| The National Trust has joined Calor’s already impressive list of customers, using LPG powered weed control equipment that meets its environmental policy - reducing chemical use by 75 per cent.
Ickworth House in Suffolk is a large Georgian mansion that attracts over 110,000 visitors each year.
The impressive stately home is situated in 1,800 acres of land including 70 acres of highly maintained gardens including an Italianate formal garden.
As well as the gardens there are extensive areas of woodland with gravel walkways and wildflower meadows, providing a diverse range of gardening demands. In addition, the grounds of two luxury hotels on the site are managed by the National Trust’s team to ensure consistent standards are met.
Head Gardener Sean Reid points out that the historic site represents a full time job for his team of six, plus volunteers. ‘We’re dedicated to presenting Ickworth House in the best possible way, and that means the highest standards of appearance and environmental responsibility,’ he says. ‘The grounds offer a wide variation in landscape types from highly formal Italianate gardens right through to meadows and woodland, all requiring attention and maintenance throughout the year.’
‘To find something that makes our efforts more efficient and meets our environmental policy is very welcome and that’s the case with our Calor LPG powered weed burning equipment,’ he adds.
Sean, Head Gardener at Ickworth House since 2001, had previously used Calor LPG powered equipment during his time at Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds. During the 1990’s the local authority’s parks department used an LPG lance burner to remove weeds where chemical use was inappropriate or where strimming would be difficult or ineffective.
It was a useful tool that offered an environmentally sensitive option for ‘spot’ weed control, and Sean was enthusiastic about the possibilities, particularly given the National Trust’s stated policy on the reduced use of chemicals, agreed at the Head Gardeners’ conference in 2004. This committed the
National Trust to work towards organic principles where possible.
Ickworth House, however, required a burner on a much larger scale than the one used by Sean in his earlier role. The answer came, however, at a weed control demonstration by HOAF at a Regional Gardeners’ conference held at Blickling Hall, Norfolk. The new Weedmaster range of burners was put through its paces and Sean could instantly see the potential.
‘The new walk behind burners seriously impressed me at the conference,’ he said. ‘They covered a good deal of ground and could easily tackle weeds in paved or gravel areas. It was clear to me that by using this equipment and Calor LPG, I could dramatically reduce the amount of chemicals we would have to use, handle and store.’
Sean took delivery of a Weedmaster in early 2005 and, he says, the results have been impressive. ‘HOAF offered us a full package of training and support if required, but to be honest the equipment is just so easy to use,’ he says. ‘The machine can be operated by any member of the team, whatever the terrain. Not only that, but we can tackle weeds whatever the weather conditions, whether it’s windy or raining,’ he adds.
‘The Calor LPG burner colours the weeds as it passes over them and is just as effective as chemical removal. The weeds die off completely in a couple of days and we usually apply the heat on a 6 to 8 week cycle, just like we would with chemical weedkillers.’
Even more impressive has been the dramatic reduction in chemical use at Ickworth House.
‘Since we started using Calor LPG powered equipment, our use of Roundup alone has fallen by 75 per cent,.’ says Sean. ‘It’s living up to all our expectations. We’re very pleased to be using an effective method of weed control that allows us to meet our environmental policy’s requirements easily and efficiently.'
HOAF’s Richard Pearson says that the new Weedmaster range is attracting interest across the horticultural sector. ‘We’ve been working with Calor over a number of years, developing a range of equipment that provides an alternative to chemical use,’ he adds. ‘Since its launch early in 2005 the Weedmaster range has been welcomed as a serious option that enables users to cover large areas and achieve effective weed control where chemicals may not be the best option.
Calor’s Sales Development Manager Kevin Houlden adds that cleaner burning LPG has long been recognised as a useful fuel alternative for a range of horticultural equipment. ‘We’re very pleased with the results at Ickworth House as this demonstrates once again the wide range of use for LPG,’ he says. ‘Calor LPG is used to power radiant heaters, golf cars and large mowers as well as weed control equipment and, as in the case of the National Trust, we are seeing a growing body of professional gardeners accepting the fuel as a viable alternative.’ The LPG burner colours the weeds as it passes over them - they die off completely in a couple of days.
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