Garden

Build a Deck

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Build a Deck

Everything you need to know in order to build your own decking. Summer is just around the corner, or so we like to think, but regardless of the frosty May mornings and unseasonal wind and rain we still dream of lazy summer days and long warm evenings spent outdoors in the garden. A garden deck … Read more

Orangery conservatory

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Orangeries began in the 17th century and became very popular during the Edwardian era. Today, an orangery is a popular choice and, like the much-loved conservatory, was initially created to house exotic and citrus plants. The conservatory evolved from the greenhouse, so is mainly built from glass to let in the maximum amount of sunlight. … Read more

How to Build a Pizza Oven

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Rustic Terracotta

Nearly everyone likes a good pizza. They are easy to make and easy to customise and can be tailored to any particular taste no matter how fussy you are. As a result garden pizza ovens are becoming more popular. You can buy basic complete units for your garden for £800 (makes one pizza at a … Read more

DIY Vertical Gardens

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Vertical gardens are very trendy at the moment and they are being installed all over the world in fantastical large buildings. It’s a great idea – cover an ugly vertical wall and make it a feature. If you choose the right plants the wall can produce scent, herbs and veg. Most of the projects featured … Read more

Willow Structures

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Living willow structures are great fun to make and a highly unusual addition to any garden. You can make fences with them, arches, tunnels, screens and sun rooms. They self-renew, don’t need painting, the only maintenance required is a quick trim. In addition they help increase the habitat available to wildlife in your garden. Even … Read more

How to Mix Concrete

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Back By Popular Demand!  We have so many questions about this topic that we thought we should re-invigorate our article about it and repost it for your 2013 jobs. Concrete is a mixture of cement, sand, gravel and water. Variations in the ratio of the ingredients produces a mix suitable for different jobs but we will be instructing … Read more

Decking Care

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Garden Decking Care

The surface of timber decks becomes exposed to the elements such as sunlight, rain, snow and frost. This will inevitably lead to a deterioration of the colour if nothing else. However don’t despair you can get it back to the way it once was!

Autumn Jobs in the Garden

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Autumn gardens mellow into rich colours as the chaos of summer flower displays fade. However the gardener can not sit on their laurels – Autumn is a key season that will lay the foundation for next years flowers and fruit. So what are some of the jobs you need to do?

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Design and Decking Construction

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The Timber Decking Association (TDA) has announced the publication of a new Code of Practice (CP) for the design and construction of raised timber decks. The CP has been produced to help raise the standard of deck design and construction amongst homebuilders and is tailored specifically to the quality and performance requirements expected by the National House-Building Council (NHBC), the UK’s leading standards setter and insurer of new homes.

Timber Quality

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Timber used on decks must be able to resist the elements. So it is important that you use timber specifically treated for outdoor conditions. Compared to hardwood, softwood such as pine has low durability unless it is treated. Fortunately softwood can be used in all decking and pergola situations provided that it is properly treated.