We can feel the days getting slightly warmer and the evenings becoming lighter so our thoughts turn to the garden. One of the jobs to be done so that you are ready to open up your garden is to get your patio area clean and ready for full use in the Spring and Summer. Below are some tips for getting your patio ready for Spring. Remove everything from the area, all chairs, BBQs and plants and pots to create a clear space to work in. You can’t do a thorough job moving around objects. Then give the area a really good sweep. Making sure you get into all the corners and remove any leaves or debris that have accumulated. Remove any weeds that have come up over time whilst the garden hasn’t had as much use in the Winter. Try to get the root out or as near to the root as possible. If you have sand filled joints and the weed takes some sand up with it remember to replace the sand. Do not leave this partially filled. Alternatively use a weed killer to remove. To bring your patio back to life after the Winter one of the quickest ways to do this is with a jetwash. This provides a really deep clean and will bring up the colour of the paving beautifully. However if you don’t have one of these a good old bucket of water with some paving cleaner or washing up liquid and a stiff brush will work wonders too. If using a paving cleaner always check that it is suitable for the paving so that you do not damage the stone. Apply a sealant if needed. Take care to use the correct one for your pavers. There are many options available in the DIY shops and garden centres. You may need to repoint between the paving stones. If this job is needed it will be worthwhile as it will really refresh the look of the paving. Give all your chairs and tables a good clean before returning them to the patio area. Rinse and wash your garden umbrella as it has probably accumulated some dirt and grime and probably bird poo! Firstly rinse with a hose, give it a good wash over with some cleaner then rinse off and lay out to dry thoroughly. Now the fun stuff. Buy some new planters and some new plants to welcome in the Spring. Might be time for some new furniture to freshen up your look. String up some outdoor string lights to create the perfect atmosphere for relaxing and unwinding. Remember that as with your house your garden needs regular maintenance to keep it in tip top condition. In particular for your patio keep brushing regularly to avoid dirt, moss or weed build up. If your patio is past just a spring clean it might be time to look at repairing or replacing it. If this ends up being the case you could look at a different type of paving for a totally new look to your garden or a complete overhaul and replacing it with decking instead. If you would like to discuss a project please get in touch via email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call our office on .
Replacing Your Garden Decking
Sunny, spring days always make you feel like getting outside. It also reveals the damage caused by winter. Strolling out onto the decking can highlight damaged boards, faded timbers, broken balustrades. The decking can be slippery, blackened with fungus and timbers have become warped. If not dealt with quickly, this can eventually rot the timbers – and the framework underneath. Repairing such damage is essential. But before doing so, it is worth taking a close look at your decking and deciding whether it meets your needs. It may well be better to totally replace the decking than simply carry out a repair. Over time, people’s needs change. Children grow up and may no longer need that sandpit that was built beside the decking. Trees and bushes have matured and may affect the level of light being cast over your seating area. There may be a need to add in some steps or railings around the decking to provide a secure area in which children can play close to the house. Replacing decking can also make a tremendous difference to the style and shape of your garden. It can completely transform a garden. Adding in curves or ornamental edges instead of just having square or rectangular decking can provide a sense of elegance, of style and make it seem much contemporary. Think too about the level of shade experienced on your decking. Trees and shrubs may be needed to provide privacy from neighbours, and so cannot be cut down. Adjusting the shape and size of the patio could provide extra areas of sunlight. Then there is the question of extra facilities such as balustrades to give added interest or safety. How about adding a few raised planters, an inbuilt pool, some fitted benches or a barbeque? By installing them as part of the overall decking, you can gain extra planting space and relaxing facilities which actually blends into your decking since the same materials can be used to construct these additional items. Talking to a good landscaper will provide the advice and help that you need to maximize the benefits of your decking. For a landscaper with all the right tools and equipment, adjusting shapes and styles, and replacing decking can be undertaken with the minimum of disturbance to your lifestyle. With their breadth of knowledge of the decking sector, they can suggest ways of improving decking to give it a personal touch be it in terms of colour, facilities or style. If you would like to discuss a project please get in touch by email at office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call our office on to arrange a free consultation.
Patios and Paving
Stone patios can look lovely, and are certainly hard wearing. The hardest part is actually laying them correctly. If you look at DIY websites and books, it seems to be a fairly straightforward task. In reality – it can be very difficult for people who don’t possess the skills, equipment and background knowledge to choose the right stone and lay it correctly. Over the past few years, the range of stone on the market has expanded substantially. It is no longer just a few traditional stones local to this country. Paving stone is being imported form all over the world, particularly India and China, and such stone is not always suitable for every location. There is, quite simply, no one size fits all approach to stone paving. Each job now has to be assessed individually, with specific site conditions such as sub-soil and soil type needing to be taken into account. Sub base levels can vary considerably. Then there is the question of the aspect of the garden, and which way it faces. Northern facing gardens experience slightly different climatic conditions to those gardens that face south. What about sealing the stone? Is it a good idea or not? Under what circumstances should natural stone be sealed? Faced with this plethora of questions, more and more people are turning to professional landscape contractors to do the job. Trained landscape contractors have the skills, knowledge and equipment to lay stone paving of any kind correctly and efficiently. They can also advise on the choice of stone, ensuring that it is suitable for your particular garden requirements. Using a landscape contractor reduces the risk of unexpected problems occurring during construction. If any such problems occur for example the discovery of hidden foundations underground, or unexpected pipes and wiring; a landscape contractor will know how to respond immediately. Another advantage is the simple fact that a landscape contractor may be able to take your ideas and make the final result even better than expected. Instead of laying a mono-colour block, the contactor could create patterns, or introduce some additional colour, which you might not otherwise have considered. Using the right product for the location can make a lot of difference to the long term maintenance thus keeping patios and stone pathways looking good for much longer. Talking to a hard landscape contractor can make financial as well as visual sense! If you would like to discuss a project please get in touch via our website www.eastlondonlandscapes.com, email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413 or to arrange a free consultation.
