We had friends who installed a black slate patio and it looked amazing – for about a month until the kids and outdoor furniture legs scratched the hell out of it. It still looked good, but the scratches were frustrating. Slate patio slabs do scratch, and darker slates show them more visibly. To avoid scratching, …
Do Slate Patio Slabs Scratch? (And How To Get Scratches Out) Read More »
I shut one side of the double doors to my garden office one particularly hot summer, and it just bounced back at me. It had become warped in the sun and wouldn’t close. Depending on the materials they’re made of, patio doors can expand in the heat. Vinyl, fiberglass and wood patio doors can warp …
Do Patio Doors Expand in Heat? (And What Action To Take) Read More »
So you’re thinking of laying a new concrete patio? Read on because this article could prolong its life. All concrete patios should be laid with a rebar or ‘reinforcing bar’ grid, to stop large cracks then areas of crumbling concrete forming over time. You will still get some small cracks with rebar, but these will …
Do Concrete Patios Need Rebar? (Essential Information) Read More »
If you’re thinking of laying a new patio then this article should help ensure you get strong, level foundations for your pavers. You can use gravel as a paver base as it performs the same function as paver base itself. While paver base is coarser and locks together more tightly than gravel, they are both …
Can I Use Gravel As a Paver Base? (Beginner Tips) Read More »
There’s nothing more magical for the whole family than lighting up the trees in your garden. You can simply light trees in your yard by either using spotlighting, uplighting, silhouetting, downlighting or string lighting. You can use an existing outdoor electrical point, get a professional to wire one in for you – or use solar …
How Do You Light Up Trees in Your Yard? (5 Lighting Tips) Read More »
According to Greenpeace, the number of pollinating bee colonies per hectare in the US has decreased 90% since 1962. Some of these losses are no doubt due to the increased use of pesticides in both agriculture and backyards. There are many organic weed killers that are safe to use for bees in your own backyard, …
What Weed Killer is Safe For Bees? (The Best Organic Options) Read More »
Let’s face it, decking is very practical but it can look a bit bland if left as just raw wood, so it’s a nice idea to add some character to your deck if possible. From lights and garden furniture to fire pits and water features, decorating your decking needn’t be overly expensive. Whether you choose …
We built our compost bins from two old plastic water butts we found in the garden, put little hatches at the bottom and drilled lots of holes in the sides. We then had to decide where to put them. The best place to put your compost bin is in a shaded area that receives some …
Should You Put Your Compost Bin in The Sun? (Or Shade?) Read More »
We’ve got a delightful little copper watering can in our garden, we’ve left it outside for too long though and it’s started to corrode in the rain. You have to run real quick from the faucet to the flowers or all the water drains out. Although copper is good and indeed necessary for plants in …
Are Copper Watering Cans Good For Plants? (3 Minute Read) Read More »
My wife and I got married on a farm with bunting all around the barn and marquee. It was a magical day that we’ll never forget. Before the big day everyone who wanted to in the wider family made lots of little colored fabric triangles in preparation. We made a lot because we needed a …
How Much Bunting Do I Need For a Marquee? (Measuring Tips) Read More »
