North Leeds Plumbing & Heating – Home Improvement and DIY Advice

Archive for the ‘Garden’ Category

The following tips pick up from those described in part one of the tutorial.

Laying and Filling the Liner

Pick a nice day with little or no wind to lay the underpad and liner. Begin by carefully laying down the underpad; ensure that it is smooth with a minimum of wrinkles or folds.  Weigh it down if necessary to get it to properly follow the pond’s contours and when you are satisfied that it is doing so, remove any weights and repeat the same steps with the pond liner.

Once the pond liner has been fitted slowly, add water to the pond and continue working out any major wrinkles or folds that may occur as the liner stretches out.  Fill the pond up as close to the brim as possible and let it sit for several hours while you check the fit and confirm that there are no leaks.

The next step is to cut off the excess liner and underpad leaving approximately a six inch margin that will be folded up and concealed under the top trim or capstones of your pond’s edge.

Adding Plants and Decorative Fixtures to the Pond

It is important to be sure there are no sharp edges or points and that all pieces are clean of any foreign material that might damage the pond liner before adding any rockwork or driftwood to the pond.  Rocks should be placed securely so that they will not move or shift position and driftwood should be properly tied down so it will not shift or float away.

Now that your major decorations are in place it is time to add your plants.  Plants come in several categories and you can learn more about them and see what they look like first-hand at a good aquatic plant nursery.  The categories are as follows: moisture-loving plants, marginal plants, deep marginal plants, floating plants, rooted floating plants and oxygenating plants.

There are a growing number of do-it-yourself gardeners who consider a garden incomplete without a pond.  There are literally hundreds of options to choose from,  whether the pond is in a formal style, is designed to be a slice of nature, is built from a popular pond kit or is a DIY project.

Locating the Pond

You need to carefully choose a site before actually starting to build your pond.  A good pond site will be in a sunny location away from overhanging trees that could drop leaves into the pond, and buried utilities such as water, gas or sewage pipes and overhead electrical wires.

Preparing the Site

You have chosen your site, decided on the type of pond you will be making and obtained the essential supplies (such as the pond liner, liner underpad, pond pump and brick or rockwork for the sides), so now you can begin to prepare the site.  Start by clearing out any stones, sticks or other sharp objects before levelling the site.

You now need to get some string, stakes and landscapers’ paint and mark the actual contours of the pond before beginning the process of digging out and building the pond itself.  Make sure to move any excavated soil out of the way as you dig the pond.  If possible keep it on a poly sheet or in some handy containers for reuse later.  Be conservative as you dig, as if you dig too deep and need to replace soil it will need to be tamped down rather hard or else there will be a good chance that the area will sag later.

If you are raising the sides using brickwork, natural-looking rocks or timbers, now is the time to do the construction.  Remember that if you are doing any work with cement or mortar to let it have at least a week to settle and cure before proceeding to the next step.

There was a time when any reasonably sized garden would have a shed. Usually a flimsy constructed plywood structure, it would provide gardeners with a little base of operations. “Pottering about in the shed” came to be synonymous with doing nothing much of any consequence, just enjoying your own private space in the world. Gradually, garden sheds faded out of fashion, the stuff of spoof ads in Viz comics and sitcoms about men growing old disgracefully (think of Victor Meldrew’s luckless encounter with a swarm of bees).

In the 21st century, however, the garden shed is making an upmarket comeback in the form of the garden room. No more rickety plywood or plasterboard here, today’s garden room is made of top quality timber, double glazed and heated, offering a viable alternative to a home extension or conservatory.

Types of Garden Room
The phrase “garden room” is usually used by manufacturers to refer to the most basic variety of room, designed as a living space detached from your main home. Depending on the manufacturer, you may also be offered the option of a “garden office”, with more electrical wiring so that you can plug in equipment for your home office, such as a computer or printer; or a garden studio soundproofed for musicians or customised to provide artists with their own studio space.

These rooms will usually not need planning permission, and offer a perfect solution for people who wish to work from home, but may not have the space in their main residence. Some larger garden offices and studios even come with their own bathroom and shower installed, for those who want a true home (a few feet) away from home in their own back yard.

The sight of a beautiful lush garden is enough to make any green-fingered horticulturalist    happy, and being able to achieve this without harming the environment will offer a great deal more satisfaction.  

Water

A green garden needs lots of water, which does not have to come from already dwindling sources.  Set up a water butt in an external location where it can collect rain water and, if possible, place it beneath a drain spout where water run-off flows.  Fill a watering can from this source to water plants rather than using a hose to limit wastage.      

Pests

While birds and squirrels may be a welcome sight, some insects and rodents are distinctly less desirable and are seen as pests especially when they feast on planted vegetation.  A natural remedy to repel cats from the garden is to placing citrus peels amongst the plants or a cayenne pepper solution as both are non-toxic to plants and animals, but cats do not like the smell.  The pepper can also be used to prevent ants from taking up residence.  Slugs and snails can be disposed of by burying a container into the soil so that the rim is level with the surface.  These creatures love beer and will happy get drunk on it before falling in.  Mice and rats do not like the strong scent of mint so planting springs where the garden meets the property border can help prevent rodents making their way inside. 

Feed the Soil

In order to ensure a plentiful and good quality yield of any fruits, vegetables, flowers and plants, it is essential that the soil is full of nutrients.  Recycling kitchen scraps can be used for this purpose, which can reduce the waste that goes to landfill.  Compost fruit and vegetable peel in a covered container and use this in the garden.

What could be nicer than stepping out into your garden after a hard day at the office and walking across the grass into your home?  Increasing numbers of us are working from home quite regularly and changing working patterns means the trend is growing.  A garden office creates a distinction between home and work that can be difficult to find if you are working from a spare room or in a converted loft.  New forms of insulation mean a garden room can be used all year round, keeping you in perennial comfort.  Depending on what you are willing to pay, electricity and telephone lines can be installed to ensure maximum productivity.  Prices vary enormously, depending on its purpose and building materials, but we recommend seeking planning permission from your local authority before construction.

Often built with timber cladding and glass doors, a garden office can be a stylish as well as a functional addition to an outdoor space.  Indeed, one of the main attractions of a garden office is its versatility.  It can be used as a private sanctuary from the rest of the house, a place to escape in the garden.  It can also be designed to blend in with its surroundings, making the most of an outdoor space that is often under-used in the winter months.  Garden rooms can also add value to your home, making it a financially practical option too.

If you think your garden would benefit from an extra walkway, or need something to make it more aesthetically appealing, a gravel path can be the ideal solution.  With the many different types of gravel available and variety of colours, the opportunity is there to really add to your garden’s attractiveness.  It also rather handily can make for an extra security measure, with the noise of it being walked on a useful deterrent for intruders.

If cutting into your lawn, you will need to first mark out the path.  While a straight path will make the rest of the process easier, incorporating slight bends can look more appealing.  Using a spade, you should then be able to cut through the turf several inches deep to create the path.  Make sure the surface remaining is even and you are then ready to craft the edging.

Again the options for edging are huge, with many different materials and designs.  Concrete edging is probably the more decorative, but will require more work with laying down the bed of mortar first.  Curved paths will require more flexible edging or smaller parts, to avoid them interfering with your lawn.

The gravel itself comes in many varieties of colour, shape and size, giving you a bit of creative freedom as to what you decide to go with.  The cheaper and more popular option is using pea gravel, which is small stones, but you can also choose from pebbles, basalt and chippings depending on your taste.  Make sure to rake over the gravel for an even finish and then your path is complete.

Loose and damaged paving slabs can look unsightly and be potentially dangerous, causing people to trip over them, so it is important to keep them in reasonably good shape.  Doing so is quite an easy task, but some slabs may be set differently to others, so determine what category your surface fits into before starting, as this will determine how you tackle the job.

There are three basic methods of laying paving slabs.  They can be set on a layer of sand only, on dabs of mortar on top of sand or on a layer of mortar only.

If the slabs are laid on a layer of sand, they can simply be levered up with a crowbar before adding more sand underneath, to stabilise them.  If they are laid on mortar dabs the job can be a little trickier.  In this case, the easiest method is to lever them up and add fresh mortar between the original dabs before re-bedding the slab.  However, if the slabs have been laid on a solid bed of mortar they will probably have to be smashed up.  The old bed of mortar will have to be chopped out using a cold chisel and club hammer before a fresh bed is laid and new slabs set in place.

Rather than using a crowbar, it is often preferable to beg or borrow a wide-bladed bolster chisel, specially designed for prising slabs up.  This will distribute the pressure more evenly whilst you apply the new sand or mortar.

Garden sheds come in a range of durable materials, with each material being suitable for a number of different types of usage.  This article will highlight the benefits of each type of material for a garden shed, to help you decide which material to build your garden shed from.

Wood

Wood is usually the ‘typical’ and most popular material used for a garden shed.  This is because it is a colour that will blend in well with the rest of a garden environment.  A wooden shed is also usually the cheapest option.  The only downside to a wooden shed is that unless you pay it the right care and attention the wood will become rotten after a time.  You must therefore make sure that you build it slightly raised off the ground and treat it regularly with a wood preservative.

Metal

While metal sheds do not blend into the garden surroundings as well as wooden sheds, they are far easier to maintain with only a small amount of rust prevention required.  Additionally, if you plan to store expensive items in your shed, then buying one made out of metal will create a safer and more secure place.

Plastic

A good choice in garden shed materials is plastic.  Plastic does not rot, rust or require painting.  If you buy a plastic shed, you will have next to nothing to do in regards to maintenance.  You can also buy plastic sheds that look like wood so that it will blend into your garden.  One problem though is that plastic is not as rigid as wood or metal, so the base must be very solid to withstand the weather and the weight of objects therein.

Gravel paths are a great addition to any garden, as they look attractive.  They are exceptionally easy to lay, ideal for those just beginning to experiment with DIY.  This article provides you with the information on how to lay your gravel path.

Firstly, you must mark out where you wish to have your path.  Do this using string or sand trickled between your fingers.  This is essential if you plan to cut your path into your lawn.  When it is marked out and you are happy, move along the edges with a spade, cutting the turf all the way along.  Cut it to a depth of about four to six inches.

Now you must edge the pathway.  This will prevent the surrounding lawn from falling into the path.  With a straight path, timber battens can be used.  These are held into place with pegs.  However, if you have a curving gravel path then you will need flexible edgings (available from most good DIY stores).

Following the above steps, you are ready to lay the first base of loose stones and coarse gravel.  Once poured in, this should occupy about a third of the depth of the hole.  Now you need a layer of sand and course gravel.  Stamp this flat and you have a firm base on which your final layer of gravel will sit.

Now it is time to take the gravel you have chosen for your gravel path (gravel is available in a huge range of colours and coarseness) and lay it onto the path.  When you have laid the gravel, you should rake the whole path, making is as even and firm as possible.

Found your perfect wedding venue, but missing the centrepiece for your ceremony? Perhaps you are opting for a more personal service in the privacy of your own home? However you choose to celebrate your wedding, an outdoor gazebo is a great choice to enhance an outdoor ceremony, and is perfect for making an elegant civil ceremony unique.

A wooden gazebo is a traditional option that will create a lasting monument to your special day. A fantastic option for couples looking transform their existing outdoor space, a white patio gazebo makes a striking contrast to surrounding greenery and fits in perfectly with traditional wedding celebrations.

On the other hand, for a less permanent solution there are many canopy gazebos or metal framed gazebos that have an equally elegant appeal. With powder-coated metal, brides can still opt for white, or for something a little different there are a variety of metallic shades with their own unique appeal, from simple aluminium frames to decorative metal leaf and flower designs, some with a canopy roof.

When it comes to decorating your gazebo for the big day, there are some simple tips that can transform your outdoor gazebo into your dream feature.

Flowers are standard fare at weddings, but what about an aisle made of petals? Scatter petals along the path the bride will take as well as on the floor of the gazebo for a beautiful added touch to your festivities. Similarly, make the most of floristry staples such as twine, ribbon and wires to create a winding trail of blossoms around the pillars of your pagoda or gazebo.