility of some harmony and even drama. But more is better, is it not? Why just have crimson if you can add orange and pink to the cacophony? You can have fantasies that you are adventurous with colour like Christopher Lloyd…

It is possible to have a beautiful rose and a beautiful rose garden. Mottisfont demonstrates that, thanks to the rediscovery of the old roses and the design work of the late Graham Stuart Thomas. But most of the rest of the world sails on, oblivious.

All this demonstrates the sad inability of both gardeners and the public to look critically at anything described as ‘flower’ or ’garden’.

A collective blindness descends and a sentimental sigh clouds the view. We are often and ridiculously described as a nation of garden lovers, whereas in reality we are totally tolerant of any ugly sight which is put in front of us, as long as it incorporates something we are told is a beautiful flower.

ABOUT ANNE WAREHAM Anne Wareham’s book, The Bad Tempered Gardener is the story of the creation with her husband, Charles Hawes, of their garden in the Welsh borders, the Veddw. Anne also writes for the Telegraph, garden magazines and her own blog on the Veddw website, www.veddw.com. She is editor of www.thinkingardens.co.uk.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

15/08/2013 10:18

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12/08/2013 16:13

Opinion

Where there’s blame there’s a claim – really?

Angus Lindsay advises on how to avoid being hit by insurance claims which are both costly and preventable, as well as why it’s important not to give in if you know you’re in the right

Insurance cover is a necessity in cars, common sense can sometimes everything we do these days. Whether get left in the mess room. How many driving on the road, constructing a new phone calls have you taken from an play area or even just cutting the grass, irate motorist who’s had their car we need to have adequate insurance splattered with grass or worse still, in place to protect our business should pebble-dashed with small stones? It’s something untoward happen. I’m sure easy for me to sit here and say this we’re all aware of staged accidents which could be avoided, more difficult when have resulted in bogus motor claims for the client is giving you grief about the the old favourite that is whiplash, but length of the grass! Get your operators what of those other claims which seem to take more care around parked cars, to only affect our industry? Slipping on make sure guards are in place and also wet grass, falling in a hole, being struck consider raising the height of cut. Picking by a falling branch, chipped windscreens up debris first could also save a small etc., the list is endless. Perish the thought fortune on repairs.

What about incidents involving the that there are unscrupulous individuals Whilst protecting members of the general public? We can’t train them, driving about looking for opportunities public and your business’s interests, don’t to have their damaged paintwork or forget your operators. Make sure they but we can guide them windscreen repaired courtesy of their have the correct PPE and that they use local landscape contractor. it. Ensure the machines they operate are seem to injure themselves by falling into open It seems that many of the claims attributed safe and don’t present a long term risk it terms of excavations or tripping over raised earthworks to our type of industry happen because we are noise or vibration – failure to do so can lead to which are fully enclosed behind security fences seen as a ‘soft target’ by the claimant; land owner, unnecessary and avoidable claims. and barriers. Worst of all, the insurers’ default main contractor and indeed the insurer who in Finally, familiarise yourself with the contract seems to be to blame the insured prior to many cases are all too ready to settle a claim specification and who is responsible for what. carrying out any investigation. My advice is that rather than fight it. There are of course genuine You may be contracted to cut the grass, but what if you know you’re in the right, challenge the claims out there from work related accidents about the hole in the pitch, the exposed drain or insurer and fight the claim, as if you do not your which could easily have been prevented with the damaged sign post, who then is liable? It can premiums will continue to rise. better training and adherence to procedures; be frustrating fighting a claim but it is often well Training your operators may seem obvious slips, trips, stresses and strains can all be reduced worth challenging it in the name of reality and but when it comes to strimming next to parked with better workplace management, tool box common sense, before things get out of hand. talks and robust documentation. What about incidents involving the general public? We can’t ABOUT ANGUS LINDSAY train them, but we can guide them.

As an agriculturist, Angus spent also spent a year at Silsoe, gaining an MSc in It may seem obvious, but using simple signage several years working on arable Agricultural Engineering and Mechanisation to warn people of work operations can go a long farms in Scotland before joining VSO Management. Returning to the UK he joined way in mitigating any potential claims. Whether in Egypt, implementing a Glendale as machinery manager in 1994 – going mechanisation programme, on to become Company Engineer – before joining you are flailing hedges, spraying footpaths, digging managing field operations for a commercial cotton The Landscape Group in 2009 as Group Head tree pits or cutting grass, adequate warning signs plantation in Nigeria and as a contract instructor for of Assets and Fleet. and information boards should be your first line Massey Ferguson in Yemen. During this time he Contact: alindsay@thelandscapegroup.co.uk of defence. It still amazes me how many people 22

September 2013

Angus Lindsay.indd 22

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

14/08/2013 13:58

ADVERTS TEMPLATES.indd 174

13/08/2013 09:05

Business Tips

Maintenance contracting The costs of cutting grass This article is the start of a new series examining the costs of maintenance contracting where we will address general maintenance tasks in subsequent issues

Cutting grass is the most basic of maintenance tasks.The variables in the situations below however have effects on the costs.Today’s climate is such that maintenance tasks are being delivered to a client below cost in order to maintain key staff.Tenders are often well below cost.This cost investigation looks at what it costs you to deliver these operations to your client in various situations.The profit you make on it is at your discretion. Remember all figures shown here are at cost.

The following variables affect the cost of cutting grass

1

Size of area to be cut

A large area cut by a large machine or many small areas cut by smaller machines

Size of multiple areas to be cut

There is a reduced productivity allowing for accessing many small areas rather than one large contiguous one; this investigation looks at a smaller contract where productivity is lower

Size of machine

The width of the cutting deck reduces the labour time spent on site but there are often increased costs for plant to transport the machine around. This cost investigation does not include the costs for transporting the machine

Frequency

Multiply the figures below by the frequency

Removal of arisings

This will have a notable effect on productivity and removal costs. Grass cuttings removed on 22 cuts per annum are far less bulky than those cut at 18 times per annum. Adjust your figures for this

Quality of the cut

A slow overlapping pedestrian cut to produce fine turf is more expensive

2

List Price

Cost

Lease

Maint

Insure

Per day

Rotary 1.22m width

9600.00

9120.00

3696.64

3000.00

275.00

31.14

Rotary 1.32m width

11500.00

10925.00

4428.27

3000.00

300.00

32.57

Rotary 1.52m width

13000.00

12350.00

5005.87

3000.00

250.00

31.65

Rotary pedestrian 120cm

1700.00

1615.00

654.61

200.00

-

21.89

Rotary pedestrian 91cm

1300.00

1235.00

500.59

150.00

-

21.69

Rotary pedestrian 81cm

900.00

855.00

346.56

150.00

-

21.54

Rotary pedestrian 45cm

800.00

760.00

462.08

100.00

-

20.75

Machine

machine costs

The following factors affect your machine cost of each m² of grass cutting. Cost of machine, finance charges, insurance, maintenance costs, and fuel shown. In all cases below we will assume that the machines are leased with a finance charge and are written off over three years. Additionally we will assume that these machines only work 150 days per year between midMarch and November. The labour rate is set at 19.50 per hour the machines work seven hours per day.

Example The following costs are the costs in pence per m² of grass cutting for machine only based on the machine and its cutting volume per day.

Area cut per day in m2

4000

5000

6000

7500

10000

15000

20000

Rotary 1.22m width

-

-

0.0052

0.0042

0.0031

0.0021

0.0016

Rotary 1.32m width

-

-

0.0054

0.0043

0.0033

0.0022

0.0016

Rotary 1.52m width

-

-

0.0053

0.0042

0.0032

0.0021

0.0016

Rotary pedestrian 120cm

0.0055

0.0044

0.0036

0.0029

0.0022

0.0015

-

Rotary pedestrian 91cm

0.0054

0.0043

0.0036

0.0029

0.0022

0.0014

-

Rotary pedestrian 81cm

0.0054

0.0043

0.0036

0.0029

0.0022

0.0014

-

Rotary pedestrian 45cm

0.0052

760.00

0.0035

0.0028

0.0021

0.0014

-

24

September 2013

Sam Hassall September.indd 24

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

16/08/2013 09:09

Business Tips

Labour rates per m2

labour costs

3

The next big factor is how much work the combined labour and machine do in a day.

In reality a grass cutting team consists of two people: one with a machine and one with a strimmer. The first operation is cleaning and litter picking which takes some cutting time off the day.

After that, depending on the size of machine and the size of the area, the rate will vary.

4000

5000

6000

7500

10000

15000

20000

One man team

0.0341

0.0273

0.0228

0.0182

0.0137

0.0091

0.0068

Two man team

0.0682

0.0546

0.0456

0.0364

0.0274

0.0182

0.0136

Sample rates based on the combined tables above: per m2 per cut Rotary 1.22m width

0.0168

0.0305

10000m2 per day

Rotary 1.32m width

0.0113

0.0204

15000m2 per day

Rotary pedestrian 81cm

0.0264

0.0492

6000m2 per day

Rotary pedestrian 45cm

0.0314

0.0587

5000m2 per day

The analyses performed within this article are only examples – readers are therefore responsible for the accuracy of their final calculations

4

All items shown at cost – allow for profit

COVERAGE AND PRODUCTIVITY

The following table shows the grass cutting rates per hour for a machine operating at constant speed for a full hour. Pedestrian rates are based on average walking speeds. The average speed of a man walking behind a mower is 3 mph. The average cutting speed of a larger ride machine is about 6.5 mph.

Speed

Width of cut in metres

mph

0.5

0.7

1.0

1.2

1.5

1.7

2.0

2.0

2.1

2.5

2.0

1448

2253

3058

3862

4667

5472

6276

6437

6759

8047

2.5

1811

2816

3822

4828

5834

6840

7846

8047

8449

10058

3.0

2173

3380

4587

5794

7001

8208

9415

9656

10139

12070

3.5

2535

3943

5351

6759

8167

9576

10984

11265

11829

14082

4.0

2897

4506

6115

7725

9334

10944

12533

12875

13518

16093

4.5

3259

5069

6880

8690

10501

12311

14122

14484

15208

18105

5.0

3621

5633

7644

9656

11668

13679

15691

16093

16898

20117

5.5

3983

6196

8409

10622

12834

15047

17260

17730

18588

22128

6.0

4345

6759

9173

11587

14001

16415

18829

19312

20278

24140

6.5

4707

7322

9938

12553

15168

17783

20398

20921

21967

26152

7.0

5069

7886

10702

13518

16335

19151

21967

22531

23657

28163

Example A machine 1200m wide working at a constant 5.5 mph and for a full hour will cut 10622m² per hour.

This is in absolutely ideal situations such as a large rugby field. Please adjust for your own situations.

This table below shows examples of the above based on a 10000 m² cut at 22 times per year with different machines and demonstrates the accuracy of using four decimal places for your costings Four decimal places

Two decimal places

£/m2/occ

£ / year

£ / year

Difference

Rotary 1.22m width

0.0305

6710.00

6600.00

110.00

Rotary 1.32m width

0.0204

4488.00

4400.00

88.00

Rotary pedestrian 81cm

0.0492

10824.00

11000.00

-176.00

Rotary pedestrian 45cm

0.0587

12914.00

13200.00

-286.00

Notes on frequency The tables allow for a frequency for one cut. When calculating the cost per m² per annum readers should multiply by the frequency.

Notes on removing arisings The calculations do not allow for the costs or the impact on coverage on removing arisings. In addition the frequency has an impact on this factor. The arisings per cut on a 22 cuts per year regime are far less than those on a 16-18 cut regime.

Notes on decimal places Because the impact of large areas and low unit rates can have an effect it is vital for contractors to use four places in maintenance costings.

ABOUT sam hassall Sam Hassall is the UK’s only dedicated specialist landscape cost consultant. As the managing director of LandPro Ltd he provides cost and implementation information to landscape design professionals and landscape contractors. Sam also compiles the Spon’s External Works and Landscape Price Book and he developed the market leading LiberRATE Estimating system which is available as a 90-day trial.Call: 01252 795030 or visit www.landpro.co.uk September 2013

Sam Hassall September.indd 25

25

16/08/2013 09:09

Business Tips

Work related stress “The adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them”

Work related stress accounted for 40 per cent of all work related illnesses in 2011. So if you think it will never happen to you, think again. If you think work related stress only happens to weak people, think again. It can strike at any time to anyone, regardless of how mentally or physically strong they are.

Margaret McNeil of OnSite Training UK reports “Well-designed, organised and managed work is good for us but when insufficient attention to job design, work organisation and management has taken place, it can result in work related stress.

Work related stress develops because a person is unable to cope with the demands being placed on them. Stress, including work related stress, can be a significant cause of illness and is known to be linked with high levels of sickness absence, staff turnover and other issues such as more errors.

Stress can hit anyone at any level of the business and recent research shows that work related stress is widespread and is not confined to particular sectors, jobs or industries. That is why a population-wide approach is necessary to tackle it.” (www.hse.gov.uk) Stress affects people in different ways that can either be dealt with, or if not spotted, understood, or adequately tackled, lead to more problems both physical and mental.

Often, stress builds up and you don’t realise things are getting to you. Your friends and family will probably have noticed a change in you though, so listen if they want to talk to you about your mood or behaviour. It will be ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’ that leads to you losing control at work or home, or collapsing or worse.

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September 2013

Onsite training.indd 26

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) lists the following as possible signs of stress:

! ! ! !

Behaviour you may: ● find it hard to sleep; ● change your eating habits; ● smoke or drink more; ● avoid friends and family; or ● have sexual problems.

Physical symptoms might include: ● tiredness; ● indigestion and nausea; ● headaches; ● aching muscles; or ● palpitations.

Mentally you may: ● be more indecisive; ● find it hard to concentrate; ● suffer loss of memory; ● feelings of inadequacy; or ● low self esteem.

Emotionally you are likely to: ● get irritable or angry; ● be anxious; ● feel numb; ● be hypersensitive; or ● feel drained and listless.

Work isn’t supposed to make you feel or act like this. Some stress is good for us – it gives us drive and makes us feel we have done a good job.

However, if we have any of the symptoms mentioned here, we need to stop and think about what the pressures are in our lives and what we can do about them.

The first step is recognising that you are stressed.The hard step is telling someone you think you are suffering from stress. It’s much better to do that than have a heart attack, a stroke or a mental breakdown.Talk to a colleague, or your boss, or your HR people, or your partner; better still talk to your GP. Take this seriously – after all you are taking everything else in your life seriously. It’s no good taking a day or two off work if work is the problem. It will still be there when you return.

This isn’t about weakness – but it takes strength to admit that you are not ‘yourself ’ and to seek help.

What is important is that whatever is causing you stress can be dealt with, can be sorted and isn’t unique.You’d be surprised who you know or who you have heard of that has suffered from it.

ABOUT MARGARET MCNEIL Margaret McNeil is from OnSite Training UK. Whilst lecturing at a horticultural college, she spotted an opportunity to offer flexible learning to horticulturalists and started OnSite Training UK with Roger Clarke.

Since then over 1,000 landscapers have qualified through them. Their Lamport Gardening Academy launched on 2 February 2013. www.onsitetraininguk.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

14/08/2013 14:07

The only thing that isn't growing is the grass

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13/08/2013 15:13

Business Tips

Water Sensitive Urban Design

t next?

Water is a necessary part of most urban landscapes, so working with it, rather than against it is the best solution for long-term success says Jacob Tompkins of Waterwise UK

tiv to create beautiful, places. ship between wat needs to be giv ovide integrat anagement pl lity in our treasured s. n integrated way b s tha ment.

er ve in to bring muc ommunities.

water sensitive urban design ConneCt

the water cycle

Ever since the very first humans developed shelters, water has played a key role in the location of our dwelling places. Almost all the towns and cities in the UK are where they are because of water, for defence, transport, irrigation, fishing, recreation or power (you could argue that Swindon, the first railway town, is an exception but actually Brunel needed somewhere halfway between London and Bristol to re-water his trains).

In the past 100 years we have tried to override the natural processes of flood and drought with our engineering expertise; we have built on floodplains behind defences and allowed demand for water to continue unchecked.

However this is a high stakes game to play and nature will always win, we are now seeing more floods and more droughts with many of our towns being devastated on a regular basis. What has this got to do with landscape? Everything.

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is a growing (and therefore potentially profitable) trend.Town planners are now trying to renaturalise urban landscapes; less concrete and more grass, less flood walls and more swales, overall this means creating more space for water.

Floods are only bad when they cause damage, and designers are beginning to accept that rivers are dynamic changing systems, and looking at how to accommodate flooding with urban design.

This may sound familiar and in fact it is an extension of the discussion around SuDS 28

September 2013

Waterwise.indd 28

CollAboRAte

with other disciplines

CReAte

Image from CIRIA

great solutions for great places

(Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems), however unlike SuDS it’s not about drainage it’s about integration. We are not trying to get rid of water, we are trying to accommodate it in urban landscapes.The benefits are in health, aesthetics, recreation, environment and economics. Water can also reduce air-borne particulate pollution and it can modulate temperature, cooling cities in the summer and warming them in the winter.

However, the other advantage is that the clever use of water can engage the citizen in the urban landscape – a bench by a stream is a nicer place than a floodwall for your lunchtime sandwich – and it provides much needed non-commercial urban open-space which builds community and actually enhances retail sales.

Another difference between SuDS and WSUD is ownership – no one wanted to own SuDS! WSUD is more about collaboration, so if as a landscaper you want to incorporate water management into your site you should talk to local planners and business regulators to see if there is funding or other support, and this should apply all the way from massive projects to a water butt in a back garden. We are not quite there yet but the opportunities are enormous.

CIRIA (construction industry research and information association) in conjunction with the Landscape Institute have just produced some excellent resources on WSUD, an ideas booklet, a scoping study and even an animation to discuss and promote the role of Water Sensitive Urban Design in the UK. Please take a look

(www.wsud.co.uk) and I will leave the last bit of the column to their words.

“Water Sensitive Urban Design is an opportunity to create beautiful, successful and resilient places. It is undeniable that the relationship between water and our urban areas needs to be given a higher priority to provide integrated solutions to flood risk management, sustainable water use and supply and the improvement of water quality in our treasured watercourses.This priority needs to be applied in an integrated way by the people and partners that plan and design the built environment. In doing so, we can bring together the skills and creativity of practitioners who plan and 16 design the places we live in to bring much wider benefits to communities.”

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

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

14/08/2013 13:56

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27/08/2013 09:59

Technical

Sustainable management of soil Making sure soil is healthy, and the right soil is being used will increase sustainability, says Janine Pattison

The long-term sustainability of a garden or landscape depends on providing a healthy growing environment for the plants.The most important part of that environment as regards sustainability, is the soil. Healthy soil is biologically alive and needs to be the correct structure and texture to support strong root growth. Other vital characteristics for good soil are their water-holding capacity; chemical make up including pH, mineral and salt content, nutrient content and healthy microbe populations.

Designers and landscapers should be considering the soil from the very beginning of the project. Soil planning in terms of moving, stockpiling and protecting quality soil should be done in advance of site work commencing. Any excavated subsoil should be stored separately to top soil and the two should not be mixed.The objective should be to do as little harm as possible to the site during the project and especially to try and avoid compaction of the proposed planting areas.

Fill soils For areas where fill is needed then poor quality soil can be used to create what is in effect subsoil.

This fill may contain sand, gravel, construction debris, subsoil and rubble and is a sustainable way to dispose of unwanted, inert material.This is not suitable for planting into and will need to be well compacted before any topsoil is added.The filled areas may have poor drainage and may need a drainage system installed to ensure the surface water can move through the topsoil layer and escape.

On-site soils These will be very variable and it is worth sending a sample away for testing to reveal any www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Janine Pattison.indd 31

issues around soil composition, nutrient levels, pH and pollutants. A site inspection will also reveal the texture of the soil and what improvements might be recommended. For example a finetextured clay soil would benefit from the addition of bulky organic material and a granular material like sand or gravel to decrease the bulk density and improve porosity.

Healthy soil is biologically alive and needs to be the correct structure and texture to support strong root growth

Virtually all soils benefit from the addition of bulky organic matter like well-rotted manure.This reduction in the bulk density will open up the soil and improve air and water movement as well as encourage root growth. However, be aware that if too much compost is added to soil there will be significant settling in future months and this can lead to major problems. Restrict the ratio to 20 per cent compost in the top 200mm to reduce the impact of settling. Additional compost can be added to the surface of the planting beds usually on an annual basis.

Imported soil Bought-in topsoil can be massively variable and care must be taken to ensure the quality. ‘As dug’ topsoil is not sustainable and not easily available, most of us use manufactured soils now.These manufactured soils are sustainable as they are made up of recycled materials such as sand from river dredging, composted garden waste and composted food. Generally trying to reduce the peat content of any bought-in soil is a good thing as it is a scarce resource.

Managing soils sustainably For soil to be able to function well over time in a garden or landscape it needs to receive some additional inputs. The simplest way to provide this is to install and maintain a mulch layer of organic matter over the planting areas. This mulch assists the soil to support vital microbes, improves moisture retention while also improving drainage, preserves the oxygen content of the soil so that roots can breathe, and provides additional nutrients as it breaks down. Planting isn’t complete until the mulch is laid!

ABOUT janine pattison

Janine Pattison MSGD is a multi award-winning garden designer and horticulturalist who trained with English Heritage at Eltham Palace in London and at Kingston Maurward College in Dorchester.

A registered member of the Society of Garden Designers, the British Association of Landscape Industries and the Garden Media Guild, Janine is also a highly qualified RHS horticulturalist. www.janinepattison.com

September 2013

31

15/08/2013 09:22

Technical

Garden irrigation

Simon Sales of Landscapeplus on establishing plants

Irrigation has come a long way in the last couple of decades. Back in the day, big gear-driven pop-up sprinklers (like the ones you see on golf courses) were used to water lawns and even the borders and beds, and the systems were inefficient and unreliable.

Fortunately, things have moved on and modern irrigation components are robust, efficient and long-lasting and there’s so much more choice. So, whatever your circumstances, there’s a product to suit your garden’s needs.

You’ll know that some customers just want a green garden, end of story. They measure a successful garden by how green it is and nothing less than the greenest green will do. For those customers who want ‘the full monty’, you can give them what they want; a large tank and pump system fed from a borehole or with harvested rainwater, supplemented with a mains water top-up using zones of pop-up sprinklers for the lawns and micro-sprinklers or dripline for the borders and beds.

But what about the alternative view?

We know that some garden designers are uncomfortable, from an environmental point of view, with the idea of blanket irrigation coverage in a garden. Another interesting perspective is that some garden designers fundamentally think irrigation is wrong and that one should only select plants that can survive in that particular environment. Now there is some validity to this point, in an academic sense, but in reality, this approach often doesn’t work in the vast majority of gardens being built. Why? ● Because conditions vary so greatly and in some gardens you simply wouldn’t be able to grow anything without the aid of an irrigation system. ● Customers don’t have time to fit hand watering into their busy lives. ● Garden designers and landscape contractors like a broad palate of plants to choose from, but even carefully selected plants will require 32

September 2013

Landscapeplus.indd 32

Modern irrigation components are robust, efficient and long-lasting water in order to establish them. ● Contractors and garden designers can only plant from the selection that is provided by the nurseries. ● Customers want some ‘bang for their buck’, i.e. they want an instant impact when their garden is built and are not prepared to wait for small plants to establish and develop.

The reality is that the gardens we build are by their very nature contrived, we create a product when it should be a process and in order to give our customers value for money, we plant for impact and instant effect. None of this is wrong, it is just different and it shouldn’t be confused with

the classical tradition where a garden evolves and is developed over a number of decades.

So with that in mind, if a customer doesn’t want a full system, or the garden is too big or the budget is stretched, then we need to think about irrigation in a different way; we need to consider what we are trying to achieve and how we might go about achieving it. As garden professionals there are several key reasons why we should use some form of irrigation in a new garden, for example, to establish plants, to minimise plant losses, to secure a customer’s investment in expensive plants and on occasions, to meet the water requirements of nurseries in guaranteeing large shrubs and trees. Most importantly though you need to ensure your customers get value for money and the plants get the water they need.

So taking into account the budget and your customer’s wishes, the first step is to grade the plants in terms of their aesthetic value but also www.prolandscapermagazine.com

15/08/2013 16:08

Technical their monetary value; focus on the plants that you simply must establish i.e. the expensive ones like trees, large shrubs and hedges so that you can prioritise where you need to water. We know these plants won’t necessarily need irrigation indefinitely but they will need water in the first couple of seasons in order to ensure they establish – that is the goal.

Once identified, each ‘mini-garden’ can be treated as a local, independent garden containing a simple irrigation system Once you have identified your ‘key planting’ on a drawing, you’ll be able to visualise how they can be grouped together and seen, (in a larger garden context) as a series of ‘mini-gardens’. In a small garden you might only have one or two ‘mini-gardens’ but in a larger garden, you may have five, ten or more, it really doesn’t matter.

Once identified, each ‘mini-garden’ can be treated as a local, independent garden containing a simple irrigation system. By taking this approach, you don’t need to install the infrastructure of a comprehensive system and the whole process becomes much simpler to organise, cheaper to install and can even be fitted retrospectively.

The first step should be to plumb your garden and get the water to each of your ‘mini-gardens’, for example run an MDPE pipe around the garden and install a standpipe for each ‘mini-garden’. While you’re at it, install extra standpipes to make your customer’s life simpler: why not put one in the vegetable garden, another near the glasshouse and perhaps one more, near the main lawns so that if the customer wants to use a hose and lawn sprinkler then they can do so without having to drag heavy hoses around the garden.

Once you’ve plumbed the garden, you’ll have created a water supply for each of your ‘mini-gardens’ and now you need to decide which method of applying the water is best for your customer’s garden and the plants you’ve selected (taking into account the aspect, location and local conditions). www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Landscapeplus.indd 33

Types of irrigation Micro-irrigation A mixture of micro-sprinklers, mini-sprinklers and adjustable drippers that can be used to accurately water pots, containers and window boxes but also to water key plants.The benefits are that micro-irrigation is very adaptable and quick to install. Additionally, you can adjust the application rates to ensure plants get just what they need which is especially important if you need to know exactly how many litres per day/ week are being applied.

In-line drip irrigation Not to be confused with Leakypipe or Soakerhose, in-line drip, when used as a network pegged to the soil surface, is a very reliable and efficient method for accurately applying water.To be effective, finish with a generous covering of mulch to minimise evaporation, encourage lateral movement of the water and to improve the aesthetics.

Total irrigation Is a new method of applying water via the use of MP (matched precipitation) rotator sprinklers that apply water evenly over the whole area (just like rain) providing a low-tech but cost effective method of watering.The sprinklers can be mounted on short stakes or fixed to the boundary fence/wall and then be removed when no longer required.

Use one or more irrigation control packs for each ‘mini-garden’ to switch the watering on and off, and importantly to filter the water.To maintain water pressure and flow, ensure the ‘mini-gardens’ are watered sequentially and overnight when evaporation is lowest and the water has the best chance to soak through to the roots of the plants.

Lastly, don’t forget that any irrigation should be used in conjunction with good horticultural husbandry to conserve water, so mulch well, mulch often and keep your garden weed free.

Landscapeplus hosts a series of FREE to attend, Skills Workshops throughout the year at which you can develop the practical skills to design and install lighting, irrigation and pond products in your gardens. For more information call 01666 577577 or email help@landscapeplus.com.

Unit 1 Kemble Business Park, Crudwell, Nr Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 9SH Tel: 01666 577577 Web: www.landscapeplus.com Email: help@landscapeplus.com

September 2013 33

15/08/2013 16:09

Technical

Tools of the trade

Karl Harrison has considered a few essential tips for decking professionals to push the toolbox boundaries; for his team they are a dead cert to guarantee the best results. Whilst the client doesn’t see the construction phase and need not understand the finer points of construction, it is vital that your tradesmen have the right tools for the job.

Marking out

Rip saw, table saw or both

The pillar drill

What could be simpler, a pencil.They have a sinful shelf life and much less when working outdoors. Get a solid graphite pencil, which is flexible and won’t break in your pocket – this will last for months. It’s a simple tool that can be sharpened with a Stanley, and they don’t fall apart in the rain.

A standard rip saw is a framers number one tool, but when it comes to working with quality hardwoods then it’s best to use a tool that will provide a grade A finish. I can’t recommend a better tool than the Festool plunge saw and guide rail. On its own it’s just another rip saw but combined with the guide rail it is the fastest and most accurate tool on the market, and when used with the site hoover it’s one of the cleanest.The table saw is good but on most sites it’s frowned upon as something that shouldn’t be there, so perhaps it’s best left in the workshop for mass produced items.

Perfect for drilling holes into posts. If you are manufacturing a timber post and steel balustrade then this is a must to ensure perfectly perpendicular holes exactly where they should be.These tools are as cheap as chips and vital for every decker’s workshop. Be sure to fix it correctly to your work bench and ensure it’s perfectly level.

The jigsaw

In short

There are great jigsaws on the market; select the right blade for the right timber, smaller pitch blades are usually best for hardwood and don’t forget to add them to your consumables bill as these soon add up. I have used many of these power tools but for the smoothest ride I use the Milwaukee, introduced to me by Craig Phillips (TV DIY expert), I thought it was just another jigsaw – how wrong could I be. M18™ heavy duty body grip jigsaw – looks a little different from the norm but worth it.

If you don’t have the tools then don’t do the job, get a pro... a deck pro.

Roofing square Forget your combination square and try the small size by Empire. Perfect for marking out your perpendicular lines on a joist whilst framing up. You can bash this tool and it will last for years.

Professional mitre saw The bench is just as important as the saw and a great combination is the GCM 12 GDL by Bosch. It’s best to construct makeshift trestles for each site to act as bench extensions as I haven’t seen any five metre long benches. On a serious note the trestles prevent the timber bending off square and speed up work quite a lot.

34

September 2013

Karl Harrison.indd 34

Route this “If you haven’t got a router, close the door behind you”... to be repeated when interviewing your next decking fitter. Probably the most essential tool in the box and when coupled with the correct bits you can’t go wrong. A simple Trend T5, small compact quarter inch kit is perfect for that simple trim and edge detail. When you are creating a rebated hole for a screw and plug we use a matched pair of hole and plug cutter, perfection. If you see a pin nail gun on site, start to worry – these don’t have a great association with hardwoods, the pins split the timber and the steel will certainly have a tannic reaction creating black marks on your work.

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

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

15/08/2013 09:19

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13/08/2013 13/08/2013 09:24 09:21

LET’S HEAR IT FROM...

Let’s Hear it From...

Ian Drummond

Ian Drummond is a director of Indoor Garden Design, specialists in interior and exterior landscaping. He spoke to us about his desire from a young age to work in the industry, interior landscaping for corporate clients, and the growing events arm of their business How did you get into landscaping and was it something you always wanted to do?

I got into it firstly through my father who was a keen gardener, and I had always liked being outside. We had a relative who had a landscape business in Jersey, and although I had wanted to go abroad I couldn’t speak any other languages, so I went over to Jersey to work. I later realised that you had to get some qualifications to do things properly so I came back to go to Merrist Wood College and did the NCH with the view that I would go back to Jersey afterwards and

36

September 2013

Let's hear it from new 2.indd 36

carry on. I finished the course with a distinction in 1986, but during my year out I had started a landscaping business which had become busy, and within six months I had four people working for me.

When did you first know you wanted to work in the industry?

I was a bit of an odd, geeky kid and at about seven or eight years old I already knew I wanted to work with nature. I grew up on a council estate in central London so there was no green

space around me at all, but I had a craving for nature. I had a disabled aunt who lived locally and I started looking after her garden at a very young age.

As soon as I was able I started working in a florist at weekends doing all the miserable jobs, but I stayed with it and it brought out the creative side in me. At 16, whilst I was still at school taking exams, I saw an advert for an apprenticeship at Ken Hayford’s based in Victoria – which was a company that was doing a lot of big projects and event work at the time. I started

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

16/08/2013 11:10

Let’s it From...

When did you move into aHear director’s role?

12 years ago I became a director and partner in the business and finally this year we bought the founder Ed Wolf out of the business.

So what’s the structure of the business now?

Pippa Robinson, David Grace and I are all equal shareholders. We all play to each other’s strengths, with me having the creative role and looking after marketing, David looks after the exterior and technical side and therefore does most of the specifying, and Pippa’s strengths lie in the day to day running of the business, including admin and HR. So how does the structure look below the directors?

1

Interior landscaping ● Interior landscaping is the practice of designing, installing and caring for living plants in enclosed environments usually in large commercial spaces such as offices, hotels, restaurants and retail. ● Planting indoors can soften, enhance and complement the design and aesthetic of a building. It also offers focal points and can help sculpt and shape or define a space.

● Interior landscape designers will often work with architects and interior designers to create a plant installation for a new building. ● The industry covers design, build and installation of plant schemes both large and small. As well as offering a full maintenance service of planting schemes. ● Interior landscaping also covers flowering plants and offers Christmas services such as installing and dressing Christmas trees.

doing floristry, and horticulture over four years and gained massive experience working with hotels on floristry and interior and exterior landscaping. I was also going to Capel Manor and completed relevant courses in a wide range of horticultural disciplines.

understanding that I would be accelerated quite quickly. That was now 20 years ago.

What was your next move?

After that I worked at a small garden centre in Primrose Hill, doing small domestic gardens. I had heard lots of good things about Indoor Garden Design from the flower market so on a day off I went along to the company to ask if there was anything interesting coming up that would suit me.

At that time there wasn’t, but it was only a couple of weeks later they contacted me to let me know they were looking for a manager so I accepted and went into the company as a technician on the

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Let's hear it from new 2.indd 37

What type of work was Indoor Garden Design doing at that time?

It was 100 per cent corporate, plants in offices.

However we were one of the first companies to design and install atrium spaces in buildings within Canary Wharf as they were being built. The first big change after I came into the company was in 2000, we introduced seasonal Christmas services; this was really successful. Then we started doing some exterior maintenance jobs which built a portfolio of clients for whom we were looking after interior and exterior work. So although interior garden design is the core of the business, we do work outdoors as well.

There are three maintenance managers who look after interior maintenance, one for exterior and one for events/hotel work. We have 47 staff, plus the three directors, all based here at our office in Highgate, London. About five or six years ago we looked at our environmental policy and operations and at that stage almost every technician had a vehicle. So we thought about whether every person really needed a van and decided to create geographical teams in London, each with a manager and supervisor who have a van to deliver the plants, and most of the equipment is now left at the clients’ offices.

What’s the turnover of the business?

At the moment it’s £2.8 million. There has been steady growth since a drop for one year five years ago.

What is the percentage split between the indoor and outdoor contracts?

60 per cent of turnover is on the interior commercial side and 40 per cent is a mixture of exterior, events, and non-office work.

And the future?

The passion of the business is still focused on corporate and interior landscaping but the growth area certainly for us has been high-end clients, high-end events, restaurants and retail.

So is that sector still spending?

Absolutely it is; the corporates are freezing budgets or spending less but the high-end clients seem to be more willing to spend.

What does a typical contract look like in terms of time and commitment?

It’s all about the maintenance. We will always

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Let’s Hear it From... design a scheme, sometimes alongside an architect who may have a vision of how the planting might look throughout the building. Other times they may just employ us on a consultancy basis to come up with a scheme that works alongside their interior design. On some occasions, an architect is no longer involved so we may get a job through the facilities manager who is already working on the building. Ideally it’s best to come in at the beginning. Small clients may just want containerised planting, or it can be the complete design of an atrium space within which you have to think about how the space will be used – which is now often multi-functional – so in this case we might design moveable planting such as containers on castors that can be used in so many different ways.

In terms of design – are you the only one in the business to have this skill?

I mainly oversee that side of it but David and Pippa also design projects and in the event sector they have much more experience and are more creative.

depends on the business as much as the building.

Also the conditions for the plants in the building need to be factored in i.e. heating and lighting.

Does budget come into it too?

Yes of course. Traditionally clients would have rented the trees but now they generally purchase the containers and trees and pay for installation and then a monthly fee for maintenance.

We were one of the first companies to design and install atrium spaces in buildings within Canary Wharf as they were being built

Where does the inspiration for your creativity come from?

Is there a level of budget that you wouldn’t go under?

Always the building, we try to work with the architecture and interior design and not compete against it, it has to complement and work alongside what’s already there. The inspiration can really depend on who the client is – if it’s a media company you can push a few boundaries and be a bit more quirky, but if it’s a bank it has to be more structured and corporate looking, so it really

In London there could be nothing that would be too small, because we have such a lot of contracts in the area so there is generally another contract operating in a nearby zone which makes it easier for the teams to fit it in. However, if an enquiry came in for two plants in Sheffield, for example, then it wouldn’t be viable – it would have to be for the whole building to make it sensible to take on.

Moving onto events, that’s a growing part of the business?

Yes and it’s the newest part of the business which has been going for around five years. It was a conscious decision to look at this area – as the recession started to hit we had to look into other areas that we could break into. There are a huge amount of events that go on in London so we took a slightly different angle on how we could do events other than just floristry. Event organisers are much more aware now of sustainability and environmental issues, and there is more emphasis on this, so we found planting solutions for events.

How did you go about finding leads to get into this market?

We’re fairly well connected within the other creative industries such as film, music and fashion. I talked initially with people I knew to find out what events were coming up and the first big event we did five years ago was the White Tie and Tiara Ball which is an annual event to raise money for the Sir Elton John AIDS Foundation. As soon as we had done that our name was out there and we were then approached

by London Fashion Week to do landscaping around the Somerset House courtyard for fashion week. In February the following year we were contacted by Bafta to create a backstage staged garden. So we gained probably the three biggest London events in the first year of getting into the event market.

When did you first get into the RHS Chelsea Flower Show?

The first year we were there was 2009 when we did all the planting for James Wong on his first show garden. At that show I spoke to Alex Denman from the RHS who said we should think about doing an interior office garden which hadn’t been done up until that point. So the following year in 2010 we collaborated with Vitra and created the Living Office – the first interior garden at Chelsea which won a Silver-Gilt medal.

Do you work closely with exterior garden designers in terms of collaborating on inside and outside work?

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I do know quite a few designers and we have collaborated with Andrew Fisher Tomlin and more recently Andy Sturgeon. We wouldn’t attempt to build a domestic garden so any leads I got would be passed on to an appropriate person and likewise hopefully they would do the same if they had a client who was interested in an indoor scheme. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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What’s the difference in the work you do on contracts to what you do for events?

You’re using the same materials – but for corporate you have to look at the environment around you and choose planting to deal with the conditions. For a one night event or half hour fashion show all you need to make sure is that the installation looks good for the duration of the event. You can achieve so much more for a short lived event, such as the car we created for the Sir Elton John AIDS Foundation White Tie and Tiara Ball last year which was built on a frame and to the exact dimensions of a 1962 Cadillac and then planted up – the evening’s theme was Motown.

People couldn’t believe that it wasn’t actually a real car!

What are the opportunities for career progression within your business?

It’s always been the culture of the business that people will progress – everyone that comes in starts as a technician and works their way up.

The managers have been here a long time but all started as technicians and progressed. People tend to stay with us once they arrive.

Do you find it easy to get staff?

We do. There are different skill sets for each aspect of the business. If you are carrying out www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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installations you would need to have a certain amount of strength, on events we need creative people and on the corporate side it’s important to have horticultural knowledge. It’s more difficult to find younger people, and we have talked about offering apprenticeships to encourage younger people to come in.

Are the pay levels similar to exterior landscaping?

Yes very similar.

Are you a member of any associations?

Indoor Garden Design is a BALI member and has been for a number of years, there used to be a much more active interior group within BALI which has kind of laid dormant since eFIG was formed. Lots of members moved to eFIG but we stayed with BALI as we still have the exterior side of the business. Indoor Garden Design is one of the founder members of eFIG which is a great association and offers good training opportunities which we make good use of. This year I have taken over the Chairmanship of eFIG with Carol Pluckaard of Koberg BV as my vice Chairman and we look forward to the 1 Xxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxx challenge and aim to raisexxxxxxxxx. the awareness and xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx understanding of interior landscaping and xxxxxx grow 2 Xxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx. thexxxxx membership.

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©Marcus Dawes

Let’s Hear it From...

How much will the commitment affect your current role?

I’ve been involved with the committee anyway and lots of meetings are conducted over the telephone so hopefully it won’t be too difficult. It’s always going to be a balancing act to fit everything in.

Most of the events I would be going to anyway so now I will be hosting them!

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I’m a really social person, and my social and work life do merge into one a lot of the time. I’m out virtually every night, I love the theatre, cinema, exhibitions, restaurant openings – I crave seeing new things!

1 Indoor planting scheme at the BBC. 2 Vanda Orchids at Kinder Aggugini catwalk – London Fashion Week 2011.

3 Replica 1962 Cadillac at The Sir Elton John AIDS Foundation White Tie & Tiara Ball 2012.

4 Heart piece at The Sir Elton John AIDS Foundation White Tie & Tiara Ball 2013.

contact Indoor Garden Design Woodside Works, Summersby Road, London N6 5UH Tel: 020 8444 1414 Web: www.indoorgardendesign.com September 2013

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HISTORIC SANCTUARY Green Garden Design Benedict Green won a competition for UPS’s Olympic Sponsorship project to design and rejuvenate the gardens of St James’s Church in Piccadilly, as part of London’s Olympic Legacy

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was initially approached by Momentum Worldwide Events in late 2010, who invited me to submit a design in competition for UPS's (United Postal Service) Olympic Sponsorship project to rejuvenate the garden and grounds of St James's Church, Piccadilly. The church is an historic London landmark designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The churchyard was redeveloped after the Second World War as a garden of remembrance ‘to commemorate the courage and fortitude of the people of London'. As an official sponsor of the 2012 London Olympics, UPS wanted to visibly invest in a long term legacy project for London. UPS was also interested in developing the area as a Visitors’ Venue during the games.

St James’s Church representatives and project sponsors chose my design as the competition winner. We then began a long process of creating a realistic plan within budget during 2011. The build

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started late that year and practical completion was reached in February 2012.

CLIENT BRIEF To provide an Olympic Legacy to central London by rejuvenating this public space making it more welcoming, safer, more practical and beautiful.

The garden had become very overgrown with difficult sloping borders up to eight metres deep which drug addicts used to indulge their habits uninterrupted. Planting was needed that would reduce hiding places while still keeping the ‘green sanctuary’ feel of the garden.

The lawns were in poor condition underneath the large London Plane trees that made the whole garden shady and dry. A more robust and practical solution was needed for these areas where office workers and weary tourists would come to relax away from the bustle of Piccadilly.

Since little space was given over to seating, with benches and picnic tables randomly dotted around the paved pathways, more specific areas of seating were requested.

The entrance to the garden from the busy market next to the church was to be made more welcoming and more obviously an open garden for the public to enjoy.

No heavy machinery was used on site.

All clearance was achieved by volunteers and landscape contractors. Only small hand tools, and general small equipment was used to prepare some of the hard landscaping (cement mixers, grinders etc.).

PROJECT DETAILS The historic nature of the site required a sensitive approach to cultural heritage in London’s built and natural environments. Plans included a careful study of the design, layout and colour palette of St James’s Church and grounds.The grounds were

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Project details Cost: £60k landscaping costs, not including volunteer hours Size of project: approx. 35m x 35m L-shaped

DESIGN SKETCHUP 1

redeveloped with a primary regard for preserving and protecting the existing character of this unique site.

Due to the large London Plane trees throughout the garden the whole site was quite shady and dry so we applied for permission to have ‘crown reduction’ on the trees that had not been worked on for some years. However the planting was still designed to be as shade and drought tolerant as possible, although we installed an irrigation system to establish the plants for the first few years. We also used RTF turf to replace the existing lawn and set down a maintenance schedule to help keep the well-used space looking good.

It became clear fairly early on that we wouldn’t have the budget to totally redevelop the garden with new hard landscaping.Therefore, we decided to clean and repair existing features as much as possible and concentrate on soft landscaping and creating two new areas of seating. These seating areas comprised two alcoves with small retaining walls in the large slope border. This created more usable space as well as integrating the deep border with the rest of the garden.

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from the planting beds, requiring the use of Sharps gloves and buckets.

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT There were an extensive number of stakeholders, sponsor representatives and participants involved in this project including MomentumWW, UPS representatives and volunteers, St James’s Church leaders and administrators, Landform Consultants, Olympic athletes, press and publications, Westminster Council, among others.This meant that communications were complex and required an enormous amount of detailed planning, scheduling and liaising.

UPS employees donated 2012 hours of volunteer labour towards the build and maintenance of the project.

Many of the volunteers were very enthusiastic but somewhat unused to landscaping methods, tools and procedures, therefore a great deal of oversight and team coordination was needed to ensure works proceeded to plan. It was wonderful that so many UPS volunteers invested so much of their own time in this project.They were really energetic and it meant a great deal to the parishioners of St James’s Church and Piccadilly residents.

UPS invited Olympians Denise Lewis and Louis Smith to help keep the volunteers motivated and raise press profile for the project.This made for an interesting and fun afternoon, but I’m not sure how much work got done! www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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1 SketchUp image showing the proposed alcoves and planting scheme.

2 UPS volunteers get to work clearing the garden.

3 Before the regeneration, unloved lawn and overgrown borders.

4 These overgrown borders needed opening up to make the garden safer.

5 The alcoves created more designated seating in the borders.

6 Thousands of single species Narcissus were planted for spring interest.

7 Olympians Denise Lewis and Louis Smith get stuck in.

REFERENCES 5 6

Designer/Architect Benedict Green, Green Garden Design 23 Laburnum Road, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 8BY Tel: 01932 562 005 or 07939 222 218 Email: ben@greengardendesign.com Web: www.greengardendesign.com Project: www.greengardendesign.com/ landscape/portfolio/london-piccadilly/ Main contractor Landform Consultants Ltd The Nursery, Bagshot Road, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8DB Tel: 01276 856 145 Email: enquiries@landformconsultants.co.uk Web: www.landformconsultants.co.uk Plants Coblands Nurseries Ltd Trench Road, Tonbridge,

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Kent TN11 9NG Tel: 01732 350 517 Email: info@coblands.co.uk Web: www.coblands.co.uk

RTF Turf Inturf The Chestnuts, Wilberfoss, York, YO41 5NT Tel: 01759 321 000 Web: www.inturf.com

Site St James Church, Piccadilly 197 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LL Tel: 0207 734 4511 Email: enquiries@st-james-piccadilly.org Web: www.sjp.org.uk

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ABOUT GREEN GARDEN DESIGN Benedict Green is a professional landscape designer based in the Surrey, London borders.Benedict started his design and build landscaping business in 2004. After building many successful projects he concentrated on design only in 2008 when he completed a diploma in Garden Design with distinction. Since then he has worked freelance for many private clients, landscapers, architects and designers. He also teaches construction detailing at Merrist Wood College.Benedict now designs and project manages gardens for Belderbos Landscapes. He designed his first show garden for RHS Hampton Court Flower Show this year in the conceptual category.

BENEDICT GREEN GARDEN DESIGN

www.greengardendesign.com

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CHILD'S PLAY Aileen Shackell Landscape Design A derelict children’s play area was revitalised by focusing on year-round play potential, and child orientated design

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n 2010, we were appointed by Hounslow Council as part of the PLAYLINK consultancy to prepare proposals for the derelict paddling pool in Inwood Park, just five minutes’ walk from Hounslow town centre.

Located close to the main park entrance, the paddling pool had fallen into disuse some years previously. An initial proposal had already been developed which focused on creating a wetpour surface in the shape of a fish, with integral water jets, however it was felt by everyone on the team that a different design approach might offer a wider range of play opportunities, and be more useable all year round.

ABOUT AILEEN SHACKELL LANDSCAPE DESIGN Aileen Shackell is a Chartered Landscape Architect with 25 years’ experience in designing public open space, with specialist expertise in designing for play, and for health and wellbeing. Aileen runs her own landscape design practice, Aileen Shackell Landscape Design, based in west Dorset, from where she works across London and the west-country. Aileen is currently revising the 2008 play design guidance ‘Design for play: a guide to creating successful play spaces’ which will be published this autumn, by Play England. The current edition of ‘Design for play’ is available from the practice website.

Project details

Size of project: 0.4 ha www.asa-landscape.com

Timeline of development: one year

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THE DESIGN Landscape architects Aileen Shackell and Sioned Williams developed a design brief with the Friends Group. The main aim was to provide water play suitable for all year round use, not just hot sunny weather, and incorporating sand, to encourage creative play, all set within planting.

A new layout was proposed within the footprint of the derelict paddling pool which incorporated three distinct areas: ● A splash pool with jets to paddle in, ● An area where water could be directed through channels, ● A large area of sand, with chutes and sand tables.

Ornamental planting with an exotic feel was interspersed throughout and this also helped to separate the sandy space from the main area of water, to reduce the chance of the drainage system becoming clogged up with sand. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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In 2010 the scheme was finally completed on site by contractor RCP Landscapes Ltd. An attractive sand and water facility was created which has been hugely popular with the local community and the Friends Group (and which has just won the runner-up prize in the Children’s Play category of the LGN Street Design Awards, too). Children of all ages and abilities use it, from toddler through to teens, and disabled and non-disabled children can play alongside each other.

What do children really want when they play?

Whilst the original ‘fish’ design would probably have been simpler for the council to maintain than the scheme which was finally implemented, as a play space, the priority was to provide as much ‘play value’ as possible – not to design a low maintenance scheme. So what does this mean in practice?

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they are more about ease of maintenance.The concept that patterns created in coloured wet pour appeal to children is (in my view) wildly over-rated. As adults, it’s too easy to fall into the trap of designing what we think children like, when a bit more thought (and research) can help us produce schemes which are genuinely engaging.

Observation shows that it’s being creative that really engages children when they play: being able to manipulate the environment, move sand 2 and water around, build things, make a mess, and use these materials to create an infinite number of their own games and stories. By comparison, running across coloured wet-pour, even through jets, and even if it is in the shape of a fish, is just not going to be nearly so interesting for them.

CONCLUSION In our practice we work with clients to help them understand how to create the play opportunities that children deserve.Though it’s undeniable that schemes need to be properly maintained to be sustainable, with intelligent design, we have proved

time and time again that this need not necessarily be at the expense of reducing the play value. At the end of the day, surely ensuring maximum play value should be the main priority, when we’re designing for play?

REFERENCES Landscape architect Aileen Shackell Landscape Design 146 West Bay Road, Bridport, Dorset DT6 4AZ Tel: 01308 424 077 Email: aileen@asa-landscape.com Web: www.asa-landscape.com PLAYLINK 72 Albert Palace Mansions, Lurline Gardens, London SW11 4DQ Tel: 0207 720 2452 Email: info@playlink.org Web: www.playlink.org.uk

Water play installation, water jets and sprays, drinking fountain, and electronic control equipment Ustigate Ltd 11 Masthead, Capstan Court, Crossways Business Park, Dartford, DA2 6QG Tel: 01322 42 44 45 Email: sales@ustigate.co.uk Web: www.ustigate.co.uk

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Trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants Johnson’s of Whixley (Chobham branch) Whixley, York YO26 8AQ Tel: 01423 330 234 Web: www.nurserymen.co.uk Purbeck stone boulders (other boulders on site have been sourced by the client) Suttle Natural Stone California Quarry, Panorama Road, Swanage, Dorset BH19 2QS Tel: 01929 423 576 Email: nick@purbeckstone.com Web: www.purbeckstone.com Sand play equipment and ball valve stopper for splash pool Timberplay Aizlewood's Mill, Nursery Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 8GG Tel: 0114 282 34 74 Email: info@timberplay.com Web: www.timberplay.com

Kaiser and Kuhne Village Pump Sutcliffe Play Waggon Lane, Upton, Pontefract, WF9 1JS Tel: 01977 653 200 Email: info@sutcliffeplay.co.uk Web: www.sutcliffeplay.co.uk

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Bins Broxap Broxap Ltd., Rowhurst Industrial Estate, Chesterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire ST5 6BD Tel: 0844 800 4085 Email: enquiries@broxap.com Web: www.broxap.com Timber products All manufactured on site by RCP Landscapes Ltd

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design plan

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1 The splash pool area being used for a community event.

2 Sunny autumn evening in the water play area.

3 The final layout.

4 The original proposal, not taken forward.

5 The toilet block was refurbished to cater for both disabled and non-disabled children.

6 The derelict paddling pool area before work started.

Photographs Š Phil Doyle (PLAYLINK)

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IN THE FRAME Lucy Willcox Garden Design Lucy Willcox designed this small previously uninspiring space into the definition of an outdoor room – the clients wanted the outside and inside to merge seamlessly into one another so that both could be used and enjoyed simultaneously

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he clients were completely refurbishing their Victorian cottage in west London and building a new glass extension onto the back of the house so the garden was integral to the new scheme.

The requirements were: ● That the space would be used as another entertaining space that had the same feel as the interior. ● The client wanted to lay two rows of the interior stone into the garden from the glass extension and requested that the exterior stone match the interior stone. ● For the garden to be low maintenance. ● For some form of art or sculpture to be included. ● The garden backed onto a road accessible by two large gates that spanned the width of the garden, the clients still wanted this access but the two gates were an eyesore.

The design proposal stipulated that the aim was to produce a design for the garden that would complement the newly designed house, and for the space to feel modern without feeling too minimal and more importantly to feel like an extension of the house.

An exterior stone was sourced similar in style to the interior stone, connecting the house with the garden and vice versa. The budget for the exterior stone was less than for the interior stone so the design had to overcome having two different stones in the same space which would be in a close proximity to one another. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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The low growing Saxigraga umbrosa was planted in between the two types of stone to separate the interior and exterior stone. The Saxifraga was happy growing in this shady part of the garden and when it established it spilled over the edges of the stone, not only separating the exterior and interior types, but blurring the lines between the two. When the Saxifraga came into flower it also gave an added dimension to the space.

FOCAL POINTS The clients requested some form of contemporary art or sculpture in the garden.

In such a small area, it can be hard to find a piece to display that wouldn’t overwhelm the space – especially with all the other elements going into it – so the most obvious thing was to find something which could be featured on the wall.

Susan Bradley produces some lovely pieces called ‘Outdoor Wallpaper’, the Damask pattern was chosen which is made in a brushed stainless steel. The ‘Wallpaper’ was mounted onto a framed section of render that was painted a grey to match a similar colour in the kitchen. It was perfect for what the clients wanted.

A chunky modern wooden pergola was designed to create the feeling of widening as well as lengthening the garden; it also provides shade and privacy in this small overlooked garden. The evergreen climber Trachelospermum jasminoides was trained to grow up the pergola, as well as Clematis 'Etolie Violette' to add a splash of colour to the planting palette.

Low clipped Buxus hedges were planted in front of the pergola to provide some evergreen structure in this narrow garden, behind which were planted bulbs for a spring and early summer show that were followed by a succession of flowering perennials to provide colour and interest well into the autumn.

There were two existing trees that were kept to give the space a sense of maturity.They were in good positions at the end of the garden against either wall; one was a multistem apple that had been nicely pruned and the other an espaliered Pyracantha. Raised beds were built around them adding a height change in the planting and adding another dimension to the design.The beds were filled with a selection of evergreen and flowering perennials that provide all year round interest.The raised beds had to be kept to a narrow depth allowing access into the garden from the back gate. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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1 Antique bench against chunky pergola.

2 Modern chunky wooden pergola defining the space.

3 Raised bed full of grasses, bulbs and perennials.

4 Looking through the glass extension into the garden.

5 Saxigraga umbrosa separating the two stones and Susan Bradleys 'Outdoor Wallpaper'.

6 View of the garden from the kitchen.

Project details Size of project: 4m x 8m Timeline of development: Four weeks designing and planning.

Three weeks to build including planting up.

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Cost: £24,000 including build, materials and plants, but not including design fees.

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More images at: www.prolandscapermagazine.com Back gate to be painted

Bespoke slatted trellis made by The Garden Trellis Company was installed to provide privacy. It also gave the illusion of lengthening the garden; working at right angles to the pergola beams, it also enhances the impression of widening the space. To disguise the back gates two bespoke planters were secured to them and the evergreen climber Trachelospermum Jasminoides was trained to mask the gates but pruned to continue to allow the gates to be used.

The aim was to create a garden that is sympathetic to the house and a joy to observe throughout the year.

Clients’ testimonial “We gave Lucy a difficult and complex brief for our rather small and uninspiring garden space. We were really impressed with the ideas she came up with and we now have a garden that's a constant source of enjoyment for us to look at throughout the year – and is (as requested) the perfect place to entertain in the summer.”

Planters attached to back gate, to be planted up with shrubs and climbers

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Canvas sail will be fitted to provide shade

Existing multistemmed tree Exterior sofa

New espaliered tree

Concrete rendered raised built-in planters

Concrete rendered raised built-in planters Buxus clipped hedging 500mm high, with planting behind including Wisteria, to be trained to grow up pergola

Buxus clipped hedging 500mm high, with planting behind including Wisteria, to be trained to grow up pergola

Chunky wooden pergola Planting bed for climbers to be trained to grow up pergola Planting in front of ‘outdoor wallpaper’

Planting in front of ‘outdoor wallpaper’ Sarah Bradley’s ‘outdoor wallpaper’

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Sarah Bradley’s ‘outdoor wallpaper’

Saxifraga to be planted in between two different types of stone Two rows of interior stone continued out into garden

Exterior tap Drain pipe

Drain pipe House

LUCY WILLCOX GARDEN DESIGN

1 Master plan of the garden.

2 Views of the garden before the work began.

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REFERENCES Designer Lucy Willcox Garden Design Tel: 020 8374 1129 Email: info@lucywillcoxgardendesign.com Web: www.lucywillcoxgardendesign.com Main contractor Nigel Webb Tel: 07958 358 460

Stone: Jura limestone – sandblasted and brushed CED Ltd 728 London Road,West Thurrock, Grays, Essex RM20 3LU Tel: 01708 867 237

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Email: sales@ced.ltd.uk Web: www.ced.ltd.uk

Trellis panels The Garden Trellis Company 355A Old Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO15 3RQ Tel: 01255 688 361 Email: info@gardentrellis.co.uk Web: www.gardentrellis.co.uk Plants North Hill Nurseries Scotts Grove Road, Chobham,

Woking, Surrey GU24 8DW Tel: 01276 85 88 00 Email: sales@northhillnurseries.co.uk Web: www.northhillnurseries.co.uk

Bespoke powder coated planters Euro Planters Chadkirk Ind Estate, Otterspool Road, Romiley, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 3NE Tel: 01614 260 207 Email: sales@europlanters.com Web: www.europlanters.com

Since establishing in 2007, Lucy Willcox Garden Design has produced a range of projects from contemporary town gardens to large planting schemes. Some of the town gardens have caught media attention and have featured in The Independent magazine, the SGD Review of the Year 2010 and most recently a garden in Highgate was featured on the Alan Titchmarsh show “Love Your Garden” as well as been shortlisted for an SGD Award 2013.

www.lucywillcoxgardendesign.com

Wall Art Susan Bradley North Studio, Mulberry Farm, Lumby, Leeds, Yorkshire LS25 5JA Tel: 07905 48 45 42 Email: info@susanbradley.co.uk Web: www.susanbradley.co.uk

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16/08/2013 08:55

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14/08/2013 10:29

27/08/2013 10:09

Plantsman’s Plot

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

This time last year we were all proud of our Olympic and Paralympic athletes. If you got to see the Olympic Park it was hard not to be wowed by the colourful plantings.

James Hitchmough’s Southern Hemisphere plantings were singing their hearts out in September, and the underused bulb or Cape Hyacinth – Galtonia candicans was one of them. A useful late summer flower, white and elegant and up to 50cm tall. It needs full sun and good winter drainage but is fully hardy.

We’ve plenty on the nursery to zest up your borders. www.palmstead.co.uk 52

September 2013

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©James Hitchmough

The simple Verbena is an excellent border perennial for every garden. The fragrant bright purple-blue flowers of Verbena rigida are borne on short erect stems from summer through to autumn; use at the front of the border for a bright show of colour.

The taller flowering Verbena bonariensis bears its lilac-blue flowers on taller stems, up to 2m in height, so is an ideal mid or back of the border plant. Both work well with grasses to add colour and scent. Verbenas also have the added bonus of attracting both bees and butterflies to the garden. www.colesnurseries.co.uk

Reliable and late flowering Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ produces masses of elegant, pure white, single flowers with contrasting yellow stamens from September through to November.

Forming large clumps up to 1m across and 1.5m tall the stems and flowers bend in the autumn breeze adding to their overall charm.

Once planted these graceful plants can be left to spread their happy nodding heads, being so tall in stature they are best planted towards the back of a border. Anemones are happy in sun or partial shade in a moist fertile, humus rich soil. www.provendernurseries.co.uk

Corylus colurna (Turkish Hazel) is a magnificent and extremely robust tree which is often overlooked. This large tree (20m+) which is native to south east Europe has a columnar crown when young, broadening with age to form a pyramidal shape. Its strikingly symmetrical silhouette and ability to tolerate a paved environment makes it ideal for urban avenues. Seasonal interest is provided by elegant long yellow catkins in spring, clusters of edible nuts in frilly cups and butter yellow autumn colour. The pale brown corky bark is beautiful throughout the year. www.deepdale-trees.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

15/08/2013 09:42

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“Native or non-native, which one’s best?”

Soft Landscape Workshop - 25 September 2013 Some may say that planners and ecologists have taken control of the choice of plants we use in our planting schemes. Palmstead’s 2013 soft landscape workshop for landscape and garden professionals aims to address this perception and leave you better equipped to negotiate with BREEAM points. Throughout the day our key speakers will discuss and encourage lively debate on the use of native and non-native plants to satisfy planning and environmental requirements.

Tony Kirkham from Kew is an expert on trees, Prof. Nigel Dunnett is a green roof and meadow expert and Prof. Chris Baines is a long time promoter of wildlife in gardens and listed as one of the top 40 most influential people in his field. Plus further speakers to be announced and our showcase exhibition; all taking place at Ashford International Hotel, Simone Weil Avenue, Ashford, Kent, TN24 8UX. Find further details and book your tickets (£22.50 inc. VAT) online @

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14/08/2013 14:48

Plantsman’s Plot

Buddleia davidii ‘Adonis Blue’; a semi-evergreen, fast growing shrub that produces fragrant and very attractive blue flowers throughout the summer. Widely known for its ability to attract bees and butterflies this is a great choice for planting in a small corner of the garden. Compared with a more traditional variety of davidii, ‘Adonis Blue’ was introduced as it only grows up to around five feet making it a more suitable option for smaller gardens. Thrives in most situations but prefers a nice sunny spot. www.crowders.co.uk

©JEdigital

Griselinia littorallis, a native New Zealand plant is very tolerant of salt spray making it perfect for planting in southern and western coastal areas. It is not suitable for growing in more inland areas but will survive in inner city areas. This low maintenance and largely pest free plant is not often seen being grown as a tightly clipped hedge, which it does nicely and makes a great backdrop to anything planted in front of it. Readyhedge can supply Griselinia in metre long units at a variety of heights. www.readyhedge.co.uk

After decades in the doldrums, breeders have managed to transform the image of the dowdy dahlia, into something irresistibly chic and trend-setting. The compact darkleaved forms seem to engender the same guilty, selfindulgent pleasure experienced when eating quality Belgian chocolate. Our favourite is ‘Fascination’, for its glowing, semi-double, purplish-pink flowers with brownish-red centres and contrasting yellow anthers, which are produced in succession from June until the first frost. The flowers are all the more striking as they are perfectly complemented by the lush mounds of handsome dark brown foliage. www.hortusloci.co.uk

©JEdigital

In need of a spectacular architectural evergreen bamboo? Then look no further than Phyllostachys vivax aureocaulis – a tall clump forming bamboo with rich canes with unusual green markings and mid-green foliage. Up to 10m high by 3m wide this striking bamboo makes an attractive screening plant, thriving practically anywhere. Although more suitable for larger gardens, root control barrier can be used to effectively control its width for those with a little less space. For anyone needing a striking specimen large bamboo, Phyllostachys vivax aureocaulis is a must. www.theplantationnursery.co.uk

September isn’t a month when most people would be thinking about trees with blossom, but Eucryphia are at their floral best in late August and early September. Originating from the southern hemisphere, mostly evergreen, ranging from large shrubs to medium sized trees, they have scented white or pink flowers like small single roses in great profusion. The blossom is very attractive to bees. A choice of species and cultivars is available. www.thornhayes-nursery.co.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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The African Blue Lily – Agapanthus Umbellatus ‘Ovatus’ – bursts forth from its bulb with large strap-shaped deep green leaves, these remain until tall stems form, shooting up and producing rounded clusters of trumpetshaped deep blue flowers. Maximum height for this clump forming perennial will be around 100cm, with a spread of 75cm. It flowers in good full sun conditions from June through to late August or even the early days of September. It’s hardy but it is sensible to protect it in the winter months. www.nicholsons.gb.com September 2013 55

15/08/2013 09:44

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13/08/2013 15:57

16/08/2013 09:25

Growing

INSTANT HEDGING Six types of instant hedge and how and where to use them

Hedging, either instead of or as well as fencing, is of particular benefit where security is an issue. As well as providing privacy, being far more difficult to climb than most fencing, hedging doesn’t require the same degree of planning consent that a wall or permanent fence may be subject to. For the ultimate in security hedging why not opt for something prickly and also evergreen to deter prying eyes? Pyracantha, also known as Firethorn, is evergreen, carries white flowers in early summer followed by masses of yellow, orange or red berries in autumn. The flowers attract insects and the berries will provide a valuable food source for birds.

WWW.WYKEHAM.CO.UK

Prunus lusitanica (Portuguese Laurel) makes an attractive and compact evergreen hedge. This shrub is tolerant of most soils including clay and unlike Prunus laurocerasus (Common Laurel) is also at home on shallow chalk. For domestic settings this is one of the most popular Elveden instant hedges and is a more cost effective option than the excellent but inevitably pricy Yew. Prunus lusitanica grows 20-30cm per year and requires trimming once a year, preferably in August.

WWW.PRACBROWN.CO.UK

Fagus sylvatica is used extensively as a hedging material as it responds well to regular trimming. It grows well in a wide range of locations and conditions. One of its additional features is its ability to hold on to the desiccated leaves through the autumn and winter months thus, always providing some level of screening effect throughout the year. The dull brown leaves also have an interesting visual effect. The old leaves eventually drop off completely by the emergence of the new leaves opening the following spring. Fagys sylvatica Purpurea is similar but with dark-purple foliage through the spring and summer and a purple-red tint in the autumn.

WWW.COLESNURSERIES.CO.UK There’s been a major uplift over the last couple of years in the demand for mixed native hedges, which was accentuated at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show this year. Instant Hedges offers the flexibility to adapt the mix to your specific requirements. Some of the species included in the mix are Prunus spinosa, Corylus avellana, Acer campestre and Viburnum opulus. Not only are the mixed native hedges on trend at the moment but their spikey nature also creates great security and provides nesting places for birds. Native hedges do have some culinary benefits for us too – plant now and next Christmas you could be sipping a glass of homemade sloe gin!

WWW.INSTANTHEDGES.CO.UK Carpinus betulus (Common Hornbeam) is always one of the most popular choices of instant hedging. Native to southern England, this deciduous tree is relatively fast growing and easy to establish. It tolerates shade and grows on nearly all soils, including both clay and chalk. Dark green, dense foliage and astounding powers of regeneration make it the ideal candidate for pruning into instant hedging. Marcescent leaves which hang on through winter give the additional benefit of screening throughout the year.

WWW.DEEPDALE-TREES.CO.UK

Osmanthus burkwoodii is small leaved evergreen and can be clipped up to form a very formal hedge. While it cannot be kept as low as Buxus it could still be used as a low hedge of around 60cm tall up to around 180cm+ tall. In the spring the small white flowers fill the surrounding area with a heady perfume. This unusual hedge plant will tolerate most soils and will add formality to any style of garden.

WWW.READYHEDGE.CO.UK

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Growing Trees

Planting

mature trees Yes, you can successfully plant mature trees – with careful selection 2

There are so many ‘expert’ opinions on when and how to plant a tree and whether large trees can be successfully planted. Many books that are widely read and used as a resource offer ‘expert advice’ based on historical data and outdated knowledge, rather than professional experience. These writers or ‘experts’ urge caution or even say don’t plant mature trees, but are they correct?

Fifty years ago there was little possibility of specifying and finding your desired tree unless it was a small bare root or in larger sizes as a root-ball. As the industry developed, large tree nurseries became more widespread, but at first 1 the technical knowledge was often not there to ensure success.

Furthermore, lack of experience by nurserymen and/or the planting contractors resulted in many high profile failures, especially where either party had tried to cut corners. Nowadays, the most common reasons for these failures are when a nursery only has larger trees because they didn’t sell when smaller, and they did not have the equipment to regularly transplant the stock as it grew – meaning it would likely fail, or at best struggle to establish for many years.

In this scenario the larger the tree the more likely it would fail; a root-ball tree offers no guarantees and at best the first year’s crown would be disappointing however hard you tried.

Whatever way you look at it, the greatest aftercare will not be successful if the original stock does not have excellent roots. There are good reasons for the misinformation bandied 58

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about that small trees will catch up with larger ones. Naturally some trees are much easier to grow and more resilient, but the greatest success comes from planting trees that have finished their nursery life in an AirPot. In the case of a wire root-balled or bare root tree, as much as 70 per cent of its roots had been severed at the point of lifting and as stated previously, if the nursery has not undercut and transplanted a tree regularly throughout its life, it will not have the fine fibrous roots critical for successful transplanting. Carefully select your suppliers and seriously consider the production method used by the grower to mitigate or eliminate potential problems, reasons for failure and the cost of replacements, let alone the disappointment of your customer.

Unfortunately, there is a practice where some European nurseries will sell you a ‘containerised tree’ which is really only a recently dug up rootball, put in a hard pot and strapped into it with wooden slats stapled to the sides. It may arrive looking okay, but once you knock the tree out of the pot you will quickly realise that you have little more than a rootball that has not rooted out. This conduct beggars belief, and creates much of the misunderstanding and misconception as to what the containerised tree industry is all about.

Taking shortcuts always comes back to bite, but in this case it is the contractor who will be left feeling the pain. Take a closer look at your nurseryman’s production methods and never forget that if he trades stock you may not know what you are getting.

3

1 Bare root tree – Bareroot trees are lifted by a blade cutting their roots and by shaking the soil off whilst being pulled out of the ground.

2 Root-balled tree – A rootballed tree is mechanically cut and lifted out of the ground retaining more fibrous roots than if bareroot.

3 AirPot grown tree – AirPot grown trees come with fabulous fibrous roots, resulting in very quick establishment and an outstanding crown in the first season.

It is not by chance that almost all the trees in the Gold medal winning gardens at the RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows are grown in the AirPot container as this ensures a fabulous fibrous root system that can support a full crown of foliage at any time of year. These famous designers wouldn’t want to take any chances in their pursuit of a Gold medal; would you?

To learn more why not attend the Open Day at Majestic Trees on Thursday 19 September where you can discover more about how quality containerised trees are grown, handled and planted (see page 64)

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

15/08/2013 09:26

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27/08/2013 09:47

Rainwater harvesting To help combat rising water prices in the UK, Bradleys Surfacing Systems has come up with a sustainable and environmentally responsible way of collecting rainwater. Using experience gained by working in other parts of the world, it has developed and tested an effective water harvesting system, designed for domestic properties and suitable for any size garden.

Rainwater from roofs and other sources can be linked to the system to increase the amount of water collected.

With this new system, even a garden with a small lawn (3m x 3m) can collect and store up to 500 litres of rainwater.

How the water harvesting system works

Pumps The water is stored underground out of sight and made available above ground via a pump. Depending on how the water will be used once it’s harvested and the volumes of water collected, will determine which pump needs to be incorporated. This can range from a simple hand pump – making the water available directly above the ground where it is stored, to an electric sump pump – for larger systems and systems that are designed to be plumbed in to properties (this can be a solar powered pump to improve the sustainability of the system).

Depending on what the water will then be used for inside the property, a UV filtration system may also be required.

Geocellular sub-base The system utilises interlocking modular cells to create a raft, which collects and stores the water.

The cell has a thickness of 85mm, which requires only a very shallow excavation in order to be installed.The modular design of the cell means it can be installed in small and large areas; it also gives flexibility to the shape in which the collection and storage area can be applied.The cell’s loadbearing capacity is 80 tonnes per m², offering exceptional stability.

The cells have up to a 95 per cent void ratio, so www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Bradleys 2.indd 61

Synthetic turf The standard Bradleys water harvesting system incorporates a 23mm pile height synthetic turf for landscaping applications.This is a two-tone product with both straight and thatch yarn tufted to give the grass a realistic texture. It is dense and Elastic porous rubber lush, and looks like a perfectly manicured lawn all The layer of porous rubber assists in controlling year round. the flow of water into the system during a heavy The system will however work well with a downpour, which acts as an extra layer of filtration number of different grasses, including 3G (sand and and also has the added benefit of making the rubber infilled surfaces). surface more comfortable under foot.

are very effective for storing water, which reduces the size of the area needed to harvest the water.

The cell itself is made from recycled plastic and is fully reusable, making it a very sustainable product.

September 2013

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Benefits of the system ● Rainwater harvesting is a sustainable way to use water at home and reduces the cost of water bills. ● The system is completely out of sight, as the water is stored underground – unlike unsightly water butts, which are an eyesore in small gardens. ● The system involves water attenuation, holding water locally is an effective way to help reduce flooding.

● There is potential for the system to be plumbed to supply water inside properties. ● The system has all the benefits of a normal synthetic lawn: no need to own a lawn mower, or mow the lawn, leaving you with a clean and perfect looking garden all year round.

Case study: The Pasture Grove project, Leeds The Pasture Grove project in Leeds took two days and involved the harvesting of rainwater, both from the lawn – by installing synthetic turf and having the Bradleys system underground, and also from the roof – by capturing the water from the gutter downpipe. Harvested water is then tanked underground and made available by a pump. In this case, a Victorian style handpump was selected to fit in with building’s

I feel proud that we are doing our bit for the environment with our garden by not using mains water for our gardening needs age and act as a feature of the garden.

When the system is full, excess water is taken away by an overflow pipe connected to the existing drainage.

After recently buying their first home in Leeds, Jonathan and Jess wanted to improve the appearance of the front of their house, which consisted of a muddy, patchy bit of grass and uneven paving surrounded by a small flower bed.Their front garden didn’t have an outside tap, so when they needed to water their plants, they had to trail the watering can through the house. Wanting to avoid having a tap plumbed in, and through research online, they discovered Bradleys Surfacing Systems.

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As a qualified Architectural Technologist, Jonathan was familiar with contemporary drainage applications. “It just seemed like the right solution for us”, he says. “It’s an environmentally sustainable concept, which works perfectly with our lifestyle”. Jess comments, “We enjoy growing plants and now we have a great garden to do that in. I love our water pump and find it so handy having water right where we need it. I feel proud that we are doing our bit for the environment with our garden by not using mains water for our gardening needs”.

RE

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AF

18 Churchill Drive, Boston, Lincolnshire PE21 0NH Tel: 0121 4492 824 Web: www.surfacingsystems.co.uk Email: info@surfacingsystems.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

15/08/2013 14:13

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

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

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

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

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

TRADE BROCHURE: 0845 218 2120 TRADE ENQUIRIES: trade@harrod.uk.com

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

13/08/2013 11:59

Open Day Thursday 19th September 2013 | 2.30pm Do you plant extra heavy and even semi-mature trees but shy away from planting anything bigger? Is this because: • The liability involved should the tree not survive.

• The risk of significant financial loss should the tree get damaged during installation.

• The lack of appropriate available equipment to handle the tree.

• A lack of relevant experience, or simply an access issue.

So don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to; • Learn how to sell semi-mature trees and make more money.

• Live demonstrations of how to sling and offload trees, as well as the tools required.

• See how others handle large trees and what equipment you will need.

• Learn the tricks of the trade and all you need to know about planting semi-mature trees.

• Hear about semi-mature trees success rate, AfterCare and establishment guarantees.

Mature trees can transform any project.

Even if you are a garden designer who normally subcontracts the planting work, this session will be an invaluable opportunity, opening up the realms of possibility for future projects and enabling you to confidently explain the process to your clients.

For those already at the cutting edge of the tree planting process, you may be interested in learning more about the spectrum of services Majestic Trees can provide; from simple delivery, delivery with off-load, delivery into planting pits, underground anchorage installation, or working alongside you on site.

• The day concludes with a Q & A session with Mark Gregory and Adam Frost, who know a thing or two about planting mature trees. Bring those questions you had always wanted to ask.

Free hog roast and refreshments if you register; a chance to socialise so you miss the rush hour. Call Jane on: For more information, to register and to reserve your hog roast, visit our website www.majestictrees.co.uk or email ellie.downes@eljays44.com at Pro Landscaper.

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14/08/2013 12:00

Topsoil Manufactured topsoil at Buckshaw Village, near Chorley, Lancashire

Top notch topsoil Putting in place a sound soil management strategy should be an integral part of the early stages of a landscape project – especially on post-industrial sites where topsoils may be of poor quality or completely absent. Here WRAP discusses how reusing materials onsite and blending them with PAS100 compost can create soils that meet the client’s landscape specifications, are sustainable and can save money Soils are a valuable resource that play a significant role in the success of landscape projects.

Considering them at the planning stage not only helps to improve the efficiencies of a project, but can also reduce costs. In the past there were few choices in dealing with existing poor quality soils and excavation waste, and contractors mainly opted to dispose of these materials to landfill.

With landfill tax currently set at £72 per tonne, as well as the cost of transportation and importation of new materials, this can be an increasingly expensive approach to take; not to mention a waste of resources.

There are alternatives – one of which is to manufacture new soils by re-using existing on-site mineral materials or subsoils for the lower soil profiles and then blending the surplus with BSI PAS 100 compost to create the topsoil layer.

Compost certified to BSI PAS100 is a safe, reliable, consistent and friable product that is an excellent source of organic matter and slow release nutrients, making it an ideal component of a manufactured soil.

When carried out to best practice, the resultant manufactured soil functions just as well www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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or sometimes even better than natural soil, as the materials can be blended according to a client’s specifications and designed specifically with the end use in mind.The new soil provides the desired conditions in which plants can thrive, can be adapted to suit different types of planting and can also be designed to manage water on the site; providing both attenuation of water and drainage where necessary.

Considering soils at the planning stage not only helps to improve the efficiencies of a project, but can also reduce costs In 2008, Forgemaster’s Steel Works in the heart of Sheffield set about creating a multifunctional landscaped area in the centre of the site. Forge Garden was developed to help attenuate water through its SUDS design, provide employees and visitors with an attractive area to

relax and create a haven for wildlife. Unsurprisingly for an industrial site, soil resources were limited, however excavated subsoils were reused to create the lower profile and then a topsoil layer was created by blending more subsoil with PAS100 compost. A blend of 2:1 was created to a depth of 900mm.Today, Forge Gardens continue to thrive, supporting wildflower meadow areas, trees and shrubs.

Manufacturing topsoil was also a key component of the sustainable soil strategy put in place by BAE Systems in the development of the village of Buckshaw in Lancashire. As an ex-military site, a ‘confidence scrape’ had taken place in order to remove potentially harmful munitions that may have been present in the soil. In doing this, however, very little useable topsoil was left behind.

To help restore the site, BAE Systems and its partners investigated how manufacturing a soil on site could meet plant requirements, reduce project costs and improve soil quality. Initial tests showed that the newly created topsoil supported the growth of new woodland and open parkland. It had good levels of nutrients – in particular nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus from the compost.

September 2013

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Topsoil

Importantly, performance analysis showed that the manufactured topsoil was able to absorb high quantities of water, thereby reducing the potentially damaging effects of any storm water run-off that occurred. Pleased with the results of the first stage, soils were manufactured for a further nine hectares

Taking a sustainable approach to soil management processes represents sound business practice, both financially and environmentally of land which involved the production of nearly 37,000 tonnes of new soil.

BAE Systems reported a total saving of nearly £300,000 compared to what it would have cost to import natural topsoil and dispose of the poor quality subsoils to landfill.This level of saving can make a real difference to the cost of a project.

The results of these case studies – and several others like them that have been conducted by WRAP in recent years – highlight how taking a sustainable approach to soil management processes represents sound business practice, both financially

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Forgemaster’s Steel Works in Sheffield

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September 2013

Compost pile at Chorley and environmentally. Including the design and specification of landscapes at the start of any project will pay dividends, as best use of soil resources can be factored into the planning stage.

By embracing the principles of waste reduction and resource efficiency, many of these costs can be reduced or even eliminated.

For more information about manufacturing soils and the use of PAS100 compost visit www.wrap.org.uk/landscapegpg or contact katherine.church@wrap.org.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

15/08/2013 15:17

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16/08/2013 13:53

16/08/2013 14:01

Site Visit

Site visit

The Garden Trellis Company Pro Landscaper visited The Garden Trellis Company, producer and supplier of bespoke trellis panels based in Essex.The company has enjoyed continual growth each year with the introduction of contemporary slatted panels, gates, garden furniture, gazebos, planters, and decking The Garden Trellis Company was founded in 1992 by Julian Furness after he returned from his travels around the world. Julian had previously worked for a landscaper, using his woodwork skills to produce pergolas and trellis; having always been interested in gardens, he wanted to use the skills he had learnt in the garden environment. During his travels in Australia, Julian worked for a company which made high quality bespoke trellis, which was of a much higher standard than what was available in the UK at the time.

The Garden Trellis Company is a family business, the Furness’ have always been involved in the wood industry, Mr. Furness senior sold timber, and Julian’s three brothers have all worked within the trade.

Currently the business has a team of around 25 people, including designers and project managers.

Based in Essex, the company started in a little village in what had once been an old dairy farm building, they went on to rent a workshop which gave them more space and allowed them to transform the business by taking on additional work. During this time the company took on their first RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden, which was designed by George Carter and built by Clifton Nurseries.The Garden Trellis Company then relocated to Clacton-on-Sea before moving to their current premises earlier this year, here they can continue to grow and develop.

The company offers almost any product within the garden industry environment that is made from wood, but is best known for bespoke trellis panels; the products range from contemporary www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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slatted panels and gates, to bespoke planters, garden furniture and structures.The Furness family has specialist knowledge in timber tolerance and how it needs to be managed in the outdoor environment to ensure durability and lasting quality.The company also specialises in finishing, with a vast knowledge of paint and wood stains, in order to help designers and landscapers turn any project – either simple or complex – into reality.

Products are sold via garden designers and landscapers, The Garden Trellis Company can give a guide price based on their knowledge and experience, and the clients’ requirements; they are also happy to undertake site visits where they can take full measurements and produce tailored drawings which will meet the clients’ needs. This allows the company to provide a first class service to both landscaper and designer. Their company ethos is ‘we are here to help’.

Although prices for the products may be slightly higher than simply buying ‘off the shelf ’, it is because they are all individually tailored to the client, and the materials used are of an exceptionally high quality. The company is always looking to reduce prices and pass these on to their clients, but not at the detriment of the products or services they offer.

The Garden Trellis Company has a very successful website, they also advertise with trade magazines and top end consumer titles. They have been exhibiting at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show since 2009 and will be at FutureScape on the 19 November this year. To sum up the business, they aim to provide excellent customer service, get prices and quotes back to the client promptly, and are extremely knowledgeable on all of their products.

The Garden Trellis Company Ltd. 355A Old Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO15 3RQ Tel: 01255 688 361 Email: info@gardentrellis.co.uk Web: www.gardentrellis.co.uk September 2013 69

15/08/2013 15:28

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

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05/08/2013 18:01

13/08/2013 14:07

Equipment

EQUIPMENT NEWS

Welcome to the equipment pages of Pro Landscaper, where we will be looking at new products and developments in the market. If you have any stories, please email them to joe.wilkinson@eljays44.com or tweet me @ProLanKit

Celebrating 20 years of manufacturing success

GreenMech, the Queen’s Awardwinning manufacturer of wood chippers and green waste shredders celebrated 20 years in business recently. Meanwhile, its Chairman Tony Turner commemorated an impressive 50 years in engineering, design and manufacturing.The double milestones were honoured

by a party for more than 300 guests at GreenMech’s manufacturing headquarters in Warwickshire in July, which was followed by a sightseeing trip and dinner for overseas guests and directors at nearby Stratford-upon-Avon the next day. Mr Turner formed GreenMech Ltd in 1993 to design, manufacture and market a British range of wood chippers and shredders to professional arborists, landscapers, contractors and local

authorities across the world. He was joined in 2002 by his son Jonathan, in the role of Managing Director.

Over the last 20 years, GreenMech has developed a unique and innovative range of machines which are now exported to 28 countries. Among its significant achievements is a prestigious Queen’s Award for International Trade in 2005 and a second for Innovation in 2009.

As part of its 20th anniversary year a new product launch along with dealer open days and road shows are being planned.To keep up with latest information visit: www.greenmech.co.uk

Makita backs new R2 chainsaw skills register to enhance arb industry standards Makita UK, the professional power tool manufacturer, whose chainsaw range includes the saw exclusively selected by the British Army, is main sponsor of the new R2 tree worker skills register. This has been created by an industry steering group that includes the Arboricultural Association; Bartlett Tree Experts; the International Society of Aboricultural UK and Ireland Chapter; Glendale Countryside; A M Lane Ltd., Landex Colleges and Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for land-based and environmental industries. The www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Group is chaired by Jaime Bray of Treetop Arboriculture.

The R2 Register of Tree Work Operatives, whose aim is to professionalise the arboricultural industry, is an innovative online register of operatives’ skills, qualifications and experience.

It supports individuals to gain recognition for their skills and professional growth, and make these skills more visible to employers. It also helps employers and contractors manage skill levels within their workforce and acts as a selling aid by projecting the

industry qualifications of their staff to potential clients.

Makita is supporting the R2 initiative to encourage higher professional skills and safety standards. Please visit www.makitauk.com for the latest news and information.

SANLI (UK) Ltd. launches three new lawnmowers in the UK Lawnmower specialist SANLI (UK) Ltd. has launched three new models to the UK market.

The manufacturer, which produces a range of mowers and gardening equipment, has expanded its collection with the introduction of the LS4135, the LSP4135 and the LSP514.

They feature effortless central height adjustment and five different cutting heights, with a cutting height range of 27mm to 72mm. With decks made of treated steel, both models weigh 27.5kg – allowing easy manoeuvrability for gardeners.

The model has a cutting width of 51cm (20 inches), easy-to-use central cutting height adjustment and 10 different cutting heights suitable for a range of 25mm to 90mm. With a larger engine of 163cc (5.5hp/4.1kW), the LSP514 has a quick release foldable handle and a deck made of treated steel.

All Sanli mowers come with a one-year warranty for consumers, with a free second year warranty that’s dependant on registration online with the exception of commercial use which has a warranty of 90 days from purchase. www.sanli.co.uk September 2013

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15/08/2013 15:31

Equipment

Mini yet mighty

In just a few short decades, the mini excavator has evolved from imported novelty to industry mainstay. Diggers and Dozers’ Mark Anthony charts the rise and rise of the humble mini 1

Those of us of a certain age will remember the scepticism and derision with which the first mini excavators were greeted when they hit UK shores back in the 1980s. Like Microsoft founder Bill Gates who once questioned why anyone would want a computer in their home, we were wrong. For as the once-ubiquitous backhoe loader – once the mainstay of rental and landscaping equipment fleets up and down the country – has declined, so the mini excavator has flourished. And while the machine’s digging capabilities have increased exponentially over the past 30 years or so, it is their ability to wield a growing and seemingly endless array of attachments that has won over the sceptics. More powerful than ever before, the mini excavator has also evolved a few neat tricks in recent years: zero tailswing machines for working in confined spaces and to reduce rear impact damage; larger midi excavator derivatives that bridge the gap between the mini and the larger 360 degree excavators; and clean running and environmentally-friendly engines that meet or exceed current (and coming) emissions regulations.

More power, less fuel A good example of this new breed of mini excavator is the new KX080-4 from mini excavator pioneer Kubota. More powerful than the earlier KX080-3 that it replaces in the Kubota line-up, the new model is also more fuel efficient than its predecessor.The machine features a stage IIIB 72

September 2013

Excavators.indd 72

compliant engine, and also features Kubota’s new Eco Plus system for greater fuel economy. When the operator selects the standard Eco Plus Mode, the KX080-4 delivers up to 18 per cent fuel savings compared to the previous model.

Not to be outdone, skid steer loader giant Bobcat has launched new enhanced versions of its popular E14 and E16 1-2 tonne compact excavators. Featuring a retractable undercarriage, the new enhanced E14 and E16 excavator models offer smooth responsive hydraulics enabling precise movements and fast cycle times.Thanks to their compact size and light weight, both the E14 and E16 can be transported on a trailer towed by a small truck, van or even a mid-size passenger car.

2

Dash-5 and D-Series Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) recently unveiled its new ZX33U-5 and ZX38U-5 mini excavators. Both of the Dash-5 models are ideal for working in confined spaces due to their

short-tail swing radius.The ZX33U-5 and ZX38U-5 can be used with a variety of attachments and have been given several new features to enhance their versatility for a wide range of applications. A low-noise muffler has been fitted to the rear of the cab for quiet operation, which is an increasingly important consideration for urban and residential projects. Each model has an auto-shift travelling system, which automatically reduces the speed of the excavator according to the travel load.This is useful when the blade is used for landscaping or when the machine is moving up a slope.The fuel-efficient performance of the 3.7 tonne ZX33U-5 and 4.0 tonne ZX38U-5 is due to the advanced energy-saving system.This combines the ECO mode, auto idle and isochronous control features of the excavators to significantly reduce fuel consumption. With the additional benefits of lower noise levels and fewer emissions, it allows the new mini excavators to have a reduced environmental impact, in compliance with current EU regulations.

Hanix Europe has announced the introduction of two new ‘D-Series’ machines: the H16D; and H17D.These new generation minis are not zero-tail machines, but are extremely compact and well balanced excavators with a shortened turning radius for serious digging on sites where space is limited.The H17D is an extendible track version of the H16D, and comes with a long dipper arm as standard. Both units have a compact width of just 990mm; both machines can be transported on a standard trailer. With expanding tracks and dozer blade extending to www.prolandscapermagazine.com

15/08/2013 15:09

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14/08/2013 10:17

Equipment

1,300mm wide, the H17D is exceptionally stable on all terrains, and boasts an impressive dig depth of 2,495mm, with dumping height of 2,435mm. A reliable 11.4kW Kubota diesel engine combines with variable output piston pumps, maximising machine power to match the workload.

1

Clean and green New Holland might not be the first name to come to mind when thinking about mini excavators, but the company’s new E85C is an impressive addition to their range.The E85C MSR is powered by a direct injection turbo-charged engine that delivers a powerful performance. Both models meet Tier 4 Final emissions standards with Cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (CEGR) technology combined with a simple Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) after-treatment system.This solution is so efficient that it does not require an active regeneration of the Particulate Matter filter, so that all the fuel goes to power the machine.The E85C MSR also features the standard Auto-Idle function that ensures no fuel is wasted by automatically reducing engine speed when the control levers are in neutral. It also benefits from the unique Intelligent Total Control System (ITCS) that controls all the machines’ functions.The result is up to 31.4 per cent fuel savings with variable power control, optimised engine speed and pump torque in all operating conditions: performance and fuel efficiency taken to new heights.

Home-grown talent If you’re looking for a home-grown mini excavator solution, then look no further than the

4

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latest models from the JCB stable including the JCB 8018 CTS. This 1.8 tonne machine boasts best-in-class performance, allied to incredible build quality, superlative strength and unbeatable ease of operation. JCB has harnessed the very latest manufacturing and design processes to create this highly advanced conventional tailswing machine. The result boasts everything from a potent engine to a strong dozer blade, durable steel bushes, an extending undercarriage, low weight and a new high-precision hydraulic valve block. The high-strength box section dozer blade can withstand impacts from kerbs and manhole covers, while dozer blade hoses are protected by a steel plate. In addition, all the hoses on the 8018 CTS’ undercarriage are recessed for maximum protection.

Tight-space masters Pushed for space?

Then the new compact radius Caterpillar 308E2 CR SB hydraulic excavator delivers high performance with the 3 versatility of a swing boom front linkage. It is ideally suited to working in restricted work areas and is the first machine in the company’s mini excavator line-up to meet the European Union Stage IIIB emission standards. Like other models in the Caterpillar E-Series, the 308E2 is equipped with a digital control panel that is specially designed for Cat mini excavators – COMPASS – Complete Operation, Maintenance, Performance, and Security System.

Built into the COMPASS monitor are an anti-theft system, which requires a five-digit alphanumeric password to start the machine, and an Economy Mode feature that can lower fuel use by up to 20 per cent.

Another mini excavator with a missing rear-end is the TB215R, the smallest model in the zero tail swing range from Takeuchi. New to the range this machine has been introduced due to customer demand for a 1.5 tonne machine of this class.The TB215R continues in the traditions of its forbears designed for operator comfort, machine stability, durability and productivity which Takeuchi is working constantly to improve. Weighing in at 1.5 tonnes, the TB215R is easy to tow.These

features make it an outstanding choice for compact excavation and landscaping sites.

1 The all-new Bobcat E16.

2 Kubota’s big new KX080-4 model.

3 Caterpillar’s tight space master.

4 Home grown talent from UK manufacturer JJCB. 5 Takeuchi unveils new models.

5

ABOUT mark anthony Mark Anthony is the former editor of Plant Managers Journal and has been writing about mobile equipment for more than 25 years. He is also the founder of www.diggersanddozers.com.

September 2013

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14/08/2013 14:27

Equipment

Inside

Tracmaster Pro Landscaper visited the offices of British machinery manufacturer, Tracmaster in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, to chat with Sales and Marketing Director – as well as son of the owner Alex Pitt, – Alex Pitt.

Sales and Tracmaster, founded Marketing Director in 1984, continues to be a name that we hear often as a high quality manufacturer of British made landscaping equipment from their CAMON range; the range includes such products as the TC07 Turf Cutter. This, alongside being the official UK distributor for Italian company BCS, whose products are two wheel tractors of various sizes and a whole range of attachments such as a flail mower and a rotavator, is keeping the company at the forefront of the British manufactured landscaping equipment market.

Recently, a CAMON turf cutter was featured on TV, being used by David Dodd on ITV1’s Love Your Garden with Alan Titchmarsh.

Tracmaster also supplied some of the equipment used to cut the wildflowers at the Olympic Park.

Joe Wilkinson, Equipment Editor, asked Alex some questions about the company and his views on the industry as a whole.

Can you give us a brief outline of your role?

My title is Sales and Marketing Director. My role is to lead the sales and marketing team plus I also lead the R&D, production, purchasing and IT teams.

What is the ethos of the company?

We manufacture quality machinery that offers exceptional return on investment – our products will last many years with proper care.

We also aspire to be as efficient as possible

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Inside Tracmaster.indd 77

and to constantly improve what we do, whether it’s refining machinery or internal procedures.

performance; they are built to work hard all day, every day.

What is the structure of Tracmaster?

We have 20-25 people in small teams working as part of larger departments.

What precautions do you take to ensure the safety of the contractor using your products?

You have to follow all relevant legislation. We include extensive operating instructions/stickers including additional stickers showing operating advice. We are also fortunate to work with companies that put safety first. BCS invested over €100,000 developing the Powersafe clutch in response to a safety requirement. We also offer the added benefit of a five year warranty on the products.

What is your route to market? Do you have a dealer network?

We have two primary routes. Direct to the hire industry, and to end users through our 50 strong dealer network.

How important is the landscape contractor to your business?

Very important – they are significant hirers and purchasers.They are the primary target market when we consider our machinery; they have to like the performance of our machinery and it has to work for them.

What additional support do you offer landscape contractors?

We have a nationwide service support, offer next day spare parts, telephone support, machinery advice and have considerable experience in this industry.

Are your products made in Britain?

Six of our CAMON products are currently completely manufactured within the UK. Why do contractors choose your brand over your competitors’?

Our machines are chosen for reliability and

Do you run any loyalty schemes?

At the end of the year we will be launching a BCS owners club that will reward our existing customers. Many customers including landscapers will have their machines for many years and we are looking to offer extra support over the lifetime of the machine.

How will you remain competitive for the next year?

We will be focusing on costs and smarter purchasing – we hope to control our costs so that we can continue to offer competitive and reliable products.

Tracmaster Ltd Sovereign Centre, Victoria Road, Burgess Hill, RH15 9LR Tel: 01444 247 689 Email: sales@tracmaster.co.uk Web: www.tracmaster.co.uk

September 2013

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15/08/2013 09:29

The Cushman 1600XD lives to conquer any job. There’s no task too big for the 22-hp diesel engine, 1,600lb payload and massive cargo bed.

And no matter where work needs to be done, you’ll get there thanks to user-selectable 4WD, a locking rear differential and 4-wheel independent suspension. So, whether you’re moving mountains or driving over them, the 1600XD is ready for action.

Make Molehills Out Of Mountains

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14/08/2013 11:59

Equipment

Floor plan subject to change at organiser’s discretion Map correct at time of printing

Check out pages 80 and 82 for our stand listings of relevant companies at SALTEX

SALTEX, the event for groundsmen, takes place this year on 3 to 5 September at Windsor Racecourse, Berkshire, under new event directors. After it being the ‘year off’ for many of the exhibitors in 2012, some of them return this year, with notable exceptions of some of the bigger machinery companies, who will only be there with their local dealers.

A range of new products will be launched at SALTEX – we will take a look at a few of the machines to look out for this year in this feature.

Pro Landscaper will be on stand H70, pop over and say hello, it would be great to see you. Follow me on Twitter, @prolankit for more news on the show.

Joe Wilkinson – Equipment Editor

Intro and map.indd 79

15/08/2013 09:00

Equipment

SALTEX Exhibitors

Pro Landscaper has put together a selection of relevant exhibitors for the landscaping industry.

For the full list of exhibitors please visit the IOG SALTEX website at 2013.iog-saltex.com Agria-Werke GmbH

D62

EP Barrus Industrial

B86

Air-Seal Products Ltd

M63

EP Barrus Lawn & Garden

D65

Allett Mowers

E25

Everedge

U23

Amazone Ltd

A60

Everris Ltd

F61

Aspen Fuel Co UK

N42

FGM Claymore

D30

Autoguide Equipment Ltd

D37

Gianni Ferrari srl

A25

Avant Tecno (UK) Ltd

B75

Great Wall Motors (Distributors) Ltd

J40

BAHCO Tools

N35

Greenleaf

B92

BCA (Berkshire College of Agriculture)

J65

GreenMech Ltd

B70

Belle Engineering (Sheen) Ltd

K80

Grillo Agrigarden Ltd

B50

Blec Global Ltd

C50

Gritex

N05

Boughton Loam & Turf Management Ltd

L37

Groundscare Products

C35

Bourne Amenity Ltd

H81

Groundsman Industries Ltd

B55

Brian James Trailers Ltd

A27

Grundon Sand & Gravel Ltd

J86

Briggs & Stratton

A20

Handy Distribution

M25

British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI)

J84

Harry West (Prees) Ltd

A12

British Sugar TOPSOIL

M40

Henchman Ltd

L60

Broadwood International Ltd

N04

Henton & Chattell Ltd

M55

CED Natural Stone

J74

Hire Supply Company Ltd, The

A70

Central Spares Ltd

H30

Hitachi Power Tools (UK) Ltd

E90

Cleveland Sitesafe Ltd

K40

Husqvarna

A65

Cramer UK

A18

Hyundai Power Equipment

A32

Danarm Machinery Ltd

M36

Ian Gower Associates Ltd

J76

Demon International

K50

Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd

J50

Dennis, Sisis

B40

Inturf

L38

DJ Turfcare Equipment Ltd

K55

IPU Group

A52

DMMP Ltd

A40

Isuzu (UK) Ltd

E40

Earth Cycle

M38

Isuzu Truck (UK) Ltd

E50

Emak UK Ltd

A80

Japanese Knotweed Control

L42

80

September 2013

Equipment.indd 80

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

15/08/2013 09:05

luxury on top pROVEN SCIENCE UNDERNEATH

Lawn seed

info@baruk.co.uk|01359 272000

GV_ProLandscaper_186x118.indd 1

ADVERTS.indd 275

05/08/2013 16:36:05

13/08/2013 14:35

Equipment Equipment

Come and visit us on Stand H70 where you can meet the team a nd pick up a copy of

SALTEX Exhibitors

Pro Landscaper has put together a selection of relevant exhibitors for the landscaping industry.

For the full list of exhibitors please visit the IOG SALTEX website at 2013.iog-saltex.com Kanga UK Ltd

A50

Riko UK Ltd

C71

Kersten (UK) Ltd

C69

Rochford Garden Machinery

D50

KFS Special Vehicles Ltd

N12

Roffey Brothers

L31

King Feeders UK Ltd

D40

RT Machinery Ltd

D45

KUHN Amenity Pro

N16

SCH Supplies Ltd

G50

Leica Geosystems Ltd

G60

Schiller Grounds Care UK (Mantis UK Ltd)

P05

Lloyds Hunter

F45

Simon Richard Ltd

D32

Lubbe & Sons

M50

Simon Tullett Machinery Ltd

P30

Major Equipment Ltd

N15

Sofpave Ltd

K65

Makita (UK) Ltd

K45

Solo/Lely Partners in Turfcare

A07

Martin Lishman

J25

Sorbus International Ltd

N23

McConnel Ltd

C60

SPA Landscaping Ltd

A75

McMurtry Ltd

G69

Spearhead Machinery Ltd

A35

MEGA Vehicles

L23

Stem Injection Systems Ltd

L42

Melcourt Industries Ltd

L39

Stihl

C40

Oliver Landpower Ltd

D25

Synergy Products Ltd

B55

Orange Plant

A85

Terrain Aeration Services

C93

Outside Structure Solutions

J28

The Grass Group

D70

Peacock Salt & Living Stone

L44

Toro Products/Lely Partners in Turfcare

A05

Perennial

J82

Tracmaster Ltd

C62

Polaris Britain Ltd

A30

Trimax Mowing Systems Ltd

A15

PREMA/Lely Partners in Turfcare

A06

Trulawn Ltd

N24

Pro Landscaper

H70

TS Industrie by Eric Hunter Ltd

B84

PSD Groundscare

B90

VARI, a.s.

F70

Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd

B60

Vauxhall Motors

K30

Rapid Tractors UK Ltd

D60

Verdinia UK Ltd

H25

RECO Ltd

G40

Westcon Equipment (UK) Ltd

A99

Reformwerke Bauer & Co

D34

Workware Ltd

G23

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September 2013

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

15/08/2013 09:06

Amenity

Make Your Mark Whether you are responsible for the lines at a world cup venue or a local village pitch, Supaturf machines and liquids will help you to make your mark – perfectly.

Our line marking machines, which include state-of-the-art battery powered spray markers and innovative transfer wheel markers, have been developed to deliver bright, accurate and long lasting lines, whatever the venue.

Our machines are complemented by a broad range of line marking liquids, all specially developed for use on turf. Whether you need super white lines which will stand up well under floodlights or a long lasting, economic marking liquid for multiple venues, Supaturf can deliver the ideal solution.

turf New Supa Guide ing Linemark

For full details call us on 01530 510060 or visit www.supaturf.co.uk able Now Avail

Supaturf is a division of Vitax Ltd. Our sister division, Vitax Amenity supplies a wide range of turf treatment products, including fertilisers, water management and pest and disease control products.

Visit www.vitaxamenity.co.uk for full details.

ADVERTS TEMPLATES.indd 168

13/08/2013 09:13

Equipment

GO AND SEE AT SALTEX Stem Injection Systems makes its annual return to SALTEX reflecting on the enormous progress it has made since its launch almost a decade ago. This innovative, patented stem injection system offered a very

Kubota is teaming up with two of its dealer partners at SALTEX 2013 to showcase its market leading and high performance range of tractor and groundcare solutions. The company has joined forces with George Browns and Lister Wilder on stand D20, giving visitors the opportunity to see Kubota’s extensive range of solutions for the groundcare sector, including some of its latest introductions and innovations for 2013.New solutions that will be featured on the stand include Kubota’s recently launched RTV400Ci utility vehicle and the M6060 mid-range tractor. Kubota will also be displaying a number of its popular compact tractors and ride-on mower solutions at the show.

WWW.KUBOTA.CO.UK

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alternative approach to the treatment and management of invasive, non-native plant species when first launched in 2004, but is now increasingly seen as the treatment norm on more and more tender specifications.

WWW.STEMINJECTIONSYSTEMS.COM

Cub Cadet will be exhibiting at SALTEX 2013 as part of a strategy to increase awareness of the brand in the UK over the next five years. The brand currently offers a wide range of lawncare, maintenance and utility equipment via its 200-strong dealer network. New additions to the pedestrian mower range, a mini rider and a brand new

zero-turn will be unveiled to the market at the show.

WWW.CUBCADET.CO.UK

FGM Claymore will be announcing at SALTEX 2013 their appointment as UK and Ireland distributor for the Orec professional ground care range. They will be offering selected products including ride-on and pedestrian brushcutters, and professional lawnmowers. The Orec professional pedestrian range

includes the mechanical two forward speed option flail mower, with a cut width of 50cm and cut height from 5-9cm and brushcutters with cut width and height options from 53-80cm and 5-8cm respectively. Power range is from 6.5hp – 9.5hp.

WWW.FGMCLAYMORE.CO.UK

Joining the range in 2013, and on show at IOG SALTEX, STIHL has extended both the scale and endurance of its cordless power tools, adding its first long-reach hedge trimmer plus a second cordless chain saw for extra hard-working use. It has also introduced an extra long-lasting

New to the Viking range this year, are two dedicated mulch mowers which are tough, reliable and very easy to use. Both have been awarded the Nordic ‘Svanen’ ecolabel which recognises their environmentally friendly manufacture. The top-range MB 4 RTP is a particularly robust model with an extra powerful engine for contractors’ use, with a 53cm cutting width. Driven by an easy-starting Kohler Courage engine this practical and efficient mower features crankshaft protection for increased service life, reinforced, height-adjustable handlebars and simple five-stage central cutting height adjustment.

WWW.VIKINGMOWERS.CO.UK

backpack battery to its cordless line-up: the new AR 900 is competitively priced and efficient to run; powering each of the hedge trimmers throughout a full working day. That makes STIHL cordless technology a truly practical (and quiet) choice for professionals’ use.

WWW.STIHL.CO.UK/PRO

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

14/08/2013 16:45

Get on

track

See us at

SALTEX Stand A99

in 2010 2013 in

Swing Out Control Station

When you need a compact stump cutter with the go-anywhere traction and flotation that only tracks can provide, the Trac Jr is your solution. This all-new design from RAYCO raises the bar for compact stump cutters by offering a small machine that is truly full-featured. Rubber tracks provide excellent traction and ground pressure of less than 4psi. Huge, 47-inch cutting width tackles big stumps, and a hydraulic backfill blade makes easy work of clean-up.

A RAYCO-exclusive swing out control station provides excellent visibility of the cutting action while swinging forward www.raycomfg.com to travel through gates. Powered by a 35hp Vanguard gasoline engine. Available with a custom trailer.

Westcon Equipment (UK) Limited, Unit 2 Bridge Street, Bailie Gate Industrial Estate, Sturminster: Marshall, Dorset. www.raycomfg.com 800.392.2686 WestconorEquipment for further details: Contact RAYCO your Authorized Dealer for details.

BH21 4DB. Tel: (01258) 859100 Fax: (01258) 858434 Email: sales@westconuk.co.uk www.westconuk.co.uk

Westcon.indd 1

13/08/2013 14:47

Star Rubber Environmental Ltd The UK’s only manufacturer of TigerMulch Rubber Chippings.

Made of 100% recycled rubber.

An ideal landscaping product that is permeable for tree surrounds, paths, slopes, erosion control etc.; Safety surface for playgrounds within schools/nurseries, public parks, skate parks, care homes, hospitals.

Surfacing specialists for the installation of: - TigerMulch Resin Bound - Wet pour - Graphic designs - Star Kerb

- Cap Kerb - Argi-Flex - New product - Safety Tiles/Matts (For Swing etc: wear areas)

Star Rubber are proud to announce their new product Argi-Flex. A permeable product that has been developed to resemble resin stone but is made out of 100% Recycled Rubber an ideal product for pathways and erosion.

This product will compliment our TigerMulch Product, you then need to decide would you prefer a Bark look or Stone look both giving an all year weather permitting safety surface.

Surfaces are BSEN1177 & 7188 Tested and support a 5 year Warranty.

Please contact us for more details: Belmont House, Aller, Langport, Somerset, TA10 0QN T: 01458 253 377 E: tigermulch@aol.com W: www.star-rubber.com Star Rubber.indd 1

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17/07/2013 15:05

13/08/2013 14:53

The New NX series from Kioti Launches: 3.9.13

See us at

Stand G40

Tel: 01480 401 501 www.reco.co.uk/kioti

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14/08/2013 15:07

Equipment

GO AND SEE AT SALTEX

Schiller Grounds Care UK will be out in force at SALTEX with the launch of several new products in the Classen, Little Wonder, Steiner and Mantis ranges. On this year’s stand for the first time will be the new Classen RA21 walk behind reciprocating aerator, affectionately known as ‘the beast’. It promises light weight and simplicity combined with top performance, punching clean holes in tough soil without additional weights.

WWW.CLASSEN.UK.COM

Solo is a best-selling brand in Germany and provides high performance equipment to a variety of UK professional users from greenkeepers,

Toro has chosen SALTEX to launch PREMA – a brand new programme, which gives customers the chance to buy quality pre-owned Toro turf machinery that’s technically as good as new, at affordable prices.

Every machine in the scheme is given a comprehensive inspection covering key mechanical functions,

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Latest Kit Slope Mowers.indd 87

Despite a recent spate of media scare stories about the problems caused by Japanese Knotweed, organisations and individual homeowners should have nothing to fear provided they take the time to choose a competent and professional treatment specialist.

That’s the message from Japanese Knotweed Control (JKC) at this

year’s SALTEX exhibition as it seeks to redress a number of alarming press reports. SALTEX will also provide the platform for JKC to promote its support for the Invasive Non-Native Specialists Association (INNSA), a new industry body controlling and eradicating invasive non-native species, in which JKC has been closely involved as one of

SISIS will be showcasing three new products at SALTEX. The company will be launching a new pedestrian scarifier and will be bringing two redesigned products – the SISIS Dart pedestrian aerator and SISIS TM1000 tractor mounted scarifier to join the range of British manufactured

landscape contractors and groundsmen in the sport, amenity and local authority sectors, to arborists, professional gardeners and estate managers. As part of the Lely – Partners in

the initial steering group companies.

WWW.JAPANESEKNOTWEEDCONTROL.COM

favourites on stand B40. The new pedestrian scarifier has been extensively trialled before its official launch at the exhibition and shows the improvement and investment in products that the company continues to make.

WWW.SISIS.COM

Turfcare stand, Solo will be showing alongside distributor Lely’s other line-ups comprising Toro professional turf equipment for grounds and golf, and TYM Tractors, the newest addition to the company’s portfolio.

WWW.LELY.COM

before receiving a Lely certified PREMA warranty, which backs it with a 180 days or 300 hours conditional warranty. Run by Toro distributor Lely UK, it means customers buying a Lely PREMA certified machine can do so with confidence and complete peace of mind.

WWW.TORO.COM

Kanga Loaders will be launching this “heavy duty” rotary mower which is hydraulically driven from its own motor. The unit comes with fully adjustable side skids, with two heavy duty blades per rotor. The unit has a “floating headstock”, thus enabling it to follow the undulations of uneven ground easily. This mower is capable of coping with the toughest of grasses, obliterating brambles and small whips in one pass.

WWW.KANGALOADER.CO.UK

September 2013

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Equipment

GO AND SEE AT SALTEX Reform produces tractors from 44hp – 70hp in their Metrac G series and 46hp – 79hp in their Metrac H series. This choice of power unit covers all eventualities for a wide range of users including the amenity, utility, contractor and golf sectors. Optional implements, allied to Metracs light footprint and renowned ‘crab-steer’ mode for working on sloping terrain at angles

of up 45 degrees, means both a multitude of possible uses from the one machine and also a solution to operator health and safety issues. A wide selection of Muthing flails will be on display at SALTEX, for tractors from 10hp to 300hp suitable for front, rear, and side or offset configuration.

WWW.SIMON-RICHARD.CO.UK

Ransomes Jacobsen returns to the show with a host of new products, including the Ransomes Spider Mini II, a smaller version of the unique remote-controlled mower for mowing steep banks. From the Iseki brand comes the all new TJA 8080 and 8100 comprising of models rated at 80 PS and 100 PS respectively.

These powerful and versatile workhorses are suitable for landscape and groundscare contractors, farmers and local authorities, where a range of implements can be used for a host of tasks. Completing the line-up is the new Cushman 1600XD-R utility vehicle, which combines four-wheeldrive capability with a powerful 22hp, 1,007cc three-cylinder OHV diesel engine to handle large tasks on tough terrain.

WWW.RANSOMESJACOBSEN.COM

Following GreenMech’s facilitation of HSE noise testing of wood chippers at its headquarters this year, the Queen’s award-winning manufacturer believes it engineers some of the quietest chippers available. They consider the Quad Chip 160 at 116dBa is actually the quietest chipper in its class on the market today. This has been achieved by a novel (patent pending) means of extracting the hot air and exhaust heat from the acoustic housing via the chipper chamber.

WWW.GREENMECH.CO.UK

Briggs & Stratton announces the introduction of a new 150cc 600E-SERIES OHV single-cylinder vertical shaft engine designed to deliver premium power and features to the mid-market walk-behind category. Core to the new 600E-SERIES engine is the reduced exhaust emissions together with a broad array of performance and feature benefits which deliver meaningful value for the end-consumer and will be showcased at SALTEX 2013. The 600E model provides true value power, featuring Overhead Valve (OHV) technology, mechanical

Two versions of the MEGA e-Worker electric vehicle will be displayed on Stand L23 at SALTEX in September.

Distributed in the UK by Ransomes Jacobsen, the MEGA e-Worker has a tight turning circle and compact external dimensions, making it highly manoeuvrable. Robustly constructed

with excellent carrying capacity, an ability to tow and dynamic performance, it meets the needs of the most demanding users. The e-Worker is available in several versions and with a large and varied range of equipment.

This year’s SALTEX show will be a very busy time for Kioti as they will be launching three important new additions to the Kioti ever popular product line up. The CK2810 is a new compact 28HP tractor available with a choice of manual or HST transmissions; the NX Series is an all new tractor range and is made up of four models from 45 to 60hp. Lastly, the RX Series popular tractor range grows from one model to three with the introduction of the RX6620 (66hp) and RX7320 (73hp) models. For further details please visit them on stand G40.

WWW.MEGA-VEHICLES.CO.UK

WWW.RECO.CO.UK

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Latest Kit Slope Mowers.indd 88

governor, float feed carburettor with paper air cleaner and a Super Lo-Tone™ muffler. In addition the new 600E features the patented ReadyStart® starting system which makes the engine extremely easy to power up.

WWW.BRIGGSANDSTRATTON.COM

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

14/08/2013 16:42

Largest supplier of Sustainable, Peat Free Landscape & Sports Turf Products across the South Coast

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Systems for installing any area of artificial grass Choice of seam tapes in a variety of lengths and widths Specific for outdoor use High bond strength and easy to apply

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14/08/2013 14:56

Business Tips Equipment

Trading with...

Kubota

Adrian Langmead, Business Development Manager of the Tractor and Groundcare section at Kubota, talks to Pro Landscaper about the company’s ethos, support offerings and future Give us a brief outline of your role.

My role is a new position within Kubota UK and reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to the groundcare sector. I’m responsible for a team of product, dealer and communications managers plus product demonstrators, who have a very clear focus – to deliver the highest quality products to landscape contractors that are reliable, fit for purpose and easy and efficient to operate.

What is the ethos of the company?

Complete customer satisfaction is always our end goal. We are bringing new product innovations to the market through a network of high quality dealers, all backed up by exceptional technical and aftersales service.

Quality runs through every part of the business, from product, to dealer, to end-user support.

What is your route to market? Do you have a dealer network?

We have a strong national network of independent dealers, who sell and hire Kubota mowers, utility vehicles, mini excavators and compact tractors to landscape contractors.

There are nearly 100 Kubota dealers in the groundcare and tractor sector who are very much our partners. All dealers undertake

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Trading With Kubota.indd 90

product training at Kubota HQ with our specialist training and development team, so they are well equipped to supply the right machine for the right job and can help contractors optimise the machine’s performance by making the most of its features.

What additional support do you offer landscape contractors?

We support the Adrian Langmead, Business landscape industry Development Manager: by sponsoring and Tractor and Groundcare attending specific shows annually, such as FutureScape, so that we can meet landscape contractors to make them aware of how our products can benefit their companies. We also have an extremely knowledgeable network of dealers who are able to advise landscape contractors of the most appropriate machines to suit their needs.

How will you remain competitive for next year?

Kubota continues to add value to what it offers through a rolling stream of new product innovations and improvements to service. The Japanese team are always looking for new and better machines, and our latest RTVs are a good example – the RTV400Ci has CVT Plus (Continuously Variable Transmission) for greater drive response and durability, while the RTV500 has a liquid cooled engine to ensure reliability and minimise noise and vibration.

Why do contractors choose your brand?

Kubota is known for quality across the industry.

Our products offer the highest standards of reliability, efficiency and operator comfort, and our service is exceptional.

What Health & Safety precautions do you take to ensure the safety of the contractor using your products?

Health & Safety is important at every stage of our business and we work in partnership with dealers and end-users to ensure the safe operation of our machinery. All Kubota dealers will advise contractors on the correct operational techniques and our product demonstrators are also on hand to provide additional training if required.

Do you think that the next 12 months will be better than the last?

The next 12 months are looking extremely positive and there is a real air of optimism amongst Kubota UK and our dealers.There is understandably some concern in the groundcare market about the impact of local authority budget cuts, but at Kubota, we are striving to achieve the same strong performance this year as last, if not even better.This will be good news for contractors, as more success means more investment in product and service innovations.

Kubota (UK) Ltd Dormer Road, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3UN Tel: 01844 268 000 Email: sales@kubota.co.uk Web: www.kubota.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

14/08/2013 16:17

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05/03/2013 10:06

Outdoor expertise at every turn...

SALTEX is the UK’s national event for groundscare, sports turf, amenities and landscaping – including leisure and play, arboriculture and horticulture.

• Hundreds of exhibitors with the latest machinery, tools, vehicles and turfcare products • FREE expert advice, seminars and workshops • Live demonstrations - all outdoor • FREE to visit and FREE parking

Register free at www.iogsaltex.com or telephone 0844 665 2045

ADVERTS.indd 287

14/08/2013 14:58

People

Three Peaks Extreme Challenge Pro Landscaper has been following the story of the Three Peaks Extreme team, a group of brave industry people undertaking a seriously tough challenge, in order to raise money for Perennial. As you read they could either be preparing to leave for Scotland, climbing one of the three highest mountains in the UK or peddling the 450 miles between them. The time, training, cost and dedication these guys and girls have shown to the cause – not to mention the aches and pains in getting to peak fitness for the challenge – really means if you’re a part of the industry and not actually taking part, you should be showing your support by donating towards the fundraising event of the year.

www.justgiving.com/3PeaksExtreme

2013 Three Peaks Extreme Challenge routes

Good luck to the team from all of us at Pro Landscaper – we’re behind you all the way!

Day one – Ben Nevis to Ballachulish (18 miles)

Day two –Ballachulish to Cumnock (122 miles)

Day three – Cumnock to Seathwaite (114 miles)

Day four – Seathwaite to Grasmere (23 miles)

Day five – Grasmere to Garden City (100 miles)

Day six – Garden City to Snowdon (50 miles)

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Paving | Decorative Shingle | Garden Artefacts Visit Westminster Paving Collection sites at Westminster Paving Collection, Burford Garden Company, Shilton Road, OX18 4PA Call: 01993 822877 WS Paving & Landscaping Centre, Shaws Estate, Sodylt, Ellesmere, Shropshire SY12 9EL Call: 0844 248 9262

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People

THE

LITTLE INTERVIEW Roger Webster Roger Webster Garden Design www.webstergardens.co.uk What is your most important piece of machinery/ equipment?

My MacBook does just about everything except make the coffee.

A small insight into the world of other professionals from our wide and varied industry. If you’d like to appear in a future issue please email enquiries to editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk and carefully sited trees can make a positive environmental contribution for decades to come.

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

At the moment not at all, but I am dipping a toe in the water.

Name one thing unique about your business.

I share open-plan office space with other non-related business; it gives a good sense of perspective.

What are your unfulfilled career ambitions?

I’d like to work more collaboratively on larger, more public projects promoting sustainable ways of living.

What do you think the trends will be in 2013?

Providing genuine value for money is more important, and that’s not a bad thing.

Your most inspirational garden?

I found the Alhambra complex disconcertingly moving.

How is sustainability embedded within your business?

From the outset I think realistically about maintenance, and the consequences of a lack of it. If nothing else survives some well-chosen

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I play electro-acoustic hurdy-gurdy in a dance band.

Rosemary Alexander

What’s your favourite meal?

Barbecue on the beach with friends.

Jez Young Jez Young’s Secret Gardens jez.young@yahoo.co.uk What is your most important piece of machinery/equipment?

My van. I carry a selection of tools and fittings to overcome all eventualities.

Name one thing unique about your business.

I pride myself on ‘the flow’. I have to dig deep into my soul to come up with a bespoke design or feature.

What is the busiest time of year for you?

Whenever the weather is good.

How is sustainability embedded within your business?

Many of my features often breathe new life into old or damaged materials.

Do you monitor your competitors’ progress?

I always watch what others are up to.

What are your unfulfilled career ambitions?

To be a better and more knowledgeable gardener.

What are your unfulfilled career ambitions?

Creating a large public work.

Do you expect 2013 to be better than 2012?

I expect to see more people taking up gardening careers, especially in design and grow your own.

Best book you’ve ever read?

The Sunday Times Gardening Book by Lanning Roper – it changed my life.

Best book you’ve ever read?

I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sellew by Dr Seuss. A very good perspective on life.

What is the busiest time of year for you?

Autumn, when most of our one year courses begin.

Your most inspirational garden?

Great Dixter, especially being taken round it by the late Christopher Lloyd.

Your most inspirational garden?

I like Piet Oudolf’s work; I also find inspiration from the world around me.

What’s your favourite meal?

Salads and fresh vegetables from my own garden, 10 minutes after picking them.

Your dream job?

Big machines, 5-10 good people, 500 acres, and a blank cheque with the brief “Jez, I want you to create a garden...you know best.”

English Gardening School www.englishgardeningschool.co.uk

How is sustainability embedded within business?

We make our students aware of the meaning and practice of sustainability.

How important is social media to your company?

Very important, gardening knows no social boundaries.

Do you monitor your competitors’ progress?

Yes, and regularly.

94

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Your dream job?

My own – Principal of the English Gardening School, author, international lecturer, and RHS show judge.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I really didn’t like gardening when I was younger.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

15/08/2013 09:36

People

Rae Wilkinson Rae Wilkinson Design Ltd www.raewilkinson.com What is your most important piece of machinery/ equipment?

My imagination, my pencil and my FELCOs! Name one thing unique about your business.

I have a deep plant knowledge base, and artistic roots play a huge part in bringing creativity to the design.

How is sustainability embedded within your business?

I feel very strongly that sustainability is the future for gardens. I always design with this in mind and

Rob Whitehead Principal of Pickard School of Garden Design, Rob Whitehead/ Landscape (design consultancy) In business terms, do you expect 2013 to be better than 2012?

Yes. Our decision to be a ‘boutique’ consultancy with a policy of working on fewer projects has proved to be the right one for us.

What is your most important piece of equipment?

A black Moleskine notebook.

What is the busiest time of year for you?

With the design consultancy and the design school,

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Little Interview.indd 95

I am constantly looking into new products and techniques to ensure a garden has a positive impact on its environment.

What is the busiest time of year for you?

Springtime!

How do you find new clients?

Word of mouth and connections from my gardening years.

Describe yourself in three words.

Creative, strong-willed, sensitive.

What are your unfulfilled career ambitions?

To be a land artist – I have always dreamt of

guest lecturing and mentoring and business growth coaching for design businesses, I am kept busy all year round.

What do you think the trends will be in 2013?

A move to ever more naturalistic schemes, rather than trying to impose a design/planting scheme onto a landscape.

bringing my sculpture roots to the design of bigger landscapes in a conceptual and artistic way.

Best book you’ve ever read?

The Songlines by Bruce Chatwin.

Your most inspirational garden?

My whole concept of what a garden could be changed when I worked in Anthony Paul’s The Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden. It felt like a whole new world and the scale and naturalistic style still inspires me.

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

Wonder Woman! It would make life in general much easier – and what a great outfit too...

Your most inspirational garden?

Geoffrey Jellicoe’s Shute House.

What’s your favourite meal?

Pasta (I wanted to say sausages, but my wife was appalled).

How do you find new clients?

Entirely by word of mouth recommendation.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I have climbed almost all the peaks over 4000m in the Alps.

Best book you’ve ever read?

On and By Frank Lloyd Wright: A Primer on Architectural Principles by Robert McCarter.

First album you ever bought?

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars by David Bowie.

September 2013

95

15/08/2013 09:36

Jobs Horticultural Engineer Continental Landscapes Location: London

JOBS

Continental Landscapes wish to recruit an experienced person to manage and maintain our fleet of grounds maintenance equipment in the London area. A full driving license will be necessary. The successful candidate will also need a good working knowledge of the machinery used in our industry, and have some working experience.

For full details on all jobs, please go to www.prolandscapermagazine.com and click on the ‘Jobs’ section.

Call 01903 234 077 or email hortijobs@eljays44.com with your vacancy.

For more details please go to www.prolandscapermagazine.com and click on the ‘Jobs’ section.

Contract Manager

Commercial Sales Executive

The Landscape Group Location: Newbury

Timbertech Location: South Wales or Middlesex/Surrey/Berkshire

The role is responsible for supporting the Assistant Operations Director in the delivery of a Grounds Maintenance service to the local authority, housing and private customers. The successful candidate will be providing support for numerous sites, namely the Newbury Council contract.

Greensquares Products Ltd requires a commercial sales executive to provide effective, targeted account management activity to generate sales growth from existing commercial clients and deliver profitable new sales turnover from new commercial clients from your own and prospecting/lead generation.

For more details please go to www.prolandscapermagazine.com and click on the ‘Jobs’ section.

For more details please go to www.prolandscapermagazine.com and click on the ‘Jobs’ section.

AREA MANAGER

Head Gardener

Candidate to carry out management of sites including all aspects of commercial and domestic landscaping, as directed by Operations Director and Managing Director; to plan and organise jobs, from start to finish, of contracts up to £500,000, including managing and organising of the staff on a daily basis. Good horticultural and extensive landscape knowledge, in hard and soft landscaping required.You will be required to start and finish work at our own site, so ideally located within 30mins drive away.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head Gardener to work on one of the most high profile parks on the Hastings Contract. Reporting to the Neighbourhood Manager, the individual will be a senior member of the grounds maintenance team ensuring work is completed to schedule whilst achieving a high standard by motivating and developing the team. This person must be a confident communicator at all levels and will be expected to build on relationships with Friends & Other user groups.

For more details please go to www.prolandscapermagazine.com and click on the ‘Jobs’ section.

For more details please go to www.prolandscapermagazine.com and click on the ‘Jobs’ section.

carrier landscapes Location: East Midlands

The Landscape Group Location: Hastings

Grounds Maintenance Supervisor

Arborists

Grounds Maintenance Supervisor sought for the Redbridge and Ilford areas overseeing the day to day operations of contracts for schools, highways, communal housing and property management contracts.You will have responsibility for managing 20 staff, organising their daily work schedules and crucially overseeing that the quality of their work matches fully the requirements of the contracts.This will entail site inspections, report writing and client liaison.

Continental Landscapes require qualified arborists with a minimum of two years’ experience to work in Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington. Applicants will need to be highly motivated with a professional approach to all aspects of tree works, at an exciting and challenging time. An excellent remuneration package will be available for the right candidates.

For more details please go to www.prolandscapermagazine.com and click on the ‘Jobs’ section.

For more details please go to www.prolandscapermagazine.com and click on the ‘Jobs’ section.

Andersplus Location: Redbridge

Continental Landscapes Location: Oxfordshire

Parks & Horticultural Manager

Operations Manager

The main purpose of the job is to co-ordinate the day to day running of the contract, encompassing planning of performance and delivery of Parks and Horticultural teams to the required contract specification.

Operations Manager sought to lead the Maintenance/Landscaping team of our East Berkshire based client: a dynamic and expanding company specialising in maintenance/ landscaping and tree surgery. This role is varied and hands-on. It will involve preliminary site visits with the business owner, followed by the planning and co-ordination of contracts, ensuring all works are carried out to a high standard.

For more details please go to www.prolandscapermagazine.com and click on the ‘Jobs’ section.

For more details please go to www.prolandscapermagazine.com and click on the ‘Jobs’ section.

The Landscape Group Location: Hastings

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September 2013

Andersplus Location: Inverness

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

15/08/2013 09:33

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