GREENING UP

The gold-medal winning Yeo Valley Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in autumn 2021 proves organic principles don't have to come at the expense of style and design

Green up your garden

In this period of garden dormancy, it’s time to hunker down with the mail-order bulb catalogues and plan for a colourful and exuberant 2022, says Elly West, as she recommends some of her favourites.

There is something about the start of another new year that gets us thinking about what we can do better and the goals we may want to achieve. Looking outside at our gardens, we may have plans to make some changes, whether it’s a border that isn’t quite working, empty containers that need planting up, or a whole redesign –complete with a garden office.

Our gardens are our sanctuaries, a break from the modern world where we can switch off and feel at one with nature. An early foraging bumblebee, a robin hopping about in freshly dug soil – these are the joyful moments to be found in the garden right now, all the more precious for their scarcity.

Gardening is inherently considered a ‘green’ activity but with the reality of climate change hitting home, we need to consider making changes in all areas of our lives, and the outdoor space that we take for granted is a great place to start. British gardens cover an area bigger than all the country’s nature reserves combined, an estimated 10-million acres plus, and they provide vital wildlife corridors. Our trees and greenery help combat air pollution, and soft landscaping (lawns and borders) help to manage water runoff, reducing pressure on urban drainage systems.

Small changes really can make a big difference. So, at the risk of sounding ‘worthy’, if you are considering making new year resolutions that involve improving your garden, keep the environment in mind and everyone can potentially benefit. Having said that, it’s worth remembering that primarily we want our gardens to suit us and our lifestyle, and to look nice. A ‘green’ garden doesn’t have to be overflowing with nettles, brambles and log piles. Gardens can be neat and tidy, formal or informal, and still be doing their bit. Insects, birds and small mammals don’t care if your edges are tidy, or what shape the lawn is.

If your new prize rose has blackspot and greenfly, it’s not a failure to reach for a spray. Or to scatter slug pellets if your hostas are nibbled to lace handkerchiefs by slugs. Let’s not be militant about it, unless you want to be. But going forwards, in order to avoid chemicals where you can, just think of good practice in terms of nurturing healthier plants that will be less susceptible to pests and diseases. Think ‘right plant, right place’, and choose ones that can cope with drought, shade, sun or whatever the conditions might be. Hostas are notoriously delicious to slugs and snails, so don’t grow them in a damp border near a lawn as the problem isn’t going to go away (however many sacks of slug pellets you put down). Instead, put them in pots on the patio or grow them in a gravel garden where they’re easier to protect and harder for critters to get at.

Think biodiversity in your planting as well, and try to choose a mix of plants that will flower in all the different seasons to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. I love including areas of meadow in the gardens I design. It doesn’t have to be a huge space, and can work well in both urban contemporary and more traditional

British gardens cover an area bigger than all the country’s nature reserves combined, and they provide vital wildlife corridors ❝

countryside schemes. Meadow turf is one of my favourite products as it rolls out like normal grass turf, containing juvenile perennial plants that will pop up in spring, do their thing in summer, then all that’s needed is an annual cut at the end of the season ready for the following year.

Make your own compost or leaf mould to enrich the soil, as that’s where the foundations of a truly healthy garden are found. A few old compost bags stuffed with autumn leaves and tucked out of sight behind a shed or bush for a couple of years will turn into a beautiful rich, crumbly mixture that’s great for improving your soil structure and feeding your plants.

The green bins were barely collected in my neighbourhood in 2021, what with driver shortages and so on, plus the local council introduced a charge for green waste collection, which is another good reason to compost where you can. In terms of bought compost, peat will soon be banned, and peat-free is much better for the environment. However, it’s worth doing your research as peatfree composts are variable in terms of quality. Check the packaging and see if it’s suitable for sowing and/or containers, depending what you want to use it for, as some are just sold as soil improvers. If you can find reviews online then check these too.

Recycling is another area where gardeners can do their bit. Wash up old plastic pots and use them again for sowing seeds and potting in. If you are buying pots, look for those made from recycled materials, or the beigey-brown plastic ones that can be recycled, rather than the ones made from black plastic. With a few DIY skills and a bit of imagination, upcycled materials can make quirky garden features. Copper piping, pieces of driftwood, an old tin bath or piece of furniture could be your next project that gives your garden that individual touch. Upcycling is a great way to get children involved as well. n • ellyswellies.co.uk

Task of the month: build a bug hotel

A bug hotel will encourage beneficial pollinators and pesteating beetles into the garden to create that all-important, balanced mini-ecosystem. It's a fun project for children and can also make an attractive feature in itself, providing food and shelter for tiny creatures. There are more than 2,000 different insect species in the average garden. Very few of them cause damage to our plants, and most of them help to control the ones that do. Now is a good time to get outside and have a go at building them a safe habitat, as there is plenty of dead plant material around.

Start with some bricks or wooden boxes, pieces of wood, or terracotta plant pots on their sides, and stack them up to create a structure of shelves and layers. Then look for any natural materials you can find to stuff in the nooks and crannies, such as dry leaves, sticks, hollow bamboo stems, pine cones, bits of bark and straw. Cut the end from a plastic bottle and roll up corrugated cardboard inside to provide a dry nesting place. These will all help to create warm, dry spaces for creatures such as solitary bees, lacewings, ladybirds, woodlice and spiders to hide. A roof tile or two on top will keep out the rain and help it to last longer.

Sleek sheds

The garden shed was once used for storing flower pots, unwanted furniture and old vinyl. Under the direction of Garden Affairs, however, it’s all about clean lines, practicality and convenience, as their new product launch demonstrates...

The Modern Garden Shed, recently launched by garden buildings business, Garden Affairs,is a secure outdoor storage solution that makes no compromise on looks. Its sleek, contemporary design fits perfectly into any outside space, and it’s an ideal fit for a city garden setting.

“Our Modern Garden Shed is a stylish alternative to the garden shed of old,” says Garden Affairs CEO Richard Squire. “It’s ideal for anyone looking for a secure storage space with the aesthetic of a modern garden building.”

The latest addition to the company’s range of quality garden buildings, the shed is the perfect solution if you’re looking for a designer building with plenty of secure, watertight storage for bikes, garden tools and equipment.

“We’re really excited to announce the launch,” says Squire. “It’s a beautifully designed building, which looks stunning, with external wood cladding, a flat roof and a clean minimalist design. It’s tailormade for the garden of today.”

All Modern Garden Sheds come in a choice of ribbed or plain wood cladding, with an EPDM rubber roof membrane and downpipe, blended door or frosted glass sliding door, and tongue-and-groove floor. The result is a watertight, simple, flexible space. n

It’s a beautifully designed building with external wood cladding, a flat roof and a clean, minimalist design ❝

MODERN GARDEN SHED: KEY FEATURES

• EPDM rubber roof. The synthetic rubber membrane has a life expectancy of over 50 years. • A range of sizes to suit storage needs and individual garden aesthetic. From 3m x 2m. • Choice of spruce or red western cedar wood, natural or factory-painted. • Blended single/double door available, as alternative to sliding door. • Total height under 2.5m. Compliant with planning regulations in most situations.

Prices range from £4,564 for a 3 x 2m shed to £6,483 for the 4 x 3m model. Other sizes are available on request, as well as prices for assembly and delivery. An additional bottom-hinged window can be added at £198 (unpainted) or £298 (painted).

Garden Affairs is a family-run business, operating since 2001. It uses painstaking research and planning, premium suppliers, and the best, sustainably sourced timber to produce garden buildings of the highest quality. Garden Affairs, 288 Frome Road, Trowbridge BA14 0DT; gardenaffairs.co.uk

MARDAN, BATH’S BESPOKE REMOVALS AND STORAGE COMPANY, DEVELOPS NEW TALENT

Mardan have a wealth of experience within the removals and storage industry, spanning over 30 years, ensuring customers have a stress-free and seamless move. Mardan are family run and bespoke with the experience, knowledge, skills, equipment and capacity to complete removals of any size; locally, nationally for domestic or commercial customers.

Marcus, Mardan’s founder, has always held fast, with confidence, to his belief that he can deliver a high standard of removals, exceeding that of his competitors. Marcus knows to do this he must have trust and confidence in the skills of his staff, which he does. So when a new office position was required within Mardan instead of recruiting externally Marcus looked to develop a team member which he already had extreme confidence in and who he knew would develop into the role seamlessly, Nik. The role would include; liaising with customers, completing quotes, emailing quotes, planning the removals diary, logistics and managing the storage yard. Nik, had worked with Marcus within removals for over 10 years having a strong knowledge of all aspects of removals and with the skills necessary to lead a team from Mardan on removals. Nik has risen to the challenge and is thriving. Marcus and Nik work extremely well as a team thus ensuring all customers have a personalised service and a positive move experience. Both Marcus and Nik enjoy completing the physical removal and Marcus truly believes that to do the ‘office’ role well it’s important to continue to complete removals, thus maintaining the in depth knowledge developed throughout their earlier careers. Marcus and Nik are able to be flexible with their roles and keep their ‘hand in’ the hard physical work of removals.

Mardan continue to grow their self-storage facility, offering safe, secure and reasonable storage to upward of 100 domestic and commercial customers.

“We used Mardan following a recommendation from a friend. They moved us in and out of storage and then into our renovated house. I would highly recommend them. The service was super efficient and the guys were quick, polite and courteous. Nothing was too much trouble and all of our possessions arrived safe and sound”

Emma Webster, Moon Client

Mob: 07899 847857 Tel: 01225 317645 www.mardanremovals.co.uk

DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL MOVERS • packers • STORERS • SHIPPERS

Bailbrook Lane, Bath A stunning development of two individual, contemporary, luxury homes in a secluded setting with magnificent views.

A stunning 3 bedroom, single storey property refurbished to an extremely high standard and boasting a superb extension and paddock.

Little Orchard is approached via a shingle driveway leading to the ample parking area in front of the double garage. A low retaining wall with arched arbour access the path through the private front garden to the main door and entrance terrace.

Once inside the open plan kitchen and dining room take centre stage with a stunning Harvey Jones fitted kitchen boasting central island, Bentazzoni range and Quooker tap.

The sitting room is semi-open to the dining space but retains a snug feel with an open fired and sliding doors to the front terrace. A conservatory overlooks the rear/side garden with the greenhouse and raised vegetable beds plus the paddock.

The bedrooms accommodation is arranged throughout the original dwelling and the new extension, with 3 well proportioned, light bedrooms, en suite facilities and a family bathroom with freestanding bath.

Externally the gardens encompass the house, whilst the paddock is easily accessible either from the driveway or the B3108.

The village of Winsley is a most sought after location, lying just half a mile from the outskirts of Bradford on Avon. The village boasts many amenities including convenience store and Post Office, The Seven Stars Public House, Hartley Farm shop and café and Winsley Health Centre. There is also an Ofsted rated “Outstanding” primary school and a pre-school.

Little Orchard, Winsley

• Detached property

• 3 bedrooms

• En suite facilities

• Open plan living

• Generous driveway, double garage and workshop

• Private garden and paddock of approximately 0.42 acres

£895,000

Lavender Cottage, Bradford on Avon

£325,000

An attractive 1 bedroom Grade II listed cottage, situated in a quiet location in the heart of the town. The property offers accommodation arranged over two levels plus a mezzanine gallery and a delightful well stocked garden with summerhouse. • 1 bedroom Grade II listed period cottage in a quiet location • Galleried area • Wealth of period features • Delightful well stocked, sunny garden • Summerhouse • Studio with woodburner

Coneyhurst, Winsley Hill

Guide price £895,000

A substantial 5 bedroom detached family home, positioned beautifully in a large 1/3rd acre plot with stunning views over the Limpley Stoke Valley and a fine south westerly aspect, located in a popular residential area on Bath’s sought after southern fringes.

• 5 bedrooms • Office / Snug • Open plan kitchen / dining room • Sitting room / conservatory / garden room • Large 1/3rd acre plot

Why buyers are choosing their heart over budget

Peter Greatorex,

managing director of The apartment Company

When it comes to keeping within a strict budget and ‘thinking with your head’, it seems that we often throw the rulebook out the window when looking to buy a property. In the current property market, buyers are thinking with their hearts over their heads and are willing to pay over and above the asking price to secure the property of their dreams.

One of the many factors fuelling this trend is the lack of properties on the market and the abundance of buyers. Buying a property is a significant financial commitment, probably your biggest, so it’s no wonder that buyers want to find a home that they love and this is understandably a process often fraught with emotion.

We would never encourage any buyer to spend over their budget. A home is a financial commitment and you need to look at the long-term pressure of paying your mortgage. It is essential that you seek advice from a mortgage provider before you commit to purchasing a property so that you know your figures and maximum budget.

So why are buyers wishing to spend more at the moment? The most common reason is that they simply fell in love with a property. We are certainly seeing that buyers in Bath are looking at buying a property for the long-term future, whereas in the past they may have been thinking of just the next step on the ladder. This focus on the longer term means that buyers are seeking an apartment that will provide them with what they need for many years to come, for example, the space they’ll need when they start a family. It’s therefore essential that your apartment appeals to buyers’ hearts and is beautifully presented.

We are lucky that our properties in Bath are full of period features, with spacious rooms and attractive locations. The key features that buyers are seeking are fireplaces, a space to work, nice neighbours, beautiful décor and original features. Buyers don’t just want to know about your property but also about your neighbours and what is happening in your local community.

We operate differently when it comes to valuing a property for sale. An asking price is not an exact figure, which is why we offer our vendors a price range strategy. This strategy alone is not effective without the work of our experienced negotiators, so it’s important that we build a relationship with each vendor to understand their situation and needs moving forward. With this knowledge, we are able to negotiate the best possible price for them and their property.

If you are looking to achieve the best possible purchase price for your apartment, it’s essential that you present every area of your home beautifully, not forgetting your outside or communal spaces. For advice and guidance on selling your home, we’re always here to help.

The Apartment Company 01225 471144 | www.theapartmentcompany.co.uk