Green-tech helps create first purpose-built biophilic primary

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Green-tech helps create first purpose-built biophilic primary: St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy in Derby suffered a devastating fire in October 2020, demolishing the site. A new multi-million-pound school has now risen from the ashes to become the UK’s greenest school.

St Mary’s is the country’s first biophilic school and has been built as part of a pilot project for the Department for Education (DfE).

Green-tech helps create first purpose-built biophilic primary

Green-tech helps create first purpose-built biophilic primary

Biophilic design focuses on connecting those inside, with nature, to promote physical and mental health. The goal for St Mary’s is to be net zero carbon in operation where the amount of carbon emissions added is no more than the amount taken away, making it the UK’s greenest school.

Horizon Landscapes are Landscape and Grounds Maintenance Contractors based In Nottingham. They were awarded the tree planting and soft landscaping contract for this pilot project.

As part of the landscape strategy, 100 new trees were planted, many of which were semi-mature to help the school become quickly embedded in the Biophilic landscape. Additional landscape features include rain gardens, season bulb planting, green roof, and wildflower meadows to maximise biodiversity and local ecology.

For planting in the hard landscaped areas Green-tech supplied 128 TreeParker® units, 40 tonnes of Green-tree Geosoil and 40 tonnes of Green-tree Subsoil. The TreeParker® Cell System is an underground structural soil cell system that provides an ideal environment for trees to thrive beneath the pavement in urban environments. The system provides large volumes of non-compact high-quality soil and maximises the usable space beneath the ground, providing unlimited expansion for unimpeded root growth, while supporting traffic loads at the same time. It is ideal for new trees in areas such as pavements, car parks, and green roofs. In addition to this key function, TreeParker® aids stormwater management within the system, dealing with rainwater runoff at source – the ideal SuDS solution.

Green-tech supplied 85 tree anchor systems for the installation of trees into the soft landscaping scheme. Green-tech has a range of tree anchor systems designed to provide much-needed anchoring and stability for newly planted trees. In most cases, the tree anchor is secured over the root ball, providing greater contact with the surface area of the root ball and in turn improved root support for the newly planted tree.

Amanda Greaves, Executive Headteacher at St Mary’s, comments: “I am so delighted for the children, staff, parents, and wider community as we begin the next chapter in the new St Mary’s, the greenest school in the UK. It has been an absolute privilege to be part of this incredible pathway project. I think the best thing about the new building is being able to see all of the outside areas from all of the buildings and everything is integrated. We have 100 trees, the trim trail, and lots of benches and everything feels calm and relaxed. Everyone is just excited to be here.”

Richard Hale, Managing Director of Horizon Landscapes adds, “This was a stunning project to work on.  It was an honour to be involved in creating the first biophilic school and for the importance of the outside to be truly recognised as comparable with the inside of the building. The project has been a huge success and well-received. We have worked with Green-tech for many years and as ever they supplied what we needed, when we needed it. They are our go-to for all soft landscaping materials”.

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Etesia UK Announces Exclusive 0% VAT Offer

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Etesia UK Announces Exclusive 0% VAT Offer: Etesia UK has announced an exclusive 0% VAT offer*. Available on selected ride-on mowers, this offer provides customers with the chance to drive away today with top-of-the-line equipment at an unbeatable value.

Etesia UK’s range of ride-on mowers are designed to deliver unparalleled performance, efficiency, and ease of use. From the compact yet powerful Hydro 80 to the versatile and agile Bahia, the ride-on mowers are engineered to meet the diverse needs of lawn care professionals.

Etesia UK Announces Exclusive 0% VAT Offer

Etesia UK Announces Exclusive 0% VAT Offer

Highlights of the featured models include:

Bahia: Versatile, agile, and adaptable, the Bahia is designed to tackle any terrain with ease, offering exceptional stability and efficient grass collection.

Hydro 80: A compact powerhouse that effortlessly cuts and collects both long and short grass, offering the efficiency of three walk-behind mowers in one.

MK124: The perfect solution for large areas, with a wide cutting width and hydraulically operated grass box for effortless maintenance.

Customers can choose from 80cm, 100cm and the MK124 models and are available in petrol with diff-lock options.

All of the mowers are equipped to handle even the toughest mowing conditions, ensuring optimal performance come rain or shine.

With a reputation for durability and longevity, Etesia UK’s ride-on mowers are built to withstand the rigours of commercial use.

Act now to take advantage of this limited-time offer. To claim your 0% VAT offer*, simply place your order before July 31, 2024, by contacting Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or email sales@etesia.co.uk.

All machines will be supplied by your local Etesia UK dealer who will carry out the PD, installation and aftersales of your ride on mower.

* Reduction equivalent to 20% VAT applied to original base price on selected models (exclusions apply). VAT applies to reduced price. Prices and specifications are accurate at time of print. Offers may be varied or withdrawn at any time and are not available in conjunction with any other offer. Retail sales only. Available through participating dealers only. Subject to availability on orders placed before 31st July 2024.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk.

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Etesia UK on Twitter @EtesiaUK and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK. You can also view the latest Etesia videos by visiting www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK.

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Mansfield Sand’s Impact on Repton School’s Clay-Based Grounds

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Mansfield Sand’s Impact on Repton School’s Clay-Based Grounds: Navigating the challenges of turf management on heavy clay soil presents a unique set of obstacles. Andrew Butler, Head of Grounds and Gardens at Repton School in Derbyshire, understands this all too well.

Tasked with maintaining Repton’s extensive grounds, Andrew has turned to Mansfield Sand’s MM40 to address the specific needs of the school’s clay-based terrain.

Mansfield Sand's Impact on Repton School's Clay-Based Grounds

Mansfield Sand’s Impact on Repton School’s Clay-Based Grounds

At Repton School, the soil’s heavy clay composition poses challenges to turf health and drainage. Andrew explains, “We are such a heavy clay soil-based site…the clay has got compressed, and it is so heavily compacted.” Recognising the importance of improving soil quality, Andrew sought solutions to enhance the medium and facilitate better water movement through the profile.

Enter MM40 from Mansfield Sand, a product renowned for its ability to improve soil structure and promote drainage. MM40 is sourced directly from the Two Oaks Quarry in Mansfield where the company produces its renowned Mansil range of Silica Sands. MM40 is a moist, medium sand which is predominantly used in the construction and maintenance of a wide range of sports surfaces.

MM40 serves as a vital tool in Repton’s efforts to combat compaction and enhance turf resilience.

The implementation of MM40 extends beyond addressing surface issues. Repton School is in the midst of a comprehensive drainage programme, aiming to alleviate waterlogging and improve turf health across the entire site. Andrew emphasises the importance of this initiative, stating, “We are trying to help get that water away from the surface. It is all about improving the soil medium and getting it through the profile quicker.”

The short renovation window of opportunity during Easter poses a logistical challenge for Andrew and his team. However, the application of MM40 during this period is essential to maximising its impact. Andrew explains, “We only have a short window during Easter to get as much sand in as we can. We use MM40 across all the pitches, across the whole site. It has massively helped with the drainage and improved playability.”

As Repton School continues its commitment to providing top-tier facilities for its students, the role of products like MM40 in improving turf quality and resilience cannot be overstated. With Mansfield Sand’s MM40 as a key ally, Andrew is ensuring that the grounds at Repton School remain a source of pride and excellence for years to come.

For more information visit www.mansfield-sand.co.uk

You can also follow the company on Twitter – @MansfieldSand and Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MansfieldSandSportSurfaces/

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Reduce inputs, not quality, with Microclover

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Reduce inputs, not quality, with Microclover: It’s fair to say that in many aspects of modern life we are encouraged to be mindful of the impact we have on the environment.

That’s certainly the case for most Turf Managers across the sporting spectrum, together with landscapers and those looking after green community spaces, some of whom face increasing pressure to operate more sustainably. Whether it’s for environmental reasons or a result of budget constraints, reducing fertiliser applications could be considered. With Microclover® from DLF, this can be achieved without a compromise on turf quality.

Reduce inputs, not quality, with Microclover

Reduce inputs, not quality, with Microclover

Microclover® is a legume with the natural ability to fix nitrogen from the air. To capitalise on this benefit, DLF developed a unique small leaved variety, specifically for use in professional grade lawns and surfaces. When sown alongside more traditional varieties, Microclover® will contribute to a dense, uniform appearance and a harder-wearing, more drought-tolerant sward that stays greener for longer.

Its own natural fertiliser reserves feed the Microclover® and the surrounding companion plants via root nodules that convert atmospheric nitrogen into a natural fertiliser, improving nutrient availability and reducing the risk of leeching. This process continues throughout the growing season until the first frost.

The competitiveness of Microclover® is another benefit for less intensively managed areas, quickly filling gaps to lock out weeds and reduce the need for herbicides.

Microclover® is incorporated into the PM26 and PM27 mixtures from DLF’s Masterline collection, these two formulations specifically developed to reduce input costs and be kinder to the environment by eliminating the need for excessive fertiliser, water and herbicides. Incorporating 5% Microclover®, both PM26 Ecosward and PM27 Ecosward Plus offer low-maintenance yet tolerant and visually attractive swards, ideal for landscape applications.

Self-sustaining Microclover® is just one of a number of sustainable seed developments borne from DLF’s global research and breeding programmes, seeking to meet the needs of today and those of the future. More information can be found by visiting www.dlf.co.uk

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Pioneering fish fertiliser provides biological boost

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Pioneering fish fertiliser provides biological boost: British organic fertiliser manufacturer Biocore Agri has developed a new fish-based fertiliser that has significantly increased microbial life, including bacteria and fungi, in a variety of growing systems.

In a series of trials with its Biocore Land product, a fertiliser made by fermenting fish, the Fleetwood-based manufacturer has used Eurofins’ Soil Life Monitor tests to prove the soil-enhancing effect of the product. The liquid fish hydrolysate contains a broad range of macro and micro nutrients, amino acids, trace elements and organic matter, as Managing Director Stephen Welsh explains:

Pioneering fish fertiliser provides biological boost

Pioneering fish fertiliser provides biological boost

“We shred and mulch fish that is not suitable for human consumption in a process known as cold hydrolysis. The resulting liquid organic fertiliser that can be applied to soil as a conditioner or to plants as a foliar spray. It can also be mixed with other biological or chemical products to reduce spraying frequency.”

In a trial, seven litres per hectare of Biocore Land was used to improve lettuce growth. It reduced the growth cycle by three days, equivalent to a 10% reduction.

“We are working with Harlequins F.C. to enhance the training pitches at the club. We are also running a series of trials with VCS Agronomy, and recently completed a successful trial with the British Carrot Growers Association which saw carrot yields increase by 9.65%,” he says.

Tests with Eurofins Agro UK have identified that, when compared to a control sample, the organic fertiliser can increase microbial biomass by 85% and organic matter by 27%. In addition, the tests showed increases in total bacteria of 66.6% and total fungi of 85.71%.

“In a 15-hectare split field trial we applied Biocore Land to grass, which showed an 8.47% increase in grass protein and an organic matter increase of 27%. This demonstrated a benefit to both soil life and grass quality,” adds Mr Welsh.

The product, being made of natural material, is certified by the Soil Association and is expected to appeal to farmers and growers looking to enhance soil health by improving soil life. As an agricultural product for grassland or arable, it has the potential to help soils manage stresses such as drought, floods, extreme temperatures, pests and disease.

“Eurofins was the only laboratory that could identify the build-up of microbial biomass in the soil samples from our trials. The results show that Biocore Land is capable of making significant improvements to microbial life quickly, which we hope will appeal to farmers and growers looking to use natural fertilisers rather than chemicals,” he concludes.

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