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.
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.
Fence Replacements
A desire for privacy away from prying eyes, securing a boundary or the need to repair damaged panels usually results in a quick decision to install a new fence. But being too hasty can result in the wrong choices being made. Simply choosing a fence style is not easy. All too frequently people opt for straightforward larch lap type fencing because it is the most common type. There are lots of different types such as lap fences, closeboard, rails, wavy edged, hazel hurdles and willow weaves. Some types may be more suitable to your property than others. You need to consider style and colour as well as the need for security. Size too can make a difference. A desire for privacy can often result in installing too tall fence panels but if your garden is exposed to the wind, then you may find that these are more prone to wind damage during storms. It can also lead to problems with neighbours. This is certainly something that we can advise you on. You can easily find yourself breaching legal covenants and restrictions, incurring legal expenses and eventually having to replace the fence yet again. It may be you are not even responsible for the fence. Who owns your fence? Is it you or your neighbour? Many home owners have little knowledge of just what their responsibilities are with regard to property boundaries. Some housing estates have restrictions as to the type of boundary markers that can be used at the front of properties, requiring an almost open plan layout. Before taking any action to replace or install a fence, it is wise to check your deeds and identify exactly what you can or cannot do. Talking to a local hard landscaping company such as C&J Landscapes Ltd will be beneficial. Their in-depth knowledge of the area means that they will frequently already know what can and cannot be done with fences in your area. This can reduce the research time and avoid potential problems. Talking to the experts and seeking their help can be a much better longterm option than just choosing an off the peg fence and hoping it works. Using a specialist ensures that the fence matches your legal responsibilities, personal style and is installed safely and securely with minimum disturbance to you and your neighbours. If you would like to arrange a consultation to discuss your fence replacement please get in touch via our website www.eastlondonlandscapes.com or email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com.
Horizontal Slatted Fencing
Garden fencing plays a very important part in the look of your garden and the overall image of your house. It is one of the more noticeable areas in a garden so it is really important to take your time and make the right choice when choosing which type of fencing to go for. There are so many designs and options available and it is good to do some online research to look at all the difference choices available to you so that you are happy and really comfortable with your fencing. It is important to select a garden fence that is in tune with the style of your home. Here at C&J Landscapes Ltd we love all the different options available and are able to install them all. One look that we really do love to install and that is very popular is the horizontal slatted fencing. It really does provide a streamlined look to a garden design and works very well with modern and contemporary gardens. When we install this type of fencing we work with both hardwood and softwood. If your existing fencing is sturdy the horizontal fencing can be applied to it. This is an easy update to create a new look. You can also paint the wood if required a feature colour to tie into a colour scheme in the garden. If you would like to discuss a fencing project then please get in touch for a free consultation. We provide fencing and landscaping services in East London . Please call the office on or email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com.
Maintaining A Fence
Here we look at maintaining a fence. With the onset of winter, checking the condition of fences is essential. Any inherent weaknesses in a fence are made worse by winter weather. Strong winds, floodwaters, heavy rain and snow piled against the base of a fence can be the final straw. All too often, it is at this point that homeowners discover that their fence is no more. It then becomes a rush to try and get a new fence. Decisions are made in a hurry, and you may have to wait some time for a fencing contractor to install it, as they will be deluged with similar requests from many other people. In the meantime, the security of your home and garden is compromised, and more damage may ensue from the presence of the damaged fence. With additional costs caused by poor security, damaged plants and potentially damaged garden buildings, the price can quickly start mounting. Avoiding this situation involves just a few minutes of your time. Take a close look at your fence and investigate its overall condition. Are there any loose planks, or fence sections? Are the supporting posts strong and secure? Look carefully at the base of a fence. This is often where weaknesses can appear, yet be hidden from normal view. Give the supporting posts a push and see if they move. If so, then you have a potential problem emerging. Remember too that a fence has two sides. One side might look OK, but the other may have problems. If it is a party fence, arrange with your neighbour to inspect it from their garden. This will enable you to see if there are any weaknesses appearing, or if the wood is deteriorating. Weatherproofing a fence will help protect the wood from much of the vagaries of wind and weather but this can only be done when it is dry and there is no rain or snow forecast. Contact a fencing contractor if you see any problems emerging. They can advise on the best techniques to repair the fence, replacing posts or fence sections quickly and efficiently. Fixing a fence needs more than just one pair of hands – a fencing contractor has the staff and skills to complete the job rapidly, a factor that is extremely important in wintertime. If you notice a problem with your fence or are looking to have new fencing installed please get in touch via our website www.eastlondonlandscapes.com or email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com.
