Most of us that have a garden would love to have more time to maintain it. Unfortunately in todays rat race we are quite often too busy to give it the attention it deserves. We want to sit in it, BBQ in it and generally enjoy our gardens, but for the elderly or less able and for people who work long hours or for the less green fingered among us, pulling weeds, pruning and grass cutting can be both time consuming and problematic. There are other options for ground cover that are easier to maintain than grass and equally attractive. Paving, shingle and artificial grass being the more popular solutions to covering larger sections of the garden.
Paving has its advantages, and when it is laid correctly it will last for years. It is easy to maintain requiring only jet washing once a year. If the pointing is done correctly it should remain weed free. It is easy for wheel chair use and can make the garden look a lot bigger. There is a vast selection of beautiful slabs on the market today, so paving can be made to look interesting. A good landscaper can help you choose which is the best for you and help to design something to suit your garden. There are slabs to suit everyone’s budget from concrete to natural stone. Remember when choosing to go for the maximum your budget allows as these slabs are going to be there for a very long time. Paving isn’t all about straight lines either, you can have circles, wavy lines and the slabs can be laid in patterns. Paving does not need to be boring.
Shingle is another option you might choose. It makes good ground cover and helps keep the weeds down. There are many different colours and sizes of shingle. The shingle can be used with the paving to help break up the flatness and add texture to the garden. Shingle is quite difficult to walk on and would not be suitable for wheel chair users, so is not for everyone. But it could be used to create borders and interest to your garden. It is also good for driveways especially in rural areas as it is very difficult to walk quietly on shingle so visitors rarely arrive unannounced.
Artificial grass is now becoming very popular and a very good alternative to natural grass. It has become much more natural looking and there are different shades and textures to choose from. You can choose from samples very similar to choosing a carpet. A good landscaper would firstly prepare the ground and lay a membrane to prevent weeds but allow drainage as with shingle. The artificial turf would then be fixed into place. Obviously it would require no mowing but may need hosing down to keep clean especially if you have a pet. The grass is treated so it retains its colour in the sun and doesn’t fade.
To compliment the paving, shingle or artificial grass you could edge with railway sleepers. If you want potted plants, remember they will require watering so go for more tropical plants and bigger tubs that retain more water. But remember to protect them in the winter. With borders go for slow growing evergreens and plenty of bark mulch to prevent weeds. For colour add boulders, garden ornaments and flowering slow growing annuals.
Overall it is possible with the correct advise from a good landscaper to have a lovely garden that is both attractive, user friendly and easy to maintain. Your garden is a living space to be used and enjoyed.
Karen Bull is a director of All Green Landscapes who are an award winning landscaping company based in Milton Keynes covering areas around Beds, Herts and Bucks and for commercial customers nationwide.
All Green Landscapes specialise in project management and landscaping construction, we try to offer a comprehensive range of services and will quote for work of any size or complexity.
With full accreditation from several professional bodies and over 20 years experience, we are able to offer help and advice to get you the garden of your dreams at an affordable price. Visit our website http://www.allgreenlandscapes.co.uk for more information.
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