Horticulture Connected Spring Volume 1 Issue 2 by Horticulture Connected

HORTICULTURE CONNECTED

April/May 2014

News, Analysis and Trends in Landscape and Amenity Horticulture

A SPECIFIC PROBLEM A CROSS SECTOR REVIEW OF A GROWING PROBLEM

STRIPPED BACK

HELEN ROCK REVIEWS THE RECENT GLDA DESIGN SEMINAR

INVASIVE SPECIES, THE LAW AND YOUR BUSINESS THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF ALIEN PLANT SPECIES ON YOUR BUSINESS

CONNECTINGHORTICULTURE

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ED’S LETTER

TIME TO CHOOSE IF YOU’RE RACING TO THE TOP OR BOTTOM

EDITOR BARRY LUPTON

’ve spent much of the last month following up on concerns about public contracts being won unfairly by contractors who submit below-cost quotations on specifications, in full knowledge that they will never deliver what is specified. I have been told by numerous industry figures that this practice has been going on for decades, that certain contractors see it as legitimate to substitute P9s for 2lts, to change plant species, and to plant 70% of what was specified. In the words of one industry figure, ‘Sure who the feck is going to check?’ In pursuit of answers I have inquired with one local council on a specific soft landscape scheme; putting questions to them in relation to species choice, auditing and chain of responsibility. The investigation and project are both ongoing and I will report fully when complete. In fairness to the council, they have responded saying they have requested confirmation of plants delivered to the site. I’m not sure if I’m alarmed or amused that they could not identify all the trees because of leaf fall. I’m tempted to offer tree ident services! What I am alarmed at is the

HORTICULTURE CONNECTED

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admission by one senior contractor that many in the industry feel they have no choice but to join in the race to the bottom, simply to stay in business. In the meantime, I’ve discussed issues surrounding landscape specifications with stakeholders from across the industry and am delighted that several agreed to share their thoughts in A Specific Problem. For those wishing to explore the often complex process of tendering, resident landscape quantifying expert, COLM KENNY, presents an excellent practical guide. Taking a wider view, ALCI President, PETER O’TOOLE shares his views on how Irish landscape contractors are evolving their business models to meet new market demands. On the retail front, LIAM KELLY explores the threats and opportunities afforded by the large discount stores, while KITTY GALLAGHER, President of the World Association of Flower Arrangers, illuminates the importance of the Irish floristry sector and upcoming World Flower Show which takes place in Dublin this June. With the wettest winter on record happily behind us, respected irrigation specialist, PAUL KUNKELS,

Editor: Barry Lupton editor@horticulture.ie Advertising: Joseph Blair 087 921 2044 joseph@horticulture.ie Subscriptions: subscriptions@horticulture.ie Design & Layout: Tanya Gilsenan tanya@horticulture.ie Design Concept: Faye Keegan www.fayekeegandesign.com Publishers: HortiTrends www.HortiTrends.ie joseph@hortitrends.ie Cover image: Kaxmopp

sets out how you can save money and conserves water with some wellconsidered infrastructure. Joining HORTICULTURE CONNECTED with an informative guide on managing areas of rough grass on golf courses, is respected turf-grass specialist and lecturer at ITB, EAMON KEALY. With the design and build season in full swing, HELEN ROCK looks back at the recent GLDA design seminar in Stripped Back, while environmental law specialist, KIERAN CUMMINS details the legal aspects of alien plant species in Ireland. Also talking plants is Senior Parks Executive AIDAN J FFRENCH, who examines the plight and potential future of Ireland’s urban trees in A View from the Urban Forest. In this issue’s interview, I put some tough questions to respected nurseryman, JOHN MURPHY of Annaveigh Plants. Also in this issue, I’m delighted to include a selection of photos from recent trade events and to share the full list of BORD BIA QUALITY AWARDS recipients. Well done to all. Here’s to good weather, sales and lines of credit. ✽

See www.Horticulture.ie for more news

Photos by Koraley Northen, Vincent McMonagle & Joseph Blair Printers: Turners Printing. Earl Street, Longford. Distribution: 3000 copies distributed across Ireland North and South to Businesses and Professionals in the following Sectors: Landscape / Architects / Garden Retail / Florists / Nurseries / Greenkeepers / Sports Surfaces / Local Authority’s & Parks Departments / Machinery / Education

April/May 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

CONTENTS

Contents NEWS

CONSTRUCTION

HORTICULTURE NEWS

GENERAL 06

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO LANDSCAPE TENDERING Colm Kenny, landscape cost estimating expert, shares some tips and tricks on how to avoid the pitfalls of landscape tendering

BORD BIA AWARDS Ireland’s top horticulture businesses

RETAIL 10

THIS COUNTS

LANDSCAPE 34

Leading retail consultant Liam Kelly explores positive and negative impacts on discount chains on the Irish gardening market and provides some tips on how you can learn from what they do

DESIGN 14

STRIPPED BACK Renowned garden writer and plantswomen, Helen Rock strips away the layers of the recent GLDA design seminar to reveal some inspiring insights

NURSERY 17

IN PICTURES APRIL IN PICTURES Rentes Plants Spring Fair, IHNSA Trolley Fair, Pat Fitzgerald Seminar & Northern Ireland Trolley Fair

TREES 36

A VIEW FROM THE URBAN FOREST Trees and development - same old story? An opinion piece written by Aidan J ffrench

INSIGHT 40

A SPECIFIC LANDSCAPE PROBLEM Featuring Thomas Crummy, Maryann Harris, Ronan Nangle & Terry O’Regan

SPORTS TURF 42

THINNING THE SWARD Eamon Kealy, turfgrass specialist and lecturer in horticulture at the Institute of Tecnology Blanchardstown, sets out a concise strategy for managing areas of heavy rough on Ireland’s golf courses

GAMBLE AND GROW Barry Lupton interviews one of Ireland’s more wellknown and respected nursery owners, John Murphy of Annaveigh Plants

Kieran Cummins, environmental law specialist, details the legal issues surrounding invasive species in Ireland and the implications they have for your business

WATER WISE Paul Kunkels, owner and operator of Irritec, traces the lines of irrigation history and provides some insightful guidance on how to make the right decisions about water use and conservation

INVASIVE SPECIES, THE LAW AND YOUR BUSINESS

FLORISTRY 44

WHERE FLORAL ART & HORTICULTURE MEET By Kitty Gallagher, President of the World Association of Flower Arrangers (WAFA) and organiser of the World Flower Show, Dublin, 2014

HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticulture.ie / April/May 2014

01 / NEWS

PHOTO: B CLEARY VIA SXC

HORTICULTURE NEWS

NATURAL CAPITAL: IRELAND’S HIDDEN WEALTH This coming April 28th and 29th will see the National Botanic Garden, Glasnevin host a conference of utmost importance to the wider horticulture community. The aim of the conference is to provide a clearer and more positive understanding of natural capital values, using international and national case studies and to encourage and facilitate public and private sectors to initiate the development of accounting systems that value natural capital. Under EU and national legislation, Ireland is already committed “to assess the economic value of such services, and promote the integration

PHOTO BY CONLETH MC KERNAN

BLOOM’S TICKET SALES PROMOTION GETS UNDERWAY

of these values into accounting and reporting systems at EU and national level by 2020”. But there has been very little general awareness of this commitment to date. Work on this exciting and challenging endeavour is only beginning in Ireland. Some very promising studies have already been done both here and internationally, which unlock hidden wealth in our landscapes. The Natural Capital conference will highlight and advance this important task with government, private and semi-state corporations, national institutions and the general public. Natural Capital: Ireland’s Hidden

Wealth, will host leading international and national figures in this field, including: ● Dr James Aronson, Centre D’Ecologie Fonctionnelle & Evolutive (CEFE) ● Dan O’Brien, Chief Economist at the Institute for International and European Affairs ● Micheal O’Briain, Natural Capital Directorate at Environment DG Brussels ● Feargal O Coigligh, Assistant Secretary of the Irish Department of Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht

The countdown to Bloom has started in earnest with a ‘Mothers Day Ticket Promotion’ to its 17,000 Club Bloom members. Bloom generates €5.5 million in sales during the five days, with the average adult spending €75 during that period. This year’s show will run from Thursday 29th May to Monday 2nd June. See bloominthepark.com for more details. And for those of you who get excited by numbers, here are the facts and figures for 2013.

ATTENDANCE ● Thursday 14,393 ● Friday 17,103 ● Saturday 21,567 ● Sunday 30,887 ● Monday 26,812 Total 110,762

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.NATURALCAPITALIRELAND.COM

VISITOR DEMOGRAPHICS ● Male: 25% ● Female: 75% ● Accompanied by children: 19%

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April/May 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

01 / NEWS SUPERNEMOS UP FOR 2014 AWARD Once again Nemos.ie tops the list of nominations for the Green Awards being shortlisted for the Supply Chain Management Award and the Product of the Year Award. Dr Abdul Al-Amidi has been short listed for this year’s Green Leader Award. His biopesticide invention called SuperNemos, which simplifies plant and crop protection, not just in the garden but also across the horticultural industry. Giving the consistent comfort of zero crop losses, his invention has kept many of Ireland’s soft fruit growers in business, and is one of the few Irish products listed in Ireland’s five star Garden Centres. ✽

GLDA PROMOTING NEW

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES The Garden & Landscape Designers Association (GLDA) has launched a corporate membership package aimed at suppliers of products and services to the landscape sector. It will offer businesses in the landscape industry an opportunity to be included in the GLDA Designer’s Handbook which is currently under production. The book will be available on the association’s website, and a hard copy will be available for members and other interested parties involved in landscape design, garden design, horticulture, construction industries and academia. Enquiries to info@glda.ie ✽

NEW MAINTENANCE DIVISION FOR RICHARD

SHORTALL LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Richard Shortall’s Dublin based landscape company continues to grow and has recently formed a new division with a team focusing purely on maintenance services. His company is one of a number of companies feeling confident enough to take on new staff, and is currently advertising a job for a landscape professional on JobsInHorticulture.ie A further sign that the landscape sector continues to recover. Richard tells HC, he has been busy with plenty of new work coming in and wants to expand his team to allow him to concentrate on bringing in more new design and hard landscape business. ✽

Fiann Ó Nuallάin to publish ‘The Holistic Gardener: First Aid from the Garden’ A handy guide to quick and effective first aid treatments for commonly occurring accidents and complaints, derived from garden, pantry and under-sink sources. From a thorn prick to heatstroke, from chapped hands to heart attack, from pesticide poisoning to wasp stings: all of these can be treated on site with what you grow. The resources are on your doorstep: the plant beside you as your work or relax in the garden can be the answer to hives, aches or watery eyes. It is written by a professional gardener with a lifetime’s experience of accidents that can happen in the garden and of how to cure or respond to them using plants and items at hand in the garden. All the dots are joined, you won’t need a book on herbs, a book on homemade remedy preparations or a plant reference – they are all combined in the first aid advice in this book. Available in May. Order in advance online from www.mercierpress.ie €12.99. ✽

€1 MILLION INVESTMENT AT JOHNSTOWN GARDEN CENTRE AS ONLINE GROWTH CONTINUES The centre has recently completed a major investment that includes an extensive new restaurant and an increase in shop floor space to 40,000 square feet. The investment also means the creation of 15 new jobs. Online sales are continuing to grow for the business, which was one of the early adopters of garden retail ecommerce. Centre Director Jim Clarke explained that their online investment has increased sales and also provided creator insight into customer buying habits. “50% of customers now research their product online before visiting us. The online store allows customers to browse at their leisure regardless of the weather”. ✽

KILSARAN LAUNCHES NEW ‘DIARMUID GAVIN’ PAVING RANGE Following a €30 million investment in new paving production facilities in 2009, Kilsaran International has announced an exclusive collaboration with Irish celebrity garden designer, Diarmuid Gavin, to design and produce a high end bespoke range of contemporary paving products and accessories. The extensive range will comprise paving flags, kerb edgings and accessories and is aimed at both homeowners and commercial landscapers looking for aesthetically design led paving schemes. Combining over 50 years of Kilsaran expertise with Diarmuid’s unique, trademark style the

HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticulture.ie / April/May 2014

collection will be available in a range of designer colours and finishes. Speaking about the new range, Diarmuid said: “I have long being impressed by the Kilsaran commitment to innovation and quality and am really delighted and excited to join their team. We have being busy working together at impressive facilities for some months, developing a product range which both reflects current outdoor trends and adds some totally new ideas into the mix. Our aim is to excite the consumer with the new potential of paving!” There is also word that Diarmuid is currently developing a new range of ‘DG’ plants with a leading Irish independent garden centre. With his new focus on the Irish market, might we see Diarmuid raising his profile even further by going for gold at Bloom sometime soon? ✽

01 / NEWS

SCHOOLS SPRING INTO ACTION FOR GARDEN SHOW! Thursday 20th March represents the first official day of spring and schools from all over Northern Ireland are springing into action preparing for a number of gardening challenges at this year’s Garden Show Ireland event which takes place in Antrim Castle Gardens from 9th to 11th May, 2014. Pupils from Ballycraigy Primary School in Antrim are just some of those busy working on designs for the Schools Garden Challenge, Scarecrow Square and the Edible Containers Competition - all of which are sponsored by long term supporter of the Show - Allianz. The theme of the 2014 Allianz Schools Garden Challenge is ‘An Edible Garden’ and teams are invited from schools and colleges to design and build a garden to be displayed at Garden Show Ireland in May, with the winning school receiving a trip for 30 pupils to the Omniplex by courtesy of Junction One. New for 2014, primary schools are invited to design ‘An Edible Garden in a Container’ with the winning schools receiving a Buzzy Bees Gardening Kit and trees kindly provided by College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE, formerly known as Greenmount College). The show will be open daily from 10am to 6pm with parking adjacent. Admission for adults is £10 (concession £8) and the event is FREE for children under 16. There is a reduced rate for online bookings. For more information visit www.gardenshowireland.com ✽

HERB GARDEN LAUNCHES NEW RANGE OF IRISH ORGANIC SEEDS One of Ireland’s few certified organic herb producers, The Herb Garden is delighted to announce the launch of a new range of Irish Certified Organic herb seeds. The new range will include a diverse range of rare and unusual species and will target both novices and experts. The announcement coincides with an investment in the company’s online presence and ecommerce offer. To learn more visit www.theherbgarden.ie ✽

TURNING THE SOD ON THE NEXT GENERATION OF IRISH GARDENERS Gardening activity is underrepresented in Irish media. Beyond the few cornerstone columnists in the broadsheets, and one or two related TV shows, there really is very little to encourage the non-gardener to get involved. While many in the industry are content to complain or simply wait for things to happen, there are a few folks who are willing to invest their personal time and money to communicate the wider benefits of gardening and horticulture in an Irish context. One of the hardest working of the few is North County Dublin contractor, Peter

Donegan. Having started a landscape blog back when the internet was run on coal, he developed The Sod Show, a podcast which was subsequently picked up by Dublin City FM. “Within our first year a nice moment came when Irish company Greensax decided to sponsor the show.” says Peter. That was three years ago and since then Peter has built a huge following and a number of awards for his work. “It was a very proud moment when The Sod Show won Ireland’s Best Podcast in 2012 and an even prouder one when it won again in 2013”. Such promotion of garden activity often goes unnoticed and unrewarded by the wider industry, but it is this type of grass roots activity that will help to create the next generation of plant buyers. “Whilst it is landscaping that still pays the bills, The Sod Show is life, and I guess it wasn’t the worst thing I ever created.” He may well joke, but the work involved in creating and delivering the weekly show is no laughing matter As for the future, The Sod Show will continue to go from strength to strength. “I’m committed to promoting Irish horticulture and products via the airwaves and the net. I would encourage others to follow suit as stimulating interest in horticulture is in all our interest”. The Sod Show goes out live every Friday afternoon at 3pm on 103.2 FM and covers all manner of horticultural topics. If you would like further information, think you have a product or service of interest or think you might be able to support the show, visit www.sodshow.com ✽

April/May 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

01 / NEWS

THE SAP GROUP FUTURE PROOFS ITS BUSINESS The SAP group was established in 1971. Since then, the company has grown to be Ireland’s largest supplier of trees, shrubs and landscaping services and employs more than 175 people. It now comprises SAP Nurseries, SAP Landscapes, SAP Grounds Maintenance and SAP Holland. In a recent interview with the Irish Times the landscaping and horticulture group SAP gave a rundown of how the downturn affected them in 2007. At the time it employed over 200 people and had €17 million annual turnover. Core to that turnover was its paving section which accounted for €13 million

a year. They realised they would have to act fast in order to survive. SAP Landscapes MD, Geoff Moran said they made the decision to close it down. He was quoted in the interview as saying “One of the ways we dealt with the property crash was by restricting our construction activity and relationship with contractors. There were an awful lot of bad debts in the industry so we reduced our exposure to that”. A new focus was put into the landscape-maintenance business which resulted in creating and offering a dedicated winter maintenance service to their clients. They invested €1 million in new machinery and now operate a fleet of snow ploughs and salt spreading machines. They provide a daily forecasting service, and

maintain 68 retail sites, 50 business parks and 30 other businesses. In 2012, that business was worth €480,000 a year in turnover. In 2010, the group went online with the establishment of e-SAP. The website provides wholesale customers with access to 35,000 trees, plant and shrub lines, real time availability and a choice of specification according to the client’s budget. The site was one of the first portals in Europe to offer the trade buyer real time choice and availability. More recently the company launched a new online business, giftofatree. ie Interestingly, in the interview he revealed “A few months ago we started work on a new residential scheme. It is our first new residential project since 2009. Maybe that’s a signal of the end of the recession”. ✽

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01 / NEWS

GREENTECH 2014: WELCOMING THE WORLD OF HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY TO AMSTERDAM GreenTech 2014, the international trade fair for horticulture technology, will open its doors from 10th to 12th June in Amsterdam, and will focus on product technology for food and ornamental horticulture. GreenTech will also feature a comprehensive range of innovations (with awards to match) and a unique blend of exhibition and excursions. Professional flower and vegetable growers from around the world will descend on Amsterdam in June, one of the nicest times of the year to visit this iconic city. And with over 90% of exhibition space already booked – almost half by international companies – visitors to GreenTech 2014 can expect a return on their investment in time and money. “There is no international business-to-business show with such an all-encompassing overview of horticultural technology,” says exhibition manager Mariska Dreschler. “Professionals cannot afford to not come to Amsterdam this June as, uniquely, every production technology involved in flowers and vegetables will be featured at GreenTech. By production technology we mean the technology – in

the broadest sense of the word – that is deployed in plant production from seed to tomato or primrose. Dutch companies are among the leaders in this area and GreenTech will serve a broad international platform where the Dutch sector can present itself as the forerunner it is, but to and learn from international market leaders”. On the menu at GreenTech The 10,000-plus visitors to GreenTech 2014 will be international producers in horticulture and floriculture, professionals focused on processing, marketing and training, investors and government representatives. They will share knowledge in interactive and topical workshops and seminars with over 250 exhibiting companies from around the world, including producers and importers of: ● Water: systems, treatment, irrigation and management ● Energy: systems, production, supply and management ● Biobased: production, processing and products ● R&D, propagation and breeding ● Greenhouse construction, design and climate ● Machinery, equipment and internal logistics ● Pesticides, fertilisers and preparates ● Potting soil and substrates ● Horticultural supplies, containers, trays and pots ● Knowledge and services

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AQUAFLOR REPORTS RECOVERY IN FLORIST SECTOR Arjan Van Veen of Aquaflor Flowers Direct is reporting a definite improvement in the florist sector, especially in the larger urban areas. Arjan was probably in the know about the demise of the Celtic Tiger long before the rest of us as sales of cut flowers in Ireland

Quality Value Selection Service Always

started showing a slow decline in 2006. He tells HC that he is now in sustained growth again. ✽

WIT OFFERING TO UPGRADE YOUR OLDER HORTICULTURE QUALIFICATION TO DEGREE LEVEL Waterford Institute of Technology’s advanced transfer facility is now accepting applications. This facility allows students who have previously studied horticulture to be considered for entry into year 2 (or even year 3) of WIT’s horticulture degree. The application process is not via the CAO but direct to the college instead. Prospective students can study at the National Botanic Gardens Glasnevin or in Waterford or Kilkenny. WIT also offers a range of add-on courses to upgrade your level 7 degree to level 8 (Hons.). Apply by 31st May for a September 2014 start. ✽

MAJOR REBRAND, REFURBISHMENT AND EXPANSION INVESTMENT FOR ARBORETUM Following the recent expansion of its restaurant, Arboretum has made a major investment to upgrade across the plant and lifestyle areas. The investment also includes a complete rebrand both in-store and on-line at www.arboretum.ie Investing in both the food and e-commerce spaces is akin to taking out a clever insurance policy against the Irish weather. ✽

NEW FACILITIES COMING SOON FOR ITB HORTICULTURE The construction phase of ITB’s new teaching facility for horticulture is nearing completion and the buildings should be available for use in teaching the students shortly. The facility will be in full operation for the new academic year beginning in September 2014. This will provide a modern facility for teaching and demonstrating the essential practical skills required throughout the horticulture industry and an opportunity for students to put into practice the knowledge and science acquired in the classroom. The scope for more investigative final year projects in the future will be greatly enhanced by the provision of a range of different growing environments in the polytunnels and geodomes. Allotments will allow the growing of fruit and vegetables and a series of experimental and demonstration plots will facilitate the students to studying the establishment, growth and maintenance of Turfgrass. ✽

April/May 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

02 / GENERAL

ABOVE: A RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECT BY THOMAS J CRUMMY, WINNER OF THE LANDSCAPE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

BORD BIA AWARDS IRELAND’S TOP HORTICULTURE BUSINESSES Bord Bia presents annual Amenity Horticulture Awards

ord Bia presented its Quality Awards for the garden industry at a lunch event in Bord Bia headquarters on Friday, 28th March. The awards recognise and promote excellence across three key sectors of the industry while celebrating the industry’s dedication to achieving the highest standards of operation. This year Bord Bia awarded 35 garden centres, three ornamental growers and 16 landscape service providers, which have successfully achieved the standards as set out by its Quality Assurance Programmes, along with 20 category awards for garden centres,landscape contractors and nursery growers.

Speaking at the event, Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia stated, “The awards, which reflect the achievement of the highest standards in business operation, quality standards, innovation and retailing in the sector, are a testament to the hard work, diligence and perseverance of the industry in this challenging environment. The commitment to excellence of these award recipients inspires confidence in the sustainable economic future of the sector, worth some €50 million annually. These companies are continually investing in training, infrastructure and procedures to attain a Bord Bia Quality Award, allowing them to deliver beyond consumer expectation.”

HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticulture.ie / April/May 2014

02 / GENERAL key buyers and decision makers in the retail sector. Finally, Bord Bia’s annual gardening and lifestyle show Bloom will return to the Phoenix Park, Dublin for its eighth year from Thursday 29th May until Monday 2nd June. For more information, visit www.bloominthepark.com. Other dates of note include, the second Trolley Fair of the year on Tuesday, 1st April while the Rare & Special Plant Fair will take place on Sunday, 11th May in Killruddery, Co. Wicklow. ➤

THE OVERALL CATEGORY WINNERS: ✽ LARGE GARDEN CENTRE OF THE YEAR Arboretum Lifestyle & Garden Centre, Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow

✽ SMALL GARDEN CENTRE OF THE YEAR

Cois na hAbhann, Garden, Home & Lifestyle Centre, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford

LEFT: JOE AND NUALA YOUNG OF YOUNG’S NURSERY, PROUD AND DESERVED RECIPIENTS OF THE ORNAMENTAL GROWER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Thomas J Crummy Landscaping, Cloonloo, Boyle, Co Sligo

✽ ORNAMENTAL GROWER OF THE YEAR

A full list of award winners is available on the Bord Bia website www.bordbia.ie/amenityawards

BORD BIA SUPPORTS AND PLANS FOR 2014 Bord Bia’s Marketing Assistance Programme provided assistance worth over €200,000 to amenity horticulture companies between 2009 and 2013 enabling them to enhance their capabilities and pursue new opportunities. The Supplier Development Programme, designed to provide targeted training and mentoring in this industry, facilitated five participants in securing new business and increasing supplies with multiples to a value exceeding €2.4 million. Commentating further on Bord Bia’s industry role, Carol Marks, Development and Marketing Specialist, Bord Bia added, “The continued development and use of the Bord Bia Quality Mark on plants from Quality Assured Irish nurseries has been well received and will have a significant role in the future growth of the industry with consumer recognition of 89% and the move toward supporting local industry.” In 2014, Bord Bia will continue to promote the “It’s Garden Time” campaign to encourage the general public to make the most of their gardens throughout the year. The campaign directs consumers to the Bord Bia website, www. bordbia.ie/itsgardentime, where a range of tips and advice is available. In April, a 32 page gardening supplement will be published by the Irish Independent in association with Bord Bia which will herald the start of the new gardening season and highlight the various themes of the Garden Time Promotional Campaign. For the first time, the International Garden Centre World Congress will be held in Ireland, from the 10th – 15th August. Up to 200 delegates from international garden centres are expected to attend, creating a considerable opportunity to showcase the amenity horticulture to a global audience including buyers. The GLAS trade show, supported by Bord Bia, will also return this year to provide an environment geared for business and networking and will be attended by

PHOTO: KORALEY NORTHEN

Young Nurseries, Ballinanima, Kilfinane, Co Limerick

CENTRE: WINNER OF THE SMALL GARDEN CENTRE OF THE YEAR AWARD WAS COIS NA HABHANN, GARDEN, HOME AND LIFESTYLE CENTRE BOTTOM: FLAIR

AND CREATIVITY PLAYED THEIR PARTS IN ACHIEVING THE LARGE GARDEN CENTRE OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR ARBORETUM LIFETSTYLE & GARDEN CENTRE

April/May 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

PHOTO: JOSESPH BLAIR

✽ LANDSCAPE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

02 / GENERAL

AWARD WINNERS ORNAMENTAL GROWER AWARDS

Continuous Progress Award

Bord Bia Nursery Grower of the Year 2013/2014

Best New Entry

✽ Young Nurseries Ltd Best local Plant Supplier (voted by the garden centres)

✽ O’Connor Nurseries Highly Commended

✽ Annaveigh Plants Ltd ✽ O’Connor Nurseries

LANDSCAPE QUALITY AWARDS

✽ Stewarts Hospital Services ✽ Plantsman Landscapes Landscape Business of the Year 2012/13

✽ Thomas J Crummy Landscaping

GARDEN CENTRE AWARD WINNERS STAR RATING 5 Star Gold

✽ Arboretum Lifestyle & Garden Centre ✽ Cois na hAbhann, Garden, Home & Lifestyle Centre

Certificate of Merit

✽ Brackley Landscapes Services ✽ Kilmeague Landscape Services Ltd Quality Award

✽ BHL Landscape Group Ltd ✽ Brackley Landscapes Services ✽ Hawthorn Nurseries & Landscaping Ltd ✽ Peter J Cantillon ✽ Peter O’Brien & Sons (Landscaping) Ltd ✽ Plants & Planters Landscapers Ltd ✽ Plantsman Landscapes ✽ Radharc Landscaping Co Ltd ✽ Redlough Landscapes Ltd ✽ Sam Feeney Landscaping Ltd ✽ SAP Landscapes Limited ✽ Stewarts Hospital Services ✽ Thomas J Crummy Landscaping ✽ Virgoe McEnery Landscaping

Landscaping Ltd

✽ Ratoath Garden Centre Best Plant Merchandising & Display

✽ Cois na hAbhann, Garden,

✽ Easy Garden Centre

3 Star

✽ O’Connor Nurseries

✽ Dairygold Co-op Superstores -

Best Local Plant Supplier ( voted by the garden centres)

Carrigaline

Bord Bia Plant Centre of the Year

✽ Dairygold Co-op Superstores -

✽ Windyridge Nursery & Garden Centre

✽ Glanbia CountryLife - Ashford ✽ Glanbia CountryLife - Castlecomer ✽ Glanbia CountryLife - Dungarvan ✽ Glanbia CountryLife - Fethard ✽ Glanbia CountryLife - Kilmeaden ✽ Glanbia CountryLife - New Ross ✽ Glanbia CountryLife – Tullamore ✽ Ratoath Garden Centre

✽ Hawthorn Nurseries &

Best Plant Quality

Best New Entry

4 Star

Facilities Management Award

✽ Orchard Home and Garden

5 Star

✽ SAP Landscapes Limited ✽ BHL Landscape Group Ltd

Best Product Information & Signage

✽ Fernhill Garden Centre ✽ Griffins Garden Centre Ltd ✽ Newlands Home & Garden Centre

Business Processes Award

People Management Award

✽ Arboretum Lifestyle & Garden Centre

Home & Lifestyle Centre

✽ Radharc Landscaping Co Ltd

Environmental Practice Award

Best Customer Service & Facilities

✽ Orchard Home and Garden

Midleton ✽ Dairygold Co-op Superstores Mallow ✽ Dairygold Co-op Superstores Raheen ✽ D&M Garden Centre & Restaurant ✽ Easy Garden Centre ✽ Fernhill Garden Centre ✽ Glanbia CountryLife - Monasterevin ✽ Glanbia CountryLife - Mountmellick ✽ Glanbia CountryLife - Ballyhale ✽ Keans Arro ✽ Windyridge Nurseries & GC ✽ Kiernan’s Garden Centre ✽ Kilcannon Garden Centre & Restaurant ✽ Windyridge Nursery & Garden Centre

LANDSCAPE SPECIAL AWARDS

GARDEN CENTRE QUALITY AWARDS SPECIAL AWARDS

HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticulture.ie / April/May 2014

Bord Bia DIY/Garden Centre of the Year

✽ Glanbia CountryLife - Castlecomer Bord Bia Garden & Lifestyle Centre of the Year - Small

✽ Cois na hAbhann, Garden, Home & Lifestyle Centre

Bord Bia Garden & Lifestyle Centre of the Year - Large

✽ Orchard Home and Garden

/ EVENTS

EVENTS DIARY

APRIL/MAY

✽ 01 APRIL IHNSA TROLLEY FAIR

✽ 28-29 APRIL NATURAL CAPITAL:

The 2014 Spring Series will take place on the 1st April 2014 from 10am – 4pm. Venue: Punchestown Racecourse, Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland

IRELAND’S HIDDEN WEALTH

www.trolleyfairs.com

A natural conference on natural capital Venue: National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin 7 www.naturalcapitalireland.com

✽ 02 APRIL SEAMUS WELDON LAUNCH &

✽ 9-11 MAY GARDEN SHOW IRELAND

DEMO OF JOHN DEERE X950R

Garden Show Ireland is proud to have been asked by Antrim Borough Council to celebrate the completion of the restoration by bringing Northern Ireland’s premier gardening event to this glorious setting. Venue: Antrim Castle Gardens, Randalstown Road, Antrim BT41 4LH, Northern Ireland www.gardenshowireland.com

John Deere Product Launch and demonstration day. Venue: Cork Institute of Technology Sport Grounds @ Rossa Avenue, Cork, Ireland www.seamusweldon.com

✽ 04 APRIL TEAGASC KILDALTON ✽ 20-24 MAY CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

HORTICULTURE OPEN DAY Kildalton College offers a wide range of further education and higher level courses in agriculture, horticulture and equine studies. Venue: Kildalton College, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland www.teagasc.ie/training/colleges/kildalton

Britain in Bloom’s anniversary garden gets star touch Alan Titchmarsh to design RHS Britain in Bloom 50th anniversary garden at Chelsea Flower Show Venue: Royal Hospital Chelsea London SW3 4SL www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Chelsea-Flower-Show

✽ 06APRIL IRISH FLORIST GUILD ‘FASCINATOR’ ✽ 29 MAY - 2 JUNE BLOOM 2014

WORKSHOP A full day course where you will make 3 fascinators and learn about the materials and techniques involved in millinery. Venue: Stewarts, Rose Court @ Balgaddy, Co. Dublin, Ireland www.irishfloristguild.com

NEW ROLES

Calling All Garden Designers! Bloom 2014 is taking place in the Phoenix Park Dublin over the June bank holiday weekend. Venue: Phoenix Park Visitor Centre, Dublin, Ireland www.bloominthepark.com Further details or more event news, visit www.hortitrends.ie

JOBS NEWS CURRENTLY HIRING

✽ Martin O’Gara

Chief Executive Officer at Flowers.ae & Flowersdirect.ae

✽ Grasshopper Landscape

✽ Gareth Austin

Maintenance Tree Surgeon

✽ Charlotte O’Connell

✽ Donnybrook Landscape Company

Horticulture Subject Coach at Western Education Library Board Recruitment Co-Ordinator & HR Administrator at Monaghan Mushrooms.

General Operatives

✽ David Casburn

✽ Blarney Castle & Gardens

Director Of Sales at Sea Nymph

Craft Gardener

✽ Samm Doyle

Web Analytics Manager at Interflora British Unit.

✽ Richard Shortall : Landscape Design

✽ John Kelly

Landscape Professional

✽ Deirdre Walsh

✽ Bill Madden Nursery - Trained Horticulturist

Horticulturalist at Glanbia CountyLife. Landscape Horticulturalist/Architect at Fingal County Council.

April/May 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

03 / RETAIL

PHOTO: PAM ROTH

THIS COUNTS Leading retail consultant Liam Kelly explores positive and negative impacts on discount chains on the Irish gardening market and provides some tips on how you can learn from what they do

y home town has changed dramatically in the last couple of decades. Up to the early nineties, 80% of the retail activity happened on 500 metres of the main shopping street, and had done for decades if not centuries before. In the late nineties all this changed. Pockets of shopping islands – it’s wrong to call them centres as this implies one area of activity - sprouted up in retail parks outside the ring of housing estates that once circled the town. The original centre of the town went into a decline which it hasn’t recovered from, and was replaced by a number of retail locations all anchored by various supermarkets or multiple-store retailers. Where once we had two or three supermarkets we now have around ten plus all the other chain stores that follow on and the parking spaces that are then required. And my home town is by no means unique, as the same thing has occurred in virtually every reasonable sized town in this country, and most other modern countries for that matter. Along with this blurring of the urban

landscape came a change in how we buy our groceries, with the weekly ‘Big Shop’ going into decline as consumers instead do multiple shopping trips to different supermarkets for different products, depending on the offers and ranges in those stores. Of course the sheer choice of so many different supermarkets also had an effect on this new way of shopping. The other big change was that supermarkets started targeting sectors other than groceries, homeware and clothing. They started selling DIY products and power tools, cycling and skiing gear, TVs and audio equipment, and of course garden products and plants. Up until then supermarkets just toyed with plants sales, with the odd trolley of bedding in season or a few chemicals and fertilisers, but suddenly – led by the German supermarkets – they began selling every manner of plant and garden care product. Some would argue, wrongly or rightly, that the products are inferior, or that the shelf life and before sale care of the plants is not as good as garden centres and

HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticulture.ie / April/May 2014

other traditional gardening retailers, but you can’t argue with the fact that they really know how to sell product and promote it. So now all of the supermarkets dabble to a greater or lesser extent in gardening, as do the discount chains and ‘pound shops’, and other DIY and home stores take their cut too. The fact is, they are as entitled as anyone to sell these kinds of products, as are the public entitled to buy from whomever they like, but it doesn’t mean that garden centres need, or have to, accept it.

“The traditional way many retailers deal with someone stepping on to their ‘patch of grass’ is to dismiss them offhand”

03 / RETAIL The traditional way many retailers deal with someone stepping on to their ‘patch of grass’ is to dismiss them offhand, whinge about them to anyone who will listen, or to simply ignore them. All of which are dangerous ways of dealing with the issue..

SO IS THIS ALL BAD NEWS FOR THE GARDEN CENTRES AND GARDENING AS A WHOLE? Are there any positives we can take from any of these stores and how they sell? What can garden centres learn from them? In other words, what can you do about them?

WELL OF COURSE THERE ARE NEGATIVES, AND IT WOULD BE FOOLISH TO THINK OTHERWISE Customers who would have traditionally visited garden centres to make their seasonal purchases can, and do, now purchase fertiliser, tools and plants from their local supermarket and discount shop and can use the internet to look up relevant information for these products. This is to some degree because of price but also because of convenience. Quality issues with plants which have been left sitting on trolleys for days if not weeks without getting water, correct temperature or natural light can be an issue. It might put consumers off gardening as these plants invariably die after planting. This could be seen also as a positive as it might put more avid gardeners off buying plants in these stores, making them stick to the garden centres instead. Also garden centres, which are traditionally seen as highpriced in the consumer’s eye, might come off looking even more expensive when a chain store with oodles of buying power, buys and sells some of it products at much lower prices than would be considered ‘normal’.

BUT THERE ALSO POSITIVES… Because so many retailers now sell some form of gardening or outdoor living product then surely it raises the awareness of gardening as a hobby and of this - weather dependent admittedly – outdoors focussed lifestyle in the consumer’s mind? Holistically speaking, this should help all garden retailers. Also it helps focus the consumer’s mind on the seasonality of gardens and what should be planted at various times of the year. Apart perhaps from the unscrupulous, or maybe just ignorant, discounters who try to still sell narcissus and snowdrops in May! That awareness is something that an older generation understood, but that much of the newer one has only a vague idea about. One of the most important issues is of course that it gets non-gardeners interested in gardening as a whole. One would like to think that they might buy a few bits and pieces of gardening products with their grocery shopping, then discover that they like the hobby and start visiting garden centres who will have a bigger range of stock as well as the important ability to answer their questions. Irish growers supply some plants to supermarkets, especially the bedding plants and similar stock that doesn’t take kindly to being stuck in a trailer during a long journey from the Continent. This is obviously a contentious issue with the garden centres, whom they also supply, but it’s a positive for horticulture as a whole, although many – understandably - won’t see it that way. The snob factor also helps, as many garden centre customers would not be seen dead in a discount store or a (wrongly) perceived ‘cheap’ supermarket, let alone buying plants there! But this is changing rapidly. ➤

“It helps focus the consumer’s mind on the seasonality of gardens and what should be planted at various times of the year”

ABOVE: A RATHER SAD LOOKING PLANT DISPLAY IN A WELLKNOWN DISCOUNT STORE. COULD A SIMILAR SHELF OF PLANTS BE FOUND IN YOUR GARDEN CENTRE?

April/May 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

PHOTOGRAPH BY MCGOO84

03 / RETAIL

SO, WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT, AND LEARN FROM, ALL THESE RETAILERS?

“Use mark-downs effectively, as they do. If stock is sitting on your floor and you’ve tried everything else, then sell it off cheaply. Better still, plan for that mark-down and build it into your margin”

WELL LOADS REALLY… ● Visiting discount stores would be

a big help, if you don’t know your perceived competitors then you are at an immediate disadvantage. ● Get to know what they do and when they do it by checking out their websites and storing up those nice weekly offer flyers. ● Plan your season and promotions as well as or better than they do, and promote what’s coming next week in your store. ● Market these promotions effectively and most importantly, professionally. ● Use merchandising and theatrics to entertain and entice your customers - supermarkets and discounters can’t do this. ● Use keen pricing on key items to draw customers into your store, that’s 80% of the battle at least. Use tricks like showing the consumer what they are saving. ● Signage, especially at point-of-sale, is one of the key incentives to purchase. Make sure you are telling the consumer what they need to know. ● Use mark-downs effectively, as they do. If stock is sitting on your floor and you’ve tried everything else, then

sell it off cheaply. Better still, plan for that mark-down and build it into your margin. ● Upsell - if they have a small size plant

or package of fertiliser then you should advertise a bigger and better value one. ● Exploit and promote your garden centre as a knowledge bank, a friendly environment where customers can access one to one advice. ● Build bigger bonds within your local community emphasising your localness, and target plants and

product to suit local climates and conditions. These supermarket and discounters are all run by sharp cookies, or many sharp cookies in reality. They are not going to go away so garden centres will have to learn to deal with them and take it from them. So ignore them at your peril. Ironically, the first garden centre I ever worked in is now the site of a nice German supermarket. I shop there regularly. I don’t buy my plants there though! ✽

LIAM KELLY is one of Ireland’s leading retail consultants. Having originally managed one of the country’s biggest garden centres, he established his own consultancy business Retail Services & Solutions in 2007. Since then he has provided invaluable support and guidance at every level of garden retail and counts some of Ireland’s most respected retailers as clients. Liam can be contacted at Retail Services & Solutions, 118 Dolmen Gardens, Pollerton, Carlow. 086 822 1494 or 059 913 0176, lksolutions@eircom.net www.lksolutions.blogspot.com

HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticulture.ie / April 2014

04 / DESIGN

PHOTO: VINCENT MCMONAGLE

PICTURED: GLDA CHAIRMAN, GARY FORAN WITH SEMINAR SPEAKERS, TIM RICHARDSON, JAKE HOBSON, OLIVER SCHURMANN AND FEARGUS MCGARVEY.

STRIPPED BACK Renowned garden writer and plantswomen Helen Rock strips away the layers of the recent GLDA design seminar to reveal some inspiring insights

or nearly 20 years, the annual seminars of the Garden & Landscape Designers Association have been leading the field. Early each spring, during good times and bad, the hardy perennials of the GLDA have strived to bring us reputable speakers from home and abroad, to talk of new ideas and current thinking on garden design, horticulture and landscape. This year’s gathering was refreshing and wonderfully stimulating after the winter. Held in the Crowne Plaza hotel at the sadly under-planted old Santry Demesne in demure Dublin 9, the place was hopping with horticultural types, drawn from every strand of the trade. And the good news widely heard was that business – if not exactly booming – is making good again. The subject of the seminar was space and the way you might look at it, and it at you, the way you see space and deal with it in the context of garden and landscape. Oliver Schurmann of Mt Venus Nursery spoke first, keeping his cool admirably when the batch of images to go with the first chunk of his talk refused to show up on screen. A consummate plantsman and multi award winning designer, Oliver’s passion carried him on its wings and led us into interesting realms of journeying, of planting, of art, line, colour form and new landscapes created from old industrial architecture. ‘Gardens can change and improve all our lives,’ he said. ‘We can learn how to create spaces that are soothing, that can change us and make us feel small again, part of a big world

where the garden is looking at us. It is very relaxing. I only do what I like in a client’s garden. I tell them that I can’t do certain things, insert certain lines and colours that disturb my taste.’ He spoke of creating levels, of making paths to draw the eye, of the ha-ha effect and the valley effect, of seeing the garden from a frog pond and of false perspective. It was a masterclass in garden design, packed into what seemed too short a time.

JAKE HOBSON Jake Hobson is a sculptor who works with gardens rather than conventional art materials. He seems to enjoy his work hugely. As well as doing specialist cloud and other topiary pruning for private clients, he and his Japanese wife run a company called Niwaki, that imports desirable Japanese tools and garden equipment. After studying at the Slade in London and with no real interest in gardening at the time, he first travelled to Japan on a bursary, to study the ‘cultural aspects of the cherry blossom season’. But while the blossom was lovely, Jake says he was ‘utterly blown away’ by the beautifully sculpted trees he saw in the Japanese temple gardens. He went back almost immediately, got a job in a traditional tree nursery in Osaka and began to learn the art of niwaki: cultivating, shaping and pruning garden trees and making them fit

April/May 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

04 / DESIGN

FOOD FOR THOUGHT We broke for lunch: some people were ravenous and fell on their food, while others followed landscape architect Feargas McGarvey out the door and over the road to give them a brief tour of the Demesne and the works done by his firm, Mitchell & Associates, after the development. (Btw, there’s a golden opportunity to plant a small native woodland there, where it is most scrubby, under planted and neglected.) The mood over lunch was optimistic: the designers are busy and there are quite a few big jobs happening, for discreet clients who didn’t go broke in the bust and are starting to spend again.

“Training as a landscape architect was embedded with sustainability before it was an issue, about the importance of making intimate spaces (always with seats) and of designing without ego” several new avenues for exploration as he talked calmly of ways of seeing, of observing and spatial relationships. He spoke of how his training as a landscape architect was embedded with sustainability before it was an issue, about the importance of making intimate spaces (always with seats) and of designing without ego.

TIM RICHARDSON Being the last speaker of the day is not an easy slot, especially when the day is running well over time and people have to leave in the middle to catch trains or children or whatever, but Tim Richardson, the English garden writer and director of the burgeoning Chelsea Fringe festival, was unflappable and wooed his audience with funny stories and anecdotes, strong and slightly scandalous views of famous designers and their design mistakes, with his

immense grasp of gardening history and not least by the sensational series of images he used, all taken by leading garden photographer and all round nice man, Andrew Lawson. The former gardens editor for Country Life magazine, who’s been in the wars lately for describing many members of the Society of Garden Designers as ‘the ladies who lunch’ and don’t do much else, has no truck with the division between designers and landscape designers or architects. He also spoke of changing trends, of how for example, shrubs went out of fashion with the new perennial planting but are creeping back in now. And he really wants us to start an Irish Chelsea Fringe here, as they are now doing in Belfast. There wasn’t a huge enthusiasm for this idea of a not for profit festival, and besides, we couldn’t really do a Chelsea Fringe here when we have Bloom. We’d have to call it something else. ✽

HELEN ROCK is a passionate gardener, author and regular contributor in the national press on garden related issues. PHOTO: KORALEY NORTHEN

the space available to them. He loves pruning and does it fast, creating new shapes, new spaces, places and views in even the smallest garden by the judicious application of his craft, using a hand shears and, like the Japanese, a much wider variety of shrubs and trees than the more usual yew, box, privet and Leyland cypress. Interestingly, he said that you’ll never see a potted plant for sale in a Japanese nursery. They just don’t do pots (nor root pruning, nor feeding apparently). Instead, everything is root balled in earth and heeled in, with the bigger trees heeled in special hollows for shelter. That sounds to me an eco-cool and less expensive method of production, but please correct me if I’m wrong. Jake Hobson is the author of The Art of Creative Pruning (Timber Press, £25), a refreshing and detailed guide to pruning which is full of practical lessons and steeped in Japanese method, though by no means a slave to all its traditions.

The same Feargas McGarvey was also the third of the day’s four speakers, slotted into the notoriously sleepy post-prandial slot. A veteran of several landmark projects, including overseeing the Martha Schwartz installation at Grand Canal Square and some tricky landscaping and planting around the visitor centre and car park at the Giants’ Causeway, his delivery was nothing if not Zen, opening up

PHOTO: VINCENT MCMONAGLE

FEARGUS MCGARVEY

ABOVE: DALKEY GARDEN SCHOOL OWNER, ANNEMARIE BOWRING; GLDA FRIEND, GERLINDE KUGLER WITH DESIGNER LINDA MCKEOWN AND ARTIST DAWN ASTON.

HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticulture.ie / April/May 2014

04 / NURSERY

Paul Kunkels, owner and operator of Irritec, traces the lines of irrigation history and provides some insightful guidance on how to make the right decisions about water use and conservation

rrigation has been defined as assisting in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and re-vegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall. As a practice it has been around for eons. The ancient Egyptians used flood irrigation to grow wheat in the desert, as far back as 1800 BC. Terrace irrigation has been used in Pakistan and India since 4000 BC for crop production. Sophisticated underground water storage and transfer canals constructed up to 5000 years ago, are still in use today. The oldest known hydraulic engineering took place in China, where vast irrigation canals, chain pumps and rock drillings were constructed about 6000 BC. The largest scheme was constructed in 250 BC and is still in use today. While Irritec may not have been around to assist in the construction of early Chinese civilisation, we’ve been operating for the last 40 years, which makes us nearly as old as Ireland’s contemporary nursery sector. Over that time we’ve witnessed and been part of huge shifts in irrigation use and emphasis. And while irrigation has always been used for nursery stock, garden centres and for protected crop production, its use has grown, and now includes; ● Growing food, both protected and

field production ● Plant production for leisure purposes

– nurseries and garden centres

● Keeping gardens healthy and freeing

up time for other activities ● Maintaining landscapes for municipal

and amenity use ● Keeping sports fields (grass and

artificial) in optimum condition ● Frost protection – sprinklers are used

to coat apple tree blossom with water during spring frosts, which prevents the blossom getting frost burn ● Mining – sprinklers are used to wash alluvial soil and gravel from valuable metal deposits ● Dust suppression – large throw sprinklers trap wind borne dust particles in quarries ● Percolation – drip and flood subsurface irrigation is used to distribute waste water

CHANGING ENVIRONMENT, CHANGING DEMAND, CHANGING REQUIREMENTS There are many factors which have changed the nature of irrigation provision in Ireland. Increased urbanisation has produced drier environments, increased rain shadows, soil and weight restrictions which all negatively impact plant growth, especially in the establishment phase. For many urban schemes, irrigation is a must rather than an option. Another factor in the increased use of irrigation is the demand for instant gardens. Larger plants are being used in garden construction and they demand far more water to successfully establish. Shifts away from the ‘traditional planting

DOROTA KASZCZYSZYN

WATER WISE

period’ to all year round planting have also necessitated greater consideration to water provision. On top of this, climatic shifts towards longer spells of dry weather and rainfall events or deluges have had a big impact of plant growth. It could also be posited that people simply don’t like to water anymore and would prefer systems that do it for them. This has certainly directed much of our domestic work. Looking to the future, you can be sure of one thing: water is going to become scarcer as the world population grows. Already several countries insist on commercial growers harvesting rainwater during the winter, for use during the summer. All irrigation runoff has to be collected and re-used, to prevent fertilisers entering the ground water. This policy will most probably be implemented by other countries, to help preserve dwindling water supplies.

TYPES OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS USED IN IRELAND In Ireland, practically the full range of irrigation types is in use. We have installed a diverse range of systems over the years, some of the most interesting were: ● Several thousand metres of drip irrigation for Dundrum Town Centre ● Large irrigators with 40m wide booms to irrigate a large tree nursery ● Mist nozzles in the top of atrium tree planting to cool the trees down ● Pop-up sprinklers to keep a wellknown pitch in top condition ➤

April/May 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

PHOTO: GRISZKA NIEWIADOMSKI

05 / NURSERY

● Sprinklers to keep the Turlough

Hill reservoir liner cool during the summer. Without this 1.6km line of sprinklers, the liner is in danger of being damaged by the sun ● Drip irrigation on vertical wall

gardens ● Hydroponics for commercial

vegetable production

WATER SAVING DEVELOPMENTS Water is viewed as a cheap resource, but not for long. If you are using mains water, you will be charged for all that you use in the coming years. You can install a deep well and pump, which is initially expensive, but will give you free water from then on. Rainwater can also be taken from roofs, as long as it is stored and filtered correctly, it can safely be used for irrigation and for flushing toilets. Water pumps are developing to make them more energy efficient, technology

KEY CONSIDERATIONS WHEN PLANNING AN IRRIGATION SYSTEM To give you some insight into what is required for an installation to succeed, I will walk you through what needs to be thought of when planning for a new nursery/garden centre. Some of these principles also apply to garden construction.

developed for home heating pumps – low friction motors – is now being used. Variable speed drives, which cut energy use by 50%, which used to be only found on very large pumps, are now available on much smaller units, well within parameters for what a small nursery of grower would need. Solar powered equipment is becoming more common, with irrigation control panels and pumps in widespread use in sunnier regions. I first used this equipment a few years ago, but did not think that it was suitable for Ireland. Since then, the efficiency of solar panels has significantly improved and now this technology in Ireland. Three years ago, we installed a wind/solar powered pump to supply water to a large allotment scheme. So far, the system has given no trouble and has not cost a single cent to operate. There are also small solar powered

Water source – mains water, borehole and rain water. A bore-hole may provide enough water to directly supply the system, so get it checked.

“If not controlled correctly, irrigation systems can be wasteful of water. To combat this, modern irrigation systems employ rain and soil moisture sensors to irrigate only when required” pumps especially for water butts, ideal for watering the garden, or connecting onto a small irrigation system, controlled with a battery powered timer. If not controlled correctly, irrigation systems can be wasteful of water. To combat this, modern irrigation systems employ rain and soil moisture sensors to irrigate only when required. If combined with highly accurate nozzles, drippers and an energy efficient pump, a modern system will save your water, energy and your money. Rain water is great for plants, as it is generally ph neutral and naturally soft. Irritec has diversified over the years, but our core business has always been irrigation and water management. We work closely with the industry’s top suppliers in order to keep up with the latest developments, technology and trends. Between my two companies, Irritec and Rainstore, we have all bases covered. ✽

Power – single or three phase? Three phase electricity costs less and you can possibly fill water storage tanks over-night, to avail of cheaper night rates.

Water storage – location for a tank (the bigger the system, Put in ducting under paths/ the bigger the tank), above or below driveways. This will allow irrigation ground. As a rule of thumb, water storage pipework and cable access to all areas. should be equal to 2 day’s supply. Always future proof. Allow for A location for irrigation and future expansion by installing pump controls, ideally close to adequate pipe size and extra cable for the water storage and/or bore-hole. future irrigation zones. ✽

HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticulture.ie / April/May 2014

05 / NURSERY

KEY CONSIDERATIONS WHEN PLANNING A WATER HARVESTING SYSTEM Rain water is plentiful at certain times. In order to utilise it, please consider the following:

What are you going to use the rain water for? Your requirements will determine how much you will need to trap. Typical uses are for irrigation, toilet filling, topping up of ponds and car washing.

Water storage – location for a tank (the bigger the better), above or below ground. As a rule of thumb, water storage should be equal to five day’s supply. This is not always possible, due to location and cost, but install the biggest tank that you can afford.

Mains water back-up, which should only start to fill the water storage tank when the rain-water is nearly depleted. The mains water supply must be installed with an air gap, to prevent contamination.

Filtration – rain water will carry leaves and dirt from the roof to the down pipe. To prevent this entering the storage tank, install a leaf filter. Another filter should be installed on the pumped supply pipe. These require regular maintenance.

There is a lot of equipment available for rain water harvesting, all of which has been developed to provide years of service. Tanks have calmed inlets, to allow any dirt that gets through the filter to settle on the floor. Pumps have floating suction tubes, to draw water from the top layer ofwater, where it is cleanest. ✽

PAUL KUNKELS is the owner and operator of Irritec, Ireland’s leading supplier and installer of irrigation and water harvesting systems and technology. He can be contacted via paul@irritec.ie, www.irritec.ie or www.rainstore.ie

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April/May 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

05 / NURSERY

BARRY LUPTON INTERVIEWS JOHN MURPHY

GAMBLE AND GROW

Barry Lupton interviews one of Ireland’s best known and respected nursery owners, John Murphy of Annaveigh Plants B. What motivated you to pursue a career in horticulture? J. I grew up in the 70s, was a bit of a hippie and developed a great interest in self sufficiency. I was growing vegetables in our garden in Dublin and it went on from that. Also, my father was big into gardening and was an avid gardener and it shows in that three of the four children ended up in horticulture or agriculture careers.

B. Looking back at your experiences, which ones stand out as being the most significant in terms of influencing the direction you took? J. Meeting Grainne in UCD was probably the most significant. Being unable to support ourselves doing our Masters Degrees in Horticulture made us travel to work in German nurseries, where we learned our basic skills of budding and grafting trees. Paddy Gleeson put us in touch with Chris Byrne who was starting Coilog Nurseries. He gave us our first break in Ireland and free reign to show what we could do. Later, when working for SAP, I learned how to trade plants and discovered a wide range of producers throughout Europe, with whom I still trade.

B. What are the most rewarding aspects of your work? J. I find working with landscape contractors and architects who take quality seriously rewarding. Also, being able to see the finished product develop into maturity is great. Loading trees for export to some of the most quality conscious nurseries in Germany and the UK is very satisfying. Having these nurseries buy trees from Annaveigh is a credit to our staff as the nurseries

in question only buy the best product possible to grow on into mature specimens. Another aspect of my work I particularly like is cutting the grass between the rows of trees. There is nothing like spending a weekend day driving the tractor and seeing the trees individually and watching their progress, or lack of!

B. Besides remuneration, what aspects of your job would you most like to change? J. When you enter a career like this you are attracted to working with the trees, but as time has gone by my work has been with a computer and the phone. I would like to be working outside again.

B. What do you see as the primary strengths of Ireland’s amenity production sector? J. We have plenty of land and wages are not that high compared to the rest of the production countries in Europe, so we should be able to build a good export market. The problems have always been the lack of investment in improved facilities and growers not wanting to take the gamble.

B. What were the key lessons you took from the impact of the economic crash on your business? J. That our credit control was not tight enough. Nowadays we don’t sell unless we’re sure of payment. We’ve either weeded out the bad payers or they have disappeared with our money.

B. How do you think relevant government bodies could better represent the interests of your business? J. Well as you know, recently we

HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticulture.ie / April/May 2014

have been trying to get some compensation for the impact of ash dieback and we have met with a blank “NO” from the Minister of Horticulture. If it were farm livelihoods being threatened payment would have been forthcoming. Every other sector including the poultry growers has received some form of compensation over the past decade amounting to hundreds of millions - horticulture has had nothing and you should all remember this at the next election.

B. Following from that question, what do you think nurseries owners could be doing to better represent their interests? J. We need to form a single body which represents the interests of nurseries, landscape contractors, landscape architects and garden centres. Until we do this our lobbying power will always be useless.

B. Issues relating to plant specification – poor or incorrect species choice, substitutions, wrong sizes and lack of oversight and checking – have been the subject of much debate. In your opinion, what role if any should nursery operators play in ensuring specifications are met? J. It’s not our role to implement this; it’s the role of the landscape architect. The recent problems we have seen have been caused by a landscape architect only being employed up to the planning stage and leaving a situation where the building contractor has a free hand in what happens to the landscape. This is very prevalent in the schools building program, but even

05 / NURSERY

after much communication with the Department of Education by the ALCI and individuals, nothing has changed. It needs to be written into every contract that a competent landscape architect has to be retained to the end of the project.

B. Horticultural education remains a fractious subject in Ireland. How do you think educational institutions could better engage with you to strengthen the sector? J. For our sector we need an

PHOTO: KORALEY NORTHEN

“It beggars belief that a decision like this could be taken without talking to the people involved in the sector”

apprentice type system like that in Germany and Holland. Our students see little or no practical work and as an employer I need people with nursery training, not just book training. I feel that over the past 20 years the situation has got worse instead of better.

B. It has been said before that efforts to combat Chalara by restricting ash sale and production are a nonsense given the free movement of plants across Europe (which may act as hosts). How do you feel Chalara and other similar outbreaks could be more sustainably addressed? J. If you read the literature about Chalara you will find the Department were ‘Monitoring the situation since 2008’. Why then did it take until the 12 October 2012 to bring in a ban? Once a perceived threat exists stop imports, or at least talk to the producers about the threat. The first we knew about it was a phone call banning ash sales on the above date. We could have stopped the importation of ash in 2008 and we would now have an indigenous ash production program in place.

B. Significant changes are being implemented under the umbrella of the RDP (Rural Development Programme) which are likely to have a big impact on Irish growers. Can you outline the potential impacts? April/May 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

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05 / NURSERY

“The problem has always been the lack of investment in improved facilities and growers not wanting to take the gamble” J. We have been lobbying hard to have hedgerow planting included in the new RDP and I hope we have made the authorities see sense. I was told in a recent meeting that we had enough hedgerows and it was left out on that basis. No consultation with the growers took place and if excluded this could send at least six producers to the wall. It beggars belief that a decision like this could be taken without talking to the people involved in the sector. I wonder why we pay to be in Bord Bia led quality schemes etc when we are totally ignored by the Department of Agriculture.

B. Following on from the previous questions, when is a native plant really native? For instance, is it legitimate to plant an imported Crataegus monogyna and call it a native? J. There would be no need to import Crataegus if the planners took into account the production time involved. The new RDP scheme will start next year and if planting is included will start immediately, giving the Irish producers little time to react to an increase in demand. The same thing happened with the massive motorway building during the boom, with a little planning ALL plants could have been produced in Ireland.

B. There has been a lot of work done to develop an online plant portal to facilitate ease of Irish plant purchase, and to afford greater cooperation between growers. Are you in favour of such a portal and if it were realised, how do you think it might impact your business? J. I am always in favour of anything that will promote the sale of Irish plants. As large traders of plants the main problems we encounter are the price, speed of quoting and delivery. Unfortunately the supply of the amenity sector is very price sensitive and we need to get the best deal as margins on trading are very

tight. Even if a portal were to be set up, I would still look for quotes as the portal price would be set to high. It may work for the garden centre market as demonstrated by a number of the Dutch traders who specialise in this area.

B. The cooperative work undertaken in relation to Chalara and RDP illustrates that Irish nurseries have the ability to work closely together on shared interests. Are there any plans to build on this spirit of cooperation? J. Some talks have taken place and more are planned once this planting season is finished, I would love to see something come of this as I am convinced this is the way forward for furthering Irish plant sales.

B. What do you feel are the key factors that will contribute to the success and/or failure of the Irish nursery sector over the next ten years? J. The nursery industry is in a bad place at the moment given everything we have gone through with weather, economics and disease. We need to continue planting as already a lack of stock in the tree area is pushing up imports again. Obviously the housing market in Dublin will have a big effect and already we see a little activity in this sector but it needs to grow significantly. As I am always saying, proper control over landscape contracts would push out the cowboys and increase the quality demanded by the architects, and also see the proper landscape companies getting a larger slice of the work available. When I examine where the money comes from to pay for landscape work it boils down to 65% from the government and the remainder from the private sector. So the answer is simple: we need more government funded projects going forward. This was the major driving factor in the boom. I am not suggesting we go back to the early 2000s as that

was not sustainable but we need to see a little loosening of the government purse strings over the coming years.

B. If you could wave a wand and change three things about Irish horticulture, what would they be and why? J. 1. That what is demanded in the landscape specification is what actually ends up in the ground. 2. That landscaping on commercial developments be seen as an integral part of the project and not just as a necessary evil imposed by planning. 3. That the growers get a fair price for their product and we all stop undervaluing our skill and the beautiful items we all grow.

B. What plans do you have for Annaveigh Plants for the coming years? J. To survive! But more seriously I would like to increase the production of 10-14cm trees for the export market. I feel we have a great opportunity in Ireland to have a real impact in this area as we can grow a very good product with fibrous roots that would be aimed at the production nurseries in Europe.

B. What advice would you give to a young student wishing to pursue a career in amenity production? J. Travel, travel, travel and when doing that work in the dispatch operations of as many nurseries as possible as it’s there you will see the major selling items. Try and work for a Dutch trading company and see how they operate. One of the best pieces of advice we got and ignored was from the late Jim Kelleher. On our return from Germany he told us to grow large numbers of Potentilla, Spirea, Euonymus and Hypericum. If we had listened we would now be retired. Those opportunities still exist as we import thousands of basic plants each year and if we had Irish producers selling at the same price we would buy from them. ✽

April/May 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

PHOTOS: JOSEPH BLAIR

IN PICTURES

EVENTS IN PICTURES

ABOVE: STEPHEN BUTLER, CURATOR OF HORTICULTURE AT DUBLIN ZO DUBLIN CITY PARKS DEPARTMENT

RENTES PLANTS SPRING FAIR

ABOVE: ZUJANG RENTES & SOPHIA RENTES

IHNSA TROLLEY FAIR

ABOVE: GERALDINE JENNINGS, O’CONNOR NURSERIES & BRIGID MOORE & DEBORAH MOORE FROM MOORE NURSERIES

ABOVE: ROY RENTES, RENTES PLANTS & GERALD GARDEN CENTRE

- February 2014

ABOVE: IZABELA ZAWADZKA & SEAN BROWNE FROM BANDON CO-OP

HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticulture.ie / April/May 2014

IN PICTURES

KENNEDY PRIMROSES – AN IRISH CULTIVAR

PAT FITZGERALD SEMINAR February 2014

LIN ZOO & ED BOWDEN,

ABOVE: MARCELLA CAMPBELL, PAT FITZGERALD & ANN MARIE WOODS

ERALDINE MONAGHAN, DROMSNA

ABOVE: RENTES TROLLEY FAIR

ABOVE: IHNSA TROLLEY ABOVE: ITHEL MCKENNA, BLACKWATER FAIR GARDEN CENTRE & TIM SCHRAM, SCHRAM PLANTS LTD

ABOVE: PAUL DOWLING, HOWTH GARDEN CENTRE, BARRY EVANS, & EDDIE O’KEEFE, TULLY NURSERIES

ABOVE: BRIAN HUGHES, HUGHES ROSES

April/May 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

IN PICTURES

TROLLEY FAIR NORTHERN IRELAND

February 2014

PHOTOS: JOSEPH BLAIR

ABOVE: NEVILLE STEIN & LARRY DORAN OF DORAN NURSERIES

ABOVE: STEPHEN GORDAN OF FERN HILL NUSERIES

ABOVE: ROSEMARY FLANNERY SHERIDAN & TOM SHERIDAN OF FLANNERY NUSERIES,

ABOVE: MARK FINNEGAN, FLOWER DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR AT CAFRE GREENMOUNT COLLEGE

HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticulture.ie / April/May 2014

ABOVE: RICHARD FRY OF COLEMANS GARDEN CENTRE & STEPHEN MCGRAIN OF GLENBANK NURSERIES

ABOVE: NEVILLE STEIN & NIAMH TULLY, TULLY NUSERIES & PLANT CENTRE

FLANNERY’S NURSERIES

Staplestown, Donadea, Naas, Co Kildare Tel: 045 869 131 Email: ﬂannurs@iol.ie www.ﬂannerysnurseries.com

New to Market

4 LITRE TREES GARDEN CENTRE VALUE LINE Wide Variety & Well Established in This Easy to Carry Size

Contact us for all your native Trees & Hedging for the AEOS and REPS(Teagasc Approved) You are welcome to visit the nursery where you can select and collect your own or delivery available nation-wide. Open: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Sat 8am-3.30pm (Closed Sundays & Bank Holiday weekends)

Hennessy Nurseries Leading

h Specialist Vegetable Grower h

Serving Garden Plant Retailers Across Ireland

h We Grow Over 170 vegetable varieties h Supplying the retail sector since 1952 h Our horticulture roots traced back through 5 generations of our family to the late1800s h Commitment to our customers has never been stronger

Call Pat: 087 843 3739 or Liz 087 777 2215 Fax 063 91893 Email: hennessynurseries@eircom.net Twitter @hennessysveg (Its not all about the Veg)

April/May 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

06 / CONSTRUCT

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO LANDSCAPE TENDERING Colm Kenny, landscape cost estimating expert, shares some tips and tricks on how to avoid the pitfalls of landscape tendering

s a contractor, receiving the news that yours is the winning tender on a landscape project can put a rare smile on your face. However, the grin can soon disappear after discovering that your winning tender is the result of an error on your part. With low profit margins required to win landscape work in the current competitive market, methodical and accurate tendering is vital for contractors. Developing and constantly applying a standard set of procedures that reduces the risks associated with quoting for work is important to achieve this success. It is often too late when contractors discover that the tender sum for the job is too low or that they missed something within the Bills of Quantity (BOQ) or specification, or in fact have overlooked something on site that will have an impact on their intended programme of works. Contracts have been signed, materials ordered or indeed paid for upfront. What can a contractor do then? Walk away from the job? Damage their reputation? Let down their suppliers? To avoid the consequences of inaccurate quotations and possible business failure, landscape contractors should be aware of the most common and often repeated estimating errors. Thus, they should have or implement a standard set of procedures for preparing and submitting a competitive but profitable tender.

UNDERSTANDING THE DESIGN & SPECIFICATION If you don’t know exactly what work you are to undertake, how will you know what you are required to quote for? A clear understanding of the drawings and specifications is critical. A typical tender package includes a set of landscape drawings, a works specification and a BOQ. Once you receive the documents examine them thoroughly, highlighting any key pieces of information and make a note of any queries you may have regarding the scope of works or the specification. The specification is the one area that requires in-depth study as it is usually here where important information is overlooked.

‘By giving them the precise specification the risk to you is reduced as they are fully aware of what they are quoting’ If you receive the package by email make sure that you print out all the documents, including the drawings to scale if possible. It is easy to miss some important details if you are scrolling through a PDF on a computer screen. Familiarise yourself with the design, the nature of the works and the specification. I would also recommend that you contact the person responsible for the tender, be it the designer, the main contractor or the client directly. This will give you an opportunity to interact and raise relevant queries with the decision maker who should be in a position to answer any questions you may have. If for some reason you decide not to quote for the works, contact them regardless to thank them for inviting you to tender and ask them to consider you for future projects.

SITE VISIT & INSPECTION Assuming that the project is ready to go, the next step is to arrange a site visit. Do this during daylight and not on your way home from another job. If possible, arrange to meet the person that invited you to quote for the works. Again, this will give you an opportunity to gather additional information. Bring all the documents with you and walk through the design step by step, taking note of risks such as access dimensions and existing services. A camera is also a useful asset to have at your disposal for recording important pieces of information and recording what risks you identify on site. Investigate your access route to ensure that any required machinery will be able to get in and out, and also examine where you will be able to park and store your materials. All this collected

HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticulture.ie / April/May 2014

PHOTOGRAPH BY ZSUZSANNA KILIAN

06 / CONSTRUCT

“Get all your quotes in writing so you have a record of the supply cost. This will eliminate any conflict over money during the course of the project” information will influence the price you charge for the job. One practical tip is avoid visiting the site when it’s raining as you will only rush if you’re getting wet.

QUOTES FROM SUPPLIERS & SUBCONTRACTORS Assuming you received a measured BOQ, the next step is to send off a list of required materials to suppliers. You should send the materials list to suppliers you have a good relationship with or have dealt with successfully on past projects. Two or three suppliers are sufficient. If possible send the suppliers the list in a form they can edit such as Excel or Word, as it will save time for both them and you. If reproducing the list in a digital format, take care not to omit any items or details.

For soft landscape materials make sure that you read the relevant section of the specification prior to seeking supply prices. The list of materials should include the name, quantity, description, form, pot size and height. For hard landscape materials measured on the BOQ, each item should list the name, a description including dimensions, the volume or number of units required. It is important to note that the BOQ doesn’t take waste into account. For example, the project may include 100m2 of paving as measured from the drawings. However, experienced contractors know that there could be up to 10% waste for cuts, breakages etc. When receiving quotations for hard materials it may be beneficial to receive a quote for the

required amount plus an allowance for waste. This price can be used as a foundation for calculating your tender rates. If small quantities of additional materials are required once the project is underway, your supplier may sell you these materials at a higher rate as transport costs etc will be passed on to you. If you have not taken account of these cost, they will eat into your profit margin. Likewise, when contacting subcontractors to solicit bids do so as early as is possible. Solicit at least three subcontractors for each separate scope of work. Help those who might give your company an advantage by giving them as much information as possible. Give them the specification of the works that you wish for them to quote for. By

April/May 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

06 / CONSTRUCT

“It is important to note that the BOQ doesn’t take waste into account” giving them the precise specification, the risk to you is reduced as they are fully aware of what they are quoting. Get all your quotes in writing so you have a record of the supply cost. This will eliminate any conflict over money during the course of the project. Once you have received the supply quotes, analyse them carefully. If you have then in a format such as Excel, it should be possible to compare them side by side. Don’t just look at the bottom line; study the individual items to see where there is a large price variation between suppliers. Are they pricing to spec? If there is a large discrepancy between suppliers, contact the lower priced supplier to see if the rate quoted is correct and to specification. Obviously if you are satisfied that all suppliers are pricing the same materials to the same spec and you are happy to deal with the lowest priced tender, you can use their rates as your base rate when building up your tender rates.

RATE PRODUCTION Producing a rate for each item contained in the BOQ is the main area where mistakes will be made. Some rates will be too high making you uncompetitive while a low rate may cost you money. Striking a balance is a hard thing to accomplish. The most accurate method to produce rates is to use first principles estimating technique. This process requires having accurate knowledge of all the cost associated with the works. Anticipated direct and indirect costs of the resources required to complete the project as well as your profit combine to calculate the item rate. Direct cost resources include the machinery required, labour costs, materials and also subcontractor costs, while the indirect costs are your general overheads and operating costs. Once you have all the information gathered you will be in a position to produce a rate by tallying both the direct and indirect cost and adding on your desired profit percentage. What

percentage you choose is up to you but it should be sufficient to give you a decent profit margin to continue on in business. Using this approach will ensure that you produce an accurate, accountable and competitive rate.

TENDER COMPILATION & SUBMISSION Prior to finalising the tender document a final check is essential to reduce inaccuracies. Review specifications, drawings and notes for any scope of work that may have been overlooked. Once this is done and you are satisfied with your compiled rates, fill out the BOQ careful. The most common errors that occur at this stage are mathematical ones. Ensure that you have not misplaced decimals and that the arithmetic is correct. If possible have someone spot check rates and totals. Ideally every item in the BOQ should have a rate beside it. If you are unable to provide a rate for an item, ensure you inform the relevant person in writing when returning the tender. Also make sure your quote contains complete company and personnel information including. Aim to get the tender completed in good time to avoid being under pressure. If you are under time pressure you are more likely to make a mistake. Take a copy of all completed documents prior to submission. If you are sending the tender by post get it registered. If you are delivering the documents by hand, make sure you receive a receipt as proof that your tender has been handed in on time.

Just like finishing an exam, once you have handed in your proposal don’t dwell on it. Move onto the next one.

IMPROVING YOUR TENDER TECHNIQUES Like everything else in life, practice makes perfect. The more experience you gain estimating and tendering, the more efficient you will become. Keeping a record of your rates and submitted tenders will allow you to build up a comprehensive rate book. This will save you time tendering for work in the future. After all, any associated costs associated with pricing tenders come directly out of your pocket. With fewer numbers of landscape projects out for tender, it is more important than ever for landscape contractors to reduce their risk of profit loss and missed projects due to bid errors. Submitting a bid on a project entails taking on considerable risk. The contractor is counting on his tender being complete, accurate, and profitable if he submits the winning bid. By knowing the most common estimating/ bidding errors, the contractor can be more diligent and take the necessary time to review their bids before submitting them. Developing and consistently applying standard tender preparation procedures can help achieve the goal of having accurate tenders with minimal errors. It takes time and a considerable amount of effort to develop and periodically review these procedures, but since the risk to contractors is so high, the time and effort will be entirely well spent. ✽

COLM KENNY, B Ag. Sc. (Land. Hort), M.Sc. Quantity Surveying. Colm is a Landscape Estimating Specialist. He provides cost and implementation advice to landscape industry professionals, technical advisors, contractors and facility management companies. He can be contacted on 087 288 5016 or by email info@landscapeqs.ie

HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticulture.ie / April/May 2014

PHOTO: NICK NORMANN

06 / CONSTRUCT

TIME TO HAND OVER THE KEYS?

Peter O’Toole, President of the ALCI and Director of Peter O’Brien Landscaping, articulates some tough questions or Ireland’s aging landscape construction sector

“I have seen ‘The Family Business’ described as an oxymoron in that a family is all about unconditional love and forgiveness, and a business is quite the opposite”

he recent recession impacted on every part of our economy and the landscape sector had no immunity card to play. Despite hopeful discussions and predictions that many Irish people had built up big reserves in savings and that they would spend a lot of this on renovating their houses and more importantly would splurge huge amounts on their gardens (in lieu of going on that second and third holiday and being less vulgar than upgrading to the new car). It never happened. Contraction in the economy was mirrored in the contraction of size of landscape companies. Ironically, the number of landscape contractors (individuals or companies offering ‘landscape’ services’) increased, tax compliant or otherwise, incrementally in ratio to the continuation of the recession. Most landscaping companies are typically owner managed enterprises, having evolved from the owner initially starting up the business and growing it as demand increased along with their reputation. Landscaping, especially on the private garden and small commercial scale, relies on that personal input and control because this is what provides the basic things such as confidence from the client as well as satisfaction on behalf of the contractor (on the understanding that financial gain alone is never enough for a successful business). This scenario naturally leads to company owners remaining in the position of the identifiable individual who must be in charge of all aspects of the business. This was probably brought to light when the recession was hitting hard

April/May 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

06 / CONSTRUCT

and individuals who were at the stage of their hard working and successful career, were now drawn back to take up the helm again at a stage when they should have probably been heading towards comfortable retirement. This could be described as bad strategic planning and is an undesirable and unwelcome situation, albeit difficult to avoid in such a business as described. It also allowed others who had not yet reached those mature years, the opportunity to reflect on their own situations and a chance to plan a different strategy. If the typical landscape company described survives for more than a few years, it generally evolves into a family business. This is naturally the most desirable scenario from the point of view of pride and an extension of family values such as trust, reliability and dedication and all the rewards that follow these. However, I have seen ‘The Family Business’ described as an oxymoron in that a family is all about unconditional love and forgiveness, and a business is quite the opposite. This said, the most successful family businesses, from any sector, are generally those who bring on board high level leadership and business skills with energy and vision from outside. This mix proves to be healthy and combines the best qualities of both sides. If this setup is successfully adopted as a business model there is

no reason why the original owner of the company cannot head towards retirement, or go on to explore different business avenues, recognising the entrepreneurial skills they possess to have started and run a business in the first place. Ask yourself the question: are you happy to carry on as the main figure in your business for as long as you physically or financially can, or are you better setting up a more stable situation, which doesn’t require your constant input? The latter might present you with a big psychological challenge initially, but would possibly allow you to explore, develop and apply your business in new, more rewarding ways. This obvious advice is perhaps more important in the situation where there is no possibility or willingness of family involvement in the ongoing business. This leads to a lot of continuous pressure on the owner and leaves them forever tackling the present and never affording themselves the opportunity to plan the future. Expanding the business ensures a more secure future and rewards the hard work put into it over the years. It can provide a valuable income with minimum input or even a company which has a real saleable value. Failure to plan for this will lead to possible difficulties at retirement age, not least being the liability of employees with both the financial and human cost of redundancies. Prior to the last recession we experienced a boom (nothing new in that cycle) especially in the building sector to which we are closely allied. This led to the obvious situation, where landscape companies expanded in an attempt to supply the ever increasing demand for their services. It is generally discussed and agreed that the same explosion of growth in this industry is not going to happen again, but like the last time, the uncertainty of the future is the only predictable factor ahead of us. It is important that we plan for the future and try to avoid the mistakes of the past.

HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticulture.ie / April/May 2014

The most important thing to decide in the strategic plan for your business is to decide what size you want it to be. Avoid growing or shrinking accidentally or by factors outside your control. Decide if you want to remain a small company carrying out work which will allow you achieve big margins or a larger company with a management and business structure which will probably deliver smaller margins on a bigger scale. Don’t be too proud to seek professional advice from such areas as accountants or business consultants who can help develop your business model. Planning and setting goals are basic principles in any business but quite often, landscape contractors are typically ‘too busy’ working to step back and afford themselves time to carry out these essential core business activities. ✽ .

CMY

PHOTO: KORALEY NORTHEN

“This leads to a lot of continuous pressure on the owner and leaves them forever tackling the present and never affording themselves the opportunity to plan the future”

“Ironically, the number of landscape contractors increased, tax compliant or otherwise, incrementally in ratio to the continuation of the recession”

PETER O’TOOLE Dip. Hort. (Kew) is the President of the Association of Landscape Contractors of Ireland, a Director of Peter O’Brien and Sons (Landscaping) Ltd and a leading commentator on Ireland’s Landscape Contracting sector. He can be contacted on 01 845 2555 and peter@obrienlandscaping.com

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April 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

07 / LANDSCAPE

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KIERAN CUMMINS

INVASIVE SPECIES

THE LAW AND YOUR BUSINESS Kieran Cummins, environmental law specialist, details the legal issues surrounding invasive species in Ireland and the implications it has for your business

he 2011 European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations (S.I. 477) was enacted to combat the growing problem of invasive species. The regulations state that “The Wildlife Act 1976, the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2010 and these Regulations shall be construed together as one”. Of note to the horticultural sector are sections 49 and 50. Not since the introduction of the Noxious Weeds Act [1936] and various regulations associated with that Act, have law makers directed their attention to specific species. It is fair to say that the latest initiative has largely been as a result of Ireland’s membership of the EU and the various habitats and related directives. Many of the plants, which are now considered to be invasive, were in the past sold as ornamental plants or as oxygenator plants for garden ponds. Unfortunately, having escaped from their cultivated environs, they have caused significant problems to the surrounding countryside.

SECTION 49 PLACES A ‘PROHIBITION ON INTRODUCTION AND DISPERSAL OF CERTAIN SPECIES’ WHILE SECTION 50 IMPOSES A ‘PROHIBITION ON DEALING IN AND KEEPING CERTAIN SPECIES’ 34

Some 35 species are then listed in the third schedule to these regulations, while a number of animals are listed separately. Schedule three also specifies a prohibition on the movement of vector material with specific reference to “soil or spoil taken from places infested with Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), giant knotweed (Fallopia sachalinensis) or their hybrid Bohemian knotweed (Fallopia x bohemica)”. Section 49 provides that (save in accordance with a licence), “any person who plants, disperses, allows or causes to disperse, spreads or otherwise causes to grow in any place specified in relation to such plant in … the Third Schedule, … shall be guilty of an offence.” Section 49 also provides for a defence (if it can be proven) that the accused took “all reasonable steps and exercised all due diligence to avoid committing the offence”. Additionally, Section 49 provides that if the Minister considers that a species poses a threat to the objectives of the Birds and Habitats Directives, including the protection of European sites, of habitats, and of species of flora and fauna, including birds, he or she may authorise the destruction by appropriate means. Section 50 has yet to be enacted (as provided for by Section 74). Notwithstanding Section 50 provides that “Save in accordance with a licence … a person shall be guilty of an offence if he or she has in his or her possession for sale, or for the purposes of breeding, reproduction or propagation,

HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticulture.ie / April/May 2014

07 / LANDSCAPE

‘INCLUDING AN INVASIVE SPECIES FOR SALE IN A CATALOG OR ON A WEBSITE IS DEEMED AN OFFENCE’ The statutory authorities expect Section 50 to be enacted in the final quarter of 2014. In the meantime, risk assessments are been conducted on a series of species. While 35 species are currently listed in the Third Schedule to the regulations, this may be varied when Section 50 is finally implemented autumn 2014. When this is finalised, it is proposed to revisit this and provide a complete listing of the final list. Some species, which are included, are giant hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum, which is highly dangerous to touch. Also included is Japanese knotweed Fallopia japonica, which has been extremely problematic throughout the State. People might also be interested to know that the Spanish bluebell Hyacinthoides hispanica is also included in the ban. Spanish bluebells are more erect than

“A person shall be guilty of an offence if he or she has in his or her possession for sale, or for the purposes of breeding, reproduction or propagation, or offers … for sale, transportation, distribution, introduction or release’’

PHOTOGRAPH BY HUHU UET

or offers … for sale, transportation, distribution, introduction or release”. Moreover, Section 50 specifies that ”a person shall be guilty of an offence if he or she imports or transports an animal or plant listed in the Third Schedule”. This also includes ‘a vector material listed in Part 3 of the Third Schedule into the State. Persons within the sector should also be aware that Section 50 is quite broad in its application in that it includes an offence for any person who publishes or causes to be published, including on the internet, any advertisement, catalogue, circular or price list likely to be understood as conveying that such person imports into the State, buys, sells, distributes or provides for the introduction or release of a species specified in the Third Schedule. As regards penalties, Section 67 provides that a person found guilty on summary conviction, to a Class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both. Currently a Class A fine amounts to €5,000. For more serious transgressions, i.e. on conviction on indictment, the fine may be €500,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or both.

LEFT: HERACLEUM MANTEGAZZIANUM, A GROWING ISSUE IN THE IRISH LANDSCAPE. RIGHT: THE SPANISH BLUEBELL, HYACINTHOIDES HISPANICA IS NOW CONSIDERED AN INVASIVE SPECIES. OPPOSITE PAGE: FALLOPIA JAPONICA, ONE OF THE MOST PERNICIOUS INVASIVE AND A GROWING PROBLEM ALONG IRELAND’S RIVERBANKS, ROADWAYS AND JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE IT CAN GET A FOOTHOLD.

“Section 67 provides that a person found guilty ‘on summary conviction, to a Class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months” the native bluebell and are less scented. Growers should also be aware that giant rhubarb Gunnera tinctoria is included in the list. Curiously though Gunnera manicata is not in the Schedule as currently published, though this may change when Section 50 is enacted later this year. The Schedule also includes aquatic species, which were originally introduced as oxygenator plants. For example, species such as curly waterweed Lagarosiphon major and floating pennywort Hydrocotyle ranunculoides are included ✽

KIERAN CUMMINS, Dip Hort. (Warrenstown), BSc Management and Law, Solicitor: ROI, Solicitor: England and Wales. Kieran is a planning/ environmental law consultant. He is a specialist in EIA (Environmental Impact Assessments), sustainability, policy and the preparation of Planning Submissions. He also provides training courses in the identification, management and control of invasive species, specifically tailored for those working in the horticultural sector. Additionally, he is a specialist boxwood grower. www.kierancummins.com

April/May 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

08 / TREES

A VIEW FROM THE URBAN FOREST Trees and development - same old story? This opinion piece is written by Aidan J ffrench from a personal perspective, formed by daily experience of the travails of the Irish urban tree and by what passes for official policy in the Republic of Ireland. So, it is written ‘from the trenches’ and therefore reflects a striving to achieve optimal solutions for ‘tree thriving’ (beyond mere survival) in newly built environments. The author would welcome feedback on the issues raised.

arlier this month the Tree Council of Ireland (TCI) invited us to celebrate ‘The Sound of Trees’, its theme for National Tree Week 2014, a nice homely concept. But as the trees make sounds and dare to speak, what do they say and are we listening to their pleas? The TCI has often spoken about the need to foster a tree culture in Irish society. While much of the activity of tree advocates is focused, quite understandably, on educating the younger generation, it is arguably the older generation that most needs convincing. I can’t help but think that the pleas of the trees are firmly directed at this generation. After all it’s the generation that shapes the urban environment where most Irish people live. It uses its power and influence to decide, often unwittingly and incoherently, the fate of urban amenity

trees. And in my experience, fostering a tree culture in the development community (developers, builders, architects, planners, engineers etc) of that generation is an urgent, but rewarding, challenge. For the past year I’ve become very engaged in the fate of urban trees in their struggles with the Irish planning system. It has been an education, or more accurately a re-education, which started in the early 80s when, as a UCD student, I was first introduced to trees, planning and construction by Dublin County Council Parks Department. It was busy carving out a role in this area, building a working relationship with the Council’s planners. More than 30 years later it seems the issues are as alive and problematic as ever. Has the fate of urban trees improved? And have trees been adequately addressed in government

HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticulture.ie / April/May 2014

08 /TREES

“More than 30 years later it seems the issues are as alive and problematic as ever. Has the fate of urban trees improved?” policy, legislation or regulation, let alone in professional practice? In the limited space available here, I’ve attempted to provide some answers. Having a role in stewarding the fate of urban trees is a daunting and honourable responsibility. Thankfully, things have moved on since the 1980s – there’s more awareness, more and better professional expertise and more tools available, and none more so than the revised British Standard, BS5837:2012 Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction – recommendations. This has, in effect, become the Bible for arborists, landscape architects and local authority parks professionals (where they exist – most authorities and no government department employs them). The BS provides a coherent methodological framework that, when used correctly, can ensure that the fate of trees is sustainably planned. I know, the ‘S word’! Sustainability: over-used and much abused. A definition will help: as it applies to sustaining urban trees on development sites, for me it means applying prudence, feasibility (e.g. realistic appraisal) and forward thinking (e.g. appropriate species selection) to facilitate quality decision making. The BS is at its best when applied as a design tool to inform the proposed site layout, rather than as a mere, box ticking exercise for a planning application, after ‘the architect’s horse had bolted’. Of course one industry standard does not policy or guidance make. Unfortunately, like so many environmental issues in Ireland, trees in urban areas suffer from a lack of real commitment at national and local levels to adequate financial and human resources. Contrast this with the UK as just one example of more progressive states. 25 years ago I joined the Ealing Borough Council (Parks Department), the ‘Queen of the London boroughs’ so renowned for its dedication to horticulture that the corporate letterhead was and still is an oak tree. In 1989 Ealing not only had three full time arboricultural officers, but also a computerised tree management system

to manage its tree population. 25 years later in Ireland and not one of the 34 city and county councils employ a tree officer (though recently Dublin City Co advertised for one). And only two have computerised tree management software (Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and Fingal). That’s how far behind we are in Ireland.

SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR MOMENTUM A couple of simple, progressive initiatives by Minister Phil Hogan could have significant benefits for urban trees. In the short term he could require all planning authorities to include in their planning application forms an obligation to State if trees are present on the site and if so, to submit a tree survey and impacts assessment with the application. This initiative would only require his signature on a statutory instrument which could be prepared in a matter of days. It would have several immediate benefits, chiefly by focusing architects’ and planners’ attention on trees early in the development process. In the medium term, the Minister could introduce far reaching legal provisions by introducing a statutory obligation on all local authorities to prepare and implement tree strategies. Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and Fingal councils have already done so. Tree strategies include essential management tools, for as classic management mantra says ‘you cannot manage what you don’t measure’. Along with a requirement for tree strategies, the larger local authorities should be required to employ full time

tree officers to implement the strategies. Of course, all this presupposes a desire by that older generation to manage urban trees as a resource, to see them as essential components of green infrastructure in the first place.

CONCLUSION So have things really changed for the better? I’m not sure as there’s little readily available evidence upon which to base a considered opinion. That in itself is telling. I remain to be convinced that we’ve truly moved on, at least in any profound or systematic way. For while there’s much lofty, aspirational rhetoric by the State about trees (eg, development plans, guidance documents), too often there are yawning chasms between words and reality, which cannot be explained solely by public sector cutbacks. Because in the final analysis, it is by actions – born of genuine commitment - not words, that judgement on the fate of urban trees will rest. So, before we engage in another, foolhardy rush into a building frenzy, isn’t it time to put in place some safeguards for the much beleagured Irish urban tree? Now, why do I feel the need for a conference coming on? Withdrawal symptoms? Well, it seems like a very long time since the industry convened an urban tree conference. It is long overdue. Time to bring builders, developers, arborists, architects, landscape architects, nurserymen, politicians and others together for a good listening to the ‘Sound of the Trees’. Anyone out there? ✽

AIDAN J. FFRENCH MILI Landscape Architect is Past President of the The Irish Landscape Institute (ILI) and a member of the The Urban Forum (20052009). Aidan is a parks professional working with Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Parks & Landscape Services in Co Dublin. The views expressed are those of the author alone and not those of Dun LaoghaireRathdown Parks & Landscape Services, the ILI or Urban Forum. He can be contacted at aidan.ffrench@dlrcoco.ie

April/May 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

09 / INSIGHT

A SPECIFIC LANDSCAPE PROBLEM

A landscape specification is a written document, which sets out an explicit set of requirements to be satisfied within a contract. As such, it forms an integral part of tendering processes and underpins the design and implementation of all landscape projects. It also facilitates oversight processes, allowing for rigorous inspection and sign off. In the often complex arena of large scale landscape construction projects, it can ensure that all parties are singing from the same hymn sheet.

reland does not have its own standard specification documents, and the vast majority of Irish landscape professionals use British Standards and forms of contract. Over the last 15 years I have had many conversations with professionals from various sectors about the robustness of landscape specification in Ireland. More often than not, the story has not been positive. From the designer side I’ve heard it said that contractors just don’t read specifications, they just get on with doing what they want to do, they put in a price based on the specification then simply change what they want to suit. From the contractor’s side, I’ve been told that designers haven’t got a clue when it comes to specification, they just cut and paste, have little or no plant knowledge, specify unavailable and unsuitable species, and ignore local factors and conditions, a lot of the time we have to make changes or projects simply wouldn’t work. From the grower’s perspective I have similar complaints, nobody checks anything when it comes to plants, types, numbers, planting rates, designers don’t know plants and there’s no one checking to ensure contractors are fulfilling specifications. As for council schemes, the system is worse, there is little or no specialist landscape expertise, especially in rural councils, and often you have engineers deciding what plants will go in. From the outside It would appear that one of the tools intended to ensure quality and transparency in the delivery of landscape schemes is somewhat flawed. To get a clearer picture of what’s really happening on the ground I asked a number of Ireland’s top professionals to share their thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of Irish landscape specifications processes, and how they feel any problems can be addressed.

BARRY LUPTON

THOMAS CRUMMY, ALCI Chairman and proprietor of the award winning contracting company, Thomas J Crummy Landscaping Ltd As a general rule there are three main parties involved in any landscape development; the client, designer and contractor. Obviously there are exceptions to that in cases where the contractor is also the designer’s. Regardless of this, there are at least three stages of the contract; the client brief, the design and the build. A plan must be produced which strikes a happy medium between the client’s requirements and budget. The client will be aware of the quantity, name and sizes of the trees and shrubs, the areas and material type being used for hard landscape areas etc. The specification and Bill of Quantities are the key documents required to fulfil this element. The client signs off on this and the contractor moves in. The contractor has a list of plants and a document he can refer to for technical details if required. Deliver the project on time and on budget, designer and client sign off the work and check sizes and quantities, and the client pays the contractor and designer. Sounds like a good system. Where could you deviate? As an upstanding member of the Association of Landscape Contractors of Ireland, I always had respect for a specification and bill of quantities, it’s a level playing field and every job is fair game. Alas, after an ALCI AGM, circa 2005, members from

“Designers haven’t got a clue when it comes to specification, they just cut and paste, have little or no plant knowledge, specify unavailable and unsuitable species” 38

HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticulture.ie / April/May 2014

09 / INSIGHT

“They ignore the real costs of landscaping and assume they will get away under specification” across the country started talking and before long we realised none of the ALCI members present were getting any ‘public’ work, which we had been tendering for. We agreed that a cross section of the awarded contracts should be audited. The findings surpassed our worst expectations. For example, out of the five most commonly used plants, the two most expensive plants were missing, usually oak and holly. In some areas, less than 60% of the plant material was planted. Instead of 90-120 1+2 staked, they were 60-90 1+0 un-staked and the trees specified as 8-10cm were 2m transplants. There was grass growing around most plants where the specification stated that a certain circumference be maintained weed free for three years. We informed the relevant authorities, some of which acted on our findings. In particular the Irish Landscape Institute were very thankful for our report and where possible at the time, some of their members made the contractors bring the jobs up to specification. For a few short years after that our members were successful in being awarded contracts but I stress “a few”. Yet again there are one or two rogue contractors winning the majority of the larger public contracts. We have consulted the design teams and it turns out that their scope (in most cases) only extends to delivering the design. They are not employed to oversee the delivery and execution of their design. The relevant government department,

whether Transport, Education or Health for example, views the submissions and awards the contracts on different merits. The department signs off on these drawings and a specification for every element of the project including landscaping and that is the basis on which the contract is awarded, and in turn is what must be delivered to the taxpayer. The non-policing of this area is as unfair on all main contractors as it is on all landscape contractors and the taxpayer. If one contractor is pricing below specification, he has an unfair advantage over others and because they are all fighting so hard to get the work, they ignore the real costs of landscaping, and assume they will get away under specification. The taxpayer is being cheated here. For example, take a project that costs €100k done to specification being delivered for €65k. That’s a loss of €35k, not a saving to the taxpayer, as the contract is being executed for a fixed sum. In reality it’s probably not a saving to the main contractor either as they would not have allowed €100k for landscaping in the first place in order to win the contract. This area must be policed. This can be solved, fairly, efficiently and cost effectively if contractors are advised that new policing controls are being implemented on all public works awarded after date of notice to the said parties.

How do you police this?

1. Employ suitably qualified individuals within the relevant departments who can assess, snag and sign off on landscape works. 2. Engage and extend the services of the landscape architects who designed the project to oversee and sign off. 3. Public Authority work only awarded to contractors such as ALCI or APL members. 4. Across the board, fair, strict, no nonsense approach to contractors by these individuals.

Can someone argue that this is not cost effective? Not when you see a loss to the taxpayer of €35k on one small job alone. From the ALCI’s point of view we need rapid intervention in this area because our members are conscious about not only maintaining, but also improving the standards within our industry. Should the above directives not be acted upon, are the public denied the pleasure of enjoying what could have otherwise been so aesthetically pleasing to them? Thomas Crummy is Chairman of the Association of Landscape Contractors of Ireland and owner of Thomas J Crummy Landscaping, one of Ireland’s leading landscape contracting companies and winner of the Bord Bia Landscape Business of the Year 2012/2013. www.thomasjcrummy.com ➤

April/May 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

09 / INSIGHT TERRY O’REGAN, Landscape Architect and Fellow of the Landscape Institute Despite Mr Tom McFeely’s recent protestations, introducing the name ‘Priory Hall’ into any conversation in Ireland today and for some time to come will call up painful and shameful images of construction work not being carried out in accordance with accepted best practice and recognised professional industry specifications. It is to be hoped that this and many other legacy construction disasters from the Tiger Year’s of shoddy workmanship and inadequate construction regulation will ensure consistently higher construction standards into the future in Ireland – beginning with the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2013 in force since 1 March 2014. But what of the landscaping industry - are there green space ‘Priory Halls’ lurking out there in the midst of the shoddy apartments, ghost estates and built-over flood plains of Ireland? More pertinently, are we in need of a recognised and well-publicised example of the worst that our industry can deliver? During my 40 year’s plus in the industry I have witnessed the best and the worst of landscaping design, specification, materials and implementation. The concerns I heard voiced back in the 1970’s about the lack of consistently enforced standards in the industry are the same concerns I hear today! So much bad about Ireland seems to be ‘in a loop’ going around and coming around again – my heart sank (again) recently as I heard Phil Hogan launching the ‘Gateways’ initiative to get the longterm unemployed back to work with our local authorities for a €20 top-up on the dole – working where else but landscaping in the Park. Shure, any gob-s***e can landscape! I guess we are all a bit guilty of such urban myths as I am convinced that any gob-s***e can end up a Minister in this godforsaken country. But to rise above the dung heap - will

the rising tide of these new building regulations lift (and repair) the leaky landscape industry boat, or we will continue to bail out (the ‘boat’ and the cowboys), hanging our heads in shame as we shed more tears of frustration into our sailor’s rum? The good ship ‘Quality Landscape’ should be a proud vessel with an honourable crew and clean sheets to the wind. But are we finally ready to man this fine vessel? But the captain decides the course and the helmsman or woman steers that course so maybe it will take a mutiny if we are finally to sail a fair and prosperous voyage. For the captain is hiding in the cabinet and the helmsman or woman is hiding in Custom House and the good ship ‘Quality Landscape’ is tied up to the quay outside. I feel a shanty from Sea-sick Steve coming on or is that just bile rising? To finish on a positive note, the landscape sector has to send a consistent message to all and sundry and an annual well-organised joint conference held at the same time each year can still deliver – but it must become an anticipated event. The aforementioned Minister might even launch both the conference and the good ship ‘Quality Landscape’ with the one bottle of ‘Chateau Austerity’ champagne. Terry O’Regan, B Agr Sc Hort (Hons), FILI, MIoH, founder of Landscape Alliance Ireland (LAI), has served the landscape industry in Ireland for some 45 years and advanced the intent and aims of the European Landscape Convention for some 20 years; he now divides his time between providing landscape consultancy services in Munster and working as a Council of Europe international landscape and heritage expert in Kosovo. He continues to promote and refine his ‘jargon-free’ landscape circle methodology and is currently leading a pilot study on its use at local and regional administrative levels in Kosovo. The LAI website will shortly be relaunched as www.lai-ireland.com Contact Terry at terryjoregan@ gmail.com or 021 4871460.

HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticulture.ie / April/May 2014

MARYANN HARRIS BSLA MSc Dip Law MILI ASLA, Senior Executive Parks Superintendent in Dublin City Council Public sector practitioners find variation between contractors in compliance with specifications. For example, this may arise when general contractors, as opposed to landscape contractors, are carrying out landscape works under mechanisms such as framework agreements. The potential for poor standards is exacerbated when the contractor is supervised by personnel who have no training whatsoever in landscape architecture or horticulture. This is why local authorities need to ensure that landscape design contracts are prepared and supervised by qualified personnel/consultants and to refer to the register of members of the Irish Landscape Institute when designating project roles. While specifications are often copied and pasted for supply of plant material, the specifications for handling, installation and maintenance are often lacking in these scenarios where the specifier is not adequately trained. Are the specifiers ensuring that the specifications are specific to their site requirements, or just recycling old contract documents they obtained from other projects? It is also the case that contractors sometimes do not always fully read the specifications, and it is helpful to review these at the initial meeting and to encourage questions at this stage and also earlier during the tendering process. The use of e-tenders affords both the contracting authority and the prospective contractors to engage with queries and ensure

09 / INSIGHT that the specifications are clearly understood and, if necessary, they can be revised for clarification. It should be remembered that the pricing document takes precedence over specifications and ensure that all items required in the specifications are included in the pricing document. It is also vital that contractors price for all items in the pricing document to have a valid tender, even if they show a nil value for some items. The monitoring of compliance with specifications is reliant on the expertise of public sector staff, and this has been affected by the higher levels of retirement in recent years. There are instances when specifications are adequate but enforcement of compliance is not. There needs to be increasing use of the requirement of samples of work for approval, similar to civil engineering specifications, to ensure uniformity of workmanship on a job and that the procedures are being fully adhered to from the outset. There is also a need to tighten the specifications by local authorities, as we have received comment (and even protest) from landscape contractors of being more stringent than others. Even within a local authority, various forms of specifications may be used for the same type of works, depending on the personnel involved on the project or inputs from consultant landscape architects. This can provide an opportunity for learning and achieving best outcomes, but only if this knowledge is gathered and used to formulate specifications for best practice - as it could be. We should also be ensuring that public bodies move toward green public procurement by specifications which have sustainability objectives at all levels in the contract. National policy on green public procurement would be welcome in this regard. Maryann Harris is Past-President of the Irish Landscape Institute, a previous Chair of the Urban Forum and a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects. She is the Senior Executive Parks Superintendent in Dublin City Council and is experienced in environmental assessment, landscape planning and design and project management.

RONAN NANGLE, joint owner with Matthew Niesen of one of Ireland’s leading tree nurseries, Nangle & Niesen In general the standards of the specifications would be on an upward curve. There seems to be more awareness of what works well in an Irish environment and more willingness to learn from our European neighbours to see how things are done in the best possible way. There does seem to be more communication between the landscape architects and growers. We have already had numerous visits from landscape architects, public authority buyers and garden designers this year, and this has been growing over the last number of years. But the real problems start after the specifications. If what was specified was what was done there would be no problems, or certainly fewer problems. But that is not often the case. Sometimes we get five tenders from landscapers for one job. However one tender might request a size down from the specified size and ask for bareroot instead of rootball. More often than not this is the contractor that wins the tender. The other four contractors, who were sticking to the spec lose out. Herein lies the problem - who is policing the specification? Does somebody check the size and variety against specification? Does someone check to see that fertiliser and compost has been used?

Also when the contract is for something like a school building project, both the building contractor and the landscape contractor are working together to ensure that everything is done as cheaply as possible. The landscape architect who drew up the plan is no longer contracted to ensure that the plan was followed through. Corners are cut, the building contractor saves money and the school and community both lose out. The spec was fine but the enforcement was non existent. Ronan Nangle is joint owner with Matthew Niesen of one of Ireland’s leading tree nurseries, Nangle & Niesen. The nursery was established in 1973 and now covers 100 acres, and has over 60,000 trees in production. As one of Ireland most respected nurseries, it has supplied trees to some of the most prestigious projects across Ireland including the Grand Parade in Cork, the K-Club, Semple Stadium, and Áras an Uachtaráin. Ronan can be contacted at show as 087 227 2276. ✽

“In general the standards of the specifications would be on an upward curve. There seems to be more awareness on what works well in an Irish environment and more willingness to learn from our European neighbours to see how things are done in the best possible way.” RONAN NAGLE April/May 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

10 / SPORTS TURF

ncreasing pressure on golf course budgets has made superintendents reconsider how they manage their heavy rough grass and out of play areas. It is no longer feasible to intensively manage all the grassland areas on a golf course due to the increased cost of diesel, equipment and labour. Members and green fee paying golfers expect challenging conditions, yet enjoyable rounds of golf. Unmanaged rough areas can spoil a round of golf. They can frustrate players due to lost golf balls or injuries caused to golfers from playing heavy lies. The ideal rough penalises a poorly struck shot but does not prevent the golfer from locating and advancing the ball to some degree. The heavy rough or deep rough on a golf course is the most important grassland habitat from an ecological point of view. It is usually allowed to grow throughout the season and only cut once or twice annually. It provides refuge for mammals and insects and can form part of the broader wildlife corridor throughout the course. Greens, tees and fairways are all intensively managed and provide little protection for mammals. Collectively woodlands, hedgerows, water courses and heavy rough can be viewed as a precious sanctuary for flora and fauna. Poor management and maintenance of these long grass areas can lead

to a general thickening of the sward over time. Prolonged instances of wet weather can have an undesirable impact on the sward composition, favouring grasses like Lolium perenne, Dactylis glomerata and Holcus lanatus. In such cases efforts to encourage finer species can be to no avail. In recent years, superintendents have become proactive in developing management strategies and plans to reduce the density of the heavy rough on the golf courses. Approaches have revolved around reducing the soil fertility by harvesting grass and preventing the breakdown of nutrients back into the soil, effectively starving the coarser grasses. In 2009, a new selective graminicide, Rescue, was introduced onto the market targeting Lolium perenne and other coarse grasses. When used in combination with cultural techniques it can reduce the density of heavy rough areas. It can also be used on Festuca spp. golf greens.

THE MANAGEMENT PLAN The objective of a management plan should be to alter the sward composition of the heavy rough over a period of time, by a combination of cultural and chemical techniques. Encouraging finer grass species and reducing sward density should be a priority. When developing a plan, areas along the fringes of play should be prioritised,

HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticulture.ie / April/May 2014

as they have the most impact on play and subsequently the speed at which the game is played. Superintendents must survey and record the species of grasses in the areas to be treated. Any subsequent treatments will be based around their recordings. If the survey reveals high levels of desirable grasses like Festuca and Agrostis spp., then the strategies should revolve around maintaining and increasing these levels. However, should the survey reveal high levels of coarse grasses such as Lolium, Holcus and Dactylis spp. then all efforts should target reducing the prevalence of these grasses. Getting the ideal sward composition doesn’t happen overnight. The superintendent must have the full backing of the golf club’s committee or owners. Plans may need to be in place for five to six years in order to be considered successful. With regard to informing the members of the club, communication is key. Often new management techniques can be misunderstood by the golfing public if they are not properly informed. During transition phases, areas of heavy rough can look weak and unkempt. It is at these times that a good management plan which has a solid basis in good agronomical practices is worth its weight in gold. There are a number of approaches that a superintendent can take regarding implementing a plan.

10 / SPORTS TURF

The following management plan is an example of a combination chemical and cultural strategy, although I am not implying that a cultural only strategy would be less successful.

“Increasing pressure on golf course budgets has made superintendents reconsider how they manage their heavy rough grass and out of play areas”

IMPLEMENTING THE MANAGEMENT PLAN Surveying the Areas

Superintendents must have good turfgrass identification skills to survey and record the species of grass that dominate the rough on their golf courses. Applying chemicals to reduce grass species that don’t exist in the sward would be a waste of time, energy and money. Two good reference sources for superintendents and greenkeepers looking to increase their knowledge of grasses are: ‘Grasses’ by CE Hubbard and ‘Plant Material of Agricultural Importance in Temperate Climates’ by MA Farragher. Both contain comprehensive identification keys for both the vegetative and inflorescence stages of the grass’s life cycle. When carrying out the survey, superintendents should use a quadrat to sample the areas to be included in the plan. Photographic records should be taken of the quadrats in position and percentage cover of both coarse and fine grass species should be recorded before any treatment takes place. The locations of each quadrat should be marked from two fixed points to ensure

that follow up surveys are in the exact same position. Data collection is crucial to the successful execution of the plan. Following a survey of the areas, in late summer/early autumn existing vegetation is cut and harvested to a height of 50mm. Ten days later, Rescue is applied at a rate of 1.0 l/ha when the grass is actively growing. The next spring, the vegetation is once again cut and harvested by March. Rescue is applied at a higher rate of 1.33 l/ha. The following autumn, the grass is collected and harvested again to reduce fertility. It should be noted that a maximum of two treatments of Rescue should be applied per annum. Depending on the amount of undesirable grass in the sward, overseeding with finer grass species may be necessary after treatment to help the areas recover quickly. The area can be treated with a plant growth regulator such as Primo Maxx or Clipless before germination takes place. The

plant growth regulator will give the germinating grass a better foothold in the first few weeks.

MAINTENANCE After the initial targeting of small trial areas across the golf course in the first two years has been deemed a success, the management plan can be fully rolled out across the course with confidence. Continued monitoring and surveying by staff will be needed to ensure that the sward does not regress. The plan may need to be modified to adjust cutting times, rates of chemicals and harvesting plans should regression occur.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN The heavy rough and out of play areas can make up a large portion of the entire golf course. Tackling large areas requires machines capable of cutting at low heights of cut (50mm)

ABOVE LEFT: A DEMONSTRATION OF THE AMAZONE GROUNDKEEPER AT NAAS GOLF CLUB IN MAY 2012 ABOVE RIGHT: DESIRABLE ‘WISPY’ FESTUCA SPP WITH EVEN CONSISTENCY THROUGHOUT

April/May 2014 / www.horticulture.ie / HORTICULTURECONNECTED

10 / SPORTS TURF

IN BRIEF ABOVE: A DEMONSTRATION OF THE AMAZONE GROUNDKEEPER AT NAAS GOLF CLUB IN MAY 2012. ABOVE RIGHT: YOUNG BRACKEN PLANTS IN EARLY APRIL ON THE GOLF COURSE

and harvesting the material. Many golf courses hire local agricultural contractors to carry out this work, as staffing levels are inadequate to complete in-house. Care should be taken to ensure the ground is sufficiently dry to take the weight of such machines and all access routes into and out of the course should be clearly defined to prevent damage to areas of high value turf. When implementing the plan on a smaller scale, combination machines like the Amazone Groundkeeper would be sufficient. Equipping the machine with scarifying blades to clean out the base of the sward will encourage the finer grasses to prevail once nutrient levels have been decreased. Such equipment also has the capability of harvesting grass clippings which can then be composted on site if the facilities are available. In Scotland, some links courses have brought sheep back to maintain Sites of Signifi cant Scientifi c Interest (SSSI’s). In such areas invasive species are kept under control and rare plants can fl ourish. In future, Irish golf course superintendents may revert to using sheep for grazing the heavy rough, thereby reducing the reliance on the use machinery.

POTENTIAL PROBLEM SPECIES

Bracken: Heavy roughs can often have issues with invasive plants, such

as bracken (Pteridium aquilinum). Asulox (a selective herbicide for treatment of bracken in grassland) was withdrawn from the approved pesticide register in December 2011 with a use by date of December 2012. However, a temporary licence was granted for emergency use from 19th July 2013 to 16th November 2013. Bracken is extremely hard to control due to its reproductive mechanism. It spreads by underground creeping stems (rhizomes) and spores. Chemical treatment alone has varied success. Crushing of bracken is a method of control that has been used by land managers for decades. Crushing of the bracken plant has been shown to reduce the overall vigour of the plant by up to one third. The crushing of the bracken causes the plant to bleed sap for a number of days. This reduces the plants photosynthetic vigour and ultimately causes the death of the plant. There are many benefi cial eff ects of having bracken on the golf course. These include habitats for birds and cover for ground fl ora such as bluebell and violet. Dead bracken fronds provide cover for plants that otherwise could not compete with grass competition. Bracken is also used by badgers as bedding. However, from a golfi ng point of view, it is unsuitable due to its invasive characteristics.

HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticulture.ie / April/May 2014

CONCLUSION For any plan to be successful it must be implemented in full and supported by staff and members alike. If the golf course is dependent on contactors for harvesting of material, a good relationship should be developed with a contractor who understands the quality of work required on the golf course. Along with economic benefits, implementation of this type of plan can also have the following advantages for a golf course; ● The speed of the average round

of golf decreases as golfers spend less time looking for golf balls in the rough. ● Biodiversity increases as flora and fauna flourish. ● Time spent cutting heavy rough areas decreases throughout the growing season. ✽

EAMON KEALY M.Hort.Sc is a lecturer in horticulture, specialising in sportsturf management at the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown. ITB offers part-time and full time courses in horticulture. For more information see www.itb.ie or email info@itb.ie

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11 / FLORISTRY

PHOTO: ORLA MCGRANE

PHOTO: GILLIAN SCANLAN

WHERE FLORAL ART & HORTICULTURE MEET By Kitty Gallagher, President of the World Association of Flower Arrangers (WAFA) and organiser of the World Flower Show, Dublin, 2014.

loral art is one of the oldest methods of selfexpression in human society. We have been arranging flowers as far back as the third millenium BC. There is historical evidence to suggest that ancient peoples from the Egyptians to the Greeks and Romans all arranged cut flowers and used them in ceremonial and religious rituals, as well as using flower extracts for medicinal purposes. Later on, as the Crusaders came back to Europe from the Middle East they brought new and interesting flowers and plants with them, and this fascination with exotic and special plants has never left us. The fact that flowers continue to be arranged is a testament to the endurance of this art form. Styles, fashions and techniques have evolved over the centuries. So it is quite natural that flower arranging and horticulture should be closely intertwined. Floral art is inextricably linked to the horticulture industry: the floral artist is continually seeking out the unusual and

elusive plant that will make their design unique. And it’s probably true to say that many floral artists came to this art form through their first love: gardening. So the fact that the World Flower Show is coming to Ireland this year will provide a unique opportunity to explore the links between floral art, flower arranging, and the horticulture scene in Ireland. The Association of Irish Floral Artists (AOIFA) is the umbrella body for the floral art movement in Ireland and was a founder member of the world association in 1981. AOIFA secured the bid to host the World Flower Show in Ireland against strong contenders from Barbados, Peru and Russia. Among AOIFA’s aims are the bringing together of floral art and gardening clubs for cultural and educational purposes. We regularly organise educational programmes with these aims in mind. There is a strong emphasis on the study of design and horticulture. The association has grown to having approximately 90 clubs throughout the country who meet usually once a month

HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticulture.ie / April/May 2014

“Estimated spending on flowers alone will reach €80,000” hosting floral art demonstrations, gardening lectures, competitions, workshops and flower shows. In a little over two months, from the 19th –22nd June, the Royal Dublin Society, RDS, will be transformed into a haven of beauty filled with spectacular competitive floral exhibits for the World Flower Show. Flowers, foliage, fruits, stems, roots, mosses and driftwood will be utilised to create innovative and compelling designs. The diverse variety of plant material that will be seen in the RDS in June should, we think, prompt a surge of requests to garden centres to supply many new varieties of plants. It is our hope that hosting the World Show in Ireland will increase the awareness of floral art in Ireland and beyond. With the formation of the world association, new ideas and trends can travel rapidly, which results in inspiration, increased awareness, new ideas, and innovation in design. This prestigious show, a first for Ireland, is considered the Olympics of floral art. It is held only every three years, in one of the member countries of the World Association of Flower Arrangers (WAFA). Previous host countries have included USA, Japan, UK, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada. WAFA is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organisation of floral art societies whose aims are to encourage

the exchange of information concerning floral art and allied interests, and the care and conservation of natural resources and the environment. Apart from this, the 11th World Flower Show is likely to have a significant impact on the Irish economy. Estimated spending on flowers alone will reach €80,000. Delegates from all member countries, Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, France, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay and Zimbabwe, are registered to attend. Based on figures from previous world shows, we expect visitors in the region of 20,000. The hotel and catering industries will benefit greatly from this influx of tourists. Delegates will spend a week in Dublin and many are expected to prolong their visit by at least an extra week. Whether someone is plonking a bunch of daffodils in a simple glass vase or making an elaborate creation that will win an international floral art award, we hope that this event will help to encourage more meaningful intercommunication with horticulturalists, garden centres, academics, designers, and

KITTY GALLAGHER was first introduced to floral art when she took a course in a local VEC college. Having joined a flower club, she further developed her interest in floral art through workshops and competitions. She went on to study AOIFA courses for teachers, demonstrators and judges. She also studied professional floristry and tutored in this for many years. Kitty served on the AOIFA Executive from 2002—2008 as Vice Chairman, Chairman and President. During her two years as Vice Chairman, she organised the training programme for over 80 prospective teachers of floral art. She continues to teach at Post Leaving Certificate level. As President of AOIFA, she was instrumental with Mary C O’Keeffe, then Chairman of AOIFA, in progressing the bid to bring the 11th World Flower Show to Ireland. For press queries, please contact Gráinne Killeen, Tel. 087 919 1557 or email grainne@killeencommunications.com

PHOTO: PRIORY STUDIOS

11 / FLORISTRY

photographers. How do issues like floral fashions, trends, demand and supply, affect their work? We see in the history of painting the changing trends and styles in flower arranging, and how certain plants and flowers contained layers of meaning about status or politics or relationships for the owners or viewers of the paintings, but that may be lost to us now. How will the designs that our members are creating at the moment fit into a historical context or into the development of the market for plants and flowers in the future? And what happens when it’s all over? We are already working on plans for an Advanced Floral Art course for people who wish to progress to disciplines such as teaching, demonstrating and judging. It has always been a priority of ours to invite lecturers from the UK, Europe and beyond to facilitate workshops in innovative new techniques and keep ups abreast of fresh worldwide trends. So we hope to see plenty of horticulturalists, gardeners, designers, garden centre owners, florists and academics coming through the doors of the RDS in June. The show will be open to the public daily from 10:00 am. On view will be a host of competitive floral designs created by 600 leading floral artists from right around the world. There will be floral demonstrations by leading Irish and International demonstrators from Barbados, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, UK and USA; lectures by speakers who are authorities on topics as diverse as the Burren, Eileen Gray and Augustine Henry; tours to public and private gardens and a chance to catch up with friends and colleagues at the Preview Party and Gala Banquet. We look forward to seeing you there. ✽

THE WORLD FLOWER SHOW 2014 takes place at the Royal Dublin Society, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, from 18-22 June. Tickets from www. ticketmaster.ie

FURTHER DETAILS from www.wafaireland.com

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Horticulture Connected Spring Volume 1 Issue 2

Articles inside

A VIEW FROM THE URBAN FOREST

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO LANDSCAPE TENDERING

GAMBLE AND GROW

A SPECIFIC LANDSCAPE PROBLEM

INVASIVE SPECIES, THE LAW AND YOUR BUSINESS

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