By the time winter ends, gardens can take on that all too common but disappointingly jaded look, some can be distinctly uninspiring whilst others show signs of neglect. But as spring time approaches, and daylight hours slowly extend, now is the ideal time to take a hard look at the garden and identify how to rejuvenate the outdoor living space.  

Where to start

At a basic level, garden areas should be clean and clear of clutter. Beyond this a range of annual remedial works might be required, for example, is the fencing and paved areas in good condition? Are trees and shrubs neat and tidy? Are lawn areas green, groomed and refreshing or simply jaded weeded patches?

Apart from the remedial works, the rejuvenation of the garden area will ultimately be scoped by the attention to details such lawn and patio areas, tree and shrub planting, as well as water features and lighting etc which will collectively determine the value of the overall experience and how we enjoy the ‘outdoor room’.

Lawns – should be in good condition, evenly cut with crisp well defined neat edges, weeded and clear of all fallen leaf and grass cuttings. Pale looking lawns can be restored to vivid green with the application of fertiliser. If problems are more serious and lawn is infested with weeds, consider removing old lawn and re-sodding area with new roll turf. Whatever the area size, a well maintained level and groomed lawn makes very striking impression whilst coordinating all the other aspects of the garden area.

A natural stone cobble edging (set in sand and cement and approx 25mm below ground level) not only provides a practical mowing strip but clearly defines lawn profile.

Patios – sometimes particularly in north facing sites which tend during winter periods to be shaded and damp, results in ‘greening’ of paved areas. This greening along with any residual grime, moss, and weed etc can be removed by power washing to restore the stone like new. Also available now are very environmentally friendly stone treatments that can be applied annually to prevent the greening effect. For some added visual interest to Patio areas, a few strategically placed colourful planters can have a dramatic effect. For optimum colour, probably best to use locally available seasonal planting. Other areas that would benefit from some colour include recessed areas which can be overlooked, driveways and entrance/exit points.   

Fencing – repair or replace broken boards or panels. A fresh coat of paint will work wonders for overall appearance. Colour here can be used creatively, light colours for natural or discreet backgrounds or ebony black can be used as a very effective foil to emphasise plant forms and colour and provide a more contemporary/urban look. 

Shrubs, Trees and Herbaceous Flowers – dead head i.e. remove faded blooms old flower heads, trim and prune trees and shrubs, especially low hanging or overgrown branches around windows or over footpaths etc. If there are obvious or unsightly gaps amongst the existing plants, consider carefully the importance of colour when selecting possible replacements. To bring out the bets in colour and impact, consider planting in groups (block planting). Do not overlook the importance also of scent within the garden, some areas for simple but effective ways of experiencing scent throughout the garden include at patio areas, near windows and along footpaths. Popular scented plant varieties include Lavender, Rosemary, Santolina, Helichrysum, and Daphne.

Water Features – water adds a new dimension to any garden, and there are now a wide range of styles and sizes from which to choose. Although ponds require much more regular maintenance and upkeep, all water features should be in good working order and clear of any debris. Water features are always eye catching and because of the mesmerizing appeal of and soothing qualities of running water, water features can be an invaluable addition to any garden. Best position for locating water features tend to be where people sit and congregate i.e. Patio where all the beautiful sight and sounds can be enjoyed. Also with the addition of some architectural planting and subtle lighting, water features can take on a different role at night and using garden light to illuminate water gently cascading over stones can make for a stunning focal point during darkness.

Garden Lighting – it is possible to eco–friendly and to illuminate the garden areas. Despite there low lighting capability there is a relatively small role for Solar lights, but for more impact albeit at low energy usage the popular choice for accent lighting at trees or shrubs are the energy efficient CFL bulbs and/or equivalent GU10CFL. Incandescent lamps should all be replaced with CFLs. For more general lighting LEDs are increasingly becoming an alternative to more conventional choices. Colour lamps can be used creatively to highlight particular plant forms or colourways, For gardens with large mature trees, cool touch metal halide lights which are recessed at ground/soil level can be used to uplight tree with dramatic effects.

Garden Design – most people enjoy gardens, for very a small minority gardens are places almost like museums, where plants can be enjoyed, fortunately for the vast majority of people, gardens are outdoor rooms or living spaces where plants, trees and shrubs are structural elements of a greater dynamic of environments for relaxing and living with families, entertaining with friends and playing with the children or pets. It is very important that before undertaking any rejuvenation of the garden area, that the design clearly defines the area in terms of structure, form and character throughout the year. Otherwise any improvements might just be piecemeal and incremental and an opportunity for greater enjoyment and lasting satisfaction lost.

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When you think about it a pressure washer can wash more than vehicles. If you have a paved or concrete driveway you can use your pressure washer to wash the driveway where you park your vehicle. The pressure is ideal for removing grease and grime and it will make a concrete driveway appear snow white. While you are at it you might as well wash the sidewalk and front porch too.

Tree sap, pollen, mold and grime can leave your home looking dull and dirty. If your home has vinyl siding or is bricked then you can use a pressure washer to wash the gunk away leaving your home looking sharp. If you wash your home on a dry day the runoff water will be good for plants and shrubs next to the house and some water will make it into the lawn.

Is your back deck starting to look ragged? Pressure washing prior to priming, painting or staining is excellent for removing dirt. When it rains your deck can be tracked with muddy footprints or paw prints from pets. No problem. Just break out the pressure washer and spray the dirt away. The pressure will provide a deeper cleaning than an ordinary garden hose.

A pressure washer is not a toy water gun to be pointed in the direction of another person. The high pressure water stream could hurt someone.

Pressure washers can be gas powered or electric powered. While a gas powered pressure washer provides more mobility an electric one is lighter in weight. A gas powered can be hard to crank and an electric one just needs to be plugged in. A gas powered requires fuel and emits fumes. An electric powered will require extension cords. Both types of pressure washers will require the same length of hose.

Pressure washers are rated by the amount of pressure produced and the water consumed. The water pressure produced is generally measured in psi (pounds per square inch) and water consumption is measured in gpm (gallons per minute). The cost of a pressure washer will depend on the type (gas or electric) and the product specifications (maximum pressure and maximum water flow rate). The brand name and component grade will also play a role in the price. An industrial grade product that is designed for commercial use with higher quality components will be more expensive than a product designed for household use.

The cost of using a pressure washer includes water consumption and power consumption. The cost of a gas powered pressure washer is easily calculated by keeping track of how much fuel is poured into the tank. The cost of running an electric pressure washer will be added to an electric bill. An electric pressure washer for household use will generally by 120V or plugged into an electrical outlet. Pay particular attention to the Amp rating. If you are curious about how much power an electric pressure washer will consume compare it against a household item such as a vacuum cleaner. Products with similar ratings should consume comparable amounts of energy.

After you purchase your pressure washer and take it home you will find that it has many more uses than simply washing vehicles.

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Give your home and garden a boost with beautiful, natural and imitation stone materials. Decorative stone is always an excellent option for adding colour and texture to a home and garden. Options available include:

Elegant Decorative Aggregates

Decorative Aggregates are a great way to brighten up your garden and provide a low maintenance feature that saves you work and time. Stunning decorative aggregates can be used for pathways, driveways, casual seating areas and around plants.
Types of decorative aggregates include; cobbles, gravels, pebbles, flint and chippings. It’s available in a spectrum of colours, textures, shapes and sizes that can fit into almost anyone’s decoration plans. You can select a colour which compliments your living space and cut down on the maintenance in your garden with decorative aggregates, leaving you with more time to relax and enjoy!

Stylish Stone Paving Products

A natural sandstone paving pattern can be the central focus of your beautiful garden. With perfect garden paving stone you can change the look of your garden and ensure a higher visual impact. Stone Paving Products are available in a dizzying array of colours and sizes, this ample range includes circles, garden stepping stones, Lintels, Steps and Cils. You can use individually or in combination to create a wide variety of patterns to reflect your personal style and taste. These fantastic stone products are suitable to all requirements like patios, paths, driveways and garden areas.

Beautiful Stone Furniture, Ornaments and Features

Your garden has beautiful flowers, plants, trees but if you want something unique and different, then stone furniture and features are the perfect option. Garden stone benches provide a perfect place to sit and relax in the garden while admiring its beauty. Garden stone products including stone garden planters, Urns, Jardinieres, Bird Baths, Mill Wheels, Spheres, Troughs, Bowls, Sandstone Rotunda and Sandstone Well head are all available.

Stone Water Features

Garden Water Features are important elements in setting the mood for your garden, providing a cool and inviting atmosphere. Our unique stone water feature designs suit both modern and traditional garden styles. Garden Water Features require minimum maintenance and always look truly amazing. Now available for both indoor and outdoor use, stone water features will add elegance and serenity to your home’s mood.

Create a relaxing, serene atmosphere in your home and garden with stylish and elegant stone products at affordable prices, available at stonecreation.co.uk. The natural beauty and quality of our stone materials make it useful for interior as well as exterior decoration. Take a look through the Website at all the stone products we have to offer for your stylish home and beautiful garden. Enjoy the natural beauty of your stone materials for years to come.

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Concrete is an artificial engineering material made from a mixture of Portland cement, water, fine and coarse aggregates together with a small amount of air. It is among the most widely used  materials for construction in the world. Concrete is the only major building material that can be delivered to the job site in a plastic state (that is, capable of being moulded). This unique quality makes concrete desirable as a building material because it can be moulded to virtually any form or shape. Concrete provides wide latitude in surface textures and colors and can be used to construct a wide variety of structures, such as highways and streets, large buildings, airport runways, irrigation structures, breakwaters, piers and pavements, silos and farm buildings, homes, and even barges. Other desirable qualities of concrete as a building material are its strength, economy, and durability. The tensile strength of concrete is much lower, but by using properly designed steel reinforcing structural members can be made that are as strong in tension as they are in compression.

The two major components of concrete are a cement paste and inert materials. The cement paste consists of Portland cement, water, and some air either in the form of naturally entrapped air voids or minute, intentionally entrained air bubbles. The inert materials are usually composed of fine aggregate (which is a material such as sand) and coarse aggregate, such as gravel, crushed stone. In general, fine aggregate particles are smaller than 6.4 mm in size, and coarse aggregate particles are larger. Depending on the thickness of the structure to be built, the size of coarse aggregate particles used can vary widely. In building relatively thin sections, a small size of coarse aggregate, with particles about 6.4 mm in size, is used. At the other extreme, aggregates up to 15 cm or more in diameter are used in large dams. In general the maximum size of coarse aggregates should not be larger than one fifth of the narrowest dimensions of the concrete member in which it is used.

When Portland cement is mixed with water the compounds of the cement react to form a cementing medium. In properly mixed concrete each particle of sand and coarse aggregate is completely surrounded and coated by this paste, and all spaces between the particles are filled with it. As the cement paste sets and hardens, it binds the aggregates into a solid mass. Under normal conditions concrete grows stronger as it grows older. The chemical reactions between cement and water that cause the paste to harden and bind the aggregates together require time. The reactions take place very rapidly at first and then more slowly over a long period. In the presence of moisture concrete continues to gain strength for years. 

Concrete mixtures are usually specified in terms of the dry-volume ratios of cement, sand, and coarse aggregates used. A 1:2:3 mixtures, for instance, consists of 1 part by volume of cement, 2 parts of sand, and 3 parts of coarse aggregate. Depending on the applications the proportions of the ingredients in the concrete can be altered to produce specific changes in its properties, particularly strength and durability. The ratios can vary from 1:2:3 to 1:2:4 and 1:3:5. The amount of water added to these mixtures is about 1 to 1.5 times the volume of the cement. For high-strength concrete, the water content is kept low, with just enough water added to wet the entire mixture. In general, the more water in a concrete mix, the easier it is to work with, but the weaker the hardened concrete becomes.

Concrete can be made to have any degree of water tightness. It can be made to hold water and resist the penetration of wind-driven rains. On the other hand, for purposes such as constructing filter beds, concrete can be made porous and highly permeable. Concrete can also be given a polished surface that is as smooth as glass. By using heavy aggregates, including steel fragments, dense concrete mixtures can be made that weigh 4,005 or more kg/cu m (250 or more lb/cu ft). Concrete that weighs only 480 kg/cu m (30 lb/cu ft) can be made by using special lightweight aggregates and foaming techniques. Forms consisting of such lightweight aggregates can be floated on water, sawed into pieces, or nailed to another surface.

For small jobs and minor repairs, concrete can be mixed by hand, but machine mixing ensures more uniform batches and, therefore, superior performance. For most home repairs and improvements, for example, floors, paths, driveways, patios, and garden pools, the recommended proportion is a 1:2:3 mix. After exposed surfaces of concrete have hardened sufficiently to resist marring, they should be cured by sprinkling or ponding (covering) with water or by using moisture-retaining materials such as waterproof paper, plastic sheets, wet burlap, or sand. Special curing sprays are available. The longer concrete is kept moist, the stronger and more durable it will become. In hot weather, it should be kept moist for at least three days. In cold weather drying concrete must not be allowed to freeze. This can be accomplished by covering the cement with a tarpaulin or some other material that helps trap the heat generated by the chemical reactions within the concrete that cause it to harden.

Concrete is poured into place in a number of ways. For the footings of small buildings the wet concrete is poured directly into trenches dug into the earth below frost level. Concrete for foundations and certain types of walls is placed between supporting wood or metal “forms” that are removed after the concrete has hardened. In lift-slab construction, floors and roof slabs are cast at ground level and then raised by hydraulic jacks and fastened to columns at the desired elevation. Slip forms are used to produce vertical shafts for silos and the cores of buildings. They are moved upward at a rate of 15 to 38 cm (6 to 15 in) per hour while concrete and reinforcements are put in place. The tilt-up method of construction is frequently used for one- and two-storeyed buildings. Walls are cast in place on the ground or on the previously laid concrete floor and tilted into position. The walls are joined at the corners or between panels with cast-in-place concrete columns. To pave a highway or road with concrete, a slip-form paver is used. Two metal side forms are connected to a slip-form paver. A layer of concrete is poured between the side forms as the paver slowly moves forward on its treads; the side forms keep the concrete in position as it dries. Slip-form pavers can lay continuous strips of one or two lanes of concrete pavement.

For certain applications, such as the construction of swimming pools, canal linings, and curved surfaces, concrete may be applied by the shot Crete method. In shotcreting, concrete is sprayed under pneumatic pressure rather than placed between forms. Often the use of shotcrete eliminates the need for formwork and permits placement of concrete in confined areas where conventional forms would be difficult or impossible to construct. Air-entrained concrete is concrete in which minute air bubbles are intentionally trapped by the addition of an admixture to the cement, either during its manufacture or during the batching and mixing of the concrete. The presence of a properly distributed amount of these bubbles imparts desirable properties to both freshly mixed and hardened concrete. In freshly mixed concrete, entrained air acts as a lubricant, improving the workability of the mix, thereby reducing the amount of water that needs to be added. Entrained air also reduces the need for fine material (sand). Entrained air in hardened concrete dramatically reduces the scaling that might otherwise result from the use of chemicals to melt ice on roads and streets. It also prevents damage to pavements caused by freezing and thawing. The air bubbles function as minute safety valves by providing room for the free water in concrete to expand harmlessly as freezing occurs.

Concrete masonry consists of block- and brick-building units moulded out of concrete and used in all types of masonry construction. Concrete masonry is used for load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls; piers; partitions; fire walls; back-up for walls of stones; fireproofing over steel structural members; fire-safe walls around stairwells, lifts, and other enclosures; retaining walls and garden walls; chimneys and fireplaces; concrete floors; and many other purposes. About 60 per cent of all concrete masonry units, such as cinder blocks, are made with lightweight aggregates. Blast-furnace slag, natural volcanic aggregates, and cinders are the lightweight aggregates most commonly used. The size of the masonry unit most commonly used for walls, both below and above ground, is 20 by 20 by 40 cm (8 by 8 by 16 in). Masonry units are laid horizontally, and are cored to reduce weight and to provide an insulating air space within the block. New types of concrete masonry, such as split and slump block, are being used as facing in homes, commercial buildings, schools, churches, and municipal facilities.  Basic block types are fairly well standardized today. Specific types can usually be supplied for any construction without cutting or fitting. Special moulds are available for the production of patterned shadow effects on exterior and interior block walls. It is possible to supply virtually any color or type of texture.

Concrete used in most construction work is reinforced with steel. When concrete structural members must resist extreme tensile stresses, steel supplies the necessary strength. Steel is embedded in the concrete in the form of a mesh, or roughened or twisted bars. A bond forms between the steel and the concrete, and stresses can be transferred between both components. Prestressing concrete has removed many limitations on the spans and loads for which a concrete structure can be economically designed. The basic function of Prestressing is to greatly reduce the tensile stresses to which crucial areas of concrete structures are subjected. Prestressing is accomplished by stretching high-strength steel to induce compressive stresses in concrete. The strengthening effect of compression in concrete acts like horizontally squeezing a row of books: when sufficient pressure is applied to the books at each end, compressive stresses are induced throughout the entire row; thus, although the centre volumes are unsupported, the books can be lifted, and carried horizontally.

Compressive stresses are induced in prestressed concrete by either pre-tensioning or post-tensioning the steel reinforcement. In the pre-tensioning process, the steel is stretched before the concrete is placed. After the concrete has hardened around the tensioned reinforcement, the stretching forces are released. The steel shortens somewhat, and because of the bond between the steel and concrete, the compressive stress in the concrete increases. In post-tensioning, the concrete is cast around, but not in contact with, unstretched steel. The steel is stretched after the concrete has hardened by anchoring one end against the concrete and using hydraulic jacks to pull the other end. After stretching, the second end is also anchored, compressing the concrete.

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If you would like basic driveway pavers, you can count on the job being done fairly quickly. You might enjoy the results so much that you won’t want to stop there, though! If you find that taking care of a lawn in the front or backyard is more work than you would like to do, consider installing beautiful interlocking paving stones, or special SP Turf. SP Turf is a synthetic lawn made from very high quality yarn. This turf is certified environmentally safe by the state of California as well as two national agencies. It is non-toxic and discourages the growth of bacteria, which makes it healthy and safe for use by pets or children.

Interlocking paving stones are a beautiful alternative, or you could do a combination of SP Turf with stone.  Stones are durable, aesthetically pleasing and can be installed just about anywhere. If you would like to see what your home would look like with stone driveway pavers or turf installed, find a company with a virtual transformation tool.  Just upload a picture of the front or rear of your house, and they will send you a retouched picture of your home with stone or turf added. This “try before you buy” option helps you make a sound decision so that you love the results!

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There are some very gifted gardeners out there but generally landscaping work would need to be carried out by specialist contractors. Not only do they bring their years of experience to the project but perhaps even more importantly all their expensive equipment, not to mention their discounts at all the local gardening retailers.

What features might you include in your newly fashioned garden?

Water landscaping or water features are very popular, whether it is a pond, fountain or something else of that ilk. Obviously with ponds and other such water features a degree of excavation work is normally involved and this is best handled by expert professionals.

Gates, trellises and arches are also amongst some of the more popular features in a well landscaped garden. Even fencing may be found under this category. Design is important to make your garden look balanced and beautiful. Why not discuss your own design ideas with a landscaping professional to see just what is possible and perhaps discover what unseen potential your garden may have.

Every garden is different but especially here in the United Kingdom, usually the predominant colour is green. Trees, shrubs and lawns for that matter form such a large part in British gardens and the planting and arranging of these trees and shrubs is yet another vital ingredient in the landscaper’s arsenal.

Perhaps you will have concrete patios or block paving in amongst the lawns and foliage or pathways winding through some trees or leading to a garden pond teeming with wildlife.

The experts will be able to tell you which trees will suit your particular garden and whether your ground is suitable for certain species of shrubs and trees. Knowing how quickly the plants and trees grow, which nutrients they need and how much light they need are all considerations that the landscaping experts will be able to advise you with.

Quality landscaping professionals should be able to show you examples or a portfolio of their work to date. Where do you get your own ideas from? Well unless you have your plans already, magazines, books and even online searches can assist you in making your choices for that dream garden.

It is only when you have your ideas and plans in place and have discussed them with your chosen landscaping company that you can assess the cost and most efficient ways of achieving your gardening goals.

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You can even decorate these walls with the help of decorative concrete. Sometimes, the decorative concrete can also be used to add charm to the other areas of the swimming pools where concrete has been used. These methods are not very complicated and you can do it yourself as well.

However, if you don’t want to get into so much of hassles, there is another very simple way through which you can make your outdoor swimming pools more attractive. This is by cleaning the pool and adding some color to the concrete. This can be achieved by the epoxy concrete floor paint or the acid stain.

Now, what method you should choose depends solely on your choice. Again, if you are looking to resurface the concrete pool deck completely, you have to color it and stamp it. Of course, you can repave it with the concrete paving slabs that can be decorative as well.

Now, if you are thinking that the process of stamping the concrete is very long and complicated one, you will be mistaken. However, in case you are going to resurface, that may take a long time and involve a lot of effort. This is why it is important to consider this option in such circumstances.

After all, rebuilding the swimming pools is a time consuming task indeed. Naturally, people think twice before going for this. However, if you have decided to go for it, you can easily consider the option of upgrading it with decorative concrete. For, using this will not take a lot of time anyway. However, before doing that, you need to make sure that you have discussed this issue with the contractor. After all, it needs to be a specialist to understand what exactly your swimming pool demands to be more attractive.

So, you can easily get a number of different ideas that can be very effective indeed. Remember, the swimming pool design can be a lengthy and complicated process. Sometimes, that may result in considerable expenses as well. However, you need to remember here that once it is done, the project will greatly increase the value of your house. At the same time, it can improve the aesthetics of your house by creating the ambience that you have been looking for.

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Obviously people will spend a lot of time in their gardens tending to plants, mowing the lawn even adding ponds or any other features. The patio and driveway could be forgotten about and they play an important part in the appearance of our homes especially those that may be a considerable number of years old. Over time driveways can deteriorate as cars drive on them and weathering too. Some driveways can crumble and not only look shabby there’s also the chance a stone could flick up and chip your car’s paintwork.

Patios are similar; over time they could become uneven and be impossible to keep patio furniture flat on the pavement, as well as making them dangerous to walk on without tripping up. The prospect of getting a replacement well designed driveways and or patio can not only make them more pleasant to look at but could also help to increase your property’s value too.

Driveways can come in many different styles these days, made from a wide range of different materials. The driveway used to be a fairly bland addition to homes with many of them being simple concrete and no extra style. Now there are coloured concrete with mock tile styles or block paved driveways laid out in interesting designs. Tarmac has become a popular choice as it is not only attractive when first laid but it also lasts a long time like pavements that are made from tarmac.

The key thing to remember when getting any driveway or patio laid is to make sure that you hire the right company for the job, this doesn’t mean saying yes to whoever comes round your street asking if you want tarmac laying. These cowboy builders will not likely do the necessary foundation work which is vital for any tarmac job. Failure to do this could mean over time your driveway splits or sinks by which time the cowboys have moved on.

To make sure you get the best deal ask friends, family or even next door neighbours who they used for their driveway if you like the look of theirs.

New Driveway quotes can be found online as well as other garden and exterior modifications such as cheap conservatory prices to help enjoy the warm summer afternoons

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