T: 01491 280447 | info@greenart.co.uk

Category Archives: Blog

‘Gardening in a Changing Climate’ – what it means to Oxfordshire gardens

by George Smith / on 4th May 2017 / in Blog, Gardens

A new report from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) highlights both the challenges and opportunities of gardening in a changing climate. The quintessentially British lush, green lawn that we have all grown up with, could become a thing of the past in the south of England if the findings of a new report from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) becomes reality. There may also be a longer growing season in the north with new plant pests and diseases country becoming commonplace.

Continue reading…

Here comes the sun – where’s the rain?

by George Smith / on 28th April 2017 / in Blog, Gardens, Tips

According to the Met Office, this year has been one of the driest on record, with Oxfordshire and Berkshire seeing only five percent or less of the average rainfall for the whole of April. A new garden is an investment for the future, so it’s important to get it off to the best possible start, but one of the most common reasons for newly planted trees and shrubs to fail is lack of water. By making a commitment of time and attention early on, you can ensure the long-term health and quality of your garden.

Continue reading…

Appealing to all senses

by George Smith / on 6th April 2017 / in Blog, Gardens

A sensory garden is a garden, or part of a garden, which is specifically designed to appeal to the five senses through the use of soft and hard landscaping. The Sensory Trust defines a sensory garden as “a self-contained area that concentrates a wide range of sensory experiences. Such an area, if designed well, provides a valuable resource for a wide range of uses, from education to recreation.”

Sensory gardens are increasingly popular for outside spaces in schools, hospitals and hospices to create a relaxing and therapeutic environment. In fact it’s been proved that sensory gardens have therapeutic value for people with visual disabilities or dementia who can enjoy connecting with nature in a safe environment. Sensory gardens can also contribute positively to emotional wellbeing and can be used as a coping strategy to improve mental, emotional and long term physical health.

Continue reading…

Big ideas for Small Gardens

by George Smith / on 6th April 2017 / in Blog, Gardens

When you think of containers in the garden, it’s easy to think small; terracotta plant pots with herbs, a glazed pot for a special rose perhaps or maybe a wooden trough with pansies and primroses. So often pots are an after-thought or late addition to the garden given as a gift that then has to fit in with what’s already there. Just as you would think carefully about the accessories for a new kitchen, or soft furnishings in a living room, choosing containers and the plants to fill them can make all the difference to the look and feel of your garden and really add the Wow factor. In fact in a small garden containers can be your starting point to create key points of interest, provide colour, texture and structure as well as being a time-saving or low maintenance solution for reluctant gardeners.

Continue reading…

Get out in the garden for National Gardening Week – 10th-16th April 2017

by George Smith / on 23rd March 2017 / in Blog, Gardens

The UK’s biggest celebration of gardening is happening in April. The week will see thousands of people, as well as charities, retailers, culture and heritage organisations and groups attending, as well as hosting, their own events up and down the country. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has been holding the annual National Gardening Week since 2011, but don’t worry if you have never heard of it before, or are not a knowledgeable gardener. The theme for 2017 is ‘Help New Gardeners to Grow’; encouraging you to get more involved in your gardens. The week will aim to inspire gardeners of all levels so there’s no better time to improve your gardening skills and embrace your green fingers.

Continue reading…

10 a day. Get ready to grow your own vegetables this year

by George Smith / on 23rd March 2017 / in Blog, Gardens

The government is now recommending we have 10 portions of fruit and veg per day, but the costs can add up. So why not try and grow your own veg this summer? Now is the time to get plots ready and plan your crop for the summer. Over the last few years, there has been a tremendous surge in the popularity in growing your own vegetables and the demand for allotments has increased with many councils having long waiting lists. But you don’t necessarily need lots of space to grow your own vegetables, and there are some easier options to get you started if you’ve never tried to grow veg before. Whatever size or space you have whether it’s a small patch in the garden, a container, flat or raised beds getting your soil ready for planting and planning what you’ll sow is vital for success.

Continue reading…

#pondwatch – Day 2

by George Smith / on 9th March 2017 / in Blog, Ponds

Day two starts with the arrival of some pretty serious kit. We need to clear away all the scrub on the top of the site so we can mark out nice clear outlines. We’ve brought in our friends from Aztec Plant with their 13T excavator and before we know it, the pond is starting to take shape.

Jo spends a couple of hours marking out the adjacent woodland to make sure that any walkers can safely find their way on the footpath. It’s starting to look like the course for a cross country run!

The kites are keeping a watchful eye over proceedings from the safety of their nest in the Willows while the Robins can’t believe their luck as they pick out the worms from the freshly dug soil.

#pondwatch – Day 1

by George Smith / on 9th March 2017 / in Blog, Ponds

Day one on site begins with a briefing with the client and a chance to ‘walk the course’, assess the ground and any potential changes to the environment as a result of the recent Storm Doris. The plan outlines a pond approximately 40m x 35m with a maximum depth of up to 1.8m.

First job is to remove some branches and tidy up a couple of Crack Willows and clear a stream that was choked up with vegetation and fallen trees. We’ve brought in a team of local tree surgeons for all the tree work.

Once the tree work is done, we start marking out ready for the first phase of excavation work to begin. It’s been a beautiful day and we’ve been watching kites circling and blue tits flitting amongst the willows. I may have even seen a lesser spotted woodpecker – but maybe I was just feeling lucky!

Looking forward to creating something really special here.

 

#pondwatch

by George Smith / on 9th March 2017 / in Blog, Ponds

Back in October 2016 we were contacted by a couple who had heard that ponds are our ‘thing’ having seen our work in several friends and neighbour’s gardens. They, however, were looking for help to design and create a pond on a significantly larger scale than the water features we are usually asked to build.

Having recently finished the construction of a state-of-the art energy-efficient new home set in five acres of rural Oxfordshire, our clients wanted to complete the project with the installation of a large pond that would provide habitat for wildlife, enhance the local environment and add interest to their large family home.

With the help of one of our Landrovers as a vantage point to take photos from, this blog will track the progress of the project from its beginnings as a corner of redundant agricultural land to what we hope will be a wildlife haven and idyllic feature of a beautiful family home. Watch this space and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

 

 

 

 

Butterflies – our secret heroes

by George Smith / on 7th March 2017 / in Blog, Gardens

Butterflies are often portrayed as the essence of nature or as representing freedom, beauty or peace. For many people, one of the first signs that spring is truly on its way is the fluttering of butterflies in the garden. Butterflies are important for so many reasons: not just aesthetically but also scientifically, for the ecosystem and for our health. We all know how important bees are to the environment but butterflies are the secret heroes, crucial in pollination and a natural form of pest control. So which species should we be looking out for?

Continue reading…