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.
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.
How To Choose The Right Paving For Your Garden
How to choose the right paving for your garden. When planning your new patio there are many things you need to take into consideration when choosing the paving slabs for your project. Do you have a specific style of paving in mind? Are you looking for a flat, smooth or riven design? Do you have a colour preference? You need to make sure that the style and colour you choose will compliment your home and is in keeping with the style of your home. Paving slabs come in a variety of sizes. You can choose a uniform look having all pavers the same size, often chosen in a modern garden design. Or a mixed size pack which is often called a “patio pack” and has a selection of different sizes. These packs give you the flexibility to create a random pattern unique to your space. A popular trend this year is for large or oversize pavers in limestone, sandstone or porcelain in light, neutral colours. They create an indoor-outdoor effect as they look more like luxury tiling. These can be laid continuous or a broken-up layout. Budget is an important consideration as paving slabs do vary in price so you need to choose the right paver for your budget. Concrete paving is often the cheapest option. These come in a range of colours and are long-lasting and also recyclable. Natural stone like sandstone, limestone and granite are a very popular choice and are a mid-range option. They are hard-wearing and durable and offer a timeless look to your garden. Also available in a large selection of sizes and colours. If you are looking for a low-maintenance paver then porcelain is a good choice. More expensive than a natural stone it is a very hard-wearing paver, which is non-slip and provides resistance to frost, algae and stains. Are there different levels in your garden? Will you need a retaining wall to accommodate these and if so what materials do you want to use for this part of the project. What would look good against the paving, what material would you like to use, what colour, what size? For finishing touches you can choose to install a paving border to your patio in a different colour to provide a contrast to your paving and to add a visual definition to your patio. If you are planning a new patio and would like to discuss how to choose the right paving for your garden please get in touch to arrange a free consultation and quote. Please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com. We cover East London and West Essex.
How To Choose Your Decking Colour
Decking is a versatile product and offers many choices for a garden makeover project. You have the choice of different materials. Do you choose traditional wood or composite? Then there are the options of adding steps, handrails, storage solutions, lighting etc but that is a discussion for another day. Finally, the choice of colour. If you choose composite decking it comes in different colours ranging from traditional browns to greys, through to black. If you have wooden decking and decide to paint or stain it you then have the choice of all the paint and stain colours available. When thinking of colour the first thing to consider is your surroundings. Take a good look around. Is the deck going to be built straight out from your property? Or will it be built in a corner of your garden as that is a nice sunny spot where you can sit and relax? What colour would look good against your fencing or walls? Consider what colour looks good against your property. What would work well against the brickwork, window frames and door frames? Do you have a patio down already, you want the colour you choose to compliment this. What style do you want your garden to be. Traditional or modern? The various browns work well in a traditional garden whilst the greys and blacks would suit a more modern look. Think long term too, as your decking will be down for many years. You need to take your time and choose a colour that you will be happy with for a long time. The browns, greys and blacks will work well for a long time but if you decide to paint your wooden decking a bright blue or yellow it is not so likely to last the test of time. Thinking long term too in case you decide to sell your property in the future, it is good to have chosen a colour with staying power that will suit the palette of many. If you would like to discuss a decking project please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a free consultation and quote with one of our friendly, professional team. We cover East London and West Essex.
