The Chiswick Gardener

Planters and window boxes

Andrew — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:00:06 +0000

The Chiswick Gardener’s latest work. In conjunction with John of www.touchstoneworktops.com and Vicky of www.thechiswicksalon.co.uk we have designed and built a brand new style of planter. We have used Star Galaxy granite and produced this very modern and stylish planter. It is 1.6m wide and fits neatly in front of the salon’s window. We have used Camellia, Nandina domestica, Calamagrostis acutiiflora Overdam, Skimia japonica Rubella, Ranunculus Brazen Hussy, Primula Vulgaris, Liriope muscari Monroe White and Huchera Silver Scrolls. The plants will be changed in early summer as we want the planter to brighten up the road and outside space and so putting a smile on the local residents faces (including mine as I walk past with my dog each day!). The planter weighs almost 300kg so is pretty heavy. It is in Fauconberg Rd.

We can make any size of planter should anybody be interested. Please contact either me or John at www.touchstoneworktops.com where there are examples of all the varying different types of stone

There are also some other pictures of differing styles of planters / window boxes that we have made ourselves (stainless steel, wood) over the last few years (pictures 5-9)

Technorati Tags: Calamagrostis acutiiflora Overdam, Camellia, Chiswick, Chiswick Gardener, Fauconberg, Gardener Chiswick, Huchera Silver Scrolls, Liriope muscari Monroe White, Monroe White, Nandina domestica, Planters & Window Boxes, Primula Vulgaris, Ranunculus Brazen Hussy, Skimia japonica Rubella, stone, window box

Before and after

Andrew — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:15:49 +0000

This is just a small sample of the gardens we have built. We normally dismantle the old garden trying to keep any plants and anything that can be reused somewhere else. Then it is just the small matter of putting the new garden back together as per the design. The joy for our clients and us is watching the plants and garden mature over the years.

Decking

Andrew — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:59:35 +0000

A small deck!!!!. Built for the William Hogarth School, Chiswick W4. We used over 6km of wood, 2000 bolts and 21000 screws. It is 25 x 10 m with a raised bed faced with a band of stainless steel to contrast the use of different materials. Planting is Stipa arundinacea, Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ , Geranium machorrhizum. http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/ http://www.rhs.org.uk/rhsplantselector/default.aspx

We have also incorporated benches for mums and their kids which has been a huge success. It makes me proud.

Technorati Tags: Decking, decks

Patios

Andrew — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 13:56:07 +0000

Over the last 5 or so years I have built so many patios its untrue. Patios are costly so need to be done right the first time. Particular attention needs to be paid to the foundations, any damp courses, levels and the fall of rainwater and to where it eventually goes.

The final attention to detail is in the pointing as this can be the difference between something average and something spectacular (we work to the spectacular side which takes a little longer and makes all the difference). The design and patio layout are also critical when next to a house.

I have attached several pictures showing different types of stone and layouts

Technorati Tags: Landscaping, Patio, Sandstone

Balham Borders

Andrew — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:03:31 +0000

Sarah (client) asked me to come round and have a look at her garden. It is a very long and narrow so allowing for several different rooms / areas in the garden. There is an old shed than needs to be replaced, plants that need to be overhauled or severly cut back and a patio that is pretty user unfriendly with very dangerous steps leading into the garden itself.

Sarah and I have decided that we will build a fence to afford some privacy with trachelosepernum jasminoides climbers. The patio will be “Natural Blend” sandstone, the steps will be almost 2m wide with bigger treads, so allowing people to sit on them or just walk down to the garden in safety. There is also to be a small patio at the rear of the garden where Sarah and her friends can enjoy the summer (when it arrives) surrounded by plants

It has rained everyday that I have visited this site and yesterday was no exception. We have stripped out the vegetation, cleared the gravel patio and unblocked the drains. Next it is the fence and hand selecting the stones for the patio.

18/02/2009. The fence is almost finished. The gate will need to be slightly adjusted once the patio goes down (tomorrow). The stone has arrived and looks great

19/02/09 Started with the patio. The first 2-3 stones took almost an hour to lay and get correct. The angles of the house back wall, the steps and the boundaries are not at right angles, so the eye bcomes the important factor. Once they are correct the rest went down relatively quickly, bearing in mind that it is such a small place to work in. Hopefully by tomorrow it will be laid, but there is a lot of stone cutting to do.. it will be close. Pointing will be next week once it is set.

24/02/09 The patio has now been completely laid and the pointing has started. This is the crucial point and where attention to detail is important It will bring the patio to life.

8/03/09 At last we are almost finished, just the second patio to do. The shed has been built, the steps and main patio finished. All we need to do now is the small jobs, like painting walls, moving plants, sanding down the steps, and a general tidy up (these are also the most important jobs as they are the finishing touches and where the attention to detail is essential.)

11/03/09 We have finished! The second patio has been built next to the shed. The main patio and steps have been pressure washed so the stone now has its natural lustre and my muddy footprints are no more. I am really pleased with the outcome especially as most things seem to have gone to plan which believe it or not is unusual. Thanks Sarah and I hope you enjoy your garden. It will be a great place to enjoy a glass of wine in the sun. It was warm and sunny today.

Technorati Tags: Balham, climbers, garden, Jasminoides, Natural Blend, Patio, plants, Sandstone, trachelosepernum, wine in the sun

Lawns and Astroturf

Andrew — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:47:19 +0000

Increasingly clients are looking for low maintenance solutions to lawns. We install both turf and astroturf / artificial grass to any size and shape. The preparation to lay a new surface is actually pretty similar.





Links
http://www.artificialgrass.org.uk/acatalog/
http://www.rolawn.co.uk/
Which of these Chiswick Grove Park and Bedford Park gardens are artificial? Leave a comment below!



Technorati Tags: artificial grass, Astroturf, Bedford Park, Chiswick, grass, Grove Park, lawn, low maintenance solutions, rowlawn, Turf



Sasha the wonderdog
Andrew — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:15:14 +0000
The Chiswick Gardener’s helper. Just a big shame that she is no good at digging, so I leave her at home.



Technorati Tags: Chiswick, Dog, garden, Gardener, Gardening, W4





A summer retreat
Andrew — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:05:43 +0000
A garden sanctuary with lush plants, including Phyllostachys nigra (Black Bamboo), Fatsia Japonica to afford privacy. Summer 2007.This used to be an WW2 air raid shelter. We designed and constructed this little retreat. Garden lighting and an irrigation system were also installed. The building surround is the new resin bonded patio which we installed ourselves from www.sureset.co.uk
The garden is still maintained by The Chiswick Gardener.



Technorati Tags: Chiswick, garden, Gardener, Gardening, retreat, summer, W4





Links
Russell — Sat, 17 May 2008 16:35:45 +0000
Mister Linker







View
Andrew — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 15:52:38 +0000
A water garden feature. Nothing beats the relaxing sound of running water on a hot summer’s day.



Technorati Tags: Chiswick, garden, Gardener, Gardening, W4, water