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Article Archive
May 1, 20226 min read
Timber decks – common problems and repairs
Exposed to the elements, timber decks frequently need repairs to stay looking good and remain safe to use. While most landscapers are...
Mar 1, 20224 min read
To prune or not to prune?
Mark Roberts runs through the why and how’s of pruning – and relays some common mistakes I have a friend and colleague at Christchurch...
Mar 1, 20223 min read
The complex completion of Lancaster Park
Turf construction and grow-in can be challenging at the best of times, especially if the turf in question is on the historic Lancaster...
Feb 28, 20224 min read
Retaining walls
Is a retaining wall really needed? Is a consent needed? Does the Building Code apply to the construction of retaining walls? Find out all...
Jan 1, 20222 min read
A guide to rhododendrons
Rhododendrons are a hardy plant that thrives in moist soil. Here’s some expert guidance you can pass onto your clients on how to properly...
Jan 1, 20225 min read
Paving Units – part 3
Paving units of concrete, clay, brick, timber, stone or tile are popular and attractive options, though it’s essential they are installed...
Jan 1, 20221 min read
Ground cover Part 2
In any great garden design, the icing on the cake is the covering of the ground – that last finishing touch once you have the trees,...
Jan 1, 20224 min read
Don’t be afraid to seek specialist help
Falling victim to the Dunning-Kruger effect could cost you time and money, so don’t be afraid to seek specialist help The expression ‘a...
Jan 1, 20223 min read
Summer lawn installation and care
In the current climate, jobs need to be done when they need to be done, which sometimes means sowing, turfing or hydroseeding lawns in...
Nov 1, 20216 min read
Paving Units - Part 2
Paving units of concrete, clay, brick, timber, stone or tile are popular and attractive options, though it’s essential they are installed...
Nov 1, 20214 min read
The substance of being hollow
Thanks to uniform stress, a hollow tree doesn’t always mean a weak tree. This is worth considering if a client has asked you whether a...
Nov 1, 20211 min read
Ground cover covered
In any great garden design, the icing on the cake is the covering of the ground – that last finishing touch once you have the trees,...
Sep 1, 20214 min read
Pruning - One size does not fit all
Everyone has ‘how-to’ advice on pruning. Some is good, some not that bad, but most is just wrong. In defence of the bad, I suspect the...
Sep 1, 20213 min read
Lawns – Renovate or Replace?
The question of whether to renovate or replace a lawn isn’t always a simple decision, but after years of doing both, ReadyLawn shares the...
Sep 1, 20215 min read
Paving Units - Part 1
Paving units of concrete, clay, brick, timber, stone or tile are popular and attractive options, though it’s essential they are installed...
Jul 1, 20214 min read
How to plant trees which will last
Arborist Mark Roberts tells us how planting a tree requires a lot more than simply sticking it in the ground. Considering the tree’s...
Jul 1, 20214 min read
Composting is a circular solution
Economic and ethical incentives increasingly steer compost and green waste away from landfill. However, composting is more complicated...
Jul 1, 20216 min read
Functional fences
Fences, screens and walls are fundamental aspects of landscape design and construction, defining borders, creating spaces and providing...
May 1, 20212 min read
Earthworks Unearthed
Most landscape construction projects begin with some form of earthworks, ranging from simple small-scale levelling to major excavation or...
May 1, 20215 min read
What’s so hard about soil?
When is soil just dirt, why should you care, and what can you do about it? Arborist Mark Roberts digs into this important topic When I...
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