Do you have a patio area in your garden? Maybe you use it as a place to enjoy your morning cuppa, an outdoor entertaining area, or somewhere that the the kids can play while you keep an eye on them from indoors. You probably use it for all of those things, and no doubt a few more too! It may be a hardworking area, but with a bit of effort, a patio can also look really great and enhance your outdoor space. Treat it as an outdoor room, rather ...
Is artificial grass a good option for family gardens?
Picture the typical family garden in your mind, and chances are there’s grass involved. Lawns are a popular choice in family gardens for good reason: they provide the all-important space that kids need to let off steam, be that through ball games, obstacle courses, imaginative role play, or plain old running around. And of course, a lawn provides a softer landing than a paved area, while still being nice to look at. Lawns do require a fair ...
Using garden lighting to create safe and attractive outdoor spaces
The right lighting can make all the difference to your garden. If you're looking to add some garden lighting to your outdoor space, this collaborative post has lots of tips and ideas to help you get it right. For kids, gardens are wonderful spaces. They provide them with a safe place to play, enjoy nature, entertain their friends and be creative. In fact, for everyone in the family, they are a great space to let off steam and truly relax. If ...
What to consider when choosing garden fencing
As well as serving a practical purpose, garden fencing can really enhance the look of your outdoor space. Installing or replacing garden fencing can be a significant investment, so it's important to get it right first time. This guide from the experts at Jacksons Fencing covers the important aspects to consider when choosing fencing, read on for lots of great tips. What material? When it comes to fencing, materials matter, and considering ...
How to choose the best garden building for your home
Do you have an outdoor building in your garden? I would guess that most of us have a shed of some sort, but increasingly we are looking to our outdoor areas to provide additional living space too. Rising house prices, the growing popularity of home working, and the trend towards slower living and re-connecting with nature are just a few factors contributing to the growing range of garden buildings on the market. If you’re looking to replace or ...
5 must-have tips for creating the perfect garden room
The arrival of a new year often gets us thinking about new home and garden projects; what's on your to-do list? I'm planning a new kitchen with views onto the garden, which will really increase the use of our patio and work wonders for outdoor entertaining. I'm also dreaming about a lovely garden room; if you're looking to maximise your living space without major building work, they're a really great option. If you're thinking about adding a ...
Zoflora’s ‘Outstanding Natural Beauty’ Show Garden at Hampton Court Flower Show
Yesterday I visited Hampton Court Flower Show press day as the guest of Zoflora. I was given exclusive access to the show before it opens to the public today, and treated to a hands-on experience of the Zoflora ‘Outstanding Natural Beauty’ Show garden, and a preview of their new fragrance, ‘Green Valley’. What a great start to the week! Zoflora are sponsoring a show garden at Hampton Court for the first time this year. Zoflora are very ...
Ideas for creating privacy in a family garden
Do you think of your garden as an outdoor room? At this time of year in particular, our gardens work hard to give us extra space for outdoor dining, family garden games, entertaining, and simply relaxing in the sunshine. Using our gardens more can make us feel the need to create some privacy. Unless your house is situated in a large, detached plot, your garden is likely to be overlooked in some way. Even if you get on well with your ...
Garden design: the best decking for a family garden
Do you have a decked area in your garden? It’s a really popular choice for creating a patio area, and can really enhance the overall impact of your outdoor space. In a family garden decking is a great multi-tasker, providing an area for supervised play, dining, entertaining or simply relaxing in the sunshine. Traditional wooden decking is a popular choice, but when it comes to using it in a family garden, it has it’s drawbacks. In wet or ...
Hard landscaping: getting it right in your garden design
When it comes to designing your garden, the main element that often springs to mind is the plants themselves. It’s very tempting when planning a new garden layout to get carried away designing borders, choosing plants, shrubs and trees, and looking ahead to when everything is blooming nicely. This is all time well spent, but if you’re going to create a successful garden it’s crucial to also give careful thought to the hard landscaping. Hard ...