GARDENING
Late winter gardening As winter draws to a close, this year it is more vital than ever to steal a march on the year and get ahead in the garden. I’m not talking about the usual jobs of weeding, soil prep and sending the mower for servicing – although these are always worthwhile. This year, a combination of stock shortages and delays due to Covid, along with increased demand (almost 3 million people discovered gardening in lockdown) mean it’s a very good idea to get your skates on with advance planning and ordering, with everything from seeds and plants to materials for garden projects. So, have a think about what you’d like to do this year. Adding features is a great way to make your garden more useable and attractive, such as a paved seating area, surrounded by raised beds to create a more intimate feel: make wide tops to the beds and they can double as informal seating and somewhere to park a glass or plate. In a sunny spot, add a beamed pergola or arbour, planted with wisteria or a grape vine to cast leafy, dappled shade and recreate that feeling of the Med. A pond or water feature brings a whole new dimension to the garden and can be made to almost any size to match the site and your garden style. A simple submersible pump creates the soothing splash of moving
water, which not only focuses attention on the feature but also helps mask intrusive background noise. Water is wonderful to attract wildlife of all kinds too. A covered area for growing is a real asset, so if you’ve been debating whether to get a greenhouse, now’s the time to treat yourself – especially as some manufacturers are already quoting lead times of months rather than weeks. Greenhouses come in many shapes, sizes and designs, from space-saving little lean-to models (a bit like a large cupboard) to walk-in houses from 6 x 4 ft upwards, in metal or wood. Do go as large as your site and budget permits as once the growing bug bites, a small one will soon be outgrown; also add into your budget accessories like staging (benches) and automatic roof vents. With indoor socialising likely to remain out of bounds for some time, making the garden more decorative and personalised is a big trend. If your budget permits, a piece of garden art from one of the many talented artists in this part of the world will give many years of pleasure. For a cheap and cheerful garden facelift, use coloured wood stain to transform wooden furniture and features, and recycle all kinds of throwaway items into plant containers. One cause for optimism in 2021 is that increased awareness in sustainability is becoming a way of life, not just a trend.
ALL ASPECTS OF LANDSCAPING AND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE • Decking & Fencing • Dry Stone Walling • Patios & Pathways • Timber Structures • Groundworks
• Sheds • Turf Laying • House Painting • Hedge Trimming • Garden Clearance
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