Maintenance

Ecological management

Public green spaces that are managed in a (more) nature-friendly way are more attractive to plants, animals and people. In practice, it appears to be feasible to manage ecologically at the same or lower costs. Cooperation with other municipalities, provinces, volunteers or nature and environmental organisations offers opportunities.

Roadsides, cemeteries, business parks and sports grounds are increasingly being managed ecologically. Where possible, nature-friendly banks will be constructed.

It is very important that all those involved – from the drawing board to the field – have thorough knowledge of area-specific ecology and management. In this way, they can make the right decisions that are in line with the local circumstances and are in the interest of the local flora and fauna. Consider phased ecological mowing management of distinct sections. Recreational lawns in parks can include consist of flowering plants such as flower bulbs, dandelion and clover. Such an approach enhances the quality of life in an urban area.

Ecological management has a positive impact on biodiversity. It is essential for the pollination of crops by bees. Ecological management also helps to reduce the nuisance of pests and invasive species.

A living public space can be easy to maintain. First and foremost, healthy soil is a prerequisite for healthy plants, and a well-thought-out design. In addition, the right plant must be in the right place for the right purpose. Trees that thrive with good water, air, and nutrients will grow to full maturity.

Slow grass

There are slow-growing grass mixtures that can be used on sports grounds and in parks. These have the advantages that less water, less fertiliser and a third less mowing are needed. This results in less labour, machine costs, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Slow-growing grass mixtures are often more resistant to dry summers.

Grass-sown swales should be mowed on average once every two weeks; natural wadis only twice a year. On an annual basis, the grass-sown swale is – when it comes to mowing – four times more expensive to maintain than the more natural wadi. The investment in maintenance of bioswales (maintenance and management of green spaces) are costs that are also incurred with conventional rainwater drainage.

Co-management

Citizen participation is increasingly being included in the terms and conditions of the tender specifications. Residents (groups), companies and pupils are invited to be involved in the design, construction, maintenance or self-management of the greenery in the street, neighbourhood or district. In this way, people can learn from each other in making the city greener. Citizen participation also promotes social cohesion.

With citizen participation, a green professional can make a thorough management and maintenance plan with attention to sustainable and ecological management. A maintenance agenda can also be drawn up stating which (often simpler) tasks can be carried out and when. The green professional can continue to have a coaching role based on their expertise and advise on the spot in the event of implementation by third parties.

Various green professionals work together with companies to improve employment opportunities in green maintenance for people who find the labour market difficult. In doing so, they contribute to an inclusive society.

Transformational management

In conversion management, step-by-step adjustments are made that reduce maintenance costs by 10 to 35%. Three examples of transformation management:

1. Shrubs grow quickly and may require relatively high structural costs. The specifications or maintenance contract often stipulate that a certain percentage must be pruned annually. By replacing shrubs with perennials, costs go down.
2. In the event of flooding, a swale can be a better solution than piped drainage, The water is retained for use on site or slowly released into existing drainage infrastructure.
3. Where pavement subsides and needs readjustment, semi-pavement is a solution. Pavement that is lifted can be incorporated into dry stone walls on site. Pruning material can be incorporated into branch rills. This saves disposal costs. The cost savings can be used to make the outdoor space greener step by step.

Perennials

The use of perennials is a good way to reduce maintenance. A perennial assortment of plants is available that grow quickly, form a dense cover, suppress weed growth, and resprout after mowing. Perennials are often tolerant to heat, drought or wet conditions. They are hardy, long-lived and many are resistant to disturbance.

The benefits of perennials increases over the years. Compared to commonly used alternative plantings (lawn and shrubs), they are even cheaper in the long run. The attractiveness of perennials discourages people to cut corners and create informal paths (desire lines).

Choose growers who grow plants in a sustainable way, which leads to strong and resilient plant material. Select plants that take hold, continue to grow and continue to flower.

Good plant material

Healthy plants are highly resistant to diseases and insect infestations. Always source good and healthy plant material from suppliers and ask about the origin and disease resistance of the plants. Include recommendations, regulations, and conditions on the biological control of pests and diseases in the maintenance contract.

Natural control

Natural plant enhancers can encourage plants to produce their own antibodies, for example against fungi and insects such as grubs and leatherjackets.

Natural pest control has less negative impact on the soil, people and the environment than chemical pest control.

Grubs and leatherjackets cause nuisance in lawns, among other things. Grubs eat the underground parts of the grass, leatherjackets the greens. Grubs are the larvae of the cockchafer and June beetle. Leatherjackets are the larvae of the long-legged mosquito.

Starlings rid the turf of grubs and leatherjackets by pulling the larvae out of their holes with their fine beaks without affecting the turf. Bats are also natural enemies; They fly at the same time of day as May beetles and June beetles. Providing nesting boxes for starlings and bat boxes around sports fields and golf courses can limit the nuisance caused by grubs and leatherjackets.

Beneficial nematodes can be used to control leatherjackets or grubs naturally. Nematodes invade their victim. This releases bacteria that live in symbiosis with the nematodes. The victim dies as a result. The nematodes then spread again in search of new victims.

The Green Deal Sports Fields is aimed at collecting and disseminating good examples to manage sports fields and golf courses without chemical crop protection products or with minimal use thereof. Through an innovation network, the sport sector is linked to the innovative power of the business community and good management practices are developed.

Organic weed management

Herbicides may be tempting to use as they are highly effective in the short term. However, they are highly damaging to the health of the user, the soil and the environment. The use of herbicides on pavements and other greenery is strongly rejected.

Simple technologies provide sustainable methods of weed control, such as the use of hot water or steam. Other sustainable methods include burning or brushing.

Japanese knotweed

Japanese knotweed is an invasive exotic species that crowds out other plants and causes damage to roads, bridges, slopes and buildings. There are various control methods: from manual pulling, frequent mowing, excavation (at least 80 cm deep), hot water, sieving, covering with anti-oxygen film to electrocution. In the latter method, the stems are first shortened to 30 cm and then electrocuted one by one. The sap flow in the plant conducts the electric current to the root cells, which collapse due to the heat.

Oak processionary moth

Preventive measures such as placing nesting boxes for great tits and starlings help in the control of the oak processionary caterpillar.

Variety in planting and trees ensures more diversity and contributes to the control and control of the oak processionary caterpillar. Mass planting of oak avenues is disastrous and outdated.

By creating an attractive habitat for oak trees with plants for natural enemies of the caterpillar, the population of the pests can be controlled. In addition to birds, there are also numerous insects that eat the caterpillars. For example, caterpillar carrion beetles, (praying) mantis, parasitic wasps, lacewing larvae, predatory bugs, ladybugs, ants and spiders.

Spraying with bacterial preparations and/or nematodes is carried out in high-risk locations. Although these are natural control methods, research has shown that caterpillars of more than a hundred species of harmless moths are also affected. Suction using a vacuum cleaner to remove nests of oak processionary caterpillars is another very targeted approach.

Electrical maintenance equipment

Use electrical equipment for maintenance and transportation. Electrical equipment is economical, quiet and does not directly emit CO2, soot or particulate matter. The electricity that is used can be generated locally using solar or wind energy.

Smart technology

Smart systems are increasingly entering the market, These systems are equipped with sensors that react to the environment. For example, they measure light intensity, temperature and soil moisture. Smart systems ensure that plants are only watered when necessary. An app provides access to the data in the system at any time, so that a quick response can be made in the event of a problem.

Experts

Construction, ecological management and maintenance of a living public space requires specific knowledge. A green professional may have all of this expertise in-house. In more and more publicly accessible places such as cemeteries and crematoria, green professionals contribute ideas about design, ecological management and maintenance.

Transfer of responsibility from contractor to manager

In practice, things sometimes go wrong when, after the completion of a green location, a new client comes into the picture for maintenance. The maintenance contractor may try to cut back on the maintenance specifications, and this reduces the performance of the designed green space. Investing in green maintenance is investing in an attractive and future-proof public space.

If construction and maintenance do not fall under the same client, make sure there is a good handover. Also provide information about the use of the greenery, so that the party that will take care of the maintenance is aware of the original plan, the chosen planting and the functions that the greenery fulfils. Lack of familiarity with the added value of the greenery used sometimes leads to incorrect use or inappropriate savings on maintenance.

Healthy trees

To deliver the desired environmental, biodiversity, and social functions, it is very important that trees remain healthy.

Regular check-ups by a tree specialist are required to keep trees in good condition and to reduce the risk of branch breakage. Only have it pruned if there is a reason for it, such as the risk of branch breakage. Pruning healthy branches means a loss of energy for the tree.

Long-term

Long-term agreements for maintenance and management are a win-win situation for both the client and the green professional. The green professional chooses strong, robust plants or plants with a higher degree of cover. This immediately leads to a better result and lower replacements in the longer term.

When working with perennials, continuity in a collaboration with a green professional is important. Past and wider experiences can be used for new plantings and expert maintenance. Perennial boxes last about ten years in practice. Many species can stay longer, but plant beds are usually renovated for other reasons, such as redesign or repurpose.

For clients, a long-term maintenance contract is more advantageous than a short-term maintenance contract. Clients may include the costs of construction and maintenance of the greenery on the balance sheet of the design.