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Garden spend ending up in the ditch due to flooding

May 2, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Garden spend ending up in the ditch due to flooding: British people are wasting £2.9 million on their gardens, thanks to a low understanding of their flood risk, according to new data published today by Flood Re, the joint initiative between the UK government and the insurance industry. Despite the cost-of-living crisis, Brits spent £17.6 […]

Complete Weed Control invests in future workforce

May 2, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Complete Weed Control invests in future workforce: As Complete Weed Control, the longest established amenity weed control company in the UK and Ireland, has recently put 13 employees through the Amenity Nominated Storekeeper (ANSK) training and examination to strengthen its future workforce. Launched by independent standards setting organisation, BASIS in 2021 and fully recognised by […]

Garden spend ending up in the ditch due to flooding

May 2, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Complete Weed Control invests in future workforce

May 2, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Garden spend ending up in the ditch due to flooding

May 2, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Garden spend ending up in the ditch due to flooding: British people are wasting £2.9 million on their gardens, thanks to a low understanding of their flood risk, according to new data published today by Flood Re, the joint initiative between the UK government and the insurance industry.

Despite the cost-of-living crisis, Brits spent £17.6 billion on their gardens last year – an average of £402 per UK adult – but a low awareness of their flood risk means they’re currently wasting £2.9M on their gardens, which are being battered by heavy rain and surface water flooding.

Garden spend ending up in the ditch due to flooding

In total, 5.4 million (1 in 8) UK adults with gardens have experienced the devastating impact of flooding on their green spaces.

With February 2024 being the wettest on record for over 250 years and 1 in 4 homes in the UK at risk of floodingⁱ, this National Gardening Week Flood Re wants people to start getting smart about their garden spending.

High Risk, Low Awareness

The data also reveals only 5% of people living in high-risk areas could correctly identify their flood risk. Worryingly, 68% of people in high-risk flood areas think their flood risk is low. This low awareness of flood risk means green fingered Brits are at risk of investing time and money in their gardens that could be washed way.

The research shows Brits are not taking the crucial steps they need to protect their homes and gardens. Indeed, 90% of homeowners, rising to 93% in high and mid flood risk areas, haven’t taken any steps to make their homes and gardens more flood resilient. Despite the extreme weather conditions, this doesn’t look to be changing, with only 9% of homeowners planning to add flood resilience measures to their homes and gardens in the next year.

Furthermore, almost half (46%) of people in high and mid flood risk areas said flood risk had “no impact at all” on where they have chosen to live.

Flood Devastation

The picture couldn’t be more different for those who have experienced flooding in their home and garden, with 62% claiming risk of flooding has since impacted where they choose to live. With 41% of those who have experienced flooding considering implementing flood resilience modifications (compared to only 4% of Brits who haven’t experienced flooding), Flood Re is on hand to offer easy, cost-effective ways to smartly invest in your garden as a flood prevention tool.

Gardens are an important and cost-effective first line of defence to flooding. Properly managed, domestic gardens can channel, absorb and store large quantities of water, which means the risk to buildings and property is mitigated. The risk of localised and downstream flooding is reduced too.

From Roots to Resilience

Choosing a variety of plants such as willow, water mint and astilbe can help ensure your garden can thrive in varying water conditions and withstand the challenges posed by climate change, from drought to inundation.

Similarly, slowing the flow of water into your garden will significantly reduce local flooding risks by diverting rainwater away from infrastructure, easing the burden on drainage systems and avoiding costly upgrades down the line.

To demonstrate how to harness your garden’s natural flood resilience, Flood Re are teaming up with leading garden designer Dr Ed Barsley and Naomi Slade and, to unveil the Flood Resilient Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May. The garden has been carefully designed to show how people can protect their gardens and homes against extreme weather and learn how to increase their flood resilience from the ground up.

Build Back Better

In the event of a flood, Flood Re’s Build Back Better scheme allows eligible customers with specific home insurers to receive up to £10,000 as part of a claim.

The amount is meant for home and garden improvements that go beyond basic repairs, focusing on enhancing the property’s resilience against future floods.

Andy Bord, Chief Executive Officer, Flood Re said: “The research clearly shows there is a job to be done to educate people about their flood risk. Gardens are cherished spaces that bring joy to so many of us, so why wouldn’t we want to not only protect them from harm but actively harness their power to prevent them from future damage? Your garden can be both beautiful and resilient to extreme wet weather. We’re hopeful this research and the Flood Resilient Garden will help people think about their flood risk and consider the plants and garden features that will both endure a flood and help reduce destruction and distress to their home when a flood hits.”

Dr. Ed Barsley, Environmental Design Expert said: “The research clearly shows that the majority of people aren’t aware that their garden or home is at flood risk of flooding until it’s too late. However, what’s positive to note is that there are a variety of practical and cost-effective measures that gardener owners can take to save themselves emotional and financial stress further down the line.”

Nikki Stocks, 63 from Lancashire said: “In the chaos of the flooding, I felt overwhelmed, unsure of how to safeguard my home and happiness due to financial restrictions. It’s affected my mental health because now I’m always anxious when it rains and how bad it could get for my home”.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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Complete Weed Control invests in future workforce

May 2, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Complete Weed Control invests in future workforce: As Complete Weed Control, the longest established amenity weed control company in the UK and Ireland, has recently put 13 employees through the Amenity Nominated Storekeeper (ANSK) training and examination to strengthen its future workforce.

Launched by independent standards setting organisation, BASIS in 2021 and fully recognised by the Chemical Regulation Division (CRD) as a certificate of competence, the training course and accredited qualification, is specifically developed for professionals who are responsible for the storage of professional use pesticides within the amenity sector.

Complete Weed Control invests in future workforce

Strengthening the company’s commitment to young professionals in the industry, of those who took the course, 6 included future leaders: Craig Convery, contract manager for Tyne and Wear, office manager and site supervisor, Lewis Bloomer and grounds maintenance operative, Emma Hayman for Durham and Teesside, Mark Carnie, storekeeper for South West and East Scotland, Daniel Adamson, manager for North East and Sam Drury, business development manager for East Riding.

Lewis Bloomer said: “I’m proud to have passed the course alongside my colleagues from the wider organisation. Complete Weed Control is committed to its responsibility around compliance and ensuring industry regulations are met. This course has provided an opportunity for additional people within the team to maintain the high standards we deliver to our customers.

The organisation is a great place to learn and develop, one that’s investing heavily in its people. There’s no ceiling here, and the progression opportunities are something you don’t find readily with other employers.”

Ian Graham, managing director said: “We are delighted all of our team members who took part successfully passed the course. Not only are we cementing our future in the industry, but we are also growing our talent from the ground up.”

“Our industry is highly regulated and it is important we upskill as many people as possible in our commitment to surpass standards. Developing our people is not just shaping the individuals but supporting our culture of excellence and responsibility. Lewis and the other participants represent a bright future for our company, and we are proud to support them on their journey.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Garden spend ending up in the ditch due to flooding

Complete Weed Control invests in future workforce

Garden spend ending up in the ditch due to flooding

Complete Weed Control invests in future workforce

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Garden spend ending up in the ditch due to flooding

Garden spend ending up in the ditch due to flooding: British people are wasting £2.9 million on their gardens, thanks to a low understanding of their flood risk, according to new data published today by Flood Re, the joint initiative between the UK government and the insurance industry.

Complete Weed Control invests in future workforce

Complete Weed Control invests in future workforce: As Complete Weed Control, the longest established amenity weed control company in the UK and Ireland, has recently put 13 employees through the Amenity Nominated Storekeeper (ANSK) training and examination to strengthen its future workforce.

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