Recommendations are provided that are of use in identifying landscape requirements for amenity and general areas and these will be particularly useful when considering how to address those areas in the vicinity of sports pitches or greens.
There are eight areas covered, each one describing what should be undertaken to produce the desired outcome.
1. Preliminary investigations
This identifies what may need to be considered before any work starts, including a desk study, topsoil and subsoil investigations, what existing features are to be retained, services (e.g. electricity cables) that may be affected by the works, how to strip off and store topsoil etc.
This initial guidance helps to improve planning and budgeting for the works.
2. Drainage
Reasons for drainage of landscape areas are given, as well as types of drainage design and the information that will be needed on which to base the decision for the chosen design.
3. Grading and cultivation
The requirements of major and minor grading are identified, along with the recommended gradients for landscaped areas. The maximum gradient for tractor mounted mowers is given as 1 in 3, although a slope of 1 in 5 is preferred for such machinery. The permitted gradient on any site will have an implication on maintenance regimes, especially health and safety considerations for the operator of a mower.
4. Seeding of grass areas
General establishment, such as cultivation and preparation of a suitable friable tilth are covered, as well as seed and fertiliser application.
5. Turfing
Reference is made to the relevant British Standard for the Recommendations for turf for general purposes (BS3969) and the general procedure for soil preparation and then turfing is covered. Advice concerning the turfing of banks steeper than 1 in 1.75 (30°) is welcome and concise.
6. Amenity tree planting, 7. Woodland planting and 8. Planting of shrubs, herbaceous plants and bulbs
General recommendations are given for site preparation, when to plant, plant handling, the staking and planting of trees, protection, as well as their aftercare. Reference is made to a number of other British Standards which deal with the minimum requirements of plant materials.
This Standard provides sound recommendations, as well as a useful publications list, that provide a good basis on which to expand into more detailed technical understanding. The document itself is 33 pages in length.