AMEMOTY HORTICULTURE Roger Bennett AMENITY HORTICULTURE Roger Bennett M.A., M.Horf. (RHS), Dip.S.M., Dip.Hort., M./.Hort., A. B.f.A. C. M MACMILLAN ©Roger Bennett 1991 All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission. No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted save with written permission or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 or under the terms of any licence permitting limited copying issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, 33-4 Alfred Place, London WClE 7DP. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. First edition 1991 Published by MACMILLAN EDUCATION LTD Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 2XS and London Companies and representatives throughout the world British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Bennett, Roger Amenity horticulture. 1. England. Horticulture I. Title 635.0942 ISBN 978-0-333-53656-8 ISBN 978-1-349-11934-9 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-1-349-11934-9 D CONTENTS Acknowledgements v Introduction: Health and Safety 2 Health and Safety at Work Act 3 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 4 Pesticides 5-8 Safety at Work 9 Protective Clothing 10 Hazards 11 1 THE HORTICULTURE INDUSTRY 12 The Horticulture Industry 12-13 Amenity Horticulture 14 UK Growing Areas 15 Horticultural Services 16 Training for Horticulture 17 2 ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE AND DECORATIVE HORTICULTURE 18 Shrubs: Checks, Use, Hedges, Planting, Maintenance, Types 18-28 Herbaceous Perennials: Growth, Planting, Maintenance, Types 29-33 Bedding Plants: 1. Annual Sowing, Maintenance 34-35 2. Half-hardy Annuals, Preparation, Maintenance, Types 36-39 Rock Gardens: Site, Preparation, Planting, Maintenance, Types 40-44 Containers: Planting, Positioning, Maintenance 45-47 3 RECREATIONAL HORTICULTURE 48 Turfculture: Growing Turf, Preparing the Site, Drainage, Weed Control, Seed Sowing, Turfing, Maintenance, Pest and Disease Control, Recreational Playing Surfaces 48-66 Parks and Gardens: Public Parks, Facilities, Maintenance 67-68 Country Parks 69 National Parks 70 Gardens 71-72 4 ABORICULTURE 74 Trees and Tree Planting: Establishment, Preparation and Planting, Amenity Woodlands 74-83 Tree Maintenance: Weed, Pest and Disease Control, Pruning, Cavities, Felling, Supporting Limbs, Nutrition, Pest and Disease, Tree Law 84-91 5 GARDEN DESIGN 92 Designing Amenity Areas: Garden History, Planning, Design Principles, Equipment 92-103 Establishing Amenity Areas: Specifications and Tender, Construction, Tools, Establishing Hard Landscapes, Fences, Walls, Patios, Paths 104-111 Maintenance of Soft Landscapes, Hard Landscapes, Costs 112-116 Ill 6 CROP PLANT PRODUCTION 118 Pot Plants, Growing Amenity Pot Plants 118-128 Cut Flowers: Harvesting, Growing 129-130 7 PLANT PROPAGATION 132 Methods and Techniques: Seed, Vegetative Propagation 132-148 Propagation Environments 149-154 Growing on Young Plants: Houseplants, Nursery Stock, Protective Structures 155-158 Outdoor Standing Ground 159 Index 160 iv D ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author and publishers would like to thank Horticultural Trades Association The Institute of Horticulture (IOH) Health and Safety Executive Pirbic Northern Limited for permission to reproduce copyright material and Askham Bryan College of Agriculture and Horticulture, York Mr M Rylance, Photographer Wakefield District College Jan Bennett for their assistance and support. v AMENITY HORTICULTURE 1 D INTRODUCTION: HEALTH AND SAFETY Since the introduction of the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) in April1974, Amenity Horticulture like all other industries has had to follow the legal requirements on health and safety as laid down under the Act. Like other technological industries, Amenity Horticulture is continually making advances in each of its sectors. Mechanisation is widespread within the Amenity sector, for example machines, computers and a wide range of electrically operated equipment are used. Obviously the use of mechanical equipment is potentially hazardous, but the hazards and risks can be greatly reduced if we observe a set of safety rules. Examples of such rules are: 1. Follow manufacturers' instructions. 2. Know the safe system of work. 3. Be trained in the use of the machine or piece of equipment you are using. 4. Wear the necessary protective clothing. 5. Know what to do in an emergency. Everyone should know about the Health and Safety at Work Act. It is not just a matter for employers. Responsible employees should know what the Act says and appreciate what it sets out to do. One of its important objectives is to bring together both employer and employees to work on Health and Safety. Good health and safety at work requires the co operation of both parties. About the 1974 Act Whether you are an employer, an employee or a self-employed person, including those who work as members of a family business, you have legal duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act. The Act provides a legal framework to protect the health and safety of all persons who are affected by work activities. This means you must protect not only yourself and anyone you employ, but others such as the general public. Even if you rent or lease a building or provide equipment to users, you still have health and safety responsibilities. 2 Health and Safety at Work Act - Employers In carrying out your duties to employees you must ensure that: 1. The workplace is safe. 2. Plant and machinery are safe and meet the set standards. 3. Safe systems of work are set and followed. 4. Noise, dust and fumes are kept within safe levels. 5. Substances and articles are stored, used and transported safely. 6. The necessary protective clothing and equipment are provided. 7. Employees have healthy working conditions, including washing and toilet facilities, adequate heating, light, ventilation, etc. 8. The necessary training, information and supervision is provided. Employers must also provide, free, any protective clothing and equip ment which are required by law. And, if you employ five or more workers, you must prepare a written safety policy and ensure your employees know of its content. Health and Safety at Work Act - Employees As an employee you must take reasonable care of your own health and safety and must not take risks or endanger others. You must also co operate with your employer on health and safety matters. Health and Safety at Work Act - Self employed Since most of the work you are likely to do within the horticultural industry is carried out under similar conditions to those of employed people, it follows that you must also take reasonable precautions to protect yourself and any others who may be affected by your work activities. Health and Safety at Work Act - Suppliers ••• Anyone who designs, manufactures, imports or supplies an article for use at work, or erects or installs an article, must make sure that it does not TODO present a health and safety risk when set, used, cleaned or maintained by a person at work. Should you require more infomation The same applies to substances with regard to their handling, proces about the HSWA, contact your local Agricultural Inspector. See under sing, storage and transportation. Any article or substance supplied for use Health and Safety in your telephone at work must come with its own up-to-date information on health and directory. safety. 3 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 (COSHH) The Agricultural and Horticultural Industries both use numerous subst ances which are hazardous, for example pesticides and fertilisers. Since the introduction of COSHH in 1988, a whole range of rules and regulations has been introduced, not just to help the agricultural industry but all industries that use hazardous substances. About COSHH (general information - COSHH and pesticides will be dealt with separately) COSHH are responsible for regulations which provide a framework for the control of substances at work which may be hazardous to health. These came into operation on 1st October 1989. So what are the substances hazardous to health? Substances labelled very toxic, toxic, harmful, irritant or corrosive, and harmful micro organisms, and also dusty, fume-producing or other materials which could harm people's health. Employers and the self-employed must make an adequate assessment of the risks from hazardous substances and decide on the control measures. This assessment should take the form of a considered assessment of the substances present in the workplace. The following questions will need to be asked: 1. Which substances are used in the workplace? 2. What are the possible harmful effects? 3. Where are the substances used, handled or stored? 4. Who may be exposed to them and for how long? 5. How can such exposure be prevented or controlled? Anyone who may be affected by a hazardous substance must be told about the assessment. To help control or prevent exposure, COSHH list the following control measures (in order of priority): 1. Substitute the substance with a safer alternative. 2. Introduce technical or engineering methods for controlling exposure. 3. Reduce exposure by following safe systems of work. If these methods do not give adequate control, then, in addition, provide suitable protective clothing. 4