1st Class Gardens

At this time of the year the remaining fruit such as apples and pears that are still on the trees in the orchard or garden need to be picked before they fall on to the ground. Later varieties of fruit can be stored making sure that only the biggest and best fruits are selected to be kept. True late-keeping varieties can even be stored and enjoyed at Christmas or through into early spring. When harvesting the fruit, it is important to pick the fruit carefully to avoid bruising and spoiling as any damaged fruit will not be able to be stored successfully. Once picked the fruit should be wrapped individually in waxed paper to stop them shrivelling while they ripen and placed on wooden trays or slatted shelves in a... Continue reading

This month we have had an extraordinary amount of rain, windy weather and unseasonably cold temperatures following a previously dry month and this is causing havoc with our gardens. Tulips are being blown about so much that their petals are falling, and bedding plants are refusing to grow because it is too cold. Is there anything that can be done to save our young plants and shrubs until the weather improves? If at all possible bedding plants and seedlings need to be kept either in a greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill until the weather warms up as it is possible to have frosts right up until the end of the month. If this is not a possibility then covering them with some polythene sheeting is another alternative. A simple... Continue reading

American oak flooring is a beautiful type of hardwood flooring that is widely used in the UK and Europe, despite its origins being a little further afield. You can source quality, sustainable American oak floorboards from a variety of European suppliers who will be able to offer a full delivery service for your floorboards. However, some people wonder what the difference is between American oak flooring and European oak flooring, and which option they should choose. It’s important to understand that oak is a very strong, beautiful, resilient type of hardwood that makes excellent flooring. Both American and European oak will work very well to make stunning floorboards in any home. The choice purely comes down to personal preference. People who choose American oak do so because they like the... Continue reading

Homes that game with a substantial garden are highly desirable and many people want the option to spend more of their time out of doors, upping the outdoor indoor ratio of their homes. Garden awnings are a staple of modern outdoor life, offering a covering that makes your outdoor space more flexible. Enjoying the sunshine and want to have uninterrupted sun? Great, you can retract your awning to get more sun. Need some shade? Simply fold the awning back out again and you will get the shade you need. If you want to spend more time out of doors, this is a great ambition to have. Going outside has been linked to better mental health and spending time outside is very important for everyone. An awning can certainly help you... Continue reading

A garden room is a glass structure that can be added on to a house as a type of extension. It’s often used as an alternative to a brick extension, a conservatory or an orangery, as it straddles many of these, drawing on their most successful elements and combining them together. There are many personalisation options for garden glass rooms, depending on your budget, your timescales, and what you want your new glass room to look like. By personalising a garden glass room, you won’t just be making it look better – you’ll be improving its performance and making sure you can use it in the way you intend. The various personalisation options available will allow you to change your glass room from a functional space into one that seamlessly... Continue reading