Questions & Answers (Tips)
Q1. I would like water in my garden. Where do I start ?
One of my favourite questions because its close to my heart, loving water as I do and believing in its importance in any garden. I would start with thinking about what kind of water you feel most relaxed around. Do you like running water in a stream or flowing from a water feature. Do you prefer quiet water in a still pond. Do you want it to benefit wildlife. Is safety an issue. Are you concerned about children falling in.
All things to think about but none of it should put you off introducing water into your garden. Trust me when I say the benefits to you, others and nature far outweigh the effort putting it in and looking after it.
We can help improve any water already in your garden, introduce water to meet your desires and help you to look after it all year round. We have plenty of examples of water in gardens we have installed for our clients.
Q2. My paving mortar is all cracking. What can be done ?
This is very common. I can also confess that back when we first started landscaping, there were not the types of jointing materials around then so even if your paving was laid well, the mortar could eventually start cracking over time as did some of ours. This not only looks bad but also lets water get under the paving which can result in further damage over time so it’s important to get it fixed.
The answer is to use a ‘robust’ jointing (pointing) material. We now use specialist ‘jointing compounds’ which have several advantages including robustness, degrees of flexibility when subjected to slight ground movement, great colour choices and can be used in wet weather which is just as well given the UK climate.
We have some personal favourite brands which perform better for their money and offer some lovely natural colours to match your choice of paving. Highly recommended with any natural paving or quality cast concrete paving. When tiling outdoors, we recommend using grout.
Q3. My fencing is unstable. What can be done ?
Another common issue, especially in more exposed areas that suffer from high winds. It is often the posts that fail long before the fence panels so it’s worth thinking about what kind of posts you have, how they were fitted and what to have moving forwards.
My preference is usually to avoid concrete posts with slots for panels to slide into because whilst the posts are very robust, panels of any description are not. Panels also need to be stepped to follow any sloping ground nor can they easily fit into any gaps, being fixed 6ft widths. That is not to say that concrete posts and panels do not serve a purpose in some cases.
If the fencing panels are intact and it’s just the post(s) that have gone, a secondary support post (spur) can be fixed alongside it. New panels can also be fitted or sections of vertical feather board (close-running board) can be fitted if they are damaged.
When considering replacing fencing or fitting some for the first time, my preference is vertical featheredge boards (also known as close-running board). Often used by fencing contractors on new build housing estates, this form of fencing is more flexible with regards to fitting neatly into any gaps, nicely hugs undulating or sloping ground and is very robust, even in windy locations. The horizontal rails also make it easier to grow plants on it.
We go the extra mile with all of our fencing by double preserving the posts (they come pre-treated but we extra treat them for a longer life), use extra thick protection boards along the bottom (know as gravel board), always fit protection strips along the top edge (known as weather-edge) and ensure that any gates required use quality and secure fittings (furniture).
Q4. My decking is rotting in places. What do you suggest ?
In these cases my first question would be ‘do you like decking ?’. I would also be interested to know how much sun shines on the deck. Most natural materials perform better when exposed to sunshine, especially wooden decking as this keeps it dry and reduces the build up of organic matter which causes the surface to become slippery and brings on the rotting process.
Advances in composite decking have made them more environmentally kinder, affordable and robust against rotting. I wasn’t a fan back in the day but I am now. Of some brands anyway. In some ‘low level’ situations we have replaced failing decking with raised sections of stone walling and paving which adds more value, last much longer and gives a very different look and feel.
If decking remains your preference then there are a few brands we recommend using. However, like all good surfacing it’s important to consider the support material and get that right. Some brands have their preferred support systems. Others don’t. Whether fitting natural wood or composite, ensure you get the base correct. We have lots of experience in this.
What I love about decking is it’s flexibility. It can be used as steps from the garden into the house. You can have corner decks which see the sun. You can add to existing decks plus they hide a multiple of sins (i.e. manhole covers and ugly concrete areas). Also idea for outdoor rooms.
Q5. I’ve an old shed I don’t know what to do with. Any ideas ?
Sheds and structures are great to work with. They create ‘features’ in your garden, can be used to zone off spaces and provide boundless opportunities for vertical planting. They also looks awesome when lit up at night. Sheds and structures also provide opportunities for playfulness.
The first questions I guess would be ‘what do you use the shed for’ and ‘is it in the best position’. I often start most landscaping projects by looking at the structure and hard landscaping as the planting and any soft landscaping can easily fit around this. Sheds can be extended with additional covered areas or surfacing like decking to match the wooden look. Windows can be added for better views and natural light. They can even be insulated making them cooler in the summer and warmer in winter.
It is also worth thinking about other ‘structures’ in your garden and how they interact with each other and your shed (for example having path arches the same height and colour). These can be inexpensive additions that deliver much and beautifully frame views and zones within the garden.
There is also a wide range of garden shade paints and treatments available for added impact and protection. We have our favourites which have stood the test of time.
Q6. I struggle with my lawn. It’s never as nice as I’d like it ?
We class lawns as ‘surfaces’ which means it often comes down to what is under it. The soil type and drainage, also amounts of sunshine, traffic and visitors (i.e. pets and wildlife). Many considerations. Do you use your lawn for recreation or to simply look at and enjoy. Is it therapy or a headache.
Once the groundworks have been addressed by introducing better drainage, maybe a pop-up sprinkler system and better defined edging, we are choosy about the choice of soil and only use tried and tested turf from our long standing suppliers here in Gloucestershire.
Once down we can help you keep it looking healthy. Some people love the satisfaction of cutting their grass (I get that), others get more satisfaction not needing to labour over it. We can help in any way possible. That also includes the right treatments at the right time because little buggers like ‘leatherjacket’ grubs will weaken lawns by munching the roots without you knowing, until it’s too late. Ok so they are only doing what they do to survive but not this lawn, not yours.
If natural grass hasn’t worked or won’t for whatever reason (positions, heavy use, pets), then there are some excellent artificial grass brands which we recommend. Again their performance very much depends on the preparation work, especially drainage as muddy water will rise from the ground if not suitably drained. There are ways to keep your artificial grass performing well.
Q7. Porcelain tiles look great but are they worth the cost ?
When we first started landscaping over 20 years ago, there were no such things as outdoor tiles in the UK. This climate ? What for the two weeks of sunshine we see !! Well things have certainly changed, especially the weather and how we use our gardens. This has been reflected in the choice of materials available, especially tiles, with porcelain possibly the best you can get.
I’m a big fan. For various reasons. Apart from their robustness and relative low-maintenance (due to their denseness), the choices of styles and colours is mind-blowing. I especially like it when the indoor spaces blend beautifully into the outdoor spaces. The growth in popularity of house extensions with bi-folding doors and our love affair with ‘outdoor living’ fuelling the growth in beautifully tiled floor surfaces.
Again we have our favourites and some clever ways of making the most of your ‘outdoor living spaces’ with certain tile colours and layouts. Correctly prepared and laid, they will certainly add value to your property. Ask any estate agent. We have examples of projects we have done and can guide you through the vast choice available. So yes, it’s definitely worth considering them.
Q8. Love the idea of a wildlife pond. What should I consider ?
If you are asking this type of question then I might be preaching to the converted but the planet really needs more ponds. Truly. In fact there are several authority backed initiatives to promote the re-introduction of wildlife ponds. That’s right. We have lost so many in our race to build homes and transportation infrastructure, they are under threat. Life needs water to survive.
I would say that any size of water source in the garden will attract wildlife but there are some does and don’ts that will help. Position being one of them and expectation being the other. Unlike natural swimming ponds (wildlife ponds you swim in), a wildlife attracting pond doesn’t need to have plant-free zones or even remain crystal clear for much of the year. They change with the seasons and give so much pleasure and understanding of how nature survives around water.
I guess the biggest concerns about ponds is their upkeep and safety around small children and pets. If built correctly (using pond liners, render or any water tight container), they are relatively easy to maintain. There are also some clever ideas on reducing the risks to visitors. The key considerations are location (partly shaded but ideally not under trees), variety of depths (for different plants types and wildlife habitats), water top up (rainwater ideally or mains water exposed to the air for a time before being added - reduces the algae loving phosphate in tap water). Escape routes for wildlife is also important and a really, really big one is NO FISH !! Seriously. Not if you want a well balanced natural wildlife pond. Fish change everything. Not a fan when it comes to kept ponds or a specialist in this area. Sorry. Can’t help you there.
Q9. Can you tell me more about outdoor lighting ?
Like anything water, this is a favourite subject of mine given the advances in technology and choice of lighting available today. I also think it a good idea to enjoy your garden beyond the daylight hours, whether it be for pure enjoyment, practical applications or simply for security.
My ‘go-to’ lighting is low voltage ‘Plug & Play’ systems (meaning you can play around with them because they are low voltage and the fittings are very user friendly). These systems still need to be powered from a mains supply but once they reach a point where the voltage is reduced down to 12v or 24v, they become safe to play around with or leave alone but are still safer in the garden than 220/240v based lighting.
As well as LED bulb technology making outdoor lighting cheaper to run and more light options available with regards to colours (that includes different whites), they are far more user friendly and controllable. Mobile phone apps, wireless switches, voice activation are all popular options. If you are having any groundwork done to your garden and not got lights fitted, I would advise you to have ducting installed that will carry lighting cables. Better to prepare for this in advance than to dig up the garden later. Ducting is also useful for irrigation supply lines.
The first step with lighting is to figure out what you need it for and where in the garden. Areas can be zoned off (like the driveway, pathways, upligting trees, water features or pond). Then think about how you would like to control the lighting or simply have it on a series of timers (especially useful when it comes to security if you are away).
Q10. Can you tell me more about watering systems ?
Like wildlife ponds, utilising good water is a key ingredient to a healthy garden. We recommend that everyone harvests rainwater in whatever way possible. Water butts collecting roof water. Larger underground tanks storing more water. It all helps as rainwater is the best type of water to use on your plants or in your pond due to its PH and lack of harmful additives put in tap water. But when to water is also an important factor. Ideally early morning before sun-up and early evening after sun-down. An automated watering system is the ideal way of delivering the correct amount of water at the best times of the day.
With new gardens, the watering system can seem a bit like the ‘chicken & egg’ situation. Do you plant first and then fit the watering system or fit the system first then the plants ? My view is to do the planting first closely followed by the watering system because I’ve yet to see a planting scheme on paper that wasn’t altered during the actual planting process. It’s also easier fitting watering lines around something you can see than imagining where the plants and trees are going. That’s my personal preference anyway.
The watering (or irrigation) systems we use are some of the best in the world. Sourced by a Gloucestershire based specialist supplier we have been working with from day one, they harness the innovation and reliability of systems developed in dry agricultural countries including Australia, Israel, United Arab Emirates and Italy. Watering systems will save you time, money and look after your soft landscaping investments.