We just received this lovely review from a happy client in East London. We installed a new lawn in their back garden: “The latest review from a happy client “Great service and really reliable – the work was done on time and to a very high standard. We’re really pleased with our new lawn, which looks lovely!” If you would like to discuss a project please get in touch via email at office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413. We provide landscaping services in East London and West Essex. We specialise in decking, paving, fencing, driveway installation, turfing and brickwork.
28
Feb
How To Plan A Garden Makeover
Carrying out a total garden makeover is a very exciting and important project for your home. Take your time to think and plan what your dream garden will look like. What look would you like to achieve? Think about what you need your garden to be? Somewhere to relax, somewhere for the children to play? Take into account the size and shape of your space when planning. Do you like a traditional garden or a more modern contemporary look? Think about what would work well with your style of home. Carry out some research by visiting garden centres, open gardens, garden magazines and online and even the gardens of your friends and family for inspiration. A garden makeover can take place any time throughout the year. In the Winter the plants are dormant and so it is easier to work around the garden, or the Summer when you get the opportunity to really understand how to make the best use of your space. If you choose to carry out the work in the Winter this enables you to have your garden ready for when the Spring arrives to get the most use out of it throughout the year. In the Winter you may be able to negotiate more with your landscaper than in the Spring or Summer. Which hard landscaping do you want to introduce into your project? Do you want to be relaxing on a patio or decking area? Would you like a large lawn area to spread out on in the Summer and for your pets to have space to run around? Once you decide then carry out research on what materials you want to use for your project. There are so many options available so make sure you look at as many as possible. Carry out research online and also go into the local garden shops to take a look at samples. For decking do you want wooden decking or composite decking. If wooden do you want hardwood or softwood decking. Which do you prefer the look of, also what budget do you have for this part of the project as hardwood decking is slightly more expensive. Carry out your research to find out which type of decking suits your project and budget. There are many choices of wood available for both options. If you choose softwood decking we regularly use a decking board that allows you the choice to have a grooved or smooth finish so a further decision to make. What shape do you want your decking to be, do you want a curved finish or a standard rectangular shape flush to your home. Do you want to make additions to the decking by adding spindles and handrails, lighting, seating or storage. These additions can really make a difference to the overall project. They can always be added at a later stage if your budget doesn’t allow at the time. For paving there are many different designs and products. Which type of paving slab do you like the look of, which would work well with all the other materials you have chosen for your garden makeover project. Is it one patio needed or maybe two, one outside the back door and one at the end of the garden where the sun trap in your garden is with a path connecting the two. Then you need to decide which way you want to lay the paving as that can create a totally different look too. Do you want a square or rectangle patio or a circular one. Maybe one area of the garden as a patio and a decking area as well. Fencing plays a large part in the look of your garden so consideration really does need to be given to this area of the garden. Do you like the traditional fencing or the contemporary look of the horizontal slatted fencing. Which would work best with your overall design. There is also the choice with the traditional fencing of whether to go with concrete or wooden posts. One area that might not be considered is waste costs for the project. If you require a skip will you need to contact your local council to purchase a skip permit and do you also need to include bay charges if there are parking restrictions in your area. Do remember to include waste removal costs into your budget. If you would like to discuss a garden makeover then please get in touch with us to discuss and we can arrange a consultation to talk through your project. Email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413.
Latest Client Review
It is always great to hear back from our clients. We received this review from a happy client today “Christian and the team completely overhauled our garden and did an amazing job – I can’t believe it’s the same space! They worked incredibly fast, were very friendly and courteous and tidied up the house each day so we didn’t have to come home to a messy space. I also felt completely comfortable heading off to work and letting them get on with it. I’ve already recommended them to several friends too. I can’t wait for summer to properly enjoy my beautiful garden now”.
22
Jan
Garden Makeover in East London
Here we look at a garden makeover in East London. Our client was looking for a total garden makeover of her outdoor space. She chose January to carry out the work to get her garden ready for the Spring. The first step was a consultation at her home to look at the garden space and discuss ideas and plans. The property was in East London and was an older property and the owner was keen to combine the older character of the property with some modern additions and was looking for some ideas. To keep in character Charcoal Cobbles were laid as paving stones coming straight out from the back door and side recess to create a great entertaining space. This included steps up to the lawn area with red brick edgings. The original walls were kept and horizontal slatted fencing was installed throughout above the walls to provide privacy but also an aesthetic addition to the space. The mix of the wood and the brick provides a lovely look. The horizontal fencing was also used to create a storage area which flowed seamlessly with the fencing. A new lawn was laid and raised flower beds built from railway sleepers were installed all ready for planting up. If you would like to discuss a project we provide landscaping services in East London . Get in touch for a free initial consultation to discuss your project. Email us office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413.
26
Nov
Getting Your Garden Ready For Winter
Getting your garden ready for Winter. If you would like your garden to look great in the Spring then carrying out some work in the Winter to prepare your garden for the cold spell will really help it. Here are some tasks to consider undertaking: 1. Give your paving and paths a good clean. Take off all the furniture and planters, clear out all the leaves, give it a good brush down and a clean with some soapy water and a stiff broom. If you have a pressure washer this will make the job a lot quicker and easier for you. 2. Give your decking a good brush down, firstly take off any chairs or tables or planters, then getting into the corners to remove any dead leaves or debris. Finally give it a wash down with some soapy water and a stiff broom or a pressure washer if you have one available. 3. Take a walk around your garden and take a good look around the boundary of your fences to check that the posts are still in good order and the fence panels do not need repair or for any to be replaced. 4. Lighting will really brighten up your garden in the Winter so is something to consider adding if not already there. The nights draw in fairly early now. 5. For your lawn go over the entire area with a rake to remove thatch and moss allowing it to breath and grow. Aerate and give it an Autumn feed. 6. Trim your hedges before the frost hits. 7. For your trees remove any dead or damaged branches. 8. Tidy up your borders by removing any weeds or dead foliage and leaves. Remove any annual plants and cut back herbaceous perennials. 9. If you have a compost bin now would be a good time to clear it out and spread it across your beds ready for the Spring. This also helps to make the beds look a little more presentable over the Winter. 10. Now is the time to plant out your Spring bulbs before the Winter kicks in. Once Spring arrives your garden will be alive with colour. 11. Take a look at your shed or greenhouse to see if the wood needs a coat of paint or any repairs need to be carried out. Now is a good time to give it a tidy up and clean inside and get all your tools in order. Consider adding shelving to make things easier to find. 12. For any delicate plants wrap them up in fleece ready for the Winter or move them to the greenhouse or conservatory. 13. If you have a pond try to keep it clear of leaves and place a ball in there to float on the surface to stop it freezing over completely. 14. If snow does arrive, and it seems to be more likely each year, then knock the snow that is resting on the leaves of your plants to try to prevent severe damage. If you are thinking of a new project for your garden like adding in a decking area in a sunny corner or a patio area to create a great entertaining space then now is a good time to get the work carried out whilst the garden isn’t getting as much use. If you would like to discuss please email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413 to arrange a free consultation and a quote for the works.
14
Nov
Updating Your Garden Decking
If you are looking for a warm inviting look to your garden then garden decking is a good choice. Decking can be installed anywhere within your garden so is highly versatile. It can be installed at the bottom of your garden if this is the area that attracts the most sun or directly leading out from your back door as an additional dining area for family meals or entertaining. An unused corner can be transformed and the area brought alive with a new decking area installed. It also works well as an option if you have just completed building work on your house like an extension where the garden can be left in a bit of a mess after such a big project and decking can be easily installed to take care of this. If you are looking at wooden decking then you can choose to have either softwood or hardwood decking installed. Here at C&J Landscapes Ltd we work with both. We also install additions to our decking projects and discuss these further here: Handrails and Spindles These really finish off the look of a decking area and there are many different options available to personalise the look of your decking space and really make the look your own, from rope or wire handles to wooden spindles and handrails to glass panels. They look really great and also provide a safety feature to your decking. We install these on both level and raised decks. Steps We build these for our raised decks and these can be installed with or without handrails and spindles. The raised decks work really well in a garden with different levels or in a sloped garden. We find decking to be very popular in sloped gardens enabling a flat space in the garden to entertain and relax. Seating We build all types of seating into our decking. A popular choice is the benches that we make that have the option of providing storage too. Ideal for hiding away cushions and garden games. The seating also allows you to add colour to the space by adding a bench cushion in a bright colour or some cushions for colour and comfort. The seating also creates a great space always available to sit down so that you can grab that fifteen minutes of peace in the garden with a hot mug of tea or if a little later in the evening a nice glass of wine or beer. We often incorporate both seating and planters in our decking projects with a bench in the middle and planters either side. Pergolas Adding a pergola in the same wood as your decking creates a streamlined look and a nice finish to a project and gives the feeling more of an outdoor room. Once installed you can choose to grown climbers through the pergola for a burst of colour and to attract wildlife to your garden or let the beauty of the wood speak for itself. Planters These can be built into the decking design for a streamlined look or as a separate landscaping project, for example raised planters made out of sleepers or rendered concrete. Another opportunity to add colour and wildlife to your outdoor space. When building as part of the decking design we often incorporate seating at the same time. Sandpits These can be installed into the decking to allow your little ones to have lots of fun in the garden under your watchful eye whilst you sit close by and relax on your decking. Lighting Adding lighting to your decking allows you to stay out relaxing in your garden long after the sun has gone down. You can have lighting installed directly into your decking or can choose to have string lights woven through spindles or handrails or across your pergola. If you would like to discuss a decking project please get in touch via our website www.eastlondonlandscapes.com or email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413. We provide landscaping services in East London . We provide a free initial consultation and quote.
05
Nov
Decking Design Ideas
Here we look at decking design ideas. Decking is such a great addition to a garden. It provides a brilliant entertainment space and is so versatile it can be built anywhere in your garden. It doesn’t have to be laid right outside your back door and if there is an area at the bottom of your garden that attracts the sun a decking space there would work perfectly. Corner decking is also very popular with our clients. Decking can be laid at different heights and levels which works really well if you have a slope in your garden or the ground is uneven with different levels as decking allows you to create a flat surface for a seating area for your chairs or garden dining table. You can also look at what shape your decking will be. No longer does it have to be a standard square or rectangle. Curved decking is very popular and will create beautiful lines in your garden. If you already have an established flower border in your garden then you don’t have to dig it up. The decking can be installed to provide an edge around the border creating a frame for the plants. The decking can be laid in different configurations to create a different look. Either vertical or horizontal. One softwood that we work with regularly allows you to choose whether to have the decking laid with a grooved or smooth finish. A popular method is to mirror the flow of the flooring inside your home if the decking is going to be laid right outside your patio doors. This allows the flooring to flow from the inside out. Decking also looks great against paving and grass so mix up the elements that you use to create a beautiful and well useable space and create different zones in your garden. If you have a colour scheme in mind for your new garden design then the decking boards can be painted or stained to fit into your scheme. When having your decking installed you can also look at adding in built in planters to create a beautiful flower display, seating areas with storage space, sandpits for the littles one to play in under your watchful eye whilst you are relaxing on your decking. These are just some of the options as there are many more. Handrails and balustrades not only provide safety but also add further design to add to the look of your decking. There are many different options available to personalise your look. It doesn’t need to only be used for raised decking as it looks so good it is regularly used on level decking too. Lighting also allows you to personalise your deck and can be built into the decking or hung as string lights between the balustrades or if you have a pergola installed then twisted through. This allows you to stay out later in the evening long after it has grown dark. We love decking here at C&J Landscapes Ltd and are experts in our field so if you would like to discuss a project please get in touch via our website www.eastlondonlandscapes.com or email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call us on 020 3633 6413 to arrange a consultation to discuss your next decking project. We cover East London .
30
Oct
Winter Decking. A Good Choice For A Family Garden
Garden decking provides a good choice for a family garden. Even though the weather is getting a little colder our children still love to be able to play outside and we want to encourage them to be out in the fresh air. Yet it can be hard keeping an eye on young children roaming around the garden, while you try and do tasks inside the house. Many gardens incorporate water features and small ponds and these can be very dangerous for young children. Installing a decking area adjacent to the house is a perfect answer. Decking areas can be installed quickly and will blend into any garden and house design. Best of all, you can add some railings and a little gate so that children cannot stray too far. This solves the problem posed by water features. Children can play happily outdoors in safety. Decking provides a flat surface on which children can drive pedal cars, play a little football, and run around in safety. Properly installed by a contractor, decking offers a safe and secure surface. Wood is quite forgiving if little children fall on it, so there will be no nasty accidents or tears. Consider building in a little sandpit. Children love playing with sand and if you place a cover over it, after use, it keeps the sand clean and fresh. Once the children have grown up, you can always turn the pit into a small water feature by installing a pre-formed pond base or covering the pit with a special liner. It is worth considering adding a covered section within the decking area as this will allow all year round use. After rain or periods of ice and snow, decking can become a little slippery. This is easily dealt with by using an anti-slip treatment. Talk to your installer about the best anti-slip treatment to suit the wood you have chosen. It may be possible to build in anti-slip strips which can give that little bit of extra grip. Best of all maintenance is simple and easy. All decking needs is a brush and a wash down of the surface when required. This will keep the surface clean and hygienic. Once a year, use a timber treatment to keep the wood in good condition. Decking will stay looking good for many years making this a wonderful way to improve your home and garden. If you would like to discuss a decking project please get in touch via our website www.eastlondonlandscapes.com or email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413. We provide free quotes and advice.
02
Oct
Autumn Is A Good Time To Install A Fence
Autumn is a good time to install a fence. There is no need to wait until the Spring to get your fence installed. Autumn is a great time to carry out this work and there are a number of reasons why: Speed of Service Spring is a popular time for getting your garden ready for the Summer so there may be a bit of a wait to get your fencing project booked in with a fencing contractor. If you look to have this work carried out in the Autumn you beat the rush and also have your fencing installed and your garden ready for when the Spring arrives allowing you to get full use out of it straight away when the sun arrives. Saving Money Fencing contractors are very busy during the Spring and Summer so you are more likely to get a better deal by approaching them in the Autumn or Winter to carry out your project. You can then use any savings made in your budget to either get the project completed at a cheaper rate or use the saving to spend more on the materials on your project creating an even more beautiful fence. Having Your Garden Ready For the Spring By having the work carried out in the Autumn that is one project you have completed before the Spring arrives allowing you to enjoy your garden and the sunshine as soon as it appears and have fun in the garden with your family straight away. Friendly on Your Landscaping Carrying out your fencing project in the Autumn is a good idea as much of the landscape will be dormant so it will be less damaging to your plants. If you have bushes or roses that are near where the fence will be installed, they can be trimmed back or even relocated during their dormancy without causing long-term damage. If you do need to replace some plants or re-landscape areas where the fence was installed, getting the fence project done during the Winter will give you a head start in getting new plants in the ground come Spring. By getting them in early, you’ll ensure they are well established before the Summer heat causes stress that can harm immature plants. Your Fencing Will be Ready for Winter If your fence is looking worse for wear now would be a good time to replace it before the Winter takes hold. We have had some cold Winters recently and a strong new fence will hold up well against the cold, snow, and sleet. If you would like to discuss a fencing project please get in contact by email at office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or by calling the office on to arrange a free consultation.
26
Sep
Things To Consider When Choosing A Fence
Things to consider when choosing a fence. If you are thinking of changing your fencing take your time before going ahead with the new installation. There are various things to consider so you shouldn’t rush into this decision. Below we look at some of the things to take into consideration: Have a think about the purpose of the fence? Is it to improve the look of your garden? Does it need to provide privacy? Is it needed to keep your pets from straying? What budget do you have for the project? Do you need any planning permission? This is only needed for fencing over 2m high (6ft = 1.83m, 5ft = 1.52m, 4ft = 1.22m, 3ft = 0.91m). How much maintenance can you honestly carry out each year? What materials do you want to use? Do you go with wooden or concrete fence posts? Do you want vertical or horizontal fencing? How much light do you get in your garden? Maybe consider fencing with gaps between the slats to increase the lighting. Do you want to add fence post caps to finish the look? Remember to talk to your neighbours before the project starts so they are aware of the planned work. Are you going to carry out the work yourself of hire a professional for their knowledge and experience? If you would like to discuss a fencing project please email us at office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a free consultation and quote.
