What is the best landscaping for rental properties?
Running a successful rental property operation usually means balancing a multitude of factors, challenges and expenses. This means landscaping becoming somewhat of an afterthought when preparing a new home for tenants.
Cost is always an issue when trying to run a business but landscaping should never be underestimated in dictating what quality of tenant you attract and how they treat your investment. If your rental property has an outside space what is the best way to landscape it for minimum cost, effort and maintenance? The answer to this equation really is a balancing act of factors which will be laid out here in our ‘best landscaping for rental properties here. The landlord’s dilemma
Renting is becoming an ever increasing necessity for newer generations. The more senior in society have flocked to property rental incomes to secure a more comfortable retirement. This has intern pushed up values and mostly shut younger generations out of ownership. This combined with high costs of living and ever less secure employment has led to an unpredictable turnover of renters.
As many of us have had to learn the hard way people do not respect others property as much as they do their own. This has made the landlord sector rather messy when it comes to providing good quality accommodation. Having said this there are a percentage of good quality renters out there that will respect a good quality home and take pride in it as if it were their own. I know this for a fact as my wife and I were good tenants for years actually improving all of the properties we lived in. The question is how do you attract the correct type of tenants and how much of a roll can landscaping play in such. 
Attracting good tenants
If your rental property has a garden most of the time it will be a family sized house or flat. Families are much more likely to maintain and look after a garden than if a home is split up into separate smaller dwellings. In these cases a high turnover of tenants means gardens can be filled with old furniture and rubbish very quickly.
The responsibility of grass mowing and weeding is so divided gardening duties is rarely taken on by anyone. In these scenarios a blanket approach to landscaping can be the only option. Gravels, hard surfaces, artificial grass and even concrete may be the only approach. Bear in mind that you will only attract good quality tenants if you provide a high calibre property with an aesthetically pleasing landscape scheme. This also justifies higher rents which intern means better occupants. Although landscaping for landlords has to be cost effective. Studies have shown that the ‘majority’ of people respect a beautiful environment more than they do a neglected one. During the 1990’s a serious effort was made to reduce crime in the city of New York. Psychologists working with the mayor implemented the ‘Broken window’ strategy with rather astonishing results. 
The Broken Window Strategy
Money was invested in cleaning up dangerous neighbourhoods in the city and money was invested in landscaping and environmental improvement. Windows were fixed, streets were cleaned and graffiti was removed.
Over the next few years crime and unsociable behaviour plummeted by 40%. Many have pointed out this strategy was not the only reason for crime dropping in the city. However a series of smaller experiments confirmed that a higher quality landscape encourages good behaviour and care from local residents. 
This can further be seen in the comparison of vandalism levels in Britain’s public parks compared to France. Most inner city parks in Paris display a high level of horticultural prowess and exquisite landscaping fit for most royal gardens.
Even though these gardens are open to the public anti social behaviour and vandalism is exceptionally rare. Compare this to most London parks which are very simplistic with out of date facilities which do have high levels of vandalism. As a landlord you should not be expected to spend tens of thousands on the garden but with good planning you can get the best of all worlds. A well conceived landscape scheme can enhance your properties value, improve the quality of tenants, command higher rents and command a better respect for your property investment. 
Inspire tenants to start gardening
If you provide a beautiful garden environment and carefully select your tenants renters can end up voluntarily taking up gardening. The power of suggestion can be overwhelming when planning a garden as a landlord.
Providing a greenhouse with pots soil and seeds leads to a high chance of gardening activities during warm weather. A garden with raised vegetable plots especially with young families will all most certainly be appreciated.
For sure a garden with seasonal interest including flowers and foliage will command a sense of duty to keep it in good condition. Your tenants may not become enthusiastic gardeners but by getting your tenants to love your garden can be the difference between nurturing or neglect. 
Add a designer’s touch
Most of the time very cost effective, small landscaping installations can be the difference between a great garden and an ordinary one. Focal points can be added or painting sheds and fence posts to give the garden some flair.
Sometimes implementing a thematic narrative by using similar colours and materials throughout the garden can give it a designed look. For inspiration take photos of the existing garden and overlay tracing paper for sketching in elements. Look at online images and garden magazines for inspirations! The internet is full of money saving and very effective landscaping ideas to give your garden the designers touch. 
Beware of the low maintenance trap
One of the greatest mistakes I see is implementing a ‘low maintenance garden’ and assuming this will be ‘no work’. This is a falsity!
No matter what garden design you go for there will always be some maintenance involved. I have seen many artificial lawns covered in weeds and many gravel gardens full of weeds also. When planning in low maintenance features bare this in mind. Gravels and bark mulch can be low maintenance but a heavy duty membrane is needed with a deep substrate. Artificial lawns are effective if they are not built cheaply with little base work underneath. Dirt and organic debris will build up on the surface after a few years giving small seedlings the nutrients to grow. Artificial lawns should be brushed off every winter with a stiff brush and water jet. There are many low maintenance, landscaping options for landlords but remember no garden is zero maintenance. The best landscaping for rental properties realises this fact. 
Artificial lawn
Artificial lawn has become better and better quality in recent years and is now a very popular garden installation. There is no doubt that a lawn that never needs to be cut is a very desirable thing. Artificial lawn is usually more expensive to install than many realise. When obtaining quotations from a landscaping contractor beware! Cheapest is not always best.
Artificial lawns if installed properly will give you an effective low maintenance option for decades. Problems can arise when contactors ‘do the work on the cheap’ not digging out to the correct depth and installing the correct sub-base. Landscapers should install at least 4 inches of compacted base underneath the lawn. Ask contractors to specify on the quotation what construction methods and specification will be used. Not all artificial lawns are created equal! There is a wide range of quality options to choose from. These can vary from luxury ranges you would love to walk bare foot on or less expensive brush like astro-turf. Try to make sure any contractor gives you samples or provides you with the manufacturer’s specification including any guarantees. 
There are some potential hazards when applying artificial grass to rental properties. One thing you must consider is they will melt and burn if exposed to fire. This goes for barbecues, cigarette butts and fire pits.
You can never be sure who your tenants will invite around and what they will be getting up too. For this reason make sure you have other areas of hard standing and make it clear no smoking, barbecues or fires will be within range of the lawn. With good installation and planning away potential fire hazards artificial lawns can be a very good land lord friendly material. Just remember a good quality one is not cheap. Some of the best landscaping for rental properties utilise this low maintenance material. Living lawn
No one can deny a traditional living lawn is a popular option when landscaping a new garden space. They produce colour and a surface which can host a multitude of varying activities. For many however living lawns are a headache with their continuous cutting regime which persists throughout the growing season.
In my personal opinion living lawns are not as high maintenance as many people think. Although there is work to be done mowing is much straight forward than weeding between paving stones or pruning large shrubs. A living lawn will give the tenant some sense of constant responsibility for the garden. Mowing the lawn is a standard criteria of most tenant contracts. As long as you provide a basic mower most of the time lawns will be kept in good shape by most tenants. Most renters will expect there to be some lawn space in any property with a garden so bear this in mind. Living lawn is also relatively cheap to install so there is a good reason this surface has lasted the test of time. 
Paving
I personally feel paving is one of the best surfaces for any garden and especially for rental properties. Paving is functional as well as attractive and more importantly pretty much indestructible as far as landscaping goes.
It is also expensive and most of the time paving a whole garden is going to be costly. To limit the possibility of weeding joints make sure contractors build paving on at least a 4 inch base layer, lay on a consistent mortar bed and joint with a strong pointing mix. Paving can create perfect patio spaces for your tenants to make more use out of the garden with pretty much zero maintenance. When choosing paving materials try to go for natural stone, these will not fade in sunlight like concrete based paving. Also for rental properties it is advised you choose darker tones with colour variations. This means there is less chance of staining from liquid spillages such as red wine and coffee. Please note that sealants are not always 100 % effective against stains from very light coloured paving. 
Decking
Decking is a popular landscaping installation coming in a wide variety of styles, materials shapes and sizes. It is usually thought of as a quick and more affordable option than paving which is on the whole true.
The main advantage with decking is varying levels and heights can be bridged without expensive and substantial masonry walls with large foundations. This can reduce costs and provide a quicker remedy to difficult sites. Decking can also help to cover over problematic areas with not much clearance and digging. One of the main draw backs with decking however timber is will always degrade. Standard soft wood decking does well if it lasts 15 years which sounds a long time but not in landscaping. A well built patio will last 3 times that time so you have to think of value for money when landscaping for rental properties. If after 10 years you have rotten boards and someone falls through you could have a head ache on your hands. Standard decking can last much longer with regular oiling and treatment but it is hard to find tenants that will keep this up. There are hard wood decks and now composite decks which claim to last as long as paving but I am generally sceptical about this. Even with these materials the joisting work is nearly always standard timber which will still degrade. I have found no matter what decking you go for they can also end up slippery once algae and wet conditions set in. Composite decks as well as soft wood and hard woods are also vulnerable to fire. Be sure your tenants are non smokers and there is a separate area for barbecues or fire pits. 
Gravel
Gravel can be a very effective landscaping solution for landlords and tenants alike. If installed properly gravel areas can be extremely low maintenance and help create warm micro climates on sunny days.
Certain garden styles such as Mediterranean themed gardens and dry gardens work well with gravel. If you really do not want lawn gravel gardens can be the best landscaping for rental properties. If you wish to landscape with gravel make sure all perennial weeds are removed or sprayed before applying the weed membrane. Make sure that weed membranes are robust but let rain water pass through. Membranes should be overlapped and pinned down before gravels are spread. Do not scrimp on the amount of gravel applied to the surface. You must ensure that you at least spread a 50 millimetre layer of gravel to the surface to ensure no weed growth. When selecting gravel go for a ‘non absorbent’ grade material, this will prevent algae penetrating the aggregate and turning the colour green or black. One of the main hazards with gravel is very young children. Especially babies and toddlers can pick up small stones and put them in their mouth. This may be something to consider when planning a gravel garden and the type of renters you will be renting to. 
Bark mulch
Bark mulch is not thought of as a conventional garden surface to rival lawns or patios but they can be. Commonly thought of as a surface for play areas and planting beds it can become a main theme of a garden.
This is especially possible if you are shaded out by close by large trees. The shade and root dominance of nearby trees can mean very few weeds can establish. These dry shady conditions are a good opportunity for ‘woodland gardens’ or fruit orchards. In addition to this bark mulch can lay the foundation for a well thought out established planting scheme. Bark mulch when laid on a robust weed resistant membrane can allow you to ‘spot plant’ by cutting planting holes in the membrane. This gives you flexibility and a hard wearing surface which is cheap and quick to install. For the landlord this can be an option but be warned bark mulch areas will have to be topped up every few years and as bark degrades there is more chance of weeds taking hold. I would say for dry shady areas bark mulch can be a very effective option. 
Garden borders
Garden borders are not the first thing landlords think about when landscaping a rental property. Borders however do have a place in rental properties. For a start they make mowing easier by providing an edge to lawns. Lawns which run all the way to the boundary fence are usually a hassle forcing you to strim.
Gardens with beautiful flower borders full of interesting plants are more likely to be maintained. This goes for lawns and other landscaping features. If adding a border to your rental property plant slow growing plants that will not get out of control. Make sure borders are well bark mulched with a robust weed membrane underneath. 
Raised garden beds
Raised beds can be a fantastic way to incorporate some defined growing areas within your garden. The good thing about raised beds is they can also provide seating as well as planting spaces. This can be very useful in small, narrow gardens or surrounding patio areas. Raised vegetable beds with bare soil can also inspire your tenants to try gardening which can lead to a better kept garden.
Planting
Although planting instantly gives an impression of a high maintenance garden it doesn’t have to be. There are many slow growing and delicate plants which can need very little input. Small coniferous ground cover shrubs like Juniperus Horizontalis ‘Blue Chip’ can provide ground cover and year round greenery.
Bulbs can create seasonal interest in summer, autumn and winter with next to no input at all. There are many plants which come up for a small amount of time and die back in winter. By staying away from large aggressive shrubs you can have planting which takes care of itself and looks good. Planting can and will bring life and excitement to the property. This will in turn command a higher respect and love from the tenants. Trees
If careful selection of tree species is taken they can make a rental property even less maintenance. Small rootstock and dwarf trees can reach a climax growth quickly resulting in no pruning or after care. Trees will usually dominate the ground around them preventing weeds from taking hold.
Small fruit trees like figs, almonds and pears will also make a tasty treat for your tenants. Bark chipping, orchard areas with a robust weed membrane can be very low maintenance. These can also be incorporated into play areas and woodland seating areas even wildlife areas. These kind of small tree plantings can also reduce the heat island effect in summer and help to insulate from cold winds in winter.If considering planting trees make sure they are small and find out there maximum size when fully mature. 
Gingko Biloba tree
Shrubs
Shrubs are usually the sticking point for most gardens requiring lower maintenance regimes. They commonly slowly get larger and larger every season until you are left with a huge mass of foliage. Shrubs can easily get out of control especially in rental properties requiring regular trimming. Most of the time landlords are forced to cut shrubs into squares and circles which look ordinarily boring.
The best approach with shrubs is going for slow growing and ones that maintain their form. Architectural plants like Fatsia Japonica and Mahonia’s maintain their form without the constant need for continuous pruning. Try to stay away from plants with long spikes such as Yucca Gloriosa which can be sharp to eyes and skin. Climbers
Climbers are a great way to add some vertical foliage, screen unsightly areas and decorate garden structures. In rental properties they can be a low maintenance way of incorporating colour and scent to the garden.
Climbers like Clematis, Roses and Jasmines are not too vigorous and are very easy to maintain. Landlords should try to stay away from large aggressive climbers however like Russian vine and Boston Ivy. 
Clematis
Perennials
Perennials are plants which come up every year, flower and die back for the winter time. These can be extremely effective in creating that seasonal interest every growing season. These once established are very low maintenance and do not command much care at all.
These can be perfect for rental properties with spring summer and autumn interest which barely any input. Perennials such as Lilies, Hollyhocks and hellebores are perfect example of these ideal landscaping for rental properties. Annuals
Annuals are herbaceous plants which grow from seed every spring, flower, set their seed and die in the autumn. In gardens these are usually bought as bedding plants. Room is usually left at the front of flower beds so these can be planted after the last frosts.
These are not always perfect soft landscaping for rental properties but they are high impact! These are especially valuable if you want to make tenants fall in love with your garden! This could be for viewings or for existing renters at the property. A broad array of annual flowering colour and scent will make your occupants love, nurture and appreciate your garden. 
Mulching
No matter what planting you go for in your rental property it is always a good idea to apply a generous layer of mulch. This is the key to having successful planting beds in rental accommodation.
The mulch will colour contract well with the plants, keep the underlying soil healthy and prevent weeds from taking hold. You may also benefit from a robust weed membrane between plantings. For more information about how to create a garden border see our article on the subject here. 
Conclusion
Many landlords roll their eyes when it comes to their properties back garden space. Typically overgrown with accumulations of unwanted property they can be a thorn in the side of a business investment.
The key to successful landscaping for rental properties is creating well built defined areas which are functional and beautiful. The more appealing your garden space the more likely it is to be used and valued. With careful planning of low maintenance features, functional facilities and aesthetic design this is easily achieved! The more beautiful and interactive gardens are the more likely it is they will be loved and cherished. This will be your ticket to high quality tenants which will take care of your investment for you! We hope you enjoyed reading our article on best landscaping for rental properties. If it helped with your search why not pin it or share it with your friends. If you need landscaping services whether it be garden construction or landscape design please do not hesitate to contact Buckinghamshire Landscape Gardeners today. Our Landscape services cover Buckinghamshire as well as Bedfordshire, Berkshire Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire and West London. Our immediate, local landscape services cover: Amersham, Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, Chesham, Great Missenden, Princes Risborough, and High Wycombe,
0 Comments
How to make a garden border
Garden borders are a great way to bring colour and vibrancy into your garden. With thousands of varying styles and planting effects making a new garden border can be an exciting process. Typically today many gardens are covered with lawn or paved over to save time. Many people are not confident enough to try a little gardening to make their gardens more naturalistic and interesting. Making even a small garden border can be the difference between an amazing outside space or a boring lifeless desert. Although making a new border or flower bed is easy in principle there are a few things to consider when getting started. This article will explain how to make a garden border perfect for any garden in any circumstance. Making a garden border from hard standing
If your existing garden has areas of hard standing which you wish to be turned into a new border some demolition will be needed. Hard standing is any external surface which is too hard to be removed without breaking equipment. Paving, concrete and tarmac are the most common forms of garden hard standing.
In all cases the top layer and underlying hard core must be fully removed until you reach the subsoil. The subsoil should then be turned over and broken up to allow sufficient drainage to the border. You must have made provision for the waste material to be disposed of usually in a cartable skip. In some cases the hard standing may be thin enough to break out with basic hand tools such as a sledge hammer, iron bar or even a robust spade. In most cases however an electric or hydraulic breaker is needed to fracture the hard standing especially if it is concrete. With thick layers of tarmac and concrete a 12 inch grinder can cut out the shape of the new border before you break out. Always ensure you never work alone with heavy power tools and you always read the safety instructions before commencing work. Never use electric power tools in wet weather. 
Making a garden border from lawn
Creating a garden border from lawn is a much more straight forward process as long as the underlying ground is not too shallow in top soil. Typically the shape of the new bed is marked out and the top few inches cut with a half moon edging spade. The turf can then be neatly scraped off the border area and disposed of.
If you are lucky you have an adequate depth of suitable topsoil which will be deep enough for planting new plants. The hard subsoil should be excavated to make way for new topsoil loam to be filled in afterwards. The ground should be turned over and worked to a fine texture ready for planting. Soil which has been under turf for many years commonly is very low in fertility and nutrients. The constant cutting and compaction makes lawns rather low quality for growing plants. This means you will need to add a certain amount of soil amelioration in the form of fertiliser. If the ground is heavy and lacks drainage some course sand or course grit can be added. With borders made from lawn areas it is good to install a new edge or mowing strip. This will stop the lawn grass from spreading into the new border and help maintain a neat and robust boundary to the lawn. Lawn edging is best installed flush with the turf level for convenient mowing without the need for a strimmer. 
Choosing a shape for the border
When making a new garden border it is always good experiment with varying shapes and sizes before digging. This can be done by sketching over images of your garden, computer software or simply experimenting with shapes using a hose pipe.
This will give you the opportunity to experience the effect of the new bed before you commit to any heavy work. Sometimes getting ideas by looking at images in magazines or online can be great research to finding the effect you want. When planning a new border think about the types of plantings you visualise growing. If it is a wild flower cottage garden bed perhaps sweeping curves are a good shape. If the garden style you envisage is more contemporary perhaps strong lines and angular forms are best. Whatever style or shape you choose, experiment this is the fun part of garden planning! Creating a new garden border can be a fulfilling and enjoyable process. 
Edging your new garden border
When creating a new garden border it is common to want it to have a clean and defined edge. This is especially important when marrying up next to lawn. In such a case an edging of some sort will prevent grass encroaching into the soil of the bed.
Edgings can be made from many materials including paving, brickwork, timber or aluminium. If a new border is next to a lawn it is good to have the edging level with the lawn surface for easy mowing. This is why edgings at lawn level are often referred to as mowing strips.   Improving your garden borders soil
Most of the time existing ground if it’s lawn or hard standing will be compacted with a low level of fertility. It is vital that the existing ground is turned over and all rubble and large stones are removed to improve drainage.
If the existing area is hard standing it will be important to supply some new topsoil to build up a workable and fertile soil. Most landscape suppliers can advise you on the best option for you within their range. Most suppliers can deliver large amounts of soil in jumbo bags or loose for even larger loads. To quantify how much soil you need times the surface area by the depth in millimetres. This will give you a cubic metre quantity. With soil 1 cubic metres is usually equal to 1.6 tonnes very often people are surprised just how much material can be generated from a seemingly small excavation. When digging also bear in mind soil bulks up by 30%. The best soil for growing healthy plants is a compost rich loam soil with a free draining structure. To improve your garden soil to its maximum potential try to get an idea of what the local soil conditions are in your area. For example if your garden is usually damp and boggy you may want to add some sand or grit to help it drain better. If your existing soil is heavy and clay add more organic material to help break up the soil. It also may be worth obtaining a soil PH testing kit to discover if the existing soil is acidic or alkali. The perfect ph for most garden plants is about ph 6-7 or neutral. Kits are available from most garden retailers. To adjust the ph of the new garden border chalk or lime will raise the ph and ericaceous compost can lower it. Regular turning and rotovating will keep your soil aerated, workable and free draining. 
Raised garden borders
One good way of ensuring a good depth of good quality soil in your border is to build a raised one. Raised garden beds are very popular allowing you to bring your planting schemes to eye level and ensure good drainage.
Raised garden beds are also very suitable for growing vegetables and plants that require a deep rich growing medium. The two most common ways of building raised garden borders is with external grade timber or some form of masonry, usually bricks. If building with timber it is recommended to use timber with a minimum of 3 inches thickness. It is common to try and build beds with standard 6x2 timber but bear in mind from personal experience this will rot through in about ten years. It is best to build raised beds with heavy duty timber sleepers. These are usually 10 x 5 inches and can be bolted to 4x4 posts concreted into the ground for extra stability. If building with masonry it is important to install a robust concrete foundation for the brick work to sit upon. This will prevent cracking and movement later on. Brickwork should be built with a double thickness above 1 foot or 300mm. This extra thickness is vital to support heavy loads of wet soil. These raised beds should have weep holes at the base to help excess water to escape. Masonry raised beds can be rendered and painted and can bled to any style or theme. Although this type of raised bed is more robust than timber they are more work and usually more expensive than timber construction. 
Drainage for a new garden border
Depending on what type of plants you wish to grow you may need to consider the drainage of your garden bed. Most plants prefer good drainage but you don’t want the soil so well drained that plants dry out in summer.
The best solution for this is working on your soil. A clay loam with plenty of organic matter is the best soil type for drainage and moisture retention. When creating a new garden border try to dig down as deep as you can and turn the soil over to relieve compaction and allow water to permeate the ground. This combined with good quality topsoil will allow your new bed to have great drainage. Irrigating your garden border
When creating your new garden border or bed you may or may not wish to install irrigation. If you have a particularly dry garden or raised garden bed you may wish to install irrigation unless you wish to grow dry loving plants. For a perfect growing medium soil should be slightly damp to the touch about 2 inches under the soil. If you are not prepared to regularly water your new garden border in hot dry weather you may want to install an automated for of drip feed irrigation.
Orientation and Micro-climate
When selecting your new garden borders position it is always important to contemplate the type of effect you want. This means considering what types of plants you wish to grow.
To make your choice as broad as possible a sheltered and sunny position is best. If you wish to grow exotic plants and summer flowering plants areas that warm up in the sun are best. This can include south facing walls and heavily sheltered sunny borders. If you need to create your border in a shady, open, boggy or dry area don’t panic! There is plenty of good information on the best plants for these sorts of conditions also. With a little research you can still find the perfect planting effects for any beds orientation or microclimate. 
Choosing plants for your garden border
Most of the time people have an idea of the type of plants and blooms they want in their new garden border. Even if your borders soil and orientation is not perfect for the plants you have in mind there will always be a substitute. Below are some of the considerations you may want to take into account when choosing plants for your border.
Theme
The theme of your garden will determine the type of planting and even shape of your new border. If you are going for an exotic jungle theme organic curvy borders are very suitable. If you have a modern scheme angular and straight lines are a more common choice.
Foliage
Foliage or the leaves of the plants you plant have a huge impact on the effect your border will give. Foliage can provide visual textures colours sound and movement. Also seasonal variation can make dramatic impacts by paying attention to your plants foliage.
Colour
There are many ways to utilise colour in your new garden border. Plants can be planted which change colour seasonally. This can include flowering and foliage. Raised beds and fences can be painted to create a colourful backdrop to your garden beds. Some research will soon find you the plants that will display your favourite colours in the garden for yers to come.
All year interest
When planning a planting scheme for your border it is good to consider what the bed will look like all year round. A combination of seasonal blooms, foliage, evergreens, bulbs, climber’s perennials and annuals can make your borders look amazing all year round. Study books on planting design to get the best seasonal effects for your garden.
Mulching your border
A great way to keep your garden border weed free and retain as much moisture as possible is to mulch. Mulching is adding decomposing organic matter such as bark chippings to create a moist soil cover. There are many advantages to mulching including helping to feed microscopic soil life.
This can keep your plants healthy and stop aggressive weeds from taking hold. There are many different mulching materials to choose from including simple solutions such as leaf mulch and even grass clippings. 
Enjoying your new garden border.
Making a new garden border like any form of gardening is not an exact science. There is much to consider and much information to digest to get things right first time. Having said this, the joy of gardening is learning and experiencing through trial and error. If you are planning a new garden border the most important thing is you get started! Do your research but most importantly get out there and just go for it! Good luck!
We hope you have enjoyed our article on how to make a garden border. If you enjoyed the article and helped your research why not share it with your friends. 
Raised garden beds can be an interesting and functional way to grow things in the garden. These are relatively easy to build and maintain. What is great about garden beds is they allow you to grow plants well even if your soil is bad quality or too shallow.
Raised beds allow you to choose what type of soil you grow in giving you a wider choice of planting types. Not only can raised beds provide you with great growing opportunities they can also add height and elevation to your garden. Below we have laid out all the things you should consider on how to build garden raised beds. 
Benefits of raised beds
Raised beds allow you to bring the soil surface closer to our preferable working height. This stops us having to bend so low down all the time making gardening easier. For this reason raised beds are great for people with lower back pain and are great for gardeners who are in wheelchairs. Raised beds reduce bending and kneeling putting less wear and tear of your back and knees.
The soil of raised beds is commonly much better quality and less compressed than normal soil. This makes it much easier to pull out deep rooted weeds and hoe off weed seedlings. Having beds raised off the ground means they are much less likely to be exposed to settling weed seeds. Seeds blown in on the wind have less chance of settling on raised beds than the lower ground. Raised beds can actually aid you to prolong the growing season. Being raised up and well drained means plants are less likely to be exposed to frosts. Raised beds are easy to cover with transparent plastic making miniature greenhouses out of raised growing areas. The soil in raised beds can be worked quicker and easier in spring meaning you can get plants planted out sooner. Raised beds give you much more choice when it comes to choosing soil types. If you wish to vegetables a compost rich loam is perfect. Raised beds allow you to grow in better quality soil and at a greater growing depth meaning more robust plants. Raised planters give you much more defined growing spaces in the garden. This is great for keeping an orderly garden structure and keeping beds well managed. For this reason raised beds are perfect for smaller gardens where space is at a premium. Raised beds have a deeper, well drained humus rich soil leading to much healthier plants. 
Position
Although raised beds can allow you the ability to grow plants anywhere it is advised the ground below at least drains well. If built on top of concrete it is advised to break out holes so there is still drainage at the bottom of the bed.
If built on soil the underlying earth should be turned over to blend with the new soil substrate. If your raised bed is on a roof top or balcony a system to retain water within the bed is advised. This is unless you are in a very warm climate and growing cacti. It is good to place your raised beds in a place where there is not much exposure to strong winds. Tender plants especially grow better in sheltered conditions so be aware of this when siting a raised bed. It is always best to choose a sunny position for your raised beds and building them in a place which is easy to access. Your beds will need to be maintained so having them close to the home or near a work shed is beneficial. 
Design
Raised garden beds can become a fantastic design feature in any garden or landscaping scheme. Most of the time many garden spaces have excessive horizontal spaces but lack it vertical features. Raised beds allow you to add vertical structure to a garden space. This can help break up monotonous areas and provide more spatial variation. Planted correctly raised beds can give the impression of plants being taller than they are. This is perfect for providing enclosure or enhancing decorative foliage like in jungle gardens.
Materials
Raised beds can be built using a wide variety of materials. The main examples of these are Concrete, brickwork, stone timber or plastic. There is no best material for raised beds but it is important you used the correct specification grade for whatever material you choose to use. For example, due to raised beds containing large volumes of heavy material flimsy materials should be avoided.
Timber
Timber is a strong, versatile and flexible material perfect for building raised garden beds. It must be stressed however that the correct type and thickness of timber is used. One of the biggest drawbacks of building raised beds with timber is the fact it can rot in damp outside conditions. This is especially in the case of softwoods such as pine.
Softer timbers can be used but they must be treated to become external grade timber. These can be dip or pressure treated. The other option is to use harder, tougher grades of timber such as oak or tropical hardwoods but these can be expensive. With timber the best way to build robust and attractive raised garden beds is with timber sleepers. Commonly recognisable as railway sleepers these large and robust sections of timber are thick enough to resist any ware and tear. Timber sleepers can be old reclaimed sleepers or you can buy new ones. The usually come in 2.4 – 3 metre lengths and have thicknesses of 4-5 inches. On the upside there are anywhere from 8-10 inches thick. Timber sleepers are robust enough to take the weight of heavy, wet soil. It is best to fix sleepers to concreted 4x4 inch posts for extra strength and durability. Such raised beds can be clad with expensive tropical hardwoods for an extra modern effect. 
Plastic
Plastic is not the most ideal solution for building raised garden beds as it is usually flimsy and degrades in sunlight. There are however now many, heavy duty, plastic deck boards on the market that can make great raised beds. If you are planning on making beds with these try to use the plastic as cladding rather than a structural element. Beds can be built using external grade timber and UV resistant plastic deck boards can be fixed on directly. These types of raised beds can be extremely effective it the beds match the materials used on horizontal decking.
Concrete
Concrete is an extremely robust and versatile material and can be used to make effective raised garden beds. The benefit of concrete is it allows you to build to almost any shape or form. It does however take quite some skill to build with effectively and correctly. Concrete raised beds are rather heavy and permanent so you have to be sure about the final bed location.
Concrete raised beds due to their weight will also need some infrastructure under the ground in the form of a foundation. There are two main ways of building raised beds with concrete. Concrete block work or in-situ concrete forming. The concrete block method involves laying concrete clocks on a concrete foundation and then either rendered cladded or painted. This usually involves digging out a foundation and filling it level with ready mix concrete. The concrete forming method involves using formwork and shuttering to create a mould for wet concrete to be poured into. This method is ideal for creating raised beds which are curved or intricately shaped but does require much skill and preparation. Either way concrete can make very robust, raised garden beds which can be cladded or coloured in any style and will last the test of time. 
Stone
Stonework and masonry can be an extremely aesthetically pleasing way to build raised garden beds. These can be created in a variety of ways using various materials and building techniques. A very traditional and contextual way to build with natural stone is dry stone walling. This rustic way to build can be extremely appealing and provide crevices for wildlife. It is advised however that any natural stone walling should be mortared in to place with a strong and course brick laying mortar.
Laying natural stone loose is not advised for retaining soil as the heavy load can cause the raised bed to crack and fail. The best way to build a natural stone raised garden bed is to excavate a foundation similar to a brick work project. Broken paving, blocks or even rocks should then be laid on strong mortar. The joints should be neatly pointed but I personally think recess or racked out joints look better with natural stone walling. Raised garden beds should always be built with drainage or weep holes at the base to allow water to escape. 
Brickwork
Brickwork is a classic way to build strong, decorative structures which will require little if not no maintenance. When retaining soil it is best to build beds with a double thickness brickwork bond. These usually use a combination of both header and stretcher courses. English garden, Flemish and Monk bond are all good examples of these.
It is advised to put some sort of impervious capping on top of the wall to prevent freeze and thaw action on the top courses. Alternatively you can use a soldier or header course of robust bricks on top. Brickwork raised beds should also have drainage holes at the base to ensure good drainage. Size
The size of the raised bed will depend on your plot and orientation of your garden space. When building with timber sleepers as they are quite hefty to cut it is typical to make beds a sleeper length. This is particularly common when building raised, vegetable garden beds. The larger you build your garden beds the more stable the growing medium will be in terms of nutrients and moisture.
Small raised beds do have the potential of drying out in warm weather especially if they have a lot of height. Having said that this may or may not be an issue depending on what you are planting in your beds. Herbs and succulents do not need as much moisture as other plants such as vegetables. Most raised beds will have to fit to your sites criteria in terms of size but in general larger is best. Soil depth
Raised garden beds give you ability to add a much deeper substrate of good quality soil. This makes working the soil easier and allows plants roots to run long and deep. It has to be noted however that raised beds which are too high can become dry.
A greater raised bed height can be beneficial when soil at ground level is excessively boggy or liable to flooding. If you have higher raised beds which seem to dry out try to incorporated soil which will retain more moisture. Clay loams and humus rich soil can improve the moisture retention within your raised beds. Watch a video of one of our raised bed projectsIrrigation
Irrigation can be an important factor to consider when building raised garden beds. Sometimes installing irrigation pipe feeds into the structure of your beds can ensure optimum growing conditions in summer. Depending on the types of plants you want to grow and your climate you may or may not want irrigation in your raised garden beds.
Vegetable raised beds
Growing vegetables can be one of the most rewarding and health giving things you can do in your garden. Vegetables require deep fertile soil to do well and for this reason building raised vegetable beds can significantly improve your growing. Not only do raise beds provide better soil they actually help to reduce pests.
Pests have a much harder time getting to your vegetables when they are raised up away from the ground level. Slugs and snails are easily picked off by birds when climbing up steep raised bed walls with no cover. Raised vegetable beds should be filled with a moisture retentive loam and some well rotted manure mixed into the soil. Some vegetables that do exceptionally well in raised beds are cabbages, beans, carrots and potatoes. 
Flower border raised beds
Not only can building raised garden beds be good for vegetables they are also great for growing shrubs, perennial plants and flowers. In smaller gardens raised beds can lift otherwise unnoticed flower borders into view and into the sunlight.
This can provide light, warm and airy places for garden plants to thrive widening your choice of plants to grow. The height of larger raised beds can also make plants seem taller allowing you to create spaces of enclosure and secrecy. Raised flower border beds can add structure and assist an exciting planting display to flourish. 
Great seating
One great benefit of building raised flower beds in the garden is they can double up as great seating. This is especially so if built at waist height with either stone work or timber sleepers. This can work especially well in small gardens where space is limited and extra furniture adds to clutter.
When building with timber sleepers a seating top can be installed along the top of the raised bed. This can be achieved by laying a sleeper on its side and fixing it to the bed. No matter how you build your raised garden bed there is always the potential to add garden seating as well a great planting scheme. Soil
When filling your new raised garden bed it is always a great idea to add some existing soil already found within your garden. This can be the dig out from the foundations or any other garden excavations. Doing this ensures existing microscopic soil life has a chance to be mixed with the new growing medium. Many people don’t realise soil is very much a living, breathing organism.
Keeping the soils natural ecological balance healthy is the only way to guarantee healthy plants. Adding some existing garden subsoil will also allow the raised bed to retain moisture. This is especially the case if your garden has a clay soil type. Whatever soil you choose to fill your raised garden bed make sure it is easy to work and fertile. This will ensure enjoyable gardening and excellent results. 
Conclusion
Building raised garden beds can take some hard work and planning but are a very welcome element to any garden. They can provide design aesthetics and function as well as providing a rich and deep growing medium for your plants. Whether you are thinking of building large, permanent beds or just raising existing borders a few inches, you will be happy you decided to build raised garden beds in your garden.
Paving services in Buckinghamshire
There is no doubt that when seeking paving services in Buckinghamshire or neighbouring areas it pays to find the perfect contractor. Buckinghamshire landscape gardeners have been paving Buck’s gardens for over ten years with a good knowledge of all types of paving surfaces.
Not only do we have a thorough knowledge of laying paving we are experts in patio design. This means we can soon work to realise a solution to your paving needs. Our paving services in Buckinghamshire have experience of both patio and driveway construction.
Some examples of our paving projects below
Identifying the style of paving and materials you wish to use is a very important part of planning new paving. Paving can be the most permanent type of garden construction. A well built patio or driveway will last at least 60 years so it is important to get it right the first time around.
We create videos of our paving construction projects to show you how we build our paving. We use the correct excavation depths and sub grades in conjunction with British standards. We do our upmost to ensure our paving services in Buckinghamshire are the very best. We have provided some of our project examples below. What makes Buckinghamshire Landscape Gardeners stand out from other contractors is we have an excellent understanding of external design. Our director is a fully qualified landscape architect and also a landscape builder. Not only will we help you plan your new paving we will build it to an extremely high specification. We take great care over every cut, manhole, and joint consistency so we can show off our work examples to potential clients and social media. 
During one of our typical onsite, free, consultations we will take measurements and work out your gardens opportunities and constraints. After we have completed our initial consultation we will email over our formal quotation for the project. Our quotation will provide a description of the work and a potential start date.
Our paving services in Buckinghamshire are always in line with British standard specification and in response to your ground conditions. This includes digging down to the correct depths and using the appropriate depths of substrates. This is our guarantee to you so your new paving will last the test of time and look amazing for many years to come. Why not look at some of our paving services in Buckinghamshire work examples portfolio here. What to consider when paving your Buckinghamshire home. Orientation
A very important consideration of planning new paving and especially patios is the orientation. Orientation allows you to plan for one of the most important factors, sunlight! Sunlight provides warmth and a light space to relax and socialise. Very often the unpredictability of the UK’S weather means every second of sunlight should be capitalised on. Our paving services in Buckinghamshire will ensure you are making the most of the available sunlight around your property.
All paving is either made of natural stone or moulded concrete pavers. These stone like materials do a very good job of absorbing the heat from sun. Not only do they absorb it they retain it and release it back slowly. This ‘thermal emittance’ means paving can create warm micro-climates around our outside spaces. This can be enhanced further if new paving is situated next to the walls of the building. If you have a south facing garden this situation can be exaggerated even further. Paving in these environments can create microclimatic temperatures much warmer than the surrounding locality. 
These conditions are perfect for early morning breakfasts and early evening dinners, drinks parties and family get together’s. A garden paving scheme which is planned to enhance microclimate will enable you to grow exotic plants and even fruits. If you like this idea and have room you can grow fruits like citrus and bananas in pots taking them inside for the winter.
This may be a push for the hilly parts of Buckinghamshire such as the Chilterns. Microclimate however can certainly extend a gardens planting palette a great deal. Our paving services in Buckinghamshire always seek to enhance the beneficial effects of microclimate. We do this by always looking at potential orientation opportunities in any garden. Orientation and microclimate are a very important element to good paving design. Design
What kind of paving design you opt for will depend on a few different factors. Use, orientation, material, drainage and shape are all paving design factors which need consideration and planning. Most of the time our clients have a good idea of what want. This usually encompasses the location, size and style of the new paving.
Our paving services in Buckinghamshire have many years experience in helping people achieving the paving effect they desire. During an initial consultation we will listen to your needs and expectations and work with you to make them a reality. If there is one thing that is taught in garden design schools across the land it is function before form. Function is one of the most important parts of planning a new paving project. This includes how your paving spaces will interact with and give host to other garden elements. Paving and patios should be planned to the sites strengths and compliment both inside and outside. Our paving services in Buckinghamshire can work with you to work out the best spatial solution for your home. 
Material
When choosing the type of paving you want the material will depend on texture, usage and effect. Adequate grip will be requires if the paving will be used by children, the elderly or if the space is regularly wet. This is a very functional requirement with extra grip to be found on well textured paving. This can be chiselled or sand blasted or a naturally textured paving such as riven sandstone or course granites. If you require textured paving our paving services in Buckinghamshire can advise you on the best choice for you.
When choosing what aesthetic qualities or style of paving you wish there are many ways of reaching a decision. Very often potential clients have got an idea of the effect they want or have seen examples of what they want. We always do our utmost to involve clients in the design process of their new paving. We find conducting a web search of images locate great precedent examples to develop ideas from. This enables clients to get new ideas and narrow down the type of scheme they would like. A very common desire of many clients is the idea that the inside flows outside on one simultaneous level. Achieving a harmonious flow from the back of the building through to a spacious paved area is the desire of many. This is a common tool of architectural design allowing space to flow uninterrupted creating a feeling of light and space. 
We have noticed many Buckinghamshire properties extent the back of the home to create extra space. These extensions are a great way to extend a kitchen or living area. These are the kind of open plan design schemes perfect for flowing onto outside paving. Many extensions have large foldable sliding doors perfect to give entrance to a Grande new patio.
In these situations or clients wish for the garden paving level to be flush with the floor level of the building. This may or may not be possible depending on where the air bricks are situated on the building. The moisture content of the ground and drainage can also be an issue here. Our paving services in Buckinghamshire can advise you on the best way to proceed with this kind of scheme. What type of paving to choose?
As laid out above there are many things to consider planning new paving around your property. Functionally paving should complement the building and create cohesion between the inside and outside. More important it should complement the theme of the garden and look fantastic!
Our paving services in Buckinghamshire team can work with you to bring these attributes to your project. With our creative ability to formulate multiple design ideas we can make this process easy. With using precedent images of other landscape projects you will find the process easy and even fun! Our aim is to reach a big vision for your garden and build landscapes of magazine quality. Our process usually safes our clients in landscape design costs. Our paving services in Buckinghamshire do our best to combine a sound knowledge of design and construction to work up quick schemes. This can be seen below in the simplistic landscape design using black slate. This is a low maintenance garden consisting of paving, a concrete shed base, lawn and retaining seating wall. This scheme was sketched out on paper within the first 10 minutes of meeting the client. The result was a fresh, clean, practical garden design with a beautifully paved patio. If you would like to benefit from our paving services in Buckinghamshire including a quick sketch proposal contact us here. 
Paving a front garden or driveway in Buckinghamshire
If you wish to pave your front garden it is very possible you are trying to make way for a new parking space. If you have no private front parking and with more cars today people have no choice but to pave over them. In the past 20 years Buckinghamshire’s population has risen quite substantially. This has led to busier roads and some large road building projects. This has led to a greater demand for parking surfaces and front gardens has felt the full force of this trend.
Paving the front garden however does not have to be about creating new parking facilities. A well designed front garden scheme can frame your greatest asset and even add value. If you’re planning to add paving to your front garden you may have to add a drainage system. Our paving services in Buckinghamshire can advise you on the best way to move forward. Feel free to contact us here. 
Driveway construction in Buckinghamshire
The majority of driveway projects across Buckinghamshire are what we would recognise as block paving. Traditionally there are two main types of block paving. The first is the brick type block paver which comes in the colours brindle, charcoal, and buff. These are the most common type of block paving which is laid in a Herringbone pattern.
The second type is the cobbled effect three sizes block paving. These usually come in three sizes and are square and oblong in shape. Marshall’s range is called tegula with other brands coming under other names. These usually cost about £5.00 more per square metre and in my opinion look much better than the traditional block paving. One of the downsides to using the typical brick shaped block pavers is there colours will usually fade to a smokey hue of their original colour. The reason for this is the sun’s ultra violet rays eventually fade the dyes inside the block. The concrete dyes of the charcoal, buff and brindle are a much stronger tone than that of the tegula variety. As the tegula are a more cobble effect they make use of more grey type tones. This is more like the natural colour of the material they are made out of. This means there is less fading and a block paving which will look good for much longer. 
Many people wonder why block paving is just so popular for driveways across the country. The reason driveways are paved with block paving is down to their construction. Block paving is laid on a compacted layer of sand this allows for small movements in the wearing surface. These movements are tiny and unnoticeable but allow for the uneven weight distribution of heavy vehicles to not crack the surface.
This kind of construction is called flexible paving. Block paving also allows water to permeate the surface so spilt oils and engine metals cant access the road. Laying a driveway on a rigid mortar base means the likely hood of it eventually cracking. If you wish to pave your driveway with paving slabs it is possible but a much deeper excavation will be needed. To ensure no cracking it would be best to lay a reinforce concrete slab base. Paving will then have to be laid on a strong 1:4 mortar mix with a consistent mortar bed at least 40mm thick. Many people like the idea of a moulded concrete drive with dyes. This is another option however be aware! If you have a large driveway you will probably have to install expansion joints. These can interrupt the pattern of the driveway. It is worth noting that councils do not allow water runoff from impermeable drives onto the road. With non permeable paving a drainage gully with a soak away must be installed with the project. Our paving services in Buckinghamshire can advise you on the best course of action here. 
For a typical block paving driveway the ground should be dug down to a depth of 250 millimetres. Depending on the ground conditions this may need to be slightly deeper. Buckinghamshire has an underlying chalk geology which is usually very stable and durable. Then 150 millimetres of MOT Type one compactable hardcore should be spread evenly as a base.
This should then be compacted with a vibro-compaction plate. This should be followed by a 50 millimetre layer of sharp sand which should be compacted. It should be then screened to a consistent, evenly graded level. The blocks should then be laid tightly to the straightest edge and cut in neatly around the edges. The blocks should then be sanded with dry kiln dried sand and compacted once again with the compaction plate. Want to know about block paving construction the correct way? Why not watch a step by step video of one of our driveways below. Here you can observe the correct excavation, base preparation and block laying. See this video below. A professional paving company should leave the project, road and pavement cleaner than the day they started. If you would like any advice on the best driveway option for you please feel free contact us. Our paving services in Buckinghamshire also serve Home Counties and North West London. Typical localities for our projects include High Wycombe, Aylesbury, Amersham, Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross and the Chalfont’s.
Watch a video of our driveway construction below!
Drainage considerations of new paving in Buckinghamshire
Due to an increase in Buckinghamshire’s traffic and population many gardens are now covered with paving. Traditional garden spaces occupied with lawns and flower borders absorb large amounts of excess storm water. This water re-absorbs into the ground replenishing the natural water table. This natural process keeps the moisture content of the ground consistent. In some cases this process has led to the underlying ground to shrink and crack. This has led to instances of ground movement and subsidence.
The more human development and household paving there is the more water runoff there is. This has caused a huge rise in the flood risk to our low lying towns and cities. Rainwater passes over patios and driveways extremely quickly. This flushes toxins from our surfaces into the drainage network. This has led to pollution pouring into the natural hydraulic cycle and affecting the ecology of watercourses. For these reasons Councils seek to ensure that all new driveways do not accelerate these problems even further. For new driveway paving in Buckinghamshire there are some facts you may wish to consider. If you are creating a driveway where there was once lawn or flower bed the following applies. If possible water runoff should be directed into a suitably sized flower bed so it can drain. If the whole garden is to be paved all storm water must be directed into a drainage gully. The gully must then be plumbed into a 1 metre cubed soak away underneath the paving. This will enable all excess runoff water to be reabsorbed by the ground slowly. If you’re planning a driveway and need drainage advice please contact our paving services in Buckinghamshire today. 
Paving a back garden patio in Buckinghamshire
A Patio can be a truly fantastic multi use instalment to your back garden. A well laid patio will provide the opportunity for endless outside entertainment and past times. The level consistent surface can host dinner parties, barbecues and even garden games. Patios also set the stage for numerous garden gadgets and gifts. Check out a great article with a selection of patio gadgets here.
The most typical garden patios we build are using natural stone paving. Some of the most popular natural paving on the market is Indian Sandstones, Limestone’s and Slate. There is an advantage to using these natural paving materials over concrete paving. Firstly these natural stones are not as expensive as they used to be. Competitive labour rates in places like India and Brazil have meant reasonably affordable prizes. If you have a budget of £45 per metre you have quite a range of natural stone to choose from. 
In my opinion natural stone looks far more superior to concrete alternatives. One of the main problems with concrete aggregate paving is they rely on dyes for colouration. After a series of years the sun bleaches out the colours and tones leading to a worn look. Acidity from the rain weakens the alkaline in the concrete leading to weathering and algae penetration. Natural stone will always maintain their colour and are easy to keep clean especially if sealed.
For back garden paving that will not be exposed to heavy vehicular traffic we use rigid construction. This involves digging out the new paving to a depth of 150 millimetres down from the finished level. We then supply and spread 100 millimetres of MOT Type 1 compactable hardcore. We then compact with a vibro-compaction plate. For all natural paving we lay on a consistent 40 millimetre 1:4 mortar mix bed. For clean cut paving like slate we sometimes but up the slabs for consistency and then sand the joints. This depends on the client’s preference or style they wish to achieve. For sandstones and 5 size multipacks we will point the joints with a 3:1 mortar mix. 
It is important that all paving is laid on a mortar bed wet enough to create a suction seal on the underside of the slabs. This also allows the mortar to be absorbed into the paving creating a firm bond. The mortar bed should be consistent and touch all parts of the underside of the paving. To lay this way requires much more skill than dobbing but is the only way to ensure durability. Paving build this way will last the test of time.
For more information on our paving services in Buckinghamshire please do not hesitate to contact us here. Beware of paving companies that knock on your door
There is a very common worry and common phenomenon today in the paving industry. Very often a area is hit by a frenzy of driveway construction. A single paving company of which no one has ever heard before sweeps the area. Driveways and patios are built on mass with workers and advertising boards on every corner. Most often these gangs operate under a false name and disappear as quickly as they appeared. They move area changing their name resulting in no accountability for the work they have done. Their construction methods fall short of correct specification and the materials are inferior.
Persuasive sales people are enrolled to knock door to door to try to talk them into their services. Their sales teams are extremely charming and very good at offering extremely low prices. This results in them carrying out a huge number of paving projects at once. This reassures other potential clients who happily agree to allow work to begin. Sometimes they will actually start work without any agreement taking place! 
Beware of the cowboys!
Our paving services in Buckinghamshire are very familiar with the aftermath of these kinds of contractors. We are very often called to put right many of these paving projects of which are nothing less than robbery. We find they are excavated to only one third of the required depth and use substrates which do not compact properly. The paving materials are the cheapest they can find and the workmanship is awful. These contractors soon become intimidating when it comes to payment and there is no way to hold them account.
Most of these companies carry out these works on a ten year rotation and change their name for every area. Even if clients are happy with the poor workmanship the drive will soon fail. Tyre sink marks are usually visible in a couple of years soon becoming an accident waiting to happen. The brick work these companies build is absolutely shocking! We have seen 1 metre high walls built on only 3 inches of concrete. One wall was collapsing only after five weeks! The mortar ratio was so weak the rain was washing it out of the pointing. We recommend anyone using paving services in Buckinghamshire reference our construction description above. Ask them what depth they will excavate? What sub grade they will use? What mortar ratios they use? And insist on a specific brand of paving. 
When considering paving services in Buckinghamshire remember a few key facts. Anyone knocking on your door has no demand for their services. If you want cheap you will pay once and then the actual price in a few years time. We recommend checking out company reviews and recommendations online. The internet has given extra accountability to tradesmen ask yourself do these people put effort into what they do? Here at Buckinghamshire Landscape Gardeners we spend much time making videos of our projects. We also have a fully updated project portfolio.
Please do not waste your money on these paving companies! Our paving services in Buckinghamshire have a long track record of successful projects and construction videos for your reference. Feel free to contact our Buck's paving services today. Paving on Buckinghamshire geology
Buckinghamshire has a rather unique topography and subsequent geology. North western pressure in tectonic forces from Italy pushing into Europe has helped to influence our landscape. These forces have led to the buckling of chalk bedrock forming the North, South Downs and Chiltern Hills. The Chilterns acted as a dumping line of materials from the huge glacier of the last Ice Age.
This has led to a unique combination of chalk escarpments with flint, clay loams and silt sands. This has led to various soil types any competent paving contractors mush be aware of. Paving companies should follow British standard guidelines on excavation and construction of paving. A professional paving expert should assess every projects soil type to ensure correct methods are implemented. Chalk is an extremely robust substrate to build on and so is clay. If you have sandy loams typical of areas north of the Chilterns some concrete base work may be required. Our paving services in Buckinghamshire are experts in identifying soil types. This allows us to execute successful patios and driveways based on your unique conditions. 
Our paving services also cover Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Oxfordshire. If you require a competent paving company contact Buckinghamshire landscape gardeners today!
Examples of Buckinghamshire landscape gardeners paving.
Buckinghamshire landscape gardeners have over ten years experience in paving both patios and driveways. We have strived for many years to be fully transparent in our approach and work examples. For this reason we put in extra work to create videos of our projects and built and online portfolio.
This gives you the opportunity to research our methods and work standards before we even visit you. This safe you time and the peace of mind we are an excellent contractor that takes pride in their work. Please do not hesitate to contact our paving services in Buckinghamshire today.
Paving patios & driveways what is our approach?
Buckinghamshire landscape gardeners are highly experienced in both paving design and laying paving. Our first consultation will try to establish your desires and needs as well as your properties opportunities. This will enable us to come up with the best paving strategy for you and your family.
Our vast expertise in garden design and landscape architecture means we can come up with that big vision. By utilising simple sketches and precedent images we can come up with the perfect paving proposals fast. We want all of our paving to be worthy of coverage in a national magazine. This is why we are constantly striving to push the boundaries of garden landscaping. 
Contact us for paving services in Buckinghamshire
One thing we pride ourselves with is our closeness to our clients. Not only will our director Paul work with you to come up with the perfect scheme he will personally be there on site to deliver it. With a sound knowledge of both design and construction it is possible for us to reach an extremely high standard. Our attention to detail is held to account by our ambition to have the best work examples including videos on the web.
When contacting us we feel email is the best line of enquiry. Feel free to call but due to our very hands on nature we may be onsite, with a client of physically building a project. This means we can get back to you and plan a consultation straight away. For these reasons we feel email is much better. Just leave your name, contact details and a brief description of your project and where you are based. 
There is usually a wait of 5-10 weeks from agreeing a project to starting based on how busy we are. There is always a little wait for good quality contractors feel free to contact our paving services in Buckinghamshire today.
One common concern when planning a new landscaping scheme is which paving materials should we use?
Many clients will enquire if slate is a good option for a patio. They have seen images of striking gardens online and like the idea of having it laid in their garden. Well I hear you ask, why not? Well not indeed! Slate is a striking and durable natural stone which can look fantastic on paved surfaces as well as vertical cladding. 
Slippery?
A concern most people have with slate is will it be slippery? My simple answer to this no within reason. If the patio is laid reasonably level with only slight falls grip should not be an issue. When slate is wet with extra lubrication there is some possibility of slips but I would say this is minimal. If a certain velocity to travel combined with steep gradient and wet conditions there is a slight risk of slipping. I would say these scenarios are an extreme rarity!
Paving should never really be laid on a slope anyway unless for wheel chair access. Wheel chair slopes will always be built with materials that have high grip wearing surface. Concrete is usually the material of choice here. There are different suppliers of slate on the market; slate that has a clean cut with a slightly riven surface is the best. Buckinghamshire Landscape Gardeners and our Commercial landscaping department sources slate from two specialist suppliers. 
Natural Paving
One reason slate is good for an outside patio is it is durable and its colour will not fade. Most concrete pavers on the market will look good for the first few years but will not forever. As acid within rain slowly permeates the paving over proceeding years the wearing surface of the paving will wear down.
We have all seen old patios with small stones and aggregate showing through the surface of the patio. This is a big drawback or manufactured concrete paving. Another drawback of manmade paving is exposure to the suns UV light. This bleaches out the colour dyes within the paving adding to a worn bland look. Slate being naturally formed from high density metamorphic rock means it is impervious to rain and its pollutants. This means it is also extremely hard warring and durable ideal to the vigour’s of external conditions. Due to slate having no colour additives or dyes the colours will never fade looking brand new forever. For this reason in our opinion slate is very good for an outside patio. 
Laying Slate
Slate is a very beautiful natural material with high permeability. Although permeability is a benefit to outside patios there are some things the landscaper should do when laying slate. Slate does not absorb water very well meaning it is less easy to bond to mortar.
When mixing mortar for laying slate the landscaper should add a rapid hardener and sealant adhesive such as PVA. The Sealant will increase the stickiness of the mix and the hardener will ensure less chance of bond breakage during curing. Using a good slate supplier is also crucial when laying an outside slate patio. A good grade of slate paving will have a calibrated underside providing a strong key for the mortar. Buckinghamshire Landscape Gardeners use two exceptional suppliers of natural slate paving perfect for an aesthetic and robust installation. 
Cost
Cost is a common concern when considering if slate is good for an outside patio.
Thankfully this concern is never really founded as we find in terms of value for money it is an excellent choice. I have often used the philosophy that for all slates benefits it merely looks expensive! Average paving usually costs around £30 per square metre depending on the quantities used. Slate averages at about £45 per square metre which is a fantastic deal for the benefits it provides. Seeing there is no extra labour cost or effort to lay slate over other paving the extra £15 a square metre is worth it! Impermeable
As discussed slate paving is impervious meaning it will not be effected by moisture penetration or freeze and thaw.
Stains
Due to slates impervious nature stains and spillages are never an issue. People are usually surprised just how wine, coffee, algae and bird poop can seriously destroy a new patio.
Never gets dirty
Slate being black in colour has the added benefit of never looking dirty!
Design
The clean lines of slate and bold colour means it can be very effective in many landscape designed gardens. We find slate patios look very effective with a contempory design accompanied with light rendered walls and even metal! At the same time slate can be used to accompany traditional garden styles such as cottages and courtyards. Good design and style flexibility is paramount on deciding if slate is good for and outside patio.
Case Study:
|
|
|
Conclusion
Slate is a stunning beautiful, hard wearing material which can encompass many themes and styles. It is durable, robust and dark in colour which makes easy to keep clean. Its impervious structure means it is resistant to the elements lasting the test of time.
Is Slate good for an outside patio? Absolutely yes!
If you enjoyed reading this article and it helped you in your search feel free to pin it and share it with your friends. This really inspires us to write more helpful articles for people seeking answers to landscaping questions.
If you are interested in our landscaping services please do not hesitate to contact us today. The best way to enquire is send us a quick email on the landscaping services you require and where you are based. Although we mainly cover Buckinghamshire we cover most gardens across the neighbouring counties and Chilterns.
Weeds are the gardener’s vital enemy! If there is one thing all gardeners put at the top of their most undesirable garden activities its weeding. Weeds over run our flower beds and have a persistence which makes the most patient gardener frustrated.
They turn gravel paths into green carpets and patios into jungles! Weeds have an amazing ability to overrun any man made environment. We will show you how to stop weeds growing in your garden.
What is a weed?
The definition of a weed is ‘a wild plant which is growing where it is not wanted and in direct competition with cultivated plants’.
The thing is in real terms the line between cultivated plants and weeds is an exceptionally narrow line which comes down to personal preference. Most typical garden weeds have been altered to take on the attributes of more favourable cultivated varieties. For instance polyanthus is selectively bred from common wildflowers primrose and oxlips. The fact is all cultivated plants have a wild relative or ‘weed’ from which they descend.
The thing is in real terms the line between cultivated plants and weeds is an exceptionally narrow line which comes down to personal preference. Most typical garden weeds have been altered to take on the attributes of more favourable cultivated varieties. For instance polyanthus is selectively bred from common wildflowers primrose and oxlips. The fact is all cultivated plants have a wild relative or ‘weed’ from which they descend.
The point is our selective breeding of certain weeds have exaggerated characteristics’ such as form and colour over their more natural competitive behaviour. In addition cultivated plants are rarely native to local climates and conditions meaning they need constant care to survive and thrive. This is why weeds, if left unmanaged will always overtake your cultivated garden plants. It is simply a natural process of natural selection and ecological succession.
But how do we slow down this succession and natural selection. How can we stop weeds growing in our garden? Below we have laid out 14 main lines of attack when it comes to stopping weeds growing in your garden. If you arm yourself with these main ways of beating weeds you will make the chore of weeding a thing of the past.
But how do we slow down this succession and natural selection. How can we stop weeds growing in our garden? Below we have laid out 14 main lines of attack when it comes to stopping weeds growing in your garden. If you arm yourself with these main ways of beating weeds you will make the chore of weeding a thing of the past.
Common misconceptions about weeds
Although there are many typical examples of garden weeds such as dandelion and nettle not all weeds are so easy to distinguish. A weed is an out of place plant by our own personal expectations of any given garden plot. For example Buddleia growing out of a crack in a garden wall is a weed. However if a Buddleia is placed in a planting scheme for attracting butterflies we start to notice the beauty and delicate nature of the shrub.
Humans have a very fickle attitude to nature and our acceptance and appreciation of many plants is intellectualised based on our understanding or misunderstanding of them. Many people dislike dandelions because they are persistent. But people who understand what amazing mineral accumulators and super foods they are encourage them!
Either way the reason many of us get so called ‘weeds’ is we have not told nature properly what we what and what we don’t want. This can be achieved by either working with nature or manipulate growing conditions which stop weeds growing in certain places. Most of these strategies are put forward below.
Humans have a very fickle attitude to nature and our acceptance and appreciation of many plants is intellectualised based on our understanding or misunderstanding of them. Many people dislike dandelions because they are persistent. But people who understand what amazing mineral accumulators and super foods they are encourage them!
Either way the reason many of us get so called ‘weeds’ is we have not told nature properly what we what and what we don’t want. This can be achieved by either working with nature or manipulate growing conditions which stop weeds growing in certain places. Most of these strategies are put forward below.
Don’t let weed seeds germinate
Many people don’t know the soil is full of dormant weed seeds waiting for a chance for enough light and moisture to sprout into life. Some weed seeds can be dormant for hundreds of years and be buried as deep as two feet in the soil.
This is why it is always beneficial to only disturb the top two inches of soil in your garden. Activities such as hoeing and no dig gardening help you to get rid of weeds at the surface and subsequently lower your risk of germinating more unwanted weeds. By constantly moving this top layer of soil you can disrupt the germination process leaving your plants weed free.
This is why it is always beneficial to only disturb the top two inches of soil in your garden. Activities such as hoeing and no dig gardening help you to get rid of weeds at the surface and subsequently lower your risk of germinating more unwanted weeds. By constantly moving this top layer of soil you can disrupt the germination process leaving your plants weed free.
Mulch your garden to suffocate weeds
By mulching your beds with a two inch thick layer of mulch you will suppress any weeds trying to grow up from the soil. The mulch will also make it imposable for any weeds to germinate and put their roots down from the surface.
Mulching is a very healthy way of managing your gardens growing areas. The organic material in mulch will slowly decompose from the bottom feeding soil life. This process will give you healthier soil and encourage a better soil structure. This is also vital for stopping weeds there is a huge difference to pulling out a deep rooted weed in fluffy soil than heavy clay!
There are many different materials you can use for mulching your garden to prevent weeds. Some of these include course compost, straw, cardboard, wood chippings, hay and sawdust.
Mulching is a very healthy way of managing your gardens growing areas. The organic material in mulch will slowly decompose from the bottom feeding soil life. This process will give you healthier soil and encourage a better soil structure. This is also vital for stopping weeds there is a huge difference to pulling out a deep rooted weed in fluffy soil than heavy clay!
There are many different materials you can use for mulching your garden to prevent weeds. Some of these include course compost, straw, cardboard, wood chippings, hay and sawdust.
Landscaping your garden to deter weeds
Commonly weeds have the upper hand simply because the conditions are right for them. If you want to stop weeds growing in your garden you need to take away the correct conditions for them to grow. This usually means landscaping your garden with weeds in mind!
Flower beds
Make sure your growing areas are heavily mulched or well planted so weeds are crowded out. For extra weed tolerance bury weed suppressant membrane under the mulch to guarantee nothing can grow there. If you wish to add a new plant simply pull back the membrane and cut a whole.
Lawn.
Weeds in the garden lawn are a common problem but there are ways to make conditions less favourable. Try to make your lawn more favourable to grass than weeds. Do this by making sure none of the grass is too shaded and make sure your lawn is mown regularly.
Most weeds cannot take high frequency mowing like grass species can. If you mow your grass more you will have fewer weeds. Sometimes you will need to give your lawn a couple of treatments with products specific to lawn weeds. There are some links here below.
Most weeds cannot take high frequency mowing like grass species can. If you mow your grass more you will have fewer weeds. Sometimes you will need to give your lawn a couple of treatments with products specific to lawn weeds. There are some links here below.
Gravel
Gravel is a great surface which is cost effective, looks good and more ecological than most surfacing. Many gardeners dislike gravel as they claim weeds can be an issue. If you do have gravel make sure it is laid over a robust weed suppressant membrane. Most importantly make sure your gravel is at least 50mm deep.
Paving
When it comes to how to stop weeds growing in your garden your choice of paving is an important factor. One of the most frustrating weekend jobs is going around the paving with a knife slicing weeds out of the joints. What adds to the emotional turmoil is knowing you will be doing it all again in a few months time!
New patios and paving should be laid on a robust 100mm sub base of compacted mot to stop movement. Paving should be laid on a continuous wet 40mm 1;4 mortar bed to prevent movement. Correctly laid paving this way will stop cracking hence gaps for weeds to get a foot hold. The patio should then be pointed with a 3:1 plastering sand mortar mix. Patios built this way will never get weeds.
New patios and paving should be laid on a robust 100mm sub base of compacted mot to stop movement. Paving should be laid on a continuous wet 40mm 1;4 mortar bed to prevent movement. Correctly laid paving this way will stop cracking hence gaps for weeds to get a foot hold. The patio should then be pointed with a 3:1 plastering sand mortar mix. Patios built this way will never get weeds.
Block paving
Block paving gets some bad press when it comes to weeds as many of our Buckinghamshire and Chiltern clients don’t want block paving due to the gaps. Block paving is one of the best surfaces for driveways as the gaps allow for slight movement when heavy traffic moves over it.
This is known as flexible construction and needed for heavy vehicular loads. We recommend every five years to pressure jet out all the old sand and apply a sweep in weed killer. Using new, fresh kiln dried sand fill in the rest of the driveway. This will ensure a long term weed free block paved surface.
This is known as flexible construction and needed for heavy vehicular loads. We recommend every five years to pressure jet out all the old sand and apply a sweep in weed killer. Using new, fresh kiln dried sand fill in the rest of the driveway. This will ensure a long term weed free block paved surface.
Crowed out the weeds
One of the most effective ways to stop weeds growing in your garden is to simply crowed them out! Limiting the amount of bare soil in your garden will mean weeds will find it hard to establish. By having established flower beds and borders with shrubs and ground cover there is no room for weeds to get going.
Use weeds to beat weeds
One very unusual stratergy that I developed myself over the year is to use weeds against weeds. But what do I mean by that? Well many of the plants we refer to as weeds we do so because they have an aggressive or self seeding nature.
What I like to do is encourage either edible plants or beautiful plants with these qualities. I have mass sown areas of bare grown with vigorous self seeding edibles such as parsley, wild rocket and radicchio. I have also used flowering plants such as verbena, poppies, nasturtiums, and aquilegia to out compete the weeds.
What I like to do is encourage either edible plants or beautiful plants with these qualities. I have mass sown areas of bare grown with vigorous self seeding edibles such as parsley, wild rocket and radicchio. I have also used flowering plants such as verbena, poppies, nasturtiums, and aquilegia to out compete the weeds.
Make use of your weeds
Although weeds are annoying to say the least they are a very useful resource in the garden. Nitrogen fixing weeds such as clover will fix nitrogen in your soil helping to feed your plants. Weeds make great animal feed! I
f you have livestock such as chickens, rabbits or goats they simply love feasting on the fresh shoots of common weeds. Weeds make great additions to compost making. A couple of hours of weeding can create an impressive amount of compostable material. This can go back to feeding the plants you want to keep!
f you have livestock such as chickens, rabbits or goats they simply love feasting on the fresh shoots of common weeds. Weeds make great additions to compost making. A couple of hours of weeding can create an impressive amount of compostable material. This can go back to feeding the plants you want to keep!
Eat your weeds
Many common garden weeds are vigorously dominant in the natural world because they have ‘special qualities’. It has been noted that most of the most familiar garden weeds have high medicinal and nutritional qualities. Plants such as Greater Plantain, Dandelion, Burdock, Common Nettle, yarrow, and purslane are all edible and extremely good for your health. I use young dandelion leaves in salads, make yarrow tea if I have a fever and purslane is great in stir fry’s.
|
|
|
We have to mention not to eat any wild plant unless you know for sure what you are doing. There are many resources for learning how to identify these magical unwanted plants! Eating on the wild side is a great book which has information on all the medicinal qualities of our common weeds and how to prepare them.
Soon weeding your garden will be like visiting a free greengrocer collecting salad leaves and medicinal teas for your friends and family.
Weed them when they are young
It sounds like a very obvious point to make but it really makes sense to nip weeds in the bud before they get too big! The deeper roots become on weeds the harder it is to get them completely out. This means they keep on reoccurring week after week.
It is better to hoe your beds once a week quickly then spend hours pulling every month! By getting rid of weeds when they are young they are less likely to flower and set seed creating more weed seedlings.
It is better to hoe your beds once a week quickly then spend hours pulling every month! By getting rid of weeds when they are young they are less likely to flower and set seed creating more weed seedlings.
Weed when the ground is moist
It is always better to pull up weeds when the ground is moist. Try to avoid weeding when the ground is dry and hard this will make weeding easier.
Keep the weeds dry
In summer especially don’t allow weeds to access the water they need to grow. You can either water the plants you want in your beds individually and slowly or install a drip irrigation system. You can also buy terracotta watering Ollas which you fill from the surface and will water your plants slowly. This will help your weeds succumb to drought in summer.
Click images for more information!
  |
  |
Tools which help you weed the garden
In recent there have been many great inventions that help you weed the garden. These garden gadgets are especially god for taking the bending down and kneeling out of weeding. There are many different types of modern garden weeding gadgets.
Some enable you to sink prongs around deep roots and using mechanical leverage pull out the weed in one. Some use high velocity brushes to blast weeds and roots out of paved crevices, good for block paving! One of my favourite types of weeding gadget is the weed burners which use a gas blow torch to cook weeds down to their roots.
Some enable you to sink prongs around deep roots and using mechanical leverage pull out the weed in one. Some use high velocity brushes to blast weeds and roots out of paved crevices, good for block paving! One of my favourite types of weeding gadget is the weed burners which use a gas blow torch to cook weeds down to their roots.
Natural weed killer
The problem with traditional weed killers is they contain various chemicals and toxins. Whether there is no evidence they pose no threat to us or the environment does not mean they don’t. That is why many people prefer natural, organic weed killers. They are effective and usually consist of a mixture of salt and vinegar. Some claim these are not as effective as chemical based weed killers I have had mixed results. Here is a link to a good natural weed killer recipe.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Weed-Killer
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Weed-Killer
Use a good quality weed killer
If all else fails and you have to result to result to weed killer there are many on the market. Chemical herbicides are not all bad, there are some on the market that you can apply to the soil and will biodegrade after a few months. These are good for clearing new planting areas out of areas over run by weeds.
We have listed some popular and effective weed killers here below.
Click images for more information!
We have listed some popular and effective weed killers here below.
Click images for more information!
  |
  |
  |
Conclusion
Weeds are here to stay and just a fact of life for us all. The question of how to stop weeds growing in your garden can be answered by understanding weeds better. What do they need to grow? Have they an opportunity to take hold? Do your garden maintenance regimes nip weeds in the bud? By planning your garden spaces to be bullet proof to weeds and high frequency hoeing to vacant plant beds weeds will not be able to take hold.
By nurturing the plants you want to grow will mean weeds will not gain an advantage. By careful watering, mulching, hoeing, surface material selection and species manipulation weeds will simply not be able to give you extra work in your garden. With good knowledge and good practice any weeds that do emerge can become food, herbal teas or compost.
By nurturing the plants you want to grow will mean weeds will not gain an advantage. By careful watering, mulching, hoeing, surface material selection and species manipulation weeds will simply not be able to give you extra work in your garden. With good knowledge and good practice any weeds that do emerge can become food, herbal teas or compost.
Thank you for reading our article on ‘how to stop weeds growing in your garden’. If you enjoyed the article and it has helped you in your search it would mean so much if you share it with your friends.
This really inspires us to write more helpful articles in the future.
This really inspires us to write more helpful articles in the future.
I you would like to know more about Buckinghamshire Landscape Gardeners and the services we offer visit our home page. If you would like to re-landscape your garden to stop weeds growing then visit our contact page to organise a consultation.
Thank you again.
Thank you again.
Paving and patios are an essential part of any outside surface. A correctly laid patio will last for decades and is by far the most robust way to clad outside spaces. Having said this what paving you choose will depend on various factors. Budget, style, use, safety, and other garden features all can influence the type of paving you choose.
Styles
Usually a new patio is planned into a garden design or theme including transitions from the home onto a patio. Paving style is a major factor when deciding the right paving for you. Most of our Buckinghamshire clients usually have an idea of what paving they would like. We will always point our if their choice is a practical option for their garden.
Some potential customers love the idea of cream, porous, natural stone paving. This is fine but if you have over hanging trees, regular bird droppings, and many wild creatures this can be a tricky choice. Cream, light grey and white paving even with heavy sealants will look awful after a few years of these conditions. We feel it is our responsibility to our Buckinghamshire customers to advise on these forward thinking garden elements.
Any paving type or style can be integrated into any garden. You may need to except that other than the patio itself other garden features may need to change.
Some potential customers love the idea of cream, porous, natural stone paving. This is fine but if you have over hanging trees, regular bird droppings, and many wild creatures this can be a tricky choice. Cream, light grey and white paving even with heavy sealants will look awful after a few years of these conditions. We feel it is our responsibility to our Buckinghamshire customers to advise on these forward thinking garden elements.
Any paving type or style can be integrated into any garden. You may need to except that other than the patio itself other garden features may need to change.
Usage
Usage is a very important consideration of a new patio. If you have young children it is good to have as much grip as possible. Textured paving or riven natural stone can be the best option here especially if your garden is usually wet. As well as adding anti slip attributes to your patio visual textures can add a satisfying atheistic to garden surfaces.
If your patio is exposed to damp shady conditions it is good to use as impervious paving as possible. The more absorbent you’re paving is the more likely it will suffer from algae build up. This can turn your paving a green and even black in colour. Absorbent paving or paving which flakes i.e. some metamorphic stone can also fall victim to frost action in damp conditions.
It is good to think about what loads your paving will be exposed. Paving load is usually a factor of underlying patio base work. Soft textured natural stone however is not advised for anything heavier than human traffic.
Bear in mind that your new patio will have to endure sometimes unforeseeable rigours of outside living. Wine spillages, spitting barbecue fat, muddy foot prints and wildlife gifts will end up on the surface of your new paving.
If your patio is exposed to damp shady conditions it is good to use as impervious paving as possible. The more absorbent you’re paving is the more likely it will suffer from algae build up. This can turn your paving a green and even black in colour. Absorbent paving or paving which flakes i.e. some metamorphic stone can also fall victim to frost action in damp conditions.
It is good to think about what loads your paving will be exposed. Paving load is usually a factor of underlying patio base work. Soft textured natural stone however is not advised for anything heavier than human traffic.
Bear in mind that your new patio will have to endure sometimes unforeseeable rigours of outside living. Wine spillages, spitting barbecue fat, muddy foot prints and wildlife gifts will end up on the surface of your new paving.
Slate
Slate paving is usually a lot cheaper than what many of our clients think. The Brazilian Black Slate from 'Infinite Paving': https://infinitepaving.com/hand-split-indian-sandstone-paving-slabs/brazilian-slate.
Slate is ideal at around £30 per metre does not break the bank account but has a modern prestige look. The impervious nature of slate means it is ideal for damp areas and good for running storm water away from the house. You must consider slate can also be slippery in very wet weather and torrential conditions. In hot weather the surface of black slate can heat up being uncomfortable for family pets and bare feet generally.
Slate is ideal at around £30 per metre does not break the bank account but has a modern prestige look. The impervious nature of slate means it is ideal for damp areas and good for running storm water away from the house. You must consider slate can also be slippery in very wet weather and torrential conditions. In hot weather the surface of black slate can heat up being uncomfortable for family pets and bare feet generally.
Sandstone
Sandstone is one of the most popular natural paving choices on the market and for good reason. The variation in colour tones, textures and even visible fossils makes it incredibly versatile.
The beiges, creams and browns make it match the brickwork of the UK’s housing stock beautifully. It very much resembles the old prestigious York stone which used to be used across Britain. With extensive variations of Indian Sandstone imported from India annually this paving choice can cost as little £20 per square metre. It is commonly sold in a random 5 sizes pattern.
The beiges, creams and browns make it match the brickwork of the UK’s housing stock beautifully. It very much resembles the old prestigious York stone which used to be used across Britain. With extensive variations of Indian Sandstone imported from India annually this paving choice can cost as little £20 per square metre. It is commonly sold in a random 5 sizes pattern.
Portland Stone
Portland stone is a natural limestone which was formed under the millions of years ago. It was formed from the fossilised shells and bones of maritime Jurassic creatures. This stone is quarried extensively from the Isle of Portland in Dorset.
Portland stone has a bright light cream colour with a soft smooth texture. It has been a favoured building and paving materials for many years being used on both Buckingham Palace and St Pauls Cathedral. It is a very beautiful paving material with some small shells still visible in the grain of the stone. Due to labour rates and its prestige it is expensive. Usually Portland stone costs around £100 a square metre making it for high budgets only.
Due to it being a relatively soft stone steps and corners come in a rounded bull nose edge adding to processing costs. High porosity and a very light colour mean this paving should be heavily sealed. Sealants should be high quality and advise on which sealant should be taken from the supplier. This again adds to the cost.
Although expensive there will always be a market Portland stone it can be used in both modern and traditional landscaping schemes. Bear in mind even when sealed bird droppings and fallen leaves can still leave stains on this paving.
Portland stone has a bright light cream colour with a soft smooth texture. It has been a favoured building and paving materials for many years being used on both Buckingham Palace and St Pauls Cathedral. It is a very beautiful paving material with some small shells still visible in the grain of the stone. Due to labour rates and its prestige it is expensive. Usually Portland stone costs around £100 a square metre making it for high budgets only.
Due to it being a relatively soft stone steps and corners come in a rounded bull nose edge adding to processing costs. High porosity and a very light colour mean this paving should be heavily sealed. Sealants should be high quality and advise on which sealant should be taken from the supplier. This again adds to the cost.
Although expensive there will always be a market Portland stone it can be used in both modern and traditional landscaping schemes. Bear in mind even when sealed bird droppings and fallen leaves can still leave stains on this paving.
Concrete Paving
Concrete paving comes in all different shapes, colours, textures and styles. Concrete paving can be basic pre cast concrete with colour dyes at the cheapest end of the Spectrum. At the highest end are concrete with expensive stone aggregates, sand blasted or machine polished. This means there is a large array to choose from.
For me personally I find the stone aggregates such as granite and porcelain look good but don’t justify the high cost. Cheaper concrete aggregate paving contains colour dyes which always fade in sunlight. After a few years the paving looks worn and tired. On average concrete paving dye costs the same as most average natural stone paving.
This is why I always recommend natural paving as I feel it is better value for money. Having said this it comes down to choice. You have more choice on textures, colours and styles with concrete paving it’s about weighing up the pros and cons. I would only use concrete paving with natural aggregates or for a grey or white coloured theme. This way if colours fade it is so close to the colour of the base material you should not notice fading.
Block Paving
Block paving has become a common site across our urban spaces. It has a good visual texture and compliments the colours of most buildings. It again is pre cast concrete blocks with dyes added so they fade after a few years. Having said this I do feel they can make decent paving for even patios. I prefer the charts or Tegula block paving which usually comes in three sizes. It has a cobble effect and the blocks are already greyish in colour meaning the chances of fading are minimal.
Due to block paving using a method known as flexible construction on a compacted bed of sand it is ideal for heavy loads. This is something to consider when planning an area which receives vehicular traffic.
Due to block paving using a method known as flexible construction on a compacted bed of sand it is ideal for heavy loads. This is something to consider when planning an area which receives vehicular traffic.
Resin Bound Gravel.
Resin bound aggregate is still fairly new to the domestic market but I am starting to doubt its used long term as a paving substitute. The expensive products on the market look good but the cost of supply, installation and base work renders it uneconomical to many consumers. The total cost can spiral out of control as this surface needs a very solid base to prevent cracks.
The fine texture of the resin bound does look good as apart of design patterns and small areas but not large areas. Large expanses look bland and boring just like gravel. Why not just get gravel?
The main supplier of resign bound aggregates:
www.resinbondedaggregates.com
The fine texture of the resin bound does look good as apart of design patterns and small areas but not large areas. Large expanses look bland and boring just like gravel. Why not just get gravel?
The main supplier of resign bound aggregates:
www.resinbondedaggregates.com
Gravel
Loose gravels such as pea shingles although not paving have been used for outside surfacing for centuries. It is said the first roads ever built were built using these aggregates. If you are on budget loose gravel can be a very inexpensive way to surface your garden. The extra benefit of this is you can incorporate planting zones integrating soft and hard landscape types.
Usage
Usage is a very important consideration of a new patio. If you have young children it is good to have as much grip as possible. Textured paving or riven natural stone can be the best option here especially if your garden is usually wet. As well as adding anti slip attributes to your patio visual textures can add a satisfying atheistic to garden surfaces.
If your patio is exposed to damp shady conditions it is good to use as impervious paving as possible. The more absorbent you’re paving is the more likely it will suffer from algae build up. This can turn your paving a green and even black in colour. Absorbent paving or paving which flakes i.e. some metamorphic stone can also fall victim to frost action in damp conditions.
It is good to think about what loads your paving will be exposed. Paving load is usually a factor of underlying patio base work. Soft textured natural stone however is not advised for anything heavier than human traffic.
Bear in mind that your new patio will have to endure sometimes unforeseeable rigours of outside living. Wine spillages, spitting barbecue fat, muddy foot prints and wildlife gifts will end up on the surface of your new paving.
If your patio is exposed to damp shady conditions it is good to use as impervious paving as possible. The more absorbent you’re paving is the more likely it will suffer from algae build up. This can turn your paving a green and even black in colour. Absorbent paving or paving which flakes i.e. some metamorphic stone can also fall victim to frost action in damp conditions.
It is good to think about what loads your paving will be exposed. Paving load is usually a factor of underlying patio base work. Soft textured natural stone however is not advised for anything heavier than human traffic.
Bear in mind that your new patio will have to endure sometimes unforeseeable rigours of outside living. Wine spillages, spitting barbecue fat, muddy foot prints and wildlife gifts will end up on the surface of your new paving.
Conclusion
If you are still not sure what type of paving is best for you take your time! It is going to be in your garden for a very long time. In landscape design it is often said that function should always follow form but sometimes it is a trade off between the two.
If your back kitchen has black slate paving and you want it to continue into the garden do it! Looks and styles are important. If budget is an option for you I think natural stone is the way to go. I feel Indian sandstones and slates around £30 a square metre represents some of the best value on the market today.
If your back kitchen has black slate paving and you want it to continue into the garden do it! Looks and styles are important. If budget is an option for you I think natural stone is the way to go. I feel Indian sandstones and slates around £30 a square metre represents some of the best value on the market today.
Just remember the lighter and cleaner the paving the more dirty it will eventually look. I prefer darker colours or colour variations so bird waste and spillages do not look so devastating. I love slate for this reason but this is my personal taste. If you are having troubles making a decision seek more inspiration and precedent images on the internet or magazines.
Whatever paving you choose for your patio just make sure it is laid by a competent landscaping tradesperson. Buckinghamshire Landscape Gardeners cover Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire Berkshire and North West London. All patios are either laid or overseen by myself, Paul the Director.
If you have any questions relating to this article or need a quotation for our paving services. Go to Buckinghamshire Landscape Gardeners Contact or Patios Page.
If this article helped you in your search for what paving to choose please feel free to share it on social media or pin it! This makes us know are articles are valued so we can keep writing more. Thank you once again from Buckinghamshire Landscape Gardeners!
Pergolas
Pergolas bring vertical lines to a garden and a height which can be lacking in vast areas of lawn, patio, decks and planting. Pergolas give you the opportunity to suspend new landscape elements such as hammocks and wind chimes. Climbing vines can be grown up pergolas to boost fruit production or add more colour to a garden.
Screens
Every garden has spaces which need to be hidden. Screens give you the opportunity to hide areas such as bin stores but they also give you the ability to create suspense and build a journey. Not all screens have to be completely solid they can be a row of tall grasses creating visual segmentation than a complete barrier.
Rendered walls
Many facades in modern building interiors or spaces in general have clean lines and soft bright surfaces which give a contemporary feel. In landscaping these elements can be an amazing backdrop to natural elements such as planting however external materials require a more robust choice of material than most interior spaces. Walls rendered with a weather resistant mortar admixture can create a robust external surface with a modern finish. Rendered brick or block work are a handy tool in the garden design arsenal and a great garden design idea.
Contrasts
Whether you have a five figure budget or relying on recycled materials. The way to create interest especially in a small space is contrast. A sea of yellow blooms across a meadow is a powerful aesthetic however if you add a sea of blue blooms to accompany it the contrasting textures create a complete picture! There is loads of information about accompanying colour schemes online.
Water
Water gives you the ability to create atmosphere in any space. An expanse of water can create a low maintenance area with a wild or formal theme. The use of electrics can allow movement and light which can enhance any landscape or landscape feature.
Lighting
The fact that most external spaces have different spiritual ora at night means lighting can capture landscape atmospheres in a time where normally there would be total darkness. Lighting can be used to accentuate features in the garden and direct the eye. Lighting usually allows you to both access and enjoy the garden after dark where many unexpected pleases show themselves like local wildlife.
Raised planters
Raised planters are a great garden design idea, not only do they look good they give you a deep growing medium for robust healthy plants and vegetables.
Soil always being a restrictive factor to the quality of a gardens growing ability is always made easier by having raised beds. The most popular garden options for raised beds are either Concrete block with a painted render or timber sleepers. Raised beds can always be planned for accidental garden seating and installed to make growing plants easier at waist level.
Soil always being a restrictive factor to the quality of a gardens growing ability is always made easier by having raised beds. The most popular garden options for raised beds are either Concrete block with a painted render or timber sleepers. Raised beds can always be planned for accidental garden seating and installed to make growing plants easier at waist level.
Visual textures
In my early days of landscape architecture I would be seduced by certain surfaces and textures up close but would be disappointed when installed on a scheme on mass! Textures give the eye an energy and vibration which excites but think about what texture you want to create and at what scale of the area is. This comes from experience but visual textures are most effective from a distance that makes you appreciate them so if using gravel aggregate for a larger area use 20-30mm aggregate on a smaller area use 10mm aggregate. Either way visual textures are the key to landscape aesthetics.
Transition
Most stories or movies have a beginning middle and an end. If you want to be successful at designing spaces you should understand narrative plots! Think of the best novel you have ever read pick each chapter and try to create a garden that represents each one but you have to make the ‘transitions work!’ create a story with your design work it will create an emotional response and a pleasurable journey experience.
Focal points
Most spaces have a hierarchy, any time you have been captivated by a raging fire or a beautiful tropical fish tank realise these places of excitement and contentment contain two things: energy and intrigue. Every story has a climax or intense segment your focal points should be a place you realise, weather that’s a colourful out door oven where your family congregate and cook or an explosive water feature with fountains and lights. Most gardens benefit from a great climax or focal point!
Thank you for reading Buckinghamshire Landscape Gardeners Top Ten Garden Design Ideas for 2018. If you wish any more ideas please feel free to contact us. Most of our landscaped gardens are local to Buckinghamshire and the Chiltern area. Some of our project examples can be found across Amersham, High Wycombe, Aylesbury, The Chalfont's, Beaconsfield and Great Missenden. Please do not hesitate Buckinghamshire Landscape Gardeners to transform your garden into an enjoyable paradise this summer.
For more information visit:
https://www.buckinghamshirelandscapegardeners.com/
For more information visit:
https://www.buckinghamshirelandscapegardeners.com/
Sometimes I feel people in Buckinghamshire are a little constrained in choice when it comes to choosing a driveway material and landscape scheme. Front gardens and driveways are the first impression of our much loved homes staging the entrance to our personal living space.
For the 30 years block paving has pretty much been the material of choice and I have to admit it does have some good qualities. I have said before the biggest problem with block paving is in time sunlight bleaches the surface and fades the dyes within the blocks. This is why I have always favoured the tegula cobble effect block paving as its grey tones very rarely fade. It also has a traditional feel in keeping with most Buckinghamshire housing styles modern and old.
For the 30 years block paving has pretty much been the material of choice and I have to admit it does have some good qualities. I have said before the biggest problem with block paving is in time sunlight bleaches the surface and fades the dyes within the blocks. This is why I have always favoured the tegula cobble effect block paving as its grey tones very rarely fade. It also has a traditional feel in keeping with most Buckinghamshire housing styles modern and old.
But what are the alternatives to the traditional block paving in today’s market in Buckinghamshire and the South East?
 |  |
Resin Bound Aggregate.
Resin bound aggregates did give a glimmer of hope for a revolution for the typical driveway in Britain. This smooth textured gravel surface looks good and is permeable slowing storm water runoff. This gave it both aesthetic and ecological attributes but as years have progressed still resin bound aggregate only has clad a hand full of driveways across the UK.
There is a few reasons for this. Having laid resin bound aggregates for numerous contractors and priced up many projects for resin bound it is always the same story. In order to base the underlying ground for maximum rigidity as to prevent cracking certain procedures need to be exercised.
There is a few reasons for this. Having laid resin bound aggregates for numerous contractors and priced up many projects for resin bound it is always the same story. In order to base the underlying ground for maximum rigidity as to prevent cracking certain procedures need to be exercised.
To realise a truly ecological permeable solution a special type of free draining mot type one must be used as a base material. Then an ‘open textured’ tarmac must be spread to the surface leaving a 15-20 mm depth for the resin bound aggregate. The idea that tarmac is ecological in any sense in my view is false especially in a way that allows water to past through it into the underground aquifer.
The other option is reinforced concrete using a 6 inch slab again very non ecological and non permeable. The other problem with this is cost. All of the systems mentioned above for a robust installation that prevents cracking is extremely costly rendering it completely unviable for most people. Resin bound aggregate can crack if not based properly and also can get very dirty very quickly with its open textured surface a magnet for muddy shoes and loose materials.
Paving.
I remember my best friends crazy paving driveway which was laid in the 70’s to this day it looks perfect when pressure washed like the day it was laid. This particular driveway was laid on top of a solid slab of concrete at least 5 inches thick. Each slab was laid on a solid mortar bed without any dobbing.
This robust labour intensive method of driveway construction is the only way to realise a paved driveway with materials such as slate and Indian sandstone. I personally think these make great driveways but they lack ecological attributes and there is the issue of drainage not in keeping with Buckinghamshire’s drainage policy. In my personal view the only way to have an ecological, permeable driveway or front garden is loose gravel full stop! The problem with modern sustainable urban drainage policies is they do not deal with the UK’s flooding problems.
This robust labour intensive method of driveway construction is the only way to realise a paved driveway with materials such as slate and Indian sandstone. I personally think these make great driveways but they lack ecological attributes and there is the issue of drainage not in keeping with Buckinghamshire’s drainage policy. In my personal view the only way to have an ecological, permeable driveway or front garden is loose gravel full stop! The problem with modern sustainable urban drainage policies is they do not deal with the UK’s flooding problems.
I have visited many gardens around Buckinghamshire which are literally under water as all water runoff is channelled back into the ground at source. This means modern developments are riddled with underground voids full with water. In my opinion this potentially creates instability in surrounding ground as the seasonal flooding and drying of soakaways causes varying pressure under ground. The main reason most of these drainage strategies came into place was because of flash flooding and the drying of urban subsoil leading to shrinkage, cracking and subsidence. Today I believe we have the opposite problem with excessive ground saturation which also can lead to movement and property subsidence.
In my opinion sustainable drainage policy should focus on wild saturated landscapes such as the London wetland centre giving seasonal flooding habitats for local people to enjoy. Water should permeate back into the landscape not at source but via local wetlands designed within the landscape.
 |  |
I personally feel there is a place for paving on Britain’s driveways materials such as slate and Indian sandstone are in my opinion far superior in look and longevity to block paving. The example here shows a slate driveway with the drainage gully leading to an underground soakaway.
I personally think there should be more options for Buckinghamshire’s driveways and front garden landscaping. With a reviewed drainage policy and more wetland habitat creation our modern landscapes can become more aesthetic and bio diverse at the same time.
When deciding a material for your new driveway we advise you contact the local council for their guidelines. Buckinghamshire landscape gardeners can advise you on your options and what driveway or paving design would look best for your property.
Please contact us for more information. Or visit our paving or driveway page.
Growing your own vegetables this year in your ecologically landscaped Buckinghamshire garden!
1/21/2018
One of the few simple pleasures in life is to produce your own food by growing it from seed. In recent years many scandals such as the horse meat scandal has raised concerns about the source of our food. It has been speculated over the years that food produced with additives to prolong shelf life may be good for corporate supermarkets profits but are certainly no good for taste or health. Many speculators have suggested that herbicides and pesticide residues in our food may have links to the onset of cancers and other serious diseases.
It comes to a shock to many people that much of our food is grown using oil based fertilisers derived from fossil fuels. Most of the media always focus on the advances in sustainable energies such as wind and solar but the most sizable threat to the human race is food. When oil depletion occurs no amount of sustainable technologies will be able to replace synthetic oil based fertilisers. Ecospaces does a very good job of explaining this in this article.
It comes to a shock to many people that much of our food is grown using oil based fertilisers derived from fossil fuels. Most of the media always focus on the advances in sustainable energies such as wind and solar but the most sizable threat to the human race is food. When oil depletion occurs no amount of sustainable technologies will be able to replace synthetic oil based fertilisers. Ecospaces does a very good job of explaining this in this article.
So what is the solution? Well the truth is our centralised nucleated densities typical of modern human settlements may need a rethink. Since the industrial revolution, populations have seen a huge shift from dispersed throughout the countryside into cities. In order for future populations to feed themselves there will need to be a re-ruralisation of the population. Skilled farmers and vegetable growers will have to work the land and produce local produce once more.
But does this mean the human race going backwards? Well only if you consider; great health, strong family ties, happier people and almost no cases of cancer or dementia. Bold claims? Well this is exactly the reality of the peasant farmers of countries like Crete experience. In the 1960’s It was recognised that the village people of Crete had the longest life expectancy, happiest lives and had hardly any instances of cancer, cardiovascular disease or dementia. One of the main reasons for this was their local freshly grown and foraged diet. Vigorous physical activity in the form of landscaping and raising animals also meant fitter people. You can find a great article on the diet of the village people of Crete here. This way of eating or ‘lifestyle’ helped commercialised the now famous Mediterranean diet.
One of the most defining factors of this diet is its high percentage of fruit and vegetables. More importantly home grown fruit and vegetables! No pesticides, no genetic manipulation just fresh tasty produce metres from your kitchen door! But how do the great people of Britain and Buckinghamshire locally start growing food if they have limited time or no experience?
At Buckinghamshire landscape gardeners we propose two main options; Perennial fruit and vegetables and raised vegetable planters.
Perennial vegetables are vegetables that once planted produce year after year! Some of these include Rhubarb, Asparagus, and Artichoke. Orchard trees and shrubs such as gooseberries and apples can also give you a low input form of food production. For more information on this The Urban Farmer website has some good resources on this subject. The second way to grow more conventional annual crops such as lettuce, cabbage and potatoes with ease is raised sleeper beds. The height of the beds mean they are easy to work and being filled with good humus rich soil means large strong tasty produce all year. View some examples of our raised vegetable growing beds below.
 |  |
Buckinghamshire landscape gardeners are experts in fruit and vegetable gardening and how it can be incorporated into your garden. If you would like more information on this or a quotation contact us via the button below.
