Plan Ahead for a Perfect Garden

The weather is improving outside and the garden may be increasingly on your mind. If you want your garden to be the outdoor space you’ve dreamed of, now is the time to make a start!

The unreliable weather in the UK means that gardening and garden development doesn’t enter the minds of many homeowners until the warmer months of spring or summer. Any thoughts of improving your garden should be put to the planning stage well in advance. Given the current spiraling costs of moving house, staying put and spending money on improvements inside and out seem to be increasingly popular.

With everyone’s idea of the ideal garden being somewhat different, improvements are an extremely personal thing. In the current financial climate with belts being tightened, achieving you dream garden design is still absolutely possible.

Safe Play Haven?

Does the garden provide a stimulating and fun play environment that is safe for the kids? Child proofing the outdoor space spans a whole host of issues such as the review of existing perimeter fencing (how secure is it?); removal of dangerous plants / trees; replacement of chipped / broken pavers; installation of an approved children’s play surface to ensure added safety around fixed play equipment e.g. slides / swings; installation of a year round outdoor play area in the guise of a decked or paved patio.

Remember to think long term when installing safety measures in the garden, what may prove safe for a toddler today could become a potential hazard for a curious six year old.

The Perfect Driveway

If parking is a problem in your area, think of the peace of mind that comes with guaranteed off street parking! Knowing that you will always find a space to park at the end of a busy day can be a daily god-send so consider enhancing your property’s kerb appeal with a smart new drive, creating easy and direct (mud free) access to the house.

One important legal point is that 2008 saw the introduction of legislation stating that planning permission may be required if you are not working with a permeable driveway product.

The Good Life

Whilst making your dream garden space, be sure not to overlook the need for a “grow your own” zone. Growing your own groceries can be a great deal of fun and extremely economical. You’ll also be reducing your family’s carbon footprint.

Entertaining Outdoors

If you like to entertain on a regular basis, it may be worth thinking about investing in a dedicated outdoor entertainment space designed to make alfresco socializing a cinch. A striking patio located within easy access to the kitchen and incorporating a built in barbecue makes for a stress free approach to outdoor dining. And don’t forget, the more informal garden dinner party is a lot less work - and generally less expensive - than the traditional more formal indoor setting, with the added bonus of no red wine stains on the carpet or sofa too!

Think through everything we’ve discussed earlier and bring in the professionals to give you extra guidance and a detailed quotation for every aspect of your dream project. An anticipated time frame can also be discussed.