How to choose the right fencing

What do you need to consider when you’re adding or replacing fencing on your property? Well, the obvious things are:

• Your budget
• How long it will take to erect
• The level of expertise needed (will you call in a professional?)
• It’s purpose; is it purely decorative or for security? Do you need privacy? Is it to keep the local wildlife out of your garden? Whichever your need, will dictate the best fencing for you.

Closeboard Fences

Closeboard fences are great if it’s privacy and security you’re looking for. Consisting of overlapping vertical feather edge boards which are nailed to horizontal rails and supported by posts, you will need to buy in the special notched posts and they have to be placed further apart than standard fence panels. They can be one of the more expensive types of fencing, but if you want security it’s a wise investment.

Lap Panel Fences

If you want to build your own fence, a lap panel fence is an easy one to start with. You buy the panels and simply attach them to wooden fence panels with special clips. The panels can also be slotted into concrete posts although this takes more than one person. They tend to look more4 rustic than a  closeboard fence, but still provide great security and privacy.

Composite Fence Panels

Composite wood fencing is popular because it’s a low maintenance option for boundary fencing. Although this type of fence can be pricier than a lap panel, it’s easy to look after and very durable. They don’t split or splinter and if installed by a professional they can have guarantees for over twenty years!

Trellis

Trellis fencing is often used to top an existing fence, and they can be extra security as they are too lightweight to support much weight, and would collapse if burglars tried to get over them. They also look attractive when used to support climbing plants. Trellis is handy for creating distinct areas and spaces within a larger garden, and if you want privacy, you can train plants along them – although this might take time.

Decorative Fence Panels

If you’re creating the perfect garden and want to decorate it with something a little bit individual, you could always opt for decorative fence panels, which come in a wide selection of interesting designs. Choose from curvy tops to a castle finish and really have fun with it – but be aware that decorative fencing doesn’t usually come cheap so it’s not a choice for you if you’re working to a tight budget.

For more advice on fencing, contact John Lessels Landscaping...

Keep your driveway in tip top condition this winter

Living in the UK, we never can tell whether we’re going to get a mild winter, an onslaught of rain and wind, or a freezing cold season with snow, ice and lots of frost. No matter what the weather throws at your garden, driveway maintenance is important for maintain your home’s curb appeal.

There’s also the issue of safety; nobody wants to injure slipping on ice or snow – either in or out of the car. If you’ve paid out for a driveway to be installed, or you’ve spent days building your own, you’ll want to keep it in good condition, too. Over the winter months this can present a bit of a challenge, but we have some top tips for you to help keep your driveway looking pristine whatever the weather.

• Make sure that your driveway will drain properly by creating edging along the sides. Go along the sides of the driveway and take away the soil all along, to a width of around two or three inches.

• Take the time to seal the driveway on a regular basis too; there are many products available that will help you to do this.

• Winter weather and conditions can play havoc with gardens – but try to keep the driveway as clear as possible from fallen leaves and any other debris. Invest in a leaf blower and/or pressure washer to keep the surface clean all year round, and if there are any spillages, especially oil or other chemicals, make sure these are cleaned up before they can cause any damage.

• Don’t use salt on a cement driveway in the winter, especially if it hasn’t been down for long. Salt can cause damage to cement, leaving unsightly cracks.

• Be careful when you’re removing snow from your driveway; it should be sturdy enough to withstand a shovel but even so, try not to go in too hard, which may scrape the cement or asphalt.
• Check your gutters and make sure they don’t drain directly onto the driveway.

• It also makes sense to move any trees or shrubs close to the driveway, if they are the type that might have roots that could eventually cause damage, by growing up from underneath.

These are just a few tips to keep your driveway in a great condition all through the winter.

Winter Garden Jobs

If you want to make sure that your garden is looking tip top in the spring, a little effort is needed while it’s cold to keep things under control. They might not be growing very much, but what is growing, needs looking after.

Make sure that your shrubs, deciduous trees and fruit trees are properly pruned back over the winter. You should start off by removing any dead or diseased branches, and then you can carry out a little damage limitation for the winter cutting back any sections of the tree or shrub which seem to be rubbing against each other. Lastly, if you have any very long branches on any of your garden trees, cut them back by one third of their length.

Keep an eye out for any early vegetables that can be dug out; you don’t want them to go to waste. Also, give the soil in your vegetable patches a good digging over now, before it has the chance to freeze solid. Getting this task out of the way before the real cold sets in helps to expose any soil pests to hungry birds, and stops marauding weeds from taking hold. Dig over a small area of soil at a time with a small spade for the best effect.

Keep your lawn looking good all winter long by keeping the fallen leaves off it as much as possible. Sweep them up as often as you can over the winter, you can use them as mulch on flower beds so they don’t have to go to waste. Try to avoid doing your leaf tidying after a particularly heavy frost though – you should avoid walking on turf but when it’s frozen as it can damage it.

Indoor plants don’t need so much watering now it’s not very warm, so just keep an eye on them and make sure they don’t dry out indoors. Winter-flowering like poinsettias, potted azaleas and cyclamen brighten up many an indoor space but they do need some TLC; with most indoor plants the rule is that you should only water them when the compost has almost dried out. When you do water them, do it until the liquid runs from the bottom of the pot, then let any surplus drain away. Don’t leave the pots standing in water for long as more plants die from over watering than under watering!