Understand the importance of safe, healthy, environmentally sensitive and sustainable development of garden sites Flashcards
Describe TWO hazards associated with EACH of the following:
access, slope, location of features, water, electricity, materials, plants
Slopes to include inclines on grass, ramps, steps
Exemplar:
Hazards of materials to include splinter, sharp edges (possible limitation of re-used, reclaimed and recycled materials, slippery surfaces
Hazards of construction not required
Two hazards for access
How can they be minimised through careful planning during the planning and design stage?
- It could be unlit - install outdoor lighting that hve movement sensors
- Uneven surface - remove loose rubble etc.. fill holes or add paving/concrete to create level surface
Two hazards for slopes
How can they be minimised through careful planning during the planning and design stage?
- Steep - put in steps with handrail/terrace even rock a rock garden with a path around it
- Uneven level - level it out or terrace it
- Grassy slope can become slippery / paved steps etc could be slippery when wet or with leaves - ensure it gets regular cleaning/maintain or cut back plants so they fall on the path /
Two hazards for location of features
How can they be minimised through careful planning during the planning and design stage?
- Large trees by overhead cable/overhanging branches - either remove or prune/shape regularly
- Pond near path - change path route
- Statues - ensure secured properly and away from paths so there is less risk of falling on someone
Two hazards for water
How can they be minimised through careful planning during the planning and design stage?
- Deep water pond - cover with netting to stop children falling in
- If pond contains fountain, water could saturate ground around it/ wet leaves build up of algae could cause area near pond to be slippery - ensure regular maintenace / design paths to allow enough space to avoid walking close to pond
Two hazards for electricity
How can they be minimised through careful planning during the planning and design stage?
- Overhead cables and large trees - avoid planting large trees underneath them / ensure regulary pruned
- Underground cables - locate them, mark on plans avoid digging too deep
Two hazards for materials
How can they be minimised through careful planning during the planning and design stage?
- Splinters - specify planed/sanded timber
- Slippery surfaces e.g. wood decking- specify non-slip varnishing materials
Two hazards for plants
How can they be minimised through careful planning during the planning and design stage?
- Raised roots - remove overly large plants / plant around/over them to stop people walking over them
- Spikes/thorns / plant away from pathways and keep well pruned
- Poisonous plants - plant out of reach of children and pets / avoid all together if know it will be a problem
Describe how the environmental sustainability of landscapinf materials may affect choices made during the planning and design stage
Environmental sustainability to include: choice of materials from sustainable sources and using local sources to reduce transport; reduce, re-use, reclaim and recycle
Sustainable practice of landscaping materials during planning and design stage
To safeguard water and electricity / reduce pollution and carbon emissions / benefit wildlife / reduce energy consumption / support local economy
Try use renewable materials that can grow back or replenish themselves for indefinite harvesting / either grow in own garden e.g. stakes or ensure wood from FSC certified schemes / select materials that are rapidly renewables (within ten years) such as bamboo, hazel or willow
Use local materials - supports local economies and reduces carbon emissions from transport / select local stone from local quarry to also support cohesive design
Low energy input materials - to reduce energy consumed and GHGs emitted / avoid concrete, it is a high energy input product / puddled clay pond rather than a polythen/butyl materials (won’t decompose) / dry stone wall instead of mortared wall
Avoid material with toxic by-products or air-polluting outputs
Select long-lasting and durable materials - to replace materials less frequently
Consider drainage and the porosity of surface materials / avoids surface run-off and soil erosion or flooding / choose materials that allow water to filter downards like gravel
Create a wildlife pond
Limit container use - requires more water
Use a high diversity of plants that adapted to your conditions / create different habitats
Use solar power for water
fountains and lights
Allow space for a compost bin
Green roof
State how sustainable practices in the maintenance of a garden can be integrated successfully during the planning and design stage
Examples to include the harvesting of rain and grey water, composting areas / use of drought-tolerant plants / minimals use of lwns / mulchin / no-dig / biodiverse planting / ponds / insect hotels / wildlife habitats
Sustainable practices at the maintenance stage
minimise use of lawns / leave them to grow longer to create better habitat for wildlife
Don’t need to be too tidy - fallen leaves and twigs provide shelter for widlife and nesting material / leaving seedheads over winter (herbaceous perennials) means more food for birds and overwintering habitat for insects
Use peat-free compost
Make a compost
Install water butts / use grey water
Target watering to avoid evaporation and waste
Mulch borders
use manual tools rather than electric or petrol / use electric over petrol
Repair and preserve materials e.g. apply preservatives to timer - reduces need to replace
create a pond
insect hotels
different wildlife habitats
plant drought-tolerant plants e.g. in containers
State how sustainable practices cna be undertaken during the construction stage
State how the ideas of ‘reduce, re-use, reclaim, recycle’ can be applied during the construction of a garden, to include: transport and waste disposal issues, on-site working practices (not leaving water running for example)
Sustainable practices at the construction stage
Recycle bricks on site from demolished shed to build a cold frame
Make the side of a large compost bin from old pallets which have been used for delivery of materials
Save water by turning off taps when not in use and checking there are no leaking hosepipes
Buy local materials and plants to support local economies and reduce carbon emissions from transport
Use renewable - use FSC certified timber to make pergolas etc
Minimise water use - irrigate or use grey water captured in water butts, Minimise the length of time water is running from taps
Minimise energy used - avoid leaving machinery running and wasting fuel/electricity
Toxic emissions - avoid products with toxic by-products or air-pollutin outputs that affect the environment e.g. garden flame gun for weeding and preparing a site for planting, herbicides, reclaimed railway sleepers which contain toxic chemicals and tar
Conserve and use materials already on site e.g. save removed topsoil to put back on when the project is complete
Reuse hard landscaping materials that exist on site e.g. old bricks, stones or pavers could line a planting bed or create a new path / rubble used to create foundation for another struction or burried to improve the drainage in a boggy area of the garden
Recycle trees - if need to move - try to use the material e.g. as mulch or building material
Cherish the soil - try not to compact the sooil with machinery (particularly clay soil)
Dispose of materials safely e.g. do not pour herbicides (if you have to use it) down the drain or bury excess cement
Protect wildlife areas - fence these areas off to avoid disruption of the area while you are working
