The Sketch Book and Shovel

Boggy Blogging from Nicky and the Team @ GardenImprovements.com

Get Ready For The Summer – Clean Your Garden Decking

This guest blog has been written by Michelle Strassburg, co-founder of UK based Wood and Beyond sellers of hardwood decking:During this time of year we often get calls and emails from people asking ‘how should I clean my garden decking?‘ It seems that the first few days of summer always bring people out in [...]

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Tue, April 27 2010 » Ideas for the Garden, Nicky's Garden Tips » No Comments

Garden Safety for Children’s Play and Learning

If like me you’ve got kids and you’ve got a garden that you like to keep looking good, then you’ll no doubt be wondering how the two will get on with another.  The Kids Garden website has a guide on some straight forward dos and dont’s to help us mediate between the two.  Some points [...]

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Sat, April 3 2010 » Nicky's Garden Tips, Promotions and Client Information » No Comments

How To: Make A Wildflower Meadow

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 [...]

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Tue, October 27 2009 » Ideas for the Garden, Nicky's Garden Tips » No Comments

Composting Your Own – What to Know

Here’s some handy hints on getting started with composting delivered by Margaret Hoyenga over @ Nest In Style.  Good luck and let us know how you get on!!
Nicky Patterson, Designer @ Gardenimprovements.com

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Tue, June 23 2009 » Ideas for the Garden, Nicky's Garden Tips » No Comments

Nicky’s Top Tips: The Monkey Puzzle Tree

The monkey-puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana) is like Fugu; when handled the wring way it can be lethal! Today I had to learn how to trans-plant one without cutting myself to ribbons!

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Fri, February 6 2009 » Nicky's Garden Tips, Promotions and Client Information » 1 Comment

Nicky’s Top Tips: Simple Fence Makeover

My idea was to update the fence while integrating it with the space – creating a feature but also a background foil. The garden is an informal French style space and so to marry in with the existing trellis work and the paving I wanted to add some brightness to the space.

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Wed, February 4 2009 » Ideas for the Garden, Nicky's Garden Tips, Promotions and Client Information » No Comments