Garden Design, Gardening, Make over, Outdoor Living, Uncategorized

What To Do In The Garden During Lockdown

As we enter the second lockdown of the year, our gardens and outdoor spaces come back into the spotlight. With shorter days and falling temperatures, it might seem like they’re done for the year – but that’s far from the truth. Getting outside is a key way to boost your mental health and get some exercise, even as we approach winter. Here are some top tips on how to make your garden as inviting in the winter and is it in the summer.

Get Ahead Of Garden Maintenance

Gardening is great for mental and physical health, it can be physically demanding and it keeps your mind occupied. There is also something satisfying about setting a goal for the day and meeting it. These little wins are important when you can’t distract yourself by visiting friends and family and there is still plenty to do in the garden at this time of year. You don’t need a big space to keep your fingers green, and there are a lot of things you can grow on a balcony or in a windowsill.

See our full list of November gardening jobs here.

Got a small space? – Find out how to get started with balcony or windowsill gardening.

Decorate for Christmas

In a year where a lot has been cancelled, there is one thing that never will be – Christmas. Celebrating may feel a bit out of place this year, but this is a time to focus on those relationships that have gotten us through, let our hair down and enjoy ourselves. A lot of people are decorating early to extend the festive season and end the year on a happy note. Why not join in the fun and deck your garden out with a festive display that will delight your neighbours and give you an oasis of festive cheer.

Find the perfect decorations for your garden.

Want to add the personal touch? – We’ll show you how to make your own wreath this year.

Introduce Some Winter Interest Plants

Summer is the only time of the year where you can relax in a colourful garden, right? Of course not. The winter garden can be just as colourful and interesting as vibrant summer beds or trailing hanging baskets. This year the garden is the easiest to access space you have, so why not bring out its full potential in every season? There are a lot of plants whose true colour only comes out when the rest of the garden has gone dormant. As leaves drop, colourful stems, textured bark and bright berries become more prominent. The effect is just like something you’d find on a Christmas card, and it makes your space unique

and relaxing – a great way to add a unique stamp to your space and bring it alive year-round.

Not sure what to plant at this time of the year? – Check out our guide here or

see all our favourite winter interest plants.

Create A Cosy Space

The patio is one of the best places to relax, but as we move closer to winter we often abandon it for central heating. This year, our need for more space should lead us to look at the patio in a new light. Can you relax outside when it’s cold? Of course, you can, and some of our top tips on how to get it right.

Make it intimate – the key to getting that cosy feeling is to make space feel smaller. This is really easy to do with a balcony or courtyard, but if you have a larger garden use screens, sail shades, gazebos or arbours to section off the space and protect it from the elements.

Add ambience – contrasting shadows and moving lights enhance the feeling of a small space. Add string lights or a fire pit or chiminea to the mix and space will instantly feel more relaxed.

Heat it up – fire pits and chimineas bring atmosphere, but also heat to your space. If you don’t have the room or budget for one why not consider a heater.

Accessorise – The final touch is to add a few accessories to soften and fill the space. Throws and cushions are great for your garden furniture and outdoor rugs look wonderful if your patio of decking contrasts with the rest of your aesthetic.

Let us help you design your ideal cosy space here.

What are you doing in your garden this lockdown? let us know on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram

Blog Series, Clocks, Decoration, Decorative Features, Garden Design, Gary, How To, Outdoor Living, Planters, Water Features

Shop the Look : International Garden Design

A well designed outdoor space can be just as satisfying as a new kitchen or cosy living room, but getting a complete look can be difficult when decorating outside. You can easily redesign a space with a few simple changes, without having to hard landscape or make changes to the structure of the garden. We’ve pulled together three classic garden designs to inspire you to recreate your space with minimal effort.

Moroccan Riad

The Riad has been a feature of Moroccan architecture since the Roman era. Typically a Riad is a small tiled courtyard dotted with large plants with a pool of water or a fountain in the middle. It’s a space to relax and escape the trials of the day, and it’s an easy look to achieve in a few simple steps.

Choose the right colours – the backbone of the Riad is vibrant, but cool colour combinations .White, blue and terracotta should form the backbone of your space, with some splashes of yellow and turquoise to tie the look together
Keep it symmetrical – these gardens are a mixture of a personal oasis and formal garden, keep it as symmetrical as you can to achieve an authentic, and impressive look
Make use of rugs – this is a space to relax and entertain in comfort. Traditionally, soft furnishings like rugs or cushions are dotted around the space to soften it.
Pick the right plants – space-filling plants that give off strong perfumed scents are the key to getting this kind of space right, lavender and rose bushes mixed in with olive trees and ornamental grasses would be a great selection for the authentic feel.
Shop the look :

We’ve put together a selection of accessories that we think would be the great jumping-off point to creating your own Riad garden. This combination of planter, water feature, rug, and chiminea all compliment each other well and could be enhanced with Moroccan style stool.

Italian Riviera

The tightly packed villages, stone facades and well-manicured gardens of the riviera were the inspiration for some of the finest artists of the renaissance and the ideals of the enlightenment still shine through in their design today. These gardens are refined, elegant and relaxing. They’re also deceptively easy to create:

Make the air smell of citrus – Sicily and the Italian coast are known for their lemons and oranges as much as they are for their tranquillity. Plant a few lemon trees in containers to get the look and smell of a summer on the shores of the coast of Genoa
Select tough plants – this area of Italy is known for the muted green colours of its plants. Rosemary, Cistus, and myrtle are great options to plant in containers alongside olive trees and pink climbing roses to get that refined look
Don’t overlook statues – evoke Italy’s romantic and classical history by adding some statuary to the garden. A few well-placed statues amongst your plants really create the look of a formal garden on the grounds of a large manor
Build the space around a pergola – shaded areas and canopies are a staple of Mediterranean garden design. If you can why not fill the centre of your garden with a pergola wrapped in wisteria that brings that grand touch to your design

Shop the look :

Our version of this classic garden design brings together all the classic elements of statuary, large planters, citrus trees and ornate wall decoration together to create that classic cool style. We’ve chosen to shade our garden with a sail shade rather than a pergola to make this design achievable in any space.

Spanish Garden

Spain is the number one holiday destination for the British, so why not bring that feel and style into your garden. A Spanish garden is a place to eat, entertain and relax with friends. The look is simple to achieve and can be made to work year-round if done correctly:

Plant to impress – flowering vines and climbing roses are must-haves for the authentic look. Train them to climb a wall, fence or pergola and you’re off to a great start. For added fragrance, plant jasmine, oranges and scented heirloom roses to complete the effect
Create a shaded space – the siesta is an important part of any day, and if you can it should always be done in the garden. Put a small shaded area into your space with a pergola or sail shade, hook up a hammock, and you’re ready for your midday nap.
Combine the old and the new – Spain has one of the oldest cultures in Europe, and the old country villages that dot its countryside are familiar to anyone who has visited. Capture this traditional look by adding aged or distressed pieces into your garden.
Make use of railings – small window boxes edged in cast-iron railings are a common sight

These are just a few ideas on simple ways to improve your outdoor space. If you like these designs and want to see more, check out our website to see the full range of products we have picked out. We’d love to see what you’ve done with your space on Instagram or Facebook

Images Courtesy of:

Awnings, Garden Design, Outdoor Living, Scott

The Ultimate Guide To Awnings

Welcome to our ultimate guide to awnings. Read on for some great advice on choosing an awning, installation and set up as well as cleaning tips.

What is an awning?

In its simplest form, an awning is a sheet of canvas or other material that is stretched across a frame to provide shade from the sun or protection from the rain.

How can I benefit from an awning?

A garden awning can increase the comfort levels of a seating area by making it a location suited to all weathers. It can shield you from harsh sunlight but also keep you dry in the rain, allowing you to extend the time spent outside.

You can also transform your planting options by introducing more shade. Shade-loving plants like ferns become a viable option when you can easily block out the strong midday sun.

What types of awning are there?

By our simple definition, an awning could be interpreted as anything that provides shade or shelter on a frame; this could include gazebos, marquees and shade sails. For this guide, however, we’re going to be talking about mounted patio awnings. This is typically what we think of when we say an awning and is the variety you may often associate with shop windows, cafes and coffee houses.

What kinds of mounted awning are there?

There are a lot of things you can consider when selecting a mounted awning. Size, material, special qualities like waterproof material of extra UV protection but the first way we categorise our awnings is how they retract.

Full cassette -this means that when the awning is retracted, all of the material will be concealed in the cassette case.

Half cassette – this means that when the awning is retracted, only the back of the sheet will be concealed in the cassette case.

Standard – this means that the awning will simply roll up on retraction, without being held in a cassette case.

How do I fit a mounted awning?

The preparation for installing an awning can usually be completed by one person. You will, however, require assistance when lifting the awning into position.

You can install most of our standard awnings by following the basic instructions below. For specific instructions, you can find the required PDfs here: https://www.primrose-awnings.co.uk/instructions.php

Required equipment:

Step ladder
Tape measure
Drill
Pencil or sharpie for marking the wall
Screwdriver (optional for starting screws off)

Basic installation guide:

Determine the position of your awning on the wall. It’s best to position it between 8 and 11 feet off the ground. Bear in mind that the awning will extend out at a diagonal so the furthest end will be lower than the starting height.
Measuring out the awning and mark the position on your wall for where the brackets will be positioned.
Drill holes for fixing your brackets to the wall. Be sure to drill into brick and not the mortar as this will be too weak. Most awnings will only need 8 holes to be drilled with 4 on each side (large awnings may require more holes to be drilled)
Attach your wall brackets.
Lift the main awning into position and fix to the bracket. This is the step you should never attempt on your own and is best done with assistance.
Slowly extend the awning out to ensure everything operates correctly.
Enjoy your awning!

How do I clean an awning?

Extending your awning when it’s raining will do a lot of the hard work for you but it’s good to give a regular clean once every 6 months or so. This will keep it looking fresh and new but will also help prolong its lifespan. With a step ladder you can clean your awning in 4 easy steps:

Use a long-handled broom or brush to remove any debris from the awning fabric.
Use a simple solution of washing up liquid and water in a spray bottle to lightly soak your awning fabric and brush with a soft brush.
Rinse off with a hose and leave the awning extended to dry naturally in the air.
Use a cloth and some of the liquid solution to clean the cassette casing.

Do awnings need planning permission?

Residential properties generally do not require planning permission to install an awning. Commercial properties such as cafes and shops will usually need permission, however.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this ultimate guide to all things awning!

Barbecues, Celebrations And Holidays, Fire Pits, Gary, Outdoor Living, Recipe

Everything You Need For A Garden Barbeque

There is more to putting on a great barbeque than just a fancy grill and some burgers. A truly great garden party that even the host can enjoy is made in the preparation. Make the process a lot easier with these top tips.

Consider a theme

Organising your party around a theme is a surefire way to get your ideas flowing. It’ll make it more memorable for your guests whilst also making it much easier to plan. Some ideas could include:

Tropical holiday
Street party
Staycation

Decorate

Whether you have a theme or not, decorating the garden will help you set the atmosphere you want. When decorating consider the following:

Accessories – just like with your living room, it’s the small touches that make the biggest difference. Cushions, outdoor rugs and small decorative features will go a long way to completing the look and feel you want

Lighting – if your family and friends like to gather and natter for a long time then some well-chosen lighting will help give your evening a more relaxed atmosphere or help you keep celebrating for longer. There are plenty of options available.

Heating – in the summer, it’s easy to be in the garden for most of the evening, but if you want to use your social space year-round then you might need to invest in some outdoor heating for when the evenings get chilly. There are plenty of options for heating your garden from upright patio heaters to parasol or wall-mounted heaters. If you want to add some atmosphere, consider a fire pit or chiminea.

Seating

Do you have enough space for everyone? It’s not ideal to have people perched all over the place when you are trying to have a good time, it always ends up with dropped food and people scattered everywhere. If you entertain a lot then it might be worth getting yourself a full set, but if it’s less regular then a few stacking or folding chairs you can store in the shed are a great option.

Never Underestimate a Paddling Pool

They are much more useful than for just splashing about in. If put in a shaded area they become a great way for keeping all your drinks cool.

Do you have everything you need?

If you have your grill, coals or gas and some buns ready, then you might think you have all you need to get barbequing, not quite. Your household utensils might not be good enough for the job. Buying a set of dedicated BBQ tools is a good idea, as is making sure you have everything else, like bottle openers and plates/cups ready too.

Plan A Menu

You don’t want to run out of food halfway through your party and end up with half burgers in a bun. Before you start, write a list of exactly how much food you might need, and stick to it. If you plan long enough in advance you will have time to marinade all your meats and get your prep down as well as plan what you’re going to cook when. If you want some menu inspiration why not check out our blog post on how to cook the perfect barbeque menu

Don’t Forget Sides & Sauces

Avoid last-minute rushes by planning your sides beforehand and getting them on your shopping list. Stuck for ideas? Here’s our basic breakdown of the ideal garden party and barbeque