Soil and Landscape Science
For over 140 years CL Voelcker have recognised the benefits of applying science to plant growth.
Voelcker background
Our involvement in Soil Science in the UK and as far afield as India dates back to the late 1800’s when Dr Augustus Voelcker was the Consulting Chemist for the Royal Agricultural Society, leading research into the use of fertilisers.
The consultancy set up in 1863 is now one of the very few companies that specialise in Soil & Landscape Science, providing specialist consultancy services to the landscape and construction industries.
Voelcker approach
Many plants have difficulty becoming established in poor soils and this is evidenced by planting failure or a stunted, bedraggled appearance.
By thorough scientific assessment of soils and provision of site specific comment and recommendations to improve or maintain soil quality as appropriate, CL Voelcker will help you ensure that your soft landscaping schemes are given the best possible start.
Voelcker involvement
Our involvement will not only help ensure that all appropriate preparations are made, but also that effort is not wasted on unnecessary operations or applications.
Early Involvement allows plant lists to be chosen appropriately, site soils to be retained and re-used and many common problems to be avoided. Our services often cost less than the price of a few semi-mature trees, but can save considerable time and money in the long run.
Areas covered include new urban and landscape development projects (such as office or school developments, sports grounds, public parks, road schemes and restoration projects) as well as the maintenance and improvement of existing schemes (including the identification and causes of planting failures).
Voelcker staff
All projects are personally managed by our Soil and Landscape Science department who are all full members of:
Institute of Professional Soil Scientists (IPSS)
British Society of Soil Science (BSSS)
In-house specialists are also available to deal with wider issues such as contaminated land site investigation and waste management issues.
Voelcker services
We provide site survey & investigation, desk-based consultancy and analytical services, typically tailored to a particular site or landscape scheme.
Site survey & investigation projects are typically comprised of an in-situ assessment of soil conditions, followed by laboratory analysis of representative samples. All findings are documented in a highly readable interpretative report, normally including detailed recommendations to maintain and/or improve soil conditions as appropriate.
- Greenfield Soil Survey: Providing details of basic soil chemistry, fertility (and contamination), drainage status and physical make-up.
- Brownfield Soil Survey: Identification of site materials/soils, for reuse for landscaping, including inclusion in a topsoil manufacture scheme.
- Topsoil Manufacture: Planning and assistance to ensure a plant growth media of suitable quality is produced.
- Stockpile Management: On-site inspection, sampling and analysis of potential sources of topsoil and stored site soils.
- Parks & Gardens Restoration Survey: Assessment of soils for planting high quality, demanding specimens.
- Soil Survey for Playing Field Construction: Assessment of soil quality in relation to reuse for playing field construction.
- Investigation of Plant Failure: and recommendations for remedial action.
For specific details of our site investigation services for contaminated sites please follow this link.
Desk-based consultancy projects would be undertaken without site visit or more typically as an addition to a previous site based project.
- Drafting topsoil and subsoil specifications for tenders;
- Earthworks/Soil remediation method statements;
- Meeting attendance/communication of soil related issues;
Analysis services are provided as a material quality check on samples delivered to our offices
- Topsoil
- Subsoil;
- Compost;
- Water;
- Silt and dredgings.