Parks and Gardening Services

This section of Transport and Technical Services, based at Warwick Farm, provides and maintains formal parks and gardens and manages informal, often environmentally sensitive, open spaces. It also provides, under contract, gardening and playing fields maintenance and management services to other States departments. Other services to States departments include horticultural and arboricultural advice and horticultural supply. It also operates a Cheap Tree Scheme to the public.

The spectacular and colourful parks and gardens which are much loved by Islanders, demand skill, dedication and considerable forward planning. Every year, about 300,000 bedding plants make up the summer displays. In winter 160,000 wallflowers, winter pansies and stock create a welcome splash of colour at an often dull time of year and they are augmented by 75,000 bulbs which announce the arrival of spring. Warwick Farm is a hive of industry throughout autumn and winter months. Supplying trees and shrubs, sowing seeds and 'potting on' are essential for continuity, but so is the maintenance of our woodlands. This field work is managed by the Section during the winter to minimise disturbance among woodland habitats while carrying out essential work.