The Sketch Book and Shovel

Boggy Blogging from Nicky and the Team @ GardenImprovements.com

We’re gearing up for 2010

Well our 2009 garden building year was cut a week short by the snow and ice and we have had an extended break over winter of 4 weeks!  We are champing at the bit and raring to go for 2010, only as we return to work today we find everything still covered in 4 inches [...]

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Mon, January 11 2010 » 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

Design Inspiration: Brendan Moar’s Dry Spell Gardens

Some more exciting inspiration from Studio G – this time an article on the work of Brendan Moar…I love this tunnel idea.  Fantastic work:
Studio G – Garden Design & Landscape Design inspiration » Brendan Moar’s Dry Spell Gardens.

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Fri, October 23 2009 » Influence and Inspiration » No Comments

Stewarton Garden Design on Youtube

Large garden design and makeover landscaping project in Stewarton in Ayrshire. Designed by Nicky Patterson, built by GardenImprovements.com

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Thu, October 22 2009 » Completed Project Portfolio Series » No Comments

Portable Wood Burning Spa

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.

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Mon, October 19 2009 » Ideas for the Garden » No Comments

Gabions : Cheap Retaining and Other Garden Features

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 [...]

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Thu, October 15 2009 » Exploring Materials, Ideas for the Garden » No Comments

Landscaping through the recession

Here is an article I wrote for the much celebrated Landscape Juice Network back in February 2009.  I think much of it still holds true currently for the many businesses, established and start-up alike in the landscape and garden design industries.
Landscaping through the recession : Landscape and garden expert.

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Tue, October 13 2009 » Industry Comment » No Comments

East Kilbride: Stylish Relaxation Garden Design in Greenhills

The large lawn areas should accomodate the expected family’s adventurous feet while also ensuring a soft green centre to the garden area. Within the deck shall be an almost semi-circular bench with timber seating that will easily host many a deriere of an evening! The banked planting, together with some plants in pots and troughs, will soften all the edges and ensure a serene environment for Naila and Nasim to relax in.

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Mon, October 12 2009 » Garden Design Portfolio Series » No Comments

Garden Design Issues: An Apprentice’s View

When Nicky informed me that i would be sending off my own design and presentation I was a tad nervous about the outcome to say the least! It didn’t help that the garden I would be designing for was a very strange shape and quite large. When doing practise designs I found it alot easier to come up with ideas for smaller gardens, so this was the first stumbling block!

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Wed, June 24 2009 » Industry Comment » 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