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.
Originally posted 2009-10-27 11:42:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Tags: garden design, garden tips, wildflower
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Tue, February 15 2011 » Ideas for the Garden, Nicky's Garden Tips » No Comments
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 numbers to the garden and the condition of their decking after the winter months is less than satisfactory. There is also an important safety aspect for keeping the garden decking clean as it will prevent the surface from becoming a slippery one. Cleaning hardwood decking isn’t hard and will ensure the structure will remain in great condition despite the harsh winter elements. Here are couple of tips which we recommend you take. (more…)
Originally posted 2010-04-27 15:38:23. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Tags: decking glasgow, hardwood decking, how to clean decking
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Tue, February 15 2011 » Ideas for the Garden, Nicky's Garden Tips » No Comments
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 are a tad obvious but most will indeed be of value to parents of children of all stages.
Why not give yourself a head-start this Easter weekend and get the juniors involved in preparing the garden ready for the summer ahead?
If you have a project in mind where you’d like to have an area dedicated to children’s play or if you’d like to build a garden which will act as an activity and education resource for your children, as well as providing suitable grown up pursuits (such as relaxing and entertaining!) then please drop us a line at GardenImprovements.com and enquire about our Garden Design Services.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend!
Nicky Patterson, Designer @ GardenImprovements.com
Originally posted 2010-04-03 00:26:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Tags: children garden, garden safety
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Tue, February 15 2011 » Nicky's Garden Tips, Promotions and Client Information » No Comments
Six Steps to Installing Child Safe Decking
Michael at Richard Burbidge has kindly offered some advice on planning decks and terraces with safety and children in mind:
In recent years decking has become one of the most popular additions that UK gardeners have sought to install.
The provision of a nice area to relax, have a drink or do some barbequing is attractive and current figures suggest that one in five of us have at some point undertaken a decking installation project.
However, if you fail to plan your project effectively it is likely that you could end up with decking that is not child safe. Here we offer useful tips on how to avoid such an outcome.
1. Getting the spindles right
One of the most common causes of injury involving children and decking is due to the fact that spindles have been placed too far apart. This can result in the child either falling through the rails, or becoming trapped between them.
Where the decking is raised there is the chance of the child falling a long way and children stuck between the spindles run the risk of suffocation. You can avoid the risk of either of these occurrences happening by ensuring that spindles are spaced no more than 99mm apart.
Also, be sure to avoid spindles that run horizontally (ie ranch style); as they could provide a ladder for children to climb up and over the decking rail.
2. Adding gates
If you have raised-decking then, it is likely you’ll have some stairs leading from it down to the rest of your garden area. At some point your child will reach an age where you trust them enough to be able to negotiate the stairs on their own. However, until they reach that point the unprotected stairs offer the opportunity of injury sustained through falling.
The safest option is to either make or purchase the required number of gates that can be attached to the decking balustrade. Be sure to fit childproof latches to gates to keep your child safely in the decking area.
3. Safeguarding the base
In many instances, decking is built on uneven garden surfaces, or has to be placed on stilts so that the decking is level with French doors. The base area underneath the decking floor presents a space that your child is sure to want to explore if it is left unprotected.
Your first option here is to add decking boards or other suitable wooden sheets and stain it to match the decking. This has the additional advantage of preventing pests, making a nest under your decking.
The second option is to fit some trellis to fill in the gaps underneath the decking. If you are concerned pests may try to make a home under the structure then you may want to consider attaching some chicken wire to the trellis to prevent access. Going down the trellis route leaves you with the option of training climbing plants and creepers to it to add to the aesthetic appeal.
4. Smoothing things over
Usually the finish of decking products will be pretty smooth. However, there is always the chance of splinters when working with timber and especially so when you are cutting pieces to fit. Therefore, once you have finished installing your decking it is advisable to spend a little time smoothing off any rough edges or surfaces with some sandpaper.
5. Handrail Height
Ensure the handrail is at a minimum of 900mm from the deck level for ground level decking. If your decking is above 600mm off the ground then the handrail should be set at 1100mm to reduce the risk of falling over the top.
6. Furniture placement
Whilst our last tip doesn’t specifically relate to the installation of decking; it is one that we can’t leave out. It is imperative that you always place any patio furniture as far away from the edges of your decking as is possible. Children love to climb and if your furniture is close to the edge there is always the risk that they will attempt to use it to get over the decking rail.
Originally posted 2011-06-20 11:59:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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Tue, February 15 2011 » Nicky's Garden Tips » No Comments
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
Originally posted 2009-06-23 17:00:34. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Tags: compost piles, compost your own, composting, garden composting, garden design, garden design glasgow, garden designer, garden designer glasgow, garden designers, garden designers glasgow, gardenimprovements.com, how to compost, landscaper, landscaper glasgow, landscapers, landscapers glasgow, matthew thomson, nicky patterson
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Tue, February 15 2011 » Ideas for the Garden, Nicky's Garden Tips » No Comments
The monkey-puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana) is like Fugu; when handled the wrong way it can be lethal! Today I had to learn how to trans-plant one without cutting myself to ribbons!
These leaves (or blades I'm calling them) are RAZOR-sharp!
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Originally posted 2009-02-06 21:06:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Tags: clarkston, garden designer, gardener, gardenimprovements.com, gardening tips, glasgow, landscaper, landscaping tips, monkey-puzzle, monkey-puzzle tree, moving trees, newton mearns, nicky patterson, tree
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Tue, February 15 2011 » Nicky's Garden Tips, Promotions and Client Information » 1 Comment
A little bit off-kilter here but worth a post methinks! With a little bit of creative thinking you can transform your garden for relatively little outlay. This week we upgraded a fence in Newton Mearns and transformed the outlook of the garden and of the conservatory and living room! (more…)
Originally posted 2009-02-04 01:03:54. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Tags: garden design, garden design glasgow, garden designer, garden designers, garden services, gardeners, gardenimprovements.com, Gardening, glasgow, landscape design, landscape designer, landscape gardener, landscape gardeners, landscaper, landscapers, landscaping glasgow, nicky patterson
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Fri, December 3 2010 » Ideas for the Garden, Nicky's Garden Tips, Promotions and Client Information » No Comments
