Concessions

Grass is cut to an acceptable level of appearance at agreed programmed intervals between 10-14 days per cycle during the period April - October. It is expected that an acceptable level of grass clippings will be dispersed during the grass cutting operation. (This will be influenced by the weather conditions and type of ride on grass cutting machinery in operation). As much as is practically possible grass arisings will be removed from any hardstanding areas. Edges will be cut a maximum of 3 times throughout the season.

Obstacles within grass areas, where required, are programmed to be cut a maximum of three occasions during the period April - October. Spraying obstacles may be an alternative to cutting grass.

Areas planted with bulbs shall be allowed to flower and naturally die back prior to any cutting operations.

Where practical litter will be removed and disposed prior to the commencement of any grass cutting operations.

High amenity grass is cut more frequently, at intervals between 7-10 days per cycle during the period April - October. Edges and obstacles within high amenity grass areas are also cut with hand operated machinery a maximum of six occasions during the grass cutting season.

All grass arisings are removed immediately after cutting operations. Leaf removal is undertaken where heavy leaf fall is detrimental to grass condition.

Grassland meadow areas are left to develop naturally throughout the growing season April - September. A single cut and lift of all meadow areas is undertaken between September and October. Grass arisings where appropriate are removed from site and disposed. Any grass pathways are cut evenly and to an acceptable level of appearance at intervals between 10-14 days per cycle during the period April to October.

Grass bankings and rough-cut areas are cut twice per year with appropriate mechanical grass cutting machinery during the period June to February. Areas planted with bulbs are allowed to flower and naturally die back prior to any cutting operations. All grass arisings in these areas are left in situ.

Fife Council does not provide a service for private garden care. Housing tenants may apply to join the Housing Services Garden Care Scheme, subject to eligibility criteria. Further information on this Scheme can be found on our Tenancy Advice page.

Hedges have new growth cut back to original size and shape of hedge line during the period July to November.

All arisings are removed from location and disposed of. Fast growing hedges including Privet and Hawthorn have a second hedge prune programmed during the season.

Shrubs beds are kept tidy and free of weeds to an acceptable standard. Shrubs are pruned once annually by mechanical means during the period November to March. Weeds are maintained by the use of a herbicide regime and the use of mulch material. Shrub beds receive a single clean out of all detritus and litter during the period November to March. Litter is programmed to be removed on two additional occasions throughout the year.

Wherever possible shrubs are pruned in a way that encourages lateral growth. The removal of dead or dying shrubs is undertaken on one occasion per year during the period November to March.

Rose beds are kept tidy and free of weeds to an acceptable standard. Roses are pruned once in Spring, in accordance with best horticultural practice. A second prune is undertaken between October and February. Weeds are removed by hand or by a herbicide regime. The use of a mulch is used as a weed suppressant wherever possible.

Herbaceous beds shall be kept to an acceptable standard, throughout April - Oct.

Both hand weeding and mulch shall be used to supress the visual appearance of weed growth. All beds shall have seasonal growth removed on one occasion per year between October - December. Where required plants shall be lifted, separated and replanted to ensure good vegetative cover in the bed.

Hardstanding areas (e.g. playgrounds, garage sites, footpaths, etc.) receive two herbicide applications per growing season between May - September, to kill visible weeds and manage weed/moss growth. Heavy weed/moss coverage may require removal by mechanical brushing or hand weeding prior to the application of herbicide control.

Invasive plant species such as Japanese knotweed, Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed are managed as per Fife Council’s control strategies.

Related Publications

• Fife Council Noxious Weed Control Policy
• The Crop Protection Association - Using Pesticides in the Community
• Code of Practice - Pesticides
• Defra - UK Pesticides Action Plan

Planting of formal flower beds is undertaken in accordance with accepted design proposals. Plants are planted with regular spacing and firmed into position. Beds are kept weed free by hand weeding a maximum of four occasions during June - October. Plants are planted as per the planting density specified within accepted design proposals.

All annual planting material is removed from beds at the end of each planting season. Grass edges are neatly maintained by mechanical or hand-held edging shears, with a maximum of six cuts during the period June - October. Additional feeding is applied in granular form prior to the planting of summer formal bedding.

It's a banking and only cut twice per year, using an automated banking machine to comply with Health & Safety requirements.

Grass arisings are no longer boxed and collected. It is expected that an acceptable level of grass clippings will be dispersed during the grass cutting operation. This will be influenced by the weather conditions and type of ride on grass cutting machinery in operation.

Every effort is made to stop this from happening and grass arisings are removed from any hardstanding areas as much as is practically possible. However, unfortunately we do not have additional resources to send Operatives back around the routes after the grass has been cut to leaf blow the footpaths.

High amenity grass areas are cut more frequently than other grass areas. These areas are generally memorial grounds, e.g. Kirkcaldy Memorial Gardens, putting greens, and specific floral enhanced areas.

Yes, glyphosate-based herbicides are currently used on land owned or managed by the Council. The Grounds Maintenance Service conform with all legislation associated with the purchase, storage and application of pesticides and herbicides. All chemical spraying activities are undertaken by trained staff holding PA1, PA6 and PA2 certification. All chemicals are administered in line with manufacturers recommendations, all products are COSHH assessed (Control of Substance Hazardous to Health) and all manufacturer's instructions are adhered to when applying these products. We are very much aware of the concerns of some individuals to the impacts of glyphosate and other herbicides in our environment, and we are seeking alternative approaches to the issue of weed management, as we understand the need to change our approaches to meet the challenge around Climate change and Biodiversity. Fife Council are actively seeking the reduction of herbicide spraying wherever possible. We are developing an integrated weed control approach which includes reducing herbicide application, using mulches and removing weeds manually. However, we do have to recognise there is still a significant desire from communities to see the management of weeds on paths and other Council assets.