LANDSCAPING

Just as interior decoration is a matter of personal taste so too is the presentation of the external space you own or rent. Some people have ‘green fingers’ and enjoy spending as much time working on their section as they can. Others find gardening a chor

Starting a garden from new is easier than taking over an established property although vision is required to be able to ‘see’ the final product. Landscape designers can help in this respect and have tremendous creative ability.

You’ll need a wish list, an understanding of the climate, sun and soil and a budget! A plan of the section, to scale, will also be needed. Consider the immediate needs of your family and also how they might change in the future as the family ages.

Easy care sections these days can be good looking with judicious use of pavers, foliage and other decorations. There’s a good selection of sculptures, statues and ornaments for gardens and who can resist the sound of trickling water? Not only are water features soothing they are a good source of water for birds.

A wander around any garden supply store is great for thinking about what’s possible these days: raised garden beds, pebbles and bark, privacy screens and no end of plant pots and pavers.

Fencing off unsightly areas in the garden and using decorative screens for privacy, and to add visual interest, is popular and there’s a huge selection in a range of sizes and finishes to choose from.

Container gardening is ever popular and gives flexibility in that they can be moved around to create a new look. Pre-planted baskets, shrubs in pots, window boxes and flowers in unusual containers such as old boots, old bicycles, with appropriate drainage, can all create a stunning talking point.

On older sections trees can often pose a problem which is where a tree expert such as an arborist or tree surgeon can help. Hedges and trees can often be managed by a homeowner but sometimes they’ll need shaping and pruning by experts.

Finally keep your section looking spic and span by making use of services that dispose of your green waste on a regular basis.