Now the winter has arrived we mustn’t forget about our gardens. They still need our care and there are some tasks to be carried out. Below are some winter garden tips to keep your garden healthy and looking good in the winter and have it ready for when spring approaches: 1. Check your fences, gates and other structures for any wear and tear. 2. Treat timber structures with preservative and stain. This needs to be carried out during a dry spell. 3. Clean your sheds and greenhouses and have a general tidy up of the storage of your equipment. 4. Get together all your tools and give them a good clean so that they are ready for use in the spring. 5. Clean and dry lawnmowers and hedge-trimmers for the winter. 6. Clean and sharpen secateurs and loppers. 7. Check that greenhouse heaters are working. 8. Ensure all stand pipes and irrigation lines are drained to avoid any damage from freezing. 9. Put lagging around outdoor taps. 10. Install some garden lighting. 11. As it is a quieter time for the garden plan ahead what you would like to do with your garden for the spring. 12. Now is a garden time to consider getting a landscaper in to complete a project as contractors aren’t as busy now as they are in the spring and summer so you can get the work carried out at a very convenient time for you. 13. Cover large tubs with bubblewrap to avoid them cracking. 14. Avoid walking on lawns on frosty mornings as it can damage the grass. 15. If the winter is mild you may need to still mow the lawn as it will continue to grow in temperatures above 5C. 16. Remove fallen leaves from lawns before they block out light and moisture to the grass. 17. Repair any damaged lawn areas with turf. 18. Brush any heavy snow from trees and shrubs to avoid breakage. 19. Remove algae from paths as they can make it slippery. 20. Add some mulch to your garden. In the winter it can help towards protecting roots and bulbs from frost. 21. Check on tender plants to ensure winter protection is still in place. 22. Prune apple and pears. 23. Prune acers, birches and vines. 24. Alpines can be sown from seed this month. Place a sheet of glass over the sown area to protect it from excessive wet. 25. Cut back faded herbaceous perennials. 26. Plant roses. 27. Feed the wildlife in your garden.
Creating A Country/Rural Garden
Creating a country/rural garden. Even in an urban area, you can give your garden a country/rural feel by carefully choosing your hard landscaping. Think about exactly what you are aiming for when looking at landscaping products. Focus on soft shades and natural earthy looking materials. This is a garden design that calls for beiges, browns, soft dark reds. Use natural materials like wood and stone that will weather and give the impression that they have been around for a long time just like the countryside you admire. If you prefer bricks then make sure that they are muted in shade and not uniform colours. The countryside look is always about informality. When you look at the countryside there is never uniformity, patches of colour vary in shades. It is this that you need to think about with hard landscaping and design. Avoid anything geometric, symmetric or with hard lines. Natural stone walling can create very pretty raised beds, especially if you fill them with informal planting including herbs, vegetables and some draping fruit like strawberries. Stepping stones surrounded by bark creates a leisurely, relaxed pathway. Or use weathered stones and bricks for a winding path. Heavy duty timber may even be suitable for path edging or even some paths – check with your landscaping contractor to see what is available. Timber is a fantastic natural material fitting beautifully into a rural landscape. Small areas of decking can blend well into a rural, country themed garden especially if the colour of the decking is muted and soft. Think gentle autumn golds and browns rather than deep red brown shades as these will blend much better into the environment. Vary the sightlines within the garden. Remember that in the countryside, nothing is flat. Bring in some natural height even if it is just a stone rockery or a pergola tucked among the trees or beside a water feature. By breaking up the sightlines you can make your garden feel bigger than it actually is. Add in some seating areas, even if it is just a wooden garden bench at the end of the garden or on the patio. For the best effect, choose a rustic style incorporating hints of rough hewn logs. Chunky and solid, such benches can be extremely comfortable and fit the country theme perfectly. Remember to complete the rural look with soft drifts of flowers and shrubs avoiding creating any sharp, geometric edges in any way. If you would like to discuss a project please get in touch www.eastlondonlandscapes.com or email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com
Your Garden in Autumn
Your garden in Autumn. What to do now. Here we look at how to plan ahead. Now that the kids are back to school and days are getting shorter, gardens are being used less. It is a perfect time to stand back and think about work that needs to be undertaken in the garden. There may be fences that need a little maintaining – it can be less expensive to replace part of a fence than face replacing the whole fence, and possible deal with security breaches as well. There may be broken sections of decking or damaged flagstones in paths. Taking quick action in dealing with loose boards in sheds, or replacing shed roofs will prevent further decay over the coming winter. If you are unsure about the extent of the damage, it is worth talking to a landscape contractor like C&J Landscapes who can advise on the best course of action. Yet it is not just time for maintenance checks – this is the ideal time for dealing with those issues that have arisen over the summer. How often did you think – perhaps having a slightly wider patio would be useful when entertaining? Or that path really needs replacing with a better, long lasting material? Or that decking project you have always dreamed of with the build in bar? Or how a gazebo in a sunny corner of the garden would have improved your enjoyment throughout the summer? Taking action now means that you still have time to enjoy those new features before the onset of winter. It also means that you can choose the best landscape contractors to undertake the work since most people leave this type of project until the last minute, and then find that good landscape contractors are often fully booked. The project then has to wait until the contractor is available. Timescales are always important. With the British weather, no one can ever rely on having a long period of sunshine, or simply a period of dryness during which work can be carried out quickly and efficiently. Sudden heavy rain can cause unexpected delays. Calling in the landscape contractors now means that you can take advantage of the drier autumn days, when the ground is still firm and work can be carried out with the far less mess and risk of winter delays. A good landscape contractor can ensure that your project is completed quickly and efficiently so that you can enjoy a Halloween or Bonfire Night party in your garden without worrying about space or safety. If you would like to discuss a project please do not hesitate to get in touch to talk through your ideas www.eastlondonlandscapes.com. We provide landscaping in East London .
Child Friendly Garden
Here we look at maintaining a child friendly garden. With the arrival of the summer holidays, children are spending more time in the garden – which is why it is a good idea to do a quick safety check as soon as possible. Gardens are beautiful and provide lots of play opportunities. But they can also be dangerous. Hidden, unexpected hazards can cause problems. Fences and gates need to be securely fixed so that they will not break when hit by footballs or energetic children. There should be no gaps or holes in the panels through which curious children can creep and get lost in the surrounding streets. Check too for broken slats and rough nails which might cut or wound children. Protruding rusty nails can be extremely dangerous. Infection can quickly set into wounds caused by the rusty nails, resulting in a visit to hospital. Reduce the risk of accidental trips by making sure that there no loose paving stones or decking boards. Check too for any slippery areas that may have developed given the sheer amount of rain that has occurred over the past few months. Brush and wash down the surfaces to remove any build up of algae especially in shady areas. Make sure that steps are clearly visible and not obscured by vegetation or pots. Bear in mind that children running around and playing can fall down steps and hurt themselves. Ponds are one of the biggest hazards for garden owners with children visiting for the first time. If possible, cover the pond with a sturdy netting to reduce the risk of children falling in. Make sure that children can identify the edges of the pond, and that there are no loose stones or rocks which might cause them to fall in. Very young children can drown in just a couple of inches of water and it is wise not to leave children unobserved in a garden if there are any water features. Within a large garden, it is worth considering providing a safe play area for young children on a patio or decking. This can be easily achieved by installing a low fence around it. This encourages children to stay within a set area within which you can keep an eye on them. If you have any worries about the safety of the hard landscaping within your garden, it is best to seek the advice of a landscape contractor who can undertake rapid repairs. Avoiding accidents is far better than dealing with the consequences of an accident happening.
How to make your lawn & landscape?
Finding water in the basement is a startling discovery, no matter the age of your home. But how does water get there in the first place? While most problems are caused by poorly sealed foundations and hydrostatic pressure, sometimes basement flooding is directly related to landscaping and water routing issues. Great pleasure take a trivial example, which of us ever undertake laborious physical exercise obtain some give you complete advantages from sed it account of the system explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was complete account. Most of us go through life not looking for problems. Gardeners, in particular, have a sunny disposition. However, sometimes problems crop up in even the most well-kept yards. Drainage problems are just one of many examples, and it is one of the biggest problems a yard-owner can encounter. Which is everything that nourishes your life perspiciatis unde seds omnis iste natus error us sed sit voluptatem accusantium dolore mqueds laudantium, totam uts aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto teachings of the great explorer.
Al Fresco Fortnight
Gardens are wonderful places to unwind after a busy day and enjoy a relaxing meal with friends and family. The sight of pretty flowers, the aroma of fresh herbs drifting on the breeze and inviting chairs awaiting everyone on the patio immediately evokes a sense of pleasurable downtime. It is no wonder that the ‘Love the Plot You’ve Got’ campaign has launched an annual event, Al Fresco Fortnight. Kicking off on Father’s Day, Sunday 19th June, the event aims to get as many people as possible to eat outside at least once over the two week period. For more information https://www.hortweek.com/new-al-fresco-campaign-love-plot-youve/retail/article/1395046. Participants are encouraged to stay out until the sun goes down, enjoying an Al Fresco meal outside, and to share their event on social media. Snaps of the event may even win prizes. Planning for a successful Al Fresco Fortnight event does take time which is why you need to think well ahead. It is not just a matter of sorting out food and drink, as you need to take a close look at your garden as well. After all, the location has to be perfect! Dirty patios, broken decking, damaged paving stones or fences that are falling down do not create a very good impression. Check out your hard landscaping as soon as possible after making a decision to hold an Al Fresco activity. Begin by looking for any repairs that are necessary. This may require replacing some fencing, decking supports, handrails or paving stones. Give everything a thorough scrub to ensure that the surfaces are clean and shining. Check pathways for any build up of slime following the heavy rain this spring, and wash as required. Remember that safety is important, and that a relaxing evening can quickly become a nightmare if accidents happen as a result of someone tripping and hurting themselves. Check that your seating area will accommodate everyone you have invited. There is nothing worse that having guests round, and finding that there is not enough space. Seek advice from hard landscaping specialists to discover how patios and decking can be extended quickly. For a specialist, this is a task that can be undertaken rapidly as they have the knowledge, the skills and the materials at hand. They can also build in some benches or extra planters to brighten up your patio at the same time. If necessary they can even build a new patio or lay new decking.
Garden Fence Installation Video
Here we have a video of a recent fence installation for a client in Harold Hill, Essex. He was very happy with the work carried out and is now looking for a quote to carry out some landscaping in his garden. We carry out fence installations and repairs in the East London area.
Garden Decking Extras
Garden decking extras. Adding a few extras to your decking such as built in seating or planters can make a tremendous difference to your garden. Such features immediately enhance the beauty and functionality of your decking, while maximizing available space. Why not add in some pretty timber benches along the sides? This helps the transition from house to garden, while providing valuable additional seating that is perfect for al fresco entertaining. Inbuilt seating takes up far less space than a conventional table and chairs, and also has the advantage of being able to seat more people at any one time. Wooden benches evoke a sense of age less tradition, and look brilliant with any house style. A contrasting shade of wood can be very eye catching, while co-coordinating shades makes the space seem even larger. Darker tones can add a sense of warmth on cooler days. Existing features such as trees besides the decking can be enhanced by placing built in benches around it. Some built in planters provide an ideal way to grow sweet smelling and culinary herbs, or colourful annuals to brighten up al fresco dining. Built at waist height, planters can avoid the need for bending making it easier for anyone who is disabled to enjoy their garden. Steps provide additional interest and allow the installation of multi-level decking. The number of steps depends very much on the gradient, especially if your garden is sloping. Safety is obviously paramount as it is essential to avoid anyone falling down the steps and hurting themselves. Handrails are essential, while different shading at the edges of steps will help distinguish where one step ends and another starts. Contrasting textures are another way of combining safety with visual interest. At night, LED lighting beside each step will provide safety as well as creating a very pretty, twinkling, eye-catching image. End posts and handrails provide lots of opportunities for individuality, creating curves or shaped ends. Adding a fir cone shape or a circular globe gives hints of heritage, of age, as they are traditional garden styles. For something more contemporary, try squares or blocks. No one ever has enough storage space, no matter how big your house and garden. This is where built in decking features can really make an impact. Just consider the amount of space that exists underneath steps or under benches. If you would like to discuss a project please get in touch via email on office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call our office on to arrange a free consultation.
Love Your Garden? London Events to Visit in 2016
If you love your garden and are passionate about all things gardening here are some events in London taking place this year that may tickle your fancy. RHS on Tour. The RHS is joining up with the London Farmer’s Market and others for a number of RHS on Tour events in 2016. There will be stands offering garden advice, plants to buy, talks and craft workshops. This will be mixed with local independent food producers and a busy market. This is a free event. For more information www.rhs.org.uk. Dates for London are: Parliament Hill – 30th April Blackheath – 15th May Colombia Road Flower Market – 19th June Lambeth – 16th & 17th July Marylebone – 11th September Guided Walks Around London – from April to October. Join a guided walk around the beautiful gardens of London. They will uncover some hidden beauties. Meet at the City Information centre which is opposite St Paul’s Cathedral. For more information www.citygardenwalks.com. Chelsea Physic Garden – open until 31st October 2016 on Tuesdays to Fridays, Sundays and Bank holidays. Tucked away beside the Thames the garden is a celebration of the beauty and importance of plants. For more information www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk. Chelsea Fringe, London – May 21st to June 12th. This is an alternative garden festival; talks and events, walks, community growing, botanical art and outdoor performances. www.chelseafringe.com for some more information. RHS Chelsea Flower Show, London – May 24th to 28th. One of the most popular events of the garden calendar year. Lots of fantastic show gardens to see for inspiration and ideas. www.rhs.org.uk for more information. Open Garden Squares Weekend – 18th to 19th June – A chance to explore over 200 private, secret and little known gardens across 27 London boroughs. Gardens will range from the historic and traditional to the new and experimental, and include private gardens, roof gardens, and community allotments. For more information www.opensquares.org. Grow London – June 24th to 26th. This is a contemporary garden fair with ideas on transforming urban spaces. For more information www.growlondon.com. RHS London Harvest Festival, London – 4th to 5th October. As the gardening season draws to a close a chance to celebrate everything autumn. For more information www.rhs.org.uk.
Garden Decking Trends 2016
Garden decking trends 2016. Will 2016 be the year of curves? All the indications suggest that this is set to be the dominant trend in decking design. People are increasingly seeking to be more individualistic, wanting gentle curves rather than stark rectangles and squares. Curves can help make smaller spaces feel larger as the space is less clearly defined and leads neatly into the wider garden area. This provides a much better and more aesthetically pleasing link between lawns, flowerbeds and the house. There is some interest in multi-level decks with little steps leading from one to another. This helps create variations in height, again helping to make a garden area seem much bigger than it actually is. Natural colours are still very much in evidence. Rich dark browns, soft browns, golden yellows reminiscent of autumn colours are trendy, although blue themes add a cooling touch to many gardens. An intriguing trend that is appearing is the use of a two colour decking style. This often involves having a dark colour such as a rich brown on the floor area, and highlights in a brighter or softer shade. The highlights may be created by low railings or by outlining a feature or area of the decking. Everyone is looking at ways of maximizing decking space so as to get value for money and as much use as possible. Given Britain’s uncertain climate, it is not surprising that many people are adding arbours or roof areas that can be covered over when necessary to provide shade from hot sun or shelter from inclement weather. Temporary lighting is set to become much more common rather than opting for fixed lighting methods. The big advantage to temporary lighting is that it can be varied according to the time of the year, making it much more cost effective. Solar lights that can be moved around without having to install wiring are popular with many people, especially environmentally conscious householders. Low maintenance solutions are set to become one of the dominant trends over the coming year. Most people find they just do not have as much spare time as they would like. There are so many constraints on leisure time, and so many things to do, that home owners want easy solutions. Decking is seen as being reasonably easy to maintain, especially if composite materials are used. Made from recycled plastic and wood fibre, these decking panels do not need to be stained or maintained on a yearly basis and have a long life span. If you would like to discuss a decking project please get in touch via our website www.eastlondonlandscapes.com. We provide landscaping and fencing services in East London .
