Pro Landscaper April 2014

Concept to Delivery

April 2014

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

LET’S HEAR IT FROM

JANINE PATTISON & DENISE WRIGHT WIN A HAYTER HARRIER 56 PRO MOWER THE

PEAT-FREE DEBATE

HAMBROOKS

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE Modernity juxtaposed with original Georgian style

Cover April final.indd 1

19/03/2014 14:33

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Concept to Delivery DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

April 2014

LET’S HEAR IT FROM

JANINE PATTISON & DENISE WRIGHT

April 2014 | Volume 4, Issue 4

WIN A HAYTER HAR RIER 56 PRO MOWER THE

PEAT-FREE DEBATE

Welcome to April 2014

HAMBROOKS

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE Modernity juxtaposed with original Georgian style

Cover April final.indd

1

19/03/2014 14:28

Welcome to April and the hopes of better weather, if the latter part of March was anything to go by, we should be in for a treat.

Last month saw the APL Awards ceremony, Pro Landscaper was a media partner and sponsored the Overall Design & Build Award, congratulations to Landspace, winners for their design and construction of the front and back of a small London garden. Also, many congratulations go to Stewart Landscape Construction, Supreme Award winners, for their construction of DeakinLock’s design of an imposing Gothic Victorian rectory. All award winners should be very proud of their achievements and remember to mention them to prospective clients, there’s nothing people like better than employing an award-winning company.

With show season looming, see our brand new feature ‘Diary of a Show Manager’ in the news section

ALL ENQUIRIES Tel: 01903 777 570 Eljays44 Ltd 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA EDITORIAL editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk Director – Lisa Wilkinson lisa.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 579 Deputy Editor – Rose Hales rose.hales@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 578 Equipment Editor – Joe Wilkinson joe.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 577

ADVERTISING Business Development Manager – Jamie Wilkinson jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 588 Senior Sales Executive – Luke Chaplin luke.chaplin@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 580 Accounts/Admin Assistant – Ellie Downes ellie.downes@eljays44.com accounts@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 587 Managing Director – Jim Wilkinson jim.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 589

Reporter – Alex Farnham alex.farnham@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 572

Pro Landscaper is proud to be an affiliate member of BALI

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

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

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

First page final.indd 3

The Association of

Professional Landscapers

on page 8, where we will be receiving regular updates from Dave Green, Show Manager for RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, about the progress of the exhibits and show gardens, and what preparations are put into place to ensure the success of the largest flower show in the world. Also, see another new feature LifeStyle on pages 86-87 where Mark Gregory gets personal about his work, inspirations and travel preferences. As always Mark is completely honest and open and many will get a surprising insight into what makes him tick.

With the cutting season now under way, give yourself the chance to win a fabulous Harrier 56 Pro mower from Hayter, see competition details on page 18 – you’ve got to be in it to win it!

Have a great month,

@jimeljays

Design – Kara Thomas Olivia White Printed by Pensord Press Ltd, Gwent, UK Published by ©Eljays44 Ltd – Connecting Horticulture Pro Landscaper’s content is available for licensing overseas. Contact jamie.wilkinson@ eljays44.com CIRCULATION Subscription enquiries: lewis.dan@eljays44.com Pro Landscaper is published 12 times per year by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2014 subscription price is £95.00.

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

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

Horticulture Careers www.horticulturecareers.co.uk www.futurescapeevent.com Save the date – 18 November 2014 Twitter: @ProLandscaperJW Facebook: Pro Landscaper LinkedIn: Join the Pro Landscaper group

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

April 2014

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Contents

April 2014 6 News Shed Round up of industry news

11 News Extra

11

Working together as a team: Landscape Industry Debate

14 Association News Details of the winning landscapers at the APL Awards, more details announced for the SGD Spring Conference, BALI Chalk Fund and partnership with AIPH, the RHS respond to EU regulation on invasive non-natives, and efig are relaunching INSCAPE whilst rebranding the association

18 COMPETITION Your chance to WIN a HAYTER HARRIER 56 PRO mower OPINION

19 View From The Top ISS’s recent Bright Ideas competition gives individuals the opportunity to showcase and share their innovative ideas

20 A Leap of Faith Angus Lindsay looks at the alternatives to the traditional tractor

Concept to Delivery

April 2014

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

LET’S HEAR IT FROM

JANINE PATTISON & DENISE WRIGHT

APL Awards Supreme Winner Stewart Landscape Construction

WIN A HAYTER HARRIER 56 PRO MOWER THE

23 A Tale of Two Cities

PEAT-FREE DEBATE

TECHNICAL

Andrew Wilson compares London and Singapore, cities many miles apart, but with strikingly similar issues and concerns

31 Garden Surveying HAMBROOKS

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE

BUSINESS TIPS

24 Soil Considerations for Garden

Modernity juxtaposed with original Georgian style

Cover April final.indd 1

19/03/2014 14:33

Projects

Tim O’Hare discusses some of the main considerations for preparing, importing and improving soils

36 Real, Revitalised and Recycled When cost is an issue, recycling and reusing are viable alternatives, Karl Harrison explains

28 The Costs of Herbicide

39 Let’s Hear it From

Spraying

April 2014

Contents.indd 4

Annuals and perennials have different lifecycles, understanding them will help you better advise your clients

Thomas Rathbone looks at the three types of preparation products for decking

Now you’ve selected applicants to interview, Margaret McNeil offers tips techniques for the interview itself

4

32 Annual vs Perennial Wildflowers 35 Best Prepared

27 Interviewing for New People

Sam Hassall addresses the costs of spraying

Janine Pattison’s methods for measuring more advanced levels

39

Janine Pattison and Denise Wright of Janine Pattison Studios

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Contents

CONTRIBUTORS

NURSERY

57 Nursery News

Phil Jones MD of ISS Facility Services Landscaping

News bites and information from around the country, including Nursery Notes from Coles Nurseries

58 Plantsman’s Plot

Angus Lindsay Head of Fleet at The Landscape Group

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

61 Factfile A nursery factfile with Architectural Plants

63 The Peat-Free Debate What does it mean for you? Catherine Dawson of Melcourt Industries explains

Andrew Wilson Garden designer and lecturer Tim O’Hare Soil expert Tim O’Hare Associates

65 Seeds and Fertilisers Latest products

Margaret McNeil Owner of Onsite Training UK

69 Greening Cities Examples of inspirational inner city greening, including green roofs, living walls and roof garden

Sam Hassall Specialist landscape cost consultant Janine Pattison Garden designer

14 PORTFOLIOS

45 Living on the Edge Frosts Landscape Construction installed living walls, green roofs and an extensive roof garden for a modern London office building

48 From Russia With Love Hambrooks’ award-winning project juxtaposes a modern style with original Georgian features

52 Green Journey Sustainable planting schemes and floral displays were created

by Indoor Garden Design for a global corporate leader

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Contents.indd 5

76 EQUIPMENT

73 Equipment News The latest equipment news

74 Why Buy When You Can Hire?

James Hewetson-Brown Founder of Wildflower Turf Ltd Thomas Rathbone Owner of Decking Décor Karl Harrison Director of Exterior Solutions Ltd

76 Tim Yates from Kubota discusses the latest development in walkbehind mowers

77 Mowers Latest Kit 81 General Latest Kit 85 Trading With Simon Tullett 88 Life/Style with Mark Gregory We catch up with the Chairman of the APL and Managing Director of Landform Consultants to find out what makes him tick

ARE YOU GOING? APRIL 03-04 INSCAPE STEAM, Swindon www.inscape-efig.co.uk 11-13 RHS Flower Show Cardiff Bute Park, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff www.rhs.org.uk

April 2014

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News

NEWS SHED Alan Titchmarsh to design RHS Britain in Bloom 50th Anniversary garden at RHS Chelsea 2014

Alan Titchmarsh MBE VMH DL, is to design a garden at the 2014 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of RHS Britain in Bloom and Alan’s own 50 years in horticulture.

It is the first time he has designed a garden at the event for almost 30 years, when he was awarded an RHS Gold Medal in 1985 for his Country Kitchen garden.This year Alan is joining forces with Kate Gould, to create a garden feature ‘From the Moors to the Sea – a celebration of RHS Britain in Bloom’ which will represent how the

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300,000 Bloom volunteers help to make Britain ‘bloom’ and explore Alan’s relationship with horticulture through his life.The garden will be built by contractor Mark Gregory, of Landform Consultants.

The journey starts in the Yorkshire Dales and finishes with a seaside scene to depict the Isle of Wight where civic pride has united Bloom volunteers, schools and businesses and where Alan has a home and garden.

Alan Titchmarsh, said:“I can think of no better way of celebrating 50 years as a professional gardener, and 50 years of RHS Britain in Bloom. I began my career in horticulture on the edge of Ilkley Moor and now garden on the Isle of Wight – a fact which is reflected in my Chelsea garden and in Bloom itself.” www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events

Landscape Collaborative Working Group When/where was it?

Monday 10 February at Merrist Wood College, Worplesdon, Guildford.

Who attended?

BALI, Natural England, Landscape Research Group, Institute of Chartered Foresters, LI, International Association of Horticultural Producers, ELCA, CIRIA, Garden Organic. Other bodies in the group who couldn’t attend are Knowledge Transfer Network, HTA, Arb Association, IoH, SGD, CIEEM, IPSS, HIP, IFLA Europe, Guildford College Group.

What issues were raised/topics discussed?

Whilst a broad range of industry bodies are part of the LCWG, it is something of a challenge pulling together the pertinent information from each body that will give weight to the LCWG’s proposed activities in terms of government lobbying, industry training, campaigning etc.

There is potential for the group to focus on a suggested campaign theme of ‘Greening the Cities’.

Formation of an umbrella group is being discussed in general terms and a sub working group is looking at this.

Biosecurity is currently at the

top of the government’s industry agenda. Some members of the LCWG are already making a useful contribution to this particular challenge and the LCWG as a group should be contributing, perhaps through a Landscape Industry Plant Biosecurity Working Group.

What were the outcomes?

A proposal to be put forward for the terms of reference for a Biosecurity Working Group within the LCWG. Development of a draft strategy for the LCWG going forward, with the purpose of developing a group whose members don’t work in their own silos but, within the LCWG, always look at the industry and its issues holistically and proactively, rather than reacting to events and only coming together in crisis management mode.

A look at the proposed ‘Greening the Cities’ campaign and how this could encompass the overall aims and objectives of a proactive, meaningful LCWG When is the next meeting scheduled for?

Sub group met on 7 March. Main group meeting likely in October with sub groups meeting during the year to take things forward.

19/03/2014 14:11

News

Glendale secures £900,000 grounds maintenance contract in Lincolnshire

Glendale, the largest specialist green service provider in the UK, will now look after the parks and open spaces of South Kesteven

after being awarded a four year contract by the district council. The maintenance contract is worth £900,000. Driven by energy, ideas and innovation, the company will use its cloud-based programming software “Glendale Live” to monitor work across the area and will involve local people along the way.

Wyndham and Dysart Park will

both have dedicated park attendants supervising the park facilities and providing high levels of maintenance and customer service all year round. Glendale’s specialists will also deliver the full range of green services, including grass and hedge cutting, memorial testing, weed spraying, shrub pruning and water course clearance to the areas. Around 25 staff will transfer to Glendale as part of the process, which will also create a grounds maintenance apprenticeship position in the South Kesteven area. www.glendale-services.co.uk

Proposal for Silvertown Docks wins Royal Docks competition Developed by Bethany Gale and Sarah Tolley, landscape architects working respectively for Building Design Partnership and Levitt Bernstein, the scheme has beaten 64 other projects to win a prize of £2,000.

The judges said of the project, “This has a sense of place and a notion of history. It has a seeming effortlessness that comes together into something that is believable. It creates a green oasis in the docks and has elements that will appeal to everybody, humanising the dock and softening its hard edges,

News Shed 2.indd 7

making the most of existing assets”.

Gale and Tolley described their project as follows: “Silvertown Docks proposes a new type of marina for the Royal Docks that balances the past with the present. Once used as a graving dock for shipbuilding and repair, the site is transformed into a unique series of spaces that encourage both ecological and human uses”.

Second prize of £1,000 went to E16 6BL, a scheme by Arup. There were also four highly commended projects, each receiving £500. The

miNiATURE Garden Show a success The miNiATURE garden show at the Strand Gallery in March saw ten leading garden designers from across the world design a Chelsea Flower Show size garden on a scale of 1:5, using 3D printing which makes it possible to take a 3D design and print it out as a solid, touchable object. Combine this with traditional model making skills and you have the innovative miNiATURE exhibition.

After the London show, there are plans to take it to Japan for the Gardening World Cup and also the Netherlands, Sweden and finishing up at the RHS London Show in the autumn. At each show new gardens will be making an appearance, making it perfect for a re-visit if you get the chance. Congratulations to Andrew Fisher Tomlin, Tom Harfleet and Kajsa Bjorne for a totally unique event.

judges said, “There were some very good concepts dealing with the issues of water and water management.”

Prize money: Winners: £2,000; Second prize: £1,000; Highly Commended: four prizes of £500 each. The competition was sponsored by Marshalls plc the UK’s leading manufacturer of hard landscaping products. www.landscapeinstitute.org

19/03/2014 14:13

News

DIARY OF A

SHOW MANAGER Dave Green Show Manager, RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show After working as a horticulturist and gardener for several years I’m really pleased to be the new Show Manager for the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. In this role it’s my responsibility to develop the horticultural content at the show and it’s great to be involved in creating such a fabulous platform for the RHS to bring together some of the country’s best nurseries, growers, garden designers and experts, all showcasing their greatest achievements. I’m brimming over with ideas and looking forward to working with some of the most talented people in the industry.

Over the next few months I hope to give you an insight into the life of an RHS Show Manager, with examples from my show. RHS Hampton, like all RHS Shows, is full of ideas, plants and produce for people to take home. Organising the show as a perfect day out for visitors to see contemporary design, together with inspirational planting is a year round job and it’s on my

mind 24/7.

Even though the spring is a season of reawakening, we’ve been planning this year’s show since last summer. Many of the designers and sponsors also start planning their exhibits well in advance too, especially given the budgets involved for some of the gardens.The autumn and winter were mainly taken up with managing applications from exhibitors.This included working with a panel of industry experts to select and approve all of the gardens. A panel of industry experts might sound scary but they really do try to work with designers to get as many applications through as possible.The only limit is having the space to fit them all in!

Recently I’ve been working with designers to go through the details of their applications.This can include looking at anything from excavation depths and checking boundary heights to approving the use of unusual props (which this year includes hedgehogs!). A couple of weeks ago I worked with one of our show garden designers to help them rethink a proposal to use turf paths that would allow show visitors to access their garden.The designer in question had a difficult job balancing the demands of the sponsors with the practicalities of the show. We developed an innovative solution and you will be able to see how well the path works when you come along to the show in July.

Marcus Green – Envy

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April 2014

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Groundwork Green Teams partner with The Landscape Group

The Landscape Group and environmental and community regeneration charity, Groundwork South, have formed a partnership that enables Groundwork’s apprentice Green Teams to gain invaluable work experience by working alongside The Landscape Group’s professional teams.

Groundwork’s Green Teams are normally made up of 14 young people, many of whom have challenging backgrounds and would be considered ‘hard-to-reach’ candidates through traditional recruitment channels. By partnering with Groundwork, who have the experience, infrastructure and

resources to provide extra pastoral care and support,The Landscape Group is able to provide more opportunities to young people in the area than if the company worked alone.

The Green Team programme requires the apprentices to work a minimum of 364 days over a period of up to 24 months. Groundwork facilitates the apprentices’ training and provides access to support staff such as a Key Worker, who works with the apprentices to help them with personal and social development, and with job applications when their apprenticeship has been completed.

The Green Team programme is so successful that Groundwork has a 92 per cent retention rate for apprentices, which is significantly above the national average retention rate of 64 per cent. www.thelandscapegroup.co.uk

Perennial help increases by 15 per cent in 2013

In 2013, UK horticulture’s trade charity Perennial saw a 15 per cent increase in the number of people it helped compared to the previous year. Among the horticulture professions helped by Perennial, the largest single profession was landscapers, who accounted for 21 per cent of clients.

As Perennial celebrates its 175th anniversary this year, the charity has pledged to raise extra funds to help even more horticulturists and their families during times of crisis. Perennial’s work depends entirely on voluntary donations from the horticulture industry and the garden-loving public, so it is looking for support from all corners of

the industry to help it safeguard its services for those who most need them.

Awareness of the work that Perennial undertakes is certainly growing among the landscape industry and the launch of the fundraising campaign HortAid last year helped bring the charity to a wider audience. Last September an intrepid team of 15 participants undertook the gruelling Three Peaks Extreme Challenge raising over £26,000 for Perennial.

This inspiring feat is already providing inspiration for other groups to undertake fundraising challenges for Perennial this year. But raising money doesn’t need to take you to extremes, Perennial is also encouraging people to pledge to raise ‘£175 for 175’. Find out more by visiting: www.perennial.org.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2014 14:14

News

Gavin Jones lengthen contract for John O’Conner Potters Fields Park, Tower Bridge (GM) Ltd awarded

Gavin Jones has been grounds maintenance contractors on site at the high profile and prestigious Potters Fields Park since April 2007, and since this time the park has become a popular site for a variety of stunning events, being one of London’s few riverside green spaces. Gavin Jones are delighted to announce the successful negotiation of a further seven-year term contract for maintenance, which has

been extended to include cleansing and a wide ranging lifecycle programme incorporating regular reinstatement works, irrigation system maintenance, tree works, replanting and hard landscape maintenance designed to ensure that the Park remains in tip-top condition for many years to come.

GJ Head Gardener, Ian, who acts as horticulturalist, client representative and tourism ambassador will be joined under the new arrangement by an operative and an apprentice. The team will work together to ensure the best possible standards of presentation are maintained. www.gavinjones.co.uk

St Albans City maintenance contract

St Albans City and District Council has re-awarded its grounds maintenance service contract for parks and green spaces to John O’Conner (Grounds Maintenance) Ltd. The contract is for a ten-year period, which started March 2014.

John O’Conner tendered

against three other companies to retain the contract and in addition to the District Council’s services, will also provide services for Harpenden Town Council and Sandridge Parish Council, subject to finalisation of service level agreements.

Matt O’Conner, Managing Director for John O’Conner Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have been successful in this exciting opportunity to provide high quality grounds maintenance services to St Albans City and District Council and its partners. We see it as a privilege and a challenge to ensure that the District’s green spaces meet the contracts’ and the residents’ very high standards.” www.johnoconner.co.uk

APL networking seminar ‘Growing Your Business – The Next Step’ March saw an informative event put on by the APL at Classiflora, Essex.

Good business advice was imparted by Marian Barker from Andersplus, who talked about finding people at managerial level. Then Louise Lockett from Citation – a company specialising in employment law – enlightened those present about all processes of employment, from job descriptions, to contracts and

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

News Shed 2.indd 9

tribunals. Karen Mulcahy from the VAT Consultancy aimed to dispel the myths of VAT by confirming

that the registrations process is not complex and can be a relatively simple process.

After the presentations, there was a panel discussion led by Phil Tremayne of the APL with David Sewell of The Gardenmakers based in Oxfordshire;

Norman Hambrook from the Hambrook group of companies in Hampshire; David Dodd from the Outdoor Room in West Sussex and George Cook from Rural Landscape and Construction in Essex.The panel answered questions about their businesses and offer tips on expansion and staffing which are two of the biggest parts of running your own business. www.landscaper.org.uk

April 2014

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News Extra

Working together as a team: Landscape Industry Debate DEBATE HELD AT KEW GARDENS Chaired by Jim Wilkinson of Pro Landscaper magazine, the landscape industry debate at Kew Gardens on Wednesday 26 February began with a look into the use of contracts, and each panel member shared their experience with them. Legally, it’s sensible to protect yourself and your business with a contract. The general consensus was that whatever way you choose to go, it is vital that you make your needs or requirements clear to the client – and it needs to make sense to them.

The main issue proved to be the supplying of plants, which has traditionally been the duty of the contractor, regardless of whether they are employed for hard or soft landscaping. On the other hand, however, many designers prefer a much more hands-on approach to their design, and would rather choose and supply the plants to ensure the aesthetics are properly realised in their planting.

The issue, it seems, is not about whether or not designers have ‘the

Bradstone News Extra.indd 11

An enhancement of industry communication will doubtlessly make for a cleaner and more professional way of working right’ to supply the plants, but instead whether it represents a loss in profit for the contractors, in favour of a gain for the designers. In brief – are the designers encroaching on the contractors’ turf?

If designers are supplying the plants, are they also willing to take responsibility for their maintenance and upkeep? What about if the plants die or aren’t of a good enough quality? Who is liable? Nick Coslett, Nurseryman and supplier,

whose business has seen an increase in designers purchasing plants since the recession, stressed at this point that whoever supplies the plants, you must use a reputable nursery, and take advantage of their horticultural knowledge and expertise. You have to know what you’re buying.

From a designer’s point of view, times have been hard, and some clients just aren’t willing to pay more than a certain amount, which is

19/03/2014 14:07

News Extra

often why they will offer a service to supply the plants as well. Where is a line drawn, though? Does it end with plants or can they legitimately supply other materials as well? The debate showed two sides of the same coin, because there have also been cases in which the contractor has provided garden design as a ‘free service’, which effectively cancels out the need for a professional designer – and many designers have lost business because of this.

Designers are offering a premium service, and it is

undoubtedly a hard time financially for them, but they (as with any company) must promote value to their business. If the client isn’t willing to pay, be prepared to walk away. If you are choosing the plants and doing the specific research, you can charge a fee – it’s not just your skills as a designer they are paying for, it’s your business, time and knowledge.

Communication in the landscape gardening industry just isn’t good enough. As clear in any industry, everybody likes to run their business in their own way.

Regardless of this, we need to realise that the landscape gardening industry is operating in a hugely under-regulated way, and the select few who choose to be part of an association need to understand that they can act as role models for the industry as a whole. Wherever you think your duty ends and the contractor/ designer’s begins, – and as a businessperson you will be able to draw your own boundaries, but with a firmer realisation and understanding of where your peers are drawing theirs.

The main problems with designers supplying materials are that they can no longer be impartial as a project manager if they are also a supplier and there becomes a grey area over who is liable for any of these materials.Who pays for a plant replacement if it dies when a designer has supplied but a contractor has planted? If a designer has charged for a design fee and then a percentage of the contract sum for project management, why are they then taking even more from the contractor’s bottom line by creaming off the top by supplying the most profitable elements of a project? Surely by charging a percentage of the contract sum, they would still be making a profit even with the contractor supplying everything? If this continues, the contractor will ultimately need to increase his labour rate, therefore making the client essentially pay twice. Designers are vital to my business, and I don’t mean to have a dig at them – I just want to see a more even playing field brought into play.

When it comes to plants, and sometimes pots, furniture and sculpture, it can be very important for designers to spend extra time sourcing, choosing and checking these items. The fairest way to the client, to cover the time and input for doing this, is to sell them to the client. Charging separately for sourcing time for these final elements is not something most clients will swallow, and not all contractors will commit the same focus to quality control to justify the mark-up.

In principle, Andrew [Wilson] is right – garden designers should stick to garden design; if they are struggling to make that pay then they should be charging more. I realise that in the fairly rarefied atmosphere of the upper end of the London and South East market (that I largely work in) it is easy to talk about this with the luxury of choice and that for many this may be the only way that they can survive. I am also aware that many people will take this as hypocritical, because I am engaged in contracting and design build. My point is that it is better to strike a clear position rather than cherry-pick the bits that suit you.

Although this allows higher profit levels, I see a number of disadvantages. First off I think it offers clients a confusing situation, secondly (and linked) is the matter of liability envelope…and who takes responsibility if something goes wrong.

David Dodd The Outdoor Room 12

April 2014

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Rae Wilkinson Rae Wilkinson Garden and Landscape Design

WHAT ES DE ATTEN YING...

SA WERE

For a professional everything must begin and end with the client.The SGD is very clear in its Code of Conduct that all financial transactions must be transparent – the client must know, understand and agree to the use of his or her money.The SGD supports its members in achieving and maintaining the highest professional standards, but it is not about micro-managing their businesses for them.

Given adherence to the Code of Conduct, designers are free to make a living as they think best and in ways that they believe best serves their clients.They are also free to choose to work with those contractors who best fit their business model and professional standards.

Juliet Sargeant Chair of SGD

In my mind there is a growing disparity between the size of projects and budgets available for the established South East and particularly London-focused landscapers and designers compared to the rest of the UK. Most APL members run much smaller businesses and need to be as flexible as possible in their business structures and the way they work with designers.The smaller guys did seem to get forgotten as the debate immediately swept into the world of £100,000 plus landscape projects! So if we want to bring the whole industry into this debate then maybe we need to acknowledge the amazing variety of businesses we have and incorporate it into future planning.

John Wyer Bowles and Wyer David Sewell The Gardenmakers Ltd.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2014 14:08

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265x210 The Way_Pro Landscaper.indd 1 Untitled-5LANDSCAPING_Clearing 33

22/01/2014 16/03/2014 10:06 10:12

Association Association News

NEWS

APL Awards 1

The APL Awards ceremony took place in March at Gibson Hall in London. The event showcased quality projects undertaken by APL members.

Supreme Winner ● Stewart Landscape Construction Ltd – the redesign of an imposing Gothic Victorian rectory. Designed

by Jason Lock of Deakinlock Garden Design, the garden also won the Project Value over £250,000 category. The judges commented on the “Complete transformation which grants the property a new lease of life.”

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Project value under £15,000 ● Winner: Twigs Gardens – a garden on a circuitous route with linking stone terraces and paths, and a pergola.

Judges commented “The hard landscaping is finished to a high standard.” ● Highly Commended: Living Gardens 2008 Ltd ● Highly Commended: Red River Landscapes ● Commended: Garden Box Landscape & Design ● Commended: Muddy Wellies

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April 2014

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Project value £15,000 £25,000 ● Winner: Tendercare Nurseries Ltd – a simple design of faux lawn, pale sandstone and specimen plants for an outside space. Judges commented on the “Great transformation despite the limited budget.” ● Highly Commended: Garden House Design ● Commended: Arbworx Ltd Project value £25,000 £50,000 ● Winner: Landspace – a small London garden featuring a bespoke pergola and seating area, children’s play den, water, lighting and planting. Judges commented “Landspace have thought of everything with this scheme.” ● Highly Commended: Landspace ● Commended: Oakley Landscapes ● Commended: Robert Charles Landscapes ● Commended: Robert Charles Landscapes Project value £50,000 £100,000 ● Winner: Garden Builders – designed by Jacek Wac, the project included brickwork, paving, steps, trellising, a living green wall, lighting, and planting.

Judges said “The living green wall is well-constructed and planted.” ● Highly Commended: The Teamlandscapers ● Commended: Hambrooks

Project value £100,000 £250,000 ● Winner: The Teamlandscapers – a split level garden designed to be used year round with gas fireplace, artificial turf and a quartzite and mirror polished water feature. Judges commented that this “creates a beautiful outlook.”

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● Commended: Outdoor Space

Design ● Commended: Millhouse Landscapes Ltd Project value over £250,000 ● Winner: Stewart Landscape Construction Ltd – a contemporary garden conscious of the architecture of the building.

Judges commented “The team demonstrated great patience with a continuously evolving design.” ● Highly Commended: Garden Art Designs Soft Landscaping ● Winner: Big Fish Landscapes – Created from a barren ménage, this garden unifies an existing new orchard and house with a wide scree garden. Judges commented on the “Beautiful and transformative scheme.” ● Commended: Tendercare Nurseries Ltd

Hard Landscaping ● Winner: Landspace – a London garden with many bespoke features including a pergola and seating, water feature, play den and planting. Judges said “the retro path creates a fantastic first impression.” ● Highly Commended: Millhouse Landscapes Ltd ● Highly Commended: Shore Landscapes ● Highly Commended: TKE Landscaping ● Commended: Liverpool Landscapes Ltd Overall Design & Build ● Winner: Landspace – designed and constructed the front and back of this small London garden with many features.

Judges commented “Well executed, in particular the pergola, water feature and bespoke den.” ● Highly Commended: Garden Art Designs ● Highly Commended: Garden Builders ● Commended: Roger Gladwell Landscapes

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2014 09:15

Association News

SGD bulletin 2

Special Feature ● Winner: Roger Gladwell Landscapes – refurbishment of an existing 1900s palm house in the grounds of a large stately home. Judges said the Palm House “has been beautifully refurbished, maintaining original character” ● Highly Commended: Vandenberg-Hider Landscape Design and Construction ● Commended: Amenity Trees & Landscapes Young Achievers Award ● Winner: Mark Chapelhow – Wildroof Landscapes. His employers said “Mark’s level of competence is extremely high and he is a formidable asset to our team.” ● Highly Commended: Steve Pidgeley – Hambrooks.

His employers said “Steve is loyal and hardworking with a high standard of workmanship with a calm and friendly approach.”

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SGD Spring Conference Spring means plants, but not necessarily the usual suspects as Philippa O’Brien, Chair of the SGD Conference Committee, explains as she previews Exotic – the SGD Spring Conference on Saturday 26 April: “Our Spring Conference invites you to explore a bold and adventurous new world of plants, brought to you by a quartet of speakers with a unique depth of knowledge and outstanding expertise. We are all looking for something different and Exotic is guaranteed to inspire you to explore new avenues.

“Our speakers include: Made Wijaya who jumped ship from Australia to Indonesia, and now builds exotic gardens across the world; Dan Hinkley who explores the planet to search out new plants to tempt the most jaded palate; Sarah Eberle MSGD who planted for another planet with her Martian garden at Chelsea; and James Wong who not only conjures up Malaysian jungles

in the heart of London, but also knows how to boil up the constituents and turn them into cold cures. Our Conference Chair is John Wyer FSGD. “Don’t be fooled by the title.

Exotic is a really ‘planty’ conference, looking at how to create inspiring, tropical gardens in our not so exotic British climate.This is not a conference exploring plants to put in your conservatory, rather opening a brave new world beyond box and prairie planting.

“We are delighted to have such an incredible line-up of speakers for the event. This is a one-off opportunity, not to be missed and possibly the only chance you might have to hear Made Wijaya speak in the UK. Don’t miss out!”

Exotic: The SGD Spring Conference will be held on Saturday 26 April at the Imperial College London. Call the SGD Office on 01989 566 695 or visit the SGD website for more information. www.sgd.org.uk

1 Stewart Landscape Construction’s Supreme Winner project, Bury St Edmunds.

2 Richard Wanless and Sam Ansell from Twigs Gardens.

3 Mark Richardson from Stewart Landscape Construction.

4 The Teamlandscapers £100,000-£250,000 winning project, A split level Twickenham garden.

5 Sebastian Cunard from Landspace.

6 Jacek Wac from Garden Builders.

7 Mark Chapelhow from Wildroof Landscapes.

Garden by Sarah Eberle

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Association Association News

NEWS

Advertise on the BALI e-newsletter Due to feedback from our membership survey, BALI will now be offering a digital advertising option on the e-newsletter.

BALI News is a weekly e-newsletter which contains the latest information on BALI, industry specific news, up to date news from our members, tender opportunities, along with a listing of national and regional events.

Its attractive, colourful format attracts readers and is continually developing, both in content and circulation giving advertisers the opportunity to promote themselves and their products directly to key specifiers looking to employ the services of our members.

BALI briefing To discuss your requirements, please contact Diane McCulloch on 0161 794 8588 / diane. mcculloch@bali.org.uk The BALI Chalk Fund The BALI Chalk Fund has agreed financial support for apprenticeships. This is an important new initiative by the trustees of BALI’s charity, the BALI Chalk Fund, and will see 10 BALI member companies receive £1,000 each, over two years, to support apprenticeships.

In an effort to encourage smaller businesses to take on an apprentice, preference will be given according to ‘need’ and targeted at those BALI member companies who would be offering apprenticeships for the first time. Applications for one of the 10

©Graham Titchmarsh

RHS report

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Rhododendron Luteum

April 2014

Association News.indd 16

£1,000 grants are now invited! If you would like the opportunity to employ a landscape apprentice, and a BALI Chalk Fund £1000 apprenticeship support grant would help you to do so, email kirsty.wood@bali.org.uk for an application form.

AIPH International Green City Conference BALI has agreed to partner with the AIPH International Green City Conference. The conference will take place on the 1 April 2014 in Westminster, London. The AIPH Green City Committee exists to promote green planting in cities around the world and aims to attract 200 planners, policy makers, councillors, influencers, landscape architects, contractors

and the horticultural industry. The objective is to increase the level and quality of green planting in cities through using case studies and promoting best practice from around the world. Further information can be found on the BALI website (www.bali.org.uk).

On the 13 March Stoneleigh Park played host to the first BALI-NCF event, titled HAVS and Occupational Health Awareness. BALI-NCF is looking at holding more events like this in the future and would welcome your feedback. Please email Jonathan Tame on jonathan. tame@bali.org.uk.

EU regulation on the management of invasive non-native organisms This month the European Parliament will be voting on a proposed regulation that could see the creation of a list of plants of ‘Union Concern’ that would be banned from being imported, reproduced, transported or even owned within the EU. Such a move goes far beyond the existing regulation on invasive non-native species in England. As a significant number of invasive non-native plants arise from horticulture, the RHS is keen

that the decision-making process for listing is transparent and evidence-based.

As it currently stands it is unclear how many species will be subject to the ban, or the process for including species on any list. Of the options under consideration, the RHS favours a ‘black list’ approach that would see plants that present a clear environmental threat being restricted, as opposed to the ‘white list’ option that would see all plants being assessed before they could be imported.

The RHS is also keen that

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2014 09:16

Association News

● Kathryn Whitehorn of Perennial ● efig on NPWW and building a

efig outline

pop-up office ● Tom Palfreyman of Urban

Planters on educating clients about the value of plants ● efig on marketing for SMEs

known members of the association on subjects close to their hearts including the reason for plants, biophilia, marketing and efig’s plans for National Plants at Work Week (NPWW) in July.

The seminars will be taster sessions in the main. Everybody is welcome to come along and see for themselves – you can register online at www.inscape-efig.co.uk FREE now.

By the time you read this efig will be just days away from relaunching INSCAPE, launching a new website and rebranding.Yes the association has definitely been busy.

The show, of course, has been underway for some months. For the last month we have been dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s to make sure everything is ready. With Pro Landscaper as our media partner, we are looking forward to a couple of really productive days.

The seminar programme is complete and presentations are being loaded onto the laptop ready for a full two days of interesting talks. There will be words from speakers aligned or close to the interior landscaping industry and some from well-

Speakers programme Thursday 3 April – 10.30-5.00 ● Dr Craig Knight on-going research about plants and productivity ● Neil Hellyer of Fargro on pest management ● Mark Laurence of Mark Laurence Design on green walls

a robust and evidence based approach is taken in the selection of these plants and is making its internationally recognised expertise in taxonomy available to the EU to ensure plants on the list are correctly identified and named.

The RHS also believes that it is crucial that any EU regulation recognises unique regional climatic and environmental conditions in order to avoid ornamental plants, which pose no threat in the UK, being banned because they are considered a problem in other EU countries.

National Gardening Week National Gardening Week kicks off on the 14 April. This year the week will be themed around communities, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of RHS Britain in Bloom. Hundreds of gardens, cultural organisations, museums, heritage sites, charities, individuals and businesses across the country

Friday 4 April – 10.30-3.00 ● Liz Kentish ex Deputy chair of BIFM ● Stuart Archer green wall research ● Kenneth Freeman of Ambius on biophilia and more ● Neil Hellyer of Fargro on pest management efig’s new website Our smart, clean and modern new website will launch at INSCAPE. It’s up to the minute and responsive so that you can view it on your mobile devices as clearly as on your laptop.

It will have all the usual useful information from choosing plants to the reasons why and of course regular news stories from members and the industry.

Starlight Express Gala Dinner On Thursday 3 April, the exhibition will be followed by our Awards

will be taking part, encouraging people to get out and garden.

Get involved in National Gardening Week and help keep Britain beautiful by hosting an event or attending one of the many activities that are taking place throughout the week.

To register an event or to find out what’s going on in

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your area please visit: www.nationalgardeningweek.org.uk RHS Shows in April ● RHS Great London Plant Fair: 1-2 April ● RHS Secret Garden Sundays: 6 April ● RHS London Orchid & Botanical Art Show: 11-12 April ● RHS Flower Show Cardiff (pictured left) 11-13 April ● RHS London Alpine Garden Show: 27 April

To book tickets visit: www.rhs.org.uk/shows

April 2014

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Association News.indd 17

Gala Dinner this year themed as Starlight Express in keeping with the venue.

Members who have submitted design installations, maintenance projects and special events for the judges’ consideration will await their fates. Who will win what?

If you’d like to join us to celebrate, details can be found on our website. Supported by Pro Landscaper and sponsored by Koberg BV and Nieuwkoop-Europe BV, it’s sure to be a fun evening.

Join us for these events at STEAM, Swindon (just off junction 16 on the M4).

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19/03/2014 09:16

YOUR CHANCE TO A HAYTER HARRIER 56 PRO WORTH £1259

WIN

CO MP Equipment ET ITI ON

For decades now the robust, flexible Hayter Harrier 56 Pro has been a favourite among professional gardeners and landscapers This powerful machine copes with a variety of grassed areas and is designed to lighten a heavy workload.

Maximum power is obtained from a commercial specification Briggs & Stratton 850 Ex Series™ EcoPlus™ Readystart® overhead valve engine designed to have high power at low speed – essential for heavy duty mowing and quiet operation – and providing superb reliability. The EcoPlus™ engines, launched last year, offer reduced exhaust emissions that are at least 25 per cent lower than current

lawn stripes and allows cutting over lawn edges. A

crankshaft bending through the friction disc system. The

European exhaust standards

strong chain drive and self-aligning roller bearings result

fixed speed autodrive system is set to optimize collection

(97/68/EC and 2010/26/EC). As

in increased rear roller life. The die-cast aluminium deck

and productivity for the perfect finish. The large 70 litre

provides corrosion resistance, high durability and long life

capacity grass bag can be lifted through the handlebars

a result of changes to fuel tanks walls, fuel lines, gaskets and seals plus a

– it extends beyond the wheelbase for easy

for easy emptying.

Ergonomic controls are comfortable and

new anti-venting petrol cap, the evaporative emissions

mowing around borders. The tough ABS

performance is improved by up to 51% compared to

underdeck liner offers enhanced cut

engines which do not feature the EcoPlus™

and collection performance, easy

Presence Control (OPC) system ensures that

enhancements. Briggs & Stratton Readystart®

cleaning and quieter operation.

the engine and blades stop immediately if

technology sets the standard for easy starting, as it

Enhancement fins in the deck also

the operator lets go of the controls. In this

recognises the temperature of the engine and supplies

improve cut and collection

year when the company celebrates 100

the required amount of fuel to the carburettor, eliminating

performance particularly at low cut

the need to manually prime or choke the engine.

heights, and tough heavy duty wheels

The Harrier 56 Pro has a split ribbed rear roller with

contribute further to the machine’s durability.

easy to use, and the fail safe Operator

years since the birth of its founder, Douglas Hayter, it remains proud of its British heritage and is a member of the Made in Britain campaign. All the

differential for easier manoeuvring and reduced turf

The front bumper bar improves deck protection, and the

Harrier mowers, including the Harrier 56 Pro, are made

damage when turning. The roller produces the classic

machine carries a lifetime guarantee against engine

at the Spellbrook factory in Bishop’s Stortford.

For your chance to win simply answer the following question: By what percentage is the evaporative emissions improved by the EcoPlus™ engines? a. 31% B. 41% c. 51% Email your answer with your name, company name, address and contact telephone number* to editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk to enter. Closing date 11 April 2014. *When entering the competition, please state in your email if you DO NOT want to receive future relevant marketing information from Hayter. THIS COMPETITION IS ONLY OPEN TO PROFESSIONALS IN THE LANDSCAPING TRADE. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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19/03/2014 14:17

Opinion

View from the Top

Phil Jones talks about ISS Facility Services Landscaping’s recent Bright Ideas competition, highlighting the importance of new, innovative ideas that can start off in the mind of one person and end up as an everyday aspect of a business

Whilst planning our recent ISS National Management Conference for all our ISS Landscaping leaders, we decided we would incorporate into the day an innovation fair, intending to showcase all of the inventive initiatives that our people have employed in the past year.

I knew we had been innovative in the preceding 12 months, but was amazed at the level of originality. Part way into the planning process, when we realised how strong the contenders were, we decided to ‘rebrand’ the entries as ‘bright ideas’ rather than innovations. Bright ideas seemed more appropriate and helped us include some great initiatives that were simple in nature but had a real positive impact on our business.

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I have found that calling something as grand as an ‘initiative’ discourages people from putting forward their ideas because they in turn think their ideas aren’t grand enough to fit the bill. What we are really talking about when we look for bright ideas is an initiative that leads to action, which in turn improves or strengthens a product, process or relationship. Sometimes an idea can lead to enhancement of all three of these elements.

On the morning of our conference we had a Bright Ideas Fair, where each of the individuals www.prolandscapermagazine.com

View from the top.indd 19

had the opportunity to showcase their idea together with the outcome and tangible benefits.

Each of the conference attendees voted for what they thought was the best and we had a top three at our awards ceremony in the evening.

The most important reason, I believe, for having a focus on such things is to highlight ground-breaking ideas, but more importantly to encourage everyone to share best practice across their contracts and customer base. This is how we continue to grow a great business, where the innovative ideas of one person one day, become the normality of how we do business the next. More often than not the benefit is seen in increased customer engagement.

As I write this, I recall two events which happened to me in the last seven days. I returned to Heathrow from Aberdeen one evening, flying with our ‘nation’s favourite airline’. On arrival at Terminal 5 the air bridge didn’t work, nor did two sets of manual steps which were subsequently employed to try to get all the passengers off the aircraft. After 45 minutes sat on the plane, we were eventually able to leave by the rear exit and walk across the apron and up the stairs into T5. A small inconvenience in the scheme of things, but such a delay well into the evening leads to increased frustration. As I tweeted there and then, I did not see this as BA’s fault, but that of their ground agents. However, that said, the shortcomings of their supply chain was seen and

commented on by most on the flight as BA’s failing.

Contrast this with an experience I had a week later as I flew with the same airline on an international flight into T5. During the flight I was approached by one of the cabin crew, who, having made it clear they knew who I was and how many times I had flown with them recently, thanked me for my custom and loyalty.

That felt very good and improved my impression of the airline.

How does that link with my opening lines about bright ideas? Well, somebody somewhere must have thought that if they could draw together frequent flyer information (easily done with technology these days) and convey that to the cabin staff on a particular flight (again easily done), they could, with a relatively small but ‘bright idea’ enhance the experience of one of their customers.

That one simple initiative changed my view of the customer care I was experiencing a week prior to that and confirmed my ongoing loyalty to their brand. It’s all obvious stuff, but 1 the most brilliant ideas – the best ‘bright ideas’ often are.

1 Phil Jones presents award for winning ‘Bright Idea’.

2 One of the Bright Ideas showcased at ISS Facility Services Landscaping’s National Management Conference.

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

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Opinion

A leap of faith Angus Lindsay discusses alternatives to the traditional tractor.

He points out the pros and cons of heavy duty mowing as well as the possibility of increasing efficiency and reducing costs by using one multitasking unit

The start of the 2013 season saw a change of protects the tractor but gives the operator a direction for The Landscape Group in terms more comfortable view of what’s going on. It of the types of tractor used on our grounds also creates a cleaner finish when mowing as you maintenance contracts.The decision to explore don’t squash the grass with the wheels as you do options that diverge from traditional configuration with a trailed mower. was not taken lightly and followed several months There have been some issues and limitations of evaluation and demonstrations. Regular readers to overcome; for example at one site cutting will know that I have a passion for systems rural verges, the physical size of the machine tractors and workable alternatives to one task necessitated a greater level of warning lights so it machines. Last season it was time to could be seen by approaching motorists. Overall invest and make it work. the machines have performed admirably, Four machines with a with one of the 90hp machines variety of implements completing over 1,000 hours in were delivered to nine months. sites across the One frustration has country and been the availability of handed over to reversible implements operators who which can be used by were used to both types of tractor sitting atop large as we want to retain wheel agricultural flexibility of equipment derived prime with implements that can movers where they be used within the business. always looked down We had no problems with Why look back when you can look forward, it’s more comfortable! the length of the bonnet. sourcing flail mowers and side arm With the physical size of a large mowers but finding rotary mowers compact tractor, these were accepted has proven difficult! Following a visit to an with little drama and were soon earning their overseas show one has now been sourced and keep with cylinder gangs, rotary decks, flail is undergoing trials. But finding a cylinder mower? mowers and long reach hedge cutters as well as Well that’s currently a non starter which may undertaking cultivation and collection operations. well call for some time in the workshop with a To date, the majority have been operated gas axe, hammer and welder! in traditional tractor mode when pulling gang The reverse drive tractor is not a new mowers or hedge flailing, but come into their concept; they’ve been used on the continent own when the seat and steering wheel are spun for years and have been used in this country round, allowing them to operate in an out-front to great effect by contractors for landscaping, configuration for flailing, rotary mowing or woodland management, forestry and waterways hedge cutting. Putting the mower first not only maintenance. So what’s all the noise about? We 20

April 2014

Angus Lindsay.indd 20

As happy pulling a 7 unit gang mower as it is pushing a 2.3m roller rotary mower

are all trying to improve our efficiency and reduce costs where we can but we still seem to get hung up on buying one task machines, such as bespoke wide area mowers. These spend 35 weeks of the year cutting grass in parks, large open spaces or wide verges and then spend the winter being serviced and stored. We then get tractors out for hedge cutting, shrub maintenance and sports field aeration, when you could do these tasks with the same power unit, worth thinking about.

Will we continue to use this type of tractor in our operations? Most definitely, but not exclusively as there is still a place for the traditional tractor. The reverse drive tractor fills a niche between the large ride-on mower and the tractor that is yet to be fully exploited. Its development and potential can only increase with the right implements and a change of mindset from traditionalists – so don’t be afraid of change – it’s healthy and exciting!

ABOUT ANGUS LINDSAY As an agriculturist, Angus spent several years working on arable farms in Scotland before joining VSO in Egypt, implementing a mechanisation programme, managing field operations for a commercial cotton plantation in Nigeria and as a contract instructor for Massey Ferguson in Yemen. During this time he also spent a year at Silsoe, gaining an MSc in Agricultural Engineering and Mechanisation Management. Returning to the UK he joined Glendale as machinery manager in 1994 – going on to become Company Engineer – before joining The Landscape Group in 2009 as Group Head of Assets and Fleet. Contact: alindsay@thelandscapegroup.co.uk

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A tale of two cities It’s quite an amazing thing to travel half way around the world only to find the same issues and concerns played out, albeit for different reasons. Andrew Wilson compares London and Singapore

Having been invited to exhibit in the Singapore Garden Festival 2014, Gavin McWilliam and I spent a week in the island city on a recce to prepare for the August event. It was a first time visit for both of us and somewhat tinged with wide eyed fascination as we drank in the culture and the place. What surfaced were so many surprising parallels to London and the UK. At a more or less constant and humid 30°C it’s easy to see why people seek out air conditioned interiors in Singapore, something Londoners only worry about in high summer. Yet we visited two months into a drought – unheard of when it rains at some point every day – a fascinating twist on our wettest winter on record when it rained in London for three months.These set weather patterns are not only ours to endure it seems.

Singapore is constantly re-inventing itself. A pro-development government ensures that this city state remains current and properties or developments of only 30 years old are considered old and past it. Only the Botanic Gardens seem to remain an untouchable treasure. It is the one theme in Singapore that provides the highest contrast with the UK. Although London has achieved much in the last decade in reinventing itself as a world class destination, the sometimes suffocating protection of our planning heavy culture leaves exciting projects tantalisingly out of reach. In www.prolandscapermagazine.com .com

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Singapore they would just get on with it.

As a result Singapore delivers spectacular new experiences such as Gardens by the Bay, including the inspiring Cloud Forest Conservatory with dizzying aerial walkways that float out into fine mist sprays that veil the gardens every hour.The Treetop Walkway at Kew is splendid but pales alongside this more ambitious competitor.

The downside of this pro-development agenda lies in the development of housing.The density of urban living puts a high price on land. A diminishing garden size results with high cost homes squeezed tightly together like some smart caravan park.

Owners and developers seek to maximise the footprint of the house at the expense of green space – an issue that will be all too familiar to most garden designers in London and the South East.

For us, the garden plot left over is often so squeezed that any meaningful use is compromised or so shaded that sunlight hardly penetrates. In Singapore, the idea of using the garden in such an intensely humid environment can’t compete with the concept of indoor living in a more comfortable climate controlled space.The garden as a result becomes little more than a decorative backdrop.

For Singapore a recent government initiative delivers greening in surprising locations. Half way up their soaring tower blocks several storeys are taken out to deliver sky gardens. Whole planted terraces

cascade down the central facade of the Park Royal Hotel that looks fabulous from the street level below.

By allocating a percentage of their new builds as green space, developers are allowed an increase in floor area; the move on their part isn’t entirely altruistic therefore. Sadly it is the initial installation that is lauded as opposed to the quality of ongoing maintenance – an issue with which many UK contractors will identify. Entering these sky gardens can be disappointing – no-one really uses them due to the heat and ultimately few seem concerned for their long term future.

Our host for the week was May Ho of Evershine with whom we chewed the fat – quite literally. We compared notes on demanding clients, greedy developers, the lack of support for long term maintenance and the diminishing size of gardens – all issues with which she readily identified. Welcome to the global village!

ABOUT ANDREW WILSON Andrew Wilson is a landscape and garden designer as well as Director of Wilson McWilliam Studio. He is also a Director of the London College of Garden Design, an author and an RHS judge of Show Gardens. www.wmstudio.co.uk

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19/03/2014 10:47

Business Tips

Soil considerations for garden projects Soil consultant Tim O’Hare outlines some of the main considerations for successfully preparing, importing and improving soils in garden projects

At the start of a project Some degree of soil assessment is always recommended at the start of a new project, as soil quality and function are so fundamental for establishing plants, as well as influencing the hydrology and drainage of the site. How can you select the pallet of plants if you don’t know what soil type the garden has?

The degree of assessment will vary depending on the size of the garden, the extent of the project and the types of plants to be established. As a bare minimum, a few small trial holes should be dug at representative locations around the plot.

You can tell a lot about the condition and composition of a soil by just digging into it. Is it compacted? Stony? How deep is the topsoil?

What is the subsoil – clay, sand, rock? Is there a perched water table? Is the topsoil consistent in type and depth across the site?

To understand the chemistry of the soil, a pH test is essential. pH controls a number of chemical and biological soil functions including nutrient availability, microbial activity, nutrient recycling and the availability of naturally occurring toxic elements, such as aluminium ions. Other tests,

Heavy clay soil

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April 2014

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such as organic matter content, nutrient levels, salinity levels and even potential contamination can also be determined, and it is best to use a laboratory for these.

If the results indicate unfavourable soil conditions, or a lack of soil, then consideration should be given to improving the soils or importing suitable soil.

Subsoil preparation before topsoiling If topsoil is to be imported to a site, it is imperative that the existing ground is prepared properly. It is no good spending vast amounts of the budget on an imported topsoil if the underlying subsoil is compacted and panned.

It will usually result in waterlogging problems in winter and shallow rooting and drought in the summer.

The existing ground should be loosened before the topsoil is spread. If available, a small tracked excavator fitted with a ripper tine or toothed bucket can be used to rip or dig the surface 200-300mm. In small areas, or where no machinery is available, hand forking the ground to break up any panning is often sufficient. The topsoil should then be loose-tipped by dump truck or wheelbarrow in a line of heaps to be spread out to the required depth.

Dealing with heavy soils Heavy clay/silty soils are inherently poor draining, difficult to handle and cultivate, and prone to compaction. The key to successfully managing these soils is to handle and cultivate them when they are dry. Handling them when they are wet and plastic will often cause more damage than good.

Annual applications of garden compost or manure can, over a period of time, improve the soil’s physical properties but this is not an instantaneous treatment. Other additives, such as gypsum, can also help break up the larger clods into workable soils. Sand can be incorporated into the surface of new lawn areas to improve infiltration and surface strength, but

Garden soil profile

adding sand to a clay soil in planting beds or tree pits is not usually successful – it tends to result in a clayey clods ‘sugar-coated’ in sand, rather than the sand being intimately mixed.

Land drainage in the subsoil layer will often improve the performance of the overlying topsoil, even if it is a heavy clay. Drainage is particularly useful when planting larger trees into pre-dug pits as the pit can act as a sump for surface and sub-surface draining water.

ABOUT TIM O’HARE Tim is a Soil Scientist and Principal Consultant of Tim O’Hare Associates.

He has worked in the landscape industry for over 20 years. He sits on the BSi Standards committee for Topsoil and Subsoil and his team were the soil scientists throughout the Olympic Park project. www.toha.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2014 09:02

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Untitled-7 421

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18/03/2014 15:05

Business Tips

Interviewing for new people Last month, Margaret McNeil began to look at how to get the right people to join your team, she concludes by closely examining the interview process

From the outset of the hiring process it will help if your organisation has a good reputation, and if you have provided an efficient job description and person specification. By the time you get to the interviewing stage you should have selected only those candidates that meet your ‘essential’ criteria.

asking questions, listening, probing and recording answers. When you have finished, give the candidate the opportunity to ask you about anything they are unsure of. Remember the candidate is under pressure, so might not remember what to ask. If they don’t ask about the start date, hours, pay and so on, tell them.

Tell the candidate ‘what happens next’ and how they will be notified, by email, telephone call or letter for example.

The initial greeting Put them at ease. Give them your name, maintain eye contact, chat about their journey and so on.

Provide water to drink.

Have a copy of their application in front of you with the notes you made during the ‘essential and desirable’ exercise, a list of criteria that you can ‘score’ the candidate against, and a list of questions you need to ask – remember you are going to ask the same of each candidate to be fair. Be careful not to make a judgement too early – the person looked okay on paper and you have a lot of questions to ask first.You are looking for the right person for the job, not the most eager applicant.

The interview You could try something similar to these to get to the core of the applicant: ● What have you done in the past that makes you right for this position? ● What do you need to develop to meet your career goals? ● How would your last supervisor describe you? ● Give me an example of when you did more than the job required of you. ● Describe a time when you were faced with problems or stresses that tested you. ● Tell me about one of the toughest teams you’ve had to work with. What made it difficult? ● What did you do?

Follow up on your questions to get more information about the situation being described, uncovering the values of the person being interviewed. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Onsite training.indd 27

Part 2

For example: Q: How would your last supervisor describe you?

A: Definitely that I am a hard worker and I take initiative.

Probe: Okay, so describe a situation where you used your initiative to solve a problem.

Probing questions Why – Why did you do that in that way? Why do you think that’s important?

How – How did the client react?

When – When did this happen?

Where – Where was your boss during all of this?

Who – Who else was involved?

What – What was the outcome? What did you gain from the experience? Give me an example.

Some interviewers talk too much. It’s about the candidate, not the interviewer! You should be

After the interviews Read through the interview notes again.

Score the candidate against your criteria.

Will they fit in with your team? Does their experience give you confidence that they can do the job? Do they show the personality traits that indicate they will develop in the role and progress in the business?

Decision made, call the successful applicant with the good news and remind them what happens now. You also have the task of letting the unsuccessful candidates down. If you possibly can, call them too. You have your notes and evaluation, so can tell them why they weren’t right for you this time. They deserve some feedback and it only takes five minutes to call.

Job done. No need to cross your fingers – you’ve made the best possible decision!

ABOUT MARGARET MCNEIL Margaret McNeil runs BALI Award winner OnSite Training UK with Roger Clarke. They offer flexible learning, qualifications and apprenticeships for horticulturalists in their workplace, including short courses in leadership and management techniques. www.onsitetraininguk.co.uk

April 2014 27

19/03/2014 08:53

Business Tips

The costs of

herbicide spraying It is the spraying season as recommended by herbicide manufacturers.

Appropriately in this article we will address the costs of spraying.

THE THEORY

● We are looking at spraying of systemic and similar herbicides in different situations. We have used Roundup Pro Biactive 360 for these examples. ● The calculations are based on the manufacturers recommended application rates (which should always be adhered to. Making the mix stronger will not kill the vegetation quicker or faster). ● The rates below show for application in varying situations. ● We are generally looking at knapsack spray operations. ● We will not take into account the cost of the knapsack sprayer itself as this is regarded as capital equipment.

● Mass spraying – low grasses and ground cover planting ● Spot spraying in grass

● The following spray situations affect the amount of time you should allocate to your coverage rates shown below.

There are a few types of spray jobs that impact on the price: ● Local jobs where a ready supply of water is available. ● Remote jobs where the water is a distance from where the spraying takes place or where water needs to be stored on the contractor’s van.

Also remember to compensate where your operator is travelling to perform a relatively small spray job. Additionally the following factors will affect how much is covered in a day:

Quickest

● Weed free circles around planting in grass/field areas ● Planting outcrops such as bramble

● Mass spraying high grasses and scrub spraying ● Weed control in established ornamental beds

Let’s assume that in both cases the operative spraying the area is able to arrive on-site at 8am and begin spraying shortly afterwards (i.e. the barrel full of water has been prepared on the van and is ready for dispatch by 8am).

The filling of the drum is performed by the operative and still has to be paid for. 200L Time to fill = 10-15 minutes: Cost £4.00.

We assume that the spraying operative is working on his own.

Once on-site the operative has to fill his tank, add herbicide and walk to the spray location. All of this impacts on the total area he is able to spray in a day, use the tables opposite to adjust your rates.

28

April 2014

Sam Hassall.indd 28

Slowest

Other items that impact are the type of spraying he is doing and these are all addressed below.

The calculations shown are per application. Revisits and reapplications of herbicides will often be necessary.

Labour rate The labour rate used in these calculations is £21.50 per hour. Please refer to our previous article published in the February issue.

Controlled droplet application We have not examined these costs within the scope of this article.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2014 08:56

Business Tips

COSTS OF THE HERBICIDES

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

We are using manufacturers’ labels to assess these costs.Monsanto gives the following advice on its website. We have calculated these costs based on these rates. Users should add these rates to the coverage tables below.

All items shown at cost – allow for profit

Cost of herbicides at manufacturers recommended rates Roundup Pro Biactive 360g/l Rate l/Ha

Dilution mls/l

Ml of Roundup/100m2

£/100m2

1.5

7.5

0.015

0.1304

Seedling annual grasses and annual broad-leaved weeds

2

10

0.02

0.1738

Weed suppression overall in conifers

3

15

0.03

0.2607

Woody weeds around trees

4

20

0.04

0.3476

Perennial grasses

5

25

0.05

0.4345

Standard rate: perennial broad-leaved weeds. Emerged aquatic weeds

6

30

0.06

0.5214

Floating aquatic weeds. Heather

10

50

0.1

0.8690

Rhododendron, ivy, horsetail and difficult waxy leaved plants

Weeds controlled

Note: Cost column allows 10% waste

APPLICATION COVERAGE

The following table analyses application coverage. Readers should add on the required application from above to the application coverage in the table below. m2/hour

Labour £

Coverage

Per 100m2

Weed free circles around planting in grass/ field areas plants at 1.5m ccs

100

21.50

Weed control in established ornamental beds

100

21.50

Planting outcrops such as bramble

125

17.20

187.5

11.47

Spot spraying in grass

200

10.75

Mass spraying – low grasses and ground cover planting

250

8.60

Type of spraying

Mass spraying high grasses and scrub spraying

Example 1

ABOUT SAM HASSALL

Spray turf in domestic garden situation Labour: coverage @250 m2 / hour =

/100m2

Herbicide cost per 100 m2 (x 2.5)

0.4345 /100m2

Total spraying cost

8.60 9.03

Example 2 Spray bramble in wooded or open areas Labour: coverage @125 m2 / hour

/100m2

Herbicide cost per 100 m Total spraying cost

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Sam Hassall.indd 29

17.20 0.8690

2

/100m2

18.07

Sam Hassall is the UK’s only dedicated specialist landscape cost consultant. As the managing director of LandPro Ltd he provides cost and implementation information to landscape design professionals and landscape contractors. Sam also compiles the Spon’s External Works and Landscape Price Book and he developed the market leading LiberRATE Estimating system which is available as a 90-day trial.Call: 01252 795030 or visit www.landpro.co.uk April 2014

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19/03/2014 08:56

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17/03/2014 14:03

Technical

Surveying Following on from last month’s advice on measuring simple levels, Janine Pattison explains methods for measuring more advanced levels, which often require more equipment and often two people

If the very simple levels measuring techniques at a known height to calculate the spot levels discussed last month are not suitable or accurate across the site. The instrument needs to be set enough for a project then there are other, more absolutely level to be accurate, achieving this advanced levels measuring methods available to can take quite a time. The calculations are fiddly us. They do however require more equipment and it is easy to make mistakes. and often require two people to operate which A welcomed development was the can be difficult if you normally work alone. Most automatic level or self-levelling level which equipment can be hired by the day to save you includes an internal mechanism that, when investing large amounts of money into kit which set close to level, automatically removes any might not be used enough to justify the purchase. remaining variation. This reduces the set up Do check that you have insurance for the hired time and makes them much easier to use. equipment against damage or theft – these are In 1996 the digital electronic level using a laser beam was invented and once costs relatively high value items. come down during the subsequent decade The piece of equipment that most of us will this bit of kit has become the preferred option have been trained on when we were at college for most surveyors, landscapers and garden will be the dumpy level. This kit has been around designers. The tripod since 1832 and has is levelled and then a been the preferred laser beam spins round surveyor’s kit for 170 in a horizontal plane. years prior to the The measuring staff has invention of the selfa sensor which detects levelling tripod level the laser beam and and subsequently the beeps when the sensor introduction of laser is in line with the beam. levels from the late The speed of set up 1990s onwards. and accuracy/ease of The dumpy level is use are major positives an instrument which of this system as well is set up on a tripod.

Most equipment can be as the fact that it can be The tripod has screws to operated single-handedly. get it level (most have an hired by the day to save you A very useful inbuilt bubble level) and investing large amounts of measuring device that then the operator looks money into kit we use a lot is the Zip through the eyepiece Level™. It is a clever of the sight while an device based on a gas-liquid system that digitally assistant holds a measuring staff vertically at the measures and displays difference in heights point to be measured. The measurement is read between two surfaces or points. The Zip Level off the staff and noted down in a ‘Rise and Fall’ book and subsequently compared to a benchmark allows measurement without any requirement www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Janine Pattison.indd 31

Luke Mills from Janine Pattison Studios on site using the ZipLevel

of line of sight or use of a leveling staff. It is suitable for small to medium sites and those which aren’t too steep. It is a compact, easy to use system which is ideal for the solo designer and easily justifies the investment in saved time and extra accuracy.

More advanced ‘Total Stations’ which offer integrated land measurement using electronic distance measures, global positioning and robotic theodolites cost many thousands and are strictly for the professional surveyor working on large and complex sites.

ABOUT JANINE PATTISON

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

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

April 2014

31

19/03/2014 09:08

Technical

Annual vs perennial wildflowers

Annual wildflowers

There is quite a difference in look and feel from annual to perennial wildflowers

Perennial wildflowers

32

April 2014

Wildflower Turf.indd 32

When a client starts to talk to you about creating a wildflower garden, you need to be able to understand how involved they want to be with the upkeep and maintenance of the area, as well as the look that they want to achieve. Dependent on whether you choose annual or perennial wildflowers, you are likely to provide two very different outcomes. It may help by firstly explaining the two different lifecycles they have.

An annual wildflower, such as a poppy, cosmos or cornflower is a one hit wonder, a total show off. It has to put all of its energy into being the very best signpost for pollination and its chance to produce seed as it does not have a parent plant. It only gets one chance, at the end of flowering, its life is over.Therefore its key characteristics are often bold colour and a prolonged flowering season.The seed produced then sits dormant and if the area is reworked to produce a tilth you may then get another similar display the following year but there is no guarantee.

Perennial wildflowers on the other hand, such as vetches and scabious, are alive throughout the year and to a certain extent have to save up energy to survive through the winter.The flowering season can be shorter and colours can be more subtle. Probably more important for larger areas, the perennials will provide a green base for the whole of the year. Their root bed tends to be thicker and deeper in the soil and if untouched it is harder for weeds to penetrate once established.

So the process for annual plants will require a good seed bed to give perfect growing conditions. If everything goes well there should be a great display through the summer. It will then be time to start again, preparing the seed bed, re-sowing the annual seeds – year on year on year. Although many annual wildflowers should set viable seed, not sowing again and relying on self-sown seed will be risky. It is also likely to see the self-seeding species start to dominate over a couple of years. Moreover beware of the establishment of weeds which ecologically speaking are quick-growing opportunists that take advantage of newly-cultivated soil and have evolved to out-compete slower-growing plants.

For perennials, it is all about getting them established and competitive quickly (using a wildflower turf does this instantly). Once there, they will continue to grow year on year without the need for much maintenance – just one cut a year.

The colours can be less vibrant than annuals but are beautiful in a subtle way and the permanent habitat is very beneficial to wildlife.

As you can see from the pictures there is quite a difference in look and feel from annual to perennial wildflowers and whilst many may be drawn to the colour and vibrancy of the annual, there is certainly more involved in maintaining the look.They are fantastic for high impact public displays such as the Olympics, but for long term, meadow-like environments where low maintenance is preferred, the perennials would probably be a better option.The success of the poppy in the battlefields of the First World War was down to the continued displacement of the soil providing a perfect tilth. Whilst the poppy displays are sure to look outstanding for the many centenary displays wildflower specialists are involved in, they will not look so spectacular next year without a maintenance programme. Apart from the first year, annuals and perennials won’t mix unless managed as described, so there is a clear choice to be made at the outset of any wildflower project.

ABOUT JAMES HEWETSON-BROWN Wildflower Turf Ltd was founded in 2003 by James Hewetson-Brown.

With 20 years expertise in the lawn turf market, he wanted to find a solution to the problems faced when growing a meadow from seed. He went on to create the UK’s first, soil-less growing system for wildflowers and grasses to meet the demand for superior quality, ready-made wildflower meadows without the establishment problems associated with traditional seeding methods. Over the past 10 years, Wildflower Turf Ltd has continued to fine tune its seed mixes and techniques to produce a unique and high quality product for a number of uses from landscapes to green roofs. www.wildflowerturf.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2014 09:10

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16/03/2014 22:35

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17/03/2014 08:46

Technical

Best prepared Thomas Rathbone from Decking Décor looks at the three types of preparation products for decking For any finish to perform properly the most important process is preparation and, like finishes, there is a wide choice of preparation products to choose from all of varying quality and effectiveness.

When it comes to looking for cleaning and preparation products you need to consider what you’re looking for and how to prepare the deck, but before doing that it is important to understand the different types of surface preparation products available. Surface preparation products fall in to three areas, bleaches, cleaners, and strippers.

Bleach Bleach is ideal for killing mould spores but must always be used diluted to avoid excessive damage to the wood fibres. A 50/50 bleach/water solution, which is allowed to sit on the surface for 15 minutes before being rinsed off is highly effective at killing the mould. If mould removal and cleaning need to be done simultaneously, bleach may be mixed with an alkaline based cleaner, but never mixed with an acid cleaner.

There are bleach/detergent based deck cleaners on the market, however I would advise against the use of these.These products do

nothing in the way of preparing new wood for finishing or removing dead de-natured wood fibres from weathered wood, moreover they leave a surface akin to blotting paper to apply the finish to – not good!

Cleaners Good quality cleaners come in one of two forms either acid or alkaline based, the condition of the surface to be cleaned dictates which should be used. Unlike bleach based cleaners these products do not damage the wood but instead remove any surface contamination and weathering quickly, efficiently and easily.

Acid cleaners are excellent for restoring the wood’s natural colour, removing nail and extractive stains and weathering (silver colour) as well as being used for neutralising surfaces that have been cleaned or stripped with an alkaline based cleaner/ stripper. Acid cleaners primarily come in four options (oxalic, boric, acetic, and phosphoric) of which oxalic is the most effective.

Alkaline cleaners tend to be sodium perborate or hydroxide based and are ideal for cleaning wood that is severely weathered or stained, removing the likes of oil, grease, soot, ash and in some cases being powerful enough to remove old encrusted oil finishes as well as mill glaze from new wood.

However alkaline cleaners will react with woods high in tannins (cedar, oak, chestnut, ipe, balau…) causing it to darken.This is easily rectified by using an oxalic based cleaner which will neutralise the surface and restore the wood’s colour. In fact any wooden surface cleaned with an alkaline cleaner whether high in tannins or not should be neutralised.

Strippers While there are other strippers on the market the two most popular are methylene chloride or

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Thomas Rathbone.indd 35

sodium hydroxide, an alkaline based stripper.

Methylene chloride is ideal for removing paints and polyurethane based products but tends to remove only one layer at a time and are not always suitable for stripping large areas in one go, whereas sodium hydroxide based strippers, even though being slower to work, will remove multiple layers including multiple layers of acrylic finishes making them ideal for stripping large areas. Coming in both gel and liquid form they not only allow the user to work larger areas but they are also more effective and easier to use.The liquid versions can be applied quickly and easily using a garden sprayer.

Some sodium hydroxide based strippers may also be diluted allowing them to be used as a powerful

cleaner or for the removal of mill glaze thus giving you three products in one. As with alkaline based cleaners, surfaces stripped with an alkaline stripper should also be neutralised. Of course the other way to strip a deck is using a sander, however this is a long, dusty job and a completely impractical method when stripping grooved decking, something that liquid and gel based strippers have no trouble with.

It’s all very well knowing about the different types of cleaners and strippers, but where and under what circumstances do you use them? I’ll be looking at the answer to this next month.

ABOUT THOMAS RATHBONE Thomas Rathbone, owner of Decking Décor which specialises in the cleaning, finishing and maintenance of decking and wood products, works closely with customers, both private and commercial, offering samples of finished products and on site surveys, as well as advice on how to restore and maintain decking. www.deckingdecor.co.uk

April 2014 35

19/03/2014 09:11

Technical

Real, revitalised and recycled Reusing and recycling are viable options for decking when cost is an issue, Karl Harrison explains I love decking, it can be used for super high-end where cost simply doesn’t matter and it can also be created out of old pallets when indeed the cost is important… I want to showcase, if I may, the choices available for recycling old decking and getting the stuff reused.

Hands up if you have ripped out an old deck in the last year, oops – that’ll be everyone then. So as we’re banging on about green, low carbon, energy efficiency and recycling – how about we actually do it ourselves.

Manufacturers are keen on advertising their ability to recycle, and how important it is to their company, so I think it’s about time we reused what we have that’s available.

Revitalised So you have priced up the job and the client is going down the green route, an option would be to remove the existing deck, a little patience may be required. Take the timber to a wood yard and ask them to plane a couple of millimetres from the surface and voilà, there you have a recycled deck. Do make sure you have removed all of the fixings from the timber; you don’t want a bill for a new set of blades for the planer machine.You could even bring the timber to us, we have brushing machine, and it simply scrapes off the upper surface with a rotating steel brush.

Don’t worry about the holes, fissures and checking at the end, this is all part of the character and charm of the deck. If you are worried about the end result, don’t be, it will look soothing – similar to that of an old charm floor. Make sure you use dark or tinted decking oil; this will bring out the detail of the grain.

36

April 2014

Karl Harrison.indd 36

What will it cost?

The cost depends on the amount of work put into the material. Considering that you are removing the deck in any case and if you are building a new deck these amounts in you quote will be the same, the only difference would be getting the materials to a timber yard for machining.

New recycled decking There are too many companies to mention but I will have to applaud Ecodek™; these guys actually do recycle.

This includes the ingredients of their new decking boards and they will also take back the off cuts from your new decking installations, they pay for them too. Ecodek even takes back an old deck that you may have removed from a garden as part of a new landscaping theme. 20 per cent of these old materials will be used in the production of new decking boards.

Old recycled decking There are companies that have created beautiful projects whilst keeping the cost to a minimum, Joe from West Midlands Landscapes recently designed and constructed a deck by using reclaimed scaffold boards. The boards were scrubbed back, soaked in Textrol decking oil and installed in the normal way. The project certainly had a natural and old charm look.

When I spoke to Joe about the project he said “well the client didn’t have a massive budget and wanted a weathered look to the decking terrace, this presented us with few options so I used these old scaffold boards…the client was really happy”.

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

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2014 09:13

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Untitled-5 36

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www.namgrass.co.uk Namgrass UK, Redcliffe, Bashley Road, Bashley, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 5RY

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The all new Namgrass product portfolios for 2014

Call or email us for your updated sample and pricing pack 16/03/2014 10:20

Let’s Hear it From...

LET’S HEAR IT FROM...

Janine Pattison and Denise Wright When and how did you first get into the garden design industry?

Janine Pattison and Denise Wright are the successful duo behind Janine Pattison Studios, Lead Consultant and Managing Director respectively. Janine and Denise talked to us about their multi awardwinning practice, including their staff and the technology they use, and their opinions on important industry debates

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Let's Hear it From.indd 39

JP: I’ve been fascinated by landscape since I was a child, and as soon as I finished A Levels, I started studying horticulture and sustainability. By nature, I’m a highly inquisitive and spirited sort, and knew regular employment wasn’t for me. I am never happier than in the garden, with my hands in the soil, growing things. Denise and I always wanted to work together. We have a pretty unique set of skills together, so we just decided to do our own thing back in 2001. And we haven’t stopped since!

DW: In the early years I supported the business financially, working as the Art Editor for Amateur Gardening Magazine. I was able to put a lot of creative and business infrastructure in place during

this time, while Janine focused on building a client base. I joined full time seven years ago and became Managing Director last year. Now I focus on driving the company forward creatively and strategically, with help from my fantastic Senior Designer, Mazen Beidas and the rest of the team.

What training did you undertake?

JP: I trained with English Heritage at Eltham Palace in London and at Kingston Maurward College in Dorchester, and later at Sparsholt. I’m a qualified RHS horticulturist and have various qualifications in other aspects of our business, such as tree care and sustainability. We have a real passion for life-long learning at JPS and all the team – Denise and I included – receive

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Let’s Hear it From...

We’re known for being pretty fearless. The solutions are often dramatic and bold regular on-going training and CPD. Our team are also qualified landscape designers or creatives.

DW: My degree is in design and illustration from Arts University Bournemouth. I have many years’ experience as an Art Director, mainly in London media studios. I’m an early adopter of technology and have trained (with the wonderful Tamsin Slatter) additionally over the years in things such as 3D animation, terrain modeling and BIM (the practice is already BIM Level 3 compliant) to keep my technical knowledge at the cutting edge. I’m currently teaching myself VectorWorks Scripting. It’s a @ladygeek thing.

architecture. The studio explores many different art forms, and that informs our creative development as landscape designers.

Do you have a ‘style’ – would people know instantly that a finished project is your work?

Do you present your designs by CAD/ freehand drawings or both?

JP: We’re known for being pretty fearless. Clients often come to us with sites and planning issues that would make your hair curl. The solutions are often pretty dramatic and bold.

DW: More of an ethos than a style. We take a holistic approach: all creative fields are connected – design, art, music, theatre, photography,

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Are all your projects under full management of yourselves or do you also get commissioned to do the design only?

JP: We get involved as much or as little as the client wants. Some clients just need a great design and are happy to organise the rest themselves.

Others need much more support throughout the whole process, from planning to finishing touches.

Ultimately, we just want the best solution for the space and the client.

DW: All our design solutions are created first on paper, with simple hand-drawn isometrics – this way we can focus on creativity rather than the technical challenges of software and hardware.

It allows us time to play and imagine, and share ideas. I find CAD uses a different part of the brain, it’s much more process-driven and leads us to ask ‘how’ rather than ‘why’ and ‘what’.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2014 13:56

Let’s Hear it From...

However, ultimately we are a commercial design practice, and all our final plans are presented as CAD. We work closely with a lot of other CAD specialists, such as structural engineers, so it’s not an option to neglect the technical aspects of our work – including the elephant in the room – BIM! It’s coming – get ready.

Where do most of your leads come from?

What are your views on industry associations and which of them are you a member of?

DW: The simple, honest answer is referrals.

There really is no other way to develop a sustainable business than years of hard work building a great reputation.

JP: I enjoy the sense of community and support that organisations such as BALI and SGD offer. I’m really excited by what we do, it gives me a huge buzz, and I love the chance to chat with other designers about their work, and find out what’s going on in our industry.

How important are awards – do you see them as recognition for your work and a boost for business?

JP: We’ve been so lucky with awards and see them as a reflection of the quality of our

company and a reward for years of hard work and a lot of sacrifice. We simply didn’t have time in 2013 to put together any entries but expect a flurry of applications this year, as long-term projects come to a close.

Would you consider projects further afield within the UK?

JP: I actually joked last week that I spend so much time travelling nowadays to visit sites in London that we might open a branch there!

DW: Dorset is in our bones. We know the soil, the people, the land.

Do you get involved in international work?

JP: Occasionally. Italy, Sardinia – we’ve recently tendered for a large project in Iraq.

What are your views on industry events and shows such as FutureScape?

JP: I visit as many of the shows as work commitments allow. It’s a great opportunity to chat with suppliers and look at new product lines.

DW: I can find some of the shows a little repetitive, truth be told. FutureScape is the only show I actually closed the design studio for – I brought the entire gang up to experience it.

FutureScape explores a wide variety of subjects and has the guts to ask the difficult questions – great CPD day for everyone.

What about show gardens – have you ever designed/built any and if so do you intend to do more? Perhaps RHS Hampton Court or Chelsea?

DW: Not on our radar. Our clients simply wouldn’t tolerate the inevitable loss of service and personal attention. Chaumont Festival Des Jardins in France would probably be a better creative fit for us. We go every year.

The team: Janine Pattison, Mazen Beidas, Denise Wright, Luke Mills, Vanda O’Hanlon

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AFTER

Let’s Hear it From...

BEFORE What are the current trends in garden design?

JP: Sustainability is gaining in popularity, although we were planting wildflower meadows and integrating swales and permeable surfaces into our designs 10 years ago. We’re not interested in following trends – they come and go so quickly – we’re very interested in new ideas and materials.

Which garden designers do you admire?

JP: Ulf Nordfjell, Vladimir Sitta, Fernando Caruncho.

DW: I am inspired by creative people working across many disciplines. I admire Candy Chang enormously (check out her urban community project, ‘Before I Die’), Thomas Heatherwick, Zaha Hadid, Eugene Lee, Andy Goldsworthy... the list goes on and on.

There is constant talk and debate about garden designers being split into two groups – professionals and the ‘ladies that lunch’ – do you have strong opinions on this debate?

JP: I’ve been enjoying a lively debate on Twitter about this very subject. I think we need to recognise there’s room for everyone. Loads of professions have part-time workers. Hybrid vigour – it’s a good thing; it makes us stronger.

DW: Our clients simply aren’t going to get the level of service they need from ‘ladies who lunch’. We’re a team of designers, working five days a week.

Janine is often on site with clients at 7am. I might still be in the studio finishing a pitch at 10pm. Equally, someone who wants a low-key, informal process wouldn’t choose us. Horses for courses.

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We know you give many lectures and garden talks, do you plan to expand upon this?

JP: I never intended to become a speaker. I just get so enthusiastic about what we do. People keep asking, and I keep saying yes.

And of course, you write many articles for trade and consumer press – is this something you enjoy doing?

JP: I love it! I’m always writing about aspects of our work and enjoy sharing knowledge and ideas.

I’m increasingly being asked to contribute to publications, that’s a joy.

What are your future plans for your business?

DW: We’ve just bought a second set of premises, and intend to fill them with more great designers and creatives. We welcome applications from any designer willing to work hard and who understands that what we do for a living is a real privilege. It also helps if you’re nice. We’re big on nice.

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

JP: Garden. Wellies. Dirty hands. Mug of tea. Grow things. Happy.

DW: Theatre composer. Pianist. Photographer.

Artist. Cooks the things Janine grows then we eat them together. It’s a fair deal.

1 The creative use of lighting using a computer-controlled LED system.

2 The area before extensive excavation to create the pool terrace.

AFTER

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BEFORE www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2014 13:57

TENDERCARE

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01582 843881 www.majestictrees.co.uk

Chequers Hill, Flamstead, Nr St.Albans, Herts, AL3 8ET Tel: 01582 843881 Fax: 01582 843882 e-mail: info@majesticgroup.co.uk

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Call 01530 510060 or visit www.vitax.co.uk ADVERTS.indd 55

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Portfolio

LIVING ON THE EDGE Frosts Landscape Construction Ltd Green roofs, living walls and extensive roof gardens were specified for this innovative and modern office building in the centre of London

F

ound in central London, 62 Buckingham Gate is a major new landmark office building, with extended public realm around the base of the building forming new boutique retail and leisure destinations for the area. It is a striking angular glazed building conceived by Pelli Clarke Pelli and Swanke Hayden & Connel.

Frosts were asked to construct the intensive and extensive roof gardens as well as a living wall along the ground floor public space. The roof garden space, spread over three floors (11, 12 and 13) has created a tranquil resting area for office staff with unparalleled views of London City. The works consists of the following: ● 278m² rigid insulation (0.25W/m²k) ●179m² semi-intensive green roofing

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● 395m² sedum green roofing ● 306m² sloping biodiverse green roofing ● 188m² granite paving on pedestals ● Stainless steel planters and tree boxes

including purpose designed stainless steel trellis system ●135m² living wall ● Fully automated irrigation system ● ACO channel drainage etc.

LOGISTIC ISSUES Due to a slippage of the site program, the original method of loading out the materials using the site crane was no longer applicable as it had been dismantled prior to Frosts' arrival. Therefore one of the first challenges was to provide a safe method of getting the materials to the different levels. This

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Portfolio

was achieved in the first instance by the main contractor providing a hoist, but as this could only reach the twelfth floor, a system of ramps had to be constructed. The consequence of using this revised method meant that the deliveries had to be downsized so they could be manhandled.

Equipment had to be moved before 06:30 to avoid any traffic jams at peak hours. No artic deliveries were allowed, so all material had to be delivered on rigid loads.Victoria Street could not be used after 06:30 to offload supplies, therefore small trollies had to be used to move all the plants for the living wall along the pedestrian footpath closely watched by the banksman at all times.

Timed deliveries were in place to maximise the use of the external hoist, which as the project

More images at: www.prolandscapermagazine.com

progressed was removed, so the service lift was used, which meant double handling of supplies.

Level 11 incorporated a formal terraced area with planting in raised stainless steel planters. Without the use of the crane the placement of the large trees within them was a challenging undertaking. The paving, given the weight of each individual item had to be distributed on the storage areas so that it did not exceed the weight limits. As the programme progressed, the outside hoists were removed and an internal lift was the only method of getting material up to the levels, and coordination with other trades became essential. To provide ease of access for the eventual end users, a slope had to be formed from the building to the paved area.

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This then required the ACO drainage system to be incorporated.

Level 12 presented further challenges as this space incorporated the BMU track and hoist. Systems were devised to minimise manual handing although the latter was at times unavoidable. The substrates were laid at different levels to accommodate the sedum and planting.

Habitat areas were formed using large logs and rocks. The fixing of the wire trellis was again designed to be fitted to the design characteristics (louvres) of the building.

Level 13 incorporated a sloping roof which formed a biodiverse planted area. A special seed mix was merged with complementary plug plants. Irrigation drippers were incorporated in the substrate mix so that the soil would provide ideal growing conditions at the crucial times during the growing season. A biodegradable jute matting was placed over all to prevent soil erosion prior to the establishment of the root systems. The integrated drainage system as constructed allowed surplus rain water to be returned to the site collection system.

The living wall situated at ground floor level is designed to liven up the old Westminster façade facing the new building. Due to the architect’s small tolerance requirements the design became very complex. The steel frame had to be designed to fit into the larger canopy framework as well as being aligned with the large windows of Westminster Hall.

ABOUT FROSTS LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION LTD Frosts are a well-established family-owned group of companies with over 60 years horticultural experience, and 40 years of carrying out major hard and soft landscaping projects, roof gardens; green/brown roofs; green walls; grounds and estate maintenance; interior landscaping; tree surgery, garden design and construction. They are one of only a few landscaping companies to have achieved all three Lloyds UKAS accreditations ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001: 2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007.

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www.frostslandscapes.co.uk

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Project details Size of project: Three green roofs and a green wall 179m² semi-intensive and 395m² sedum roof 306m² biodiverse roof 188m² intensive 135m² living wall Project Duration: October 2012 to June 2013 Cost: £375,000

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1 Spider crane used on level 11.

3 Steel construction for green wall.

2 Level 11 planters.

4 Green wall finished.

REFERENCES Contractor Frosts Landscape Construction Ltd Wain Close, Newport Road, Woburn Sands, Bucks. MK17 8UZ Tel: 0845 021 9001 Email: info@frostslandscapes.com Web: www.frostslandscapes.co.uk

SUSTAINABILITY Frosts Vertiscapes are committed to sustainability and reducing the carbon footprint of the products they use, so were pleased when the client decided to use Frosts Vertiscapes’ patented living wall Modules (FVM), which are manufactured in the UK from 100 per cent recycled material.

The unique three-in-one panel design allows the module to be cut to suit different installation requirements without compromising its integrity or that of the irrigation system.

The FVM modules, which have the ability to be cut to a minimum of 100mm tolerance vertically and around 300mm horizontally greatly assisted in the architect’s design intent, and the living wall was automatically watered using an intelligent bespoke irrigation system. All plant species were selected for their suitability in the micro climate conditions, disease tolerance, and visual appearance to achieve the desired architectural look. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Green roof materials Charles Fentiman Shire Green Roof Materials Unit 31 Nutham Lane, Southwater, West Sussex RH13 9GG Tel: 01403 732 186 Email: info@greenroofsubstrates.co.uk Web: www.greenroofsubstrates.co.uk Planters Euro Planters Chadkirk Industrial Estate, Vale Road, Romiley, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 3NE Tel: 0161 426 0207 Email: john@europlanters.com Web: www.europlanters.com

Plants Deepdale Trees Ltd Tithe Farm, Hatley Road, Potton, Sandy, Beds.

SG19 2DX Tel: 01767 26 26 36 Email: mail@deepdale-trees.co.uk Web: www.deepdale-trees.co.uk Palmstead Nurseries Harville Road, Wye, Ashford, Kent TN25 5EU Tel: 01233 811 304 Email: nick@palmstead.co.uk Web: www.palmstead.co.uk

Wildflowers Tom Scarborough Naturescape British Wild Flowers Maple Farm, Coach Gap Lane, Langar, Notts, NG13 9HP Tel: 01949 860 592 Email: sales@naturscape.co.uk Web: www.naturescape.co.uk

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ABOUT LAND DESIGN PARTNERSHIP

Hambrooks This award-winning garden juxtaposes a modern style including ample space for entertaining, with the original Georgian style of the house and original garden

One of the UK’s most long-standing independent landscaping businesses, Experts in your Garden Hambrooks has been creating gardens since 1970 covering all aspects of garden design and landscaping, together with domestic and commercial garden maintenance.

There are four businesses under the Hambrooks umbrella brand, with a Head Office site in Curdridge that includes a Wholesale Hard Goods Yard and Nursery together with a Garden Landscaping Centre in Titchfield. The company also has two garden design studios which provides customers with a venue where they can informally discuss and obtain advice from one of Hambrooks’ in-house garden designers on redesigning their gardens, whether this is for a small makeover plan or for a complete redesign.

www.hambrooks.co.uk

T

WINNER

Domestic Garden Construction £60-£100k

COMMENDED

Project Value £50,000 £100,000

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he project was an original Georgian Walled Garden dating back to 1830, which had no space for entertaining and had no sense of connection or identification to the classic style of the house. It was laid out with simple areas of mixed planting, a formal lawn, gravelled areas and decking in one corner. The new garden was to be modern while also being sympathetic to the style of the listed Georgian house, which the owners were restoring. Used to living abroad in the sun, the Russian clients wanted a garden where the emphasis was on entertainment, while incorporating the feeling of being ‘organised’ and adding movement through planting and water.

The design needed to consider the presence of existing trees, which included a large Arbutus unedo, a walnut tree and two silver birches that were nearly forty years old. Additionally, essential screening was required from a neighbouring development of apartments and adjoining Georgian house that flanked the property on the left.

The importance of renovating the garden and what this meant to the client was highlighted when they asked designer Stuart Towner to meet them on the day they received the keys to

their house. Other than their primary requests, (entertainment, modern yet sympathetic to the Georgian era and screening) they gave Stuart the freedom to come up with his own design concept and ideas.

THE COMPLETED GARDEN A large stylish summerhouse adorns the southfacing corner with the main terrace of the garden wrapping around it. A reflection pool runs down the right side and along the rear where it curves round the summer house terrace and comes to rest by a water wall. Floating stepping stones connect the main entertaining areas and a secluded seating spot under the canopy of the Arbutus. Cut from the same stone as the water wall, Cumbrian monolith stones dominate and break the otherwise perfectly still water of the reflection pool. The repeated use of this material creates a flow and connection between these two dominating features.

Based on the design principles of the Arts and Crafts movement, the planting blends the informal with the clean lines of clipped Buxus balls that mix harmoniously with splashes of colour from the acid greens of Euphorbia. This neatly contrasts with the pinks of the Bergenia, along with the calming April 2014

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Project details Timeline of development: Summer to autumn 2012 Cost: £89,000 Size: 25m x 30m 1

blues of Allium caeruleum that appear later in the season. The mass of undulating planting is punctured by grasses such as Calamagrostis x acutifl ora, ‘Karl Foerster’ and Miscanthus transmorrisonensis, while a neatly clipped lavender hedge flanks the formal lawn, following the underlying modern contrast to the planting.

The finishing touch to the planting is a row of semi mature Magnolia grandifloras that flank the right hand boundary of the garden to provide screening from neighbouring properties.

The second entertainment space in the garden is a decking area that houses a built-in outdoor fireplace, with a fully working sink and electrics. The fireplace is adorned with a French limestone surround and honed Purbeck work surfaces on either side. Above the deck, and still in construction, is a steel framed, wood clad pergola. This will have glass inserts in the roof to complete an outdoor area that caters for our intemperate weather conditions. A raised bed, pleached fruit trees and fruit bushes are within 50

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easy reach of the kitchen.

An original terrace that adjoins the house has been left in place and is separated by a gravel strip and step to the new sandstone terrace clearly demonstrating the seamless connection between the new and old. To complete the garden an irrigation system works off a rain harvesting tank and the clever use of subtle lighting gives the garden a calming ambiance for evening entertainment or relaxing.

FEATURES AND MODIFICATIONS The rain harvest tank is under the lawn and is connected to the overflow of the main water feature. Access hatch is also under the lawn. Due to the presence of an original horse mill wheel buried in the ground, it was not possible to place the tank under the main border as originally intended.

Furthermore, all materials had to be lifted over a wall by crane as the access gate was too small.

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DESIGN PLAN

1 The reflection pool comes to rest outside the large summer house.

2 Borders are a mixture of formal and informal planting.

3 Floating steps connect the main garden to the seating and entertaining areas.

4 A steel and wood framed pergola frames the working fireplace and sink.

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REFERENCES Contractor Hambrooks Curdridge, Hampshire SO32 2DA Tel:Â 01489 779 992 Email: enquiries@hambrooks.co.uk Web: www.hambrooks.co.uk Designer Stuart Towner Garden Designer 18 New Road, Lovedean, Waterlooville, Hampshire PO8 9RU Tel: 023 9259 8423 Planters Hambrooks Wholesale Yard & Nursery Curdridge, Hampshire SO32 2DA Tel: 01489 779 992 Email: enquiries@hambrooks.co.uk Web: www.hambrooks.co.uk

Stone Strata Stone Ltd Vista Business Centre, 50 Salisbury Road, Hounslow, Middlesex TW4 6JQ Tel: 0845 5678 700 Email: sales@stratastones.co.uk Web: www.stratastones.co.uk Keyline Builders Merchants Head Office, Keyline Builders Merchant, Suite S3, 8 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow G66 1XT Tel: 0118 931 0111 Web: www.keyline.co.uk

Plants Seagrave Nurseries 84, Melton Road, Barrow Upon Soar, Leicestershire, LE12 8NX Tel: 01509 621 300 Web: www.seagravenurseries.co.uk

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A GREEN JOURNEY

WINNER Interior Landscape – Installation only 52

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Indoor Garden Design As part of an ambitious long-term environmental programme: more sustainable planting schemes and flower plant displays were created for this global corporate leader

I

ndoor Garden Design has worked with this client for around 30 years, supplying planting across the whole London estate.

Late 2011 saw the launch of an ambitious long-term environmental programme – ‘Our Green Journey’ – setting challenging targets to reduce the impact of carrying out their worldwide business.

We advised on the sustainability of their planting, recommending improvements for both carbon- footprint and staff wellbeing. It was a collaborative process to make changes to the planting of their London offices, while still delivering visually pleasing, quality planting.

FIRST PHASE The Green Journey began by replacing cut-flower arrangements at all London sites.

Our ‘In Bloom’ team created flowering plant displays instead – using seasonal flowering plants significantly reduces the carbon footprint compared to fresh cut-flowers, replaced weekly. Requiring fewer changes than cutflowers, cost to the environment and client are significantly less.

This fulfilled two objectives, immediately setting the tone for the ‘Green Journey’ environmental initiative, and freeing up resources to invest upon the longer-term planting.

SECOND PHASE The second stage was the creation of planting schemes across all the London sites to reflect both the corporate brand and the individual offices’ identity.

Our initial focus centred upon a single building – the ‘flagship’ of how the Green Journey initiative could be applied to planting throughout the office network in UK and beyond.This building is located in the midst of the group’s offices enhancing its

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central positioning for the project.

We created planting schemes throughout the building; yet the top floor particularly encapsulates the delivery of the project's aims, encompassing both interior and exterior planting.

For this key client meeting area we created an aesthetically pleasing scheme that conformed to the project’s sustainability aims.Visual appeal was achieved by matching form and colour of plants and containers for both the interior and exterior schemes.

The environmental aspect was in part achieved by using recycled containers – as part of a long-term project, we recommended containers for their Olympics installation that could then be re-used for this project. We worked closely with the client to ensure that the planting at their offices not simply conforms to the Green Journey remit, but actually makes a positive contribution to the overall objective to reduce their environmental impact.

Indoor Garden Design is delighted to work so closely with our client on such a significant project – both in terms of scale and for its wider benefit to the environment as a whole.This high profile project demonstrates the role that planting can play in delivering green initiatives.

Even small changes – such as replacing cut-flowers for flowering plants – delivers big results.

ABOUT INDOOR GARDEN DESIGN Indoor Garden Design: Bringing Nature into the Workplace, wherever your workplace is...

An award-winning independent landscaping company – responsible for the design, supply, installation and maintenance of planting schemes for over 35 years. We create interior and exterior planting schemes for offices, hotels, retailers and for events across London and UK. Working with clients, designers and architects to create the best planting scheme for the setting – whether a work / leisure space or promotional event. Projects range from small-scale desk planting to atria, living walls and roof gardens – and everything in-between – including Christmas displays.

www.indoorgardendesign.com

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1 Olympics installation.

2 'Flagship' roof garden.

3 Reception: 'In Bloom' display in corporate colours.

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1 Reception: 'In Bloom' flowering plant display in corporate colours 2 Meeting room: referencing the exterior planting beyond.

3 Roof Garden: complementing the interior scheme.

4 Reception: 'In Bloom' display in corporate colours.

5 Reception: referencing the exterior planting.

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SCOPE OF CONTRACT AND NATURE OF THE WORK INVOLVED

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As part of the company-wide ‘Our Green Journey’ initiative: ● Creating more sustainable planting schemes throughout the London campus ● Replacement of cut-flowers with flowering plant displays ● Establishing a flagship office for the Green journey project ● Creating an interior planting scheme to bring the outside in, complementing the roof garden project ● Ongoing maintenance of interior and exterior planting Unusual features ● Coordinating with the exterior, roof garden planting scheme Site constraints ● Limited maintenance access as majority of the planting is in meeting rooms

Recycled element ● As headline sponsors of London2012 –

providing professional services to ‘the greenest Olympics’ – a temporary hosting base was set up at Stratford Westfield for the duration of the Games ● We designed the Olympic scheme with the longer-term office planting in mind – to maximise resources and minimise environmental waste

REFERENCES Indoor Garden Design Indoor Garden Design Woodside Works, Summersby Road, London N6 5UH Tel: 0208444 1414 Web: www.indoorgardendesign.com

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ne

Zo

S-ZoneGroup

Outdoor Specialists

QUALITY WITHOUT COMPROMISE

What we don’t do

1. Offer credit accounts – We take cards, cash & cheques to keep costs down and pass on savings to you.

2. Offer ‘freebies’ – just everyday low prices!

3. Practice smooth sales patter – just down-to-earth friendly service!

What we do

1. Offer the keenest prices 2. Supply high quality, professional products 3. Constantly adding new products, many exclusive to us 4. Deliver to your address or site anywhere in the UK, or you can visit our trade counter.

01482 222745 / 01482 238870 www.twfctradesupplies.com We are constantly uploading new products onto the site.

If you don’t see what you’re after, please ask – the chances are we will have it!!

RH 'Production Dept' Sky Pro Landscaper half-page:Layout 1 14/12/13 12:26 Page 1 Have a look at our wide range of canopies, awnings and many other products

Tel:01482 481050

Our production department.

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The Readyhedge range of instant hedging is unrivalled in the UK, produced to the highest standards and can be delivered just about anywhere to order.

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18/03/2014 12:31

AS SEEN ON TV Agents required

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13/03/2014 13:44

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We specialise in: Instant hedging for Instant security Instant screening for instant privacy

Supplying the trade for over 30 years, Wykeham Mature Plants produce a range of mature trees, shrubs and preformed hedging for instant effect.

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Wykeham Mature Plants

For mature plants... in an instant!

The Walled Garden Wykeham Scarborough YO13 9QS Phone: 01723 862406 Fax: 01723 865643 E-mail: enquiries@wykeham.co.uk

VISIT US: Clearly signposted from the A170, 7 miles west of Scarborough. Satnav: follow YO13 9QT Walled Garden open Mon–Sat 9.30–4.30 For special attention or a nursery tour (Mon–Fri 8.30–4.30), call to make an appointment.

www.wykehammatureplants.co.uk

18/03/2014 12:40

Nursery

NURSERY NEWS From Acid to Alkaline

Thought Rhododendrons were only for sites with acidic soils and in ericaceous compost in containers? – well, get ready to look at Rhododendrons in a whole new light!

After over 20 years of research a German company have recently introduce ‘Inkarho’ Rhododendrons

– Rhododendrons on lime tolerant rootstocks which are equally as happy in either acid or alkaline soils.

Provender Nurseries have been stocking this range of plants for three years now and they are proving justifiably popular and although not quite selling at the rate of ordinary Rhododendrons, they are rapidly catching up. A huge range of popular varieties including dwarf and yakushimanum are now available on Inkarho rootstocks. Provender Nurseries took a delivery of over 16 Inkarho Rhododendron hybrids in February with more due in. Plant for a vibrant display that will peak in April and May. www.provendernurseries.co.uk

Architectural Plants Branch Out After years in the planning, 2014 will see Architectural Plants begin to realise the dream that Angus White (owner) had over 10 years ago: to have one enormous nursery containing huge quantities of beautiful plants.

A new 35acre development is well underway and already initial spans and stock are in place.The vast expanse of mud and dirt is starting to resemble a nursery and the team at Architectural Plants are now working on recreating the same beauty and magic that customers enjoy at the Horsham nursery. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Nursery News.indd 57

Retail and trade customers will benefit from the same expertise and excellent service, but on a far greater scale and with far greater quantities of stock. Keep an eye on the website and social media for updates and details of open days. www.architecturalplants.com

NURSERY NOTES

Barcham Trees new standard BS8545: 2014

The Arboricultural Association launched the new standard “BS8545: 2014 Trees from nursery to independence in the landscape – Recommendations” at a seminar at the Cambridgeshire nursery of Barcham Trees on 5 March 2014. The speakers for the day were Barcham’s Keith Sacre, Peter Thurman and Jeremy Barrell.

Published on 25 February 2014, BS8545 was the culmination of four years’ thinking, talking and drafting, Simon told delegates. BS8545 applies to trees where a distinct crown has been prepared in the ● Species selection ● Nursery production and procurement ● Handling and storage ● Planting ● Post-planting management and maintenance Read a full write-up at www. prolandscapermagazine.com www.barcham.co.uk

The wet winter has hindered our tree stock planting and finding suitable dry land to plant on has been a challenge to say the least. That said we have almost finished planting over 160,000 tree stocks, all sourced from a British Nursery.

The mild weather will draw a premature close to the bare root lifting season, but we still have an extensive range of sizes and varieties, from 10lt pots to 150lt Air Pots. Winter potted stock is also coming on well, which will enable us to have good continuity throughout the spring period. Bed clearing will be our next major challenge, prior to starting our main potting season in mid-April.

www.colesnurseries.co.uk

April 2014

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Nursery

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

Now the bare root season has finished, people are still looking for hedging and instant screening. This is where Readyhedge is still available with instant hedging that is moveable by two people even at 150cm+ in height.

Readyhedge have Fagus sylvatica at 150cm+ tall and Carpinus betulus at 160cm tall both available now. These can be delivered direct to your site and can be handled by two people, with no need for machinery, which will give you clients the hedging they want now. www.readyhedge.com

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April 2014

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One of the toughest types of Daphne, Daphne mezereum Rubra is an upright deciduous shrub with prolific fragrant pinkish-purple flowers that precede the leaves in late winter and early spring. Although maybe not as sought after as the evergreen Daphne, this variety has the advantage over others of growing in most soils, including chalk and heavy soils. Growing up to 1.5m high, it has pale grey-green leaves and red berries that follow the flowers. Thriving in partial shade, Daphne don’t like being moved, so it’s important to position them correctly first time round. www.theplantationnursery.co.uk

There are many ornamental cherry cultivars out there but in terms of elegance, richness and purity none come close to the Great White Cherry – Prunus serrulata ‘Taihaku’.

At the beginning of April huge (up to 5cm across), pure white flowers unfold against a background of bronzered emerging leaves in such a magical display the tree almost seems to glow from within. One might think such extravagance would border on vulgar but the flowers, although big, are simple without crinkled edge and single making this tree simply perfect. In addition it has lovely orange-red autumn colours and is easy to grow. www.majestictrees.co.uk

Michael Peverett

Lyonothamnus floribundus aspleniifolius is a stunning little evergreen tree boasting lush, ferny foliage which emerges as bright green, turning darker as it reaches maturity. The real talking point is the striking, gnarly red bark; as the tree matures the bark peels off in strips. This rare little tree needs a sheltered spot in a sunny position with very well drained soil. Chalk should be avoided. Clipping will keep the tree nice and bushy and you can expect an eventual height of around 4.5m (15ft). A perfect specimen tree for a small garden and easy to grow providing waterlogged soil and wind are avoided. www.architecturalplants.com

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2014 13:36

Nursery

This clone, Ilex x Dragon Lady, belongs to a group collectively known as the Meserve Hybrid Hollies, named after a lady from New York State who crossed Ilex rugosa and Ilex aquifolium in the early 1950s. Its vividly dark evergreen leaves have attractive spines which contrast magnificently with its dark and large red fruits in the autumn. It retains a very regular pyramidal habit and thrives on well drained soils. We grow this as a small standard tree up to 18-20cm girth in 200l Light Pots so it is particularly useful for screening. www.barcham.co.uk

Viburnum tinus – an attractive evergreen shrub which produces pink/white flowers from December through to April. This reliable, easy to grow shrub is great for an area of the garden where no other flowers are on show. Tends to grow best in moist, well-drained soil and will cope well in a shady spot. www.crowders.co.uk

April is the month when spring really bursts in to blossom. Perhaps some of the best and most reliable displays are provided by Crab Apples (Malus). However, in the damper north and west of Britain, some of the popular selections can become badly infected by Scab and Canker. To avoid this problem, a choice from Malus baccata, M hupehensis, M transitoria, M ‘Butterball’ and M ‘Gardeners Gold’ will give trees that are highly resistant to these diseases. www.thornhayes-nursery.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Plantsmans Plot.indd 59

Wykeham Mature Plants has an extensive range of trees, shrubs, hedging and conifers in large sizes for instant effect. Whether the job requires carefully selected trees, mature hedging, or plants clipped or trained in some way specifically to address the issues on site, the 150 acre nursery is largely devoted to providing customers with instant screening for privacy and security. A wide range of large hedging plants, including Pyracantha, Laurel, Portuguese Laurel, Beech, Hornbeam, Escallonia, Osmanthus, Yew, and many, many more, are complemented by a range of preformed, clipped ‘instant’ hedging options, including the famous Instant Laurel hedging blocks. There is also a range of screening trees and standard evergreens, as well as trained screens and panels and pleached trees. www.wykehammatureplants.co.uk

An update on the sturdy Fatsia japonica is the new Fatsia japonica ‘Spiders Web’.

The instantly recognisable deeply lobed glossy green leaves are heavily speckled with small white-cream dots, occasionally so densely packed that they appear as blotches. The speckles cover the entire leaf and are really rather unique and attractive in my opinion. The speckles fade slightly with age. The white flowers are followed in autumn by shiny black fruit. With the same bushy, suckering habit of Fatsia japonica, this new introduction is really worth a try as a specimen plant. Perfect for tropical gardens and brightening up shady areas. www.provendernurseries.co.uk

April 2014 59

19/03/2014 13:37

Effective supply of water evenly in both directions all the way around the rootball, drenching the soil laterally

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Easy to use individually or in multiples Simple to lock / unlock cells together Distinctive letterbox style wire tendon anchor point Unique cup shape for water storage Build-up large planting areas with connected & stackable cells Protect roof planting areas from damage Nestable cells for compact transportation with other products Made from recycled plastic!

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17/03/2014 10:55

Nursery

NURSERY FACTFILE “

“

Based in Sussex, Architectural Plants is a specialist supplier of shapely evergreens, hardy palms and Japanese topiary.

ABOUT As well as supplying plants we offer design, planting and maintenance services.We’ve been around for 24 years but we’re still growing up and have a new 35 acre nursery development underway.

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Best sell

ARCHITECTURAL PLANTS

MEET THE TEAM Acacia pravissima

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Knowledgeable, passionate and all jolly nice too!

London

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3 Quercus ilex 4 Phillyrea latifolia

CLIENTS

Sophie Pett-Gallacher

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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5 Trachycarpus fortunei

Retail and trade customers across the UK including local authorities and other organisations

Fiona Henley, Garden Designer “I have been designing classical gardens for almost 20 years, and during that time, have relied on Architectural Plants to provide me with the very best trees and shrubs to work with. Without the excellent evergreens, I would not have been able to give the perfection that my clients demand.

A272

Brighton

Phyllostachys (nigra, aurea and aureosulcata ‘Aureocaulis’)

2 Eleagnus x ebbingei

Paul Donovan

Nuthurst S

TOP 5 BESTSELLERS

1

tre et

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Southwater

Their excellent product quality is matched by high standards of technical know-how and willing co-operation in all their staff. I have always found them helpful and friendly and prepared to run the extra mile where my clients are concerned. Thank you Angus for providing such a high standard of support.”

LOCATION In the heart of Sussex, 15 minutes from Horsham Town Centre

CONTACT Architectural Plants Cooks Farm, Nuthurst, Nr Horsham, West Sussex RH13 6LH Tel: 01403 891772 Email: enquiries@architecturalplants.com Web: www.architecturalplants.com Follow us on Twitter and Facebook April 2014

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19/03/2014 12:50

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18/03/2014 12:21

Nursery

The peat-free debate What does it mean for you?

changed. Enough time has elapsed for sound product development and growers are producing everything from bedding to mature trees cost-effectively, in modern, sustainable growing media without the use of peat.

Melcourt has been at the forefront of this change with its ground-breaking Sylvamix® range of sustainable growing media.

So no landscaper should find any difficulty in sourcing such plants – indeed at Melcourt we operate a database of our customers precisely to be able to put buyers in touch with producers. We have an ever-increasing number of grower customers who in turn help to give others the confidence to make the change in their growing media.

But what about peat used directly in landscaping? It has long been known that peat is not an effective soil improver, offering nothing in the way of organic matter of the sort that soil micro-organisms can assimilate and even less useful when used as a mulch. Dig up a peatbased plant several years after planting and the original peat growing medium is still easily visible.

Reflecting this, of all the peat used in the UK only 1 per cent is used in landscaping. Bark, green compost and spent mushroom compost are all used in much higher volumes than peat as soil improvers and planting media and all offer significant technical benefits compared to peat.

Returning to Defra’s peat reduction targets, (and it is worth noting that they are indeed just targets – there is no prospect of legislation on the issue), the first interim target is for all local authority and government Hardy ferns at Seiont Nurseries growing in Melcourt Sylvamix® contracts to be peat-free by 2015, sustainable growing medium, showing excellent uniformity the second for all retail growing

No-one involved in ornamental plant production in the UK in the last two decades can have been unaware of the debate surrounding the use of peat. It has been the longest-running industry discussion and to this day remains controversial. It is a different picture in the world of landscaping where some professionals are well informed but others are barely aware of the issue or that the government policy is for peat to be phased out of horticulture completely by 2030, with a couple of interim targets on the way.

So the debate in a nutshell: peat is cheap, consistent, available and effective, but some have felt that the cost to nature and the environment is too high. (Peat harvesting destroys a unique habitat together with its distinctive flora and fauna and a drained bog no longer acts as a carbon sink). However, there has been a perceived lack of effective alternatives and some are not convinced by the case against peat.

For many years the contention that there were few effective alternatives for growers was probably true. Today, the situation is much

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Hillier Broadmead Trees have been growing in Melcourt’s Sylvamix® sustainable growing media since 2004

media to be peat-free by 2020 and the third is for all peat use to be phased out by 2030.

Progress on the targets is being monitored and peat reduction is indeed well underway.

However, a principle outcome of the Sustainable Growing Medium Task Force set up

by Defra in 2011 has seen the emphasis of the debate shift to the sustainability of all ingredients, rather than singling out one for particular attention. In other words we will be able to make evidence-based decisions, which should go a long way to removing the polarity that has surrounded this debate for so many years.

ABOUT CATHERINE DAWSON Initially qualified in Soil Science, Catherine has spent the last 30 years specialising in the use of bark in horticultural growing media and landscaping. She is Technical Director of Melcourt Industries, the UK’s only specialist in bark products for professional growers and landscapers, a recent past Chair of the Growing Media Association and has been a member of Defra’s Sustainable Growing Media Task Force.

www.melcourt.co.uk

April 2014

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Once you have specified AberSustain you can lie back and relax AberSustain – the perfect mixture for all your landscaping projects, including AberAce White Clover • • • • • • •

Low maintenance, drought resistant Includes AberNile ‘Stay-Green’ ryegrass Suitable for green roofs UK bred cultivars for UK conditions Improves soil structure Clover flowers benefit pollinators AberAce – high nitrogen fixing qualities, no need for fertiliser

Scan the QR code to have the right mixture at your fingertips

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17/03/2014 14:36

Latest Products

SEEDS AND FERTILISER Barenbrug UK has just re-launched its range of Green Velvet Lawn Seed with six different mixes for all types of domestic lawns. It is expected ‘The All Rounder’ will be the best seller – a multi-purpose hard wearing grass seed that is ideal for creating new lawns, overseeding or repairing worn areas. It offers rapid germination and establishment and is tough enough to withstand heavy foot traffic and the rough and tumble of family life! The All Rounder is a 50/50 mix of perennial ryegrass and strong creeping red fescue and is available in a 525g carton or 1.7kg pouch.

WWW.BARENBRUG.CO.UK

For 2014, John Chambers wildflower seed has seen a transformation under its new owners Green-tech Ltd. To celebrate the launch John chambers has produced a special Beautiful Britain 2014 Wildflower Mix which contains 20 per cent wild flowers and 80 per cent suitable low maintenance grasses. Trade customers can order this product in quantities of 100g upwards.

Contains: Agrimony; Basil, Wild; Bedstraw, Hedge and Lady’s; Bellflower, Clustered; Bird’s-foot-trefoil, Common; Buttercup, Meadow; Carrot, Wild; Daisy, Common and Oxeye; Harebell; Hawkbit, Autumn; Knapweed, Common and Greater; Marjoram, Wild; Medick, Black; Mignonette, Wild; Plantain, Ribwort; Restharrow, Common; St John’s wort, Perforate; Scabious, Field and Small; Selfheal; Vetch, Common and Kidney; Yarrow.

WWW.JOHNCHAMBERSWILDFLOWERS.CO.UK

Rigby Taylor has a range of three compound fertilisers to meet the requirements of landscapers for the maintenance and establishment of turf areas.

There are two analyses for application to turf, a spring and summer 9-5-5, containing balanced P and K for optimum plant health and colour, without giving excessive growth. The potassium will also ensure the plant is able to utilise any moisture or irrigation in periods of drought. The autumn and winter analysis, 4-10-10, contains high P and K to encourage root development and improve winter hardiness. For overseeding purposes there is an 8-12-8, an analysis containing high P to ensure strong root development and quick plant establishment.

WWW.RIGBYTAYLOR.COM

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Phoenix Amenity’s Universal Grass Seed Mix offers excellent value for money starting at just £2.05 per kg. Well suited to a number of uses where budget and wear tolerance are important – golf fairways, tennis courts, cricket outfield, school sports pitches and general landscaping projects – including back lawns. This is a mix of 45 per cent Perennial Rye Grass, 35 per cent Creeping Red Fescue, and 20 per cent Chewings Fescue. With a sowing rate on bare ground of 40g/m² and an overseeding rate on thin areas of 20g/m² – it is a most versatile mix offering a quick establishment and giving a compact hard wearing sward with good appearances.

WWW.PHOENIXAMENITY.CO.UK

The A31 Supreme Shade Ultra from Germinal Seeds is the answer to shaded areas. The innovative mixture is perfect for any extremely shaded areas. It contains a new improved variety of Poa supina with a darker colour than older varieties. A31 offers above average disease resistance and an unrivalled cleanness of cut giving a uniform hardwearing and disease free sward even in areas that experience 80-90 percent shade. A31 is tolerant of a range of soil types and is just one mixture from the company’s Grade ‘A’ range. Its catalogue is available on request or can be downloaded at WWW.GERMINALAMENITY.COM

April 2014

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19/03/2014 13:40

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1

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12:38

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www.turf.co.uk

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16/03/2014 23:43

Green Roofs/Living Walls

Greening cities Green roofs, living walls and roof gardens have been gaining popularity in urban settings, and are popping up in unexpected and clever locations on buildings around the country. We have collated some inspirational examples of inner city greening at its best.

Boughton Sainsburys recently opened a new flagship superstore in Milton Keynes. What is unique about the development is that is has 402 townhouses and apartments and a roof top garden the size of a football pitch on top of it! The 500m² community is a mix of retail, commercial and leisure space along with a 1000 car parking spaces. Frosts landscapes Limited appointed Boughton Loams to supply a unique blend of root zone materials for the roof top garden, supplying 1300 tonnes of this special mix to the development.

The finished development achieved a BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’.

WWW.BOUGHTON.CO.UK

Scotscape Ltd Scotscape Ltd has completed the installation of four new living walls at Marks and Spencer’s Simply Food stores in a variety of locations around the UK. The

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living walls form an integral part of Marks and Spencer’s renowned ‘Plan A Sustainability Programme’ which has inspired retailers worldwide to improve their sustainability performance.

Along with 100 per cent LED lighting, re-using waste heat, and rain-water harvesting, Scotscape Living Walls have now been applied to four of the company’s existing Simply Food stores at – Slough, Heswall, Oswestry and Epping.

Scotscape’s Managing Director, Angus Cunningham said: “We’re delighted to be working so closely with Marks and Spencer to help the company deliver its ambitious sustainability

programme. Of the 40 per cent energy savings target throughout each store, we will be able to quantify how our living walls assist with meeting this target through our ongoing research and

development. Our installation teams retrofitted the living walls to existing stores, the variety of building age and type adding an extra challenge to the process”.

WWW.SCOTSCAPE.NET

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19/03/2014 13:05

Green Roofs/Living Walls

Green-tech

Evergreen Roof Gardens Evergreen Roof Gardens was asked by the main contractor to install a green roof on the new Interpretation Centre at Cardiff Castle as it was the first new building inside the castle walls for literally hundreds of years and needed to blend in with the existing bank. A wildflower meadow roof was chosen as a sedum roof installed previously had not been successful due to an ingress of the natural grasses and wildflowers already on the bank which the centre was being built into and the roof had to blend in with. The roof was completed successfully in a week and has continued to be a low maintenance and visually stunning part of Cardiff Castle, with a great variety of wildflowers from spring through to autumn including campions, yellow rattle, spotted orchids and poppies amongst many others.

WWW.EVERGREENROOFGARDENS.CO.UK

Green-tech was invited to help with a project specified by Martin Woolley Landscape Architects, to create a sustainable roof top garden for inner city Chancellor’s Court Roof top garden, part of the University of Leeds. Soil weight, water retention and appropriate planting were all issues for the architects. They needed soil that was light in weight but also nutrient-rich to ensure successful growth of the low-maintenance wildflower meadow that was to be planted.

Green-tech was able to provide the perfect solution – a roof garden substrate; light in texture with a controlled nutrient content. The roof garden substrate ticked all the boxes, its bulk density compiled with the structural engineer’s recommendation without compromising on quality. The Green-tree brand provides excellent water holding properties, reducing run off and retaining essential water for the plants and wildflowers used in the roof garden. The topsoil is a fertile and organic-rich material, compliant to BS 3882:2007 standards.

The contract was awarded to Brambledown Landscapes and a year after the initial enquiry, with all materials delivered to site, the installation commenced. By mid-August the garden was complete and unveiled for the first time to the great delight of everyone involved from the University.

WWW.GREEN-TECH.CO.UK

Boningale GreenSky Boningale GreenSky, the specialist green roof division at Albrighton’s Boningale Nurseries was commissioned to supply the 31m² of rooftop planting and substrate at the newly built eco-lodge at Woodlands Primary School in Telford.

The school’s new wildlife haven uses the company’s unique SkyPlugs and SkySuperstrate, which backed by academic research and development by green roof technology experts at the University of Sheffield’s Green Roof Centre, have been specifically

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engineered for green roofs.

Maggie Fennell, Technical Green Roof Expert at Boningale GreenSky, said the green roof features 944 SkyPlugs comprising wildflowers, sedums and alpines, which have been carefully selected to suit the location and provide ecological benefits to the school.

They looked carefully at the location of the green roof, the average rainfall it had there and the amount of maintenance that was required before choosing the right substrate and the type of plug plants to be included.

WWW.BONINGALE-GREENSKY.CO.UK

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2014 13:05

ARMILLARY SPHERES & SUNDIALS 01873 840 297

www.bordersundials.co.uk

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NURSERY STOCK GROWER OF THE YEAR BEST ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE

BEST BUSINESS INNOVATION

Superstrates Specially Developed For Green Roofs Better establishment Faster coverage Fewer replacements Broader range of species

Growing media for high performance green roofing Tailor your green roof to different UK climate zones Manage rainfall to maximum effect

Working in partnership with the University of Sheffield Green Roof Centre to bring you the best quality products and tailored advice.

Call us on:

01902 376500

Online tools and guides:

www.boningale-greensky.co.uk

TO LEARN MORE, VISIT US AT: WWW.BONINGALE-GREENSKY.CO.UK

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BoningaleNurseries

@boningaleroofs

18/03/2014 11:59

INSCAPE

INSCAPE 2014 3 - 4 April

efig has been organising events and exhibitions since 2001 and this year, we are bringing INSCAPE back after a five year break. INSCAPE will offer you the perfect place to do business face to face. Even though digital technology makes communication easy, there is nothing quite like the personal interaction of talking to your suppliers in the flesh and sourcing new products. We hope to see many representatives from the industry and beyond the interior’s sector as many of our concerns and needs are the same. Many exhibitors have products of interest to all sectors.

An interesting programme of taster seminars has also been put together by efig that will feature throughout both days. These will highlight research which has taken place or is still on-going in areas which affect all of us one way or another, as well as ecological natural pest control and the discussion around biophilia – our innate need to connect with nature – which has been resounding around the industry for some time. Just as the trends for green walls feature everywhere so efig will have its fair share of information about these from research information to examples. Of course we are pleased to have the support of Pro Landscaper too.

Schedule Thursday 10.00 – 17.00

Friday 10.00 – 15.00

Dr Craig Knight 10.30 – 11.15 Dr Craig Knight is talking about his on-going programme carrying out research into lean vs. planted offices.

Liz Kentish 10.30 – 11.15 Liz Kentish, ex-BIFM Deputy Chair will give us an inside view of what FMs are looking for from interior planting schemes.

Neil Helyer, Fargro 11.30 – 12.00 Neil Helyer of Fargro will talking about pest management and bio-control.

Stuart Archer 11.30 – 12.00 Stuart Archer will let us know about his research into green wall and roof benefits.

Mark Laurence 12.15 – 12.45 Mark Laurence from Mark Laurence Designs and ex founding member of Biotecture returns.

Kenneth Freeman 12.15 – 12.45 Kenneth Freeman of Ambius will talk about Biophilia.

LUNCH – Greenfingers film

LUNCH – Greenfingers film

Kathryn Whitehorn, Perennial 14.00 – 14.30 Kathryn Whitehorn from Perennial will give us a short overview of the work of this charity.

Neil Helyer, Fargro 14.00 – 14.30 Neil Helyer of Fargro will be repeating his talk about pest management and bio-control.

Building your pop up office & NPWW 15.30 – 16.00 efig presents step by step instructions for building your own pop-up office with chairman Ian Drummond.

15.00 CLOSE

Tom Palfreyman Urban Planters 14.45 – 15.15 Tom Palfreyman, MD of Urban Planters will discuss the importance of client education about the benefits of planting and nature.

Marketing/launching website 16.15 – 16.45 efig will be presenting a marketing taster seminar for SMEs. 17.00 CLOSE

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INSCAPE

Exhibitors Woodland Horticulture Woodland Horticulture offers a huge range of landscaping, horticultural and playground surface materials to suit the needs of commercial landscapers, local authorities, schools, playground installers, allotment holders and keen gardeners. Wherever possible Woodland Horticulture uses environmentally sustainable materials sourced from the UK. www.woodlandhp.co.uk

Perennial Perennial is the only UK charity covering everyone working in, or retired from, the horticultural industry and their spouses, partners and children. It’s proud to be at INSCAPE to raise awareness of its advice and support services, and the many ways people can get behind our work. www.perennial.org.uk

Interior Landscaping Products Mark and Christine will be happy to meet you at their stand where they will be showing some of their wide range of products with the chance to explore the look and feel of latest range of tools. Your chance to delve into the less glamorous ‘nuts & bolts’ of the interior landscaping industry. www.interiorlandscaping.co.uk

Europlanters Europlanters Ltd has been established for over 23 years and continues to be a leading designer and manufacturer of Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) Planters for Interior and Exterior Landscaping. We have a large range of shapes and sizes which can be made in any RAL colour with Gloss, Satin, or Matt finish and we are competitive on price. Find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for our latest designs and bespoke projects. www.europlanters.com

Koberg BV Koberg BV are the leading suppliers of plants and planters to the UK interior landscaping industry. With daily shipments from its 1500 square meter warehouse based near Rotterdam and Amsterdam. We deliver throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Our plants are sourced direct from reputable growers, assuring you of consistency in quality and price. www.koberg.nl

Niewkoop-Europe BV The Nieuwkoop Group consists of eight leading companies that are active in the green market with hydroponics, pot plants, planters and exclusive decorations.With its quality, creativity and innovation the Nieuwkoop Group has been leading the market for many years.The heart of the company, Nieuwkoop Europe, is located in De Kwakel, in the Dutch province of NoordHolland. Nieuwkoop Europe has a wide basis of operations: in addition to its wholesale activities, it is also a grower, importer and exporter to more than 40 countries world-wide. www.nieuwkoop-europe.com

Fargro Fargro can provide a number of products for pest and disease control to maintain interior and exterior landscape plantings; it is important that our products for this market are bio friendly and also effective.The profiles of these products are therefore considered environmentally friendly. SB Plant Invigorator is a well know insecticide, fungicide and growth stimulant all rolled into one, has no harvest interval on edible crops and leaves no chemical residue. Met52 for vine weevil control, Prestop and T34 for general disease control will also be on show. www.fargro.co.uk

Greenfingers Greenfingers is a nationwide charity dedicated to supporting children and families in children’s hospices around the UK by creating magical gardens for them to enjoy. The charity has built 42 gardens to date and launched its Rosy Cheeks Appeal last year, which aims to build at least 10 more gardens in children’s hospices over the next two years. www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk

Pro Landscaper Pro Landscaper is the leading magazine in the exterior and interior landscaping sector.Visitors to the Pro Landscaper stand will be able to sign up for a copy of the magazine. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

efig efig will be launching its new all-singing, all-dancing website at the show. Members or would be members can see where they are showcased on the site in the Members’ Directory which makes it easy for any business to find them. efig personnel will be on hand to answer any questions about the association and for interested companies to join. efig pop up office for National Plants at Work Week A showpiece for the pop-up office this space will show an example of a simple pop-up office and will have more information about efig’s plans for National Plants at Work Week which this year takes place from 14-18 July.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Horticulture Careers Horticulture CAREERS Horticulture Careers is a brand new online job board, promoting the fact that it is more than just a job in this industry, it is a career. Find vacancies from all sectors of the horticultural market, or advertise your job to candidates that are keen to make a career on horticulture. www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

efig office plant of the year voting stand On display here will be the eight plants in the long list of plants in the running for this year’s title. Anyone visiting the show can vote. The three which get the most votes from the show, the Gala Awards Night and the website will be put before an independent panel of judges later in the year. www.efig.eu.com

April 2014

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VERSATILE CHOICE

2 YEAR

WARRANTY

AS STANDARD*

*Conditions apply to 2nd year - see dealer for details.

B30 SERIES COMPACT TRACTOR AT WORK

BX2350 Sub Compact Tractor

Compact performance RTV Utility Vehicle Range

B20 Series Compact Tractors

The Kubota range of groundcare machinery delivers outstanding performance, simple operation and legendary reliability.

From powerful and versatile tractors to high performance mowers, find out why Kubota is the practical choice for professionals.

Mid Range Tractors

Compact Tractors

RTV

For further details or to arrange a test drive

call 01844 268 000 or visit www.kubota.co.uk PRO LANDSCAPER 118x186mm.indd 1

12/02/2014 15:35

tails dealer for de l ca lo r u o y ontact s available! C n o ti p o ce n a Fin

I CAN CUT RIGHT THROUGH THE BUDGET CUTS. Times are tough. So if you are fighting reduced mowing frequencies caused by austerity cuts, it’s time to switch to new Meteor®. With its 2.15m width of cut, Meteor is highly productive and cost-effective. Its triple heads float like a cylinder, but because of its unique flail heads it is better suited to longer grass. And it is extremely robust, so it shrugs off discarded debris.

Even in heavy wet conditions, Meteor will deliver a top quality finish with minimal clumping.

TOUGH TIMES, TOUGH MOWER. For your Meteor demo, call 01473 270 000 or visit www.ransomesjacobsen.com

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16/03/2014 19:36

Equipment

EQUIPMENT NEWS Turf Machinery and irrigation innovator Toro celebrates centenary in 2014

Toro is celebrating a landmark 100 years’ anniversary in 2014.The first company to launch a motorised mower for use on the golf course – as well as a host of technologicallyadvanced groundscare mowing products for councils, contractors and landscapers – Toro says that its commitment to innovation has been at the heart of its success, and given it the market leadership it enjoys today.

Since 1914,Toro says it has built

Alaster Anderson specialist gardeners choose Pellenc for quiet garden maintenance Alaster Anderson Specialist Gardeners, a London-focused soft landscaping and garden maintenance company, has purchased a range of environmentally friendly batterypowered Pellenc products. The purchase includes two grass strimmers, two hedge trimmers, two blowers, long reach hedge cutter and chainsaw – all powered by four ultra-lithium batteries, which

provide a constant power, giving the contractor up to a full day of work depending on the type of tool used.

Senior Horticulturalist Natalie Nixon first heard of Pellenc three years ago whilst working at RHS Wisley, where the products are also extensively used. “I was very impressed with the Pellenc products I had used at Wisley, so when I joined here, it was only natural I recommended them when a

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

its legacy by understanding the needs of its customers and developing products and services to help them succeed. Added to this, the company attributes greater competitive advantage to its pioneering of the development of strong networks of professional distributor, dealer and retail partners across more than 90 countries to provide local expert, professional customer service. www.toro.com

customer said he wanted to use ‘green’ maintenance equipment where ever possible.”

Natalie’s priority is a six acre private garden in North London where she spends three to four days each week, which was designed by Christopher BradleyHole and is based on the concept of field patterns. “We have a lot of grasses, perennials and hedging made up of maple, beech and hornbeam which all require a lot of on-going maintenance.” www.pellenc.com

Good news for Genpower Genpower Ltd, UK and Ireland importer of Hyundai Power Equipment, is pleased to announce the move of our UK Headquarters to Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire.This moves follows an exceptional year for Genpower with a huge growth in sales of generators and water pumps, coupled with a very successful launch of the garden machinery range.

Whilst the move from Milford Haven was not far, the new premises will allow Genpower to respond to the increasing demand for Hyundai products and allow them to increase staff levels across sales, administration after sales and warehouse.

Genpower are focused on developing the Hyundai brand, and plan to increase their dealer network threefold this year alone.These new premises allow Genpower to increase stock levels of both machinery and spares, and allows them to provide sales and technical training to their dealers. www.hyundaipowerequipment.co.uk

It’s Little Wonder professionals demand it Little Wonder has been building edgers for over five decades. The Little Wonder Pro Edger is designed to cut clean, crisp edges quickly and efficiently. It will cut up to 90ft/28metres per minute. Fingertip control, height adjustment, dual belt drive, Honda engine, user-friendly.

What more can you say? It’s a Little Wonder.

For more details or your local dealer contact Schiller Grounds Care 0800 840 0888 lwdealer@littlewonder.uk.com www.littlewonder.uk.com Schiller2.indd 1 Equipment.indd 72

PLLW4 14/03/2014 16:16 19/03/2014 13:42

Business Tips Equipment

Why buy... when you can hire?

Have you ever questioned why you should hire rather than buy tools or equipment outright? Yas Swindell, Tool Hire Fleet Director at Travis Perkins Hire, discusses the top reasons why hiring can complement your existing tool kit to ensure you are well-equipped for any project, whatever the size or timescale

The overriding benefit of choosing a trusted hire supplier is that it makes financial sense.There are also a number of other reasons.

1

All the latest ranges at your fingertips

Buying a brand new power tool can be a significant purchase and if you decide to go ahead, you need to be confident that its regular use will give significant payback. If you only use that power tool once or twice a year for example, then you will certainly benefit from hiring.

2

Affordable access to the top brands

In an ideal world you would always purchase the best that the market has to offer. The highest quality tools come at a price for good reason, meaning a significant investment is needed.The hire route will ensure you are best equipped for the job, every time.

Maintained and well serviced kit

How much of your time goes into maintaining or servicing larger pieces of equipment? This returns to the question of how often you use each item.

Ensuring that tools and equipment are maintained and therefore operating as safely as possible is made much easier through the use of hired items. All hire equipment is subjected to a rigorous process of regular servicing, maintenance, and testing to ensure it meets the highest health and safety standards.

3

Loss or damage of equipment

Another external cost for landscapers is the potential loss and damage of tools and equipment, especially when it comes to larger pieces such as

4

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April 2014

rotavators or even mini-excavators. Hire removes this issue and ensures the user need only focus on the job at hand.

Getting equipment to site

Organising and transporting equipment to site, particularly if across multiple locations, can be costly and time consuming. Hire can remove this stress by providing access to an extensive range of tools and equipment needed to get any job done with the option of delivery direct to site to keep the process as simple as possible.

5

The end-result is not only financial benefits but an effective working process as having access to an extensive range of tools and equipment means any project demand can be met.Thanks to fully serviced kit, you can also ensure all equipment is correctly maintained and therefore operating as safely as possible.

Find out more about Travis Perkins Hire at www.travisperkins.co.uk/trade-services/tooland-equipment-hire-services or learn about its landscaping solutions by visiting www.travisperkins. co.uk/c/landscaping/893313. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2014 13:18

Simon Tullett Machinery Company Ltd The professional approach to ground care...

Pedestrian - Ride-on - Cut and collect - Remote control

Distributed in the UK exclusively by STM

AS Motors lapu

For more information or to arrange a demonstration call 01789 488450 or e-mail info@st-mach.com www.st-mach.com 02:Layout 1 22/2/12 15:13 Page 3

CLEANER RIDE

Robust and versatile, the AS family of Allmäher® ride-on mowers come equipped with a low centre of gravity, wide wheelbase and optional four wheel drive to make them safe and stable – particularly on slopes and hilly terrain. The twin blade system deals effortlessly with thicket, high grass (up to 120cm) and scrub resulting in a perfect mulching performance.

AS Motor. A cleaner finish in any environment

Pedestrian mowers

CLEANER CHOICES

Brushcutters

CLEANER POWER

For more product information, your nearest dealer or a machine demonstration contact PSD on +44 (0) 8450 773 773, Email: sales@psdgroundscare.com or visit www.psdgroundscare.com

ADVERTS.indd 31

Disc & flail

CLEANER RESULTS

Ride on mowers

CLEANER RIDE

Weed control

CLEANER SURFACE

www.as-motor.com

17/03/2014 10:50

Business Tips Equipment

Walk this way Tim Yates, from Kubota UK, discusses the latest developments in walk-behind mower technology, what to look for when investing in new kit and, most importantly, how to make a purchase that’ll stand the test of time

Working for a leading manufacturer means we often operate at the cutting edge end of the market; be it when developing new ride-on mowers, tractors or utility vehicles. Rarely is the conception of such machines simple.

But, where walk-behind mowers are concerned, solid, reliable and simple design really is the key to making the right purchase.

Walk-behind mowers are quite basic in operation and function, so when we talk about trends, it’s probably more accurate to talk build quality, because the shift in recent years has been to cheapen the materials used in search of lower cost and more lightweight alternatives.

If you’re a professional, looking to invest in professional kit, the best advice is to avoid products built with cheap materials.

A lot of manufacturers are now using ABS plastics, particularly for mower decks. A plastic, rather than steel or alloy deck, can seriously affect the durability and longevity of a machine.

Lowering the quality of the materials used, in order to save money in manufacturing costs, is not the right way to go.

Both Kubota models feature a powerful 6HP OHV petrol engine, 21in cutting width and a 75lt grass collection capacity, whilst also built as standard with a robust alloy deck, double bearing aluminium wheels, front protected deck and a brake clutch for added safety.

A quality mower deck is absolutely paramount if you’re in the market for a robust and reliable walk-behind. Buying a mower with a cast alloy deck, rather than a steel one, will also reduce long-term corrosion, which is especially important if you’re active throughout the wetter months.

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and obstacles that you can throw at it. After all, the last thing an end user wants is to have to replace plastic fittings that have snapped off mid operation. The same thing goes for wheels, so make sure you don’t cut corners here either.

Aluminium wheels will stand up to pretty much any landscape environment, whereas plastic ones are always at risk of snaps and breaks when in operation.

Engine quality is another area that shouldn’t be scrimped on. The best engines have traditionally been associated with the best manufacturers, who fit premium engines as standard.

Sadly, this is no longer the case. Many in the market have opted to install cheaper, poorer quality alternatives, which don’t enjoy the same lifetime or build quality as the Honda engines fitted in some of the best on the market. We’ve resisted the move to lessen

quality and as such our walk-behinds retain this premium hallmark.

Another word of caution: avoid machines marketed as ‘professional’ but fitted with plastic gearboxes; you won’t get anywhere near the lifetime from plastic that you will from metal.

The important thing to remember with walkbehinds is it is not complicated technology; the secret is in the right choice of materials and excellent build quality.

Invest in high quality accessories too, the W821-PRO can be fitted with mulching bungs (four wheel models only) and deflecting plates, which mean you’ll be buying a more versatile bit of kit, and as such, you could negate the need to purchase additional machines to carry out such jobs. www.kubota.co.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2014 13:23

Equipment

MOWERS LATEST KIT

Launched in March was the brand new TurfMaster™ professional pedestrian mower from Toro.

The 76cm wide deck combined with the unique twin-blade cutting system on the TurfMaster offer professionals savings of up to 40 per cent on mowing time. The machine is powered by a reliable, durable Kawasaki commercial engine and features a 3.8 litre long range fuel tank to further increase operating time. Increased productivity and excellent manoeuvrability, combined with the versatility of collection, recycling or side discharge options, make this machine perfect for busy contractors working large grass areas.

WWW.TORO.CO.UK

John Deere’s heavy-duty, variable-speed JX90C commercial walk-behind mower has a 54cm (21in) cast aluminium, steel-reinforced deck. The 80-litre grass collector is easy to handle, and features a patented ‘bag full’ indicator. The JX90CB version features a blade-brake clutch for safe operation; when released, this

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Mower LK.indd 77

Three new 4-stroke petrol lawnmowers have been added to the Makita grounds care range. The PLM4626 is ideal for lawns of up to 1200m² and has a useful 46cm cutting width with 7-step height adjustment to give

The LKCGM is a 53cm model equipped with a 6HP Kawasaki KAI-FS180 engine and three speeds – 2.7, 3.5 and 4.5km/h. It is fitted with an 80 litre grass box with cutting height adjustment from 25-85mm and an aluminium cutting deck. Extremely versatile, this new model is capable of mowing with or without collection in all conditions,

stops the mower blade but leaves the engine running, so the bag can be emptied without needing to restart the mower.

WWW.JOHNDEERE.CO.UK

cutting heights ranging from 30 to 75mm.

This push type mower weighs in at 28kg and has a 60 litre collection box and a steel deck.

Also new is the PLM4815

self-propelled mower featuring a cutting width of 46cm and a cutting height range of 30-80mm.

The collection box will take 70 litres and is recommended for lawns up to 1800m² and has an aluminium deck as does the PLM5115 190cc model. All models include a mulching kit.

WWW.MAKITAUK.COM

or for high-quality mulching without the need for an accessory. That high performance is possible thanks to the Duocut concept which is the perfect combination between 100 per cent collection and 100 per cent mulching decks, without compromising the results of either of the functions.

WWW.ETESIA.CO.UK

The M53HST-PRO petrol lawnmower with a hydrostatic gearbox from Henton & Chattell is part of the company’s brand new Cobra range. Cobra is the largest single range of powered garden equipment to be announced in recent times. The entire range contains 70 products, including over 25 mowers, and is deliberately priced to provide an economic but hard working solution without compromising on quality.

Built to conquer the demands of both domestic and professional gardeners, the self-propelled M53HST-PRO features a 163cc Honda GXV160 engine, a cutting width of 21in and a variable cutting height of 16-76mm with seven stage adjustment.

WWW.COBRAGARDEN.CO.UK

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PROFESSIONAL FLAIL MOWER The BCS Flail Mower is ideal for professional landscapers. Designed for the harshest cutting and clearing tasks, it will tackle the toughest vegetation with ease, mulching it and leaving a neat finish. > All-gear drive > Petrol or diesel engine > Bank version for use on slopes > 65cm or 85cm working widths > Adjustable cutting height > Over 25 other attachments available

Heavy-duty free swinging blades will easily tackle the toughest vegetation.

www.tracmaster.co.uk Tel: 01444 247689

Get on

track in 2010 2014 in

Swing Out Control Station

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

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

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

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

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06/11/2013 09:18

17/03/2014 12:00

Equipment

MOWERS LATEST KIT

The Toro Greensmaster eFlex is an all-electric pedestrian greensmower that boasts a unique lithium-ion battery for an

unbeatable performance from a ‘greener’ power source.

Toro says that the inclusion of a lithium-ion battery – an industry first – provides a consistent performance over its five-year life expectancy and is capable of

Tracmaster’s high performance dedicated BCS Professional Flail Mower makes light work of overgrown grass, weeds and brambles. The mower offers three working speeds and has a powerful engine and

LawnflitePro’s high speed, self-propelled rotary mower is built to professional specifications, with a Honda Professional quality engine, shaft driven gearbox, heavy duty alloy deck and sealed roller bearings. This new roller has improved ground speed – it is 13

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cutting up to nine greens on a single charge. What’s more, the battery can achieve a 96 percent charge in a mere four hours. The eFlex is available in both 18in/45.7cm or 21in/53.3cm cutting widths and is fitted with Toro’s Dual Precision Adjustment (DPA) cutting units as standard.

WWW.TORO.CO.UK

locking differential. Offset handlebars allow the operator to position themselves out of the way of brambles and stinging nettles, and the mower also features an adjustable handlebar height for machine operation in difficult environments, plus ease of storage and transportation.

WWW.TRACMASTER.CO.UK

per cent faster than a standard model and sports a superior gearbox design. The 2014 model features further enhancements over a standard 553HRS like strengthened handle brackets and a deck liner for extra protection.

WWW.LAWNFLITE.CO.UK

The PKCTM is a 46cm single speed machine equipped with a 6HP Kawasaki KAI-FS181 engine and comes complete with a 50 litre grass box. Cutting heights are quickly adjusted from 28-85mm.

This machine has a large capacity fuel tank which is designed to allow operators to complete a full day’s work without the need to re-fuel. The PKCTM has a tough Xenoy cutting deck, making it lightweight and easy to transport.

It offers low vibrations combined with high performance, quality cut and reliability. This model is capable of mowing with or without collection in all conditions, or for

The Dennis FT interchangeable cassette system is the ideal mower for any ornamental lawn maintenance needs. With 11 different cassette options including scarifiers, verticutters, brushes, spikers and slitters as well as a nine blade cutter cassette, the FT offers groundsmen, landscapers and/or contractors maximum versatility from a single power unit.

Cassettes can be changed over in approximately 60 seconds without the need for any tools.

WWW.DENNISUK.COM

high-quality mulching without the need for an accessory.

WWW.ETESIA.CO.UK

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19/03/2014 12:54

Our new 2014 brochure is out now, full of products to make your life easier. We manufacture in Britain, we don’t flat pack and little to no assembly is required on our products.

UNIQUE

VERSATILE

MULTI FUNCTIONAL

CROSS INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS

Distributed in the UK exclusively by CHEMSOL (GLOBAL) LTD for more info or to arrange a demonstration call 0113 3220048

• Powered by a self-priming 4-stroke 35cc Honda • Comes as standard with 30’ extension hose and Engine mesh filter. Other attachments and fittings are available.

• Clears water from as low as 3mm with ease from bunkers, fairways, sports fields, pathways, ponds etc.

• Weighing only 9kg, Portapump is easy to transport, carry & use.

Lawn Care – Trailers – Sprayers – Water Units and more.

• Flow Capacity of 135 litres/minute.

www.chemsolglobal.com

Call now for your FREE copy 01473 328272 Email Sales@schsupplies www.schsupplies.co.uk

Our Artificial Surface Maintenance Package offers the opportunity of a dedicated 3G or Turf system, at a realistic price. To find out more, call us or email today.

Photograph show the brush and rake attachment. Package also includes tractor, mounting frame, levelling lute, weight tray.

Optional extras also available.

Call now for your FREE brochure 01473 328272 Email Sales@schsupplies www.schsupplies.co.uk ADVERTS.indd 39

18/03/2014 11:52

Equipment

LATEST KIT

Cub Cadet’s versatile Z-Force S48 has innovative

The unique design of the Ransomes Meteor features a flail rotor within a Magna cutting unit frame providing the robustness and versatility of a rotary mower while giving a more acceptable finish, especially in wet and heavy grass growth. The new cutting heads can cope with longer grass than a cylinder unit and are particularly suited to reduced cutting cycles, which are being introduced by many local authorities due to budgetary constraints.

WWW.RANSOMESJACOBSEN.COM

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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SynchroSteer Technology™ which provides true zero-turn manoeuvrability with steering wheel control, making tight, restricted areas manageable. Packed with premium features like dual hydrostatic transmission and the heavy-gauge, welded steel

cutting deck which ensures unsurpassed airflow, blade overlap and a superb quality of cut. The Z-Force S 48 offers quiet operation and excellent power with Kawasaki’s professional-grade V-Twin engine and peace of mind with a three year guarantee.

WWW.CUBCADET.CO.UK

In the last five years, Pellenc has gained market recognition by offering a unique range of ‘zero emission’ battery-powered handheld tools, thanks to the development of Lithium-ion ultra-high performance batteries.

This technology, which is exclusive

to Pellenc, allows for a drastic reduction in the production of greenhouse gases and noise pollution. It is also comfortable for users, meets new sustainable development demands and offers excellent economic profitability.

WWW.ETESIA.CO.UK

The Billy Goat BC26 Outback brushcutter mower is designed to handle the toughest of challenges, including 6ft high brush and 2in wide saplings.

Now available in the UK from Henton & Chattell’s 1500+ dealers, the BC26 has a 26in wide deck and high tip speed for

improved speed and cut. It also controls for increased boasts a Tuff Torq™ hydrostatic comfort and ease of use.

WWW.BILLYGOAT.CO.UK transaxle with ETC (Enhanced Traction Control) which is fully automatic and senses when the rear wheel begins to spin. The BC26 also features padded plough-style handles and conveniently located gear

The Westwood T60 garden tractor is built to professional standards and designed specifically for the British garden.

The unique technology found in the T60 means, when combined with the powered grass collector, you’re able to cut shorter, collect fully and stripe a lawn even when the grass is wet. The operating management system is simple to use, everything you need to know about the tractor is in one location.

WWW.COUNTAX.CO.UK

April 2014

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Latest Kit Equipment

LATEST KIT Toro says its Groundsmaster 360 Quad-Steer reinvents the way a mower performs, making it the ‘art and science of mowing’. This is because the GM360 utilises revolutionary Quad-Steer, all-wheel steering technology for unmatched manoeuvrability, control and performance – and a higher quality of cut. Powered by

New to the Makita outdoor range is the 2-stroke EM2600L 25.7cc Brush Cutter with a no load speed of 10,000spm and developing 1.2hp. The EM2600L features a spring-assisted recoil starter reducing the effort required for engine start and has an ergonomically designed large loop handle with soft grip.

With a fuel tank capacity of 0.6 litres this brush cutter comes complete with line head and a harness.

WWW.MAKITAUK.COM

The new Amazone Groundkeeper SmartCut comes equipped with the revolutionary SmartCut heavy-duty rotor where the blades are mounted in a V-formation leading to both reduced fuel consumption and lower noise levels. The rate at which the rotor is cleared of

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If your day means dealing with brambles, bracken, long grass and dense vegetation, the Wessex AF/AFC flail mowers are ideally suited to this and maintaining forestry and woodland areas. You can choose a side mounted or central mounted engine option and 1.2m and 1.6m working

widths, with four variants of wheel configuration. If you’re looking for a budget model the Wessex AT110 topper is another ideal choice and what’s more, this is all backed by over fifty years of manufacturing for durability and peace of mind.

WWW.WESSEXINTL.COM

a 36hp/26.8kW Kubota fourcylinder diesel engine, it provides maximum productivity even in undulating terrains, lets you climb hills without stopping or slipping and make 180-degree turns without tearing the turf. The product has a 72in cutting width in either side or rear discharge.

WWW.TORO.CO.UK

DMMP Limited, UK distributor of Chapin, has announced two new sprayer models and exciting product innovations. Chapin is at the forefront of today’s knapsack technology. On the new 63800 sprayer, the new 6in wide mouth opening gives a 50 per cent wider opening with a completely perforated filter basket, facilitating easy filling. The new 63900 knapsack has a Hybrid Piston Diaphragm pump for increased efficiency and reliability. The piston diaphragm pump is situated inside the tank, so the PSI is higher plus it is virtually leak proof.

Another exclusive new feature is the JetClean™ Self Cleaning Filter.

WWW.DMMP.CO.UK

material means that the cutting process has been speeded up without any loss in cutting quality meaning higher work rates and now with more pairs of blades being added across the width of the rotor, there is more overlap between the blades to give a cleaner, faster cut.

WWW.AMAZONE.CO.UK

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

19/03/2014 12:58

It thinks like you do

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

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

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

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DESIGN

BUILD

M A I N TA I N

Due to continued growth, FutureScape has moved to

SANDOWN PARK RACECOURSE Save the date!

18 NOVEMBER 2014

ONE DAY. ONE INDUSTRY. ONE EVENT. WWW.FUTURESCAPEEVENT.COM JulyFuturescape spread full page.indd 70

18/03/2014 12:23

Business Tips Equipment

Trading with...

Simon Tullett

Simon Tullett, Managing Director of Simon Tullett Machinery Co Ltd runs us through the company and plans for the future

site, to give them the best chance of making their decision. Our excellent nationwide and European dealer network also have demonstrators, so any enquiry can be serviced with a local dealer contact and a machine to study.

What is the ethos of the company?

This sounds like a mission statement, and I suppose it is really, but to us it’s a genuine desire to supply quality products provide an enviable standard of spares and technical back-up, and develop a lasting relationship with customers new and established.

What is the structure of the company?

How important is the landscape contractor to your business?

Well, of course, all our customers are important to our business, but we can always appreciate that a landscape contractor will ever be working on a tight timetable, and therefore needs machinery he can rely on and a spares and back-up system that will support him.

Simon Tullett, Managing

What additional support do you

We have a main office and offer the landscape contractors?

Director of Simon Tullett Machinery Co Ltd factory in Warwickshire, and New machinery comes with training a dealer network throughout – and there is always telephone the UK, plus a presence in Europe.Three advice available for technical issues. Loan sales managers look after the UK and one machinery can often be arranged if circumstances for Europe. make it feasible. We always appreciate the value of spare parts arriving quickly, and strive to maintain a standard of “Delivered next day if ordered What is your route to market? before 3pm”.

We have always believed in the value of demonstrating machinery on a customer’s How will you remain competitive for next year?

We can only really do what we have been doing for the last twenty plus years – keep an eye on trends, and keep supplying premium products, demonstrations and a back-up service to match.

Why do contractors choose your brand over competitors?

There are different levels of machinery in our sector, and we are at the top end.This means that the opportunity is there to buy cheaper machinery – but that can be (and by the number of experiences we have had of returning customers) a false economy.

Do you think that the next 12 months will be better than the last in terms of turnover and profit?

We are showing a promising start to the year, so let’s see how it pans out.

Do you run any loyalty schemes?

Other than dealer offers at exhibitions or open days and the spares offers we do three or four times a year, no. We’ve felt it’s never really fitted in with the way our industry works.

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

Yes indeed.This is first full season with the SCAG Giant Vac range of leaf and debris blowers. We are very pleased to be able to offer these, as they have all the reliability and build quality hallmarks associated with SCAG.There is also the new addition to the remote control RoboFlail range – the Vario Plus.This has 37HP diesel power and an integral headstock for using traditional attachments up to 500kg. Complementing the remote control range will be the RoboFlail Mini, due to come out later this year.

Have you got any plans for expansion?

We are always monitoring this. Storage is a big feature of our business, and the additional products in our range introduced this year might well need more space than we have at the moment!

Simon Tullett Machinery Co. Ltd Homelea Farm, Bearley Road, Aston Cantlow, Henley in Arden Warwickshire B95 6LD Tel: 01789 488 450 Email: sales@st-mach.com Web: www.st-mach.com

April 2014

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Life/Style

WORK I’m working harder than ever and feel we are doing what we did before even better. We continue to focus on growth for our maintenance company and aim to significantly grow our design office. I’m involved with London College of Garden Design which keeps me on my toes and I so enjoy teaching.

I have been blessed with good health and surrounding myself with great people.

You can’t achieve much by yourself so set good examples and ethics and hire bright people and show them the way.

The demise of Landmark was sad for sure but you need to learn when things go sour and it will make you stronger and more focused. I am, and I think what I have rebuilt is better and sharper through the lessons learnt.

APL is really moving and growing. I get a huge personal kick from mentoring the younger guys and it is the ultimate accolade that they hold me with the respect they do. I lead from the front – I’ve never lost that spirit – it makes me the person I am.

I try to enjoy the successes as they happen. In the past I wouldn’t allow myself a pat on the back. That was a problem, but it has kept my feet on the ground and avoided me becoming lazy and unfocused. I work really hard, I love my work but that has caused me issues and was the cause of a failed marriage. I mean well, but I know I can be stubborn and single minded. I don’t need much encouragement to go and play! There are many things I am but boring isn’t on The Association of that list…

Professional Landscapers

PERSONAL I live life apace. I’m a petrol head with a love of motorcycles (I currently own four) and am an advanced rider. I travel extensively on them and am planning a trip to the Arctic Circle going north through Norway until the roads run out this August on my BMW GS1200 – great bit of kit! My Honda Blackbird (pictured) is an 1150cc piece of engineering genius.

I also own a 1926 Model T Roadster pickup which is just being registered for the road after a rebuild. It’s blue with cream wheels and white walled tyres, it’s really cool.

I try and ski at least twice a year. I love to keep fit and have four London marathons under my belt. An achilles injury has slowed me up but I did ok when on the Three Peaks Challenge last year. I’m an adrenaline junkie and think I’m a little younger than I am so when somebody throws down a challenge I just cannot say no.

I like to dress well and admire Paul Smith (who I know) so have a lot of his gear. I love to suit up too but won’t buy labels for labels sake, if I like the piece of clothing I will buy it. You will find classic, jazz, pop, country, rock and everything in between on my iPod. Lately I’m listening to Editors and Throwing Gravity but give me a live band and a beer and I’m in heaven…

I moisturise my skin twice a day, not out of vanity but I care what I look like and I want to do my best to keep it that way. More guys should care for themselves better, being busy is a crap excuse.

The best fun I have ever had is looping the loop in a biplane, learning to pull wheelies at wheelie school, or maybe my trip to New York on Concorde.

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19/03/2014 13:33

Life/Style

LIFE/STYLE Mark Gregory

The Chairman of the APL and Managing Director of Landform Consultants is a selfconfessed petrol-head who loves live music and moisturising

“

INSPIRATION

I continue to be inspired by all around me. I’m inquisitive, and like to learn from other industries as well as my own. I enjoy meeting amazing people, those who have overcome incredible things and achieved so much.

Drive and enthusiasm inspire me. I hate arrogance and rudeness and I try my best to help as many people as I can on my journey. Each day I try and do something I hate to do and clear it (usually in my case it’s paperwork and maybe a tricky situation). I try and make somebody smile and be happy by my actions each day which could be the guy at the petrol station or the postman – I am a glass half full kind of person.

I am working with Alan Titchmarsh at this year’s Chelsea – a great honour for me and my company.

Alan has done so much for the industry and horticulture and he’s a Yorkshireman too! He’s a true gentleman – he gave me his mobile number and invited me round for tea and a tour of his garden – now how cool is that!!

THERE ARE MANY THINGS I AM BUT BORING ISN’T ON THAT LIST

”

TRAVEL I have travelled extensively, I love it. I’ve never been to South America so Costa Rica’s on the list this year. I stay in boutique and smaller hotels and pamper myself. I can do beaches for about a week then I need to be doing something. The only time I can really read is on the sun lounger and I can get through two to three novels on a break.

It usually takes me a day or so to shut off.

I am not very good at planning and research – a little lastminute.com I’m afraid, that said I have booked a trip to the Scottish west coast and islands taking my Model T with some mates.

I also love to go on the bike, and have a pre-Chelsea holiday booked for April to the Picos de Europa mountains in Spain – beautiful and the roads are fab to ride through.

The perfect holiday for me is a little action and to learn something new coupled with a large dose of pampering. Last year my girlfriend and I learnt to sail in Turkey, we chartered a 40ft yacht and a captain, I got my skippers ticket, a tan and cleared my head - sailing is like riding a fast motorcycle, you can only think of what you are doing at that minute.

I thought sailing would be slow...it wasn’t! We nearly capsized it and squealed a lot along the way!

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Mark Gregory.indd 87

Image Credits: Charlie Hopkinson

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Jobs TEAM LEADER, LANDSCAPING ARBWORX Location: Brighton

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

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

We are currently looking for a team leader to join our growing company. Previous management experience is essential as you will be required to look after a small team of staff and oversee the delivery of quality projects to our clients.You must possess a sound knowledge of all aspects of the landscape industry as you will be responsible for the quality of the works on site. The successful applicant will be required to drive company vehicles and will therefore ideally be over 25, have a current clean driving licence and be comfortable driving vehicles up to 3500kg. The ability to drive diggers, dump trucks and use other landscape plant is desirable but not essential.

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

LANDSDCAPE SUPERVISOR

LANDSCAPE FOREMAN

Due to our ongoing expansion, we have at least two positions available for a working supervisor and operative/trainee. Based near Maidstone in Kent, we cover the whole of the south-east undertaking high-end domestic and commercial projects. Suitable candidates are likely to have previous experience in hard and/or soft landscaping, hold a clean driving license and a CSCS card. Email CV and cover letter to chris@ldp.uk.com

We are looking for a skilled landscape foreman, who is able to carry out all hard and soft landscape duties, must be able to run a small team, and have good communication skills, will need to be able to work from drawings, and have a good attention to detail, meet deadlines. Driving licence is essential, a portfolio of work would be an advantage, CV essential. Competitive rates of pay for the right candidate.

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

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

SENIOR MAINTENANCE GARDENER/ TEAM LEADER

LANDSCAPER

THE LAND DESIGN PARTNERSHIP LTD Location: Chainhurst, Kent

ANDERSPLUS Location: London

Our prestigious client is looking to appoint a Senior Maintenance Gardener/ Team Leader to work on their top end domestic gardens. Based out of South West London, you will primarily work around the Chelsea and Kensington areas on a mobile round. Supervising a small team of gardeners, you will be responsible for providing an exceptional level of horticultural service and have superb customer service skills. It is essential that you have at least three years of similar gardening experience and preferably hold a relevant qualification. Excellent UK plant knowledge is a must.

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

WOOBURN LANDSCAPES LTD Location: South Bucks

SILVA’S GARDENS Location: Winkfield Experienced landscaper/foreman required to work as part of a team for a small landscape company. Needs to have at least five years’ experience in all aspects of hard and soft landscaping, must be able to operate digger/dumpers. Needs to have an excellent attention to detail and be able to run a job to completion also have good communication skills.

Areas of work are SW London, Surrey, Berks, Bucks, and the Thames valley. Salary depends on experience For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

GROWER LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS MANAGER WHITING LANDSCAPE LTD Location: Bromsgrove

An experienced and highly motivated Landscape Maintenance Operations Manager is required by Whiting Landscape, a Midlands based landscape contractor, to manage the company’s portfolio of commercial maintenance contracts which encompass landscape maintenance and associated drainage, electrical, winter maintenance and other ad hoc operations. The post is based at our office in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.

The company carries out landscape maintenance contracts throughout the UK and we are looking for someone to oversee the development of this area of the business including taking responsibility for ongoing contracts and developing new opportunities in accordance with company plans. The role will involve managing regional contract managers, talking to clients and potential clients as well as being able to communicate effectively with the workforce.

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

STAFFPOINT EMPLOYMENT AND RECRUITMENT LTD Location: Southam My client, a successful horticultural company near Southam, is looking for a Grower to work in their busy plant cultivation greenhouses this season. The ideal candidate will have either experience in horticulture or academic training in horticulture, be hard working, be a team player and have a generally positive can do attitude needed in this busy environment.

Your own transport is required as you will be working at a rural site.

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

EXPERIENCED IRRIGATION INSTALLER WATERMATIC LTD Location: Radlett

Watermatic Ltd, a Watford based irrigation company are seeking to recruit a full time Experienced Irrigation Installer to join our expanding Field Teams for installing and maintaining of irrigation systems across the South East.You will be leading an installation team of two or three and will be responsible for overseeing each project to completion, ensuring they are completed to deadline, budget and to standard. Sustainable water management aspects like SuDS, rainwater harvesting, green walls and green roofs are another key element in Watermatic’s expertise.

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

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19/03/2014 13:02

Jobs SKILLED LANDSCAPER / LANDSCAPE FOREMAN JDC GARDENS LTD Location: Kettering

JDC Gardens Ltd are a small landscaping company, based in Kettering Northamptonshire.

We specialise in designing and building high-spec private gardens. We are dedicated to building the very best gardens and delivering a highly professional service. We are interested to hear from experienced, skilled and professional landscapers to join our award winning team.

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

SKILLED LANDSCAPER

THE CONSTANT GARDENER Location: Chelmsford High quality design and build company based in Essex are seeking a skilled landscaper to join their company. A good team leader who can work to a deadline, producing accurate work to the highest standard.This role would ideally suit an ambitious person who wants to step up into a more senior role. Applicants should meet the following criteria: five years minimum landscaping experience delivered on high end domestic/commercial projects; excellent knowledge of hard and soft landscaping materials and installation techniques; good knowledge of design and planting.

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE FOREMAN AND OPERATIVE GAVIN JONES LTD Location: West London

We are looking to recruit a Grounds Maintenance Foreman and a Grounds Maintenance Operative to be based in the West London area. Previous grounds maintenance experience and good horticultural knowledge are essential as is a full UK driving licence.You will need to have a flexible approach, a can do attitude and be a reliable team player and for the Foreman position will also need to demonstrate leadership skills. We are offering a competitive salary, 22 days annual leave plus bank holidays.

ARBORISTS & CLIMBERS Location: Surrey

We are looking to recruit experienced climbers to operate out of our Head Office in Addlestone, Surrey. We are interested in climbers who are team players, committed to working to a high standard in safety, quality and customer satisfaction.You will need to have a minimum of 5 years practical experience, sound knowledge of strict H&S operations, and experience in a wide variety of work to include large tree rigging and reduction work.

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

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

LANDSCAPER

SEASONAL GARDENER

We currently have vacancies for skilled and enthusiastic staff to work as part of our expanding site team building and maintaining water gardens across the Home Counties.

Successful applicants will have experience of working from detailed and technical drawings and will have duties ranging from excavations and ground works to plumbing, planting and hard landscape construction.

You must be able to demonstrate an interest in horticultural together with some horticultural skills and experience – ideally from within a similar environment. It would be helpful to your application if you to have had some experience of maintaining bedding plant displays within commercial grounds or gardens.You will be working ‘hands-on’ with a team of gardeners to provide a top class horticultural environment. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is looking to develop a career within the grounds maintenance sector.

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

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

CONTRACT SUPERVISOR

HARD LANDSCAPE FOREMAN

An opportunity has arisen for a Contract Supervisor to be part of the London Borough of Bromley contract. This role will require a responsible individual with a positive attitude to assist the Contract Manager with the day-to-day running of the contract. The individual will have a sound knowledge of horticulture and grounds maintenance with the ability to lead multiple teams within the contract ensuring all services are delivered to a high standard. Specific duties include the full range of grounds maintenance works, planning the performance and delivery of teams to the required specification.

Required by an expanding small company in Dorset, ability in overseeing a working site to completion on detailed hi-spec designs to a very high standard. Attention to detail and good customer relation skills, the ability to establish site levels and setting out, construction of brick/ block work including rendering, wet and drystone walls, Paving, decking, fencing, general timber work and bed preparation. Must be highly motivated, have a full clean driving license ideally with the ability to tow a trailer. Experience in the use of excavators, forklifts and dumpers preferred.

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

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

LANDSCAPER

HARD LANDSCAPE TEAM LEADER

GREEN & GORGEOUS Location: Frome, Somerset

FOLIUM ASSOCIATES Location: St Albans

Green & Gorgeous is growing and we are now looking for an experienced Landscaper or Landscaping Assistant to join our team. Applicants must have good practical skills in all aspects of landscaping including setting-out, paving, timber and masonry work, turfing, pond construction etc. The ideal candidate will have a qualification in this field, although good experience may be considered as an alternative. Knowledge and/or experience of plants, horticulture and general garden maintenance would be a distinct advantage, but this is not essential.

The successful candidate should have a methodical and conscientious approach. Reporting directly to the Director this is an important position within the company with excellent prospects for long term development and progression.You will be responsible for completing landscape installation projects of high quality and in an efficient manner under that authority.

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

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

FAIRWATER LTD Location: Ashington

THE LANDSCAPE GROUP Location: Bromley

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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NURTURE LANDSCAPES LTD Location: Bicester

GREENHAVEN LANDSCAPES Location: Blandford Forum

April 2014

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Classified

8 129 3773

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SPRING BULB D&R SIMMONS LTD FLOWERING SPRING FLOWERING BULB Wholesale suppliers of all types of flower bulbs and hedging plants

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45 Market Way, Pinchbeck, Spalding, 45 Market Way, Lincolnshire PE11 3PE Pinchbeck, Spalding, SPRING FLOWERING BULBS (Established 1951) Lincolnshire PE11 3PE Tel: 01775 723320 / 766028 Autumn 2013 D&R SIMMONS LTD Fax: 01775 760451 / 714970 45 Market Way, Tel: 01775 723320 / 766028 Price List Fax: 01775 760451 / 714970 Pinchbeck, Spalding, www.drsimmons.co.uk Suppliers of Bulbs Nursery Stock sales@drsimmons.co.uk Lincolnshire PE11 3PE e-mail: www.drsimmons.co.uk and Christmas Trees e-mail: sales@drsimmons.co.uk Tel: 01775 723320 / 766028

D&R SIMMONS LTD

(Established 1951)

45 Market Way, Pinchbeck, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE11 3PE Tel: 01775 723320 / 766028 Fax: 01775 760451 / 714970 www.drsimmons.co.uk e-mail: sales@drsimmons.co.uk

Autumn 2013 Sup Sup Price List

and Ch Suppliers of Bulbs and Ch SPRING FLOWERING BULBS Fax: 01775 760451 / 714970 Nursery Stock www.drsimmons.co.uk and Christmas Trees e-mail: sales@drsimmons.co.uk QP advert templates.indd 1 14/02/2014 09:48 Autumn 2013 D&R SIMMONS LTD Price List 45 Market Way,

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For all your golf, sportsturf and landscape irrigation needs.

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Pinchbeck, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE11 3PE Tel: 01775 723320 / 766028 Fax: 01775 760451 / 714970 www.drsimmons.co.uk e-mail: sales@drsimmons.co.uk

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Classified

PROFESSIONAL

Tamlyns Outdoor Auctions Cost effective disposal of vehicles and equipment via auction

Specialists in Turf Care Machinery

Next Sale Saturday 26th April The Oak Tree Arena, Edithmead, Somerset

Kit to sell? Enquiries to Tamlyns 56 High Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3BN T 01278 454500 E ross.whitcombe@tamlyns.co.uk W www.tamlyns.co.uk Nationwide delivery on products including: Railway Sleepers Natural Stone Paving Decorative Aggregates

+ much more all at low prices

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Compact Tractors John Deere 6430 Premium specification, 125hp – 1161hrs John Deere 4720, 66hp, cab, turf tyres – 286hrs John Deere 3720 (Ex Demo) 45hp, cab, turf tyres – low hrs John Deere 3036E c/w front loader, 36hp, roll bar – low hrs John Deere 3036E, 36hp, roll bar, turf tyres – low hrs John Deere 3320, 33hp, roll bar, turf tyres – 1230hrs John Deere 2720 (Ex Demo) 31hp, roll bar, turf tyres – low hrs John Deere 4115, 24hp, roll bar, turf tyres – 1976hrs Kioti DK551C, 54hp, cab, turf tyres – 612hrs Kubota L3830D, 38hp, gearbox, roll bar, turf tyres – 319hrs Kubota ST30, 30hp, roll bar, turf tyres – 3601hrs Massey Ferguson 1528 c/w front brush, 28hp – 430hrs New Holland T6010 Plus, 100hp c/w: euro hitch brackets, cab New Holland T5060, 105hp, full cab, turf tyres – 1208hrs New Holland TN55D, 55hp, cab, turf tyres – 1751hrs Yanmar FE280H, 28hp, roll bar, turf tyres – 234hrs

£ POA £22’100 £19’200 £13’700 £10’950 £ 9’000 £12’300 £ 7’000 £15’500 £11’000 £ 4’750 £ 9’000 £28’500 £26’500 £12’500 £ 9’500

Tractor Mowers Etesia Attila 88 Bank Mower (Ex Demo) – low hours Etesia H124DS (Ex Demo) 48” RD deck, Hi-Tip coll. – low hrs Etesia H124DS, 48” RD deck, 2 x ft scarifiers, Hi-Tip coll.-1468hrs Etesia H124DS, 48” RD deck, Hi-Tip coll. 828hrs John Deere 1026R (Ex Demo) 26hp, roll bar, turf tyres – low hrs John Deere X748, 24hp, 4WD, 48” RD deck, roll bar – 249hrs John Deere X740, 24hp, 2WD, 54” SD deck, low-tip coll. 1826hrs John Deere X740, 24hp, 2WD, 48” RD deck – 368hrs John Deere X740, 54” SD deck, low-tip coll. – choice of 2 John Deere X495, 24hp, 2WD, 48” SD deck – 2057hrs Kubota BX2200, 22hp, deck & collector – 2328hrs Kubota G18, 18hp, 48” RD deck + hi-tip coll. – 597hrs Kubota G1700, 15hp, 48” deck + collector – 783hrs

£ POA £ POA £6’500 £4’750 £ POA £10’500 £ 8’750 £ 7’500 £ 6’250 £ 5’000 £ POA £ 6’750 £ 3’500

Ride-On Rotary Mowers Jacobsen AR250 rough cutter, 4WD, 5 x 22” floating rotary units John Deere 1445, 31hp, 4WD, 62” rear discharge deck – 802hrs John Deere 1445, 31hp, 4WD, 62” rear discharge deck – 1710hrs John Deere 1445, 31hp, 4WD, 60” S.D deck, full cab – 2126hrs John Deere 1445, 31hp, 4WD, 62” rear discharge deck – 907hrs 18/07/2013 15:23 John Deere 1445, 31hp, 4WD, 62” rear discharge deck – 3142hrs Established 1948 and still going strong due to John Deere 1445, 31hp, 4WD, 62” rear discharge deck – 3721hrs being main concern.

John Deere 1445, 31hp,quality 4WD, 60” front blade our – 3402hrs

Classified £ POA £10’500 £10’500 £ 9’750 £ 8’750 £ 7’000 £ 7’000 £ 7’000 £ 4’500 £ 8’750 £10’500 £ 8’500 £13’500 £ POA

Fawcetts Liners

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Pond Liners

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

John Deere F1145, 28hp, 60” Trimax flail deck – 1744hrs John Deere 1545, 31hp, 4WD, 60” Trimax flail deck – 844hrs John Deere 1565, 38hp, 4WD, 62” R.D deck, full cab – 1044hrs John Deere 1600T Wide Area Mower, 58hp, canopy – 3396hrs Buy from John Deere 1600T Wide Area manufacturers Mower, 58hp – 128” cutting and width Ransomes HR6010 Batwing mower – choice of 2

Also

save £££!

big savings on pumps and filters!

Ride-On Cylinder Mowers Why not visit our website!

John Deere 2653B (Ex Demo) 8 blade units, grass boxes - low hrs £ POA JD 2653A, 26” 8 blade units, spiral rollers, rear scrapers - 1491hrs £ 6’750 For more information email info@oxfordplanters.co.uk or call 01608 683022 JD 2653A, 26” 8 blade units, spiral rollers, rear scarpers – 2534hrs £ 5’500 JD 2500B, 22” 11 blade units, new cyl. & bot.blades fitted – 2163hrs For all horticultural and Garden design enquiries please contact Martin or7 blade telephone for agrooved brochure and samples:£8’500 JD 2500B, units, power brushes, rollers – 1542hrs £ 7’500 on 07765 188725 or email info@martincadams.co.uk JD 2500E, E Cut Hybrid, 22” units – 1642hrs £ 6’500 All products manufactured in the Cotswolds using sustainable timber.

JD 2500, 22” 11 blade units, smooth tyres – 2881hrs £ 6’000 JD 3225C, 38hp, 4WD, 5 x 7 blade units, r.roller brushes – 2217hrs £ 8’000 JD 3235B, 38hp, 4WD, 5 x 8 blade ESP units – 2691hrs £ 7’500 FawcettsLiners_B182919_1LB 1 5 x 7 blade units – 2491hrs 2/2/10 JD 3235B, 38hp, 4WD, £ 4’000 JD 8400 Triple, 37hp, 30” units, various hours – choice of 4 £ POA £ 5’500 QP advert templates.indd 24 18/07/2013 15:43 JD 900 Triple, 28hp, 30” fixed units – choice of 2 Roberine 900 Triple, 28hp, 30” fixed units – choice of 3 from £ 5’000 Hayter LT324 Triple, 35hp, 30”10” fixed heads – choice of 2 from £ 7’500 Hayter T424, 5 gang, 6 blade, 30” units – choice of 2 from £ 9’000 Hayter TM539 trailed gang mower £ 5’000 Hayter 749 trailed gang mower £ 3’000

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

www.fawcettsliners.co.uk Call: 01772 612125 Fax: 01772 615360

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IRRIGATION

12:47:01

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Landscape Irrigation, Sportsturf and Golf Distributor: Arcadia Irrigation � ��� 01252 714986 s���s��r���i�irri�tio���o�u� www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Visit our new website: www.balmersgm.com

T: 01282 453900 E: sales@balmersgm.com

Balmers GM, Trafalgar Street, Burnley, Lancs, BB11 1TQ April 2014 SNOW CLEARANCE NEEDED ON A NATIONAL BASIS

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Do you have a tractor / teleporter? We need you to clear snow as part of our winter maintenance programme. Ideally we would like you to work locally to your base and clear18/03/2014 14:21 snow from our clients’ sites. Competitive rates offered dependant on machinary type.

Cuts more grass in a single pass

Model Shown: 22205TE 76cm/30” TurfMasterTM

In a business like yours, productivity is key.

This is where Toro can help.

The new TurfMaster® offers Landscape Professionals the chance to cover more ground in less time – instantly increasing productivity.

Unique 76cm/30” wide deck means savings of up to 40% on mowing time* Compact, manoeuvrable and surprisingly easy to handle Twin blade cutting system offers an excellent quality of cut – whether recycling, collecting or side discharging And priced at £1399**, it’s not just time you’ll save - so why not take a demo today.

Take a look at revenue-generating Toro.

For more info see www.toro.co.uk or call 01279 603020 to arrange a demonstration *Save 40% on mowing time compared to a 53cm/21” mower

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**£1399 RRP incl VAT

18/03/2014 11:47