Three Things to consider when landscaping your garden

When done properly and with careful thought and planning, landscaping a garden brings a whole host of benefits ranging from environmental to social. But there is much to consider when embarking on a garden landscaping project. In this article we cover our top three:

1. Space
At the planning stage, make sure you take into consideration what the garden will be used for and factor in a range of practical features. For example, you may want a secluded area for sunbathing; a place for children to play that needs to be robust enough to stand up to heavy traffic; you may want to include a place to entertain; and you may also want to use trees to filter noise. Combining beauty with practicality is a fundamental part of the garden landscaping process.

2. Style
Maintaining a style theme throughout your garden is vital if you want the finished product to appear streamlined, attractive and a pleasure to spend time in. It is also a good idea to match the style of the garden to the style of your home. Modern houses lend themselves to contemporary garden designs whilst period homes work best with traditional style gardens. Put some thought into blending the inside with the outside and the results will be admired by all who visit.

3. Planting
Remember that plants grow! Your shrub or sapling may be tiny now, but what size will it be when mature? You must take into consideration what size the plant will grow to otherwise you could end up planting it too close to a wall, a fence or other plants. If other plants end up in its shadow, they may not survive and if the roots are too close to your home, it could have serious repercussions which may even lead to subsidence. Make sure you find out about the plants you are buying and allow enough space for them to grow to their mature size.

These are just a few of the many things you need to take into consideration when planning your garden landscaping project. Watch this space for more!

Increase the space in your property and increase its value - landscape your garden!

Even if space is short within a home, the impression of a bigger property is made possible by cleverly designing a garden so that it works as a living-space extension.

A stunning garden that has been well-planned to incorporate practical benefits such as sectioning off areas for children to play, creating privacy from neighbouring properties and keeping animals contained will attract attention from prospective buyers.

I suggest the following for adding space and therefore value to a property:

Consider a deck or patio that leads out from large glass doors and make sure you don’t hide it behind curtains – you want your viewers to walk into the room and immediately be drawn to your lovely outside space!

Use this decking or patio area to create an outside dining and entertaining space. Consider covering it and adding a heating system so that the area can be used all year round rather than just during the summer months.

Add an outdoor kitchen with a permanent barbeque or outdoor oven and a sink. If your property is strapped for entertaining space inside, make that space outside! That way you can utilise your inside space for other important things, thus making your home even more attractive to potential buyers.

And don’t forget the front garden! It is the first thing viewers see so make sure it looks fantastic and leaves a lasting impression.

Landscaping a garden makes it easier to sell a property. It is all about extending space outdoors, and making that outdoor space habitable all year round.

Anyone in any doubt on how best to utilise their outdoor space should contact D&G Garden World for friendly, expert advice; it will be money well spent, and will be recouped when the property is sold!

A Healthy Lawn is Good for the Environment

A healthy lawn not only looks attractive and provides a focal point for your garden; it also offers a multitude of wonderful advantages for health and the environment. How?

1. Airborne pollutants like dust and spores are absorbed and therefore prevented from irritating the respiratory systems and skin of those that suffer from asthma, eczema and allergies.

2. Grass converts carbon dioxide to oxygen, cleanses the air that we breathe and helps to lower the effects of global warming.

3. A lawn filters pollutants from rainwater so that the water that runs into the soil and down through the water cycle into our lakes and seas is cleaner.

4. A lawn prevents soil erosion by preventing soil from being washed away or broken down. This means it will continue to provide a breeding ground for plants and insect life, and in turn a haven for birds and wildlife.

Your garden could help towards making a global impact so make sure your grass is well fed and maintained. Choose a trusted supplier for your turf, grass and topsoil and lawn maintenance products and take advantage of their wealth of knowledge and advice.

Free Fencing Guide

Putting up a fence? Read our advice first!

Border Line
Probably the most important factor to think about when putting up a fence is the border line between your property and next door. Any doubt? Look at the deeds of your property or talk to the solicitor that dealt with your purchase.

Tree Roots
Are there any tree roots in the vicinity that could interfere with the fence or its post holes?

Type of Fence
Why are you building this fence? Is there a practical reason such as to provide privacy? If so go for a solid fence around two metres or more in height. If it’s to prevent children or pets wandering outside the confines of the garden, to stop wildlife wandering in, or to train plants around your border, then go for a lower level picket fence or ornamental trellis. Any experienced fencing company will provide help you choose the right fence for your needs and help you measure up correctly so that you buy exactly what you need.

Fence Position
Make sure you will be able to erect the fence where you wish; consider its use and how it will stand up to the weather conditions and finally, ensure that you opt for the right fixing option, whether that is permanent or moveable in the future should it be necessary. And take advice from your local fencing specialists like D&G Garden World who will only be too happy to help!

Landscaping your garden: the benefits

There are countless benefits to landscaping a garden, not least your own enjoyment of the outdoor life.

A well-designed garden will add extra space to your home, acting like an extension to your living space and adding value to your life, as well as to your property. The benefits are practical, environmental, financial and social.

The practical benefits of garden landscaping

When landscaping your garden you can factor in features that will bring benefits on a practical level. For example, you could plant trees in strategic positions so as to minimise traffic noise; you could plant bushes or shrubs to enhance privacy and by erecting a fence you can define boundaries, prevent stray animals wandering in and reduce the amount of rubbish that blows into your garden. You could also divide your garden to allow for children’s areas, pets’ areas and of course adults’ areas!

The environmental benefits of garden landscaping

A healthy lawn and a good variety of plants and trees make invaluable environmental resources. Apart from purifying the air by absorbing carbon dioxide, plants also attract wildlife, birds and insects into the garden which all work together to enhance the local biosphere. Everything has a purpose and each link in the chain benefits the environment in its own way.

The financial benefits of garden landscaping

A professionally landscaped and well maintained garden will add value to your home and undertaking a garden landscaping project could bring double the expenditure in terms of added value as well as making a property much easier to sell, especially nowadays where buyers are looking for additional features such as readymade outdoor living. Landscaping your front garden brings particular benefits as this will be the very first thing a prospective buyer will see when viewing your property, and if it looks good, it will leave a lasting impression.

The social benefits of garden landscaping

An outside space in which to entertain; to take lunch with friends, spend quality time with loved ones or watch over the children. A landscaped garden is all of these, and can be designed around your precise needs. It just takes a bit of planning!

There is much to gain from landscaping your garden; getting it done professionally will help too but otherwise strategic planning will count for much. Think about what you want to get out of it, and build your wishes into your garden!