Landscape Juice

New grinder/crusher machine from Seppi

One of the best ways to get the very best out of a landscaping or ground works machine is to find a multi-purpose solution. The New Seppi Star FC combines a stump grinder and stone crusher into one heavy duty head and is designed to be fitted to excavators from 15 to 35 tonnes and to take up to 300 hp. The Star FC is designed to grind stumps up to 40 cm (16"), crush stones up to 15 cm (6"), destroy roots to a depth of 30 cm (12"), till the soil to a depth or 30 cm (12")... Read more →

The Landscape Juice Network - its aims and objectives

The Landscape Juice Network (LJN) What is it? LJN is an open association of individuals and companies involved in landscaping, garden maintenance, horticulture and garden design. The site is free to join. There is no restriction to being a member and all information -with the exception of that exchanged within a few specialist groups - is available for anyone to read and comment upon. Why was it formed? LJN was formed in April 2008 to provide a network for professional gardeners and landscapers as well as any person or business related to the industry. It aims to provide a website... Read more →

Catch up with the online buzz about bees

With the recent questions about why bee numbers are in decline, there are some lovely records of the goings-on of the bees' world becoming available, writes Carol Miers. Being in beautiful countryside is a good place for bee-keeping, as Englishman in France, Jon Dobson found out. He recommends joining him in his journey of discovery. The bee is not concerned with national borders and the falling numbers are widespread as many countries have reported. From the USA to countries in the northern hemisphere, the effects could be drastic. Another study by the UK Soil Association gives grist to the mill... Read more →

Advice on sealing and caring for sandstone paving

If you have or plan to install sandstone in your garden then you'll be curious to know how's the best way to maintain your product for the long term. The Sandstone sealant topic on the Landscape Juice network discusses what products might be available to seal highly porous sandstone. Alastair Niddrie, Managing Director of - a natural stone consultancy and stone restoration business - offers up some good advice. here are the bullets: You do not need to seal sandstone outside but this is your choice. If you want it to look pristine, then you can use products which will... Read more →

Wearing the right footwear while mowing

Leonard had done the job many times before but looking back, he conceded that there was an accident waiting to happen. The picture is of Leonard's right foot as a result of it being under the deck of a rotary lawn mower after he slipped on wet grass whilst cutting a bank; Leonard lost two toes and received serious lacerations to his foot. Leonard was using a rotary lawn mower to cut grass on sloping ground - the grass had been left and had become rather too long - he slipped on the lush area of grass that he had... Read more →

Overactive Bladder Syndrome - A matter of urgency

Something about the title “A matter of urgency” seems appropriate to the current work by Jill Foxley creating her garden for this year's Hampton Court show, writes Carol Miers. Busy building for the 6th July opening, Jill explained to me yesterday how things stand: "We normally have a year to plan, and the deadline for getting the submissions in to the RHS was the beginning of December. “We had a phone call the second week in March and our name had been put forward by the RHS and we got the job. I was going to have a year off... Read more →

London insect hotels - vote for your favourite

You have until Tuesday 29 June to vote in the architectural competition for insect hotels across London's public gardens. There are five previously shortlisted designs that have now been built and you can visit them in their actual location or take a look on the British Land - all you have to do is pick your favourite. Two ‘Golden Beetle’ awards will be presented during the London Festival of Architecture, one to the winner of the online public vote, and the other to the winner selected by the expert judging panel. The hotels have been designed to attract stag beetles,... Read more →

Government cuts - don't rush in, warns Thomas Palfreyman

eFIG is the trade association for the interior landscapers and they argue that plants help make our work environment more productive. Here, Thomas Palfreyman, chairman of eFIG warns government departments to think hard before removing plants from their workspaces. George Osborne delivered some ‘unavoidable’ and expected cuts in his first ‘tough but fair’ budget. To address ‘Britain’s massive debts’, Osborne included cuts of 25% from public service spending, says Thomas Palfreman. Having plants in office environments can affect large savings in other areas. It is well known amongst the horticultural and the interior landscaping industry as well as academia that... Read more →

Carol Miers appointed as Landscape Juice Features Writer

Landscape Juice has reached another new milestone today. I am delighted to welcome Carol Miers as a Features Writer for Landscape Juice. Carol has enjoyed a long and varied career working in journalism and radio and is going to put her skills and experience to good use seeking out important environmental and sustainability issues as well as conducting in-depth interviews with the people who help run and shape the horticulture and landscaping industry. Carol's appointment realises my ambition to expand Landscape Juice's reach and changing the way that news and information is delivered to you and the market place. You... Read more →

Water restrictions face the North West Region

Following the lowest national January to May rainfall since 1964, wise-water use is being recommended by the water authority United Utilities, writes Carol Miers. Although groundwater levels in the UK are sufficient, the North West region, including Manchester, Liverpool and the Lake District, takes its water supplies from rivers. Current advice includes suggestions to grow plants that prefer a drier climate, and leave grass to grow longer. Using watering cans rather than hosepipes may be an option better suited to private households. While wise use of water is advised, the rainfall this summer will be a critical factor. John Sanders,... Read more →