Services
Soft Landscape gardening
The main bulk of my work is creating planting schemes for new projects. I am a keen naturalist, with wildlife always being an important part of my everyday day life. Where I can, I like to incorporate this into my work. Such as lots of planting that benefit birds and insects. With the client I can put together what best suits your garden and specific requirements.
Planting schemes
When meeting, we can discuss what it is you are looking for in terms of planting style, and what would or wouldn’t suit your garden. Aspect is key for plant placement. Taking into account the location and the soil type. And of course encouraging as much wildlife, which will have endless benefits for your garden.
Raised Flowerbeds
Quite often creating new raised flowerbeds will make a big impact in improving the appearance of a garden. There are added benefits from raising the plants off the ground. Apart from being aesthetically pleasing on the eye. The introduction of a raised bed will mean less soil disturbance. Adding nutrient rich compost and topsoil to a raised bed, allows you to have a planting scheme that may not be as feasible in the current ground level conditions. Having raised beds will also have far better drainage in an area of ground that is prone to flooding or siting in water. It is also a blank canvas. What with the many combination of substates available, the possibilities for planting is vast.
That aside, I do create planting schemes at ground level. This means preparing the soil to a standard people don’t always take into account. From digging it over. Adding lots of organic material. As well as horticultural grit for drainage when required. It is quite labour intensive. But absolutely necessary in allowing plants to thrive. I don’t cut corners - worth noting.
Fencing and screeening
I do a lot of bespoke rail fencing with larch, oak or cedar battens. Having a strong sturdy fence not only keeps boundaries, but it also helps maintain the appearance of a good garden. All of that said, if your unsure about changing a fence and its still standing up, don’t replace it. A suggestion to clients when making a fence, is that a gap is left. This allows wildlife to come and go, such as hedgehogs.
An alternative to a fence, is hedging. A hedge can also be used as screening to separate parts of the garden as well. A fantastic greener option, which has endless benefits for wildlife.
New lawns to REJUVENATING EXISTING lawns
When it comes to laying a new lawn. There are a few simple rules and techniques to follow. Do them right and you have the makings of a great lawn. Do them wrong, or don’t do them at all, then the ultimate outcome won’t be so great. First and foremost when asked for quotes on lawns, I promote real lawns over artificial lawns every time. If you are looking for a fake lawn, I am not the person for you. The key benefit of a real lawn, is that it is a very important wildlife ecosystem, particularly in our more urban and built up areas, where green spaces are getting smaller and smaller. The importance of these real green spaces, outweigh what people think are the benefits of what an artificial lawn can supposedly give you. That is, being lower maintenance - which isn’t really true. Lawns also don’t have to be an immaculate monoculture. Make space and time for the odd clover or daisy. Alternatively go the other way and have a wild flower meadow instead.