IOG Apprenticeship in Groundsmanship

IOG breaks new ground with the launch of groundsmanship apprenticeships

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG), the leading membership organization for everyone involved in the management of sports pitches, landscape and amenity facilities in the UK, has announced the IOG Apprenticeship in Groundsmanship – a work-based program available to aspiring groundsmen and women.

Providing a choice of options – Apprenticeship Level 2, Advanced Apprenticeship Level 3 and Higher Apprenticeship Level 4 – and routes (ie work-based diploma, foundation learning, GCSE/A Level and employment with training), the programme is targeted at anyone aged from 16 years. The IOG Apprenticeship will take between one and three years, depending on the Level chosen.

Explaining that the new Apprenticeship is the latest in a comprehensive range of affordable education services delivering high quality and accredited qualifications at every level of groundscare Ian Lacy, the IOG’s Head of Professional Services, says the new scheme follows the successful recent launch of the IOG Young Apprenticeship Scheme as a curriculum option for students aged 14 at Harefield Academy, St Albans.

“The IOG Apprenticeship, a work-based (on- and off-job) programme designed around the needs of an employer, leads to nationally recognised qualifications such as diplomas in Groundsmanship and greenkeeping accredited by City & Guilds land-based services,” he says. “The majority of the time is spent in the workplace and supported by a mentor (usually the head groundsman or a fellow member of staff) and the remaining time is delivered by the learning provider, the IOG.

“To support the new scheme, the IOG is offering a ‘one-stop shop’ apprenticeship service which includes screening literacy and numeracy, assessment of occupational skills, advice on learning styles and psychometric testing, plus help with the induction and sign-up and the assessor visit, and ongoing monitoring of progress.

“Apprenticeships are the Government’s primary route to skills and employability, and such a formal springboard for a career in groundscare has been sorely missing – until now.”

This scheme is something that we all in the industry, and especially those that wish to enter this field, have been waiting for for a long time. While it is possible to study groundsmanship at a number of agricultural colleges this is a much better way, as are apprenticeships in general and we need many more, in the parks and gardens field as well as in others.

© 2011

Bulldog Tools Forged Edging Knife – Product Review

Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Bulldog Tools Forged Edging Knife
Ref No. 5680083210
Price: just under £40 incl. VAT
Ash Handle with "T" Grip
Unique Forged Blade
Forged In Britain

This forged edging knife from Bulldog's Clarington Forge in Wigan, England is by far the strongest lawn edging iron I have so far seen and used. It is one that, even in professional use in Parks and Gardens should last for a generation or two rather than just for a couple of seasons.

Yes, the tool not cheap with just under 40 Pounds Sterling but then again the blade is forged exactly in the same way as a quality spade and from the same strength of steel. There is no weld point that can give way under the strain of use and abuse.

The handle is solid Ash with a “T” grip and is, once again, the same kind that would be found at a good strong spade and also, unless really misused, stand up to the rigors of whatever the job throws at it.

This Bulldog Edging Knife of the Premier Range – although the website seems to putting it into the Evergreen Range – is a true professional tool and is most definite the dog's proverbials of all edging irons. I do not think that, unless on purpose and with malice, or by being driven over, this tool can be broken even in the most arduous and most prolonged use.

Talking of use: When using this particular edging tool on curbs and such the back of the blade, the straight part, must be the one meeting the stone of the curb or the concrete slab. That way the turf is cut clean and no excessive amount of soil if pulled up.

Another great tool from Bulldog that I am most happy to endorse as a professional gardener and forester.

© 2010

Full Disclosure Statement: The PARKS & GARDENS REVIEW received no compensation for any component of this article other than being allowed to retain the tool.

Clean up after your dog

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

People who allow their dogs to foul in parks, open spaces and the road without cleaning up after them not only are inconsiderate and obnoxious; they endanger the sight and the lives of children.

In Manchester a two-year old little girl could lose the sight of one her eyes because she fell into dog's mess at Platt Fields Park, Manchester.

The child had run towards the gate of a fenced off area in the park but fell down in dog dirt and rubbed her eyes before her mother could get to her. Despite the fact that her mother managed to clean her eyes and wash it, the toddler woke up early the next morning with swollen eyes and was taken to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital where doctors confirmed that she was suffering from toxocariasis.

Toxocariasis is carried in dog feces and can lead to complete blindness or even death if not treated within 72 hours. Though the girl has been released from the hospital doctors believe that she might lose some sight in one of her eyes.

This is one of the many reasons that in the Romani-Gypsy Culture dogs (and cats) are considered unclean and are never permitted to enter a true Gypsy household, even though the Romani People may, originally, not even have know of the disease.

It is such a sad state of affairs that dog owners are so inconsiderate in parks and open spaces that a child could lose her eyesight simply of the fact that someone could not be bothered to pick up the mess that his or her pet deposited.

We can observe it again and again daily of how dog owners will ensure that they are a “safe distance” ahead of their dog when they walk it so as to not to be able to see that the dog performed and then, when challenged by Rangers become abusive to the extent, at times, of threatening physical violence.

Some are that inconsiderate and ignorant that they deliberately take their dogs into areas that clearly are marked as “no dogs allowed” and then state “but he is on a lead” or such.

In some countries, Germany amongst them, there is now a little idea taking hold where small flags are planted in dog's mess that identify that this mess is looking for an owner to take care of it, in an attempt to shame people into being responsible.

This seems to be, at times, the only way to go as a quiet word and any attempt in teaching them to be responsible dog owners does not seem to sink in at all.

What will it take? A death of a child from toxocariasis?

© 2010

IOG SALTEX’S ‘World of Arb’ makes tree surgery best practice comes alive

IOG is planning a series of demonstrations, workshops and seminars for this year’s SALTEX show.

Working closely with arboricultural specialist the BTS Group in the World of Arb area of the show, there will be a daily programme of tree climbing/access and rescue demonstrations, walk-in ‘ask the BTS expert’ workshops, as well as a display of products needed for safe and effective tree surgery - focusing especially on equipment for working at height efficiently, effectively and safely.

In addition, the schedule of free seminars taking place in The Grandstand will also include sessions dedicated to the arboriculture industry.

The BTS programme of live demonstrations will include best-practice routines for:

• Access - climbed versus platform – highlighting health and safety issues as well as the efficacy of the alternative routines/methods; and

• Aerial rescue techniques – focusing on accident and emergency routines when close to electricity/power lines.

Kevin Moore, Training Manager of the BTS Training division, says the enthralling programme will involve BTS staff from the Group’s Ipswich, Luton and Leeds depots.

Elsewhere in the show, arborists will also be able to view and discuss a wide range of appropriate equipment, from harnesses through to sky-high access platforms, from other exhibitors.

The IOG SALTEX World of Arb showcase is one of a number of special feature areas planned for this year’s show – visit www.iogsaltex.co.uk for details.

Wait! There could be birds still nesting

Hold back a while before trimming the hedges and trees

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

You may be getting frustrated and angered by straggly foliage or unruly tree branches which appear to be taking over your garden and by a hedge that looks in serious need of a haircut, but try to hold back on the trimming.

The RSPB is is urging gardeners to avoid making the chop as there could still be late nesting birds hidden within the greenery and you certainly could seriously disrupt them and even cause the death of their offspring.

An RSPB South East media officer said: “The RSPB receives a lot of calls at the moment from people that have started hedge trimming and discovered a nest. It is very disturbing for gardeners to think they have upset their garden birds and they worry that they may fly the nest and the young won’t survive.

“You can save yourself a job and wait for a few weeks, ideally until late September at the earliest. If you do need to do it sooner for safety reasons perhaps, try and replace any greenery as much as possible so as not to deter the birds.”

Most garden birds breed between March and August but some species will be on their nests until late into September.

Cutting this early could also starve birds and mammals of a vital fruit supply. Many plants will still have an abundance of berries which could see the birds through the winter.

Last year’s winter larder of berries on shrubs and hedges meant the difference between life and death for many resident birds and winter visitors.

The RSPB is also urging local authorities to hold back on cutting hedges for a few weeks yet where possible.

Many have to cut hedges for path access or horticultural reasons for example, but where there is flexibility, the wildlife charity suggests waiting until the end of summer.

If maintenance is unavoidable at this time, the RSPB asks that gardeners, local authorities and contractors consider nesting birds and do preliminary inspections.

© 2010

Fiskars Power Gear Pruners – Product Review

Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

More power with less effort



The PowerGear technology employed with those pruners optimizes cutting power, enabling the user to tackle thicker stems effortlessly, whilst reducing strain on wrists.

The rotating handle does take a little getting use to but once that has happened, about five minutes after you have started using it, you wonder how you ever have managed with any other kind of pruner.

The large bypass pruner that I got with the Press Pack at the Garden Press Event 2010, and which I had wanted to do a review on for months now, can cut, according to the information, stems up to 20mm in diameter and as that is given for green wood and I have managed to cut dead wood – though for that anvil pruners should, rightly be used – the cutting power is tremendous.

The pruners cut effortlessly through the given size and that nigh on even in dead wood and this style definitely could become the choice for the serious gardener and professional.

The PowerGear pruners are somewhat chunkier than most conventional ones and hence might not, as easily, be accommodated in belt holsters, I am afraid, but that is just a little side comment. Maybe Fiskars could design a belt holster specifically for the PowerGear range.

A very well designed Bypass Pruner that has really got some power.

A very interesting thing is the little screw at the PowerGear handle area that allows for adjusting the opening width. Something that could be handy for some size hands, pardon the pun.

Made in Finland.

© 2010

Brother Garden Labellers – Product Review

Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Labelling specialist Brother has a perfect range of label printers for amateur and professional gardeners alike.

From labelling seed trays, seedlings and plants, to organizing the garden shed and greenhouse, a label printer is an excellent addition to any horticulturalist's inventory.

Brother UK provided me with two different labellers for test and review and we will be looking at those below:

The first one is the:

GL-200

This printer is a hard wearing labeller and its labels can resist rain, humidity, heat, frost and fading. This model even allows users to change the label design for that extra creative touch.

Other features include:

• 3.5, 6, 9, and 12mm labels
• ABC keyboard
• Quick time and date print
• Easy to read 12 character, one line LCD screen
• Convenient built in label cutter

This is a very easy to use label printer of the P-touch range of Brother's products and one that is ideal for the amateur as well as the professional gardener.

It has comes in a very suitable color, namely green, and has rubber pads on each side to make it easier for the user to hold the unit.

Being hand held makes this labeller suitable also for the use – on the move – in the greenhouse or the potting shed, but it is equally suited to be used indoors in the office.

The next labeller on test and for review is the:

PT-2700

Printing both inside and outside can be challenging for the horticulturalist. This versatile printer, the PT-2700, can handle complex print jobs such as barcodes (if someone could just explain to me how to create and generate a barcode) pricing labels, and call also incorporate sales messages or growing instructions.

Other features include:

• 3.5, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24mm size labels
• Familiar QWERTY keyboard layout
• Easy to read large 16 character, 2 line LCD screen
• Vary designs with 10 printing and 17 frame styles
• Choice of 8 fonts and print sizes
• Conveniently built-in automatic cutter
• Peace on mind with 3 year warranty

In addition to this the labeller can be used in conjunction with a computer with the appropriate software, which comes supplied, and USB cable (also included). Users of Windows VISTA will have to download software and drivers from site as CD does not include those. This is not a problem, however, and it works well with the computer.

What one could use very much though, for the computer software, as for general use one is provided, is a manual. The non-expert will be presented with somewhat of a learning curve here.

While still being suitable, no doubt, for the amateur this printer is more something for the professional horticulturalist and horticulture business, as well as other aligned industries, as well as general business use.

Originally launched in 1989, Brother's dedicated garden labelling range has become popular with both amateur and professional gardeners thanks to its compact design and ultra durable label tapes.

The TZ tape has been tested to the extreme to create labels that are water, fade, frost, chemical and scruff resistant – making them ideal for use in the horticultural environment.

The labels come in a variety of colors including white text on black background, to create professional looking display labels for shows and competitions.

I have been making use of both of those printers for the creation of labels for my plug plants and seedlings for use in my food growing garden at home.

© 2010