Resurface your garden

GRASS is great for the environment but it can quickly become tatty if you fail to give it regular care. So low-maintenance options have become popular with busy people who have fallen out with mowing.

On your marks, get sett

Natural granite or pre-cast concrete setts can be used to create circles for a more interesting and textured floor. To stop them wobbling when walked on, lay them on a solid foundation made with a 5-10cm layer of crushed stone topped with builders’ sand. Then lay the setts using mortar or sand between them. They can also be used to create geometric patterns and seams between large paving slabs that give patios a formal but attractive look.

Give it up for gravel

With gravel you can make a patio in just a couple of hours. Choose a weed-free sunny spot and put down a weed membrane, then dump and spread a load of pea gravel to cover the area 5-10cm deep.

A retaining edge will help gravel from spilling into borders. Tap down