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Councils Green Credentials Assessed In New Report24/11/2008
The Horticultural Trades Association's (HTA) Greening the UK campaign will today alert Councils in England of the need to improve the control mechanism to ensure that the level of green planting outlined in planning agreements is installed and maintained.
The campaign also calls for an increase in the amount of planting that takes place in the face of a 50% reduction in recent years, so that communities can reap the social, aesthetic and environmental benefits provided by plants.
In its report, Greening the UK: Local Authorities Commitment to Urban Planting, which is published today, the campaign warns that a significant number of councils are allowing developers to scale down or remove completely the planting outlined in approved planning agreements. This is due to a lack of onsite inspections by planning officers and by the failure to bring action against developers that violate planning agreements. Astonishing, considering that 71% of councillors noted occasions during the past year when developers had failed to deliver on their planting obligations.
The report includes a foreword by the Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, who says:
To me, urban planting and green space are essential to the sustainable development of our towns and cities as we move into a period of increasing environmental uncertainty.I know from my own City of Salford how urban planting can transform a neighbourhood, bring people together, and help to brighten up the environment.
The Greening the UK campaign has been highlighting the 50% reduction in soft landscaped areas on new developments over the past decade. It has also demonstrated that only 50% of the green planting outlined in approved planning documents is ever delivered.
Despite this known decline, a surprising finding from the survey was that 53% of councillors believed green spaces and urban planting had increased over recent years.
Plants installed in gardens and in public planting schemes benefit the environment by absorbing carbon dioxide and absorbing rainfall through their leaves and roots helping to prevent and mitigate the effects of climate change and flooding. Trees also provide shade and shelter in public spaces, reduce temperatures in hot spots and protect against strong wind flows in urban areas. Research also shows that plants help improve social behaviour, reduce crime, increase recovery rates in hospitals and workplace productivity and are a healthy addition to the social, environmental, physical and mental wellbeing of people.
David Gwyther, Director General of the Horticultural Trades Association, said, This is a call to action. Local authorities need to increase the frequency of their inspections on new private and public developments to ensure promised planting and landscaping actually takes place. Fundamentally, they should also increase the levels of planting on new, private and public developments and they should review their planning departments to ensure they have access to high quality horticultural advice.
Kubota Goes LIVE!20/08/2008
An unquestionable strength of Kubota is responding to customer feedback and in reply to requests for more hands on' customer experience opportunities, the Japanese manufacturer took to the road two years ago with a series of its Kubota Live! events.
Proving a resounding success in 2006, Kubota Live! makes a welcomed return this year with 8 events taking place across England, Scotland and Wales. Running from 2 - 25th September, Kubota Live! offers visitors a unique opportunity to view and drive the entire Kubota Tractor & Groundcare range, as well as its world leading construction equipment, and this year's events are set to be on an even bigger scale.
The superb Kubota Live! 2008 venues incorporate extensive demonstration areas and a purpose built off road 4 x 4 course to give visitors the chance to put the Kubota machines through their paces in realistic, working environments. From the outstanding domestic and professional ride on mowers and world renowned compact tractors, to the largest agricultural machines and esteemed mini excavators, all machines are available for a real hands on experience.
"You've got the whole range here in one place so you can compare different models and specifications beside each other. Plus you can have a go!" Commented Paul Edwards, 2006 visitor, Newbury, Berkshire.
A great day out for visitors of all ages, there are activities for everyone to enjoy. Proving very popular in 2006, The RTV900 4 x 4 Driving Challenge makes a welcomed return to Kubota Live! 2008. Designed to put both man and machine to the test, the gruelling off road course is not for the faint hearted! Whether through field, downhill, over track or on road, the RTV900 delivers an outstanding performance. Utilising the same technology as Kubota's world renowned tractors, the rugged, versatile RTV900 offers exceptional drive, whether work or pleasure. Are you ready up to take up the challenge?
Open from 10am to 4pm, with free entry and car parking, Kubota Live! 2008 is not to be missed.
RHS launches VAT petition06/07/2008
The RHS has launched a petition calling for VAT on all ornamental plants and seeds to be reduced from 17.5 percent to 5 percent, bringing them in line with other green goods identified by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
We believe this move will make it more affordable for people to green uptheir gardens, participate in safeguarding their local environment and help to combat the effects of climate change.
Under the current tax laws, all ornamental plants and seeds are classified as standard-rated items (17.5 percent) despite the obvious environmental role they play. Gordon Brown has already set a precedent for reducing VAT on goods credited with green status, including wind turbines and solar panels, but plants and seeds are conspicuous by their absence.
Speaking from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, where the campaign was launched, Inga Grimsey, RHS Director General, said: Gardens are the way to connect people to the environment, but there is little Government incentive to encourage more people to green up what is on their door step. Research shows that people on lower incomes are less likely to use their gardens.
It is an anomaly that the Government makes green provisions for building materials but not for plants. Having a garden is seen as a luxury, rather than fundamental to our lives, and what could be more essential to a sustainable future than investing in plants and trees?
If the RHS is successful in its petition, the plant-buying public will save £175 million a year. Inga Grimsey said: If every person was given the means to plant up their garden, window box or patio tubs, just imagine what could be achieved. Unless more people are encouraged to grow plants, the Britain that was once known as a nation of gardeners faces the likelihood of a bleak, brown future.
Grassform take on TrakMats for South East18/05/2008
Own experience prompts decision
Essex based sportsfield and golf course construction company Grassform Ltd. has taken on the agency for the well known TrakMats ground protection system. Having used the system on a contract site in late 2007 after trying other brands, Grassform were offered the chance to take on sales and hire of TrakMats for London, the south east and the home counties. The companys experience of using the TrakMats system in its business prompted an easy decision, as they believe the protection and stability offered is superior to other systems on the market. TrakMats are also more grass friendly due to their light colour reflecting sunlight, something that competitive mats dont do as they tend to be black. This reduces heat absorption and increases time mats can be left in one place before grass is harmed. Grassform are now able to supply the sheets, which come in 2,440mm x 1,130mm (8x4) or 2,440mm x 560mm (8x2) sizes for sale or hire plus offer delivery on its own transport.
Many uses for the system
So what can TrakMats offer over other systems of ground protection mats? Firstly, the double-sided anti-slip pimple surface not only grips the ground below, preventing mat movement but also gives traction to tyres and tracks that run over the top. Secondly, weighing just 33kg, each large 12.7mm thick polyethylene sheet is easily moved from a stack into place, and vice versa. Applications for the system include temporary roadways across grass areas such as golf courses, lawns or caravan parks, where the light reflecting material reduces damage to the surface. TrakMats can also be used for emergency access routes, muddy driveways and on concrete or paving to protect both the surface and tyres. Connection of the mats is by way of three different systems urethane connectors for long-term connection, metal connectors for heavy and tracked equipment and U pins for slopes and cambers on soft surfaces. With a capacity of up to 60 tonnes, TrakMats also offer the ultimate solution for access needs if heavy plant is required to cross a road or sensitive area.
Mark Dunning, managing director of Grassform Ltd. commented on the TrakMats: We purchased a competitors matting system for a contract but found it to be poor and not what we were looking for to reduce damage and improve access on site. We were offered TrakMats and we were thoroughly impressed, so much so that we are delighted to offer the system as a complimentary service alongside our main business of sportsfield and golf course construction. We feel the system will find many uses not only in these areas for our customers, but also in diverse applications when good quality protection matting is required at a competitive price supplied from a quality company.
Hire or buy, the choice is yours
From Grassforms base in Ingatestone, Essex, the company is well positioned to offer full sales and hire service to the south east, home counties and London. Using its own dedicated HIAB crane equipped lorry, Grassform can offer quick dispatch and collection of the TrakMats system to almost any site in this area. Collection can be arranged from the companies depot, subject to terms and conditions.
Prices for the TrakMats, which are only offered at present in a light green colour and double-sided anti slip format, are £189 per full size sheet, or £105 per half sheet. Hire costs are £10 per week for the full size sheets and £8 per week for the half size, so very competitive with major hire shops. In terms of purchase cost, when one considers the cost of a full size sheet of plywood is in the region of £25 but does not resist rain, snow, frost and is not anti slip, the investment in the TrakMats system will pay for itself in no time. Discounts for long term hire are available, so please contact Grassform with your requirements for purchase or hire. Contact Mark Dunning on 01277 355500 or email mark@grassform.co.uk. Full details of the system are available from http://www.grassform.co.uk/GroundProtectionMats
Investigating the environmental impacts of gardening in the UK01/05/2008
Plants and gardens naturally carry with them a strong environmental message, but there is a need to qualify this with sound scientific evidence to demonstrate the importance of plants and gardens in helping tackle climate change and its effects.
The HTA has sponsored a PhD student (Jane Taylor) at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading to model the environmental benefits and drawbacks associated with gardens and garden plants. Plants are considered to have a positive impact in offsetting some of the extremes of climate change, both at a local and global level. This includes absorbing CO2 directly, but also their ability to cool the micro-climate, minimise rainwater-runoff / flooding, and improve energy conservation through the insulation of buildings.
Indeed gardens, which can account for between 15-25% of the land area in cities and towns, may mitigate many of the environmental problems associated with the built environment, although the benefits may vary depending on how the land is managed. Despite its green image though, amenity horticulture like many other industries has a carbon footprint and information is lacking on the extent to which activities associated with the production of plants and their use in gardens affects the emissions of C02 and other greenhouse gases. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify and quantify in broad terms the carbon footprint of garden plants and broader environmental benefits of gardening with respect to the predicted climate change scenarios for the UK.
As the range of variables to be covered in a subject such as this is huge, the studentship will work with a small number of model plant species and garden scenarios. This should help identify the key factors that influence the environmental credentials of plants in general, rather than provide a definitive list of environmentally-friendly plants for the garden. It is anticipated that the work will provide nurserymen, designers and retailers with a stronger scientific basis to promote the environmental benefits of garden plants, and to help identify management practices that can be altered in an attempt to optimise the benefits associated with plants.
Jane is a Chartered Environmentalist, and previously studied Environmental Sciences in the mid 1990s with Exeter University. Since that time she has worked within a wide range of sectors exploring how businesses may impact the environment, and working with them to find practical ways to enhance their environmental performance.
Speaking about her research appointment, Jane, who is a keen gardener, said, I am looking forward to working together with the University of Reading and the HTA to develop a greater understanding of the potential for gardens and garden plants to play a role in improving the environment for everyone.
The project starts in May and HTA members will be kept updated on results as the project progresses.
Grassform complete work on the RJ National14/03/2008
Exciting opportunity
Building a golf course on a factory site in the middle of Ipswich may seem like a crazy idea, but not when the client is Ransomes Jacobsen, the UK based turf equipment manufacturer. This exciting course construction opportunity fell to Essex based Grassform Ltd., who built the three-hole course on the site during 2007. Known unofficially within Ransomes Jacobsen as the RJ National, the course features a challenging set of holes, bunkers and water hazard just yards from the manufacturing facility and offices of the well known mowing machinery company.
Environmental issues
A variety of challenges in designing, constructing and implementing such a course in such proximity to a working factory site were in evidence, but Ransomes Jacobsen were adamant that the project did little to impact on the environment as well as giving an aesthetically pleasing sight to both staff and visitors alike. The course is also available for use on open days and for demonstrations of Ransomes Jacobsen's range of fine turf mowers, showcasing their work on very fine turf. With this in mind, the design of the course fell to Swan Golf Designs, who were required to incorporate best practices and principles in environmental sustainability into their concepts and final plans. Built on a piece of bare wasteland, Grassform's skill in constructing the challenging course from a level site is a testament to their skill in landscape creation and shaping as well as interpreting the ideas of the architects. Part of Grassform's remit was to remove a vast area of heather to be stored and utilised later on the finished site, giving a natural feel close to the predominantly heathland area to the east of Ipswich. Grassform Ltd also built a bespoke multi-purpose decking area between the car park and course, adding to the aesthetics and providing a raised platform for hosting events overlooking the course.
Simple yet effective drainage
Although the site is fairly free draining due the sand based heathland soil, the RJ National still required a basic drainage scheme. Grassform built a system that included gentle slopes and open swales to shed water, installing pipe drainage as and where required. Although deliberately low on pipework from its design, the course features the best in the business, expertly installed by Grassform's team of specialists. The course drains into the centrepiece of the site, the lake, which includes a fountain. The introduction of the lake not only allows for drainage outflow and water harvesting but also increases biodiversity, a key part of the course's existence. Grassform removed some 5,000 cubic metres of material to form and shape the lake to its final design, utilising this to help create the course's topography. Little material was imported to the site, with recycling an important aspect to keep in with the environmental theme.
Q Lawns at the Ideal Home Show06/03/2008
Q Lawns turf growers have joined forces with celebrity gardener David Domoney to promote the importance of having a real live lawn. The venue for this 24-day promotion is the Daily Mail Ideal Home Exhibition at Earls Court, London.
Q Lawns are keen to emphasise the role that a well-maintained lawn can play in the fight against the effects of global warming. As well as the obvious one of absorbing carbon dioxide from the air, a turfed area is extremely effective at soaking up rainfall, thus helping to avoid flash flooding as well.
The aesthetics of a lawn and the potential for leisure activities on a grassed area are second to none and contribute immensely to the wellbeing of people around it and of course, local wildlife will benefit too.
For more information, visit www.qlawns.co.uk or telephone Chris Carr or Angela Lambert on 01842 828266
Working together to speed up peat reduction29/02/2008
Garden retailers and growing media manufacturers are being encouraged to join up to the Growing Media Initiative (GMI), an HTA initiated scheme to speed up the process of peat reduction within the garden industry. The scheme will assist all garden retail businesses keen to demonstrate their environmental credentials.
Developed in conjunction with the Growing Media Association, DIY, supermarket and garden centre retailers, DEFRA, the RSPB and the Royal Horticultural Society the scheme seeks to help the horticultural industry reduce peat usage in the UK and work towards the challenging target set within the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (1997) of 90 percent peat reduction by 2010.
The first group of members who have joined the scheme will undergo their first audit in March, undertaken by an independent inspector. Scheme members will be required to complete an annual action plan including defined targets for peat reduction over the next 5 years.
HTA extends its mystery shopper service21/02/2008
The HTA is to extend its mystery shopper service in 2008 so that retailers can choose to make use of the service in any month of the year. The service is also extended to suppliers and manufacturers so that they can monitor product placement in stores.
A well-established tool used across all retail sectors, mystery shopping provides an objective assessment of customer service. Last year over 70 HTA member outlets signed up for the mystery shopper service, run by Amber Arch, and were visited in April, June September and December. The overall results reveal a reassuringly high level of customer satisfaction across the country with an average score of 75% and the best performing stores receiving scores in the 90s.
There was a 10% regional variation between stores with outlets in Scotland and Northern Ireland achieving the highest regional score of 81% compared with those in the North of England which averaged 70%. See notes to editors for further information.
New water strategy good for gardening21/02/2008
The HTA has welcomed Future Water The Government`s Strategy for Water in England. In particular it notes that Government is to change householders` permitted development rights to allow them to pave over their front garden without planning permission only if the surface is porous, such as by using permeable paving or gravel. Legislation will be introduced with the effect of requiring planning permission for impermeable surfaces in front gardens in 2008.
Commenting on the announcement, HTA Director General David Gwyther said, We are delighted that Government has decided to take this action. We raised this issue with the Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, when we met him late last year to discuss our Greening the UK Strategy. This statement clearly shows that he listened and has now acted.
HTA`s overall Strategy is aimed at using the planning system to protect existing planted areas, particularly private gardens, whilst encouraging planners to demand more green planting in commercial and domestic building developments. HTA is already in dialogue with Local Authorities and Planning Officers to take this further forward.
Huge New Jacobsen Fleet at Five Lakes31/01/2008
Ernest Doe & Sons, RANSOMES JACOBSEN dealer for Essex, has recently delivered a huge fleet of new course maintenance equipment to the prestigious Five Lakes Hotel, Golf, Country Club & Spa, situated near Tiptree in rural Essex. RANSOMES JACOBSEN is a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company.
The equipment, with a retail value in excess of £500,000, also includes a fleet of 20 electric powered golf cars with onboard chargers and single point battery fill system for easy maintenance.
Course Manager, Paul Millard commented, We run with a lean team here at Five Lakes and therefore need quality equipment to ensure that we provide our guests with the optimum playing conditions at all times. Take the three Jacobsen G-Plexs as an example. Their speed, efficiency and quality of cut is excellent and we specified them with rear roller brushes which result in less arising on the green. We have also taken three Jacobsen Fairway 250s, one with grass catchers, which is a dedicated machine to maintain our UEFA-standard football pitch.
Inturf invests £500,000 in new equipment31/01/2008
Inturf has invested nearly £1/2million in a new Trebro Autostack harvester - as well as tractors, sprayers and mowers. The equipment is expected to speed up the lifting and distributing of a planned two million square metres of turf in production this year.
JCB's global sales exceed £2 billion16/01/2008
Global sales will reach a new record in 2007 by exceeding the £2 billion mark for the first time. Production is also set to hit a new peak with more than 70,000 machines being manufactured by the end of the year - a 27 per cent rise compared to the previous 2006 record of 55,000 units.
Now all 5,500 employees at the company's 10 UK factories in Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Wrexham shared a £5.5 million bonus giving them each an additional £1,000 in their Christmas Eve pay packets.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!02/01/2008
The Landscape Link would like to wish you all a Happy New Year.
We hope 2008 will be an exciting and prosperous year for you all.
A big thanks to all of you who made 2007 a great year for The Landscape Link. 2008 is going to be an exciting year for us, with major additions to our web site to make searching and advertising easier and quicker than ever. So check back regularly for all your landscape needs.
Essex turf grower looks to local supplier to reduce carbon footprint18/12/2007
Running four lorries daily to deliver their turf products to customers in south-east England, Paynes Turf (F.E.Payne and Son) use a high quantity of road diesel. Added to this, five other vehicles owned by the company are diesel fuelled and this led the company's Stephen Payne to look into a greener alternative to conventional fuel to reduce their business carbon footprint. A chance conversation in early January 2007 with good friend Adam Brown, partner of Anglian EcoFuels Ltd. from Great Holland near Frinton-on-Sea has led Paynes to now run their entire fleet on biodiesel.
Since receiving their first batch of biodiesel in January, Paynes has used it across their entire road going fleet. Initial checks with all vehicle manufacturers led to no perceived warranty or running issues and this led the company to pursue the exercise without worry, despite some bad press on the quality of some biodiesel products available but Paynes were reassured that Anglian EcoFuels Ltd.'s product was of the highest standard. In the first two months of use, the company has been extremely satisfied with the quality of product and service from the company, witnessing no problems with engines or reduced fuel consumption. Stephen Payne comments: "we decided to go to biodiesel for a variety of reasons, one being to reduce our carbon footprint. We grow a 'green' product in turf and we felt that delivery was our most 'un green' part of our business. Our main rivals use external hauliers so they cannot dictate that these operate on biodiesel but we have the choice. Also, we are supporting a new local business in Anglia EcoFuels Ltd. who supply us as and when we need diesel - we merely call up to order and it is with us the same or next day."
The Wildlife For All Trust use Rolawn Blended Loam for area of outstanding natural beauty27/11/2007
Rolawn, Europe's largest turf grower and leading supplier of safe, quality topsoil has donated their Blended Loam to 'The Wildlife for all Trust' for The Oasis nature reserve and education centre, West Hoathly, Sussex.
Jonathan Brauner, Projects Manager at The Oasis commented "our highly dedicated team has put in a lot of work at The Oasis, our beautiful nature reserve and gardens. We have used Rolawn Blended Loam on previous occasions to supplement some of our beds in the wildlife garden and plan to use more to complete our work for this year. As a charity we rely on support from businesses wherever possible and were delighted when Rolawn offered to donate further supplies of their Blended Loam."
Marshalls Wins National Payroll Giving Award27/11/2007
Marshalls has been announced as winner in the category of 'best promotional partnership' at the National Payroll Giving Awards 2007. Neil Davidson, Marshalls' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager was presented with the award by the Right Honourable Jane Kennedy MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury at a prestigious event hosted at HM Treasury on 17th October. The event was introduced and compered by broadcaster and 'money saving expert' Martin Lewis.
First launched in 1987, Payroll Giving enables employees to donate to any UK charity straight from their gross salary, giving immediate tax relief. Latest figures show that this year Payroll Giving has distributed almost £90 million to good causes.
The Landscape Link - web site changes are now LIVE!22/10/2007
After months of hard work the latest changes to our web site are now complete.
In a drive to make our directory more focused and simpler to use we have made the following changes:
The entire site has been rebuilt to make it more search engine friendly. This means that you'll find it easier to find companies through search engines like google, while businesses wanting to promote their companies will get a huge increase in exposure, making promoting with us even better value for money.
The trade and public directories have been joined to create one simple to use directory. All the companies are now in one place with any TRADE ONLY companies flagged up as such on each listing. You can now easily determine if a company is strictly for the TRADE or deals with the public.
We have created a new advertising opportunity in the form of a FREE listing. This listing is a stripped down version of our Enhanced Advert, but crucially allows you to list yourself with us for FREE and generate business on the web simply and efficiently.
We've also increased the size and features of our Manufacturers advert. The description space has increased to 700 characters and we've added 2 additional web site links, 'products' and 'find your nearest supplier'. These allow users quick and easy access to the most important pages of Manufacturers web sites.
Finally we've undertaken a complete rework of our automated purchase system, this allows you to add your company to our directory much quicker, whether that be with our new FREE listing or our ENHANCED Advert.
We hope you enjoy the changes. If you have any queries about any part of our web site please email us at: info@thelandscapelink.co.uk
Majestic buys £80K dumper to aid tree moving19/10/2007
Majestic Trees based in Hertfordshire has invested nearly £80,000 in a Morooka track dumper.
Managing director Steve McCurdy said the kit was designed to move materials around without ripping up the ground and had become quite popular in the past five to 10 years.
Rolawn expands bulk products facility08/10/2007
Rolawn, Britain's largest turf grower and leading topsoil supplier have purchased a second site adjacent to their main bulk products facility at Seaton Ross, near York.
The new site, which comprises a 7000 square foot warehouse/ industrial unit with mezzanine storage within an acre of land will enable the company to store and dispatch products from a clean and secure environment.
Paul Dawson, Managing Director commented "The site gives us increased storage capacity as we continue to expand our product range".
The Landscape Link - Web Site Developments01/10/2007
Over the past 4 months our developers have been working hard on changes to The Landscape Link web site.
These changes are nearly finished and when live will offer users and advertisers lots of new features and functions.
So keep checking back over the next couple of weeks to see what we've been working on!
South West Regional Growers Show28/09/2007
Held at the Matford Centre, Exeter on 3rd October
Marshalls & Tarmac help create Yorkshire's largest inland Beach at Eureka!27/09/2007
Leading hard landscaping manufacturer Marshalls plc recently teamed up with aggregate supply partner Tarmac to help create Yorkshire's largest inland beach. The new beach was built at Eureka! in Halifax as a great additional summer attraction to the already highly acclaimed children's museum.
Working in partnership, Marshalls and Tarmac provided 80 tonnes of high quality fine grain play sand so visitors could enjoy this unique seaside experience in the heart of the Pennines. The Eureka! Beach will now offer fun all summer long with its deckchairs, ice cream kiosk, donkeys, pirates, parties, sand sculpture workshops and games galore!
Prior Park returns from the Wilderness27/09/2007
The restoration of the Wilderness at Prior Park Landscape Garden has reached its culmination with the completion of the Serpentine Lake and Cascade.
Originally designed for Ralph Allen's garden by Alexander Pope in the 18th century, the Wilderness is the final landscape of the restoration jigsaw that the Trust began in 1993, when it acquired the garden. Since that time, the Trust has been working to restore the garden to what we believe it would have been like in 1764, the year of Ralph Allen's death.
Gardens 'can attract house buyers'27/09/2007
A well presented garden can be a real attraction to home buyers, according to the results of a new survey.
Research conducted by Halifax Estate Agents found the outdoor features most likely to improve a property's saleability are mature shrubs and trees, patios and sheds.
Decking is also attractive to potential buyers, particularly younger ones, while rose gardens and water features were considered a plus point by many.
However, the research also discovered that gardens could put people off a house, with rubbish, unkempt lawns and overgrown plants among the things likely to deter prospective purchasers.
Get your garden into shape during National Conifer Week31/08/2007
During National Conifer Week, 29th September until 7th October, gardeners are being encouraged to head down to their local garden centre and look at the inspirational conifer ideas they have to offer for all gardens.
Conifers are a fantastic addition to any garden. They provide all year round interest because of their differing textures, structure and colours ranging from blue/grey, green, to dazzling yellow/gold, as well as offering protection for your more delicate plants during the winter months.
Looking after conifers is simple as they are amongst the most versatile of plants. A little time spent pruning and trimming will ensure they are maintained at the desired size and shape and remain healthy.
NEW Inspirational Images - The Landscape Link31/08/2007
We have now finished uploading all the images for our Inspiration section.
The Inspirational Images are a great resource for all your designing and building projects.
Take a look NOW!
Climate Change and declining botanical skills threaten UK plant conservation09/08/2007
Challenges posed by a changing climate and a decline in botanical knowledge have been highlighted as significant threats to the conservation of wild plants in the UK.
The findings are published in a new report by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plantlife International and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, which reviews Plant Diversity Challenge, the UK's response to the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. The Global Strategy was drawn up under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UK is one of 190 Parties to the Convention, which aims to halt the loss of biodiversity worldwide.
US dept specialist buys Focus DIY03/08/2007
Focus DIY has been bought for £1 by dept specialists Cerberus who have paid off their dept's of £174m.
Work has begun to turn the beleaguered company around. Bill Grimsey the new chief executive has hired two former Wickes executives to assist.
There will be more than 50 store closures expected.
The Yellow Book 200717/07/2007
The famous Yellow Book (previously know as Gardens of England and Wales Open for Charity) is available in all major bookshops. Listing nearly 3,500 gardens (mostly private) that open to the public for the National Gardens Scheme (NGS), The Yellow Book 2007 will be priced again at £7.99. The book can also be ordered on line by visiting www.ngs.org.uk.
Leylandii trees top housebuyers' plant hate-list, says poll04/06/2007
Designers should consider which plants not to include in a design as list reveals most-hated plants.
The survey, carried out for uktvgardens.co.uk, asked 6,000 property buyers which plants they hated and which they liked.
The Central England Temperature (CET) is the world's longest running temperature series and dates back to 1659.
April 2007 and the 12-month rolling period ending in April 2007 become the warmest since the records began 348 years ago.
Web site development - The Landscape Link27/04/2007
In a bid to bring you all the information you need we have created some brand new sections to the web site.
They are:
Shows - Gardening and Landscaping based shows.
Gardens To Visit - See them, read about them and find out where they are.
Associations - Federations, Associations and Organisations that make our industry tick.
Knowledge - We're working on it!
Business Help - We're working on it!
How To - COMING SOON!
Conversion - COMING SOON!
Celebrating the centenary of Hidcote Manor Garden14/04/2007
Television presenter Chris Beardshaw is celebrating the centenary of Hidcote Manor Garden in Gloucestershire by designing a 1930s arts and crafts-themed garden for Chelsea.
Named 100 Years of Hidcote Manor, Beardshaws design is based on an oil painting by Hidcotes creator Laurence Johnson. The painting features summer flowers in a vase and so Beardshaw's Chelsea garden will also be full of colours.
Budget Highlights - 200730/03/2007
Corporation tax for small companies increased from 19% to 22% over three years.
Cut in corporation tax from 30% to 28% for large companies from 2008.
Reduction in basic rate income tax to 20% from 2008.
Significant increases in national insurance on earned income from 2008.
Capital Allowance system reform.
Landfill tax to increase by £8 per tonne each year to 2011.
Increase Vehicle Excise Duty for all cars except the very cleanest.
Dates for your diary20/03/2007
Ideal Home Show - 9 March to 1 April
Held at Earls Court, London
Tel: 0870 606 6080
RHS London Orchid Show - 17-18 March
At RHS Lawrence Hall, London
Tel: 0845 612 1253
Spring Flower Show - 24-25 March
Held by the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 552 7171
Lawn advice for March07/03/2007
Check that electric and petrol-powered mowers are in good working order.
Mow the grass if the weather is mild enough and the lawn shows signs of growth. Ensure the first cut of the season is light, raising the blades 0.5cm (0.25in) higher than the usual cutting height.
Newly turfed areas can be mown with the blades set to the highest setting, as soon as the grass reaches 5cm (2in) in height.
Turf can be laid, provided the soil is not too wet or frozen. Work from planks, to avoid compacting the soil.
Do not walk on newly laid turf, and leave it undisturbed for several weeks to allow the new roots to establish.
Dates for your diary19/02/2007
Euro Plants Open Days - 21st-22nd February
Tel: 01707 649996
RHS London Flower Show - 13th-14th February
Tel: 020 7649 1885
Lawn Care Conference - 15th February
Tel: 01480 819045
Send us NEWS!17/02/2007
If you have news you think the Public or Trades would be interested in then please email it over and we will add it to this section for all to read.
Promote your business to a targeted audience with ease.
Whether it be a job opening, new promotions or an open day let us know at: info@thelandscapelink.co.uk
Advertise with us TODAY - receive 30% off16/02/2007
Advertise your business in our landscaping directory for as little as £69 per year.
Whether you are a supplier, manufacturer or a trade, bring your business to life on the web.
Purchasing a listing is so simple and only takes a couple of minutes, so what are you waiting for, join TODAY and boost your business to new levels!
Weather Function Enhanced08/02/2007
The Weather function has been enhanced and allows users to select which location they would like the weather to be shown for.
The Landscape Link goes LIVE!07/02/2007
The Online Landscaping Directory has officially gone LIVE.
All our testing has been completed and is now live for use!
Final TESTING of The Landscape Link - Online Landscaping Directory06/02/2007
The Online Landscaping Directory is in the final testing stage.
Our team are testing all the web site features to make sure The Landscaping Directory is the most focused and user friendly directory possible.
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