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Stoney Garden lawn

I want to establish a large part of my garden to lawn, but have so many stones in it I think it will take forever to pick up. Have you any suggestions?

The best way is to rake the stones into piles and then remove them. If the area is large, hire a stoneraker from your local hire company. Quick to do and does the job well.

Japanese garden

I have a lovely gravel area that is set out like a small Japanese garden, but each winter the leaves ruin its appearance. What can I do?
Apart from covering the surface up each year, why not try and blow the leaves off with a leaf blower. They are reasonably priced from a local DIY store or can be hired at very low cost.

I need to gain some parking in my front garden, what is a good gravel to use a driveway?

Before purchase, check the different types of shingle that are available, some shingles are made up of round stone which will feel like you are walking along a beach with the shingle moving under your feet. It is best to lay stone chippings that are more angular which will knit together and form a much more solid pathway.

Gravel paths

I want to set out a path through my lawn with gravel. How can I reduce the gravel going onto my lawn?

A barrier needs to edge the gravel pathway and usually stone sets are a good choice. Timber rails can be pegged along a pathway, but in time these will decay and will need replacing. Metal edging staked at intervals along its length also gives a good edging to a lawn because the lawn will grow right up to the edge so it will become virtually invisible. The edging is set just below the lawn height for easy mowing. Cover the pathway with permeable membrane to reduce weed infestation and make sure that the gravel is finished below the edging so it does not run into the lawn.

When is the best time to sow wild flower seed?

Spring or autumn is the best time but it is worth making note of the type of soil. Wild flowers need relatively low fertile soil so it is best to make a judgment on the existing soil type and conditions and plant the mixture best suited to the soil.

Childrens Play areas

I want to generate an area for my small children to play but don’t want to put shingle down as it could hurt them and Bark chippings will stain their clothes, what do you suggest?

The child friendly “RubberScape” looks like bark chippings but made form rubber which we have successfully used in the past.

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