Many people do not have lawns. I should rephrase that – many people who have gardens do not have lawns. That can be through no choice of their own; if they moved in to a place where there was no lawn present, maybe, then that would be a reason. Some people elect not to have lawns, though, because of the maintenance involved. Laws require attention, love and care. You have to feed them, care for them and, perhaps the kicker for many people, mow them. These aren’t jobs that are a huge amount of fun for most people, so I can always understand why some people don’t fancy them. I would always have one though. Yes the jobs might not be fun sometimes, but keeping on top them, like most other jobs, means that it doesn’t require that much effort at all. Plus a lawn makes any garden look a... Read More

We often think about gardens as our own. A personal project that we spend a lot of time working on, perfecting and then appreciating. The journey, for many, is the best part; the planning, the maintaining, the execution – these kinds of people are never satisfied and that is fantastic. These are the kinds of gardens you might expect to see at a flower show; immaculate, pristine and simply to be enjoyed from afar. These are not the kinds of gardens you might have a party in.   There are many people, though, who plan their gardens as more public spaces, more functional outdoor environments. For many the garden becomes an extension of the home; using more practical things to make it unique. Maybe slabs to create a seating area, or decking to create an outdoor room effect.... Read More

It has been a heck of a year for my humble garden. It’s been both an exceptionally wet and warm summer. Perfect sunshine to help the plants with their photosynthesis, and the rains have come in their droves to help with the growing process as well. Spring was great weather wise and I was also extremely productive in the garden during that time as well; it’s never looked cleaner, never been more trimmed and never looked better. But I think I am done. September has just rolled in, the cold has piqued our interest and the plants are starting to die. I know this is the time of year when the raking starts, where tidying continues in earnest but, as I said, it has been a long year for the old garden. I’ll get back out there in the new year and maybe a little bit out there towards the end... Read More

I love the garden. Granted, it can be a little bit naff when the weather is not quite up to it, but when the weather is nice; a gentle breeze, a bit of warmth and a healthy dose of sunshine, there is very little that can beat it. For those of us out there who do enjoy the occasional “work from home” day the garden is an attractive prospect. Away from working in your own home office, which is basically like being at work without a boss nagging you, you may as well try something a little different. The fresh air in your lungs, the wind in your hair; the work that you can produce in these different conditions can often be quite surprising. If you shift out of your comfort zone you might find that you get a fresh perspective on some challenging work problem you have been struggling with... Read More

Decking makes a home or structure look functional and appealing. It is among the most popular additions, especially in homes and areas of hosting events. It increases space for friends and family in a home. For other areas of hosting people, guests have a larger area to mingle and enjoy the event. Decking would even add more value to the building if it were from oak. Oak is a hardwood timber that is highly regarded in making furniture and other wood products. It is established as the most favourable. Oak has hard-wearing features, which make it a robust material for decking. The texture is characterised by long and coarse grains. It also has open pores and swirls. The appearance is of tan or dark brown but the grains give a silvery look. ... Read More