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!
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 .
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.
Fun in the Garden this Summer for Children
As we fast approach the summer holidays we can enjoy many weeks of entertainment with our children. As a family we enjoy lots of days out but this can be rather expensive. So when the sun is shining brightly and you have a day at home planned there are lots of fun things your children can enjoy doing in your garden. Here are some ideas for fun in the garden: Go on a bug hunt. Make up a list of bugs to be found in the garden and get the children to check them off as they find them. Have a picnic in the garden. Nothing beats eating outdoors when the weather is great. For younger ones you could have a teddy bears picnic. Get the paddling pool out. Get them to help with the weeding and watering of the plants. Run through the sprinklers. Set up a mini obstacle course. After watching Ninja Warrior this year our boys have been inspired. Get out the play tent and let them enter a magical world of imagination. We mentioned bugs earlier. Create a bug hotel to encourage wildlife. A game of football. Our eldest boy is football crazy now and would happily play all day every day if he could. Pick and press some flowers from the garden. Pick some flowers to make some perfume. I remember doing this myself as a child and the results weren’t great but it was lots of fun. Get out the dress up clothes and put on a play. If you have a sandpit have a sandcastle competition. A good game of hide and seek. We also like to hide a teddy in the garden and search for that too. A water fight. Arts and crafts in the garden. Good as it saves on mess indoors! Grab a chair and a good book and settle down. Make mud pies. Draw on the outside walls with some chalk. Then give the children a sponge and water to clear it off at the end of the day. Move some of the indoor toys outside for the day. A train track can be set up to go through the trees, tunnels can be built. A game of skittles. Bubbles. Mini sports day in the garden. Trampolining to burn off some of their energy. My boys love to watch their cars racing down their slide to see which one travels furthest. Create a fairy garden in a container. A game of Bulldog or IT. These are just a few ideas. I imagine the list could go on and on and you have some ideas of your own too. Have lots of fun this summer!!
