Gardens

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Gardens

Gardens can provide an important recreational facility for the home. They can be used for many purposes including hobbies, relaxation purposes, games and social events. Gardens can greatly influence the overall appearance of a property, whether they are situated its front or rear. The garden area of a house can be used to create a truly customised living space. A vast array of garden products are available from garden centres and garden specialists throughout the country. Gardens can be designed and landscaped to meet individual living requirements by landscape gardeners or by yourself.

Specific landscaping products are available, such as turf, which can be laid on any garden, new or old, to provide an instant lawn area. If more time is available grass seeds can be purchased and sown to create a lawn area. Topsoil may be required to increase growing media depth within lawn and flower boarder areas and can be purchased from a number of local specialists. In new and existing gardens consideration needs to be given to establish site boundaries, to deter thieves, stop unwanted animals and prevent land ownership disputes. An effective and instant solution can be provided by garden fencing, which is offered in many shapes and forms, the most common being of timber construction. Timber panel fences can be susceptible to strong winds if not installed correctly. Reinforced concrete posts, set in concrete, can provide increased support, that will last for many years. If views from your garden are crucial consideration could be given to including a trellis panel within the fence to provide a viewing point, alternatively, if aesthetics are not that important a stock fence (constructed of wire netting and wooden posts) could be erected. A timber palisade fence, although more costly, will also provide reasonable views. More bespoke garden fence options include ornate iron railings, which can be accompanied with matching gates, if necessary. Iron railings represent the higher end of the market and have a price tag to match. If a gate is needed many wooden gates can be purchased to complement your fencing arrangement, from 5 bar wooden gates, ideal for vehicular access, to featherboard gates, ideal for side gates.

Further products such as seeds, shrubs, hedging plants and trees, all available from nurseries, and wholesalers could provide those essential landscaping touches. For those who require an instantaneous landscape mature trees can be purchase in various stages of growth from transplant specialists to make the dream become a reality.

Other key garden features that provide strong focal points within gardens, regardless of garden size, are decking and pavers. Wooden decking can be used to create an elevated rustic feature surface, or simply as an extension from a rear door or conservatory out in to the garden. Decking is either manufactured from wood or plastic. Typically softwood decking is available in pine, whilst hardwood decking is produced in teak and from other tropical hardwoods. Timber decking remains the most popular choice, however plastic decking manufactured from recycled plastic provides a more sustainable choice and will need less maintenance. Wooden deck tiles can also be used to create different visual patterns in conjunction with decking systems.

If a more permanent and durable solution is required pavers can be used to create a patio area or a paved area anywhere within the garden. Pavers, often referred to as paving slabs, are available in a number of styles and are typically produced from concrete, natural stone or cast stone. Traditional concrete pavers are generally square or rectangular with sharp lines, however a more rustic look can be created using cast stone pavers. Cast stone pavers are manufactured from concrete with stains and additives to give them the appearance of natural stone. They can also be given a textured finish to replicate that of natural stone and provide the cheapest natural looking alternative to stone. Many builders merchant and specialist suppliers stock cast stone products. Alternatively natural stone pavers, or natural stone paving slabs, as they are sometimes known, are widely available in many colours, such as brown, red brown, yellow and grey. Paving slabs can be purchased in many different sizes and can be laid in different patterns to create a strong visual impact. Block pavers, typically used for driveway construction, are also typically manufactured from concrete and can look similar to natural stone depending on their surface finish.

Garden ponds can provide an impressive focal point for any garden. Garden ponds need to be lined with an impermeable material to retain their water. Traditionally pond lining was done with puddling clay, however this can be easily damaged and rendered useless as a water retainer by the growth of pond plant roots. The modern method of pond construction uses a geosynthetic material, known as a geomembrane, which is impermeable water. Geomembranes are supplied in rolls and can be laid to line the profile of any pond. If a small ornamental pond is to be constructed a preformed pond liner, typically manufactured from a high density plastic, is likely to provide the best solution. A variety of water features are marketed to be specifically placed within ponds, the classic being a water fountain. Water fountains vary in design and may take the form of a simple, but effective, vertical water jet, or a more ornate design incorporating a statue. A number of garden designers can create bespoke garden fountains to cater to individual requirements. Other standalone garden ornaments can be purchased, such as garden statues of animals and people, sundials and stone troughs.

To enable a garden to fulfil its social function garden furniture is likely to be needed. Garden furniture may take the form of garden seats or benches, with accompanying tables for added functionality. These are available manufactured from a range of materials from durable metals, such as cast iron and aluminium, to wood and plastic. Plastic products are not as durable and are generally not suitable to be left outside all year round. Seasonal garden accessories, such as sunshades, will also prove to be invaluable.

In public settings, such as parks, consideration to the provision of rubbish bins for both conventional litter and dog waste may be needed. Rubbish bins can be manufactured from metal and durable plastics, taking in to account their usage environment and finished according to preference. Dog litter bins, typically finished in red paint, are produced in a number of formats with some being post mounted and others floor mounted. Other street furniture suitable to resist vandals, such as metal park benches and tables, may also be necessary, with an array of bespoke solutions also available. Climbing frames can also be sourced from a number of specialists and metalworkers both likely to offer bespoke design and build services.

In order to maintain a garden and keep it looking vibrant and healthy irrigation can play an important role in the summer months. Irrigation may take the form of a watering can filled with water from a water butt, which is ideal for small scale operations, however where a large garden is concerned an irrigation system could well be worth considering. Irrigation systems can vary in complexity with automatic irrigation systems using timed switches and electronic controls to administer water proving to be a popular choice. Ground improvement products can be supplied to improve the quality of your grass by increasing void space to aerate the grass roots.