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With 2023 coming to a close, it’s time to start looking to the new year and the design trends for high-end gardens that will be coming our way. With a decade of experience in the industry, our team of skilled garden designers is accustomed to witnessing a continuous influx of new trends when it comes to creating luxurious garden spaces. In this article, we will be looking at the most predicted garden design choices for 2024.

1. Bringing The Outdoors In

In the new year, we predict that there will be a trend of bringing the outdoors in. We love our homes and our gardens are no exception. In 2024, we feel that many people will begin integrating their indoor and outdoor space to make their garden more cohesive with their houses. This can be achieved through many different methods. For example, using natural materials and organic design elements can elevate a garden and make it feel more ‘homely’. This can also be true when it comes to luxury outdoor spaces - particularly when it comes to outdoor structures. 

2. Designed Wildlife Habitats

One of the biggest trends of this year, that we are sure to see continue into 2024 is the idea of creating a happy home for wildlife. Even the most manicured garden or estate has the space for a wildlife habitat and according to Home & Garden ‘perforated wooden bee posts, gabion planters and fencing or sheds’ are going to be all the rage.'

As well as thinking about all creatures big and small, there is also a predicted emphasis on incorporating sustainable practices and materials into gardens. We will see more eco-conscious landscaping techniques, such as rainwater harvesting, water conservation and wildlife-friendly features in our future landscapes. 

3. Personalised Privacy

Also in 2024, there will be a continued need for personalised privacy. Our gardens should be seen as sanctuaries- a place we can escape to and feel at peace and our design process should reflect this. 

Numerous options exist to create a safe and private space which is uniquely yours. As we go into 2024, you can opt for long bamboo stems for a blend of light and privacy, hedges for lush green boundaries, or tall trees like Italian Cypress or Holm Oak, or a solid, towering fence.

Alternatively, you could also explore wall gardens—these vertical surfaces adorned with either artificial or natural plant life offer both added privacy and the visual appeal of a flourishing garden on your wall. Consulting a professional garden design team can help you assess your garden space and narrow down what will suit your specific privacy requirements. 

4. Creating a Personal Sanctuary

According to Houzz.co.uk ‘the link between gardening and wellbeing has become increasingly visible in recent years’ and as we look at what the trends for high-end garden design are going to look like in 2024, we predict this will truly come to fruition. Houzz.co.uk recommends carving out a space for gentle exercise. Creating a garden that not only looks beautiful, but can also  help you when it comes to ‘decompressing, playing and reconnecting’, can be extremely beneficial.

Our gardens serve not only as spaces for entertaining and outdoor socialising but have gained significant importance for mental health and well-being. In the post-pandemic era, the emphasis on being outdoors, connecting with nature, and reaping the physical benefits of gardening has heightened. This shift is undeniably influencing the garden styles we now prefer.

5. Future-Proofing Your Garden

Acknowledging the often extreme weather in the UK, a prominent technique trend addresses this by creating climate-resilient gardens. Embracing xeriscaping, with its use of slow-growing, drought-tolerant plants, has become particularly appealing. 

For a luxurious garden appearance, we would recommend considering phygelius instead of fuchsia and choisya in place of hydrangeas. Our ability to selectively remove dead or faded flowers throughout the season, depending on the species, enhances and prolongs the overall flowering period.

6. Embracing Gravel Gardens

Here at BZ Gardens, we understand how time-consuming a large garden or estate can be to maintain. As well as hiring a professional gardening team, GardenDesign.com are suggesting that we embrace gravel gardens in 2024.  According to their article, gravel gardens are ‘a low-water, low-maintenance garden bed primarily consisting of gravel instead of soil, with carefully chosen plants throughout’. Whilst you may not want to incorporate gravel into your entire landscape, for expansive estates, incorporating a gravel garden can present a captivating aesthetic choice.

7. Cottage-Core Garden Spaces

The term 'cottage-core' has emerged this year, and as we transition into the new year, we observe this recent aesthetic influencing our garden spaces. GardeningKnowHow.co.uk defines cottagecore gardening as a ‘popular aesthetic that brings a charming essence to the landscape. A cottagecore garden is simply one where various plants, fruits, vegetables, and especially flowers reside’.

As we embrace a closer connection to natural and sustainable living, the resurgence of cottage gardens is notable. Picture vegetable plots, herb gardens, and a vibrant array of flowers complementing terracotta pots and rattan chairs. Envision creating your own miniature meadow. In 2024, elevate your garden's allure with topiary, introducing a touch of sophistication. 

8. Solar Gardening Lighting

Every year, garden lighting is a hot topic. But in the new year, with a focus on sustainability and eco-conscious gardening, we predict that there will be an emphasis on solar lighting. As well as offering a versatility in design options, with an increasing awareness of environmental impact, gardeners are leaning towards the more sustainable practices. Solar lighting aligns perfectly with this ethos, harnessing energy from the sun, reducing reliance on conventional power sources.

9. Pollinator Trends

In line with the sustainability focus, and growing awareness around animal habitats, in 2024, there will be an increased interest in pollinators. Wildlife planting is a huge hit for gardeners and garden owners alike. Planting flowers that attract bees is not only fantastic for our honey-making friends, but it keeps them coming back every year. The more pollination, the more reproduction of flowers.

10. Terracotta Making A Return

Will we be seeing the return of terracotta in 2024?  This style gripped us all in 1970, but will it be back in 2024? Towards the top of our predictions, we see garden and landscape design service teams suggesting the classic pairing terracotta with copper and eggshell to pull a more natural feel into a space. Terracotta is known to add a level of warmth and vibrancy in the garden, which we will feel will be extremely popular in 2024. 

Elevate Your Garden For 2024 With Our Garden and Landscape Design Services

Our garden design and landscape experts at BZ Gardens want to help you enhance your outside space by using current design trends and techniques. From year-round comprehensive horticultural services to landscape construction, we’re here to bring to life the garden you’ve always imagined. If you’re ready to start designing your dream garden, contact us at 01483 967160 or email us at info@bzgardens.co.uk.

Mulch plays an important role in the garden during the autumn and winter. With the colder weather here to stay for a few months, it’s time to start considering how you are going to protect your plants. In this article, we will be discussing all the different types of mulch and how it can benefit you this season.

What Are The Different Types of Mulch?

Firstly, let's break down what the different types of mulch actually are. Mulch types can be sorted into two main categories; organic and inorganic. Organic mulch refers to a type of mulching material that is derived from natural substances originating from living organisms or once-living materials. These materials undergo decomposition over time, contributing organic matter to the soil. Whereas inorganic mulch is made from non-living materials that do not decompose or break down over time.

Organic Mulch

There are a few different types of organic mulch which are popularly used in gardens or large estates. Bark mulch for example, is made from shredded or chipped bark. It can be made in different sizes and even different colours, so many choose this type of mulch as it can fit aesthetically with a variety of landscapes. 

Wood chips are similar, but they may include branches or leaves and they tend to break down over time. Straw or hay is another popular variety of organic mulch. Often used amongst vegetable patches, straw is extremely lightweight and decomposes at a relatively quick rate. The only difference between hay and straw is that hay may contain some hidden seeds. 

Leaves and grass clippings can also be a great source of mulch. Shredded leaves can be an excellent and easily accessible mulch that will decay over a period of time and enrich the soil beneath. In a similar light, grass clippings can also do the same job. However, we would recommend letting any clippings dry before applying them to your garden to prevent any matting. 

In the category of ‘organic mulch’ is living mulch. Unlike traditional mulches that break down over time, living mulch continually grows and can be managed through regular mowing or trimming. Take clover crops for example - clover can be used as a living mulch as it provides similar benefits to other organic mulch, whilst also adding nutrients to the soil. 

Inorganic Mulch

As mentioned above, inorganic mulch doesn’t break down over time, but can still act as an insulator to the soil below. Examples of inorganic mulch include gravel or rock, plastic, rubber mulch and landscape fabric. 

Gravel or rock provides a good level of drainage and is suitable for locations that receive a lot of heavy watering or rainfall. Whereas plastic mulch can help control weeds, in addition to retaining the soil moisture and regulating the temperature of the soil. 

Rubber mulch is typically made from recycled materials such as tires, and it won’t break down over time. Rubber mulch is great for its ability to retain heat. Due to the weather in the UK, rubber mulch is popular in community spaces such as schools and nursing homes, but in hotter climates, it won’t be as common. Finally, there is landscape fabric. As professionals, we would recommend using landscape fabric alongside other mulches. Landscape fabric can help prevent the growth of weeds whilst also allowing rainwater in.

Seasonal Protection

So, now we’ve looked at the main different types of mulch, why should you consider using it in your garden? Firstly, seasonal protection! With the weather getting cold, mulch acts as a natural insulator that will provide that all important protective layer to your garden. 

During the cold, any ground that has been left with mulch is open to the elements, which can create movement. According to the article titled ‘Guide to winter mulches: Protect plant roots from the chill’ from OregonLive, this ‘movement can cause many small or shallow rooted plants to be heaved out of the soil, thereby exposing their crowns and/or upper root systems to damaging freezes’. As winter moves in, you will want to shield your plants and their roots from the extreme temperature fluctuations. In doing so, you will allow them to continue thriving and assist them in being resilient to the weather. 

Moisture Management

In addition to shielding your plant’s root systems from the elements, mulch can also allow your plants to retain moisture. During the winter, many plants, trees and shrubs enter their dormant season. This can mean that we change up our watering system. Without the hot sun beating down, and our plant’s practically ‘hibernating’, they won’t need as much water. 

However, this doesn’t mean that your soil won’t need to be kept consistently moist. As your plants prepare for winter dormancy, it’s vital that they have everything they need, so they can thrive once spring rolls around. Mulch can help reduce overall evaporation and conserve precious moisture that your plants will require to reach optimal growth. 

Weed Suppression

Autumn is the prime time for weed growth, which can mean that even though your plants are dormant, they can be competing for the essential nutrients they require to stay healthy. Mulch can be a powerful tool when it comes to preventing weeds.

 As mentioned above, landscape fabric can still let the rainwater in, whilst also keeping nasty weeds out. Mulch acts as a physical barrier against the weeds, as it is put over the soil and blocks natural sunlight from reaching any unwanted seeds. Like for most plants, sunlight is essential for germination and growth of many different weed species. By denying them access to sunlight, the mulch actually inhibits the development of the seedlings. Not to mention, with a dense layer of mulch in your garden, the weed seedlings won’t even be able to make direct contact with soil - making it all the more difficult for them to grow. Mulch, whether organic or inorganic can encourage your garden to flourish, even in the colder months. 

Soil Enrichment

The health of any garden starts with the soil. Without healthy soil, no plants, trees, shrubs or flowers would be able to thrive. Mulch, particularly organic mulch, breaks down over time and can contribute to the organic matter in your garden. Organic matter enhances the over soil structure and fertility of the soil below. 

According to Home & Garden, in an article titled ‘How to improve your garden soil – 5 simple methods for creating the best growing conditions’, they state ‘one of the most important principles of gardening is to feed your soil so it can feed your plants’. They also recommend home compost as an eco-friendly organic mulch. They say to include ‘woody materials such as garden prunings, shredded cardboard and paper’, alongside, ‘green ingredients like raw kitchen fruit and vegetable peelings, soft green garden waste such as dead plants, deadheaded stems, dead vase arrangements and grass clippings from mowing the lawn’

Root Health and Insulation:

As the temperature begins to drop, plants become even more reliant on their root systems. The roots below the soil offer them stability, as the weather starts to fluctuate, alongside those all important nutrients.  To help the roots remain stable, mulch can be a great addition during the dominant period. Helping to provide a more protected layer against the unground roots and the elements is a must. 

Aesthetic Appeal

Not only can mulch serve as a way to protect your plants in the autumn and winter, but it can also be an aesthetic choice you make for your garden space. Mulch, especially inorganic varieties, offers an array of colours and textures, which will enhance the visual cohesion of a landscape. Choosing a consistent colour or type of mulch throughout the garden can contribute to a harmonious and well-designed look.

How BZ Gardens Can Help With Our Arboricultural Services This Autumn

This autumn, entrusting your arboricultural services to BZ Gardens ensures the health and vitality of your trees and garden. Our expert team specialises in a range of gardening services designed to address the specific needs of your landscape during this season. 

From meticulous pruning and trimming to removing dead or diseased branches, we prioritise the well-being and aesthetics of your outdoor space. Our arboricultural services extends to assessing the overall health of your trees, providing essential care to enhance resilience against winter stresses. If you would like to speak to one of our team, contact us on 01483 967160.

In the lush canvas of a garden, trees bestow character and a sense of presence. Safeguarding their health and ensuring safety becomes a paramount responsibility. At BZ Gardens, we specialise in arboricultural services, dedicated to ensuring the well-being and safety of your trees. Join us as we delve into the significance of removing hazardous trees, identifying signs of potential illness in trees, and highlight the crucial role of expert assessment and removal in maintaining a verdant haven.

Why It’s Important to Remove Dangerous Trees

There are quite a few reasons why removing a tree from your garden could be a good idea. Firstly, unhealthy trees pose a risk of falling. This can cause many hazardous outcomes, such as entangling themselves in electric cables, increasing the risk of power outages and other potential electrical problems. Not only can a leaning or weakened tree be a hazard to your property, but it can also endanger lives. Branches can fall without warning, which can increase the risk of hurting someone nearby. 

There is also the environmental impact to consider. Getting to the root of the problem as to why your tree is no longer healthy is of the utmost importance. Removing sick or infested trees can help prevent the spread of diseases to other trees within the vicinity.

The Decision To Remove A Tree

The decision of removing a tree should be no trivial matter, as it entails careful consideration of various factors impacting both safety and the environment. So here are some ways that you can tell if a tree needs to be removed from your garden or estate.

Structural Issues 

Firstly, look to see if your tree is having structural issues. Your professional gardening team can help you with this task, or they may alert you if they see something out of the ordinary. Structural issues can be anything from leaning or tilting, to cracks in the trunk of major limbs. Cracks can be a result of harsh weather conditions, such as storms and diseases, but they can also be from internal decay, so it’s vital that you have these problems looked at by a team of professionals. 

Health Concerns

Another reason to remove an unhealthy tree is because it can contain diseases and pest infestations. As mentioned above, a sick tree can infect the rest of the grove, so it’s vital to act fast. We would recommend firstly looking for discolouration of the leaves, or premature leaf drop. Unusual leaf discolouration, such as yellowing, browning or even blackening can be signs of a disease. Also, if leaves are dropping from your tree outside of its normal seasonal cycle, this can also indicate an underlying problem. 

Just like colour, the density of leaves provides valuable insights into the tree's health. If a typically lush tree appears sparse, it may be signalling the presence of a disease such as ash dieback or a pest infestation like the Oat Processionary Moth. The Oak Processionary Moth is a moth species whose caterpillars create nests on oak trees. According to the National Trust ‘the caterpillars hatch in spring and go through several instars, eventually developing the irritating hairs. The caterpillars descend lower down the tree as they develop, stripping the tree of its leaves as they go, leaving it vulnerable and weakened’.

As well as the leaves, you can also look for bark abnormalities. If the bark is sunken in certain areas and swollen in others, this is known as cankers. These cankers can indicate a disease or infection. Another sign to look for is if the bark is peeling or cracking. This can show that the tree is in distress. When your tree hosts an unusually high number of insects, it might be signalling that the time has come to consider its removal.

Safety Hazards

Finally, if you notice that your tree could be a safety risk to you, your property or anybody nearby, this may be a good time to remove it from your garden. As mentioned above, dead or dying branches can become a massive threat. If you notice that branches are beginning to snap off, it can be hinting at an underlying issue.

When To Remove a Tree 

If you’ve come to the conclusion that your tree needs to be removed from your garden or estate, then you will need to consider what the optimal timing will be. 

Consider The Weather

There are many advantages to removing a tree during the dormant season. It can minimise the overall stress and promote easier handling.  With the cooler weather rolling in, many plants and trees are going into their dormant state.

Trees tend to go dormant in winter as a survival strategy to conserve energy and protect themselves from the harsh conditions of the colder months. However, the UK weather in the winter can be unpredictable, so it’s important to consider removing trees before any major storms or adverse weather occurs. This can prevent a number of potential hazards. 

Professional Assessment

It is not recommended to try and remove a tree by yourself. Consult a local arborist who is certified and has expertise in the area before attempting a tree removal. A professional assessment will look at the tree's overall health and stability. 

With a professional on hand, they will also look at alternative ways to try and tend to the tree's underlying issues before cutting it down.  They will also take into consideration the environmental impact of removing a tree. If the overall well-being of the surrounding environment is at risk, a skilled arborist can implement solutions to avert any additional harm. In addition, a skilled eye will also be able to plan our tree replacements. If new trees need to be planted to maintain the ecological balance and the aesthetic appeal of your garden or estate, you can leave it in the hands of your professional gardening team. 

How To Avoid Tree Removal In The Future

The prospect of tree removal is often our last resort, reserved for situations where the health or safety of the tree, property, or inhabitants is compromised. However, by implementing strategic measures and proactive practices, one can navigate the path of preservation, steering clear of the need for future tree removal. 

Regular Inspections

If you are undecided about hiring a professional gardening team, opting for one can proactively prevent future tree removal, making it a compelling reason to choose their services. According to Country Living ‘sadly, the threat to our trees is real and increasing, from climate change, which, if unchecked, enables the fast-spreading of pest and disease. There are 27 notifiable suspects in the UK’. 

Scheduled assessments of your trees from a skilled eye can help identify any early signs of diseases, pests or structural issues. An expert gardener can swiftly respond or address issues before they escalate which can, in turn, prevent you from needing any trees removed in the future. 

Pruning & Trimming

Along with regular inspections, having your trees pruned often can eliminate deadwood and promote much healthier growth overall. Strategic trimming can help maintain proper tree structure, which can prevent potential hazards.

Ongoing Disease & Pest Management

Ongoing disease and pest management can be a great way to ward off common offenders and act as preventive measures to protect your trees. Also, if you fear your trees are in the early stages of infection, swift treatment may also minimise the damage. 

How Our Arboricultural Services Can Help You

Ultimately, the decision to remove a tree should be based on a comprehensive evaluation of these factors, prioritising safety, environmental health, and adherence to regulations. Removing a tree isn't a DIY task; we strongly advise consulting a professional arborist. Proper equipment, knowledge, and safety practices are crucial. If you've observed signs necessitating tree removal, BZ Gardens' expert garden maintenance services are here to assist. Contact our team at 012522336009 or fill out the form on our Contact Us page.

Autumn is finally here, and with the colder weather, you may find yourself needing different garden maintenance services. In this article, we will be giving you our top ten ways to enhance your garden’s overall wellness in autumn.  

1. Seasonal Planting for Vibrant Colours

Seasonal planting is of the utmost importance, both for aesthetic purposes and in terms of your plant’s health. Choosing autumn-friendly plants, which can withstand the change in weather and look beautiful all year round are a must. Plants that are present in the garden during autumn contribute massively to the visual allure of your space - think warm tones of red, orange and gold painting a picturesque landscape. 

As professionals within the area, we would recommend choosing plants that specifically adapt to the autumn weather conditions and are much more likely to withstand the temperature fluctuations and even the potential frost that comes with this season. This will ensure the longevity of your garden’s beauty and will allow you to enjoy your outside space, all year round. 

For specific autumn plants, we would recommend ones such as the Autumn Joy Sedum, which is known for its hardy nature. This perennial can not only withstand cooler, harsher temperatures but will give a wonderful soft pink colour when it flowers. This can look pleasing to the eye and attract late-season pollinators. You could also go for a range of Chrysanthemums dotted around your estate. These come in a wide variety of colours and are considered an autumn classic. These feisty flowers are known for their durability and again, their ability to thrive in much colder weather. 

2. Mulching for Root Protection and Moisture Retention

Mulching can be extremely beneficial in the winter and autumn months. When looking at ways to enhance your garden’s overall wellness in the cold, mulching is a great way to do so. Mulch can act as a way to insulate your plants against the frost and also, as a protective blanket for soil. Your plants may need shielding from the biting chill of autumn and winter nights, and you won’t want those early frosts to catch you out. 

As professionals, we recommend using mulch to create thermal barriers which will regulate the soil’s temperature throughout the upcoming months. This will prevent extreme stress to your plants and ensure they are able to bloom again come spring. 

Mulch can also help retain moisture. During winter and autumn, the air becomes very fresh and crisp. Mulch can become a lifesaver, as it minimises water evaporation from the soil surface, ensuring your plant’s don’t become too damp. This also ensures they have consistent hydration.

In an article from Home & Gardens, where eight different types of mulch are discussed, they state that ‘the important thing to remember is that mulches can be divided into two main categories: inorganic and organic’. If you are looking for organic, it has been  recommended to look for bark chippings, homemade compost or grass clippings. However, inorganic mulch can also be a great option. You can opt for alternatives such as gravel and pebbles, landscaping fabric or even rubber mulch. 

3. Pruning and Trimming

Preparing plants for winter through pruning is a crucial practice that promotes the overall health and resilience amongst all your garden’s plants, trees and shrubbery. As the temperature begins to drop and the growing season comes to a close, removing dead or diseased growth becomes even more important to the overall wellness of your garden.  Pruning serves as a preventative measure, eliminating potential hiding places for pests and diseases that could otherwise thrive in the dormant season.

4. Soil Enrichment with Nutrient-Rich Compost

Another great way to improve your garden’s overall appearance and wellness during autumn is to use a compost that is rich in nutrients. Soil serves as the ultimate powerhouse of nutrients that can invigorate the earth below and foster a thriving garden ecosystem. 

Compost acts as a natural organic fertiliser which not only nourishes plants but also improves soil structure and water retention. Using compost can be a great way to improve the fertility of your soil, even in autumn but also contribute to more sustainable gardening practices. Speak to your professional gardening team directly, who will be able to offer you personalised advice based on your estate’s needs, and also can help you get started on your garden’s wellness journey.

5. Bulb Planting for Spring 

When planning ahead for a vibrant spring garden, autumn bulb planting is key. Building on the success of a well-executed spring planting, you will have to put some consideration into your selection of bulbs. For example, consider incorporating British classics such as tulips and daffodils, which not only add a burst of colour but also symbolise the arrival of spring. 

Tulips, with their diverse array of colours and varieties, create a stunning visual impact, while daffodils offer a charming, naturalised look. Planting these bulbs in the autumn will allow them to have enough time to establish their roots before winter, ensuring a spectacular display when spring arrives. With thoughtful planning and the right bulb selection, you can lay the foundation for a beautiful and well-maintained spring garden.

6.Pest Management for Next Year's Growth

In the autumn, as mentioned previously, is the perfect time to start removing dead plants and infested branches. By removing these from your garden or estate, you can eliminate any potential nesting sites and reduce the risk of other pest infestations. 

In autumn, we would recommend requesting a garden clean up from your garden maintenance service. With a lot of leaves falling down during the colder months, alongside other branches and debris, a perfect hiding space for unwanted pests is created. By regularly having a professional gardening maintenance service clean up your outdoor space, you can eradicate any potential nesting sites and disrupt a pest’s life cycle.

7. Clean Up Garden Beds

Another way to enhance your garden’s wellness in autumn is to clean up your garden beds. You can remove any spent annuals and trim back perennials which may have overgrown in the warmer months.  This not only contributes to the aesthetic appeal of your garden but also plays a crucial role in preventing the potential spread of diseases and pests that can often target decaying or dead plant material. 

Additionally, trimming back overgrown perennials is essential for maintaining the overall balance of your garden. Perennials that flourished during the warmer months can benefit from a strategic pruning, promoting better air circulation and reducing the risk of fungal issues. This clean-up process not only fosters a visually pleasing landscape but also sets the stage for a rejuvenated and resilient garden in the following growing season.

8. Leaf Management for a Tidy Garden

In any season, leaf management plays a pivotal role in your garden’s overall wellbeing. TO maintain that healthy and vibrant landscape, even through autumn, putting leaf management at the top of your priority list is a must. 

As well as aesthetic benefits, proper leaf care can help all the plants, trees and shrubs in your garden continue to thrive. Raking is a fundamental aspect of leaf management, and the timing of this can be crucial. Regular removal of fallen leaves prevents them from smothering the grass and inhibiting sunlight and airflow, which can lead to ongoing fungal issues. When raking, you may notice that your professional gardening team will use a gentle technique which will avoid damaging your turf, lawn or uprooting any plants. 

Again, if you are looking for an eco-friendly way to dispose of unwanted debris, you can instead choose to compost your waste. The collected leaves can enrich your soil and provide valuable nutrients. Shredding the leaves before composting accelerates the decomposition process and ensures a more homogeneous mix. 

9. Creating Wildlife-Friendly Features

According to the article titled ‘Wildlife garden ideas – 16 ways to transform your backyard into a nature-friendly plot’ from Home & Gardens ‘wildlife garden ideas can bring innumerable benefits to us, our gardens and the environment, as well as wildlife’. Whether you install bird houses around your estate, or use less chemical pesticides, inviting wildlife into your garden can be a great idea - year round! 

10. Protecting Outdoor Furniture for Winter

Ensuring the longevity of outdoor furniture involves proactive measures, especially when preparing for the harsh conditions of the great British winter weather. By storing or covering your furniture during the colder months, you can ensure that your beloved garden furniture pieces are protected from the elements. As professionals, we would recommend storing soft furnishings such as pillows, and other delicate materials  indoors to prevent potential damage from freezing temperatures or excessive moisture. 

For larger pieces like tables and chairs, it’s a good idea to invest in quality covers which are made to be specifically weather-resistant. These will  provide a protective barrier against rain, snow, and UV rays. A top tip from us - before covering over your furniture pieces, ensure that everything has been cleaned and is dry. This prevents a build up of mould or mildew growth.  You could also choose to elevate your furniture off the ground. By preventing contact with the cold, damp surfaces, your garden furniture’s lifespan can be expanded, allowing you to enjoy them for years to come.

Garden and Landscape Design - How BZ Gardens Can Help You

When it comes to garden and landscape design, you want a garden you can enjoy all year round. Here at BZ Gardens, we understand the importance of not only how beautiful a garden can look, but also how healthy it can be. As we move into the colder months, it’s vital that we stay on top of our garden’s overall wellness. If you would like to learn more about our garden and landscape design services, you can contact us at 01483 967160.

As the weather begins to change, we may find ourselves spending less time in our gardens. In this article, we will be exploring all the secrets that come with maintaining a vibrant and colourful garden in every season, with your gardening design team, including the autumn and winter. From bursts of spring blooms to the slumber of winter, we want to ensure that you are enjoying your garden, all year round. 

Plan Your Garden’s Palette With Your Garden Design Team

When it comes to planning your garden space, it’s a good idea to get a specialised team in to help. Selecting a diverse range of plants will allow you to bring colour to every season - making your garden an enjoyable place to be in all year round. By speaking to your local gardening design team, you will be able to get a better understanding of different bloom times and colours you can have. 

When it comes to estate management, the style of your landscape will greatly influence your colour choices. As professionals in this area, we recommend balancing your warm and cool colours. By combining those distinctly bright tones, such as red, orange and yellow with your colder palette like blue, green and purple, you can create a garden with great visual interest. A balance of both these colour palettes will lead to a harmonious blend and be visually appealing to the eye. You can also play with foliage as an additional colour element. Green is the perfect neutral colour in gardens, which can provide the ideal backdrop for many other hues. 

 The Art of Seasonal Planting

When experimenting with colours in your garden space, it’s important to take seasonal changes into account. As summer turns to autumn, you will need to plan for year-round interest by selecting plants which can provide a completely different colour palette in different seasons. To ensure a vibrant and continuously appealing garden, implement a strategy of succession planting. This means planning for various plants to bloom in the same area sequentially. As one set of plants naturally fades, the next set will take over, providing ongoing colour and visual interest.

 For the UK, it's essential to align planting times with local climate conditions. Research the average bloom times of your chosen plants and stagger planting dates accordingly to maximise the impact of each variety. Group plants with similar bloom times in clusters, allowing one cluster to take over when another is past its peak. 

We would recommend selecting long-blooming plant varieties, both perennials and annuals, that can provide colour for several weeks or months. To maintain interest even when flowers are in bloom, incorporate evergreen trees, shrubs, and plants with colourful foliage. For those with vegetable or herb gardens, plan for continuous harvest by staggering plantings throughout the growing season. This approach will keep your garden vibrant and captivating year-round.

The Best Autumn Plant Choices

According to Home & Garden, November is the time to ‘plant up autumn/winter containers, to provide colour throughout the colder months. Evergreen shrubs, Hellebores and Skimmias, Cyclamen and winter flowering Violas make great displays, lasting until early spring’. By choosing the right plants, you can add a touch of warmth and colour to your outdoor space, during this typically grey season. When it comes to the best autumn plant choices, there are so many to choose from. 

For flowering perennial plants, some of one of our favourites has to be Asters. We consider Asters the true stars of autumn, as they offer a wide range of colours, including the cool-toned purples, pinks and white. These daisy-like blooms can add a touch of elegance to any estate or garden. We also love Helenium, as a flowering option for your garden. According to Horticulture.co.uk, ‘if you look after them properly, they'll come back year after year’.  These flowers are rich with warm hues like deep reds and oranges, which can make the perfect choice alongside Asters. 

If you are on the lookout for some annual bloomers, we would also recommend Pansies. They come in various shades, so can fit many aesthetics. They also have a long bloom period which often extends far into the autumn season. Finally, for shrubs, we would suggest Witch Hazel and Euonymus Alatus. 

How To Get The Perfect Autumn Foliage

Incorporating trees and shrubs into your stunning autumn foliage can also increase how visually appealing your landscape can be. Firstly, we would suggest working with your gardening design team to select focal points within your garden or estate space. You can choose deciduous or evergreen trees and shrubs which will have vibrant autumn foliage and then place them strategically in eye-catching spots. Not only can these draw the attention of visitors, but they can also add seasonal interest. 

We would also suggest looking at contrasting the colours of your trees and shrubs. By combining trees and shrubs with contrasting autumn colours, you will be able to create a visually striking effect. For example, pairing a maple tree with red foliage and a smoke bush with purple leaves can be eye-catching. 

Or, in autumn, the Euonymus Alatus changes into a beautiful shade of red, which can make a stunning focal point in your garden. Witch Hazel is also extremely popular. These plants smell amazing and come in eye-catching shades of yellow, orange and red. They often bloom in late winter, but can sometimes have a second flush of flowers in the autumn season. 

Preparing For The Winter Months

As well as planning out how to bring colour to every season in autumn, you will also need to consider how to maintain your garden space in the colder months. 

Pruning Your Plants Ready For Winter 

Firstly, pruning your trees and shrubs during their dormant season, which is typically late winter or early spring, while promoting further growth when spring comes. Your gardening design team will remove any dead or diseased branches in order to maintain their shape and stimulate new foliage to grow. 

Why Mulching Matters 

During this season, it’s also a great idea to apply a layer of mulch around the base of your trees and shrubs. This will increase their chances of retaining moisture and regulate soil temperature. When it starts to get frosty, the delicate root system your plants have created can be affected. Mulch offers a protective layer and even enhances the overall appearance of your garden. 

Winter Watering Schedule

It’s vital that even in the autumn and winter, your trees, plants and shrubs all receive an adequate amount of water. You may have to slightly adjust your watering schedule with the seasons changing, but to help maintain healthy foliage and vibrate autumn colours, knowing when to water your plants is a must. 

Pest & Disease Management

It’s also important to not forget about pests and diseases in the colder months. Your gardening design team will be sure to inspect your trees and shrubs for any signs of pests and diseases. It’s vital to address issues like this promptly to maintain the health and appearance of the plants.

Designing Your Garden For Autumn

As well as adding a bout of colour through your tree, plant and shrub choices, you can also add some fun design elements which can make your garden an exciting place to be in, even during the autumn and winter. 

Country Living states that ‘lighting is the best way to add interest and personality to your garden’ during autumn. With the days getting shorter, it can mean that we have less daylight to spend outside - festive lighting can be the answer. Why install a string of fairy lights around your pergolas, or along mapped out garden paths to create a warm and inviting ambiance? As well as being able to enjoy the garden lighting outside, you can also find pleasure viewing your landscape from your house’s windows. 

Another way to get the most out of your garden in the autumn is to install a fire pit or outdoor heater. If you are planning on entertaining this festive season, a fire pit can create a unique and cosy gathering spot, where you can enjoy the garden with guests on the cooler evenings. 

Peppered in between your arranged shrubs and flowers, we would also suggest adding an array of garden ornaments. These decorative elements can be strategically placed throughout your garden, catching the eye and reflecting the warm autumn light. 

How Our Groundwork Services Can Help You

Here at BZ Gardens, our team of professional gardeners have the expertise and experience to help you craft a tailored garden design which will perfectly align with your requirements and space. As the colder months roll around, we want to ensure that your garden is still flourishing to its full potential. Our groundwork services can help make your space functional, and well-organised. If you have any questions, or would like to set your garden up in time for winter, don’t be afraid to contact one of our team at

With autumn well and truly here, it’s imperative that we start thinking about how the weather changing can affect our plants. Tender plants and trees can suffer from the cold, and be massively affected by the upcoming frosty months. In this article, we will be providing vital top tips for how you can transition your estate or garden into this new season. 

Assess Your Garden

First things first; take stock of your garden. You will need to determine what plants will need a little help towards the colder months. We recommend looking for signs of stress or damage- this can look like wilting, insect infestation, or even diseases. It’s important to note that plants in pots, flowers in beds or trees will all need to be treated differently, and could require varying levels of care. 

Pruning and Deadheading

Pruning and deadheading your plants can promote a much healthier growth overall, meaning they will be able to flourish in the next season. Removing finished or spent blooms can not only prevent diseases but by asking your estate management team to trim back any overgrowth or dead growth your plants may have will encourage them to develop new foliage. 

Watering Your Plants

In the UK, both autumn and winter can be extremely cold. September, October and November are considered the beginning of the more chillier evenings, with December, January and February expected to be icy cold. Due to this, your gardening team may look to adjust their watering schedule to keep up with the colder temperatures. In autumn and winter, plants go into hibernation and have little to no activity. By overwatering them, you can cause root rot. Your estate management team will also assess if there is proper drainage put in place for your plants.

Mulching

As the temperatures drop, it’s important to consider how you will regulate the soil temperature around your plants. We recommend applying a layer of mulch around the base of your more delicate plants to retain that all important moisture. To protect your roots and leaves, if you have planter beds, you can add bark or compost. 

As professional gardeners, we would recommend applying mulch in late autumn. Once the ground has cooled down considerably, before the very first frost. This will allow the soil to keep as much heat as possible and protect your plants from any sudden temperature drops, or drastic changes. Before applying mulch, your gardening team will ensure that it has direct contact with your soil. Dead leaves, weeds and various other types of debris can get in the way, and prevent the mulch from being put around the base of the plants. 

In terms of ‘how much mulch is too much?’It's vital to not pile it around the plant’s stem. Doing this can lead to moisture retention and fungal issues later on. Keeping a clear path around the stem will minimise the chances of the mulch doing more harm than good. 

Protection From The Frost

As well as applying mulch around your tend plants, you may also have to think about how the frost is going to affect your trees and potted plants. 

Protecting Your Trees Against Frost

You can, like with other plants, also apply mulch around the base of your trees. Again, be careful not to mound it against the trunk. Use organic mulch, like wood chips or shredded leaves to help regulate the soil temperature around the trees during autumn. As well as mulch, you can also wrap any delicate or brittle branches that might be prone to breaking under the weight of a heavy snow or ice. 

According to the Royal Horticultural Society, ‘winter wrappings are best put in place at the first warning of frost, usually between September and November’. Wrapping or staking these branches can provide them extra protection and support from the changing elements.  There are few ways this can be done; you can opt for tree wrap, which is a specialised product made from materials such as burlap or fabric. Burlap itself is also a great option. Burlap is known for its natural and breathable fabric which is perfect for protecting young plants against harsh winters. You can also opt for horticultural fleece, which acts as a lightweight frost cloth which can protect against any frost of cold. A horticultural fleece is typically used on small and medium crowns with straw and leaves used for filling.

As well as wrapping your branches, your gardening team may suggest a frost burner. It's important that towards the end of the season, in March till April to avoid any frost damage on flowers which appear on your trees. Selecting a high-quality frost burner which has been designed for outdoor use can starve off frost.  There are a variety of types, such as; oil-burning, propane or electric heaters. We can help you choose one that will suit your needs and is safe for the surrounding environment. We will position the frost burners strategically around the tree you are looking to protect, and by spacing them in the evening, we will be sure that your tree has adequate coverage. 

Protecting Your Potted Plants Against Frost

As well as your trees, your potted plants may not enjoy the frosty weather. It’s important to identify which of your potted plants are considered ‘tender’ and may be sensitive to the change in temperature. We would recommend waiting until the temperature consistently drops to a level that tender plants cannot tolerate before considering moving them inside.

For some potted plants, we wouldn’t recommend moving them completely to an inside space. Some can simply be moved to a sheltered area, which has no direct wind and is considered to be more covered from the elements. We would suggest opting to  move some of your potted plants closer to walls, as they provide a different temperature, which can be a couple of degrees warmer. 

For the plants you are looking to move inside, it’s important to adjust their watering and lighting schedules. It’s easy to waterlog plants or not provide them with enough appropriate light conditions. This change in routine, without adjustments, can cause plants to not reach their full flourishing potential. During this moving process, you can also refresh the containers with new soil if it’s necessary.

How BZ Gardens Can Help With Your Arboricultural services 

At BZ GARDENS, we offer a complete range of horticultural services tailored to the unique needs and desires of each of our clients, all year round. Our dedicated and skilled teams are not only reliable but also passionate about what they do. They work diligently to uphold the highest standards of green space maintenance, so you can unwind and savour your outdoor oasis, even in the colder seasons. If you would like to speak to one of our team members, contact us at 01483 967160 or email us at info@bzgardens.co.uk.

With autumn here, it’s time to start thinking about getting your garden ready for spring. Autumn offers optimum conditions for some of the most popular spring flowers and with our expert guide, you will have a blooming garden come March next year. In this article, we will be covering everything from when you should look at planting yours spring bulb, what flowers are some of our all time favourites, and how you can prepare your outdoor space 

When Should Spring Bulb Planting Take Place?

If you are looking to prepare your garden for spring next year, now is the perfect time. Autumn offers the optimal conditions for spring bulbs - the soil is still warm enough and the bulbs will be able to develop a root system which will allow them to bloom when spring rolls around. After all, your spring flowers popping up signals the rebirth of your garden and the start of a fresh new growing season. 

Typically, spring flower bulbs are planted between the months of September and November. This can depend on the variety of plant you are wishing to grow, but for most spring bulbs, we would recommend this time of time. If your gardening team were to  plant daffodils, tulips, fritillaries or crocus, now for example, you will find that your garden comes alive with flowers come spring.

The Most Common Spring Bulbs & What Gardens They Suit Best

As gardening experts, we understand what a pop of colour can do to a landscape. As well as a lush grass lawn, you will also want to scatter a collection of different flowers to ensure all year round beauty. But, what are the most common spring bulbs, and what garden do they suit the best?

1. Tulips

When you think of beautiful flowers, do you think of tulips? We definitely do. Tulips are popular for a reason - they come in a variety of colours which are sure to spruce up your garden in the springtime. According to Home & Garden, tulips are ‘one of the most versatile of spring-flowering bulbs. You can plant tulip bulbs in containers where they look as good as they do in borders.’

Once planted, tulips tend to look their best between April and May - they are also commonly deemed the most ‘versatile’ of spring flowers as they not only come in an array of colours, but also have varying flowering heights and flower forms. No matter your garden design style, there will be a tulip that will suit your planting schemes. 

As gardening experts, we can confidently say that tulips will fit a contemporary, minimalist or modern garden alike. When working with your gardening and design team, be sure to have your tulips planted in the full sun in the North or particle shade in the South. This is the optimal amount of sunlight for your plants. The bulbs of the tulips will also need to be planted pointed end up in well-drained soil which has a pH between 6 and 7. It is also recommended to plant your tulip bulbs in November, as it can reduce the overall risk of the dreaded tulip fire disease - a fungal issue caused by Botrytis tulipae. Tulip fire disease can not only kill your flowers, but also cause them to produce brown spots and become twisted.

2. Crocus

Another popular go-to is the breathing crocus flowers. Similar to the tulip, the crocus comes in a variety of colours which will work really well with any designed landscape. Shaped like small goblets, these flowers bloom in early spring and will light up your garden space with fanatics colours. Not only are crocuses beautiful, but they also provide many wildlife advantages. For example, they provide extremely valuable nectar to bumblebees - perfect if you are looking to make your garden more biodiversity-friendly. 

Whilst the classic crocus looks breath-taking in most gardens, we would recommend planting them in swathes. These plants are small but mighty - by planting them in groups you can be sure that they will make the desired impact you are after. Also, if you opt for crocuses, then you can be assured you are getting some resilient bulbs - they will continue to pop up year after year.

3. Daffodils

Now, would it truly be spring without the mention of daffodils? They are better known as the ‘birth flower’ of March and symbol new beginnings - much like the arrival of spring. Not to mention, their eye-catching yellow will add a pop of colour to any flower display. 

The daffodil, or as they are sometimes called in the UK, lent lilies, are best planted in early autumn or September. Whilst daffodils can take a while to establish themselves, they can be planted right up until Christmas time. 

4. Bluebells

If you are looking for a classic UK addition to your garden,  then you can’t go wrong with some bluebells. Like their name, you can expect a beautiful display of blues and purples upon planting these Hyacinthoides non-scripta. 

Unlike the flowers above, bluebells can take a long time to establish themselves and their rooting patterns. Once planted, these robust bulbs can naturalise freely and will continue to spring up over the years. They compliment tulips and crocuses extremely well as well as being useful to bumblebees and other pollinators too.

5. Grape Hyacinths

Another popular flower to plant in time for spring is the grape hyacinths.  The low-growing bulbs are a perfect design choice if you are looking for a dense mat of colour along the borders of your garden or in the flowering beds. For an expert gardening team, these flowers are easy to care for, as they are known to be unfussy and efficient in their own right. 

Alongside bluebells, these will create a beautiful cottage-style garden, which will invite wildlife in the springtime. If you are looking to offset the extravagant colours of your tulips and crocuses, then grape hyacinths could be an ideal addition. With their blue, pink or white varieties, you can add a specific colour to your ever-growing design.

What To Consider When Preparing a Garden For Spring Bulb Planting 

Choosing The Right Bulbs

It can be a difficult decision as there are so many beautiful options to choose from, but firstly you will have to decide with your design team what plants you are after. As well as choosing based on a colour scheme and general vibe you would like your estate, you can also think about diversity. 

As we’ve mentioned above, some flowering options are ideal for inviting wildlife into your garden. Your gardening team will consider the climate and growing conditions of your land and can recommend bulbs which they know will thrive as well.

What Location To Plant Them In

After narrowing down what plants you would like in your space, your team of gardening experts can start to look at the locations in which they will be planted. For most spring bulbs, they prefer a well-drained soil and locations with a good amount of sunlight. You may also be specifically picking plants to line a border of your garden or to fill a flower bed. The bulbs listed above typically require six hours of direct sunlight a day, which will also need to be taken into consideration.

Preparing Your Soil

With the locations chosen, your local gardening service will then begin to prepare the soil. This will determine the pH level of the ground and ensure that your plants will truly thrive. In general, bulbs prefer a slightly more acidic soil over neutral. This is because, in slightly acidic soil, bulb roots tend to function better, meaning that they take up water and nutrients more efficiently. If your soil is either too acidic or alkaline, then the experts will be able to amend it with the appropriate materials. This will adjust the pH of the soil and allow the new bulbs to flourish.

Also, they will take notice of how well the area drains water. In these beginning growing stages, it’s vital that your new plants don’t become waterlogged. By overwatering plants with there being no way for the liquid to move away will cause the bulbs to rot. Your gardening team will assess the situation and deem if it’s appropriate to add organic matter like compost which will improve the overall drainage of the area. 

The Timing Of Your Planting

We would always recommend planting your spring bulbs in autumn to ensure you have a garden full of beautiful flowers come March 2024. Between September and November is perfect for most bulbs, as this allows an ideal amount of time for the plants to establish a complete root system before winter hits. 

Spacing & Depth

The spacing and depth in which your bulbs are planted will be determined by the type of flowers you are using. As a rule of thumb, we would recommend that most bulbs be planted at a depth equal to about three times their flourishing height. However, your professional gardening team will be sure to utilise their knowledge when it comes to planting, to ensure that your outdoor space both flourishes and looks breath-taking.

Watering Your New Bulbs

Finally, watering your new bulbs is of the utmost importance. It’s vital that you have your new plants thoroughly watered to ensure they settle into their new surroundings well. Keeping the ground consistently moist (but not waterlogged) will allow the soil to settle around your new seedlings. 

To improve your plants potential, you can ask your local garden service to incorporate a balanced, slow-release fertiliser. This can provide necessary nutrients for the bulbs and help them bloom after the winter passes. 

BZ Gardens: How Our Local Gardening Services Can Help You

At BZ Garden, we truly take pride in offering our wide range of local gardening services. Not only can we aid in landscape design and planning, garden maintenance and general lawn care, but also want to enhance the beauty and functionality of your outdoor space. No matter the season, our team of skilled and experienced gardeners are here to assist you in achieving your landscaping and gardening goals. If you have any questions or want to speak to one of our team directly, feel free to contact us on 01483 967160 or drop us an email at info@bzgardens.co.uk.

Well-manicured lawns, beautiful budding flowers, and spectacularly trimmed hedges - having a maintained garden is just as important as having a well-decorated home. 

With the space you have available, you might also consider enriching your garden with outdoor structures that will elevate your home's charm and sophistication - an elegant pavilion for hosting summer soirees, a luxurious outdoor pool for exercise and relaxation, a state-of-the-art greenhouse to cultivate exotic plants, or a bespoke garden studio as a serene retreat.

However, before undertaking any outside building projects in your garden, it’s vital that you look at the groundwork it will take to complete your vision.  Careful consideration and attention to groundwork services and the establishment of strong foundations are important elements in landscape construction and helping you achieve your dream garden. 

Here are some key reasons highlighting the importance of foundations and footings:

1. Stability & Structural Integrity 

Firstly, foundations offer stability and structural integrity to a building. The foundation serves as the primary support system for any structure, and ensures the stability - this can prevent structural failure. A properly designed and constructed foundation will work to distribute the weight of a building evenly. This can be crucial in the long-term life of a property, as it provides stability and integrity to any outdoor garden building. 

2. Durability 

As well as offering stability, strong foundations offer durability of a structure too. Foundations and footings provide a solid base which can withstand natural elements such as soil movement, temperature variations and ground moisture - which can help avoid the risk of cracks and structural damage and reduce the need for repairs in the future.

3. Safety 

Safety is of paramount importance when it comes to any garden landscape construction project. 

If you have a lot of friends and family visiting regularly, ensuring your property and garden is safe and secure is a must - a solid and well-built foundation can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and collapses in your garden buildings. 

4. Longevity 

When designing your dream garden space, the longevity of a structure is another consideration to think about. Investing time and resources in groundwork services to establish strong foundations will contribute to the durability of a garden building. 

With a solid base, you can guarantee an extended lifespan of a structure as well as reduce the need for frequent renovations or reconstructions. You will be able to enjoy your garden building for many years to come, and also save on maintenance costs in the future. 

5. Adaptability & Flexibility 

If you’re looking to expand or make additions to your outdoor buildings over time, having a strong foundation will also provide flexibility for future modifications and

will put you in a better place to facilitate these alterations.

6. Value Preservation

Solid foundations can serve as a guarantee of longevity, which in the long run, can minimise how much you could potentially spend on repairs as time goes on. 

If you priortise the quality of your foundations and footings of your garden buildings now, you’re in a better position to protect your investment. 

Not to mention, structurally sound garden buildings can also help you command a premium when it comes to re-selling your property as well. 

When Should You Consider Groundwork Services?

Groundwork services are typically undertaken right at the very beginning of a landscape construction project, to prepare the ground surfaces for building work. Our groundwork contractors will always be on hand to clear the site, laydown foundation and establish drainage. 

As experts in the field, we understand the importance of starting off a project as it means to go on. 

What Do Groundwork Contractors Do?

Groundwork services can help you effectively prepare your upcoming garden landscape construction.

To get started, you’ll need groundwork contractors to help clear the site, and lay down your foundations and footings. 

What is Included in Groundwork Services? 

The specific processes involved in groundwork services can vary depending what your desires are, and the nature of the project. 

It is always recommended that before taking on a garden construction project, that you consult with professionals and contractors who specialise in groundwork. This will ensure that all necessary steps are properly executed safely. 

So, what is included in groundwork services?

1. Site Survey

A site survey will be conducted, and this assesses your terrain, soil condition, drainage patterns and also, any potential obstacles that may affect the overall construction process.

2. Excavation

Excavation of the land is vital, as it removes any existing vegetation, debris or obstructions. Excavation could also include digging trenches or holes, as well as foundations, utility lines or drainage systems if needed. 

3. Grading & Levelling

Grading and levelling the ground’s surface will create a more even base for a structure to go on. This process could potentially involve additional soil being added, or removed to achieve the desired level or elevation, and ensure proper drainage. 

4. Foundation Construction

Building a foundation that will support the garden structure can include preparing the base, installing formwork, pouring concrete or laying other foundation materials. 

5. Drainage Installation

In order to manage the water flow, prevent issues like flooding or water accumulation around your garden buildings, you’ll need an effective drainage system. This could potentially involve installing drains, french drains, or other drainage solutions depending on your specific needs.

6. Utility Connections

If your garden structure will be requiring utility services such as electric, water, or gas then these will need to be safely connected up for you. This groundwork phase will include connecting these all-important utilities to the main supply lines or establishing separate systems. 

7. Backfilling & Compaction

To provide additional support, stability and proper load distribution for the foundations and footings, you will need to have the excavated areas around the structure filled in. 

8. Testing & Inspections

After all the above steps have been completed, it's also vital that necessary tests and inspections are run on the groundwork too. Any outside structures have to meet the required standards and regulations and will be tested for such. These tests can include soil testing, structural inspections, or drainage system assessments. 

BZ Gardens: Specialists in groundwork services and landscape construction

Foundations and footings form the bedrock for high-value garden buildings - they are essential for ensuring stability, strength and longevity.  When you’re looking for a groundwork contractor, it’s important that you choose someone that you can trust. 

At BZ Gardens, we’ve been providing groundwork services across Greater London, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex for more than 12 years - serving hundreds of happy customers. 

We’re able to deliver the full range of groundwork services listed in this post, including:

• Excavations
• Site clearance
• Foundations and footings
• Mini piling
• Utility trench work
• Drainage

Once your garden building project is underway, we can help you create pathways and walkways from your home to your garden buildings - which are important if you want to protect your lawn, and we can also support incorporating landscaping elements such as planting trees, flowers, or shrubs.

Get in touch to find out more about how BZ Gardens can help you achieve a luxurious garden space: 01483 967160

Sparkling ponds, breath taking water features, secluded outdoor rooms, well-manicured lawns, and a peaceful pool - the idyllic place for guests to unwind away from the hustle and bustle. If you are looking to design a garden which is perfect for hosting guests, then continue reading. In this article, our experts discuss the essential elements for designing a carefully curated, and interesting garden space which your guests are bound to love. 

Maximising Space for Socialising

Your garden designer and landscape architect team will be looking to maximise the space you have in your garden for socialising. Creating distinct areas for guests, whether they are there for entertainment purposes, dining or general relaxing. 

Multi-Level Terraces

Multilevel landscape design will utilise terraces, steps, walls and decks to create a more intriguing and functional garden layout. The concept of multi-level terraces has been growing in popularity - Ideal Homes, the online publication and magazine, expressed earlier this year that multi-level terraces are a great way to add dimension to your garden space. Not only do they create accessible planting beds, for a further array of greenery to grow, but they also allow for a more varied space for guests to socialise in. 

Outdoor Rooms

Outdoor rooms placed throughout the grounds can be a great way to anticipate your guests needs, and accommodate many different activities. When it comes to holding events, predicting your guests preferences can be a difficult feat - but with intricately designed outdoor spaces available, it will remove this potential stress. 

Furnishing these rooms can also make for a much more exciting time. A cleverly laid out outdoor room can offer a welcome casual dining space - think, seat cushions, throws and a variety of soft furnishings to make for a comfortable experience for you and your guests. Or, for a large outdoor room, a more formal dining situation can be put together, with high-quality, and sturdy pieces which invite a sense of elegance to your garden space. Another great way you can utilise an outdoor room for more intimate affairs would be to create a compact bistro feel with a handy set of tables and chairs that can be folded up and stored out of sight when they are not being used. 

Outdoor Dining and Entertainment Areas

When it comes to designing your outdoor garden space, your garden designer and landscape architect team will want to know your vision for entertaining guests. Your outdoor dining and entertainment areas are of the utmost importance, and will require well-thought through planning in order to get your desired look and feel. For example, ensuring you have high-end outdoor furniture to allow for ample seating for your guests is crucial. Here are some notable additions that could feature in your garden space. 

Outdoor Cinema

Nothing quite says ‘party’ like an outdoor cinema - particularly with these long summer evenings. If you are hosting a get-together soon, then having a dedicated space for your guests to relax is a must. 

Imagine this - the warming scents of summer flowers starting to bloom, mingled with the freshly cut grass from your well-manicured lawn. Friends and family gathered around, lounging on comfortable furniture, nibbling on popcorn whilst their favourite film plays. 

Putting Green

If you want every event you hold to be a hole-in-one, then a putting green is a fine idea. Rain or shine, adding an artificial putting green in your back garden will give you and your guests a fun pastime, and also, when you aren’t hosting, will give you a chance to work on your short game. 

With a professionally designed and landscaped putting green, there will be no reason to drive to your favoured golf course. You can simply network, and spend quality time with your guests around your very own green, from the comfort of your very own garden. 

Outdoor Fireplace or Fire Pit

As the evening winds down, an outdoor fire pit or fireplace will uphold the ambiance of the event. A grand fireplace, accompanied by comfortable seating is a great space to unwind, and will offer warmth in the cooler evenings. 

Making a fire pit one of the main focal points of your large garden space can extend your evenings outdoors for both you and your guests. With a roaring fire going, you will be able to stay alfresco for much longer. Not to mention, fire pits are a much more eco-friendly option then most garden heaters. Country Living has been recommending fire pits since 2021, as a luxurious addition to any garden. Not only are fire pits functional, but they make maintenance much easier, and more environmentally friendly too. 

Outdoor Kitchen or Bar Area

As well as creating a welcoming space with a warm ambience, you may also want an area which makes serving your guests a meal all the more simpler. Outdoor kitchens, bar areas and barbecue facilities are all popular additions to a garden space. Integrating one, or more, of these into your garden design can facilitate a seamless transition between hosting and food preparation. 

Luxurious Pool and Spa Facilities

With summer here, many people are opting to have outside gatherings with poolside amenities included. High-end swimming pools, spas, or even a well-placed water feature will all create a resort-like atmosphere that your guests will love. 

Plunge Pool

Outdoor pools are an unsurpassed feature which is typically found in large estates or grounds. However, a plunge pool is ideal for those looking to upgrade their pool and spa facilities. A plunge pool is made for lounging and cooling off, not swimming or activities - making it the perfect addition for the visitors simply looking to cool off in the summer heat. These pools are typically much smaller than their traditional counterparts, and can be positioned alongside your outdoor swimming space.

Poolside Facilities 

As well as having a well looked after pool, adding other luxurious spaces is quintessential for summer get togethers by the pool. To add a serene and peaceful feel to your garden, poolside cabanas, and loungers will give your guests the ideal space to sit back, and relax. 

When it comes to furniture, wood, stone, line and cotton are the ideal candidates for outside decor. These materials are not only beautiful and create a sophisticated warmth to any space, they are also durable and can withstand the elements. 

Landscaping and Greenery

Trees, floral displays, and trimmed hedges all add to the visual appeal of your outdoor space. There is a captivating allure to having large landscaped gardens which have been curated and designed specifically for hosting get togethers. Through landscaping and greenery, you are sure to evoke a sense of wonder from your guests. 

Landscaping Choices 

Your garden designer can point you in the right direction when it comes to seasonal flowers, and plants to have in your garden - but naturally, you will want your garden looking spectacular all year round. 

We would suggest keeping the planting simple, yet sophisticated. By using a variety of grasses, roses, and some other evergreen shrubs, your grounds will look lush and green all-year round. Once all of the greenery has been planted to your liking, then the seasonal pops of colour can be added. Ensure your garden looks it’s best all year round by seeking expert advice from your garden and landscape designer. 

Artistic Touches 

As well as beautiful greenery, adding an artistic touch to your garden will create even more intrigue - a focal point to your garden can really catch your guest’s eye. Art and sculptures throughout a green space offers an avenue for self-expression, and a way to create a sense of individuality.  A water feature, sculpture, art installation, or even an interestingly-placed array of colourful planters will add a touch of uniqueness and whimsy to your garden, setting it apart from others.  

If you are planning a large event, you could even rotate your favourite pieces to be on theme, and add further excitement to your gathering.  Outdoor pieces that are often left outside will be exposed to the elements. This can cause general wear and tear, or a build up of dirt or dust. Regularly having your favourite pieces rotating in and out of your garden, as well as ensuring they are cleaned using appropriate methods and materials will help prevent this. 

Thoughtful Lighting and Ambiance

Another important aspect when it comes to designing your outdoor space is the lighting. In the summer, garden maintenance becomes even more vital, as many festivities take place outside - and as the sun starts to set, it’s crucial that the lighting of your garden stays just as welcoming as it did on your guests' arrival. 

We suggest choosing lighting which is warm, and creates a cosy glow. If you have a cupola, bower, canopy, pergola or even a platform present, then having the natural light supplemented by overhead lighting will ensure your guests can see well, even as the sun sets for the day. Upon designing your desired outdoor space, when in discussion with your garden designer, it’s vital to take into account how the sun moves during the day, and where best to use artificial lights. 

Garden Privacy 

If enjoy hosting and entertaining often, then ensuring your garden has the utmost amount of privacy is extremely important. With larger garden spaces, it can be more difficult to get full coverage when it comes to privacy. After all,  any large open area can be prone to wandering eyes from potential neighbours or even passers-by.

Deciduous Trees

A great way to get around this is to choose a mix of deciduous trees which you can have strategically planted alongside evergreens. This will give you a much more balanced privacy solution, which not only does the job well, but will look heavenly, and give you a lovely amount of dappled light as well. Your garden designer and landscape architect team will be able to create a space which is both perfect for entertaining and beautiful to look at.  One of the best ways to ensure that your outdoor space keeps to the maximum level of privacy, whilst also remaining tidy all-year round would be to involve monthly maintenance from garden and landscape professionals. 

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Design

Regular garden maintenance encourages your garden, and everything in it, to flourish. As well as having well-manicured grounds with a variety of interesting landscaping and design choices, why not also consider making your garden more eco-friendly? 

Native Planting

With a large space comes many options for what to plant. Opting for native plants in your garden could not only be better for the environment, but also, for adding charm and character to your space. If you are one for botanical beauty, then native plants are a great way to add variety to your green space. 

Native plants are greenery which have formed a symbiotic relationship with native wildlife over thousands of years. Therefore, these plants offer a much more sustainable habitat for wildlife. Native plants adapt to the local environment around them - which means they naturally require less water, and time when it comes to taking care of them. 

Solar Panels & Rainwater Harvest Systems

Solar panels and rainwater harvest systems are a perfect way to introduce a more eco-friendly garden in high-end outdoor designs. Whilst certain additions such as solar panels can bring many numerous benefits for homeowners, they can also work well alongside large garden spaces too. If you are planning on adding outdoor lighting to your garden, then having solar panels, either as a back up or primary source of power, is one of the best ways to make your grounds more environmentally conscious. 

When designing your garden, making space for a rainwater harvest system is something your plants will definitely thank you for. Rainwater harvesting systems work to collect rainwater, which typically runs off large surfaces, such as our roofs. All of this water is then stored in tanks. Whilst this might sound like a potential garden eye-sore, these tanks can either be overground, and made to look aesthetically-pleasing, or simply hidden underground. This is a great way to recycle rainwater, and use it for watering your garden. 

BZ Gardens - Garden and Landscape Design Specialists 

A meticulously designed and landscaped outdoor space can serve as a haven which promotes relaxation, and enjoyment for both your family, and guests. With the proper care, your grounds can provide a seamless blend of botanical beauty with functionality, and fun. 

Our experts here at BZ Gardens can perform monthly maintenance to ensure that estates' gardens or grounds remain flawless all year round. Find out more about our garden and landscape design services HERE, or get in touch with us on 44 1483 299797. We’d be more than happy to help!

Property maintenance services are a proactive way of sustaining the value of a property, be it your home, a hotel, or your rented buildings. Maintaining clean, safe, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor spaces maximises your home's potential by focusing on the smaller jobs over time that can stop the bigger jobs from piling up later down the line.

What is Property Maintenance?

Property maintenance is the act of preserving a building and its surroundings to ensure the value, safety, and style remain intact. It’s doing the work now, to save big issues arising later on that could have been avoided.

What Are The Types of Property Maintenance?

• Cosmetic Maintenance - for the aesthetics of the property, often done between tenants on rented properties.
• Routine Maintenance - tasks performed at regular intervals be it weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or yearly.
• Preventive Maintenance - maintenance that future-proofs the item or area to avoid a bigger issue arising.
• Corrective Maintenance - the process of fixing an issue or damage if it wasn’t done previously or was an unforeseen circumstance.

Why Should You Invest in Property Maintenance Services To Maximise Your Home’s Potential:

It Makes The Area Safer

An important reason to keep on top of property maintenance is to make the area, be it the grounds of a home or hotel, safer. Leaving grounds unkept with loose paving or slippery surfaces in public places or in the grounds of a building you rent out can cause injury, and therefore may potentially lead you or your company to be involved in a lawsuit. Choosing a trusted property maintenance service company can ensure your site is clear, tidy, and therefore safe for whoever visits. We offer a range of hard landscaping maintenance services such as weed control every 6-8 weeks alongside moss and algae control as well as pressure cleaning 

in January or February. 

It Can Improve Customer and Employee Satisfaction Alike

As a landlord or hotel owner, customer and employee satisfaction is hugely important. The exterior of your business should promote professionalism and structure; reflecting on what’s within. Staff are much more likely to take pride in their place of work if the company does the same. Happy employees mean happy customers, and happy customers are returning ones.

Aesthetics Matter

When it comes to maximising your home's potential, aesthetics matter. A big reason for hiring a property maintenance service company is the visual benefits it comes with, as well as the rest. Keeping your outdoor space tidy and clean offers a great first, second, and umpteenth impression. Each time your customers or tenants are on the grounds, they will form an opinion before they even reach the doors. This means that ensuring the gardens of the property are kept up to a standard that you would like to be portrayed at is important. You could achieve this by booking bi-weekly driveway clearing and 6-monthly painting (https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/garden-ideas/shed-paint-ideas-270432).

It Keeps Pests At Bay

Routine and preventative maintenance helps reduce the number of pests that like to live in unkept bushes and shrubbery. Making sure these are cut regularly will reduce your chances of troublesome infestations and keep hygiene standards high. We also recommend organising pest and disease control which should be carried out before the growing season commences at the beginning of April. 

It Preserves The Market Value

Well-maintained properties are more likely to retain their market value. Keeping assets to a high standard will not only help in the short term but the long term also. Tasks such as keeping gutters clear of debris and ensuring the roof is cleared and sprayed mean that you are more likely to avoid dampness going into the property. This lessens the chance of water causing damage to the structure and interior.

It Keeps The Ground Usable

Pathways near trees and gravel can often get covered quickly due to leaves falling and stones being kicked while people walk. This can make it hard for disabled visitors or tenants to move around the outside space and maybe even up to the building. Clearing away any debris can help people move around the outside of the property with ease and safely. It’s worth noting that signage placed on walls with climbers or near hedges can easily get covered, so asking your maintenance team to check this on their routine visits would be worthwhile.

It Saves You Time and Expertise

Large garden areas require a lot of work. Thankfully there are expert teams who can come in and tackle the job so you don’t have to. With extensive knowledge of pest control, gutter clearing, vegetation and more, you know your outside space is in good hands.

It Can Be Done While You’re Away

If you’re a landlord who lives away from the property they rent or a hotel owner who doesn’t stay close by, routine property maintenance can give you peace of mind that your property is being looked after. Leave the work to the garden and estate experts to keep your space clean, clear, and functional for all. We offer a range of essential garden maintenance services throughout the year that will prolong and improve the aesthetic value of your outdoor living space.

It Gives You Peace Of Mind That Your Grounds Are Safe

Regular property maintenance services mean the professionals working on your property can pick up on any potential issues or imminent threats that need to be addressed now, or in the near future. This takes the pressure off of you to keep on top of these issues, meaning your mind can be set on something else.

Maximise Your Homes Potential With BZ Gardens Estate and Property Maintenance Services

Keeping your space clean, safe, and to high standards is hugely important to us. Therefore, our routine maintenance covers:

• Guttering and gutter clearing - to avoid build-up of debris and clogging
• Patio, driveway, and pathway clearing - to keep paths clear and remove obstructions
• Black Spot removal - to maintain the stonework and remove fungi and algae
• Outdoor painting (fences, sheds, garden buildings, and garages) - to maximise the aesthetics and keep outbuildings fresh
• Roof spraying and roof cleaning - to ensure moisture cannot absorb into the roof tiles
• Pruning
• Mowing lawns
• Plant and pest disease control
• Creating seasonal flowering borders or planters

Contact Us For Regular Property Maintenance Services

Choosing regular property maintenance services is a proactive step in order to maximise your home's potential rather than a reactive step to aid potentially fallen standards. Opting for safety, aesthetics, and functionality can be a simple step towards the perfect space, and we’d love to help. Contact BZ Gardens (https://bzgardens.co.uk/contact/) on 01483 967160 or email us at info@bzgardens.co.uk to speak to a member of our trusted team today.

Growing fruit in residential areas can be an interesting, fun and rewarding hobby. Many novices dream of plucking perfect fruit of trees or plants in their gardens. However, high quality harvests do not happen without knowledge and a great deal of work. Controlling pests (insects and diseases) is an integral part of the care necessary to achieve good results. 

This blog provides guidelines for pest management in home fruit plantings, but good pest control is not possible if spraying is the only action taken. Success starts with selection of disease resistant cultivars and sites that are open and full sun. Cultural practices such as pruning and sanitation are also necessary for good pest control. 

The Importance Of Plant Protection In Winter and Schedule of Spraying

Most fungicide (disease control product) and some insecticide (insect control product) applications are effective only if applied preventatively because it is not possible to control the pest satisfactorily after infection or infestation. 

In very rainy seasons, sprays may need to be applied more frequently than the usual practice. Wet weather favours development of the disease-causing organisms; thus, more chemical protection is needed. Also, rains can wash off the pesticides (fungicides and insecticides). When rain occurs before a spray has dried or if rainfall totals more than 1 inch within 24 hours, the spray should be re-applied. However, do not delay fungicide application if rain is forecast because fungicides provide more benefit when applied before a rain than after. Protection from infection by disease-causing organisms is needed when plant surfaces are wet. 

Thorough coverage of all aboveground plant parts is needed for good pest control. One of the biggest mistakes home fruit growers make is allowing plants and trees to grow too tall. If dwarf and semi-dwarf trees are selected and then maintained at a manageable height, it is easier to spray them properly as well as to harvest the fruit. Proper pruning practices also reduce the amount of spray needed and permits better coverage. 

The type of sprayer used depends on the size of the fruit planting. For most plantings of small fruits or for a few small fruit trees, hand-pump sprayers are adequate. Trombone-type sprayers are helpful for taller trees. For the increased spray volumes required by larger home orchards, power sprayers are recommended. 

Mixing a commercial spreader-sticker with the spray solution provides better coverage of slick surfaces, such as apple fruit or blackberry stems. See the pesticide label to find a suitable spreader-sticker. 

The product labels give the rates, and those rates must be followed. The label rates are expressed as amount per gallon of water. The following table can be used to determine the amount of spray mixture needed. 

Multipurpose Fruit Spray 

Multipurpose fruit tree spray products are mixtures containing a fungicide and insecticides. Insecticides should not be applied during bloom because they will kill bees. It may be more convenient to purchase the fungicide separate from the insecticide. Multipurpose sprays are effective against some, but not all, pests. 

Protect Pollinating Insects 

Honey bees and other pollinating insects must be protected from insecticides, which will kill them. Do not spray fruit plants with insecticides while the plants are in bloom. The literature is mixed on the safety of copper products (copper sulphate + lime [Bordeaux Mixture], copper hydroxide) for bees, and some literature suggests other fungicides may negatively impact pollinator health. To reduce risk to bees, when applying fungicides during bloom (especially copper products), only apply products during late evening, night, or early morning when bees are not foraging. 

To protect people and the environment, pesticides should be used safely. This is
everyone’s responsibility, especially the user. Read and follow label directions carefully before you buy, mix, apply, store or dispose of a pesticide. According to laws regulating pesticides, they must be used only as directed by the label.

Pesticide Safety 

Most of the pesticides suggested for use in this publication are low-toxicity materials; however, some precautions are still needed. 

• Keep pesticides in the original, labelled container. 
• Keep pesticides in a locked storage cabinet, away from children or pets. 
• Read the label each time before you use the product. 
• Wear rubber gloves, goggles, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and a hat when mixing and applying pesticides. 
• Handle the pesticide carefully when mixing. Avoid breathing dust or vapours. Wash any chemicals on the skin immediately with plenty of water. 
• Never apply insecticides or fungicides with a sprayer that has been used for weed killers. 
• Do not spray if it is windy. 
• Mix only as much as you need. Do not store diluted spray mixtures from one application to the next. They will lose effectiveness and are unsafe. 
• Observe the waiting period in days between the final spray and harvest (pre-harvest intervals) and re-entry requirements given in the following table and on the product label. 

How Do Winter Sprays Work?

Just like the trees are sleeping and recovering during the winter, so are a lot of insects and diseases in their own way. They're going through a dormant period of their own and many of these insects and diseases will do their winter rest on the tree itself. Some examples might be mites, scales, or woolly apple aphids.

Some diseases, particularly bacterial diseases like fire blight, will be residing on the tree itself. And so we want to be aware of that. And in order to reduce the pest pressure or the disease inoculum when the season starts, there are some treatments that we can apply that we need to think about that will help to reduce the population say of overwintering mite eggs or overwintering scale. And by getting a jump on the season, it reduces the potential for those pests and diseases to be bigger problems in season than they would be if we didn't do anything.

One of the most classic applications is horticultural oil. And the horticultural oil would be applied in a dilute spray. And by dilute, I mean maybe 1% to 2% oil in water, and that would be applied to the entire surface of the tree. What the oil does is it essentially smothers the mite eggs or the scale or the woolly apple aphids.

Some other sprays can be applied, copper being one of them, lime sulphur would be another, and also neem oil and Karanja oil which are seed oils from trees in India have also become very popular. They act differently than horticultural petroleum oils and they actually have some added benefits for the health of the tree, but in the dormant season, those are the basic options that we're dealing with to help with these overwintering insects and disease pressures.

When it comes to oils or copper and lime sulphur, if those products are applied when there's foliage on the tree, you can get what's called phytotoxicity. So these products can damage or burn off the leaves. And if it's even later than that, they could potentially burn the flowers or lead to roughened fruit.

And so, if it is known there is a mite problem or a scale problem, these products need to be applied earlier in the dormant season. Maybe in late January, mid to late March or so. At that time, you can apply them at a higher rate and have a greater impact on those pest species populations.

The sooner we get to that bud swell, bud break, and what we call green tip, which is when you start to see the very, very first hints of green tissue emerge, we need to reduce the rates so that we don't cause any phytotoxicity problems in the tree itself.

And so, by reducing the rates once the buds start to break, we're obviously going to have less efficacy against some of those insects and disease pests. But as well, those pests are starting to wake up and they become more susceptible. So, there's a little bit of a sweet spot.

We don't like to recommend applying anything too early in the dormant season. We also don't want to apply it too late because then we have to reduce the rates too much. So somewhere right around what we call delayed dormant. So just as the buds start to swell, but before there's that green tissue, that's really the sweet spot of when you want to apply these for the most efficacy.

Spraying Different Plants 

Proper identification of insect pests and diseases is an important step before attempting to control the pest. Not all plant problems are caused by pests; some are caused by cultural, nutritional or environmental conditions. 

If you are unsure, feel free to contact our experts who provide a host of garden maintenance services. 

BZ Gardens - Garden Maintenance Services 

Winter wash spraying your plants and shrubbery is a great way to improve their longevity and health going into spring and summer. Our experts at BZ Gardens offer a range of important garden maintenance services to improve your garden's appearance and health, whether you need a general tidy-up or some trimming we’d be happy to offer our assistance. For more information take a look at our services here, alternatively get in touch with us here. 

If you’re looking to spruce up your outdoor surfaces, pressure cleaning and black spot removal are two of the most effective methods for removing built-up dirt and grime. Pressure cleaning can restore the original beauty of a variety of surfaces, including decks, patios, driveways and more. It is an ideal way to remove dirt and debris that has built up over time, as well as mould and mildew. If your patio has developed black marks which you are struggling to remove, the probability is that your patio is suffering from Black Spot. Homeowners are shocked when they see their surfaces after our pressure washing and cleaning gardening services. 

How Do Patios & Pathways Accumulate Dirt? What is Black Spot?

Black Spot is a lichen which thrives on stone surfaces in the damp and shady conditions that are so common in the UK. The characteristics of the lichen are that as it matures, it sends out tendrils (hyphae) into the pores of the stone seeking nutrients from the minerals in the stone and the detritus that collects on the patio. These gradually spread through the surface of the affected stone like fine roots. The hyphae are an anchoring system for the black spot visible on the surface of the stone. This in part is what makes this problem so difficult to remove, as many cleaners only deal with the surface issue. To effectively remove black spots in the long-term, the hyphae have to be destroyed, which in turn will enable the surface black spots to be removed by manual brushing or power washing after treatment.

Black Spot is a bigger problem on stones that have larger pores as part of its structure because they offer the ideal surface for the hyphae to spread. Therefore, Black Spot does not generally occur on Indian limestone because the structure of the stone is very close grained and there is no opportunity for detritus to collect on the surface. Typical Indian limestones that would be in this group are Kota Brown, Kota Blue, Black Limestone & Tundra Limestone. Conversely, sandstone has a much more open texture with larger pores and is therefore much more likely to be affected by Black Spot.

However, there is a hierarchy within the Indian sandstones, whereby some colours are more affected than others. For instance, the better-quality Raj Green is one of the densest, close textured sandstones available, and therefore, because of its structure, will not be affected.

However, as you move through the colour range of the Indian Sandstones from dark to light, the occurrence of Black Spot becomes more prevalent:

• Black Sandstone – Slightly Affected

• Kandla Grey

• Modak

• Mellow Yellow

• Fossil Mint – Highly Affected

Fossil Mint, one of the most popular Indian sandstones, has the lightest colour and the largest pores, so it is the stone surface that is going to have the worst incidence of Black Spot, particularly if the stone is laid in damp, shady conditions with lots of surrounding plant growth.

How To Remove The Build Up

During the first 2 years after a stone surface has been laid, any Black Spot growth will appear to be simply a surface problem that can be successfully removed by power washing. However, this is not removing or killing the spreading hyphae that are within the stone surface. Over an extended period, the hyphae, now well-established within the stone surface, creates an anchor for the black spot to colonise the stone surface which will become increasingly blackened, and more difficult to clean away.

The use of a high temperature, low pressure steam cleaner (such as Doff) will kill the black spot but won’t always remove the more stubborn black marks on the stone unfortunately (dead but not removed!).

A far more effective way of killing and removing black spot, is to use specially designed and formulated products, which have been developed by scientists after researching the best way to kill the lichen to prevent new growth, and also remove the existing marks.

The best products are biocides which will get into the growth and kill the Black Spot permanently, but also have a bleaching agent which will bleach the blackness out of the visible Black Spot.

To work properly it is necessary to ensure that these products remain on the affected stone for at least an hour (but up to 24 hours) and that during the treatment period the stone surface remains wet.

After treatment the biocides will have killed all the Black Spot spores, preventing new growth from occurring in the future. Most of the remaining dead black spot deposits will not be visible as the chlorine content will have bleached them. Sometimes, particularly stubborn deposits will remain on the stone after treatment.

Rest assured, that over time, now that there is no live lichen in the stone, these (bleached) dead deposits will loosen, and the next time the patio is power washed, any remaining lichen deposits will be removed, and the stone surface will become as clean and brilliant as it was when first laid.

How BZ Gardens Could Help You

Our property maintenance services can assist homeowners and landlords with a range of outdoor tasks that can be difficult and strenuous without prior experience or ideal machinery. Our experts are able to arrive on site and pressure wash your pathways, driveways, patios and more removing dirt and debris as well as black spots. We pride ourselves on the quality of our service, our reliability and our safety. 

BZ Gardens - Our Hard Landscape & Gardening Service

If your patios or pathways are looking neglected and dirty, you may be in need of effective cleaning. Our hard landscape and gardening service experts are able to arrive on-site and completely transform your outdoor surfaces and hard landscape features. For more information get in contact with us here. We'd be more than happy to help!

Passionate gardeners are constantly looking for new fertilisers to improve their plant's health and growth rates. Both compost and manure can support and promote growth in gardens, but which is better? Keep reading this local garden services blog to learn more about both fertilisers, with their benefits and drawbacks. 

Availability of nutrients to plants depends on how healthy the soil is - good soil tilth will lead to better nutrient supply. To maintain good soil fertility and tilth, organic matter and fertiliser nutrients should be added regularly. The pH of the soil, which measures how acidic it is, will affect nutrient uptake as will the salt content of the soil.(see “Lime and Soil pH”, below). 

Organic matter is primarily added to soil to improve its physical structure. Depending on the source and degree of decomposition of the organic matter it may also supply nutrients. Organic matter breaks down in the soil to form humus. Organic matter can improve air and water movement in a clayey soil and makes it easier to work. Organic matter also improves the water and nutrient- holding capacity of sandy soils. Organic matter should be applied regularly to vegetable gardens, woody ornamentals, and flower beds. 

Manures and composts are among the best materials to add because they add organic matter to soil, often improving aeration, drainage, nutrient-holding capacity, and biological activity and other soil properties. 

What Is Compost 

Compost is produced by the decay of vegetative (plant) matter. Compost is a soil conditioner, a source of organic matter available to all gardeners. 

Compost is made by alternating layers of “green and brown” material. Examples of green materials include kitchen waste, grass clippings, and fruit and vegetables. Examples of brown material include leaves, newsprint, and shredded paper. Do not add meat, bones, or dairy products which can attract animals and vermin. Adding a light dusting of soil every few layers will assist the earthworms in breaking down organic material. 

Compost is comprised of organic waste that undergoes natural decomposition and chemical processes. Once the organic material has been collected it is stored in a composter, with the application of heat and sufficient aeration the material is then transformed into a soil amendment. The composted soil provides greater nutrients for plant life, encouraging the production of healthy bacteria whilst also acting as a slow-release fertiliser. 

What Is Manure 

Manure on the other hand is the by-product of animals. Whilst both compost and manure are organic matter, manure is primarily animal waste. Horse manure is commonly used within vegetable gardens as it's easy to harvest and has no antibiotics within it. Antibiotics are an issue in soils as they can increase the risk of transmitting drug-resistant bacteria to humans. Manure can support the soil's structure as well as the nutrition of the soil. 

The Differences

Compost and manure are both great fertilisers, and even though they are both composed of organic material they have a number of differences. 

Compost Pros                                             Compost Cons

Manure Pros                                               Manure Cons

BZ Gardens - Local Garden Services

Choosing the right fertiliser for your garden is essential. Both compost and manure have their benefits however, for the average homeowner growing in your garden, compost is a much better solution to support a healthy garden. If you would like to find out more about how our experts could help you then get in contact with us on 01483 299 797 or fill out a contact form here. We’d be more than happy to help you with our local garden services!

Hedgerows create an intimate feel to the landscape of the downs and provide valuable habitats for wildlife. They were originally planted to contain livestock and formed boundaries before the introduction of fencing. They can also develop from woodland edges. The way the land is managed and used has shaped their appearance. Different soil conditions, climate and altitude all have an effect on hedgerows. 

The Different Types Of Hedges 

All hedges need management to maximise their value for wildlife and for the designs of gardens, and to boost the production of flowers and berries. The best hedges are managed rotationally for a diverse range of ages and structures. They include mature hedgerow trees which are of particular value for bats and insects, as well as standing dead wood. They are often complemented by buffer strips of ungrazed or uncut grassland, which provides additional habitat for wildlife. Where they occur, hedge banks of earth and stone-faced can be of great importance for reptiles for hibernation and basking.

The ‘Traditional’ Hedge 

This type of hedge is commonly used to mark field boundaries. Where livestock such as sheep are present, it may also provide a barrier sufficient to prevent their escape. A healthy traditional hedge may vary in height considerably and can be anything from 1m to 2m. Comprised of between one and up to as many as fifteen native species of plant, but is often dominated by hawthorn. 

The Shelter Hedge 

This type of hedge is grown in areas where strong winds would otherwise damage valuable crops. In Kent, this type of hedge is primarily used for the protection of fruit and hop plants. Tree species grown are typically large-leaved, such as beech, poplar or alder, planted in single lines and allowed to grow on to 3m to 4m (10ft to 13ft) tall. 

The Shaw 

These large-scale hedgerows (effectively narrow woodland strips of mature trees) are a characteristic feature on the downs. These shaws contribute to a strong separation between the slope and the more open agricultural slope immediately to the south. Replacing these features with small narrow hedges can seem ‘fussy’, out of character and can disrupt the wider landscape. 

The Screening Or Privacy Hedge 

This type of management practice has sprung up in the last couple of years as a means of screening recent modern developments. The use of non-native species, such as the Leyland cypress and other introduced evergreens, in a rural area looks very unnatural in the landscape and can have a negative impact on wildlife, and is therefore inappropriate. 

When Should I Trim My Hedges?

Each of these types of hedgerow requires a different type of management to maintain its health, vigour and appearance. The next few pages show how to look after each type. 

Ideally, the hedge should be cut during the winter months when it is not actively growing, to ensure disturbance to wildlife is kept to a minimum. Cutting in January and February allows any fruit to remain available for wildlife until December. The hedge should not be cut between 1st March and 1st September (Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981), as it is an offence to intentionally damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird whilst it is being used or built. Similarly, under the Hedgerows Regulations Act, 1997, it is a criminal offence to remove a hedgerow without permission. 

It is recommended that the hedge is cut on a rotational basis once every two to three years rather than every year. This creates a more natural-looking hedge and adds more cover for wildlife. Similarly, the hedge should not be cut back to the same point every time - particularly if it is flailed. The cutter bar should be raised a few centimetres on each cut, then pruned back hard to the original starting point the third time round. This prevents unsightly scarring of the stems and encourages better, stronger, denser growth. 

Traditional or boundary hedgerows require maintenance if the hedge plants are not to eventually grow into trees and lose their effectiveness as a stock-proof barrier and a valuable wildlife habitat. There are four types of hedgerow management: machine trimming, hand trimming, coppicing and laying. 

Trimming Techniques -

Using The Flail Cutter 

The practice of flailing a hedge is now very common, being quick and cost effective. Careful machine trimming encourages bushy, branching growth that helps to form a dense barrier. However, if done unsympathetically it can be detrimental to the hedge. 

The tractor-mounted flail is a powerful machine capable of grinding through sizable stems. However, it is most effective on small diameter stems up to 25mm. Although larger stems may well be within the machine’s stated capacity, it often causes the stems to shatter and split. This causes ugly scarring and damages the plant, so its life span and growth is greatly reduced. This can also arise because the job has been rushed and the machine pushed through the material too quickly. 

Hand-trimming 

Trimming your hedge with hand tools is only practicable if the hedgerow is short in length or inaccessible to machinery. Petrol-powered, hand- held cutters are available, but are primarily designed for light duties and will not be able to cut through thick stems. If this is the only way to manage the hedge, it will probably require cutting once every two years. However, care should be taken not to over-tidy and create a manicured smooth-profiled hedge. Otherwise, all advice given for machine trimming applies to hand-trimming. 

Coppicing 

Not all hedges need regular cutting; where crop-shading isn’t a problem, free-growing hedges can be allowed to develop and then coppiced on rotation. This provides good habitat for a variety of wildlife. This technique can also be used when the hedge has gone past the optimum state for laying. It is more cost effective and requires less expertise compared to laying. 

Coppicing involves cutting trees and shrubs down to a few centimetres above ground level. Although dramatic in initial effect, it is one of the most effective and cheapest ways of rejuvenating a deteriorating hedgerow. Coppicing encourages low growth from the tree or shrub, and is only required every 10 to 15 years (or longer if combined with machine trimming). Cut stems should be severed no more than 5 - 10 centimetres above the ground. This ensures that new shoots sprout directly from the base, ensuring the hedge remains bushy where it is required most. It also allows for easy “gapping up”. 

As the visual effect of coppicing is so dramatic, and is temporarily detrimental to wildlife, it is recommended that the practice be staggered over a number of years. If a large stretch of hedgerow requires coppicing, then no more than a 100 - 150m stretch should be tackled in one year. This allows you to turn what may once have been a daunting task into a more manageable operation. The cost of coppicing is comparable to machine trimming when taken over several years and, compared to laying, requires less specialist skill. 

Hedge laying 

Hedge laying is a skilled operation used to manage and rejuvenate hedgerows required for stock retention, and therefore more commonly practised on pasture than arable farmland. Traditionally, hedge laying was very labour intensive and time-consuming. Even today, this practice is relatively costly and requires specialist contractors. 

BZ Gardens - Designs Of Gardens 

Trimming and pruning your hedges is a worthwhile investment of your time if you want slim/profiled hedges on or around your property. It can become a lengthy task which is why our experts at BZ Gardens can step in and assist with your gardening needs. We can help with everything from designs of gardens to estate management and more. Take a look at some of our services here for more information, or get in touch with us on 01483 299 797.

Pruning is an essential task that needs to be undertaken throughout the year to improve the health and longevity of plants, shrubbery and trees. Winter pruning is the practice that involves shaping, clipping and preserving branches on a tree or shrub. Pruning in the winter is a great way to remove unneeded branches, allowing the organism to focus its growth elsewhere. As a leading greenwaste company we delve into the importance of pruning during winter. 

When Is The Best Time Within Winter To Prune

Pruning apple and pear trees during winter is best done between November and March as the trees will be dormant. We recommend pruning in December and January when the cold weather settles sets in.

How To Winter Prune

Before you start clipping, it's important to make sure you have sharp secateurs or clippers. Keeping these clean is a great way to minimise the chance of infection when pruning. It is recommended to shorten the main branches by about one-third to encourage the development of new and existing branches. Make sure to leave side shoots un-pruned so that they can develop into fruit buds faster in the warmer months. Pruning in these colder months is a great way to see the structure of your trees, use the tree's skeleton to shape and evaluate what branches need shortening or removal.

Managing An Orchard - How We Can Help

Pruning one or a few trees can be difficult, let alone an entire orchard. Failing to prune could reduce the fruit yield they produce, it may also lead to weaker branches breaking or spoiling the fruit on the ground. If you have to prune a multitude of trees you can just stick to the essentials within pruning that include; keeping the centre of the tree clear of growth, removing branches that compete or rub against one another for space and the removal of protruding branches.

Making sure every tree receives the treatment mentioned above, will ensure that your fruit will flourish during its development in spring. Instead of trying to manage and deal with the trimming and maintenance yourself, our arboricultural experts can step in and help. Effective tree management does not only improve its health and appearance, it also helps the environment. Our groundsmen are able to advise and execute any work that your trees may need, from simple pruning and trimming to extensive tree surgery. We tailor every job based on your needs, find out more about our tree maintenance services here. 

BZ Gardens - The Specialist Greenwaste Company 

It can be hard to stay on top of pruning if you have an orchard of large space of land with trees and shrubbery that can quickly become overgrown. Attempting the task yourself can quickly become overwhelming and time-consuming, our greenwaste company experts could take the work of your hands whilst ensuring that each and every tree is at optimal health. For more information get in touch on 01483 299 797 or fill out a contact form here.

Pruning is an important task that needs to be carried out all year round. Pruning trees and shrubbery can improve their health, making shaping much easier in future. Winter is a great time to do this as the majority of trees will have lost their leaves allowing you to directly trim branches more clearly. Whether you need arboricultural or groundwork services, our team is able to arrive on site and turn your ideas into reality. 

The Importance Of Pruning 

Pruning removes dead and dying branches, providing room for new growth. It can also deter animal and pest infestation, promoting the plant's natural shape and growth. Pruning also allows trees and shrubs to focus on producing new leaves as opposed to new growth elsewhere; some plants if left alone for an extended period of time can get out of control. Whilst pruning benefits the plants' growth it also improves the physical appearance drastically. 

Benefits Of Pruning In Winter Months

Pruning in the cold winter months prepares the trees or shrubs for increased growth during spring. Pruning in spring and summer can be much harder as the plants are experiencing the most growth, with leaves blocking the view of branches and the plants' structure. Pruning in winter is especially important for trees that produce fruits like apples and pears. If the fruit tree hasn't been properly pruned and maintained the branches may be overburdened with fruit leading to branches snapping, spoiling the fruit. We like to define pruning through the following;

• Summer pruning controls growth.
• Winter pruning encourages growth.

How To Shape Your Trees & Shrubbery

Pruning is a delicate process that requires certain techniques to reduce the risk of damage. 

Don't prune too close to the bud. This could damage the flower, leaf or fruit if cut, try to only trim the edges of protruding branches. You must also cut at a certain angle, keep your cuts 45-degrees. This prevents stubs from forming which could cause the stem to die back as far as the bud and possibly beyond it. Another consideration to keep in mind involves cutting just above the bud at 45 degrees. This allows water to run to prevent rotting. Make sure your clippers or secateurs are clean and sharp to reduce the chance of spreading disease. 

BZ Gardens - Our Landscaping Design & Groundwork Services 

As specialists in landscaping and groundwork services, BZ gardens can help with a range of garden maintenance. Find out more about our services here. Our arboricultural experts can improve your trees' health and appearance with ease. Get in touch with our experts here or give us a call on 01483 299 797, we would be happy to help with your enquiries.

Maintaining your outdoor space during the winter months is a necessary measure that needs to be taken. This can make gardening and management in Spring and Summer months drastically easier. On the other hand, business owners must also prepare for the winter season. Private companies are legally obligated to ensure that areas around their commercial property are free from ice and snow as much as possible. As hard landscape specialists we delve into the importance of adequate winter maintenance.

How Does Gritting Work

Gritting is the process that involves spreading a mixture of rock salt on roads or pathways to prevent the formation of ice during heavy snowfall or icy conditions. Most companies have winter policies that ensure that gritting takes place as and when it's needed. Having the preparations in place is imperative, icy conditions can quickly form overnight creating dangerous conditions. 

The Risks Of Poor Winter Maintenance 

Business owners are responsible for their business premises safety. Did you know that if someone were injured at your business premises you could be eligible to pay for fines and other compensation fees. Taking every step possible to minimise these risks could prevent you from paying tens of thousands. Business owners and councils must ensure that roads, walkways and pavements have adequate gritting and preparation during icy conditions. The results of poor maintenance during the winter months in the past have cost organisations up to £500,000 due to staff injury.

Getting A Winter Maintenance Contract 

As you are now aware of the risks and costs associated with poor winter maintenance, you may consider locating a contract. Our experts at BZ Gardens can provide specialist gritting and snow clearing services to a plethora of clients that are not limited to but include; Schools, Hospitals, Business parks, Warehouses, Car parks and more. We are constantly monitoring weather conditions throughout autumn and winter, we do this so we can stay on top of the formation of ice. 

What Does The BZ Gardens Winter Maintenance Service Include?

Our bespoke service begins with a full site visit. During the visit we will note down any areas or locations that will be more likely to lead to the formation of ice. We then create a full preventative solution and risk management assessment to find a solution that will minimise injury or harm. Our hard landscape winter maintenance service allows you to hand over full responsibility to us which includes; Forecasting, planning delivery and reporting. You can rest assured that any harsh weather and road conditions will be dealt with.

BZ Gardens - Hard Landscape Specialists  

We can carry out gritting, snow clearing and other winter maintenance services for you to prevent any unwanted business or personal disruption. For more information take a look at our services here. Alternatively get in contact with us through our contact form to speak to a professional today. We’d be more than happy to help you.

Kitchen gardens are a great way to grow your own ingredients, whether it's vegetables or fruits there is nothing better than eating your own freshly grown produce. It's not only tastier most of the time but also healthier, it could even save you money if your garden truly begins to thrive. Fruit and vegetable seeds are beginning to outsell flower seeds, there are multiple ways to promote the growth of seeds into plants. Keep reading to find out what kitchen garden layout would be best for you and your garden.

What Is A Garden Kitchen

Kitchen gardens are commonly known as places in your outdoor space that are dedicated to growing plants, fruits, vegetables and herbs that can be harvested for cooking and instant use. They come in all shapes and sizes, whether you have a small or large garden allowing the majority of homeowners to set up their own growing space with relative ease.

What Layout Would Benefit Me The Most 

As briefly mentioned above, kitchen gardens can come in all shapes and sizes. Every garden/plot is different, working out the best layout and design for your garden will allow you to maximise the growing capabilities and space that you have for your seeds. Most kitchen gardens consist of several seeds/plants being grown simultaneously, dividing your space into quadrants will provide the roots with enough space to flourish. 

An area around 2m x 3m is perfect for beginners looking to create their own garden kitchen. Make sure to keep sunlight in mind when allocating a spot in your garden. Raised beds are a desirable design for growing as they improve soil drainage which can allow soil temperatures to increase faster due to the absence of excess water. Find out more about raised beds here (add link on the 30th). 

When You Need To Prepare For

Early spring is the most ideal time for growing seeds. Even if it's autumn or winter this gives you more than enough time to start preparing and planning for your kitchen garden. Soil is one of the most important factors that is often overlooked when homeowners begin their growing season. Soil is usually based on a spectrum, on one end you have clay based soil and the other end its sand based. Loose, crumbly loam soil is ideal for growing vegetables and other similar produce as it retains water, moisture and nutrients but can still drain freely. 

You will then have to decide on what you want to grow, if you are a beginner gardener keep it simple at first. Radishes, carrots, cucumbers and kale to name a few are very easy to grow. Most vegetable seeds will have idealistic instructions and care guides on their packaging, if not a quick Google will certainly answer your questions. 

Creating your own kitchen garden is a great way to save money on produce and ingredients, it always tastes better when you know you grew it. 

BZ Gardens - Expert Garden Services 

If you are currently looking for support or advice with your kitchen garden take a look at our Garden Services page. If you would like to speak to our expert team, submit a contact form here, alternatively give us a call on 01483 299 797. We'd be happy to help you.

Raised beds are a popular choice for gardeners looking to improve their outdoor spaces. They make it easy to garden in practically any circumstance. Forget the trouble of heavy or compacted soil. This guide will serve to help beginners know everything they need regarding raised beds. 

What are Raised Beds?

A raised bed is soil contained within a structure that is lifted above ground level. You can use a wooden box, stone sides and even scaffold boards. These allow planting on top of an existing soil level. 

You may plant these on top of a current garden border or paving terrace. Raised beds allow you to choose the height of your gardening area. Thus, you can save yourself a lot of back pain when gardening. It also means you can avoid having to carry out hard landscaping. For instance, with raised beds, you don’t need to excavate huge amounts of soil and debris. 

Main Benefits

There is a range of benefits to having a raised bed in your garden. This can include: 

• Greater ease of access
• Less soil compaction
• Less erosion of soil and spill
• Better temperature control during spring and less likely to be in frost-pockets
• Easier to maintain than a traditional bed

What Can You Grow in Raised Beds?

What’s great about raised beds is that you can grow practically anything in them depending on their size. Here are a few ideas to get you started. 

Vegetables

Nearly any vegetable can be grown in a raised bed, making them very popular in allotments. 

Soft Fruits 

Fruits such as raspberries, strawberries and currents can all be grown easily within a raised bed. 

Herbaceous Perennials

Especially for cut flower gardens, herbaceous perennials can be easily grown within your raised beds. 

Ericaceous or Lime-hating Plants

Filling beds with acidic soil or top dressing with pine needles lime-hating plants such as blueberries, heathers or rhododendrons can be grown in alkaline areas and chalky soil. 

Summary

As providers of landscape design services, we believe that raised beds offer a simple, beginner-friendly way to start gardening. There is a range of benefits to using this method. This includes greater ease of access as well as better temperature control during spring and easy maintenance. 

Contact Us - Landscape Design Services

As specialists in providing landscape design services, we have a wealth of experience and specialist knowledge in our industry. BZ Gardens has fast become a well-established and well-regarded business. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London and more. Should you have any questions regarding our landscape design services or anything else, feel free to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you. 

A water feature can enhance your garden. It can provide ornamental interest and produce a soothing meditative sound, perfect for sitting out with a book or a cup of tea. An idea as simple as a garden waterfall will not cost a fortune whilst making a real difference to your garden space. As a landscaping and greenwaste company, here are some water feature ideas you should consider for your home. 

Water Rills

Water rills are shallow channels that provide water that flows from one area to another. The noise of the flowing water helps add to the calming noise that can really add to the atmosphere of your garden. 

Water Bowls 

Garden water bowls are often wooden and can be placed anywhere within a garden.  They can also be particularly useful in shady areas as they can reflect light around to other areas that don’t get sunlight. They are very easy to set up and can come in a range of different styles. As well as wood, they can also be made of stone or sleek metal for a more contemporary look. 

Ponds 

Another simple garden water feature you should consider is a garden pond. One benefit of these is that they can work in any size or style of garden. They also double up as wildlife havens packed with plants. You can also achieve a calming soothing sound by including a fountain or rill. 

Fountains 

Decorative garden water features can be great for areas that need a fixed focal point. Like many water features, there are a range of different styles to choose from. These can include polished metal spheres, columns and stone monoliths .

Pebble Piles 

Garden pebble piles are perhaps one of the simplest and cheapest water features you can set up. All that is needed is a pile of pebbles set up in an artistic way that conceals a pump and water reservoir beneath. Similarly, you can set these up with a millstone. A pump is hidden in the central hole of the millstone which radiates water out. If needed, these can also be concealed by a heap of pebbles. 

Summary

From water bowls to ponds and rills, there are plenty of different water features that you can choose from for your garden. These can be great for adding an ornamental touch and creating a tranquil, calming atmosphere. As a landscaping and green waste company, we think water features are a perfect addition to gardens of any size or style. 

Contact Us - Green Waste Company 

As a local gardens service and greenwaste company, BZ gardens can help with a range of gardening services, from waste disposal, estate management, landscape design and many more. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, and Greater London. Need help with your garden water features? Contact us and we will be happy to help with your enquiries.

A good garden fence will help to provide privacy and protection from the elements. As specialist providers of garden and groundwork services, we have also seen them be used as a great landscaping feature. Wooden fencing is often the most popular type for property borders. However, there is a range of different types to choose from. This guide will explain how to install a garden fence. 

Planning 

It is important to plan your fencing carefully. Doing so will help you to save time and save you an awful lot of trouble later on. You will need to be accurate with your choice of materials and save on any cuttings or wastage. 

Should your fence be marking a property boundary, it is advisable to talk to your neighbours first and let them know about your plans. 

Here are some things to consider: 

• Does a fence need to be removed? If so, whose property is it on? 
• Do you need access to your neighbour's garden to install the fence? 

Permission

Fences that are less than 2m high often will not need planning permission. However, it is always best to check with your local planning authority to make sure of this. It is also important to be aware that planning permission will be needed if your fence borders a public Right of Way. 

General Tips

Fences can be built at any time of the year. However, where possible, try to avoid harsh hot or cold weather conditions. Early spring to late autumn is often an ideal time as there is less disturbance to plant and soil health. 

It is also best practice to use a CAT detector to scan for underground pipes and cables prior to starting your build. 

How to Erect Your Fence

As a specialist garden and groundwork services provider, we have provided a few rules you should follow when putting up your fence. Firstly, ensure that your fence posts are soaked at the base in wood preservation before installation. 

Always make sure to use treated wood and exterior grade screws to prevent any premature rotting and rusting. 

If you install a fence onto an area with a slope, keep the fence panels along the horizontal line but fill the angled gap at the base. You can do so by cutting a gravel board to size. Some heavily sloped areas will require a different method of installation. For this reason, make sure to speak to a specialist on how to build in these circumstances. 

If you use a Postcrete, wear a safety mask as well as goggles and protective gloves for safety. It is particularly important to wear gloves when handling wood and applying wood preserver. Also, ensure that you safely dispose of any offcuts of timber.

Summary

As specialists in landscaping and groundwork services, we hope you found this guide useful. Remember to check that you have legitimate planning permission before building. In addition, make use of the safety precautions we have outlined, including wearing protective gloves and goggles if you use a Postcrete. 

Contact Us - Groundwork Services

As specialists in landscaping and groundwork services, BZ gardens can help with a range of garden maintenance, from waste disposal, estate management, landscape design and much more. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, and Greater London. Should you need support with your landscaping and garden design, contact us and we will be happy to help with your enquiries.

Dry stone walls have a long history, going back thousands of years. They remain a popular choice for many and will likely be seen in the distant future. As a garden service we know everything you need to know about hard landscaping and dry stone walls. This guide will help explain what dry stone walls are and shed light on their history. It will also explain how they are made and what materials can be used to make them. 

What are Dry Stone Walls? 

As the name might suggest, dry stone walls are walls that are made simply with dry stone. No mortar is included and the structure is both stable and strong. 

Within Europe, there are dry stone walls that date back to the Neolithic period (7000 B.C). This was an era where animals became domesticated and barriers were created to keep them from being lost. In upland areas, dry stone walls have left their mark on rural landscapes. 

These walls can also be seen in parts of America. Mostly in areas with rocky subsoils, English and Scottish immigrants brought the skills to lay the dry stone. They can be seen in parts of New England where receding glaciers deposited rocks in the landscape. 

How to Build a Dry Stone Wall

Firstly, in order to build a dry stone wall, you will need to remove turf and lay a base of large stones. As a rule of thumb, the larger the wall, the larger the base will need to be. This is because the walls taper in from the base upwards and inwards. From here, each course needs to be built up. Ensure that the stones sit harmoniously together. 

How Long Will A Dry Stone Wall Last

In the Cotswolds, oolitic limestone is often used for these kinds of walls. However, these will often have a shorter life span of around 100 years. However, other regions such as Cumbria may use granite. Granite walls have a much longer lifespan due to the durability and hardness of the stone. 

Summary 

Dry stone walls have a long history and heritage within the UK and have spread throughout the globe. They are very simple designs that are easy to build when done correctly. As a garden service, we think these walls are a great choice for those looking for a more classic landscape design. These walls are also incredibly long-lasting when using the right materials. 

Contact Us - Gardens Service

As a specialist garden service, BZ gardens can help with a range of garden maintenance, from waste disposal, estate management, landscape design and much more. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, and Greater London. Should you need support with your landscaping and garden design, contact us and we will be happy to help with your enquiries.

There are a range of benefits in using recycled material for landscaping. Doing so reduces the amount of unused and broken items going to landfill. But how can you reuse items for your landscaping? As a specialist gardening service, we will provide you with a few tips. 

Compost

You can make your own compost from a mix of shredded cuttings, recycled landscaping mulch, home food waste, grass cuttings, fallen leaves etc. In fact, making your own is cheaper than buying compost from a store and you know what your compost consists of. It can be created from anything that can be used to layer over soil or cultivated in. As it decomposes over time, any paper items can be included such as newspapers to food boxes. We always suggest cultivating the compost into the soil as the plants can utilise it faster, improves the structure of the soil, and retains the moisture in the ground.

Planters

Another great way to make use of recycled material is to make planters. Plants will grow in nearly anything, provided they have the essential components for growth. Make use of any used jugs and containers that can be used to grow plants. Some great examples include soup cans, milk jugs and old ceramic kitchen items mainly for seedlings to be raised for vegetable gardens. 

Fun Bug Hotel

Once you have tidied up your garden for the Autumn, why not create a bug hotel? You can use old bits of tile and wood. Additionally, you can use old terracotta pots and bricks. Creating a habitat for beneficial predators like this can be hugely beneficial for your garden. It provides them with shelter and nourishment and allows them to prey on bugs that would otherwise eat your plants. 

Additional Ideas 

There are an almost endless number of ways that you can reuse items for your garden. For instance, old windows can be used to make greenhouses. Simpler ideas can include using rocks and broken concrete to create bed borders. You can even create interesting walls using glass bottles and salvaged metal. 

Additionally, if you have any old wooden pallets, these can be used as the basis for a vertical garden. You can place old rugs on pathways and cover them with pebbles.

Summary 

It goes without saying that climate change is having profoundly negative effects on the environment worldwide. For this reason, it is important to reuse and recycle where possible. A great place to start is your garden. As a gardening service, we recommend using home waste to make mulch and using old pots to grow plants in. 

Contact Us - Gardening Service

As a professional gardening service, BZ Gardens can help with a range of gardening services, from landscape construction, arboricultural services, waste disposal, estate management, landscape design and much more. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London and Greater London. Contact us and we will be happy to help with your enquiries.

The combination of low ground and poorly draining soil can result in high levels of standing water in your garden. Furthermore, if left untreated, this can cause considerable damage to your property. Stagnant water can damage your lawn, trees and basement. It can also have considerable effects on your home’s value. But are French drains right for your garden? As providers for landscape and groundwork services, we will guide you through everything you need to know. 

What are French Drains? 

French drains are a top solution if you regularly experience flooding in your garden or basement. These are systems of ditches and pipes that divert water away from a specific area. 

French Drain Benefits

The main benefit of French drains is that they can help to prevent flooding. This in turn reduces the risk of long -term water damage to your property. They are also very long lasting, with a lifeline of between 30 and 40 years. 

Additionally when covered with turf, decorative aggregates or plants, they can also be aesthetically pleasing or blending perfectly in your garden. 

French Drain Pitfalls 

One downside of french drains is that they can be time consuming and difficult to install. Additionally, if you have existing structures such as walkways and decks, these may need to be removed in order to dig trenches. Furthermore, they can sometimes become clogged and overflow which can cause further damage. But the clogging issue can be avoided by installing a slightly different type of pipe system, which can be cleaned regularly, but this option is significantly more expensive than the regular, perforated land pipe based french  drain system.

How To Install French Drains 

Installing a French drain can be a considerably large project. For this reason, it is recommended that you contact a professional. 

Firstly, a safe area has to be arked and cleared for digging. A trench is dug and then lined with landscaping fabric. This prevents weeds and roots from clogging the pipe. Following this an intel grate is placed at the top of the trench and pipes are installed.  During this process, the pipes will eventually reach the drainage point. From here, the drain is often tested to make sure everything works correctly. If successful the trench is then covered with gravel and topsoil. 

Summary 

For many, a French drain is a great option to prevent flooding in your garden and basement. Key benefits include that they are incredibly long-lasting and can look great in your garden when covered with plants. However, they can be difficult and time-consuming to install and can also become clogged, causing further damage. 

Contact Us - Groundwork Services

As a local provider for landscape and groundwork services, BZ Gardens can help with a range of garden maintenance, from waste disposal, estate management, landscape design and much more. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London. Should you need support with your end of tenancy garden maintenance, contact us and we will be happy to help with your enquiries.

Porcelain paving has proven to be a very popular and trending choice for patios and for good reason. You can find a huge range of varieties of different coloured and textured porcelain paving slabs on the market. But what is it that makes them so special? As a specialist landscape construction company,  we will guide you through the benefits. 

No Slipping Around 

Don’t be fooled by the smooth appearance of the paving, porcelain paving is a safe patio option. Depending on where you buy your tiles, you can assess the “skid rating”. This is measured in “R” values. It is measured from R9 to R13. Tiles with an R9 rating should be used for dry areas whereas R13 tiles will be better suited in wet environments. 

Long Lasting

The vitrification process is how porcelain is created. It involves taking refined clay and natural materials and exposing them to significant pressure and firing at high temperatures in a kiln. The process creates a strong and hard-wearing material that absorbs little water in its lifetime. 

In cold and wet conditions, these tiles will not absorb water. Thus, you do not need to worry about the tiles cracking or deteriorating over time. 

Maintenance 

As a specialist landscape construction company, we understand that pavement maintenance is not for everybody. For those who don’t want to spend long periods of time cleaning, porcelain might be the best option. It is low maintenance and also extremely easy to clean. 

Due to how they are manufactured, these tiles absorb very little water. As a result, they are resistant to stains and frost. Furthermore, they can also limit moss and algae growth to a degree. 

How to Clean Your Porcelain Paving

To keep your patio looking as good as new, clean with hot soapy water just as you would a kitchen floor. On outdoor porcelain installation you can also use pressure washer to clean the paving slabs. To further enhance the lifetime of your patio, aim to keep the area clear of loose debris. This may include compost, leaves and grass. 

Summary 

There are a range of benefits in choosing porcelain paving for your garden. The way they are manufactured ensures that they are long lasting and resistant to stains and frost. This makes them the perfect choice for those who do not want to engage in frequent maintenance, but would like to have an impressive outdoor space.

Contact Us - Landscape construction Company 

As a local gardens service and landscape construction company, BZ gardens can help with a range of gardening services, from landscape construction, estate management, landscape design, green waste disposal and many more. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London. Need help with your garden patio and porcelain paving? Contact us and we will be happy to help with your enquiries.

Retaining walls can be immensely useful for those that live in steep hilly areas. For example they can  reduce soil erosion and turn steep slopes into terraced backdrops. Sometimes you can not avoid installation of retaining walls around various buildings to make sure they are protected from the surrounding soil caused by significant level difference. In order for retaining walls to function correctly, they must be created properly. As a gardens service, we will provide some top tips as well as some things to avoid. 

Are You Authorised to Build? 

It is important to make sure that you have permission to build in the form of a permit before starting any building. A retaining wall by nature affects the flow of water in your garden. Thus, this can impact your neighbours. A plan may need to be submitted and you may also need to have a property inspection prior to building. 

Choose Easy Materials 

You can construct a retaining wall using a range of materials. This can range from concrete blocks to railway sleepers. As a gardens service, we recommend that you use blocks designed for making retaining walls. This is especially the case for DIY projects. 

Stack at a Backwards Slope 

Walls that lean into the soil retains are less likely to be pushed outward by soil pressure. Thus you should design and build your retaining wall to slope at a rate of at least one inch for every foot of height and proper base for any type of retaining wall is absolute crucial.

Allow Drainage 

Groundwater can be problematic for retaining walls. As it saturates clay-type soils, they can swell causing pressure on the backside of the wall. To avoid this, make drainage provisions whilst you make the wall. Also install damp-sheet behind any retaining wall to avoid direct soil contact and extend the life of your retaining wall especially in case of timber materials. You can do this by backfilling space behind the blocks using a crushed stone. Then you install a flexible perforated drain pipe at the base of the wall. This will allow groundwater with an escape route. 

The perforated pipe will help to take groundwater to each side of the wall where it can drain harmlessly. Following this the ends of the drainpipe will exit on each end of the wall. You may choose here to cover them in crushed stone in order to camouflage the appearance. 

Summary 

We hope you found these tips useful. A retaining wall can be immensely useful for those who live in hilly areas, especially during the rainy winter season. Remember to check that you have permission first before building and allow for drainage. 

Contact Us - Gardens Service 

As specialists in providing landscape and gardens services, we have a wealth of experience and specialist knowledge in our industry. BZ Gardens has fast become a well-established and well-regarded business. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London and more. Should you have any questions regarding our landscape design services or anything else, feel free to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you. 

As a provider of local gardening services, we know that the secret to garden maintenance is to have access to the right tools. However, it is easy to go overboard here. Tools can take up a lot of space and can be costly. Therefore, we recommend that you stock up on the basics at first to avoid buying things you don’t need. Here are 5 essential gardening tools that any new gardener should purchase. 

Pruning Shears

Secateurs, or hand pruners, can help to reign in plants that are growing out of control. Anvil- style pruners are useful in that they can be cut with a sharp blade meeting a flat surface. Much like a knife on a board. Alternatively, Bypass pruners will cut with a sharp blade passing by a flat surface with a sharp edge - similar to scissors. 

An anvil pruner is best used for dead wood, However, be careful with these as they can cause crush injuries to flesh, branches and green stems. 

On the other hand, bypass pruners are best used for live plants and green wood. 

Gloves 

One of the most painful parts of gardening is thorns and splinters. For this reason, it is important to invest in a pair of gardening gloves. A good glove will be durable yet not too bulky. You also want to ensure that the glove fits properly. This will help to avoid blisters. 

Rake 

Especially in the Autumn when leaves and debris fall from trees, you will want to have access to a rake. These can come in many different styles and sizes. That being said, a standard leaf rake is the perfect place to start. 

An adjustable rake can be handy as they can help reach narrow areas. Steel tines are also great due to their strength. These may be rougher on more delicate lawns than that of a plastic tine. 

Watering Can 

Another basic yet essential tool you will need for gardening is a watering can. These often can be divided into metal and plastic cans. 

Plastic cans are often lighter than metal. However, due to the material they are often not as long-lasting. It is important for metal cans to be galvanised to avoid rusting. 

Hoe 

Which hoe is best for you will be dependent on your garden. Vegetable gardens may need a sturdy and wide hoe. Alternatively for perennial gardens, a thinner hoe with a more delicate touch may be required. As a whole, hoes can be useful in preparing flower beds as well as for cutting down weeds. 

Summary 

Especially if you are a new gardener, it might be tempting to go down to your local gardening centre and buy a wide range of tools. However, doing so may waste a lot of money. As a local gardening service, we suggest that you start with some of the basics outlined in this article. Basic tools such as gloves will make life much easier as you will be less likely to injure yourself on thorns. Other additions such as pruning shears, rakes and hoes, will help to speed up maintenance. 

Contact Us - Local Gardening Service 

As a local gardening service, BZ gardens can help with a range of garden maintenance, from waste disposal, estate management, landscape design and much more. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London. Should you need support with your end of tenancy garden maintenance, contact us and we will be happy to help with your enquiries.

Artificial grass is the ideal solution for those looking to save themselves the trouble and time of maintaining real grass. However, artificial grass still requires some degree of maintenance. As a specialist landscape and green waste company, we recommend light maintenance once a month. This will ensure your lawn looks as good as new. It will also ensure that your grass is safe for both children and pets. 

Artificial Grass Maintenance

Here is a few handy tips to ensure that your lawn is well looked after: 

Brushing 

Make sure that you lightly brush your lawn on a regular basis. As a specialist landscape and green waste company, we suggest doing so once a week. This will help to remove any leaves or twigs. Best practices here include the use of a medium, soft bristle brush that is gentle on the grass. As you go about doing this, ensure that you brush in the opposite direction of the artificial fibres. 

Removing Leaves

Especially as we approach the autumnal season, it is important that any leaves are removed from the turf. A regular leaf blower is the quickest way to do this, if you have access to one. To make this process easier, remove the leaves on a day with minimal wind. It is also important to remember that the dry leaves will be easier to remove with a blower in  comparison to wetter ones. 

Stubborn Stains 

Perhaps, you have decided to have a picnic and have spilt ketchup or wine on your new grass. Do not panic. Here are a few tips to help. 

The first step in situations such as this is to act quickly. Make sure to remove as much spillage as you can before it hardens. In the instance of spilt liquids, soak up with a clean cloth or kitchen towel. 

If marks still remain, mix a little bit of washing up liquid with some lukewarm water. Apply this mixture to the lawn with a bristle brush or a clean cloth or sponge. Make sure you work this solution in between as well as around the stained fibres. Following this, rinse the area thoroughly with water. 

Lastly, if the spillage has hardened, carefully remove it with a plastic spatula or knife. A toothbrush can also be useful here to gently brush away stains. 

Summary

A small level of regular maintenance will ensure that your artificial grass looks as good as new year round. To recap, remember to brush regularly in the opposite direction to the artificial fibres. Regularly remove leaves with a leaf blower or stiff brush. Also remember to act quickly on stains, washing them away with a clean kitchen towel or with soapy water.

Contact Us - Greenwaste Company 

As a local gardens service and greenwaste company, BZ gardens can help with a range of gardening services, from waste disposal, estate management, landscape design and much more. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London. Should you need support with your end of tenancy garden maintenance, contact us and we will be happy to help with your enquiries.

Less experienced gardeners may not give much thought as to when to prune roses. However, when you choose to prune your roses will make a huge difference to your plant’s health and longevity. So when should you prune your roses? As experienced experts in landscape and groundwork services, we provide you with this guide for a few tips and pointers. 

Why is Pruning Important? 

Before we discuss when to prune, first we should explore why this process is so important in the first place. To an extent, roses can fend for themselves without intervention. However, regular small maintenance can help your plants grow to their optimum potential. Pruning also helps to increase the longevity of your roses. 

When Should You Prune? 

Most roses in the UK are pruned in the late winter months. This is often around February and early March when leaf buds begin to swell. However this will be dependent on where you are and the climate conditions. 

For those living in the south, you may prune roses in late February as the new growth begins for rose plants. Alternatively for those in the north, it is recommended that you wait until March after the last frosts before you start pruning. 

Wind Pruning should be carried out in the Autumn to shorten the long shoots to avoid wind damages. The best time to do this is around the end of October to November. 

How to Prune Roses

First things first, ensure to sterilise your tools before starting this task to eliminate any bacteria and viruses.  The reason here is that roses are susceptible to diseases through open wounds. Start by making a cut up to 5mm above an existing bud with a sharp gardening secateur. If you are to cut any deeper than this, you risk the plant not being able to produce new growth from the stem. Best practice here is to angle the cut away from the plant.  This will prevent rain water from dripping towards it, which can cause disease where it collects. 

Prune out any dead or diseased stems and clear out the unshapely stems too. For those looking for an open shape, concentrate the pruning towards the outward facing rose buds. 

Alternatively, if you would prefer an upright growth shape then prune above the inwards facing rose buds. 

Summary 

As an experienced team of landscape and groundwork service specialists, we hope you found this guide useful. Pruning is hugely important in order to look after the long term health of your flowers. Remember that most UK roses should be pruned in the late winter months when leaf buds begin to swell. However, there are instances where this may differ slightly as we have covered. Make sure to prune using clean tools in order to prevent disease. It is also important to remember to not cut too deeply, as this may prevent future growth from the stem. 

Contact Us - Groundwork Services

As specialists in providing landscape and groundwork services, we have a wealth of experience and specialist knowledge in our industry. BZ Gardens has fast become a well-established and well-regarded business. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London and more. Should you have any questions regarding our landscape design services or anything else, feel free to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you. 

Autumn is an important time of year for gardening. Soil at this time of year is warm enough to plant spring bulbs, tulips and crocuses. It is the time of year to collect crops that have grown over the summer. As an expert gardens service, we have put together a few tips for garden maintenance over the autumn months. 

Healthy Plants are Happy Plants 

Healthy plants are not only important for the overall health of your garden. It is important for your health too. Keeping your plants healthy during the autumn also means that they will have a better chance at surviving the harsher winter months. 

One tip is to remove leaves for plants that are prone to disease and pests. This may include roses and horse chestnut trees. 

Another handy tip that will help ensure your plants stay healthy is to rake up your leaves. In doing so you can make leaf mould that you can use to feed plants next year. 

Additionally for your lawn, it is important to apply lawn autumn fertiliser. This should be done around October or November at the latest. This will help to encourage the growth or roots and strengthen your lawn. 

Autumn Planting 

The autumn season is the perfect time to put down some new roots. At this time of year, the ground is the perfect condition, warm from the summer yet moist. From trees and shrubs to bare root roses, there are plenty of new additions you may plant for your garden. You may also grow a wide variety of vegetables. For example, garlic, onions and spring onions. 

This is also the time of year to plant any spring flowering bulbs to ensure a bright and colourful spring garden next year. 

The Compost Heap 

Autumn is the best time to start a compost heap. At this time of year the garden generates a lot of rubbish. This may include old bedding plants from containers and borders, crop debris, raked moss and fallen leaves from trees. 

Make sure to avoid using any thick woody material unless it has been through a shredder. Best practice is to use a proper compost bin in order to keep heat inside. 

Summary

Autumn is the perfect time to prepare your summer for the harsh winter months. It is also the perfect time to plant a wide range of vegetables like onions and garlic. The warm yet moist conditions make it the perfect season for planting a range of other plants too from roses and spring flowering bulbs for next year. As a specialist gardens service, we hope you found these tips to be useful and help you to maintain the perfect garden this autumn. 

Contact Us - Gardens Service

As a local gardens service, BZ gardens can help with a range of garden services, from waste disposal, estate management, landscape design and much more. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London. Should you need support with your end of tenancy garden maintenance, contact us and we will be happy to help with your enquiries.

As a local garden service, we understand the joy and appeal of having well maintained hedges. No matter if you are an experienced pruner or a first-timer, following these tips can help your hedges look their best. So without further ado, here are 3 tips for hedge maintenance;

Cut at the Right Time 

It may be tempting to cut all your hedges in one go. Simply, get it done and out the way. However, there are benefits to cutting hedges at certain times of the year. In fact, most hedges only need to be cut once or twice a year so you need not worry about having to spend hours slaving away in the garden. 

Here is an outline of the best time of year to cut your hedges: 

• Beech hedges - Cut in August and reserve hard trimming for between December and February.
• Hornbeam hedges - Hard trimming for between December and February.
• Hawthorn hedges -Cut in June but only once they have flowered. 
• Laurel hedges - Cut in the spring if it needs reshaping. 

Dispose of Clippings 

It is always an important extra step to make sure you get rid of any clippings once you have finished trimming. These often create damp as well as airless conditions that can breed fungal diseases in your hedges. 

One way to do this is to spread a plastic sheet besides the bush to catch clippings throughout the process. Afterwards, brush or rake the loose twigs from the top of the hedge.

Be Aware of Wildlife 

Ensure that you keep a close eye out for any wildlife when trimming hedges. It is against the law to knowingly damage an active bird’s nest. Birds often nest from March until the end of August. Therefore, if you see birds coming and going from a certain spot, you should wait until the Autumn to trim, once the chicks have flown. 

Summary 

Before you embark on any hedge trimming this summer, be sure to follow these handy tips from a local garden service. These will ensure both safety and quality in your hedge trimming. To summarise, cut your hedges at the right time of year and make sure to dispose of any clippings you have in either a compost heap or garden shredder. Also make sure that you are not destroying the homes of any wildlife such as birds. A few bonus tips may include using a long reach trimmer for taller hedges as well as making sure to wear the right protective gear in order to ensure maximum safety. 

Contact Us - Local Garden Service 

Our experience and specialist knowledge in our industry as a local garden service  has transformed BZ Gardens into a well-established and well-regarded business. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London and more. Should you have any questions regarding your flower bed and border maintenance, contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you.

One issue that many keen gardeners will come up against from time to time is the issue of pests. As specialists in landscape design services, we know just how irritating it can be when all your beautiful garden plants are being eaten away. For this reason, we have written this guide to provide insight on some of the most common pests and how to deal with them. 

Slugs and Snails

One of the most common pests you will encounter in UK gardens are slugs and snails. Both widespread and persistent, these can cause considerable damage to your garden. Often they will eat holes in leaves as well as flowers, bulbs and stems. Most at risk are new spring herbaceous plants and seedlings. Yet, both slugs and snails can be problematic in the garden annually.

However, there are a few natural deterrents you can use to limit the damage. For slugs, consider lining your borders with upturned eggshells or creating a rough area of sand around your plants. Both will work to deter these pesky creatures. 

Ants 

Prevalent in many gardens, ants although not official pests, can be irritating for many gardeners. Ant nests can cause damage to flower pots and lawns as little heaps of soil appear above the surface. Often, these pests are best left alone, but you can brush away the aforementioned soil heaps on dry days. 

Glasshouse Thrips 

Small insects such as this can be problematic for a range of greenhouse plants. Thrips will suck sap from plants causing pale mottling and brown marks to appear on the surface of leaves. 

They are active all year round within greenhouses and cause a lot of damage between April and September. In order to remove these, hand sticky blue sheets among plants that can trap insects. 

Summary

Don’t let the damage caused by these garden pests deter you from maintaining your garden spaces. With a few of these handy tips pests such as slugs, snails, glasshouse thrips and ants can be controlled. A few additional pests you may want to be aware of include; Box tree moths, Tortrix moths, Rosemary beetle larvae and Viburnum beetles. 

Contact Us - Landscape Design Services

As specialists in providing  landscape design services, we have a wealth of experience and specialist knowledge in our industry. BZ Gardens has fast become a well-established and well-regarded business. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London and more. Should you have any questions regarding our landscape design services or anything else, feel free to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.

Lawn Mowing is easily one of the most important aspects of garden maintenance. However, with the British weather ever changing and being as unpredictable as it is, it can be difficult to know exactly how often to do it. For this reason, as a garden maintenance and green waste company, we have put together this complete guide of when to cut your lawn throughout the year. 

So How Often? 

Unfortunately, there is no simple and straightforward answer to this question. There are many different variables that will impact this decision including heat, water and nutrients. Factors such as these will determine the speed of your grass growth. However, should you live in the UK there are some general rules you can follow. 

In the UK between March and June, the weather conditions during these months would normally require you to only cut your lawn once or twice a month. However, as the weather gets warmer in and around July, you may consider cutting your grass once or even twice a week for proper maintenance. 

Remember when you cut grass, it can be beneficial here and there to collect grass clippings for fertilisation.

The Year’s First Cut 

Most people will cut grass for the first time as the weather begins to get warmer - often around March - April time when the grass noticeably starts to grow. The first cut of the grass growing season may also be the most important. People in the UK appreciate a short, well kept lawn. However, despite this fact, many will cut the grass way too short on the year’s first cut. 

Remember the one third rule. Never cut more than a third of the blade of grass off at once. This can stress the grass. This can be seen when grass turns a yellow or brown colour. 

In order to achieve the length of grass you want, you may need to cut your lawn over a number of weeks. To do so, gradually decrease the cutting height of your lawn mower over a number of weeks until you achieve your desired length. 

Often people in the UK will cut their grass a little shorter than those living in mainland europe. However, shorter doesn’t mean better and grass height should vary over the course of the year. 

You should also find the frequency that you cut grass will decrease as the weather cools off towards the beginning of Autumn, around September to October.

Summary 

We hope this guide shed some light on how often you should cut your grass. To recap briefly, around March and June, you may only need to cut your grass once or twice a month. However, in the warmer months around July, you may need to increase your grass cutting to as much as once or twice a week for proper maintenance. Remember to stick to the one third rule, not cutting your grass so short as to stress it. 

Contact Us - Greenwaste Company 

As a landscaping and greenwaste company, with both extensive experience and specialist knowledge in our industry, BZ gardens has fast become a well-established and well-regarded business. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London and more. Should you have any questions regarding our landscape design services or anything else, feel free to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you. 

Many aspire to the idea of creating a dream garden. One that is perfect for your next BBQ or for simply laying out in the sun with a good book. However, one challenge people often face when trying to achieve this is not having the funds to do so.  However, as a local gardens service, we know that there are a number of ways to create beautiful garden spaces without hurting your wallet. In this blog we will share some of these ideas with you. 

Keep Your Patio and Decking Clean

A great way to start is by pulling up any weeds and plants growing between your patio slabs. Follow this by sweeping away debris with a brush, then scrub with soapy water to make your patio or decking look as good as new. If you have access to a pressure washer, this can be immensely useful in helping to further remove any stubborn stains or dirt. 

De-Weed Your Flower Bed 

One of the simplest ways to make your garden look new on a budget is too maintain your flower bed. Pull up any weeds from the roots so that they do not grow back. To further stop weeds growing in your flower beds, provide a border such as with bricks, sleepers or concrete blocks. 

Add Some Colour! 

Here is another quick and easy tip to spruce up your garden. Add colour, by painting your garden shed or fence. Rather than settling for a boring shade of brown, get creative and experiment with more vibrant colours from blue to pink. 

Lighting 

Adding lighting can transform your outdoor living space. This is perfect as it will help to make your garden look beautiful in the evenings, perfect for sitting out with a glass of wine. It will also make for great decorative features in the day. A few ideas you might want to consider include; wicker and glass lanterns, candles, fairy lights and festoon lighting. 

Summary 

Creating your dream garden does not have to be costly and time consuming. There are a number of cheap and easy alternatives and solutions that can transform your outdoor space. From gorgeous lighting for evenings in the form of fairy lights and lanterns to simple maintenance in the form of patio cleaning, sometimes less truly is more when it comes to gardening. 

Contact Us - Gardens Service  

As a specialist gardens service company with both extensive experience and specialist knowledge in our industry, BZ Gardens has fast become a well-established and well-regarded business. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London and more. Should you have any questions regarding our landscape design services or anything else, feel free to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.

As an experienced and professional gardens service provider, we can help provide a thorough end of tenancy garden maintenance service. For any tenant, an attractive garden that is clean and tidy can be a key selling point when choosing a home to rent. This guide will cover a few reasons why you should consider BZ Gardens for your end of tenancy garden maintenance. 

The Importance of Maintaining Garden Spaces for Tenants

A nice and clean garden can have many benefits for a tenant. It allows them to have somewhere to relax, entertain guests and enjoy the sun in the warm summer months. Many tenants will not consider properties without garden spaces. This speaks to the importance of these spaces and why they should be maintained as best as possible. 

What are the Benefits of This Service 

Access to Experience and Expertise

Over the years, BZ Gardens have worked to find and train the very best arborists, landscapers and gardeners. Thus with a wealth of experience and knowledge, we are confident in our ability to perform to the highest standard. Therefore, when choosing BZ gardens for your end of tenancy maintenance, you know the task is in good hands. 

Quality 

When considering us for your end-of-tenancy garden maintenance, you can be sure that the job will be done both thoroughly and to a professional standard. We can help with many aspects of garden maintenance. This may include aspects such as; lawn mowing, strimming and weed control. That’s not all, we can also provide complete plant work in the form of pruning, feeding, spraying and more.

Trust 

BZ Gardens is proud of the several accreditations we have received that reinforce our dedication for quality in the way we work. Each of which have been audited independently. These include accreditations from The UK Lawn Care Association, British Association of Landscape Industries, HTA amongst several others. Furthermore, we have an extensive portfolio that demonstrates the quality of work we have previously undertaken.

What Else is Included in This Service? - Property Maintenance

We pride ourselves in being able to tailor our services bespoke to your needs and requirements. We always ensure to listen to our clients and find the best solutions possible. In addition to some of the services we have listed above, we also can provide a range of other property maintenance services. For this reason we consider ourselves to be a premier one-stop solution for homeowners, landlords, tenants, and property managers. For example, additional services we can provide include: 

• Guttering and gutter cleaning
• Roof spraying and cleaning 
• Patio, driveway and path cleaning
• Outdoor painting for fences, sheds, garages and garden buildings. 

Summary

If you are a landlord, you will understand the importance of a clean and well maintained garden for new tenants. As a trusted and well regarded gardens service provider, you can be sure that we will carry out any end of tenancy maintenance to a high-standard. For more information regarding other services we provide, see our services page here. 

Contact Us - Gardens Service 

As a local garden service BZ gardens can help with a range of garden services, from waste disposal, estate management, landscape design and much more. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London. Should you need support with your end of tenancy garden maintenance, contact us and we will be happy to help with your enquiries.

As part of our extensive horticultural services, we offer a range of flower bed and border maintenance services. This includes aspects such as weeding, edging, soil preparation and compost/mulch application. As leading specialists in landscape and groundwork services, we are confident in our abilities to provide you with high-quality services. Let’s take a closer look at the different flower bed and border maintenance services we offer here. 

Weeding 

Weeding is a necessary and important aspect of garden maintenance. If left unresolved, weeds will compete with main crop plants for factors such as sunlight and water, thus affecting plant growth. Weeding can also be a long, tiring and tedious process. With our expert knowledge and experience, BZ Gardens can weed your garden on your behalf, giving your plants a better chance to grow and flourish. 

Edging 

Another service we offer involves assistance with garden edging. But why is it so important? Simply put, edging helps to create crisp, cleanliness between beds and other areas. This is often more visible between a lawn and the adjoining garden. However landscape edging can include a flower border, shrub beds and where a garden meets a patio area. 

Soil Preparation 

Soil preparation is of utmost importance in that it readies soil for growing. It gets rid of debris and weeds and breaks up soil structure. Soil preparation also provides an opportunity to mix in organic matter to further improve the condition and quality of your soil. 

Compost and Mulch Application 

Another way BZ Gardens can support your flower beds and borders is with compost and mulch application. Not only do these improve soil organic matter, but they also provide nutrients, deter pests and warm up the soil in Spring. 

Summary 

In addition to the services we touched on briefly above, BZ Gardens offer a range of garden maintenance services. These range from horticultural, arboricultural and groundwork services. With our flower bed and border maintenance and other services, you can be well on your way to having your dream garden. As a garden and landscape maintenance company in Surrey, we have all the tools, experience and knowledge necessary to provide you with the highest possible level of service. 

Contact Us - Professional Groundwork Services

Our experience and specialist knowledge in our industry has transformed BZ Gardens into a well-established and well-regarded business. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London and more. Should you have any questions regarding your flower bed and border maintenance, contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you.

At BZ Gardens, we offer a range of landscape construction services. These include hard landscaping in the form of paving and decking to soft landscaping such as turf laying and grass seeding. As specialists in landscape design, we have written this guide to provide an overview of our popular services. 

Hard Landscaping

Hard Landscaping is an essential part of your garden and landscaping design. It includes elements such as paths, driveways, garden walls and patios. It also may include outdoor furniture and other landscape products. 

With hard landscaping, you can improve the aesthetic appearance of an outdoor space. This is done through changing its contours and adding additional ornamental features. provided your garden with form and structure, our hard landscaping services include but are not limited to: 

• Paving
• Decking
• Driveways
• Bricklaying (garden walls etc.)
• Masonry
• Carpentry/joinery
• Fencing
• Retaining walls
• Raised beds
• Water features

Soft Landscaping 

In addition to hard landscaping, we also offer a variety of soft landscaping services bespoke to your landscaping needs. Soft landscaping refers to the process of working with natural materials and additional landscaping elements that do not involve construction. For example, this includes elements like turf, trees and hedges. 

As part of our landscape construction services, we offer soft landscaping in the form of: 

• Turf laying
• Grass seeding
• Planting
• Seasonal planting
• Preparing wildflower meadows

Quality Guaranteed

BZ Gardens can guarantee top quality workmanship and a strong attention to detail. We always ensure that work is carried out to the highest possible standard. With our expertise and years of experience in landscaping, we are confident in our abilities and strive to transform your outdoor garden space.

What Other Services Do We Offer?

BZ Gardens offers a wide range of different garden services. For example, we provide year-round fully comprehensive horticultural services in the form of complete lawn care, plant work, flower bed and border maintenance. Additionally we also offer arboricultural services such as tree pruning, site clearance and tree removal. We can also help with green waste disposal. View our website for a full list of services here. 

Summary 

By choosing BZ Gardens for your landscape construction service needs, you can be assured that you will receive high quality services from a team that is both experienced and knowledgeable. Whether you need hard landscaping in the form of paving, fencing, bricklaying or anything else, we are here to help. 

We also offer a range of soft landscaping services such as planting and turf laying. All our services can be carried out bespoke to your individual needs and requirements. We offer fully transparent services, see here for our full list of service fees. 

Contact Us - Landscape Design Services

With a wealth of experience and specialist knowledge in our industry, BZ gardens has fast become a well-established and well-regarded business. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London and more. Should you have any questions regarding our landscape design services or anything else, feel free to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you. 

As a local garden service, we understand the importance of green waste disposal and how it helps the environment. For this reason, we are here to assist you with your green waste disposal. This article will guide you through the benefits of this service and what we can do to help. 

Why is Green Waste Disposal Important? 

Green waste disposal is an essential component of the recycling process. Thus people should see it as just as important as plastic and glass recycling. In 2022, we truly face a climate crisis, now is the time to act. By doing our part in disposing of green waste correctly, we will see positive changes for the future of our environment and planet. 

Rather than releasing harmful gases from green waste into the atmosphere, we can put it’s energy potential to good use. This will help to create a sustainable energy source whilst saving valuable landfill space. 

Why Choose BZ Gardens For Your Green Waste Disposal? 

We can help by providing you with a cost effective and environmentally friendly alternative to simply hiring a skip or traipsing back and forth to your local civic amenity site or waste disposal outlet. 

We will transport the materials to our licensed organics recycling facility. Here it will be processed into a natural and peat free PAS 100 compost. 

Disposal Fees 

BZ Gardens holds a waste carrier licence and we can help provide green waste disposal services. The standard charges are as follows:

• Double axle trailer load of green waste - £250.00 + VAT
• 3.5t tipper truck + double axle trailer load - £450.00 + VAT

Furthermore, green waste produced during a regular maintenance service can be disposed of for £10.00 + VAT/bulk bag price. 

Summary 

Green Waste Disposal is essential in order to protect the environment. It can reduce harmful gases being released into the atmosphere and can ensure that energy potential is put to good use. BZ Gardens can help with your green waste disposal. We do so by transporting the material to our licenced organics recycling facility where it can be processed into a natural and peat free compost. 

Contact Us - Local Garden Service 

As a local garden service BZ gardens can help with a range of garden services, from waste disposal, estate management, landscape design and much more. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London. Should you have any questions regarding our green waste disposal services or anything else, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help with your enquiries.

One of our garden maintenance services that we provide is our groundwork services. But what do groundwork contractors do? What are the benefits of getting a groundwork contractor to work on your site? This article will cover these questions and much more. 

What Do Groundwork Contractors Do? - Service Overview 

Groundwork helps to prepare ground surfaces and below for any building work. To get this process carried out in an efficient and effective manner, our groundwork contractors will be on hand. They will help clear the site, lay down foundations and establish drainage and pipes. Groundwork contractors may also help with the construction of roads and car parks. 

What is Included in our Groundwork Services? 

Our groundwork services help cover a wide range of factors in garden upkeep. These include:

• Excavations
• Site Clearance
• Foundations and footings 
• Mini Piling 
• Utility Trenchwork 
• Drainage 

Operated Machinery Hire 

In addition to the services listed above that are provided by our groundwork contractors, this service also provides various manned operated machinery for hire. This is ideal for excavations, laying aggregates, top soil and earth moving. These machineries help to speed up groundwork processes. These machineries also come with fully trained operators who are on hand for any of your requirements. 

Why Choose BZ Gardens For Your Groundwork Services?

For groundwork services, there are plenty of contractors  available to you to choose from. That being said, when choosing BZ Gardens, you will receive a level of service and commitment that is unrivalled. Thus, if you need residential or commercial groundwork, BZ Gardens is a service you can trust. 

Summary

From site clearance to excavations, drainage and much more, there are many benefits to our groundwork services. Our groundwork contractors provide a wealth of knowledge and experience in caring for a range of different kinds of commercial and domestic gardens and know exactly what to do to ensure your space looks great all year round. 

Contact Us - Garden Maintenance Services 

With a wealth of experience and specialist knowledge in our industry, BZ gardens has quickly grown to become a well-established and well-regarded business. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London and more. Should you have any questions regarding our groundwork services or anything else, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help with your enquiries.

One of the local gardening services we provide is our estate management services. When you sign up to our unique estate management services account, you become an elite customer. You will be assured that your estate or home garden will be managed efficiently to the highest standard possible. But what is included in this service? Read on to find out more. 

Why is Estate Management Important? 

Many extensive gardens, parks and landscapes comprise a range of hard and soft landscaping features. Especially with vegetation, tasks can take up an extensive amount of a garden staff’s time. 

A wide range of different knowledge and skills are required depending on the character and size of a given garden or park. This may include knowledge on growing fruit and vegetables as well as the upkeep of ornamental features. By using our estate management services, you can be assured that all aspects of your garden or park are managed effectively and to a professional standard. Additionally, it will lessen the load for workers tasked with maintaining these spaces. 

What Is Included In This Service?

Our estate management services are highly structured and cover many areas of garden management. From the pruning of prised roses, wisteria to lawn mowing, topping fields and managing woodlands. Additionally, our estate management services ensure the upkeep of drives and roadways as well as specialist lawn treatments and plant work such as pest and disease control. 

Commercial and Domestic Service 

As a local gardening service, BZ Gardens works with clients for both commercial and domestic gardens. With our expertise in landscaping maintenance as well as other aspects of estate management work, you will gain peace of mind knowing that your estate looks good all year round. 

Summary 

As a local gardening service, we offer a wide range of estate management services for both commercial and domestic clients. These services are designed to help with a range of hard and soft landscaping features, including; specialist lawn treatment, pruning, plant pest and disease control and much more. By using this service, you benefit from our vast knowledge in garden and estate maintenance. Our team can help you save valuable time spent maintaining your garden or park. For these reasons, we highly recommend using our estate management services so you can be sure that your garden looks good year round. 

Contact Us - Local Gardening Services 

BZ gardens has quickly grown to become a well-established and well-regarded business, working at the top end of our industry. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London and more. Should you have any questions regarding our estate management services or any of our other services, please feel free to contact us or even visit us in our office. We are happy to help! 

As Spring pokes its head and we move towards the summer months, now is the perfect time to think about your garden design. In 2022, you should approach your garden design with purpose. Think carefully about each plant, furniture and pot and what they bring to your space. Here are some popular garden and landscape designs presented to you from a professional garden service. 

Tropical Plants 

A well designed garden can provide you with the atmosphere of a far away and wonderful place in the sun. But what plants best help create this far away and tropical feeling. For example, caladiums come in varieties for both sun and shade. Alternatively, rose mallows are vibrant flowers similar to hibiscus. These varieties are great for that exotic garden  aesthetic. 

Something More Natural 

In 2022, many are opting for a more natural feel to their garden design. Rather than having displays of metal and plastic, more natural materials like stone and timber are taking centre stage. 

Additionally, the use of cement and concrete are also being reduced. Newer, more modern methods of brick laying help to reduce a need for traditional mortar. They also create more permeable substrates  that manage storm water more effectively. 

Reducing Your Carbon Footprint 

Currently, we are facing somewhat of a climate crisis and many are doing what they can to reduce their carbon footprint. In this pursuit there is no better place to start than your garden. By reducing the need for large machinery and by upcycling materials in the garden, you can greatly reduce your impact on the environment.

For many, it has also become a priority to reduce the need for non-recyclable plastic in gardening practices. By reusing pots and only buying products made from biodegradable materials like rubber and wood, the environmental impact of your garden is greatly reduced. 

Summary

There are many new and exciting ways to improve your garden design this year. From tropical plants that transport you to a far away place, to more natural garden designs, there are plenty of options that are trending in 2022. Additionally, environmentally friendly garden designs are becoming increasingly more popular. There are plenty of ways you can reduce your footprint with your garden design such as with the use of biodegradable products. 

Contact Us - Bespoke Garden Service

Established in 2010, BZ gardens has grown to become a well-established and well-regarded business, working at the top end of our industry. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London and more. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us or even visit us in our office. For any of your garden and landscaping needs, we are happy to help! 

Horticulture is the science of breeding, nurturing and cultivating plants. In this field, professionals are knowledgeable in the methods and techniques used to prepare soil in order to ensure better crop yield. As part of our garden maintenance service, BZ Gardens can provide you with year-round comprehensive horticultural services. But what is included in this service? 

Complete Lawn Care 

More than just lawn mowing and weed control, BZ Gardens offer a variety of lawn care services for commercial, domestic and public spaces. These include: 

• Lawn mowing 
• Strimming
• Fertilising
• Weed control 
• Moss control 
• Aerating 
• Scarification

There are a range of benefits to seeking out our lawn care services. For example, it can help increase the value of your home in the future as your lawns will be well maintained. Additionally, it will save you a lot of time and stress with the physical labour involved in lawn maintenance. 

Complete Plant Work 

Especially as we enter the warmer spring and summer months, it is important to make sure your flowers and plants are well maintained. This can be a tall task, with many different aspects including; pruning, spraying, feeding and trailing. With help from our professional team, you can be sure that all your plants get the care they need. 

Flower Bed and Border Maintenance

To get the most out of your flower beds and garden borders, our expert team is here to help. Save yourself the time trouble of weeding and soil preparation with our flower bed and border maintenance service. This includes: 

• Weeding
• Edging
• Soil Preparation 
• Compost/ Mulch Application 

How Else Can We Help? - Horticultural Services 

On top of all this, we also have a range of other services that we provide to help with your horticultural needs. For example, we can help with hedge trimming, leaf clearance, plant health protection and meadow and grassland management. 

Furthermore, preparing a property at the end of a tenancy can be extremely stressful. This is why we offer an end of tenancy garden maintenance service for rental properties. We can also help prepare garden and open spaces for events such as parties and weddings. 

Contact Us - Garden Maintenance Service

With years of experience, BZ Gardens are professionals in the field of landscaping. We offer a wide range of services for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients. If you have any questions surrounding our horticultural services or anything else, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01483299797. Alternatively you can email us at info@bzgardens.co.uk. 

BZ Gardens can provide you with year-round comprehensive horticultural and local gardening services. Our regular maintenance usually occurs on a weekly or fortnightly basis with jobs tailored to seasonal changes. What are horticultural services? What’s included? This guide will help cover these questions and more. 

What Are Horticultural Services?

Horticulture refers to the science of breeding, nurturing and cultivating plants. Workers in this field are trained and knowledgeable in the methods and techniques used to prepare soil in order to ensure thriving plants, better crop yield and well maintained green spaces. 

What’s included In Our Horticultural Services?

Our horticultural services cover many different areas. For example: 

Regular Garden Maintenance

We offer regular garden maintenance services. These include lawnmowing, strimming, fertilising, weed control and scarification. 

Complete Plant Work

Our complete plant work services include things such as pruning, spraying and trailing. It may also include dividing and cutting back herbaceous plants. 

Flower Bed and Border Maintenance 

Additionally, our horticultural services also include a range of flower bed and border maintenance. For example, we can help with any weeding, edging, soil preparation and compost/mulch application. 

Other additional Horticultural services we provide include:

• Hedge trimming
• Leaf clearance 
• Planting 
• Garden Party Preparations 
• End of tenancy garden maintenance

Why Choose BZ Gardens For Your Horticultural Needs? 

As an experienced team of gardening experts, we have been able to establish a well -regarded business, working at the top of our industry. We constantly challenge ourselves to conceive, create and care for unique gardens and open spaces. No matter whether it be for a residential, commercial or public garden space, we are confident in our ability to provide you with a top quality service. 

The Benefits Of Hiring A Professional Landscape Gardener For Your Horticultural Needs 

One benefit of hiring a professional landscape gardener for your horticultural needs is that they know what they are doing. When you pay for this service you gain an advantage from the experience of a professional as well as their expertise, time, equipment and materials. Additionally, by hiring a professional landscaper, you add value to your property as your garden or open space becomes more attractive to future buyers. 

Contact Us - Local Gardening Services

Established in 2010, BZ Gardens are experienced professionals in the field of gardening. We offer a wide range of local gardening services and are able to care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients. For any questions surrounding our horticultural services or anything else, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01483299797. Alternatively you can email us at info@bzgardens.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you. 

Tree management is extremely important as a way to help the environment. It helps general tree health and helps maintain good relationships with neighbours in residential areas. As local garden service arboricultural experts, we can help advise you on the type of tree work and methods you need. This guide will explore the different arboricultural services we provide. 

Tree Pruning 

Tree pruning is the process of removing dead or diseased branches that prevent a tree from living healthily. Often, professionals will remove any growth that can interfere with other parts of a plant. For example, this can happen where branches cross over each other. But what do we include in our tree pruning services? BZ Gardens can help with:

• Crown reduction 
• Pollarding
• Crown thinning
• Crown lifting and formative pruning
• Vertan tree pruning and management 
• Cable bracing 
• Dead wood removal 
• Ivy removal 
• Hedge removal 

AirSpade Tree Applications

AirSpade, a compressed air power tool is used to facilitate excavation, soil management and tree health care within a tree’s critical root zone. The benefits that air-spading has for tree health has made it a popular practice for arborists. It’s applications extend to: 

• Root collar excavation 
• Vertical mulching 
• Radial trenching 
• Soil aeration 
• Root pruning 

Site Clearance and Tree Removal

 In some circumstances, you will need to remove a tree entirely. To remove a mature tree safely requires a level of skill and access to professional equipment. For this reason it is best to hire a professional tree removal specialist. As part of our local garden service that involves site clearance and tree removal, we can help with tree felling and dismantling, stump grinding and vegetation management. We can also help remove storm damaged and dangerous trees with contract chipping. 

Summary 

Not only do our tree management services help the environment. They also ensure that good tree health is maintained which can help sustain a trees’ longevity. Caring for trees safely requires expert knowledge and specialist equipment, so it is important to ensure that a qualified arborist is involved. From tree pruning to tree removal, our arboricultural services offer a wide variety of ways to keep your trees and garden healthy. You can see our full list of arboricultural services here. 

Contact Us - Garden Maintenance Service

At BZ Gardens,  we are dedicated to providing the highest quality of service to turn your dream garden ideas into reality. If you have any questions surrounding our local garden services or anything else, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01483299797. Alternatively you can email us at info@bzgardens.co.uk. 

BZ gardens provide a range of services for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex. As part of our landscape construction services, we provide hard landscaping. But what is Hard landscaping? What do we include in this garden service? This guide will cover all this and more. 

What is Hard Landscaping? 

Simply put, hard landscaping is the backbone of your garden. It covers a range of different aspects. This may include but is not limited too:

• Paths
• Driveways
• garen walls
• Patios
• Arches 
• Raised Beds 

Hard landscaping may involve a wide range of materials like wood, brick, stone, gravel, glass and more. It may also include any outdoor furniture and other landscape products. 

The process of hard landscaping is all about improving the appearance of a piece of land. This is done by changing its contours and adding ornamental features. It is recommended that a garden designer should be involved when choosing hard landscape products and materials.

Benefits of Hard Landscaping

Hard landscaping can help  give your garden form and structure. From pergolas to paving, fencing to fountains, hard landscaping provides a base on which the softer elements, such as flowers and shrubs can perform.

Additionally, hard landscaping is essential as it provides practical solutions for the needs of a given space. It can help create boundaries and a platform and can also help with drainage, water diversion, erosion prevention. 

Soft Landscaping 

In addition to hard landscaping, BZ Gardens also offer soft landscaping services. But what is the difference between soft and hard landscaping? Unlike hard landscaping, soft landscaping relates to the renovation or upkeep of soft materials in outdoor spaces. Often, this includes plants. Soft landscaping services may include; turf laying, grass seeding, planting, seasonal planting and preparing wildflower meadows. 

Summary 

As we have now covered in some detail, we offer a wide range of hard landscaping services. These help to give your garden form and structure and can also help with other areas such as drainage, water diversion and erosion prevention. Some of these services include hard landscaping for; paths, driveways, patios, arches and more. In addition, as part of our landscape construction services, we also include soft landscaping too. This includes the renovation and upkeep of soft outdoor materials, often plants. 

Contact Us - Garden Service

Established in 2010, BZ gardens has  quickly grown to become a well-established and well-regarded business, working at the top end of our industry. We create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London and more. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us or even visit us in our office. We are happy to offer arboricultural, horticultural or landscaping advice in any way we can.

There are a lot of different opinions about composite fencing out there. This can be quite confusing for someone who has never had any experience with composite fences before. This is a post that will clear out most of the confusion. After going through the necessary facts about composite fences, it should be much easier to make an informed choice.

What does composite mean?

Among the many fencing options, composite fencing is a manmade material that consists of both natural and artificial materials. Often called engineered wood, composite is mostly a mix of real wood and recycled plastic, giving it a few important characteristics from both materials.

Each company’s products use different ratios in their composite fencing. You might also be able to find a few companies selling woodless composite panels for fences, but at that point, it is difficult to confirm whether those products even qualify as composite fence panelling.

Is that true: composite fencing classifies as green material?

Often hailed as being the greener alternative to natural wood, composite certainly can be more eco-friendly than pure wood. Composite is indeed an eco-friendlier option than wood by default, since it does last a lot longer, and doesn’t need as many repairs as pure wood fencing does. This means that every composite fencing installed will save at least a few trees from needing to be cut down for repairs in their lifetime. That isn’t the full story though.

Make sure marketing does not override reality

Every manufacturer/seller will claim that they only deal in green composite fencing. We can’t confirm whether the products were really made from recycled plastic and sustainably sourced wood just by sight. There are, however, ways to differentiate claims from facts. For example, if a manufacturer is sourcing their timber in a sustainable manner, then they should have the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) badge to prove it.

As it is with almost anything nowadays, it depends entirely on the actual practices of the manufacturer, rather than their marketing. The bottom line is that you should not just take their word for it. Instead, check for stamps of approval from recognized authority establishments that can confirm their claims. It is true that all composite fences will have a positive impact against deforestation in the long run but, ideally, they should not be a cause for deforestation to begin with either.

Composite vs Wood?

We have already covered why composite fencing is an eco-friendlier choice as compared to wood, so let us take a look at the wood vs. composite debate from a homeowner’s angle next.

• Composite fences are more durable and need less repairing because plastic keeps the wood from rotting as easily.
• Low maintenance and a longer life not only save trees but also the homeowner’s money down the line.
• Stacked composite fence panels are significantly easier to assemble, install, uninstall, repair, and/or replace
• Remains unaffected by moisture, insects, and other pests.
• Weathering takes a very long time to have any significant effect on composite fences.
• The colours do not fade easily.
• Maintenance requirements are minimal, and you can wash your composite fences with water, without having to worry about rot.

Despite all these advantages, you still need to be careful about buying composite products, because not everything being sold is equally good. 

So how to decide?

Composite is an excellent material for fencing your or garden. But it has its small share of flaws as well. Just go through the following to know whether any of them are big enough to be dealbreakers for you:

• These cost more than softwood initially because composite is a premium fencing material with long-term savings to consider.
• Although composite can replicate the look of wooden fences, there will always be a noticeable difference between the two.
• Not all manufacturers can create high-quality composite panels that will offer all the benefits discussed.

It might not initially matter which material you choose. After installation, all fences look great. But what about the long term? Choose wisely after considering all the pros and cons, as well as how they might affect your home’s particular situation.

Composting is a term that is understood by many people theoretically, but in practice can be quite difficult to achieve the expected results. The post below will introduce this topic in more in detail and give you some ideas to aid you in producing real, good quality compost.

Why is it good to compost?

Composting is the simplest way to create a “nutrition-bomb” for our garden, which can improve the general condition of our soil. This is because our plants are supplied with macro- and microelements from a known, reliable source. Beside these benefits, we can also reuse and recycle our garden and kitchen waste which would otherwise end up in our waste bins, bonfires, or local green waste facilities. Our soil needs TLC just as much as our plants: either it is too clayey and retains too much water or too sandy and water runs straight through it, retaining very little nutrients. But, by adding compost to poorer types of soil, we can improve the structure and water retaining ability of the soil, thus eventually over the years our poorer quality soil can be turned into a crumbling, rich growing media.

Because our plants through the vegetation period are constantly depleting the nutrient resources as they grow, flower and produce fruits, we regularly need to provide added nutrients to our soil. The mature, dark brown (often black) colour, almost soil-like compost contains a wide spectrum of nutrients, which is perfect to use in our garden.

How and where should I use the compost?

We can never have enough compost as it is so versatile to use in the garden. We can use it for soil preparation when we want to lay new turf, create a new flower bed, reseed an area, cultivate it into the soil; or we can apply it in planting holes for plants with high nutrient demand such as annuals, vegetables etc. Compost which is not perfectly ready for planting, can also be used for mulching around trees (covering tree pits) to suppress weeds, retain moisture or even sprinkled onto other pots and tubs.

Vegetable garden

In autumn, once we harvested all the vegetables and tidied the beds up, we should dig or hoe the ground to a 5-8cm depth, and then we should spread the compost in a good 2–3-inch layer on the top of the ground. During the winter months this layer of compost will slowly get into the deeper layers of the soil. In spring, once the frost is firmly gone, it is worth adding another 2-inch layer of compost to clay the soil.

Herbaceous borders and rose gardens

In autumn, when we cut all the herbaceous plants back and tidy the beds up, we should add a 3-inch layer of compost to the herbaceous border, but do not cultivate it into the ground, just leave it on the surface over the winter. In spring we should repeat this again, but this time gently fork or dig the compost into the soil. We can do the same thing with areas which are planted up with bulbs.

Trees and shrubs

Spread the compost around the stem of mature trees and shrubs in about 30-40cm radius. For younger plants, we should spread it right up to the perimeter of the crown to provide the very crucial, initial nutrient supply for our young trees and shrubs. If we do the composting in autumn, it is not necessary to cultivate it into the soil, but in spring it is highly recommended.

Lawns

If you have mature, soil-like compost, you can apply that on your lawn too,  by spreading a  thin layer right after lawn aeration so that rain and irrigation can wash it deeper into the ground.

What can I compost?

For successful composting we need organic matter high in carbon (called “brown materials”), organic matter high in Nitrogen (called “green materials”), oxygen and water. Composting is a biological breakdown process – however if there is a lack of oxygen it can quickly transform into rotting, and the final product would not be dark brown or soil like but rather a smelly unusable mess. Do not compost oily, fatty materials, food leftovers (unless green materials) and faeces from carnivorous animals. The following spreadsheet gives you some ideas about different common materials and the colour coded category they belong to:

Is there a perfect recipe for composting? 

There is no perfect recipe for composting, but there is well proven ratio: 3:1, which makes our life lot easier. This means we should mix 1 ratio of green materials to 3 ratio of brown materials. This ratio is quite important, because if use too much brown materials it will take quite long for the organic material to break down, but if we have to much green materials the organic material will start to rot instead of breaking down, and this biological process would not attract to macro- and microorganisms living in the soil to turn our organic materials into compost. On compost heaps or in composters, when we add a new layer of organic matter to it, make sure to spread a layer of soil on it too, and if we think it is too dry then add a bit of water to it. The composting material should always be like a squeezed sponge - gently moist, but not overly wet. When the biological breakdown process starts, it creates heat, so do not be surprised if your compost pile feels warm - this is absolutely natural and should be expected.

How to choose a composter and where should I place it?

There are so many ways and methods for composting, the simplest is a compost heap or pit dug in the ground where we collect the green waste. There is also a wide range of constructed composters on the market. Some more aesthetically pleasing and others more practical, but sometimes not so cost affective – but you can always find the one that suits your requirements the best. Whenever you want to allocate an area for your new composting facility, make sure it is a well-drained (not waterlogged) and semi-shady (so to not dry out quickly) area. This area should have comfortable access to be able to put your new materials on easily. When you want to decide about the size of your composting area, always consider the size of your garden and the quantity and form of materials you want to compost. Practically, the best composter is the 3-section composter which allows you to maintain/rotate and have your own compost all year round.

Composter types

So far, we learnt the background of composting and now let’s see the pros and cons of different composters, which would help us decide on one and also find the best location for it in our garden.

1. Wire mash
   1. Pros: cheap; easy to maintain
   2. Cons: dry out quickly

2. Plastic composter (“machines”)
   1. Pros: Easy to handle; can take up only a small area
   2. Cons: Easily gets bin-burnt

3. Built hollow concrete block
   1. Pros: can be bult in larger scale; does not require much maintenance; long life
   2. Cons: quite artificial; high building cost

4. Timber composter
   1. Pros: can be bult in larger scale; does not require much maintenance; natural
   2. Cons: can be high building cost (depending on materials used); needs treating and over the years can deform

The “regime” of composting can seem a bit complicated at the beginning, but once we get into the routine, it helps us reduce our green waste, reduce the cost we would spend on buying compost while also providing us with reliable source of plant food, and at the end of the chain… happy, thriving plants. So, we try to encourage everybody who has the option to start composting, begin saving money, and grow healthier plants.

Most of our house plants hail from tropical, subtropical, or Mediterranean areas. It is then no surprise that long winter months in heated rooms and extended periods of low sun hours  can confuse our plants.

While a lot of house plants tent to go through a dormant period in winter months guided by the drop in sunny hours, the 20-23°C house temperatures would mean spring or end of summer for them.

During this stage, their natural development could turn abnormal which is often indicated through the production of weak, scruffy, and yellowish new shoots. These changes can also signify a deterioration in general health condition which could leave many plants more exposed to any potential infectious diseases or insects.

We can make this situation even worse if do not start to reduce the frequency of watering and feeding because we would send the wrong signals to our house plants by encouraging further new growth. All these factors mentioned above contribute to poor plant care and are known causes for death in house plants during the winter months. 

To further increase confusion, some conditions which are appropriate for one group of plants may be intolerable to others present in that very same room. It is also unrealistic to switch the heating off in our homes just to recreate a more wintery temperature.

If we wanted to do the best for our house plants, we should start at the beginning: right when we purchase them. Immediately, we must check the environmental requirements of the different species and varieties, and we should compare these with the conditions that we can realistically provide in our own homes. For example, take a citrus tree which thrives on patios through the summer months. By reading the label, we know that this plant will require a constant 10°C temperature and access to direct sunlight even in winters. If we cannot provide the plant with these conditions - as often the case of British patios, which are known to reach freezing temperatures - they will die off in the winter. 

The average home lacks light in winter months, but due to the central heating the air is rather dry, which not too many house plants can tolerate. The Dracena trifasciata, Dracena marginate, Aglaonema sp. and Bromelia are fine with these conditions when water is poured into their funnel shaped leaves. 

Cactuses and sedums can also tolerate the dry and hot air but struggle in poor light conditions. In these conditions they would produce scruffy and weak new growth, so we are better off over wintering them in cellars, garages and darker rooms, where the temperature does not exceed 5-10°C and light is scarce, thus forcing them into a dormant status.

Generally, the variegated varieties and flowering house plants can also suffer from lack of light (for example Sinningia cardinalis, Sinningia speciosa, Monstera deliciosa, ficuses, cyclamens, African violet, azaleas, Calceolaria sp.).  The best way to over winter these types of plants is to find and place them in the coolest but sunniest spot in our home, which are normally the window seals, where the temperature does not exceed 15-17°.

Orchids love the humidity, so we can even keep them in our bathroom as long as it is not pitch dark when the room is not in use. But any humid air loving plants - like ferns and orchids - can be grown in kitchens or bathrooms.

With tropical plants, we may need to insulate their pots using bubble wrap and provide an in situ humid microclimate while also finding and placing them in sunny spots in our homes. The easiest way to achieve an acceptable humid microclimate for these plants is by placing their pots on trays filled and levelled with shingle and gently topped with water. It might sound funny, but even drying our washing regularly in the same room can create enough humidity for these humid loving plants…but this could unfortunately cause mould on the walls too.

During winter months the leaves can be covered by dust, which would reduce the physiological functions of our house plants, so every now and again it is advisable to gently wipe or spray every leaf. Always try to use boiled but cooled down water to avoid unsightly spots on the leaves caused by the mineral content of the hard water. Hence, the same reason fir why it’s not advisable to shower our house plants directly.

For watering, never use cold water and always try to water with room temperature water with reduced frequency. Try to avoid having any excessive water in the saucers underneath the pots as this can lead to root rot.

We should also stop feeding the plants with water soluble fertilisers until spring. The only exceptions are the winter flowering varieties like Christmas cactus, which we can feed maximum once in a fortnight.

Ventilating the rooms is also very important, but we need to be careful as some of our house plants are sensitive to cold drifts, which can cause leaf loss. So, if we want to open the doors or windows to air the room, we might need to move the drift sensitive plants temporarily out of the way to somewhere more sheltered.

In the festive season when we need to reposition our plants because of the Christmas tree, we need to make sure they do not end up too cold, too hot, or in too dark places.

If we wisely consider the winter and summer conditions of our home when selecting new house plants and match their environmental requirements, we should be successful with growing them and would not need to worry if they survive the winter alright.

Keeping a dog and looking after them can be quite complicated.  Although almost all of us like dogs and we are grateful to them for guarding our properties and us while also providing joyful moments and happiness to the entire family, we need to know a dog that does not ruin flower beds or chew plants is often a rarity.

Name one person who is unfamiliar with the crater like holes, scratched out lawns, dug up plants, the dog created and trodden pathways i and the “special” circle signs caused by dogs’ urine?

However, while digging and naughty dogs can be a real enemy of our gardens, you do not necessarily need to choose between having a dog or a beautiful garden. The two can coexist at the same time if we spend some time with planning and preparation, before introducing our new dog to the garden.

First, we need to try to only use dog friendly (animal friendly) horticultural materials and specifically choose to plant dog friendly or rather dog resistant plants. Beside these fundamental practices, we can also divide or separate certain safe zones for our dog in the garden by creating sand pits and/or fenced off shady play areas where he/she can play or relax.

The steps bellow outline how we can create a garden that looks spectacular and is dog friendly at the same time.

1. Plant dog friendly and non-poisonous plants

We all know our plants are not safe when our dogs – especially in younger age – are playing in the garden as they love chewing plants, digging plants up, breaking them as they are running over them. We do not have time to keep our eyes on our pups all the time, so often we have to face the skeletons and remains of our ornamental plants, vegetables etc. As a result, these playful events can be deadly and dangerous for our plants, but unfortunately it can be the same for our dog. That’s why I suggest planting non-poisonous plants. When you select your new plants, try to avoid Rhododendron, Hydrangea, Oleander or Lily of the valley. I know they are impressive and very decorative varieties, but it is better to be on the safe side. There is a website ( https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/dogs-plant-list ) where the toxic and non-toxic plants for dogs been collected and listed.

2. Plant herbs

Try to plant various herbs in your garden, which are pleasing to the eye, useful for cooking and fragranced with strong scent that helps keep dogs away. If for any reason he/she decides to chew on these herbs or pull them out from the ground, they do not cause any harm to our dog. Good choices can be: lemon grass, lavender, thyme, oregano etc.

3. Apply dog friendly chemicals

When you need to apply any pesticides or fertilisers, try to use dog friendly ones that are non-toxic and won’t cause any harm to your dog. For instance, organic neem oil is highly affective against bugs, green flies, black flies, and white flies. If you can not avoid applying harmful chemicals, make sure you use the right dosage and wait the recommended time before you let your dog back in the treated area.

4. Dog repellents

I understand there are fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants what you want to grow, but your dog may also would like a taste of it and you can not stand a guard next to them. I have a solution for that as well: you can use vinegar or cider vinegar diluted in water and sprayed on those plants you need to keep your dog away from. Dogs can not stand the strong, irritating smells. Also, as a bonus these strong smells keep some insects away too, so they can be used as biological control in our plant protection methods as well. Only those plants we would like to protect this way can be sprayed once a week with the repellent, so we do not need to spray all our plants in the garden. Chilli powder or chilli extract diluted in water can also work.

5. Fences and raised beds

Sometimes if your dog is pig-headed, naughty and the above options do not work to keep them away from your beloved plants, you can consider fencing off an area for your dog or creating physical barriers for him/her to get close to the protected plants. For older dogs, normally simple raised beds tend to work well as they cannot or do not like to jump, so if you plant your plants in raised beds they should be alright. But some dogs just love jumping and for them you might need to consider erecting dog fences. There are many different types and materials on the market you can choose from.

6. Do not leave your dog alone in the garden

It is quite a wise thing not to leave your dog alone in the garden until it learns what they are allowed or not allowed to do. When you see them try to do something they are not supposed to do, you need to intervene and tell them off immediately until they learn the rules in your garden.

7. Dog friendly pathways

Plan and create pathways in the garden what you intend to walk on (especially in vegetable garden) as this would encourage your dog to use these pathways too, rather than walking through the middle of the beds and borders.

8. Keep dog toys in your garden

Playing is a very important thing in a dog’s life (especially in younger age) and we need to make sure that they feel safe when outside and that it is an enjoyable experience. The best way to achieve this is by leaving some toys for them in the garden: balls, chewing toys but even larger cut branches or logs would do the trick. They will learn to be active and to play with these toys and at the same time they are not so tempted to chew or dig your plants.

9. Dog toilet

The dogs’ urine is very high in Nitrogen and salinity concentration, which causes yellow circle on your lawn and can burn/kill some plants, which are sensitive to it (yew tree, conifer etc.). If we want to avoid the view of these yellow circles in our lawn, the best way if we allocate a fence post or dead tree trunk where we can teach the dog to use it as a toilet, so we do not have unpleasant surprises in our garden.

10. Digging area for your dog

Digging is a key activity for dogs. We should not take this joy away from them, but at the same time we do not want to stare at huge soil heaps and upside-down plants in our garden. Probably the best compromise is to fence off (with a short fence or garden edge) an area where our dog can dig freely. The area can be enhanced with a sandpit to make the digging even more interesting.

11. Plant therapeutic plants for your dog

Various studies show that certain herbs can improve the dogs general health condition and also reduce the level of stress. For example, hop can calm down hyperactive dogs, while sweet amber (Hypericum androsaemum) has a calming and pain relief effect on dogs.

So, dogs and nice gardens can really coexist, but they both need TLC right from the beginning.