Aldenham Private Estate Landscaping Services

Landscaping Services - Aldenham Private Estate

Sherriff were approached by landscapers Perfect Ground Solutions (PGS) to support them in their latest project. This project was for the regeneration of existing grounds to improve the whole landscape of the Aldenham Private Estate. The client stated that they wanted to achieve a formal garden with a laser graded level lawn.

To achieve the best results and to help formulate the best approach with regards to products to use and timescales, several detailed inspections were carried out. These inspections continued throughout the works to ensure everything ran to plan. It was felt that the works would need to be completed before the seasons changed and the weather turned.

Lawns and Ground Regeneration Contract

PGS contracted Sherriff to provide a complete renovation to the property’s lawn areas. Following our initial meetings and site visits, the project was split into four areas requiring complete renovation:

• Rear garden avenue with border
• Main formal lawn
• Helipad surround lawn
• Main field area

The areas of the site that were to undergo renovation required very similar works to achieve the desired outcome. All of the lawn areas required works prior to commencement and varying specifications were required for each area due to soil make up and desired finish.

All the lawns were sprayed with Glyphosate 14-21 days prior to works commencing. Also, there were certain areas were boarded out to protect the existing ground from any potential damage from machinery and materials.

Rear Garden Avenue

The initial excavation required the removal of approximately 450mm soil, along with the remaining roots from existing beds. This process also included removing the turf between rear of beds and yew hedge. This was then deposited across the existing wildflower area behind Heli Building.

Our team then undertook the mixing of supplied soil conditioner and topsoil that was to be deposited on rough ground beside Heli building. The mix was to approximately a 75:25 soil/compost ratio then laying across the new borders, consolidating to a depth of approximately 300mm.

The contract with PGS required us to supply and install 150mm x 5mm natural colour steel edging. All the corners, joins and steel pegs were to be welded on site during installation, to the proposed design which was forwarded prior to works commencing.

The project required the team to remove 50mm of dead turf from the grass area and deposit the material onto a waste pile. Once this had been carried out, the team moved on to cultivate and re-grade surface up to installed edging. This was to form an initial base level and to create a smoother finish a Powerbox rake was used over several passes in preparation for topsoil importation.

For this stage of the regeneration we needed to supply, lay and consolidate Bourne Amenity TS6 certified topsoil. This was completed allowing an average 100mm depth across site and laser grading to achieve a constant fall throughout and 25mm below tops of edging.

At the end of this stage, we carried out the final pre-seeding cultivations and preparation works. This included the supply and application of pre-seeding fertiliser and the spreading of 30 tonnes of 50:50 sand/rootzone layer to finish.

Finally, we supplied and seeded the area with Amenity Grass Seed at a rate of 50 grams/m2.

Main Formal Lawn Area

The main formal lawn regeneration required the excavation and removal of approximately 100mm of soil and dead turf from areas. Where possible, the existing levels were reduced to approximately 25mm below surrounding path levels.

The waste was to be deposited across an existing wildflower area located behind existing Heli Building. The excavations were also to include the removal of proposed shrubs/beds as required.

Following the excavations and removals of waste materials the team re-cultivated the existing topsoil within this area and then de-compacting using the Imants Shockwave + primary cultivations of surface in preparation for seeding.

We were asked to supply, lay and consolidate Bourne Amenity TS6 certified topsoil. This was mainly to improve levels and contours around lawn area with existing trees. This process was to also improve soil conditions around edges/haunching.

The team then carried out the final pre-seeding cultivations and preparation works. This included the supply and application of pre-seeding fertiliser and the spreading of 45 tonnes 50:50 sand/rootzone layer to finish.

Finally, we supplied the seed and seeded the area with Amenity Grass Seed at a rate of 50 grams/m2.

Helipad Surround

The helipad surround required the spraying of the grass area with Glyphosate 14-21 days prior to works commencing.

The site required setting out which required us to board out access areas in order to protect existing pathways and helipad area. Once this was completed it was rotavated twice to a depth of approximately 150mmand incorporating the surface debris.

Moving on to the next phase, the team cultivated and re-graded the surface using an excavator and other grading implements. This was carried out to form a more level and smoother contoured finish. Some cut and fill works was required, with any excess poorer quality soil deposited on site or used to bulk up other areas within the main field itself.

In addition, the team also carried out additional excavation works along the helipad perimeter to ensure sufficient topsoil backfill. Further to the excavation works, the team also had stone bury works to a depth of approximately 100mm, using 25mm screen.

Following on from the first stone bury, further cultivation and re-grading to the surface was carried out to form a more level and smoother finish using powerbox rake. This led on to a stone bury 2nd pass to a depth of around 100mm, using 25mm screen once the primary levels were achieved.

A 150-200mm high metal edging was installed around heli-sensor on edge of grass, to allow the levels to be raised for improved profiling, whilst protecting sensor unit.

Bourne Amenity TS6 certified topsoil was supplied, laid and consolidated, allowing a 75mm depth to help improve the levels, contours and topsoil quality. This work would also improve the soil conditions around edges/haunching.

Once the imported topsoil had been recultivated and de-compact using Imants Shockwave + primary cultivations of surface, the surface was ready for seeding.

As an agreed extra, we supplied and spread an incredible 90 tonnes of 50:50 Rootzone to the area.

Finally, the area was reseeded with Amenity Grass Seed at a rate of 50 grams/m2.

Main Field

The main field required the installation of 80mm perforated drainage pipe at approx 450mm depth. The area was backfilled with 10mm gravel to within 75mm finished surface. This was followed by 75mm depth Iron Sand to top of trench and then connected to an existing drain/manhole.