advice - LJN Blog Posts - Landscape Juice Network2024-03-29T15:56:18Zhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/adviceUnlock the secrets to starting ANY successful business in 2023https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/unlock-the-secrets-to-starting-any-successful-business-in-20232023-01-20T18:08:17.000Z2023-01-20T18:08:17.000ZRobbiehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/Robbie<div><p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3MmilTnx-Tg" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p></div>The Landscapers Circle – Supersizing Your Business!https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/the-landscapers-circle-supersizing-your-business2016-09-26T13:30:00.000Z2016-09-26T13:30:00.000ZMike Warmanhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/AuraLandscapes<div><p>Mike and Paula Warman are proud to announce the upcoming launch of <b>The Landscapers Circle.</b></p><p></p><p>This business is a service dedicated to <b>bringing in more customers and more money for landscapers</b> across the UK.</p><p>With targeted marketing campaigns, The Landscapers Circle grows your business and your revenue. Similar marketing strategies have been used on Aura Landscapes, taking it from a <b>£70k yearly revenue to £500k.</b></p><p></p><p>You can choose which package you’d like, and experience a quality done for you service. This service is also <b>only for landscapers,</b> so you can be sure that you’ll be marketed in a way that will successfully grow your business.</p><p></p><p>However, there is a catch.</p><p></p><p>To ensure you get the most out of this service, The Landscapers Circle is only offering this unique opportunity to <b>one landscaper per postcode area.</b></p><p>Some areas have already gone, so you need to check if yours is still open today.</p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="http://www.thelandscaperscircle.co.uk/exclusive-access" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">I Want To See If My Area Is Still Available!</a></p></div>Skip Hire Guidehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/skip-hire-guide2016-04-20T08:39:05.000Z2016-04-20T08:39:05.000ZChris Kervinhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/ChrisKervin<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314800466?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>Skip hire is a practical and handy waste disposal solution for many landscaping and gardening projects. A skip allows waste to be quickly disposed of as it is created, and they are available in a range of sizes to suit any job. Skips are not just for professionals, and are often hired by DIY enthusiasts for a range of home improvements, including garden clearances.</p>
<p><span class="font-size-4">How much does skip hire cost?</span></p>
<p>Skip hire is a convenient and often cost effective waste disposal service. Prices do vary between locations, but generally smaller skips will start at under £100. If you are on an extremely tight budget, a skip bag may be the best solution, as they are the cheapest skips available. Upgrading to the next skip size will generally cost between £20-30, and hold an additional 10-20 black bin bags of waste. </p>
<p>In order to keep costs as low as possible, it is important that you choose the correct skip size for your waste. It is cheaper to hire 1 larger skip than 2 smaller skips, so ensure that your skip will be big enough to carry your unwanted waste.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.skiphire.services/prices/" target="_blank"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314802960?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-center" style="padding: 2px;" /></a></p>
<p></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4">What skip size do I need?</span></p>
<p>Skips are available in a range of different sizes, making them a great choice for almost any gardening job. If you will only be creating a small amount of waste, you can opt for a mini skip or skip bags. These are the cheapest skip options, and make rubbish disposal easy.</p>
<p>If you are undertaking a larger job, you may want to consider a builders skip. These skips are normally available in 6-8 yard capacities, and can hold a considerable amount of waste. </p>
<p>For industrial sized jobs, you will need a roll-on roll-off skip. These skips are available in extremely large sizes, often up to 40-yards, and can hold a considerable amount of waste.</p>
<p>Below is a helpful guide indicating the common skip sizes and their approximate capacities.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314798481?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314798481?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-center" style="padding: 2px;" /></a></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4">Will I need a permit?</span></p>
<p>If you will be placing a skip on council land, you will normally require a permit. However, if you can place the skip on privately owned land, a skip hire permit will not be required. Skip hire permits are issued by the council, and prices do vary for different locations. In most cases, your skip hire provider will be able to arrange your permit for you, if needed.</p>
<p></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4">What can I throw into a skip?</span></p>
<p>Skip hire is popular for garden clearances and landscaping projects as almost all waste generated can be thrown into a skip. Waste including organic material, domestic waste, soil, furniture, metal, wood, plastics, rubble, etc. can all be put into a skip. There are a few restrictions on what can and can't be placed into a skip, with items such as asbestos, hazardous materials (including explosives), solvents, electronics and tyres not allowed.</p>
<p></p>
</div>Before the mad rush begins: things to consider for the year ahead (1/3)https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/fertilisers-liquid-granule2016-01-22T17:12:16.000Z2016-01-22T17:12:16.000ZLandscape Juicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LandscapeJuice<div><p><u><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314776870?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="250" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314776870?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250" class="align-right" /></a>[sponsored content]</u></p>
<p><strong><u>Fertilisers; Liquid or granule</u></strong></p>
<p>It’s a perennial question..liquid or granular fertiliser? The answer may be ..both! They each have pros and cons but a treatment plan for every lawn or paddock should ideally incorporate both types. Granular fertilisers are easy to apply and very visible plus they often have a more varied analysis with more nutrients packed into each bag (eg: AMVISTA Feed, Weed & Mosskill : 8-4-4 (NPK) +2.5Mgo + 7% Fe + 6 CaO + seaweed + 2-4D + CMPP). Liquid fertilisers are improving with some slow-release offerings on the market plus the benefit of immediate feeding of the grass when sprayed on. The use of seaweed is not new but adding regular doses of liquid seaweed sprays, such as MAXICROP CONCENTRATE pure seaweed, in between bouts of granular will improve not only the grass but the microbial content of the soil leading to less reliance in future on synthetic growth stimulants.</p>
<p><strong> <u>Gone – but not forgotten:</u></strong></p>
<p>Pesticide products that can no longer be sold (but still may have a use-up period) are:</p>
<p>Kaskara (Broadshot), Merit Turf, Relay Turf and Relay-P, Certis Spraying Oil for red spider mite & conifer aphid. While there are not many new products there are still viable alternatives to consider; FLAIL for tough, woody weeds, NEMASYS nematodes for chafer infestations (see below), PRAXYS/ POLAX for weedy amenity grassland and BANDU for aphid control on conifers.</p>
<p><strong><u>Biopesticides:</u></strong></p>
<p>These are products based on microbial ingredients designed to be a natural and low residue alternative for insect control. MET52 is a naturally occurring soil fungus which has been a great performer for weevils and thrips on amenity vegetation as well as vegetables and berry crops.</p>
<p>The broad title also includes predatory insects such as the Aphalara itadori, a psyllid, being bred and tested for its effectiveness at eating Japanese knotweed. Many people are also more aware of nematodes – the good & bad ones. The withdrawal of MERIT TURF for chafer grub/ leatherjacket control means they are now at the frontline of lawn & grassland protection from these devastating larvae. NEMASYS G & J nematodes are available to purchase but are bred to target specific larvae, so correct identification of the creature chewing your grass roots is key.</p>
<p>Contact Progreen Weed Control for more information on any of these items:</p>
<p>Web: <a href="http://www.progreen.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.progreen.co.uk</a>   email: <a href="mailto:info@progreen.co.uk" target="_blank">info@progreen.co.uk</a></p>
</div>See Your Garden Spring into Life Every Yearhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/see-your-garden-spring-into-life-every-year2015-06-17T11:17:09.000Z2015-06-17T11:17:09.000ZAnna @ Jacksons Fencinghttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/AnnaJacksonsFencing<div><p><br/><img id="ctl00_cphContent_nwsItm_imgNews" class="right newsImage" src="https://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/images/news/db_newsimg.image?id=21394&width=250&height=250" name="ctl00_cphContent_nwsItm_imgNews"/></p><h4 class="date"><em>Thanks to Jason Hornby, an award winning garden designer, for sharing his knowledge on hardy perennials in his first blog post exclusively for Jacksons. </em></h4><p>How perennials add consistent colour to your garden every spring and summer </p><p>Imagine every spring, as the days get longer and the sun gets warmer, being able to step out into your garden to be welcomed by a cornucopia of colours. Colours that last through into late summer only to come back again, year after year. This is the joy of hardy perennials. <br/>A reliable group of plants that flower from early spring to late summer each year, and die back over winter.<br/><br/>If you haven’t already considered it, now is a good time to think about not simply planting perennials, but also looking at the overall structure of your garden – something that these plants are particularly useful for. <br/><br/>A garden border should contain perennials that ascend in height from the front to the back, creating a dazzling display of colour throughout the seasons. The perfect background to this rich tapestry of colourful blooms could be a smart run of <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/fencing/type/fencing-panels.aspx?tc1=aa&pg=227" target="_self">timber fencing</a>, that would allow the plants some protection from the worst of the elements, the enemy of taller plants being harsh winds. This adds order that only offsets the naturalistic planting in your boarders and heightens the overall effect of the perennials’ colour. <br/>Plant these perennials with trees and evergreen shrubs and you are creating a framework and configuration that feels well-organised and considered.<br/><br/>Perennials to consider for the front of your border:</p><p>• Salvia nemorosa ‘Sensation Rose’<br/>• Sedum ‘Matrona’<br/>• Geranium himalayense ‘Gravetye’</p><p>Perennials to consider for the middle of your border:</p><p>• Perovskia ‘Blue Spire’<br/>• Echinacea purpurea<br/>• Helenium ‘Waltraut’<br/>• Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Firetail’</p><p>Perennials to consider for the back of your border:</p><p>• Verbena bonariensis<br/>• Foeniculum vulgare ‘Giant Bronze’<br/>• Eupatorium maculatum ‘Purple Bush’<br/>• Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Lavendelturm’<br/><br/>To give a more naturalistic feel to your planting plan, we would always suggest including some grasses. These will deliver texture, colour and movement to your borders. These could include: <br/><br/><strong><img src="https://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/pages/multimedia/db_image.image?CrnID=-1&id=21393&width=143&height=200&quality=85&crop=False&percent=0&vm=0" alt="Jason Hornby Guest Blogger" align="right" height="200" width="143"/>Stipa tenuissima</strong> – this is a wonderfully whispy billowing grass that moves in the slightest breeze<br/><strong>Miscanthus sinensis ‘Kleine Fontäne’</strong> - a stunning silver grass that flowers into Autumn and is great for adding winer interest when your perennials fade away<br/><strong>Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’</strong> - this deciduous grass has delightful bottle brush flowers <br/><br/>Next spring you’ll want to cut your perennial plants back as this will extend the season of interest in the garden with spiders’ webs spun between the lifeless stalks and cobwebs highlighted by the frost.<br/>But the main thing is get those perennials in – you won’t regret it.</p><p></p><p>Jason Hornby, is an award winning garden designer who creates spaces inside and out that are both beautiful and functional. He believes that your garden should be a reflection of your tastes and needs. Enriching your life by being the extra space you are looking for. It is this ethos that allows him to give rise to gardens which are, quite simply, beautiful. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.hornbygardendesigns.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.hornbygardendesigns.co.uk</a></p></div>Quick Guide to Aerating Your Lawnhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/quick-guide-to-aerating-your-lawn2015-04-08T14:45:34.000Z2015-04-08T14:45:34.000ZTracmaster Ltdhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/TracmasterLtd<div><h3><img title="aerating guide" src="http://www.camon.co.uk/images/TRACaeratingguide.jpg" alt="how to aerate your lawn"/></h3><p> </p><h4><strong>Problem</strong></h4><p><img src="http://www.camon.co.uk/images/la25_working_1.jpg?width=300" width="300" class="align-right" style="padding: 3px;"/></p><p>The soil beneath the grass on your lawn tends to become compacted over time and as a result has too many solid particles in a certain volume or space which prevents proper circulation of air, water and nutrients within the soil. The reasons for this vary - lawns in family gardens get used for recreation rather than decoration, while in new build properties the lawn is often laid on nutritionally deficient subsoil rather than high-quality top soil. There may also be an issue with lawn thatch which is essentially strangling the grass and preventing it from growing properly.</p><h4><strong>Solution</strong></h4><p>In order to deal with this problem, lawns should be aerated twice a year, ideally in the spring as this is prime growing season and will allow time for the grass to recover. The practice of aerating a lawn involves perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots, resulting in a stronger, more vigorous lawn. Although possible to do this manually, it is more time-efficient and effective to either hire or buy a machine to do it. You will cover more ground evenly this way too...</p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-4"><strong><a rel="nofollow" href="http://bit.ly/1GoT7iT" target="_blank">Click here to read the full article</a><br/></strong></span></p></div>Spring has sprung With a Vengeancehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/spring-has-sprung-with-a-vengeance2014-06-03T08:31:17.000Z2014-06-03T08:31:17.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>2014 is turning out to be so different from last year. In May 2013, the grass eventually woke up from a long winter, whereas this year, it is about six weeks ahead. Alan Abel from Complete Weed Control gives his monthly advice on what to look out for.</p><p>Operating by dates is clearly not the way forward. Turf managers have to deal with problems/weeds/situations/grass growth as and when they arrive.</p><p>Contracting is a delicate balancing act of getting the right herbicide on the right area with the right equipment at the right time and especially at the right rate of application.</p><p>When you look at that paragraph closely, it is difficult to achieve all those parameters given the weather we now see as the over-riding factor.</p><p>This is where dealing with a local contractor comes into its own. They know what the weather will be like better than someone travelling maybe 250 miles to do the same job. They then end up spending extra money on accommodation or being forced into doing the job in the wrong working conditions.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314213918?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314213918?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-left"/></a>As far as 'in the field' is concerned, Complete Weed Control has been flagging up the leatherjacket populations and there is definitely no reason to change this point of view. They are very active and many golf fairways are being eaten alive. We are finding grubs as long as one pound coins!</p><p>It’s probably on the edge of being financial sense to spray now and again in the autumn/winter.</p><p>Where PGR's (Primo Maxx/Clipless) have been applied in a programmed approach, it is noticeable weed populations are less. These products are such an important inclusion in any turf manager's arsenal and in damp, even wet conditions they help with the overall look of the facility.</p><p>As far as weeds are concerned, there is no shortage! Due to the wet winter and reasonably mild conditions, they are strong and have been flourishing for around a month due. Slender speedwell is showing up in managed amenity turf, so the more high- end products such as Cabadex and Praxys are necessary to knock this innocuous looking weed out, as it creeps further and further without people realising. Old favourites like daisy, clover, dandelion, chickweed, cat’s ear and hawkbit are all present in great numbers.</p><p>Also, due to the extensive winter flooding; Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed are even bigger problems this year. Icade, which needs a Stewardship Lecture before buying, is the new product incorporating aminopyralid and triclopyr that will control these weeds @ 4 litres. There is no 'silver bullet' for Japanese Knotweed and 'control' is all you can expect.</p><p>Balsam and Hogweed need controlling early as they become more difficult to apply herbicides the taller they get.</p><p>You can contact any of our Complete Weed Control Franchisees, all local to you, who will be happy to furnish you with advice on any problem, be it weed, insect, pest or fungicide related</p><p>For more information, please contact Complete Weed Control’s National office on 01325 324 277 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.completeweedcontrol.co.uk">www.completeweedcontrol.co.uk</a>. You can follow Complete Weed Control on Twitter @CWCLimited.</p></div>'Weathering the Weather' - Advice from Complete Weed Controlhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/weathering-the-weather-advice-from-complete-weed-control2014-03-19T14:52:23.000Z2014-03-19T14:52:23.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>BTME was a roaring success and everyone left Harrogate with a spring in their step anticipating the new season with relish. Alas, the weather has been playing its part again in spoiling thoughts we had of an early start to the season. Here Alan Abel from Complete Weed Control gives his thoughts for April.</p><p>There is nothing but sadness for all those flooded out of their homes, and no end to their plight is in the offing for the foreseeable future.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314170440?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="400" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314170440?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="400" class="align-left"/></a>As far as our industry is concerned, all involved in turf husbandry are struggling either to make surfaces playable, or get anything done whatsoever. The ground everywhere is like a sodden sponge, where just walking on it has a marking effect.</p><p>We will need two or three weeks with a dry easterly wind to help with the drying process and enable much needed fertilizer programmes to start on large areas of leached sports grounds.</p><p>These recent conditions have led to swards that are hungry so now is a good time to get soil samples done and analysed. With the correct programmes put in place when the 'big dry out' does eventually happen, turf should recover quickly.</p><p>On a happier note; the temperatures are remaining quite reasonable, but this is leading to a lot of early growth of weeds. The temptation is for an early spray, but as previously said; it's economically advantageous to wait till the real season starts.</p><p>The other problem blooming is Moss. We talked of this last month and the weather has only exaggerated the problem we all have with this invasive nuisance. Talking of invasives; because of all the flooding, those near water courses should be vigilant for the germination of Himalayan Balsam. This pink flowered weed looks very delicate just now and for a few weeks to come, before becoming a real issue on river banks, whilst being capable of spreading very quickly.</p><p>Another invasive that may be taking advantage of the lousy weather is Japanese Knotweed, as this also spreads through flood ravaged areas. Remember, a piece weighing 0.062 grammes can be viable and grow into a mature plant.</p><p>The chafer grub population this year is also high along with the leatherjacket count. Additionally worms are causing unsightly castes and providing weeds with a ready-made seed bed. I'm not trying to sound like a harbinger of doom, with pestilence around every corner, just bringing these problems that may be lurking into focus.</p><p>Complete Weed Control has over 40 Amenity Assured Standard franchisees in the field, ready to help all turf managers’ deal with any of the problems outlined above. Please call for a survey of nuisance plants, a soil sample service, and a price on worm, leatherjacket or chafer control.</p><p>Let's just hope the weather 'plays ball' and we can all start to make inroads into the work ahead.</p><p>For more information, please contact Complete Weed Control’s National office on 01325 324 277 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.completeweedcontrol.co.uk" target="_blank">www.completeweedcontrol.co.uk</a></p></div>Winter Spraying Advice from Complete Weed Controlhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/winter-spraying-advice-from-complete-weed-control2013-11-20T11:56:57.000Z2013-11-20T11:56:57.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>Alan Abel, a Complete Weed Control franchisee for over 30 years, gives his take on winter spraying.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314170440?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="400" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314170440?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="400" class="align-left"/></a>Although we are into the dark mornings and evenings, pests and diseases don't stop for a holiday- in fact, they get more active.</p><p>But due to weather conditions prevailing this autumn, spraying hours are at a premium. Therefore when a window appears, it is imperative the kit is up together and ready to go without fail. There is nothing worse than a 'spray day' appearing and a glitch with the sprayer rearing its ugly head.</p><p>This is where using an Amenity Assured contractor pays dividends in every way. Your Health and Safety is covered; your waste disposal is sorted; all COSHH and Risk Assessments are supplied. You have peace of mind that the job has been done professionally and that the products are in the right place and working on whatever it was supposed to.</p><p>This season is turning very wet, very quickly after a reasonable Indian summer.</p><p>Remember back in July and August when you were travelling through grass areas and clouds of Daddy Long legs were flying up all over the place?</p><p>Well these critters have laid eggs in turf and these eggs are now leatherjackets. For the cost of chlorpyrifos (around £22 per hectare) it is worth including, as an insurance premium, suppressing worm casts with carbendazim. A ‘wetter’ is advisable and a water conditioner to ensure the correct pH is achieved (around 5.5 is preferable). <br/> If conditions allow, you should be looking at a Disease Management Strategy combining cultural practices, spraying nutritional products which make the use of fungicides the last option.</p><p>By cultural practice, we are talking about thatch reduction, improved drainage, increased aeration, dew removal, encouragement of disease resistant grasses etc.</p><p>As far as spraying is concerned, the correct nozzles, calibration, pipework and mother vehicle must be in excellent working order.</p><p>It is proven that by instigating a strategy, spraying fungicide for disease control can be drastically reduced by using products like Turfite, Temag HPE, Seamac Ultra and similar products.</p><p>To increase the sward's health, then only use a fungicide product containing fludioxonil , propiconazole , chlorothalonil , iprodione, tebuconazole. You must be confident of the disease present to be able to choose the right Fungicide.</p><p>This is where a BASIS qualification is necessary to bring continual professional development into the industry. With so many new sports facilities opening up and the constant desire for super sports surfaces, there has never been a more important time for turf managers to present their grounds in the best way possible.</p><p>By keeping turf healthy, strong and as disease resistant as possible must be the way forward.</p><p>Complete Weed Control is able to provide all the above services throughout the UK and Ireland. Any of the company’s Amenity Assured Standard franchisees are available to look at your specific site and quote for a programmed approach to fine turf.</p><p>For more information, please contact Complete Weed Control’s National office on 01325 324 277 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.completeweedcontrol.co.uk" target="_blank">www.completeweedcontrol.co.uk</a>. You can also follow CWC on Twitter <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.twitter.com/CWCLimited" target="_blank">@CWCLimited</a> for more news, reviews and insightful views.</p></div>Disease Control Advice from Complete Weed Controlhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/disease-control-advice-from-complete-weed-control2013-10-29T11:08:48.000Z2013-10-29T11:08:48.000ZEtesia UKhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/EtesiaUK<div><p>Alan Abel, a Complete Weed Control franchisee for over 30 years, gives his take on disease management going into the colder weather.</p><p>Fusarium. Take - All Patch. Dollar Spot. Anthracnose. Leaf Spot. Brown Patch.</p><p>All these fungal attacks have been designed to strike fear into any fine turf manager who has put so much time and effort into making their own personal piece of turf their pride and joy.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314160823?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="400" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314160823?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="400" class="align-left"/></a>They are so swift and sure to appear and must be treated when the first signs rear their ugly head.</p><p>A relaxed approach is not an option. When the roll of the ball is so important to golfers or bowlers, then long term scarring caused by fungal diseases is unacceptable.</p><p>As the EU Sustainable Use Directive (SUDs) recommends, we should be looking for alternative methods of preventing fine turf diseases instead of relying on multiple chemical applications. This is possible, to some degree, by making sure that the turf is as healthy as possible at all times, but especially entering potentially well-known disease hot-spot months.</p><p>We are entering one of these time zones now as autumn, and the characteristics it naturally brings, such as heavy dews interspersed with reasonable warmth is an ideal seed-bed for disease attack and especially fusarium.</p><p>Many factors affect the encouragement of disease. These include shadiness of golf greens with high trees and lack of through winds. Thatch, so anything to alleviate this by aeration is advised. Dew dispersion is very advisable so leaves are as dry for as long as possible. Good irrigation management is also key. Linked to these factors is the ability of the grasses to pick up nutrients, the grass varieties present and also plant growth regulation. These specialist products, containing trinexapac-ethyl, make the sward stronger, the roots deeper and in general help the plants to remain healthier.</p><p>The more Turf Managers can employ these cultural methods will lead to stronger swards more resistant to fungal diseases.</p><p>One factor that is beyond our control is the weather patterns that have changed drastically over the past few decades. The change to milder spells in late autumn has led to more severe outbreaks of fusarium.</p><p>So, forewarned is fore-armed.</p><p>Many trials, carried out by STRI and other bodies, have shown marked success of the control of fusarium when using nutritional products in a programmed approach. The use of Harpin especially, in a disease management approach has been shown to be very successful.</p><p>Headland Amenity, Everris and Rigby Taylor all have information in their literature from which useful information can be gleaned.</p><p>When resorting to chemical control, there are many choices. The last application needs to be taken into account and another active used - if possible. The stage of the actual attack needs to be analysed and then the correct choice of chemical made, by a BASIS qualified field person.</p><p>There are so many factors when choosing what is going to be sprayed. The mode of action by the active ingredient must be understood.</p><p>Do you want systemic, curative or contact or a piece of everything, such as contact and systemic or contact and preventative.</p><p>One thing is certain, it is better to be prepared for an attack of fusarium, than wait until the disease has manifested itself.</p><p>For specialist spraying services, Complete Weed Control can offer a service throughout the UK and Ireland, operating at the Amenity Assured Standard, and able to supply and apply any product safely, using modern equipment. Time is of the essence if an outbreak has been spotted and an excellent response can be guaranteed so that the products get applied at the earliest time possible. The correct water volume, nozzle technology and water quality will all be taken into account to ensure the best results.</p><p>This service alleviates the Fine Turf manager all the headaches of Risk Assessments, COSSH and safe disposal of containers.</p><p>For more information, please contact Complete Weed Control’s National office on 01325 324 277 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.completeweedcontrol.co.uk" target="_blank">www.completeweedcontrol.co.uk</a>. You can also follow CWC on Twitter @CWCLimited for more news, reviews and insightful views.</p></div>Rugby Centre of Excellence Select CWC for Total Weed Controlhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/rugby-centre-of-excellence-select-cwc-for-total-weed-control2013-04-23T09:39:46.000Z2013-04-23T09:39:46.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>The £4 million WRU National Centre of Excellence, which provides training facilities for the Welsh rugby team, Cardiff Blues, Cardiff City FC and the Welsh FA at the Vale Resort near Cardiff, South Wales has selected Complete Weed Control (South Wales) for its selective weed control maintenance programme ensuring the resort and two golf courses are always in pristine condition.</p><p>The state-of-the-art resort provides the best available pitches and training facilities on both natural and artificial surfaces for specialist and personal training at the highest level.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314211227?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="350" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314211227?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="350" class="align-left"/></a>Simon Heal, Head of sportsturf and estates at the Vale Resort explained that working with Complete Weed Control helps provide surfaces similar to that of the nearby Millennium Stadium, where the company also provide spraying services.</p><p>“CWC are a massive help and have helped us reduce the amount of chemicals that we previously used,” explains Simon. “We’ve been trying to keep our grass surfaces as hardy as possible throughout the year. We’ve got a good relationship with Nick who also assists us with taking soil samples so that we can monitor any diseases and put a suitable plan in to place.”</p><p>There are five full size pitches, three 60x40 pitches plus ‘off-field’ training areas and one 3G artificial surface – all have to be maintained to a high standard ensuring playing characteristics are the same across all pitches.</p><p>“Complete Weed Control has been working here for almost ten years, first at our two golf courses and now at the Centre of Excellence. We meet at least once a month to talk over what will be happening at the centre and the fertiliser programme we will be working to.”</p><p>As an ex- Cardiff City player himself, Simon knows what the players and management staff expect from the playing surfaces. “I’ve got a great relationship with Malky Mackay, the Cardiff City Manager, and we work together on producing the best possible playing surface for his players.”</p><p>The contractor also sprays any hard-standing area around the resort including club houses, the hotel and the new apartment development, described as Wales’ most exclusive address.</p><p>“CWC are a great team to work with and very knowledgeable. If I ever have a specific problem, I know I can trust them to help me find the correct solution.”</p><p>For more information, please contact Complete Weed Control’s National office on 01325 324 277 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.completeweedcontrol.co.uk" target="_blank">www.completeweedcontrol.co.uk</a>. You can also follow CWC on Twitter @CWCLimited for much more news, reviews and insightful views.</p></div>Landscape Gardener faces homelessnesshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/landscape-gardener-faces-homelessness2012-06-06T13:30:00.000Z2012-06-06T13:30:00.000ZLindsey Churchillhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LindseyChurchill<div><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314118352?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314118352?profile=original" width="217"/></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-2">Thank you for reading “<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/groundsman-in-crisis" target="_blank">Groundsman in Crisis</a>” today I want to introduce you to Sam who we met earlier this year.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">Sam is a well-respected landscape gardener whose work has featured in the trade press so some details have been changed to protect his identity but, as always, the case is sadly true.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">Sam was contracted to design and build a high profile, public, wonderfully ornate garden and was thrilled at the opportunity and the outcome. He was awaiting payment for the project when he learnt that the client had gone into liquidation, he was to receive nothing for his efforts.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">Unable to pay his suppliers he fell into serious debt and after 25 years in business he was forced to fold. The stress and anxiety that Sam experienced, sadly, has resulted in him beginning unable to return to any form of work since.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">Sam was told about Perennial by another agency who thought we might be able to provide a grant to repair his bathroom. We visited Sam and talked to him about his finances and he told us about his personal debts, it quickly became clear that urgent action was required as he had been selling all his possessions to pay his creditors and now had nothing left to offer them, he was at serious risk of losing his home.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">Our Debt Advice Manager was contacted and she immediately began work, knowing only too well that the charging orders that had been applied to his property and the intention of one creditor to enforce bankruptcy meant that one missed payment would result in homelessness.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">The creditors were all immediately contacted and negotiations began to reduce the monthly payments. Understandings were reached that, with a respected debt adviser working alongside him, no further action would be taken against Sam as long as negotiated payments are maintained.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">The complexities of this case and the delicate mental health of the client are such that it is being managed by two senior staff, our Casework Manager and our Debt Advice Manager, who, alternately visit Sam monthly, working together with him to maximise his income, reduce his expenditure, assist with budgeting and deal swiftly with any problems as they arise. Working to an agreed plan, we believe Sam has a real chance of retaining his property and returning to work as a landscape gardener within the next 12 months.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">We meet people like Sam every day, we know that there are many more that struggle on because they are ashamed of their situation. There is no need to be alone in this, there is nothing to be ashamed of. Our debt team do not judge and I promise you will feel better just for talking to them.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">If you would like help or further information about our totally free and confidential debt advice service please do not hesitate to contact me. </span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">lchurchill@perennial.org.uk</span></p><p><span class="font-size-2">01275 817924 / 07813 148810</span></p></div>Frequently Asked Questionshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/frequently-asked-questions2010-07-25T08:00:00.000Z2010-07-25T08:00:00.000ZPhil Voicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/philvoice<div><p>New members are joining t</p>
<p>he Landscape Juice Network all the time, which means we have members who are still to discover the huge and growing database of useful material archived within.<br />
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Below is a list of the most frequently asked questions in the forum and tips on using the site:<br />
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<b><u>General site</u></b><br />
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<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314114266?profile=original" target="_blank">Landscape Juice Network's Aims and Objectives</a><a href="http://landscapejuice.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2074886%3ABlogPost%3A2495"><br />
Tips on using the site</a><br />
<a href="http://landscapejuice.ning.com/profiles/blogs/managing-following-and">Managing, following and responding to comments on your wall.</a><br />
<a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/using-the-apture-search"></a><a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/profile/emailSettings">Setting your email preferences for LJN</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/how-to-resize-your-profile?xg_source=activity" target="_blank">Resizing your profile image</a></p>
<p><br />
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<b><u>Business</u></b><br />
<a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/2074886:Topic:1846"><br />
How to calculate what you need to charge your services out per hour</a><br />
<a href="http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=&q=charges+site%3Alandscapejuicenetwork.com&sourceid=navclient-ff&rlz=1B3GGGL_en-GBFR334FR334&ie=UTF-8" target="_blank">Charging out your garden business</a><br />
<a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/customer-charter">Setting up a customer charter</a></p>
<p><a href="../../../xn/detail/2074886:BlogPost:203854" target="_blank">How to write a press release</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Website resources</strong></span></p>
<p><a href="../../../xn/detail/2074886:BlogPost:203854" target="_blank"><br /></a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/free-web-icons-for-your" target="_blank">Free web icons</a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><br /></strong></span></p>
<p><br />
<b><u>Garden machinery and plant</u></b><br />
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<a href="http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=&q=what+mower+site%3Alandscapejuicenetwork.com&sourceid=navclient-ff&rlz=1B3GGGL_en-GBFR334FR334&ie=UTF-8" target="_blank">Which mower?</a><br />
<a href="http://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/own-lorries-hire-skips-own">Hire-in or buy machinery?</a></p>
</div>The Precast Concrete Paving and Kerb Associationhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/the-precast-concrete-paving2010-03-05T13:30:57.000Z2010-03-05T13:30:57.000ZPhil Voicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/philvoice<div><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314157968?profile=original" alt="" style="float: right;" />The <a href="http://www.paving.org.uk/" target="_blank">Interpave website</a> is the information portal for the The Precast Concrete Paving and Kerb Association. Its aim is to provide comprehensive and up-to-date information on all aspects of paving for anyone involved in the hard landscaping and civil construction industry. The website is organised to help find the right type and level of detail of paving information for particular needs. There is a domestic paving section for home owners and contractors, concentrating on drives, patios, paths and other paving around the home. The <a href="http://www.paving.org.uk/topical_issues.php" target="_blank">Topical Issues</a> section will be of interest to a particularly wide variety of professional disciplines, offering guidance in downloadable brochure form on paving issues of immediate relevance. You will need to register to access some features.
</div>Growing rural enterprises.https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/growing-rural-enterprises2009-10-11T10:00:00.000Z2009-10-11T10:00:00.000ZLawncare-4u.co.ukhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/RobinAinsworth<div><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.growingruralenterprise.co.uk/news.html">http://www.growingruralenterprise.co.uk/news.html</a>here is a link to a business-link free seminar i attended last week (photo of me page),but you can look at the 'homepage' i think from this.its for staffordshire/shropshire but there may be a local similar thing business-link are doing in your area.it was an informative day and good to meet people in the same sector.i hope this helps others in reviewing their business for 2010.Robin Ainsworth <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.growingruralenterprise.co.uk/news.html" target="_blank"></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.gardens4u.co.uk" target="_blank"></a></div>Landscaping tips and tricks for beginners and amateurshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/landscaping-tips-and-tricks2009-05-14T06:30:00.000Z2009-05-14T06:30:00.000ZPhil Voicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/philvoice<div><img style="float:right;" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/12/02/paving_slab_string_line.jpg" />Hi Everyone On the <a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com">Landscape Juice magazine</a> site I like to run regular tips and advice features aimed at assisting beginners and amateurs (and maybe the odd pro) with aspects of their projects. Lawn care has been featured regularly over the last three years as has paving and other garden maintenance tips. At the moment, <a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/claudia-de-yongs-garden-design-school.html">Claudia</a>, <a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/the-healing-garden/">Jill</a> and <a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/jo-thompson/">Jo</a> are writing guest blogs for the site and now I would like to expand this further and feature guest blogs from landscapers and gardeners. If you feel you have something to contribute that others would find of use then please email me. Don't worry if you are less than confident about writing because I can present it for the site. I will need well taken photographs (with titles) to accompany any piece that you contribute. The kind of thing I am looking for, well, little things we take for granted that might seem a big obstacle for the home builder or gardener. A example might be: <b>*</b> How to mark out an accurate curve for brick/patio edging. <b>*</b> How to construct a patio surface on ground that may have had in-fill (using lintels to bridge a soft patch) <b>*</b> How to soften mortar for use or what consistency to use when pointing a patio. I can leave it to you. Those of you who feel creative can send me a something in writing but if you do not feel confident for a full piece then why not leave any tips or advice below and I can collate them into a full piece. Every one who contributes will be attributed with a link.
</div>Self Sufficiency and Sustainable Gardens - It is not as easy as the TV makes out.https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/self-sufficiency-and2009-03-05T14:00:00.000Z2009-03-05T14:00:00.000ZSustainable Land Managementhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/SustainableLandManagement<div>One issue cropping up regularly now is the new move for large scale sustainability. There are now significant areas of post farmland, which has been bought by non farmers, (including a plethora of GP's for some reason). And as Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall and others preach the benefits of a sustainable life, (and rightly so), many dream to achieve the same, without realising just how difficult it is, (an hours tv programme a week is not enough of a qualification)All of us in land industry should be gaining work from this situation; as quite frankly this type of land management is not as easy as it seems. Agriculture is a tough industry, farmers were not simple people there is a need for an immense amount of knowledge - and if think you can hold down a job elsewhere and assume to be able to keep even a decent sized smallholding under good management, you will be very mistaken.The proof that many have fallen foul is already very apparent, particularly in rural Devon and Cornwall, where noticeable tracts of land are in poor management, notifiable weeds are running rampant and grant aided 'new wave' farmers are being prosecuted for bad animal husbandry, (whilst they set out with the best intentions).We have been asked so many times to provide help, on the Cornish Apple Trees site we see around 20 or so emails a week asking for quite in depth advice. Sometimes this generates consultation contracts, but 9 times out of 10 the scale of the lack of knowledge of the client has led to massive problems which requires significant capital to sort out.We have even allowed some clients to come and train alongside some the CSL contractors to get to know the basics, but this is still not enough. Anyone planning to do the 'good life' needs to allow a contingency for outside contractors particularly in the early stages and must not get too greedy with the quantity of land they require.The best books around to use as a basic guide are: The Agricultural Notebook, 20th Edition, by Richard Joffe. The New complete book of Self Sufficiency, by John Seymour. Forestry Commission Handbook 8, 'Establishing Farm Woodlands' by D R Williamson. And absolutely essential is to keep well updated with all relevant Defra laws and rules.Defra and other land based quangos have a shortfall of funding, which has meant that many people have no inclining that they have actually been breaking the law, in some cases quite seriously, in the way they are managing their plots of land. And unless kept in check, we will soon see major changes to the traditional British landscape, together with huge swathes of non productive land.The best advice we can give to anyone who has found themselves with large plots and wishes to go sustainable is to plant most of it with trees, particularly fuel crops such as hazel or alternatively orchards for apple production, (at present one of the largest growth areas of land industry, helping to feed the binge drinking culture that we are). But even then trees need management and it is quite disgraceful driving around the UK, both in urban and rural areas to see how our trees are suffering from not just minimal management but frankly no management at all - when there are plenty of qualified personnel to carry out the work.All of us in land industry have suffered greatly from the common misapprehension that we are only there when a landowner, (be it a garden or estate), cannot cope anymore. This is unfair and the landscape as a whole has suffered and this is set to get worse.<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.paysagedurable.com/" target="_blank">www.paysagedurable.com</a></div>Welcome to the Landscape Juice Networkhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/welcome-to-the-landscape-juice2008-09-28T08:30:00.000Z2008-09-28T08:30:00.000ZPhil Voicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/philvoice<div><p><img style="float: right;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3284612707?profile=original" />Welcome to the Landscape Juice Network.<br />
<br />
My name is Phil Voice and I have created this site to help professional gardeners, landscapers, designers, product manufacturers and suppliers [and also private gardeners and home owners] who might be looking for inspiration, help and advice.<br />
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At the core of the site lies a very powerful search engine friendly matrix, which means any content (and this gets stronger and stronger by the day) that you put up is being picked up by search engines, meaning it can easily be found by others looking for information.<br />
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It is likely that anyone searching on the internet for topics, geographical locations and people that are linked into here, will be picked up in advance of anywhere else. And because it is the sister site of <a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com">Landscape Juice</a>, which has over <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">2000</span> <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">9,000</span> <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">87,000</span> 100,000 items of information and advice built into it, the effect is heightened enormously.<br />
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<b>Participation</b><br />
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I hope that you feel comfortable and confident enough to participate by adding information that you may consider to be of interest and of use to others. Bear in mind that we all know something that someone else doesn't and vice versa so please, however small or trivial you might feel it is, please add anything you feel could be of use to someone else.<br />
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Please also feel free to <a href="http://landscapejuice.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2074886%3ABlogPost%3A2489">link out to any other website</a> on the internet which enforces or strengthens what you are saying. It may be to a photograph to help with an explanation or it may be a news item that is relevant to the discussion.<br />
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<a href="http://landscapejuice.ning.com/xn/detail/u_thisfrenchlife">Craig McGinty</a> has written a section about <a href="http://landscapejuice.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2074886%3ABlogPost%3A2495">tips on using the site</a> which will help in getting you started. The tips page is always being updated so please check back regularly.<br />
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<a href="http://landscapejuice.ning.com/notes/Landscape_Network_Green_Tick">The Green Tick Logo</a><br />
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You will have noticed the green tick in the left hand side bar. This is a voluntary scheme for any member who joins here. The ethos behind it is that you if you are going to put yourself and your company up for scrutiny in a public place such as this network, then your intention is to provide the best possible service that you can.<br />
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Feel free to <a href="http://landscapejuice.ning.com/notes/Landscape_Network_Green_Tick">add the green tick logo to your own website</a> and to give customers the opportunity to check you out, link to your profile page on the network.<br />
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If you have any questions, suggestions or problems using the site then please do not hesitate to contact me.<br />
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Kind regards<br />
<br />
<a href="http://landscapejuice.ning.com/profile/PhilipVoice" target="_self">Phil Voice</a></p>
</div>