Whilst the pupils and staff are now enjoying the run-up to Christmas, their school grounds are undergoing a little Winter planting, ready for their 2023 return.
J Paxman Landscapes have been preparing some new beds and grounds alongside the walkways and communal spaces at the Academy. Planting Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam) trees and a selection of ground cover shrubs, the beds are also peppered with allium bulbs. The new landscape will develop over the seasons and provide foliage, shade, colour and natural interest all year round.
Staying true to the planting plan, J Paxman Landscapes have been out this Autumn as the planting along the A62 to Huddersfield commences. Marking out and then bulb planting, the team have painstakingly dug, placed and covered over 25,000 Crocus, Narcissus, Bluebell and Snowdrop bulbs which will burst into life in the Spring.
Working with grower JA Jones
Back to the nursery to continue the inspection, we have been taking the time to check the trees and shrubs at contract growing production nursery JA Jones this week. Hitting the perfect planting window and ensuring the schedule on site is kept to with pinpoint accuracy, we expect the plants to start being lifted and delivered before mid-November.
Inspecting contract grown plants and trees in Merseyside
The importance of plant specification
Checks have been made to ensure the plants have grown to height, form and spread and for trees, girth and height. The specification of planting stock is critical to make sure that the planted landscape establishes well and creates the desired height, spread and density.
The development at the business park in Leeds accommodates prestigious offices, retail outlets, residential properties and green space. In charge of making sure that green space is professionally landscaped throughout, J Paxman Landscapes have played an integral role in its planning, design and planting.
Translating drawings into landscape reality
Working from basic landscape plans, the JPL team have demonstrated their horticultural credentials and expertise in every square metre. Each planting detail has been interpreted, translated and refined for every bed, verge and space, ensuring the landscape planting is executed professionally with the best ground preparation, spacing and placement.
Lawn, woodland, mounds and verges
Including a 350 square metre artificial grass expanse as a feature lawn (thanks to Easigrass Yorkshire), the office developments can look out onto natural grass verges and a landscape formed from mounds, created from topsoil, shaped and seeded.
Herbaceous and shrub planting
Working from planting plans and landscape designs from Ares Landscape Architecture, Sheffield, the soft landscape works has developed from just planting to the earthworks and ground preparation on site. The herbaceous and shrubs, supplied by Johnsons of Whixley and JA Jones, have been planted across the scheme by the J Paxman Landscapes team for the main contractor GMI Construction and client Scarborough Group International.
Equipment and Investment
Working to the tightest of programmes on site, J Paxman Landscapes, have invested in extra machinery to facilitate the earthworks, expanding their fleet with an additional 3 tonne digger.
The project has been completed on schedule between August and October 2022.
Groundworks are already well underway as the major gateway to Huddersfield Town centre takes shape. The 2km stretch along the A62 will include a hectare of soft landscaping, including new sedum verges and tree planting.
J Paxman Landscapes Ltd are the appointed soft landscaping contractor for this major Colas Ltd project.. Keeping a close eye on the plants destined for shrub beds and verges along the scheme, we recently visited our contract grower JA Jones in Lancashire.
(L-R) Marc Mahood, Mike Vickers (both JA Jones) and Justin Paxman (J Paxman Landscapes)
Plants will be ready to call off towards the end of 2022 and will involve a close working partnership between landscape contractor and grower to ensure tight schedules and programmes are met with the best plant establishment and end results.
We will be updating regularly with news on the soft landscaping elements as the contract progresses in this close-to-home development.
Revisiting and adding planters to podium landscape
Remember this prestigious artificial green roof installation back in 2014? J Paxman Landscapes have maintained continuity with client Evans Property Group and contractor GMI Construction, returning to the podium landscape to add new planters and shrub interest.
You can read about how the original landscape took shape here.
MA6NITUDE Distributions Centre and Business Park, Middlewich. Image courtesy of Tritax Symmetry
Just west of the M6 at Junction 18, MA6NITUDE industrial park houses some of the UK’s major retail distribution companies. Part of the next phase of development plots will be completed in 2022. J Paxman Landscapes have been on site in July 2022 to commence and complete the seeding and mulching of the banks on the approach to the new units.
With the seeding and bark mulch complete, J Paxman Landscapes will return to the site to complete the woodland planting. The project will be delivered to Net Zero Carbon in Construction and is for the main contractor GMI Construction.
From ground preparation to planters alongside Leicester residential development
Specimen shrubs and planters at The Aspen, Conduit Street, Leicester
Heading to the East Midlands this Summer, JPL have completed the soft landscape work in the grounds and on the roadside frontages of The Aspen, a student accommodation block close to Leicester City Train Station.
Sourcing and supplying specimen 5 litre shrubs, hardy and suitable for their roadside and planter locations, the J Paxman Landscapes team provided the topsoil and bark mulch to finish the project.
Justin (left) and Andrew Maguire on their way to the top of Mount Snowdon (30 April 2022)
Along with The Newsome Panther Rugby team and supporters, Justin reached the pinnacle of Mount Snowdon on 30th April. Raising funds for Bev Neadall and MND, the charity event was very well supported and thankfully helped by the weather on the day! Justin himself takes up the story of how they reached the summit…
Andrew and Roy (fellow charity walkers) pushed me up the mountain, fuelled by a constant supply of jelly babies! I was the last person off the mountain but so proud to have reached the top, and for such a good cause. Encouraged again on the descent (and helped a little by a weeee dram from Andrew’s hip flask!), that definitely helped soothe my downward journey!
We took it very slowly on the way back down, being careful not to lose footing or slip on some treacherous parts. Got back safely, just in time for the bus home! Weather was perfect, managed to survive without blisters but OH I’ve some sore leg muscles now! Well done to all involved – a great experience for an even greater outcome – nearly £3800 raised to support Bev and her family in their future challenges.”
– Justin Paxman, J Paxman Landscapes
Climb for Bev – 55 walkers, Newsome Panthers and Supporters conquer Mount Snowdon on 30 April 2022
You can still donate to Bev’s fundraising efforts here.
On 30 April 2022, our Director, Justin Paxman, will be putting on his walking boots once again. Justin is no stranger to walking for charity, walking over 75 miles and raising £1000 in December 2021 in memory of his mum, who he sadly lost to Alzheimers last year.
£10,000 target to support Bev Gleadall
This time, Justin is this time joining supporters and fundraisers looking to help raise £10,000 for Bev Gleadall for alterations to her home after her MND diagnosis. Bev and her family are lifelong Rugby supporters, and are calling on friends, family and local support to raise funds to help improve Bev’s home and to allow her the maximum mobility and independence as she and her family face the challenges ahead.
Walking up Mount Snowdon
Along with The Newsome Panther Rugby team and supporters, Justin will be walking up Mount Snowdon on 30th April and will be promoting and shouting about the experience to help Bev hit her fundraising target.
DONATE NOW
If you would like to support Justin in his endeavours and help Bev hit the £10,000 target she needs to move things forward at home, please visit the JustGiving Crowdfunding page set up by her friend Rebecca Roberts.
