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Here are our top ideas for rejuvenating your tired garden when landscaping Exeter. Tip and ideas, garden clearance, leveling, and soil information. Exeter Landscape, Great Landscaping Exeter.

• Garden clearance ⋅ introduction ⋅ mini-diggers ⋅ landscaping Exeter.
• Clearance mini digger hire ⋅ landscaping Exeter
• Removing plants ⋅ tagging plants ⋅ healing in ⋅ paths ⋅ lawns ⋅ landscaping Exeter.
• Building waste ⋅ options ⋅ landscaping Exeter.
• Levelling 101 ⋅ keeping your soil ⋅ landscaping Exeter.
• Marking out ⋅ landscaping Exeter.
• Dealing with clay soil ⋅ landscaping Exeter.
• Plants for clay soils ⋅ perennials ⋅ climbers ⋅ grasses.
• Further ideas ⋅ inspiration ⋅ landscaping Exeter

Tips For Garden clearance · Landscaping Exeter

Maybe you already have some great garden design ideas. Why not check out our garden design guides. For ideas and inspiration. For your landscaping project, Exeter. Now for the hard part.

The garden Clearance · Landscaping Exeter

Time for the garden clearance. Exeter landscapes have cleared gardens of all shapes and sizes in and around Exeter. Here’s a selection of ideas and tips. We have gleaned over the years whilst landscaping, Exeter.

Making your garden clearance quicker. …   Cheaper…  and a lot less painful…

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CLEARING THE DECKS ⋅ LANDSCAPING EXETER

Get Organised · Landscaping Exeter

This is your first hands-on job. time for your neglected garden. The garden clearance, landscaping Exeter. Clearing a garden. Clears the mind. Allowing you to visualize your garden landscape in Exeter.

Have a Garden Design In Place · Create a List 

It’s a good idea to have a garden design in place. Before starting any garden landscaping design project in Exeter. It will save you time and money. Allowing you to identify. Plants that need to be left in place. Plants that need to be removed. Garden areas to be totally cleared. Garden areas to be left alone. Areas that be used to store materials or waste when landscaping Exeter.

What To Save ⋅ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

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Decide on What to Save · What to Skip · Be Brutal

Time to be brutal at the start of your landscaping project Exeter. And start to get rid of your waste. Particularly important in a small or courtyard design, Exeter. It’s likely the project will generate a lot of old concrete and rubble when landscaping Exeter. Old footings, foundations, walls, and paving.

Save Hardcore · For Your Garden Design Project

Remember you may need some hardcore later, in your landscaping project, Exeter. A base for a patio or artificial grass. Or to fill a void, such as a pond.  If space is an issue you may simply have to get rid of your rubble offsite.  And bring in some MOT at a later date.   Otherwise, you may be continually moving it around your garden.  During your landscaping project, Exeter.  Remember a tidy site is a safe site!

Concrete ⋅ Rubble Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

Large Lumps of Rubble · Get rid of the large lumps when landscaping Exeter. Otherwise, you will be continually moving them out of your way when landscaping Exeter. It’s hard and time-consuming to break up, for hardcore. It’s not worth the bother. Find a place for the smaller, more usable pieces. And stack until needed. This can be used later on in your landscaping Exeter.  Leave getting rid of it until the very last point in your landscaping project.  Once it’s gone it’s gone.

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USING YOUR ⋅ HARDCORE ⋅ LANDSCAPING EXETER

What is Hardcore·  Hardcore refers really to broken up pieces of the rubble of concrete?  Pieces of bricks, brocked salads, and old mortar.

Why is it useful · It’s great for making a base of patio stable.  Offing great drainage and prevents the patio from sinking into the mud!  It forms a solid base, especially when compacted by a wacker plate.   It’s great for filling in voids in your landscaping project.  Steps, the bottom of a sleeper raised bed.  And great for promoting great drainage. 

Common Uses of Hardcore · Landscaping Exeter

• • CREATING BASES ⋅ natural stone paths ⋅ natural stone patios landscaping Exeter

  • FILLING UP ⋅ SOAKAWAYS ⋅ downpipes for gutters ⋅ drainage channel⋅ Landscaping Exeter

  • CREATING ⋅ DRAINAGE ⋅ timber raised beds ⋅ tree pits⋅ Landscaping Exeter

  • GETTING RID OF VOIDS ⋅ filling ponds ⋅ space under decking ⋅ filling wells ⋅ Landscaping Exeter

© Exeter landscape gardeners ⋅ garden design ⋅ plants for hard landscaping ⋅ cost ⋅ benefits of soft landscaping

RECYCLE ⋅ REUSE ⋅ BRICKS ⋅ RUBBLE ⋅ CONCRETE ⋅ LANDSCAPING EXETER

Why Recycle · Landscaping Exeter

Try to recycle as much hardcore as possible when landscaping Exeter. This will save time, and money spent on skips during your landscaping project Exeter. It will reduce the amount landfill, good for the environment. Use common sense. Most materials in your garden will be safe to recycle. If you feel it’s ‘contaminated’ skip it! Take care with old sheds as they can be made of asbestos panels. This will require specialist advice!

Getting Rid of Timber · 

Most of your waste timber will need to be skipped. If it’s buried it will rot over time and create voids. Which will cause areas to sink. Be careful. Burning tanalized timber will release toxic fumes. And so should be avoided when landscaping Exeter.  It’s best to break down your timber into smaller pieces.

Use a circular saw and a chop saw for this.  Be care of old screws and nails they can damage your blades.  Why not opt for a timber and metal cutting blade.  A multipurpose blade to prevent damage.   Take care and time stacking your skip.  Be methodical to get the most material in.  Larger skips are more economical and easier to stack material in.

Green Waste · Landscaping Exeter

Green waste does take time, space, and effort to successfully convert into compost. Large branches can take years! During the clearance process. Unless you have a large garden. It’s worth biting the bullet. And sending your green waste to your local recycling center. Burning waste on mass is frowned upon and with endear you with your neighbors! You can hire a chipper for your landscaping project, Exeter. Avoid smaller machines as they get easily clogged up with wet green waste. Large machines can be dangerous. So take care when landscaping Exeter.

BUYING ⋅ YOUR ⋅ HARDCORE ⋅ LANDSCAPING EXETER

If you can’t recycle enough hardcore. You can always buy it from local builders merchants and grab hire companies.

Road scalping’s ⋅ cheap ⋅ 1ton bags ⋅ can contain some clay ⋅ waste ⋅ builders merchants

Landscape Gardeners Exeter

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Crushed concrete ⋅ grab hire companies ⋅ large lumps ⋅ very cheap for larger loads ⋅ 10 tons plus

type 1 MOT⋅ 1-ton bulk bags ⋅ processed ⋅ spreads well ⋅ more expensive ⋅ binds well

Room ⋅ Space ⋅  Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

Space is always an issue. Particularly in small landscaping projects in Exeter. You need a lot of space, for a loose load. Check the delivery charge. It may be possible, to order a couple of bulk bags, at a time!

You’ll need a shovel. A couple of wheelbarrows, and a friend. It’s easier, to split the bag, onto aboard. And shovel loose. A mini digger could help for larger loads during your landscaping project in Exeter. Loose loads are great for large landscaping projects in Exeter. But not suitable for smaller projects.

CLEARANCE ⋅ BAG IT UP ⋅ LANDSCAPING EXETER

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the start… Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

Whatever you estimate. You will always end up. With way more, garden waste. Think of a figure, double it. And you’re getting close.

GETTING RID ⋅ OF WASTE ⋅ LANDSCAPING EXETER

It’s time-consuming. It can become expensive. And it’s generally hard, dirty work.

Local recycling center ⋅ opening times ⋅ how to sort waste ⋅ what’s chargeable

Green waste ⋅ fill large builders’ bags ⋅ use loppers to cut up ⋅ don’t overfill

Burn waste ⋅ local councils’ regulations ⋅ inform neighbors

Recycle on-site ⋅ hardcore ⋅ paths ⋅ drainage soakaways ⋅ compost green waste

Hippo bags ⋅ small-medium loads ⋅ easy ⋅ more expensive larger loads

Skip hire ⋅ larger loads ⋅ road license ⋅ hassle-free ⋅ economical ⋅ don’t overload

Grab hire ⋅ exceptionally large loads of ⋅ space to stack waste ⋅ cheap

© Exeter landscape gardeners ⋅ landscaping garden design ⋅ hippo bags ⋅ skip ⋅ grab hire

Grab hire ⋅ word to the wise…

Use for a large amount of waste. Check what they are happy to take. They like soil and rubble. Don’t like turf or green waste. Can damage driveway. Leaving you with a lot of waste for your landscape project Exeter

Make sure your waste pile is accessible to the grab. Grab about 6metres from the curb.

Be ready. They don’t like to hang around!

Stress · Grab Hire · Problems · Landscaping Exeter

Organizing a grab can be a stressful process.  Have I got enough material to warrant a grab hire? Have I got enough?  It’s even stressful for the professional landscaper, Exeter.  The great thing about a skip is you can fill it to your leisure.  As soon as the grab hire arrives you are fighting the clock.  Making unsure he gets a full load.  Busy sweeping and shoveling material towards his scoop.

Grab Hire · What could go Wrong · Landscaping Exeter

I word of caution.  You are inviting a 16-tonne empty lorry onto your drive.  Most driveways are not designed to take that weight.  You are going to load it with another 16 or so tone.  That 32 tonnes sitting on your drive. What could go wrong?  Subsidence is your liability, not the drivers.  If you are going to do it.  Its a good idea to board the driveway.  To Spread the Weight across the driveway.

The Scoop on the grab again will potentially scratch your driveway.  Again boarding your grab area will help.  The lorry will leak oil and hydraulic fluid.  Potentially staining your drive.  I have had a hydraulic hose split and squirt oil several times.  Coating your customer’s driveway.   Grabs are great for renovation projects.  When the driveway becomes a storage area and is going to be replaced.  Or a new build, where the driveway hasn’t been installed yet.  Overall grab hire will save you money.  Getting rib or material and bringing in material.  Such as crushed concrete, sand, and topsoil.

CLEARANCE ⋅ ORDER OF PLAY

Landscape Gardeners Exeter

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Remove above ground waste ⋅ use a fork ⋅ plants ⋅ weeds ⋅ unclog soil before rotavating

Leave lawns ⋅ paths ⋅ forming walkways for wheelbarrows

Prune branches ⋅ shrub ⋅ trees ⋅ overhanging branches ⋅ dead branches ⋅ shape canopy

Strim ⋅ remove ⋅ grass ⋅ weeds ⋅ remove thatch with a rake

Weeds ⋅ roots ⋅larger trees ⋅ shrubs

Remove weeds, with their roots intact if possible. If left, the roots will easily regenerate into more weeds. Start to remove larger trees and shrubs, first. And then tackle the weeds. Bulbs – such as bluebells can be problematic. If you are not thorough. And will come back under your prized lawn with a vengeance. If extra care is not taken.

It’s work taking your time weeding. Especially when turfing an area. As weeds can become a problem throughout the growing season. Where you can get away with it add a membrane. Under shingle. Under bark and under the decking. The lighter membranes are easier to hide. More permeable. It doesn’t fray and looks unsightly. The heavy membrane does last longer – and is great for under decks. And more durable against large weeds and brambles.

Bindweed can be a problem and difficult to remove. Specialist companies will apply herbicides if you have a particularly extreme problem. I tend to avoid herbicides and favor the old-fashioned fork and spade!

Don’t be tempted to compost any green waste you know has weeds in it, for obvious reasons. Laying carpets over weed-infested areas. It takes a long time to work and can result in roots being left in the soil. Weeds are a perennial problem for most gardens. Remember bark and membranes help and so does grown cover.

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STUBBORN TREES ⋅ SHRUBS ⋅ LANDSCAPING EXETER

Landscape Gardeners Exeter

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The tree and shrub won’t budge. Relax and get methodical. Maybe one or more tap roots, are still intact.

Tools Checklist ⋅ trenching spade ⋅ reciprocating saw ⋅ loppers

Remove soil ⋅ feel for roots ⋅ tap root of root ball ⋅ cut with reciprocating saw ⋅ twist pull trunk

Using a winch ⋅ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

The last resort. Be careful, when tensioning your winch. Most have a fail-safe pin, which will break, under an unsafe load. Preventing damage to the winch, and yourself. Winches are available for hire. Use straps. Attached to the base of the anchor tree. Attach the other end, to the tree to be removed. And winch, standing out of harm’s way.

COMMON GARDEN CLEARANCE ⋅ PROBLEMS

Builders waste ⋅ clay ⋅ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

Scrape away your topsoil. Dig a deep bed. And you will probably find waste. Plastic is unsightly and can cause drainage problems. Remove and skip. You will have to live with some waste. Stones can be beneficial to lawns. Offering good drainage.

old footings ⋅ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

Footings from old walls or outbuildings. Decide what can be left. And what’s got to be removed. Don’t make the process too painful. Forget the hammer and bolster. Use a pneumatic breaker, a heavy long bar, and a trenching spade.

MINI DIGGER HIRE ⋅ LANDSCAPING ⋅ EXETER

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Gardens can be cleared efficiently using a mini digger. Designed to fit through a standard doorway or gate. A mini digger can remove tree roots and stumps which would otherwise be left by a stump grinding. Usually left by your local tree surgeon. When landscaping Exeter, consider hiring a landscape gardener to help clear larger areas in your gardens.

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Buckets ⋅ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

When hiring a digger. It’s important to use the right buckets for the job. Avoid using large grading buckets when moving heavy materials. Such as concrete or pavers. This can easily damage the front of the digger. And potentially bending the digger arm.

MOVING PLANTS 101 ⋅ LANDSCAPING EXETER

Tag your plant’s ⋅ landscape gardeners Exeter

Where possible. Mature shrubs and trees should be saved and pruned. Smaller specimen shrubs, trees or plants may be worth saving. They can be replanted later on. Fitting into your new landscape garden design. Tagging is particularly useful. Especially when hiring a landscape gardeners Exeter. He will know what to save. What he can safely get rid of. Potting up smaller plants and shrubs. Removing them out of harm’s way.

What should I save? ⋅ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

Timing ⋅ Winter Autumn – good ⋅ Summer – Bad

It’s always tempting to try and save everything. Timing is important. Transplanting plants in autumn and winter is easier compared to those summer months. They are not growing much. And so won’t be easily ‘shocked’ when dug up. It’s not as hot as the summer months. And so, they won’t ‘dry out’ as quickly as those long hot summer months.

Size is important ⋅ Don’t waste too much time ⋅ Leave it where it is

Size is important. Can you physically move that plant, shrub, or tree without damaging the plant or your back? Hacking through roots never ends in a successful ‘transplant’. Avoid spending too much time moving that ‘valuable’ mature plant. It can waste a lot of time and effort. Frustrating when the plant slowly dies a few weeks later. If you like it that much leave it where it is.

How long has it been in the ground?

Any plant that’s been planted for a couple of seasons will have developed a good root system. These spreading roots make transplanting them harder. Mature trees and shrubs will be tricky to move successfully in your landscaping project Exeter.

What can be moved successfully?

Small plants ⋅ ferns ⋅ crocosmia ⋅ bulbs ⋅ grasses (can be divided up and grown on)

Bamboo ⋅ can be ‘chopped’ up and re-poted. Give it plenty of water. And maybe reduce some of its foliage

Aftercare ⋅ Shade ⋅ water ⋅ leave alone

Try not to plant in full sun. This can lead to the plants getting scorched. Water often. Try not to waterlog the plant. It’s best not to move a second time as this will stress the plant and damage those all-important roots. Better to pot the plant up and leave it potted for a couple of months. Before replanting. Especially if it can be replanted in autumn.

Healing in plants⋅ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

BUILDING WASTE 101⋅ LANDSCAPING EXETER

Landscaping Landscape Gardeners Exeter ⋅ Crocosmia ⋅ kniphofia ⋅ eryngium ⋅ landscape gardeners Exeter

Friendly builders ⋅ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

Most gardens contain some building waste. Scrape away the earth. And you will probably find areas. Where your ‘friendly builder‘ has got rid of his waste. Your garden clearance will also generate building waste. You may knock down a garden wall. Remove a shed. Find an existing footing. Usually where you don’t need it. Decide which areas need to be cleared of building waste. Decide if footing can be left in place. They are time-consuming to remove. And generate a lot of waste.

Saving hardcore ⋅ landscape gardeners Exeter

While it may seem a good idea to skip every bit of rumble you find. Remember, some parts of your garden’s design might need a sprinkling of hardcore. Bases for paving. Patios and paths. Drainage for soakaways. Extra drainage for a raised bed. Hardcore for filling up an old pond.

Hardcore can be purchased offsite. Known as Type 1 MOT. It’s essentially crushed concrete. Some of your building waste can be used as hardcore. Saving you time and money. Including filling those expensive skips! Choice wisely, an area to stack you hardcore. Try to avoid moving the pile several times. Throughout the entire project!!

Waste ⋅ landscape gardeners Exeter

One of the last stages of the clearance. Disposing of your waste. You may be able to compost some of your green waste. You may be able to ferry your green waste down to your local recycling center. Always check with your local authorities before burning any green waste. And inform your neighbors. All waste should be disposed of offsite using registered environmentally friendly companies.

Waste options ⋅ skip hire ⋅ hippo bags ⋅ trips to the recycling center ⋅ grab hire – muck away.

LEVELING 101 ⋅ LANDSCAPING LANDSCAPE GARDENERS EXETER

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Many gardens are on slopes. Causing the garden to be unusable. Leveling is crucial for a successful landscape design project. Leveling creates the correct heights and falls. Essential for each hard landscaping element. Leveling should be carried out before any garden planting or turfing. Remember planting will generate excess soil. So don’t overfill beds!

leveling can be combined with terracing. For example, retaining walls. Transforming an awkward sloping garden. Maximizing usable space. Achieving the correct levels is paramount. For any successful landscape design.

Keeping topsoil

Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

© Exeter ⋅ granite path ⋅ stone circle ⋅ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter ⋅ landscape gardeners

Add extra topsoil to any garden. Is an expensive process. Costly to purchase and to deliver. Expensive to move, from the front of your house. Into your back garden. Preserve as much good-quality topsoil as possible. Topsoil is particularly useful when filling raised beds. It is used to build up low areas. Especially during the turfing process. Once again. Hiring a mini digger will greatly speed up this process.

HIGH ⋅ LOW AREAS ⋅ LANDSCAPE GARDENERS EXETER

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Identify high and low areas. Mark with spray point. Start to reduce high areas. Build up low areas. Using excess soil generated during the process. Any poor quality soil – ‘crud’. Can be removed be offsite by grab hire. Clay removal may be necessary. Especially in beds destined for planting. Improving the beds’ drainage. Creating successful planting areas. Use a mini digger where possible.

Marking out ⋅ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

Now for the fun part. Marking out your design. You will need a long tape, several metal pins, a builder line, and spray paint. Have builders square to hand. For marking out right angles. Once you have marked out your design. You may want to ‘tweak’ your design. Remember the Garden Design is there to help you. It’s never set in stone. Most Garden Designs need changing slightly on site!

CLAY SOILS 101 ⋅ LANDSCAPING EXETER

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Help plants ⋅ improve soil ⋅ landscaping Exeter

Not all of us a lucky enough to have good loamy soil in our beds. The main culprit for poor soils is clay. A clay bed becomes water-logged in wet months. Backed bone dry in hot summer. Planting can feel like breaking up concrete. Plants are either water loggers. Or in drought conditions. Not great growing conditions!

Sheds ⋅Home Offices ⋅ Garden Rooms ⋅ Storage

Garden rooms ⋅ wood stores ⋅ Landscape gardeners ⋅ landscaping exeter

STORAGE OPTIONS ⋅ SHEDS ⋅ GARDEN OFFICES ⋅ SMALL STORGE

Most gardens will, need some type of storage. Allowing you to declutter the garden. Here our guide to sheds, storage, and small offices!

• • Types of Sheds ⋅ Bespoke Timber Sheds ⋅ Premade Timber Sheds ⋅ Self Builds

• • Electrics ⋅Paint It or Leave It Natural

• • Small Storage Ideas ⋅ Wood Stores

• • Garden Offices ⋅ Bases For Offices

• • Utilities ⋅ Electrics ⋅ Guttering ⋅ Wastewater ⋅ Toilets ⋅ Landscaping Exeter

Sheds ⋅ off the shelf ⋅ bespoke⋅ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

Most gardens will, need some type of storage. Allowing you to declutter the garden. You can opt for a pre-made timber shed. Or build one yourself. Prices vary and so does the quality. If you are going to build your own bespoke shed. It’s a good idea to shop around, for your timber. Avoid the builder’s merchants and go directly to a timber merchant. The savings can be significant.

bespoke timber shed ⋅ recycling storage ⋅ landscape gardeners ⋅ landscaping ⋅ landscaper exeter

Slate Roof · Galvanised Downpipe· Landscaping Exeter

Why not add some style to your timber shed when landscaping Exeter. Add a slate roof and a galvanized downpipe. You could opt for a water butt. Or direct the runoff directly into an existing bed. And remember to think about lighting and electrics. For inside the shed and around the garden.

Leave it natural ⋅ oiling ⋅ paint it · Landscaping Exeter

Timber cladding can be left bare. To silver up over time. Most softwood is tanalized, preventing the timber from rotting, over time. If the timber does age or blacken. It can be rejuvenated by treating with a solution of oxalic acid. Please follow any safety precautions. And be careful if you have pets.

Garden office ⋅ landscape gardeners ⋅ landscaping ⋅ landscaper Exeter

If you have opted for hardwood cladding. Why not enhance its color by oiling the wood. Hardwood will naturally last longer, than its cheaper softwood cousin. Oiling hardwood will prevent it from drying out, and potentially splitting, overtime. Always allow hardwood to season a little before oiling. This will allow the pores of the wood to open a little. And will make the oiling process a lot easier.

Softwood can be painted to match the feel of your garden design. It’s a good idea to leave the structure to ‘weather’ for a couple of months before painting. And treat any knots before painting. There’s a lot of products available. Sadolin offers quality products. Zinsser All coat Exterior is a firm favorite.

Painting ⋅ Landscaping ⋅ Exeter

Just remember once you have painted your timber. You have committed to painting it every few years. Be wary of cheap products. Many a good garden design, has been ruined by orange creosote. Black always looks good. Especially when softened with climbers, grey is classy. Green can sometimes work well. Generally, opt for natural tones and avoid garish shades.

Small storage ⋅ is hidden ⋅ under seat ⋅ Landscaping Exeter

Landscape Gardeners Exeter

small storage ⋅ landscape gardeners ⋅ landscaping ⋅ landscaper exeter

When space is at a premium. Bespoke storage can work. It needs to be large enough to practically store items. Wood for your chiminea. Charcoal for your BBQ, compost, or garden tools.

Under-seat storage can seem like a good idea. But under-seat storage can be impractical: too small for most garden tools. And it’s hard to keep things fully dry! Why not opt for a tall thin bespoke shed. Or long squat storage, that can be hidden by pots or plants.

Garden Offices ⋅ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

Garden office ⋅ porcelain paving ⋅ landscape gardeners ⋅ landscaping ⋅ landscaper exeter

Garden offices come in all shapes and sizes. From a simple summer-style house. To luxury accommodation, with kitchens, heating, and showers. Many companies offer off-the-shelf kits. Which can work out very economical. Most are timber-based offices. Some with insulation. Some without. If you fancy building one yourself. It’s worth pricing up the timber and fittings. You might find the savings, are not as great as you thought. One option is to buy an off-the-shelf office and customize it. When you install it!

Many people do construct their own bespoke offices or get their local builders too. Timber is easy to work with. Blockwork can also be used for a more ‘permanent solution. This can be clad with timber or rendered. It’s important to comply with your local planning laws. Which can affect the structure’s overall size and height.

Bases for offices ⋅ electrics ⋅cables ⋅ drainage ⋅ Landscaping Exeter

Most structures are going to need a base of some type. Depending on the size and weight. Most suppliers. will specify this. And it can add a substantial cost to the project. The area will need to be cleared, excavated, and leveled.

Shuttering is used to create the framework for the concrete pour. It must case it easier to arrange a ready mix company to supply the concrete. And this will usually require hiring a pump. Rather than borrowing the cement yourself! It’s important to ensure the cement is level and left a few days to harden, before carrying on with the project.

Cables will also need to be trench for electricity and internet connection. It’s a good idea to think about drainage. Especially if the office is low down. At the bottom of the garden. It might be necessary to build a soakaway to take any runoff. Especially if a significant amount of paving is going to be added.

Roofs can include simple felt, slate, or roofing tiles or fiberglass.

Garden Rooms ⋅ Studios ⋅ Office Shed ⋅ electrics & Utilities

You have designed your dream garden, with your office at the far end. You have cleared the garden and are just about to start the hard landscaping stage of the project. It’s time to think about the electrics and utilities.

Right Cable for the job · Landscaping Exeter

At this stage, you will need to think about your power requirements. You will need sockets and lights. You may want to power a fridge, shower, and washing machine. At this point, it’s a good idea to get some advice on armored cable from an electrician. It’s vital to get the correct size cable for the job.

Next, you may want to think about other requirements. If you are going to trench the cable. Adding extra utilities at this stage will be a good investment. Data cables can carry cable TV and broadband. Water piping can simply provide a tap at the end of the garden. Or be used to plumb in a sink, washing machine, dishwasher, and shower.

Wastewater ⋅ Gutters ⋅ Sink waste ⋅ Toilet Waste

Garden rooms are generally located far away from existing drains. Runoff from the roof can be directed into an existing flower bed, fed into a water butt, or fed into a soakaway. It really depends on the size of the structure and the budget involved. Your soakaway should be at least 1 cubic meter in volume. Filled with coarse aggregate, bricks, or slabs.

Wastewater from a shower and toilet is a little trickier. Most garden rooms are lower than the existing drains. Most systems involve a macerating toilet. A tank and pump. To push the waste uphill into the existing wastewater system. Again, it’s a good idea to a least lay the waste pipe at the trenching stage.

Tips ⋅ Digging the trench ⋅ Diggers ⋅ Landscaping Exeter

Diggers are great for speeding up the process but can create a mess if you are not organized. Avoid waterlogged conditions. Unless you have boards for the digger to run on. Stack the soil on boards as you excavate the trench. This is important the area is already turfed.

A thin trenching bucket will greater reduce the disruption and speed up the process. Although they can get easily clogged in heavy clay.

Garden Rooms ⋅ Studios ⋅ Office Shed ⋅ electrics & Utilities

You have designed your dream garden, with your office at the far end. You have cleared the garden and are just about to start the hard landscaping stage of the project. It’s time to think about the electrics and utilities.

Right Cable for the job ⋅ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

At this stage, you will need to think about your power requirements. You will need sockets and lights. You may want to power a fridge, shower, and washing machine. At this point, it’s a good idea to get some advice on armored cable from an electrician. It’s vital to get the correct size cable for the job.

Next, you may want to think about other requirements. If you are going to trench the cable. Adding extra utilities at this stage will be a good investment. Data cables can carry cable TV and broadband. Water piping can simply provide a tap at the end of the garden. Or be used to plumb in a sink, washing machine, dishwasher, and shower.

Wastewater ⋅ Gutters ⋅ Sink waste ⋅ Toilet waste·

Garden rooms are generally located far away from existing drains. Runoff from the roof can be directed into an existing flower bed, fed into a water butt, or fed into a soakaway. It really depends on the size of the structure and the budget involved. Your soakaway should be at least 1 cubic meter in volume. Filled with coarse aggregate, bricks, or slabs.

Wastewater from a shower and toilet is a little trickier. Most garden rooms are lower than the existing drains. Most systems involve a macerating toilet. A tank and pump. To push the waste uphill into the existing wastewater system. Again, it’s a good idea to a least lay the waste pipe at the trenching stage.

Tips ⋅ Digging the trench ⋅ Diggers ⋅ Landscaping Exeter

Diggers are great for speeding up the process but can create a mess if you are not organized. Avoid waterlogged conditions. Unless you have boards for the digger to run on. Stack the soil on boards as you excavate the trench. This is important the area is already turfed.

A thin trenching bucket will greater reduce the disruption and speed up the process. Although they can get easily clogged in heavy clay. When landscaping Exeter.

GARDEN DESIGN TRENDS 2020 ∙ LANDSCAPING EXETER

 Exeter Landscapes guide to new garden design and landscaping trends for 2020 in Exeter…

BBQs · OUTDOOR KITCHENS ·DEALING WITH OIL GREASE – BBQ

Add A BBQ ∙  Landscaping ∙ Exeter

Outdoor cooking and dining is back in vogue.  Looking great in your landscaping project, Exeter. Setup range from simple BBQs to full-blown stainless-steel kitchens.  With grills, fridges, storage and fridges.  Looking great for both contemporary and traditional garden design.  Great for your landscaping Project, Exeter.

BBQ ∙ Landscaping ∙ Exeter

 BBQs have come a long way in recent years.  Options include gas, electric and charcoal.  Units can be free standing.  Or integrated into purpose-built worktops.  It’s a good idea to consider where to site the BBQ.  And whether is going to stay in place.  Or be moved into the garage to over winter.   Great for landscaping in  Exeter.

OUTDOOR KITCHENS ∙ LANDSCAPING EXETER

The next level up from the humble BBQ.  Great for full on entertaining.   Options include self build.  Or purpose-built modular units.  Great for landscapoing in Exeter.

Off The Shelf ∙ Purpose Built Kitchens ∙ Landscaping ∙ Exeter

There is a huge range of purpose-built outdoor kitchen modules.  Grills with ovens are the corner stone.  Options include gas and electric.  Fridge units, and storage are also available.  As are sink and tap units.  There are all designed to live permanent outside.   And most are finished in durable stainless Steel.  Options for food preparation areas include stainless steel, slate, marble. Polished concrete and finally porcelain.  You will need to plan for your electricity supply.  And of course your water and waste water.  If you are thinking about installing a sink unit.

 Building Your Own ∙ Outdoor Kitchens ∙ Landscaping ∙ Exeter

Its possible to construct you own outdoor kitchen.  It’s a good idea to add a proper foundation for the base.  Construction materials include brick or stone for a more traditional feel.  Quality and reclaimed bricks are a most.

Remember to plan for any electricity hook ups.  This is used full for your fridge, stereo and of course lighting.  And a water supply and drainage if you are thinking about adding a sink.

For a contemporary feel.  Build out of blocks are render.  Large porcelain tiles work well.  As a worktop.  Stored shelves and cupboards are handy.  It’s possible to mount a cheaper stainless-steel BBQ for your grill.  Hiding the gas bottle behind the block work.  The BBQ eggs look great also.  Which work well for smoking food! And integrated seating can be add to fit under counter tops.

GREASE ∙ OIL ∙ BBQ ∙ OUTDOOR COOKING ∙ LANDSCAPING ∙ EXETER

Outdoor cooking creates a lot of grease and oil which can potentially ruin your outdoor paving area.  The simplest approach is to site your BBQ well away from any stone which can potentially get stained.  Great for landscaping Exeter.

Sit Your BBQ On Shingle ∙ Landscaping ∙ Exeter

In a small garden design or courtyard garden.  This isn’t always possible.  The simple solution is to not pave under the BBQ.  Sitting the BBQ on shingle.  Which will catch the grease and oil.  Landscaping Exeter.

Create a Sand Tray ∙ Landscaping ∙ Exeter

If your area is already paved.  Then create timber tray filled with sand.   This can sit on your paving.  And the BBQ can sit in the sand tray.   Catching the grease.

 Sealing Your Paving ∙ Landscaping ∙ Exeter

The first two methods.  The sand and shingle.  Are relatively easy to achieve.  Sealing the hole patio is going to take a little more work.  Always buy a good quality patio cleaner and sealer.

Water Base ∙ Epoxy Sealants ∙ Landscaping ∙ Exeter

I always opt for a water base sealant.  Avoiding the epoxy sealant.  They are tricky to work will and unpleasant to apply compared to the water base sealant.  You always get what you pay for when buying patio cleaner and sealant.  Although its temping to buy the cheaper brands.  You will use more, and it will take you longer to apply!

Floor Seal produce some great quality products for cleaning and sealing your patio.

 The Right Product for The Right Stone

 If unsure seal advice from the manufacture.  Most suppliers won’t have a clue.  So the manufactures technical support will be your first point of contact.  Chemicals can potentially behave differently on different stones.  ACID CLEANERS should be avoided like the plague. They great for bricks but NOT your new natural stone patio.  Landscaping, Exeter.

Safety Cleaning Your Patio ∙ Landscaping ∙ Exeter

Always read the manufactures instructions.  Its good practice to wear gloves and eye protection as many of the chemicals are abrasive!

Clean You Patio Before Sealing ∙ Landscaping ∙ Exeter

Your first task is to clean your patio before sealing.  A long handed decking brush will save you a lot of time and money.   Give the patio and good brush.  Or a blow if you have a blower.  Give the patio a jet wash.  Being careful not to mark the patio with the jet.

Next apply the patio clean.   Dilute down, according to the manufactures instructs and apply.  Rinse off and give the patio final jet wash.  You will be ready to seal.  Check the dwell time.  That the time you can safety leave the product on your stone.  And don’t let the product dry out.  Give it a sprinkle of water!

Sealing Your Patio ∙ Landscaping ∙ Exeter

Weather is important when landscaping in Exeter.  The sealant will need some warmth to properly cure.  Wet weather is obviously going to be problematic.  And finally hot weather can cause the sealant to cure too rapidly.  Especially on dark stones, such as limestone.  Which seam to suck in the heat!

 Testing Your Sealant  

It’s a good idea if you are sealing a new stone.  Or new product to apply it to a test stone.  Apply, leave it one over night and make sure you are happy with the result.  Its better to ruin one stone than the whole patio!

Applying The Sealant ∙ Landscaping ∙ Exeter

Finally, you are ready to seal the patio.  Work methodically from.  Its can be applied with a roller and tray.   Check the number of coats require.  Most products require two coats. Great garden design and landscaping Exeter.

Landscaping Trends 2022 ∙ Exeter landscape gardeners ⋅ landscaping

Here’s our guide to what is new in 2022 in landscaping and garden design

URBAN COURTYARD GARDEN DESIGN ∙ EXETER LANDSCAPE GARDENERS

Why live in the city ∙ Exeter landscape gardeners ⋅ landscaping

Living in the city has always been popular. Especially for the young. Who wants to be central where the action is! Prices are always high. In terms of rents and buying. Space is always at a premium. Especially in those Victorian properties. That everyone wants to live in!

The gardens are particularly small. Overlook and need to function as a place for storage. Drying clothes and places for relaxation and dining. A challenge for any landscaping project. Exeter.

Small Garden ∙ Challenges ∙ Exeter landscape gardeners ⋅ landscaping

The urban garden usually presents a series of landscaping challenges. This will often lead to compromise in the design. And where the money is spent. If your space is small be realistic about what you can really achieve. Priorities will include a seating area with privacy. Some greenery. That is hopefully low maintenance. Some Storage. And some security. A fence and gate! Great for landscaping Exeter.

Seating Areas ∙ Exeter landscape gardeners ⋅ landscaping

Most gardens will need a seating area. Somewhere to sit and relax. For outdoor dining. The paving is great. It’s flat and practical. Easy to look after. If looks great in both contemporary and traditional garden designs.

Sandstone ∙ Slate ∙ Granite ∙ Limestone ∙ Porcelain Paving

Sandstone Natural Stone Paving ∙ looks great and is great value for money. Large single sizes for a contemporary garden design. Four sizes mixed pattern for a traditional garden design. Point with sikka fast point. Available in a variety of shades. Great for landscaping Exeter.

Kandula Grey ∙ Autumn Brown ∙ Exeter landscape gardeners ⋅ landscaping

Kandula grey is a great stone for a contemporary landscaping project, Exeter. Autumn Brown, sandstone paving. For a more traditional garden design and landscaping project, Exeter. Sandstone natural paving can stain. Especially grease from BBQs. Sealing will help with the staining. And will help with the cleaning process.

Slate Natural Stone Paving ∙ the king of the natural stones. Rich and luxurious in colour. Looks great in contemporary and traditional garden designs. Is pretty stain resistant. And easy to clean. It can be slippy in frosty weather. So go for a thicker riven stone. The thinner stones are prone to frost damage. Slate is one of the more expensive stones. Great for landscaping projects in Exeter.

Granite Natural Stone Paving ∙ Extremely tough and hard-wearing. Looks great in a contemporary garden design. Looks great laid in single size squares. Creating path and walkway in your garden design.

Porcelain Paving ∙ It’s a man-made product that’s extremely tough and stain-resistant. Spill oil on it. Wipe with a soft cloth. And clean the stone with water! It’s available in a whole host of colours and finishes. Some contemporary and some traditional in appearance. It can be hard to cut. And you will need a specialist blade. You need to apply a bridge bond between the mortar and the underside of the stone.

Decking ∙ Exeter landscape gardeners ⋅ landscaping

Decking is a practical alternative to paving. It’s a little more relaxed and rustic than the paving. It’s great for an urban zen garden design. With a tropical planting scheme.

Decking is great for uneven gardens or gardens on a slope. And great for creating a natural walkway through your bifold doors.

Softwood Decking ∙ Exeter landscape gardeners ⋅ landscaping

Softwood Decking is great value for money and easy to lay. Its tantalised for protection again water damage and insect attack. It looks great kept natural. Silvering up overtime. Or can be stained or painted.

Hardwood Decking ∙ Exeter landscape gardeners ⋅ landscaping

Hardwood Decking ∙ Rich and luxurious in grain and colour. Fix with stainless steels screws. Forget the borders. Simple chunky boards. Giving your garden that boardwalk feel. Don’t stain. Don’t paint. Leave it natural. Give your deck oil once a year.

Softwood Decking ∙ Exeter landscape gardeners ⋅ landscaping

Balustrades ∙ You may need to add a balustrade for safety to your decking project. Glass balustrades are stylish and look great in contemporary garden design and landscaping projects Exeter. Metal posts. With tensioned stainless steel wires. Will also work well in a contemporary garden design. Timber is great. And a slatted fence style balustrade will work well in both a contemporary and traditional garden design.

Artificial Grass ∙ If you garden small. Remove the lawn and turf the entire area with artificial grass. Artificial grass looks great and it’s extremely realistic. It looks great and can be used 365 days of the year. It’s low maintenance. Forget the weeds. Forget the mowing. And forget the watering.

Artificial grass is great for problematic lawns. Great for a sloping garden. Where the lawn is hard to cut. Or shady gardens. And gardens with drainage issues.

PRIVACY GARDEN DESIGN ∙ EXETER LANDSCAPE GARDENERS

Privacy is a big factor to consider when landscaping an urban city garden. The next-door neighbours may be visible for the garden and also the kitchen. Especially with the garden has a low boundary walls or fences. Great landscaping ideas Exeter.

Create a Slatted Fence ∙ Exeter landscape gardeners ⋅ landscaping

One solution is to add extra height to your fence or wall. Why not extend the height of fences and walls by adding a slatted fence. Adding privacy and a contemporary feel to your garden design.

One method is to add an extra timber fence post in front of your boundary wall. These with help sure up your Victorian wall. And take the weight of the slatted fence. Be careful when excavating the holes. As many of the these

Victorian walls are single skinned and won’t have a footing in place. Fill the holes up with rubble and postcrete. Hire a nail gun and fix the slats onto your fence posts. Creating a contemporary slatted fence! Add Climbers to the lower sections and pots of bamboo for a contemporary garden design feel!  For landscaping Exeter.

Water Features ⋅ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

Why Add a Water Feature Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter?

Focal Points ∙ a water feature is a great way to add a focal point to your garden design and landscaping projects in Exeter. Focal points lead the eye and create interest in any landscaping project. Water features work well at the end of gardens. Especially when supported by specimen planting and sculptural elements.

Sound & Movement ∙ a water feature is a great way to add sound and movement to your landscaping project in Exeter. Creating a calm and relaxing environment. They also work well with mood lighting.

What to Avoid ∙ Water Features ⋅ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

High Maintenance Ponds ∙ if you are not careful. Your water feature can evolve into a high maintenance project. Ponds tend to be deep. With a large water volume. Especially important is you want to keep a lot of fish. Such as Koi. These fish require a lot of feeding and therefore produce a lot of fish waste. You are going to need a good filtration system. Which will need to be run for a good portion of the day. Which can be costly with today’s energy prices!

Cleaning Your Pond constantly ∙ Cleaning is important. Leaves need to be removed. And the spring-summer algal blooms can take over your pond. If you are not too careful. And after a couple of years, you may need to dredge the pond. Pond vacuum cleaners are great. Helping the cleaning process!

Restocking ∙ Fish doesn’t last forever. They are costly to buy. And prone to disease or attacks by herons.

Leaks ∙ Installing your pond liner. They work great for a couple of years. And you get a leak. Waterfalls are always problematic. You can be constantly topping up the water levels. Once you decide to fix the leak. One you will need to drain the pond somewhat. Secondly, you need to find the leak. And finally fix the leak.

DESIGNING A GREAT WATER FEATURE ⋅ LANDSCAPING ⋅ LANDSCAPE GARDENERS EXETER

Space ∙ Maximising your useable space is important in any garden design. Especially if you want to incorporate a water feature into your seating and entertaining area. Don’t make the mistake of letting the water feature dominate your space.

Small Garden Design ∙ space is a premium in a small garden design. Seating is vital. You may want a BBQ or an outdoor kitchen. Forget the large koi pond. opt for a smaller water feature. Drilled stones work well. Creating sound and movement in your landscaping project, Exeter. They look great. Especially when supported by rich planting. And illuminated with mood lighting.

Installing Drilled Stone Water Features ⋅ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

Shopping List ∙ Drilled stone, flexible tub, valve, grill, sump, pump, pebbles.

Buy the sump Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

Select a sump with enough water volume for your drilled stone or bolder. Don’t skimp on the size of the stone. Especially if it’s going to be a key focal point in your landscaping project, Exeter.

Bury the Sump ∙ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

In a good-sized hole. It’s a good idea to protect the sides and bottom from being punctured. By adding a soft liner or a layer of sand. You will need to think about powering the water pump. You will need to run a cable to the house. And connect to a socket or a spur. For this, you will need the services of a qualified electrician.

Connect Up the hose ∙ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

From the pump, through the grill, to the valve and finally into the base of your water feature. For some stones, it’s possible to feed the hose through the entire stone. If this is the case. It’s easier to have two lengths of hose. One connected to the pump and the valve. Feed the second through the stone and finally connect to the valve.

Adjusting the stone ∙ Water Flow ∙ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

Next, level up your stone so the water flows out of the hole nicely. You can place a small stone in the hole to shape the water flow. Adjust the flow using the valve.

Hiding the Grill ∙ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter

Using pebbles and small rocks. Hide the metal grill. Surround the grill with planting. To Give the water feature a more natural look. Phormiums work well. So do grasses such as miscanthus and stipa. Add colour. Rudbeckia – yellow. Crocosmia – red.

Other Water Feature Design Ideas ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter ∙ Landscaping

Quality materials will always shine through in any garden design. Avoid the tacky and cheap plastic materials. It won’t age well or last long. Natural materials such as boulders and stone will always look great. These can be supported by sculptural elements. Stainless steel looks great in a contemporary garden design project. Corten steel is rustic. Working well in both contemporary and traditional garden designs.

Stone Bowls ∙ Steel Bowls ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter ∙ Landscaping

The bowls look great. If large enough. They can be simply filled with water to add subtle interest and reflections to your garden design. Slightly smaller bowls can be drilled to create a cascading water feature. Draining into a sump. And recirculated by an electric or solar power pump.

Corten Steels bowls work well, especially in groups. Use different sized bowls. And a group in odd numbers. The steel will continue to surface rust. Protect your patio. Place a stone offcut under the steel to prevent the stone from marking your paving!

Wall Fountains ∙ Steel Bowls ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter ∙ Landscaping

These can work well in any courtyard garden. Especially when space is at a premium. You will need a power supply. Unless you opt for a solar power pump. The simple design is the best. Mock cast iron or natural carved stone look great. Lion heads or troughs. It’s possible to construct your own. Using a trough and a stainless-steel blade. Cladding the back wall with stainless steel or external stone tiles.

FURTHER IDEAS ⋅ INSPIRATION ⋅LANDSCAPING EXETER

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Garden design guide ⋅ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter ⋅ ⋅garden design themes

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More paving ⋅ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter ⋅ pointing ⋅ Sealing stone ⋅ landscaping Exeter

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Ideas inspirations guide ⋅ includes images of past work

Garden makeover guide ⋅ slatted fencing ⋅ low maintenance gardens ⋅ landscaping

Lawn care guide ⋅ turfing ⋅ soil types ⋅ drainage

Courtyard ⋅ small garden design

Garden clearance guide ⋅ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter ⋅ clay soils ⋅ leveling

Artificial grass ⋅ Landscaping ⋅ Landscape Gardeners Exeter ⋅ design ⋅ installing ⋅ clean ⋅ landscaping