gardens showcase

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Gardens

s h o w c a s e

AND FINALLY . . . THE GARDEN

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Once it is finished, and you have moved into your new home, one of the biggest joys is creating the perfect setting for the gem you have just built with a glorious garden

The pandemic has taught us all to value our gardens and even creating extra space with garden rooms – either for working from home or for a spot of peace and quiet.

You might not be adding top soil, turf and plants until the very end, when season and budget allow, but the finished look is something you need to have in mind from the start.

Bi-fold glass doors will open up living areas and turn parts of your garden into garden rooms. This trend can be seen in the way that garden seating is looking more and more like weatherproof versions of conservatory furniture.

Heating systems are also getting more and more sophisticated; extending the time we spend outdoors.

The ‘hard’ landscaping, of outside power supply and taps need to be decided on while work takes place on the property. So too do features like paths and patios. Concrete bases for sheds and summer houses created when the concrete is being poured for the main build also make sense.

Creating a garden is like building more rooms – and value – for your home. Gardens to inspire Scotland’s Gardens Scheme celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2021 with keen gardeners throwing open their gates and inviting everyone in.

The gardens have been opening gradually since the start of April in line with Scottish Government guidelines.

This year 70 new gardens are opening for first time; along with 38 village and group openings and five plant sales.

Who knows, give your garden a few years to mature and you could be joining in.

It is a great way to find inspiration for your new garden and visiting one close to you will give you an idea about which plants thrive in your area – plus a great deal of local gardening advice. If there is one thing gardeners like to do it’s share!

And a good way to start stocking your garden is to visit one of the scheme’s plant sales, they are being held at Kilmacolm, Huntly, Kirriemuir, Helensburgh and Cupar.

Look out for the distinctive yellow signs at the roadside on the day and visit www. scotlandsgardens.org for listings.

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1. Everything you need to build a den, £40. www.thedenkitco. com; 2. Hoole Seaton lightweight steel patio fire pit with grate, £279.99. www.gardenesque.com; 3. Windsor lounging sofa set, £2,699. www.bridgman.co.uk; 4. Personalised vintage spoon garden marker, £10.www.vintagecandy2u.com;

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Graham Sandals Timber Buildings

Huts, Bothies & Outbuildings in Scottish grown Larch Tel 01786 841788 07773 809345 www.grahamsandals.co.uk info@grahamsandals.co.uk

Think outside the house

Our own space and how we wisely we use it has become so important – the pandemic has taught us that. And one way that we can get the best use and value for money is to invest in more, or better, buildings in our garden. It all comes down to budget but there are so many ways we can add value to our garden space and, in turn, to our property. The most obvious is to plan the garden ‘into’ the house, with bi-fold doors, traditional French windows, patios, seating areas, canopies and by some judicious purchases from the ever-increasing range of garden furniture, lighting and heating available to us. Never forget the humble garden shed. Have you had a look at them recently? Suddenly they are not that humble; they are getting second lives as home offices, hobby dens, reading rooms and chill out zones. A seriously good, secure, shed can also be used to free up space in the home, with the creation of a good shelving and storage system. Modern families have so many possessions; fill a shed in an orderly fashion and suddenly you have an empty attic to convert AND you know where everything is, - not just some vague idea that it is tucked behind the cold water tank in a black plastic bin bag, slowly gathering more dust. Likewise, go for a larger garage and have a utility room included – this needs to be done carefully and with suitable electrical appliances in place. Many self-builders, especially those who are living on-site in a static caravan for the duration of the project, make their first real construction project a good quality, large shed to help ease the cost of storage. Above left - A modern garden office painted in honey mango and black ash. www.cuprinol.co.uk Left - A ‘she-shed’ in rose pink royal exterior wood finish. www.protekwoodstain.co.uk Above - Garden seating area glowing in the summer dusk. www.lights4fun.co.uk