TAKE IT OUTSIDE

One of the joys of summer is the chance to spend more time outdoors, entertaining friends or just enjoying your surroundings. When it comes to making your outside space summer-ready, it’s best to start from the ground up…

Alush green lawn has long been a classic choice for a garden. Grass offers a soft surface, perfect for children to play on and guests to relax by. It’s also a natural air purifier, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. But as we know, lawns need regular care, including mowing, watering and fertilising. They can also become patchy or worn in high-use areas. So what are the options?

Decking

Decking is a popular choice for outdoor seating areas. It provides an attractive surface that can blend seamlessly with various garden styles. It is also durable and low-maintenance, requiring only occasional cleaning and resealing. However, it can be susceptible to wear and tear, especially in areas with harsh weather, and can be slippery when wet.

Patio

Patios are practical, offering a stable and level surface for furniture and socialising. They can be created using various materials such as concrete, pavers or natural stone, to suit your style. They need minimal maintenance and are durable, but they can be expensive to install, and the choice of materials can affect their appearance, durability and comfort. Concrete patios may crack over time, for example, while natural stone can be more prone to staining.

Detail and distinction

Whetheryou’re looking for garden features or indoor attractions, one local shopping destination has something to offer everyone. Coed-y-Dinas is one of seven stores making up the Charlies Stores Ltd group. The other branches are located around Mid Wales and the Borders, in Newtown, Aberystwyth, Carmarthen, Shrewsbury and Queensferry. The Coed-y-Dinas team is extremely proud to be a Welsh, independent, family-run retailer.

Charlies Stores has been operating for nearly 30 years under owner Chris Lloyd, and purchased Coed-y-Dinas farm and the surrounding land in 2002. Set in the Severn Valley just south of Welshpool it was originally the ‘home farm’ for Powis Castle. Recognising that there was potential in the magnificent set of buildings, great care was taken to restore them sensitively. With many of the unique details retained, Coed-y-Dinas is an unique and beautiful shopping centre. It now offers an extensive garden centre selling everything from

Gravel

Gravel surfaces have gained popularity for their rustic charm and versatility. They’re a costeffective option for creating pathways or larger entertaining areas. Gravel provides good drainage and can be rearranged to accommodate different layouts. It requires minimal maintenance, just occasional raking to maintain its appearance and the addition of weed barriers to prevent weed growth. However, gravel can be less comfortable to walk on and small stones may get kicked around.

Fake grass

Artificial grass has gained popularity as a low-maintenance alternative to natural lawns. It provides a lush, green appearance all year round, without the need for mowing or watering, and it’s resistant to pests. However, the installation cost can be high and the quality varies depending on the brand. Fake grass can also heat up in direct sunlight, making it uncomfortable to walk on.

Each option has its unique appeal. Evaluate your needs taking into account aesthetics, maintenance, durability and budget, and how it will integrate with other elements such as furniture and lighting, and you’ll end up with a delightful setting for summer entertaining.

plants and furniture to camping and barbecue goods, as well as a country store that caters for landscaping and agricultural needs. “Whilst the company has grown, the passion and values remain the same. We only sell products we would be happy to take home ourselves, and work hard to ensure they are fantastic value for money.”

Alongside the retail outlets, Charlies also has an online store, www.charlies.co.uk, where you can find many of the usual ranges, plus extras such as deals, blogs and seasonal advice.