A thoughtfully landscaped and well maintained garden is an important selling point when presenting a property for sale.

It is important that lawns are well maintained and free of weeds and that hedges and shrubs are kept tidy and do not cast too much shade onto the property. Drives and borders should be kept weed free and fences and outbuildings are maintained to a presentable standard.

This is equally important when presenting an overseas property, which should also be well presented both inside and out. A thoughtfully laid out and spacious villa design Elviria, Costa del Sol would be greatly complemented by a well landscaped garden, especially when designed for ease of maintenance. (more...)

Planting vegetable gardens has been a favourite pastime of UK homeowners for centuries now. Whether grown for cost savings or as a simple hobby, all gardeners want to grow as many vegetables as they possibly can with the space that is available. This means that they must plan before they plant.

Yes, we know…it is not especially exciting. But planning is probably the most important step in growing a garden. This is particularly true for beginners, who often choose to plant seeds without considering how much space they take up.

It is also important to note that all vegetable plants are planted in either the autumn/winter or the spring/summer. All seeds should be planted in double rows according to the amount of space that they take up. For beginners, a small garden of around eight feet by ten feet is recommended. This size is perfect for people who want to plant a few of their favourite vegetables. (more...)

If there is one piece of advice I can give on gardening, and believe me I am no expert, then it is not to bite off more than you can chew! If you buy a house with a garden that is just too large, or if you have overly ambitious and time-consuming plans for your patch of green, then believe me you will spend all summer grafting instead of lounging around on your Rattan Outdoor Furniture.

Where do I start? As soon as it is warm enough to get out there, I am clearing up the winter debris, planting and pruning. The worst is when the grass starts to grow after the winter and this is then a never ending job until the winter, an endless cycle of mowing, hedge-cutting and trips to the local waste site.

Summer is spent watering and tending to the plants (in between the mowing of course). Every night that endless traipse around the house with the hose to make sure that the too many containers I have planted do not die. No chance for barbeques or sitting outside with a glass of wine, sorry too busy! (more...)