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.
Landscaping in Winter – Why it makes sense to carry out the work now.
Saving money makes sense – which is why it is now worth thinking about undertaking hard landscaping projects such as new paths and driveways. Prices for gravel and other hard landscaping materials are lower in winter – but rise again as soon as demand increases in the spring. Just like buying heating oil in September can result in significant savings on your heating bills because the cost of oil is lower, so buying hard landscaping in wintertime can result in similar savings. The price of many landscaping materials goes down during the winter simply because there is less demand. This means that contractors can pass on these savings to the customer. It may even make projects more cost effective and give you more choice in terms of designs and styles. An added advantage is the fact that the lower demand means that installing a new path or creating a new hard landscaping project can be completed more rapidly. As contractors are less busy, they can undertake work at short notice, and get it finished quickly. Then there is the question of the disruption caused by installing hard landscaping. This is inevitable. Construction work is noisy and plants within the area being landscaped may be damaged during the work. Although contractors will do everything they can to minimise potential damage, plants may be stepped on or branches broken by accident. During the winter, most plants are dormant so there is less risk of any damage being caused. Thinking and planning ahead is worth the time and effort. While other people are busy replacing or undertaking landscape projects at higher costs in the spring and summer, you can use the money that has been saved to do other things in the garden or around the home. Above all, with the lovely new look given to the garden of your dreams safely in place; you can sit back in the sunshine, relax and enjoy it. If you are planning a landscaping project please get in touch for a free quote or some advice www.eastlondonlandscapes.com. We provide landscaping and fencing services in East London .
