Monday, April 23, 2012
Britain is renowned for its gardening culture, and the country is absolutely strewn with beautiful examples of some of the world’s best gardens. There is a long history of gardening within the UK, and though many cultures from the around the planet have shaped and influenced planting and design over the centuries, the quintessentially English garden remains the backbone of many garden greats. RHS Wisley Britain is famed for its gardening organisations, and the most recognised is probably the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Their flagship garden, RHS Wisley, is located in Woking and offers an absolute treat for gardeners wanting inspiration. Open every day of the year apart from Christmas Day, the 240 acres are packed with planting ideas and offer great insight into the gardening year. The newly planted…
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Friday, April 20, 2012
Garden walls or 'vertical gardens' have gained a lot of notoriety over recent years with designers such as Patrick Blanc setting the standards. Vertical gardens can come in all shapes and sizes, some scaling entire buildings, whilst others sit in offices, gardens or private homes. Below I would like to show you how you can create your own vertical garden using a wooden pallet. This guide was inspired by Fern Richardson (Life on the Balcony) & Stephanie Lawrence (Design*Sponge), and the images are courtesy of Design*Sponge. To embed, copy and paste the code below: <p><img src="http://www.bridgman.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/DIY-Vertical-Garden-Wall.jpg" alt="Bridgman DIY Vertical Garden" border="0"></a></p><p>Source: <a href="http://www.bridgman.co.uk/blog/diy-vertical-garden-wall/">Bridgman.co.uk</a></p>
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Thursday, April 19, 2012
Do you love your garden as much as your pets? We want to find Britain’s best garden pet! Send us a picture of your pet in the garden for your chance to win an attractive 4 seater teak garden furniture set (RRP £550). For full competition details head over to our competitions page.
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Monday, April 16, 2012
Though gardens have traditionally been outside spaces that allow us to wander amongst the plants themselves, increasing city life has led to space becoming a premium which doesn’t allow for many green spaces. This has meant the designers have had to increasingly come up with innovative and contemporary garden spaces which can be used for both pleasure and function. And, one area that is becoming increasingly popular in the cityscape is vertical gardening. Some of the most familiar vertical gardens are those understood as living walls; a concept where low growing and small plants are placed into a matrix which is then fixed to a wall. Such designs can be immense in their size and can cover the entire sides of buildings to create a living structure. They are also…
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Saturday, April 14, 2012
When you come home after a busy day, nothing says, “welcome home” better than a good-looking house and garden. You know your hard work accounts to something when you see that your home is in good shape and is an asset to the neighborhood. Painting, roofing, siding, gutters, landscaping –all these major investments keep your home solid. But once the critical maintenance, renovations, and repairs are done, you still might want to enhance the exterior of your home. Here are seven special ideas for quick fixes to complement your garden and make the outside of your house stand out. 1. Put in a New Path. Tired of walking over wet grass to get to the garage? Put in a path. If you are looking for a DIY project, you can…
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Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Rooftop gardens have become increasingly popular, and for good reason too. Above all, rooftop gardens add beauty and leisure space to cities. They attract birds, butterflies, and other insects, making up for some of the wild habitat these critters have lost. Roof gardens even provide space for small-scale food production. Rooftop gardens also have practical benefits. By insulating the roof they keep the building cooler and lower costs for both heating and cooling. The plants improve air quality by filtering out air pollutants. By holding water in the plants and planting medium, the gardens reduce storm water runoff, an important issue in urban areas. A properly designed and maintained roof garden increases the life of a roof system and the value of the property. But rooftop garden design has special…
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Friday, April 6, 2012
Spending time in your garden is healthy. Breathe plenty of fresh air and soak up the sunshine while lounging on the decking or relaxing in the conservatory. Many UK homeowners want to create comfortable outdoor living space that echoes the features and styling of interior rooms. You have several options for creating a ‘garden room’, below I will be comparing decking & conservatories. Weigh the advantages and disadvantages of these options against your lifestyle and property to make the best selection. With the right design and accessories, both will create an impressive living space you can enjoy for years. Pros and Cons of Decking in the Garden Modern deck design goes well beyond the standard wooden platform, and includes features that add functionality, visual appeal and convenience. However this…
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Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Do you dream about expanding your living space? Having more room to relax, enjoy family activities or simply rejuvenate creates a comfortable home for every member of the family. Turn your garden into a spacious living room this spring, using clever garden design, stylish garden furniture and affordable structures that fit seamlessly into your lifestyle. Create the Framework Decide on the shape and layout of your outdoor living space first, including where you’ll set up the garden sofa, lounge chairs and coffee table. Would decking or a patio work well on your shady property, providing a flat, easy care surface for furniture and bare feet? Or would a conservatory suit your family’s needs better, supplying year round comfort and greater flexibility? Consider your budget, as well as the…
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Monday, April 2, 2012
It’s almost universal: Kids love to hunt for Easter eggs and adults love to organize the hunt. Every family has its own egg hunt traditions, but here are steps anyone can use for planning so you can avoid chaos on the day of the event. Step 1: Date and Time The most popular days are Easter Sunday and the Saturday before Easter Sunday. Early afternoon, just after lunch, is the ideal time for a party. Step 2: Boundaries To keep the children from traveling afar you need to establish boundaries for the hunt. It could be as simple as the front garden, or you might have to set out stakes with coloured flags for a larger area. This is the time to protect sensitive areas of the garden…
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