Home shows Ambassadors, Diarmuid Gavin and David Domoney, have launched a ‘Young Gardeners of the Year’ competition, in association with the Prince’s Foundation.

At the opening day of the Home show, young gardeners were delighted with an appearance from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. The Prince of Wales presented awards to competition winners; Capel Manor won a gold award for their eco friendly garden design. It was built using a cellular storage system with an interchangeable element from bird boxes to a wormery. Using only sustainable materials, it represented a versatile ‘outdoor haven’ away from the hectic city life.

The silver award was presented to Bridgwater; they created a Lily Pad garden design using a modern water garden theme. Lily pad designs were the main feature of the garden along with an outdoor garden room. Finally the bronze award went to Writtle Colleges. This unique design was created by students and called ‘Last Night’s Pizza garden’. It offered a place to relax away from a busy life. This garden design features seating and low maintenance planting; all constructed from recycled materials taken from last year’s Chelsea flower show.

I was intrigued with each unique design. The competition has helped expose young talented garden designers. They showed enthusiasm, diversity and reminded me of how landscape garden design can be pushed to new heights.

Battersea Park dates back to 1858 and prior to 1846 it was known as Battersea fields. The stunning winter garden is home to sculptures, plaques, 300 trees and 22,000 perennials

Garden designing began in 2004; Battersea Park’s Winter Garden was recently reopened by London’s Mayor Boris Johnson.

This rain garden will be the first of its kind at the Chelsea flower show. Ed Payne‘s key aim was to highlight the importance of not wasting water, a resource he describes as ‘precious’.

Rain Garden Features

The garden design retains water using a garden water cycle and with a collection of pools, the retained water shines beautifully.

At the heart of the garden design project, Ed Payne has confirmed there will be a recycled shipping container and a deck created from timber, reclaimed from sea defences. He stresses that all materials used to build this mater piece are recycled and sustainable.
Ed Payne describes the garden as: ‘”It’s an ethos which we place at the heart of all our projects – looking at how new technologies and materials can be used to restore and revive areas in a way that enhances and benefits the environment.”

Make sure you attend this year to view this stunnning garden!

But now the nation’s favourite gardener is stepping of the chat show set and back into the garden for a new ITV1 show. In this all new prime time gardening show Titchmarsh will be getting hands on in the garden and helping us viewers through the ins and outs of garden design, garden maintenance and the world of botany.

When asked for his thoughts on this new show Titchmarsh said “This is a great opportunity for anyone involved in broadcasting, and one that I relish taking on. My greatest commitment has always been to the people at home who want reliable information put over in an easily accessible manner.”

Chelsea Flower Show

It is not clear yet if this new ITV commitment will impact on Titchmarsh’s presenting of the Chelsea Flower Show for the BBC. However, it is hard to imagine who else could present the world renowned show after Titchmarsh’s 27 year reign at the helm.

What is certain is that along with this new gardening show for ITV, Titchmarsh will still be presenting The Alan Titchmarsh Show, so fans of both botany and banter can look forward to more from the lovable 61 year old over the next year.

This new project will help to preserve the royal gardens breathtaking landscape design and hopefully encourage others around the country to become more eco-friendly. Organic horticultural practises and all waste will need to be recycled. According to the Royal garden website:

“Green waste includes grass cuttings, twigs, branches and ‘arising’ (soiled straw from the Royal Mews stables).

“This is put through a shredder so bacteria can operate more quickly on smaller pieces of material. The waste is turned until it has rotted to be used as mulch.”

The Buckingham Palace gardens will need to be kept environmentally friendly and maintained to “the highest standards”.

Royal Garden Landscape Design

The Buckingham Palace royal garden design has been developed for centuries and its original landscape design can be dated back to 1828, when the great manmade lake was completed. Some eye catching features include silver maple and Indian chestnut trees and the mulberry garden area near Green Park features King James 1 of England’s mulberry tree. Here he installed a plantation to breed silk worms and although his attempt was unsuccessful, the beautiful view is truly a work of art.

Buckingham Palaces gardens were usually concealed from the public eye until recently. The royal gardens are now open to visitors during the summer months of July and August and so make sure to visit the all improved eco-friendly gardens this summer.

ATTENTION TO DETAIL

A guide to garden decking

How do you feel about decking in the garden? This question has a tendency to be divisive. Those that are against will tend to fall back on one or more of the following arguments; that it is slippery, that it will provide shelter for pests, that it will not last long, that it is environmentally unfriendly, that it is ugly.

I would like to counter these arguments by stating that garden decking, responsibly sourced, expertly installed and carefully maintained will continue to perform through the seasons to bring you years of pleasure. So what separates the disasters from the dream decks?

Attention to detail

Attention to detail is the key to successful garden decking. I personally check every detail of every deck that our company installs. That means not only getting down on my hands and knees (as pictured above when checking off the final detailing of a Hampton garden design that resulted in an RHS award), but also making sure that we are involved in monitoring the whole process from the certification of sustainability in the plantation to the aftercare of the finished deck.

Sustainable garden decking timber

Quality garden decking installation

Garden decking can be used to create a link between the garden and the property, to bring into use a neglected corner of the garden, to make the most of  a sunny spot, to introduce interesting changes of level, to provide access to a view and so on and so forth. Decking is exteremely versatile, but it can also be a nightmare and a health hazard if incorrectly installed. Our decking is inspected by the British Association of Landscape Industries as part of our ongoing commitment to excellence, so you can be assured that quality comes as standard with a Landscaping Solutions build.

Above and below deck

We like to go that extra mile to ensure complete customer satisfaction. Many clients express concerns regarding what goes on beneath the surface of a deck. We are often questioned as to how we aim to combat the twin evils of weed and rodent infestation. All our garden decking is fitted with sub-surface weed resistant membrane as standard. Whether or not  foxes, rats or mice are a problem in the garden, we ensure that all access points are blocked off with specially treated timber or concrete barriers so you can rest assured that all is well below decks.  On the surface, the beauty of a well installed deck really shines through. A few years back we installed an Ipe hardwood deck that was used as the main entertaining area in this Richmond garden design by Justin Greer. The design revolved around a Mediterranean theme that incorporated raised block planting beds, a paved area and a water feature. However, I felt that it was the timber used to create the seats and the decking that really brought the garden to life. 

Meticulous Maintenance

Will the best will in the world, even the most expertly constructed garden decking will not maintain itself. Exposure to the rigours of the Great British Weather will eventually start to take its toll. For a quality deck to retain its looks it must be treated with regular bouts of tender loving care. That means a wash down and a scrub, possibly a quick sanding, followed by an application of a specialist decking oil or sealing treatment. If this regime is maintained once or twice a year, the lifespan of the decking and the clients enjoyment of their investment will increase ten fold. As a consequence the age old problem of slipping, caused by the build up of algal blooms and moss and particularly prevalent in the Spring, will become a thing of the past. Our Putney garden design clients manage to keep their decking  timber in tip top condition by using our garden maintenance services. Regular visits by one of our RHS accredited teams ensures that the plants are expertly pruned and trained, the water feature is always in good working order and that all the decking is kept ship shape.

So when you are planning your garden this Spring, don’t rule out the idea of timber decking. With a bit of  forward planning and a little ongoing care and attention, it can be an investment that will keep on giving year after year.

Keep in touch. Ben

GARDEN STORAGE

Most gardens that we come across in the course of our work require the construction of some kind of storage unit, the design of which depends very much on the demands of the homeowner and the situation of the property. For example; in gardens with limited space, something as simple as the discrete storage of waste becomes a point of much debate. At the front of the property involved in this Wandsworth garden design we were asked to construct a bespoke timber store to house the bins. The finished unit was both practical and easy on the eye. 

PROTECTION AGAINST THE ELEMENTS

This solution was an exception to the rule that usually demands that we take into consideration the effects of the elements on the items that are to be stored. The answer need not always be designed or made bespoke. If the  clients are keen gardeners or have young children, then we might suggest buying in a shed to hold a lawn mower, hand tools, bikes and play things.  In some cases this will not be practical and we may be asked to create something to suit the situation. The above image of a store, from a Barnes garden design and build project, was once such case. The result was a tidy and visually pleasing unit that took inspiration from the slate roofing of the surrounding area.

STYLE

In a heavily ‘designed’ garden where the build is very high spec, we may need to be much more thoughtful in our approach to theappearance of the storage unit so that it integrates seamlessly into the overall feel of the finished garden. The barbecue store featured in this Chiswick garden design and build project is one such case in point. From an aesthetic point of view the unit had to fit in with the crisp finish of the rest of the garden. This was achieved by using rendered block work to tie in with the raised bed and stained timber to match the slatted screens. From a practical point of view the structure needed to be able to house a large gas burner and a gas bottle. It also had to have a watertight and easily retractable lid  for the inevitable rain showers that would ensue as soon as the burner was lit! We were not able to guarantee the clemency of the weather but I like to think that we came up with and attractive and practical solution to the brief.

If you have seen anything of interest in terms of garden storage or any other aspect of garden design and build whilst browsing our website, do get in touch. And remember, although it may not seem that way, summer is just around the corner! Thanks Ben

SAWN SANDSTONE DESIGN

Garden paving design: Plan it properly

As mentioned in previous posts, I am a firm believer in the idea of plenty of forward planning with regard to having paving design and build work carried out in your garden. It benefits everyone involved in the process. Most importantly, as mentioned in another post, it reduces the chances of you having to resort to employing a cowboy because all the good guys are booked up well in advance. This is particulary pertinent in the summer months. The unfortunate implications of the short sighted ’get the cheapest and the most readily available contractor in’ are often most visible when we consider the look and feel of the garden’s paving.

Factors to consider

A well-laid patio or area of terrace is a joy to behold, increasing the beauty and enjoyment of the garden immeasurably. With this in mind it is extremely important to select the right team to carry out the work. It is our policy at Landscaping Solutions to be on hand, prior to the undertaking of any design or construction work, to advise as to the most approriate paving materials and the best methods of installing them. As well as giving lenghty consideration to the credentials of the company that are carrying out the paving work, there are a  number of other factors that are worth considering when planning a patio or terrace. 

Where

Location is of the utmost importance. This will depend on the garden’s size, aspect and what role we are looking for the terrace to play. A patio located in a sunny spot directly outside the property and within view of an interesting focal point, such as in this Kingston garden design, will provide hours of enjoyment and relaxation. In this case, a light coloured Sandstone combined with a cream coloured Travertine were the paving types selected. A good choice.

What

The type of stone is also critical and this is dependent on the taste of the client, the nature of the surroundings and the functionality of the area to be paved. In the case of this Clapham garden design, the fact that the garden was well shaded by the surrounding buildings necessitated the use of a dark, hard-wearing stone. It was decided that Porphyry fit the bill. I have to admit to having a soft spot for this stone. I reckon it ought to be much more widely used than it is.

How much?

Budget is another aspect that can determine which type of paving is to be used. In this Teddington garden design, we had suggested to the client that grey sandstone be introduced. This type of stone was chosen on the grounds that it would tie in well with the existing property, maintain its looks over time and would be relatively easy to maintain. Using sandstone is one way to create a very cost-effective garden design. However, after much deliberation the client felt that the slightly more expensive ‘antiqued’ grey sandstone would be a better choice in that it would help achieve the more stately, time-worn feel that was desired. Having seen the finished garden, I had to agree that it was worth the extra expense. 

Who

Lastly, but by no means least, a good supplier is worth seeking out. What makes a good supplier? In my opinion one that carries a good range of stone and has plenty in supply, one that is always on the lookout for new products to extend the palette of the designer, one that delivers on time and with care and attention so that the contractors job is made a whole lot eaier and one that listens to the demands of the customer in order to provide a competitive and knowledgable service. At Landscaping Solutions, we tend to rely on London Stone who tick all these boxes and more. They have set themselves apart from their immediate competitors by genuinely caring about what they do. I tend to follow their informative blog in order to keep abreast of developments in this field. Well worth a read.

As always, if we can be of assistance in any capacity in your garden, don’t hestitate to get in touch. Thanks, Ben

Richmond summmer garden design

The notion that a designed garden is an expensive garden is a misguided one. On the contrary; by sticking to a few basic ground rules we are able to design and build to a range of budgets. Including pretty tight ones. Keeping things straightforward and simple, listening to the dreams and desires of the client and getting to the heart of those requirements with minimum fuss is the key to success. We are able to draw on all our technical experience, our contacts and relationships in the trade in order to make sure that the finished garden not only comes in on time and on budget, but also looks and feels the business too.

In the summer of 2008 we were asked to create a garden for a lovely young family in Richmond. The brief was to transform an uninspriring area of lawn and utility paving into a family friendly oasis for relaxation and entertainment. There was one catch; the whole thing had to come on under £10,000. Could it be done? And if so how? We were determined to rise to the challenge without compromising our core belief in the importance of quality wormanship and customer service . And so we set about the task. Working closely with Richmond garden designer Annabelle Wilding we came up with a solution that exceeded all expectations. 

The garden was designed and built in a busy fortnight in the height of the summer of 2008. We felt happy that the finished article was up to scratch and the clients Nick and Sally Walmsley seemed to agree. On top of that, word also got out to the press and the garden was featured in a RED magazine article devoted to stylish gardens designed and built to a tight budget. We were happy and proud that we had managed to meet the challenge and inspired to pass on the good news to our potential future clients. If this story has inspired you to make something of your tired old plot, do get in touch and we can see if the feat can be repeated in your garden. Look forward to hearing from you. Ben

Beware of the cowboy builder

Whatever the movies may have us think, don’t be fooled into believing that cowboys are confined to the Mid-Western states of North America. I can assure you that they are everywhere, all around us. Particularly abundant in and around the London area, they are most often encountered astride their rusty steeds on the look out for the next quick and easy buck. They can often be identified by the unannounced knock at the door or the dog-eared leaflet through the letterbox. Once they have their foot in the door they will promise you the earth, but can they deliver?

Getting it right first time!

The silver tongued cowboy can talk the talk but often fails to walk the walk. We have, on a number of occasions, been called in to rectify the poor wormanship or poorly thought out work of others. Lawns that failed to grow, warped decking, poorly planned planting schemes, sunken patios, walls that were built in the wrong place. A general builder may be able to lay bricks  but can he accurately read and understand plans and translate them into work on the ground? Will he cut corners in order to save on costs? Is his insurance cover comprehensive enough to allow for all eventualities? Can he be relied upon to leave your property clean and tidy after a long, hard days work? Will he cut and run when the going gets tough? Having the practical skills is one thing, applying them is another. Garden design and build is about so much more than knowing how to mix mortar or use a trowel. Running a successful project is an art.

The British Association of Landscape Industries

The fact that we at Landscaping Solutions are BALI registered speaks volumes. BALI stands for the British Association of Landscape Industries. They are also on a crusade aginst the cowboys. Whether you are planning for a new garden feature or a complete design and build, you need to be assured that the team you choose to carry out the project are guaranteed to work the highest standards. This assurance is achieved by using a BALI member. Here at Landscaping Solutions we are proud to say that we meet the exacting standards of the BALI membership.

Independently tried and tested

All BALI members must adhere to a strict Code of Conduct in order to maintain membership. BALI make the promise that all their members are stringently monitored in terms of their workmanship, working practices, health and safety procedures and public and employer’s liability insurance responsibilities. All members are fully inspected by a qualified landscape technical officer who visits projects on-site, both completed and on-going, to ensure work is carried out to a professional standard. In addition, BALI reassess at least 20% of their membership each year to make sure that standards are being upheld and also actively encourage and support their members in undertaking staff training and development.

The garden design and build team you can trust

Here at Landscaping Solutions we are fully in agreement with the BALI ethos and their noble crusade against the cowboys that are spoiling the reputation of the good guys in the industry and costing innocent home owners thousands of pounds in wasted time and money. We pride ourselves on our customer service and workmanship. But please, don’t just take our word for it, take a look at what our clients have to say, and do get in touch if you think we could help. Thanks and seasons greetings, Ben.