Gates for Your Garden

Changing your garden gates is a quick way to make things look different. It may also make you feel more secure.

Once you have given your fences a makeover, it’s time to give some attention to your gates. Essex and east London homeowners mostly ask us what gates will match their fences, but some like something decorative or different, so that they are easily picked out from the fencing.

We can recommend lap gates to match your larch lap panel fencing, or close board gates to match fences of that style. Whether you live in the countryside or in towns like Brentwood or Upminster, gates for your garden or driveway can be straight across, arched or trellis topped the same as your fencing panels.

For Something Different

If you have a cottage style garden, we’d advise you to think of having rustic gates of some sort. You could get some ideas from the internet, then design and make your own or have them made up for you. If your cottage garden has a picket fence, then of course, you will want your gates to match it in style, height and colour.

Our wooden garden gates can be purchased as standard or made to your specification. They can be modern and elegant or traditional and rustic. Choosing the right gates to suit your garden can make the exterior of your home much more attractive and pleasing to the eye. Throughout east London and Essex, our garden gates are a source of pride for their owners.

Using Fencing in Your Spring Garden Project

At last the weather is turning warmer, the gorse is blooming on heathland and our gardens are starting to blossom. At this time of year we know that lots of garden owners are thinking about what their first spring project should be.

Fences as Camouflage

Perhaps it’s a question of camouflaging the rubbish and recycling area or the compost heap. This is where a panel or two of decorative fencing can make all the difference. We love to talk about this kind of project, because there are so many fencing materials to choose from which will give different effects.

Screening panels could come in bamboo, willow, reed or cleft chestnut. Brushwood or bark might give a really natural finish to the area if that is what you are after. We also advise you to think of trellis which comes in panels with a thick lattice that is good for camouflage. When they prefer more solid fences, Upminster and other Essex residents often finish them with a dainty trellis top.

A Fencing Windbreak

Another project you might have in mind is protection from wind for a small area, perhaps where you have some seating or some delicate plants. For this you don’t want solid fencing but something that allows some air through while reducing the strength of the wind. For our customers in east London and Essex areas such as Romford and Hornchurch, fencing types we recommend for this will include trellis panels. If you want to grow a living windbreak, a panel or two behind the plants will do the job while they grow.

Whatever type of spring garden projects you have in mind, now is the time to start having fun with them.

Safeguarding Your Fence For The Winter

The New Year weather has been causing widespread damage to fences right across the UK. The strong winds in particular can result in all sorts of fencing emergencies.

It may come as little surprise to know that this is one of the busiest times of year for us. Our expertise in emergency fencing means that homeowners turn to us during the winter period, asking for our help in fitting and securing fences which have been damaged due to the blustery winds and stormy weather.

It's extremely important to ensure that you have a decent fence to secure your home and garden. If your fencing has been damaged, you should have it professionally repaired without delay, in order to prevent compromising your security. Our friendly fencing experts provide an emergency service for vulnerable homeowners, as part of our commitment to achieving safe and secure homes and gardens.
Secure Your Home and Garden

Weather-proofing your fence is extremely important so that you do not have to constantly worry about the weather. If your fence is old and in need of repair, you should strengthen it so that it can withstand everything the winter has to throw at it. Remember that it's far cheaper to ensure your fencing is secured, rather than having to pay out for a replacement fence or emergency repairs.

Don't compromise on quality when it comes to having your fence strengthened or repaired – it will inevitably be a false saving. Ensure you choose a specialist fencing company with the experience to get the job done properly. We can offer you a choice of fence options, from close-boarded to picket fencing, to best suit your garden and property. We can also provide all the fixtures and fittings required to make your fence as secure as possible.

Fencing emergency? Get in touch. We can be there within hours!

How to Avoid a Winter Fence Emergency (and what to do if you have one)

We’re not sure if you’ve noticed but it’s mighty windy out there! Much of the country has been battered by wintry storms with winds reaching gale force in parts of Britain last week. As you can imagine, these types of storms cause untold damage but you don’t have to experience winds to the force we saw last week to cause havoc in the garden.

Winter is one of our busiest times, so even when the garden lays dormant we certainly do not. Emergency fencing keeps us busy throughout the winter as we fit and secure fencing in many gardens that have been damaged due to high winds and winter storms.

A good fence is vital for securing a home and garden so if it’s sustained any damage then it’s important to get it fixed as soon as possible or security could be seriously at risk. We offer an emergency service for OAPs and vulnerable people to help keep homes and gardens safe and secure.

Tips for Winter Proofing a Fence

We never really know what the weather will do but it’s always wise to make sure that your fence is weather proof. If your fence has seen better days then act fast to get it secured for the inevitable winter gusts. The cost of making your fence strong could be much less than paying for emergency repairs or a whole new fence.

Make sure that you choose a professional to strengthen or repair your fence. A fence that’s been inadequately fixed will not last through another storm and will cost you much more than it should.

Opt for a gardening firm with experience in fencing. Here at D&G we offer a full range of fences from close boarded to picket and decorative panelling. Our fences are made to measure and come with all the fixtures and fittings required to keep your garden safe and secure.

Give us a call today for a free estimate and expert advice on winter proofing your fence.

Prepare for Frosty Weather Ahead

As the days get shorter there’s definitely more than a slight chill in the air. As much of the garden goes into hibernation it’s time to think about which plants you need to protect from the oncoming frosts.

Although there are some plants and vegetables that laugh in the face of frost; more on those later, there are many that can’t withstand even the slightest sprinkling. Understanding the types of plants in your garden, and indeed understanding the lay of your garden can really help protect your blooms against winter devastation.

Understanding Your Garden and What’s in It

There will be some parts of your garden that are more sheltered and shady than others. Take some time to learn where these are, particularly where frost pockets hit. Plant hardy plants here and choose the more sheltered areas for your delicate plants. If you’re not sure which plants go where then read on:

Plant Categories

Tender: Tender perennials definitely don’t like frost, they can survive for years if they’re not frost bitten. Move them inside or protect against frost if you want to see them again next year.
Half Hardy: Half hardy plants are usually annuals and are a little, well, hardier, but they can’t take freezing temperatures either.

Frost Hardy: As you might imagine these plants can withstand frost and temperatures of approximately -5C.

Fully Hardy: Nature’s survivors. These tough plants can survive temperatures of around -15C.

Protecting Your Plants

There are many ways in which you can protect your plants from the frost.

Surround the stems of your herbaceous perennials with grit to help stop the plant’s roots becoming sodden and waterlogged. Surround the beds with mulch and bark compost too to help the soil’s drainage. The mulch will break down over the winter too and add some nutrients into the soil.

Move your tender plants inside a greenhouse or indoors and protect others with garden fleece, straw and even bubble wrap!

If you don’t have a cloche or cold frame cover plants such as alpines with a sheet of glass or plastic propped up on logs or large stones. Make sure you keep the sides open to allow air circulation to your plants.

Frost Lovers

Not all plants suffer in the frost; some positively love it! In the vegetable plot cabbages and Brussels sprouts improve with a bit of frost. Kale, parsnips and leeks thrive in this season too and provide a bit of much needed greenery and variety to our seasonal winter plates.

In the flower beds chrysanthemums, passiflora, red hot pokers and hardy fuscias are just some of the plants that seem undeterred by a visit from Jack Frost himself!

Winter proofing your garden is not as difficult as you might think and a little preparation for frost goes a long way to safeguarding your spring blooms.

October is the Time For.. Planning for Spring Colour

While the start of the colder weather gives the impression that the garden is shutting up shop for winter, this is the right time for planting spring bulbs.

I love the autumn, the time to plan for the year ahead. It’s good to think that as the leaves turn and fall and the garden prepares for frost and snow you’ve made firm investments to ensure your garden bursts back to life when the weather warms up. Planting now in October, before the weather gets too cold, makes good gardening sense too as the soil is still holding some of the summer’s heat and will really help the bulbs get rooted in the soil and, quite literally, put some roots down!

Getting Nifty with the Rake

If you’ve spent the summer cultivating the perfect lawn then it’s important you get the rake out and gather up any fallen leaves to make certain they don’t rot on your springy grass. I like to leave fallen leaves in other parts of the garden though – where they can’t do any harm, just because it’s such a seasonal treat to see piles of golden leaves. Keeping your paths and patio clear however is a good idea as wet, rotting leaves are extremely slippery. Another note on lawns – after the final cut of the season, now is also a good time to give the lawn a good autumn feed, particularly if your lawn has seen out more than its fair share of impromptu football matches, barbecues and the odd tent or two during the summer months!

Pottering

October is a good time for bringing any houseplants indoors that have enjoyed some freedom outside during the summer months, especially before the first frosts hit. Clean out any nest boxes that you’ve installed in the garden and start thinking of good places for bird feeders or a bird table; our feathered friends don’t need much help at the moment where food is concerned as there’s a veritable smorgasbord all around us but they will in the winter time. Prune shrubs now and get weeding and mulching too.

If you’d like to discuss garden plans for next year or you’d like some advice on replanting a lawn then feel free to get in touch.

Now is the Time to Plan for a Water Feature

As the summer draws to an end and the riot of colour and accelerated growth in the garden pales and dies down, it’s easy to mourn the long days and the fruits of the year’s toil. But as the garden retreats into its autumn / winter state, now is a good time to plan major features and changes to your landscape.

Water features are a great addition to the garden and the benefits are many. You don’t need lots of space to have a water feature either, even the tiniest of gardens can accommodate a water feature, the trick is choosing the right one.

A Place to Relax and Unwind

Water has a universally relaxing quality and it’s no great surprise that the sounds of water are used in many relaxation treatments and therapies. Creating a water feature such as a gently flowing fountain or cascading feature such as a waterfall will provide you with your very own oasis of calm and a place to retreat to. An illuminated water feature will add a whole new dimension to your outdoor space once dusk descends too.

Creating a New Wildlife Environment

A water feature, such as a pond with sloping sides, will in time attract a new and diverse range of wildlife into your garden. Even without adding any species to your pond you’ll be amazed at the amount of plant and insect life that will develop as nature finds her way. Expect to see frogs, newts and toads in the garden as well as insects such as dragon flies, damsel flies and pond skaters. Small birds such as finches, sparrows and tits will flock to the pond to bathe and drink. Watching the changing phases of a pond and discovering new species throughout the year is rewarding and fascinating.

Give us a call to find out more about our range of water features, or for advice on which feature is right for you and your garden. We can supply everything from pyramids, stones and statues to ponds, waterfalls and bird baths.