Ground Maintenance
-
Navigating Cash Flow Concerns in the Construction Industry
Cash flow is the lifeblood of any successful business. Cash flow is what allows a company to pay its staff, purchase stock, and ensure contractual overheads are paid on time. Once cash flow becomes squeezed, problems can quickly spiral, taking a once thriving company from a position of solvency to one which is struggling to meet its financial obligations surprisingly quickly. Cash flow challenges can arise for a variety of reasons, and in many instances, they are not caused directly by the actions of the company facing these problems. Late – and even non-payment – of invoices is rife in…
Read More » -
The Renaissance of Denmans Garden
An award-winning, Grade II registered garden, Denmans is renowned for its 50+ year-old gravel gardens, horticultural diversity, strong layout and planting design, and peaceful year-round interest. The contemporary country garden, located on the edge of Fontwell, West Sussex, lies sheltered by the South Downs. It features well-drained alkaline soil, good light, and a mild climate, ideal for growing a large range of plants. “The diversity of its plants and its unique planting style have resulted in a garden with year-round interest, structure, and colour,” says owner Gwendolyn van Paasschen. Far from a traditional English garden composed of carefully considered proportions,…
Read More » -
SoilsCon returns in 2024
After a four-year break, SoilsCon returns next year. The one-day conference, organised by soil scientist and landscape consultant Tim O’Hare, will feature developmental insights, debates and discussions from industry experts. The speaker line-up includes, Tim O’Hare, principal consultant at Tim O’Hare Associates, Helen Elks-Smith, principal at Elk-Smith Landscape & Garden Design, and Dr Iain Gould, associate professor in soil science at the University of Lincoln. Subjects will include soil health and functions in landscapes, the challenges of garden construction, and soil requirements for Biodiversity Net Gain typologies. A Soil Surgery will be held during the day’s networking periods, with members of…
Read More » -
Shortlist revealed for Pro Landscaper Project Awards in association with Provender Nurseries
Pro Landscaper has revealed the shortlist for its Project Awards, in association with Provender Nurseries. The Pro Landscaper Project Awards celebrate landscaping projects with a value under £50k, giving companies within the sector the opportunity to showcase the remarkable feats achievable on smaller budgets. More than 60 projects have been shortlisted across the 11 categories, with the winners and this year’s Supreme Winner to be announced at a ceremony at FutureScape on Tuesday 21 November, at London’s ExCeL. “It’s been a record year again for entries, and what’s been really good to see is the number of new businesses putting…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
National Landscape Award winners announced
The winners have been announced for this year’s National Landscape Awards 2023. Winners span across 25 categories, with 50 companies being recognised, including Ground Control – which has won five – and Wright Landscapes and GP Plantscape, which both have won three. In total, 69 awards were presented. “The willingness to partake in this process highlights our members’ continued commitment to driving the industry forward, promoting excellence and encouraging fresh talent,” says BALI chief executive, Wayne Grills. The National Landscape Awards ceremony will be held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Park Lane in London on 1 December. The event…
Read More » -
‘Sudden larch death’ discovered in Welsh forest
A tree felling operation will be taking place after larch disease was identified in the Gwydir Forest, Penmachno in North Wales. A Statutory Plant Health Notice, beginning 29 August, means Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is scheduled to fell around 3.5ha from an area around Penmachno, within Gwydir Forest Park to limit the larch disease – or Phytophthora ramorum – from spreading further. Kath McNulty, NRW’s team leader for forest operations in North West Wales, says: “To comply with the notice, the trees will need to be removed to stop any further spread of the larch disease. “Haulage and felling restrictions…
Read More » -
First phase of historic London garden underway
A public consultation has been called for changes to one of 10 livery gardens remaining in the city. Barber-Surgeons’ Gardens, one of the largest green spaces owned and managed by the City of London Corporation in the Square Mile, is set to undergo improvement works. A public consultation to kickstart phase one is open until 27 September. Chair of the City Corporation’s natural environment board Caroline Haines says: “We want to hear from everyone who uses the gardens to ensure they are welcoming and inclusive, recognising the importance of green space to our health and wellbeing.” The present garden was…
Read More » -
“Devastating” tree disease found in West Sussex nature reserve
One of the “most devasting” tree diseases has been discovered at a nature reserve in West Sussex, prompting an immediate felling operation. The Forestry Commission and the Mid Sussex District Council identified ash dieback in several areas of the Eastern Road nature reserve in Lindfield. The removal operation will begin on 21 August and continue for three weeks to avoid further spread and potential safety risks to the public, says the council. Councillor Chris Hobbs, says: “It is devastating to see how many trees have been hit by ash dieback and have to be removed. “We will be planting more…
Read More » -
Two Yorkshire businesses “refresh” 10-acre museum gardens
Commercial plant supplier, Johnsons of Whixley has partnered with landscaping contractor ATM Ltd to supply thousands of plants to the York Museum Gardens as part of the recent Environmental Agency flood defence improvements project. The planting design was developed by Steve Williams, garden manager at York Museum Trust and consultants AECOM. Some of the planting had to be removed, whilst others needed rejuvenation. Johnsons of Whixley supplied a multi-seasonal range of plants to ensure flowering throughout the year to support local pollinators. The plants used included Astrantia, Helleborus, and Hydrangea. ATM contributed the soft landscaping for the project following engineering…
Read More » -
The Frustrated Gardener is here to help
The Great Comp Summer Show, scheduled to take place this weekend, will feature over 25 specialist award-winning exhibitors, including Dan Cooper. Many will recognise Cooper from his acclaimed gardening blog, The Frustrated Gardener, which he launched in 2012. It quickly took root and he was celebrated in the press for creating a ‘subtropical paradise dominated by dramatic colours and shapes.’ “I decided that I needed some kind of project to really reignite my interest in plants and gardening and to share that with other people. “[The blog] really took off and I enjoyed it, the opportunity to research the content…
Read More » -
Opening of new green space a “watershed moment” for Liverpool
A new 24-acre recreational green space called the Southern Grasslands has opened in Liverpool. It was created in response to a remediation programme laying the foundations for a new housing scheme at the nearby Festival Gardens development site. Situated three miles south of Liverpool city centre, Southern Grasslands is the largest transformed green space to open in the city this century. The site was previously a public waste disposal facility. The space now features more than 5,700 new trees and shrubs, creating a new raised woodland meadow, forming an ecological corridor to boost the population of insects and pollinators and…
Read More » -
Design team appointed for Piccadilly Gardens transformation
A design team led by LDA Design has been appointed to lead the Piccadilly Garden transformation project, following an international design competition. The winning design responds to the public voice and includes a refurbishment to the children’s play facilities and improved links to London Road. The 10-acre site includes Mosley Street, Parker Street, the section of Portland Street which runs alongside Piccadilly Gardens and the section of Piccadilly which borders the Gardens. The design will retain the listed monuments and statues, and tramlines and infrastructures, as well as the pavilion structure. Mark Graham, Manchester studio lead at LDA Design says:…
Read More » -
Lead designers appointed for historic Yorkshire development
Harewood House Trust has appointed award-winning garden designer Matthew Wilson, in partnership with Yorkshire based The Landscape Agency, to lead the development of Harewood House gardens. The project will see the creation of several new gardens surrounding Harewood House, with each set to feature seasonal planting and to be maintained through sustainable gardening techniques. The Grade-II listed Bake House is scheduled to be renovated into a new welcome centre. There will also be a family activity space and an inclusive playground situated within the wooded landscape. RHS medal winner, Matthew Wilson says: “It’s fantastic to be working on this prestigious…
Read More » -
Ground Control launches 100-acre environmental recovery site
UK-based grounds maintenance company, Ground Control is launching Devana, a new centre for environmental recovery in West Wickham, Cambridgeshire in line with its nature recovery network remit. The 100-acre West Wickham site aims to contribute in large part towards Natural Cambridgeshire’s goal to increase land managed for nature across the region from 8%, one of the lowest in the country, to 16%, the national average. Devana will include approximately 25 native tree species, 20 native shrubs, and a variety of native wildflowers and grasses, creating species-rich habitats to support the colonisation of local fauna including pollinators, birds, and mammals. Converting…
Read More » -
Mitie secures £62m IFM Phoenix Group contract
National facilities management company, Mitie has secured a five-year integrated facilities management (IFM) service contract with savings and retirement business, Phoenix Group. Mitie will provide planned and reactive maintenance, including waste management, landscaping and decarbonisation, across six Phoenix Group locations in five cities nationwide: Edinburgh, London, Hitchin, Wythall and Telford. The £62m contract will see Mitie support Phoenix Group’s decarbonisation progression, with the appointment of a Plan Zero Energy Manager, responsible for identifying energy saving potentials and locating energy reduction opportunities. The facilities management company also has plans to introduce its ‘Connected Workspace’ personnel programme. Simon Venn, managing director, technical…
Read More » -
Landscape Institute set to deliver new agriculture and land management T-Levels
The Landscape Institute (LI) is partnering with City & Guilds (C&G) to deliver new agriculture and horticulture T-Levels, with the aim to facilitate increased industry joining success rates and tackle the hard-to-fill vacancies in the sectors. T Levels are a new two-year technical qualification in England, available to 16 – 19-year-olds upon the completion of GCSEs. The programs provide an alternative to apprenticeships and A Levels, with one T Level equivalent to approximately three A Levels and is recognised as a level 3 qualification. The Landscape Institute (LI) is working with City & Guilds, who are delivering new Agriculture, Land…
Read More » -
idverde holds onto prolific Olympic Park contract
Award-winning landscaping provider idverde has been re-awarded the ground maintenance contract for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the surrounding public realm, 11 years on from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The London Legacy Development Corporation has renewed idverde’s existing ten-year contract for an additional eight years, following a procurement process. The £24m renewal involves continued large scale horticulture and grounds maintenance across the 560 acres, facilities management, and volunteering programme, in support of the Park’s continued future as a six million people per year tourist attraction and nature and wildlife conservation. The eight-year contract will see idverde…
Read More » -
HTA Design to lead next stage of Crystal Palace Park regeneration
HTA Design, an award-winning collaborative practice is set to lead a specialist team in the next major development works, as part of the on-going Crystal Palace Park Regeneration Plan. The HTA team have been appointed as the lead consultant and landscape architects by the Council to lead this stage of the development, which will see widespread improvements across the park in the coming years, including the restoration of several historic sites. Natalia Roussou, landscape design director, HTA Design, says: “We are excited to have been selected by the London Borough of Bromley for such a high-profile project and look forward…
Read More » -
Mitie secures two-year expansion of FM contract
National facilities management company, Mitie has secured a two-year extension of its FM contract, providing total facilities management services to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) sites in London and Handslope Park, Milton Keynes. Mitie will provide planned and reactive maintenance in the form of custodial and reception services, and grounds maintenance across the FCDO’s sites, including the official residence of the Foreign Secretary and the specialist 40 acres site in Hanslope Park. The facility management company has plans to introduce new training programmes and building technology under the extended contract. Brian Talbot, managing director, central government & defence,…
Read More » -
Husqvarna partners with Kew Gardens
Husqvarna, providers of robotic mowing solutions in the professional sector is partnering with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew to strengthen the gardens’ journey to become carbon positive by 2030. Three Husqvarna electric commercial lawn mowers will be installed at Kew Gardens, two Husqvarna Automower® 550 EPOS robotic mowers and one Husqvarna Automower® 535AWD robotic mower. The autonomous mowers will be used by Kew to aid in lawn management across the botanical garden, enabling the redistribution of skilled labour and precision green space maintenance says Husqvarna. The transition to electric will see a reduction in Kew’s carbon emissions, concurrent with the…
Read More » -
Mitie awarded £4m Yorkshire Water contract
Facilities management giant Mitie has been awarded a new three-year £4m contract to deliver landscaping services for Yorkshire Water. Mitie has been granted a new contract with Yorkshire Water to deliver on-site grounds maintenance services for three years. The £4m contract include adverse weather services, tree and weed management, and sustainable drainage systems management. Yorkshire Water is a major provider of essential water and wastewater services, with over five million households and 140,000 businesses across Yorkshire and the Humber. The new contract will see Mitie undertake grounds and landscape maintenance of approximately 2,000 operational, recreational, and corporate sites across Yorkshire…
Read More »
