Mar 30, 2016 | Landscaping
Landscaping of a front yard in Reading
Identified problems:
- Lawn too high and growing into the pathways, pavements. Soil has built up over the years.
- No proper border / edging between rose beds and lawn
- Lawn difficult to mow / maintain.
What’s been done:
- Removed old turf and excess soil and levelled all the area, returfed.
- Edged all flower beds and tree with bricks
- Cutting a lawn is now much easier thanks to all the edging
Mar 16, 2016 | News
Weeds can be a good soil indicator
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.
Anny’s Winter Orange (Cornus sanguinea), Bamburanta (Ctenanthe lubbersiana), Chilean rhubarb (Gunnera manicata), Snowberry Hancock (Symphoricarpos chenaultii), Strawberry Fields (Deutzia hybrida), Veitchii (Deutzia longifolia), Chestnut-leaved rodgersia (Rodgersia aesculifolia), Golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia), Knotweed Superba (Persicaria affinis), Variegated Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis), Bleeding heart ‘Langtrees’ (Dicentra formosa)
Feb 9, 2016
I have used Paul’s professional services three times now for fencing, fence repairs and the laying of stepping stones.
I will be honest, I could have done all these jobs myself, but I simply value my free time to do other things.
I can only have Paul do these jobs for me because he is real value for money. His quotes are always honest and competitive.
He will always discuss your requirements and provide alternatives solutions if you want them.
He just turns up and gets on with the job.
I have always been happy with the results and I will continue to use his services.
Dec 30, 2015
Paul & team did a great job doing a new tenancy clean up (thorough clean, carpet/curtain wash & garden tidy) for a house we’re letting out in quick time & at a good price.
Paul also did a tidy up of our own garden in no time at all. Now we’ve found someone local who’s pleasant,polite, professional & reliable, we won’t be going elsewhere!
Dec 17, 2015
Paul provides an unusual service – he knows what he’s doing! He can identify and name most plants, especially the difference between weeds and perennials unlike several of his competitors in the area.
Added to that knowledge Paul and Radek provided a good service and created a very tidy garden in a few hours. Recommended.