Here is our winter garden checklist for preparing your garden for winter. We tend to not spend as much time in our gardens during the winter. However with the cold weather we do still need to take care of it to keep it in good condition ready for the spring. Here are some tips and advice to protect your garden over the winter. Keep your Patios and Paths Clear These can become slippery in the cold weather with the build up of fallen leaves, moss, frost and maybe a sprinkling of snow. Blow or sweep the area regularly to clear away any fallen leaves and debris and try to keep the area clean. Scatter some salt or grit when frosty to avoid the area becoming slippery. Container Plants You need to protect your containers plants from the cold weather as the frosts can damage the roots. Move them against a sheltering wall and cluster them together for added protection. Add fleece or straw to the containers. To avoid waterlogging from all the rain you may need to lay the posts on their side. Border Plants These are able to fair better than your container plants but they still need a little TLC. Add compost or bark chippings to your beds to feed and insulate the soil. If the snow does come knock it off from your plants as the lack of light and weight can cause severe damage. Trees Your trees and shrubs should be ok over the winter if they are established. For less established or smaller trees or shrubs you can put them in fleece bags for extra protection. Add some bark chippings around the roots. Now is not the time for any pruning or trimming as it could cause damage in the cold weather. Lawns Try to stay off the grass as much as possible during the winter as walking on a frosted lawn could damage the grass. Protect Your Outdoor Water Supply Try to avoid burst pipes on your outdoor taps by making sure that faucets are drained and fully insulated. This also includes any water features you have. Remember to pack away any sprinkler systems you have ready for the summer. Tools Before packing away your tools for the winter give them a good clean. Carry out any maintenance needed at this point so they are ready for use in the spring. Garden Furniture Cover up your garden furniture to avoid any rust or mould. If you can move them into a garage or shed for full protection. Wildlife Now is a really important time to help the wildlife. You can support them by putting out nuts and seeds on bird tables or feeders. You could even make a bug hotel. So that is your winter garden checklist. Time to wrap up warm and get prepared.
Is Winter A Good Time To Re-design Your Garden?
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.
Winter Care Tips For Your Lawn
Here are our winter care tips for your lawn so that it will be looking its best when spring arrives. Avoid Walking On The Grass A big one is to avoid walking on the grass if you can. If the grass is wet and waterlogged walking on it could cause compaction. Your lawn needs a good distribution of air pockets to thrive so you want to avoid compacting the grass which stops the grass from growing. If you get to spring and find that there are puddles on the lawn then use a garden fork to aerate the grass. If there is frost on the grass avoid walking on it as you will break the grass and leave brown patches. Once the spring does arrives if you have been left with patchy or brown areas on your lawn you can rectify this by applying a grass seed or patching in turfs to the damaged area. Get The Leaves Off The Lawn Rake or use a blower to remove any fallen leaves from your lawn as they can block the light to the grass and prevent moisture getting through which can lead to bare patches appearing. Leaves can also encourage disease to the grass. Not only leaves but try to keep the grass area clear if you can over the winter by removing any furniture or toys that are laying around. Remove Any Moss If you see moss on your grass, when the conditions are favourable, gently use a rake to drag it off. Once raked use a fork to make lots of holes into your grass and then brush in some compost or horticultural sand to improve drainage on your lawn. Stop Mowing It is best to avoid mowing in the winter to avoid any damage to your lawn. Only mow if the conditions are favourable and it is necessary and ensure that the cut is around 25% higher than during the summer. With any temperatures below minus 5 degrees your lawn should stop growing and will not need mowing. Fertilise in Spring Wait until the spring to add a treatment to your lawn. Spring and Autumn are the best seasons for treating your grass. These winter care tips for your lawn will help you to take good care of your lawn. Spring will stimulate new growth and your lawn will start to recover from the winter.
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.
Why a pergola is a great addition
Not only does a pergola look great in a garden there are other benefits too making it a good addition. Firstly they really do look great. There are many different styles to choose from and can be built bespoke to your exact requirements. There are a variety of timbers to choose from and many different sizes and styles. Pergolas help to define an outdoor area and also further extend your living space. You can add a pergola across your paving or decking area to define and enhance the area making it a great space for relaxing and entertaining. You can add string lights or hanging lights to brighten your garden at night. We have some string lights hanging on our pergola in our garden at home. You can also train climbing plants to grow up and across the pergola, adding some more greenery to your garden. Popular choices are climbing roses, honeysuckle, clematis and wisteria. A pergola helps to provide more opportunity to spend time in your garden as it makes your garden more useable in all weathers. Providing shade from the sun and also they can be made to shield from rain too. Plus they also give you some extra privacy in your garden if you look to add lattice or screens. If you would like to discuss a pergola project please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a consultation with one of our friendly experienced team.
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.”
What To Consider When Planning A Fencing Project
Here we look at what to consider when planning a fencing project in your garden. There are many things to take into account. Firstly, what are your requirements for your fencing? Are you looking to enhance privacy, trying to try to block out noise, to make sure that your fencing is secure for your pets and children, or you want to create an attractive border around your property? Then you need to consider your budget for the project as the type of fencing you choose can vary in cost and there are many different types of fencing to choose from. One of the first considerations is the type of fence post to install, do you opt for concrete posts and gravel boards or wooden posts and wooden gravel boards. Bear in mind that concrete posts and gravel boards are more costly. Next think about the materials for your project. Do you want softwood or hardwood fencing? Both look great. Hardwood is often darker in hue and chosen for its woodgrain. Softwood is very popular and is more cost effective to use on a project. The softwood fencing that we install is all pressure treated. Composite fencing is growing in popularity as is composite decking and is a very low maintenance option to consider. Then decide on what style you would like for your fencing. Think of the style of your property and how to compliment it. Fencing can be installed vertically or horizontally. Vertical fencing is the more traditional option and very often seen on garden projects. Horizontal fencing suits a modern garden and is very popular with our clients too. Don’t forget the finish of your fencing with accessories. Do you want to add fence caps or a trellis at the top? Is a gate required? Lighting always looks great along a line of fencing and creates a great finish to a garden project. Remember to consider your neighbours and let them know of the upcoming work. The final step is to speak to a professional to discuss your project and get a quote for the work. You need to find a contractor that you feel comfortable working with. If you have any questions or would like to discuss a fencing project, please get in touch. We can arrange a free consultation at your home at a time that is convenient for you. Alternatively you can email across photos of the area to be fenced, together with some measurements, and we can provide an approximate costing by email. We provide landscaping services in East London and West Essex and specialise in paving, decking, fencing, brickwork, driveways, turfing and artificial lawns. Please email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413.
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.
