The border between garden and home

Now for us in my home we have a very simple set up when it comes to our house and the garden; a very clear divide. We have the back wall of our house with two doors that lead outside to the garden; one from the garage (where we keep all the gardening equipment) and one from the dining room (which is now a living space.) That door is slightly less traditional, being French Windows. It’s that kind of transition I want to talk about today. That border between your home and your garden and the ways in which people manipulate it. Some opt for a conservatory; the most popular and one of the most powerful methods of blurring that line. Moving out into your garden and allowing you, even...
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A place for smokers

I don’t smoke. After losing two grand parents to lung related illnesses and working in the NHS I honestly can’t imagine anything more idiotic than willingly breathing smoke into your body. I mean, seriously? Anyway; it’s come to my attention that when it comes to designing outdoor spaces we now have to consider the needs of the idiotic in our plans. Smoking, it seems, doesn’t wait for any weather conditions, even in the pouring rain they feel the need to kill themselves just a little bit more. So how can we accommodate the idiocy of others? “Sheltered smoking areas” are the thing we should be looking to include. Cover from the elements, a way for these people to keep themselves warm and maybe even sit down in some sort of...
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What is “Gardening”?

I have written hundreds of words about gardening over the years; from beginner articles all the way to advanced bulbing techniques. What I have never talked about though, and what I have always assumed, is that people had a basic, working knowledge of what gardening was. I assumed people knew the basics, the techniques and had a vested interest in the green arts. But what if people were coming to my articles and thinking “this is all very well and good, but what is gardening?” It’s not a question I’d ever considered. Gardening is… well, that’s harder than I thought. At it’s most basic level gardening about the tending, nurturing and caring about nature. Specifically a small piece of nature that you can call your own. You choose the layout,...
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Animals and Gardening

We all know how it goes; you are trying to maintain an immaculate garden but, while doing so, you are also trying your hardest to look after pets. It is not an easy balance to maintain; especially when the pets that you are trying to look after are ones like dogs or cats, specifically ones that like to rummage around outside like they are digging for flipping truffles. Is there anything you can do, though, to protect your garden, protect all your hard work against the foraging paws of the deranged animal kingdom? The short answer is yes you can. The longer answer, the answer that you are probably waiting for, is that there are products you can buy to ward off your animals with foul, pungent smells of anti-animal...
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Fixed Roof Terrace Covers – A Permanent Type of Awning

Awnings can make a great addition to any home due to a number of reasons. Firstly, they serve a number of functions; providing shade when the temperature is hot and the sun is out, and providing shelter when it is raining. Secondly, they can be brought out whenever you feel like it; they don’t need to be in use all of the time, giving you the freedom to make your own choice. An alternative to the temporary type of awning however, is growing in popularity due to a number of reasons of its own. Similar to an awning in all ways except for how it is a permanent fixture, it can serve the same functions. The difference, and benefit, comes in the form of how you plan your home and...
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