Pro Landscaper September 2014

Concept to Delivery

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

THE RESULTS

OF OUR SOCIAL MEDIA SURVEY

September 2014

THINKING OF TAKING ON AN

APPRENTICE?

SALTEX A DAY IN THE LIFE OF...

LET’S HEAR IT FROM

BELDERBOS LANDSCAPES

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WELCOME

Concept to Delivery DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

September 2014 | Volume 4, Issue 9

THE RESULTS

OF OUR SOCIAL MEDIA SURVEY

SALTEX

Welcome to September 2014

September 2014

THINKING OF TAKING ON AN

APPRENTICE?

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF...

LET’S HEAR IT FRO M

BELDERBOS

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So here we are in September and already there is a whiff of autumn in the air. It’s a fabulous season full of colour and one when the eye draws you up to look at the beautiful colours of the trees in our landscape.

There has been much talk this year about bringing the next generation into horticulture

ALL ENQUIRIES Tel: 01903 777 570 Eljays44 Ltd 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA EDITORIAL editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk Director – Lisa Wilkinson lisa.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 579 Deputy Editor – Rose Hales rose.hales@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 578

and the rising popularity of apprenticeships so we’ve asked the major players in the industry on their views about taking on apprentices and how it can benefit the business. It’s also worth pointing out that you don’t just have to be a large company to get involved in apprenticeships and the benefits of ‘growing your own’ can be huge.

There’s something very special about playing a part in the development of a young person, see four of the rising stars already reaping the benefits of the scheme on page 12. At the other end of the scale we interviewed Terry Dean, who’s worked within the same park for an amazing 50 years, see his story on page 101.

We recently undertook a snapshot survey about social media, the response was vast which gives a good indication that it is something that is extremely important to the way we work. It’s also

ADVERTISING Business Development Manager – Jamie Wilkinson jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 588 Account Manager – Luke Chaplin luke.chaplin@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 584 Sales Executive – Laura Harris laura.harris@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 580 Horticulture Careers – Ellie Downes ellie.downes@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 587

Equipment Editor – Joe Wilkinson joe.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 577

Accounts Assistant – Lisa Woollard accounts@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 570

Reporter – Alex Farnham alex.farnham@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 573

Managing Director – Jim Wilkinson jim.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 589

EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANEL Mark Gregory Chairman of APL and Landform Consultants Sam Hassall LandPRO Ltd Russell Eales Lawn care expert Karl Harrison Decking expert David Dodd Hard landscaping expert

MARKETING AND CIRCULATION Tel:01903 777571

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Subscription enquiries lewis.dan@eljays44.com

interesting to learn that the three most popular forms of social media are used in totally different ways – we find LinkedIn an invaluable business tool, keep up to date with breaking news and views on Twitter, and Facebook is a great way to let people know what we’re up to and where we’ve been – as well as a place to view photos of all the amazing projects that landscapers and designers have been involved with.

There’s a massive 108 pages to get through this month – we hope you enjoy it!

@jimeljays

@lisaeljays

P.S. Check out pages 30-31 for information on our inaugural Landscape Live event, and pages 62-63 for information of FutureScape – two fantastic events which are not to be missed!

Design – Kara Thomas Olivia White Amy Downes

Pro Landscaper is proud to be an affiliate member of BALI

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

The Association of

Professional Landscapers

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

Pro Landscaper is published 12 times per year by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2014 subscription price is £95.00.

Subscription records are maintained at Eljays44 Ltd, 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA, UK. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of Eljays44 Ltd and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publishers. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, uncommissioned photographs or manuscripts.

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

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CONTENTS

September 2014

6

News Shed Round up of industry news

11 News Extra Four major players in the industry give us their views, plus ones to watch out for

14 News Extra Social media, yes or no? The results of our survey are in…

15 News Extra We caught up with WorldSkillsUK judge Jody Lidgard to find out more about the competition

15

17 Association News BALI announces its move to new offices and upcoming events; news from the RHS Wisley Flower Show and Wild About Gardens Week; the SGD discusses its approaching Autumn Conference: URBAN; the APL reveal with 2014 WorldSkillsUK Landscape Gardening finalists; and efig is still riding high on the success of National Plants at Work Week

21

OPINION

21 View From the Top When it comes to public parks, we’re all talk and no action, says Phil Jones

TECHNICAL

22 Read the Manual!

32 Designing Roof Gardens

Why do we continue to ignore instructions and manuals, asks Angus Lindsay

Liz Acklerley looks at soft landscaping on roof terraces

34 Maximise the Space

25 Onwards and Upwards Andrew Wilson looks at what lies ahead for garden design graduates

Concept to Delivery

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

THE RESULTS

BUSINESS TIPS

OF OUR SOCIAL MEDIA SURVEY

26 Personal Accident Insurance for

SALTEX

Landscapers

Simon Wilson from LIS explores the options available

29 Trustmark Signposting to the best in landscaping

Pro Landscaper / September 2014

Contents August.indd 4

September 2014

THINKING OF TAKING ON AN

APPRENTICE?

37 Let’s Hear It From Ed and Claire Belderbos from Belderbos Landscapes

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF...

LET’S HEAR IT FROM

BELDERBOS LANDSCAPES

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4

New columnist Lucy Summers considers what clients want from their urban gardens

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CONTENTS

CONTRIBUTORS NURSERY

55 Nursery News News bites and information from around the country, including Nursery Notes from The Plantation

56 Plantsman’s Plot Late summer plants and trees from nurseries around the country

59 Nursery Factfile

Phil Jones MD of ISS Facility Services Landscaping Angus Lindsay Head of Fleet at The Landscape Group Andrew Wilson Garden designer and lecturer

A nursery factfile with ReadyHedge

61 RHS Tatton Park Flower Show Jonathan Ward reports on the gardens, plants and exhibitors

65 Tree Planting A solution for every tree planting situation from Platipus Anchors

71 Artificial Grass Information on upgrades, and the latest products available

75 Play Equipment Redriff Primary School fosters an ‘I can do that’ attitude through play

43

77 Seed and Fertiliser Latest Products 78 Go and See at SALTEX 80 A Fire in the Garden Designing a garden with an outdoor fire

PORTFOLIO

43 The Railway Garden Designed by Herald Nicholson Associates and built by Arbour Design and Build including the relocation of the clients’ miniature railway

46 Coca-Cola Roof Garden Gavin Jones constructed a roof garden at the new Coca-Cola headquarters in London

82 Gas Fires Latest Products EQUIPMENT

85 Equipment News 89 SALTEX 2014 Map and Exhibitors 92 Go and See at SALTEX 97 General Latest Kit 98 Trading With SCH Supplies PEOPLE

50 A Healing Garden A garden designed for healing and grieving, by David Keegan www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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101 A Day in the Life of 102 The Little Interview

Simon Wilson MD of Landscaping Insurance Services Simon Ayers Chief Executive Officer of TrustMark Liz Ackerley Garden designer and landscape architect Lucy Summers Garden designer, writer and journalist Jonathan Ward Photographer and garden writer at Ginger Horticulture

ARE YOU GOING? SEPTEMBER 2-4 IOG SALTEX www.iog-saltex.com 15-17 Europlants Autumn Show www.europlants.net 17 Palmstead Soft Landscape Workshop www.palmstead.co.uk OCTOBER 7 Landscape Live Yorkshire County Cricket Ground, Headingley www.landscapelive.co.uk NOVEMBER 18 FutureScape Sandown Park Racecourse www.futurescapeevent.com

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NEWS

NEWS SHED Grant Associates expands presence in Singapore Grant Associates, the UK landscape architecture firm behind Singapore’s acclaimed Gardens by the Bay, is expanding its presence in Singapore to meet growing demand for its services across Asia and Australia. Four new members of staff have joined Grant Associates’ Singapore office adding international expertise and experience to the existing team led by Carly Lamb, Senior Associate and Aymara IzquielLangley, Senior Landscape Architect – both key players in the creation of Gardens by the Bay. The new strategic appointments include Mike Wood, Stefaan Lambreghts, and local landscape architects Yvonne Yung and Mayura Patil.

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Andrew Grant, Director at Grant Associates said: “Singapore is an exciting place where design and environment are high on the agenda of new thinking. It is at the heart of one of the busiest and most ambitious development regions in the world and is leading the way in environmentally innovative planning and design. We’re keen to be an influential part of this journey and believe Singapore offers the perfect location and business environment to allow us to grow as a company.” www.grant-associates.uk.com

ISS UK wins total FM contract with Edinburgh Colleges ISS UK has won a contract to provide both hard and soft Facility Management services to Edinburgh

College, Scotland, one of the UK’s largest regional colleges. The company will cover four main campuses and five satellite sites, delivering a mixture of support functions including services such as cleaning, maintenance, security and landscaping. www.issworld.com

Quadron and clients celebrate another successful year for Green Flags Quadron Services was pleased to learn that it had helped its clients win 68 Green Flag Awards when this year’s results were announced in July. The Green Flag Awards recognise and reward the best parks and green spaces in the country. The company is proud to work in partnership with its clients and local stakeholder groups and is delighted to have contributed to the achievement of four first-time wins for this year: Nursery Row and Surrey Square in Southwark, Bishops Park in Fulham and Wandle Park in Croydon.

Quadron was also pleased to learn that the London Borough of Southwark, whose parks maintenance has been carried out by the company since 1996, has been awarded 19 Green Flags.

This means the Borough can count itself in the top four local

authorities in the UK for the number of Green Flag accredited parks and green spaces.

Quadron’s Managing Director, Clive Ivil, said, “We are extremely proud to maintain 68 of the

country’s best parks and green spaces and thanks must of course go to our staff. We will continue to work with our clients and local stakeholder groups to see the number of Green Flags increase, so that more people can enjoy the benefits of high quality green spaces.” www.quadronservices.co.uk

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NEWS

Last chance to enter into the Marshalls Register Awards 2014

12 September 2014 is the closing date for entries into the Marshalls Register Awards. The competition, open to all Marshalls Register contractors nationally, is an opportunity to celebrate the work of its members, as well as for its assured contractors to showcase their best projects to customers and fellow landscaping professionals.

This year, for the first time, selected Register members will be

invited to judge the regional entries, along with Marshalls Regional Assessors. The results will be announced at the Marshalls Register road shows held later this year.

To enter into the 2014 Marshalls Register awards, members should contact their Marshalls Regional Assessor or Territory Sales Manager to obtain an entry form and all projects submitted must have been undertaken and completed in the period from 1 September 2013 to 31 August 2014.

The overall winner of the awards will be crowned ‘Marshalls Contractor of the Year’ and receive a brand new Toyota Hilux truck. www.marshalls.co.uk

SGD Awards – shortlist announced The judging panel for this year’s SGD Awards has resulted in a shortlist of 30 in the main award categories.

Projects range from inventive pocket-sized plots to a 21st century garden restoration inspired by and honouring Gertrude Jekyll’s historic schemes.

Shortlisted designers include: Charlotte Rowe MSGD, John Wyer

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FSGD, Dan Pearson MSGD, Thomas Hoblyn MSGD, Cleve West MSGD, Amanda Patton MSGD, Patricia Fox MSGD, and Gavin McWilliam (pre-registered member) & Andrew Wilson FSGD. The winners of the 19 awards will be announced at the SGD Awards ceremony on 30 January 2015. www.sgdawards.com

Sunderland City Council landscape team wins RTPI Award The landscape and planning team at Sunderland City Council has won the ‘Excellence in planning and design for the public realm’ category at the RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute) Awards for Planning Excellence for its work to breathe new life into Marine Walk, Roker and Seaburn Promenade. Delivered over two phases, both parts of the scheme include extensive areas of hard and soft landscape, bespoke street furniture, new events spaces, viewing areas and feature lighting.

The judges said: “This transformational project stood out in the way it engaged local people in tackling a longstanding and challenging problem. This is a hugely impressive scheme bringing wide physical, environmental, social and economic benefit to the city of Sunderland and its residents.” www.rtpi.org.uk

NEWS IN BRIEF The Landscape Group shortlisted for apprentices award

The Landscape Group has been shortlisted for the West Midlands final of the National Apprenticeship Awards 2014 in the category of Newcomer Large Employer of the Year (250+ employees).

Lely employee leaves after 32 years

Peter Mansfield, head of the turf division business at Lely UK has left after 32 years with the company.

Glendale goes for bulb planting record in November

Glendale has begun ground preparations for a world record attempt for the most people planting flower bulbs simultaneously (750). The event takes place in November to commemorate the centenary of World War One.

Landspace portfolio: winners of three APL Awards

The Landspace portfolio ‘Plank Canvas’ featured in the July issue of Pro Landscaper was the winner of three 2014 APL Awards: Project Value £25,000-£50,000; Hard Landscaping; and Overall Design and Build.

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NEWS

The Landscape Group Management Conference Early in July, senior managers of The Landscape Group convened in Bournemouth for the fourth annual Management Conference. The conference provides an invaluable opportunity for the company’s management to meet, catch up and exchange ideas about the challenges faced on their contracts

and the solutions they have come up with to overcome them.

Over the course of two days, updates from each of the business’s

critical functions were provided to the team by ‘speed updating’, with a few teamwork exercises thrown in such as providing entertainment at the inaugural ‘TLG’s Got Talent’ and a sandcastle building competition.

Feedback from managers has been very positive. San Johal, HR Director commented that “we have again had a worthwhile and memorable management conference. The disparate nature of our business makes this event an essential part of our business calendar, without which we would not have the occasion to network as extensively as we did, share business updates and bring everyone together around our strategic objectives.” www.thelandscapegroup.co.uk

BREEAM amends guidance on native planting BRE has made subtle changes to the requirements for native planting in BREEAM, its environmental assessment procedure. These follow concerns expressed by landscape architects and horticulturalists that the section on enhancing site ecology was being misinterpreted by architects and BREEAM assessors who frequently believed that only native plants were allowed. The changes, rather than representing a major change in approach, are intended simply as clarification.

Simon Odell, head of technical and professional services at the Landscape Institute, commented,

“I have long believed that if the objective is ecological benefits then the thinking needs to be clear about what species are actually being benefited and what species we should be planting to provide appropriate habitats. So this is an improvement, but the LI is seeking a step change in the way that landscape design and management are taken into account for building and infrastructure projects over the next few years. With the need to make the landscape work smarter, there is a range of ecosystem services, including visual amenity, that need to be engineered to be delivered by developments.” www.landscapeinstitute.co.uk

Seventh European Vocational Competition for Young Gardeners Pro Landscaper attended the European Vocational Competition for Young Gardeners in Switzerland for its seventh bi-annual horticultural competition at the beginning of August.

The competition featured teams of three rising stars selected to represent their countries. Countries entering the competition included: Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Estonia, Czech Republic, Italy,

News Shed.indd 8

Poland, Austria, and Latvia. The competition consists of five national tasks and eight international tasks to be completed over the course of five days. This year the competition took place from 4-8 August in Niederlenz near Zurich in Switzerland. The competitors were tested on their landscaping, propagation and plant skills with points accumulating for each task – this ensured the competitors gained knowledge on all

aspects of horticulture. Switzerland won the crown from Italy this year, however Italy still took second place.

Pro Landscaper has been tasked to enter a British team into the 2016 event in Belgium so if you know of any exceptional young horticulturists who would be interested in testing their skills and knowledge, please let us know!

Contact: editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk

20/08/2014 11:18

The Collection

Introducing

Flora

Native

Wildflowers 20/80 Traditional mixtures containing 20% wildflowers and 80% grasses Mixes for a diverse range of ecological habitats Restore, create and enhance the landscape 14 different mixtures available including Acidic, Chalk & Limestone, Clay. Coastal & Salt, Sandy and Alluvial Loams as well as Wetlands, Hedgerows, Woodland, Flowering Lawns and species rich in Nectar and Pollen.

Natural Meadows

Flora Native is a diverse and comprehensive range of native UK provenance wildflower mixtures that create, restore, and enhance distinct habitats and landscapes.

Specialist grasses complete the collection.

Gentle grassland mixtures containing 95% grasses and 5% wildflowers Grasses provide texture and attractive seed heads Pastel shades of wildflowers provide a glimpse of colour and added interested 3 different mixtures including those for Impoverished Soils, Chalk & Limestone and Summer Flowering.

Wildflowers 100%

– All wild flora are of native or naturalised origin ensuring quality, reliability and performance – Encompass landscape architect specifications – Mixtures of wildflowers and grasses, 100% wildflowers and 100% specialist grasses – Selected species available as plug plants, bulbs and wildflower turf – Features flowering species found in the RHS ‘Perfect for Pollinators’ list – Ecological habitats, reclamation, SuD’s, urban landscapes, green roofs, road and rail, golf courses, country estates…..

– Acidic to alkaline, coastal to clay, wetland to woodland

Ideal where a diversity and abundance of wildflowers would enhance the landscape Restores bio-diversity Creates swaths of colour through cultivate soil in established grassland Ideal where there is a competitive seed bank of grasses already present.

3 different mixtures available including Cornfield Annuals, Green Roof Installation and for Habitat Restoration and Enrichment.

Specialist Grasses 100% Companion sowing with 100% wildflower mixtures Ideal for specific soil types and environmental influences Habitat restoration Soil stabilisation 7 different mixtures available including soils that are Wet or Dry, Heathland/Acid or Chalk/Limestone soils as well as Coastal and Woodland areas.

Freephone 0800 424919 Web site: www.rigbytaylor.com E-mail: sales@rigbytaylor.com AdsTemplate.indd 1

20/08/2014 14:03

LOCALLY SOURCED, BEAUTIFULLY STYLED MAKING YOUR IDEAS, DISTINCTIVELY YOUR OWN

Crafted in Cumbria, Burlington Stone has been adding character and style to landscaping projects for almost two hundred years. It’s hard wearing, colour fast and beautiful, and it’s now available in standard sizes from stock.

Whether you choose from our dimensional paving, tumbled stone setts or decorative aggregates, Burlington Stone can help you create indoor and outdoor spaces that are distinctively your own. Be inspired.

Visit us at www.burlingtonstone.co.uk

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NEWS EXTRA

Apprentices ADVICE FOR YOUR COMPANY Thinking of taking on an apprentice but not sure where to start, or if it’s worth doing? Pro Landscaper spoke to four giants of the industry, Glendale, John O’Conner, Quadron, and The Landscape Group to find out more about their apprenticeship schemes and how it works for them, and also asked them for any advice they’d pass on to smaller companies

How many apprentices do you employ?

Glendale: Around 98 apprentices nationwide in arboriculture, horticulture and grounds maintenance, as well as in administrative positions.

John O’Conner: We currently have over 20 apprentices working towards Work Place Diplomas in Amenity Horticulture Level 2 & 3 via our awardwinning training programme.

Quadron: We take on 12 new apprentices each year, generally commencing with Level 2 in WorkBased Horticulture and progressing to Level 3.

The Landscape Group: Currently we have 32 horticulture apprentices, two of which are undertaking a specific Apprenticeship Framework with The Royal Parks. We also have a Higher Apprentice who works in our Human Resources team.

What are the terms?

Glendale: Our apprentices are taken on for three to five years, during which time they will undertake a relevant NVQ up to Level 3, and other essential qualifications and training.

John O’Conner: We are an equal opportunities employer and currently take on apprentices of any age, including existing employees for an 18 month course period. The apprentices work on English and maths skills, gardening, sports grounds, playgrounds, grass cutting, www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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landscaping and streetscape work.

Then they progress up to level-four courses.

Quadron: We limit the number of apprentices taken on each year so that a permanent position at the end of the apprenticeship is always available; we believe it is vital for the apprentice to see a secure future and career progression ahead of them.

We require no specific academic or other achievements prior to commencement, just a willingness to work and learn. We prefer to recruit people living within the contract area to aid local sustainability.

The Landscape Group: All apprentices are employed on a fixed term contract of 16 months.

However, we have a policy of placing all who successfully complete their apprenticeship into permanent roles.

We are committed to our ‘Grow our own’ strategy; losing apprentices upon completion is not an option.

creat resto

trans

maint Grow Your Own Experts: Ben Saunders, Arboricultural

Arboricultural Apprenticeship

Apprentice

Ben Saunders is currently traini progress as a whole. words of advice? ng as an ArboriculturalAny Apprentic e, working from the Aylesbury depo t. Ben is working towards his Level Apprenticeship 2 Work John O’Conner: believe in Glendale: place DiplomaWe in Trees and Timber, which he is study ing with SLIC training, The Land ‘growing own’d and scape manyGrou of p’s apprenticeprogrammes make perfect business ship training provider. our Ben starte his course in October 2013 and is on track finish at the end of this year. our past apprentices are now sense fortocommitted employers

Ben was team leaders andtosupervisors.

Our as they provide a stable platform attracted the arboricultu ral apprenticeship as he loves the outdoors, saying he was “always outside and programme brought increased forupsuccession planning; creating, a tree as a child”. Benhas continues: “I love my role with a passion as it is demanding, keeps me fit and effi ciencies and improved staff moulding and developing the model being high up trees work ing is very adrenaline inducing” something which he says he lives for. performance and motivation levels. employee who understands and Ben is currently working in a two man team Our have been delighted with and hasappreciates the core values of the developed great clients relationsh ips with both his contract manager Jimi and his fellow climber. Ben’s team mate has the enthusiastic apprentices and the organisation.

Investment in people is been a great help to him, teaching him new things every day and stepping into the ment or long term stability of any role comfortably. the programme brings. opportunities key to the We says believe it isalour duty give back business.

Ben his typic day involves “getting all of the tools ready, Ben says putting my harness on and enjoyup s both climb aspects of his course and is to the community and really John O’Conner: he Build strong ing!make We carry out a lot of tree finding maintenance duties for Vale more and more is ‘sticking in of Aylesbury Housing Trust and my head’ as he progresses thr these will the cours normally inclu a difference indesomeone’s lifecrow by ning links with your training provider. We e. branch removal, and felling” providing these opportunities. work with Capel College, Asked Ben says:Manor about the “My bigge impact of the recent storms st challenge was gaining my and bad weather, Ben aeria tree climbing continued: “I’m not personally l rescue ticketTech on 23rd Nov 2013 which was Quadron: We believe that KEITS and Birmingham fussed about working in challenging the bad physically and ment weather we have just had as ally, but really good. In the futur I have been working outdoors e I would in all this weat to comp her for the past apprentices are five important ensure College; support will really lete my appre ntice years, butto ship and progress with the company obviously if it the wind is too strong then we can’t climb trees maybe travel at some point. as it’s just too risky. “ benefit both the company and the that formal qualifications and skills Throughout the course of “I would definitely recommend his levels are retained so that as older to realise the potentialthisofapprenticeship to others, I h appre ntice ship, Ben isapprentices learning really practical skills such as new benefited from it and it is really techniques, best practice and satisfying to get the job do riggin g while inemployees Thanksworking. addition to retire and learning TLG for giving me this opportuni profession al their skills experience such as tree identification, ty.” including formal latin name s, and how to carry out treeQuadron: is lost, there are new skills to replace Pairone upword an descr apprentice surveys. Ben’s iption of his apprenticeship – Awesome. www .thelcombining andscapegrou p.coideas them, fresh with an experienced member of .uk and Tel: 0800 917 626 innovations with tried and tested staff to act as their mentor and to techniques. ensure that they are welcomed into The Landscape Group: The age the workforce and made part of the demographic is drifting upwards, team. We have also found it better Why do you think taking on which means although we currently to recruit in pairs so that they are apprentices is important for have a knowledgeable and working with someone facing the the industry? experience-rich workforce, we have same issues as themselves.

Glendale: Apprenticeships provide to look at entry level positions into The Landscape Group: Embrace it! people with the opportunity to the industry and think of attractive Try it out in small steps if you are not discover, unlock and embrace and engaging ways to bring new sure, examine the successes their full potential. The passion and talent in. Our apprenticeship scheme and failures of that trial, learn from enthusiasm of apprentices adds a provides an academic and vocational it and then go again. We owe it to fresh and vibrant edge to the industry opportunity which appeals to a wide the industry to continually invest in that benefits everybody. Ultimately, the mix of people, and enables us to bring new talent. apprentices of today will become the in people of diverse backgrounds Turn over the page to see our highly skilled individuals of tomorrow, to mould and develop into the apprentices to watch! enabling the industry to grow and experienced staff of the future.

Pro Landscaper / September 2014 11

18/08/2014 16:28

NEWS EXTRA

Ones to watch...

Each company nominates an apprentice to watch out for in the future

Shanice Mitchell – Glendale Described by Tod Hale, general manager for Glendale Birmingham as “a ray of sunshine”, administration apprentice Shanice deals with customer queries, helps with the day-to-day running of the office and is even being trained in organising staff wages.

Tod said: “Shanice is a quick learner who always asks good, relevant questions and works well with existing members of the Glendale team. She holds a key role, our administrative staff are just as important as our operatives – perhaps even more so – and are essential to the smooth day to day running of the contracts.”

Ben Saunders – The Landscape Group

Ben Saunders is currently training as an Arboricultural Apprentice, working from the Aylesbury depot. Ben is working towards his Level 2 Workplace Diploma in Trees and Timber, which he is studying with SLIC training, The Landscape Group’s apprenticeship training provider. Ben started his course in October 2013 and is on track to finish at the end of this year. Ben’s team mate has been a great help to him, Grow Your Own Experts: Ben Saunders, Arboricultural Apprentic teaching him new things every day and stepping into the mentor role Arboricultural Apprenticeship comfortably. “I would definitely Ben recommend this apprenticeship to others, Saunders is currently training as an Arboricultural Apprentice, working from the Aylesbury depot. Ben is working towards his Level 2 Workplace Diploma insatisfying Trees and Timber, is studying I have really benefited from it and it is hugely to which get hethe job done. with SLIC training, The Landscape Group’s apprenticeship training provider.

Ben started his course in October 2013 and is on track to Thanks to TLG for giving me this opportunity.” finish at the end of this year.

Ben’s one word description Ben of his apprenticeship – awesome. was attracted to the arboricultural apprenticeship as he loves the outdoors, saying he was “always outside and up a tree as a child”. Ben continues: “I love my role with a passion as it is demanding, keeps me fit and being high up trees working is very adrenaline inducing” something which he says he lives for.

Max Brown – John O’Conner Max Brown was unemployed and attended workplace taster sessions, completing his Work Based Diploma Level 1 in Landbased Industries with Groundwork Charity. He was then given the opportunity to join our apprenticeship programme to complete his Level 2. He will now be progressing onto his Level 3 diploma in September and has been impressing managers with his motivation and drive to succeed.

Max shows excellent initiative and thrives on challenges, one of the reasons why he has been promoted to Team Leader at only 19 years old on our Circle Housing contract. We look forward to him developing his key skills and training with our award-winning programme and are confident he will be ‘one to watch’ at John O’Conner.

Apprentices.indd 12

Ben is currently working in a two man team and has developed great relationships with both his contract manager Jimi and his fellow climber. Ben’s team mate has been a great help to him, teaching him new things every day and stepping into the mentor role comfortably.

Natalie Meredith – Quadron

Ben says his typical day involves “getting all of the tools ready,

Ben says he enjoys both aspects of his co

Natalie Meredith is an Apprentice in my Dulwich putting harness on and climbing! We carry out a lot of tree more and more is ‘sticking in my head’ as maintenance duties for Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust and these the course.

Park, part of Quadron’s Southwark contract. will normally include branch removal, crowning and felling” Ben says: “My biggest challenge was gainin Asked about the impact of the recent storms and bad weather, Ben aerial rescue ticket on 23rd Nov 2013 whi Natalie’s interest in horticulture was ignited continued: “I’m not personally fussed about working in the bad physically and mentally, but really good. In weather we have while working in her aunt’s florists and shejust had as I have been working outdoors in all to complete my apprenticeship and progres weather for the past five years, but obviously if it the wind is too maybe travel at some point. strong then we can’t climb trees as it’s just too risky. “ jumped at the chance of an apprenticeship “I would definitely recommend this appren Throughout the course of his apprenticeship, Ben is learning really benefited from it and it is really satisf with Quadron. She completed her Level 2 as new techniques, best practice and rigging Thanks TLG for giving me this opportunity.” practical skills such in addition to professional skills such as tree identification, including formal Diploma in Work-Based Horticulture and latin is names, and how to carry out tree surveys. Ben’s one word description of his apprenti now working towards Level 3. www.thelandscapegroup.co.uk Natalie is mentored by Quadron Head Gardener Gerry Kelsey, who says “her level of work and theory is absolutely spot on. Natalie’s attention to detail is different from other apprentices I’ve had and her communication skills are absolutely amazing. She’s a delight to work with.” Natalie was honoured to be named as the Green-tech Landscape Apprentice of the Year in 2013.

18/08/2014 16:31

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19/08/2014 21:11

NEWS EXTRA

Social media: yes or no?

Social media and its use for business is a topic that often comes up and generates passionate responses from both sides.

We’ve looked at how to maximise your presence on social media in previous articles, and why this might be benefit your business.

We conducted a survey to find out more and took the first 100 responses. So what do you really think? Well we’ll tell you…

DO YOU USE SOCIAL MEDIA? It does not come as a surprise that the top three social media sites used by landscaping and garden design professionals are Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn – with LinkedIn just taking the lead, used by a huge 83% of those who answered ‘yes’ to using social media for business.

This was closely followed by Twitter (at 77%) and Facebook (at 74%).

The main point that this suggests is that landscape professionals are using social media as a business tool rather than simply for social

“It’s the way forward in the advertising world.”

Steve Smith, Shore Landscapes

interacting or procrastination.

LinkedIn, as specifically a ‘businessoriented social networking service’ is used primarily for professional networking.

Even though clearly the majority are fans of social media and find it useful for business, there are still 24% who disagree. Most blame lack of time or simply being busy enough without using it, although other reasons given were lack of trust, or being uncertain of its use or relevance for their work.

“It reaches a wide audience that we would otherwise not be able to contact.”

Sarah Beauchamp, Tracmaster Ltd

“Quick, easy to use and fun”.

Janine’s favourite person to follow is James Alexander-Sinclair.

Janine Pattison

Yes No.indd 14

Answers to the survey show that the majority of landscape and maintenance contractors, garden designers and landscape architects are using some form of social media, but why? The predominant reasons given are networking, PR and the allure of free advertising, although these are not exclusively the reasons.

Many recognise the fantastic outreach that social media provides, allowing companies to extend their networks out to the networks of their own connections, just like word of

“Social media is useful for making connections, providing information, sharing client’s successes, and useful articles/info.”

Caroline Littler, Lindum Turf

mouth but faster and wider. It is also recognised that there is importance in having a ‘social media presence’, and being part of a community – social media allows landscaping professionals to share ideas with like-minded individuals.

And who are you following?

Well quite a few names came up, including James Alexander Sinclair, Marshalls Paving and Register, Bowles & Wyer, Phil Jones (ISS), Patricia Fox, Liz Ackerley, and Adam Frost.

“It is good for our business. It helps keep us up to date with what other people are doing in the business and it is a good way to communicate.

It is interesting seeing photos of others work.”

Hilary Oakley, Oakley Landscapes

Karl Harrison from Exterior Decking admits to both posting and checking “numerous times a day”.

18/08/2014 14:44

NEWS EXTRA

WorldSkillsUK competition JODY LIDGARD The WorldSkillsUK national competition was held at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park in July, we caught up with judge, landscape designer and contractor Jody Lidgard to find out more about the competition

What’s the process of the competition?

Applications are open from February with a pre selection event being run in April. Plans for the national heat are released three months prior to the competition giving competitors the opportunity to build elements of the test piece and iron out any issues with the build. This is vital, you can really see the difference between the guys who have prepared for competition and those who have not.

The national competition is held at RHS Tatton Park during July. Competitors are expected to reach the benchmark set by the WorldSkillsUK team in order to qualify for the final; all competitors could potentially qualify at this stage.

After competing at Tatton Park competitors are encouraged to go away and work on the areas outlined

by the judging team. The finals take place at the NEC in Birmingham in November; the halls are a demanding environment to work in, artificial lighting, concrete floors, large crowds of people and less hours to complete the test project. Competitors need to work on their physical fitness alongside their core skills to give them the edge needed to be the National Landscape Champion.

What level should young people be at when entering and what skills are they required to show during the competition?

The competition tests entrants in specific fields, these include: small unit paving (setts and block paving), paving, woodwork, horticulture, planting and soil preparation. Both horizontal and vertical aspects will be tested, and water features are often included. Landscape gardening really is a multi-skilled discipline that demands a great deal of skill from the young people involved.

Contestants should have a basic grasp of the core skills required on a landscape site, these include: ● Being able to take-off

from a plan, mark out on-site, tie and maintain a taught string line. ● Maintain a general level of fitness and mental focus. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

World Skills News Extra.indd 15

● Manage their own time and plan

their days effectively with deadlines and objectives. ● Demonstrate a site discipline with emphasis on cleanliness and health and safety.

What can young people hope to gain by taking part and what will they learn?

There is a tremendous amount to gain, as well as improving their core skills on-site, their general attitude, self-esteem and aspiration goes through the roof.

Competition creates competent industry champions who can go out there and take their place as part of an organisation/business or as self-employed entrepreneurs with a competitive edge to themselves.

Who is on the judging panel, and how are the builds judged?

The judging panel consists of a mix of experienced people from the landscape industry.

Judging is split down into objective and subjective marking criteria with work being marked within set tolerances based on the WorldSkills standards.

How much of the competition is teamwork and how much is individual?

At a national competition we are looking at individual skill levels.

However being in a closed working environment competitors will invariably need to demonstrate team working skills during the competition. Qualifying competitors will be eligible for entry into the International Squad where the Training Manager will be looking for the best two young people to go forward into the team and ultimately represent the UK in an international arena.

How do you encourage young people to get involved?

The APL have taken the reigns as the organising partner. Reaching out to employers and colleges and raising awareness of the competition is high on the list of priorities, only through a pro-active drive in this direction will we see increased participation in the competition. I feel that we need to offer clear guidelines to employers and tutors of how the notion of competition can be embedded into both curriculum and day to day work within a company without stretching workload unduly.

Pro Landscaper / September 2014 15

20/08/2014 11:10

Advertisement Feature

pleased to announce, the popular design fth year. The competition has attracted attention ksons HQ in Kent.

ightly changed format to keep it fresh, with acksons: fencing materials and garden ginal designs for furniture and structures to the ill supply hard landscaping materials, plants and to :jacksons-fencing.co.uk/show-gardens

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ry Garden by Joanne Winn, one of the 2013 winners.

Under the pergola in Mediterranean Mems 12/12/2013 10:35

I have just finished the fairly hefty task of editing and uploading some 200 photos I have recently taken of the show gardens here at Jacksons. This was in an effort to make sure I keep the website updated to show how the gardens are maturing.

In past years I have focused on showing the completed projects at the time they have been completed, and there’s no doubt they look great then and draw many compliments from visitors.

However, after returning from a couple of weeks away to take a hard earned break, I trotted out to have a look at how things were going with the gardens and I was amazed at what I saw. No doubt the fantastic weather we’ve had throughout July and a bit of August, has helped encourage growth, glorious hot sun interspersed with plentiful rain could be considered perfect conditions I guess. Plus the fact that I’ve had some help from a very good gardening lady, Jane, who helps keep the deadheading, weeding and tidying under control, so I don’t suffer anxiety attacks quite so often when I venture out after very busy periods (thank you so much Jane!).

Well this was definitely the spur I needed to get my camera out and it was a very pleasant few hours I spent feasting on the flowers, the colours, the light and relationships between

all the elements, like paving, stones, water features, sculpture and gorgeous Jacksons timber, of course!

Talking of which, I really must draw your attention to one of our products that has had its popularity boosted by being included in the Mediterranean memories garden. The ungrooved version of Jakwall landscape timbers have come into their own. You can see in the pictures here it was used to create raised beds for planting, housing for a water feature and ingeniously a bench seat. It looks fantastic, I’m sure you will agree, many visitors were impressed, as was the landscaper who built the garden. Ian Day said it was so much better than using sleepers, it was lighter and had very nice chamfered edges. Well that’s a definite thumbsup for the Jakwall.

You can see all the latest photos as discussed by going to our website, www.jacksons-fencing. co.uk and clicking on the Galleries tab at the top, then selecting Show Gardens 14. I hope you enjoy them, info on Jakwall is on the site too.

See you at Landscape late September if you are going, or maybe FutureScape in November.

Louise Tomlin

Tropical long view in July

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20/08/2014 09:32

Association

ASSOCIATION NEWS

NEWS

BALI Bio-Solar Roofs event Well known environmental campaigner, wildlife consultant and green infrastructure advocate, Dusty Gedge, spoke at a BALI workshop on bio-solar roofs in July. Sponsored by BALI Affiliate member OnSite Training UK, the event gave valuable advice on where and how to combine solar panels with biodiverse roofs; it can be done and it enhances the environmental benefit of green roofs in built-up areas.

BALI briefing Visit us in our new offices!

BALI Landscape House staff are now settled in their lovely new home at Stoneleigh Park. The refurbished building comprises a landscaped frontage, main open-plan ground floor office with the Chief Operations Officer’s office adjacent, and upstairs an impressively large meeting room, plus a break-out room and kitchen. Free parking is readily available to the rear of the building.

It bears little resemblance to its former life as the Keenan building, which was completely gutted, leaving just the basic structure for transforming into a building worthy of the UK’s leading landscape industry body. BALI members are very welcome to visit and to see the excellent conference/meeting room facilities available to them to hire at well below market rates.

BALI success at Tatton Members in the North West are celebrating the RHS Silver-gilt medal awarded to the BALI garden, Vogue, at the RHS Tatton

RHS report RHS Wisley Flower Show 2-7 September TV chef, author and RHS Ambassador for Grow Your Own, Mary Berry, will be opening the RHS Wisley Flower Show and signing copies of her books on Tuesday 2 September. The show is set to be a colourful one with the National Dahlia Society showing gorgeous blooms from more than 100 exhibitors and the

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Association News.indd 17

NAFAS (the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies) putting on displays of floral art.

RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Palace Flower Show medal winning nurseries will be exhibiting their very best plants for sale, along with garden sundries, furniture, tools, decoration and more.

On 6 and 7 September visitors can enter the ‘My Best Garden Dahlia’ competition, by taking a single stem along to

Park Flower Show in July. The garden’s designer and project manager Belinda Belt was full of

Coping with slopes’ event at Draycote Water near Rugby BALI-NCF will be running an industry event for grounds maintenance contractors responsible for managing embankments and difficult slopes on 16 October. For further information, contact jonathan.tame@bali.org.uk.

praise for the BALI contractors who built the garden and the amazing BALI Affiliate (supplier) members whose products were used in its construction. Another triumph for the professionalism and talents of BALI members.

the Dahlia Marquee by noon to be judged by a panel of experts with prizes announced at 3pm each day. While at the show, visitors can explore RHS Garden Wisley and enjoy the late summer borders, magnificent grasses and the inspirational sculptures on display from the Surrey Sculpture Society.

For more information visit: www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley Get involved in Wild About Gardens Week 15-21 September Last year the Royal Horticultural Society and The Wildlife Trust (TWT) teamed up to launch Wild About Gardens Week, an initiative designed to help halt the decline of British wildlife. Now in its second year the RHS and TWT are once again

urging people to get involved and do one thing to support the UK’s wildlife population throughout the third week of September.

The focus for this year’s campaign is to help our pollinators ahead of the publication of the National Pollinators Strategy for England in the autumn. Throughout Wild About Gardens Week the RHS and TWT are encouraging gardeners to do all they can to help protect pollinating insects over the colder months.

Many RHS Britain in Bloom groups, schools and Wildlife Trust visitor centres are getting involved in activities and events throughout the week. To get inspiration or to log your own WAG event visit the Wild About Gardens website: www.wildaboutgardensweek. org.uk

Pro Landscaper / September 2014 17

20/08/2014 11:12

ASSOCIATION NEWS

of urban gardens to create spaces that are distinct and fitting to their environment, including the garden for Maggie’s Centre West London and the proposed London Garden Bridge over the Thames.

SGD bulletin SGD Autumn Conference: URBAN The SGD Autumn Conference on Saturday November 2014 promises to be another stimulating day for garden designers and garden enthusiasts alike. Taking the theme ‘urban’, the conference will bring a host of inspiring speakers together to explore the creation of gardens for builtup areas, from every angle.

As Philippa O’Brien MSGD, Chair of the SGD Conference Committee, explains: “Urban gardens take many different forms: from balconies in Salford to bridges across the Thames; from sheltered courtyards to exposed roof gardens; and from small plots behind terraced houses to the ground gained

between buildings. Whatever their type, most urban gardens are small, yet the smallest of spaces can express the biggest ideas. All have to deal with complexities that come with the territory of towns and cities: air pollution, shade, difficult access, party walls, dominant boundaries, lack of privacy, drainage issues – the list goes on. Then there is the wider issue of greening our cities – how making gardens enhances and invigorates urban life. Our panel of speakers will examine all of these issues and more.”

The speakers ● Dan Pearson MSGD who combines his horticultural training and interest in the natural world in the design

APL update The 2014 WorldSkills UK Landscape Gardening finalists were revealed at RHS Flower Show Tatton in July. Following a 22 hour build in sweltering temperatures at the show, 1

18

Pro Landscaper / September 2014

Association News.indd 18

year old Robert Wylie of CAFRE was declared the top scorer of the Landscape Gardening Competition, organised by the APL. However all six students that took part reached the

Dan Pearson MSGD

● Patrick Cullina who

served as the founding Vice President of Horticulture and Park Operations for New York City’s High Line, and was previously Vice President of Horticulture, Operations and Science Research for Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

He will bring a breadth of

ualifying benchmark for the finals. Richard Carden from Reaseheath College, Sam Burks from Bishop Burton College, Dean Thomson, Jonathan Buchanan and Ronan McLarnon from CAFRE will all now progess and compete again in the final at The Skills Show where one of them will win Gold and be crowned the UK’s Best Landscape Robert Wylie Gardener.

experience to the day – his New York City based business has a particular focus on creating beautiful and resonant public and private urban spaces. ● James Fraser, who founded Avant Gardener in the 1980s and uses a holistic approach to design and build landscapes that change lives for the better. ● Sue Illman, a landscape architect and garden designer who specialises in the creative integration of SuDS – Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems in urban design, from large-scale schemes down to SuDS features for schools.

URBAN: SGD Autumn Conference – Saturday 8 November 2014 Book by 19 September 2014 for discounted ‘early bird’ tickets. Visit the SGD website www.sgd.org.uk or call the SGD Head Office on Tel: 019 9 5 95

The Skills Show will take place 13-15 November at the Birmingham NEC and finalists compete to be named the ‘Best in the UK’ in front of 70,000 people.

The garden at RHS Flower Show Tatton was designed by Alexandra Froggatt and competitors were scored in every aspect of landscape design including:

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/08/2014 11:14

ASSOCIATION NEWS

efig outline Still riding high on the success of National Plants at Work Week We are still all revved up with excitement by the success of the second annual National Plants at Work Week which took place in July. Thanks to efig members and Pro Landscaper the week was a roaring success.

The aim was to get word out about the importance of plants in the workplace, and we reached near-on 100,000 people via social media alone.

There were eight pop-up offices in total in locations including Harbour Exchange, St Pancras Station, Cannon Street Station, Associated Newspapers, the centre of Nottingham, and Exeter.

The week kicked off with the announcement of this year’s Office Plant of the Year, Echeveria. The news reached a total of almost 9,000 people via Facebook and Twitter. Interestingly the very same plant was August’s Houseplant of the Month promoted by The Joy of Plants.

Clients’ support recognised One member with offices around the country rewarded clients with certificates for

● Plan and mark out, including

height measurements. ● Hard landscape features including, small unit paving, block work, paving with flagstones, foundations and footings, water features. ● Timber work, pergolas, fence details, decking. ● Plants and turf. This includes both plan and freestyle planting methods.

Judges for the landscape gardening competition included garden designer Jody Lidgard,

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Association News.indd 19

recognising the importance of plants in the workplace and having installations in place already. Another member rewarded clients with a free plant to mark the week. A variety of other activities took place including email shots, another took plants and information to a business networking meeting to spread the word. A few fun selfies were taken at popup offices and one member used the ‘hat of knowledge’ to pass on the information about plants and make their pop-up office a great deal of fun at the same time.

Stonehenge to Liverpool’s Clock Tower and the Jamaica Inn and many places in between including the engine of an aircraft at Manchester Airport!

One even made it on a radio programme in the South West.

We are always trying to spread the word about plants but we will focus all our energies on 2015. Save the date now: 13-17 July 2015.

Plants everywhere Some members took part in a competition to find the plant that showed up in the most unusual place. efig actually saw 85 of these photos with houseplants showing up in a variety of iconic locations from

who has run his own landscaping firm for over 1 years, award winning APL member Rod Winrow from Garden House Design and 2011 WorldSkillsUK medal winner Simon Abbott.

Lead judge Jody Lidgard said; “Congratulations to all the competitors. It was a very close competition and workmanship was high in all gardens. I have every admiration for the lads who just kept going despite the heat. They should all be proud of their achievements

and they have represented their colleges with pride.”

APL Chairman, Mark Gregory said: “We are proud to be the landscaping partner with WorldSkills UK. We want to raise the profile of the APL as being the leading landscaping trades association.

The APL’s partnership with WorldSkills demonstrates our ongoing pledge of encouraging landscaping excellence and raising the profile of vocational skills.”

Pro Landscaper / September 2014 19

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OPINION

VIEW FROM THE TOP When it comes to public parks, we’re all talk and no action, says Phil Jones

In the past month I have read an unprecedented level of press coverage and comment regarding public parks and open spaces. Most has been focused on the latest comment or proposed actions from this organisation or that body. For example, I’ve seen the State of Parks Report

spending reviews. The lack of money seems to signal a lack of care, rather than a greater focus on what can be done within the budget.

Still nothing seems to happen. Who is fighting for this most precious of our public assets?

I see an unhealthy balance of people

saying that 45 per cent of local authorities are considering either selling their parks and green spaces or transferring their management to others, that ice cream vans are to be used to bring revenue to parks (somewhat small minded, given that a ‘99’ is about £2.50?). Alongside that the Heritage Lottery Fund says our parks are under threat and yet we have more people using them and a trend towards greater community involvement. There’s more! MP Eric Pickles has said that parks need to sell off their assets to protect frontline services.

My overriding thought is “Lots of talk, but where’s the action? Why does nobody actually do anything about it?”

Parks have been in decline for years, as have a number of services in the public sector. We’ve seen this happening slowly, right under our noses. Blame has been laid at the door of increased vandalism as a result of a fundamental breakdown in our social fabric in the late eighties onwards, a resultant lack of care and responsibility for our own actions and more recently the dreaded spectre of comprehensive

who say they care, with those who have it in their power to do something, and do nothing. Over the first part of the summer I seem to have spent more time in parks recreationally than I have perhaps ever before and I have seen people who are doing something about it.

What kind of action am I talking about? Why not take the lead from a well-managed park, such as Parade

HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND SAYS OUR PARKS ARE UNDER THREAT AND YET WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE USING THEM AND A TREND TOWARDS GREATER COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Gardens in Bath. The standard of horticulture is as good as the best I have seen anywhere and they still have 3D bedding and plenty of herbaceous and bedding schemes. There is a well-run café that is well frequented by the park users and a bandstand that hosts a wide variety of music throughout the summer at weekends. For people

Both images: Parade Gardens, Bath

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View From The Top.indd 21

wishing to dwell and take in the view of the River Avon or Bath Abbey, depending on which way your free deck chair (first

come, first served) is facing, there is plenty of space to picnic and relax. I have seen people reading, children playing, adults sleeping and tourists marvelling at the sights around the gardens, within and without.

What I have not seen is anyone objecting to the small charge levied upon non-locals for access to the gardens. Nor have I seen anyone turning away when confronted with a pay booth. Maybe it is coincidence that members of the public have to pay to get in and that the standards of the park are above average.

Is there any connection I wonder?

I would be willing to bet that there is.

This is an example of effective parks management and not one which is a recent change. I believe if we take action in the form of offering what the public wants in our parks and open spaces and engage them in a partnership that sees them contributing to that service where appropriate, we will need to talk less and will be doing more. A bit like us all collectively putting our money where our mouth is and encouraging others to do the same.

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.

Follow Phil Jones: @philjonesISS Follow ISS Landscaping: @ISSLandscaping

www.isslandscaping.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / September 2014 21

18/08/2014 14:41

OPINION

READ THE MANUAL!

resulted in the return of a perfectly serviceable machine. Why do we have such an aversion to reading the instructions? Machines have always been supplied with operator and service manuals and these are even more comprehensive now to cover all eventualities, it’s a pity they end up Ignoring the manufacturer covered in dust on a shelf or buried at the instructions and service bottom of a filing cabinet (probably still in their manuals leads to plastic wrapper). Don’t just take my word for it, preventable machine check for yourself. failures and expensive and Manufacturers have worked hard to lower the time-consuming repairs, running costs of their machines by reducing so why do we continue to service intervals and fitting low maintenance, long do it, asks Angus Lindsay life components. This is all well and good but it relies on the operator/manager/owner to adhere So there you are with your flat pack Ikea® to the service schedules and undertake daily bookcase (probably called Schpolt), you get all preventative maintenance, this information is the bits out and attempt to assemble it totally comprehensively detailed in the instruction book ignoring the multi-page assembly instructions. that is supplied with the machine in a variety of After several hours it’s finally assembled – well languages, but despite this, important first sort of – and guess what, there are bits left over! services are missed, warranties voided, bearings Ironically as a child you probably spent hours fail, cooling systems become clogged leading to lovingly creating a Spitfire from a plastic kit, catastrophic engine failures… the list is endless meticulously following every instruction to ensure but in all cases, preventable. I could put this down you had the authentic look right down to painting to inexperience, lack of skills, lack of training, the glint in the pilot’s goggles. pressure of work... but none of this adds up when The other week I watched two members of you consider the cost of the downtime from not staff – one a mechanic – attempt to commission a following basic, simple instructions. I implore new air compressor and I was astounded when everyone reading this to check where the they came to me saying that it was broken operator manuals are for their machines and would have to go back. Upon and review their preventative investigation I eventually found the maintenance programme. instruction manual buried at the There is a simple answer to bottom of the box and yes, there this problem which starts with was an extra part – only it setting standards, sticking to wasn’t extra, it was the drain them and regularly checking plug. You can guess the rest but them. Don’t wait for an expensive now at least the compressor is repair to highlight a system failure. operational and holding air.

You might consider using the operator This failure to follow basic We used to read the manuals from a variety of machines as a manufacturer instructions not only instructions so what’s changed? guide to produce your own wasted time on the day but could have 22

Pro Landscaper / September 2014

Angus Lindsay.indd 22

Comprehensive operator manuals are available with all machines, so use them!

maintenance and service programme specific to the operational use of your machines and the conditions they work in. Many people are still happy with one major winter service and a minor in-season service, but what does the machine’s hour clock tell you? This combination may suffice if your machine completes around 400 hours per annum in the hands of a skilled operator who regularly maintains it, but what if it works double those hours cutting highway verges or housing sites in the hands of a seasonal employee? You definitely need to think again. As to getting people to follow instruction books, you could always buy them an Airfix® kit and see how they get on, failing that I’m sure Ikea® can come up with an amusingly named flat pack conundrum!

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

Returning to the UK he joined Glendale as machinery manager in 1994 – going on to become Company Engineer – before joining The Landscape Group in 2009 as Group Head of Assets and Fleet. Contact:

alindsay@thelandscapegroup.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

15/08/2014 14:11

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OPINION

JUGGLING THE TIME FOR ACTUAL FEE EARNING WORK AGAINST FINDING AND WINNING THAT WORK IS HARD, ESPECIALLY FOR A ONE MAN BAND AS SO MANY DESIGNERS ARE

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS Andrew Wilson looks at the future for garden design graduates as they leave their studies behind on the road to gaining experience As I waved goodbye to our LCGD class of 2014 graduates in July, I couldn’t help but wonder how many of them will make it. I always ponder on this subject – in fact many of them do make a success of their new career but it’s a long and winding road as Paul McCartney once sang.

For all start ups, about one third of new businesses fail in their first year with almost half failing to make it through a second year. Although garden designers tend to do well against this background it’s easy to see that garden design is not for the shrinking violet.

As garden design remains a relatively solitary career, it can be difficult to come to terms with the fact that much of one’s life is about promotion and connectivity. Figures suggest that often only 35-40 per cent of a garden designer’s time is spent productively designing or supporting design work, leaving a whopping 60 per cent or so doing other ‘stuff’. While some of this www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Andrew Wilson.indd 25

‘stuff’ is useful admin, it would be a foolish designer who ignored PR and networking as this often produces the next or future commissions.

For most graduates it may be possible to find one contact in their current social network who might be persuaded to commission a modest garden project. Let’s say that typically the project may take three to four months to complete from initial meeting to completion. If we assume that a modest project might cost £30,000 to build and plant and that a designer (according to the SGD fee mechanism) might earn £4,500 for that design should it be taken through to completion, then a designer needs to win at least four projects a year to hit the dizzy heights of £22k in earnings and that’s not clear profit!

More importantly, where do the other projects come from? Admittedly happy clients will often recommend within their own networks but these subsequent commissions rarely fall happily into place one after another. This is not a plea for sympathy, more an observation that juggling the time for actual fee earning work against finding and winning that work is hard, especially for a one man band as so many designers are.

Some designers may certainly benefit from a more

expansive social network than others or they may be able to tap into the wider network of professionals acquired through a previous career.

As a teacher I can do nothing about this but I also see highly talented designers struggling at the bottom of the ladder as they graduate, not because they have no skill or ability but because they may encounter difficulty making good client connections.

Competition between designers is generally a good thing but only if the work to be competed for is accessible. So many schemes are simply awarded because of who is known as opposed to who is worthy or capable.

In our small way at London College, we offer our graduates web space to effectively give them a voice as they leave and start to work and we have enjoyed some success with this. Perhaps we as a college need to expand this service although obviously we have a vested interest in our own graduates. With suitable sponsorship it would be possible to create a showcase for all garden design graduates in a virtual format. There are already other design fairs in existence but garden design is often squeezed out to higher profile creatives – this would be something purely for garden designers that would be easily accessible and visual.

The opportunity to circumvent the ‘old boy’s network’ so to speak and allow fresh talent and ability to shine through has got to be a worthy aim.

Let this be the start of an appeal!

ABOUT ANDREW WILSON Andrew Wilson is a landscape and garden designer and a Director of Wilson McWilliam Studio. He is also a Director of the London College of Garden Design, an author, writer and lecturer. www.wmstudio.co.uk

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15/08/2014 14:04

BUSINESS TIPS

How would you pay your bills if you had an accident and couldn’t work? An important question that is rarely asked. Simon Wilson from Landscaping Insurance Services explores the available options Most people insure everything in life – their home, pets and car. If someone breaks into your house then your TV would probably be covered. But what would be worse, somebody stealing your TV or you fracturing your spine and never working again?

Landscapers normally have public/employers liability insurance and often insure their tools as well. However, what is the most important thing in your business and usually the only thing that is not insured? You! So why don’t landscapers insure themselves?

You can always get a new chainsaw but you can’t buy a new leg. Indeed our most frequent claims are torn ligaments which can keep you off work for several months, ask David Beckham!

There are five main categories of accident cover available – which are reviewed below. The idea is to give you some indication of the real value of each type of plan (but please note that this cannot be considered individual advice).

Compensation Schemes Usually costing only a few pounds a month, these schemes offer huge, headline-grabbing lump sums such as £50,000 for the loss of use of a leg.

However on closer inspection, if the insured was

PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE FOR LANDSCAPERS to break a leg and be off work for six months they would get nothing because the loss of the use of a leg is not permanent. The circumstances under which you can claim are very restricted hence why the cover is so cheap.

Rating 1/10 Hospitalisation Schemes These schemes pay out if you have to stay in hospital overnight. In theory they are a good idea, but there are countless injuries that can stop you from working for months but do not require a stay in hospital.

Rating 5/10 Mortgage Payment Protection Policies Often sold when you take out a mortgage, these policies offer basic protection for your mortgage only. Often pricey, they normally have a waiting period of at least 30 days before you get any money and typically only pay out for 12 to 24 months. It is very likely you can get better cover elsewhere.

Rating 6/10

Accident Protection Policies These come in a variety of guises and are sometimes attached to a public liability policy.

Although often giving only basic cover, they are certainly better than nothing. Their main drawback is they generally only pay out a small amount of income for a limited amount of time.

Rating 5/10 Income Protection This is by far the best cover to have. Generally, income protection policies have much shorter waiting periods which can be as little as one day.

They also cover illnesses as well as all accidents – whether temporary or permanent. They can also pay a claim right up to age 65 – considerably longer than other types of policy.

And the good news is they can be cheaper than other options.

Rating 10/10 If you are looking for personal accident insurance there are a few golden rules to follow: ● Be careful about buying insurance from banks

or building societies.

● If it only costs £10 per month then there is

WHY DON’T LANDSCAPERS INSURE THEMSELVES?

usually a reason for it. ● Use a specialist company that knows about

insuring landscapers. You will probably get better quality insurance for less money.

ABOUT SIMON WILSON Simon Wilson is MD of Landscaping Insurance Services but began his career working as a tree surgeon. He has now been involved in the insurance and finance sector for over 20 years. Simon has written several articles for trade newspapers and regularly lectures at colleges. www.lsin.co.uk 01732 373 869

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19/08/2014 10:12

BUSINESS TIPS

TRUSTMARK SIGNPOSTING TO THE BEST IN LANDSCAPING It can often feel as if you’re on your own struggling to develop your business, with too many people competing on price for the same piece of work. So how do you stand out from the crowd to win more customers in this difficult environment? Simon Ayers, Chief Executive of TrustMark explains Being TrustMark registered brings you additional recognition as it is the only national ‘find a contractor’ scheme operating to Government endorsed standards. Over eight years ago TrustMark was launched as a quality mark by the Government to tackle the menace of cowboy firms and to signpost consumers to the good ones. It has now become a dependable source for consumers, providing them with choice, confidence and protection when looking to have work carried out inside and outside of their homes.

Improving signposting We are continually looking at ways to boost the visibility of TrustMark’s contractors to householders across the UK. In the past year this has included improved user-friendly web and telephone advice for people to find TrustMark firms.

TrustMark’s website figures for the first half of 2014 indicate that consumers are increasingly

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searching online for accredited and reliable firms. The number of firms details displayed for garden landscapers rose by 61 per cent compared to the same period in 2013, with March (16,181) and April (19,877) having the highest number of searches by consumers. The severe weather conditions experienced during the winter months would have contributed significantly to these growths.

WE ARE CONTINUALLY LOOKING AT WAYS TO BOOST THE VISIBILITY OF TRUSTMARK’S CONTRACTORS TO HOUSEHOLDERS ACROSS THE UK Last year more than 5.2 million tradesmen’s details were given to the public as a result of searches on TrustMark’s website and calls to its 24/7 telephone helpline, of which 107,505 were for garden landscapers. The public is increasingly using our database of firms as their main source of information in finding fully inspected and insured local contractors.

A partnership approach We have worked hard to earn the involvement and support of many consumer protection organisations and other referral agencies, including the Citizens Advice Bureau, Trading Standards Institute, Age UK and the Homeowners Alliance and many local authorities across the UK. They also promote the TrustMark contractors ‘search by postcode’ database on their websites, which ensures visibility for anyone searching for a

reputable local TrustMark firm.

These partnerships go a long way to ensuring visibility for the TrustMark scheme at the most important points of reference for many consumers, particularly the most vulnerable groups. In these days of ‘findanyoldbuilder.com’ websites, what matters most is reducing fragmentation and more joined-up signposting by the key agencies, independent third sector organisations, trade bodies and advisory services that touch the consumer throughout the process of finding help to repair, maintain or improve a home.

We fundamentally believe that on-site inspected tradesmen by qualified inspectors are a better bet for consumer protection than just simply rated tradesmen. Our strategy is to ensure that homeowners know where to go for advice and be signposted to TrustMark firms now and in the future. We are rapidly building a network of organisations that share the same values – a not-for-profit ethos and a burning desire to empower householders and boost confidence in good businesses.

To stay up to date with developments at TrustMark, register for the e-newsletter at www.trustmark.org.uk ABOUT SIMON AYERS Simon Ayers is the Chief Executive Officer of TrustMark, a not-for-profit organisation licensed by Government and supported by consumer protection groups. www.trustmark.org.uk

Pro Landscaper / September 2014 29

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TECHNICAL

DESIGNING ROOF GARDENS

THE SOFT STUFF

Liz Ackerley continues her series on designing a roof terrace. Here she discusses the specifics and challenges of planting on a roof, including the types of planter available and suitable planting medium as well as the plants themselves

The weight loading and exposed and windy conditions on a roof have been discussed as key issues for consideration in my previous articles and therefore, not surprisingly, it is these aspects that are of key importance when considering the planting specifically. Any planting on the roof clearly needs to be contained and therefore the containers themselves as well as the planting medium need careful consideration in terms of their durability and suitability (not just from an aesthetic and design point of view). It is the wet-weight of the planting medium that can be a cause for concern if the planters are large (mine usually are!) therefore lightweight solutions need to be considered.

With respect to the planting, this needs to be resilient to the wind and exposure that exists on most roofs (although clearly there can also be microclimates with particular and perhaps sheltered conditions in which case more tender things can be considered). As with all sites for planting, it is about understanding the conditions 32

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and then planting accordingly, the old adage ‘right plant, right place’ is as true on a roof as anywhere! Clearly the wind is a major factor to manage through using plants that can filter and survive it. On particularly windy sites it is the fine-leaved plants such as grasses that are more resistant to wind damage. In addition, plants that grow in alpine conditions are an obvious choice and Mediterranean plants such as woody herbs that can withstand the drying conditions often work well.

AS WITH ALL SITES FOR PLANTING, IT IS ABOUT UNDERSTANDING THE CONDITIONS AND THEN PLANTING ACCORDINGLY

Planters These will either be freestanding pots or built in planters and the materials available are considerable. They range from traditional timber to pristine sheet metal, powder-coated steel and other manmade materials including Glass-Reinforced-Plastic (GRP), the latter being a particular favourite of mine. Considerations for these materials include their durability (check the manufacturer’s warranty) and wear on a roof terrace (and in contact with soil), their weight, compatibility with the style of the property and roof terrace, and not forgetting access. Care needs to be taken to ensure that unless the planters are being craned, they will fit through the doors; I have had instances where I have had planters made in two pieces.

It is possible to use custom-made planters and to install directly onto the roof slab provided that it has been inspected and approved by a professional who can verify its load-bearing capacity and waterproofing. I tend to place planters onto the decking bearers below and deck up to them so that water does not pool around the base of the planters and mark the terrace surface. Because the intention is to create the illusion of a garden, bespoke planters are sometimes required although this does cost more than off-the-shelf sizes. To note when powder coating and using GRP this gives you the additional flexibility of selecting a specific RAL colour and perhaps finish. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

15/08/2014 14:18

TECHNICAL Planting medium Planters tend to be lined and packed with lightweight aggregate such as Leca® to act as drainage, which is then covered with a porous geotextile membrane. The planting medium is then added which is normally lightweight compost, followed by mulching after planting to retain moisture. Remember to use mulch that doesn’t blow everywhere! I usually use grit although remember that this does add to the weight.

Water-retaining gel can also be incorporated into the planting medium to help retain moisture. Some suppliers provide a premade soil mix for roof gardens or it can be created using, for example, perlite or hydrolecca as the lightweight substance.

Whatever you source you will need to know the wet weight of the medium so that the structural engineer can calculate the load.

wildlife and biodiversity value.

Tough trees and shrubs can act as windbreaks and will allow other plants to survive under their protection (as can fixed screens although planting can provide a softer look), they can be planted singly or to form hedges. Suitable plants include conifers, yew (Taxus baccata), holly (Ilex) and other lower evergreen shrubs such as Viburnum and Ligustrum. Once you have shelter and protection, other trees and shrubs chosen for their structure and ornamental value as well as their ability to withstand the conditions can be selected. Amelanchier, Betula, Cercis, Cordyline, Hebe, Hydrangea, Pinus, Pittosporum are all possibilities.

Climbers have a really important role to play on a roof terrace by clothing boundaries and

of my favourite plants to use on a roof terrace

Here are 10 plants that I particularly like to use on roof terraces because of their ability to withstand the conditions as well as providing interesting ornamental features.

Clearly it depends upon the brief, the style of terrace and the specific site conditions as to which I use in a specific situation. ● Betula utilis var. jacquemontii

(multi-stemmed)

● Echinacea purpurea

● Erigeron karvinskianus

● Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’

MOUNTAINOUS AND SEASIDE LOCATIONS ARE THE OBVIOUS PLACE TO LOOK FOR INSPIRATION, EXPOSED TO WINDY CONDITIONS AND STRONG LIGHT

Planting Whether the design is minimal, with a few large architectural plants or more exuberant with plants flowing from containers or climbing up structures, the plants must be robust. Mountainous and seaside locations are the obvious place to look for inspiration, being exposed to windy conditions and strong light. The same design rules as other schemes are still key including: form, texture and colour, and are the next consideration once the durability is identified, alongside their www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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● Hedera helix (as screens)

● Hemerocallis cultivars e.g.

‘Stafford’

● Heuchera villosa ‘Palace Purple’ ● Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ ● Pinus mugo ‘Mops’ ● Stipa tenuissima

vertical structures. Climbers are often vigorous so will need constant feeding and managing but their flowers and leaf textures will reward the scheme. Candidates include Jasminum species, Clematis varieties and Parthenocissus species to name but a few.

Perennials provide a sense of vibrancy and colour on a roof terrace and can be considered to be the accessories or ornamentation of the outside room. Whether a green scheme is chosen with, for example, hostas and ferns, or a brighter colour scheme with crocosmia, Helenium, Echinacea and Kniphophia, the emergence of new shoots in spring, together with spring flowering bulbs, will help bring that garden feel to the space.

Grasses come in many forms and colours, from the low growing tufts of Carex, Luzula and Festuca species to the exuberant fountains of Miscanthus, Stipa and Pennisetum. Their greatest asset on a roof terrace is the way in

which they move in the breeze and catch the light and no scheme should be without them.

Bamboos can also be used and add height and movement and have excellent screening properties. Phyllostachys bissetii is said to be one of the most wind-tolerant bamboos.

A traditional edible garden may seem unlikely for a roof garden but there is no reason why salads, herbs and fruit shouldn’t be grown with adequate protection.

In a future article in this series I will be talking about finishing touches including water features, bespoke items and lighting as well as considering future maintenance needs such as irrigation.

ABOUT LIZ ACKERLEY Liz Ackerley CMLI is an award-winning garden designer and landscape architect who trained at Capel Manor and Birmingham City University with experience in landscape management as well as landscape design. A chartered landscape architect, she owns and runs Poppyhead Consultancy, a landscape design practice based in the North West.

www.poppyheadconsultancy.com

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15/08/2014 14:19

TECHNICAL

MAXIMISE THE SPACE

Lucy Summers considers what your client wants from their urban garden, and how you can help them to maximise their outdoor space and make the most of their city oasis

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Town gardeners are inevitably not concerned with compost heaps, greenhouses or high ‘real’ gardening at all. Urban gardens are much maintenance flowerbeds. Even more critically, more about extending people’s living space; small spatial design means achieving an areas to entertain and relax and more often than impeccable finish since even the smallest error not, low maintenance landscaping is the order of will not bear close scrutiny. the day for time-poor city dwellers.

Access is always a sticky subject and it is Small urban gardens present a number of not unusual to have to channel all landscaping design challenges to the professional landscaper. materials through the house when no outdoor The number one bugbear is more likely than not access presents itself. Dumping spoil and one of space limitation. Clients always want to rubble eats up a surprisingly significant portion shoehorn in more than of a landscaping their space can budget and should THE ARTFUL SUBTERFUGE reasonably sustain so it’s you choose to ignore up to the landscaper to the pre-requisite skip IN SMALL GARDEN DESIGN IS take a pragmatic view permits, it can ALL ABOUT CREATING THE and persuade clients unwittingly catapult FEELING OF SPACE, NOT from the outset what is you into major JUST FILLING IT and isn’t going to work. dissent from the This means being tough surrounding but firm with your clients and allowing them neighbours. (Word to the wise here; those to feel that although some of their choices have snippy neighbours are the very same folk who’ll to be ditched or amended for the sake of shamelessly dump full-sized wardrobes in your feasibility, they still get the garden they desire. It’s skip in the dead of night.) Secure your skip like a delicate balance – but you get better at it as Fort Knox or you’ll face the challenge of having time goes on. to track down the errant tipper and persuade The demands upon space in small outdoor them to remove the incumbent obstacle. areas means every square foot really needs to Gardens and patios are often overlooked or earn its keep. City spaces don’t demand cast into deep shade by neighbouring buildings www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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TECHNICAL

URBAN GARDENS ARE MUCH MORE ABOUT EXTENDING PEOPLE’S LIVING SPACE; AREAS TO ENTERTAIN AND RELAX AND MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, LOW MAINTENANCE LANDSCAPING IS THE ORDER OF THE DAY FOR TIME-POOR CITY DWELLERS

or existing trees. There always seems to be an omnipresent gargantuan self-seeded sycamore on a neighbouring plot that you dream of toppling since it condemns otherwise idyllically-aspected gardens to miserable gloom.

Strangely enough town gardeners still appear to crave their lawns. I’ve always considered grass in small spaces to be more trouble than it is worth, but townies like a green sward to play with – must be a regressive grandeur gene.

Circular lawns contained within a square always work well in smaller areas and even rotating the space by some 45° can make a small space seem so much larger and often creates unexpected planting pockets.

Conceivably a number of containers or raised borders are sometimes all that is practicable or desired, so don’t fight it. The artful subterfuge in small garden design is all about creating the feeling of space, not just filling it.

Changes of levels can create the impression of larger space, and creating contrived vistas in place of statutory fencing panels can be immensely effective. Using devices such as mirrors, decorative screens, large-scale art reproductions, textured fencing and rendered, painted walls can prove a winning formula over bog-standard tanalised timber fencing.

The mystifying yearning for a focal water feature seems endemic in the city psyche. Water has to be done with considerable flair or it always ends up looking a little apologetic. Either do it brilliantly or leave it out altogether.

An obvious device is over-scaling; choose larger furniture or perhaps symmetrical sizeable planters as these can actually promote a sense of space as well as unifying a scheme. Whilst some may argue small plots are a bit of a headache, in my book, impressive designs of modest proportion often triumph over slouching majesty any day of the week.

ABOUT LUCY SUMMERS Lucy Summers is a garden designer, writer and journalist. She has seen commercial success through a variety of business ventures that embrace landscape design, winning Gold and Silver medals at the renowned RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

www.lucysummersliving.com

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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20/08/2014 13:40

INTERVIEW

Let’s Hear it From

BELDERBOS LANDSCAPES Belderbos Landscapes celebrated its tenth anniversary this year, with a party in London for all its staff and invited guests during the week of RHS Chelsea Flower Show. They’re a dedicated and hard-working team, and Pro Landscaper met up with owners Ed and Claire Belderbos to find out the secret of their successful business

How did the company start and when?

Ed: I studied Landscape Architecture for five years at Manchester Metropolitan University which involved studying in Germany and a year working in Nottingham City Council’s Landscape Design department. I really enjoyed my studies, but had always wanted to join the army – so I went to Sandhurst before joining the Royal Anglian Regiment for five years. After leaving the army, I worked in the City, but it wasn’t the right thing for me long-term. So when an army friend asked me to design their garden – I thought I would landscape it as well. Over a bank holiday, I blitzed their garden in four days, really enjoyed doing it and from then on, I knew I wanted to set up my own design and landscaping business.

SOMETIMES WE’RE BUILDING ALL OUR OWN DESIGNED WORK AND OTHER TIMES WE’RE WORKING SOLELY FOR EXTERNAL GARDEN DESIGNERS I then started to do the odd bit of maintenance work for friends and colleagues. It became quite obvious on Monday mornings when I went to work what I had been up to at the weekends with soil ground into my hands. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Let's Hear it From v3.indd 37

Colleagues used to say to me, “More gardening at the weekend Ed?” Claire: Gradually our flat was being taken over by more and more tools. Through word-of-mouth, Ed was then asked if he would design and landscape our first client’s sister’s garden, and after that a fellow colleague of hers. It just went from there and snowballed. Once Ed had three confirmed clients, he resigned from his job in the City and Belderbos Landscapes was born!

Ed: At the time, Claire worked for Deloitte. She returned home from work one day to tell me that a partner of the firm wanted me to design and landscape his large driveway in Berkshire. It was a

good size front garden and long driveway; I ripped the whole place apart and had to put it back together again. I was still working alone – so it was a case of drafting in labour wherever it was available, including help from some friends and ex-army colleagues. Claire had complete confidence in me. I took a lot of advice from friends on my degree course. One of those was Rupert Davis, who worked for Oakleigh Manor Landscapes and helped me tremendously with the design of this driveway. I remember the first time the digger arrived on site. Fortunately the digger driver gave me a crash course and the rest is history!

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15/08/2014 14:53

INTERVIEW

ALL LANDSCAPING PROJECTS ARE VERY MUCH A TEAM EFFORT AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT A TRUSTING RELATIONSHIP EXISTS AMONGST ALL INVOLVED

What stage is the company at now?

Ed: We now have up to 40 people working for us. Since 2009 we’ve employed an in-house designer – we really felt we needed this with several teams building at any one time.

Sometimes we’re building all our own designed work and other times we’re working solely for external garden designers. We used to worry about whether that threw up a conflict of interest but when speaking to designers we work with, they say they are happy and it doesn’t mean we are taking business from them. Quite often, it is a benefit that we have design as well as construction experience, as we are able to offer a different perspective on their designs.

We always enjoy working with different garden designers.

How is your work structured?

Claire: Ed is very much the face of Belderbos Landscapes. He meets with clients, works closely with operations and our designer as well as having overall responsibility for quality control.

I have a marketing and sales background rather than having technical expertise. I am one of the only people in the company that hasn’t worked on site! I am focussed on developing new opportunities such as working with new garden designers and developing relationships across the industry. I take a keen interest in managing and growing the maintenance side of the business and regularly liaise with the maintenance manager.

How did you take that step up in expanding your company?

Ed: Initially we only built our own garden designs, however it wasn’t long before we started to build for other garden designers. Now we build regularly for several different garden designers and landscape architects including Sarah Eberle, Christopher Masson, and Sara Jane Rothwell amongst others.

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INTERVIEW

How does the relationship work with the designers you work for?

Ed: We are flexible in our approach when working with all our different designers. Each designer has their own unique style and we adapt accordingly. It is about creating a positive relationship between the client, designer and us, as the landscape contractor.

All landscaping projects are very much a team effort and it is important that a trusting relationship exists amongst all involved.

How do you win work?

Ed: We win work through client recommendations, through designers as well as enquiries through our website. We also undertake garden maintenance – so this often leads to landscaping work.

Claire: About 40 per cent of our maintenance clients are those whose gardens we have landscaped. We don’t yet undertake a lot of commercial maintenance but this may be for the future and something that we would be interested in following-up. We are fortunate to have a committed garden maintenance manager, who has the right customer care and is very passionate about what he does.

How are your teams structured?

Ed: The landscaping teams each have a team leader, which are supported by an operations team. We have enthusiastic and experienced team leaders who I would like to continue to develop and grow within the business. We’d like to take on more apprentices and further invest in team leader training.

Claire: We have just invested in a two year training programme for our team leaders, with an external training provider. The training is not technical; it is all about people management, leadership and taking ownership.

Is there a worry that if you train the staff up they may then go off somewhere else?

Ed: You can get very possessive about your company but actually there is more to be gained from just doing it, rather than not.

Claire: We are fortunate to have a talented workforce with several staff who have been with us for many years – we really value this loyalty. We want our staff to appreciate that www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Let's Hear it From v3.indd 39

their own performance and actions really do have an impact on the success of the business – every single person has the power to make a difference. Our first apprentice started with us last year and is doing really well. We ask for a positive, can-do attitude from all our staff.

WE ALWAYS ENJOY WORKING WITH DIFFERENT GARDEN DESIGNERS What’s a typical contract?

Ed: We landscape London gardens of about 5m x 8m, which cost between £15-20,000 to design and build, but we also work in the Home Counties in areas such as Marlow, Horsham or Ascot. These gardens are often larger with unique designs and provide continuous work for several months, if not years. We also landscape several roof gardens in Central London. We have just completed a roof garden in Clarkenwell Green, designed by Sara Jane Rothwell.

Claire: Gardens in South West London in areas such as Richmond, Wimbledon and Putney are often larger, so offer more scope to vary the design and use different materials. It is very rewarding landscaping different gardens which present exciting opportunities and challenges.

How about specification of new products?

Ed: I really enjoy visiting trade shows like FutureScape where we can find some great new products that offer an alternative choice to what we may usually use.

Claire: We are loyal to our trusted suppliers, like The Palm Centre, Landscapeplus, Jacksons Fencing and London Stone who provide very good customer service and value, but it is essential that we keep up to date with new products and innovations.

1 NW London garden. Designed by Christopher Mason.

2 Richmond garden. Designed by Belderbos Landscapes.

3 Chiswick garden. Designed by Anoushka Feiler.

4 Wimbledon garden. Designed by Sara Jane Rothwell.

5 Green wall in NW London garden. Designed by Sarah Eberle.

6 Belderbos Landscapes team, celebrating the 10 year anniversary.

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INTERVIEW

And what are your growth ambitions?

Ed: We would like to develop relationships with more designers and grow the number of teams we have. As a consequence of having more teams we are able to offer greater economies of scale and flexibility. We are working towards our operations managers being given overall responsibility for the day-to-day running of the projects whilst ensuring quality is maintained. We continuously strive to emulate a philosophy of quality and value. We don’t want to be elitist; we want to appeal to the client who seeks a quality product and excellent service. Our company culture is can-do, positive and professional.

Claire: The problem we have is keeping up with demand as we sometimes have to turn work down.

WE WANT TO APPEAL TO THE CLIENT WHO SEEKS A QUALITY PRODUCT AND EXCELLENT SERVICE. OUR COMPANY CULTURE IS CAN-DO, POSITIVE AND PROFESSIONAL

What do you think about the industry associations?

Ed: BALI is fantastic. A key piece of advice I was given when I started the business, was to join BALI and it has served us well. I have met some fantastic people through BALI and I have a huge amount of respect for the other landscaping companies that we sometimes tender against. If it wasn’t for BALI, I wouldn’t have met Brian from Outdoor Options and the rest of the Three Peaks Challenge Team.

What do you both like to do outside of work?

Ed: We have two boys aged eight and six whose activities take up lots of our time – mini rugby, cricket, camping and cycling, and just general family stuff.

Claire: I’m always saying Ed should have a hobby of his own and last year the 3PE cycling was great for taking him away from everything. It’s hard to switch off when it’s your own business!

ABOUT BELDERBOS LANDSCAPES Belderbos Landscapes The Palm Centre, Ham Street, Richmond, Surrey TW10 7HA

Tel: 020 8940 2832 Email: info@belderbos.co.uk Web: www.belderbos.co.uk

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1 North West London garden. Designed by Sarah Eberle.

2 Putney front garden. Designed by Belderbos Landscapes.

3 Children’s adventure playground at Holy Cross Preparatory School, Kingston. Designed and built

by Belderbos Landscapes.

4 Pebble mosaic step riser. Sofia Limestone, supplied

by Sliverland Stone.

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PORTFOLIO

THE RAILWAY GARDEN ARBOUR DESIGN AND BUILD HERALD NICHOLSON ASSOCIATES The garden suffered constant water-logging following major works in a neighbouring garden, requiring the relocation of the couple’s miniature railway, and the whole garden to be replanted and redesigned

T

he garden was three years in the The design planning with clients Jacqui and Graham The design was by Joanna Herald, who had known working with their friends SGD designers Graham and Jacqui and been working on their Joanna Herald and Tina Nicholson of the garden in different phases since 1997. She was Herald/Nicholson partnership. One of the main aims of called in to report on the garden when major works in the build was to remodel and reposition the garden’s the neighbouring garden disrupted underground model railway and add a new station building. The springs leading to a change in the water table and a clients also wanted to try to mitigate permanent water logging in the flooding and water-logging the their garden. The job was to ONE OF THE MAIN garden had experienced since the find a way of dealing with this AIMS OF THE BUILD reconstruction of a neighbouring whilst enabling a model railway WAS TO REMODEL property. Jacqui and Graham track to be constructed at a AND REPOSITION wanted the dining area enlarged, a height never exceeding 1.2m THE GARDEN’S MODEL new planting area with lots of above ground on a site that colours, a wildlife area to be created dropped 6m. Graham, the RAILWAY AND with the construction of two ponds, railway guru, was very able and ADD A NEW STATION and to make the garden generally informed and set the standard BUILDING easier to maintain. for the track construction.

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PROJECT DETAILS Project value £200,000 Build time Phase 1: 12 weeks started May 2013 Phase 2: 2 weeks started September 2013

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ABOUT ARBOUR DESIGN AND BUILD Arbour Design and Build is a garden design, landscaping and maintenance company established by Richard Bickler in 1996, based on the boarders of Hertfordshire and London. After graduating from Capel Manor College in 1996 Richard Bickler decided to start his own company with a focus on high quality and attention to detail. They are members of the APL and Trustmark, and use their expertise and creativity to turn unused spaces into beautiful spaces to provide enjoyment and pleasure for years to come.

www.arbourdesign.co.uk

ABOUT JOANNA HERALD GARDEN DESIGN Joanna’s work is based around London and the South East, but projects have taken her all over Britain and occasionally further afield. Her style is diverse but strong structure, simplicity and good planting remain key elements in all her work. She has been designing gardens for nearly 20 years and for the last 12 years has been working in partnership with Tina Nicholson as Herald Nicholson Associates Ltd; although the two have recently separated their business but continue to collaborate on some projects.

www.joannaherald.com

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There were three main issues to resolve with the new design: ● Water: This was the point that determined the decision that a major overhaul of the garden and drainage was needed. Much of the existing planting was dead as a result of the roots being under standing water. ● Sun: The back garden was north facing and Joanna wanted to make places to sit in the sun as well as to make the views from the house more flowery and interesting. ● The railway: This had been in the lower end of the garden and was very separate from the house. The plan was to bring it more into the main garden and close to the house which depended on dealing with the very severe slope of the land as well as making sure that it was aesthetically pleasing.

There was no budget set at the beginning of the project, the clients wanted to see what was proposed when working without constraint. After the first draft the design was costed. It was decided the costs needed to be cut significantly, so Joanna proposed the gabions as a way of making strong retaining walls at a fraction of the cost of brick and with the option to tuck plants in amongst the stones to make a pretty romantic dry stone wall effect.

The end of the garden became somewhat redundant without the railway, it was already very

wet and it seemed wise to go with the flow and dig ponds. A clay impregnated liner was used along with bog plants. The poor soil was well suited to wildflower planting and the effect is beautiful but comparatively low maintenance.

The build Excavating and moving earth around the garden to form new levels was the main task. Very little material was removed from site, probably only around 100 tons as there was an emphasis on recycle and reuse. We had between five and eight staff on this project plus specialist sub-contractors to help with the major drainage works.

Sourcing materials for the job My project manager Andy and myself arranged most things that included gabions, stone, paving, bricks, aggregates, and soil. The client sourced grass turf online, arranged the pond supplies, the new station building and railway track, and the garden lighting. All planting was sourced by Joanna including the wildflower meadows. She continues to visit and offer support for the garden and keep the seasonal balance at its best.

Special requirements Entry into the site was off a main road with a steep driveway. To aid access wasn’t easy and it took around 10 days to fell and remove trees and www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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PORTFOLIO

stumps, protect the site and make it THE SOIL WAS safe for the operatives. To get access WELL SUITED TO into the garden, fences, walls, and trees WILDFLOWER PLANTING were removed to make a 1.45m wide AND THE EFFECT IS access point. We calculated around BEAUTIFUL BUT 2,500 to 3,000 tons of material was COMPARATIVELY LOW moved around the site, brought in and used in the construction of this garden.

MAINTENANCE The project could only be completed in the summer months and weather during the build went from torrential downpours to extreme heat of around 32 degrees – the usual balmy British weather.

1 Existing upper patio area.

2 Railway station timber base on steel beams.

3 Limestone filled Gabion retaining walls.

9 Mown paths through wildflower meadow.

10 Upper area planting in bloom.

4 Railway building complete.

11 Completed railway track running through planting.

5 Overview of the garden in mid July.

12 Upper natural pond filling out.

6 Coir matting for banking in place. 13 Wildflower meadow and natural ponds.

7 Early phase of construction underway.

8 Raised section of track in operation.

14 Complete garden overview.

15 Upper garden area planting in bloom.

REFERENCES Main contractor

Plants

Richard Bickler Arbour Design & Build

Provender

Tel: 0208 953 6177 Mobile: 07702 011 145 Email: info@arbourdesign.co.uk Web: www.arbourdesign.co.uk

B.P.Mitchell

Tel: 01707 261 166 Web: www.bpmitchell.co.uk

Herald Nicholson Associates (Now Joanna Herald Garden Design)

Wildflower turf

Tel: 07800 557 118 Email: design@joannaherald.com Web: www.joannaherald.com

Wildflower Turf

Reclaimed granite setts

RSJs for station base

CED LTD

Cannon Steel

Tel: 01895 422 411 Web: www.ced.ltd.uk

Tel: 020 8805 4070 Web: www.cannonsteelsltd.co.uk

Gabion cages/stone, general materials

Machinery/equipment

H.Butterfields

Tel: 020 8900 0000 Web: www.l-lynch.com

Sleepers UK Sleepers

Tel: 01536 267 107 Web: www.uksleepers.com

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Bulk aggregates and soil

Garden designer

Tel: 01582 491 100 Web: www.hbutterfield.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Tel: 01322 662 315 Web: www.provendernurseries.co.uk

Tel: 01256 771 222 Web: www.wildflowerturf.co.uk

Lynch Plant Hire

Equipment included: Hitachi diggers x 1 Bomag dumpers x 2 1000 litres of diesel

Pro Landscaper / September 2014 45

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PORTFOLIO

COCA-COLA ROOF GARDEN Gavin Jones Ltd

Gavin Jones constructed a roof garden at the new Coca-Cola headquarters in London including balau hardwood decking, and a large green wall

PROJECT DETAILS Build time Commence on site 2 Jan 2014 Completion on site end March 2014 Size of project 602m²

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W

e submitted the original tender to construct a roof garden at the new Coca-Cola headquarters in Wimpole St, London in September 2013, and were awarded the contract on the 25 November 2013. Coca-Cola was moving around 300 employees from its old office in Hammersmith to the new office in April 2014 and the completion date for the project was set for the end of March 2014.

We were asked to work with BWI (the main contractor) CBRE (the client’s representative) and MoreySmith’s overall designers in order to finalise the design details and the scope of work. We were to produce working drawings from MoreySmith’s concept plans, including detail and elevation plans for decking, a green wall, feature rendered walls, all balustrades and boundary panels, lighting, irrigation, benches, tables pergolas planting borders, and planting.

Coca-Cola asked for sample panels of key items to be constructed and supplied for approval. The project was to be completed within strict timeframes alongside other trades including waterproofing contractors re profiling and waterproofing the roof that we were working on.

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Portfolio 2.indd 47

The build We built a roof terrace with elements including a wildflower meadow and orchard, balau hardwood decking, feature walls with specialist flexible paint/render, balau hardwood benches, and planters with galvanised steel detail. We constructed a green wall which is 22 linear metres by 3m high, bespoke balau with zinc top dining tables, cedar trellis and boundary balustrade panels, galvanised steel and wire rope boundary panels, soiling and planting to all raised borders, and irrigation to all raised borders.

Sourcing materials for the job All timber had to be SFC certified, including the balau hardwood, this was sourced through Alan Hayward Joinery. All plants came via our

1 Boardwalk between two areas demonstrating the reflection of the living wall.

2 Birds eye view of Northern Terrace.

3 London’s BT Tower overlooking aliums in full bloom.

4 Planting within the seating pods.

5 Decking and seating pods constructed using Balau timer.

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own nursery, The Plantation at Woburn Hill, Addlestone.

Coca-Cola requested special paint render/ coatings to tolerate any slight movement on the project; the original proposed finish was not deemed suitable when tested on substrate by manufacturers, and difficulties with matching exact specified RAL colours meant a frantic late night search on the internet for a suitable material. The final material used was Renotex rollercoat which is a high build textured coating applied in several specialist layers by a paint roller in order to achieve the finish. We were pleased that it worked perfectly.

ABOUT GAVIN JONES LTD Gavin Jones Ltd offers a wide range of landscape services including commercial ground maintenance, treeworks, commercial landscape installations and domestic landscape design and build. The business operates from The Plantation Nursery which offers specimen plants and garden machinery to trade and retail customers.

Est. 1919. Royal Warrant Holders – HM The Queen.

BALI Grand Award Winner 2013.

www.gavinjones.co.uk

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Special requirements All materials had to be taken to the site via a gantry and external hoist to the fourth floor terrace.

There were significant difficulties with weather: rain, rain and more rain (one of the wettest months on record)! However the completion date did not move and we finished on time.

Roofing contractors were working on the roof to re-profile, insulate and waterproof the roof from the first day of the project, through to our completion on-site and beyond. This lead to small areas being made available to us at given times which in turn made achieving a good line and level and accurate setting out much more complicated to achieve.

Full planning permission was granted only midway through the project and some changes and additions had to be designed and implemented by us within the original contract timeframes. These included additional height steel wire rope balustrade, screening planting and additional GRP planters and irrigation.

Following completion of the project, Gavin Jones Grounds Maintenance is now maintaining the site. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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PORTFOLIO

T3 L3

T3 L2

T3 L2

T3 L2

DESIGN PLAN

REFERENCES Main contractor

Lightweight soils

Gavin Jones Ltd

Bourne amenity

Woburn Hill, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 2QG Tel: 01932 833 833 Web: www.gavinjones.co.uk

The Wharf, Rye Road, Newenden, Kent TN18 5QG Tel: 01797 252 299 Web: www.bourneamenity.co.uk Specialist wall paints

1 Foreground of naturalistic planting with a Cantilever Pergola in the backdrop.

2 Small cube LED down lights for the perimeter fencing.

3 LED lighting strip in the seating pod.

4 Living wall with LED up light.

5 Ceramic pots with simple planting at the front terrace.

6 Wildflower area pre-construction.

7 Tight working conditions alongside other contractors.

8 Construction of deck frame and perimeter frame using cedar and larch wood.

9 Planting and seating pods constructed in the workshop.

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Portfolio 2.indd 49

Plants

Renotex

The Plantation Nursery

Pollard Street, Lofthouse Gate, Wakefield, WF3 3HG Tel: 01924 820 003 Email: sales@renotex.co.uk Web: www.renotex.co.uk

Tel: 01932 833 866 Email: sales@theplantationnursery.co.uk Web: www.theplantationnursery.co.uk Green wall plants Biotechture

The Old Dairy, Ham Farm, Main Road, Bosham, West Sussex PO18 8EH Tel: 01243 572 118 Email: enquiries@biotecture.uk.com Web: www.biotecture.uk.com

Wildflower meadow Lindum Turf

West Grange, Thorganby, York YO19 6DJ Tel: 01904 448 675 Email: lindum@turf.co.uk Web: www.turf.co.uk

Decking, planters, tables, benches, pergolas, screening

Irrigation

Alan Hayward Joinery

Waterscapes

Unit 7A Javelin Way, Henwood Industrial Estate, Ashford, Kent TN24 8DH Tel: 01233 625 204 Web: www.alan-hayward.co.uk

1 Murray Court, Wincanton Business Park, Wincanton, Somerset BA9 9RXÂ Tel: 01963 824 166Â Web: www.waterscapeslimited.com

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F

rom my first visit to Andy and Victoria, it seemed to bear all the hallmarks of a couple looking for a more grown up and user-friendly space. It was April 2012 and warm for the time of year. Sitting outside drinking tea we started to discuss what their aspirations for the space were. Mentally I noted the garden was surprisingly long for a town garden and due to the odd layout of a neighbour’s garden, seemed to stretch on to infinity. As a result neighbouring properties are barely visible in the distance. It was also in a bit of a state. In the ensuing conversation Vicky spoke of the colours and scents from her childhood in Kiev and both stated they wanted a garden with some mystery and magic to it. After a short discussion, which involved me explaining how I worked as a designer, I can clearly remember the moment, Andy moving in closer to the table, looked me straight in the eye and said: “There is another important factor to this project that we feel is important to share with you.”

With that Andy proceeded to explain that Victoria was suffering from terminal cancer; and with those simple, but deafening words, the nature of this project changed completely. My mind suddenly struck with the realisation of the fragility and transience of life. A moment of awkwardness, then broken, as Victoria explained that the garden was to be part of a healing process, and would be part of her therapy. For my part I will be honest and say

WITH THOSE SIMPLE, BUT DEAFENING WORDS, THE NATURE OF THIS PROJECT CHANGED COMPLETELY that, on leaving that first meeting, I was not sure if I wanted to, or indeed would be emotionally able to take on such a momentous task, along with the inherent responsibility it entailed. More so as I was still grieving the loss of my brother who had tragically died at a young age. I was also profoundly afraid that Victoria might not live to see the project completed. Following discussion with family and friends it became clear to me that I couldn’t avoid taking the 50

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A HEALING GARDEN David Keegan Garden Design & Landscape Consultancy Manley Road, Chorlton, a garden dedicated to the strength and courage of Andy and Victoria

PROJECT DETAILS Project value £18,000 Build time Four weeks Size of project Approx. 344m²

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project. What follows is a brief description of the process that followed and the garden that transpired.

The garden uring the ensuing design process I couldn’t help but admire the enormous strength of faith that both Victoria and Andy had, and I somehow wanted to reflect that in the designs for the garden. ually I had this strong sense of a stormy journey. I imagined a platform, a little like a magic carpet, or a ship in a storm flowing along a river before finally coming to rest in amongst a field of swaying grasses.

This journey starts with a path from the kitchen that winds as it goes, revealing a hidden tree seat built onto the trunk of a wonderful old silver birch, a place to sit and contemplate, to catch the drift of sage and lavender in the air.

A faint whiff of aniseed from brushed-past fennel whilst the musky scent of peony a favourite of Vic’s follows the path, a la y S, past creeping thymes, sage and box balls, with fruits visible to the opposite boundary beds, a red tomato glistens in the afternoon sun. Stepping up onto the wooden bridge the mood is dreamy. An enclosed

1 Seat built into fallen hawthorn viewed from side floating deck.

2 Larch and slate covered seating with trunk of fallen hawthorn to foreground.

3 Box balls, lavender, sage and thyme with floating platform in distance.

ABOUT DAVID KEEGAN GARDEN DESIGN & LANDSCAPE CONSULTANCY David Keegan is a landscape garden designer at the cutting edge of garden and landscape design. International Landscape Design Award Winner 2012, APLD USA, three times Winner of ‘Best Garden Designer 2013, 2011 and 2010’ Northern Design Awards, his design philosophy centres on a naturalistic planting style. Effective garden design should not only enhance the relationship between the buildings and the garden, but also the wider landscape around them. His garden designs set out to create an ever evolving picture that strengthens that connection between people and place through the harmonious use of plants and materials.

www.dkgardens.co.uk

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raised platform, a sort of transcendental space, hovering just above the ground, suggesting an ability to rise above the situation, taking a view from another perspective. ually a very old fallen-down hawthorn to the rear area of the garden had its own significance, as it had repositioned its branches to recapture the sunlight from its now fallen place and continued to grow. So the covered seat in this area was designed to incorporate the fallen hawthorn into its structure. Indicative of our human ability to adapt and go on.

Meanwhile, a large Fatsia japonica growing to the rear of the area designated for the deck platform is incorporated into the design to now appear to grow out of the platform with deck boards cut to fit around its trunk. ittle splashes of colour catch the eye, the sparkly globe of a purple flowering Allium, a pale iris soothing in silver grass, a dusky pink anemone almost hidden, whilst ferns creep out from under weathered fallen branches. In my imagination, it was as if the garden although caught up in a violent storm had continued to grow and evolve in its aftermath. As such it is an affirmation of our very human desire, energy and determination to survive come what may. This is a garden which, similar to life, isn’t immediately visible, but reveals its secrets as you go.

1 Timber bridge leading to tree seat log store and floating platform.

Epilogue Andy contacted me in September 201 to let me know how the garden is going. e explained that they had enjoyed a lot of uality time in the garden, Vic walking up and down the path for exercise, and that the garden was growing, fruiting and flowering.

Vic passed away in ctober 201 but the garden has provided a multitude of memories for her family, and a place which is alive in which to grieve.

2 A picture taken during my first visit rear of garden with fallen hawthorn clearly visible.

3 Lazy S Blackwell buff stone path with engineering brick edging.

4 Seat built into silver birch with hazel hurdle skirt.

All finished garden pictures Photographer: Oliver Long

With lots of love and very fond memories, Vicky this is for you.

REFERENCES Garden design and planting

Stone supplies

David Keegan Garden Design & Landscape Consultancy

Hardscape

Tel: 0161 950 9509 Email: info@dkgardendesign.co.uk Web: www.dkgardens.co.uk

Tel: 0845 260 1748 Email: enq@hardscape.co.uk Web: www.hardscape.co.uk General build material

Hard landscaping

Axon Buildbase

PW Landscapes

Cheadle Web: www.buildbase.co.uk

Joinery Michael Caine Joinery

Timber Howdens Wood Supplies

Plants Bremo Plants, Brentwood Moss Nurseries, Manchester

Ashton Web: www.howdens.com/trade-customers/

Tel: 0161 777 2320 Email: mail@laneslandscapes.co.uk Web: www.laneslandscapes.co.uk

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Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance Soft Landscape Workshop - 17 September 2014

“Designing for the ease of maintenance” and “Using maintenance for the sustainability of your design” are topics being discussed at Palmstead’s 2014 Workshop. Join in this perennially popular event attracting some 300 Landscape and Design Professionals: Landscape Architects, Garden Designers, Contractors and Green-space Managers.

Speakers include: Dr Noel Kingsbury (author and plant researcher); Richard Sneesby (Landscape Architect); Colin Crosbie (RHS Curator Wisley); Noel Farrar (Landscape Institute President); Dr Phil Askew (Olympic Park Sponsor) with supporting cast Nick Coslett from Palmstead and Andrew Kauffman (Quadron, the grounds maintenance specialists). Plus info bursts on Carbon Offsetting and recent plant health research along with our showcase exhibition.

Tickets cost £30 (including VAT and buffet lunch). Approximate running time 09:00 to 16:00. There will be a coach shuttle from Ashford International Station to the Ashford International Hotel, Simone Weil Avenue, Ashford, Kent, TN24 8UX. For more details and to book your place visit www.palmstead.co.uk

Events 2014

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NURSERY NEWS Landscapers and designers asked to answer call for examples of good maintenance

NURSERY NOTES

Johnsons of Whixley visit HSBC tower

As a part of its approaching Soft Landscape Workshop – Design for Maintenance 2 on the 17 September, Palmstead Nurseries is asking landscape professionals for some examples of planting which can become benchmark examples and these will be published at the workshop or soon after.

Nick Coslett from Palmstead said “we are building what I call a library of benchmarks – examples of established planting where the maintenance inputs are known.

These examples will be worked into benchmarks for designers and others to view and assist them to measure/estimate the ongoing maintenance costs of their designs. We found some 80 per cent of designers surveyed do not

mention the ongoing costs of their schemes to clients. Partly because they were not sure of their facts or where to get the information.

We want to help with that and maybe help to improve the commitment of client revenue toward good maintenance so we can all enjoy plantings which remain looking good.”

A number of companies and designers have already been approached but if interested please contact Nick for a template and further information.

Delegate registrations for the workshop are close to the 200 mark and 12 per cent up on last year’s sell out. Details on the workshop and interviews with the speakers are available at www.palmstead.co.uk.

The Directors of North Yorkshire nursery Johnsons of Whixley Ltd enjoyed a day out recently at HSBC Tower, Canary Wharf, London as guests of HSBC Bank plc. Allan Wilkinson (Head of Agriculture) invited the group in recognition of a relationship spanning 50 years since John Richardson (Chairman) bought the business from Mr Eric Johnson.

The group enjoyed a celebratory lunch and a tour of the 42 floor building which has unrivalled views of central London. Allan Wilkinson thanked John describing the relationship as unique and “founded on respect and communication”. www.nurserymen.co.uk

Shady characters

plants and its original shade glasshouse is proving too small for the task it was originally built for.

Two new shadehouses were built last year and have proved very successful. Work has now begun on extending one of the new shadehouses for Camellias and Rhododendrons that will be due in in the autumn.

Carl and Kevin have been busy building in the extension in

the recent blazing sun – the irony is not lost.

The move will result in more space available to ferns, shade loving herbaceous and shade loving shrubs in the glasshouse while all the acers, camellias and tree ferns will be able to luxuriate in their newly discovered space. More happy plants all round – more happy customers all round – a winning combination. www.provendernurseries.co.uk

Provender has a few on site – but needs room for a few more! More space to display them that is. This past couple of years has seen an upward trend at Provender Nurseries in shade loving www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Nursery News.indd 55

It’s not just the nursery staff that go on trips out and holidays at this time of year – some of our plants have also become very well-travelled. Gavin Jones Ltd has been involved in many events this year, whether as exhibitors, plant suppliers or sponsors.

Some of our lucky plants have been to the Spring Garden Show at Loseley Park, and to the Royal Warrant Holders’ Marquee at Windsor Royal Horse Show, while others have been to college and military balls, football tournaments, polo matches and celebrations such as Norris & Gardiner’s 50th anniversary.

Topiary of all shapes and sizes is the most common choice – especially balls and half standards. Particularly popular was the Ligustrum jonandrum topiary horse at Royal Windsor Horse Show. Even the small plants get a look-in – wrapped in material and ribbon they make beautiful table pieces. Topiary arrows are also very much in demand to direct visitors to locations such as the toilets! www.theplantationnursery.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / September 2014 55

18/08/2014 14:39

NURSERY

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

Amelanchier arborea Robin Hill Serviceberry is a wonderful small tree that we consider to be by far the best tree form of Serviceberry on the market. It forms a dense, oval habit and produces its masses of spring flowers that open pink and turn white. A North American selection and as highly rated there as it is here.

The young leaves emerge coppery red and then harden to green by late spring before they turn vivid red in autumn. A very good choice for street plantings and residential areas as it provides plenty of interest with virtually no maintenance. Being such a small tree of ultimate size, it can be placed much closer to buildings than most trees which make it a fantastic choice for urban planting. There are very few trees that offer wonderful floral displays in the spring and glorious autumn leaf colour but this is one of them. It does best in moist, well drained, lime free soils.

The Astilbe is a welcome late flowering addition to the garden. With a range of flower colours and heights they will suit most gardens and look especially at home in tubs and planters on the patio or decking. The variety Sprite is a compact dwarf form with delicate shell-pink flowers on wiry stems, which rise above the dark bronze-green foliage. They are fully hardy and easy to grow with little maintenance required. Best suited to a shady area of the garden that does not dry out in the summer. Leave the faded flowers stalks on for longer interest. www.colesnurseries.co.uk

We latched onto this clone in the late 1990s and there are now some fine examples of how they progress at maturity. It makes a fantastic small urban tree suitable for both streets and gardens and its seasonal interest makes it one of the glamour trees of our range. www.barcham.co.uk

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It’s useful to remember that not all bulbs are spring flowering; many flower in summer and autumn too. The thing about bulbs is they can guarantee a show – especially if you buy good sized bulbs, (you get what you pay for). Eucomis emerge late and can be planted as spring bulbs. They can come up after early spring plants and offer a succession in display. Choose Eucomis bicolour and the Sparking Burgundy for shows of exotic red from between 30-50cm tall. If the soil is reasonably well drained they are fully hardy and long term perennials. www.palmstead.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

18/08/2014 16:25

NURSERY

Agastache ‘Summer Glow’ is is aptly named for this time of year. Most people are familiar with the blue and purple flower spikes of Agastache – but here comes one from left of centre to challenge your perceptions. Each upright flowering stem reaches 70cm in height and is covered in whorls of dense flower spikes of yellow-orange flowers that emerge from burnt umber calyxes. The flowers are long lasting and have the added bonus of being attractive to bees and other wildlife. The aromatic leaves have a slight minty overtone and are light green in colour. Like all Agastache, ‘Summer Glow’ is hardy and drought tolerant and perfect for use in a wildlife garden. www.provendernurseries.co.uk

Tilia x europaea ‘Pallida’ is a best seller at Deepdale Trees. Kaiser Linden is a fast growing, deciduous tree which establishes quickly. Popular for its uniform pyramidal habit, it thrives in a wide range of conditions and tolerates urban environments. The summer flowers are sweetly scented and the lush green foliage turns a rich yellow in autumn.

Consideration of the planting location needs to be made as this species attracts aphids which secrete honeydew. Its tolerance of pruning makes it very adaptable for training or pollarding if needed. Currently available from Deepdale as a standard, box-head or pleached tree. www.deepdale-trees.co.uk

Nassella tenuissima, more commonly known by its previous name of Stipa tenuissima is an elegant, graceful grass with arching linear green leaves and golden flower spikelets in summer. Preferring full sun, this beautiful, very popular grass looks particularly effective planted in swathes interspersed with vertical perennials. Stipa tenuissima grows up to approximately 60cm high and benefits from being cut back or having the dead flower heads pulled out in autumn. Growing in almost any soil, this grass is prone to self-seeding – so once you’ve got it, you’ll probably always have it! www.theplantationnursery.co.uk

The impressive Taxus baccata, or Yew as it is commonly known (a native to this country), makes a fantastic architectural plant. With its densely branching evergreen needles, it is widely used ornamentally as it is easy to maintain in a shape and withstands hard pruning. Grows best in any well draining soil making it very amenable. Seen here as a striking pyramid, at Walnut Hill Nurseries we have other shapes in stock and quite a few usually as pairs. www.walnuthillnurseries.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Introduced in 1889 by the French botanist Maurice de Vilmorin, Sorbus vilmorinii bears attractive green, fern-like leaves on spreading branches. Flat heads of creamy-white flowers in spring are followed by rose-red fruits, gradually passing through pink to white-flushed with rose in autumn contrasting beautifully against the bronze, orange and purple autumn canopy. This elegant species is very hardy and grows well in both full sun and partial shade. It also tolerates a wide range of soils, providing they are well-draining. As its final height rarely exceeds 5m it is the perfect choice for the smaller garden. www.majestictrees.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / September 2014 57

20/08/2014 13:27

www.deepdale-trees.co.uk

Deepdale Trees Ltd 29/1/14

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19/08/2014 16:07

NURSERY

NURSERY FACTFILE

“

“

A unique nursery in Europe that is a must visit; a sweet shop of hedging

MEET THE TEAM

ABOUT

TOP 5 BESTSELLERS

Readyhedge is a nursery situated in the south of Worcestershire. We specialise in growing instant hedging in metre long lengths and various heights from 30cm to 200cm tall, as well as individual plants and low to high screening panels. Readyhedge is an innovative way of supplying hedges, by supplying pre spaced metre long units of hedging that can easily be handled by one or two people. We can deliver anywhere in the country normally within 48 hours of ordering.

Buxus sempervirens

2

Mixed native hedging

3

Fagus sylvatica

4

Carpinus betulus

5

Prunus lus. Angustifolia

Carpinus japonica

“The box hedging once planted looked like it had been there for five years.”

Rupert Golby “Delivery was first thing as promised and the quality of the plants is brilliant. I am delighted.”

Gillian Sandham Garden Design

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Nursery Factfile FINAL.indd 59

Pershore Defford

M5

Strensham

M50

M5

LOCATION Situated in the West Midlands, mid-way between Cheltenham and Worcester. One hour from Oxford, Swindon, and Birmingham, 10 minutes from Pershore.

CLIENTS Our typical clients are landscapers and landscape designers looking for instant impact. As well as local authorities and some domestic customers.

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“Many thanks for another lovely delivery of plants.”

Nick Burton Garden Design “Thank you so much for your help in ordering the panelled Pyrus and Betula – they all looked fantastic – particularly the pyrus which were the perfect height and the client was delighted.”

Claire de Giles Garden Design

CONTACT Readyhedge Ltd Court Gate Nursery Eckington, Pershore Worcestershire WR10 3BB Tel: 01386 750585 Web: www.readyhedge.com Email: lindsay@readyhedge.com matthew@readyhedge.com

Pro Landscaper / September 2014 59

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NURSERY

Flowerbed of the ear

aysheath ollage: A Tast of Wythenshawe

Tatton e ects

oung esigner of the ear: rehistoric Modernism

S

garden

Ian rice: lemental

RHS TATTON PARK FLOWER SHOW 2014 Jonathan Ward visited the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park in Cheshire and reported back on the gardens and exhibitions

ow in its 1 th year, the S Flower Show Tatton ark marks the end of the major S shows each year, it is attended by 0,000 gardeners, and held in the middle of the ational Trust state of Tatton ark in heshire. With show gardens, there was plenty of inspiration for an attending garden designer, from the classic show gardens to the bright and bold bedding displays of the ational Flower ed ompetition.

The show was split into four distinct ones: Feast, row, Inspire, and scape.

There were many designers this year who were first timers to show garden design, hopefuls with a view to moving onto the major ondon shows in the future. Ian rice travelled over from orthern Ireland to build his first show garden, lemental.

The garden was inspired by the forces of fire, earth, wind and water and earned a old medal. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Ginger.indd 61

It featured a flame charred larch wall that provided a backdrop to the strong geometric pattern of the garden, the use of fire was again picked up in the strong red and yellow planting.

The three finalists of the S oung esigner of the ear built a show garden, and delivered gardens that would have given the best designers a run for their money at any garden show, but as with any competition there was only one winner, with 2 year old Alex Schofield taking the title with his garden entitled rehistoric Modernism. The garden took its inspiration from the strong vertical elements of Stonehenge, as well as its theorised purpose of sun worshipping. easeheath ollege built a community garden that incorporated innovative and creative ways to grow plants, including vertical gardening and hydroponics, as well as strong sculptural elements that appeared to take inspiration from the ardens by the ay in Singapore, recreating the dominate structures in a much smaller scale and using a reinforcing steel bar.

Several charities used the show as a springboard to promote their campaigns; the S garden, Safe from arm, depicted the journey from abuse into safety that regrettably

some children are forced to go through. esigned

by Andrew Walker, the garden explored this message through its transition and transformation as one walked through the space starting with dark foliage and muted tones, and then gradually replaced by softer and friendlier colours. The garden took the eople’s hoice Award.

Tatton ark ardens built a show garden commemorating the First World War entitled Tatton eflects. It was inspired by a letter submitted to The ardener’s hronicle by solider gardener ieutenant Meggles in 1 1 , which described walking through gardens that had been caught in the crossfire of four years of war. The garden depicted the four phases he viewed in these gardens, the original garden, a trench, the recovering garden, and finally the garden as it is today.

The bedding displays of the S ational Flower ed ompetition were a crowd pleaser, with the arish of St elier taking top pri e with their display celebrating the 0th anniversary of the foundation of the S state of ew ersey, it depicted the presentation of a scroll to the bailiff of ersey by King harles II in recognition of the help he received from ersey in the nglish ivil War. Pro Landscaper / September 2014 61

18/08/2014 14:54

DESIGN ERS

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19/08/2014 16:32

TREE PLANTING

Planting trees can be challenging for landscapers when it deals with allying both design and security.

Most of the time, above ground stakes and wire affect the design aesthetic and safety in gardens and parks. Platipus invented the first tree anchoring system with no unsightly stakes or guy wires more than 30 years ago, and thanks to continuous innovation, the company has developed a range of solutions for all tree planting situations.

A SOLUTION FOR EVERY TREE PLANTING SITUATION

The Olympic Park in 2012

Tree planting with anchors Rootball fixing is the preferred method for supporting trees underground when there are no buried services.

The process consists of driving three anchors into the ground, and setting them into their working position. The Plati-Mat is then placed on top of the rootball and the wire is threaded through each of the anchor points and through the ratchet tensioner which sits on top of the Plati-Mat. The ratchet is then tensioned tightly. The Plati-Mat allows secure positioning of newly transplanted trees. It naturally degrades to release the rootball after three to five years and creates an aesthetically pleasing finish to the landscape. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Platipus.indd 65

Urban planting and roof top gardens There are situations in which standard tree anchors cannot be installed, for example due to buried services, shallow soil, and most notably on roof gardens. The D-MAN is a new solution specifically designed to replace traditional deadman (kerbstones or sleepers) for these situations. The system is composed of a strong, compact and lightweight cell that has a distinctive letterbox style anchor point providing excellent stability to the tree. Its design incorporates four unique cups that can store valuable water essential for tree growth and root development.

In addition, D-MAN cells can be easily connected together and stacked to build up large planting areas, adding structural support, and protecting roof gardens from possible damage. With this system, trees and large shrubs can be secured in any location and catchment water can drain underneath leaving the balance of water in the cups. Underground services will no longer be a concern in the urban environment.

Pro Landscaper / September 2014 65

19/08/2014 13:56

TREE PLANTING

Innovative tree irrigation and aeration system As well as anchoring and support, trees need effective irrigation and aeration. With many traditional irrigation systems, the water is distributed unequally around the rootball and often flows vertically to the bottom of the tree pit. In response to this, Platipus developed the Piddler tree irrigation system, a special membrane that delivers water and air evenly and laterally around the rootball targeting the root zone.

This cost-effective irrigation and aeration system is quick to assemble, can be tailored to size and is suitable for all rootball dimensions.

Kingsfield Business Centre Philanthropic Road, Redhill Surrey RH1 4DP Tel: 01737 762 300 Email: info@platipus-anchors.com Web: www.platipus-anchors.com

Case study: Media City Project, Salford, Manchester Media City was designed to provide a purpose built home for creative and digital businesses including the BBC. The first phase was spread over 36 acres and there is the potential to extend to 200 acres of land over the next decade. Gillespies were the landscape architects for this project and The Landscape Group were awarded the external works contract which included 30,000m of natural granite paving, terraces, steps and a footbridge over the canal. The soft landscaping was mainly in the Central Plaza with the all important component being 124 large semi- mature trees. Integral to the design was the Platipus underground anchoring system with Plati-Mat to ensure there were no tree stakes above the ground to spoil the finished Plaza. A total of 124 rootball fixing systems were used to support various sizes of trees.

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/08/2014 13:58

PROVENDER

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The Landscape Centre, Leydenhatch Lane, Swanley, Kent BR8 7PS Tel: 01322 662315/662130 Web: www.provendernurseries.co.uk

The ďŹ rst choice for Garden Centres & Landscape Professionals

A U T UMN HU E S Our aim is to make your vision a reality with effective yet practical plant solutions.

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

To see our plant portfolio visit www.greenlineplants.co.uk

Please join us on: 15th,16th & 17th September for our 2014 Autumn Show to preview the new 2014-15 range, discuss ideas for your future projects and network with fellow professionals. Come and enjoy a great atmosphere.

Please call or email Pat Lawrence to book your place:

Forshaw Heath Road | Earlswood | Solihull | B94 5JU T: 01564 703947

GREENLINE PLANTS_PRO LANDSCAPER_quarter page_SEPT ISSUE 2014.indd 1

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06/08/2014 10:45

20/08/2014 09:40

MAKE GRASS YOUR FOCUS

“ o e w

H b o i b d p

S m s i p

T V a m

S r R r

H g b s The only way is Barenbrug for Essex lawn expert

mowing services; irrigation systems.

Working

It is a family-run business, with director Stephen Ramsay describing himself as ‘very hands on’.

closely

with Barenbrug UK has helped lawn care specialist Root2Shoot tailor its service for individual clients and manage the vagaries of English weather.

and

installation

of

He moved down to Essex from his native Scotland following his wife’s work promotion and was previously sales manager and surveyor at Pro Lawn (Scotland) Ltd but started on the career ladder at the tender age of 15, at the Cathcart Castle Golf Club just outside Glasgow.

Examine your grass choice!

This bespoke approach has helped the Essex firm grow annually since its foundation six years ago. It is now looking to recruit extra staff to help with further expansion.

As well as domestic lawns, Root2Shoot maintains bowling greens and croquet lawns, offering turfing and seeding;

Don’t compromise - finish your project with outstanding grass At the club Barenbrug was the seed of choice and Stephen’s head greenkeeper and mentor, Robert Hogarth, spoke very highly of the brand.

started on my own and they have surpassed my expectations in both quality of product and customer service,” says Stephen.

“As a company, Barenbrug are always seeking to better their products and are always launching new mixtures and cultivars which helps people like me in the fight against the ever-changing weather patterns.

“Despite the fact that we are a relatively small, yet expanding, company they treat us with the same respect as they do their larger clients and they value and take on board our opinions, views and experiences.”

His firm began as a general account holder with Barenbrug and after a couple of years became a ‘Gold customer’, with account manager, Debbie Campbell looking after Root2Shoot’s requirements.

“Debbie is very approachable and ensures we retain excellent communication on a regular basis,” says Stephen.

“So I thought I would try Barenbrug when I

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“She clearly buys into the fact that, despite our smaller size as a company, we are extremely serious and passionate about what we do.”

He finds Barenbrug products suit his business because of the wide range of choice, offering qualities such as quick germination, increased salt tolerance, as the firm is based by the coast, and increased resistance to disease which is increasingly becoming a problem in domestic lawns.

Stephen also rates Barenbrug’s value for money, the excellent level of customer services and general attitude towards improving the turf industry with high quality products.

These products include Barenbrug’s Green Velvet range and BAR SHADE for lawns, and for bowling greens Root2Shoot uses a mixture of BAR Extreme and BAR Platinum.

Stephen is also currently trialling Barenbrug’s revolutionary RPR, Regenerating Perennial Ryegrass, and looking forward to excellent results.

He says changing customer attitudes is his greatest challenge, as some domestic clients believe maintaining grass is as simple as just spreading a bit of fertiliser from time to time.

d t

s e s t .

H i s t o r i c a l l y, Essex is among the driest regions of the UK but changing w e a t h e r patterns mean his domestic customers are having to deal with issues associated with wetter weather, such as disease, leaching, compacted soils and aggressive moss and weed growth.

Also, irrigation is becoming Before & After - bowls green with BAR PLATINUM an issue with many landscape reacts to certain weather domestic customers reluctant to water their conditions. gardens during dry spells.

“This then allows us to make an educated Tailoring the service to each individual selection of what particular seed mix we c u s t o m e r ’ s are going to use. Barenburg not only has requirements a massively wide choice of seed mixes, they is the key to also supply in various bag sizes allowing us Root2Shoot’s to be able to purchase the exact quantity success. of seed required for any individual job, meaning less over-spend.”

“We don’t just use a generic seed mix or have a ‘one size fits all’ attitude,” says Stephen.

y s r r

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ARTIFICIAL GRASS

UPGRADES

ARTIFICIAL GRASS Artificial grass has been changing, and in the last few years the industry has gone from strength to strength, with an increase in popularity and demand. Current grass being developed and sold is of a much higher standard of quality that is more evocative of real grass than it has ever been before. With this in mind we wanted to ask suppliers if they have been approached by previous customers keen for an upgrade.

EASIGRASS

NAMGRASS

TRULAWN

MIKE BURTON, TRADE MANAGER AT TRULAWN “We haven’t experienced a high volume of enquiries about people wanting to upgrade their artificial grass.

Occasionally we have customers who had a first generation, low quality artificial grass product installed seven plus years ago that want to upgrade their lawn. Artificial grass has changed beyond recognition over the last seven years so it’s understandable the people want to make the switch to a more luxurious, natural-looking and high quality product. Customers are always keen to upgrade to Trulawn Luxury, Supreme or Regal.

Trulawn Luxury has a 32mm pile height and a tan thatch for an incredibly realistic look. While Trulawn Supreme has a lush, spring meadow look which is very popular at the moment.”

WWW.TRULAWN.CO.UK

ROB REDCLIFFE, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF NAMGRASS “At Namgrass we have seen some steady growth in the ‘upgrade’ market over the last two years. This is mainly due to the fact that our products are always advancing, even in the last three years our products have advanced significantly not only in terms of the look and feel (which is more authentic), but also the fibre technology itself. For example our Green Eclipse product launched this year, is the first product of its type (memory yarn product) to retain a soft natural feel, and thus has been an incredibly popular product for people to upgrade to. Being quite a new opening in the market, upgrading is not something we have been pushing too much – but there is no doubt that as the market continues to grow, so this side of the market will grow too – which gives us more reason to continue to develop superior products.”

WWW.NAMGRASS.CO.UK

ANTHONY J. GALLAGHER, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF EASIGRASS “Currently, approximately 25 per cent of Easigrass’s customers are upgrades, having increased from 12 per cent during the 2012/13 period. Customers are mostly upgrading to our top product, Easi-Mayfair, as it has all the latest anti-crush and yarn technology. There are a number of contributory factors to these increased figures including some companies over-promising and under-delivering, as well as a lack of quality of product, safety and installation procedures etc. No-one within the industry has the track record or commitment to safety, quality and insurance standards offered and delivered by Easigrass. Landscapers are also being supported with long guarantees as well as the back-up of a quality control team. Easigrass is an established, ISO-accredited brand that features in some of the UK’s top retail outlets. These credentials and relationships are unsurpassed”.

WWW.EASIGRASS.COM

iGRASS

VICKY NIEDZWIECKI, SALES EXECUTIVE AT iGRASS “Ultimately clients choose iGRASS as they know they will be getting a quality product and this is what we consistently aim for. Upgrade wise, there are always options, but we match the project needs and client’s needs with the most suitable product. We find it is not really a question of upgrading, it is more to do with suitability. For example, we would not recommend ideally using a product with a pile height of less than 25mm as a lawn replacement. We offer landscapers an excellent support network to ensure they are maximising the opportunity to use artificial grass. We provide a dedicated account manager, free technical support, how to install guides, training courses, and supply associated fitting items, we also have constant high stocks and offer fast and free delivery.”

WWW.IGRASS.CO.UK

Art Grass Upgrades.indd 71

20/08/2014 11:02

ARTIFICIAL GRASS

LATEST PRODUCTS Blades has recently introduced a new specification of their popular coloured artificial grasses. The Spectrum range comprises 12 bold grasses; from Shocking Pink and Aqua Blue, to Jet Black and Graphite Grey. These 20mm pile grasses are manufactured in Europe from 100 per cent Polyethylene with a strong latex backing, making them suitable for high-use outdoor applications, including schools and play areas. The colours are available to purchase in both full and cut rolls.

WWW.BLADESGRASS.CO.UK

Finesse is the most popular product across TigerTurf’s range, often considered to be one of the most realistic artificial grasses in the UK, combining varied green and brown tones within a roots layer to boast a strikingly natural appearance. With a natural feel to match its natural look, Finesse is designed to give a freshly mowed effect and is renowned amongst homeowners for relaxing days and peaceful evenings in the garden. Finesse is best suited for medium to light traffic use and is versatile due to its suitability for a variety of locations such as balconies, gardens and rooftops.

Finesse should be in-filled to a depth of 8mm and is available in widths of both 2m and 4m.

WWW.TIGERTURF.COM/UK/LANDSCAPE

Easigrass Easi-Kensington artificial grass is the newest addition to the Easigrass range of award-winning artificial lawns. Slightly lighter in colour, Easi-Kensington is the perfect solution for inside and out and looks extremely realistic – just like freshly cut grass. Since launch in May 2014, Easi-Kensington is Easigrass’s fastest selling product and requires virtually no maintenance. This product is also pet-friendly and ideal for children.

WWW.EASIGRASS.COM

A trade exclusive product, Trulawn Regal is the number one artificial grass for landscapers. Trulawn Regal offers both high quality and outstanding value for landscapers and that’s what sets it apart from competitor products. As well as having a luxurious 32mm pile height, Trulawn Regal is a non-infill grass that has a gross weight of 2.8kg per square metre. Regal is olive green with a tan thatch which gives it that realistic manicured lawn look all year round.

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Richmond artificial grass was launched new for 2014 and has been a fantastic success.

Quickgrass landscaper partners have reported back with considerable interest with sales booming for this high quality luxurious artificial grass. Manufactured in Europe, Richmond artificial grass is a wonderful example of what can now be achieved with the latest production techniques. Available from stocks held at their warehouse in Worcestershire, the artificial grass is cut and shipped throughout the UK directly to site for installation.

WWW.QUICKGRASS.CO.UK

Insignia is the latest product from leading artificial turf provider iGRASS, featuring its U-shaped 3D profile intelligence yarn for added durability and realism. The high density bulk, generous pile height of 40mm and two tone green colour, combined with the brown root zone, give this product a highly lush

authentic finish. Insignia is suitable for lawns, play areas and roof gardens, and complies to critical fall heights when used with its 25mm shockpad.

WWW.IGRASS.CO.UK

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/08/2014 11:04

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19/08/2014 16:45

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18/08/2014 15:38

PLAY EQUIPMENT

” !

T A H T “I CAN DO S ‘I CAN

OS T E R F L O O H C S Y R A REDRIFF PRIM ITUDE THROUGH PL AY DO THAT ’ AT T

The pupils at Redriff Primary School in Rotherhithe enjoyed the warmer weather, this summer, particularly as it gave them the opportunity to make the most of their newly developed play area. The school building itself is a new build and the school was keen to redevelop its outdoor space to a very high standard, so called upon renowned early years specialists, Playgarden, to develop a bespoke early years play space that supported the learning objectives and created an inviting and inspiring space rich in play opportunities.

Redriff wanted to create a natural play area which promoted adventure, risk taking and challenge, and one that fostered an ‘I can do that’ attitude, pushing children to develop independence and develop their physical skills – the school strongly believes that this attitude is carried through to more formal learning across the foundation stage curriculum and beyond.

Having free and open-ended access to play also nurtures gross motor skills, in turn helping children develop their writing skills.

Sarah Harrison, Assistant Head Teacher at Redriff commented:“The play area sets the tone of the approach we take at the school. As the children push themselves they learn that it is okay to take risks, to attempt things that they may feel unsure www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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about, and that it is okay to fail and try again. world play, the extensive sand area has at its This is a great template for learning – one that centre a treasure island, a pebble playscape builds our children’s confidence and significantly reached via tottering along a narrow timber helps develop their motor skills. The pupils love bridge or over the natural boulder stepping the space and spend considerably more time stones. A crane, mud, and sand table outside than previously, and the staff love it too encourages children to transport the sand onto as it lends itself so well to flexible play and allows the table, where it can be built with, examined or the children to take a lead in their learning.” used to create imaginative landscapes. Similarly, The outdoor space incorporates the best a building site encourages social development as elements of natural play with extensive sand and children work together to transport the sand water play. The design from one area to another. A willow tepee intertwines these two, and sail shades not so that the water runs only provide shade REDRIFF WANTED TO into the sand, providing from the sun, but also CREATE A NATURAL opportunities for space for creative play, PLAY AREA WHICH PROM children to experiment to meet with friends or OTED ADVENTURE, RISK with both wet and dry quiet reflection.

TAKING materials, understand This robust new AND CHALLENGE their comparative play area, which is properties, sharpen enhanced with seasonal their scientific planting, underground knowledge and develop their building skills. tunnels and grass mounds has been a great A playground pump is easily manipulated by hit with current early years pupils and will small hands and children work together to continue to delight younger children for years control the flow through timber channels, around to come as they make their way through the natural boulders and over a pebble playscape, foundation stage. through controllable dams and over a ball valve, For further information on Playgarden until the water flows through to the sand. please call 0114 282 1285 or go to A magical setting for creative and small www.playgardens.co.uk.

Pro Landscaper / September 2014 75

19/08/2014 13:30

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

Soil Conditioners Compost Mulch Topsoil Supreme BS 3882 Topsoil Screened Soils Rootzones Ornamental Bark Certified Playchip Cow Compost Turf Rooftop Substrates

Available in loose from 1 ton to 20 tons or in Bulk Bag

For technical advice contact the sales team on 01243 781730

www.earthcycle.co.uk

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19/08/2014 16:50

LATEST PRODUCTS

SEED & FERTILISER Grass expert Barenbrug UK has launched Green Velvet – six premium grass seed mixtures designed to deliver the highest-quality domestic lawns yet.

Green Velvet offers exceptional benefits for landscapers seeking the perfect lawn to suit their clients’ specific environment and lifestyle. From ‘Action Hero’, containing hardwearing ryegrass: to ‘The Perfectionist’, for a fine, dense and luxurious lawn: or ‘Emergency Life Saver’, which can be sown all year round.

You can rely on Green Velvet for beautiful lawns that solve all challenges.

WWW.GREENVELVETLAWNSEED.CO.UK

Vitax Enhance WSP water soluble fertilisers combine concentrated, powerful and effective major and minor nutrients with organic components including Aminosorb F and Humic acid complex bio-stimulants. The organic components go beyond fertiliser by stimulating root and crown development, enhancing deep rooting and increasing abiotic stress resistance. The trace element package with enhanced zinc concentration stimulates the turf’s natural defence systems through enhanced, balanced trace element nutrition. Use Enhance WSP up to 20kg/ha for foliar spray and for root-zone application up to 100kg/ha can be applied to the turf. Apply in 400 to 800 litres of water per ha.

WWW.VITAX.CO.UK

Urban Wildflower Seed Mixtures are a range of seed mixtures consisting of native and non-native species for a long flowering period for a summer full of high colour. The mixes will flower well into late-autumn time, providing a good source of pollen for insects before the winter sets in. Good for urban regeneration areas or any landscaping use. 100 per cent wildflower seed mixes. Sow spring or autumn and choose from a variety of colour ranges, annual and perennial seed mixtures and suitability for certain soil types and growing conditions: Hardy Annuals; Ground Cover; Golden Summer Perennials; Golden Summer Annuals; Contrasting Annuals; and Purple Glade Perennials (pictured).

WWW.PHOENIXAMENITY.CO.UK

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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After an impressive first year operating as a Green-tech brand, John Chambers Wildflower Seed is growing from strength to strength with excellent feedback across the market place. Customers are reassured by the attention to detail the John Chambers team offers, all Heritage wildflower mixtures are cleaned and mixed by hand and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. The Professional range offers cost effective wildflower mixes for landscape projects, they are formulated to provide a balanced mix and spread of wildflowers.

WWW.JOHNCHAMBERSWILDFLOWERS.CO.UK

Agrosil LR is an electrolyte based soil conditioner that allows vegetation to grow on impoverished, manufactured and contaminated soils. Containing an electrolyte system of sodium silicate and phosphate, Agrosil LR improves soil structure and drainage by forming large molecules of porous silicate gels.

These gels not only improve soil porosity, but can also lock up heavy metals such as lead or cadmium and can protect plants from fungal pathogens such as Fusarium and leaf spot.

Agrosil LR also makes phosphate available to plant roots at a depth of up to 30cm, making the poorest quality, and most nutrient deficient soils capable of supporting viable plant growth.

WWW.GERMINALAMENITY.COM

Pro Landscaper / September 2014 77

20/08/2014 12:22

LATEST PRODUCTS

GO AND SEE AT SALTEX 0 Stand H8 British Sugar TOPSOIL will be exhibiting at the SALTEX exhibition. In particular it will be showing Landscape20, the fully-analysed and compliant to BS3882:2007 topsoil. This fertile sandy loam is ideal for winter sports pitch construction and general landscaping projects. Another product being exhibited at the show is Sports10, an 80 per cent sand dressing, which is ideal for use as a winter sports pitch dressing on soil based pitches.

All British Sugar TOPSOIL’s products are produced from the soil that adheres to the sugar beet delivered to British Sugar’s factories and as such comes from the best agricultural soils in the country.

WWW.BRITISHSUGAR.CO.UK/TOPSOIL.ASPX

Boughton Loam is one of the UK’s leading producers of cricket loams and dressings, also supplying topsoils, composts, light weight green roof substrates, tree soils, root-zones, various sands, bark and mulches.

Working at the forefront of the industry and manufacturing cricket loams for nearly 30 years ensures a consistent cricket loam that can be relied upon. All four of Boughton’s cricket loams: County, Club, Kettering and Kaloam will be being showcased at the show, with material in place to show the popular topsoils and composts too.

WWW.BOUGHTON.CO.UK

Stand L31

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Stand J7 4 CED Stone Group has been a natural stone supplier for over 35 years and its product range has become the basis of good hard landscaping for many top designers throughout the world. At this year’s SALTEX CED will be displaying the SuperCEDEC®, the new solution for urban tree pits and footpaths and SGD Product of the Year finalist; Cedagravel®, the leading gravel stabilisation system, with a range of decorative aggregates, as well as benches, lanterns, various pavings, walling and other natural stone products. Pop along to the stand and you could win a Google Nexus 7 tablet! (T&C apply) WWW.CED.LTD.UK

Stand H95 Rigby Taylor will be highlighting some exciting product introductions, including developments in pitch line marking and fertiliser application, together with programmes for complete weed control, autumn disease control packages, a new range of wildflower mixtures, key landscaping products and the company’s new range of PolyPro and ConVert, polymer coated fertilisers.

As part of the Origin Group, a major investment has been undertaken that will allow for more innovative products to be made available across key market sectors; the most recent being Propel-R, a unique and exciting wetting agent based on new chemistry offering zero water repellency when applied to turf surfaces.

WWW.RIGBYTAYLOR.COM

Long-standing SALTEX exhibitor Melcourt Industries Ltd will be showing its outstanding range of mulches, soil improvers, blended topsoils and play surfaces. With a quality that is second to none and a range that offers numerous options, Melcourt has the solution for almost any project and any budget. The provision of samples, technical advice, certification and quotes by return all add up to a level of customer service that explains its long list of repeat customers. A large number of local stockists also enables access to small quantities in bags, bulk bags, maxi-bales and loose bulk.

WWW.MELCOURT.CO.UK

Stand L3 1

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/08/2014 13:29

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20/08/2014 11:08

GAS FIRES

A FIRE IN THE GARDEN Rivelin outlines a few things to consider when designing a garden with an outdoor fire

Outdoor fires have come a long way from simple wood-burning fire pits that had no flue to suck out the smoke, giving you a face full of smoke and ash. Improvements in technology and design have led to the development of outdoor gas fires which are functional and well-designed pieces of furniture, and now come in the form of wellconstructed fire tables and fire bowls. By far the most impressive outdoor fires are those that run on gas. Not only is gas the most reliable option, it gives you great control over the flames and you don’t have to sit poking the fire all evening.

Once you’ve decided to build a fire into your client’s garden, there are a few things you need to consider.

Garden theme Ensure that the fire is well integrated with the rest of the garden, certain fires lend themselves well to specific themes. For example, a weathered Cor-Ten steel fire bowl would complement a Mediterranean garden, but if you were designing a Japanese inspired garden then a black granite fire table would fit quite well. Outdoor fires look best in modern gardens; if you can’t find a fire which fits the project you’re working on, you can always have a bespoke fire designed and built for you.

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Safety Unfortunately gas fires can’t be imported from the US, these fires are rarely CE-approved and cannot be legally installed within the UK. Being so new to the UK, there are only a handful of CE-approved outdoor gas fires that can be installed. CE approval ensures that it has been made to a certain standard and is safe to use under the conditions it was designed for.

Natural gas or LPG An outdoor gas fire is a permanent installation and whether you are connected to the mains gas or an LPG bottle the gas will need plumbing in.

Natural gas comes with lower running costs than LPG and you don’t need to change bottles when empty. It does burn a little cleaner than LPG, so if you’ve got a ceramic fuel bed on the fire, this will stay clean for longer. The downside to natural gas is that your fire will need to be quite close to the mains supply otherwise you’ll have metres of piping to install.

LPG is a little more flexible on location as you only need to pipe to the bottle, which can be placed anywhere within reason, (in the UK LPG bottles must be stood upright). The downside is that they can ruin the aesthetics of the garden; the most common way to combat this is to install a purpose-built storage area to keep the bottles hidden from sight. LPG also allows a changeover system so if you have two bottles and one runs out during use, the fire then draws fuel from the second bottle.

Space considerations You’ll need a lot of space for an outdoor fire. Fire tables tend to be 1m-1.8m, so if you’re planning on building a seating area around the fire, you’ll want a minimum of 2.5m x 2.5m of space. If you’re working with a smaller space, then fire bowls could be a better option as they can be built with a diameter as small as 800mm.

Placement Most outdoor fires are fairly heavy and will need a hard surface to sit it on. If you’re installing an LPG fire on top of wooden decking, make sure that the decking has sufficient ventilation underneath; otherwise you may end up with a build-up of gas under the fire (consult a gas safe engineer for further advice). When installing on rooftops or roof gardens ensure that the platform can take the weight.

Plan how you’ll get the fire into place, make sure to plan around the smallest opening you’re working with. If you’ll be moving through communal spaces speak with the management company and other residents who may be affected by the installation beforehand.

ABOUT RIVELIN Rivelin are based in Sheffield and design and build outdoor gas fires tables and fire bowls for architects, landscapers and garden designers. These fires have been installed in gardens and penthouses from Cornwall to John O’Groats and have been exported throughout Europe.

www.rivelin.co

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/08/2014 10:49

The naturally permeable and SUDS friendly alternative to resin bound paving.

Designed and manufactured in the UK from recycled materials, StableDRIVE is a secure gravel containment and reinforcement system, designed to cope with vehicular traffic, up to and including commercial, utility and emergency traffic.

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20/08/2014 10:14

GAS FIRES

LATEST PRODUCTS The Urban Fires EF5000 range is a great looking outside gas fireplace for quick convenient heat at the push of a button. Whether you are planning on entertaining all night or just wanting to unwind after a days work, this outside fireplace is ideal. The innovative design means no flue is required, making installation simple. There is a choice of facia finishes and fuel beds. Weather-resistant and durable with a two-year warranty.

WWW.URBANFIRES.CO.UK

Urban Fires can design a bespoke frameless outside fireplace up to 3m wide, although the model illustrated is 1200mm wide. It features high definition ceramic logs and a Crystalight fuel bed, from the extensive options list. The firebox can be made in materials other than stainless steel. This one runs on mains gas, but can also be operated on LPG (propane cylinders) or fitted with a bioethanol burner.

Urban Fires made-to-measure service is no more expensive than standard models.

WWW.URBANFIRES.CO.UK

The Bahama gas fire table, 1m (L) x 1.4m (W) x 0.51m (H), is a stunning focal point for any garden. The dancing flames contrast beautifully with the smooth granite top and robust stainless steel base. The Bahama is available with a choice of tops, with optional LED lighting and ice bucket drawer.

WWW.RIVELIN.CO

Create a stunning fire feature by using a CVO outdoor gas fire burner. These modern fireplaces are available in five sizes from 373mm to 1850mm wide and are suitable for use in a wide range of outdoor fireplace designs. All of the gas burners are operated by remote control and can be purchased for use with natural gas or LPG. WWW.CVO.CO.UK

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/08/2014 15:37

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

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20/08/2014 10:04

Prolandscaper Apr14_Layout 1 15/04/2014 14:50 Page 1

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270 degree mounted turntable with multiple choice work position 241mm x 166mm letter box feed opening Sub 750kg (with fuel) All guards made from metal Twin disc 56kg heavyweight rotor Oversized external greasable rotor bearings Double sided 109mm x 100mm blades secured with 24mm bolts Dual safety plus feed controls 34hp Kubota turbo charged, diesel engine Remote centralised greasing points Locking tow hitch as standard High speed braked chassis with handbrake Fully homologated for compliance with Whole Vehicle Type Approval throughout Europe

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From mowers to trailers, a full range of Kubota engineered implements are also available for the B50 Series - contact your dealer for details.

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For more information or to find your local dealer

Call: 01844 268 000 Visit: www.kubota.co.uk 12/08/2014 16:36

20/08/2014 10:13

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

Ransomes Jacobsen announces launch of new large area rotary mower series

PSD announces new appointments

Ipswich based Ransomes Jacobsen is to launch a new range of large area rotary mowers, built and assembled from their factory in Suffolk.

The MP series has been developed from the ground up as a new generation of adaptable, productive mowers.

The MP493 is a 49hp mower with a Kubota liquid cooled diesel engine, adhering to the Stage IIIA (Tier 4 interim) emission regulations, which allows for 3m and 3.28m cutting widths, and the MP653 is a 65hp version with a Kubota liquid cooled, turbo diesel engine, which complies to the stageIIIB (tier 4 final) regulations and has a maximum cutting width of 3.48m.

PSD Groundscare, the leading distributor of AS Motor, Koppl, Eliet, Rotair and Michaelis professional groundscare machinery, is pleased to announce the recent appointments of Russ Tomlinson as South Eastern Area Manager, based centrally in Northampton, and Scott Grieve who takes up the role of Marketing Manager.

Due to recent growth and to ensure this trend continues, the decision was made to invest in both positions to ensure customers’ expectations continue to be exceeded. Stuart

Equipment News.indd 85

The MP series is the lightest in class, with the MP453 weighing 1,675kg and the MP653 at 1,725kg, allowing for easy transport on the back of a trailer.

Both mowers feature bat wing cutting decks, which, when lifted to the up position, also sit behind the operator, which means that the operators vision is largely unaffected.

Both mowers include fingertip operated joysticks for individual deck lifting and lowering, a colour information screen, allowing the operator to see lots of information, such as fuel levels and an optional air conditioned cab. www.ransomesjacobsen.com

Mercer, Sales Director of PSD Groundscare said: “Both Russ and Scott bring a wealth of knowledge and experience and are great additions to our team. Russ comes having spent nine years within the industry, most recently as Area Sales Manager within a major dealership, while Scott has over 10 years marketing experience that includes a major national wholesaler.” www.psdgroundscare.co.uk

19/08/2014 14:55

EQUIPMENT

Cub Cadet to showcase new ride-on mower at SALTEX

Cub Cadet will be unveiling a brand new professional ride-on mower, as well as showing its award-winning 1000 Series range of tractors, at this year’s SALTEX from the 2-4 September.

The new versatile Cub Cadet Z-Force S48 offers users a superior performance, excellent mulching, traction on hills and fast mowing speeds, making light work of tough jobs. The innovative SynchroSteer Technology™ provides true zero-turn manoeuvrability with steering wheel control, making tight, restricted areas manageable.

It also features dual hydrostatic transmission and a heavy-gauge, welded steel cutting deck which

ensures unsurpassed airflow, blade overlap and a superb quality of cut.

The Z-Force S48 offers quiet operation and excellent power with Kawasaki’s professional-grade V-Twin engine as well as peace of mind with a three year guarantee.

Alongside the Z-Force S48, Cub Cadet will also be displaying its 1000 Series range of tractors. The range features eight models, all of which have rear discharge helping to deliver unparalleled comfort and a premium cut every time. With a

Toro Launch new CT2240 Toro’s new CT2240 compact triple reel mower combines all the benefits of Toro’s CT2120 and 2140 in one machine, but now has extra ‘oomph’, says the company.

The new model, which replaces the CT2120 and 2140, still provides an efficient and costeffective machine that’s easy to manoeuvre and transport, but has been updated to have more power

and increased performance.

Features such as improved cutter and transmission performance, and more efficient hydraulics provide this.

For example, a Kubota three-cylinder diesel engine coupled directly to a hydrostatic transmission pump provides outstanding performance in a variety of cutting applications and conditions, while the optional extra

tighter turning radius, reduced vibration and quieter engines, together with easy handling of the bag despite a larger grass bag volume, the 1000 Series helps to make mowing much more comfortable. www.cubcadet.co.uk

of a new LSDL system (Limited Slip Diff Lock) means it has added versatility and traction in extreme conditions.

The CT2240 is also equipped with the proven Mk3 200mm cutting units in numerous blade configurations, and it has independent cutter head lift. Both increase cutter performance by providing flexibility to suit the mowing environment and ensure productivity remains at an optimum. www.toro.com

Brian D’Arcy has been appointed Strategic Account Manager for turf and other non-agricultural equipment at John Deere Limited.

He replaces Paul Trowman, who has recently taken up a new role within Deere & Company’s tactical marketing group in Region 2 (Europe, CIS, North Africa and the Near & Middle East).

Based at the company’s Langar, Nottingham headquarters, Brian’s role includes representing John Deere to key strategic accounts throughout the UK and Ireland, developing new and maintaining existing relationships with these customers and ensuring support from the company’s nationwide dealer network.

After joining John Deere Limited at Langar as a demonstrator in 2007, Brian D’Arcy was promoted to product sales specialist in 2008, then territory manager for Wales and the West Midlands in July 2009.

“Brian’s customer and dealer experience gained over the past five years on territory will serve as a good foundation for his new position,” says turf division sales manager Chris Meacock. www.deere.co.uk

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The Classen RA21 reciprocating aerator is designed to punch cleaner holes in tough soil without additional weights. Core tines reciprocate at 450 revolutions per minute and cover up to 26,000 sq.ft. per hour.

Simplicity is built in. It doesn’t use hydraulics to drive the tines, so the operator controls are simple. An open design allows clear access to the engine. It’s easy to use, easy to maintain and – thanks to its cost-effective price, even easier to purchase.

It all adds up to an arrangement we believe you will really like.

Schiller Grounds Care 0800 840 0888 info@classen.uk.com www.classen.uk.com

us EX 0 e Se LT M7 SA tand

A reciprocating arrangement

New appointment at John Deere Limited

Built To Use and Designed To Last

19/08/2014 14:54

SUPERB ON SLOPES AS940 Ride On Brushcutter • 4WD for outstanding performance on slopes

• Unique twin blade cutting system for a cleaner cut

• Versatile machine for all year operation

• Low centre of gravity for greater stability

To request more product information, locate your nearest dealer or arrange a machine demonstration please contact PSD Groundscare:

08450 773 773 sales@psdgroundscare.com www.psdgroundscare.com

www.as-motor.com PSD4942 - PSD AS Motor adverts 05.indd 1

Amenity

04/08/2014 16:44

The new TXE 606 & 353

Setting a new standard for line markers We’ve listened to our customers and, as a result, the world’s most popular line marking machines are now better than ever!

The new TXE 606 and 353 machines retain all the virtues of the original machines, but come with a series of customer driven design features that improve the quality and accuracy of the line and make filling and cleaning easier.

Machine configura available tions

TXE 606 Pro

Complete with factory-fitted flush tank and improved return to tank feature. Up to 5 hours use in a single battery charge (approx. 15 pitches).

TXE 606 Standard Standard machine. (Pro-kit, including flush tank and return to tank feature can be retro-fitted if required).

TXE 353 Pro Complete with factory-fitted flush tank and improved return to tank feature. Up to 2 hours use in a single battery charge (approx. 6 pitches).

TXE 353 Standard Standard machine. (Pro-kit, including flush tank and return to tank feature, can be retro-fitted if required)

New 8” screw lid and filter basket

New equipment compartment

Easier filling with less chance of spillage.

Easier use and maintenance.

In-line eyelet

Anti-flip feature

Perfect circle marking.

Increased control when emptying or cleaning the tank.

Marking discs kit is an optional extra.

For more information call 01530 510060 or visit www.supaturf.co.uk

coles.indd 3

19/08/2014 11:09

GET A HARDER WORKER.

Like you, our trucks aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty.

Reliability and durability are part of Isuzu’s DNA. Whether you deliver things to site, dig, build or cut things down, our trucks will take whatever you throw at them.

In fact in some cases that means over half a tonne more than many other trucks we could mention.

Better still, each truck boasts outstanding fuel economy, a 3-year unlimited mileage warranty, and the most celebrated aftersales CARE programme around.

So if you want a truck that’ll work as hard as you do, and help your business grow, give us a call on 01707 282930, visit isuzutruck.co.uk or email info@isuzutruck.co.uk

ADVERTS TEMPLATES.indd 278

14/08/2014 13:56

EQUIPMENT

SALTEX 2014 Come over to stand H70 to say hello and to check out our brand new magazine for the UK’s arboriculture market, Pro Arb. We will also be able to help you with all of your recruitment needs with Horticulture Careers.

Check out page 90 for a list of exhibitors relevant to landscapers, that we recommend you go and visit, and page 92 for a whole host of machines that will be on show.

Y ellow E x h forward i b i tor We look to seeing you there.

SALTEX, the event for the UK’s groundsmen returns to the Royal Windsor Racecourse on the 2-4 September 2014 and many companies will be launching brand new products this year. There will also be three days of informative seminars and lots of information for you to gather and use in your line of work. SALTEX is one of the events of the year, so get the dates in your diaries now.

Don’t forget to come and see Pro Lon g S tay C ar P ark Landscaper, who will be at the showLorry in force.

C ar P ark

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Pro Landscaper / September 2014 89

20/08/2014 10:54

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 2014.iog-saltex.com Access Platform Sales

J40

Hyundai Power Equipment

A32

Allett Mowers

E25

Isuzu (UK) Ltd

E40

Altrad Belle

K75

Isuzu Truck (UK) Ltd

E50

Amazone Ltd

A25

Kanga UK Ltd

A50

Aspen Fuel Co UK

N42

KFS Special Vehicles Ltd

N12

Avant Tecno (UK) Ltd

B75

King Feeders UK Ltd

D40

BALI

H83

KUHN Amenity Pro

K79

Boughton Loam & Turf Management Ltd

L31

Leica Geosystems Ltd

C60

Bourne Amenity Ltd

H81

Lister Wilder Ltd

D10

Brian James Trailers Ltd

J30

Major Equipment Ltd

F52

British Sugal TOPSOIL

H80

Makita (UK) Ltd

K45

Broadwood International Ltd / Wessex International

N04

McMurtry Ltd

G70

CED Natural Stone

J74

Melcourt Industries Ltd

L31

Central Spares Ltd

H30

Orange Plant

C75

Cramer UK

A16

Outside Structure Solutions

J29

Danarm Machinery Ltd

M36

Perennial

H85

Demon International

K50

Polaris Britain Ltd

A30

Dennis

B40

Pro Landscaper

H70

DJ Turfcare Equipment Ltd

K55

PSD Groundscare

C80

DMMP Ltd

A40

Rigby Taylor Ltd

H95

Earth Cycle

M38

RT Machinery Ltd

D45

Easy Post Petrol Driver

A75

SCH Supplies Ltd

G50

Emak UK Ltd

A80

Schiller Grounds Care UK

M70

Everedge

K90

Simon Richard Ltd

D32

FGM Claymore

D30

Sisis

B40

Fiat Professional

M75

Southern Tank Services Ltd

N15

GreenMech Ltd

A18

Stabila

M25

Grillo Agrigarden Ltd

B50

Stem Injection Systems

L42

Gritex

N05

STIHL GB

C40

Groundscare Products

C35

Team Sprayers Ltd

D22

Groundsman Industries Ltd

B55

TH White Ltd

B65

Harrod UK Ltd

F55

Tracmaster Ltd

C62

Henchman Ltd

L60

Vauxhall Motors

K30

Henton & Chattell Ltd

M55

Westcon Equipment (UK) Ltd

A99

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Stand numbers correct at time of printing.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/08/2014 10:57

CAMON and BCS machines are built to withstand the rigours of continuous daily use by landscape professionals.

Ground Cultivation “ Grass Cutting & Clearing “ Estate Management “ Lawncare “ Snow Clearing

Visit us on stand C62 at SALTEX. Call us on 01444 247689 or visit www.tracmaster.co.uk

Get on

track i n 2010 2014 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.ray com f g .com to travel through gates. Powered by a 35hp Vanguard gasoline engine. Available with a custom trailer. a l E s t a t e , S t u r m i n s t e r : M 800.392.2686 a r s h a ll, D o r s e t.

C o n t a c t RAYCO W e st c o n orE your q u i p m Authorized e n t f o r f u r t Dealer h e r d e t for a i l s details. : W estcon E q ui pm en t ( U K ) Li m i ted, U n i t 2 B r i d g e S t r e e t , B a i l i e G a t e I n d u s t r i www.raycomfg.com Contact B H 21 4 D B . Te l : ( 0 1 25 8 ) 8 5 9 1 0 0

Westcon.indd 1

99 Goundscare/Central/McMurty (Need Groundsman).indd 3

F a x : ( 0 1 25 8 ) 8 5 8 4 34 E m a i l : s a l e s @

w e s tc o n u k .c o .u k

www.westcon uk.co.uk

06/11/2013 09:18

20/08/2014 10:31

EQUIPMENT

GO AND SEE AT SALTEX

GroundsCare Products, the sole UK importer of Turf Teq and ZipLevel products, will be running live demonstrations on stand C35.

The ZipLevel is a high precision survey level for landscapers, garden designers, civil engineers and the construction industry; easier to carry, set up and use than a laser or automatic level, ZipLevel does not need line of sight and reads out results on a digital display. It can store up to 137 plots which can be recalled, and will work over unlimited heights and distances and around any obstacle.

WWW.GROUNDSCARE-PRODUCTS.CO.UK

Snow ploughs, snow and ice removal equipment, plus snow plough parts and accessories is what The Boss Snowplow is all about. Gritit says it has spent years developing snow plough blades that do the job faster, 4x4,

UTV and ATV snow ploughs that do the job better, and snow ploughs and spreaders that live up to the company’s name. Visit stand A35 for more information.

WWW.GRITIT.COM

PSD Groundscare specialises in supplying high quality commercial machines for the

discerning commercial user. Visit stand C80 where there will be some exciting new products on show. With a comprehensive range of professional equipment including commercial mowers, machinery for green waste recycling, lawn and turf care, debris clearing and snow removal, PSD Groundscare have a solution for every need.

WWW.PSDGROUNDSCARE.COM

Visit stand K45 to see the ever-expanding range of Makita mains, cordless and petrol outdoor power tools designed for professional landscapers and groundscare contractors.

Makita’s innovative MM4 mini four-stroke technology is at the heart of the petrol range as contractors recognise the environmental value of pure

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Access Platform Sales is showcasing two new crawlermounted products on stand J40. The Hinowa HS701 is a stand-on, diesel-powered, 0.29m³/550kg capacity tracked dumper with a high-tip mast, enabling it to load skips up to 1.35m high. It is joined by the Hinowa TX2500 TraXporter, a tracked dumper with a swivel skip which can be operated while the vehicle is in motion, an advantage over most competitor products. 180° rotating seat and controls enable the operator to always face in the direction of travel.

WWW.IAPSGROUP.COM

four-stroke engines for economy, power, low noise and emissions. Visitors will be able to test the 36V cordless range and discover their silent operation and zero emissions, while the new twin 18V lithium-ion battery system is designed to deliver 36V performance.

WWW.MAKITAUK.COM

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

18/08/2014 16:21

EQUIPMENT

GO AND SEE AT SALTEX The Cobra range of powered garden machinery, launched in March 2014 by Henton & Chattell, is already becoming established as a major brand in the UK garden machinery dealer network.

It is the largest single range of domestic and professional lawnmowers and other powered garden equipment, all designed to

Tracmaster’s successful CAMON brand continues to go from strength to strength with the introduction of two new products, a powerful compact chipper and a domestic scarifier, both of which were designed and manufactured by Tracmaster in the UK. The company will be showcasing these new products alongside its entire BCS and CAMON range on stand C62, including CAMON log splitters and turf cutters, BCS salt spreaders and snow clearing machinery, BCS Commanders and two-wheel tractors plus attachments.

WWW.TRACMASTER.CO.UK

From the latest in Kubota’s impressive F90 out-front range of mowers and rugged off-road RTV range through to HDK’s electricpowered utility vehicles and golf-buggies – major groundcare dealer, Lister Wilder is promising plenty of variety and interest at SALTEX 2014. The Lister Wilder stand will also feature the new LM2400 light-weight five-unit fairway mower and GM1700 ride-on rotary slope mower from

Staffordshire based Tufftruk Ltd is to launch a range of hydrostatic portable powered wheel barrows called TRUXTA on stand A70.

Available as a battery powered unit, diesel and petrol, the new TRUXTA 4x4 wheelbarrows work in the tightest corners. A Bendi rear axle

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General LK.indd 93

meet UK garden conditions. The Cobra range is rapidly expanding; it currently consists of over 70 products including 30 petrol and electric mowers as well as scarifiers, cultivators, chainsaws, hedgetrimmers, brushcutters and vacuums. See more on stand M55.

WWW.HCUK.CO

Baroness and exciting new machinery from wood chipper specialists, Timberwolf and from Kubota. Find Lister Wilder at stand D10.

WWW.LISTERWILDER.CO.UK

When it comes to applying an even spread of granular applications, Spyker Spreaders leads the way with its exclusive Accu-Way™ spread adjustment.

Spread patterns can be affected by a variety of issues, material size and density, humidity and temperature, condition of the spreader, walking speed of the operator and tilt of the spreader whilst in use. The full range of Spyker Spreaders will be displayed on stand H30, including the new Spyker 70 series 36in Drop Spreader.

WWW.CENTRALSPARES.CO.UK

means the TRUXTA handles corners with minimum effort, no need to lift or reposition. The well-balanced unit weighs in at just 200kg. At just 726mm wide the TRUXTA 4x4 is really compact and gets into places other units can’t.

WWW.TUFFTRUK.COM

Pro Landscaper / September 2014 93

20/08/2014 14:08

IT’S A CAREER, NOT JUST A JOB

Check out all the excellent career opportunities AT

H or ti culture C Some of our current roles include: Grounds Maintenance Supervisor • Grounds Maintenance Foremen • Head Gardener • Contracts Managers

It’s easy to use ● Register at www.horticulturecareers.co.uk ● Upload your CV (easy to follow instructions) ● Create a professional profile ● Find the right career in your area

Horticulture Careers.indd 94

20/08/2014 14:36

L •

e CAREERS

• s

Landscape Estimator • Garden Designers • Soft Landscape Team Leader • Hard and Soft Landscaper • Landscape Team Leader • plus many more...

If you have a vacancy to fill, please contact Ellie Downes: 01903 777 587 ellie.downes@eljays44.com www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

Horticulture Careers.indd 95

20/08/2014 14:36

C om b i n ati on Turf G room er ( 4 G C S ) P r ic e s fr o m

£ 9 0 0 p lu s V A T

P rof essi on al P ower S pray er ( P S 22) P r ic e s fr o m

£ 6 7 5 p lu s V A T

J ust two products f rom th e S C H 8 0 pag e b roch ure, f ull of turf care m ach i n ery , spray ers, water un i ts, trai lers an d m uch m ore.

We’re at IOG Saltex, stand G50. Come over and meet us.

Telephone: 01473 328272 Email: sales@schsupplies.co.uk Visit: www.schsupplies.co.uk

SALTEX EVERY BRAND UNDER THE SUN

The in p UK’s b itch i es, ggest par tra ks, d gro e ev un ent ds f an o r a d l ll i an nv ds olv cap ed es

X ION

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200+ exhibitors - outdoor demonstrations - free to visit - free parking

S A LT E X SPORTS AMENITIES LANDSC APING TRADE EXHIBITION

2 – 4 September 2014 Royal Windsor Racecourse

4 se sch saltex.indd 3

19/08/2014 16:38

EQUIPMENT

GENERAL LATEST KIT Makita has introduced a 5.0Ah lithium-ion battery, for when uninterrupted run time is critical, such as on remote locations or where charging capacity is distant. The new Makita 5.0Ah 18V li-ion battery provides 66 per cent more run time than that of the 3.0Ah battery whilst maintaining the same size and

The Toro Dingo offers a unique combination of power and versatility in a machine small enough to fit through a gate.

One machine that can carry out dozens of jobs efficiently – with more than 35 available attachments, operators can lift, carry, dig, trench, cultivate, till, grade, level, mix, demolish, fill, auger, rake, sweep and more.

Attachments are simple and quick to change without heavy lifting. Narrow track, wide track or wheeled base unit models are offered with a choice of petrol or diesel engines.

WWW.TORO.CO.UK/DINGO

Lawnflite has launched a new high speed addition to its Pro range. The new high speed roller mower, 553HRS-PROHS, features everything you would expect from a Lawnflite Pro machine such as a shaft driven gear box, heavy duty alloy deck,

The GreenMech Arborist 150 is a good all-round road tow machine and is the most popular size of chipper for the market. It has a generous 970 x 790mm in-feed chute to accommodate a 150mm chipping capacity. The

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General LK.indd 97

weight so maintaining the excellent balance and comfort of a Makita tool in use. Recharge time for the new 5.0Ah battery is just 45 minutes when using a Makita DC18RC or DC18RA fast charger.

WWW.MAKITAUK.COM

sealed roller bearings and strong handles. However, the 553HRS-PROHS also sports a high speed gear, making it 13 per cent faster than the standard models 553HRS and 553HRS-PRO. WWW.LAWNFLITE.CO.UK

150mm x 230mm letterboxstyle in-feed throat opening makes light work of heavily forked branches. The Arborist 150 comes fitted as standard with a patented Disc-Blade system.

WWW.GREENMECH.CO.UK

John Deere’s new mid-chassis 3R Series and large-chassis 4R Series compact tractors for 2014 replace the previous 3020 and 4020 Series models. The four-wheel drive 3033R, 3038R, 3045R, 4049R and 4066R models feature powerful three or four-cylinder Yanmar diesel engines from 33 to 66hp. They are equipped with John Deere’s well established automatic eHydro transmission, which combines a three-range electronic hydrostatic unit with simple to use TwinTouch forward and reverse pedals.

WWW.DEERE.CO.UK

Pro Landscaper / September 2014 97

20/08/2014 13:31

EQUIPMENT

TRADING WITH

SCH(SUPPLIES) LTD Andrew Rodwell, Managing Director of SCH (Supplies) Ltd, talks about the importance of dealer relationships and how they help landscape contractors make the company their choice for garden tractor attachments.

What products do you supply to landscapers?

We supply a full range of garden tractor attachments from sprayers to mowers, sweepers to trailers and quite a lot in between!

What is the ethos of the company?

We are a small operation and team effort is essential. I’m lucky to have very loyal staff, and I encourage everyone in the company to have some input into the products we make and the service we provide. Turnover of personnel is low, and I think that’s down to the feeling that each individual belongs and has a contribution to make – and their contributions are very much appreciated.

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

We have a network of some 1300 horticultural

dealers; some large, some one man bands. They are all important and we have a good rapport with all of them. We do not employ outside representation, we feel that our quality and the good name of our products does not warrant specialist sales people.

What additional support do you offer the landscape contractors?

When contractors ring us for advice we give them as much help as we can on which machines we produce that may be suitable for their particular job. If they ask, or if we feel that a certain product would suit but with modifications we will do it with speed and acceptable pricing.

WE WILL ALL WORK HARD, PLAY HARD, AND CONTINUE TO INNOVATE AND BRING YOU THE HIGH QUALITY, WELL PRICED ITEMS THAT YOU NEED.

How will you remain competitive for next year?

We strive to keep our price increases to a minimum by constantly reviewing the design and efficiency of our products.

Why do contractors choose your brand over competitors?

They appreciate the fact that 95 per cent of our products are made here in Suffolk, in converted farm buildings by a loyal staff of around 20 people. Due to our low overheads, we are able to create top quality products at very realistic prices. We’re not a ‘high-tech’ firm with robots and computer operated tooling, we’re just good old fashioned British manufacturers providing local jobs for people who take pride in their work. Contractors are also amazed that they can still get spare parts from us for machines which are many years old.

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

As a small firm we attach a great deal of importance to health and safety of anyone operating our equipment. However, there are aspects of H&S legislation that makes my blood pressure rise, so let’s not talk about it and pass the whisky!

What is the next step for your company?

We will all work hard, play hard, and continue to innovate and bring you the high quality, well priced items that you need.

Andrew Rodwell, flanked by Jenny Wiggins and Ian Holder, receiving an award at SALTEX 2013

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Pro Landscaper / September 2014

Trading With.indd 98

Contact: SCH Supplies Ltd. Holbrook, Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 2PT Tel: 01473 328272 www.schsupplies.co.uk

Are you introducing any new products in the next few months?

We continuously develop new products, some of which you can see at SALTEX on stand G50. There are more to come though.

Watch this space!

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/08/2014 13:35

e products on display at stand C35 in theYellow Area.

GroundsCare Products will be running live demonstrations of TURFTEQ landscape maintenance machines and ZIPLEVEL survey products on Stand C35 Yellow Area

BUILT FOR EVERY SEASON.

The TURFTEQ range consists of:

Surface Preparation Rake Power Broom Trencher Rough-cut Mower Bed Edger Snow Plough

Accu-way™ Controlled spread pattern Spyker Dial Adjustment Eliminates waste and saves time

all powered by the hydrostatically-driven TURFTEQ walk-behind 13hp Honda engine.

Large Pneumatic Tyres Improved manoeuvrability Metal Gears Professional models Lifetime warranty ZIPLEVEL is a high precision survey level for landscapers, garden designers, contractors, civil engineers and the construction industry. It can work around corners. It needs only one person to operate it; is compact and light weight; easy to use.

Call Judy Stafford on Tel: 0118 981 1313

E-mail: judy.stafford@groundscare-products.co.uk

Positive On/Off System No trailing cables European Distributor

Central Spares Ltd European Distributor Tel 01202 882000 www.centralspares.co.uk Central Spares Ltd

Tel 01202 882000

www.centralspares.co.uk

889_CS Spyker Ad 91x118.indd 1 99 Goundscare/Central/McMurty (Need Groundsman).indd 4

SEE US AT EX SALT N STA D H30 N IO IT IB EXH

04/07/2014 18:15 20/08/2014 10:55

TRADITIONAL GEORGIAN STYLE STEEL PLANTERS Hand-crafted in England

It thinks like you do

In whatever trade, tendering accurately for contracts has always been a difficult job...

LiberRATE is the Estimating System of Choice for the UK landscape industry. It is no wonder that most of the award winning contractors use LiberRATE to secure and manage their Landscape and Garden contracts.

LiberRATE is about maximizing your estimating time and making a profit.

FREE 90 DAY TRIAL

A RT H U R J AC K & C oCall for details: 01299 827059 www.arthurjack.co.uk Chemsol (Global) Ltd are pleased to announce...

ONE SOLUTION TO DRAINAGE PROBLEMS Clear Standing Water in Minutes with Ease

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

QP advert templates.indd 7

18/03/2013 11:42

Dont be this Person

When PortaPump & PortaPump Junior can make you this person!

Old York & Indian Paving Following the success of the PortaPump, PortaPump Junior has been developed for smaller jobs and household use.

The PortaPump Junior is a commercial grade pump that will fit on to any brand of string trimmer or brushcutter. Made with a cast aluminum housing and impeller, the PortaPump Junior quickly transforms any string trimmer into a high speed water pump. The upper sleeve fits over the shaft of the trimmer and is screwed securely in place then all that is required for use is attaching a discharge hose.

• Up to 114 Litres depending on engine size • Powered by a self-priming 4-stroke 35cc Honda Engine • Clears water from as low as 3mm with ease from bunkers, fairways, sports fields, pathways, ponds etc.

• Weighing only 9kg, PortaPump is easy to transport, carry & use • Flow capacity of 135 litres/minute

• Weight = 2kg • Discharge Size = 4cm

Chippings, Setts & Cobbles

Chemsol (Global) Ltd Matrix House, Goodman Street, Hunslet, Leeds LS10 1NZ

We g u a r a n t e e r e a l q u a l i t y, great value, and tremendous choice. With over 40 years experience we can help you create your perfect garden.

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20/08/2014 09:32

PEOPLE Terry Dean celebrates 50 years in September working as a groundsman at Clarence Park in St Albans, currently part of the John O’Conner portfolio. Pro Landscaper asked Terry about a typical day, what continues to get him up in the morning and how he still has a passion for his park…

Terry, what was your role when you started the job 50 years ago? And now?

I started work at the age of 15 as an assistant gardener, or apprentice, getting paid £2 and 10 shillings a week. I also attended college and gradually increased my qualification to City & Guilds Level 4. My role involved more gardening skills 50 years ago, there were more bedding displays which have since been replaced with sustainable perennial planting. In the 60s Clarence Park was the main sports venue in St Albans, so there were more grass sports pitches to maintain. I still maintain the cricket pitch and bowling green.

How have changes in health & safety, and other rules and regulations affected your work?

The changes are enormous! There was almost no health and safety training whatsoever, you were trusted to use your own common sense. Now there are more rules and regulations and I have adapted and completed training as required, and

I HONESTLY LOVE MY JOB AND IF I COULD DO ANOTHER 50 YEARS I WOULD!

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF...TERRY DEAN recognise that it’s important to comply with this.

However the fundamentals of H&S and how tools are used are the same. For example, I was using secateurs, hand mowers, rakes and hoes 50 years ago in the same way as today.

Did things change when John O’Conner took over the management of the park 14 years ago?

John O’Conner never tried to interfere, it’s a family orientated and employee friendly company. They trusted our experience and knowledge. Martin Perry, Regional Manager, recognised our passion and motivation. I’m glad we have a good relationship and that they recognise my long service, they presented me with an oak tree for my 40 years’ service which I planted within Clarence Park. John O’Conner will be gifting me my requested ‘Handkerchief Tree’, also to be planted in Clarence Park, for my 50 years’ service, and I am proud to say that this will be presented to me

by The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans early September.

What hours do you work?

I am semi-retired and work three full days a week.

Although I am based at Clarence Park I also move around to do the cricket wickets at Verulamium Park and Rothamsted Park. My role alters from season to season; summer is mainly working on the sports pitches and greens, and winter is about tidying up the leaves and shrubs.

Do you have a set routine for each day?

I know what I am doing each day, however working with the public means that I have to be flexible. If

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Day in the Life.indd 101

there are any high priority issues that arise, the day is adapted to fit these. Sports pitches require a detailed routine so they’re ready for the weekend.

Is the park used more or less now than in the past?

The park has vastly increased in use as the town has grown. It’s location near the station means it attracts many visitors. It has a playground, cricket pitch, tennis courts and bowling green, and it’s always full of children on bikes and scooters.

What machinery to you use to maintain the park?

It depends on the season. When its summer sports time I use the triple cylinder mower for the pitches and mastiff for the cricket square. When I’m working on the rose bushes it’s mainly with basic hand tools. New equipment has made tasks more efficient.

How do the public interact with you whilst you’re working?

The public are very friendly, and recognise me as I’m working. I’ve watched regular users grow up over the last 50 years, and schoolgirls grow into grandmothers! There’s an active friends group and we all work together to look after its heritage.

What’s next for you?

I will probably work for another few years yet.

I have my own allotment and garden that I am very proud of. I honestly love my job and if I could do another 50 years I would! There are not a lot of people that can say that and I feel blessed to feel this way.

Pro Landscaper / September 2014 101

20/08/2014 11:07

PEOPLE

THOMAS PALFREYMAN Managing Director Urban Planters Franchise Ltd www.urbanplanters.co.uk Your most referred to gardening book of all time?

Outdoors by Diarmuid Gavin, and Sir Terence Conran.

Best garden in the UK? The Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Biggest life influence?

My Dad who insisted I studied horticulture rather than join the family business straight from school. At the time I did not agree with this, but it was the best move I could have made.

Top plant?

Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea Pendula’.

Favourite tipple?

Beer, wine, and gin – but not all in the same glass.

Lifelong fan of…

Derby County.

Your most used saying or cliché?

‘Now don’t take this the wrong way but…’ or ‘Is it a good moment?’

Pro Landscaper asks quick-fire questions to get a small insight into the people that make up our industry. To take part email lisa.wilkinson@eljays44.com

Newest gardening trend for 2014?

Living walls and green roof installations are in big demand for us; but equally creating green spaces inside and outside buildings where we work rest and play to improve wellbeing is at the top of my wish list when working on projects of all sizes.

ANNA DEMPSEY

www.annadempsey.com

Your most referred to gardening book of all time?

RHS Encyclopaedia of Gardening by Christopher Brickell.

Lifelong fan of?

The English landscape.

Best garden in the UK? Sissinghurst gardens.

Your most used saying or cliché?

Absolutely amazing.

Biggest life influence?

Beth Chatto Top plant?

Three people you’d like to invite to dinner?

Bill Wolverton, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, and Arsène Wenger.

Most treasured gift?

My three children Ffion, Nancy, and Teddy.

102 Pro Landscaper / September 2014

Little Interview.indd 102

Director at Anna Dempsey Designs

This is so hard to say, I’ll go with the Primula auricula.

Favourite tipple?

Elderflower cordial.

Most treasured gift?

My artistic and creative ability.

Newest gardening trend for 2014?

Mixed pot planting in an urban environment.

Three people you’d like to invite to dinner?

Beth Chatto, Sarah Raven, and Arabella Lennox-Boyd.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/08/2014 11:21

PEOPLE

NINA BAXTER Nina Baxter Garden Design www.ninabaxter.co.uk Your most referred to gardening book?

Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos by Graham Stuart Thomas.

Best garden in the UK? My favourite is currently the Sussex Prairie Garden.

Biggest life influence?

William Shakespeare.

Top plant?

There are so many but it has to be a rose – for indulgent scent and colour Rosa ‘Madame Isaac Pereire’.

JOHN EVERISS

Most treasured gift?

My engagement ring – it was my husband’s grandmother’s (who was also called Nina Baxter!)

Your most used saying or cliché?

Face the sun and the shadows will fall behind you.

Lifelong fan of…

Ronnie O’Sullivan.

Three people you’d like to invite to dinner?

Michael Palin, Joanna Lumley, and Stephen King.

RACHEL KAY

John Everiss Design

MD at Green-Tech Ltd www.green-tech.co.uk

Most referred to gardening book?

The English Garden by Ursula Buchan.

Best garden in the UK? Gresgarth Hall Gardens in Lancashire.

Favourite tipple?

Peroni.

Most treasured gift?

My dad’s Second World War RAF watch.

Your most referred to gardening book of all time?

Wild Flower Garden by John Chambers.

Most used saying or cliché?

Job’s a good un’.

Biggest life influence?

My wife Ruth, I couldn’t have done anything without her.

Top plant?

Brunnera.

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Little Interview.indd 103

Three people you’d like to invite to dinner?

Noel Fielding, Billy Bob Thornton, and Paloma Faith.

Most treasured gift?

My kids.

Lifelong fan of…

Heavyweight boxing!

Lifelong fan of...

West Bromwich Albion.

Newest trends?

Big planters and pots.

Favourite tipple?

Champagne.

Best garden in the UK? The Alnwick Garden.

Biggest life influence?

My gran.

Top plant?

Bluebells.

Your most used saying or cliché?

If you get run over by a bus…

Three people you’d like to invite to dinner?

My gran, my grandfather who I never met, and Elvis Presley.

Pro Landscaper / September 2014 103

20/08/2014 11:21

JOBS

For full details on all jobs, please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

Call 01903 777 587 or email ellie.downes@eljays44.com with your vacancy.

SKILLED LANDSCAPER

EXPERIENCED HARD AND SOFT LANDSCAPER

Garden House Design is an award-winning Worthing based company established over 20 years ago, specialising in garden design and landscape construction, in both the domestic and commercial markets. We require a well presented self-motivated person with at least three years’ experience as a landscaper who is capable of working in a team to create top end designs. The role may involve driving and applicants must therefore have a full driving licence. Skills required: broad ranging landscape skills and experience, to include – paving, decking, block paving, groundworks, turfing and soft landscaping.

Outdoor Creations are recognised as leaders in landscape design and construction. Applicants should ideally have two to four years’ experience in a similar position. Ideally able to demonstrate some skills in interpreting plans and drawings and marking out sites, but most importantly must be able to build hard landscaping features (paving, brickwork, decking etc.) of good quality. The successful applicant will ideally be able to help supervise a small team of landscapers on site (support, assistance and training if required will be provided).

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

EXPERIENCED GARDEN MAINTENANCE OPERATIVE

EXPERIENCED LANDSCAPE TEAM LEADER

GARDEN HOUSE DESIGN Location: Various sites, mainly in Sussex and Surrey

ANDERSPLUS Location: West Molesey

Our client is an enthusiastic business who specialises in creating bespoke gardens designed and maintained with the individual clients needs in mind. They are seeking an experienced Garden Maintenance Operative working in London, Surrey, Middlesex, Hampshire and Berkshire. They design and build a wide range of private and public gardens, urban spaces and rural landscapes. The ideal candidate should have excellent plant knowledge and experience in working on high end domestic properties.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

OUTDOOR CREATIONS Location: London

SUSTAIN LANDSCAPES LTD Location: Consett, County Durham

Sustain Landscapes Ltd have a vacancy for an experienced Landscape Team Leader. The selected candidate will lead a team on commercial landscape construction contracts across the North East region. Duties will include: management and implementation of hard and soft landscape contracts, client liaison, interpretation of drawings and specifications, delegating tasks and instructing team members on site, and management of health and safety on site and maintenance of team discipline. Essential requirements: commercial landscape experience, CSCS Card, and full driving licence.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE FOREMEN

TRAINEE PROJECT MANAGER

Acre Landscapes Ltd are an award winning commercial landscape construction and grounds maintenance company based in Sussex. Due to expansion we require an experienced Grounds Maintenance Foremen. The post holder is required to deliver high quality grounds maintenance services to a number of commercial sites across the South of England. Key qualifications and skills: experience of commercial grounds maintenance, three+ years Foreman / Supervisory experience, NPTC PA1 / 6 spraying licence, full driving licence, and CSCS Registration (operative or above).

We are a forward-thinking design and build London based company seeking a talented and keen trainee to learn all aspects of the project management and garden design. Duties will include all basic office tasks (answering telephones, co-ordinating teams/projects, marketing etc.) and understudy and office back up to all existing project managers and in-house designer. Strong horticultural knowledge and Vectorworks experience essential. Knowledge of London and surrounds as well as some commercial experience also preferred. A driving licence and current horticultural qualifications are also preferred.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

ACRE LANDSCAPES LTD Location: Hampshire

ARBORIST

MOREPEOPLE Location: Cambridge and Norfolk Our client is a multi-disciplinary company with an Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor department providing Arboricultural Services to its diverse client base throughout East Anglia. They are currently looking for qualified and experienced Arborists to join their existing Cambridge and Norfolk teams. They are looking for self-motivated and professional candidates with excellent communication skills, pruning skills to BS3998:2010, an understanding of current legislation and industry best practice and as well as being able to pay attention to detail.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

104 Pro Landscaper / September 2014

JOBS SEPTEMBER.indd 104

THE GARDEN BUILDERS Location: London

CONTRACTS MANAGERS TAYLOR2RECRUITMENT LTD Location: North England

For commercial landscape and grounds maintenance companies.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/08/2014 09:34

CLASSIFIED ESTATE GARDENER/HORTICULTURALIST

ESTIMATOR – LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION

This is a unique opportunity to join a working Estate based in evon. e are looking for someone who has experience working with a range of plants, vegetables and fruits as well as general maintenance. y Client owns and runs a farm for young adults with learning difficulties and horticulture plays a massive part of the day to day learning. 0 of your time will be looking after the estate and the other 0 spent with the young adults leading them in horticulture activities.

Excellent opportunity for a first rate Estimator an excellent reputation

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

APPRENTICE LANDSCAPER

OUTLET MANAGER

AN E SP S Location: Okehampton

TAYLOR2RECRUITMENT LTD Location: Home Counties

E P E : EENBE T AN SCAPES T ANN P E : S CT A N N Location: Carnforth

ell-established company with

GODFREYS SEVENOAKS LTD Location: Wokingham

This is a fantastic and exciting opportunity to start your career in horticulture with a highly esteemed landscaping company, who deal with high end domestic customers.

Busy all year round, the job will be mainly hard landscaping however the successful candidate will also be required to carry out the highest standards of general gardening maintenance.

esponsible for the achievement of the outlet business plan objectives and fulfilling the expectations of all stakeholders (owners, customers, and employees). Provides leadership in evaluating, allocating, and managing human, physical and financial resources for the location. ptimises the profitable growth of the business, the personal growth of employees, and the satisfaction of customers. ight also be assigned to other functional responsibilities within the ealership.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

QUALITY GRASS SEED THAT PERFORMS. The Green Velvet Lawn Seed range from Barenbrug has been specially designed for landscapers looking to achieve the best possible results on lawns.

A quality simple range at sensible prices.

www.oxfordplanters.co.uk Providers of English Handcrafted Planters and Outdoor Furniture in Oak, Iroko or Accoya.

Other services include a bespoke joinery service for all interior & exterior design.

For more information email info@oxfordplanters.co.uk or call 01608 683022

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For all horticultural and Garden design enquiries please contact Martin on 07765 188725 or email info@martincadams.co.uk All products manufactured in the Cotswolds using sustainable timber.

Unwanted grounds maintenance equipment?

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Suppliers of Bulbs Nursery Stock and Christmas Trees

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Ride-On Tractor Mowers John Deere X748: 48” RD deck, 4WD, HST – choice of 2 John Deere X740: 54” SD deck, low-tip coll. – choice of 2 John Deere X495: 48” SD deck, 2WD, HST – choice of 2 John Deere 355D: 48” SD/Mulch, 2WD, diesel – 1738hrs John Deere GX355: 48” SD deck, 2WD, diesel – 901hrs John Deere X320: 48” SD deck, 2WD, petrol – 195hrs John Deere L107: 42” SD deck, 2WD, petrol – 197hrs Stiga Villa 16: 37” front mount deck, 15hp B&S, 2WD

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Trailers Brian James plant trailer: 14ft X 6ft, twin axle Ifor Williams GX84 trailer: 8ft X 4ft, GW: 2700kg, twin axle Ifor Williams GX105 trailer: 10ft X 5ft, GW: 3500kg, twin ax.

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Pro Landscaper / September 2014 107

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