News
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Jack Skinner joins Blakedown Landscapes’ senior management team
Blakedown Landscapes is strengthening its management team with the introduction of Jack Skinner as senior contracts manager. The horticulturist brings a wealth of experience to the new role, the most recent being helping to launch and then heading up Maylim Landscapes, Maylim’s soft landscaping arm, over a year ago. Prior to this, Skinner had worked on high-end residential projects at Randle Siddeley and Bowles & Wyer. Skinner started his career in aftercare. “I came into the industry as a maintenance gardener. I used to live in Essex and was fortunate enough to be close to both RHS Hyde Hall and…
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New House of Lords ruling could be detrimental to UK housebuilding target, says Fix Radio
The governments’ recent plans to relax restrictions on water pollution has been blocked by the House of Lords. The government put forward plans to remove EU-era ‘nutrient neutrality’ rules last month, with the intention to encourage housebuilding amid current sector slump, and support its own housebuilding target. UK housebuilding has fallen to its lowest level in over a decade, with only 898 major residential projects approved between April and June this year, says trade radio station Fix Radio. Approval rates for major residential projects between April and June has fallen by 11%, in comparison to the same time last year;…
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When root barrier is the solution
Root barriers can prove a key asset in landscaping and construction projects. Used in a targeted way, long-term cost-saving benefits can be gained by eliminating maintenance repairs caused by root damage. However, they can also play a role in preventing legal disputes by stopping root encroachment onto neighbouring land. Installing a bamboo barrier at home, for plant containment, is a project many are now prepared to tackle. Protection & benefits At the heart of their functionality is protection, but root barrier membrane offers other benefits. They can facilitate the retention of valuable trees, curbing the need for removal and its…
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Stihl “adjusting” post-covid as it gears up to boost battery offering
Stihl is aiming to grow its battery range to make up 80% of its offering by 2035. Chairman Michael Traub says the manufacturer will continue to focus on “double technology leadership”, offering both battery and combustion engine products. Its battery range currently makes up 20%. To meet its new target, the German outdoor power tool brand will be bringing part of its EC motor production in house. Around €17m is being invested in a new unit at its headquarters in Waiblingen, Germany, which Martin Schwarz – Stihl’s executive board member for manufacturing and materials – says will be the “heart…
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RHS and other industry members share how they’re embedding inclusivity at EDI event
Members of some of the industry’s leading charities and organisations gathered together on Friday at RHS Garden Wisley to hear the initial results of an industry-wide Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) survey. Following the signing of the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Charter for the Horticulture, Arboriculture, Landscaping & Garden Media at FutureScape last year, signatories have created a survey to provide a baseline figure for the diversity of the industry. So far, findings from the survey – which is still open for the industry to complete – show that the majority (36.4%) of the respondents are aged 45-54 and just…
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TASK Academy celebrates one-year anniversary
More than 200 students have taken part in more than 50 landscaping and horticultural courses at TASK Academy over the last 12 months. The independent training centre in Worcestershire was established a year ago to help tackle the industry’s skills shortage. Since its launch in September 2022, TASK Academy has doubled in size and has launched a curriculum of one- to three-day courses for students on its five-acre small holding near Pershore. It has also established partnerships with 10 training and 25 other industry partners, and introduced a series of one-day, land-based courses for members of the public, including dry…
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Andy Sturgeon Design plans approved for Canada Water development
Southwark Council has given planning permission to Andy Sturgeon Design for the development of the Canada Water Eastern Dockside in London. It is part of a wider 1.5 million sq ft commercially-led scheme at Canada Water Dockside, one of the London’s largest developments, led by Art-Invest Real Estate. London-based studio Andy Sturgeon Design won a competition to design a hub for the local community at the Eastern Dock Edge as part of the regeneration to deliver a new town centre, which is underway. The hub needed to “knit together” with the wider masterplan and development by British Land and reflect…
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From Chelsea to the Biome, the Fauna, and Flora Garden
Working closely with conservation partners in over 40 countries, saving nature and boosting awareness, Fauna and Flora focuses on protecting and restoring habitats, saving species from extinction, and developing sustainable livelihoods for those living closest to nature. Cornish-based Garden designer, Jilayne Rickards approached Fauna & Flora to design a garden to best portray their work and messages. It was hard to encapsulate all of its work in just one garden since it does so many wonderful projects, says Rickards, so they “decided to focus in on the gorilla project, because of the link to their vice president, Sir David Attenborough.…
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Redfields Landscaping completes the Thames Path Challenge
The Redfields Landscaping and Design team has completed the Thames Path Challenge. Setting off at 5am on Sunday 10 September, seven members walked 50km to Henley-on-Thames across 11 hours and 47 minutes (one, Charlie Parker, whilst wearing Crocs), whilst four members walked 25km within five hours and 40 minutes. The total of 97,741 steps raised £2416 for the Great Ormond Street Hospital Childrens Charity. Rachel Straughan, business development & marketing manager at Redfields Landscaping, says: “I definitely underestimated how hard it would be but I am so grateful to the team for keeping me going and for so many laughs…
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Invasive fire ants spread across Europe for the first time
The red fire ant, Solenopsis Invicta, has been identified across 88 ant nests spread over 12 acres in the city of Syracuse, Italy. The invasive non-native ant species is thought to have spread from the US or China. Now established in Italy, studies warn of its rapid spread through Europe and the UK as it is one of the most invasive and destructive species. The red fire ant has a ravenous appetite, with the ability to destroy crops and known to pose a risk to native ecosystems, farming, and human health. With a painful sting, injecting venom to its victim if…
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The HTA promotes new T Level courses
The Horticultural Trades Association is promoting the new Agriculture, Land Management, and Production T Level which have opened enrolment. Technical Levels, introduced in 2020, are equivalent to three A levels. They include 80% classroom-based learning and 20% industry placement, allowing for nine weeks of practical experience, as 56.6% of job seekers identify their main barrier to employment as a lack of work experience. The two-year course offers 16-19-year-olds a range of occupational specialisms: livestock production, crop production, horticulture, land-based engineering, trees and woodlands, or floristry. They cover sustainability, climate change impact, health and safety, business management, professional responsibilities, attitudes, and…
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BALI Chalk Fund announces Student of the Year
The BALI Chalk Fund has announced its Garden Design Student of the Year for 2023. Garden designer Catharine Beck has been recognised by KLC School of Design having passed her diploma with distinction. Now working at Ann-Marie Powell Gardens, Beck is “putting her talents to great use, creating planting plans, tree plans, concept presentations, lighting plans, construction detail drawings and specifications, maintenance and plant schedules, plant nursery quotations, materials research and selection,” say the British Association of Landscape Industries. Course leader Humaira Ikram says: “An excellent student, Catharine was quick to learn and her projects, especially her construction file, were…
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Barometer June 2023: Is a slump in the housebuilding sector having a domino effect?
The housebuilding sector has had a tough year so far, if Marshall’s half-year results are anything to go by. The building products supplier reported a 30% drop in its profit before tax for the first half of this year, compared to the same period in 2022, leading to it taking “decisive action” to save £9m a year. CEO Martyn Coffey blamed tough market conditions being “challenging” and announced that Marshalls had to axe around 250 jobs as a result. Commercial landscapers are also feeling the pinch; 60% are less confident this month than the same time last year. One commented:…
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The Wildlife Trusts’ big wild walk takes on new ambassador
Rhiane Fatinikun, founder of Black Girls Hike, has been announced as the new ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts. Fatinikun will champion the Big Wild Walk this October. Participants can create their own adventure, whether that’s by walking, running, cycling, wheeling, or swimming. The challenge is to walk three kilometres in a week – the same distance a hedgehog travels each night. Money raised will go towards helping wildlife recover and contribute towards The Wildlife Trusts’ goal of protecting 30% of UK’s land and sea for nature by 2030. The Big Wild Walk takes place during half term from Monday 16…
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Furnitubes launches new outdoor showroom
Furnitubes has announced the launch of its new outdoor showroom at the London Design Festival in partnership with Atrium Ltd, which will be opening on 19 September. The new showroom will showcase the company’s new products and materials for outdoor furniture and lighting, alongside offerings from The Outdoor Deck Company and Green Envee Ltd. “Beside a space to show our products, we are looking to create a hub to test materials and discuss ideas about transforming our cities in a positive way,” says Andres Carpinelli, design team lead at Furnitubes.
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The Plant Based Podcast reaches 200 episodes
The Plant Based Podcast, which has been running for 12 series, released its 200th episode on Sunday. It is run by Michael Perry, director of Mr Plant Geek, and Ellen Mary, founder of People Plants Wellbeing Nature Therapy Consultancy. “More people than ever are appreciating the importance of plants in our day to day lives. The Plant Based Podcast is about anything that can be traced back to plants… with subjects ranging from foraging for medicinal plants and baking with edible flowers, to plant-based body builders and clothes made from bamboo… This is not just another gardening podcast.” – Michael…
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Yorkshire’s “first” drive thru concrete collection announced
Palmer Landscapes announces the arrival of Yorkshire’s first fully automated self-service collection points for concrete, mortar, and screed. The drive thru service is suitable for landscapers, builders and DIYers, offering as little as 0.25m3 of material with no minimum order charge. The fully automated Fibo collect machine fulfils orders in less than five minutes using a touch screen terminal. Reducing waste, the automated mixing technology ensures all recipes are high quality and consistent, lasting between one and three days. “When we spotted the technology earlier this year, I was immediately drawn to the potential it had to help our local…
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World Suicide Prevention Day
Winners of the Best Show Garden award at Tatton Park 2023 are raising awareness for the struggling mental health within the construction industry for World Suicide Prevention Day, taking place on 10 September. Jon Jarvis and Carolyn Harden designed and built the Constructing Minds garden, to highlight the message. There are 2.6 million workers within the construction industry. On average, in the UK, two construction workers die each day due to suicide. In 2022 there were 507 suicides. Mates in Mind is “aiming to provide clear information to employers about the available support and guidance on mental health and wellbeing,…
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Nine Elms Park phase one opens
Thames City has opened the first portion of the 2.5-acre Nine Elms Park. Designed by Gillespies and delivered by R&F Properties (UK) and C C Land, it includes water features, a nature inspired children’s play park, interactive trails, and intimate seating areas. A range of tree species, shrubs, and herbaceous plants have been planted to support biodiversity and to futureproof the park to withstand unpredictable weather patterns and the challenges of the urban environment. The park has multiple access points for pedestrian walkways and cycle paths, creating connections between Vauxhall to the east, through to Battersea Power Station and Battersea…
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JJH Landscapes wins top award at BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair
Association of Professional Landscapers’ Skills Competition JJH Landscapes from Oxfordshire, with team partner Radial Landscapes from West Sussex won the Association of Professional Landscapers’ Skills Competition. “It’s important to recognise the technical skills of professional landscape teams whose talents often go unsung when it comes to building show gardens,” says Rachel Poletti-Gadd, portfolio director – gardening division at Immediate Live, organisers of the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair. Best Showcase Garden The Best Showcase Garden was awarded to Lucy Chamberlain, head gardener at East Donyland, Gemma Sturges and Kelly Fowler. The trio’s ‘Edible Garden Through Time’ showcases three significant periods…
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Eljays44 gets ‘muddy’ for charity
The Eljays44 team took part in a ‘muddy’ charity event over the weekend, organised by horticultural charity, Perennial. The ‘Nuts Challenge’ is an award-winning mud run, held several times throughout the year. Participants are required to work their way through water and obstacle courses, from climbing to crawling. Three members of the Eljays44 team were amongst participants on Saturday, raising over £200 for the charity in under a week. “Everyone in the Eljays44 sales team had an amazing day raising money for perennial,” says Eljays44 sales executive, Lewis Everle. “The course was challenging and took our breath away at times,…
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New president-elect announced for Landscape Institute
Landscape architect and horticulturist Carolin Göhler has been revealed as the new president-elect at the Landscape Institute, saying she looks forward to “a new chapter to build a progressive and inclusive” organisation. The announcement comes after what has been a controversial year for the Landscape Institute, after its previous president-elect Brodie McAllister was removed from the position and as a trustee, sparking some members to call an EGM earlier this year, though the EGM was “unofficial” and the Landscape Institute urged members to not attend. From June next year, Göhler will become the 45th president of the Institute, serving a…
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NAO Landscapes continues to expand ahead of seventh anniversary
Southern-based NAO Landscapes has reached new milestones ahead of its seventh anniversary this month. The company has “experienced growth in all areas,” says NAO director Lucy Osman. It has reported a 100% increase in turnover in the last 12 months, with employee numbers doubling. Originally based in Kent, the company has now expanded into central London, with two contracts in the pipeline this year at the circa £5m mark. “We always aimed to get to the size where we could handle these types of large scale commercial projects. “We hope to see continued growth over the next year with several…
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Land Studio supports record-breaking triathlete
An associate landscape architect at Land Studio swam with triathlete Sean Conway to support him in his challenge to complete 105 triathlons back-to-back across 105 consecutive days. Kate Richards accompanied Conway for a series of early morning swims throughout his world-record breaking challenge, as the 42-year-old Zimbabwean endurance adventurer completed Ironman distances of 2.4-mile swim followed by 112-mile bike ride and finished with a 26.22-mile run across the roads in North Wales and Cheshire – totalling 140.62 miles per day or 14,765.1 miles in total. Richards says: “I swam with Sean eight times throughout his challenge, which entailed getting in…
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Bowles & Wyer celebrates 30 years of ‘looking forward’
Bowles & Wyer celebrated its 30th anniversary last night at the venue of one of its most prolific projects. The design and build company, which was founded three decades ago by Chris Bowles and John Wyer, brought its colleagues, partners and clients together for an event at 78 St James Street. The Grade II listed building in central London is where Bowles & Wyer designed and built a series of outdoor areas and roof terraces, with the largest terrace featuring a living wall and planters with edibles and herbs. It won the National Landscape Award for Best Roof Garden over £100k, and…
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