First of all, what is composite decking? It's an alternative to traditional timber decking, usually made from wood fibre, recycled plastic, and a binding agent. It's typically a lot more expensive than timber decking, but there are a lot of benefits to making that investment.

🌿 Lower maintenance. No need to worry about regular staining and painting to keep your deck looking perfect.
🌿 Eco friendly. We use brands which are made with FSC 100% certified timber and recycled plastic.
🌿 Lasts longer. A composite deck should last 2-3 times a timber deck. 
🌿 Child friendly. No nasty splinters, warping or splitting  of wood which can cause hazards and need fixing up.
🌿 Anti-slip. Timber decks can become very slippy when wet, composite is generally 'anti slip'.
🌿 Stain & fade resistant. Composite is made with a protective layer which fares much better against the elements than wood.
🌿 Choose your colour. With a timber deck you have different colour options too, but these will require further upkeep.

Are you tempted by a composite deck or do you prefer the look of classic timber decking?

Shopping Spotlight: Garden Textiles 
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With gardens becoming ‘outdoor living rooms’ there are a growing number of soft furnishing options to finish off your space. We’re rounded up a few of our favourite for creating a relaxed and comfortable place to unwind:⁠
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1. Andalucia Cadiz Rug / from £130 / Weaver Green
   
2. Bali Garden Parasol / £250 / Urban Outfitters
   
3. Tufted Outdoor Scatter Cushions / £14 / Matalan
   
4. Eucalyptus Shell Cushion / £90 / Garden Glory
   
5. Havanna Wool Throw / £65 / Nordic Nest
   
6. Pryia Cocoon Bean Seat / £119 / Made.com

Turf wars! Are you team real lawn or artificial? Artificial turf is becoming increasingly popular as companies produce more convincing alternatives to natural lawns. There are pros and cons to both, read on to find out more.

Real Lawn
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Pros:

• You can't beat the look of a real, luscious lawn
• Better for the environment - produces oxygen (reducing carbon)
• A home for insects, improving your garden's eco-system 
• Much cheaper than artificial

Cons:

• Needs mowing regularly
• For the 'perfect' lawn you'll need to feed, water and weed regularly too
• If it's used heavily may get damaged and need extra care
  
  

Artificial Turf

Pros:

• Much lower maintenance
• Cleaner and no mud in wet weather
• Saves water and won't scorch in a heatwave
• Suitable for shady areas where real turf wouldn't grow so well
• Allergy-free for those who suffer from hayfever

Cons:

• Made of plastic and doesn't offer environmental benefits 
• More expensive, especially for the most realistic varieties
• Needs replaced every 10+ years so isn't a one time cost
• Still may need hosed regularly, especially if you have pets
• Site must be prepared to ensure an even base with appropriate drainage, which adds to the cost 
• Not suitable for steeper slopes
• No fresh cut grass smell

Can you think of any other points to add to the conversation? Either way, we can install both types of lawn so don't hesitate to get in touch if yours needs a makeover.

Reclaimed materials can add a lot of charm, with a sense of character and history. From patio stone to blocks and bricks, these can enhance a garden project, especially in an older property. You may have the materials elsewhere in your garden and want to reuse them as part of your transformation, or reclaimed materials can be sourced to fit your brief. Reusing materials is better for the planet too.

A common misconception is that using reclaimed materials will work out much cheaper. Often, there will be additional work in moving and cleaning them up. Something else to consider is that a percentage of the materials may be unusable, or can end up damaged. For example, if you're uplifting an old patio you should be prepared for some breakages. If you don't have enough of your preferred materials, it can also be a challenge sourcing matching products. 

If you'd like to chat about a project that involves using reclaimed materials, do get in touch as we love a challenge. We're currently taking bookings for Autumn.

Rattan has been having a comeback and it looks like it's here to stay. We've rounded up a selection of our favourite finds, from statement pieces to simple styles. Rattan is a long-lasting natural material, perfect for a relaxing boho look.

1. Synthetic Rattan Chair Maui / £114.99 / Sklum
2. Rattan Peacock Bench Beige Florentine / £769.99 / Beliani
3. Lyon Egg Chair / £349 / Cornwall Garden Shop
4. Hampsted Bench / £290 /  Oak & Ash
5. Calamus Rattan Bench / £382.50 / La Redoute
6. Molfetta Rattan Seating Set / £317.99 / Mano Mano 

Which is your favourite? Are you a fan of this trend?

If you know exactly what you're looking to get done and it's a straightforward project, chances are you won't need our garden design services. 

If you have some idea but aren't sure where to start then we can offer a helping hand to go through the options and get the most for your garden from your budget. Starting with a consultation where we take you through our client questionnaire, we'll work out how your needs match up with your space and your style preferences. 

We offer three standard packages, from a simple consultation and concept to full project management including 3D renderings, planting plans, mood boards and styling. If you'd like to get started on your garden design, we have availability for consultations from next month though we are booked for our landscaping services until the autumn.

You might be wondering why we want you to tell us you’re not interested, but first, let’s talk about free quotations.

We offer a no obligation, free quote service. That’s exactly what it sounds like and we’d expect you to get a few quotes to see which landscaper is the best fit for the job. This usually involves organising an appointment, measuring up your garden, having a chat about your ideas, showing you materials samples, problem-solving to fit your brief, and finally calculating the cost and emailing you with the details. 

We also give you an estimate on the timeframe for the work to be completed and try and be as accurate as possible. If you imagine that we’re often dealing with 5 potential project discussions at a time, you can see how this part gets tricky. 

That’s why, if you’ve decided not to go with us, we’d love if you could take a minute to let us know “thanks but no thanks” - just a quick email. It keeps things simple and lets us focus on the jobs which are happening and ensure our calendar is up to date.

Speaking of our calendar, we’re now booked up until mid September.