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.
Decking or Paving. Which is Best.
Decking or Paving. Which is best? It can be very hard to choose. Both look great, easy to install and simple to maintain. Both are natural products, and are environmentally friendly. A pretty area of decking, or a smart paved patio or driveway definitely adds value to your home. It makes sitting outside even more fun, and provides a safe play area for kids without having to worry about problems of muddy grass. Decking is very appealing. It can be a pleasure looking at natural wood, with its gently tawny shades or you can paint the wood almost any colour you want. Smooth and slightly warm to the touch, it looks good all year round. Decking is ideal if you have a sloping area, as it can be easily adjusted to cope with uneven surfaces. It is also easy to modify in years to come when your needs change, for example if you need extra space to cope with children or plan more entertaining. Decking is very durable and retains its appearance as long as you do not mistreat it! Paving is very strong and hard wearing albeit a little less forgiving if you fall! Paving stones can be cut to suit a wide range of different shapes and sizes allowing you to create a variety of patterns and designs to give a very individual, bespoke style. You can even co-ordinate that design across your paths and driveway as well as a patio. It can look very visually striking and impressive. Paving makes the perfect choice for driveways as it is extremely strong and hard wearing. Keeping paving or decking clean is important. No matter whether you have chosen paving or decking, algae can build up during the winter time or after heavy rain and make surfaces slippery. A good clean and brush over will quickly deal with the problem. Choosing between decking and paving is not easy. There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to making a final choice. It is very much a matter of personal preference. What do you like best? What will suit your home and your circumstances? A chat with a specialist supplier and installer can be of immense help. They can offer suggestions and advice that you might not otherwise have considered. Whichever you choose, installation is quick and easy – just call in the professionals who can install it for you giving you the garden of your dreams. If you are thinking of a decking or paving project for your garden please take a look at our website www.eastlondonlandscapes.com and contact us by email at office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call us on to arrange a free consultation and quote. We provide hard landscaping services in East London .
Time For a Garden Makeover
Now could be the time for a garden makeover. It’s been a hard Winter. The ‘Beast from the East’ hit gardens just as the first signs of Spring had begun to appear. Bitter arctic winds played havoc with fences, while blankets of heavy snow followed by the impact of rain and thawing snow compounded any existing problems with patios, paths and decking. As the ground surfaces dry, the results are now becoming apparent. Fences may have become unstable, decking wood might have been damaged, paving stones dislodged. Worse still, the sheer amount of water in the ground and encountered over the past few weeks could well be the last straw for fence posts that had begun to rot in previous years. A slight push or a strong March wind can easily bring down such fences. It is not just the existing hard landscape that will be looking a bit sorry for itself. Trees, shrubs, flowerbeds and lawns will also be suffering. Walk on a lawn and often you sink into the ground or find yourself slipping on muddy surfaces. All this makes it an ideal time to consider a garden makeover. Replacing problem areas that have arisen as a result of the hard Winter is essential for the security of your property, as well as the pleasure of having a nice garden. But while doing so, it is worth considering whether paths ought to be re-routed to make access easier, fences totally replaced, or whether a new patio or decking is required in a different spot which would make cleaning, maintenance and relaxation much easier? Perhaps you are thinking of doing some entertaining this summer? Extending an existing patio area could make it much convenient by providing additional seating space that can be used all year round. After all, gardens are flexible areas and often need adjusting as your personal requirements change. The arrival of young children can lead to a need for safe play areas, while less able householders may need safer paths to decrease the risk of falls. Calling in a specialist contractor such as C&J Landscapes Ltd can make this task much easier. Not only will they be able to undertake the work quickly and efficiently, they can call on years of experience to provide the advice and information you need. They can make recommendations on just how to transform your garden to suit all your requirements. If you would like to discuss a project please get in touch by calling the office on or emailing office@eastlondonlandscapes.com. We provide a free initial consultation.
Summer Facelift For Decking
Summer facelift for decking. Give your decking a facelift by adding some extra features such as planters, built in seats, balustrades or arches. Within a very short time, tired decking can be given a totally new look. Raised beds make a perfect addition to decking as they enable extra space for planting, especially if you are less able and find bending difficult. The planters can be constructed to blend in with the existing decking colour scheme. By talking to your decking contractor, matching wood can be obtained so that the beds seamlessly link into the decking. Alternatively, opt for a contrast colour or a different shade to provide texture and style. Another advantage of adding a raised bed is that it offers quick access to an array of vegetables and herbs for the kitchen, as well as being a pretty and eyecatching feature. Bear in mind, that planters do not have to be square or rectangular – you can opt for a whole range of shapes such as circles, half moons and hexagonals. Size and height can vary according to your requirements. Your decking contractor can advise on load weights so that the planter does not damage the existing decking. Ever thought of installing some built in seating to adorn your decking? This can be a useful space saving feature since it can be combined with creating storage space underneath for bulky items like cushions. Seating can also be combined with built in planters and raised beds to create a pretty, fragrant corner in which to relax. Why not make a feature of your decking sides by adding balustrades and an archway full of fragrant roses, clematis or honeysuckle leading out to the rest of the garden? It creates a wonderful focal point wherever you happen to be in the garden or if looking out from the house. There are a wide range of options as to styles of balustrading and edging so that you can create a really personal effect that reflects your garden and house style. If your garden slopes, you could add steps or a slight ramp so that it blends seamlessly into your decking design. A practical measure, it makes access safer for all users. Decking can be so much more than just an empty space. A chat to your friendly decking consultant will provide lots of ideas as to how you can make it the perfect space for relaxing and entertaining. If you would like to discuss a project please get in touch to discuss via email on office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or calling .
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.
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.
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.
Getting Your Garden Ready for Spring
Getting your garden ready for spring. With the strong winds and storms we have had recently spring might seem a long way off but now that we are in February it actually isn’t that far away. So let’s take a look at what we can start to do to get our garden ready for the spring. Have a quick stroll around your garden to get a good overview. Look at your fences and any walls to check that they are in a good state and not in need of repairing or replacing. Now is a good time to carry out any repairs so the garden is ready to fully enjoy in the spring. Treat your wooden structures with a wood preservative during a dry period. Take a look at our blog on maintaining your fencing https://www.eastlondonlandscapes.com/maintaining-a-fence/ for some further tips. Give your garden decking a good brush with a hard broom. Brush away any leaves or debris stuck in the corners. If there is a build-up of mildew on the decking give it a good clean. Take a look at our blog for maintaining your decking https://www.eastlondonlandscapes.com/maintaining-your-garden-decking/ for some further advice. Check your tools to check they are in good working order and not in need of repair. Store them away in an easily accessible place to get full use out of them this year. Nothing worse than hunting around for a tool when you want to get a job done! Rake over your lawn to remove any debris or dead leaves. This helps to aerate the soil. Try to do this when the soil is not too wet to avoid compacting it. Prune your shrubs and trees. Turn over your soil and weed and mulch your beds. Remove any annual plants as they will not return to clear space in the bed for this year’s planting. Cut away the dead stalks of any perennials. This will encourage growth for the coming year. Take a look at your garden beds to plan your planting for the coming year. Have a look at your current plants to see what new ones will compliment them. They have some great choices in the local garden centres to give you inspiration or you could order summer flowering bulbs online. In February you can start to sow seeds which require a longer growing season. They will need to be grown in a heated propagator. Turn over your compost pile. Try to move the good stuff at the bottom to the top and give it a good mix up. Give your greenhouse a thorough clean so it is ready for all the spring seedlings. Brush all the surfaces and give everything a clean and wash all the window panes. Install water butts now to collect rainfall which are good for your beds and saves on your water bill. Make sure it is positioned below a downpipe to catch the maximum amount of rainwater.
Getting Your Garden Ready For Winter
The bright autumn colours and arrival of the first frosts emphasise the need to get gardens ready for winter. Temperatures can drop fast, while wind and rain can quickly cause problems. Checking the condition of fences has to be a priority. High winds often blow down fences and this not only affects your garden, but your security as well. Trying to replace those fences in a hurry can be difficult. Taking action in advance reduces the risk of problems. Look closely at all sections of the fence and ensure that it is firmly fixed, that there are no rotten posts and that the overall condition is good. Trellis sections attached to fences should be attached firmly as the weight of climbing plants can make them top heavy. Any damaged sections should be replaced before winter weather can take its toll. Equally important is the need to check the condition of garden buildings to make sure that there are no problems. Damaged glass in greenhouses should be replaced. Make sure that there are no damaged or worn areas on decking and patios. These can become slippery with algae in wintertime. Thoroughly clean all surfaces and undertake replacements as necessary. Sweep up leaves that fall onto paths quickly. Although pretty, they can become a hazard as they rot down. Check the condition of tall trees and shrubs to make sure there are no loose or dying branches. High winds can quickly bring these branches down. If they fall across telephone or electric wires you can find yourself without those essential services for a while. Removing the potential hazards in advance does make life a lot easier. Lawns need extra care as winter approaches. Grass will continue growing until quite late in the year so mowing will continue to be necessary. Remove any grass that is growing into borders and flowerbeds, or overlying paths and driveways. Bare patches of lawn should be replaced with new turf. Aerate the lawn carefully to make sure that winter rain and snow does not result in surface water forming on top of the lawn. In some circumstances, this can lead to flooding and the development of boggy patches. If your lawn is in an overall bad condition, it is worth considering replacing it now as it will give the new turf time to establish itself before the really bad weather arrives. If you would like to discuss any of the above tasks to get your garden ready please get in touch via our website www.eastlondonlandscapes.com or send us an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com.
