GARDENS& LANDSCAPES

Secrets of achieving a ZERO MAINTENANCE GARDEN

THE DESIGNER’S GUIDE TO CREATING THE PERFECT GARDENDecember Edition 2016

MONTHLY www.leicestershiregardendesign.co.uk

CHRISTMASGIFT IDEAS

PLANNING A DESIGNER DRIVEWAY THIS WINTER

WIN£100 worth of garden centre

vouchers

INTERVIEW WITH JANE BEEDLE,Garden Designer & Great British Bake Offcontestant

LOCAL UPCOMINGEVENTS

Dear Reader

Can you believe it’s December already? Where has the year gone?

I hope it’s been an incredible year for you, we’ve had some fantastic success… the launch of our magazine, winning the Niche business awards, and building our design studio are just a few things we’re really proud of. When you look back at the last 12 months it does make you realise how much has changed. Not just as a business, the whole global landscape.

We’ve had the uncertainty of Brexit and all the changes that has made (especially to foreign travel) and what about Leicester City... becoming premier league champions against ridiculous odds. Who would have thought either was going to happen when the clock struck 12 during your last New Year celebrations?

Above everything this year we’ve had the pleasure of working for some amazing people so I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you, our customers, for your business, your constant recommendations, and your overwhelming support of our business growth. It’s incredibly inspiring. I’d also like to thank all of our suppliers who have helped create our efficiency and always go above and beyond to keep our teams on track.

Finally, I’d like to thank all of our team at LGDCo. without whose dedication and commitment we just couldn’t take the business to its lofty heights.

Have a wonderful Christmas and see you all in 2017.

Warmest Yuletide wishes

Barry Randall

P.S. We’re very happy to receive mince pies and gifts in the office from you wonderful readers :)

Editor’s Letter Contents

ON THE COVER

7. The view from our window

LEARN

4. Thoughts of our Garden Designer

6. Did you know?

8. Garden Gadgets

BE INSPIRED

3. The Parker/Townsend garden

5. Great British Bake Off finalist

Jane Beedle talks about gardens

7. Planning a designer driveway this winter

PLAY

6. Word Search

8. Spot the Difference Competition

LAUGH

2. Editor’s Letter

6. On Paul’s Allotment

AND THE REST...

4. Great gardening gifts

8. Events

8. Coming up in the next edition

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2. GARDENS & LANDSCAPES

The view from our window

Garden designed by Jane Beedle

Great Gardening Gifts

The Parker / Townsend garden

Your perfect designer driveway

The challengeThe owners of this modern detached property in Rothley, Leicestershire asked us for advice on how to turn their multi-level garden into a sociable and attractive space.

The garden was originally very high maintenance as it was on a hill that sloped upwards away from the house. Our clients had tried landscaping it themselves in tiers using wooden sleepers, but over the years these had rotted away.

What they now wanted was a low maintenance garden that could be enjoyed by the whole family, including their grandchildren.

The conceptFirst, we laid new paving that flowed from the house around to the back gate. By introducing a small slope, we decreased the number of steps needed in the garden and provided easy access to a circular feature patio on the middle level. This new patio offered plenty of space for garden table and chairs.

New steps and walling were constructed to retain and give access to all levels of the garden, with a concrete block wall backing the main support walls to help with the location of existing electricity wires running around the garden. On the bottom level, we built up the wall to create an attractive backdrop and offer cosy and informal seating.

A new lawn was cut into shape and laid with artificial turf to provide a safe play area

for our clients’ grandchildren. Next to this, the freshly cut flowerbeds were filled with top soil and compost. Edging blocks were used to border the paving, flowerbeds and lawn to give definition to these areas.

To complete the transformation, we tackled the front garden using the same materials employed in the back garden to give a uniform style. By deploying the same easy maintenance techniques, such as incorporating block edging strips around the new artificial lawn, any upkeep is kept to a minimum. We also added extra paving along the side of the front lawn to give more space when getting in and out of the car.

A new ACO channel drainage system was introduced in the paved areas to capture any surface water and so avoid puddles forming.

The conclusionOur clients kindly gave us a video testimonial as they were delighted with their new garden. One comment they made was that we had listened carefully to what they wanted and got the design spot on!

Despite being on a slope, the garden is now a spacious, stylish and relaxing place. The family can enjoy being outside all year round. By retaining mature trees and

Location: Rothley, Leicestershire

How long did it take?15 days

When was it built?May 2016

Are you looking for a garden that’s easy to maintain? Call us now on 01162 147 076

PARKER AND TOWNSEND GARDEN

GARDENS & LANDSCAPES 3.

Beautiful Marshalls curved patio area

Lovely seating area for outdoor dining

3D Design

From uphill struggle to easy-to-maintain dream garden

shrubs to the sides and back, the garden looks well established and has plenty of colour and interest. The mix of plants on the upper level offers a striking backdrop to the seating areas towards the front of the garden.

We will be carrying out a maintenance visit to the garden in twelve months’ time to service the drainage channels, clean all paving and walling, sweep and service the artificial lawns and carry out a general health check. This will ensure the garden stays looking as good as new without any work required from our clients.

Before

Hi there,

Do you want the pleasure of a winter-ready garden without making any costly mistakes? Then these tips will be a massive help.

Winter is here, there’s zero chance of escaping that... and the last thing you want to have to do is to get your garden looking lovely again after the bout of harsh weather we’ll inevitably get.

Remove the maintenance-heavy lawn? Replace it with a nice gravelled area, artificial lawn... or a decked platform for an additional seating area?

What else can you do to make life that little bit easier in the garden? Choose easy-going plants. There are plenty of low maintenance plants available.

Raised beds, water features, and pergolas are just a few of the features that you can easily incorporate into a low maintenance garden design.

Redesign your garden. If you’re thinking of incorporating some of the ideas I’ve mentioned into your garden, then get in touch. Maybe you’re tentatively ready to discuss a complete landscape design.

I’m sure you’ve got a few questions, so give Georgia a call on 0116 214 7076 if you would like to know more.

Committed to creating stunning landscapes.

Jeff Randall

Thoughts of ourGARDEN DESIGNER

4. GARDENS & LANDSCAPES

Yes, it’s that time of year again, the season of giving! If you’re stuck for what to buy a loved one who loves their garden, worry no more! I have scouted the internet and listed a few great green-finger-friendly gifts below.

Secrets to achieving a zero maintenance garden

Gardener’s Tool Seat £29.39This lightweight steel and nylon garden stool combines the features of a tool bag and a folding chair. www.uncommongoods.com

Harvest Happy Hour £10.37 How do your cocktails grow? Mix up aromatic happy hour treats with ingredients from your very own garden. Six seed packets for thyme, lavender, Thai basil, mint, lemon balm, and blue borage get their tasty starts in the (included) recycled egg carton. www.uncommongoods.com

Growing Wishes Seed Kit £17.29Some of the best things in life need a bit of nurturing, cultivation and patience. The kit comes with six different types of seeds, which you plant in your garden or in containers.www.uncommongoods.com

Outdoor Mirror £125Add new dimensions to your outdoor space with this fabulous outdoor window mirror.www.coxandcox.co.uk

Personalised Copernicus Brass Sundial £159The Copernicus sundial can be engraved with up to approx. 150 characters over four lines, making it perfect as a gift for any special occasion.www.notonthehighstreet.com

Grow Your Own Mushroom Kit £16Grow your own gourmet pearl oyster mushrooms at home with this super easy and 100% reliable mushroom grow kit, grown from recycled coffee grounds!www.notonthehighstreet.com

Great British Bake Off finalist Jane Beedle talks to LGD about gardens (not cakes)

Challenging steep garden design by Jane Beedle

Great British Bake Off 2016 runner-up Jane Beedle is not just great at baking cakes, she also knows a thing or two about gardens.

In the Bake Off tent, she’s been one of the most consistent and talented bakers, popular with her fellow contestants and viewers alike. Back at home in Beckenham in Kent, Jane runs Mulberry Garden Design, where she puts her talents to rather different use - creating beautiful gardens for her clients.

1. What’s your profession / background? Having graduated in Maths from University of Kent in 1977 I started my working life in advertising, working for agencies, studios and printers until my second child was born. I then worked from home for four years doing anything that fitted in with the children’s routine. When my son started primary school a friend and I started a small garden maintenance business. It worked well with school hours and we could be flexible during the school holidays.

2. At what age did you first become interested in garden design? I have always loved beautiful gardens but I first started thinking about garden design in my early forties. Several garden maintenance clients had asked us to redesign small areas of their gardens and I felt that I needed to learn more about what I was doing. I took a City & Guilds evening class run by Hadlow College. I loved it but it made me realise that there was so much more to learn if I was going to be serious about design, so I embarked on a four year part-time degree course at Hadlow and the University of Greenwich, and graduated in 2007.

3. Which garden are you most proud of?That’s a difficult one. I’m pleased with all of my gardens for different reasons. They may not all be ones I would like to own myself but if I’ve hit the clients’ brief and they are delighted with the result, then knowing I’ve done a good job is what is very satisfying.

4. What features would you include in a garden design to make it usable all year round? It depends how a client wants to use their garden. It may be they need play areas that the children can use all year or want seating areas to make the most of any sunshine after work in the summer or for a weekend coffee on a sunny winter’s morning. It could even be something as mundane as wanting to hang out their washing all year round. All these things need to be accessible from the house so one of the most important features in many

gardens is a well designed path. Sounds boring, I know, but essential in many instances.

5. What advice would you give aspiring garden designers?Listen to your clients, try and give them what they want but also try and give them something that they didn’t realise they wanted. Think outside the box and get your inspiration from everywhere, not just other gardens.

6. What do you love most about your own garden? I have a newish garden and many shrubs are still maturing but I have divided the garden into two areas with a pergola walkway between the two. It frames a view of a large ceramic pot close to the rear boundary, creating a focal point from the house and outside seating area. Now that the vines and clematis are beginning to cover the structure, it invites you to explore the hidden areas.

7. Which gardens would you recommend visiting this year? Where to start? I love Wisley, there is always something to see. Anglesey Abbey near Cambridge has some stunning winter planting. Sheffield Park has some glorious autumn foliage. Stourhead in Dorset is just fabulous all year. The list is endless.

8. If you could give the readers one tip to help with garden design what would it be?Hard landscaping is important but plants make a garden. Work with the soil, don’t fight against it.

www.radiotimes.com

Contemporary garden design by Jane

Jane Beedle – Baker and Garden Designer

WORD SEARCHCan you spot the 10 winter vegetables?

Onion

Garlic

Spring Onion

Spinach

Broad Beans

Submit your entry to:Leicestershire Garden Design Co.Unit 11, The Warren, East Goscote,Leicester, Leicestershire LE7 3XA or email editor@leicestershiregardendesign.co.uk by 16th January 2016

Asparagus

Peas

Carrots

Winter Salads

Pak Choi

Your Name:

Address:

Email:

Phone Number:

Full terms and conditions can be found at www.leicestershiregardendesign.co.uk/magazine-competition-2016

Q N M G T P E R C H A E P B I

B O N I O N V H R N N P G R H

A I F E T S O M E T O I A O Q

S N I D O U W W P K S Q R A G

D O D A E G C A R A O O L D P

A G A Y P A I H M E X A I B W

L N F Y G R R F O F I K C E K

A I K K B A I T H I D I D A P

S R L G W P E A S C S T S N I

R P B E T S G C A U C T V S A

E S P I N A C H N F O C O P I

T I M O D D O I E R W C P X Q

N N F C P L I N R L E N L Z P

I E H I C P A A R T C K K D P

W M Z P A K C H O I A R R Q V

WIN Garden centre vouchers worth £100

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EMAIL US ATsubscribe@leicestershiregardendesign.co.uk

WRITE TO US ATLeicestershire Garden Design Co.Unit 11, The Warren, East Goscote, Leicester,Leicestershire LE7 3XA

CALL US ON 0116 2147 076

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Did you know?

Research has shown that the average UK garden has a population of over 20,000 slugs and snails.

-www.slugoff.co.uk

6. GARDENS & LANDSCAPES

Subscribe to Gardens & Landscapes Monthly today and receive your copy every month, delivered direct to your door.

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THE VIEW from our window

SEND IN YOUR GARDEN PHOTOS by email to subscribe@leicestershiregardendesign.co.uk or write to us at Leicestershire Garden Design Co., Unit 11, The Warren, East Goscote, Leicester, Leicestershire LE7 3XA

GARDENS & LANDSCAPES 7.

You may have been able to overlook the problems with your old driveway during the summer but now winter is on its way, things may be looking rather shabby.

When it’s dry and the sun’s shining, the cracked paving and uneven surfaces don’t seem to matter. But when the sky is grey and puddles are forming outside your front door, your driveway can become a big problem.

Put safety firstOutdoor domestic dangers increase during the winter months when tripping and slipping become commonplace. It’s essential to review your driveway and look for any potential hazards.

Is the ground level throughout? When it rains, do you have to navigate past puddles? Is your paving slippery underfoot when it’s wet? Does your drive become an ice rink when it freezes?

These issues need to be taken into account when you plan a new driveway. Fortunately, all of the problems mentioned can be easily remedied by the use of quality materials and the implementation of a clever landscape design.

Driveway designs to suit your homeOf course, it’s not just about how your new driveway will perform, it also needs to look fantastic. Your designer driveway should be both durable and eye-catching.

It helps to choose a style that will complement the exterior of your property. Driveway setts and cobbles come in a

Planning a designer driveway this winter

broad range of stone types so you can pick the ideal one for your exterior.

Improve your exterior and increase your property’s valueIf you’re thinking of selling your house a well-designed driveway will add instant curb appeal. When prospective buyers come to look at your house, your driveway is the first thing they will notice. By choosing high-quality materials, you can create a driveway that requires little care and will stay looking great for years to come.

It’s been reported that a new driveway will add 5-10% in value to a property if it makes the home look more attractive. That’s not a bad rate of return for a simple investment.

Contemporary concrete driveway

Stunning block paving with circular feature

GET IN TOUCH

Email us at editor@leicestershiregardendesign.co.ukWrite to us at Leicestershire Garden Design Co. Unit 11,The Warren, East Goscote, Leicester, Leicestershire LE7 3XA Call us on 0116 2147 076

Up and comingNOV/DEC EVENTS

COMING UP IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF...

GARDENS& LANDSCAPES

• Gardening events not to be missed in 2017

• Landscaping trends to look out for in 2017

• A stunning courtyard garden transformation

SPOT THEDIFFERENCE

Thank youFOR RECOMMENDING US!Animal Nativity & Santa at

Manor Farm Park & Woodlands17th DecemberFamily pass £28

Men and Motors at Melton Mowbray18th DecemberSunday event for men to indulge in Christmas shopping, plus classic cars on show in the Market Place.

Santa Special Trains at Battlefield LineAll Saturdays and Sundays from 26th November - 24th DecemberFrom £13 to £27 per person depending on the date.

Christmas Eve Market at Melton Mowbray23rd December

Submit your entry to:Leicestershire Garden Design Co.Unit 11, The Warren, East Goscote,Leicester, Leicestershire LE7 3XA or email editor@leicestershiregardendesign.co.uk by 16th January 2016

Full terms and conditions can be found at www.leicestershiregardendesign.co.uk/magazine-competition-2016

WIN Cinema vouchers worth £50

Your Name:

Age:

Address:

Phone Number:

With written consent from an adult

www.leicestershiregardendesign.co.uk

8. GARDENS & LANDSCAPES

Can you spot the difference between our 2 garden designs? Circle the difference for your chance

to win £50 worth of cinema vouchers!

Top TipIf you don’t already have a compost heap or bin, this is as good a time as any to start, with all the leaves and cuttings to be disposed of. For those who already have a bin, a good stir will help the composting process along.

So now that 2016 is nearly over, we would like to say a huge thank you to all of our customers for choosing us and a special mention to those who have recommended us to their friends and families. 2016 has been a record breaking and brilliant year for us and we could not have done it without you!

Mr & Mrs Cridland from Houghton on the Hill

Mr & Mrs Lees from Birstall

Mary McDiarmid from Kirby Muxloe

Mr & Mrs Underwood from Countesthorpe

Mr & Mrs Anderson from Leicester

Mr & Mrs Reeves from Market Harborough

Mr & Mrs Morris from Broughton Astley

Mr and Mrs Wood from Countesthorpe