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.
Paving Trends For 2023
Patios provide a great space for relaxing and entertaining in your garden. Here we take a look at paving trends for 2023. Always a popular choice, porcelain paving is going to big again in 2023. Porcelain looks great and provides a modern look to a garden. It is a very low maintenance option and a tough paver too, being frost resistant, non-porous and scratch resistant. If you are looking to bring the inside out at your home porcelain is a good choice and if you are keen to try to improve your carbon footprint then consider these pavers as they are made from natural raw ingredients with minimal waste and contain no waterproofing agents, resins or varnish. We will be using a lot of natural stone for our patio projects again this year. Indian Sandstone is very popular as it very versatile and comes in a variety of colours, sizes and finishes to suit all types of garden design. Hand-cut pavers work well in a traditional garden and sawn sandstone suits a more modern look with its clean lines. Sandstone has a long life span as it is a natural stone created over millions or years. When cleaning your sandstone patio avoid using acidic substances and harsh chemicals. Granite is another popular natural stone. Being a natural stone, the composition and colour of the stone will vary and it will have subtle sparkles. It is very hard wearing, heat resistant and there are good slip resistant finish options available. It is another low-maintenance paver. Regarding colour grey paving remains a popular choice as it works well in both modern and older properties. Black is also going to be seen a lot this year, providing a sleek look to your garden. Think porcelain, limestone or granite paving. When planning your new patio area think about your budget, the style and colour you are looking for, the size of the paver and the best location in your garden for the patio. If you are looking to install a new patio and would like a consultation with one of the team to discuss the different products please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a free appointment. We cover East and North London.
Garden Design Trends 2023
At the start of the new year we take a look below at some of the trends for gardens for 2023. The garden has become an even bigger part of the home as we are spending more time at home for work and leisure. Renovations This year many people will be adding to their garden space rather than looking to move home due to higher interest rates. Making their gardens a beautiful oasis to relax and enjoy time with family and friends rather than doing the garden purely for kerb appeal. This can be achieved with a total new garden design or by adding features to your existing space like a new patio or decking area in a beautiful spot in your garden or buying a fire pit or installing a new pergola. If not planning a big makeover, you can add to what you currently have in your garden to create the right mood with new lighting, string lights look great, or by adding new cushions to your existing furniture or painting your fencing to introduce a new colour or look to your garden. The colour of 2023 according to Pantone is Viva Magenta. Wellness Gardens Gardening can be a great stress reliever. Being outside in the fresh air is very relaxing and therapeutic, helping us to feel more positive and hopeful. Make your garden a secret sanctuary by creating a calming space to relax and unwind. Plant beautiful, scented plants to stimulate the senses. Create a shaded area for peaceful contemplation. Add some seating or a water feature as the sound of water is very soothing. Environmentally Healthy Gardens We are moving away from last year’s ‘rewilding’ approach. Wildlife and insects don’t care if our gardens look wild or are more formal. They are looking for shelter, food sources and habitat and they don’t care how our gardens look to find it. This can be found amongst a wilder relaxed garden or achieved in a more structured space. Growing vegetables in urban gardens is on the increase and you don’t need a massive space to do this. Raised beds work very well, however if you are tight on space these can be grown in window boxes. Trailing strawberries hanging down from a window box look good and taste great too! Using Natural Materials With the importance of nature and the environment there has been a rise in the use of natural materials for garden projects. These materials help create a natural look and can prove relatively inexpensive. Adding rocks or pebbles to garden beds or installing a natural stone pathway to meander through your garden. Bringing the Inside Out Using the same or very similar materials to flow seamlessly and bring the inside out. Look at installing the same materials on the floor of your kitchen that follow out to your patio outside. Similar furniture and colours that you use in both your home and garden. Outdoor Living Rooms and Outdoor Kitchens Following on from bringing the inside out, outdoor living rooms and outdoor kitchens are going to be big this year as people plan to spend more time entertaining at home. If not a full outdoor kitchen look at adding a pizza oven or fire pit. Pergolas and Going Vertical To make the most of the space in their garden we are moving vertically in our gardens. Installing pergolas with climbing plants, fence shelving or living walls to add more greenery. With the Summers now getting a little warmer, pergolas provide a bit more shade and extend your living space. You can create a new entertainment space and add definition to your garden. By adding screens or drapes you can increase privacy. Garden Sculptures Adding artwork through a sculpture in the garden is a growing trend for 2023. Adding personality to your garden and providing a focal point. Drawing the eye to an area of your garden that might otherwise be overlooked. Sculptures are also good conversation starters. These are just some of the trends for this year. Design is a very personal choice and you can take ideas from these or have your own.
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.
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.
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.
Latest Client Review
Here is the latest review from a client in Leytonstone, East London that we wanted to share. We installed new paving and built raised rendered beds with built in seating. I couldn’t have asked for more from Chris, James and Mario and the amazing job they have just completed on our flat garden. Chris was responsive from the beginning and understood the brief, which has been delivered to a level beyond our expectations. Our tired garden space has become a little oasis in East London to enjoy for years to come. The team were punctual, respectful, trustworthy and very tidy – everything you want in a professional service. 100% recommended. Thank you Chris and team!
Garden Redesign South Woodford, East London
Our latest project was a garden redesign for our clients in South Woodford, East London. Our clients had recently had an extension to their property and their back garden was left in a mess and was pretty much unusable for them. After creating such a beautiful home they wanted to create a beautiful garden to relax in. They were looking at a low maintenance garden and had ideas of what they wanted to achieve. We started off with an initial consultation to discuss ideas and products to use in their garden. Our consultations are free where we provide a quote for the works. We then showed them samples of paving and decking options for them to choose. There are many different types of paving materials and different size options to consider. For the decking we looked at hardwood and softwood options and discussed costings and the difference in the materials. There were various levels in the garden so we installed Indian Sandstone paving to incorporate these with steps going down to the bottom level with rendered columns. We lay softwood decking and installed the rope handrails. We built the raised beds ready for planting, together with a rendered bed and surrounded these with decorative stones and stepping stones. We installed feather-edge fencing at the bottom of the garden with horizontal slatted fencing at the top. This garden gave our happy clients everything they were looking for. If you would like to discuss a project please email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413. We cover East London . Our experienced teams specialise in decking, paving, fencing, brickwork and turfing.
Garden Makeover in East London
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.
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.
