surrey - LJN Blog Posts - Landscape Juice Network2024-03-28T13:45:49Zhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/surreyPersimmon Homes Specify Tobermore’s Kingston Facing Brick at Copthorne Placehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/persimmon-homes-specify-tobermore-s-kingston-facing-brick-at-copt2015-12-18T10:10:08.000Z2015-12-18T10:10:08.000ZTobermorehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/Tobermore<div><div class="ce-wygwam"><p></p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314752590?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314752590?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a>Tobermore have recently supplied a large quantity of <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.tobermore.co.uk/professional/products/walling-masonry/kingston#.VmWw57iyNBc" target="_blank">Kingston facing brick</a> in the vibrant blended tones of Moorland for a stunning new Persimmon Homes project in the charming market town of Epsom in Surrey, which has been named Copthorne Place.</p><p>Tobermore’s Kingston facing brick is an ideal house building product offering endless aesthetic and practical benefits. Kingston is manufactured with a smooth, contemporary finish and the product colours produced are beautifully rich, creating a striking exterior finish for the properties at Copthorne Place.</p><p>Tobermore use only the best Iron Oxide pigments available on the market to produce the eight colour options available with Kingston, which are proven to have excellent colour retention capabilities. The large variety of solid and blended Kingston colours also offer the possibility of using a few colours together to achieve complementary or contrasting architectural designs for any type of building project.</p><p>With prices starting at £470,000, the impressive development has been designed wonderfully by Persimmon, offering the options of one and two bedroom apartments and three and four bed homes. The variety of home designs at Copthorne Place have been incorporated to accommodate anyone from first time buyers to larger families.</p><p></p></div></div>Turf Availabilityhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/turf-availability2014-01-27T14:27:09.000Z2014-01-27T14:27:09.000ZTim Roycehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/TimRoyce<div><p>With the ground being so wet the idea of turfing is perhaps not high on your agenda it may surprise you to know that we have been selling turf throughout January, the quality of the grass is good for the time of year and the sandy soil on which it is grown drains well.</p><p>Our Regal, Regency grades are on sale with three day notice, so if we do get a dry spell and you need a lawn laid so you can finish a project give Karen a call no 01932860760<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314180310?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314180310?profile=original" width="100" class="align-full"/></a></p></div>Tennis court cleaninghttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/tennis-court-cleaning2013-08-11T17:00:00.000Z2013-08-11T17:00:00.000ZGraeme @ BGShttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/GraemeBGS<div><p>As the proud owner of a tennis court, you will know only too well that cleaning is the most important part of tennis court maintenance.</p><p>A well maintained tennis court should last twenty years of safe and trouble free play but only if you develop and implement a regular schedule of maintenance.</p><p>The most important step in maintaining all types of court surfaces is to keep them clean simply by removing any debris immediately, and spot cleaning spills as they occur.</p><p>However on an annual basis (and possible more often depending upon the location of your court), the surface will need to be cleaned of moss and algae which will cause the court to become slippery and unsafe to play on. If left unattended this will also cause damage to the surface resulting in an expensive repair.</p><p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314128995?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314128995?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></p><p>The question you must ask, is should your court be power washed?</p><p>The answer is really down to the condition of the court surface as if you power wash – the key is to use a low pressure system so that the water jet does not damage the surface. We have seen too many court surfaces damaged by jet washing and as a general rule we tend not to recommend power washing.</p><p>They are of course other options including applying chemical solutions designed to kill moss and weeds using suitable application rates for the level of infestation</p><p>The next task is to physically remove the dead matter and ideally, the court should be swept using a professional sweeper.</p><p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314133214?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314133214?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></p><p>Once the court has been cleaned, we can advise you on when you should next expect to have the courts re-painted, and whether or not it requires a tarmac binder to slow down the decay of the surface.</p><p>And just as important, we can offer help and assist to help reduce the likelihood of moss infestation being a problem.</p><p>At BGS, We offer a comprehensive range of maintenance, repair and refurbishment services for all types of tennis courts, hockey, rugby, or football pitches, and multi-use games areas.</p><p>Based on the Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey borders we are centrally located to offer our services to the whole of the South East of England for private owners, schools and sports clubs and can be contacted on 01252 416373. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss your requirements.</p><strong>We are please to be running a special offer on all bookings taken for the re-painting of tennis courts during May 2014. Note that unlike some companies we use specialist acrylic paint with a minigrain sand to help with skid resistance. furthemore, we don't charge for re-painting the lines - you will be suprised at how many companies charge this as an extra!</strong></div>ROYCE TURF AND IRRIGATION LAUNCH APP FOR SMART PHONES
TURF APP NOW LAUNCHED
now available for all your smart mobile equipment our Royce Turf App. We are the first turf company to launch an app in thehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/6660693_BlogPost_379942013-04-08T14:34:33.000Z2013-04-08T14:34:33.000ZTim Roycehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/TimRoyce<div><p>ROYCE TURF AND IRRIGATION LAUNCH APP FOR SMART PHONES</p><p>TURF APP NOW LAUNCHED</p><p>now available for all your smart mobile equipment our Royce Turf App. We are the first turf company to launch an app in the UK. On the app you will find hints and tips details of our turf and the ability to contact us from within the app.</p><p>We hope that you find the application interesting, useful for a quick reference, we would welcome any comments good or bad or if it is something that you would or wouldn’t use.</p><p>The app will be revised on a regular basis and will automatically update with new information.</p><p>To get the app please download this link on your portable device not from your computer</p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://myapp.is/Royce%20Turf%20and%20Irrigation%20App" target="_blank">Click Here</a></p><p>Follow instructions on the screen and it will down load automatically</p></div>Quality Designers plants, at realistic prices, from the South West Landscape Centrehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/quality-designers-plants-at-realistic-prices-from-the-south-west2012-08-01T20:10:33.000Z2012-08-01T20:10:33.000ZT & S Plantshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/TSPlants<div><p>Over the last few months, the South West Landscape Centre have reviewed their pricing.</p><p>The result is very simple, as follows. For all our home-grown production, our prices will be fixed for the next 12 months.</p><p><strong>5 litre - Shrubs, Grasses and selected Herbaceous - All £4.15</strong></p><p>From Abelia to Viburnum, we have a great range. All hard grown, outside, in peat-free compost. Our 5 litre Agapanthus are obviously budded, most with 3 buds, not just 1 bud, so unlike a normal 3 litre.</p><p>Euphorbia wulfenii, Liriope. Stipa, Melainthus or Carex, our 5 litre range.</p><p><strong>10 litre - Deciduous Shrubs - £10.00</strong></p><p>Callicarpa, with flower, or pehaps Philadelphus Belle Etoile or Virginal, laden in flower last month.</p><p><strong>10 litre - Evergreen Shrubs - £11.00</strong></p><p>Choisya ternata Sundance, the best we have ever seen. Cordyline, Phormium, Ceanothus, Pittosporum the same.</p><p>Hey, don't take our word for our quality, why not take a look for yourself ? </p><p> </p><p>The South West Landscape Centre is open from:</p><p>08:00 - 16:00 Monday - Friday</p><p>09:00 - 12:00 Saturday</p><p>Visit us, view us, try us, test us.</p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.southwestlandscapecentre.co.uk">www.southwestlandscapecentre.co.uk</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p></div>Our Garden maintenance Service in Surrey and Hampshire Picks up Some Pace.https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/our-garden-maintenance-service-picks-up-some-pace2012-05-19T19:30:00.000Z2012-05-19T19:30:00.000ZBen Lannoyhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/BenLannoy<div><p>Over the past few months I've had great difficulty in finding someone to join and eventually run our garden maintenance service in the Surrey and Hampshire areas. I've always heard that finding people was the most difficult part of running a business but just assumed that the companies weren't offering enough incentives or were just understandably over picky.</p><p>The fact is that there are people who want to work but there aren't many who want to work to a certain standard for any length of time.</p><p>When i first started I always looked at it as though working hard everywhere will help me to progress a lot faster and learn as I go along. The problem was, employers didn't always reward hard work so after slogging it out for months with no acknowledgement it suddenly dawns on you that you're killing yourself for nothing. That is in my opinion a grave mistake for employers and businesses looking to grow a reliable and hard working workforce. Why should someone work with pride and respect if they don't feel like they're getting at least some of that reciprocated?</p><p>After inviting around 4 or 5 candidates to come and have a paid trial I quickly found out that although they worked hard there was just no chemistry or they were really personable but were only working for the sake of working and that's not ideal when you're looking to grow.</p><p>As of 5 weeks ago I finally found someone who is great with clients, takes pride in his appearance and most of all uses his own initiative to get the job done thoroughly and efficiently and it feels like we're suddenly starting to get somewhere!</p><p>Even more exciting is that the garden maintenance part of the business has become very busy with around 3-4 enquiries a week so the timing couldn't have been better.</p><p>The new member of staff, Steve is very driven and is focused on what he wants for his career but also on how he can enhance Ben Lannoy Landscapes through his skills and personality.</p><p>I always remember listening to one of Richard Bransons' books and hearing him say that he would give every employee at Virgin some kind of ownership to help them feel like they can build on their position and add a piece to the bigger puzzle. I'm defintely no Richard Branson, but I believe building from the inside out absolutley works here too.</p><p>I just wanted to write this post because I feel so relieved that we finally have someone on board that can carry on the same kind of garden maintenance standards that we've always tried to maintain but also to give others hope that there are people out there with the same vision as you. It's simply a case of not settling for the first and possibly paying that bit more to make sure you have a skilled and approachable person representing your company.</p><p>Steve contacted me but there are other places out there you can start looking.</p><p>Some places I tried are:-</p><p>Merrist Wood<br/> Gumtree<br/> Landscape Juice!<br/> A 'jobs' page on my own website<br/> Local ads and many more!</p><p>We have a number of students and landscapers writing to us and my advice would be to give them a chance first. Anyone who takes the time to write a letter (albeit to possibly every other business in the county) deserves a chance at proving themselves. Some have even sent hard copies and for some reason that really seems to work for me, although i'd always go with paperless messaging everytime!</p><p>Either way, as I've always said to people who have made the effort, I know how it felt looking for work and even an acknowledgement that it had been received goes a long way when you're just starting out so I try to get back to everybody.</p><p>Our Trusty Garden Maintenance Van.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314122917?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314122917?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a> <br/> </p><p> </p></div>The Busy Bee Garden Services allotmenthttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/the-busy-bee-garden-services-allotment2012-02-19T18:27:50.000Z2012-02-19T18:27:50.000ZBusy Bee Garden Services Limitedhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/BusyBeeGardenServicesLimited<div><p>Spring is almost here and for us who have sandy soils they are starting to become lighter which enables us to get onto the soil earlier than other types of soil.</p><p>We took on an allotment last July and have spent the time since bringing it up to scratch as it had been let go which involved basically removing loads of old carpet which the last owners had used to control weeds and had failed and digging through and removing loads of grass weed.</p><p>Its quite a hard way to start an allotment as in your head you want to get planting loads of yummy stuff but without sorting out years of lack of maintainance we felt that it might get somewhat demotivating if we had run away and planted up the ground only to see it over run with weed growth.</p><p>Deciding on what to plant is a personal choice, we cleared all the old fruit that was on the site and replanted fresh trees and fruit bushes offering us a selection of choice from apples, pears, cherry, damson all on dwarf stock. We also planted a line of raspberries as personally I really enjoy the flavour of them as well as a few strawberries.</p><p>Now having filled some of the ground up with fruit the rest will be used for vegetable production, today we tried planting some solent white garlic bulbs which is a first for us, we have grown onions in the past but never garlic, we also tried some elephant garlic as well to compare what one we prefer if we are able to grow them well. Its amazing how many cloves you can get off one bulb and if they all come off we won't have to buy any.</p><p>Next week we are planning to sow some broad beans and plant some shallots depending on weather conditions.</p><p> </p><p>More next week.....</p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.busybeegardenservices.co.uk" target="_blank">http://www.busybeegardenservices.co.uk</a></p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.busybeelawncare.co.uk" target="_blank">http://www.busybeelawncare.co.uk</a></p></div>Plant of the week by Busy Bee Garden Services Limitedhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/plant-of-the-week-by-busy-bee-garden-services-limited2012-02-05T11:29:28.000Z2012-02-05T11:29:28.000ZBusy Bee Garden Services Limitedhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/BusyBeeGardenServicesLimited<div><p>The team were working this week in a garden in Virgina Water, Surrey and we suddenly noted a rather nice smell, looked around and our client had a beautiful looking witchhazel or Hamamelis mollis. This got us thinking about the gardens and sites we visit and how there must be a plant of the week which might be a nice feature for "blog" so I'll get the ball rolling with the wichhazel.</p><p>What we liked about it was that it flowers in winter which is usual and makes it stand out from the rest of the bare stems that one sees in a garden at this time of the year, it also adds a lot of sweetly scented aroma in the air which I can't think of anything else that does that at this time of the year. The leaves although not that impressive most of the year turn a yellow/reddish colour in the autuwn adding some more seasonal interest to ones garden. One of our chaps did wonder if a twig could be cut off and placed in the house to scent out a room making the growing of this plant very eco-friendly as this would save the purchase of scented air fresherers, just a thought! </p><p>The plant is best located near a pathway that one is going to walk along on a regular basis so the scent and colours can be enjoyed so long as the plant has enough sun, grown in fertlie moist soil. Its a plant that takes time to mature so perhaps not one for the client who wants the instant effect.</p><p>Funny what you notice in the garden, even one that you visit on a weekly basis and how a garden can throw up a surprise or two, just thought of another nice scented plant that flowers at this time of the year, the rather lovely Daphine!</p><p>If you need advice on plants for your garden, we are alwas here to help, check our web pages for details on how to contact us and we are also looking for another good member to join our team!</p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.busybeegardenservices.co.uk" target="_blank">http://www.busybeegardenservices.co.uk</a></p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.busybeelawncare.co.uk" target="_blank">http://www.busybeelawncare.co.uk</a></p></div>South West Landscape Centre, SWLC, now 25% cheaperhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/south-west-landscape-centre-swlc-now-25-cheaper2012-02-05T00:43:17.000Z2012-02-05T00:43:17.000ZT & S Plantshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/TSPlants<div><p>It is with regret that T&S Plants/SWLC have parted company with Somerstock, following our discovery of historical financial problems within Somerstock.</p><p>For our customers, this is good news, since our prices were inflated by 25% to cover Somerstock recoveries/commission, which all Somerstock customers currently pay.</p><p>As a result of this change, we are able to reduce our plant prices by 25%, for Landscapers, Garden Designers and Garden Centres.</p><p>The SWLC can be contacted at</p><p>01300 348123</p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:swlc@btconnect.com">swlc@btconnect.com</a></p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.southwestlandscapecentre.co.uk/">www.southwestlandscapecentre.co.uk</a></p><p> </p><p> </p></div>Turf Suppliers for the Olympics 2012https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/turf-suppliers-for-the-olympics-20122012-01-13T11:00:00.000Z2012-01-13T11:00:00.000ZTim Roycehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/TimRoyce<div><p>As London gears up to host the 2012 Olympic Games, athletes from across the world will be busy preparing to display their skills on an international stage. It is not only sports men and women who have the chance to shine at the Olympics, though. London 2012 looks set to be a fantastic showcase for UK industry, particularly when you consider that 98% of the contractors or suppliers involved with the Games are UK-based. The <a rel="nofollow" title="turf" href="http://www.royceturf.co.uk/">turf</a> used in the main Olympic Park stadium has been supplied by Scunthorpe firm County Turf, and is sure to make a firm foundation for Olympic success. Royce Turf, the professional turf suppliers, are proud to be associated with one of the chosen Olympic contractors.</p><p>Here at Royce Turf, twenty two years of experience of providing <a rel="nofollow" title="turf Richmond" href="http://www.royceturf.co.uk/">turf</a> has helped us to develop a comprehensive service, as well as a great reputation for being one of the leading local distributors of cultivated turf. Working exclusively with County Turf, we are able to provide the highest-quality turf for a range of environments, whether you are a commercial client looking to update your office grounds, or a homeowner completing a garden redesign.</p><p>For the Olympic stadium, County Turf have supplied a specialist blend of perennial rye grass, smooth stalk meadow grass and fescue grass seeds which will provide a hard-wearing pitch for a range of Olympic events. It required 360 rolls of this high-quality turf to cover a 9000 square-metre area, and when the last piece of turf was laid in March last year, the impressive effect of a County Turf surface was clear to see.</p><p>It is unlikely that your lawn will be the size of a sports stadium, but you will still be looking for the highest-quality turf to create a durable surface which will require minimal <a rel="nofollow" title="garden maintenance London" href="http://www.westlandgroup.co.uk/grounds-maintenance.php" target="_blank">garden maintenance London</a> We receive new deliveries of turf from County Turf every day, and our delivery service can have your turf on site within two to three days of your order. For a winning team of <strong><a rel="nofollow" title="turf suppliers" href="http://www.royceturf.co.uk/lawn-turf.php">turf suppliers</a></strong> look no further than Royce Turf.</p><p>Disclaimer of Endorsement: Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation</p></div>Back in the gardening saddle againhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/back-in-the-gardening-saddle-again2011-09-26T16:30:00.000Z2011-09-26T16:30:00.000Zlovelucysummershttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/lovelucysummers<div><p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Phew, where has the year gone?</strong></span></p><p>I have recently been in the dying thoes of an edit on my next book Evergreen Plants, which will be released on Amazon et al in March 2012.So look out for it won't you? And did I mention my <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Border-Flowers-Greenfingers-Guides-Summers/dp/0755317602/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317056140&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Border Plants</a> book was shortlisted for Best Reference Book of the Year 2010. Will I top that with Evergreen Plants I wonder?</p><p> </p><p>With the demise of this duty, I can now switch my undivided attention back to our landscape design practice, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.theopengardencompany.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.theopengardencompany.co.uk/</a></p><p> </p><p>I can now get back to designing beautiful gardens once again for our clients in the South east. Not that we ever stopped. It's just that I've had to limit my time. However <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.theopengardencompany.co.uk/how.php" target="_blank">Mark Lockhart</a> my fellow director is very capable and we discuss every detail as we go, books or not. Actually though typically we work in Surrey West Sussex and London, this year we've spent a fair amount of time in the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.contemporaryblue.co.uk/" target="_blank">Mediterranean</a> designing some wonderful gardens and using all those plants we never get to play with in the UK because they are non-hardy. </p><p>Somebody in our small, but cheery office reminded me that that every single one of our lovely garden design clients found us by personal recommendation. It is always a minefield advertising your services as a landscape design company isn't it?</p><p>At the expense of a little smuggery, we think that's rather an accolade!</p><p> </p><p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314144679?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314144679?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></p><p> </p></div>Islamic Gardens Turkey by theopengardencompanyhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/islamic-gardens-turkey-by-theopengardencompany2011-09-21T10:30:00.000Z2011-09-21T10:30:00.000Zlovelucysummershttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/lovelucysummers<div><p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314145769?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314145769?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></p><p>At the opengardencompany we had luxury ( and challenge) of designing a modern Islamic garden in the Eastern Mediterranean. Trying conditions; blistering heat and coastal weaterh in summer and violent storms and winds in winter. Sourcing plants an absolute nightmare, but nonetheless, it didn't turn out too badly at all ...</p></div>Small front garden design in Surrey - there's no such things as a garden too small to need a planhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/small-front-garden-design-in2011-05-18T20:43:31.000Z2011-05-18T20:43:31.000ZClaire Brownhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/ClaireBrown<div><p>Front gardens have popped up with increasing regularity in my work over the last couple of years.</p><p>Not only do people want a good looking approach to the house, they need somewhere to park the cars, easy access to the front door, and as our lives get ever busier, a garden that almost takes care of itself.</p><p>Several times I've heard people say that their project is "too small" for a design, but actually, that's where you need to make the most of what you've got, and forward planning is always the key</p><p> </p><p>This house that I designed the borders for in Shamley Green was an excellent example.</p><p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314117504?profile=original"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314117504?profile=original" width="500"/></a></p><p>When they moved into this house, the current front "garden" was at a lower level than the road, - there was an awkward step to get over to reach the front door and there was only parking for one car.</p><p>What was needed was a larger area of driveway, and a way of incorporating the slope into the design.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Because it was on a slope, we needed somewhere for the water to run off to when there was rain, so a border all across the lower side of the space was planned, along with a planter around the window make a feature of the change in levels.</p><p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314115836?profile=original"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314115836?profile=original" width="500"/></a></p><p>For the bay window planter we put in easy care shrubs and perennials. Taller Hydrangea, Rosemary and Perovskia for the deeper side of the planter. Smaller flowing Geranium Rozanne, and Ceratostigma for the doorstep side.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314122003?profile=original"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314122003?profile=original" width="500"/></a>The other border needed really hardy plants that could take excess rainwater, occasional feet, and minimal maintenance.</p><p> </p><p>Penstemons, Hebe, Stachys, Heucheras, Erigeron and Salvia fulfilled the brief, with bulbs hidden underneath as a spring bonus.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>2 years later, this is the spring result</p><p>The planning has meant that no additional plants have been needed, and those that are there are still growing and happy.</p><p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314117434?profile=original"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314117434?profile=original" width="480"/></a></p></div>Garden design tips learnt from a Surrey Bluebell woodhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/garden-design-tips-learnt-from2011-04-24T13:55:35.000Z2011-04-24T13:55:35.000ZClaire Brownhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/ClaireBrown<div><p>Easter Weekend, - the shops are closed, the sun is out, so it's a day for a family walk in our local bluebell woods</p><p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314117473?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314117473?profile=original" width="500"/></a>Luckily, we are within walking distance of a fantastic National Trust property with an amazing bluebell wood. It's the hottest driest latest Easter in my lifetime, and as we wandered in the woodland shade, I was pondering the following design points that can be taken from this kind of Nature spectacle</p><p>1) - Don't count on a particular variety of plant being out for an anniversary. - Last year it was the 11th May that the bluebells were in full bloom, - this year, it's the 24th April, and the hot dry weather has speeded up their flowering, by 3 weeks on last year. - If you take that into a garden border design you are unlikely to get the same Rose, Tulip,Geranium or Iris to be flowering at the same time every year. - A mixture of slightly different varieties of the same thing, will get you a wider flowering span.</p><p>But on the other hand</p><p>2) - One or 2 plants combined (in the bluebell woods, this was Hyacinthoides non scripta and Ferns) can look Stunning. - BUT only for a short space of time. - Think most Chelsea flower show gardens.</p><p>and to get a stunning show</p><p>3) It takes time, to create a garden, or in this case a woodland. The most stunning displays are never in the first couple of years and a garden needs to develop. The more plants you put in, the quicker it will get there, but patience is a virtue in gardening.</p><p> </p><p>Happy Easter</p></div>Fed up with mowing your lawn?https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/fed-up-with-mowing-your-lawn2010-04-25T23:00:00.000Z2010-04-25T23:00:00.000ZGraeme @ BGShttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/GraemeBGS<div><p>There comes a point in life when you can’t (or don't want to) undertake the mowing of your own lawn perhaps for health reasons, lack of time or equipment, whilst away on business or holiday.<br/><br/>Maybe you have tried to get that perfect lawn but somehow have never quite managed to archive this or perhaps you just need a helping hand to rectify a particular problem?<br/><br/>Looking after your lawn is hard work particularly if you want to develop and sustain a quality lawn and I am sure most home owners can think of any number of excuses not to mow the lawn!<br/><br/>I have clients that use to slave away mowing their lawn for three hours every Saturday, stay at homes mums (and dads) that just haven’t the time or energy, professional couples with hectic lifestyles to those clients who are no longer able to physically manage the work. For some of our elderly clients we are often viewed as the forth emergency service, they know we will be there every week and quite often we are their only visitors.<br/><br/>You may be surprised to know that help is at hand and probably more affordable than you think. Wherever you live there will be a local gardener to grass mowing companies be it a one man / lady to a national company ready to serve you. Not to mention the odd job man who is looking to earn some extra cash.<br/><br/>So if you are ready to relinquish the chore of mowing your lawn and are thinking of engaging the services of a specialist lawn cutting service provider I would suggest that the key points to look for are:<br/><br/><b>Formal qualifications / training</b> – Whilst anyone can cut a lawn, mowing a lawn correctly is an art and requires practice and training.<br/>Only personnel with the appropriate skills, abilities and competencies should be allowed to operate the machinery and that their technical competence is maintained through mandatory training programmes.<br/>Furthermore, if the operator is to undertake other services such as applying chemical treatments they must have the relevant qualifications. It is a legal requirement for operators who are spraying with professional pesticides to hold an NPTC pesticides certificate of competence, otherwise known as a spraying certificate or a pesticide license. (PA1 / PA6).<br/><br/><b>Number of staff</b> – The advantage of engaging a company over a one man band would be availability of resources to cover sickness and holidays. A two man team shouldn’t be more expensive than a sole operator as in theory they can work quicker and more efficiently. Lawn mowing and other associated gardening activities should be classed as high risk and depending upon the work involved it may not be prudent to have a lone worker.<br/><br/><b>Insurance</b> – whilst it is not a current legal requirement for a company to have Public Liability insurance you should seriously question if an operator doesn’t have this. Incidences can happen and whilst most policies it would probably be cheaper for the company to pay for the odd window to be re-glazed due to the excess on their insurance policy just think if the incidence was more serious?<br/><br/><b>Waste Disposal</b> –How will the operator dispose of the grass cuttings - If you require the operator to take the cuttings away this will reflect in the price – trade waste disposal isn’t cheap. If the green waste is taken away is the operator registered with the Environment Agency (in England)?. A business has a duty to ensure that any waste produce is handled in accordance with the law and safely disposed of. This is also for your protection as if your green waste is illegally disposed of, you could also be held responsible. Don’t be afraid to question how and where the waste will be disposed off. The operator can’t pass your green waste away as his own and sneak in to the local council tip and dispose of for free – There is a big crackdown on these types of operators and they will get caught!<br/><br/><b>References</b> – Remember you are inviting a stranger onto your property, You may even give him a key to your side gate or garage to gain access. If the operator can’t give any references you must question why. Asking for references and addresses of their current clients will enable you to see the type of work he / she does so that you can determine if the style of mowing or edging is right for you. If you do decide to talk with the operators other clients, it will give you an idea of other people's impression of his or her reliability as well as workmanship based on their opinion.<br/><b><br/>Equipment used</b> – The business of grass cutting is heavily dependant of using high quality professional equipment, the lawn mowers are the life and blood of the operation and may cut up to 30 lawns a day, five days a week for 30 plus weeks per year. A good operator will have a number of mowers in order to undertake any number of jobs from mowing formal lawns to rough cutting verges / banks to orchards. Back up mowers to cover machinery failures. You must ask the operator what equipment he has. If you want the classic striped lawn the operator must have a roller mower. Other questions to ask regarding equipment and services would be how the operator would ‘”edge up” This can be done by the strimmer, edging or hand shears. Does the operator have additional equipment for other services such as scarifying and aeration or would these be hired in as required?.<br/><br/><b>Risk Assessments and Health and Safety</b> – A good operator will write a formal risk assessment for each property. This will address any potential hazards, assessing risks and implementing preventative and protective measures. Similarly do they have a clearly defined H & S and conforms to the Health and Safety at work act.<br/><br/><b>Environmental policy</b> – Okay by the very nature of the business of mowing lawns - using petrol mowers and driving to and from jobs we do create a carbon footprint however a company should have a policy outlining their aims to safeguard, protect and enhance the environment by minimise any adverse effects of their operations by implementing procedures to prevent pollution to land, air and water, and reduce waste and consumption of natural resources wherever possible.<br/><br/><b>Length of time in business</b> – Whilst this isn’t always a reliable gauge of how good the operator is it can be useful to gain a better understanding of the company and their values.. Whilst some clients may assign value to the length of time a company has been in business remember that recently we have seen a number of well-established banks and other organisations folding so length of time in business could now be questionable.?<br/><br/><b>Business address</b> – Whilst it is not always necessary for a company to have formal business premises an operator should be able to provide you with a contact address and land line phone number.<br/><b><br/>Terms and conditions</b> – A detailed terms and conditions will outline any number of key points but ultimately this will also offer you clarity of the service being offered, cancellation options and responsibilities of both parties.<br/><b><br/>Method of payment</b> – A good operator will offer a number of methods for payment. Do be wary of anyone asking for cash only and do not pay anyone in advance of the work being performed unless there are special circumstances / requirements.<br/><br/>The above list isn’t exhaustive, you may well have a preference to engaging a company that is a member of such organisations as the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG), Landscape Juice, APL, BALI or even Check-a-Trade. If the company is limited or sole trader, VAT registered or not.. These are personal preferences and may not necessary translate as if one company is better than the other,<br/><br/>Once you have selected the company or individual that best suits your requirements it would just be a matter of what the cost is and hopefully when can we start!<br/><br/>If you require a one off service or upon request this will cost more and may be charged out at an hourly rate rather than a fixed price per cut.<br/><br/>If you already utilise the services of a lawn care company, consider switching this over to your lawn cutting operator, besides that there could be cost savings the biggest advantage is that the grass cutter will be better able to offer the extract treatment you need and at the right time.<br/><br/>The actual cost for each lawn will be based upon how large the area is. The service provider should undertake a formal quotation to correctly assess your lawn, this could encompass measuring the lawn areas, identifying the grass species, lawn weeds, taking of a soil sample, assessing risks, access method, waste disposal and noting a number of other factors. Once the regularity of service has been established a fixed price per cut based upon the number of visits can then be given. Whilst there will be some regional differences, I would suggest a <b>minimum charge of around £15</b> for regular mowing is not unreasonable for the smallest of lawns.<br/><br/>For the moment forget cost but think about the saving and extra time it will give you, not to mention that beautiful well cared for lawn.<br/>Engaging the right lawn cutting company is more than just looking after your lawn. My client who spent three hours every Saturday gained 90 hours a year – time now spent with his young family on fun trips out which surely must be priceless.. Mrs H will know that we will call her if we have any concerns with her elderly mother and Mr and Mrs K can spend all summer in their villa in Europe knowing that their grounds are maintained in their absence and will be contacted if there are any concerns.<br/><br/>There are many businesses on Landscape Juice that would be more than happy to offer their services to you or alternatively please don’t hesitate to contact me, our teams service most of the South of England and up to the Midlands.<br/><br/>Please check out my profile page for more details at <a href="http://landscapejuice.ning.com/profile/BGSLTD">http://landscapejuice.ning.com/profile/BGSLTD</a></p><p> </p><p>The following blog may also be of interest: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/a-good-lawn-starts-with-a-good">http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/a-good-lawn-starts-with-a-good</a></p></div>Find a landscaper, gardener or designer in Wiltshirehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/find-a-landscaper-gardener-or-52009-12-19T09:30:00.000Z2009-12-19T09:30:00.000ZPhil Voicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/philvoice<div><a target="_blank" href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/find-a-landscaper-gardener-or">Return to main index</a><br />
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