The Sketch Book and Shovel

When commissioned to design and landscape a new garden (especially around Glasgow) I am often asked to “have a look at the drainage”, or “do you think it’d look odd without a lawn, Nicky?” -  this is especially true for larger gardens or those which will be used by children or pets.

Lawn-care in the west of Scotland is a constant battle against moss, dampness and heavy clay soil; but still we all love to have that little bit of “green” in our gardens don’t we?  Lawns get muddy and need to be cut almost every weekend.  Lawns are nice but become a chore.  Not everybody likes chores.

So what about an artificial lawn then? Read the rest of this entry »

We are looking forward to installing our first wildflower lawn, and though we had planned to have one installed in our upcoming Glasgow west end design our clients have opted to do this themselves as part of their ongoing gardening activity!  Fair enough!

Our fellow Landscape Juice Network members, Shadows Garden Design have provided this excellent guide to installing your own wildflower meadow, check it out:

Bringing your garden out of the Shadows: How To: Make a wildflower meadow.

Via the team at SpotCoolStuff: These hot-tubs are portable and look like great fun!  A little expensive though at around £3500+ but a cool idea non-the-less!  Check them out:

A Review of the Dutchtub Portable Wood Burning Spa | Spot Cool Stuff: Design.

A fantastic article from the Studio G team on the many uses of gabion boxes in garden design and landscaping projects.  We used a similar idea on a garden design in Anniesland; after seeing this I think I might use them again soon!

Studio G – Garden Design & Landscape Design inspiration » All About Gabions : Cheap Retaining and Other Garden Features.

I love eating outdoors – BBQs are a truly brilliant way of combining two of my favourite activities, cooking and messing about in the garden!  The time for BBQs and outdoor activity isn’t over yet – despite the chill setting in here in Glasgow; fire up that chimnea and get some of that air round your gills next time we have a clear blue Sunday!

Check out these alternative outdoor cooking ideas from the ever impressive Studio G:

Studio G – Garden Design & Landscape Design inspiration » Garden Tandoor; the Next Trend in Outdoor Cooking?.

One of my favourite websites: here’s an idea we can all try out!!

Studio G – Garden Design & Landscape Design inspiration » Before and After: Recycled Chairs to Fab Garden Bench.

Studio G explores these innovative concrete pavers from Sweden: they certainly are different and their use would be very specific – what do you think?

Studio G – Garden Design & Landscape Design inspiration » Swedish pavers from Oldsjö Hultgren Design.

If you’ve been out and about in the rugged countryside of Britain you’ll perhaps have spied a cairn or two on your travels.  These beautiful dry-stone sculputures are often built as memorials but are also used to mark other occassional feats of accomplishment or commemoration.  Here the Studio G team explore the possiblity of using cairns in the garden:

Studio G – Garden Design & Landscape Design inspiration » Cairns for the Garden.

Taking a look at sheds and childrens play houses, these are cool!!

Studio G – Garden Design & Landscape Design inspiration » Create a Modern Play Shed.

I reckon I can sneak these into a trendy west-end or Shawlands garden design somewhere…

Studio G – Garden Design & Landscape Design inspiration » Rainbow Bright Garden Furniture.