| With the resolutions of 1st January either going well - | | | | - do you plan to do lots of entertaining in the garden? |
| or already out of the window, the onset of Spring | | | | - how important is it for you to catch some sun rays |
| heralds the need to divert a chunk of that positive | | | | during the day? |
| New Year thinking into the official launch of the | | | | - will you be spending a lot of time in the garden |
| "gardening" year. | | | | once the natural light fades? |
| So as Winter comes to an end, it's time to start | | | | - is there a need to create shade within the garden? |
| thinking how to go about restoring the somewhat | | | | - are there any on-going safety issues which still need |
| muddy scene outside to its full potential glory. | | | | to be quickly addressed? eg existence of ponds with |
| Garden Improvements are Tops | | | | young children, unreliable boundary fencing, uneven |
| With garden improvements edging their way up to | | | | paving |
| the number two slot in the top ten of home | | | | - how much importance do you place on incorporating |
| enhancement initiatives undertaken by the UK public | | | | environmentally friendly strategies into your outdoor |
| (according to the 2007 Halifax Home Improvements | | | | room? |
| survey), it's quite clear that getting our outdoor room | | | | - are you keen to split your garden into "rooms", |
| in tip top shape remains a popular priority amongst | | | | creating specific zones for different functions? |
| current homeowners. Addressing the make-over | | | | - do you need to re-think your garden's existing |
| needs of the garden into shape is only superseded | | | | access points? |
| by redecorating, underpinning the fact that people | | | | Then it is time be realistic about how much time you |
| are beginning to see their garden as a genuine | | | | will have to maintain your newly designed garden. It's |
| extension to the home and as a result, are keen to | | | | no good lusting after lusciously planted gardens which |
| apply their commitment to interior style to their | | | | feature exotic horticultural specimens if you're not |
| exterior space. | | | | prepared to dedicate - or just simply don't have - the |
| Planning Makes Perfect | | | | required time available to care for the plants. Similarly, |
| Once you've made the decision to change your | | | | don't go for a terrific expanse of perfect lawn unless |
| garden scenery, make sure you allocate a portion of | | | | you can regularly find the man hours required to |
| time to the planning process. Think how each room in | | | | keeping it looking fabulous. There are a multitude of |
| a house serves a specific purpose (sometimes more | | | | time saving initiatives which can be incorporated into |
| than one), and remember the same principle applies | | | | your design (such as mowing strips, irrigation systems |
| to your garden - so it's important to consider the | | | | and the use of gravel / paving to name but a few) |
| various functional needs your garden will be expected | | | | which will help reduce the time spent labouring and |
| to cater for. The majority of home owners view | | | | increase the time spent savouring your new garden. |
| their garden as a place to relax and unwind, and if | | | | Designer Talk |
| there are kids around, somewhere totally safe for | | | | Talking on a one-to-one basis with your garden |
| the children to play. In addition to these requirements | | | | designer will soon provide a clear picture of what |
| it's worth thinking about the following: | | | | garden will be the right fit for you and your family. |