As we all know, the future can be incredibly hard to predict. However, we, as well as others are seeing several trends in the landscape designs, we are producing currently. This is what we believe the future may hold for landscape designs.
Less effort, larger reward: As we become a ‘time-poor’ (or perhaps better stated, ‘time conscious’) workforce, we are seeing trends towards gardens that contain less traditional planting. The planting which we are completing now definitely follows this trend – the trend is for colour and low maintenance planting.
Natural tones: We are finding that clients are leaning towards natural colours – greys, browns and greens in their garden. This can be added across all materials – including fencing, decking and paving. This natural aesthetic creates a calm, natural feeling atmosphere, which may help people relax.
Long-lasting: Composite fencing and decking is proving more popular than ever – this decking combination mixes wood with plastic to create a material that is long lasting and is less likely to stain or splinter. We are finding that our clients are wanting materials that will last.
Contemporary: While many of our clients do prefer a traditional aesthetic, landscape designs are leaning more and more towards a contemporary feel. This may include curved edges, rather than straight lines, contemporary and bespoke lighting or wooden feature areas. This aesthetic can tie in with creating a low maintenance, natural feeling garden.
While we cannot predict the exact future, these trends are currently prevalent in garden design. How do you think this will change ahead?
Many of us can become dissatisfied with our gardens after a while – we may be looking out our window at the same view day after day and growing bored with what we see in front of us. There are many ways that we can take our garden to the next level and regain our love for the space.
Colour can be a really easy way to take our garden to the next level. Have you considered a bed with themed, seasonal planting? These beds could be used to add colour throughout the year. Colour can be adapted – if you have a favourite colour, or a specific aesthetic, then planting can be easily modified. Colour can also be added through updating a patio, decked area or painting a wall – even power washing an existing patio can add some brightness or colour to your garden that has been missing.
Water features create an immediate feeling of luxury – the calming sound of the water will help you relax. Water features come in all shapes, sizes and varieties, which make them perfect for any garden. Finally, water features will attract wildlife to your garden, which can help pollinate flowers and add some busyness and interest in your space.
Finally, gardens can be taken to the next level by including some different textures in our spaces. Gravel can add a traditional crunch to your garden. However, there are other options which can add a different texture to your space. Bark can be a good alternative to gravel and can help with drainage and pebbles or cobbles as edging strips can also break up the greenery in your garden.
However you decide to take your garden to the next level, now is the perfect time to achieve this!
Unsure how to take your garden to the next level, our landscape design service will put all of your ideas into a virtual walk through. Meaning that you can see your finished garden, before any work has even begun.
If you need a landscape design team, we work with Blue Iris Landscapes, Staffordshire.
Landscape design is the perfect way to reinvigorate your garden.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Trimming with a TPO
A TPO (Tree Preservation Order) is an order made by your local council or planning authority to protect specific trees, groups of trees or areas of woodland. The trees or areas are assessed on individual merit, so there are no set or defined criteria for assessing the trees. Here are The Do’s and Don’ts of Trimming with a TPO…
If you suspect your tree has a TPO, please do contact your council ahead of any work taking place on the tree.
A Tree With A TPO
If you do have a tree or a garden that is subject to a TPO, then you are unable to cut down the tree. Topping the tree (the removal of a large amount of growth from the top of the tree), lopping the tree (the removal of a large amount of growth from the side of the tree) or uprooting the tree. Every effort must be made by the landowner to ensure that the tree remains healthy and well looked after.
Especial care should be taken of any trees that are growing in hedgerows. These trees may appear to be part of the hedge, but should not be excessively trimmed, lopped or topped.
The tree, however, can be trimmed, if it is for the purpose of keeping the tree healthy or the trimming will have no impact on growth. For example, if a small branch was obscuring a window, you would be able to trim this back. Likewise, if a branch of the tree became diseased, you would be able to remove this branch. This is because doing so will ensure the tree’s health and public safety.
Still Unsure?
If you have any doubts about tree work taking place on TPO trees. We recommend that you contact an arboricultural specialist or tree surgeon, to complete a tree survey. This survey can then be submitted to your local planning authority. Once received the local authority will advise if any work on the tree has been authorised.
To find out more about how ProHort can help you, get in touch with us by calling 01782 479 479 or email us at [email protected].
Going Organic? Get A Soil Test
Looking to make the change to organic farming or to improve your veggie garden? A soil test can give you the information to improve your soil. Are you going organic? Get a soil test…
Organic Farming
If you are farming organic crops, soil testing can be an essential part of the process.
The standards that organic farmers are held to are much stricter than the standards for traditional farmers. They strongly emphasise the protection of wildlife and environment, not allowing herbicides or strong pesticides. Therefore, natural methods are required to ensure crops grow healthily and are resistant to pests or disease. One of these natural methods is to develop good soil.
Organic farmers can develop healthy soil by taking numerous steps. These can include the rotation of crops, using clover and other legumes to fix nitrogen and introducing compost or manure into the soil.
Healthy Soil
Nutrient management planning relies heavily on soil testing to identify the best way to utilise manure in the soil and to create rotational plans. The Institute of Organic Training and Advice recommend that soil analysis is completed regularly. This helps to identify trends in the nutrients available in the soil at different times of the year. This information can then be fed back into the nutrient management plan. Regular soil tests can also be used for nutrient monitoring, ensuring that there is no nutrient overload from the additional manure or compost.
Making The Change
If you are in the process of switching over to organic farming, soil tests can also be used to assess baseline data. This can help decisions based around what fertiliser type to use. Identifying which crops will grow well and why other crops may not grow. When undertaking the organic certification process, a soil test may also be required before you can apply micronutrients or other fertilisers.
Soil testing and analysis is key to enabling organic farmers to get the very best from their plants. ProHort Ltd offer soil testing and analysis services to identify nutrient levels in soil. Find out more on our Soil Analysis service page.
As we all know, the future can be incredibly hard to predict. However, we, as well as others are seeing several trends in the landscape designs, we are producing currently. This is what we believe the future may hold for landscape designs.
Contemporary: While many of our clients do prefer a traditional aesthetic, landscape designs are leaning more and more towards a contemporary feel. This may include curved edges, rather than straight lines, contemporary and bespoke lighting or wooden feature areas. This aesthetic can tie in with creating a low maintenance, natural feeling garden.
Contemporary: While many of our clients do prefer a traditional aesthetic, landscape designs are leaning more and more towards a contemporary feel. This may include curved edges, rather than straight lines, contemporary and bespoke lighting or wooden feature areas. This aesthetic can tie in with creating a low maintenance, natural feeling garden.
Colour can be a really easy way to take our garden to the next level. Have you considered a bed with themed, seasonal planting? These beds could be used to add colour throughout the year. Colour can be adapted – if you have a favourite colour, or a specific aesthetic, then planting can be easily modified. Colour can also be added through updating a patio, decked area or painting a wall – even power washing an existing patio can add some brightness or colour to your garden that has been missing.
Finally, gardens can be taken to the next level by including some different textures in our spaces. Gravel can add a traditional crunch to your garden. However, there are other options which can add a different texture to your space. Bark can be a good alternative to gravel and can help with drainage and pebbles or cobbles as edging strips can also break up the greenery in your garden.
Organic Farming