Tag Archives: Gardening

Water Garden Pond, Traditional Koi Pond, or Hybrid Koi Pond – Which Is Best for You?

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Deciding to build a pond is an exciting process, but before you begin digging there are many things you should decide on before construction begins and ordering your supplies. The first main decision is what type of water feature you want. We will be discussing informal ponds which have irregular shapes and mimic a natural pond or waterfall that would be found in nature. Three different ways you can build an informal pond are a water garden pond, traditional Koi pond, or a hybrid Koi pond.

Water Garden Pond

Water garden ponds are often mistaken as Koi ponds simply because many people add Koi to their water garden along with Goldfish and other fish species. The difference is that these type of water features are designed mainly for looks and creating an environment where homeowners can sit back and listen to the beautiful melodies of a waterfall and watch the fish swimming around and spend time with family and friends. And a traditional Koi pond is built around providing and ideal environment for Koi fish.

Water garden ponds are the most popular of the three because of the ease of installation and availability of kits on the market. Water Garden ponds generally consist of a a biological waterfall filter, a mechanical filter which is generally a skimmer, EPDM flexible liner, a pump and plumbing, fish, and aquatic plants.

Most water gardens are only 2 feet deep and feature built in shelves to make them safe and natural looking. The entire bottom and shelves are covered with boulders and decorative gravel to hide the liner and filters.

This system forms a natural ecosystem with fish, plants, and filters that work to balance itself and do a majority of the maintenance by using good old mother nature.

Traditional Koi Pond

Be careful the Koi hobby can be very fun and addictive! Once people discover the joys of owning Koi fish with a water garden many go Koi crazy (or koi-kichi). Traditional Koi ponds aim to create a home where the Koi can grow and thrive and are the main focus of the feature instead of the pond itself.

There is a big difference between the construction techniques used in a water garden pond and a traditional Koi pond. In a Koi pond the filtration system is drastically increased over a water garden to handle the additional bio load from the Koi. These filtration systems usually include pressure filters, skimmers, bottom drains, settlement tanks, external pumps, UV lights, UV Clarifiers, Aerator, Ozone generators, Bead filters, multiple valves, and more. So as you can see the design and installation of these systems can be difficult for a beginner.

Their shape is generally different as well, usually Koi ponds are a geometric shape like an oval or circle. Traditional Koi ponds do not have plants or gravel in them like a water garden would and have steep walls without shelves. Not using shelves and having a deeper depth (3-5 feet) helps protect the Koi from predators by not allowing them to stand along side the pond and snatch them out of the water.

The added filtration and no gravel and plants give the Koi better water quality and provide a environment that is less likely to injure them. Without plants you can also view the Koi better.

Hybrid Koi Pond

Hybrid Koi ponds are the combination of a water garden pond and traditional koi pond. Think of it as the best of both worlds. You can provide the fish with a better environment than with a water garden pond alone and also have plants to give a natural look.

The design of Hybrid type ponds vary from one project to the next and all types of filtration can be used depending on the water features needs. Back flushable biological filters have become popular with this type of installation for ease of biofilter maintenance. Hybrid Koi ponds are in the middle of the road with depth usually being 3-4 feet deep.

What to Choose?

Whichever type of pond you choose you cant go wrong. Each one properly designed will be like bringing a piece of paradise to your home.

Buying a Wooden Garden Storage

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Do you have a compact garden with nowhere to store anything? Do your outdoor living items have to live indoors? Well now there is a versatile solution to your storage problems – the wooden storage box.

There are many types of wooden storage box designed specifically to fit in small gardens and house all your outdoor items such as lawnmowers, tools and hosepipes. In this article we explain a few of the different types and explain what sort of items they can store.

First is the wooden wheelie bin store. This is essentially a ‘as it says on the tin’ item – as it stores your wheelie bin. It has been especially designed with the UK wheelie bin in mind and is a great way to stop your rubbish bins blowing around in the wind or making your garden look unattractive. Usually a wooden wheelie bin store is a three sided wooden box with a fixed roof that has doors on the fourth side, allowing easy access for removing and replacing your bin. As most households in the UK have a bin for refuge and one for recycling, wheelie bin stores come in single or double width depending on the number of wheelie bins you have to store.

The second type of wooden storage for your garden is a traditional wooden chest. These are also referred to as ‘deck stores’ or ‘patio boxes’. These typically take the form of a rectangular box with a hinged lid. In additional, some come with a removable front panel for easy access to everything inside. These garden chests come in a variety of different sizes and are ideal for small gardens as they can be placed on a patio or decked area. They are designed to hide away smaller garden items such as garden tools and the hose pipe, however they are also perfect for storing children’s outdoor toys. The hinged lid often comes with supports so your hands are free to add or remove items easily.

Log stores are another great item. Similar to a wooden chest or deck store. Log stores come in various shapes and sizes. Some enclosed with a hinged lid, others with an open front and hinged lid. These are a beautifully rustic solution for your garden space. Personally I think these can be a great feature and with braziers getting more and more popular, people tend to use these to store there brazier logs.

The next type of wooden storage designed for the smaller garden is the wall store. This is typically a small version of a garden shed and can sometimes be referred to as a tool store. Tool stores are shorter than the traditional shed and aren’t designed to be walked in, they are instead designed to house larger garden items such as lawnmowers, rakes and spades. They can either have slanted, flat or apex roofs so you can choose one to suit your garden style. Again wall stores come in a range of sizes and one can be found to fit any outside space, even a balcony!

Now that we’ve discussed the variety of wooden storage solutions available to buy in the UK, we’re going to address the advantage of wooden storage over metal or plastic varieties.

Metal garden storage solutions are available to buy and although they offer lots in the way of security, they don’t offer much in maneuverability or style. Generally metal storage boxes are very heavy and cannot be easily moved to other locations in the garden. Although often treated with weather resistant paint, this can peel or chip away to leave the metal store exposed to moisture and ultimately rust which can be unsightly.

Plastic storage solutions are also available to buy and although they come in a range of different colours and styles, they are not very durable. Plastic stores are generally light when empty or only partially full which means that although they can be easily moved to different locations in the garden, they can also be moved by strong winds. Another disadvantage to plastic storage boxes is that they aren’t as secure as metal or wooden storage solutions and can be more easily broken into.

The great thing about Wooden storage solutions is that they are pre treated to be weather resistant and as the treatment soaks into the wood. However most of these treatments are a pre treatment and we would recommend treating with a high quality preserver before you fill with your outdoor garden essentials. Depending on the size of the wooden storage box, it may still be easily maneuverable when empty to allow it to be moved around the garden. One of the main advantages of a wooden storage box is a variety of sizes and styles available. There is not doubt there is one for you to blend in with the style of your house or garden.

Log stores are another great item. Similar to a wooden chest or deck store. Log stores come in various shapes and sizes. Some enclosed with a hinged lid, others with an open front and hinged lid. These are a beautifully rustic solution for your garden space. Personally I think these can be a great feature and with braziers getting more and more popular, people tend to use these to store there brazier logs.

Buying a Wooden Garden Storage

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Do you have a compact garden with nowhere to store anything? Do your outdoor living items have to live indoors? Well now there is a versatile solution to your storage problems – the wooden storage box.

There are many types of wooden storage box designed specifically to fit in small gardens and house all your outdoor items such as lawnmowers, tools and hosepipes. In this article we explain a few of the different types and explain what sort of items they can store.

First is the wooden wheelie bin store. This is essentially a ‘as it says on the tin’ item – as it stores your wheelie bin. It has been especially designed with the UK wheelie bin in mind and is a great way to stop your rubbish bins blowing around in the wind or making your garden look unattractive. Usually a wooden wheelie bin store is a three sided wooden box with a fixed roof that has doors on the fourth side, allowing easy access for removing and replacing your bin. As most households in the UK have a bin for refuge and one for recycling, wheelie bin stores come in single or double width depending on the number of wheelie bins you have to store.

The second type of wooden storage for your garden is a traditional wooden chest. These are also referred to as ‘deck stores’ or ‘patio boxes’. These typically take the form of a rectangular box with a hinged lid. In additional, some come with a removable front panel for easy access to everything inside. These garden chests come in a variety of different sizes and are ideal for small gardens as they can be placed on a patio or decked area. They are designed to hide away smaller garden items such as garden tools and the hose pipe, however they are also perfect for storing children’s outdoor toys. The hinged lid often comes with supports so your hands are free to add or remove items easily.

Log stores are another great item. Similar to a wooden chest or deck store. Log stores come in various shapes and sizes. Some enclosed with a hinged lid, others with an open front and hinged lid. These are a beautifully rustic solution for your garden space. Personally I think these can be a great feature and with braziers getting more and more popular, people tend to use these to store there brazier logs.

The next type of wooden storage designed for the smaller garden is the wall store. This is typically a small version of a garden shed and can sometimes be referred to as a tool store. Tool stores are shorter than the traditional shed and aren’t designed to be walked in, they are instead designed to house larger garden items such as lawnmowers, rakes and spades. They can either have slanted, flat or apex roofs so you can choose one to suit your garden style. Again wall stores come in a range of sizes and one can be found to fit any outside space, even a balcony!

Now that we’ve discussed the variety of wooden storage solutions available to buy in the UK, we’re going to address the advantage of wooden storage over metal or plastic varieties.

Metal garden storage solutions are available to buy and although they offer lots in the way of security, they don’t offer much in maneuverability or style. Generally metal storage boxes are very heavy and cannot be easily moved to other locations in the garden. Although often treated with weather resistant paint, this can peel or chip away to leave the metal store exposed to moisture and ultimately rust which can be unsightly.

Plastic storage solutions are also available to buy and although they come in a range of different colours and styles, they are not very durable. Plastic stores are generally light when empty or only partially full which means that although they can be easily moved to different locations in the garden, they can also be moved by strong winds. Another disadvantage to plastic storage boxes is that they aren’t as secure as metal or wooden storage solutions and can be more easily broken into.

The great thing about Wooden storage solutions is that they are pre treated to be weather resistant and as the treatment soaks into the wood. However most of these treatments are a pre treatment and we would recommend treating with a high quality preserver before you fill with your outdoor garden essentials. Depending on the size of the wooden storage box, it may still be easily maneuverable when empty to allow it to be moved around the garden. One of the main advantages of a wooden storage box is a variety of sizes and styles available. There is not doubt there is one for you to blend in with the style of your house or garden.

Log stores are another great item. Similar to a wooden chest or deck store. Log stores come in various shapes and sizes. Some enclosed with a hinged lid, others with an open front and hinged lid. These are a beautifully rustic solution for your garden space. Personally I think these can be a great feature and with braziers getting more and more popular, people tend to use these to store there brazier logs.

Features of Everyday Landscape Gardening

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Features of Quality Landscape Gardening

A typical landscape garden has a range of different patterns, styles and textures. Each and every garden that is completed by a professional landscape gardening company is unique and is bespoke to the look and feel of the house and the characteristics the owner of the home wishes to develop. The natural world out there creates many spectacles and there are many features that can be used within a newly designed garden that can add to its effect on the viewer. Each and every innovative design made by a gardener helps to bring character and a consistent running theme to a garden.

Characteristics of many stylish gardens out there include

• Bridges
• Benches and outdoor seating areas.
• Brickwork and outbuildings
• Natural stone paving or sometimes limestone
• Use of lighting.
• Water features and ornaments.
• Fencing and garden edging.

Size is no issue for Gardeners

Whether your garden is small or large, it is practical to implement a new design regardless. Designers have developed over the years to work on landscape gardening projects both residentially and commercially.

Choosing the Best of British Landscaping

Most people love to remain nostalgic to their roots even in modern times. Often gardeners are asked to use older styles to create a garden with a vintage style but with a fresher design sense. They often like to include a variety of different traditional English Garden Features such as:

• Ponds – Ponds have always remained popular and contrary to the British Landscape. When the idea was first developed to build man-made ponds in gardens residentially it excited many people and it still does today. The flow of the water makes a seamless glow, and the lapping sound helps you to relax and unwind whilst you enjoy sitting in your garden.

• Topography and Rolling Lawns – Topographists sometimes double up as gardeners as their skills are intertwined, they can create shapes out of most bushes and greenery and often this allows for a more art Deco style approach to a garden. Whilst rolling lawns create swirling irregular patters that are moulded into the landscape of your garden.

• Groves – Separate large areas of grass by planting lots of trees in a combined area with a small path down the middle. This allows for a shady walk through this section of the garden.

• Sculptures and artwork – Typically found in most upper class gardens, sculptures are mainly used as a centre piece to a garden.

• Hahas and Grottos – A Haha in traditional English was a small ditch or hideout where the rolling landscape of the garden would allow you to simply sit and relax somewhere where you were not observable from the home. Grottos were commonly thought of as romantic hideouts, however they are more like small cave like structures for nature to inhabit and they add to the style of a traditional garden.

I hope you found this article helpful, and I wish you the very best of luck if you are planning to design or build your own landscape gardening plan. Why not implement some of these features into your plans?