The eight-year programme of work announced on Thursday will involve construction of new buildings and facilities, as well as refurbishing current equipment ready to begin work on Successor.

It will have a major impact on the Barrow yard, which has been building submarines for more than a century.

Alan Dunn, operations director of BAEs submarines unit: said: This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for BAE. There has been no work on this scale at Barrow in more than 25 years and we will change the skyline and the landscape of the town."

The new funding for Barrow will allow the construction of larger missile submarines there, said Mr Hammond.

By spending the money now, the UKs submarine requirements could be delivered more efficiently and cost-effectively, as well as ushering in a new stance on defence procurement.

Frankly, in the MoD we are done with the days of letting people cut steel first and design the boats or ships, or whatever, afterwards, said Mr Hammond. If we are going to hold our contractors properly to account to deliver on time and on budget, in fairness to them, we have got to tell them exactly what it is we want before they start building it.

In the past, Im afraid there has been a tendency to build first and design later, so it makes absolute sense to get the design completed before we sign the contracts on the Successor class.

"This investment needs to be made now to allow us to build the Successor class to the programme and timetable set out.

He hailed the engineers building the Astute-class submarines recognised to be the most advanced in the world and the history of shipbuilding at Barrow.

This site has a long and illustrious history of submarine design and construction, said Mr Hammond. No one can rival the history, expertise and track record of this site in this highly specialised field and the Astute class surpasses anything that has gone before.

Visit link:
BAE Systems to get 300m submarine yard upgrade

by Kaley O'Kelley

azfamily.com

Posted on March 12, 2014 at 11:04 AM

Updated today at 11:20 AM

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- If watering your yard is killing your household budget, the idea of a desert landscape might be appealing to you.

Planting cacti might help because they don't need much water to survive. While they can be a nightmare for parents and pet owners, they don't have to be, according to master gardener Cesar Mazier.

"Opt for the Totem Pole Cactus," he said. "They're spineless and that means you can plant them around pools, really anywhere you might find kids playing!"

Mazier would know. He spent 16 years of his career at the Desert Botanical Garden.

He also says planting aloe will help to attract hummingbirds to your outdoor living space. Planting it near windows you enjoy sitting near is the key to creating a sanctuary you can enjoy inside and out.

That aloe should also attract lizards, which is a good thing if you're struggling to get rid of scorpions.

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Create a worry-free desert oasis and keep scorpions away, too

Weve had our winter a little snow, a cold snap or two, and a bunch of rain so now its time to start thinking about spring.

And nothing says spring like yard work and landscape renovations.

If you love your home, and you havent already done the deed, chances are youre already thinking about how youre going to transform your yard into your personal paradise this spring and summer. And if youre a typical homeowner, you probably dont have nearly enough money to do everything youd like to do, or enough time to accomplish it all.

Which is why Sherilyn Gale and Rob Turner of Beneath Your Feat Landscaping suggest the best way to begin transforming your yard is to develop a plan.

Naturally, there are as many ways to develop the perfect plan as there are people, and your personal paradise is not going to end up looking anything like your neighbours or best friends.

Its all about personal taste, say Gale and Turner.

Even if youre on a budget, you can achieve wonders, if you put your mind to it.

The award-winning landscaping team says a good plan starts with a dream. Do you envision a party zone or a personal oasis? Is it about food production or a place for the kids to play? Did you take a trip somewhere and marvel at the gardens you saw?

Perhaps you wish to include a design such as a Japanese garden, or as many customers we have built for want, a garden that emulates the Whistler theme natural rocks, boulders and native plantings that are drought tolerant. It could include an actual waterfall and stream, or even a dry river bed, says Gale.

One of the advantages of creating a plan, says Turner, is that it allows you to do the necessary projects over time. This is particularly helpful for those who can only devote so much time each year, or those whose budget only stretches so far.

The rest is here:
Gardening: Planning to transform your yard

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Author and landscape architect Senga Lindsay will inspire both your landscape and your fresh-from-the-garden meals with her multi-media workshop this Saturday, March 8 at the Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden.

March 7, 2014

Author and landscape architect Senga Lindsay will inspire both your landscape and your fresh-from-the-garden meals with her multi-media workshop, The Best of the Best: Edible Trees, Shrubs and Plants to Use in Your Landscape.

The workshop takes place this Saturday, March 8, at 2 p.m. at the Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden in Sechelt.

The grow-your-own-food movement has taken a stylish turn these days as foodies want their edible plants to look as good as they taste. From fruiting shrubs to root crops, patio containers to acreage, tasty plants belong in every garden.

Lindsay is a bright light on the Vancouver garden design scene and has created edible landscapes for private clients and restaurants, even edible rooftops.

Her recent book, Edible Landscaping: Urban Food Gardens that Look Great, will be available for sale. You can catch a preview on her YouTube channel, Pinterest page or website, http://www.sengadesigns.com.

A homes landscape can be its most healthy and attractive room, helping our planet while saving money too. You may be willing to make a few small changes or renovate your whole yard; either way, youll reap the environmental benefits, enjoy your outdoor space more, and harvest the herbs, fruit and vegetables, too.

Tickets are on sale at the Garden at 5941 Mason Road in West Sechelt, at local nurseries and at the Sechelt Visitors Centre, $12 for Botanical Garden members or $15 for non-members.

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How to eat your landscape in style

CAPTIONS

Discovery Cove at SeaWorld Orlando Guests interact with dolphins at SeaWorld Orlando's Discovery Cove. (JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINEL /October 24, 2005)

The Discovery Cove horticulture team will do a front-yard makeover for a Central Florida contest winner.

The "Landscape Your Yard" contest requires participants, living within a 50-mile radius of Discovery Cove, to submit a photo of their front lawn with a description of why they should win the prize. Descriptions must be less than 500 words. Submissions must be made via the Discovery Face Facebook page by March 10.

On March 12, Discovery Cove Facebook fans will vote for the yard that needs the attention the most. The top vote-getter will be announced March 19.

On April 22 -- that's Earth Day -- the Discovery Cove horticulture team will overhaul the homeowner's lawn.

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Discovery Cove: Contest winner will get front-yard makeover from horticulture team

LONGWOOD, Fla.

A Longwood man is in a fight with the city over the looks of his front yard. Sean Law says his yard is an eco-system and everything that grows there can be eaten. The city and some of his neighbors see it as an overgrown mess. "Nothing here is weeds, nor is it high grass," Law said. Law said the city has hit him with more than $140,000 in fines.

A neighbor expressed frustration over the fight between the city and Law that has gone on for more than two years.

"It's unbelievable that it has gone on this long," said neighbor Kathy Ettman.

Law was at Monday night's City Commission meeting when commissioners once again discussed his property. Deputy Mayor Joe Durso told Channel 9's Kristyn Cadell that he plans to meet one-on-one with Law to discuss the problem.

"He has brought this upon himself. It is his choice. It's his choice to fix the problem," said Ettman. Law said he has no plans to change the looks of his yard. The city will continue to fine him $300 a day.

Previous Story:Longwood residents weary of neighbor's overgrown lawn

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Longwood man in battle with city, neighbors over edible landscape

BAKERSFIELD, CA- Kern County residents rolled up their sleeves to help a veteran. Volunteers from Home Depot and the Wounded Warrior Project helped landscape the front yard of Army veteran Tony Casada's home in Northeast Bakersfield Saturday.

We are doing some shrubberies , some nice color we are going to make it look beautiful," said Amanda Riley with Home Depot.

In 2010 Casada was awarded the Purple Heart after encounters with two improvised explosive devices left him injured.

"I was lucky just to walk away with all my limbs and that is the most thing I can ask for, is just to be alive," Casada said.

But he still has a shoulder problem, back issues, and traumatic brain injury. One of the reasons Casada reached out to the Wounded Warrior Project was his veterans benefits were taking a long time to be processed. The project put him in touch with local leaders.

"Congressman McCarthy has been a big help, Casada said. He got the ball rolling after ten months that (the VA) were sitting on their hands."

After six hours and few rain delays sprinkled in, the Casadas finally got the chance to take in their new front yard

"It's such a blessing that people are willing to give up a Saturday for six hours to come out and help, Casada said. We had dirt before so I mean it's really, really overwhelming."

Read the rest here:
Volunteers roll up their sleeves to help a Bakersfield Veteran

Q. This drought has me thinking about replacing my lawn with water-wise plantings. Can you help me get started?

A. First, mow the turf as low as you can and remove or cut down all other plantings.

If you choose to replace it with a desert motif, cover the space with landscape fabric (not black plastic) and place gravel, boulders, rocks for a dry stream bed, etc. over it immediately. If you plan a cottage garden or a drought tolerant Mediterranean and native species landscape, try sheet mulching. It suppresses weeds and saves labor by composting them in place, improves the soils structure, moisture and nutrient retaining capacity, and will eventually improve plant vigor and health, often leading to improved pest and disease resistance.

Once youve mowed and cleared the area of plantings, lay down a permeable weed barrier cardboard, several layers of newspaper, burlaps bags or discarded natural fiber carpets (not nylon, and again, dont use black plastic). Overlap so you cover the area thoroughly, then wet to hold the barrier in place. Then layer compost and mulch on top chipped plant debris or prunings, leaves or straw weed free and 2 inches to 5 inches deep. You can add rougher organic material on top of that. Cut holes in the cardboard and plant directly into these. The area around them will gradually turn to soil. Airborne weed seeds will settle on the mulch, so some weeding will be necessary. Keep the material at least 6 inches away from trunks and stems and use wire mesh to protect from rodents as needed.

The Shasta Master Gardener Program can be reached by phone, 242-2219, or email mastergardeners@shastacollege.edu.

Original post:
Master Gardener: Use landscape fabric, cardboard to cover lawn to create new yard

Last week's taste of warm weather served as a reminder that spring is still coming after one of the coldest Illinois winters in decades.

For landscape and lawn maintenance companies, it was an indicator that one of their busiest times of the year is about to begin.

"It's been a long winter and people are starting to think about what they can put in," said Cathy Stetson, manager of Changing Seasons Landscape Center in Marion. "It's a good time to get (landscape installations) booked because once the weather starts warming up, time slots start filling up and it's hard to get installations scheduled."

At Tri-County Lawn and Tractor in Murphysboro, a line of lawnmowers awaited servicing on Monday while mechanic Jason Fred used a forklift to position a recently received shipment of 20 new Cub Cadet machines.

"Everybody wants to get their oil changes, blades sharpened and get everything ready before mowing season," said Fred, who said he services between 300 and 400 machines per year. "We don't do just Cub Cadet, we do all models."

According to industry market research company IBISWorld, landscaping services is a $74 billion industry that is forecast to experience rapid growth in the next five years as the construction sector recovers from the recession.

IBISWorld predicts that growth will encourage households and businesses to return to outsourcing yard care by 2019, while the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted a 14 percent increase in landscape architect jobs by 2022.

"I think the housing market is fixing itself and people are putting equity back into their homes whether they're staying put or selling," said Scott Grams, executive director of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association. "That drives the landscape industry."

Grams said that he believes 2014 will be a flat economic year for landscapers, but better availability of plant material in 2015 could spur industry growth.

"Because of the recession, nurseries cut back on the number of trees they ordered, which hurt homeowners and landscapers," Grams said. "Tree prices in some areas have doubled and I would advise consumers that if they're looking for a deal on landscaping, now's the time."

See the article here:
Spring means busy season for landscape and lawn maintenance companies

This sand cherry bush has attractive white flowers in the spring and produces tasty cherrylike fruit all along the stems.

As spring rolls around and you get ready to plan new garden projects, take a moment to consider using edible plants as part of the landscape.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Gardeners tend to see the world around them in two different ways, either as a landscape or as a practical/utilitarian food-producing spot.

Some gardeners only enjoy landscape gardening, growing roses, shrubs and perennials that provide beauty. Other gardeners only grow vegetables and fruit, seeing produce as the ultimate goal of gardening.

Even those gardeners who do both still treat their landscape and food gardens discretely, as if they were separate tasks that should be done separately.

But what if we blurred the lines a bit? What if we started to see the beauty in the foods that we eat? What if we saw the food in the plants that we admire for beauty? The result is called edible landscaping.

I've been "lecturing" and writing about edible landscaping for a while now. I decided when I bought my house that has a tiny yard (25 by 120 feet) that I wouldn't grow anything that I couldn't eat.

That's when I discovered edible landscaping -- I mix the best of both worlds. You get beautiful plants that also produce delicious food. It can be fun to find new and interesting things to grow too.

So mom was wrong -- you can play with your food.

Getting started

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Garden Guru: Sometimes its OK to play with your food