flowerpotman Local garden landscapers, Decking, Patios, Block paving and Hedging
It all began in the 1970s. Barbecues became popular as families cooked and dined in the garden. A whole range of landscapers materials became available . Pre-cast concrete patio slabs were readily available for landscapers and Patios became the in thing, offering a place to sit, sunbathe or BBQ in the garden. In the 90s Decking became very popular. The answer to a low maintenance garden and no grass to cut.
Garden Landscapers uk in North Somerset,Bristol,Weston super mare,Bath,Yeovil, Taunton,Somerset,Devon,Wiltshire,Berkshire,SW and W London
Contact Mike Daytime 07770 344656 Night 01934 636410 mailto:mike@flowerpotman.com Garden Landscapers and patio paving in North Somerset,Bristol,Weston super mare,Bath,Yeovil, Taunton,Bridgwater,Somerset,Devon,Wiltshire,Berkshire,SW and W London
Block paving driveway in Weston super mare
What is BLOCK PAVING ?
Block paving or pavers are small rectangular bricks made of concrete that are placed on to a level sand bed in a set pattern to form the surface.
100mm of sound well compacted granular sub-base/hard core and 35/50mm grit sand is used for bedding the block paving
Concrete block paving used for driveway applications is 50-60mm thick.
Fine silica sand is used for filling in the gaps .
Landscaper Marik finishing off our recent Block paving parking area in Weston super mare
Fencing by local landscapers
Lap fencing, close board panel fencing, feather edge frame fencing, lattice fencing, trellis.All fitted garden fencing is supplied treated
Fencing ? one of those jobs that no one wants to do, we remove old fencing from your garden and fit a choice of fencing, Ccncrete post and gravel boards or wooden posts, feather board, lap larch, and close board ETC. we can also clear old fencing and rubble from your garden. Free Fencing Quotes in North Somerset,Bristol, Weston super mare, Bath, Yeovil, Taunton, Wells and Bridgwater area.
Landscapers Jonny Hartcliffe and Mark finishing the trellis on this Decking and Fencing job in Weston super mare
Garden landscaping Paving, Patios & Block Paving Driveways Free garden landscapers,patios and paving Quotes in North Somerset,Bristol,Weston super mare,Bath,Yeovil,Taunton,Wells and Bridgwater area. Flagstones,Indian sandstone paving (lovely colours), Gravel, Wood sleepers, Standard slabs, RECLAIMED Bristol PENNANT ETC. Natural Stone Patios and Paving,
How much does it cost to have a patio laid ? £50 to £80 per square metre.
HARDWOOD OR SOFTWOOD DECKING ?
It's not the hardness or softness of the wood. Balsa wood is a hardwood ! .Softwood grows fast and is more porous and if left untreated will rot quickly but tanalising can make softwood decking last as long as some hardwood decking .Hardwood decking is more expensive . Softwood decking costing £3,500 would cost £6,000 in Oak and £10,000 in Teak. .Decking landscapers in North Somerset,Bristol, Weston super mare, Bath, Yeovil, Taunton, Wells and Bridgwater area. flowerpotman garden landscapers prefer not to use Hardwood for decking .Losing tropical hardwood forests is having a devastating impact on the wildlife living in them and the environment . Treated Softwoods last just as long and there are some very good environmentally friendly and sustainable products available. Details below..........
'Main Benefits of Maine Deck®' Manufactured from: Recovered UK post production untreated softwood waste (50-60%) Recovered UK post consumer high density polyethylene waste (40-50%) End product completely 100% recyclable Hardwood trees are not used in this process! Up to 25 Year Limited Liability Warranty Superior slip resistance in excess of H&S standards, BS7976 and BS-EN1341/2001 Splinter Proof Rot Proof Ultra Low Maintenance - no painting, staining, oiling ever!!! Environmentally friendly and sustainable. Description and photograph opposite reproduced with the permission of Maine Deck®'
Environmentally friendly and sustainable decking by Maine Deck®'
Old bricks from Bristol and Victorian edging reclaimed in Bath
Reclaimed Indian sandstone from Taunton & railway sleepers from Yeovil
Rescued bench from a tip in Weston super mare
Sandstone from Frome & bricks from Bristol
This patio in Taunton ,Somerset is being built using 100% reclaimed hard landscaping materials , Sandstone flagstones from Frome, Old building bricks from Bristol, Victorian edging from Bath, Railway sleepers from Swindon even the garden furniture was rescued from a skip in Weston super mare.
Free garden clearance quote in North Somerset,Bristol, Weston super mare, Bath, Yeovil, Taunton, Wells and Bridgwater area.
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Hedging
Secure long lasting & Natural alternative to Panel fencing Try climbing through Blackthorn (THE NASTIES WONT)
Hedge planting, Hedge trimming and pruning even Leylandii
Hedgerows act as useful corridors for butterflies and moths, . The bulkier and denser a hedge becomes, the more secure it becomes as well as providing cover and food for nesting birds.Hedges provide a valuable source of food and shelter for wildlife It is always important to let them flower and bear fruit. Older hedgerows contain several different species like Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Dog rose and are back in fashion as secure and attractive alternatives to panel fencing around our garden.
Now is a good time for planting bare root Hedging
A mix of Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Crab apple, Guelder rose, Dog rose, Wild privet, Honey suckle, Hazel, Field maple and Holly makes a secure and attractive hedge.
Guide to hedgerow mix
Blackthorn/Hawthorn 50% -Hazel/Field maple/Holly 35% -Crab apple/Guilder rose/Dog rose/wild Privet/Honey suckle 15%. In a large garden Trees could include Ash, English oak and Sessile oak. AVOID ELDER
Crab apple is a small, deciduous tree with thorns and pink buds and blossom in March, takes about 5 years to flower and fruit. Grows to about 10 ft over 10 years. likes sheltered well drained sites Try making Crab apple Jelly from the fruit. Crab Apple can help skin to heal. The rotting fruit attracts the Red Admiral..
Blackthorn is a very thorny tree,with lots of white flowers in spring turning into dark blue berries in August. It grows to about 10 feet in 10 years. A tonic helping bowel problems can be made from the flowers and fruit and sloe syrup helps rheumatism,the berries are used to make Sloe gin. Walking sticks are still crafted from the wood. Blackthorn will grow in shady,open and wet conditions and provides food and shelter for birds, butterflies and many other wildlife
Hawthorn native hedging is very similar to blackthorn with scented white flowers in spring, followed by red berries it grows a bit faster to about 10 feet in 8 years. Some trees have lived to 400 years old Hawthorn can help circulation and heart problems. and like Blackthorn will grow in shady,open and wet conditions and provides food and shelter for birds, butterflies and many other wildlife
Hazel is an attractive tree producing hazelnuts in Autumn and again grows about a foot a year so works well in a traditional hedgerow and adds to the attraction with its catkins.
Walking sticks, shepherd crooks and baskets are still made from Hazel.Its important to the dormouse and other wildlife and the nuts make a nice treat at Christmas.
Field maple produces yellow-green flowers in Spring followed by "helicopter" seeds and makes a interesting and attractive addition to the hedgerow growing at about the same rate as Hawthorn. Ok in exposed, windy but well drained sites . Its good for wildlife, including the following moths - Winter, Maple Pug, Mocha.
I supply and plant traditional garden hedging plants in North Somerset, Bristol, Weston super mare, Bath, Yeovil, Taunton, Wells , Clevedonn, Nailsea, Portishead and Bridgwater area.
A few tips if you are planning to be a D.I.Y.landscape gardener.
Have a plan in mind Landscape designs sometimes just evolve . A plant is planted somewhere in the garden because there is room for it and the rest just follow. If you are starting from scratch have a garden design and plan for the whole garden and stick to it. Autumn and Winter Colours Spring and summer get our attention when it comes to landscaping design, it's easy to forget Winter and Autumn. Yet Autumn foliage colours are some of the best, calming browns, cheerful orange just when you need both .Make sure your landscape designer includes Winter and Autumn shrubs for foliage, berries, flowers and wildlife too .As well as making a good barrier hedgingcan add colour and interest to your garden. Soggy lawn and garden Make sure your Landscape designer considers garden drainage and if needed install a drainage system below the patio or lawn or even better plan to design a Bog garden or water feature in low muddy areas. A soggy corner can be transformed into a vibrant colorful area.
Erosion A steep slope can be attractive in a garden design but can makes it difficult to retain topsoil in heavy rain, making it difficult to grow plants and as we get older mowing the lawns across a slippery slope can become difficult. Building a retaining wall and leveling the garden can be the solution to both problems . Have a design that works with what you have got. Some things you cant change for the long term, Sunny south facing, shady north facing, rocky, clay, sandy. Change the things you can change using retaining walls for slopes, garden drainage for water logged areas and live with the things you cant. Its amazing how many landscape gardeners and garden designers are happy to give you what you want, take the money knowing it aint going to last unless you throw even more money at it season after season. Looks or practicality ?. landscape design is sometimes Aesthetics over Functionality, you should be able to have both but a landscape designed that is safe, sustainable, convenient and usable is a joy.
YOU CANT CHANGE THE pH. OF YOUR SOIL FOR THE LONG TERM SO GROW WHAT WILL GROW Why bother trying to change your soil, life's tough enough without fighting nature. Some plants wont grow in alkaline soil, Gardeners and landscapers will tell you the cheapest way to check on your soil is with litmus paper from the chemist. Make up a thick solution of soil and rain water and dip the paper in it. If it turns red the soil is very acid .yellow, medium acid. Yellowy-green is a good average soil and blue strongly alkaline.
Its a good idea to give some thought to what features you actually want in your garden before you call in your landscapers. It saves time discussing the feasibility and cost.
Features you could discuss with your landscapers- Children's Play Area, Patios, Driveways, Pond, Bog Garden and Water Feature, Organic Vegetable Garden and compost heap to feed it, Lawn, Flowerbeds and Herbaceous borders, Sensory garden area,Stone walls, Lighting for the patio,pond and decking, Pergola and garden shed to keep the mower and garden tools and to escape to now and then.
Some things are essential in your garden. Pathways around or through lawns and providing access to the garden shed etc. Your landscapers will need Water and Electricity. The supply to connect up your lighting and water features will need to be fitted by a qualified electrician.If you don't have a local contact the landscaper will have a list of local electricians.
Clear all plants and debris. Plan to slope away from the house to allow water to drain off. The surface of the completed patio, hard core, sand and the slabs must end up below the damp proof course.Hammer a peg into the ground near the house and another at the edge of the patio, place a long piece of straight wood on top of the pegs and measure the slope using a spirit level. The bubble should just touch the outer line. Use this line to dig out the area.
Decide if you are going to close but (lay the paving without a gap), most natural stone paving, Indian sandstone etc.can be laid this way and it looks good, or leave gaps for pointing, some cheaper concrete paving expands and shrinks with temperature changes so check the manufacturers instructions also check laying instruction for concrete paving,some cheap thinner ones need to be laid on a bed of mortar)
Most natural stone flagstones can be laid directly onto a 50 mm layer of sharp sand providing the soil is stony and has been well compacted. Probably better to Spread an even layer of hard core 75 mm deep over the area and hire a Wacker to compact it.Fit the edging or plan to lay all edge flags on mortar (to hold in the sand) and then spread and level the sharp sand. Lay a few slabs to make sure you are happy with the laying pattern and to check they finish below the damp course. Lay the rest working away from the house, checking levels with a spirit level.as you go. Tap each flagstone in with a wooden or Hyde mallet ensuring they dont rock and check levels with a spirit level.as you go.
When you have finished point the paving joints by sweeping a dry mortar mix in, or even better fill with gravel and plant chamomile in the gaps for a lovely apple aroma when the plants are crushed under foot.
flowerpotman landscapers and garden designers offers free quotes for landscaping,garden leveling, patios, decking, hedging, hard landscaping, block paving and garden design in the following areas Somerset,Devon,Wiltshire,Berkshire,Dorset, Ashcott , Axbridge | Backwell ,Bath, Brent Knoll ,Bridgwater | Bruton , Burnham-on-Sea ,| Castle Cary | Chard | Cheddar | Churchill | Clevedon, Congresbury , Crewkerne, Dunster | Farrington Gurney | Faulkland | Frome | Glastonbury | Highbridge, Ilchester | Ilminster | Keynsham | Langport | Long Ashton | Lympsham | Martock |,Midsomer Norton | Minehead |Porlock | Radstock | Shepton Mallet | Somerton | Street | Taunton | Wedmore | Wellington ,Wells | West Camel | Wincanton | Winscombe | Winsford | Wookey | Woolverton | Worle,Yeovil | Berkeley, Bristol | Chipping Sodbury | Clevedon | Clifton | Flax Bourton | Henbury | Keynsham | Lawrence Weston | Long Ashton | Nailsea | Old Sodbury | Paulton | Portishead | Saltford | Severn Beach | Shirehampton | Stoke Gifford |Thornbury | Westbury Park | Westbury-on-Trym | Weston-super-Mare .Westonzoyland| Winterbourne | Wotton-under-Edge |Wrington | Yate | Yatton .Chippenham |Corsham,|Devizes |Limpley Stoke | Malmesbury | Marlborough | Melksham | Salisbury | Swindon |Trowbridge | Upavon | Warminster |Westbury | Wootton Bassett, | Basingstoke, Bracknell | Hungerford | Newbury |Reading | Bridport |Christchurch | Dorchester | Lyme Regis | Poole |Shaftesbury | Sherborne | Weymouth |Exeter | Tiverton .Almondsbury |Cheltenham | Cirencester | Dursley | Gloucester | Moreton-in-Marsh | Nailsworth | Painswick | Stow-on-the-Wold | Stroud | Tetbury | Tewkesbury.North Somerset. flowerpotman landscape gardeners also cover these areas in SW and W London SW1 Westminster, Belgravia, Pimlico, Brixton, Streatham Hill, SW3 Chelsea,Brompton ,SW4 Clapham, SW5 Earl's Court, SW6 Fulham,Parson's Green, SW7 Knightsbridge,South Kensington, SW8 Nine Elms,South Lambeth, Vauxhall, SW9 Stockwell, Brixton, SW10 West Brompton,Brompton, SW11 Battersea,Clapham Junction, SW12 Balham ,SW13 Barnes,SW14 Mortlake,East Sheen, SW15 Putney,Roehampton, SW16 Streatham,Norbury, SW17 Tooting ,SW19 Wimbledon,Merton, Collier's Wood ,SW20 West Wimbledon,Raynes Park, Cottenham Park, South Wimbledon, W2 Paddington, Bayswater, W3 Acton, W4 Chiswick, W5 Ealing, W6 Hammersmith, W7 Hanwell W8 Kensington,Kensington, W9 Maida Vale,Warwick Avenue, Maida Hill, W10 North Kensington,Ladbroke Grove, W11 Notting Hill,Holland Park ,W12 Shepherd's Bush, W13 West Ealing, W14 West Kensington, Landscape gardeners in the following towns in Devon, Appledore ,Ashburton, Axminster, Babbacombe ,Bampton ,Barnstaple, Bideford ,Bigbury, Bovey, Tracey, Braunton, Brixham, Buckfastleigh ,Budleigh ,Salterton, Burrington, Chagford ,Chudleigh, Chulmleigh ,Clovelly, Cockington ,Combe-Martin, Crediton, Croyde, Cullompton, Dartmouth, Dawlish ,Exeter , Exmouth ,Great Torrington, Hartland ,Holsworthy, Honiton, Ilfracombe, Ivybridge, Kingsbridge ,Kingswear, Lundy, Lynton Lynmouth, Moretonhampstead ,Newton Abbot, Okehampton, Ottery St Mary, Paignton, Plymouth, Salcombe, Seaton, Sidmouth, South Molton, Tavistock, Teignmouth, Tiverton, Topsham, Torquay, Totnes, Yelverton,
flowerpotman.com landscapers is published by Mike Ballard, Hazeldene, Weston super mare.
