Tag: gardening

Make Your Garden Low Maintenance

Whether you have a small garden, hate gardening, or just have a busy schedule, garden maintenance can be very time-consuming. Knowing how to create a low-maintenance outdoor area is important when you want the ability to enjoy your garden hassle-free.

Simple designs don’t have to be boring, they suit gardens of any size and can match the contemporary design of your home or create a zen space, we can show you how to do it effectively and at a low cost.

Remove the grass

Whilst grass looks fantastic, it’s one of the highest-maintenance areas in a garden. Another downside to real grass is, summer is its peak growing season, meaning keeping on top of maintenance can be exhausting thanks to our increasingly warm weather.

Instead of real grass, consider making the move to artificial grass to keep the greenery without the difficulty of maintenance. Here at eDecks, we offer a wide range of artificial grass to suit your preferred length, colour, and absorbency. Artificial grass simply needs a brush every now and then to keep it looking clean.

Install low-maintenance decking

If you want to be rid of grass altogether, installing low-maintenance boards like composite decking can bring the sleekness of your indoor space outside. We offer decking in a wide range of colours, from grey to brown to suit your taste and your home’s style. Composite decking is popular thanks to its simple maintenance and attractive appearance.

We recommend giving your decking a thorough brush to remove debris. Brushing it over with a soft brush and warm, soapy water is also beneficial. This only needs to be done a few times a year, completely removing the need for high maintenance.

Say goodbye to wood garden furniture

Keeping on top of maintenance with wood furniture can be as difficult as real grass or even wood decking. This furniture needs to be brought inside during the winter months or left outside it can become worn and weathered. Whilst it can be waxed, sanded, and sealed, that requires a lot of effort (which is what we want to avoid!)

So, why not switch to a rattan-style garden set? These garden furnishings require absolutely no maintenance and can be left outside all year round.

Remove shrubs and add fencing

Whilst shrubbery can make your garden look greener, fencing allows for more space and less fuss. Fencing also allows for more privacy than shrubs, meaning you can keep nosy neighbours out and enjoy your space! Furthermore, you can customise fencing to suit the design of your garden with our wide range of fencing paints and stains.

If you want a zen, Japanese-style garden, why not add a pergola or trellis to make the space feel bigger? Long-lasting and with minimal upkeep required, this is a great way to add an eye-catching feature to your garden without creating more work for yourself.

Mulch it over

If weeds are the cause of all your problems, why not introduce some mulch to your garden? Mulch is a great, low-maintenance alternative to soil and grass as you don’t have to mow or water it – plus, it prevents weeds.

If you want to create depth without the addition of plants or shrubbery, adding decorative stones or slate chippings to your borders is one of the simplest low-maintenance garden ideas.

Looking for the best deals on garden supplies?

Check out our amazing deals here on the eDecks website!

We also offer plenty of support and expert advice for most projects – and any products we sell online. Contact eDecks here for personalised advice for your project today.

At eDecks you can not only expect a good deal but also:

Superfast FREE delivery on orders over £150*

48 hour delivery on many products

Handy FREE installation guides (and even instructional videos!)

*Free delivery applies to most of the UK, but some areas may incur a charge, unfortunately – please check the eDecks website for more details.

eDecks Sponsor National Gardening Competition.

glorious gardens

Showcase your hard work and be in with a chance of winning two thousand pounds cash.


Here at eDecks we are no stranger to a giveaway, we often host competitions through our social media platforms and have given away thousands of pounds worth of prizes over the years so it made sense for us to team up with the UK’s largest news publisher, Reach PLC and sponsor their “Glorious Gardens” competition which could see the winner bag more than two thousand pounds in prizes.

Picture courtesy of our friends @house_proud_dads

How Do I Enter?

The competition is open to anybody who would like to show off their hard work whether you have acres of sprawling manicured gardens or a balcony where you have made the most of your limited space with colourful planters, you’ve got to be in it to win it right?

Be quick, the closing date for entries is 10/07/2021

The selected winner from each of the 8 regions will win £250 B&Q vouchers. These winners will then go to a judging panel to be crowned Glorious Gardens Winner 2021 and receive the £2000 overall prize. 

To enter please fill out the form below – If the form doesn’t show please click here   

https://form.jotform.com/211533672122345

Standard Reach Plc rules apply; visit www.bristol.live/rules

for details.

By entering this competition the entrant agrees that they have read and understood the terms and conditions associated with Glorious Gardens and agree to have their garden photograph published in the newspapers in print, online or on the Facebook page.

Editors reserve the right not to publish inappropriate or poor quality pictures.

Images should ideally be in jpeg format, be at least 200 pixels per inch and should be no bigger than 2mb. All photo entries require upload of a recent colour photograph.

By entering, each entrant acknowledges and warrants that the submitted photograph/image has been taken with the full permission of the subjects owner and does not infringe on the copyrights, trademarks, moral rights, rights of privacy/publicity or intellectual property rights of any person or entity, and that no other party has any right, title, claim or interest in the photograph.

Photographs must not contain inappropriate content. Entrants warrant that they own the copyright. Whilst copyright remains with entrants, by entering the competition, each entrant grants a worldwide licence to Reach plc to feature any or all of the submitted photographs in any of their publications or websites connected with this competition.

Proof of submission is not proof of receipt and entries will not be accepted without full contact details.

All entrants into this promotion must reside within the circulation area at the time of entry into the competition.

Employees and their families of Reach Plc and anyone professionally connected to the promotion are not eligible to enter.

Failure of entrants to send in a suitable image or to follow any of the published rules may result in entrants’ exclusion from the competition.

Local newspaper editor’s decision is final. The Editor reserves the right in their absolute discretion to disqualify any entry, add to or rewrite any rules, or to cancel the whole or part of the promotion at any stage without prior notification.

Publicity may be given to winners and winners’ names and images may be published in the relevant newspaper title in print and online and other website(s) relating to the promotion. Winners must cooperate fully for publicity purposes if so required.

SUPPLEMENT

Photo entries will appear within a Glorious Gardens supplement planned to publish in the newspaper on Thursday 15th July 2021. Supplement date may be subject to change.

Reach Plc accepts no responsibility for any error, misprint or omission in the printing of an entrant’s details or photo. Although every effort will be made to ensure all entrant’s photographs are published and are of the highest quality in the event of any unforeseen circumstances where they do not appear, no compensation will be offered. It should be noted that pictures re-produced on newsprint are not of the original quality. Reach Plc reserves the right to refuse to print or request a new image in the event that the image provided is not suitable or deemed inappropriate for in-paper and other media use.

No responsibility is accepted for entries which are lost, delayed or images/videos not fully uploaded. Images submitted which are deemed to be below print quality, may be excluded from the competition.

PRIZES

One winner will be randomly selected from each newspaper region and will receive a B&Q gift card to the value of £250. Winners will be announced in the newspaper on 24th July 2021.

All regional winners will be entered into an overall final with the winner receiving the title of Glorious Garden Winner 2021 and £2000.

There is no cash alternative to any part of this promotion or its prizes.

Weed Membrane: Woven v Non-Woven

Creating your perfect garden landscape can be hard work, but there are products out there that work all by themselves to make your life so much easier! Weed membrane fabrics are making a huge difference to modern gardens by stabilising the ground, improving drainage and filtration, separating aggregates and spreading imposed loads. Ensuring you choose the right weed membrane fabric for your project means understanding the differences between them – a key one being whether they are woven or non-woven.

n_160341_31

Woven Weed Membrane fabric is made by weaving polypropylene tapes together. Using this crisscross pattern makes the fabric super-strong but limits its drainage capabilities compared with the non-woven variety. The strength and hard-wearing qualities of woven weed membrane give it a high tensile strength, making it suitable for use under patios, paths, parking areas and for other applications where a high strength but economical membrane is essential.

Although Non-Woven Weed Membrane has a lower tensile strength than the woven type, it still offers great strength, durability and excellent drainage properties. Non-woven weed membrane is a felt-like fabric made by thermally bonding polypropylene or a mixture of polypropylene and polyester fibres and then finishing using needle punching, calendaring and other methods. This type of fabric is easier to cut, has a high water permeability rate and does not lose strength over time, in the same way as the woven fabric does, when used below ground. This makes it ideal for use beneath driveways and roads and in land and storm water drainage systems, where long-term ground stabilisation and filtration is required.

Woven or non-woven weed membrane can be a gardener’s best friend and whether you are looking for ground stabilisation, separation of sub-base layers, aggregates and other materials, or drainage and filtration, there is now a fabric that is right for the job.

Weed Membrane

eDecks offers three different types of Woven Weed Membrane, including a Standard strength, Heavy Duty and Super Heavy Duty. Whether it is under your deck, paving, driveway or planting area, weed membrane will prevent nasty weeds coming through. As well as reducing garden maintenance, weed membrane allows water and nutrients to penetrate the soil.

eDecks offers some of the best deals on Weed Membrane around, including all of the installation supplies and tools you may need. Not only do we provide plenty of unbeatable deals but also:

Super-fast FREE delivery on orders over £100*

48 Hour Delivery on many products

Handy FREE installation guides and instructional videos

*Free delivery applies to most of the UK, but some areas may incur a charge. Please check the eDecks website for more details.

Timber Treatments: Why It is Beneficial to Use

Here at eDecks we stock a wide range of timber treatments to ensure you can get your decking looking its very best as well as prolonging its life. With so many options to choose from, it can be a little overwhelming, so we have put together this guide to give you a little more information on which product can be used when and where.

Decking Oil
Ronseal’s traditional Decking Oil nourishes and protects the decking boards, leaving a lightly tinted finish. It becomes rainproof in just two hours and can be given a further coat in just six hours to stop water soaking in and damaging your deck. Decking Oil also protects your timber against the sun so that it doesn’t turn grey. In a nutshell, Ronseal Decking Oil will restore the wood’s natural oils, prevent colour fade, protects against scruffs and scratches and leaves a lovely, natural finish. There are four shades available including Natural, Natural Cedar, Natural Oak, and Natural Pine and a 5 Litre tin will cover up to 10 m² with two coats.

decking oil

Decking Stain
Ronseal’s Decking Stain leaves a tough finish that protects your timber against the weather as well as general wear and tear. The Decking Stain dries in just 90 minutes so it will be ready for action in no time and it is super easy to apply onto softwood or hardwood decking with just a brush. For best results, it is recommended to firstly prepare your decking with the Ronseal High Performance Decking and Garden Cleaner. By using the Decking Stain, you will find that it stops wood from greying, is rainproof in just 90 minutes, resists cracking, blistering and peeling and only needs two coats to be at its potential. There are six colours available, including Rustic Pine, Rich Teak, Country Oak, Rich Mahogany, Mountain Green and Golden Cedar and a 2.5 Litre tin will cover 10 m² with two coats.

decking stain

End Grain Preserver
An end grain preserver will protect the cut ends of your decking to keep the wood strong and is highly waterproof so will protect the timber from rot and decay. To further protect your decking from the elements, End Grain Preserver can be painted over with a decking stain or oil. It does take 24 hours to dry, but this then keeps your deck strong and protected from water damage. Coverage-wise, one litre of End Grain Preserver will cover up to 8 m².

end grain preserver

Decking Restorer
If your current decking is looking a little weathered, you can use Ronseal’s Decking Restorer to save it and put life back into it without having the expense of buying new. The Decking Restorer is quick and easy to use and will fully restore your deck back it its original colour, resulting in bare natural wood which is ready to be protected. Decking Restorer works in just 15 minutes, helps your decking to last longer and brightens and cleans the wood. A one litre tin will cover 15 m² of timber.

decking restorer

Decking Stripper
Ronseal’s Decking Stripper works at stripping all stains and oils off of your wooden decking. It takes just one coat of the treatment and starts to work in just thirty minutes, leaving your decking looking like new, in preparation for a stain or oil. It is really easy to use, and helps wonders if you are wanting to give your deck a new lease of life. You will find that on average, a one litre tin covers 10 m² of decking.

decking stripper

Decking Protector
The Ronseal Decking Protector gives added protection to your decking against the rain and sun, which is going to add longevity of life to your deck as rain can lead to rot and the sun can turn your timber grey. It also makes your decking waterproof to stop any splitting and swelling, is scuff resistant and although it comes in two shades – Natural and Natural Oak, it has a nice translucent finish. With regards to coverage, one litre covers 6 m².

decking protector

Decking Cleaner and Reviver
If your decking needs a spruce up, the Ronseal Decking Cleaner and Reviver prepares new wood and keeps old and new wood clean. It is beneficial to use before applying a stain or oil as it works as a primer and you will find that the stain or oil sticks to the timber better, giving a longer professional finish. The Decking Cleaner and Reviver helps to make your coating last longer, is fact acting and removes mould and algae.

decking cleaner reviver

Here at eDecks you can also find a variety of brushes, including Ronseal branded brushes to help you apply your chosen Timber Treatments, which start at just £2.99!

brush

eDecks offers some of the best deals on Timber Treatments around, including all of the installation supplies and tools you may need. Not only do we provide plenty of unbeatable deals but also:

Super-fast delivery starts at just £7.19!

Weed Membrane: Advantages of Use

Weed control fabrics also known as sheets, covers or weed membrane are an excellent organic and environmentally-sound option for a variety of areas of your garden. It is a practical, easy and clean method weed control and can be very helpful in various situations and is an aid not a remedy. The reason behind it is that any kind of fabric or cover that suppresses weeds by covering them, also keeps fallen leaves and debris from being decomposed and added to the soil.

Weed control fabrics are one of the environmentally friendly alternatives to commercial herbicides. With weed control fabrics, the time limit is the beneficial point, with some fabrics known to last up to ten years. When using weed membrane, remember to remove it after a few years in order to ensure the soil keeps getting nutrition.

Weed membrane is one of the least harmful and most effective measures of protecting your area from weed growth. They can be used to control weeds in areas such as gravel driveways, vegetable gardens, allotments, decking and artificial grass.

Pegs

Here at eDecks, we sell regular Weed Membrane, with two further options of Heavy Duty and Super Heavy Duty depending on your needs and requirements. It is fairly cheap to buy and simple to lay, and you can also order Weed Membrane Pegs and Pins from us to ensure your weed membrane is securely fitted.

Pins

When laying Weed Membrane, it is important to prepare the surface because once it is laid down, you won’t be able to get to it. If you are laying the fabric under decking or a pathway, then it is a matter of removing all plant life from the area and making sure that it is completely flat. A systematic weed-killer will do the job of killing off any existing weeds before you start.

weed killer

If you are creating a planting area where you will be using weed membrane, then you will need to dig the area over well, ensuring you remove all weeds and dig in plenty of organic matter that will release nutrients into the soil. Again, you could use a weed killer rather than weeding by hand, as long as you leave plenty of time for it to take full effect. When digging the area over, remove and sticks and stones that could rip or tear the membrane, firm down the earth and then rake over the area to leave a smooth finish.

Weed membrane comes on a roll, so you will need to finalise the shape and size of the area it is covering before take a pair of sharp scissors to give a neat edging. Roll out the fabric and allow for an inch of overlap where two pieces of fabric will meet. With regards to the edges, cut the membrane to fit the area you are covering and then secure it in place using either landscape staples to pin it in place or decorative rocks and stones.

If you are applying the membrane around existing plants, cut a slit into the fabric from the closest edge and slide it into place around the stem of the plant. If you are adding plants after laying the fabric, set out the plants where you want them positioned, and then for each plant take a sharp knife and cut an X into the fabric, making it just large enough to fit the plant into. Tuck back the flaps and dig a hole using a hand trowel. Put your plant in as normal adding compost as and when required. With weed membrane, you will still need to weed occasionally, but you will be able to pull the weeds easily by hand as they won’t have a chance to get their roots in beyond the top layer.

Weed Membrane

eDecks offers some of the best deals on Weed Membrane around, including all of the installation supplies and tools you may need. Not only do we provide plenty of unbeatable deals but also:

Super-fast FREE delivery on orders over £100*

Handy FREE installation guides.

*Free delivery applies to most of the UK, but some areas may incur a charge. Please check the eDecks website for more details.

Navigation