How to be a green gardener

Most gardeners have a healthy respect for nature and the environment, but there are always things we can do to make sure that they are as ‘green’ as possible. Here are some of our favourite ways to turn up the eco-friendly in your own back garden…

The first and most obvious way is to make sure that everything you use in and on your garden is organic, wherever possible.  If you cut out the chemicals, pesticides, weed killers and other nasties, swap fertilisers for natural; manure and make the most of crop rotation, it’s much better for the health of your garden, the organisms that inhabit the soil and all the wildlife that you want to encourage.

Make your own compost – it’s good for cutting down on household waste and also means that you won’t need to use garden chemicals.  This leads us nicely into fruit and vegetable patches – compost them well with home-made compost and hopefully you can grow your own crops, which is great for the environment and cuts carbon emissions as it means you’re not relying on transporting food in from overseas. Home grown produce also tastes fantastic and it saves you money too.

Keep the bees happy – they aren’t just cute little creatures that pollinate the flowers but they are essential to the eco-system and we need to encourage them into the garden and look after them! If you want to tempt the bees into your garden, bee-friendly plants like poppies, lavender and sunflowers are a big draw to these helpful insects, and give them a nice varied diet.

Leave some areas in the garden to grow naturally, provide wood piles and even leave the nettles to grow – they give local hedgehogs and butterflies a home, as well as being a good place for some species of beetle to nest. The birds will love the extra beetles – and birds are a great addition to any eco-friendly garden, acting as natural pest control. Invest in a few bird feeders to attract smaller birds like sparrow and robins, Bird feeders can help garden species like sparrows, tits and robins. Collect your rainwater in a water butt, and use water such as bathwater or sink water that’s already been used in the bathroom or kitchen to water the garden; this saves water use and money as well as energy.

It’s easy to make your garden into a wildlife friendly ‘green’ space, with a little thought and a few less chemicals.

Decking for summer - Some design ideas

The perfect garden needs to have comfortable areas in which you can relax, soak up the sun (well, we can but hope), entertain and generally enjoy the outdoors.  Adding some stylish decking is great for al fresco socialising as well as giving the impression of more room to the house.

If you’re drawn to a classic feel and look, you can create a gorgeous al fresco dining area by adding decking and then surrounding it with raised flower beds. Wooden decking is popular and also eco-friendly as it lets water drain through to the soil underneath. You can use this style decking to make your garden look longer too, by using narrow boards that run end to end.

To add to the ambience and relaxed dining, you could also add an outdoor sofa which gives you the option of chilling out in the garden even if it’s a bit cooler or damper. If you’re buying an outdoor sofa to sit on your decking, though, we’d advise you to think about adding an all-weather ­canopy for obvious reasons!

Add a more sophisticated evening feel with subtle lighting that will enhance the whole garden. There are so many different lighting ideas to choose from, you really can experiment with whatever you think will look good. Try adding a few mounted spotlights, candles and lanterns, even ostentatious chandeliers can work – try wrapping overhead beams  with greenery and pretty flowers, strings of ornamental lights and tiki torches in surrounding borders.



You can jazz up existing decking with one of the attractive stains and paints available. There’s a whole range of products on the market that can be used to stain wood, so check out your local garden centre for inspiration. This gives you a really good way to enhance decking; and also introducing more colour into your garden. When you’re looking for the perfect paint, imagine how it will look with the existing garden, for example you could match it to existing fencing and furniture or deliberately go for a contracting look.

Another way to brighten up an area of decking is by quite literally mixing it up a bit. You can make a feature out of it by mixing up the widths and styles of the boards and coming up with your own unique design.

If you don’t want a decked area right next to the house you could even think about adding a freestanding area which can give you a ‘den’ – or a secluded reading and thinking place right at the bottom of the garden.

If you are looking for ideas and want to talk over inspiration with the experts, come and chat to the expert landscapers at John Lessels.

Minders for March – what to do in the garden this month

March is always a difficult one; sometimes it really feels like spring has sprung and you can get out in the garden and start getting things spick and span. Other years you’re faced with driving rain, wind or even snow all the way through to April, so with that in mind, a March to do list depends very much on the conditions you’re presented with!

Hoping for the best, if your lawn has been left uncut since the beginning of winter, it’s about time for its first cut of the New Year. As soon as the weather allows, and the lawn is dry enough, get out there and trim it up; you’ll be surprised at how much of a difference a tidy, neat lawn can make to a garden that’s suffering from winter hangover.

If you have any Cornus (Dogwood) plants in your garden, get them cut back in late March so that you get the colourful stems these woody plants are well known for. They are a hardy plant that can thrive in damp conditions (usually that’s just as well) but they do need a little TLC at this time of year. Leaving the pruning until late March/early April means that you still get the pretty winter display but without the negative consequences from cutting off any new growth.

Keep these weeds at bay – hopefully there won’t be too much weed growth if you’ve managed to keep on top of things but you’ll probably find that you look out at the garden one weekend and notice there’s been a proliferation seemingly overnight after a few days of nice weather. Nip it in the bud early and save yourself the work later, get the weeds while they are still young and haven’t taken hold yet!

 

While you’re there, it’s also a great time to plant your spring flowering bulbs – dahlia, gladioli and begonia are just a few flowers that will brighten up your garden later in the season if planted now.

If you have a pond, you’ve probably taken the pumps out over the winter to protect wildlife and water quality? It’s time for them to go back in now, as long as the threat of frost and ice has well and truly receded. Get them in as the weather starts to warm up ready for a new season.

If you have a greenhouse, it’s fine to start leaving it open to vent the growing plants inside as the chill wears off the weather, and you can happily potter in there or the shed, while top dressing your pots and containers with compost, ready for the warmer weather.

Enjoy the first rays of spring sunshine!

Native wild flowers in Scotland

While animals and birds are often quite rightly singled out for conservation projects, endangered plants often tend to be overlooked when it comes to preserving our natural wildlife. The Cairngorms Rare Plants Project aims to redress that balance and has already gone some way towards protecting
some of Scotland’s rarest native flora.

The project was launched in March 2010 to take action to help protect four threatened plants in the Cairngorms National Park, and one part of the project, aimed at protecting the twinflower - one of Scotland’s most endangered and iconic wildflowers - was even shortlisted for a RSPB Nature of Scotland Award in 2013.

The twinflower, which thrives in native pine woodlands, has been declining in number for some time, mostly because the patches of plants are too far apart for them to successfully pollinate. The plan, quite simply, was to move them closer together and let nature take its course.

The team used a pioneering new translocation method, developed by the team behind the Cairngorms Rare Plants Project which involved very carefully moving selected plants closer together, making it easier for them to cross pollinate and produce seeds. It’s hoped that moving the existing plants closer together will help to ensure the long term survival of this pretty native bloom.

Justin Prigmore, Cairngorms Nature Officer explained: "The twinflower may only be small but it is one of Scotland’s most charismatic plants and the Cairngorms National Park is a stronghold for the remaining population”

The Rare Plants project was well supported locally and involved land managers working alongside ten key conservation partners, rangers and local volunteers.

"It is an excellent example of how groups and individuals can come together to make a positive difference, which is what Cairngorms Nature is all about," said Andy Wells, Chair of the Cairngorms Nature Strategy Group.

Signs were good last summer, as the first transplants survived the winter – some of them even flowered at the beginning of July 2013. The transplanted plants may not have produced a large number of flowers, but quite a few of them were showing signs that they had set seed, so things are looking good for this summer!

Perfect Paving

There's more to laying a new driveway or path than you think with a huge range of products to choose from. We use the Stonemarket product range, which has a wide range of styles to choose from, but even before you start choosing your driveway style and material, there’s a lot you need to consider.

Things to consider when you plan your paving project:

• First of all, you need to be able to visualise what you're working with, so start by drawing out the area that you want to pave on some graph paper.
• Make sure when you're planning the project that if you're paving next to a wall, the paving will be at least 150mm below any damp course.
• To make sure that the paving drains properly, make sure that there's a gradient of at least 1:40.
• The right foundations are important: if your paving is going to be light use, and you're laying on solid, even ground, you can use 40mm sharp sand but if it's going to be in heavy use, opt for something larger.

Picking your perfect paving

When you’re choosing the paving for your driveway, the choices can be confusing. We work with Stonemarket because they cater for all needs and tastes, with product ranges that suit all installations.

Think about what you want from your paving; are you looking for a decorative effect or is wear and tear more of a pressing issue for you?

What about your existing garden? Is it a bit gloomy through lack of sunlight, or generally well-lit? If you want to brighten up a dark area of the garden, you could opt for a pale limestone to reflect the light and look elegant at the same time.

For a dramatic look, a darker sandstone, slates or granite can give you a really good effect. These paving materials actually absorb light, and work well close to foliage or flowers.

You can also change the character of a pathway with riven textures which help to create patterns of light and shade, these can add character to a larger driveway, or soften the look of a pathway in an older property. Being creative with irregular edges and paving patterns also helps to give your pathways an eye catching detail.

Stonemarket’s range of vitrified paving is great for outdoor use and comes in different colours. The range provides a reliable and low maintenance material that absorbs hardly any moisture, minimising the growth of moss and algae.

For advice on what will work for your property, come and chat to an expert at John Lessel.

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.