The Landscaper Magazine September 2022 by The Landscaper

THE SEPTEMBER 2022 THE NUMBER 1 MAGAZINE FOR CONTRACTORS, GARDEN AND TURF PROFESSIONALS www.landscapermagazine.com LATESTINSIDEPOWERTOOLSANDMACHINERY SCAN SMARTPHONEYOURWITHTOREADONLINE! Turf Care: the robot Irrigation:revolution staying in tune with climate change Events: Landscape Show, APF Plus:Exhibtionlatestnews and product updates thearboristHedgetrimmers,chainsawsandwoodchippers:toolsforseasonahead

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5 /TheLandscaperMagazine As I write there is the welcome sound of rain on the windowpane. A relief since the Met Office declared And on page 34 we talk with Mark Moseley, sales and marketing director of British garden equipment distributor and manufacturer Handy. Here he tells us how the business navigated its way through Brexit and on releasing its own Elsewhere we catch up on the latest industry news and product releases, from the latest in arborist tools to forthcoming events. September kick starts another round of trade shows towards the end of the month, with the APF arboriculture event in Warwickshire on the 22nd followed by the Landscape Show at NEC Birmingham on the 28th. Next issue copy deadline: 19 September, 2022 landscaper@sheengate.co.uk The Landscaper | Issue 265 | September 2022 The Landscaper Magazine A YOUCOMPANYCANTRUST QUALITY USED GROUNDCARE MACHINERY DEALERS • Ride-on tractors • Wood chippers • Fairway and tees mowers • Pedestrian cylinder mowers • Blowers and vacuums • Compact tractors • Ground machinerypreparation sales@groundserv.co.ukwww.groundserv.co.ukCalluson:02086417979 Machinery bought and sold Golf, sports and landscape machinery 45 years’ experience 020 8641 7979 Email: sales@groundserv.co.ukA COMPANY YOU CAN TRUST • WWW.GROUNDSERV.CO.UK mowersmowersmachinery *Unless otherwise stated ALL TYPES ANDBOUGHTMACHINERYGROUNDCAREOFSOLD PO52345-Groundserv-Slider Ad New Sizes 150x108mm.indd 1 06/05/2021 10:34

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The Landscaper | Issue 265 | September 2022 7 CONTENTS Editor Maggie Walsh | 07787 555 798 | maggie.walsh@sheengate.co.uk Contributors Paula Warman | Greg Rhodes Advertising sales agency Mark Toland | 07771 881251 | mark@bourne-media.co.uk Design and production Lucas-studio.co.uk Circulation and subscriptions Maggie Walsh | maggie.walsh@sheengate.co.uk The Landscaper is owned and published by Sheengate Publishing Ltd. The Landscaper is an entirely independent magazine. It is not a member of any trade association or society. Sheengate Publishing Ltd Unit A4, Kingsway Business Park Oldfield Road, Hampton TW12 2HD 0208 939 www.landscapermagazine.comwww.sheengate.co.uk5600 Managing director Alex Whitney Publisher Con Crowley News 8 Landscape 2022 14 Turf robotics: mowing revolution ..................... 16 Landscaper's Circle .............................................. 20 Arboriculture: the latest tools on the market ..... 22 Fencing ................................................................... 30 Wildflower seeds .................................................. 32 Profile: Interview with Mark Moseley at Handy ... 34 Irrigation................................................................. 38 Groundscare & Turf .............................................. 42 Nothing in this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publishers. Readers intending to purchase goods or services from advertisers should make their own enquiries if in any doubt. Every endeavour has been made to ensure that all the information published in this magazine is as accurate as possible. Neither the publishers nor their agents can be held responsible for any errors or omissions; nor shall they be liable for any loss or damage to any person acting on the information contained in the magazine. Copyright © 2022 Cover Story: Ultra-versatile with three cutter blades which can be changed in under a minute, the new Pellenc Helion 3 hedgetrimmer offers a perfect finish. www.pellencuk.com @landscaper_ed /TheLandscaperMagazine Reesink UK LTD is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Images shown for illustration only. Large or small, doesn’t matter. A compact that gets more jobs done. The T395 compact with manual or hydrostatic transmission and high capacity hydraulics gives you the ultimate workhorse, making easy work of most landscaping and parks maintenance tasks. And, with lots of attachments, you get a tractor that does more. reesinkturfcare.co.uk GETS MORE JOBS DONE TR615 The Landscaper SeptOct CS T395.indd 1 15/08/2022 11:25

The award ceremony took place on National Manufacturing Day in July and to collect the awards from Wienerberger were Karen Linton, Recruitment Advisor and Rob Jollands, Engineering Training Manager with Adam Tipper, Managing Director of Next Gen Makers presenting the award. AriensCo, an industry leader in outdoor power equipment, has announced the appointment of Brad Stiles as its new Vice President of Sales for EMEAA. Stiles, who has been with AriensCo for more than 11 years, brings unparalleled expertise that will drive sales throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa while also ensuring continued growth in Asia Pacific and across UK business activities.

Wienerberger awarded Gold Standard Excellent Employer Kitemark

Wienerberger, the UK’s provider of wall, roof and landscaping innovations, has been awarded with the Gold Standard ‘Excellent Employer’ Kitemark status for its apprenticeship programme.

Stephen Phipson, CEO at Make UK, adds: “It’s vital that would-be apprentices feel comfortable and confident when selecting an engineering employer who will give them the right support and training throughout their apprenticeship and beyond. This Kitemark complements and builds on the programmes that Make UK and Next Gen Makers have already developed which are key to helping place apprentices.”

The Best Practice Programme offers companies the ability to benchmark its current approach to the running of its engineering apprenticeship schemes against industry best practice, while learning from the successes of other Simonorganisations.Nevitt,Operations Director, at Wienerberger UK and Ireland, says: “As a company we are passionate about developing and nurturing the next generation of engineers and are making considerable investment in a variety of ways to future build our business. The recent completion of our new Centre of Excellence training centre in Sandtoft is a perfect example of this commitment.

Appointment of vice president of sales for EMEAA

www.landscapermagazine.com8 NEWS

The new appointment highlights AriensCo's continued investment in its operations, which includes the acquisition of German professional mower manufacturer, AS-Motor, appointing Jochen Schneider as Executive Vice President of EMEAA and moving its CE zero-turn mower production to Oxford, United Kingdom. Stiles vacates his previous position of Director of Sales and Marketing for EMEAA.

Brad PresidentStiles,ViceofSalesforEMEAA

Left to right: Karen Linton, Rob Jollands and Adam Tipper

Regional sales managers in Germany, France and UK along with the export sales teams from EMEAA will report into Stiles.

The accreditation recognises manufacturers who are an exemplary employer of apprentices and is available to any UK engineering or manufacturing company that is running an engineering apprenticeship programme to overcome skills Wienerbergerchallenges.formedpart of the cohort of around 40 organisations, which pursued the ground-breaking accreditation which is part of the Make UK backed Engineering Apprenticeships: Best Practice Programme from New Gen Makers.

Stiles will report to Jochen Schneider and is eager to get to work, “For over a decade I have witnessed AriensCo's fast paced growth and now, in this new position, I can play an even greater role in keeping up that momentum. From strengthening current markets to reaching new ones, these truly are exciting times for AriensCo and all its customers, present and future.”

“Brad continues to be the driving force behind AriensCo's remarkable growth throughout EMEAA,” says Jochen Schneider, Executive Vice President of EMEAA. “Having worked at AriensCo for over a decade he not only embodies our family values but is best placed to ensure our customers get the products and support they depend on.”

“As an employer, the Kitemark publicly reinforces our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement, to be the best. For the would-be apprentice it provides reassurance that, as a company, we care about their future by providing a Gold Standard start to a long and successful career with Wienerberger.”

“I originally tried an Etesia Hydro 124 diesel ride-on mower, and it was raining at the time,” he says. “It wasn’t a problem though and it picked everything up in the wet – there was no doubt about it. I didn’t have to unblock it –it unblocks itself. It is a very impressive machine.

The Landscaper | Issue 265 | September 2022 9

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner will receive: a two-week work placement at Vidauban Golf Club in France; a five-night trip to Continue to Learn at BTME including four days of education; and a gift voucher for Toro Training. To find out who's made the final line up scan here. Etesia has appointed Abrey Agricultural to its dealer network Rhian Barton and Matt Milligan won the awards in 2021

Toby added that his first experience of using an Etesia machine was hugely positive.

Etesia welcomes new dealer

Keep a look out to see who will win the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year and the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year, at the awards event that will take place at Goodwood, West Sussex on 7th/8th September, ahead of the renowned Goodwood Revival, their classic car event. Toro, Reesink Turfcare and the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), recently revealed the finalists of theirs annual awards, which seek to uncover the UK’s leading student greenkeepers. This September’s event will be the 33rd staging of the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards and just the sixth time the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award, open to greenkeepers aged 21 or under, will take place.

Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalists revealed

To be eligible to take part, candidates must be registered on a qualifying greenkeeping qualification and must be nominated by their course manager or college tutor. A record 54 nominees from across the United Kingdom were put forward by educators, course managers and head greenkeepers and other mentors. From those candidates, a final 12 have been chosen to contest the grand finals this September.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner will receive: enrolment in the 10-week University of Massachusetts Winter Turf School; a two-week expenses-paid placement at Adare Manor, venue of The 2027 Ryder Cup; an all expenses paid trip to the GCSAA Conference and Show in Florida; and a visit to Toro Corporate HQ, R&D Centre and Equipment Operations in Wisconsin.

“Another big benefit of the Etesia machines is that you can take the grass box off and put a drop chute on the back in seconds. You can’t do that on many otherAbreymachines.”Agricultural, based in Saffron Walden, Essex, will be offering the full-range of Etesia products within an approximate 30 mile radius.

Essex based Abrey Agricultural is now part of Etesia UK's dealer network. Orginally a farming family, the Abrey’s changed direction when son Toby started importing specialist agricultural machinery from Austria in 2000. Twelve years later he started a groundcare division that now supplies a variety of leading groundcare brands.

“I’m hoping to reach new customers with the Etesia machines,” explains Toby. “I want to progress and do more work with the Cambridge colleges and you need good brands to offer them. If you haven’t got enough in your range, then you are limited. Etesia fits a treat in thisEtesiarespect."has been leading the way in building grass cutting machinery for both the professional and domestic market since 1989. Over the years the company has grown rapidly and now offers a wide range of products that include a variety of walk-behind, ride-on mowers, green technology, the popular Attila range of brush cutters and the all-new award-winning ET Lander electric utility vehicle.

NEWS

The event takes place at Birmingham NEC on 2-3 November, 2022.

July 2022 saw the UK's temperatures reach unprecedented levels of 40°C for the first time on record. In response the Grounds Management Association (GMA) is highlighting the need to place sustainability and environmental issues at the heart of the grounds maintenance sector’s thinking. To help those in industry, the membership organisation will make sustainability and environmental issues the heart of its Learning LIVE sessions due to take place in November at the NEC, Birmingham as part of its wider annaul SALTEX trade event.

More information about the SALTEX 2022 Learning LIVE programme can be found on the event’s website at www.saltex.org.uk/learning-live. Free visitor registration is now open. Visit saltex.org.uk.

Is irrigating sports turf surfaces under threat? That’s just one of the questions to be tackled at SALTEX, as sustainability and environmental issues will be at the forefront of subjects in the Learning LIVE sessions.

The SALTEX 2022 Learning LIVE schedule this year has been extended to over 30 sessions, with additional papers attacking the key issues for the grounds care industry of pay, career development, how to negotiate in the workplace and how to find out about the millions of pounds of grant funding available from sports clubs.

GMA Chief Executive, Geoff Webb suggests: “Those managing and maintaining sports turf and green spaces are already having to deal with the impact of climate change and industry suppliers are doing their best to innovate and help grounds people to minimise the impact of droughts and floods.

“Learning LIVE has been designed to provide support, insight, and real solutions to key industry issues, including those relating to sustainability and the environment and we are delighted to be confirming a growing line-up of impressive expert speakers.”

A presentation not to missed will be one from Tony Hanson managing director, Environmental Solutions International and Robin Price, director of quality and environment at Anglian Water. “Their paper on ‘Reducing the impact of future water restrictions on golf and sports turf’ is a timely subject as we deal with the results of climate change and approach drought restrictions in this country. Tony and Robin will look at the implications of temporary use bans and changes in water abstraction rulings, and how this will prevent turf irrigation in 2023 and the ways to implement water resilience practices,” says Geoff.

Help on hand to tackle climate change at SALTEX Learning Live 2022

Tony Hanson explains the importance of this subject to the industry: “Due to climate change, population growth, and historically high personal consumption, there is simply not enough water available in the UK without action – the water sector will have to use demand management to ensure public supply. Turf irrigation must simply become less dependent on mains or direct irrigation abstraction.

Alongside the Learning LIVE programme visitors to SALTEX 2022 will be able to see over 400 industry brands in one place – all lining up the best products on offer for today’s growing needs. It also provides visitors with a great opportunity to network with industry colleagues and build new business relationships.

“Extreme weather conditions are becoming more frequent, and we need to continue to educate grounds staff and plan now to ensure that as a sector, we are equipped to deal with what lies ahead.”

www.landscapermagazine.com10 NEWS

“The Water Resilience Plan has been designed to guide users on what they need to do and keep them informed of water industry funded seminars and workshops. If you irrigate turf you will need to review alternative water sources for irrigation, create water storage on site – water you control and can use in a drought to cover at least 21 days and review and assess your irrigation management and system. I look forward to discussing all these elements at SALTEX.”

Announcing speakers for Europe’s leading sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition, SALTEX, which is free to attend and organised by the GMA, Geoff Webb explains the value of attending the show’s Learning LIVE sessions.

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Green-tech sponsors Irish InstituteLandscapeAwards Three of a kind for Reesink

Reesink UK, which delivers a range of turf machinery products for the groundscare industry, has opened its third branch in Burwell, Cambridgeshire.

In addition to being headline sponsor Green-tech Specifier will be sponsoring two categories, Linear Landscapes within the hardworks category and the People's Awards. Says Kate Humes Marketing Director from Green-tech Specifier: “We have been supporting the UK Landscape Institute for many years now and sponsor their annual awards. We are seeing more enquiries and supplying an increasing number of projects in Ireland, so we are delighted to lend our support to the Irish landscaping sector and sponsor the Irish Landscape Institute awards.

Green-tech has announced that they have signed up as headline sponsor of the Irish Landscape Institute (ILI) Awards in October this year, under their specification brand Green-tech Specifier.

The branch, which serves Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Leicestershire joins Reesink Scotland and Reesink South East.

“These brands, in particular STAR EV, are doing very well in this area, but breaking it down even further customers are particularly interested in the sustainable options offered by each brand,” adds Trevor. “As a result, we’ve been able to fine-tune the range we offer our customers, we’ve taken on board new brands specific to what the market here is responding to and that’s proving to be a winning formula.”

www.landscapermagazine.com

The industry is thriving and its an exciting time for us to be involved Bernadette”

The wide-spread interest in reducing CO 2 emissions by businesses in the area led to Reesink Burwell widening its offering since opening to include Cramer, the biggest amperage available for battery-driven power tools and Biocircle for sustainable cleaning of turfcare machinery.

The Reesink team UK’s newest branch in Burwell, Cambridgeshire

The ILI is the professional body representing qualified landscape architects, landscape managers and landscape planners in Ireland. It is the national representative body for Ireland in the International Federation of Landscape Architects and is committed to pioneering new approaches to environmental planning and to raising the standards of landscape design in Ireland. The bi-annual ILI Awards give recognition to exemplary landscape projects by members across a range of categories.

www.irishlandscapeinstitute.com/events/ili-awards-2022

O'Connell, President of the Irish Landscape Institute commenting on the sponsorship adds: “We are delighted to have Green-tech on board as our main sponsor for the ILI Awards 2022. We look forward to an enjoyable evening at the Awards in Dublin at the end of October.”

NEWS Specifier team from Green-tech

“The pleasure of managing a branch is that the autonomy to make decisions in terms of what we stock, distribute and deliver is, to a degree, for us to determine based on the specific needs of customers in the area,” says branch manager Trevor Chard: Reesink UK distributes Toro fine turf and groundscare machinery, STAR EV utility vehicles and golf buggies, Farmtrac tractors and TYM tractors all of which are available at the new branch.

SALTEXTOGETHER2022

Join the best at SALTEX 2022 and hear directly from industry leaders, technical specialists, and experts from across the industry.

Join the best and register now for Europe’s largest FREE sports turf, amenities and landscaping trade exhibition.

2-3 NOVEMBER, BIRMINGHAM NEC

Sustainability and environmental issues will star in the Learning LIVE sessions, with leading speakers from throughout the industry booked to appear. Learning LIVE provides support, insight, and real solutions to key industry issues delivered by an impressive lineup of expert speakers. With over 30 sessions attacking key issues for the grounds care industry there is a session for everyone.

And this is all alongside the opportunity to network with industry colleagues and make new connections while viewing the very latest from over 400 brands, showcasing products in three halls across two days at the centrally located venue – Birmingham NEC.

BRINGING THE BEST

saltex.org.uk

#SALTEX2022 #AheadOfTheGame

TOBROUGHTYOUBY:

Visit saltex.org.uk and register now for your FREE ticket. Get involved!

Benjamin Pope: Head gardener, Lecturer and author speaks about his latest book 'What to sow, grow and do,' and offers insight into the world of publising for aspiring authors.

It's show time

Debbie Carrol: Garden designer who's experience for designing for care homes, generally where residents have dementia, offers guidance on how to create outside spaces within a care setting. Together with designer Mark Rendell, Debbie has set up Step Change, to share findings with fellow landscapers and help ensure futur care home gardens enable residents and staff members to enjoy and properly utilise their outside spaces.

Paula Warman: Writer for The Landscaper Magazine and Founder of The Landscaper's Circle to support, train and coach landscapers, Paula will be chatting about the reality of being a women in landscaping and will be offering advice on how to run a successful landscaping business. She says: “I know there is not a shortage of skilled and creative landscapers and garden designers, but I do see a need to bridge the gap between being both a landscaper AND business owner!”

Lee Gunner: Accredited lighting desiger will provide a lively discussion on the science of light, and the future of technologies in relation to the principals and elements of urban and landscape design.

Both the exhibition and all seminar sessions are free to attend – simply register at www.landscapeshow.co.uk/register

Over the two days visitors can enjoy an impressive seminar programme led by more than 70 top industry professionals sharing their thoughts on the leading topics of 2022. The seminars will inspire, educate and connect people to new ideas and solutions to take towards future projects.

Alongside the much-loved programme, LANDSCAPE provides a platform for hundreds of exhibitors to showcase their cutting-edge products, technology and solutions for the design, build and management of exterior and interior landscaping projects.

Helping professionals keep apace with the latest trends, products and services the event will have a competitive line-up of exhibitors and speakers in the industry. Additionally, it looks to continue its successful seminar programme, this year taking a sustainable and environmentally conscious approach. Topics will range from green roofing to how industry can play a part in nature's recovery.

Here are just a few of the inspirational speakers who will be holding seminar's across the two days:

www.landscapermagazine.com14 LANDSCAPE 2022

Join thousands of landscaping professionals to talk, meet, learn, educate, inform, share, debate and connect at LANDSCAPE 2022 in Hall 3 at the NEC - National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham on the 28th and 29th September, 2022.

Jilayne Rickcards: Garden designer and RHS Chelsea Gold winner talks sustainable gardening, quoting: “cutting through the inevitable greenwashing from suppliers is difficult, and time consuming, but desingers have a responsibility to try and deliver the best gardens for our clients while reducing our enviornmental impact.”

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Gardener Bunny Guinness recently referenced the value of ‘robotic’ mowers in dry times. “They leave the clippings on the lawn so encourage buildup of

Husqvarna CEORA™ aims to revolutionise turf care

Robotic lawnmowers (RLMs) are seen by some as a case in point. In the teeth of a recruitment crisis, the landscaping and turfcare sectors are welcoming the advance of what they view as an efficient way to undertake traditionally time-consuming tasks, freeing up groundscare teams to focus on other tasks.

“They are really good generally and the larger machines are excellent for large sports fields," he says, "and for large gardens, particularly in Europe."

The Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) has conducted sponsored research on autonomous mowers and while results are commercially protected, director Mark Ferguson favours their progress in the sector.

Although still limited in capacity and scope of cut height compared with manned machinery, RLMs are catching up fast, with manufacturers addressing the challenges the technology presents.

“The challenge is whether manufacturers can adapt a cylinder machine for autonomous use.

Turf robotics

However there are some limitations as noted by Mark. “They struggle when cut height needs to be below 25 mm – for fine turf applications for example, which is where cylinder mowers come into their own.

Can robotic mowers revolutionise the turf and sports sector asks Greg Rhodes. And if so, will they pose a threat to wildlife?

The progress of tech can prove irresistible commercially and unstoppable, even in the face of stiff protest from wildlife agencies and campaigners.

www.landscapermagazine.com16 TURF CARE

“They are a much more efficient way of cutting grass as groundscare staff can send them out regularly to clip a little bit off the height each time, which reduces mulching but allows nutrients to return to the turf. Also, environmentally, it makes sense to leave clippings in place,” Mark concludes.

The Landscaper | Issue 265 | September 2022 17 TURF CARE organic material,” she commemted on Radio 4's Today programme, “which helps moisture retention.”

Keeping the greens in shape In Kent, The Ridge Golf Club was the first golf club this year to test drive the robotic offering from Husqvarna –the CEORA™.

With plans to invest in another four robotic mowers, Jack sees the potential of this mode of course management. “We want to cut fairways regularly down to 16 mm so that the grass does not regrow as quickly, then the semi rough at 30 mm and rough at 60 mm.”

The 20,000 trees on and around The Ridge mean the Ceora cannot reach right under fringe cover, Jack explains, while the mower can operate up to 500 m from the GPS base station it continually communicates with. Although currently plugged into the mains, the base station could well be solar powered soon, Jack reveals, along with the mower charging points, as he plans to introduce panels to further reduce his electricity bill. Threat to wildlife For turfcare needs then, RLMs could be one answer to long-term staffing shortages, especially across sports sites. But do they pose a threat to wildlife – a question vexing environmentalists? Mowing is very time-consuming.

Available in Europe in late 2023, the mower can cover 2,000 m2 to 4,000m2 .“It will be suitable for large gardens and sportspitches, although you would need two units for sports applications,” adds Anthony. However, Toro is already preparing to size up the model. “A larger-capacity mower should be available in Europe in two or three years,” Anthony confirms.

Bringing “farming mentality to the golf club”, Jack was quick to adopt turfcare efficiencies, buying a Husqvarna loop-operated robotic mower for various duties and bringing in a dedicated head greenkeeper.

Commercial mower

Using an autonomous mower allows landscape contractors to increase revenue by adding value to their services for sites such as hotels and schools

“The only maintenance so far is fitting a set of new blades every two to three weeks, and that takes just 15 minutes. If I had the Ceora running 24/7, I've calculated we would spend £485 a year on power.”

Capable of mowing up to 75,000 m2, it is proving just the ticket at The Ridge, Jack reports. “We're very pleased with it. The mower cuts the fairways equally well in wet or dry conditions, on a cycle of six hours on course, six hours charging, controlled from an app on a mobile device.

“I’m quite hands on,” says Jack, “and do mowing and vertidraining, helping the team with the big jobs.”

“The artificial turf market is growing,” says Anthony Nadalin, senior marketing manager for Toro's Europe and Middle East territories, "but there is room for bothOperatingoptions.”via a vision-based system, enabled by four cameras fitted on the machine, the mower offers landscapers a powerful incentive to purchase, Anthony"Mowingexplains.isvery time-consuming. Using an autonomous mower allows landscape contractors to increase revenue by adding value to their services for sites such as hotels and schools.”

The challenges of recruiting greens staff, despite paying “over the odds”, have further strengthened his commitment to automated turfcare and in April, he bought Husqvarna'a latest innovation, the Ceora.

The team can leave Ceora to do its thing while they devote more time to “detailing” across the course, Jack adds, such as paths upkeep, tee boxes, drainage, plantings and “generally enhancing the course for our 600“Thesemembers.”arethe jobs best done in the summer, which is just the time when greens teams have to spend so much time mowing using traditional turf machinery.”

Following extensive research, Toro has unveiled its autonomous mower targeting the residential and landscaping sector. Despite a new study revealing that UK homeowners are increasingly choosing synthetic turf in their gardens, the machinery development company believes there's healthy potential for such maintenance kit.

"Not every club will be able to afford to purchase one outright but as a smart connection device, the mower can work within Toro’s Total Solutions package and will be able to talk to irrigation systems for example.”

The club was brought by local farmer Jack Skinner five years ago, and now he runs it with his wife Sophie and a tight greens team that numbers just three in winter.

Hard on the heels of its residential mower, Toro will be introducing a commercial equivalent targeting "selective markets". The Geolink Solutions autonomous fairways mower is set for launch at the end of 2023. “The UK is our primary market,” Anthony confirms. “It will use GPS RTK technology within a batterypowered traditional triple mower. The machine is designed to address the labour shortage and golf course operating costs." Buy-in price will be higher than traditional ride-on equivalents, Anthony says, and take-up will depend on how tech minded clubs are and how well they can receive a stong GPS signal.

Residential mower

CEORA™ poised for action at The Ridge Golf Club

www.landscapermagazine.com18 TURF CARE

The issue carries added poignancy when one of our national treasures is in the frame. The European hedgehog is in decline, but the reasons remain unclear, despite a welter of field studies.

Was former Poet Laureate Philip Larkin referring to an RLM when he launched into one of his poem’s with “The mower stalled, twice; kneeling, I found/A hedgehog jammed up against the blades, Killed”. Probably not but it certainly highlights a perennial peril these, and other treasured creatures face, as the drive to automation gathers pace. Toro cutting it for the residential marketHusqvarna

Dr Sophie Lund Rasmussen and colleagues from Aalborg University, Denmark and the Oxford University Wildlife Conservation Research Unit have studied the impact of RLMs on the endangered mammal by testing the damage inflicted by 18 different models when they collided with the bodies of dead hedgehogs, collected from dedicated rehab centres after succumbing to various injuries, not necessarily inflicted by robotic mowers. Each RLM was tested 12 times with four deceased hedgehogs representing four different weight classes, each in three different positions. Some models caused “extensive damage”, the study found, but with “noteworthy differences in the degree of harm inflicted", while some machines "consistently caused no damage”.

Talks have already begun with manufacturers on ways to modify machine designs to limit risk to wildlife such as hedgehogs, the researchers report, in an effort to encourage a collaboration to develop more wildlife friendlyMeanwhile,alternatives.theresearchers recommend restricting operation of RLMs to daylight hours, when hedgehogs are less likely to be active, and checking that smaller animals such as amphibians or baby birds are not hiding in lawns and other stretches of turf.

Paula Warman offers advice on how to navigate a landscaping business through tricky times

@thelandscaperscircle | @warmanpaula

The Landscaper’s Circle is the only online platform exclusively for business owners in the landscaping industry to learn how to market and run their business better. Become part of the #TLCTribe today for training and support. If you need our help please email at info@thelandscaperscircle.co.uk | www.thelandscaperscircle.co.uk

Keep marketing – simple really. When everyone else looks at overheads marketing costs are inevitably the first to go, but this is not the way the keep your business buoyant in times of struggle. The best practice is to review what marketing strategies are working for you and then do more of that.

Make plans – this is a fantastic time to reflect on your business, look at the bigger picture and make some plans. It could be that you want to scale down or come off the tools and this is possible because of the climate we are in. Just make sure you make some plans and set some action steps too.

www.landscapermagazine.com20 LANDSCAPER’S CIRCLE

Landscapers have had a tough few weeks battling through a particularly hot summer and are now faced with challenges of the rising cost of living, as clients cut back on their spending.

Reduce overheads – reviewing your overheads on a regular basis is key for any business but looking at overheads and trying to keep them as low as you can without compromising on service delivery and quality will take the pressure off the business.

Restructure your workforce – look at what services and products you offer and who delivers them. Could you deliver in a more streamlined fashion? Could you set up your teams in a different way to get more out of them?

This month is The Landscape Show on 28th and 29th September, it is a great opportunity to organise meetings with suppliers and connect with fellow industry professionals to potentially collaborate and learn from eachPlus,other.there are lots of seminars taking place. I'll be there and on stage on the 29th discussing life as a woman in the industry. Plus there will be many exhibitors there, who may be able to add something to you and your business. Check out my The Limitless Landscaper’s Podcast for weekly inspiration for your landscaping business and don’t get drawn into the fear. This is not a time to be worried or scared for the future this is, I believe, a time for development and opportunity. Do not let it pass you by through fear, act and look for the opportunities this will bring. If you want help with growing or niching your business, then get in touch. My vision is to support and mentor as many landscapers, garden designers and horticultural businesses as possible, through membership of The Landscaper’s Circle.

Set up processes and systems - make your life and running the business easier in the long term by setting up systems such as automated email replies to enquries or a induction plan for new staff. If set up well this will create time for you to focus on other things in the business that will make a bigger impact.

If you have a mentor or a coach stick with them – again when looking at reducing costs in business, training and mentoring are often on the list of cuts. I would argue that in times of uncertainty having the support of a coach or mentor will most likely help you get through and flourish.

Are people working to the best of their ability? These are all points on which to have clairty when managing a business through uncertain times.

It’s a scary time for businesses with the media hype surrounding the increase in energy bills, rising fuel costs and inflation. It is a worry for many, particularly those in the landscaping industry, since customers will see the services we offer as a luxury, a 'nice to have’ option, rather than a ‘must have’. A reduction in enquiries really do cement the concerns small businesses are having.

Take calculated risks and find your niche – there is lots of research to suggest that uncertain economic times presents the biggest opportunities for those businesses that are brave enough to take them. It is also a great time to find your niche, specialise in something you love and can deliver on and then capitalise on what this can do for your business.

Finally look to getting re-inspired about your business and the industry by attending some industry events.

How do you get through rough times especially when a recession could be on the horizon? Having spoken to various businesses in the industry, and taking from the experience of running my own garden design and landscaping business for the past 12 years, I wanted to share some key takeaways for business survival:

Streamlining for a recession

www.landscapermagazine.com22 ARBORICULTURE

Although much of the equipment showcased at APF will be state-of-the-art, there will be a woodland crafts area with over 25 craftspeople demonstrating some rare and unusual craft skills including rake making, coracles, wheelwrighting, oak swill baskets and willow weaving amongst others. It is a great chance to talk to these craftsmen and learn about a new skill and see the uses that green wood and small dimension timber and coppice can be put to.

A new feature for APF 2022 is the Fencing Village. Most of the UK’s top suppliers and manufacturers of materials and equipment will be there demonstrating the latest tools, equipment, machinery and materials including the latest metal clip fencing recently approved for grant schemes.

Alkylate petrol pioneers Aspen are attending APF 2022, showcasing the benefits of their ethanol-free fuel for two and four-stroke engines. Founded in 1988, Aspen has long been helping to improve operator working conditions, enhance engine performance and reduce the negative impact on the environment. Any visitors who vist their stand (D1A) at APF this year can trial Aspen Fuel with a new money back guarantee!

Being free from ethanol, benzene and many of the other hazardous hydrocarbons found in traditional pump fuel, Aspen alkylate petrol has been proven to improve equipment performance and reduce the wear on engine components. The cleaner burn not only brings benefit for your equipment, but significantly reduces pollutants into the atmosphere – better for both people and the planet. These benefits have seen Aspen become a popular choice with professionals, who also enjoy the convenience of having Aspen delivered in bulk, by the can or drum, directly to their site. For those yet to experience the difference, Aspen are introducing a new incentive at APF 2022 where, subject to a bulk purchase, operators can trial Aspen with an option to return the fuel if they change theirCommentingmind. on the offer, Business Development Manager Axel Hildebrand says: “Aspen has a tried and tested record of making a real difference to the working conditions for arb and grounds contractors of all sizes up and down the country. However, all too often, we find people are tentative to give it a try! This initiative will give people the opportunity to put Aspen to the test in their own working environments, and we’re confident that once people discover first-hand the improvements it can make to sustainable working that they’ll not look back.”

There is a host of others features and competitions to enjoy. There will be updates on the latest plant health issues. Watch the world 25m poleclimbing championships, the European Chainsaw Carving championships with Europe’s top 25 carvers in action, the UK Open fencing championships, the UK Open tree climbing championships and the world log to leg pole lathe championships. www.apfexhibition.co.uk

APF 2022 is the UK’s largest forestry, woodland, arboriculture, fencing, trees and timber event that is taking place at Ragley Estate, Alcester, Warwickshire on the 22-24th September, 2022. Three hundred exhibitors and 25,000 visitors are expected at the show which will feature around £80 million of working equipment. For the landscaper every make of woodchipper and stump grinder can be seen working from the smallest shredder to whole tree chippers. Major chainsaw manufacturers will be present including Husqvarna, Stihl and Makita, who will be running technical and have-a-go demos throughout the three days. With the move to more battery equipment there will be the opportunity to compare and try petrol and battery machines side by side. In the new Arb Worker Zone there will be ongoing practical demos of all the latest climbing equipment, techniques and small machinery and updates on all the latest technology including the new Stihl Hex Chain.

There will be demonstrations of horse logging and the opportunity to have-a-go and try your hand at handling these powerful animals.

APF forestry event returns for 2022 Fuel guarantee

● Compact, powerful and portable ● Efficient, effective and safe to operate ● Perfect for chipping branches up to 12cm thick ● Unique drum design; pulls branches in, chips them and ejects clean cut wood chips ● High and low outputs to create the shredded material for accelerated THATWOODCHIPPERScompostingDOTHEJOB For expert gardeners and professionals www.gtmchippers.co.uk

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Powered by Makita’s most powerful battery platform – XGT 40VMax, these hedge trimmers are designed with curved teeth to reduce friction resistance that will suppress energy loss and extend run time. What’s more, the inclined tooth edge enables the blade to easily catch, firmly hold and sharply cut twigs or thin branches up to 23.5mm for maximum efficiency.

www.makitauk.com

HEDGEARBORICULTURETRIMMERS

Now the birds have flown the nest it’s time to get down to some serious grafting on the trees and hedgerows. The next pages offer some top tools to help you power through, kicking off with hedgetrimmers.

CuttingMakitathrough Cobra H5024V

Makita’s range of XGT 40VMax hedge trimmers are musthave for professionals wanting to keep gardens looking trim and tidy. The UH004G and UH005G deliver a no-load speed of up to 5,000rpm and feature an asymmetric, double-sided, curved, sharp-edged blade for easy trimming to provide a high-end finish and to help prevent branches from snagging the blade.

But before you do just check that none of our winged friends are still nesting, it is an offence under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 to damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. The bird nesting season is usually considered to run from March to August.

The Cobra H5024V cordless hedge trimmer is built for XGT 40VMax by

Also, in the XGT 40VMax range are the UH006G and UH007G. Specifically designed for trimming overgrown dense hedges and thick branches. These machines have a non-curved, sharp-edged blade, that can cut thicker branches up to 25mm in diameter, ideal for rough cutting. With user safety in mind, all of these hedge trimmers are low vibration machines and for comfort, including a rubberised soft grip. The UH004G, UH005G, UH006G, and UH007G all feature a reverse switch to easily free the blade when jammed in thick branches.

A favourite amongst professional landscapers, the Husqvarna 522HDR75X hedge trimmer is a double-sided trimmer with a 75cm cutter bar, high torque gear and coarse-cut blades, providing quality results on dense or overgrown hedges. This petrol trimmer features a multi-position handle and boasts an impressively low weight combined with the slim, balanced design and low vibration levels to provide the user with comfortable handling, while the high capacity, high-speed professional knife blades, open blade guard and impressive power output allow for unmatched cutting performance on the sides and tops of hedges.

It also incorporates an anti locking blade system that reverses the direction of rotation if the cutting bar gets stuck in Therevegetation.arefourcutting speeds to make it possible to adapt to the type of species to be trimmed or pruned and there is a quick switch system for changing blades.

The HLA 135 is STIHL’s most robust and powerful cordless long-reach hedge trimmer in its offering, ideal for commercial applications and trimming and pruning back large hedgerows, especially in noise sensitiveWeighingenvironments.just5.6kg(without battery), the STIHL HLA 135 is 249cm in length and features 600mm double-sided, double-edged universal blades that can cut through 16-18mm branches. The cutter bar can be rotated through 145º via the lightweight magnesium gearbox to enable over-head, side and ground-level cutting.

ON position, all allowing for trouble-free starting. The two-stage air filter in dual materials also provides less cost for service and less engine wear and the effective low-noise engine creates less disturbance for those working in busy areas.

The Landscaper | Issue 265 | September 2022 25

Pellenc 3

A comfortable control handle boasts threespeed pre-selection levels through an LED display, enabling operators to alter their working speed to the necessary conditions, whilst optimising battery-working time. Maximum stroke rate is an impressive 4000rpm, perfect for leaving a smooth finish on conifers. Other features include a soft loop handle and grip shaft, RTS harness eyelet and mesh air filter. When used in conjunction with STIHL’s AP 200 battery, the HLA 135 has a working time of up to 64 minutes. www.stihl.co.uk

HLA

The Helion 3 also allows quick connection and disconnection of the tool to the battery to get out of any risky situation fast.

Pellenc has recently launched the new Helion 3 hedge trimmer. Versatile with its three cutter blades, which can be changed in under a minute, the Helion 3 guarantees a perfect finish every time. Its exceptional cutting capacity allows operators to cut sections up to 3 cm in diameter in complete safety. It can also be used in all types of weather.

www.husqvarna.com/uk/

STIHL 135

Pellenc UK offers an industry leading four-year commercial warranty for all its batteries and a three-year warranty for all it tools. www.pellencuk.com

It boasts a blade guard, an aluminium stiffener, carbon steel blades and a stainless-steel anti-kickback guard.

Husqvarna 522HDR75X

Helion

Theoverheating.MSA220 T and TC-O top handle chainsaws are built with durability in mind and are suitable for use in the toughest conditions thanks to the hard-wearing components. Maintenance of the machine is kept simple via the MSA 220 T’s modular design, allowing housing parts to be removed and replaced quickly and simply.

www.stihl.co.uk

Not only does the chainsaw design offer increased user comfort with effective anti-vibration dampeners to absorb vibration, sparing the user's arms and hands, as well as soft inlay, ergonomic trigger and an asymmetrical handle, but it also provides quality results on every use with distinct felling marks for better felling precision.

Other features include side-mounted chain tensioning, captive nut on the sprocket cover and toolfree oil tank cap as standard. In addition, the MSA 220 T boasts an easy-to-clean air filter for long service life and optimum motor cooling.

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STIHL has launched the MSA 220 T and MSA 220 TC-O, the manufacturers most powerful and durable cordless top handled chainsaws to date, designed for tree care professionals to remove larger branches or perform crown maintenance with ease. Recommended with a light-weight 14” guide bar, both MSA 220 T models use a high performing PS3 full-chisel saw chain to achieve a fast, high-quality cut. The recommended AP 300 S battery delivers 2.1 kW of electrical power, providing up to 29 minutes of working time and plenty of power for cutting larger sizedBothbranches.modelshave an adjustable oil pump, an ergonomic trigger system and a 180° LED display, ensuring the operator always has a clear overview of key information such as the operating status of the saw and the chain brake position. In addition to these features, the MSA 220 TC-O also has an oil sensor that will notify the user when the chain oil tank is empty, helping to reduce potential downtime, premature wear to the cutting attachment and the risk of

The 450 II includes a built-in centrifugal air cleaning system for reduced wear and longer operating time between filter cleanings and features a stop switch that automatically resets to the ON position for troublefree starting.

STIHL launches Top handle chainsaw

www.husqvarna.com/uk

Husqvarna 450 II Chainsaw

ARBORICULTURECHAINSAWS

Created for the landscaper who values professional qualities in a saw, the Husqvarna 450 II Chainsaw is a powerful second-generation saw boasting considered, ergonomic design. The petrol chainsaw features an X-Torq® engine meaning lower fuel consumption and reduced emission levels in accordance with environmental regulations. The transparent fuel indicator makes it quick and easy for the user to check the fuel level, while the flip-up tank cap makes it simple to open and close when refuelling.

For professionals looking for a rear handled chainsaw, the UC011, UC014, UC015, UC016 XGT 40VMax (300/350/400mm) effortlessly tackle most applications on the ground. These products benefit from Makita’s 40VMax Li-Ion battery power, generating a max output of 1.6kW – 45% higher compared to the original DUC353 LXT model. The chain speeds are up to 25.5m/s, providing fast and effective cutting, vital for tackling thicker branches. Improving productivity and efficiency, professionals can use these products that have the power comparable to petrol alternatives, but without the emissions. www.makitauk.com

Makita 40VMax XGT collection

Makita has a range of top and rear-handle chainsaws in its 40VMax XGT collection. Its cordless, lightweight top handle chainsaws; UC002, UC003 and, UC006 all feature a large oil reservoir with an adjustable chain oiling mechanism and anti-fall captive bar nuts to minimise loss when adjusting chain tension. With an output of 1.4kW max and a brushless motor, these high-end cordless chainsaws each have comparable power to a 30cc 2-stroke chainsaw. Designed with user safety in mind, the chainsaws also feature a metal spike bumper to firmly grip the workpiece, a variable speed control trigger, a kickback brake, and an auto-power off function that automatically turns off after one minute of inactivity.

The addition of automatic chain lubrication with a 150 ml oil reservoir, makes for worry-less work without the added task of adjustments, pressing a pump, or using the right amount of oil, and for ultimate safety; the oil filler cap can be opened and closed without the need for tools. been improved and streamlined to make flush felling cuts possible, whilst automatic chain tensioning maintains the correct tension during use for easy setup. cm chainsaw

EGO Power Plus has enhanced its range of chainsaws with a new 40 cm Chainsaw. With improved ergonomics and an impressive combination of high torque and chain speed, users can comfortably make light work of medium-sized logs up to 40 cm in width. With the combination of high torque with a quick chain speed of 20m/s, the chainsaw allows for fast and efficient cutting without the noise and vibration of a petrol

The Landscaper | Issue 265 | September 2022 27 ARBORICULTURECHAINSAWS

Weighingalternative.inatonly 4.1kg without the battery, the chainsaw makes working outdoors safer and easier.

EGO 40

www.landscapermagazine.com

The GTM Professional range chippers are efficient and safe to operate due to their unique drum design – a rotor with 2 Pro double-sharpened blades that rotate along the counter blade at high speed and ejection through a large discharge chute. The system pulls branches up to 12 cm thick into the machine via the extra wide input chute, chips them and ejects clean cut wood chips time after time. The high-alloy steel PRO blades have two cutting edges so that they can be turned around for reuse. The extra wide chute means that it is rarely necessary to remove side branches, which guarantees a high working speed.

The smallest machine in GreenMech’s pedestrian range, the CS 80 delivers compact with compromise, perfect for ‘on the spot’ chipping and jobs in tight spaces.

www.cobragarden.co.uk

ARBORICULTUREWOODCHIPPERS

The compo multifunctional chippers GTS1300COMPO and GTS900COMPO have two different outputs, which help create the shredded material that helps with any composting process. The high output shreds branches up to 10 cm. Safety features on the woodchippers include a safety switch to immediately stop the motor, panic bar and rotor operatepersonsobalancedperfectlyaremachinessystem.lockingThelightandthatonecanand move the machine safely.

QS2500

GTM Professional chippers

CS80Cobra

GreenMech

The CS 80 chips fast and can handle timber and brash of all awkward shapes and sizes making it ideal for all garden jobs but particularly hedge work, which can sometimes be difficult to dispose of.

At only 760mm wide CS 80 is easily moved down pathways and through gates. In addition maintenance is straight forward as the internal mechanisms are easily accessible with the removal of just a couple of bolts.

There is an adjustable flap on the discharge chute, which allows the operator to angle and control the direction of the chip, so users can either re-use it as mulch for flower beds, or alternatively, can dispose of it into a bulk bag or straight into a garden waste bin.

The GTS1300RG is equipped with caterpillar tracks to operate on rough and hard to access terrain. The machine can easily manage steep hills up to 20° incline. There is also the GTS1300PTO that is suitable for coupling to a tractor up to 45hp with a 3-point attachment and power take-off.

https://greenmech.co.uk

www.gtmchippers.co.uk

The Cobra QS2500 quiet shredder is perfect for shredding garden waste of up to 40 mm in diameter. As well as being powered by a 2500 W motor, it comes equipped with a practical plunger, allowing the user to shred heavier loads, helping to clear green spaces and keeping them neat and tidy. The 50 litre collection box is ideal for collecting large amounts of garden waste before it needs to be unloaded and, for added safety, a switch automatically cuts the motor off if the box is removed. The ergonomically positioned controls not only help make operator use more comfortable, but as safe as possible, too, so garden clear ups are a breeze.

w w w. g r e e n m e c h . c o . u k KING FEEDERS UK SPECIALIST SHREDDING & COMPOSTING EQUIPMENT www.ecogreencomposting.co.uk Tel: 01260 223273

Traditionally, concrete has been the most popular fencing material in the UK given durability is a key requirement. However, from a sustainability perspective, concrete contributes to more than four percent of all global CO2 emissions. John Abernethie, Managing Director of Birkdale, highlights why making the switch to galvanised steel will improve environmental credibility without compromising on performance.

DuraPost ® fence posts

A recent study conducted by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) reported that three quarters of adults in the UK are concerned about climate change and 80% of those between the age of 25 and 34 have already made changes to their lifestyle in response. This outlook is influencing more and more customers’ choices, even in terms of home and garden design. As such, landscapers and fencing contractors should be aware of the sustainability credentials of their chosen fence post material.

www.landscapermagazine.com30 FENCING

Globally, cement production accounts for 1.6 billion tonnes of CO2 – around four to eight percent of total carbon emissions. What’s more, the concrete industry relies heavily on coal, which leads to further CO2, nitrous oxide and sulphur emissions. Furthermore, at the end of its usable lifespan, concrete is usually sent to landfill, where it takes 50 years to decompose. What are the alternatives? When looking for more sustainable alternatives, there is still a need for strong fencing solutions that can resist the harshest weather conditions, and do not yield to the high winds that are becoming increasingly common in the UK. Natural and renewable solutions such as timber rot at the base quickly, weakening the structure before they eventually snap. In fact, untreated timber posts need to be replaced every 5-10 years. They also require energy to produce and leave behind a high level of waste at the end of their short life.

However, modern alternatives such as galvanised steel solutions offer an option that has an exceptionally low carbon footprint and can even outperform concrete when it comes to strength, resistance and durability. Unlike concrete, galvanised steel is a material that is infinitely recyclable, meaning it does not need to be sent to landfill at the end of its working life. Some manufacturers even produce their products using recycled steel, like Birkdale’s which is made up from up to 50% recycled material.

What’s wrong with concrete?

Galvanised steel – a sustainable switch

Despite its lack of aesthetic appeal, concrete has historically been a go-to option, due to its strength, resistance and durability. However, it is damaging to the environment. This is because it is made from cement, a highly unsustainable resource. Creating one tonne of cement requires up to 1597 kg of raw materials. Transporting these raw materials, as well as the final concrete product, is energy and fuel intensive, resulting in high levels of carbon emissions. However, the emissions resulting from the production process itself is particularly worrying – fossil fuel combustion is used to generate the energy required to operate a rotary kiln, which releases CO2 into the atmosphere. Further carbon is emitted as a result of the chemical process of calcining limestone into lime in the cement kiln. In total, the carbon levels are staggering – 1.25 tonnes of CO2 are emitted per tonne of cement that is produced.

In addition, the production of virgin galvanised steel is highly sustainable and not carbon intensive. Utilising natural resources, the galvanising process involves dipping steel into hot zinc to create a corrosion resistant coating. When the steel is withdrawn, any zinc that does not attach to the metal remains in the galvanizing bath. As such, there is very little waste product, aside from small amounts of ash and dross, which can also be

The Landscaper | Issue 265 | September 2022 31 FENCING

If landscapers want to ensure that their sustainable solution performs highly, they should source their galvanised steel fence post from an established manufacturer such as Birkdale, suppliers of gate and fencing accessories. The company has recently added to its galvanised steel DuraPost ® fencing range with a new environmentally-conscious composite panel –Vento. This product is manufactured from a combination of recycled plastic and rice husk waste and can be easily installed alongside DuraPost ® fence posts to create an attractive, durable complete fencing system.

Galvanised Steel fencing solutions

• www.birkdalesales.com/durapost

Galvanised steel also delivers in terms of performance. Although it is 80% lighter than concrete, it is incredibly strong. In fact, products like Birkdale’s galvanised steel fence post, DuraPost ®, has been tested to withstand wind speeds of up to 110mph, the equivalent of 625kg of force. Galvanised steel is also very resistant to the natural environment – it will not rot, warp or twist over time, no matter the weather conditions. As a result, it has a very long functional life expectancy and requires noGalvanisedmaintenance.steel’s superior strength-to-weight ratio allows the post to come in slim, unobtrusive profiles, ensuring that installation is straight forward. A steel post can easily be carried and installed by one person, whereas a concrete post requires three or four people. Not only does this save time and costs, but it also reduces the risk of injury considerably.

recycled. Therefore, switching from concrete to steel can dramatically reduce a landscaper’s carbon footprint. What are the other benefits of switching?

Flowers and wildflowers enrich the environment, support bio-diversity, produce stunning views and add colour to any landscape but none more than to a greying urban environment. Sowing and planting into areas such as highway verges, roundabouts and public parkland enhance the appearance, giving a new lease of life for all to Autumnenjoy.is considered the optimum time for sowing mixes containing native and naturalised species.

The emerging plants provide ground cover going into winter, helping prevent erosion plus a spell of winter frost will help to break the dormancy of some species, kick starting earlier flowering the following spring. It is considered to provide better species diversity in year one and lower temperatures and evapo-transpiration together with the possibility of higher rainfall means little if any watering is needed. Autumn sowing reduces the impact of the climatic variability that spring brings, such as prolonged drought or late frosts and sowing perennial mixes during this period also provides more permanent flowering displays which are ideal for substituting or complementing bedding plant schemes.

• Endurance – a hardy multi annual and perennial species that is tolerant of changing weather conditions and poor-quality soil. Produces an excellent floral display, ideal for sloped sites and green roof projects.

• Boulevard - perfect for roadside verges, roundabouts and at the front of mixed borders. Low flowing height, contains 20 native & naturalised species, including harebell and cowslip.

• Classic – a diverse mix of naturalised and horticultural species, recommended for roadside verges to link the countryside to towns and villages, and for a more natural flowering display in parkland.

• Alliance - adds a splash of colour to flower beds and borders. It contains red Field (or Common) Poppies (Papaver rhoeas) and Cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus).

• Flora Britannica - 100% native and naturalised Sow the seed Euroflor is the market-leading flower seed range from industry giant Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS). Jayne Leyland, Product Manager for OAS advises why you should be sowing in autumn and recommends the top-10 Euroflor mixes to sow now Autumn sown mixes contain majority perennial species and self-seeding annuals/biennials.

www.landscapermagazine.com32 WILDFLOWER SEEDS

• Cornflowers. 100% Cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus) which are mainly blue but also shades of pink and white, excellent for a splash of summer colour in border plantings

The top 10 Euroflor mixes for autumn sowing include:

Produces beautiful vibrant swards.

Prepare the ground prior to sowing.

species-rich mix recommended for ecological conservation schemes in parkland and riverside edges.

• Native Pollinator - a rich mix of 100% UK native and naturalised flora providing abundant nectar and pollen, widely adaptable to a range of soil types, a more discreet flowering display for environmentally sensitive sites in either full sun or partial shade.

• Rainbow Perennials - for extended flowering and more permanent displays from spring until late autumn.

2. If using herbicide to control existing vegetation apply seven to 10 days after cutting to allow for re-growth. Always follow the recommendations on the product label.

Autumn sown mixes contain majority perennial species and self-seeding annuals/biennials which provide flowering displays year after year. Look to sow

• Spring Flower – a beautiful and versatile mix that has the capacity to flower twice per year if cut back after flowering. Provides ground cover vegetation over winter as resistant to frost.

Late summer is the perfect time to prepare for autumn sowing. It provides an ideal opportunity to reduce the ingression of prolific, late spring germinating weed species such as Fat-Hen and Redshank, prior to them setting seed, which will help diminish the weed seed bank in the soil. Follow the following advice for the best results.

3. Cultivate and prepare an early seed bed in August or early September.

If trying to reduce the use of herbicides, Flora Fleece weed suppressant matting is an excellent alternative to herbicide control and also eliminates the need for cultivation prior to sowing. It has proven to be an efficient method for the control of the soil weed seed bank, particularly late germinating, prolific annuals which will compete for space with flowers after three or four years on the same site. It is made of natural recycled fibres and will gradually break down over five to eight months through the growing season.

Euroflor spring flower

• Poppies - 100% Field (or Common) Poppies (Papaver rhoeas) of exceptional purity and germination.

The Landscaper | Issue 265 | September 2022 33 WILDFLOWER SEEDS

Euroflor mixes in late August through to the end of September in north and east England, and late August through to mid-October in south and west England.

Sow at a rate of 3-4g per square metre and consider applying a pre-seed organic based fertiliser, such as Apex 4-6-4, particularly if soil fertility is impoverished. Ensure seeds are in good contact with the soil and keep seed and seedlings moist until well established. Using these sowing rates, 1kg of Euroflor will cover approximately 333 square metres, making it an extremely cost-effective long-term solution. There is minimal maintenance required, OAS would recommend just one cut per year in Autumn after seeds have ripened and fallen, however they can be left unmown for winter interest and to decompose back into the ground or cut back in early spring before new growth if preferred.

1. Cut existing vegetation down to 5 cm or lower in July to prevent self-seeding.

4. Let the weed seed bank germinate and either treat again, hoe or harrow the area to reduce weed species.

• Euroflor have mixes to suit all budgets and project requirements. For more information call 0800 138 7222.

An adaptable mixture with a plant base common to many habitats throughout the UK.

Garden machinery comes in Handy

Mark Moseley, Sales and Marketing Director of British garden equipment distributor and manufacturer Handy takes time out with Maggie Walsh

Consumers want environmental-friendly gardening tools such as the battery-powered cordless Greenworks line

Handy has been established for more than 84 years. How did the company come about?

To this day, Handy remains a family-owned British business. Its experience, expert knowledge, and dedicated customer service –which includes carrying over 70,000 spare part lines – has enabled the company to build a team driven by high performance and family values.

What has been your highlight since joining the business? When joining the business in January 2015, I recognised that Handy had been making great strides with its own brand developments to compliment the product offering from the established brand proposition. One of Handy's core strengths is having the ability to react to the needs of its customers and bring new products to market to fulfil those needs very quickly. The highlight for me personally over these past seven years has been identifying this key strength to drive the Handy-owned brands including Webb, The Handy and Q Garden to take a larger share of our business. Whilst our brand partners are extremely important, it has meant we have been able to take more control of our destiny and invest more into driving those brands under our control. We have worked hard to develop a range of products that complement our brand partners meaning we can confidently cover any of our customer's entire garden machinery category needs and truly act as a one-stop supplier within this competitive marketplace place.

www.landscapermagazine.com34 PROFILE

We are the exclusive UK distributor of industryleading cordless home and garden tools manufacturer Greenworks Tools and most recently Cramer Commercial Landscaping equipment.

In 1938 Geoffrey Handy started an ironmonger's business in the old town of Swindon. Over the years, the company expanded into hardware, bottled gas and lawn mowers before becoming the specialised home and garden machinery business known today as Handy. It has grown to become one of the UK’s largest independent garden machinery wholesale distributors from its purpose-built 60,000ft Swindon site which is home to more than 45 full-time staff.

Handy also has its own branded products under the Webb, The Handy and Q Garden brands, all of which are designed and manufactured by the company.

Mark Moseley

With a 98% product availability rate and over 1000 different items in stock, we make sure that there are garden machinery options for the experienced gardener as well as for those who are new to gardening and want to try it out without spending too much money upfront.

What brought about the decision to launch your own products? We launched our own products under the Webb, Greenworks, Q Garden and The Handy brands so that we could design innovative high-quality garden machinery tools that encompass the full range of gardeners and gardens, from the beginner to the experienced enthusiast, from the tiny urban back yard to the expansive country garden. How do you keep ahead of your competitors and what do you feel is Handy’s unique selling point? We offer 1000s of garden machinery from leading brands, including electric, cordless petrol and hand-powered tools.

We have been through some rough times during the last few years thanks to Brexit, Covid and global unrest – how has this affected Handy? The supply chain continues to be an issue within our industry. Covid may have been a bolt from the blue, but supply chain issues were already presenting themselves

Our mission is to bring to market products with the best value, highest quality and latest innovation with instant availability.

The Cramer products available via Handy

The most popular tools are our cordless garden tool ranges from Webb and Greenworks. Lightweight and compact, all products in the ranges can be easily stored in a garage or a garden shed while taking up minimum room when not in use and the battery is interchangeable with other tools. With no emissions and lower running and maintenance costs than petrol equivalents and no power cables to contend with, the ranges provide total convenience and ease of use.

What is Handy’s business model?

At Handy, our goal is to offer a complete range of gardening tools at price points that work best for businesses and consumers’ particular needs.

Our unique selling point is spare parts and our aftersales service! A lot of our competitors do not have fast access to spare parts. This is a personal pain point for me as it drives customers to distraction when you have a product but are unable to use it as spares are not stocked. This doesn’t happen here at Handy – we’re proud to carry over 70,000 different types of spare parts across major brands supported by a dedicated spare parts team. Do you see a trend from customers to be more discerning on what products they choose with the environment in mind? Yes, consumers want environmental-friendly gardening tools! Our battery-powered cordless Greenworks line is a great option that will not only save you time and money but will also reduce the overall pollution levels. For example, if you are looking for a sustainable lawn mower, Greenworks offers different options and power types to choose from depending on your lawn size and type. For smaller lawns, you can opt for a 24v mower or a 48v option which utilises two 24v batteries to deliver improved performance and larger cutting deck sizes. For large lawn types, the 40v and 60v mower options can provide improved performance and features such as self-propelled functions, steel deck, side discharge and wider cutting decks. Compared to petrol, the initial outlay may be slightly higher in cost but the additional spend is recouped in time through no need for expensive fuel or servicing costs. With each battery charge costing less than 1p and a run time of between 30 to 40 minutes, the savings rack up. As the batteries are interchangeable with other garden machinery tools, such as line trimmers, hedge trimmers and garden vacuums, any additional equipment can be purchased without having to get additional batteries. Cordless mowers are emission-free, quiet, and lightweight. They are cheap to run and maintain plus provide freedom and flexibility around the garden.

What is your market? Is it trade professionals or consumers looking to purchase for their garden, and what tools are most sought after? We supply garden machinery to specialist dealers, large national retailers, garden centres, mail order companies and directly to the consumer from our own brand websites; from lawnmowers to scarifiers, chainsaws to tillers and everything in between. With a choice of hand, electric, petrol or battery power, our aim is to provide quality products with exceptional performance while offering unbeatable value for money.

The Landscaper | Issue 265 | September 2022 35 PROFILE

At Handy we could see the writing on the wall and had already implemented key changes – the pandemic just accelerated these plans.

Finally, do you have any exciting news that you can share? We are excited to announce a brand-new partnership with Cramer Tools, a specialist in durable batterypowered tools and professional gardening equipment, to deliver its powerful 82v battery technology for emission-free garden care and landscaping to the UK commercial market. To facilitate the partnership, Handy has set up a new team dedicated to the Cramer ToolForrange.fouryears now, the Cramer brand has belonged to the Globe Group, the market leader in the USA and the world-leading manufacturer of battery-powered tools and gardening equipment. The company has already established a reputation as a specialist in sustainable and high-performance technologies. Its products are developed by a 45-member team at the company’s research and development centre at Jönköping in Sweden. Pioneering battery technologies have been created here alongside innovations in IoT and robotic lawn mowers. The smart combination of batteries, software chips and motors harmonises perfectly with Cramer’s products. The modular concept enables the use of an 82v battery pack in all Cramer products, including chainsaws, pole saws, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, and power cutters. Cramer 82v battery technology ensures that gardeners, landscapers, and non-professional users are able to work safely, with no direct emissions of carbon or high-frequency noise. The ergonomic product design and lightweight structure make handling easy in any situation. And finally, devices fitted with the high-performance battery are much more cost-efficient in terms of operation and maintenance compared to conventional, fuel-powered devices. We’re really looking forward to showcasing the range and its capabilities at APF Exhibition on the 22-24th September and SALTEX on the 2-3rd November 2022.

PROFILE WER18HP4 Webb petrol

We directly addressed supply chain issues by increasing our stock holdings and storage capacity and made an extra £1m stock investment along with a significant expansion of our warehousing which has seen two extensions completed and a third, due for completion this year, increasing capacity by a further 30%. Secondly, we ensure stock arrives in plenty of time. Pre-Covid, the stock would generally arrive in January/February, but with the ongoing delays and issues we are all facing, November would be a safer option.

• The current product range is distributed exclusively via specialist dealers. Handy offers its Cramer partners full assistance, from in-person support and sales advice from field service staff to digital support, attractive marketing services and comprehensive after-sales service - for further information, please visit www.cramertools.com rotary

mower

www.landscapermagazine.com

36 several years before, both on the back of Brexit and also as a result of climate change initiatives which were leading to Chinese factories operating at 50% capacity.

What do you think the landscaping and turf industry can do collectively to help keep businesses viable and open spaces maintained? Not only do we see the demand from our domestic customers for more environmentally friendly, money saving cordless products, but we also understand our commercial customers are under pressure to also source products to reduce their carbon footprints and introduce products which are better for the environment. The commercial contractors who invest in cordless products are more likely to win contracts and meet the targets set by councils etc. to reduce their emissions. Our Cramer 82v professional range of equipment including the new Zero turn ride is fully equipped to service these needs offering petrol performance with zero emissions. Whilst the initial outlay may be more expensive, the Cramer professional range requires minimal servicing and no fuel meaning the products will eventually pay for themselves. Not only will they meet their customer environmental targets but the contractor will also benefit financially in the long term. A win-win for both sides.

POWERFUL ● ERGONOMIC ● PRECISE The most reliable and comfortable sprayers on the www.berthoud.fr/en/market HOZELOCK-EXEL - 891 route des Frênes - ZI Nord Arnas - BP 30424 - 69653 Villefranche Cedex France SAS au capital de 2 600 000 euros - SIRET 77965877200024 - APE 2830 Z - RC Villefranche B N° TVA intra-communautaire : FR 02 779 658 772 - Photos et images non contractuelles. SPRAYING SPECIALISTS SINCE 1895 SAV FRANCEEN SAV FRANCEEN GUARANTEE 10SAV EN GUARANTEEGARANTIEYEARS ANS MADE IN FRANCE 5 GUARANTEEGARANTIEYEARS DISPONIBLESPIÈCESANSDÉTACHÉES SPARE AVAILABLEPARTS ANS YEARSFRANCEEN SAV FRANCEENMADE IN FRANCE 5 GUARANTEEGARANTIEYEARS ANS MADE IN FRANCE 5 VERMOREL 2000 PRO CONFORT VERMORELELECTRIC3000 VERMOREL 1800 VERMOREL For distributor enquiries for Berthoud products, please contact our UK wholesaler Spindrift Sprayers Ltd. Tel – 01995 600001 Email – sales@spindriftsprayers.co.uk

There is additional information that can be used to make irrigation more effective during hotter weather. Various types of soil have differing rates of water intake and hold moisture for varying amounts of time. This will influence the precipitation rate and choice of irrigation product. Different varieties of plants will have different watering requirements. Therefore

Climatologists are suggesting that hot summers are to become an annual event, so good practice is needed across the irrigation industry to adapt to the changing climate suggests Peter Longman of Rain Bird Europe R-Van rotary nozzles deliver highly efficient performance. Peter Longman

Efficient irrigation Manual irrigation of course makes it more difficult to be precise in the amount of water that is applied by any form of sprinkler or rotary spray and in this respect, investment in an automatic irrigation system will bring much closer control over water application. Different types of emitter apply water at different rates, so it is essential to know the precipitation rates of the products being used in order to apply close to the correct amount of water to maintain the health of the landscape.

Drip irrigation Drip irrigation, on the other hand, presents none of these issues. Well mulched beds help drainage, encourage root development and improve the soil. Combined with surface dripline irrigation, or by using sub-surface dripline, this will ensure plants and shrubs receive the correct amount of moisture exactly where it is needed – around the plant and at root areas. Furthermore, this highly efficient form of irrigation can be applied throughout the day.

Squeeze every last drop

For example, a rotary spray head nozzle with a typical precipitation rate of 16mm/hour would need to be in operation for approximately 1.5 hours per week within a given irrigation zone to achieve and match the required 25 mm of precipitation. Information is readily available for all modern irrigation products to assist users in making these calculations.

Generally, a landscaped area needs to receive approximately 25 millimetres of rainfall per week to thrive. Therefore any irrigation that is in use needs to provide or make up to this amount of water during drought or drier spells. During wetter periods, when there is a risk of overwatering, irrigation should not be used so much or at all. Yet it is not unusual for landscapes to receive twice as much water as needed and therefore result in unnecessary wastage.

With the 2022 heatwaves and meteorologists suggesting that such events may well occur annually, the irrigation industry needs to adapt to the changing climate. This applies both to those whose job it is to keep landscapes and gardens in prime condition, whatever the weather, as well as the manufacturers of irrigation products. With efficient and improved irrigation technology and practices, plants, shrubs, trees and landscapes can be kept healthy while also reducing water consumption by as much as 25 per cent.

www.landscapermagazine.com38 IRRIGATION

The most important element of good irrigation practice is to follow the principle that irrigation should only be carried out when and where it is needed. Over or underwatering simply does not use water to maximum efficiency and also results in barren or saturated landscapes.

It is wiser to spray irrigate during the morning or evening to help prevent water evaporation during the warmer hours of the day and when wind drift can cause water to be wasted as it fails to hit the target zone. Pressure regulating sprays and rotors combined with thick streamed nozzles, such as R-VAN, can help reduce the effects, keeping water where it is needed. Using sprays and rotors with matched precipitation rates are available and designed to be used together in the same zone.

On-going evaluation of an irrigation system's performance is also essential and an automatic irrigation controller will monitor continuously and use real-time alerts to indicate problems. Small leaks in a system which may be caused by animals, garden tools or just general wear and tear can go unnoticed and result in wastage. However, a Flow Meter, such as the latest FG 100, will spot any changes in waterflow, send an alert to the controller or user's mobile device and remedial action can be taken.

There is no question that hot summers, drought conditions and more frequent hose pipe bans will set unprecedented challenges not just for irrigation but for society as a whole. Water is the most precious resource and everyone in the irrigation industry and beyond has a role to play in its conservation. Good management and maintenance practice combined with the continuing development of innovative irrigation technology can make a major contribution to the preservation of our landscapes.

Dripline with valve technology eliminates low point drainage.

dividing a landscape into separate zones so that ground cover, shrubs and trees can be watered separately and less frequently is worth considering during the planning stage.

Manufacturers are more aware than ever of the need for water conservation and the impact of our changing weather patterns. This has resulted in the introduction of simple yet innovative technology that the landscaping industry can use now to help achieve its own water efficiency goals. For example, users can now specify dripline irrigation with check valves which retain water within the system, whether within a flat or sloped landscape, prevent run-off, pooling and wastage so that the system does not have to be recharged before the following day's irrigation cycle.

If water pressure is high when using spray heads to deliver water across an irrigation zone, the result is misting, wastage and inefficiency. Spray heads with Pressure Regulating Stems and Spray Heads (PRS) on the other hand, which are available now, feature built-in pressure regulation to reduce excess water pressure, manage nozzle water flow, droplet size control and maximise performance.

Real time irrigation

The Landscaper | Issue 265 | September 2022 39 IRRIGATION

Whilst automatic irrigation systems will not suit everyone, their primary aim is to help ensure that water is used as efficiently as possible, squeezing out every last drop, and this will become an increasigly important consideration in hotter summers. Irrigation schedules can be set automatically in accordance with real-time and predicted weather conditions.

With a weather station based system, a smart controller that can use Wifi will automatically adjust a watering schedule and prevent under or over watering by taking into account current and predicted weather. Additional rain sensors provide a physical switch off of the irrigation system.

ESP- LXIVM irrigation controller provides real-time, highly efficient irrigation with immediate diagnostic feedback.

“We have worked with Elite for many years, and it is always nice to help out on such prestigious projects. The tree irrigators are a fantastic addition to our irrigation offering, and they will help the newly planted trees establish quickly and make keeping them well-watered an easy task,” says Mark Browne, Green-tech key account manager.

Bromley Cricket Club recently raised enough funds to purchase a much-needed new Hunter Irrigation system from KAR FoundedUK.in1820,

The western side has been realigned to recreate the original street line of Wrights Lane, and the upper levels have been set back to create three terraces offering much needed outdoor amenity Green-techspace.were contacted by Elite Landscapes Ltd working on the development to quote for the tree planting in soft beds on the terraces, including anchoring systems, underground root ball irrigation and for the larger trees, slow-release tree irrigatorGreen-techbags. launched the tree irrigator bag in 2020 in response to requests for a surface fed but slowrelease irrigation system. When using direct irrigation, either from above or using perforated rings around the rootball, there is always the risk of significant water wastage, whereby a lot of the water soaks straight down to the subsoil when delivered in one go, bypassing the root system that needs it.

“We have a very low, shallow, subbase of soil. The consequence of that is in particularly hot periods without any rain, the pitch would turn into a desert. It would turn to straw, become very hard and any undulations would become quite dangerous.

Tree irrigator bags

On open terraces where the beds are exposed to the effects of high winds, the bags also help by keeping the soil surface around the rootball covered, which prevents drying out.

Hunter is first-class for Bromley CC Artists impression of the terraces at 127 Kensington High Street.

The project went to tender, and Prime Irrigation was selected as the chosen contractor to install a Hunter

Bromley Cricket club commissioned a topographical survey and a feasibility study, which stressed the importance of an irrigation system. The board began to raise funds in various ways, and it eventually reached its target at Bromley Cricket Club’s bi-centenary dinner celebrations which took place at The Oval.

Bromley Cricket Club is one of the leading cricket clubs in Kent, with a long, successful, and proud tradition. As well as boasting four senior sides, the club is focused on promoting youth cricket and has approximately 500 youth players ranging from 4 – 18 years old. As you can imagine, a lot of cricket is played at the club’s ground and David Wilson, cricket committee member and director of the main sports club, explained exactly why an irrigation system was needed.

www.landscapermagazine.com40 IRRIGATION

The £53M project will finally provide primarily commercial space, with retail space on the ground floor and basement, as well as a new arcade entrance to Kensington High Street underground station. It has an environmental BREEAM rating target of excellent.

“Rainfall is becoming less and less reliable,” continues David. “We felt that we were getting to a point where a period of say six weeks would make the outfield non-playable.”

Green-tech provides irrigation bags for Kensington roof terrace

127

Kensington High Street was once the site of the original, highly regarded Pontings department store. Demolished in the 1970s, the store was replaced with two office blocks. Later, to provide much improved mixed-use space, these structures were part removed leaving 30% remaining, and added to with extended areas and an additional two floors, as well as three levels of outdoor terracing.

Made from green PVC mesh cloth, with a permeable membrane in the base, the tree irrigator bag can hold up to 60 litres in a single bag (95 when doubled up), which it slowly releases over a period of 5-9 hours depending on the conditions. It is very easy to fit post-planting, and simply wraps around the tree trunk and is zipped up, then filled via a filler opening at the neck.

The I-80 features a wide range of highly efficient, dual-trajectory, wind-fighting nozzles for highly efficient performance in a range of applications. It also provides total top serviceability (TTS) via its integrated, surfacemounted snap-ring for no-dig easy maintenance.

Engineered for sports turf, the I-80 is built with a robust, dirt-tolerant gear drive that offers the highest torque output of any rotor in the commercial sphere, and extends a radius range from 11.3 to 29.6 meters.

“I like the fact that Trevor, our groundsman, will soon be able to wake up in the morning, if needed, and operate the system from his phone all the way from his house in Whitstable!” adds David.

Bromley Cricket Club also purchased the Roam remote which means operators never have to walk back and forth to stop and start irrigation. Furthermore, the club will soon be benefiting from the mobile-friendly Centralus irrigation management platform. This provides highly

The I-80’s were installed strategically around the outfield while 6 TTS-885’s were installed on the square.

water,forecasts,settings,status,viewallowsfeaturesandcloud-basedcomprehensivesecure,controlmonitoringwhichuserstoacontroller’schangeviewsaveandreceive instant notification of important system alarms — all without costly and time-consuming travel and site visits.

The Hunter TTS-800 rotors provide maximum uniformity and longevity as they use the same gear drive and nozzles as the I-80’s. The high-torque gear drives are the strongest in the industry, so the challenges of reclaimed water use or poor water quality are mitigated. An extra-large, fastaccess flange compartment comfortably accommodates wire connections and other components.

Commenting on the project, Alan Williams, sales director for Prime Irrigation, says: “It has been great to be a part of this project and the system is going to make a big difference. The Roam remote is incredibly easy to use, and the operator can select various programmes; they now have the flexibility to water certain areas and can have different run times.

Bromley Cricket Club raises funds to purchase a Hunter Irrigation system from KAR UK. It’s Your World. Rain Bird offers the broadest range of controllereasy-to-usesolutions.

Irrigation system from KAR UK. The system included 25 of the most technologically advanced commercial rotors on the market – the I-80’s.

The Landscaper | Issue 265 | September 2022 41 IRRIGATION

Explore our entire lineup at rainbird.com/TakeControl-en

With ever-increasing restrictions on chemical usage impacting on plant growth and root development, course manager of Rotherham Golf Club Andy Unwin has noted an increase in the amount of aeration work that now needs to take place. To assist in his operations he has re-invested in a new Redexim Verti-Drain replacing his old one with the Verti-Drain 7316 model.

SISIS Maxislit

Hence why head greenkeeper Paul Smith and his assistant Roger Spalton need to keep the greens in top condition.

“Of course we’re all noticing the differences between the two machines. This one is smoother, with much less vibration during operation, and it’s all really user-friendly – adjustments to speed and depth are nice and straight forward.”

Out with the old, in with the new proves beneficial

Redexim’s Andy O’Neill and Tony Dodson of Cheshire Turf Machinery brought in a 7316 and it ticked every box.” With a 1.6m working width, the 7316 is one of the most versatile models in the Redexim Verti-Drain® range. Small enough to suit smaller chassis tractors, but weighty enough to handle compacted ground, it is available with a range of tine options to suit all sports turf applications and maintenance tasks throughout the calendar.

Ultimately, the members are paying a fee to play golf for 12 months and we want to make sure they get that.”

The well established course is built on meadowland and in the 52 years since it opened not one golfer has ever broken par. It is for this reason that golfers come from far and wide to play the course and attempt to beat the record.

“With our Verti-Drain® 105-145 we would traditionally have two main ‘aeration weeks’ – one in March and one in August, with spot treatments as and where required. This machine was purchased in 1994 and gave us years of trouble-free and effective aeration, but with more work on the cards, the time was right for an upgrade.

“For numerous years we have had problems with drainage on the course,” says Paul discussing why he's chosen a SISIS Maxislit. “We have had times when we have been shut for 2-3 months which has caused issues.

The SISIS Maxislit is a tractor mounted deep slitting aerator for sports field maintenance, golf course maintenance and amenities, with deep, clean penetration.

Pastures Golf Club in Derby no longer needs to rely on a contractor to aerate their fairways after they recently purchased a SISIS Maxislit.

Andy adds, “With the Verti-Drain® you know what you’re going to get and that’s reliability, which is going to be critical as we continue to undertake more aeration work around the course over the next few years.”

Rotherham offers a true test for golfer and greenkeepers alike, as Andy and his team of five deal with thousands of mature trees and historic push-up greens across the 18-hole parkland course. “A lot of work has gone into the greens over the years, lots of aeration and topdressing which now means we’re in a good position with sandy, free-draining greens,” explains Andy, who took over as course manager last year. “However, things are always changing and one of the biggest issues we now face is the changes in chemical legislation, making aeration more important than ever for retaining root strength and plant health.”

The Maxislit produces outstanding underground cultivation due to the angle of the tines and spiral design of tine shaft assist penetration and its simple design requires little maintenance. “As a minimum, our aim is to use the Maxislit twice a year in spring – to help get the grass ready to grow and also in autumn – to open it up ready for when it needs to hold moisture,” says Paul. “We’ll use it on the fairways and approaches initially and then eventually look to use it on the “We’vegreens.hadgreat results,” says Roger. “Long-term, we are confident that the Maxislit will improve soil condition and help root growth which will improve our drainage at surface level. It is very flexible, and we can adjust the length of the tines and go even deeper if we want to.”

www.landscapermagazine.com42 GROUNDSCARE & TURF

Aeration is needed to improve drainage, reduce turf compacting, thatch build up and boost the health of turf.

“We were also paying a lot of money to a contractor who would come out and aerate the fairways,” adds Roger. “We just thought that it would be better for us to be able to do the work when we wanted with our own manpower.

Microclover, PM82 also features 40% Double 4turf ® tetraploid perennial ryegrass. The deeper rooting nature of DLF’s 4turf ® varieties means it can better withstand drought-like conditions and remains green even when the plant above ground is starved of water.

Aspen alkylate petrol is continuously tested to guarantee high-quality fuel in every canresulting in equipment that starts easily, engines that won’t clog and fuel that doesn’t deteriorate over time. Count on your machine to do its job so you can focus on yours.

However, those with an eagle eye may have noticed that amongst the familiar scorched land seen across the country, patches of green did burst through. This was most likely to be clover, which as DLF seeds explains, generates its own nitrogen from the atmosphere making it one of the most tolerant varieties to drought and other high stress

Drought resistant seed mixture

Self-sustaining Microclover could prove key to overcoming more frequent drought conditions says DLF seeds Clover trials through the seasons. In trials conducted by the STRI, Microclover is proven to deliver enhanced coverage and improved colour when compared to pure grass swards.

OUR FAILSFUELTESTEDNEVERYOU

Alongsideenvironments.morefrequent periods of sustained hot and dry weather, the rise in fertiliser prices is driving seed producers to look for varieties that can be maintained with a more sustainable nitrogen programme. The unique root nodules on clover are formed by the Rhizobium bacteria, capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into a natural fertiliser available for the clover as well as the companion grasses. Sourced in this way, the supply will also be gradual and ongoing, contributing to more sustained growth when compared to the ‘flush’ that can occur when larger quantities of nitrogen are applied as part of a managed feeding programme.

GROUNDSCARE & TURF

Drought conditions have been prevalent this summer – it was hard not to notice that many local authority sports grounds, gardens and public spaces fell victim to heat, particularly in terms of visual merit.

Microclover is a special bred dwarf white clover, which joins in well with other turf species. The smaller leaves and lower growth habit contribute to a dense, uniform appearance as well as delivering strong wear qualities and heat/drought tolerance. All of this means that the inclusion of Microclover can result in a sward that suffers from less weed and disease invasion, and one that requires less water, fertiliser and ultimately cost, to sustain. In trials conducted by the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI), Microclover is proven to deliver enhanced coverage and improved colour when compared to pure grass fromSportPM82Masterline’sswards.MicroclovermixtureDLF,has been specifically blended with these benefits in mind. PM82 improves turf quality whilst being kinder to the environment thanks to its requirementsreduced for herbicide and fertiliser. Alongside

www.aspenfuel.co.uk Seeusat APF2022 StandNo. D1A The Landscaper | Issue 265 | September 2022 43

at the turf management exhibition BTME, Director Gareth Davies says: “Straight away, I could tell that SP100 was a great size machine that would suit the variety of work we do.

The GKB SP100 is the smallest unit in the Sandspreader range, with larger models offering up to a 4m3 hopper capacity. The material is transported from the hopper to the adjustable metering valve via an internal conveyor belt, before being efficiently and evenly distributed via the double disc hydraulic spinners. As well as trailed and mounted formats, GKB also offer the SPM model, which features a side material handler for the convenient filling of bunkers or trenches.

“No two days are the same and the weather is certainly throwing more challenges into the mix for us. There’s no doubt we’re seeing more of these prolonged periods of hot and dry weather, and that’s when I’m really grateful that we’ve got a solid regime in place with TriCure AD™,” he says.

The Garsons Group Ltd have recently been investing in equipment to help them deliver contracting and maintenance services to the full spectrum of sports surfaces. One particlure machine that joined their fleet and has now become their ‘go-to’ for topdressing is the GKB

Topdressers deliver for contracting group

Gareth, who has spent 25 years working in the groundcare industry and established Garsons as a limited company three years ago, took delivery of the SP100 in spring 2021 from local dealer Ernest Doe. He estimates they’ve applied in the region of 4000 tonnes of sand with it since then.

“The hopper is the main benefit for us. The SP100 holds 1m3 of material at a time meaning we can apply over 100 tonnes in a day which is critical when the team are working to tight deadlines. It’s also really easy to use and adjust for lighter or heavier applications when needed. We use it primarily for football and rugby, but this year we used it on a cricket square for the first time and it did a brilliant job.”

Three and a half years into his tenure as Course Manager, Tom is currently overseeing a major redevelopment project at the Buckinghamshire club alongside his team of six greens staff.

“Over the years I’ve trialled various wetting agents, but TriCure is the one I keep coming back to - applied at 10L/hectare, monthly, between April and the end of September.” The ‘Tri’ of TriCure AD™ represents the three active surfactant chemistries which work together to help prevent and cure hydrophobic conditions. This combination enhances efficiency over single molecule

Surfactant keeps greens lush

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SpottingSandspreader.theSP100

“Another big thing for us, has been the support and customer service from GKB, which has been excellent throughout". As the UK scorches in some of the hottest temperatures ever recorded, the greens at Wexham Park Golf Centre have remained green, thanks to TriCure AD™ from Headland Amenity. Course Manager Tom Evans has praised the multi-molecular soil surfactant for retaining condition and presentation on the venue’s 27 greens –citing both a reduction in the amount of hand-watering required and, in turn, an increase in available water to maintain other areas of the site.

“We’re conducting renovations, reconstructions and ongoing maintenance for winter sports pitches, cricket and golf courses so need something with a large enough hopper capacity to be efficient, but not too big that access to certain sites may become compromised. The Sandspreader ticks all the boxes.”

“We use MM50 on our cricket squares, wickets, cricket outfields and we also use MM60 on the first team rugby pitch,” says James. “We overseed as much as we can depending on weather, and it gives us great coverage, great density, and a good fineness of leaf. Very rarely do we get disease and it gives us first-class colour. Playability wise it is excellent and it is ideal for the run of a ball. MM50 just ticks all the boxes that we are looking for.”

The Landscaper | Issue 265 | September 2022 45 GROUNDSCARE & TURF wetters, treating all types of rootzone particles at much lower rates (like for like) than competitor products.

“This year, more than any other, we’ve noticed just how well it’s working. It has seen us through a dry spell in April/May and again now in the July heatwave, keeping the greens where we want them to be with barely any hand watering needed. We have also, this year, trialled using TriCure on one of our tees with great results. Hopefully, budget permitting, this can be factored into our programme in coming years which will be a major step forward for us in being better equipped cope with these more frequent hot conditions.”

“The quality of MM50 has never diminished and if anything, it keeps improving. It is a very trustworthy product. Seeding takes a lot of time and effort, and you want the best results for your hard work.”

“I have a very good relationship with Matt Gresty from MM seed and also with Mark Allen from Agrovista Amenity – who is able to provide various products of great benefit to us.”

Both MM50 and MM60 (an ideal mixture for winter sports pitches) are treated with Headstart ® GOLD –a revolutionary grass seed treatment that ensures rapid germination. It benefits from minerals such as Phosphorus, Sulphur, Copper and Molybdenum, which all help to stimulate root formation, development and growth ensuring that the seedling grass plant develops a strong root system during the critical start-up phase.

James Mead, Grounds Manager at the world-famous Rugby School in Warwickshire, has revealed why he has used MM50 grass seed for the last ten years.

A decade of MM seed for Rugby School MM seed is used on the Rugby School pitches

“I initially heard of MM50 through seminars and various events, and I’ve now been using it for just over ten years,” he says. “The quality of the grass and the cleanliness of the mix is very important – we don’t want any rogue grasses or agricultural left in the mix. MM50 is a very clean mixture.”

It is fitting that a school of such status also boasts a fabulous sporting reputation and James Mead and his experienced team work hard to keep the facilities in pristineJamescondition.believes that a grass seed is one of the most integral components in producing a high-quality sports pitch and it is for this reason that he chooses to use MM50.

James also praised the support he receives from both MM and Agrovista Amenity (distributor of MM).

Tom continues, “Like a lot of clubs our water supply is limited. In previous years the water to the tees has been turned off because of how much was required to keep the greens in good shape. That hasn’t been necessary this year, and that really is testament to the effectiveness of the TriCure AD™.”

Founded in 1567, Rugby is one of the oldest public schools in England and is renowned for the birth of the game of rugby. Visitors travel from far and wide to stop by the school's small museum to see where the legendary student William Webb Ellis, took a football in his arms and ran with it.

MM is one of the most respected brands in the UK amenity industry, with MM50 in particular one of the UK’s biggest selling grass mixtures. The hard-wearing ryegrass mix is very fine leaved, has high shoot density, is tolerant to close mowing down to 4-5mm and produces a great colour all year round. It also has quick recovery from damage and play.

“The speed of the germination certainly takes the pressure off the initial seeding,” says James. “We tend not to put fertiliser down with the MM50 straight away, instead we let the seed come through first. The initial protection to the plant from the mix is ideal.

TriCure AD™ is available in liquid, granular and pellet form, for accurate dosing through hose end applicators and offers cost-effective multi-rate use on all types of sports turf surface.

www.landscapermagazine.com46 CLASSIFIEDS TURF & SPORTS PITCHES IRRIGATION GROUNDCARE MACHINERY For all your golf, sportsturf and landscape irrigation needs. Buy online at www.lws.uk.com www.access-irrigation.co.uk 01788 823811 sales@access-irrigation.co.uk FOR ALL YOUR IRRIGATION NEEDS Design and Advice Irrigation Parts Catalogue 24/7 Online Parts Ordering Tel: 020 8641 www.groundserv.co.uk7979 Used andmachinerygroundcareboughtsold To subscribe to Digital issues maggie.walsh@sheengate.co.ukwww.landscapermagazine.comvisitoremail Visit us at www.landscapermagazine.com PLANTS Plants to the landscape industry Tel 01707 261 370 sales@rochfords.net www.rochfords.net To advertise contact Mark Toland 07771 mark@bourne-media.co.uk881251

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The Landscaper Magazine September 2022

Articles inside

Groundscare & Turf

Irrigation

Wildflower seeds

Landscape 2022

News

Fencing

Turf robotics: mowing revolution

Landscaper's Circle

Profile: Interview with Mark Moseley at Handy