Mid of January 2019 and we are getting busy – pruning, hedge trimming, garden tidy ups, shrubs and trees removal
This week we are fully booked up – just before a forecasted cold snap expected to hit us very soon, but will it ? 😉
What’s been done and what’s still ahead of us is listed below:
On Tuesday a garden tidy up ( trimming, strimming, mowing, green waste removal and laurel hedges cut ) – DONE
You can read review of this job under this link.We did have a small incident with a strimmer and a stone – unfortunately it does happen every few years which means it won’t happen for awhile now !! 🙂
On Wednesday some fruit trees pruned and a big leilandii hedge trimming – DONE
Photos below:
On Thursday medium tree to be pruned, and quite a few medium sized budleia trees uprooted – DONE
Is your garden looking like this ?
It’s a field of brambles / blackberries. Garden left for a couple of years and needed some help.
Half way through.. Half of garden cleared roughly.
And finally the end result.
Blackberry roots have not been uprooted on this occasion. So many of them and soil is quite rocky so rotovating is also not a best idea. Plan is to poison all new growth as soon as it regrows.
Was asked to refresh the area around the vegetable patches and come up with some planting ideas for two borders along the fence. Ultimately Low maintanance borders. Also to plant some bushes to provide some screening and be attractive as well.
Few months later, that is today ( June 2016 ) I have been in the garden to see how things are doing. Everything’s good !
Plants have taken in, borders are full and everything looks much better ! Certainly an improvement.
In this article I will provide some information about how to determine type of soil in your gardens.
It’s based on weeds observation. Some weeds as well as more desired plants like certain conditions. By observing carefully what weeds grow in your garden you can then assess what “good plants” would thrive in this spot.
Observing the most prevalent weeds can indicate if soil is:
acidic
alkaline
healthy and balanced
depleted of certain nutrients
poor draining soils
sandy soils – poorly retaining moisture
Some points you have to take into consideration:
You have to observe several the most prevailing weeds
Pay attention to healthy weeds. You might find a certain weeds growing in many places, but in some of them the same weed will be healthy and in some others not so much ..
Plants like hydrangeas or cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus)are excellent soil indicators.
Some grow very well in most soils like: purple nettle ( lamium purpureum ) and Shepherd’s purse ( Capsella bursa pastoris )
Today I would like to concentrate on weeds that prevail in acidic soils. Weeds that may indicate an acidic type of soil are:
Plants that grow well in an acidic soil are amongst others: azaleas, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, camellias
And fruit and vegetables like: rhubarb, potatoes, shallots, sweet potatoes, endive and watermelons, blueberries
Next I would like to list some weeds that prevail in alkaline soils, that is soils which PH is higher than 7.0. Weeds that may indicate an alkaline type of soil are:
Please find a few plants that will grow well in both acidic and alkaline soils but are also good for partial shade, clay and poorly drained soils – these are conditions most common for Reading, Berkshire.
Jo Marsh Absolutely fabulous. Paul and his colleague worked tirelessly on my very overgrown border, it looks amazing and I cannot recommend his service enough.Read more
Jo MarshTilehurst, Reading
Jeannie Brice Great Work! Awesome effort on what had to be the hottest day of the year!
Quiet, hard working individuals - would recommend.Read more
Jeannie Bricen/aReading
Excellent work My old Gardner was moving into a different aspect of maintenance so I looked for a replacement
I found Paul and after reading the glowing reports contacted him. He came when he said to see the garden gave an immediate quote. He returned to start the job and we had a Wedding to go to so left them to it upon returning the following day we were extremely pleased with the work done and the garden was left clean and tidy.Read more
Steve KinghornLower Earley
Fencing work in Woodley. May 2014 Paul and his team recently replaced the fencing in both my own and a couple of neighbouring gardens. the work was carried out efficiently with attention to detail and at a competitive price. They ensured that the entire garden was tidy before finishing. I would recommend them without hesitation.Read more
PaulWoodley
Overgrown Cypress Leylandii Despite dreadful weather, Paul arrived punctually and worked tirelessly carrying out excellent work. He left the area perfectly clean and 'tidy'. I was most impressed and now that my huge hedge has been brought under control I will be hiring Tidy Gardens on a regular basis.Read more
Pauline AndersenReading
Really impressed May 2019
I was really impressed by the service provided by Paul.
I had a garden full of weeds and no real idea of what to do with it, Paul helped me make decisions about how I wanted it to look.
The work was completed within a week and I am delighted with the results.
I would definitely recommend Paul and his team.Read more
SarahReading
Colin September 2019 - Fence work
From first contact to completion, it has been a pleasure to deal with Paul and his colleagues. Very quick to respond. Very honest in assessment and advice. Took his advice are very happy with the result. Ours was a relatively small job, but still felt like offering the same help as if it were a big job was important to him.
Will definitely use again when opportunity arises.
Our thanks to Paul and his team.Read more
ColinTwyford
Pauline O. Tilehurst, August 2013 Just to confirm that we employed gardener - Paul to do some work for us a while ago. The garden was
quite overgrown and unkempt.
This is to confirm that he was hardworking, did a good tidy job, and worked longer than was arranged in order to get the job done to our satisfaction. Would have no quarms about recommending him to anyone else.
Pauline O. Tilehurst, August 2013Read more
Pauline OliverTilehurst, Reading
John We asked Paul of Tidy Gardens to carry our some lawn levelling and turfing work following construction of a new patio. All work was carried out in a professional but friendly manner and to our satisfaction. We are very pleased with the result and would recommend the team to other clients. Read more
JohnSonning
Major garden tidy up - Hurst. July 2014 Paul carried out a major tidy of my garden.
His work ethics and quality of finish was exemplary.
Held up to his word of finishing the work to my expectations. Even though it took longer to complete he was honourable to his original quoteRead more
Naresh TakyarHurst
Garden clearance and regular maintenance I discovered Paul only through his website and the many wonderful testimonials he has. Paul and his colleague came by to our house for a full garden clearance. We have a very large garden (front and back), and they worked tirelessly for over 5 hours. The garden is now beautiful, clean and tidy! Paul also seems to have extensive knowledge about plants, which is great! We have now booked Paul for our regular garden maintenance as well :)Read more
Karthika VReading
Front lawn landscaped Paul recently re-landscaped my front lawn. He removed so serious hard to get tree stumps, levelled out the ground, relaid the lawn and finished off by doing some pave edgings for some rose bushes. The quality of his work was really good and he even started the work on the Easter Monday Bank Holiday. I have already recommended him to my brother and will do the same to those who ask who did the work. Excellent work by a polite and friendly chap.Read more
Amarpal SinghWoodley
Front garden renovation We had Paul last year to sort out our back garden after we moved to a new address as it was so overgrown. We were extremely pleased so he returned to renovate our front garden after we had finished the house refurbishment. Again Paul and his colleague Eddie worked tirelessly and after only a few days the garden was looking lovely and pristine, and easily manageable, just what we wanted. He has good ideas and again it is better than if we had done it ourselves without his input. We would defi… Read more
Keith RolfeTilehurst
Hedge well done Called Pawel who was quite flexible in terms of timings. Worked to my convenience.
Wanted them to tidy up a messy big hedge. Did a very neat job and delivered everything as promised. Pricing was very reasonable too.
I recommend him for similar jobs.Read more
Ifthi MohamedReading
5 Star Service. September 2014 I am absolutely delighted with Tidy Gardens. Paul provided a fast, efficient and reasonably priced service. I would highly recommend Tidy Gardens and will be sure to call again when needed!Read more
Jennifer DoyleReading
buddleia cut back Paul came very promptly to quote for chopping our enormous budliea. His quote was very reasonable and he returned next day to carry out the work. Very professional, gave sound advice about other plants in the garden, did a great job and took all rubbish away. Also cleaned up very thoroughly afterwards. I would gladly have him back for more work and recommend him to friends. Thanks Paul!Read more
Kay FroudeReading
Fantastic garden make-over We needed both the front and back garden to be made ready for a house sale. Tidy Gardens fulfilled my brief and more, adding extra tidying without being asked. Flower beds were dug over and weeded, and even pots ( with no plants) were cleaned, the AstroTurf swept, shrubs were trimmed and an obsolete tree removed. We couldn't have asked for a better job and in the rain too. Both gardens look fantastic. Highly, highly recommended.Read more
Christina MossReading
Eddie O'Hara June 2020.
Very pleased with Paul and the Team. Garden tidy up and new turf put down. Have now used twice and will use again.Read more
Eddie O'HaraDatchet
Professional and Efficient Service Gate repair - December 2018
From start to finish this company was very professional. I even received a video of the job that had been completed. I would highly recommend them and will definitely be using them in the future for our customers.
Many ThanksRead more
Holly GilborsonWren KitchensTilehurst
Emer Paul and his team were brilliant at clearing my very overgrown garden and preparing it for spring. They worked extremely hard and I’m thrilled with the results. I’m delighted that they will be maintaining my garden throughout the summer and beyond.Read more