Gardens

The Increasingly Important Role of Nature & EcoFriendly Homes in House-Buying

Post pandemic the desire to have gardens and access to open spaces, as well as the importance of sustainability and green credentials, are in tandem increasingly significant to buyers; in particular to younger generations and first-time buyers for whom sustainability may well be a deal-breaker when making property decisions.

Eco-conscious buyers

It is estimated by the Climate Change Committee (theccc.org.uk) that homes account for around 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the UK, so the implications of ecoconscious buyers demanding more sustainable homes could have a significant impact on the market and the environment in the near future.

Andrea Fawell, Sales and Marketing Director at Kebbell says: “New buyers are increasingly concerned about rising energy costs. They are concerned about the need to improve air quality, want to ensure clean water and simultaneously minimise water usage, and reduce waste. They want their homes to have better insulation, more energyefficient lighting, eco-friendly power supply and more efficient appliances, wood and plastic alternatives, recycled materials and materials that are free of toxins. They are also more passionate about open space preservation and flora and fauna diversity.”

A recent nationwide survey from Leaders Romans Group revealed almost three-quarters (70%) of respondents would like their property to be more ecofriendly and over a third (35%) of respondents said they would pay up to 10% more for a property with eco-friendly features.

Andrea Fawell says: “Some may be willing to pay more to ensure green credibility, but it is likely that these requirements will increasingly become the norm and developers need to keep up.”

Buying changes

Preferential mortgage rates for new homes which have an energy rating of A and B are increasingly being offered, in part to encourage people to buy more energy-efficient homes. A purchaser can also sometimes borrow more from a lender, if they are buying a new build property with a good energy rating, on the basis that if you buy a new home with lower utility bills you can probably afford to borrow more. at the heart of the design but says “We cannot keep up with the demand largely because it is the perfect location to step away from the big cities and to embrace coastal and countryside life. Carefree coastal living provides endless opportunities to explore nature, as well as relax and unwind after busy working days, and that is something that many buyers desire now.”

One new resident at Cornelian Fields, Michael McSharry, agrees and says: “We go for a walk to the bay and around the area every weekend morning, collecting a coffee from the local coffee hut. It is a steep walk back and totally wild. Dalby forest is 20 mins away and the area is part of The North York Moors so is excellent for mountain biking and you can also cycle up the coast. It’s just stunning.”

Andrea Fawell says: “Responsible developers are going out of their way now to protect nature. For example, we are putting in sandstone walls for mining bees as well as hedgehog homes and a few reptile/amphibian hibernacula on the wildlife open space at Heatherfields, our development in Bordon. We want our homes to connect buyers to nature so that they can enjoy different habitats and rich wildlife community spaces, which is of course beneficial for physical and mental well-being, is a fantastic environment for children to grow up in and helps us to all thrive a little better.

“The importance of sustainability within the property industry is no longer niche and being closer to nature has never been more of a driving force behind out of city sales.”

Proximity to nature

Whilst eco-conscious buyers are pushing developers to consider energy efficiency and sustainability, proximity to nature and the importance of the landscape that surrounds them became a real driving force during the pandemic. Demand for countryside properties has significantly risen and the market is still seeing a strong push for new homes with gardens, situated within close proximity to beautiful natural habitats, open spaces and nature reserves.

Fawell describes how Cornelian Fields in Scarborough was built with proximity to nature

LANDSCAPE - the UK’s premier landscaping exhibition, looks to showcase the industry more than ever before by bringing more exhibitors, more visitors and even more features to Hall 3 at the NEC - National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham on the 28th and 29th September 2022.

Welcoming hundreds of exhibitors with a vast collection of industry-leading products, services and innovations for the design, build and management of exterior and interior landscaping projects, LANDSCAPE 2022 is the trade event you will not want to miss, and the best part is - it’s all FREE! The LANDSCAPE Show is the chance of the year to network with professionals at the top of their game at the largest event the industry has ever seen!

LANDSCAPE is proud to say that 86% of visitors are very likely to recommend and use an exhibitor for a future project, and the exhibitor list continues to go from strength to strength, year on year. The extensive exhibitor list ensures that when they say that there is “something for everyone”, they really do mean it!

This year alongside the highly anticipated CPD accredited seminar programme, LANDSCAPE will be introducing some brand-new features including a Graduate Showcase by London College of Garden Design, and an additional program of ‘How to’ Seminars for anyone in the industry to learn, be inspired and expand their skills. Back again at the central bar area, LANDSCAPE will be hosting the incredibly popular PechaKucha 20x20 and Meet the Designer programme. LANDSCAPE’s Women in the Industry Day was so well received in 2021 that it’s back with an additional Networking Morning running in conjunction with #Yes She Can. Also back this year is the highly anticipated design competition, which will be focused on Wildlife Friendly designs and supported by the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust.

Both the exhibition and all seminar sessions are free to attend. For more information or to register to attend the show, simply visit the registration page online. Expect the biggest names in landscaping to feature in the 2022 line-up and be sure to keep an eye on LANDSCAPE’s social media channels for the latest updates and be the first to hear about even more reasons why LANDSCAPE 2022 is the show you do not want to miss.

See you there!

Further information can be found online:

www.LandscapeShow.co.uk

info@LandscapeShow.co.uk

+44 (0)20 7821 8221

Twitter: @LandscapeEvent #LANDSCAPE2022

WHEN TO PLANT TULIPS – FOR FLAWLESS FLORA IN THE SPRING

Tulips are renowned for their symmetrical flower buds and perfect appearance, so learning when to plant tulips for the best blooms is important for a well-manicured, colorful garden.

Whilst you may know how to plant tulip bulbs, knowing the best time to plant tulip bulbs can make all the difference. Planting tulips too early can leave frostdamaged shoots, plant tulip bulbs too late and you may leave the bulbs susceptible to disease. To add these iconic flowers to your garden ideas and enjoy them in the springtime, use this guide to plant them at the perfect time. When to plant tulips

Bulbs: ‘Dry tulip bulbs are some of the best spring bulbs, but need to be planted in colder months to bloom in time for spring,’ explains Rachel Crow, garden editor for Homes & Gardens. ‘Tulip bulbs are best planted in the fall between September to November when the bulb is dormant.’

It is possible to plant bulbs outside of these times however the soil should be at 60ºF or lower otherwise the bulbs are at risk of viral or fungal diseases such as tulip blight. In warmer states, these ideal temperatures might not be reached until December. Tulip blight has no chemical controls so prevention is the only solution.

‘If you buy your bulbs earlier than needed make sure to store them in a cool, dry, dark place, to protect them from damage before planting,’ Rachel adds. Starter plants: Store-bought tulips starters should be planted in the spring months, rather than the colder fall months, and can add an instant pop of color to your flower bed ideas as well as being brilliant additions to a wildlife garden idea. You may need to ease store-bought tulips into the cooler weather before transplanting them outside. It is worth noting that store-bought tulips are often forced tulips, and may not rebloom again for a year or two after transplanting as the bulb regains its energy.

Can you dig up tulips and replant them?

You can dig up tulips and move them, but it is best to wait until they have died away before doing so. Tulips are perennial plants and tend to regrow every year, however, the bulbs prefer to stay in the ground once planted. Moving tulips could, therefore, stress the plant and prevent blooms or cause smaller blooms the following year. ‘Wait for the tulips foliage to turn yellow or brown before digging them up. Digging up too early could mean the bulb does not have the chance to replenish itself and could kill the plant,’ says Rachel.

Can tulips be moved when blooming?

Tulips should not be moved when blooming. The best time to move tulip bulbs is whilst they are dormant, either long before or just after flowering. If you must move the tulip when in bloom, you must disturb the roots as little as possible and replant the bulb at the correct depth. This is incredibly difficult so it is best practice to leave your tulips until the following year.

HOW TO REMOVE GREEN MOLD FROM A WOOD DECK – AND MILDEW, TOO

Wondering how to remove green mold from a wood deck? If your deck is turning green, this is why it’s happening and how to remove it

Removing green mold and mildew from a wood deck is a job every deck owner faces every now and then. Leave it and it won’t just make your backyard look unkempt and uninviting, green decking can also become slippery, hazardous and can even damage the deck’s structure.

It is common for decks to develop green algae and mildew as moisture becomes comes trapped in the wood, so cleaning a deck yearly is a must. However, you may find that while it’s worse in winter, it’s also a problem in shady spots on the deck through summer, too. So, if you are planning on building a deck, or are about to stain a deck, you will need to know what to look out for and how to remove green mold from a wood deck.

developer-update.co.uk

How to remove green mold from a wood deck

To remove green mold from your deck ideas, you will need to give your deck a regular brush with a stiff broom. Using a pressure washer on your deck at least once a year is an extremely effective way of banishing any build-up of dirt and algae, too, as well as giving your deck a fresh look by bringing the wood back to its original color.

If you do use a pressure washer to remove green mold or mildew from a wood deck, bear in mind that timber is made of fibers which can open up if exposed to too much pressure, which can cause the deck to become vulnerable to rot, so make sure to keep the washer’s head at least six inches away from the deck boards, and ensure the pressure washer is on a wide spread setting.

Chris Moorhouse, Category Director for Timber with Wickes suggests investing in a wood cleaner, which remove algae and stains with a biodegradable mixture without damaging the deck with other, harsher products. Wood cleaner can be easily brushed into your deck and washed off with water and a stiff brush, keeping your deck clean of algae. This is a good, if slightly more labor-intensive, alternative to using a power washer and needs only to be reapplied every few months. A further step you can take to avoid the green algae building up on decking is to replace old boards with anti-slip decking,

which is less prone to algae buildup. ‘Traditional timber and composite decking boards become dangerously slippery when wet or icy and as the result of the build-up of algae and leaves. If you choose antislip decking, this will be much less of an issue,’ suggest the professionals at Gripsure.

Why is my deck turning green?

The experts at Gripsure explain that ‘timber is an attractive substrate for algae to quickly take hold – the timber surface retains moisture and therefore they can remain damp long after the rain has gone,’ meaning it can easily form mildew, mould and algae. When this process is repeated every season without interval cleaning measures to prevent algae from forming, your deck may be at risk of turning green and developing a slimy film.

What happens if deck algae builds up?

The algae on your deck’s surface, if neglected, can cause the wood to splinter and will inevitably damage the deck’s structure, which will be an expensive repair job. To prevent and reverse the damaging effects of green decking we suggest using preservatives and staining.

Chris Moorhouse, Category Director for Timber at Wickes recommends using a layer of wood reviver to restore your decking. ‘All cut ends, drill holes and notches in pressuretreated softwood timber need to be treated with an end-grain preservative,’ he says. Gripsure experts advise that this will protect the timber against fungal attacks. ‘Both softwoods and hardwoods can be oiled to prevent the timber from weathering. This will also prevent the timber from natural weathering to a silvery grey’

‘Oils and stains are a great way to bring life back to older timber, improve the longevity and performance of your decking, and to make next year’s clean down that bit easier.’

How do you get rid of green on decking?

The experts at Deck supermarket recommend using a mixture of one cup of white distilled vinegar and a gallon of lukewarm water to treat the early stages of green mold from a wood deck. White distilled vinegar is a natural cleaner and much like other deck products it adds a layer of protection to fending off the onset of algae. After power washing your deck, leave the mixture to soak on your deck for five minutes. Rinse the solution thoroughly and wipe with a microfiber cloth. When this process is completed we suggest using deck stain to ensure your deck is further protected.

Can you paint over algae on decking?

You can paint over algae but you will get a very poor finish and will only cover the green deck look momentarily. The algae will continue to grow, so still needs to be removed.

developer-update.co.uk

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