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Category: Garden Design

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13 Apr 2021
Design A New Garden
By Andrew Garden Design, Gardening

Designing A New Garden?

After months of lockdowns and orders to ‘stay at home’, many of us are looking at how we can update our garden. It is has become a significant part of our lives, often being the only outdoor space we are able to spend time with our family and friends. With that renewed importance, a newly designed garden seems fitting, are you thinking of designing a new garden?

Here, we look at some tips to help you design a superb new landscape.

Look at the lawn

The lawn is usually the biggest element of our garden, so it is important to get it right. Look at what shape it is – it does not have to be a square or rectangle. In fact, circular and oval lawns can be really effective and add a new layer of interest. Consider whether you want artificial grass – which looks great, involves very little maintenance, and can be used whatever the weather, without the fear of turning it into a mudbath. If you opt for a natural lawn, think about how you will keep it looking neat and tidy. If you hate mowing and strimming, perhaps look at having a smaller lawn and increase the patio or paved areas.

Designing A New Garden

Ponder the paving

The paving or patio area can really change the way your garden looks. Instead of laying down a regular pattern of regular paving stones, look at alternatives. For example, cobblestones laid in a random pattern can give a wild country look, while a combination of black and silver square or rectangles can give a sleek and chic vibe. Consider the other colours in your garden as well. What are the main colours of the plants and trees? Dark paving looks great with strong colours – reds, deep purples, and oranges, while softer colours look better combined with softer, pastel tones. 

Try to ensure that your paving or patio is the same level as the flooring on the interior of your home to make it flow. You want your garden to be a natural extension of your house, not just a space at the end of it. 

Sort out the seating

If you want your garden to be a functional area, you need somewhere to sit. Ideally, your seating area will be on hard ground – no one wants their seats to sink into the grass and mud! 

If you have limited space, look at furniture that can be folded up and put away when not in use, or multi-functional furniture – box seating with storage underneath them, for example. For larger spaces, look at outdoor sofa sets. Sofas in an L shape look great and are sociable and luxurious. The new trend for swinging ‘egg’ chairs is also practical as well as stylish – they can be moved about easily too to get the best of the sunshine.

Don’t forget tables too. If you are planning lots of chatty coffees in the garden or a G&T at night on the sofa, a coffee table or a small bistro set is ideal. For family meals and barbecues, a dining table and chairs may be the better option.

13 Apr 2021
Garden Trends
By Andrew Garden Design, Gardening

Garden Trends For Summer 2021

2020 and the start of 2021 was a year like no other. It was a year that we spent more time than ever before in the confines of our own homes and gardens, and not through choice. As a result, people have used their gardens in a different way than they did before. For many, gardens were somewhere where they might let the kids play out in the summer, hang the washing out to dry and perhaps enjoy the odd barbecue when the weather is nice, but the series of lockdowns has influenced garden trends for summer 2021.

Now, they can be a haven. A space where we can safely spend time outside, and now the rules permit, spend time with our families and friends. We have all seen pictures of people wrapped up in coats, hands around a mug while they enjoy a socially distanced cup of tea with their loved ones. It’s changed the way we view and use our gardens, and this will impact on the trends that we forecast for the summer of 2021.

Let’s look at what we think the garden trends for summer 2021 are:

Raising the beds

When you have a small space or awkward nooks and crannies – and most of us do – a raised garden bed is an ideal solution. They are an easy and reasonably cheap way of growing plants and flowers. Buy commercially produced beds or add a bit of rustic charm and character and build your own with old railway sleepers.

Small spaces getting a look in

During the height of the pandemic, people were understandably desperate to maximise outdoor space as much as possible, so where previously small yards and balconies were ignored, they are now becoming just as important as a big space. Functional furniture, windowboxes, artificial grass, and mini greenhouses can make even the most compact of spaces useful. 

Colour it up

While grey is making an huge splash outdoors thanks to the influence of Mrs Hinch, keen amateur designers are combining the classic neutral with a splash of colour in the form of scatter cushions for outdoor furniture, planters, bunting, outdoor rugs and of course, in the form of flowers and plants. Adding pops of colour is a great and inexpensive way of adding interest to even the plainest of gardens.

Artificial Grass

Possibly the biggest growth area for garden landscaping in the UK. Artificial grass looks fantastic, is hard wearing, pet friendly, child friendly and is practically maintenance free. Good quality astro turf will maintain its look all year round and you can say goodbye to boggy lawns during the winter.

Garden Trends For Summer 2021

Egg chairs

We can thank cleaning influencer Mrs Hinch for this trend as well! Swinging chairs, or ‘egg’ chairs as they are often called are set to be incredibly popular this year. In fact, people are queuing for hours to get their hands on one. There’s a good reason for it as well – they are super comfortable for relaxing in the garden with a book or a glass of something cold, while remaining super stylish too. Most of them are lightweight enough for you mov/e it around the garden to maximise every moment of the sunshine!

Bringing the inside out

From mirrors to comfortable seating options, rugs to cushions, bringing elements of the inside to the garden is big news these days to make the space feel like another room in the home.

13 Apr 2021
Making the Best of a Small Garden
By Andrew Garden Design, Gardening, Uncategorized

Making the Best of a Small Garden

Having a small garden or courtyard doesn’t mean you can’t have a beautiful outdoor area. It also allows you to grow organic produce from the comfort of your home, using eco-friendly materials. Plus it provides a place of relaxation for you and your family.  What’s more, you don’t require too much space to start, as small gardens have become popular among many owners. To make your garden work, it will be best for you to apply certain tricks, as they’ll help you maximise your space efficiently. 

How do you make the best of your small garden?

Not knowing how to arrange your garden or courtyard might cause cluttering, especially if you have a small garden space. Aesthetics and functionality come to play, so you need to plan various things to combine them in your garden effectively. These tips will get the best out of your outdoor space. 

Embrace vertical gardening

Small gardens have vertical space to spare, and you can take advantage of it. Besides, it’s a great alternative when your garden bed cannot house all your plants. Additionally, it gives you more room to be creative and sustainable simultaneously; you can incorporate used plastic bottles, wooden platforms, old wellington boots, and any other thing that can hang on walls. You can also use a step-ladder or a plant stand if you don’t want to use your wall or fence. There’s no restriction on your creativity, so don’t clutter your garden in the process.

Making the Best of a Small Garden

Cultivate different plants

You might not designate separate areas for specific plants due to limited space, but you can cultivate them simultaneously. It will be best to try growing edible and ornamental plants on the same bed, as it brings a new aesthetic feel to your outdoor space and keeps pests from damaging specific crops. You can choose combinations such as sage or rosemary with Santolina, salvias and lavender. You can also mix strawberries with lettuce and tomatoes.

Invest in sitting areas

Your garden can also function as an area for you to relax and enjoy nature’s beauty, and sitting areas will help you achieve this. It will be best for you to put furniture away when not in use quickly. Better still, you can make use of stone slabs or wooden chairs to give your garden a more rustic feel. It wouldn’t hurt to incorporate hammocks and swing seats to add more fun to your outdoor relaxation time. 

Create a focal point

A focal point gives your garden more aesthetic appeal and creates a lasting impression in people’s minds. It’s therefore essential to select quality and beautiful materials that will provide it with the desired effect. You can use anything with a solid outline such as pots, mini gazebos, benches, ornate, painted walls, gates, windows, etc. It will be best to choose the materials that appeal to you and explore colours to give your garden a brighter look.

Conclusion

Your small garden or courtyard space shouldn’t limit your creative ideas on getting your ideal outdoor space. Although these tips are not exhaustive, they can help you make the most of your space while giving your home a beautiful outdoor ‘room’.

12 Apr 2021
By Andrew Artificial Grass, Garden Design, Gardening

How Much Does Artificial Grass Cost?

For any home or property, your outdoor space creates the first impression to the public. Any outdoor space that offers a lush green finish is always the perfect first impression you can give your home or property. But growing natural grass around your home takes time and a lot of effort, especially if you live in a weed-prone or wet area. Plus, trying to nurse dried out natural grass back to life can be challenging. These (and more) are reasons why artificial grass offers the perfect solution for any outdoor space, no matter the ground’s condition. It is easy to lay and maintain and offers all the aesthetic appeal you want in your perfect grass layout. But how much does artificial grass cost? 

Artificial Grass Cost

First of all, it is essential to note that there are different types of artificial grass, all available at different costs, from installation to maintenance. The most important thing is to ensure that you make an informed decision on the type you want. To have a professional installation of luxury artificial grass you should expect to pay approx £50/£60 per square metre. When you shop around you will find that it can be done cheaper, but in an industry where you definitely get what you pay for you will realise that a cheap installation will impact on quality – either quality of the grass, or the installation, usually both. 

How Much Does Artificial Grass Cost?

Other Costs To Consider

As we have already indicated, there is hardly any fixed cost for installing artificial grass, as so many factors combine to determine your expenses and final price. Some of them include the type of artificial grass, the kind of surface you want to work on, etc. If you’re working on a paved or concrete surface, for example, you can expect the process to be comparatively simple. That is because you may only need to clear or clean that space to ensure you have no drainage issues. 

If you’re working on an already existing lawn, the process can become a bit more complicated, as you’ll have first to get rid of the existing lawn. Doing this will increase the installation cost. Additionally, if you’re working on an uneven surface, you will need to level the ground before installing the grass to give it a more even and crisp appearance. And this will also increase the installation cost.

Furthermore, the quality of artificial grass will affect the price. Latest ranges of premium grass usually cost more, as they have better quality, richer colour and texture, and look identical natural grass. Cheap, DIY grass from your local bargain store may cost less but most look less authentic plus you will still need somebody to lay it for you.

05 Feb 2021
Why Choose Artificial Grass
By Andrew Artificial Grass, Garden Design

Why Choose Artificial Grass?

Artificial grass has become increasingly popular, but why choose artificial grass? It’s versatility has made it perfect for use in lots of spaces, including:

·         Sports stadiums

·         Lawns in private properties

·         Public parks

·         Schools where children play

The increased popularity of artificial grass is not surprising, considering that most people now know its advantages over natural grass. Read on and get enlightened on why it is advisable to choose artificial grass instead of natural growing grass, so why choose artificial grass?

1.     Close to Zero Maintenance

Your artificial grass does not require a lot of maintenance. You will only remove debris and other foreign objects that might fall on the surface. This simple need is unlike the natural grass that needs to be watered and cut to look good. You can save time and the lawn mowing expenses from your natural lawn and the money you would have used to purchase fuel.

2.     It Is Not Affected by Weather

Artificial grass retains its original color and appearance irrespective of the weather. With this kind of grass, you do not have to worry that you have not watered it for a certain period and therefore it might weather. You also do not have to worry that it will overgrow during the rainy seasons.

Even if your artificial grass gets covered with snow, you will need to wait for the snow to melt since the grass’s design is in a way that water can drain out effortlessly. The grass will remain in the same condition, including its original color long after the snowing season has ended.

Why Choose Artificial Grass

3.     A Variety of Options in size, height, and shape

You can choose the kind of artificial grass you want for your lawn, depending on your preferences. These options give you the freedom to decide the type of grass to use as per your desired outcomes. If you love a lawn with a particular color, you can readily choose the color you want.

You can combine several colors in your lawn to make it stand out. You can also use these color options when you are using the grass in places where children play. Furthermore, the availability of options allows people to create shapes and decorations like those made in big sports stadiums.

4.     Can Be Replaced

If you are not pleased with your current artificial lawn, you can replace it within a matter of hours. Replacements only happen when the older artificial grass gets old or when you need to have a fresh look on your lawn.

The provision of simple replacement is essential, considering that it might take you months to change aspects of the natural grass. You might need to dig the entire lawn to install the changes you want on your natural backyard. This advantage is among the reasons more people prefer artificial grass since they can make the changes they want at almost any time they want.

Therefore, you might have noticed that the usage of artificial grass has increased in the recent past. The rise in popularity gets attributed to the above-outlined benefits of using the manufactured grass option instead of the natural grass. You also have the freedom to make your lawn more attractive by installing artificial grass.

05 Feb 2021
Artificial Grass Suppliers
By Andrew Artificial Grass, Garden Design, Gardening, Landscaping

How to Lay Artificial Grass

Artificial grass has several advantages over natural grass, and the main are:

  • Simple maintenance
  • Easier to control
  •  Can withstand even the harsh weathers
  •  Possibility of being upgraded and replaced easily

These benefits have resulted in more people preferring artificial glass over the natural option in different places such as stadiums and lawns, where well-groomed glass is needed. To enjoy the benefits of this kind of grass, you have to start by knowing how to lay artificial grass.

1.     Remove the Old Lawn

The first step in understanding how to lay artificial grass is ensuring that the surface is flat, and you can do this by removing the lawn that was already there. This step is fundamental because you cannot place the new grass on top of the old one. The fresh grass also needs a surface where it can hold firmly.

As a further step of preparing the surface, you should also install the edging and weed membrane. The edgings provide barriers on the edge of your lawn, which is mandatory, especially if you do not have other types of obstacles on the lawn’s perimeter. Installing the weed membrane is also important because it ensures no weeds can grow beneath the newly installed artificial grass.

2.     Make the Surface Further Ready for the New Grass

The ideal way of making the surface ready is laying the sub-base where you should choose the materials to use and the depth depending on the lawn’s drainage ability.  You should then install the laying course, which is the granite dust that makes the surface smoother and more stable. It would help if you used a vibrating plate compactor to ensure that everything is compacted correctly and then install another layer of weed membrane to ensure no form of weed can penetrate the surface.

3.     Position the New Artificial Grass

In this step, you might need assistance from one or more people because it involves unrolling the artificial grass.  The primary determinant of this is size; if your lawn is relatively big, it will require more work. While unrolling the artificial lawn, you need to ensure you have positioned it to be easier to unroll.

How to Lay Artificial Grass

4.     Do the Final Touches

After you have unrolled the grass, you should cut it into size to ensure it fits perfectly into your lawn. Use a sharp knife to cut it into the required shape, and then use galvanized nails to secure the perimeter as you cut. If you have done everything correctly, there will be no visible joints. But in case you can see some joints, you should ensure they are correctly secured. It would help if you used a joining tape to secure the joints since such tapes’ shiny side is usually on the lower invisible side.

The last thing you should do is to groom the newly installed artificial grass. Grooming includes removing any debris that might have been left on the surface while laying down the grass. Take good care of the artificial grass for it to remain in good condition for a long time. We can supply you with a various range of artificial grass to suit most budgets, plus we offer a full installation service if you would prefer. You can contact us here.

05 Feb 2021
Why Celebrities Love Artificial Grass
By Andrew Artificial Grass, Garden Design

Why Celebrities Love Artificial Grass

When celebrities show us a glimpse of their homes, they always look immaculate and well put together. You might sit there wondering how they make their gardens look so neat and healthy, well we know their secret and it is not having a gardener on hand 24/7. If you have not guessed it from the title already then the secret is artificial grass and we have listed all the reasons below on why celebrities love artificial grass. 

Why Celebrities Love Artificial Grass

There are a few reasons why celebrities love artificial grass the main reason being that it is easy to maintain. Artificial grass does not need much attention, occasionally you will need to brush it with a bristle broom to remove any debri and that is pretty much it. Another reason celebrities love artificial grass is that it costs less long term as they wont need to pay a gardener to tend to it. It is great in all weather and is eco friendly as you do not need to use water, grass feed or pesticides on it to keep it looking healthy and green.

Which Celebrities have Artificial Grass?

John Terry

You might know John Terry for being a professional football player for Chelsea and England. To help with practicing his football skills he swapped over his turf for artificial grass, similar to the all weather pitches he played on professionally.

Kristen Bell

The famous Actress Kristen Bell loves her dogs, which is why she chose to switch over to artificial grass. She wanted to create a space specifically for her dogs that was low maintenance and there is also the bonus that her dogs wont get muddy paws in the wet winter months.

Jessica Alba

When Jessica Alba renovated her home she decided that artificial grass was the right option for her. She wanted her garden to be child and pet safe as well as environmentally friendly. 

Sarah Beeny

This Broadcaster and property developer, let the world know via twitter that she had finally convinced her husband to switch to artificial grass when developing a house. She thought it would improve the overall look at the feel of the house and she was not wrong. 

Other Celebrities that love artificial grass include Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Matt Damon and David Basche.

You might not own lavish homes like these celebrities but artificial grass can transform any space. If you love spending time in your garden then we think that switching over will benefit you immensely. No more getting sweaty mowing the grass, no more brown or un-grown patches, no more muddy boggy areas and more time to sit in the sun and enjoy your outdoor space.

So if you think you will benefit from artificial grass in your garden then invest in some today. Ensure you get a professional to help you as DIY options tend not to end very well if you do not have the knowledge on how to lay it behind you.

05 Feb 2021
Artificial Grass Installation
By Andrew Artificial Grass, Garden Design, Gardening, Landscaping

How To Prepare Your Garden For Artificial Grass

In this day and age, it would seem that artificial grass is becoming a fantastic alternative for homeowners. It looks just like the real thing, but you don’t have to worry about maintaining it half as much. If you want a nice garden and you don’t want the pressure of staying on top of it, then you can find out everything you need to know, here. In particular, how to prepare your garden for artificial grass laying.

Removing the Turf you Have Now

If you have turf in your garden then the first thing that you have to do is remove it all. You need to do this prior to laying down your artificial turf. If you are ready to proceed then you can use a huge range of tools to help you out. You can use a turf cutter, a spade or even a rotavator. You have to make sure that you dig the soil to around a depth of 2.5 inches if possible. Your artificial turf will need to sit around half an inch above your edging.

Protecting your Artificial Turf

Before you lay down any artificial turf, you have to make sure that it is protected from any weeds or plants that may grow through it. If you do not put down a protective layer then this can lead to weeds growing through the turf and this can cause buckling or general disfigurement. You can use a simple sheet of weed surpassing membrane if you want. This is placed on top of the lawn you have and it sits just beneath the artificial turf. You can usually buy this from any good hardware store, but you can also get it from the same place where you get your turf from if you want.

How To Prepare Your Garden For Artificial Grass

Allowing for Adequate Drainage

When you are laying artificial turf, you need to make sure that it is maintained properly. Before you lay down your turf, you need to lay down an aggregate layer of sand or grit. Crushed stone is another option you can use to go over the weed membrane. You can then compact this to give you a nice and solid base. You can create a sturdy drainage surface, and you can also smooth it out to create an even surface. Finally, you can lay down some shock-absorbent material as this will give your grass far more cushioning overall.

When you have done all of this, you will then be glad to know that your area is fully prepared for your new turf. When you start laying your turf, you need to align it to the corner or even a straight edge if possible. You also need to cut it to the appropriate size, before you nail it into place. You do this with each corner first, and then go through and add more nails accordingly. This is the best way for you to ensure that your grass looks the part when you have finished. 

If you need some help with your grass then make sure that you get in touch with us here at Elite. We can show you How To Prepare Your Garden For Artificial Grass and supply with you with your new astroturf or we can do the whole job from start to finish.