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pro landscaper magazine

Welcome to the Pro Landscaper Green Up Campaign where you can keep up to date with our progress, read interviews with key figures in the industry to get their take, and find our top tips for what supermarkets can do to green up.

Johnsons of Whixley supplies £130,000 worth of plants to Blenheim Palace and Plas Isaf

Leading UK plant nursery, Johnsons of Whixley, has provided £130k worth of plants for two luxury holiday park developments by Darwin Escapes, including a new self-catering retreat due to open on the Blenheim Palace Estate this summer. The Yorkshire-based horticultural...

GeoGrow Launches Innovative Range of Environmental Services

GeoGrow, Cannock-based specialists in geotechnical engineered solutions, has launched an innovative range of environmental services and products designed to help landscaping contractors, developers and local authorities include more green spaces into new or existing...

Adding a pop of colour to the community

A community centre in Maybury, Woking has undergone a vibrant transformation to better respond to the community’s needs, designed by budding RHS Diploma student, Lois O’Connell. The Arch Community Centre in Maybury, Woking owned by Woking Borough Council and leased to...

Vote for the Most Influential people in horticulture

Pro Landscaper has launched its search for the 25 Most Influential people in the horticulture industry today. It first revealed the Most Influential people five years ago, but with half a decade having passed, it is eager to see how much has changed in this time....

Sycamore Gap tree ‘will live on’ says National Trust

Following the felling of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in September, the National Trust says the seeds and cuttings taken from the fallen tree are showing positive signs for successful propagation. The former English Tree of the Year 2016 winner which stood at...

Millboard acquires longstanding French distributor

UK-based decking and cladding solutions manufacturer, Millboard has acquired long-term French distributor, AnsyearsSAS, in a move to strengthen its European market presence. The acquisition has been completed through a newly established entity, Millboard France SAS,...

Domestic tree production grants re-open

The latest round of Seed Sourcing Grant and Tree Production Capital Grants have opened, in a bid to improve the biosecurity and diversity of England’s trees and seeds. With almost £3m available for domestic trees and seeds production professional foresters,...

10 innovative uses of key clamps for garden structures and furniture

Incorporating key clamps designs in gardens Key clamps, once confined to the construction world, have transcended their origins to become a staple in creative DIY projects. In the realm of garden structures and furniture, these versatile connectors offer endless...

Deeper than six inches of soil

"The inspiring story of British farmers standing up against the industrial food system and transforming the way they produce food - to heal the soil, benefit our health and provide for local communities." Having only touched the surface in the December issue of Pro...

‘Dinosaur trees’ planted in bid to save endangered pine species

The National Trust’s Bodnant Garden in North Wales is partnering with Forestry England to plant ‘dinosaur trees’ as part of the first global ‘metacollection’ to save the endangered pine species. Wollemi pine trees will be planted across 28 gardens in the UK and Europe...

Fossil CO2 emissions at all time high

In new research undertaken by the Global Carbon Project science team, global fossil CO2 emissions have reached an all time high this year. The annual Global Carbon Budget report reveals that despite a fall in fossil carbon dioxide emissions across some regions,...

From snowflakes to safety: Why facilities managers must prioritise winter gritting preparedness

Winter weather brings with it a myriad of challenges, particularly for facilities managers responsible for maintaining the safety and functionality of various properties. Among the key concerns during this season is the management of icy and snow-covered surfaces,...

Mediterranean native named Christmas houseplant of the year 2023

A species native to the Mediterranean region has been coined Christmas houseplant of the year 2023 by plants@work. The ‘Rosemary Tree’ came out as this year’s top choice, as voted for by several recognised voices within the plant world. Michael Perry, also known as Mr...

The Landscape Service launches new virtual design service

Hampshire and Dorset based garden design company, The Landscape Service has launched a new virtual design service. The new service, TLS Spaces comes as a result of a rise in enquiries from garden designers and landscapers, and aims to support landscape professionals...

Boughton launches new SuDs Soils

Boughton’s already extensive product portfolio is about to expand further with the introduction of three new SuDs soils, designed by the experts at The Environment Patnership. BLRG Rain Garden Soil, BLHP High-Permeability Soil and BLMP Multi-Purpose SuDs Soil all draw...

Lichfield launches Green Christmas initiative

Lichfield car parks have teamed up with PayByPhone to launch a new tree planting scheme, just in time for Christmas. Running in partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects, the scheme aims to see 100,000 new trees planted, with one tree set to be planted for every...

The history of the chestnut tree  

Whilst the recognition of and the importance of trees is increasing, maybe now more so than ever, as the threats of climate change become more significant – this #NationalTreeWeek , we’re taking a moment to really appreciate some of our personal favourites.   Rumoured...

Six inches of soil’s first global screening

The first full-length campaigning documentary feature film on the UK's regenerative and agroecology movement, Six Inches of Soil, debuts globally at COP28 in Dubai. Featuring in the #ActionOnFood hub on Saturday 9 December, with the first UK screening set to be held...

The history of the willow tree

Whilst the recognition of and the importance of trees is increasing, maybe now more so than ever, as the threats of climate change become more significant – this #NationalTreeWeek , we’re taking a moment to really appreciate some of our personal favourites.  ...

National park authority announce tree planting scheme

Following research published by the woodland trust, the national park authority plan to plant over 1000,000 trees throughout Sussex and Hampshire. According to the research, one third of all woodland species in the UK are in decline, with one in ten species are at...

‘Plants in Parliament’ event with the HTA

The Horticultural Trades Association presented at Parliament on Tuesday, 28 November to showcase the importance of UK environmental horticulture. Sponsored by Heather Wheeler MP, the event attracted over 50 MPs, Peers, and staff. Talking about policies including...

UK water sector looks to nature-based solutions

The UK’s water sector has been inundated with challenges over the last year, from sewage spills and associated pollution, ageing infrastructure and increasing costs. With further reports from the National Audit Office stating that a quarter of new flood defence...

Yorkshire nursery undergoes inclusive rebrand

A Yorkshire nursery founded over 100 years ago has announced a major rebrand. Johnsons of Whixley will be rebranding to Johnsons Nurseries in a move that aims to secure the brand for future generations. Group managing director at Johnsons Nurseries, Graham Richardson,...

The Society of Garden Designers announces shortlist for student awards

The Society of Garden Designers has announced ten finalists across three award categories The shortlist was chosen by a judging panel that includes SGD Fellows Sarah Morgan, David Stevens, and Tom Massey. Massey, who joined the judging panel this year says: "It was...

Government announces new legislation for biodiversity net gain

Legislation for Biodiversity Net Gain to be laid in parliament as part of new nature package. In order to secure planning permission developers will be required to use a single, standardised metric and invest in measures to increase biodiversity by a minimum of 10%....

Collective action needed to recover Northern Ireland’s biodiversity, says new report

In Woodland Trust’s new report, released yesterday, Northern Ireland was ranked the 12th worst for biodiversity loss in the world. The Trees and Woods: At the Heart of Nature Recovery in Northern Ireland report outlines the country’s habitat, wildlife and woodland...

Nature plan welcomes new national park

England set to gain a new national park in line with the government's nature pledge to protect the countryside. Ten existing parks across England are in line for a share of £15m funding, including sites throughout Dartmoor, Dorset, and the Cotswolds. Dartmoor National...

The history of the eucalyptus tree

Whilst the recognition of and the importance of trees is increasing, maybe now more so than ever, as the threats of climate change become more significant – this #NationalTreeWeek , we’re taking a moment to really appreciate some of our personal favourites.   First...

New products showcased at FutureScape 2023

Following the success of FutureScape 2023 last week, here is a selection of some of the new products showcased at the event.   Lux Unique and Zoe Claymore - The ‘Hampton Collection’ of galvanised steel raised beds Following the success of Claymore’s Renters’...

Who?

We’re aiming our campaign at supermarkets, but we’re calling on the support of the industry and the public to make it happen.

Why?

The climate change movement is an unstoppable force – and so it should be. The global temperature is rising, ice sheets are shrinking, glaciers are retreating, sea levels are rising. Time’s up.

That’s why we’ve launched the Green Up Campaign, committed to seeing more green and less grey in supermarket car parks – after all, green is the new grey.

Because despite Tesco’s partnership with WWF, Aldi and M&S’ carbon neutrality – achieved in 2019 and 2012, respectively – and Sainsbury’s becoming a Principal Supermarket Partner of COP26, there doesn’t seem to be the same regard for what’s on their doorstep – and it’s pretty significant.

According to Frank’s Geospatial Team on behalf of Ministry of Housing, there are 103,000 public and private surface car parks across the country which comprise of a land area of 20,000ha. Of this, some 12,445 are owned by the private sector. What’s more, according to USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, by 2023, the total value of the UK grocery sector is projected to grow 14.8% to £213bn.

Imagine the benefits to biodiversity if supermarkets across the country utilised their car parks and their profits and made their car parks just a little bit greener.

What?

With the help of our sponsors GreenBlue Urban, idverde and Hillier, our end goal is to see legislation that states supermarkets need to have a certain amount of greenery within their car parks. But if we can start a conversation with one supermarket and make a change there, that would be a win for us.

So, we’re shining the green spotlight on supermarkets and their car parks, and we’ll be showcasing the good, the bad and the ugly challenging and championing supermarkets to make a change.

We know there’ll be challenges along the way, but ultimately, it’s a win for the supermarket and its customers, a win for the industry and, most importantly, a win for the environment.

How can you help?

Share your snaps using #greenisthenewgrey and tagging @ProLandscaperUK

Email Rachael.forsyth@eljays44.com your photos or experiences

Tell a colleague, friend or family member to do the same!

Green Up

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