• Winning garden designed by JW Concepts, built by Eureka Landscapes and Katesh Landscape Services
• Scape Shapes’ Michael Schultz is congratulated by Andrew Bottomley and ACLH Chairman Don Scotts
• Firetwirlers mesmerise the crowd

The Landscape Queensland 2008 Landscape Construction Excellence Awards got off to an explosive start with fire twirlers mesmerising the crowd to kick-start the night of celebration, recognising the year’s most outstanding landscape construction projects across 17 categories.

Three impressive gardens adorned the ballroom, giving attendees a first-hand visual of Gala Dinner sponsor ACLH’s SMART Gardening Start Gardening principles. JW Concepts took out the Best Ballroom Garden prize with their garden built by Eureka Landscapes and Katesh Landscape Services.

Ross McKinnon AM was inducted into the Hall of Fame in recognition of his long-standing contribution to the industry while Scape Shapes Landscaping won the Queensland Landscape Construction of the Year award.

A proud Michael Schultz, Director of Scape Shapes Landscaping accepted the industry’s most celebrated award for his unique and masterfully constructed Ephraim Island project. This was a large residential unit development, comprising of seven large unit complexes on the waterfront at Ephraim Island for which Scape Shapes built the lush surrounding gardens.

“This was a very unique project. Being on an island, it was not only a very large project in scale but the level of exposure to the elements and sea was a major consideration. The designers needed to determine how the landscape would cope with this level of exposure and what the long term sustainability would be. For the first time we used crushed shell mulch to help combat this; which is very cutting edge in landscaping.”

Michael indicates that the landscape industry is transforming and feels awards like this not only assist in raising the industry’s growing profile but have evolved from the community’s growing consciousness of the environment and the impact gardens and plants have in our lives.

“Through watching popular landscaping programs on television the general public are more aware of the importance of landscaping now. Aesthetically landscapes make you feel good. Property developers understand the importance of this now too. Ten years ago landscaping was more of an after thought but today it is a priority. We are there at the initial meetings with clients now because they realise the importance of environmental aesthetics to any project. The environmental factors and long term sustainability are key attributes in landscape construction.”

The panel of esteemed judges who awarded Scape Shapes the prestigious title said, “This project displays excellence in workmanship throughout, right down to the smallest detail. It contains many different elements all in highly visible locations. It is an outstanding credit to Scape Shapes, who have maintained this high level of excellence across the array of elements on display. As the overall winner, this project will be an outstanding advertisement for the landscape construction industry as a whole.”

A great night was enjoyed by all with event organiser Louise Bellchambers especially thanking the sponsors who contributed to making the event a rousing success; especially Gala Dinner Sponsor ACLH, Platinum Sponsors Twin View Turf, Universal Magazines, AWX and Tingalpa Landscape Supplies and Gold Sponsors Groundworks, Horticultural Training, Logan’s Nursery and Interface Landscapes

This is truly a milestone release because Nemetscheck North America has taken the bold step of integrating the Parasolid® kernel into all Vectorworks modules. Developed by Siemens PLM software, Parasolid® is simply the best 3D modeling and geometry kernel available today and is the engine behind many of the world’s best design and modelling packages. Its incorporation into Vectorworks means that all users will benefit with faster, more accurate and more reliable calculation and geometry creation in both 2D and 3D. It also demonstrates a long term commitment to the continued evolution of Vectorworks as a leading CAD solution.

What does this mean in practical terms? In 2D, operations like adding and clipping surfaces are much faster and more precise, which also flows to areas such as plant massing. Offsetting in both 2D and 3D is now much more precise and reliable. 3D walls are also superior, as are solids and freeform modelling. Of course there is a lot more to Vectorworks 2009 than just the Parasolid® integration. Here is a short list of some of the other new features.

• Snap constraints are completely redesigned and a new Snap Loupe lets you magnify a congested area by simply pressing the Z key, instantly finding the right point.
• When editing a symbol, the objects surrounding that symbol instance on the drawing can be seen and snapped to while in edit mode.
• DXF/DWG Export can now batch export each Vectorworks sheet layer as a separate DWG file, better suiting the expectations of most AutoCAD users as to how they’ll receive files.
• A new Visibility Tool lets you hide a class or layer by simply clicking on an object. Great for sifting through a file you’ve received from someone else.
• The new Create Similar Object command sets drawing parameters to those of any object you click on, making it quicker to draw an object with similar attributes.
• Drag and drop import of all file types makes importing files much faster and easier.
• Worksheets are now easier to work with and customise with zooming and drag and drop rows and columns.
• The new Landscape Area tool lets you specify an area of mixed planting or ground cover by specifying percentages or distribution rates of various plants. In addition the border of these objects can be drawn in a variety of ways to represent vegetation.
• Plant tags are now graphically stronger and much more flexible in their configuration.
• You can now scale and snap to imported PDFs, which means they can become an accurate and integral part of your drawing, without you having to trace over top and re-create them.
• 250 new plants have been added to the Australian plant database.

For more information, please contact OzCAD Pty Limited.

Web: www.ozcad.com.au
Email: sales@ozcad.com.au
Tel: 02 8338 8622

Councils also integrate the PlantFile Search database into their websites to inform and educate the community on recommended landscaping species and identification of noxious weeds. This cost-effective tool can provide a community service that encourages return visits to council home pages.

PlantFile Professional-Version 10 has been welcomed by horticulture professionals. The enhanced range of species, improved navigation and streamlined search features of Version 10 have inspired positive feedback from newcomers to PlantFile and from existing users who have upgraded.

If you are in the horticulture or landscaping business, bring your corporate communications to a new level of professionalism by integrating PlantFile into your resource and communication strategies. Ensure your success as a student with the benefit of the in-depth plant profiles in PlantFile.

PlantFile is the way to go!

Find out more about the options available at: www.plantfile.com or contact Peter Kirkland directly on 02 99240381

The majority of trees delivered were from our Bundaberg nursery and were delivered on our own crane truck, with some stock also sourced by Pacific Trees from as far south as Newcastle NSW. Pacific Trees is well positioned to professionally and efficiently handle your large projects and will work with you to ensure that species selection will ultimately achieve design goals and result in a project for all to be proud of.

http://www.pacifictrees.com.au

To celebrate our 10th Anniversary, Outdoor Design & Living will be having a huge promotional year in 2009 under the action-call “Make That Lifestyle Landscape Mine in 2009”.

New promotions, a new campaign marketing landscapers, and an expanded publishing strategy to help reach more customers planning lifestyle landscapes will be rolled out in an incredible growth year for the publication and our industry.

The March 09 edition of Outdoor Design & Living will be our Gold 10th Anniversary Special.

Reading like a Who’s Who of the landscape business this special edition offers a lot to both consumers and advertisers:

• A Gold Masthead.
• A bold new look.
• Authoritative Editorial features to encourage readers to invest in their landscapes.

All 2009 editions of Outdoor Design & Living will be accompanied by a massive Point-Of-Sale merchandising campaign in newsagents and other selected retailers throughout the year.

Australia’s Most Credible Landscape Magazine

For 10 years Outdoor Design & Living has been the essential research tool for consumers planning lifestyle landscapes. The publication was developed in conjunction with the Landscape Contractors Association of NSW, and is supported by Landscape Contractors Associations throughout Australia.

Outdoor Design & Living is one of the few landscape magazines to be circulation audited for advertiser value, the other audited publication being the mass market Backyard & Garden Design Ideas by the same publisher.

For Further information ring
Rosemary Woods – 0411 424 329- NSW
Valerie Newton – 0407 358 182- VIC, SA & TAS
Nicole Sofianos – 0403 566 931- QLD
Bonnie Sullivan – 0407 072 325-WA
Emil Montibeler – 0411 424 335 National Sales Manager.

Outdoor Design & Living
* Active * Relevant * Local * Credible * Exemplary *

If you mean business, and plants are your business, don’t risk poor growth through ineffective planting.

Terraform™ Plant Establisher from ASSETS takes the guesswork out of blending individual ingredients to deliver a powerful, all-in-one triple-action performance. An absolute must have solution for landscape contractors and large-scale revegetation works, TerraForm™ Plant Establisher is a unique solution specifically formulated for Australian soil conditions.

Proven to increase the rate at which plants establish in new growing environments, TerraForm™ Plant Establisher provides the essential growth enhancers needed to create healthy, thriving flora for newly planted environments.

Blended with a perfectly balanced combination of Saturaid™, Polyacrylamides and nutrients, TerraForm™ Plant Establisher provides the foundation ingredients essential for strong, thriving flora. It promotes root dispersion in any environment and is particularly suited to incorporation with the soil.

Applied for the benefit of newly planted trees and vines, under turf, and as a blended starter in the media in pot culture, TerraForm™ Plant Establisher is ideal for a variety of horticultural situations. Importantly, TerraForm™ Plant Establisher helps reduce expensive planting failures that cost your business time and money. Every plant lost attracts more than double the original cost to replace, meaning less profitability in your business.

Increase your volumes, reduce your losses, get faster results and do better business with TerraForm™ Plant Establisher, only from ASSETS. Growing beautiful plants is an art and getting the best results from every square metre of soil is a science, so call us today to speak to our Soil Scientist – Richard McKenzie for your consultation.

Essential Ingredients
Soil wetting agent
This is not ‘just a detergent’ and is not the same as an additive to an herbicide spray tank! The benefit of the wetting agent during plant establishment phase is immeasurable.
SaturaidTM is included in the Terraform™ Plant Establisher formulation to provide the following benefits.

• Carefully selected on the basis of efficacy balanced by low phytotoxicity Saturaid is a safe product to use
• Reduced hydrophobicity (water repellency) and more uniform moisture distribution. In turn this ensures that the water crystals (polyacrylamide) return their maximum value as water storage satellites throughout the profile.
• Resolving Interface problems. The interface between the introduced plant (growing in a soiless media) and the soil generally has incompatibility issues known as root interface problems. SaturaidTM will effectively combat these issues allowing rapid root development.
• Increased efficiency of water and nutrients uptake Both water & nutrient dispersion throughout the profile is improved.

Polyacrylamides
These hydrophilic polymers provide an additional water reservoir from which the plants can draw moisture.
Polyacrylamides are especially beneficial in sandy soils and where moisture supplies are erratic. Water crystals are not a substitute for irrigation during the establishment phase but may assist in reduced frequency of watering (greater intervals between watering).

Nutrients
A carefully balanced blend of nutrients is supplied to the establishing plant. The nitrogen source will disperse slowly over a 2-3 month period and will minimise the risk of deficiency in the early stages of plant development. Subsequent to successful establishment the plant should ideally be fed with a controlled release fertiliser to give continued growth performance for the first 2-3 seasons.w
Technical Specifications

Composition
Cross-linked Polacrylamide (Hydrophilic Water storage Polymer crystals) 38%
Granular Wetting agent (Non-ionic Surfactant + carriers) 30-32%
Inert Carrier Material (volcanis pyroclastic rock) 20%
Fertilisers 10%
How to use
Analysis
Nitrogen as IBDU 4.96%
Phosphorus 0.885%
Potassium as Sulfate 4.1%
Sulfur 2%
Calcium 0.81%
Iron 0.276%
Copper 0.0127%
Manganese 0.0065%
Boron 0.0044%
Zinc 0.0023%

Note: For the best results with TerraformTM Plant Establisher, ensure that it is thoroughly mixed with the backfill soil or media around the planting hole. The planting hole should ideally have a volume of twice the diameter of the original container size of the plant. If the product is not incorporated (i.e. very small tubes and cells) it is essential not to apply excessive product beneath the plant.

APPLICATION RATES
1.0-1.5 grams of Terraform incorporated per litre of backfill soil or blended with growing media. (1-1.5kg per cubic metre) Adjust rate for soil type using higher rates for coarse, sandy textures soils and the lower rates for finer clay soils.

TURF
High: 100-150gm per m2 incorporated to a depth of 20cm prior to establishment
Low: 50-75 gm per m2 incorporated to a depth of 10cm prior to establishment

TREES & SHRUBS
1.0-1.5KG per cubic metre of soil used as the backfill media in the planting hole thoroughly mixed.

FORESTRY & VEGETATION STOCK TUBES
For small 50mm diameter tubes apply sparingly as a “pinch”- using no more than (1-2gms) beneath the plant.
100mm forestry tubes- 100mm pots apply one teaspoon <5gm beneath each plant.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

For material data safety sheet contact:
ALL STAKE SUPPLY
Toll free: 1300 130 123
Fax: 02 9627 1521
www.allstakesupply.com.au

Manufactured and Packaged by Debco – www.debco.com.au

Click here to download the TerraForm Borchure PDF.

Water restrictions are changing design approaches to surfacing of nature strips, roundabouts and public open spaces. Natural turf cannot be irrigated by mains water which leads to patchy, dusty areas which look worse for wear. This was the problem facing Orange City Council. The solution chosen by Council, with growing popularity, was TigerTurf synthetic grass.

TigerTurf is a popular option for surfacing roundabouts, commercial spaces and even residential yards as no water is required; the surface is soft yet durable and has a lifelike feel and appearance. Mowing of natural turf adjacent to roadways is expensive and a potential safety hazard – TigerTurf dramatically reduces the maintenance required and associated risks and costs.

Architects and facility managers are pleasantly surprised at the appearance of TigerTurf which utilizes the latest generation of synthetic yarns and manufacturing techniques. TigerTurf draws from over 25 years experience and international manufacturing strength. TigerTurf grass is installed on a constructed crushed rock base and infilled with sand and rubber granules to ensure longevity as well as being soft underfoot. Naturally TigerTurf has our manufactured product warranty.

For a no obligation sample or product presentation please TigerTurf Australia wide on 1800 802570 or visit www.tigerturf.com.au

Description for specifications; Timbercrete is a cementitious product with specially selected and formulated cellulose aggregate and importantly for structural strength a measure of an excogitated categorised sand mix and other non toxic environmental additives including a defloculant, and colour oxides where needed.

Benefits of Timbercrete

ü It does not burn your feet even on a hot day. On a recent 40 degree day after 20 temperature measurements the Timbercrete averaged a temperature of 56.75 º degrees, whilst surrounding concrete was 74.75º, and clay pavers were 69.1º. After testing close to 40 different surfaces, Timbercrete was the only ground hard surface that was under 65º, and the only one that could be walked on with bare feet without burning. Being cooler also helps reduce the heat island effect coming off hard surfaces around homes and cities. A combination of grass, garden and Timbercrete around your home, will keep the home cooler, and reduce the need for as much air conditioning. It will also make entertaining on a paved area more comfortable. Download the full spreadsheet by typing www.ozbreed.com.au/timtemp.zip into your browser.

ü Locks up carbon, reducing Australia’ s Carbon foot print. As a substantial ingredient in Timbercrete is wood waste, large amounts of Carbon are locked away for the life of the pavers and blocks. Based on the calculation that wood waste is approximately 50% carbon, each cubic metre of Timbercrete locks up approximately 147kg of carbon, that otherwise may have entered the atmosphere. Making Timbercrete only uses ambient air temperature to set it. Timbercrete boasts a lower embodied energy this means it requires much less carbon in production compared to clay based products, which need heating in Kilns.

ü Timbercrete is light. Weighing less then half the weight of Concrete,  large blocks or super sized pavers can be laid by one person. Being so much lighter also saves on freight costs, and reduces the amount of carbon produced when transporting the product.

ü Natural looking. Timbercrete’s main finish is the substantially single colour Sandstone look, although many other natural looks can be achieved by special order, including mixed colours and swirls.

Pavers

All pavers at present are for foot traffic areas. We are currently testing new pavers for driveways.

Stock pavers; 600mmx600mmx60mm Single colour sandstone look, sealed with protector. Each 600mmx600mm paver locks up 3.18kg of carbon or 8.83kg of carbon per square metre.

Special order Pavers, allow 2 to 3 weeks. This size or many other sizes, in a multitude of colours, including dual colour, and tri colour. The most other common size is 400mmx400mm. Only the 600mmx600mm pavers are always sealed, so ask the manufacturer for advise on sealing others.

Retaining Wall Blocks.

Mortared blocks. Often in stock. Block Height:155mm x Block Length: 400 mm x Block Depth: 200 mm. Blocks per Square Metre: 16. Weight: 13kg (approximately). The special order Curved Wall Series blocks weigh 11kg (approximately). Each block locks up approximately 1.82kg of carbon.

Dry stack blocks. This landscape series tapers back (batter’s back) due to the 32mm wide key, and can be stacked without the need for mortar. For now these will be special order, but we hope to have stock in the future. The curved block is also available in this series, for curved retaining wall construction.

Garden Edging, and Paver Protector.

This product can be used as a garden border or a hardened edge around paving that is near lawns, which require regular brush cutting. 600mm long x 100 mm wide x 60 mm. This product has a rounded edge on the outward side, and the other side is flat. As with all other concrete or clay edging or pavers, it can still chip if the brush cutter operator is careless.

For information about Timbercrete, or your local supplier go to www.timbercrete.com.au

or call 1300 252000. Timbercrete is produced by well trained manufacturers all over Australia.

In many countries Timbercrete is either protected by patent, or has a patent pending.