Outdoor nurseries are sweeping the UK, their focus on fresh air and child-centred learning rather than testing. But can they prepare children for our technology-obsessed world?
Golden leaves are falling, wood smoke is rising, and my daughter Milly finds a dressing-up box incongruously placed in a small paddock, puts on a silky pink top and sunhat and climbs a tree. Below her, one boy waves a toy plastic chainsaw at another. “I’m going to chop you,” he says. “It’s a tool, not a weapon,” says his mum, making sure he is safe. Parents are shivering in the cold but no children are complaining. This is Dandelion forest school, one of a growing number of outdoor nurseries, where children learn through outside play, all year round. Open fires, messing around with tools, outdoor toilets and outside in rain and snow: it may sound like a cruel punishment for cotton-wool kids, but forest schools are quietly spreading through Britain, with almost no assistance from the authorities. Read the article in full - Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/dec/09/the-school-in-the-woods-outdoor-education-modern-britain The Landscape Juice Network (LJN)
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LJN is an open association of individuals and companies involved in landscaping, garden maintenance, horticulture and garden design.
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As Blue Monday is fast approaching, I thought it would be a good idea to give a small reminder to our community here on Landscape Juice to remember to tell people about your worries and if you’re having negative thoughts. Talking about emotions…
“Gardening programmes tend to be very ‘traditional’ white middle-class in their attitude towards gardening”, Julia Sargeant said in an interview after she won gold at Chelsea Flower Show in 2016. She was the first black gardener to design…
Studies report that burglary is one of the most emotionally impactful crimes to be a victim of. The prevention of being succumbed to it is always at the back of our minds – is anything on show? Are all the windows closed? Did you definitely lock…
Dan never knew that he would be orchestrating a ten-man-band five years ago when he packed in…
This series isn't just for landscapers and gardeners starting out: it's also a refresher for existing…
Open forum activity
"There is not anything to choose between them apart from Top Paddock has a higher sulphur content but you would not notice this in effectiveness, neither need watering in but the Suregrow does seem to disappear more quickly. If you asked me to choose…"
"Can I ask about those two fertiliser products please Peter? Do you have a preference for either? Also, what about the practicalities, such as do they need watering in quickly afterwards, do they stay on the lawn for ages or disappear fairly quickly,…"
"Graham. These "all in one" products designed for joe public are crap they don't do anything well. For moss buy pro kleen liquid iron - 2.5 lts in a 12 lt knapsack will do 200 sqmts it comes in a 5lt and is around £16 all in.
For fert we use an…"
For fert we use an…"
"I think this will still come under repairing law and moss problems. I've some lawns that are in a right state after winter... riddled with moss and lots of bare patches from the dry summer..I always use "Aftercut" weed, feed and mosskiller on…"
"Your liability insurance should cover the hedgecutting, However if you have drive your ride on across a pavement, road, private road or private/public car park your liability insurance will not cover you. We have just taken out cover at a cost of…"
Managing one of the busiest multi-sport facilities on the south coast is no small task – especially in a region increasingly defined by prolonged dry spells and intense seasonal wear. At Bournemouth University, Grounds Manager Alex McCombie relies…
"Maybe I'm going to be looking to upgrade my old steel platform for an aluminum version...thanks"
"Thanks...your comment appreciated!"
"Gary,
The method we use when the client does nor want a full renovation - spray pro kleen liquid iron at a dilution of 2.5 lts in 12lts water this will cover around 200 sq mts if you thoroughly wet the area. After 7 to 10 days repeat but with the…"
The method we use when the client does nor want a full renovation - spray pro kleen liquid iron at a dilution of 2.5 lts in 12lts water this will cover around 200 sq mts if you thoroughly wet the area. After 7 to 10 days repeat but with the…"
"Interesting but not surprised . Makes we wonder about mowing a grass verge outside a customers property and cutting the pedestrian side of a hedge which is a public right of way . "
"Not strictly the purists method but had customers who prefer not to use moss killer which discolours the lawn or just prefer an organic approach .
I have used dethatching tines on a Stihl mm56 machine which literally pulls the moss out and a great…"
I have used dethatching tines on a Stihl mm56 machine which literally pulls the moss out and a great…"
Hi.Does a mossey lawn always equal a full lawn renovation? Once you kill (or control) moss the customer is left with brown / black dead moss all over their lawn. So then its needs scarifying to rake it up, then usually a preseed fert, seed and top…
"I have two tripod ladders, 8ft henchman and 12ft from orchard ladders, both have three extendable legs adding an extra foot and half. Been using them three years now, great ladders.
Ive cut a 10ft hedge with the 12th foot ladder. It not ideal the…"
Ive cut a 10ft hedge with the 12th foot ladder. It not ideal the…"
"Yes that photo shows you would struggle to find anything less suitable to cut that particular hedge from. I have a large tripod and it only gets used several times per year, perfect for certain jobs but for day to day use more of a hindrance"
Does moss always = full renovation
Hi.Does a mossey lawn always equal a full lawn renovation? Once you kill (or control) moss the customer is left with brown / black dead moss all over their lawn. So then its needs scarifying to rake it up, then usually a preseed fert, seed and top…
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Views: 103
Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
How do you get on using a tripod ladder taller than the hedge you're cutting? Are photos using them like this practical?I cut a variety of heights and only want to buy one new ladder to rule them all. I currently use a folding combination ladder…
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Views: 74
Ride on mower/ ride on plant are you covered?
Some of you may not be aware that your public liability insurance does not cover you for accidents/ damage whilst driving ride on machinery across car parks or on private roads. A separate policy "Road risks" is required regardless of whether the…
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Views: 60
Sick pay insurance
Hi all. Hope everyone is getting off to a good start this season.Can anyone recommend a decent sick cover or work injury company. There's a lot out there so solid suggestions welcome pleaee
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Views: 59
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