Accreditation - Forum - Landscape Juice Network2024-03-29T09:04:11Zhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/feed/category/AccreditationJust got my drone Operator & Flyer ID Yay!https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/just-got-my-drone-operator-flyer-id-yay2019-12-04T19:50:45.000Z2019-12-04T19:50:45.000ZDarren Waltershttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/DarrenWalters<div><p>Now, I just need to use the blooming thing!</p></div>Construction Industry Schemehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/construction-industry-scheme2019-09-24T08:46:36.000Z2019-09-24T08:46:36.000ZAndy Harroldhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/AndyHarrold<div><p>Good Morning,</p><p>I was approached by a company while at one of my usual businesses cutting grass. They asked if I could clear a site of bushes, weeds, and overhanging trees etc. I provided them with a quote and they advised they were happy for me to proceed. The site has now been cleared to their satisfaction. I've now received some emails from their accounts department asking for my UTC, Company Name and Registration Number, and then if I was a member of the Construction Industry Scheme (Which I'm not), so I quickly Googled it. It now appears that they will be making deductions from my Invoice on behalf of HMRC. Has anyone got any experience of this, should I register, or what I should do?</p></div>CHAS Accreditationhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/chas-accreditation2019-04-29T16:23:05.000Z2019-04-29T16:23:05.000ZDean Foxtonhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/Claudeballs<div><p>Hi, I sub contract for a few building developers and I've been asked by one of them to sign up to the CHAS accreditation scheme to bring me in line with the rest of thier contractors. </p><p>I was wondering if any members had experience of the scheme and could share thier thoughts.</p><p>I'm aware that I'll probably have to obtain various certificates of competence to meet the criteria and a little bit concerned about what it could end up costing in relation to what I'll get out of it.</p><p>Thanks</p></div>Independent Professional Gardeners Association launched by Alan Sargenthttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/independent-professional-gardeners-association-launched-by-alan-s2018-08-19T10:02:34.000Z2018-08-19T10:02:34.000ZPhil Voicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/philvoice<div><p>Alan Sargent launches new 'elite' gardeners' association aimed at the top 200 gardeners in the United Kingdom.</p>
<p>For a full explanation of how the new association is to be run and the thinking behind its formation, see the following video.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShootGardening/videos/1808517169240405/?t=1931">https://www.facebook.com/ShootGardening/videos/1808517169240405/?t=1931</a></p>
</div>Starting outhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/starting-out-32018-01-11T15:11:53.000Z2018-01-11T15:11:53.000ZDan Younghttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/DanYoung<div>Hello everyone.So I'm a long time free member on here and recently a pro member. I have decided it's time to get back to being outdoors. Currently I have my own ltd servicing, repairing steam turbines in the power industry. I have sort of fell into that and it's rubbish. It pays really well but it's not for me in the long term.My back ground is greenkeeping and golf course construction. Which is where I was employed until redundancy at the end of the recession in 2010. So now I'm coming back. I have all the usual quals associated with greenkeeping, golf course construction.So now do I target my local area of north Somerset for garden maintenance or move into landscaping and update my qualifications to fit that as well.Any advice on the above would be brilliant.</div>Insurance companies for Japanese knotweedhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/insurance-companies-for-japanese-knotweed2017-12-20T13:34:56.000Z2017-12-20T13:34:56.000ZNathan millwardhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/Nathanmillward<div>Hi guysJust wandering if anyone on here has any ideas or experiences with specialty insurance for Japanese knotweee. Looking at the 10 year guaranteed work.Any help is appreciatedThanksNathan</div>Expirations on Lantra and NPTC Certificates.https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/expirations-on-lantra-and-nptc-certificates2017-12-17T22:32:48.000Z2017-12-17T22:32:48.000ZBrett Robinsonhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/brettrobinson<div>Hi all. Thinking of maybe doing a brushcutter course in the new year but undecided whether to do the Lantra course or the NPTC course. Just wanted to know what the expirations are on both the Lantra and NPTC brushcutter courses. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm understanding NPTC certifications don't expire and courses don't need to be refreshed but Lantra certifications expire 5 years from when the course was passed and courses need to be refreshed every 5 years. I have the NPTC certification in pesticides (PA1 & 6), chainsaw maintenance and cross cutting (CS30) and tree felling and processing (CS31) and these qualifications don't expire. I did my pesticides course in 2011, chainsaw maintenance course in 2013 and tree felling course in 2014. I'm not sure if there's been any changes to this or what I've stated above still stands but look forward to what you guys come up with. Cheers, Brett</div>Edinburgh Garden School RHS Coursehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/edinburgh-garden-school-rhs-course2017-10-30T16:48:53.000Z2017-10-30T16:48:53.000ZLou Knowleshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LouKnowles<div><p>Hi anyone out there know what's going on with the Edinburgh Garden School? I had my DD payments stopped by them for the RHS Level 2 & 3 course, had a quick look online and the CEO Passed away recently and it says they will contact people in 7-10 days, the problem is I have payed £400 but only had the 1st module as I was planning to do all the studying over winter now its slowing down in the gardens. but the deadline to go in for the Feb exams closes in a couple of weeks and I'm a bit worried I wont be able to get hold of the rest of the course. Is anyone currently studying with Edinburgh Garden School and has anyone herd if they are still going to carry on? </p></div>Seeking 10 people to learn together with Piet Oudolf, Dr Noel Kingsbury and othershttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/seeking-10-people-to-learn-together-with-piet-oudolf-dr-noel-king2017-07-13T15:50:04.000Z2017-07-13T15:50:04.000ZElspeth Briscoehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/ElspethBriscoe<div><p>Hello everyone,</p><p>It's been several years since I've been on here. And <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.learningwithexperts.com/gardening" target="_blank">MyGardenSchool</a> has now grown quite a lot. We're trialling an initiative where we'd like to find 10 people who would be happy to learn together in one class - and really feel like they would benefit from being taught by some of the best experts in the world (Piet Oudolf, Michael Marriott from David Austin, Dr Noel Kingsbury, Annie Guilfoyle, Dr Toby Musgrave and others). I would like to offer a select group of Landscape Juice Members this opportunity to trial a course of their choice with us at www.learningwithexperts.com/gardening (you can take your pick from there). But you must meet the following criteria:</p><ul><li>Be a practising (or aspiring) gardener, landscaper or designer (ideally not formally qualified)</li><li>Not have experienced MyGardenSchool before</li><li>Willing to share your experience socially and take photographs of your work</li></ul><p>What you will get: This is an experiment, so we're keen to follow your progress of how you learn and interact as a group, and understand how you interact with your tutors. </p><p>You really will get feedback from Dr Noel Kingsbury personally (or the other tutors you choose to study with). If more than 10 people want to do this, we will split you into groups. However we won't make this happen unless there is interest from at least 10 of you (as it's the group dynamic we want to study). We will need you to pay something towards the course, but once we reach 10+ volunteers we are happy to reduce the price to 50% of our normal rate (eg for Annie Guilfoyle's urban design course, this is a reduction of several hundred pounds). </p><p>Dr Noel Kingsbury and Piet Oudolf are right behind this study (as are the others), and are also producing a new course about the Highline next year. </p><p>I thought I would post on here to gauge interest. <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.learningwithexperts.com/gardening/courses" target="_blank">Here is where you can choose your course selection</a> (we are assuming that Piet and Noel, and the higher priced courses will be chosen, as you get £100s off, but that may not be the case. Please let me know (and happy to discuss on here) if this is of interest. Or you can email me privately on elspeth@learningwithexperts.com - but I will let people know on here when we reach a group of 10.</p><p>Finally once you've all studied together, we like the idea of introducing you in person. We are currently looking to do a small show garden at Chelsea Flower Show next year, and would like to involve some of this group in it. </p><p>Please post here if you'd like to take part and if we do get 10 of you interested we will start the experiment (I will write back to you with the codes to access classes)<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UztlhSgxv-Y?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>. </p><p></p><p></p></div>Starting my own businesshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/starting-my-own-business2017-05-19T02:40:17.000Z2017-05-19T02:40:17.000ZKingsley Powershttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/KingsleyPowers<div>Hi my name is Kingsley.I am 21 years old I was working in drainage/civil engineering/ flagging ground works, till around a year ago. My manager at this drainage firm had. Decided to set a landscape gardening business (he had no experience of this). I followed as he offered me a place so me and him. Built the business up and worked really hard. He was my fiance's father and was 56 and very overweight so he could only do so much, I have recently broken up with my fiance for good. Why I come to you today is I have found my talent, my Passion. I want my own landscaping business I want to pick your brains of everything I need and need to know.</div>Most useful courseshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/most-useful-courses2017-03-19T18:11:59.000Z2017-03-19T18:11:59.000ZTed Waldronhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/TedWaldron<div><p>I am a relatively new startup, still finding my way in the wonderful world of garden maintenance and I was wondering what you, the Illuminati of the professional gardening world, thought the most useful, relevant and value for money course you have ever done was.</p><p>Anything from pruning to pest control, composting to seed collection.</p><p></p><p>cheers</p><p></p><p>Ted</p><p></p></div>Associations worth joininghttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/associations-worth-joining2017-01-31T16:28:34.000Z2017-01-31T16:28:34.000ZIan Kenyonhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/IanKenyon<div><p>Hey there friends</p><p>What associations would you consider good value and adding credibility and worth supporting - other than this one of course ;-)</p><p></p><p>Thanks</p><p>Ian</p></div>Guarantees... what do you offer?https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/guarantees-what-do-you-offer2017-01-08T17:19:31.000Z2017-01-08T17:19:31.000ZMarc Ollerenshawhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/MarcOllerenshaw<div>Hi everyone,What sort of guarantees do you all offer with your work: Fencing, Paving, Monoblock, Artificial Grass?Only asking out of curiosity as some larger businesses in our area are offering 10years on driveways and paving, 8 years on fencing and 5 years on artificial grass.This is putting us to the side because we only offer 3 years on everything we do but wondering if we should up this to 5 years to tie in with the bigger businesses?</div>Japanese knotweedhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/japanese-knotweed-32016-12-04T10:53:33.000Z2016-12-04T10:53:33.000ZNathan millwardhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/Nathanmillward<div>Hi guysCan somebody help me or point me in the right direction to a Japanese knotweed management plan?Just wanted to know all the proper paperwork really that goes alongside the treatment of knotweed.ThanksNathan</div>Landscape industry groups by membership numbershttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/landscape-industry-groups-by-membership-numbers2016-11-03T13:39:18.000Z2016-11-03T13:39:18.000ZPhil Voicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/philvoice<div><p>I've been doing some research on landscape industry groups and their numbers.</p>
<p>You may be (not) surprised to see that LJN is way out in front in terms of numbers.</p>
<p>What's also interesrting is that more people open LJNs weekly newsletter than BALI, APL & SGD have in combined members.</p>
<p></p>
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</div>Hard landscaping courses in the south?https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/hard-landscaping-courses-in-the-south2016-10-12T06:40:41.000Z2016-10-12T06:40:41.000ZChrishttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/Chris702<div>Hi, been gardening for an age and finding I'm being asked to quote for more and more hard landscaping projects. So far alls gone well, and I'm well versed in the "theories" for laying paving, patios, paths, building dwarf walls, etc but would like to reconcile all that into some hands on training before I start charging customers for the service, so to speak. Does anyone have any ideas as to who might provide such training, to somehow fit in with my gardening rounds (I.e. Not an nvq year long thing)?</div>Work for estate agents / tenancy workhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/work-for-estate-agents-tenancy-work2016-05-17T18:48:18.000Z2016-05-17T18:48:18.000ZNathan millwardhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/Nathanmillward<div>Hello.I was approached today by a local owner to an estate agents and asked if I would be willing to work for them and clean/tidy the gardens at end of tenancy. And look after the gardens. Just want to know if any body out there has experience with doing this sort of work with tenancy and estate agents? They need a quick turn around really so just worried about if you have other work booked in and then you get a call. Any advice would be great as this would be my step into the commercial world ? Thanks</div>Commercial contractshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/commercial-contracts-22016-04-30T16:31:02.000Z2016-04-30T16:31:02.000ZNathan millwardhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/Nathanmillward<div>Hi guys.All of my work at the moment is domestic gardens. And I'm thinking about taken the step into the commercial world. Any advice? The commercial side is a whole different world to me. What is the best way to get commercial contracts? Got friends who go to business breakfasts and that how they get them. Just wanted some ideas and advice please guys?Thanks</div>RHS Level 2 Horticulture vs City & Guilds Horticulturehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/rhs-level-2-horticulture-vs-city-guilds-horticulture2016-03-01T19:57:37.000Z2016-03-01T19:57:37.000ZRogerhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/Roger<div><p><span class="font-size-2">Hi, been a while since my last post but still lurking. I'm considering completing a course to improve my gardening knowledge; I want to learn things such as pruning techniques, plant identification, lawn care tips, and anything else that can practically give me a bit more edge. I'm not necessarily concerned at the "qualification" to be gained, but would like to get some good guided hands-on tuition. Has anyone completed either the RHS horticulture course, or the City & <span class="font-size-2">Guilds h</span>orticulture course, and can give a review ??. Thanks</span></p></div>Who represents YOU in Horticulture?....national industry standards enforced or not?https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/who-represents-you-in-horticulture-national-industry-standards-en2016-02-21T19:09:09.000Z2016-02-21T19:09:09.000ZCharlie Bloomhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/CharlieBloom<div>Hi All, Thankyou all so much for adding to my other forum post. What I observed was a debate less about media and more about accreditation and who or how this should be brought about, if at all. It would seem that Tree Surgeons for example aspire to industry accreditation and also industry standards. So who is the affiliating body for you all????? Who represents you???? What have the BIG membership organisations done for you, or not done for you. Should we have industry standards enforced on 'gardening' and 'landscaping'.....And does the lack of cohesion between organisations have an effect on this?your views pls.... Many thanks.</div>Online courseshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/online-courses2016-02-17T20:11:54.000Z2016-02-17T20:11:54.000ZNathan millwardhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/Nathanmillward<div>Hey guys. Has anybody got any feedback on a distance learning online course? I have seen the level 2 in principles of horticulture with the Royal corispondane college. And your finals are with the RHS. I just want to get the paperwork behind me.But before I sign up I just wanted to see if anybody has done a course like this.Cheers</div>Criminal record disclosure checks ruled 'unlawful'https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/criminal-record-disclosure-checks-ruled-unlawful2016-01-22T19:01:24.000Z2016-01-22T19:01:24.000ZGary RKhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/GaryRK<div><p>The High Court this afternoon ruled the criminal record checks scheme used in England and Wales was "arbitrary" and unlawful.</p>
<p>As many Contractors need such disclosure to satisfy various vetted schemes (such as Trading Standards) it will be iinteresting to see how this plays out.......</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35383037" target="_blank">Further details here....</a></p>
</div>Beginners?https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/beginners2015-11-23T15:33:54.000Z2015-11-23T15:33:54.000ZChrishttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/Chris702<div><p>I'm a 47yr old gardener who's been trying to build up a gardening round part time in the face of impending redundancy at my full time job. Its now looking like the redundancy is imminent, and I've enjoyed working outside all year and hope to make something of it full time soon. I've learnt tons from the numerous, valuable and experienced folk on this great forum, however the thought occurs; you all seem so "pro" - are there any beginners/learners out there, like me? I'm taking a distance learning course and am reading as much as my old brain will absorb for now, in an attempt to bring some academia to peoples gardens, rather than merely mowing and hedge trimming, and although difficult, it's fun. Id love to hear from other fresh starters and share experiences if possible. I'm also keen to approach local, established gardeners with the pipe of peace, as there's plenty of work around so why not work together rather than opposed to one another? Am I just being naive?</p><p></p></div>Installer Programmes - The good, the bad & the ugly.https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/installer-programmes-the-good-the-bad-the-ugly2015-10-17T17:38:15.000Z2015-10-17T17:38:15.000ZAdam Callowhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/AdamCallow<div><p>Good evening all,</p><p>I'm looking forward to becoming an active member in the community here and supporting it where we can as a company. I wanted to put this post up to get some feedback from you all on the topic of Installer Programmes.<br/><br/>Our business has just partnered with Mike Leeming from Ethan Mason Paving and have the task of building their first ever installer network.<br/><br/>Now after lots of ideas floating around the meetings I quickly realised that none of our opinions actually matter. None of us are landscapers. We all have different skills whether its online sales, marketing or the fact Mike left Bradstone (where he was the Sales Director) to set up Ethan Mason Paving...but none of us are on the front line every day like you are.<br/><br/>So I thought no better way to get an understanding of what you feel would make a great (we don't care about just 'good) installer network that you would be proud to join and what we should avoid.</p><p>All feedback is welcome and thanks to anyone that takes the time to post.</p></div>Contractor schemes - the landscape changes again - Which?https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/contractor-schemes-the-landscape-changes-again-which2015-10-14T18:05:08.000Z2015-10-14T18:05:08.000ZGary RKhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/GaryRK<div><p>Interesting move by Which?</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3284643717?profile=original">Which.pdf</a></p>
<p>It seems they have opened a new level in their Trusted Trader scheme, that of - "Member Approved, but not Vetted Contractor" - offering it free of charge if you are already listed on Which? Local (behind their paywall) Vs the £600+ Trusted Trader Scheme in front of their paywall.</p>
<p>Must say, I'm getting very confused by all these schemes, along with the Lead Generation sites.</p>
<p>I wonder what the Public will make of it ?</p>
<p></p>
</div>RHS Courseshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/rhs-courses2015-09-15T19:38:43.000Z2015-09-15T19:38:43.000ZCarlhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/Carl524<div><p>Has anyone studied for an RHS Level 2 course online / distance learning and if so who did you go with, and was it worth it? I can't afford to take time off the day job to study full time (or day release) so distance/online learning is something I'm looking at. Cheers.</p></div>Just spraying weedshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/just-spraying-weeds2015-05-01T20:31:46.000Z2015-05-01T20:31:46.000ZPhil Seabrookhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/PhilipSeabrook<div><p>I've been noticing a lot of driveways with a healthy crop of weeds lately and got to thinking about advertising weed control as a standalone service. I'm already providing it's an extra to current clients but as I would now be advertising, and thus making myself more visible, I want to make sure I'm doing it absolutely right. I've got the PA certificates, the experience, the equipment and the chemicals, anything I'm forgetting?Cheers, Phil</p>
</div>