Planning This is the most important part of any garden project. You need to work out exactly how much you want to spend on your patio, which products you are going to use, what features you plan to include and how long you want to spend building it. When you have done that, draw up … Read more
There are occasions, when designing a garden, especially a ‘wild’ area or site, when the planting scheme calls for a softer approach. Even if the scheme does not call for a lot of hard landscaping, there will still be a requirement for stability, either paving, steps or walling, and often a designer can find difficulty … Read more
There are occasions that a Landscaper will come across a new problem – or a situation that one has not encountered as yet. (That is the nature of being a landscape contractor – every scheme can throw up new and interesting difficulties. Rise to the challenge! ) Garden designers may also find the following technique … Read more
There have been many inventions and attempts at manufacturing a quick solution to the age old problem of lawn edging. I have seen some weird and wonderful contraptions in my time – there must be a museum devoted to such pieces – very few of which ever made the grade from drawing board to becoming … Read more
I have a strong aversion to trying to remain upright and steady on my feet when working on slopes, especially steep forty five degree banks – even more so when they are planted and in need of weeding/planting/maintaining. On every site – even if only working for a couple of hours – I make a … Read more
There are several methods of ‘bending’ timber for use in Landscape projects. This particular technique is used when working with thicker timber – that which will not bend due to its dimensions. This project called for a whole new kitchen garden to be formed in timber edging, and I used 50mm x 200mm for the … Read more
No matter how professional you are at clipping box hedging, with clean, crisp edges and straight lines, it somehow never looks 100% ‘complete’, as in the first of these pictures. Using a simple piece of timber – here I have used a 3m x 10cm x 10cm fence post as a guide – lay the … Read more
Often, due to budgetary restrictions, it is necessary to construct only a part or section of a scheme, with the full plan being implemented at a later date as funds permit. These truncated works usually involve paving or walling. As the concrete foundations for either are being constructed, it is useful to consider a method … Read more
Conduits to carry potential future works, including lighting and irrigation are an essential part of any Landscape project, yet are very often overlooked by the Designer, Contractor and Client, usually because they have not been considered due to costs or lack of fore thought by anyone. It is somewhat too late to try to either … Read more
Preventing stone chips to patio and other windows is one of the greatest problems for Contractors. Strimmers, mowers and concrete breakers all causing stones and other hard detritus large and small, spinning off in the general direction of a sheet of glass are a major headache – and a drain on one’s wallet! Having been … Read more
Creating an island in any lined pond is not difficult in most cases. Simply by excavating the shape and building the various levels and shelves the line may be cut to shape, leaving a hole to the area designated as the island. The liner may then be installed in the usual manner – I will … Read more
One of commonest jobs we are called upon to quote for is that of hedge cutting. Recognising that hedges come in many different shapes, sizes and species, there is no easy answer to the logic of producing a meaningful and precise quotation. To explain that which may at first appear a paradox, I have been … Read more
I believe that all too often, landscapers miss out on so many opportunities to gain projects that they either do not consider, or feel unqualified to undertake. Many of these opportunities may be found in the world of ‘Building’. Perhaps because I have worked on so many sites, and my passion is for the restoration … Read more
Whilst the photographs show a wooden bothy or folly, one of several in a large garden in the South of England, the method of laying a wooden log floor is the same for any garden shed or indoor/outdoor area. Only the choice of timber will decide the longevity of the feature. The floor shown is … Read more
I thoroughly enjoy working on a wide range to topiary hedges and features, mainly Taxus and Buxus, but all in large private gardens of at least eight acres, where they may be viewed from different angles – either as focal points or main features, or stand – alone pieces of living sculpture within an area … Read more
One of the joys of being a contractor is that one never knows what the next enquiry may bring! Six years ago, I took on the maintenance and responsibility for a private garden comprising approximately eight acres of formal garden, with another twenty plus acres of meadow and woodland. One of the features of the … Read more
Handling Enquiries It is not only recent or new firms that become aware that gardening skills alone are not all it takes to run a successful business. The fact that one feels confident enough to try to earn a living as truly Self Employed, and therefore responsible for their own actions, and bringer of monies … Read more
There has been a lot of comment lately regarding materials for projects. Should we, as contractors or designers be expected to nominate or offer to source products, or should this be the responsibility of the client (or Architect/Specifier) ? I really think that the selection and final decision should rest with the Contractor, who is … Read more
I always carry a folding, or collapsible ladder in the van, or in the boot of the car, for use when surveying a project, or pulling rubbish from a bungalow gutter. This particular model, costing just under £100.00 inc VAT has proven invaluable over the years. Simply extend the ladder, one rung at a time, … Read more
Cutting paving slabs, especially natural stone, which tends to be much denser and harder that man made products, is one of the basic work skills we have to master as Landscapers – certainly hard landscapers or paving specialists. Cutting internal curves has always been the greatest challenge that we face. Therefore first time accuracy is … Read more
This may seem a strange title for a feature, but the purpose is to raise awareness of the need to forward plan for replacing worn or damaged mirrors (or any other fixed unit that may need replacement). This project, a superb design by Robin Williams, called for a mirror to be built in to the … Read more
Constructing bespoke raised planters without the requirement for foundations is usually achieved by using timber or perhaps metal – both types often purchased as products, and not as bespoke units. Obviously, if you are a talented carpenter, and have the facilities, tools and workspace to create planters, then you have an advantage. The raised planters … Read more
The client had only recently moved into the property, and inherited four bridges over a small stream which ran the length of the garden. All of the existing structures were in a poor condition – either rotting boards or dangerous handrails. Having tried, without success, to get quotes from local builders (not interested/too small/not worth … Read more
Whilst we all appreciate the absolute need for producing a detailed Method Statement prior to starting work (or indeed, preparing a quotation), one needs to develop a sixth sense or ‘Alarm Bells’ as I call it, whilst carrying out the requisite survey. On this particular project, I am cheerfully informed by the client that there … Read more
A very simple, fast, inexpensive and effective way to construct a waterproof water feature is by the use of a standard precast concrete drainage section of the type used in the building of manholes. The concrete rings vary in size and length, and usually have a foot rung built into each section. This particular pond … Read more
This simple flat bridge was constructed using reclaimed 50mm planks (scaffold boards would do the job) screwed on to 100mm x 100mm fence posts (all timber treated with clear preservative). The sides were created by weaving thin willow (hazel or chestnut whips could be used instead) with 50mm hazel roundels and 25mm ‘bean pole’ sized … Read more
There are times when a cost saving technique may be required on a project – without losing any design integrity. These simple steps – they could be single slabs instead of multiple units as shown here – do not require any risers, or indeed, any need to be constructed in a monolithic manner, neighbour against … Read more
We have all had the problem of trying to integrate manhole covers into paving schemes, and this site if no exception. This (unfinished) project was constructed using 600 x 600 x 50mm sawn flame textured York stone slabs with a tumbled/water worn slate pebble detail, designed by a well know Landscape Architect on a project … Read more
This project was in the centre of the City of Chichester, the scheme being devised by a new designer. The plan was straightforward – two individual raised planters with a matching raised area to the rear of the garden. However, the designer did not realise that brick ‘specials’ are required to construct the curved corners … Read more
Where possible, it is an excellent design feature to incorporate tiles laid on edge, either as a detail within a paving scheme – for example, as an additional row or rows outlining a brick course, or to edge some paving slabs. In this project, I have used tiles as an infill to become a front … Read more
There is no doubt that the beauty of reclaimed bricks is unrivalled in certain circumstances – like this old farmhouse with new extensions and a complete landscape makeover (by Arun Landscapes Ltd), where any new material would have been difficult to use. The new walls were constructed to match the house, right down to the … Read more
SITE SURVEY AND LOGISTICS TEMPLATE For use on Garden Surveys and Reports The following notes are intended for use by Designers and Contractors when tendering for projects, both domestic and commercial. The format is progressive, and therefore some of the information indicated in the survey questionnaire will not be relevant to all schemes. Similarly, there … Read more
The major benefit of laying standard square slabs into a diamond pattern is that of creating a more interesting design that simply laying slab against slab. The design layout shown here allows a 55cm x 55cm slab to provide a path 80cm wide by laying each unit point to point. This pathway was laid in … Read more
There are several different Tricks involved in this particular project, which may relate to walling materials other than flint. Similarly, although this is a free standing wall, certain features may also be utilised in respect of retaining walls. The wall shown is eleven metres in length, with two straight panels of three metres and one … Read more
Following the previous article showing my construction techniques to ensure accurate levels and verticals without constant recourse to using a spirit level, these photos show my method of creating a curved section of flint walling using brick piers and coping, also using wooden profiles. Using 50mm x 50mm sawn timber, all cuts should be made … Read more
So many projects – everything from laying turf to constructing driveways and patios, footpaths and timber decks, present potential future problems when fitting extra ‘garden’ features requiring connections if consideration is not given to the installation, at the time of construction, to enabling the wires, cables and piping to be fitted speculatively. Irrigation, including hosepipes … Read more
For use on Garden Surveys and Reports The following notes are intended for use by Designers and Contractors when tendering for projects, both domestic and commercial. The format is progressive, and therefore some of the information indicated in the survey questionnaire will not be relevant to all schemes. Similarly, there will be occasions that you … Read more
Planning is the most important part of any garden project. Planning is the key to the success of Hard Landscape schemes in particular, and the benefits of careful forethought will make things run more smoothly from the outset. The face work or finished slabs are only one element of a project, and each stage, from excavating … Read more
This thread will introduce a series of practical hints and tips, methods and techniques, all based on knowledge gained over many years of experience. Some will be new to you, others may hopefully remind you of those things you learned but may have forgotten! They will be in no particular order, as we are not … Read more