Tag: garden maintenance

Pros and cons of planting bamboo in your garden

Pros and cons of planting bamboo in your garden

Bamboo can be both a beneficial and problematic addition to a garden, depending on how it is managed and the specific context. Let’s start with the pros and cons of having bamboo in your garden, and then discuss how to control or remove bamboo if it becomes invasive.

Pros of bamboo in the garden

Aesthetics: Bamboo can add a unique and exotic look to the garden with its tall, slender culms and lush green foliage.

Fast growth: Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants around, making it an excellent choice for creating privacy screens or natural barriers in a relatively short period.

Low maintenance: Once established, bamboo generally requires little maintenance, as it’s resilient and can tolerate various growing conditions.

Eco-friendly: Bamboo is a renewable resource that can be sustainably harvested for various uses, including bamboo construction, hammocks, crafts and even as a food source.

Erosion control: Its extensive root system helps prevent soil erosion and stabilises embankments, making it useful in landscaping projects.

Cons of bamboo in the garden

Invasive nature: Bamboo can be highly invasive if not contained properly. Running bamboo varieties can spread rapidly through rhizomes, taking over garden beds and neighbouring areas.

Space and height: Bamboo’s rapid growth can lead to overcrowding and overshadowing other plants, which may struggle to compete with it for light and nutrients.

Spreading challenges: Controlling the spread of bamboo requires dedicated efforts, and even with containment measures, it may still find ways to escape.

Root barrier maintenance: Installing a root barrier to control bamboo spread may work, but it requires periodic maintenance to prevent rhizomes from escaping.

Wildlife habitat: While bamboo can provide habitat and food for certain wildlife, it may also deter native species that prefer a more diverse ecosystem.

How to kill or control bamboo in the garden

If bamboo becomes invasive and poses a threat to the garden or surrounding areas, it’s essential to take appropriate measures to control or eradicate it effectively. Here are some methods to consider.

Digging and removing rhizomes: Digging out the entire root system, including the rhizomes, can be an effective way to remove bamboo. However, this process can be challenging and time-consuming, especially for mature stands.

Herbicides: Specific herbicides designed for bamboo control can be used, but they must be applied with caution to avoid harming other desirable plants and wildlife. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and take environmental precautions.

Repeated mowing or cutting: Regularly mowing or cutting down bamboo shoots will weaken the plant over time. However, this method requires consistency and may not completely eradicate the bamboo.

Solarisation: Covering the bamboo-infested area with a thick, light-blocking material (e.g. tarpaulin) and letting the sun heat up the soil can be effective in killing bamboo and its rhizomes.

Professional assistance: In severe cases, it may be best to seek the help of a professional landscaper or arborist experienced in dealing with bamboo invasions. You can see more about how to kill bamboo on EnvironetUK

Remember that killing or removing bamboo can be a challenging and ongoing process. Preventative measures, such as installing proper barriers when planting bamboo, can help avoid future problems with its spread. Additionally, choosing clumping bamboo varieties over running types can significantly reduce the risk of invasiveness.

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Why rubble sacks make great garden clearance sacks

Why rubble sacks make great garden clearance sacks

It isn’t always easy to know how to get rid of garden waste. You could take it to your local amenity tip, but that may be expensive and it takes up a lot of your time. You could burn it, but that’s bad for the environment. So what’s the best way to dispose of garden waste?

What are rubble sacks?

They’re basically large, heavy-duty sacks that are used to collect and dispose of rubble, garden waste and other types of light construction debris. Because they’re so strong and durable, they make excellent garden clearance sacks.

Benefits of rubble sacks

There are many benefits to using rubble sacks for garden clearance. First of all, they’re extremely tough and can withstand a lot of wear & tear. This means you won’t have to replace them as often as you would other types of bags. In addition, their generous size makes them perfect for collecting large amounts of debris at once. And finally, because they’re so affordable, you won’t have to spend a lot of money on garden clearance bags each year.

Rubble sacks make great garden clearance sacks. Here’s why:

  1. They’re strong. Rubble sacks are made from tough, durable materials that can withstand a lot of weight. So if you have a lot of garden waste to get rid of, rubble sacks are a great option.
  2. They’re cheap. Rubble sacks are very affordable, so you won’t have to spend a lot of money getting rid of your garden waste.
  3. They’re easy to use. Rubble sacks come with handles, so they’re easy to carry. And once you’ve filled them up, all you need to do is tie them shut and put them out for collection.
  4. They take up less space. Rubble sacks are a lot smaller than wheelie bins and can be folded up and stored away when not in use, so they won’t take up as much space in your garden.
  5. They’re eco-friendly. Rubble sacks can be recycled, so they’re a more environmentally friendly option than dumping your garden waste in landfill.

If you’re looking for an easy and affordable way to dispose of garden waste, these are a great option.

FAQs

What are rubble sacks made of?

Rubble sacks are made of a tough, durable and weather-resistant material that can withstand being dragged across a garden or construction site. They’re also easy to clean and can be folded up and stored away when not in use.

What other uses do rubble sacks have?

As well as being great for garden clearance, they can also be used for storing firewood, kindling or leaf litter. They can also be used to line wheelbarrows or garden carts, making them ideal for carrying heavy loads.

How big are rubble sacks?

Rubble sacks come in a range of sizes, with the most common size being 1 cubic yard (27 cu ft). This should be plenty of room for most garden clearance jobs.

They make great garden clearance sacks because they’re sturdy and can hold a lot of weight. They also have a drawstring closure which makes them easy to close to keep the contents within secure. If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly way to dispose of your garden waste, rubble sacks are one of the best options.

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Getting the house prepped for winter

Getting the house prepped for winter

We’re rolling towards autumn now which means that the temperature is dropping and many of us are starting to panic about the coming hike in our gas and electricity bills. Getting the house prepped for the colder months is one of the best things that you can do if you’re looking to keep the costs down this winter.

Instead of just considering rotating your seasonal wardrobe or adding hearty additions to your menu at home, you need to start thinking about garden maintenance, roofing repairs and boiler servicing. With this in mind, here are some of the things that you could do to get your home prepared for the winter.

  • Eliminate any draughts. You don’t want to lose the heat of your home through gaps in floorboards, windows and doors. By installing draft excluders or using door snakes, you can remove the worry that cold air will be swirling around your home.
  • Encourage as much good airflow as possible. This may seem counter-intuitive after we just told you to block up draughts. You don’t want your house to become stuffy in the winter because a stuffy house tends encourages condensation to form and this can cause mould to develop. Take the time to improve the airflow from room to room and use dehumidifiers especially in rooms with lots of steam like the kitchen and bathroom.
  • Get your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms tested regularly. You want to know that your alarms are in good working order to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and not being woken up if a fire breaks out while the household is fast asleep. If your alarms are out of order you and your family will be at risk of grave danger.
  • Have your roof checked. You need a good roofing repair company to come and assess your roof if you’re concerned about anything being wrong with it. The roof plays an important role in weather-proofing the interior of your home, and so you should ensure that your gutters and downpipes are kept clear of debris such as leaves and moss to ensure good rainwater run off.
  • Go through the garden. You need to weed, cut the grass and cover non-hardy perennials if you want to prepare the garden for the winter months with the rest of the house. Your garden furniture should also be covered or put away and your shed should be locked up securely to prevent theft and damage.

Your house being prepped for winter gets you and your family better peace of mind for the following few months. The more well prepared you are, the more you will enjoy a warm, comfortable home this winter.

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Getting your garden ready for summer

Getting your garden ready for summer

The weather is finally improving and we’re well on our way to the summer. With this, many of us will be wanting to spend time outside in our gardens; having BBQs, socialising and enjoying the feeling of the sunshine on our faces. In order to make the most of being outside, you want your garden to look its best.

Over the past few months of winter, it could be that storms have ravaged your plants, damaged your fences or it’s generally looking a little worse for wear. Luckily, making your garden look great again and getting it ready for the summer doesn’t need to be too difficult.

Here are our top tips to get your garden ready for summer in no time at all. It will allow you to enjoy dining al fresco, sunbathing and having your kids play out on the lawn.

Prepare your fences

When summer is on its way, one of the first things to start preparing is your fencing. During the winter months, the heavy rain and gale-force winds can cause damage to your panelling, moss will grow and your fences will start to discolour. Use a pressure washer on your fence to remove all the dirt, let it dry completely and then repaint or re-stain. Give your fence a few layers and, depending on how much time you have available, you could consider using a different colour paint to give your garden a completely new feel. If you need some inspiration, check out Pinterest or Instagram to see what shades other people are painting their fences. At the same time as repainting your fence, you could also repaint your shed. Just like your fencing, sheds are prone to discolouring and deterioration.

Power wash your paving

You’d be surprised at how much dirt and moss will grow on your paving over time. Start by using a stiff broom to remove any loose debris and stones, then dust down your power washer and go over your paving with it. Make sure you go over the corners and repeat the process several times to remove any tough stains. Once dried, you’ll be amazed at how clean your paving will appear; it can completely transform how your garden looks, bringing it back to new. If you don’t have a power washer, try using a hosepipe along with a broom to clean the surface. The average power washer costs around £200 and, depending on the size of your paved area, it will take a couple of hours.

Give your lawn some attention

Another job you should do when getting your garden ready for the summer months is mow your lawn. When your grass is too long, it can look untidy and make your lawn look scruffy. Mowing your grass will also help with future growth and help remove any weeds that might be currently growing. During the summer months, aim to mow your lawn about once a fortnight to keep it at its healthiest. When little rain has fallen, remember to water the grass (preferably with rainwater from your water butt) in order to keep it looking its optimum.

If you’re feeling creative and enjoy having a more eco-friendly option, transform your lawn into a wild-flower meadow. It creates a better environment for garden birds and insects and only needs to be mowed once in the autumn. You can still mow a neat, meandering path through the wild flowers to create an avenue that guides you from one end of the garden to another.

Add some lighting

Lighting can add a completely new dynamic to your garden. You can use solar lights to brighten your pathway or add some spike lights to create a glow to your trees. Overhead lights are a great way to add some atmosphere in areas which are difficult to illuminate. When you can, try to use solar lighting as this is more economic and costs less to run. There are a variety of coloured bulbs that you can use, so try playing with these colours to add different effects to your surroundings. You can also play with patterns for a different feel.

Make sure you have shaded areas

When the sun is at its hottest, you will want shaded areas in your garden to help keep your guests cool and prevent people from getting burnt. Consider purchasing a parasol that you can quickly put up. Not only does this provide shade but it can look visually appealing and normally connects to a table, helping you be in the shade when eating. If you enjoy having trees in your garden, you could plant some new ones to provide shade as well as add seasonal colour. Other ways to get shade in your garden can be installing a canopy, installing a retractable awning or investing in some architectural elements – however, this can begin to get expensive.

Create a place to have BBQs

One of the best things about the summer is being able to dine al fresco. You can have BBQs under the sun, enjoying the weather and the relaxed atmosphere. If you’re someone that loves to have a BBQ, why not designate a space for this? You could look into creating a built-in BBQ – there is plenty of inspiration for this on sites such as Pinterest – or you could purchase a BBQ that you can get out and put away when the weather works for it. There are a host of different types of BBQ you can get, as well as smokers, fire pits and more depending on what thing you’re after and what will work best in your space.

Divide the space into designated areas

If you have a large garden, it can be a good idea to split it into designated areas to easily sort it out and enjoy different spaces. You could divide it up so one area is purely for plants – you could consider a vegetable patch too where you can grow your own vegetables to eat. You could also have a space that’s purely for somewhere where your kids can play. This is where you can keep their toys and things out and don’t need to worry about them cluttering up the other space in the garden. It also means you don’t need to worry about their kicking footballs around and potentially ruining any precious plants or flower beds that you may have!

Consider adding a summer house

If you have a little money to spend and want to really elevate your garden, consider adding in a summer house. A summer house is a versatile building that is great for creating a space to relax and hang out in – even when the weather isn’t so nice. It creates a focal point for you to look at and can be used for a host of different reasons. You could have a summer house to create a space with a dining table and chairs, or it could have lounge furniture in which you can relax while your little ones play in the garden. Some summer houses have bi-fold doors so you could utilise these and enjoy the fresh air without being properly outside in the sun.

It can be a good source of shade and ensure you don’t get sunburnt, but also don’t have to properly go inside when the sun is at its hottest. Summer houses can be large or small, include a little decking area or not and can be wired up with electricity and heating. This means you can watch films, host guests and have access to both air con or heating if you choose to install this. You could also make the summer house a playroom, movie room or something else – the choice is yours!

Add some garden furniture

Don’t underestimate the power of garden furniture for getting your garden ready for summer. It might be that you have some garden furniture but it’s beginning to look a bit ropey and seen better days. If this is the case, it’s time to invest in something new. Garden furniture sets don’t need to be expensive, however there are a host of luxury options should you want these. It’s a good idea to get a few chairs or look into buying an outdoor sofa that you can sit on for relaxing and others that are good for sitting up and dining from. You could get a new table too – ideal for putting a summery glass of Pimms on. You could also look at different things such as a garden swing seat or a bench. Make sure you take care of your garden furniture so it can be used in the future and doesn’t get ruined by the weather. If it comes with cushions, be sure to store these away somewhere that the damp won’t get to them and ruin them.

The above are ten different ways to get your garden ready for the summer months. Depending on your budget, some options will cost more than others, making certain ones more suitable for you. What changes are you planning on making to your garden this summer? Will you be changing anything from our list above? Is there anything we’ve missed that you would like to share with our other readers? Let us know in the comment box below, we look forward to hearing from you.

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