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Posts Tagged ‘Garden<’
Perhaps you have decided that your existing lawn is not as lush as you would like, and you feel something needs attention in this direction. Mr-Skill loves his garden, and he firmly believes that growing a new lawn from the seed of choice makes excellent sense, particularly in the autumn season. This time of the year is good because extremes of temperature are no real threat. 
Grass Roots Approach
One of our regular London gardeners, Cindy, says that, “it’s a roots up approach when it comes to replacing a lawn or a section thereof.” She calls it sowing season, because what you do now will reap rewards when you most want to enjoy a lush new lawn – namely the spring and summer months. Cindy suggests that you get a garden quote from your local nursery or garden centre, as they will be able to advise on the seed type to use, depending on your region.
Where to Start
A good start point would be to remove the old lawn. This may seem a little drastic, but you don’t want your new lush mat strangled by the old weed-ridden excuse-for-a-lawn, surely? If your soil is very dry, you can try saturating it with the garden hose for a few hours. This will help to soften up the top soil and the root structure too.
The Big Dig
Once the earth is sufficiently moist, use a combination of spade and fork to remove the old unwanted turf, but you must excavate down to the root system too. You then need to level the surface into which you plan to sow the new grass seed. Use a rake, and don’t forget to apply a liberal volume of compost to encourage rapid and healthy growth. If you are tired-out already, you could find a gardener-and-landscaper right here on Mr-Skill.
Follow the Instructions 
Read the manufacturer’s instructions on the packet of lawn seed carefully. Not just for planting purposes though – there will be follow up in the weeks and months ahead as you admire your new lush green carpet in your garden. One last word from Mr-Skill, try to avoid mowing too soon, in fact, follow the guideline instructions to the letter and you will not be disappointed!
Tags: compost, find a gardening-and-landscaping expert, fork, Garden, garden service, gardening-and-landscaping quote, grass, grass seed, guideline, instructions, lawn, lawn seed, london gardening-and-landscaping specialist, lush, Mr Skill, planting, root, seed, spade, turf
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Posted in Bricklaying on Sep 14
Mr-Skill simply loves brickwork, and particularly the way it can enhance an area or even become a feature in its own right. When it comes to garden walls, brick can provide more privacy when used as a boundary separator, or it can define flowerbeds in your garden with a bit of imaginative use. There are many different uses for a brick garden wall, and in this article, we will talk about three options.  
Laying bricks correctly is an acquired skill and takes much practice and careful planning. Bricklaying is also a recognised trade, which not only requires training, but demands that – to earn the title of a bricklayer – means passing various trade tests too. Find a bricklaying specialist here on Mr-Skill, and rest easy knowing that a decent job is on the way.
The Pierced Effect
Essentially, a pierced brick wall is the same as the solid brick version, except it has regular gaps in its design. It can make a marvellous feature in your garden, and it certainly allows in light and promotes air movement too. You could even consider incorporating feature windows in your design, when you get a bricklaying quote from one of our registered members here on Mr-Skill.
One of the many advantages of this type of wall is that it enables your neighbours to catch a glimpse of your manicured private garden, while at the same time it ornately defines your property and garden zones.
Water-Feature in a Brick Wall 
Fountains are great fun and can have a soothing and cooling effect on a hot summer’s day. One of our regular London Bricklaying experts has completed many-a-fountain-feature in his time, and he says that there is nothing to beat the tinkling sound of gurgling water.
Several of his customers have made their fountains-in-brick popular relaxation spots in their gardens – somewhere to observe the passing of time in privacy! Don’t stop at a fountain necessarily – you could also create a wonderful water feature into which the fountain tumbles before being recirculated. Why not go the whole hog and add some fish and aquatic plants.
Practical Retaining Walls
These walls are not only a functional feature in holding soil, or preventing erosion and subsidence, they also provide another dimension to your garden. The possibilities are open-ended when you design your low retaining wall to provide a terraced effect, as one flowerbed slopes down to the next and so on. Low retainer walls make for easier gardening around them too. They make useful seats for your guests to enjoy, as do Mr-Skill’s, when he entertains!
Tags: acquatic, boundary, bricklaying quote, brickwork, cooling, customers, find a bricklaying specialist, flowerbed, fountain, Garden, gurgling, london bricklaying expert, neighbours, ornate, popular, relaxation, retaining wall, soothing, terraced, tinkling
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Pruning Your Roses
Those that know Mr-Skill are usually quite surprised when they learn that he has a green side to him too. In fact, he loves roses, and once people realise this they jump straight to the question of when to prune this much-loved shrub. It’s not just about ‘when to’, it’s equally important to know ‘how to’ prune properly. Our Mr-Skill learned everything he knows from one of our regular London gardeners, and since then he tends his lovely rose plants religiously.
The When 
Well, it all depends on the type of rose you have in your garden, as well as your location. With bushes, shrubs and climbers, minor pruning can be done many times during the year, but the heavy cut back needs to be tackled in the spring, in order to promote strong growth. Here’s the pruning method employed by all our green-fingered experts, but you can also seek advice when you find a gardener right here on Mr-Skill.
The How
- Make sure you use a clean and sharp pair of pruning scissors.
- Make your cuts no more than quarter-of-an-inch above the bud, and angle the cut away from it to keep water from collecting where it’s not wanted.
- Be sure to cut to the appropriate height.
- Completely remove dead and diseased stems.
- Spindly and criss-crossing stems need cutting back too – this is to encourage better plant shape.
- Over time, try to aim for well-spaced stems – this will promote better air flow around the bush.
- On more established rose plants, cut out poorly flowering old wood and saw off old stubs that have failed to produce new shoots.
- With the noted exception of climbing roses, severely prune all newly planted bushes, as this certainly encourages new and rapid growth.
- Finally, trace suckers back to the root system and snip them cleanly off.
If rose pruning sounds a bit prickly to you, you can always get a gardening quote from one of the many experts right here on Mr-Skill. One last word from the maestro, mix a solution of bicarbonate of soda in water and spray on your bushes, then watch them grow and blossom forth. It’s a rose by any other name!
Tags: bloom, bud, bush, clean.sharp, climber, cut, dead wood, find a gardening-and-landscaping specialist, Garden, gardening-and-landscaping quote, growth, London garder and landscaping expert, plant, prune, pruning, root, rose, stem, water
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The team here at Mr-Skill know that autumn is a good time to prepare their gardens for the cooler months ahead whilst the weather is still pleasant. Of course, in the winter months the landscape can look somewhat drab, but Audrey – she is one of our London gardening and landscaping experts – will provide some guidelines and tips to keep your beloved patch in tiptop condition over the coming months. So, don those old gardening cloths, pop on the gloves and grab the usual tools as you prepare for a day communing with nature! 
Have a Plan
Audrey says, “Preparing the garden for the colder months will keep it looking neat, as well as protecting the less hardy plants to a great extent. You must formulate a plan before you get stuck in though. Autumn is the perfect time for dividing perennial plants, and spreading them around the garden, as this will maintain their health and ensure greater coverage in spring.”
Our green-fingered Audrey has even more to offer. “If you are planning to plant new shrubs, trees or bulbs, do it well before the winter months while the earth is still easy to work with. Winter is an important time to many of our hardier shrubs as that is when they build bigger root systems.”
Garden Clean Up
As the days start to cool down, the leaves will begin dropping, and this provides an excellent opportunity to start a compost heap – or add to the one you already have. Raking and weeding are important activities at this time of the year, but be careful not to add weeds to the compost pile.
Gentle reminder from our team of gardening experts – they are ready and waiting for action, so if you feel this is all too tiring, then get your garden and landscaping quotes right here.
Mulching
Mulching is only necessary for more delicate plants, but even a thin layer of mulch will help insulate them from severe temperature drops – and it helps boost the soil and reduce erosion too. Don’t forget to move plant containers indoors or at least under cover to avoid frost, and a layer of mulch will also help them greatly.
There we go, all done and dusted as they say. Not a difficult job, unless of course you are not the gardening type. If that describes you better, then look no further: find a garden and landscaping service right here on Mr-Skill. This will leave you free to enjoy the pleasant autumn weather!
Tags: autumn, bulbs, clean up, cold, find a gardening and landscaping service, frost, Garden, gardening-and-landscaping quote, landscape, leaves, london gardening-and-landscaping expert, plants, preparation, rake, roots, shrubs, tidy, trees, weather, weeds
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Posted in Handyman Services on Jul 04
Trellis is the word we use to describe a latticework of crossing panels made from treated wood. Not only does it make for a visually pleasing experience, it also offers better privacy too. Solid pole-fences or brick garden walls are not as aesthetic and will cost a lot more too, especially when you add the price of labour. Trellis is available in standard panel sizes and many wood finishes too.
One of our regular London handymen says that if you’re not the DIY type, Mr-Skill is the best place to start your search for a skilled tradesperson. He goes on to advise that you need to visualise what you are trying to achieve, before erecting this type of fencing.
The Raw Materials
Typically, wood lattice panels are stock items, and come in 2 x 4 foot, 2 x 8 foot and 4 x 8 foot sections. The standard panel thickness starts at 3/8 inch, then 3/4 inch, and thicker. Common patterns include square, diamond and weave finishes with both large and smaller viewing gaps. Don’t forget the poles that you’ll need to plant for support. If you prefer, find a handyman here on Mr-Skill and leave the rest to him.
Steps:
- Use builder’s string and stakes to lay out your fence line. Then, you can mark your post positions along this line, allowing for a maximum gap of 8 feet between your poles. Now, dig a hole deep enough to bury the pole footing – not too shallow or the fence may bend. Plant the pole and check it is standing straight. Fill the hole around the post with concrete, being sure to keep the upright plumb. Allow the poles time to settle, and the concrete to set.
- Check that the post height above the ground does not exceed 6 feet, the normal height permitted by your local authority. Use the string to line up the poles and trim off any excess height.
- Trim top and bottom battens to fit horizontally between the poles, and secure them as supports for the lattice panels.
- Place the lattice panels in position with the right face showing, and centre between the uprights. You are now ready to secure the trellis fence to the framework, filling any left and right gaps with panels trimmed to the correct size.
If you haven’t erected a fence yourself like this before, it’s time to pat yourself on the back if you got this far. If this sounds all too difficult then check the Mr-Skill home page and get some handymen quotes instead. Then, switch on the telly and take in Match of the Day while you wait for the professionals to complete your stunning new fence.
Tags: aesthetic, concrete, fence, fencing, find handyman-services, Garden, garden walls, holes, horizontal, london handyman services, panels, poles, privacy, quote for handyman services, spacing, stake, string, trellis, trim, uprights
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 In these days of spiralling costs, isn’t it nice to know that you can make meaningful savings just by growing your own lovely vegetables. There’s nothing to beat the taste of freshly harvested produce, and you will be safe in the knowledge that it’s free of chemicals and pesticides too. Summer squash, tomatoes and peppers are three easy-to-grow crops that will help cut back on your fresh produce shopping. Why not find a gardener here on Mr-Skill and stock up with some good ideas for your summer veggie garden.
For Starters – Summer Squash 
One of our regular London gardeners says that the many varieties of squash available make this a firm favourite. Not only is it hardy and easy to grow, this family of vegetables is versatile in the kitchen too. She suggests that you select a variety that appeals to you when it comes to adding colour to your garden. Patty pans, for example, are available in dark green and yellow “fruits”, while zucchini offers both green and black combinations.
The Amazing Tomato Plant
Officially, the tomato plant is a fruit rather than the hugely popular vegetable we all use it as. There are several varieties, all stemming from the original wild Mexican tomato plant. Can you imagine Italian dishes without the important ingredient of tomato puree? And a salad would look unfinished without the presence of a sliced or chopped bright-red tomato.
Don’t forget to stake the plants as they sprout forth, and if you train them up a trellis, you’ll soon have an active production line of crops. Tomatoes love water, lots of it, and it may pay to fertilise the soil too.
Nutritious Peppers
Peppers come in a large variety of flavours, ranging from succulent and sweet to hot and spicy. This crop just loves the sun, but it needs plenty of water too. The jalapeno variety makes a lovely bush with the bright orange fruit contrasting nicely with the green leaves. All varieties of peppers offer lots of vitamin C to keep you in good health.
The Sky’s the Limit!
We all know the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, and as kids we fully believed that our nimble elf really did visit the land of the giants! So let your imagination grow wild as you grow your own lettuces, radishes and several different herbs too. Get a gardening quote from one of our many members right here on Mr-Skill. They’ll be sure to provide you with some practical ideas.
Tags: chemicals, fertiliser, find a gardening-and-landscaping expert, Garden, garden and landscaping quote, home grown, italian food, london gardener and landscaper, pepper, plants, rainwater harvesting, salad, squash, stake, sun, support, tomato, trellis, vegetables, water
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Perhaps you have finished building your new home, and now feel ready to formalise the garden to finish off. Or, maybe you feel a change of scenery is required and you have decided to go for a garden-makeover? Hiring an experienced and properly trained landscape gardener could be just what you need to help you create your new wonderland.
Here, we offer advice on choosing a competent landscape gardener who could turn your dream garden into reality, and make your investment a great one.
Important Considerations 
We have compiled a list of four things that you should check when considering a landscape gardener. Of course, you could also find your pre-screened landscaping service right here on Mr-Skill.
- What’s the range of services on offer? Our landscapers offer the A – Z of gardening as standard. Simply choose what you want, be it fencing, decking, new turf, planting-out or modelling a water feature. You pay according to what you select, so do have a budget in mind.
- Check testimonials from recent clients. Did a friend recommend a particular service to you? If so, that’s great, because you can assume that they would have performed well. There’s still no substitute for a friendly conversation with a recent customer, warts and all! All you are trying to establish is that the landscaper can do what they are claiming.
- Ask to see pictures or videos of recent projects. Any professional landscaper should feel justifiably proud of their work, so it goes without saying that they will build up a portfolio of their projects. Look at them carefully, and ask questions.
- Can they visit your home and provide free, written quotes? As with any service, it is very important to get a quote in writing. Make sure it is clear and unambiguous. Check that your name, address and postcode are included – preferably on a genuine company letterhead. Don’t forget to verify before parting with your deposit, and why not check the quotation right here on Mr-Skill?
The time and effort that you put into choosing your garden landscaper will be well- spent. Don’t be shy to ask questions, even if they sound obvious to you – it’s your money, and you are entitled to the best service in return.
Remember, a well laid out garden with interesting features will definitely add value to your property. Indeed, it could prove the clincher when it comes to selling your house one day. As one of our regular London gardening and landscaping experts puts it, “It’s all about presentation, presentation, presentation.”
Tags: decking, dream garden, fencing, find a gardening-and-landscaping expert, Garden, garden revamp, garden upgrade, garden-makeover, gardening-and-landscape quote, increased value, investment, london-gardener-and-lanscaper, new turf, recommendations, water features, wonderland
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As we head into the warmer months, there’s no better way to beautify your garden than by adding a splash of floral colour. Flowering plants can be grown in almost any light conditions, but some species definitely prefer the sun while others are more shade-loving.
There are of course many choices for these two opposite corners of your garden. One of our regular London landscaping experts has drawn up a list of ten each – sun and shade – for your maximum enjoyment.
Ten for the Hotspots
- Let’s start with the not-so-lonely-Petunia. Correctly clustered, these beauties can provide a riot of colours.
- Passion flowers too are said to give of their best when the sun beams down on them.
- Tagetes, or African Marigolds and their French cousin seem to reflect the sun itself as they bask in its glory.
- Lavender is a true sun-worshipper, and offers a rewarding scent too.
- The Sunflower simply has to be included along with its radiant “smile”.
- Violas almost seem to dance in the breeze when the sun shines down on them.
- Carnations – no garden should be without this stunner.
- Phlox, you can mix these up with the carnations for a splendid show.
- Though the list could go on, let’s end with the drooping Fuchsias family – the pink and purple show will really brighten up the surrounding area.
Before we move on to the shade, a wander around your nearest garden centre will always provide you with lots of inspiring ideas. You may even decide to get a gardening quote from Mr-Skill when you get home.
Ten for the Shade
- Shade plants will of course be more subtle when it comes to colour, but Foxgloves certainly provide a splash.
- For deep-shaded areas try colonies of Ferns for their cooling green effect.
- They may have smaller flowers, but Dogwoods can be very rewarding too.
- The Green Globe Hebe plant provides a calming green backdrop.
- “Bleeding Hearts” can be stunning, especially when mixed with Lilly of the Valley.
- Camellias and Asters are for border-line partial-to-full shade areas.
- Sweet Williams and Sweet Peas will adorn just about any corner you decide to use.
If this all sounds too energetic, you could find a landscaper right here on Mr-Skill, and then just sit back and wait for the riot of colour to begin. Don’t forget to have the garden chairs and table set out to enjoy the show!
Tags: colour, corner, find a gardening-and-landscaping specialist, flowers, Garden, gardening-and-landscaping quote, light, london gardening-and-landscaping expert, shade, shade-loving, splash, summer, sun, sun-loving, warmer weather
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It’s a lovely time of the year, as the long dark nights make way for warmer, sunnier days. The cherry blossom season is over for another year, but the local fields and woods and paddocks are full of bluebells, primroses and lots more besides. Here are some tips and a few secrets for getting your own garden looking like a piece of paradise. In fact, now is a good time to find a gardener right here on Mr-Skill, while you sit back and admire their handiwork!
Diary Tips for This Week of Spring
- This is a good time to apply a weed and feed mix to established lawns. Water in well with a hose after a couple of days too, if it doesn’t rain.
- Deadhead old daffodil flowers, but let the leaves die back naturally.
- Now is the time to plant up ponds with aquatics to help oxygenate the water.
- The time is also right to apply a good fertilizer feed to your roses.
- As your primula and polyanthus plants finish flowering, lift and divide them.
- If you have any orchids, April is the main flowering month for most of these exotic bulbs.
- This is a also good time to plant evergreens such as laurel, otherwise known as the bay tree, and renowned for the delightful aroma imparted from the leaves to meat dishes.
Brief Interlude
Why you may not need to go to the expense of re-landscaping, why not get a garden quote for servicing your lawn mower and edge trimmer. They are both going to be in high demand shortly, so you need to have them in tiptop condition. Just like a car, regular maintenance is important for all mechanical or electrical garden tools.
The Secret’s Out 
Claire, our avid London gardener, suggests that you keep a watchful eye on the weather forecast. Frost is still a distinct possibility, and she suggests covering the more sensitive shrubs with sacking or garden fleece just to be safe – as she does her face in sunshine too.
Resist the urge to buy and plant your summer flowers, unless you plan to keep them in your greenhouse. As she says, frost is no stranger to your garden, even as late as May here in the UK.
And finally, do tidy up dead leaves and garden rubbish. If you don’t, you will be providing free accommodation for snails, slugs, weevils and woodlice, and before you know it, disease and infection will strike.
Tags: bluebells, daffodils, exotic, feed, find a gardener, flowers, Garden, garden quote, gardener, laurel, lawn, lawn mower, london gardener, orchid, pond, primroses, rose, slug, snail, split, spring, trimmer, water, weed, weevils
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Spring has “sprung”, well at least according to the weather people. Clocks will advance an hour at midnight on the last Saturday of March. Suddenly, we will view everything in a better light – literally! And that includes our precious lawns that have survived another cold dark winter with little or no help from us.
It’s time to make amends. Although lawn mowing may seem a long way off, we do need to prepare the grass for those delightful months ahead. Of course, if this all sounds too strenuous, you could always find a gardener on Mr-Skill, and then sit back and enjoy the benefits.
What You Will Need
- Large garden fork, weeding tool and hose pipe
Weeding
Weeding is an important aspect of lawn care. Just as the grass is starting to grow, so too are the weeds in the lawn. They affect the appearance of the turf, showing up as dark green clumps in an otherwise-perfect lawn. Weeds also compete with the grass for water, and can prevent nutrients from reaching and feeding the roots.
Removal is fairly simple. Use the weeding tool to prise the weed and its roots out from the soil. Early spring is the right time to do this, because weeds will not yet have formed seeds.
Aerate and Fertilise
Using the garden fork, spike the soil with a downward motion, going as deep as you possibly can. Now, jiggle the fork back and forth, by placing your foot on the metal fork head and your hands on the fork handle and stem. The more you spike, the better the aerating action. After you finish, you can fertilise according to the supplier’s instructions.
Sowing Seeds and Watering
Scatter your preferred grass seed, again according to the instructions. Then water the area using a hand-held hose with adjustable nozzle. Water regularly until the spring rains take over, and a lovely lawn will greet you.
Our London Gardeners have one tip for every avid lawn enthusiast – now’s the time to check your mower and have it serviced. Isn’t it great to see promising signs of life in the trees and grass again?
Tags: clocks foward, daylight, daylight saving, fertiliser, find a gardener, fork, Garden, gardening quote, green grass, lawn, london gardeners, perfect lawn, roots, seeds, sowing, spike, spring, summer, turf, water, weeds, winter
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