Sustainability Ideas for schools - How we helped students & staff at JM University realise a Green planting idea

John Moores academic staff were keen to involve students in a sustainable planting project in late 2019. As a main landscape contractor for John Moores University in Liverpool, North West Landscapes Ltd we were the first port of call for staff and students. They wanted to create planting that went beyond the purely decorative and functional. 

Working up the planting plan

A site was chosen and we developed a planting scheme plan using a wide range of suitable herbs for a sloping site at the Byron Street annexe of the University. 
The lovely plants chosen included fragrant and edible herbs suited to the site aspect that included sun and partial shade. We chose globe artichoke, English Lavender, chives, Chinese chives, rosemary, sage and Thyme. 

Preparing the Site

The site was a sloping bank which had been turfed over a mix of soil and hard core rubble. The turf had to be stripped off and the rubble excavated and removed from the site. Approximately 12 tons of soil was added, dug, levelled and banked. We decided to edge the sloping area with box hedge. This had the double purpose; to dress the area and preventing the soil washing away.

The Plant out

The plant out took a full day and involved around 20 students and around 8 staff members. North West Landscapes staff remained on site to offer support, advice, coordinate planting and give encouragement. We supplied all the tools such as spades, rakes, hand trowels. 

Once all the plants were dug in place, a weed suppressing mulch was applied. The work was accomplished over a day with site preparation and final finish.

Would you like to develop a green planting project for your school or college? Contact David to discuss your ideas.