Feature FSM


should be triggered and how this should be monitored. Research and budget for emergency plans for extreme conditions when additional water may need to be brought on site and stored.


ter and be part ter


plans for


increase over the winter and these will be most pronounced in the northern areas of the UK. These conditions will thus become


the new normal for those in the grounds maintenance industry. Among the many issues this will create, practical implications of this will include: • More weeding, mowing and pruning will be needed as the growing seasons are extending with warmer springs and autumns.


• Choice of climate resilient planting for these longer seasons and extreme weather events.


• More methods of capturing water during intense rainfall events and planting schemes and ground cover that require less water and retain water better.


• Property owners may consider introducing irrigation systems into their grounds – although this can be expensive and will need conditions such as experienced this year to be repeated more frequently to deliver a return on investment.


• Consider incorporating watering programs into plans and specifications for grounds maintenance. These should dictate when additional watering for various different types of foliage on site


FSM 19


• Warmer conditions will aid the spread of pests and diseases that will require more intensive activity to manage.


• Timing and use of fertilisers will need to adapt to the extreme rainfall that washed out nutrients and releases nitrogen more quickly from the soil.


• Closer attention to organic matter proportions in the soil – high organic matter makes for more resilient soil structures as it aids moisture retention and aeration. Higher temperatures speed up the breakdown of organic matter and rapid changes in temperature and soil moisture also result in rapid release of carbon from the soil into the atmosphere.


Ultimately, more environmentally sustainable ways of Grounds Management and water management will need to become the norm and forward planning will need to extend beyond the season ahead to span longer periods. Yet while planning for the worst consequences of climate change, it is worth thinking about how organisations can play an active role in using their green spaces to address environmental challenges – and work proactively to help mitigate some of the challenges outlined above. In the Grounds Maintenance industry, we have seen an increasing emphasis on the concept of ‘Green Infrastructure’. This is the move away from seeing green spaces as an


overhead, towards understanding how they can be an asset that can help contribute towards health and well-being. In business, this outlook goes beyond corporate virtue signaling and is increasingly being understood to be fully compatible with strategic goals by helping businesses create more productive environments for employees or customers. Undeniably, a driver for change is the CSR agenda and the desire to become more sustainable businesses, yet this too is an effective part of being an attractive and marketable business. As well as changing how we manage


green spaces, it is therefore important when planning new developments or redeveloping sites to consider how these sites can help to play an active role in minimising their environmental impact. Better planning of landscapes can play an important role in reducing water use, alleviating flood risks, mitigating urban heat islands and in contributing to carbon capture for cleaner air.


There are a wealth of compelling arguments for viewing your organisation’s green spaces as an asset and working with your grounds maintenance contractor can be a good way to develop this strategy. A good first step is to commission a green audit or survey that can be used to develop intelligent maintenance regimes that will maximise the potential of green infrastructure. Doing so will let you plan ahead and introduce gradual changes to the style and function of green spaces to ensure they consume less valuable natural resources and contribute more to your organisation’s environmental performance.


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