Is winter a good time for a garden makeover? We all want to be able to go out at the beginning of Spring when the sun starts to make a reappearance and enjoy some time relaxing in our garden. We definitely want to be able to relax and enjoy our gardens in the summer! This is why winter is a good time to re-design or get some work carried out in your garden. By getting the work done in the winter you are there fully ready to enjoy your garden when the warmer weather arrives. Plus you won’t be using your garden as much at that time which is another reason why winter is a good time to get landscaping work carried out. You are able to get the work completed with minimal disruption. If you do have the work carried out in spring/summer, there will be a time whilst the project is being carried out that you won’t be able to use your garden quite as much. It will be easier for the landscaping team to work with your garden in winter rather than the summer as the plants and shrubs will be dying back making it easier to move around. The bare bones of your garden are exposed allowing you to see the overall structure and get good sight lines to see what is working in your garden and what isn’t. Plus there isn’t as much wildlife around to disturb which is an important point. This is also a good time if you need to move any trees or shrubs as they will be dormant so you will disturb the roots less. The ground is also softer due to the more frequent rainfall making it easier to excavate if you are having a new patio for example. Another important point to consider is that winter can be a quieter time for landscaping companies. Spring and summer are very busy times when landscaping companies get booked up very quickly, by having your project carried out in the winter you can ensure you can get your project carried out in the timescale desired. You may also find that you may be able to get a better deal on your project. It never hurts to ask to see if there is any wriggle room. Landscaping companies have the machinery and expertise to work in almost any weather so no need to wait until the spring/summer to undertake a project. They are very fortunate enough to be able to see and enjoy all the seasons whilst they carry out their work. Finally, a new garden re-design takes planning, so you can enjoy curling up snugly indoors and looking through magazines or online for inspiration with a nice warm cup of tea. So is winter a good time for a garden re-design? I think it is. Planning a garden makeover of your own? Get in touch via email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to discuss your project with the experts and get a free quote for the works. Our friendly teams cover East London. We specialise in garden decking, paving and patios, garden fencing, brickwork, lawns, pergolas and raised beds.
Getting your Patio or Decking Ready For Summer
Now is a good time to take a look at what needs to be done to create that perfect entertaining space for summer. The good news is that there shouldn’t be too many tasks and it shouldn’t take too long. Let’s take a look at where to get started. First thing to do is have a good tidy up of your patio or deck area. Remove all the chairs and pots and give the area a good sweep over to get rid of any debris and leaves. Remove any weeds. Next give it a good clean. You can use either soapy water or give it a light jetwash. Take the covers off your furniture, brush off any bugs or cobwebs and give it a clean. Wipe the cushions down and let them dry out properly. Check the labels to make sure you follow the instructions. Clean any exterior windows or patio doors to make sure that your entertaining space looks very inviting. Clean your bbq ready for the busy summer of grilling ahead. If you have a gas bbq check the bottle to ensure that you don’t run out of gas. Finally think about if you want to add anything to your garden space. Maybe an umbrella or pergola for some sun protection, some lighting for the late summer evenings or adding some more colour to your garden beds with some bright summer flowers. Then sit back, relax and enjoy!
Garden Design After A House Renovation
Garden Design After A House Renovation. After a house renovation your garden may be left a little worse for wear. It may have been used as a dumping ground during your project or used as a walk through with all the building materials leaving it looking a little tired. Following an extension to your home the garden could need a total redesign to take in the new garden space. Once the house is finished your thoughts turn to your garden to complete your property. You need to think about how you want the space to look. Maybe you would like to have the look that you have inside following out through to your outside space? You could achieve this by bringing the style of your tiles in the kitchen out to your patio with a complimentary paver. You want your garden to blend in with the style of your home. There are many different designs to choose from. A more modern look or you may opt for a more traditional design or a cottage garden. Once you decide on a theme you can start to research online the different ideas. Speak to your landscaper about your aspirations for your garden. What you would like to be included in the design. What is important to you. What will the space be used for. What are your needs for the garden. Are you thinking of an area for relaxing and entertaining. If so a decking area or a patio area could be added. What materials do you like? What colours would suit? Both decking boards and paving slabs come in many different colours and styles. You can also make additions to these with steps, handrails, paving edging etc. Does the lawn need to be redone after the works? If so do you want to re-turf your existing lawn or maybe install an artificial lawn? Artificial lawns are becoming increasingly popular with families, particularly football or basketball fans as they enable them to use the grass area all year round. Do you want to add some raised planters or add some garden beds? You may want to start to grow some of your own vegetables in a raised planter and use them to add colour to your garden with flowers and plants. Think of the garden in sections. You can break up the different areas to create a flow through your garden. An area for entertaining, an area for relaxing and playing. Dividing up your garden into different areas provides a great visual look as you journey between the sections. Is your fencing holding up well? Do you need to replace it or simply fix it. Is now the time to add some horizontal slatted fencing instead to change the look? Or does it simply need a coat of paint of stain to revive it. All of these ideas can be discussed with your landscaper. If you would like to discuss a project with us please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413 to arrange a free consultation with one of the team. We cover East London and North London.
Latest Client Review East London
Just received this lovely review from a happy client in Leyton, East London. “C&J Landscapes installed some decking, slabbing and a lawn for me. I had an initial chat with Christian when I was still deciding on a few things, which wasn’t a problem. He talked me though the available options for the materials and provided some samples for the decking and slabbing so I could chose the colour. The work was completed efficiently to a high standard. Very professional and pleasant firm, wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.”
Looking After Your Garden Decking
Garden decking is a popular choice and looks great in any garden. It provides a very flexible addition to your home and a great entertaining space. As with most things it requires a little maintenance so please see below some tips and advice on looking after your garden decking. Sweep your decking regularly with a hard broom and hose it down to maintain a good deck. Remove any debris that may have accumulated between the boards using a putty knife. Use a decking cleaner to remove any moss, algae or dirt from the decking. Aim to do this twice a year. Ideally once in the spring and once in the autumn. Remember to cover your plants before starting to protect them from the cleaning solution. Do not use any chlorine based bleach for cleaning as although it will clean the deck it will break down the lignin in the deck timber which holds the wood together. A jet washer can be used to clean the deck but it is really important to not use a heavy duty one. One if around 500 to 600 psi but it certainly needs to be smaller than 1500psi. Important to test the pressure washer on a hidden area first to make sure it doesn’t damage the decking. Use as wide a nozzle as possible to evenly distribute the water pressure. Hold the pressure washer about two foot above the deck and hold the nozzle at an angle. It should be noted that jetwashing may cause damage to the timber fibres. Soda crystals can be used to remove any stubborn stains. Water the deck, sprinkle the crystals, and allow to dry before washing away. Allow the deck to dry for several days before applying any type of finish. After thoroughly cleaning add a decking oil. Even though your deck has been pressure treated in the manufacturing stage it will need to be maintained. Apply the oil with a brush. Good practice is to oil the decking once or twice a year. If your wood starts to look tired and grey it needs oiling. Never drag heavy objects on the surface of a deck to avoid damaging the wood. Move planters, chairs and tables occasionally to avoid discolouring the decking. Trim nearby bushes and trees and don’t let leaves and debris pile up in corners. For newly laid decking it is recommended leaving it to weather naturally for about six months before adding a stain or decking oil. More tips to follow on looking after your garden decking.
Autumn Is A Good Time For Garden Redesign
Autumn is a good time for garden redesign. It works so well as your garden isn’t used as much at this time so the work can be easily carried out with little inconvenience. A great time also as all the work will be completed and ready for your garden to be used in the spring and summer. Landscapers are extremely busy and usually booked up with projects during the spring and summer so this is a great time to get a project booked in with them as they will have a bit more availability. Any new fencing may be a little easier to install at this time as any plants or shrubs in the line of fencing will be dying back ready for the winter making it easier to work around and wildlife will be less disturbed at this time. At C&J Landscapes Ltd we carry out hard landscaping which is the building part of garden redesign like patios, decking, brickwork and fencing but we also do turfing and artificial lawns. Hard landscaping can be carried out all year round including the autumn and winter giving you time to choose your plants for planting in the spring. So if you are thinking of a garden design in the autumn and would like to discuss a project with one of the team please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413 to arrange a free consultation. We cover East London and West Essex.
Client Review East London
Just received this review from a client in East London. We installed composite decking and they are very happy with their new garden space. It is always so nice to hear how our clients found our services and they often keep us updated with their photos once they have started planting and using their new garden space. If you would like to discuss a project with one of the team please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a free consultation and quote. We cover East London and West Essex.
Modern Low Maintenance Garden
A modern low maintenance garden, this was a project for a busy couple living in East London. They were looking for a beautiful space to carry out lots of entertaining with their friends and family. They also wanted a low maintenance garden as they were both busy with their lives and jobs so didn’t have the time for lots of gardening and wanted to be able to relax. Our clients loved the look of decking and softwood decking had previously been installed in their garden. They wanted to keep decking in the garden but were looking for a more low maintenance option. They wanted a grey colour scheme in the project and this is where composite decking fits perfectly. It comes in a wide variety of colours and is extremely low maintenance. Only really needing a sweep over to remove any fallen leaves or debris and the occasional spray with a hose. It is also hardwearing and feels smooth underfoot. To bring greenery into the space and also incorporate the low maintenance requirements raised rendered beds were built ready for planting. Our clients were looking forward to choosing the plants for their new beds and wanted to bring a holiday feeling to the space. The render used for the beds was K-Rend which comes in a variety of colours to match a project so that once it is applied there is no need for painting. To provide a modern look for the fencing we installed horizontal slatted fencing on all boundaries. We used softwood slats for the fencing which is more affordable than Cedar or hardwood and looks great too. If you are planning a modern low maintenance garden and would like a consultation to discuss a project please get in touch. Please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a free appointment.
Low Maintenance Garden
This was a project for a busy family in East London. They wanted a low maintenance and modern garden. A beautiful garden to relax and entertain and also space for their children to play and have fun. Firstly we looked at the entertaining space. They wanted a large area for a dining table and chairs and they were going to treat themselves to a new BBQ. We installed a raised composite deck in oak with raised sleeper beds at the front for planting with steps leading down to a slate path. The raised sleeper beds provided a wall to divide the areas up and bring extra greenery to the garden. The family were excited when choosing the plants for this section. Composite decking is a good choice for a low maintenance garden as it requires little to no maintenance. There is no need for painting or sealing each year giving you more time to relax. It just needs a quick sweep now and again to remove any falling leaves or debris and an occasional splash with the hose. With the environment at the forefront of their minds our clients were happy to know that composite decking is a very eco-friendly choice as it is made from recycled materials. It works well in a garden for a family due to its great non-slip properties and the boards are smooth underfoot so you don’t have to worry about splinters. Composite decking has a long lifespan so when you have it installed you can take comfort in the fact that it will work perfectly well in your garden for many years. The combination of wood and plastic makes it very hardwearing against the elements. Composite decking boards are water-proof and resistant against moisture and mildew. For the path to the side of the garden we chose a grey slate paving. Slate paving is a good choice if you are looking for a low maintenance space. The paving is non-porous and hard wearing and is very stain-resistant. It also has good non-slip properties which worked well for this family who have two lively boys running around a lot. Finally a lawn was added for all the family’s games and activities. Also creating another zone in the garden. We left a bed running down the side ready for planting. The family said they would be trying to create a tropical theme with their garden when choosing their plants. The family were very happy with the space that we have created for them and are looking forward to planting up their beds and adding some potted plants to bring lots of greenery to the space. They are also planning a lot of entertaining! If you would like to discuss a garden project please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a free consultation with one of the team.
Why Is Composite Decking So Popular?
Composite decking has always been very popular with our clients. We have found it particularly so this year as many people have decided to update their gardens during lockdown and have chosen composite decking for their projects. Why is it so popular? There are a number of reasons why and we look at some of them here. Maintenance Composite decking requires little to no maintenance. With many of us having busy lives this suits perfectly. No need for painting or sealing each year giving you more time to relax in your garden. A quick brush to remove any leaves that may have fallen on the deck and the occasional spray with a hose is all that is really required to keep it looking at its best. Life-Span It has a long life-span so when you have it installed you can take comfort in the fact that it will work perfectly well in your garden for many years. The combination of wood and plastic makes it very hardwearing against the elements. Composite decking boards are water-proof and resistant against moisture and mildew. Eco-Friendly The decking boards are made from recycled materials so is very eco-friendly. Caring for the environment is at the forefront of our minds making it a good choice. Family Friendly It is very family friendly due to its great non-slip properties. The boards are very smooth underfoot so you don’t have to worry about splinters and they don’t warp or crack. Colour Composite decking comes in a wide variety of colours and designs, allowing you to introduce your chosen colour into your garden design. Costs It is more expensive than wooden decking but these upfront costs are offloaded over time due to the minimal maintenance costs and its long life span. It is also said to add value to your property if you are looking to sell your home in the future. If you would like to discuss a composite decking project please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a consultation with one of the team.
