The Sketch Book and Shovel

Our weekly twitter digest:

• New Discussion Closing up gaps in a fence http://bit.ly/9HvUBR @ LJN #
• At GardenImprovements.com we always look out for cool and funky idea’s to inspire us. Check this out- http://bit.ly/1JuYzj #
• New Discussion Financing new machinery http://bit.ly/bdnqoI @ LJN #
• New Discussion Monty Don on Woodcraft http://bit.ly/bkE0K1 @ LJN #
• New Discussion Fly tipping by a local company doing work near my ladies place!! http://bit.ly/cgov5P @ LJN #
• New Discussion Working in the Commerncial Sector http://bit.ly/a20FTu @ LJN #
• New Discussion Suppliers of pergola/garden structures http://bit.ly/aYEmOI @ LJN # Read the rest of this entry »

A weekly digest of our tweets:

• FavBlogs: StudioG – I have a tiny little round up interesting accessories for your garden.  It’s all bird related … http://bit.ly/9SeuxL #
• Despite having “one of those faces” where ppl automatically assume they know me – I cant find a doppelganger anywhere…radio hosts perhaps? #
• If only we had a decent summer we could make use of these- http://bit.ly/3b1J8z We’re not holding out much hope at GardenImprovements.com! #
• Via LJN Forum: LJN – what is it worth ?: I started a post last week over our Hort Week subscriptions. Well, we got… http://bit.ly/cICj3k # Read the rest of this entry »

A weekly update on Nicky’s Tweets…just an idea but I can’t imagine anybody would read through all of that!  Probably won’t do this again!

• Low budget driveways: spend same money but get a smarter job with a little professional input http://bit.ly/38iXKD < Glasgow Driveway #
• FavBlogs: How about some innovative ideas to wrap up the week?  This one comes from French company B-ton Design…. http://bit.ly/6MtCAt # Read the rest of this entry »

• Spider dragging a dead sparrow just scuttled behind TV cabinet – I can hear it breathing… #
• LJN: Add on products – HOT TUBS etc: I'm thinking about offering some add on products to my clients, wooden hot tu… http://bit.ly/7FK7Bi #
• RT @The_RHS: How's ur garden looking now most of the ice and snow has gone? http://bit.ly/8lnFVe #
• Meeting with new finance director!! 2 signings in one week!! #
• LJN: The Hard Landscaping Show: Exterior Decking will be exhibiting at the Hard Landscaping Show. Come and see us … http://bit.ly/5QNYg7 #
• Thanks for the RTs @Jenbabes3 @LandscapeJuice @susancohan @Arcadia1 #
• FavBlogs:
  Today’s, garden has me longing for summer. My own garden has a small and fairly successful meadow that … http://bit.ly/6mdrZM #
• 'Entourage' star Emmanuelle Chriqui named 'most desirable' woman of 2010 by AskMen.com poll http://bit.ly/57AzSv – can't argue with that! #
• LJN: Connects / combos: I may have to buy a van in the immediate future due to the girlfriend getting a new job an… http://bit.ly/8NY3ae #

Welcome to another project article in our Garden Design Portfolio Series.  This garden has been designed by Nicky Patterson and will be built by the team of garden designers and landscapers at GardenImprovements.com.

The design was commissioned by Mr and Mrs R from Greenhills in East Kilbride near Glasgow in Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Design by Nicky Patterson Read the rest of this entry »

Modern businesses need to provide transparency and good accessible information.  At GardenImprovements.com we are no different and have worked hard over the festive season to get our web presence invigorated so that we can present our new garden design and landscaping exploits to a fast-growing online market.

Social networking is fantastic for business-to-business networking and also allows clients to get more insight into our activities!  So why not get some more info on what we’re up to through our social networking:

Follow Nicky on Twitter

Join our Facebook Page

Join Nicky on Facebook

See us at Landscape Juice Network

Join us at LinkedIn

See our BT TradeSpace

Phew, quite a list but you should get involved! Look forward to hearing from you!

Nicky Patterson, GardenImprovements.com

Much of Glasgow has been bought, pulled down, built upon or developed in these past ten years and there have been tens of thousands of new properties built around the city.  New properties with gardens of course are where my interests are focused since they instantly require some form of landscaping and we have designed and landscaped more than a few in these past 4 years, but there seems to be a trend in the condition of the garden left to the new owners by the developers: If you have recently purchased a new-build property or are thinking of buying one; how much thought or relevance do you, or does the developer attribute to the garden at the point of sale?

by Nicky Patterson Read the rest of this entry »

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!

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! Read the rest of this entry »

As a designer I am frequently invited to people’s homes to discuss their requirements in the garden.  Many, who have contacted me with landscaping projects in mind, simply want A patio, or A deck or A driveway and it must be THIS shape and must go HERE, THERE and THERE: but if we look at the garden in it’s entirety as part of our property; then it becomes another room – albeit an outdoor room. I wonder; would people upgrade their old and worn out bathroom by simply replacing the bath alone?  It might be a whopping great shiny bath but would it not outshine the rest of the bathroom fittings and therefore actually make the room far LESS attractive – surely the opposite from the desired effect?

by Nicky Patterson Read the rest of this entry »