Lime Orchard - Garden Living

Win Tickets for RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2012 with Lime Orchard

2012-01-28T05:54:00.000-08:00

With ticket selling out weeks before the first open day, the Chelsea Flower Show is one on THE hottest events in the gardening and social calendar! Make sure you get your tickets FREE - courtesy of Lime Orchard garden design! To enter* our Free Prize Draw simply visit http://limeorchard.co.uk/chelsea2012.

The first two names out of the hat by the closing date will each win a pair of tickets (worth £98) to Chelsea Flower Show for Thursday 24 May 2012

For more information on this year's show, visit the RHS Web site click here >

Special Guided Tour

In addition to the free tickets, our winners will receive a unique guided tour of the Chelsea Flower Show by our very own RHS Medal Winning Designer, Ian Dexter! Ian will be able to give you a unique insight in to the work that goes on behind the scenes in creating the marvelous show gardens and his own critic of this year's entries.

To enter - simply complete the form at http://limeorchard.co.uk/chelsea2012*

Create Your Own Show-Stopping

Garden with the Specialists

Garden Design. Planting Plans. Garden Build. by Lime Orchard

*Entry is subject to terms & conditions

Season's Greetings & A Happy New Year From The Lime Orchard Team

2011-12-16T04:05:00.000-08:00

We would like to wish all our Customers, Suppliers and Friends a very Happy Christmas and an enjoyable 2012!

In consideration of the environment, we don't send traditional paper greetings. Instead we will be donating the usual postal costs to The Landscape Design Trust, a charity that promotes the landscape for the benefit of the environment and the community. For more information, or to make a donation visit http://www.landscape.co.uk/aboutus/background

PLUS Don't Forget our Winter Offers Extended until 31st January 2012

Garden Design Consultation - 2 hours with a qualified garden designer followed by a written report explaining how to give your garden"THE WOW FACTOR"

-Usual Price £150-

Now only £75 -

NOTTS SCHOOL GARDEN DESIGN COMPETITION 2011-12

2011-11-17T01:25:00.000-08:00

CHANCE TO WIN A £2,000 PROFESSIONAL DESIGN FOR YOUR SCHOOL GARDEN

Here is an opportunity for your school to engage in an exciting Nottinghamshire-wide garden design initiative. We anticipate that the project will not only provide a useful learning resource (and a possible lively Family Learning Task), it will also help children to appreciate the extensive benefits of an outdoor class room. One lucky school will win a professional garden design consultation (worth up to £2,000) courtesy of the award winning Lime Orchard garden design team. Two runner’s up will each receive a cash prize of £100.

As you will be aware, alfresco learning is not just about the aesthetic appeal of an outside space. A survey of 700 schools and early learning settings, commissioned by Learning through Landscapes (the national school grounds charity) proved that schools which have invested in and improved their outdoor facilities for pupils, experience significant tangible benefits such as

- enhanced pupil behaviour (73% of respondents)

- a reduction in bullying (64% of respondents)

- improved attitudes towards learning (65% of respondents)

- better social interaction (84% of respondents)

- increased community / parental involvement (66% of respondents)

Last Year’s Winners

The Joseph Whitaker School, in Rainworth, Mansfield stepped up to the challenge with a winning design entry - which was supported by a stunning 4 foot by 4 foot 3D model of their garden depicting a polytunnel, shed and chicken coop with accompanying chickens!!

The project was spearheaded by Sue Harpham who runs the Joseph Whitaker School (JWS) Community Gardening Club. The club represents an important support activity for special children in the community, children living with either physical and / or learning difficulties. Commenting on the school’s success, Sue said “We are thrilled to have been selected to win this prestigious award, which underpins the significant role the JWS Gardening Club plays in the local community. Participating in the Gardening Club in the evenings, at weekends and during school holidays enables our special children to develop valuable life skills and boosts their self-esteem and confidence within the group. By winning the prize of a professional garden design we will be able to realize the true potential of our garden space and further enhance the scope of our WASP (We are Special People) activities”.

Minster Secondary School and Bleasby Primary School in the Southwell area were also both selected as runners-up in the competition, each winning £100 and a free initial garden design consultation.

How to Enter

If you’d like more information on the Lime Orchard School Garden Design project for Nottinghamshire schools, simply email or phone us and we will forward a an entry pack which includes ideas on getting started with a garden design, to assist teachers in introducing this topic into their lesson plans. The competition is open from November 2011 and the closing date for entries will be 31st March 2012 with judging taking place April 2012.

View our web site www.limeorchard.co.uk/school-gardens for details of our award winning design capabilities / references to school gardens that we have created.

Winter is a great time to plan your NEW GARDEN for next Spring!

2011-11-11T03:18:00.000-08:00

Garden Design by Lime Orchard
Inspirational design can enhance as well as extend your outdoor living space. Translate your dream garden into a design reality with Lime Orchard's Garden Design Service
It's simple to access our design skills to enhance your garden and extraordinary good value this Winter with our special offers!

DON'T MOVE - IMPROVE!

A great garden adds value to you house and enjoyment for your family!

A well-designed, well maintained garden is an investment as it brings lasting enjoyment, can extend your living space and can add value to your property. Investing in your garden will give you access to a wide range of high quality landscape materials that provide an extension to your living space and add instant interest from mature plants.

£100 OFF

Any garden design fees if you book your garden design project before 31st December 2011

(For projects over £400 including VAT)

The Lime Orchard Garden Design Team provides a range of services including initial consultation, garden survey, design drawings, 3-D presentation drawings, construction drawings, setting out plans, and planting plans. Each design produced is bespoke for your garden and requirements.

£500 OFF
Any garden construction work, if you book before 31st December 2011
(for projects over £5000 including VAT)

Once your design is complete, we can transform your garden in to reality!

Lime Orchard works with experienced local landscapers that you can be assured will provide the quality you require. We project manage the construction, bringing together the various skills and trades so you don't have to shop around to find a surveyor, electrician or tree surgeon, whilst ensuring your queries are dealt with along the way. We can assist all of our customers with their needs, no matter what the size, shape or complexity of the garden project.

FREE Visit to discuss your garden.

PLUS

Garden Design Consultation - 2 hours with a qualified garden designer followed by a written report explaining how to give your garden

"THE WOW FACTOR"

-Usual Price £150-

Call Judy or Mandy on 0845 539 1467 (local rate) or visit www.limeorchard.co.uk

to book your free visit and view the lovely gardens we have built for our happy clients
or see our show garden at Reg Taylor's Garden Centre, Southwell, Notts
For details on the Lime Orchard franchise opportunity click here

Lime Orchard Best in Show!

2011-09-27T06:18:00.000-07:00

The Lime Orchard team is proud to have been awarded the trophy for 'Best Trade Stand' at the annual Flintham & District Agricultural and Horticultural Show 2011, held in Nottinghamshire.

http://www.flinthamploughingmatch.co.uk

The judges' eyes were caught by Lime Orchard's compact show garden, which mixed economical low-maintenance hard landscaping with striking designer garden furniture and structural planting. The garden also incorporated parking space for a modern city car - a role played by a liveried Smart ForTwo coupe. Visitors to the stand were also able to enter a free prize draw to win a Design Consultation - worth £150 - perfect to add a dose of professional inspiration for their own garden.

For more information on Lime Orchard's services visit http://www.limeorchard.co.uk/nottingham.html

Planting by the Professionals

2011-08-04T03:09:00.000-07:00

If you want to up the style stakes in your garden, but don’t want to go for a full garden makeover why not consider our Planting Scheme service?

Our professional planting team can overhaul an existing bed or border in minimum time but with maximum impact - guaranteed to deliver instant gratification! Our unrivalled professional knowledge of plants, combined with proven design expertise can work wonders on any problem areas in your outside room – or can simply be used to create a dramatic new focal point.

So, whether it’s a whole new planting scheme or redesigning an individual border, dealing with a problem area or simply looking to improve your property's kerb appeal, we can help. Better still, because we buy through trade nurseries we can offer you the best prices on the supply of plants, typically less than you would pay from a garden centre! So go on, you know your garden’s worth it!

Set Sail for Summer!

2011-07-28T03:07:00.000-07:00

With Cancer Research UK’s latest research findings revealing a shocking tripling in melanoma rates among British 15-34 year olds since the late 70s – and the latest available figures showing that the total number of cases of malignant melanoma for all ages increased from 10,800 in 2007 to 11,700 in 2008, a rise of 8.5%, the need for adequate protection against the sun’s harmful rays has never been more topical.
Enjoying the benefits of the outdoor room in the summer sunshine is perfectly acceptable as long as you ensure you and your family have access to the sanctuary of some shade. There are a number of options available if you need to create a safe sun-free area in the garden but one of the most effective (and often dramatic) means is via a Shade Sail.
Shade sails are made from scientifically developed material which has been impregnated with both waterproofing and UV protection. The average UV protection of shade sails is around 85% making them suitable for preventing burning on all but the fairest of skins in temperatures higher than we are ever likely to experience in the UK. When you consider that Factor 85 is probably good enough for most people in the tropics, the level of sun protection afforded by a shade sail is more than sufficient for the UK climate.
A key benefit of a shade sail is that it can be cut to any shape or size and because of the treatments they are impregnated with, they are also tough and solid and retain an attractive shape. Shade sails can be used to cover driveways and paths; they can cover all or part of a patio; or they can make roof like areas for what effectively become outdoor dining rooms. Shade sails can be strung together in attractive groups to form staggered or larger shading areas and they can be attached to the sides of buildings or strung between poles.
A fact often not considered is that a shade sail need not necessarily be just for summer. Sails can become a permanent addition to the outside room since they also offer protection from rain and wind as well as from the sun. And let’s face it, in Britain we are likely to need more protection from the rain and wind than from the sun!

Garden Security Alert!

2011-07-21T04:42:00.000-07:00

Much as we might all revel in the joys of extended summer evenings, according to insurance company Aviva, the welcome additional hours of daylight can signal a distinctly unwelcome flurry of activity from opportunist thieves.

New figures from Aviva predict a 25% rise in the number of backyards, garages and sheds being targeted as soon as Britain’s clocks go forward for British Summer Time.

Bicycles, lawnmowers, garden tools and children’s outdoor toys represent the most likely targets, with the average haul at this time of year usually totalling around £900 worth of goods.

Aviva estimates that thefts from outside the house can increase as much as 10% once the evenings get lighter, compared with the dark nights of January. Household underwriter at Aviva, Jonathan Cracknell says “Extra light means that all those expensive power tools, bikes and golf clubs could now be on full show for everyone to see, including a passing criminal … Garden security or lack of it, is much more visible so we would urge all homeowners to make sure their sheds and summerhouses are properly secured and remember to clear up the garden every evening so there is nothing left lying around to tempt the opportunist thief”.

You have been warned!

Boring British Garden Design?

2011-07-14T03:37:00.000-07:00

A report which featured in The Guardian at the beginning of the June, questioned whether or not British gardens are stuck in the past. The debate followed a comment made by celebrity gardener Monty Don on a BBC Radio 4 programme which inferred that Brits are overly conventional in their approach to garden design “The British are obsessed by plants, provenance of plants and there is a lot of one-up-manship” by contrast Don went on to add “Italians love design, love bella figura, the way things look and appear and don’t care how they achieve it. Gardens are more than just plants. Which is what you get in Italian gardens”.

To make such a sweeping statement which effectively denounces the whole nation’s design credentials is not only insensitive, it is also wildly inaccurate. There are still garden owners for whom the choice of plants will always remain the focal point for the outdoor room, and yes, certainly there are also those for whom a garden is simply not a garden if it is devoid of lavender and a bed of English roses. But to infer that all British gardens are lacking in individuality, innovation and sheer style is a travesty.

As the Guardian states “Brits are a whole load more creative and eclectic than (some journalists) suggest”. This country celebrates a myriad of garden styles, ranging from über chic urban, essentially English, ultra modern and naturally eco-friendly. If we are so backwards in our design thinking, how come our garden shows enjoy such a prestigious reputation around the world? We would concur with The Guardian’s comment that “British gardening and design really is a rich and varied tapestry, and long may it remain so”.

The design for every garden is bespoke, geared towards meeting the individual needs and aspirations of its owners. No two gardens will be the same, let alone the gardens of an entire nation! If you are in need of some design inspiration for your garden, call Lime Orchard on 0845 539 1467 for a free, no obligation visit.

As a Result of Your Recommendation!

2011-06-22T04:11:00.000-07:00

If you are one of our growing number of satisfied customers sitting enjoying the sunshine in a Lime Orchard-designed or built garden, then we would love you to tell your friends about your experience!
If your chat then turns in to a friend calling Lime Orchard about their own garden then we would like to say thank you! Quite simply, if we undertake a garden design or build worth £1000 or more from your recommendation we will send you a £50 gift voucher to spend on your garden. Plus we will give your friend a £50 discount off of their garden design or build proposal!

To claim, we must receive a completed application form prior to the design or build going ahead with both your details and the details of your friend. Give us a call on the number below and we will send a claim form to you. Terms & Conditions apply, available on request.

Kerb Appeal

2011-06-17T01:40:00.000-07:00

Don’t just consider your home’s kerb appeal when you are looking to attract a buyer! Make your home the pride of the street by lavishing some extra special care on the so often neglected front garden. Although the front garden creates a lasting first impression for anyone visiting your home, it is usually the area of outdoor space which receives the least attention.

Hours are spent pondering how to create the ultimate back garden retreat but the majority of homeowners only spare a thought for the front garden when they are looking to sell. This could be due to the fact that often the front garden space is difficult to manage and hindered by expanses of concrete or gravel – but with careful planning and creative flair it is possible to work wonders. Some simple ideas include:

    * Position a couple of imposing bay trees either side of the front door to create an immediate impression of grandeur
    * Arrange a selection of fragrant flowers in beautiful pots within your front garden area to encourage a welcoming ambience
    * Introduce a splash of bold colour to exterior walls by potting up some hanging baskets – and if you have a colourful front door, choose some bright zesty flowers to complement it
    * Go for a style makeover of just the bed or border at the front of the house. Rethink your choice of plants and the layout of the bed

– for the simplest of transformations why not contact Lime Orchard to come up with a full planting plan for the bed which includes plant variety recommendations, position and suggested size of each plant – and of course a totally professional ‘installation’. Call 0845 539 1467 (local call rate) or visit www.limeorchard.co.uk for further details.

Alfresco Dining

2011-06-14T05:06:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest delights of summer is enjoying dining alfresco, whether it’s a formal entertainment opportunity or a casual family meal eaten au dehors, you need to ensure that you and your guests are not only sitting comfortably – but that the outdoor setting looks suitably stylish!
This season’s hottest trend is for mixing and matching the brightest colours, so whether you are thinking of investing in some super-sized oh so cosy bean bags, or funky new seat cushions or even a selection of dashing new tableware, opt for some bold colour clashes.

Fuchsia pink paired with a hot red or sparkling turquoise will add a dramatic touch, or try an out there orange with zingy green. The mixing and matching doesn’t just relate to colours either, combining different materials is also very much on trend, so a glass table can look super stylish matched with ultra contemporary (and practical) plastic or metal chairs. And if you are looking to introduce a little designer chic into your outside space, a moulded sofa-come-bench for the garden is the very latest ‘must have’ cool garden furniture accessory.

Staycation - here to stay?

2011-06-07T01:41:00.000-07:00

With the amazing weather that we’ve been experiencing over the last couple of months, combined with the aftermath of the much debated credit crunch, the ‘staycation’ seems set to … stay!.
So rather than rushing around cashing in your sterling for euros, making holiday cover arrangements for the pets – and buying all those last minute travel essentials, why not make better use of your time and money by investing in your outdoor space?

Think how much pleasure you and your family will get from a revamped garden – certainly more than the short and sweet two weeks enjoyment derived from on the average summer holiday. And don’t forget any improvements made in the garden will not only enhance your family’s ability to spend more time in the outdoor room, it will also add value to your property.

According to popular web site UpMyStreet.com, a well-kept garden is a valuable asset with 73% of UpMyStreet users preferring a property with a garden than one with a guest room and 8 out of 10 people saying they were willing to a pay a premium for a property with a garden (according to Halifax, buyers are willing to pay a £10,000 premium to secure a property with a garden).

And if you needed any further persuasion regarding the merits of putting your hard earned cash into your outdoor space rather than towards a trip overseas, think about the positive impact you will contributing to our natural environment, by - quite literally - going green!

RHS Chelsea Flower Show - Highlights from 2011

2011-05-27T04:11:00.000-07:00

From The Daily Telegraph

Eight gardens struck gold at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with The Daily Telegraph winning Best in Show (pictured). Designed by Cleve West the winning garden bucked the current trend for going tall, by taking the visitor into an intimate sunken garden surrounded by warm yellow walls, flowing water and delicate trees. The three 10ft high columns with one lying on the ground, at first glance appear to be ruins but in fact are a mixture of the old and the new in concrete and terracotta.

However, it was the jewel-like colour scheme of reds, pinks and yellows - including bizarrely parsnips - that earned the designer the title the ‘Heston Blumenthal of gardening’ awarded for his propensity to gravitate towards experimentation.

Every year, a number of key themes emerge from the show and 2011 was no exception. Popular trends witnessed at this year’s event were the inclusion of sculptures, water features and garden offices in the show gardens.

Another popular theme was the use of trees clipped into strong architectural forms and a departure from neat, manicured beds to more natural wild flower planting. Water features on display ranged from Mediterranean inspired pools to gentle flowing country streams, whilst sculptures were used on a tactical basis to create an architectural focal point or as means of introducing a contrast to a lush green landscape.

Garden offices on show were very much in keeping with the growing awareness of environmental issues, incorporating ‘eco-friendly’ features such as solar panels and the effective recycling of waste materials.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show - best ever for 2011?

2011-05-16T07:07:00.000-07:00

When the curtain closes at the end of May, RHS Chelsea Flower Show recycles 98% of the material used in the show gardens. So while the blooms may remain dazzlingly colourful, the main event is most definitely green!

The organizers of this year’s prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show are promising that 2011 is destined to be one of the best RHS Shows in history. 2011 marks the 98th anniversary of the world famous event which is now widely recognized as one of the most celebrated annual shows in the world and the undisputed showcase for horticultural excellence, with visitors flocking from across the globe both to visit and exhibit!

Over the years the show has gone from strength to strength starting with around 244 exhibitors in 1913 to today’s overwhelming 600, including gardens, nurseries, floristry, educational displays and trade stands. RHS Chelsea Flower Show now regularly attracts 157,000 visitors every year, in addition to widespread international media attention.

2011 will see the unveiling of 17 show gardens, 15 smaller gardens and a hundred of the world’s best growers and nurseries. Unsurprisingly many of the inspirational gardens at this year’s spectacular show highlight the importance of sustainability and urban greening.

The B&Q Garden demonstrates how we can all make an environmental difference regardless of the size of our garden. The garden also increases awareness of environmental issues in a theatrical and imaginative way.

The ‘Monaco Garden’ reflects the character, personality and vibrancy of Mediterranean Monaco drawing attention to environmentally sustainable solutions to enhance urban living. Roof space, vertical walls and alternative energy sources combine to provide a green way of living ideal for busy urban spaces.

Reclaimed material features in many gardens with the stunning Cotswold stone walling and paving in ‘The Daily Telegraph Garden’ showing that reclaimed materials can still be breathtakingly beautiful, while recycled wood planks, wind turbines and galvanized containers to collect water are also on show at Chelsea this year.

This year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show takes place 24-28 May 2011.

Nottingham's Got (Gardening) Talent!

2011-05-05T05:52:00.000-07:00

A Mansfield school has beaten off stiff competition to win Lime Orchard’s design competition, which invited Nottingham’s nurseries, primary and secondary schools to put forward ideas their best ideas to create an inspirational outdoor learning space.

The Joseph Whitaker School, in Rainworth, Mansfield stepped up to the challenge laid down by Lime Orchard to dig deep and come up with a winning design entry - which was supported by a stunning 4 foot by 4 foot 3D model of their garden depicting a polytunnel, shed and chicken coop with accompanying chickens!!

The project was spearheaded by Sue Harpham who runs the Joseph Whitaker School (JWS) Community Gardening Club. The Gardening Club represents an important support activity for special children in the community, children living with either physical and / or learning difficulties. Commenting on the school’s success, Sue Harpham says “We are thrilled to have been selected to win this prestigious award, which underpins the significant role the JWS Gardening Club plays in the local community. Participating in the Gardening Club in the evenings, at weekends and during school holidays enables our special children to develop valuable life skills and boosts their self-esteem and confidence within the group. By winning the prize of a £2,000 professional garden design fee consultation we will be able to realize the true potential of our garden space and further enhance the scope of our WASP (We are Special People) activities”.

Minster Secondary School and Bleasby Primary School in the Southwell area were also both selected as runners-up in the competition, each winning £100 and a free initial garden design consultation.
The competition, proved hugely popular with schools and nurseries across the county and Lime Orchard managing director Judy Behl said “we were overwhelmed by not only the number of entries but also the incredibly high standard of entry and the obvious amount of work each school put into their submission. It was extremely difficult to choose just one winner but we felt that the superb work that The Joseph Whitaker School does in terms of using their school garden as a means to provide a much needed community facility, made this fantastic entry really stand out from the crowd”.

Garden Design Dilemmas - Questions you will wish you asked

2011-04-28T02:05:00.000-07:00

Just as you might invite an architect in to provide advice on how to make the best use of the area inside your house, it makes sense to bring in a Garden Designer to gain their professional insight on how to maximise your outdoor living accommodation.

To many, a Garden Designer is responsible for artistic and creative input resulting in the origination of a stunning, designer inspired, perfectly styled garden. And whilst this is one aspect of their job, it is most certainly not the only role of the Garden Designer. In addition to delivering this creative flair and visionary thinking, a Garden Designer is there to guide you on a number of practical issues to ensure the final design delivers the functional as well as aesthetic benefits to suit you / your family’s lifestyle.
At the heart of any well thought out garden design is an honest and open dialogue with the client at the initial consultation stage. Most reputable designers will have a standard questionnaire which they ask clients to complete in advance of the first meeting. This will help to establish some of the key issues / priorities for the garden and may include:

Agreeing the main functional requirements for the outdoor space eg Entertaining? Rest and relaxation? Play area? Grow your own zone?
Agreeing the preferred style of garden eg contemporary, minimalist, traditional cottage etc
Identifying the main problems with the existing design eg limited shade, need to create boundaries between different zones of the garden, difficult sloping aspect etc
Identifying motivating influences on choice of garden eg desire to be environmentally friendly, desire to incorporate certain style of planting etc
Identify a broad operating budget

These are just some of the obvious questions that you might be asked to consider but an experienced designer will be able to provide expert counsel on a number of specific issues. Below are some more unusual design dilemmas that you might encounter:

Looking for a formal, sunken, concrete lined, fish pond? Always check out the water table of the garden. In some instances it may be necessary to raise the fish pond to avoid the water pressure present in the ground causing the concrete lining to "pop" and fail

Want a lushly planted Cottage garden but live in an area which is plagued with rabbits? Avoid the unnecessary additional cost of expensive rabbit proof fencing by planting a careful selection of plants that repel rabbits (incl. Acanthus, Agapanthus, Alliums & Delphiniums)
Need to introduce a substantial boundary into a country garden but worried about obscuring the view? Try installing a ha-ha, a boundary barrier (usually a semi-ditch and a wall) which does not block out the surrounding landscape
Got a small garden but needing to maximise the limited available space? Try painting the boundary fence matt black with planting in front of it to give the illusion of a larger outdoor space
Interested in installing a pale cream Travertine natural stone terrace to the back of your property? If the garden is south facing, be aware that on a sunny day the glare from the paving will prove very uncomfortable, if not blinding. Consider an alternative choice of paving!
Want an old drive or patio removed and replaced? Don’t incur additional expense by having the old patio ripped up and taken away. You can leave the existing patio/drive in situ and use it as a sub base for the new paving

So identifying the right garden designer is not just about reviewing a portfolio of gorgeous inspirational designs! For a national brand with proven design expertise balanced with reliable ‘can do’ counsel, try the award winning Lime Orchard garden design team. We provide an initial consultation with a member of the team to discuss your garden project, free of charge. From there it's a simple process to achieving the garden of your dreams!

Find out more about Lime Orchard garden design here!

Win a Glossy Garden Design Book

2011-04-21T05:31:00.000-07:00

We’re giving away a copy of the newly published fantastic ‘1000 Designs for the Garden and Where to Find Them’ by Geraldine & Ian Rudge. This is a beautiful glossy coffee table book depicting, as the title suggests, stunning photos of 1000 dramatic garden designs for you to admire (and hopefully inspire).

Don’t forget to check out the ‘Marshalls Garden that Kids Really Want’ (pictured), designed by our very own Garden Design Director, Ian Dexter. To enter simply email your name and postal address to enquiries@limeorchard.co.uk with 'Easter Prize Draw' in the subject line and one lucky winner will be drawn out of a hat. The winner will be notified by 6th May 2011.

Call us on 0845 539 1467 (local rate) or visit www.limeorchard.co.uk

Need an Extra Room?

2011-03-24T05:47:00.000-07:00

If you are in need of some extra outdoor living accommodation, then you might want to consider investing in … a shed!

You may recall we featured the growing trend for ‘shed working’ in our December issue, but the phenomenal rise in popularity of garden buildings is not simply due to the increasing number of people choosing to work from home. The all new gloriously glamorous ‘shed’ has fuelled a whole new trend in garden based living, and the owners of this new generation of outstanding outdoor rooms are using the extra space for a wide range of activities.

According to a report in The Telegraph last August, ‘there is no end to the ingenuity of home owners and garden buildings, Screwfix says there are now more sheds and log cabins in the country than households’. The same article refers to how a glimpse on Google Earth now reveals as many as 30 million garden buildings lurking in back gardens as homeowners extend their living space into the area around / to the rear of their property. Screwfix even reports that on some days, it sells sheds at a rate of one sold every two minutes!

The all new ‘garden studio’ can really be whatever you want it to be; from a dedicated home office to practical, ultra private additional guest accommodation; from upmarket kid’s den to a sophisticated 21st century music studio; from an exclusive private home gym to a luxury sauna or hot tub retreat, the opportunities really are endless. It is also worth remembering that in addition to the practical benefits of a good garden building, there are also positive financial implications, according to a well known property buying agent, this type of home improvement can add 5% to the overall value of your property – as long as the ‘shed’ is in peak condition.

Kids Getting Enough of the Green Stuff?

2011-03-16T05:05:00.000-07:00

According to one expert, parents have a responsibility to help their children to connect more with nature.

Richard Louv, author of a book titled ‘Last Child in the Woods’ calls for mums and dads to encourage their offspring to join in with gardening activities such as setting up a bird bath, planting seeds and even helping to dig ponds.

Louv puts forward the argument that nature can have a calming influence on children and believes there are possible negative effects associated with a failure to allow our children to connect with the natural world and visit green spaces. He claims that parents who allow this to happen may be exposing their children to the genuine risk of falling victim to Nature Deficit Disorder. Symptoms cited include hyperactivity, depression, loneliness and boredom. This theory is backed up by Jules Petty from the University of Essex who states that "green exercise" can prove beneficial to young people who are experiencing stress, referring to a report from the Environmental Science and Technology journal, which revealed youngsters can increase their overall wellbeing by participating in outdoor activities. So the clear message is, make sure your kids get their green fix!

Spring Style Refresher

2011-03-08T02:59:00.000-08:00

As the inevitable ‘spring cleaning’ fever begins to gather momentum, thoughts will soon be turning to getting the garden looking gorgeous for the official ‘start’ of the outdoor living season. If, once all the traditional tidying, weeding and clearing up is completed, you still feel a need to inject some extra sparkle into your outside room – but don’t have the funds for a full garden make-over, then it’s time to consult a garden stylist! Just as a professional wardrobe advisor can open your mind to all the latest ‘clothing’ fashion trends, whilst also providing guidance on the top wardrobe choices to suit your personal style, shape – and budget, all the same benefits can be gained from a consultation with a qualified garden stylist.

Armed with all the latest up-to-the minute knowledge of what’s hot, what’s not in outdoor living terms, a garden stylist can provide a fresh new perspective on your outdoor living zone, delivering a selection of inspirational ideas all designed to offer designer kudos and instant gratification! Sometimes the simplest of measures can transform a drab outside living space into a super chic style statement! Visit the Lime Orchard web site for more details of the company’s recently launched Garden Stylist service.

Create the Perfect Kitchen Garden this Spring!

2011-03-01T05:19:00.000-08:00

Lime Orchard Garden Design offers a simple modular raised-bed solution to help make 'growing your own' even easier!

Last year, a major food trends report commissioned by Sainsbury’s, predicted that in 2030, British families will spend less time eating out and more time at home cooking an increasing amount of garden grown vegetables. The report, produced by The Future Laboratory, forecasts that the trend of grow-your-own, which took off during the recession, will continue with far more than the current 15 million people likely to be planting vegetables and fruit on windowsills and gardens in the future.
And with the general public gaining inspiration from top chefs around the UK who have started their own kitchen gardens in order to secure the freshest possible produce the concept of a kitchen garden is destined to snowball.

Creating a dedicated kitchen garden within the outdoor room does not necessarily need to be at the expense of a visually pleasing, beautifully styled outside space. With a bit of careful planning, aesthetic appeal and designer good looks can happily sit alongside the undisputed functional benefits that a kitchen garden offers.

Lime Orchard is pleased to offer a full range of treated-softwood beds either in kit form for you to install yourself or as part of a hassle-free fully installed solution; including filling with quality topsoil and suggestions for mixed ornamental and edible planting .These self-contained, raised plots are ideal for getting children interested in gardening and make adding a vegetable crop to a corner of your garden simple! The Kitchen Garden Boxes are available in four different depths to suit your needs - each adding approx 9" (225mm).

Self-installed kit prices start from just £95.00 inc VAT for a 0.6x0.9m single depth bed up to £695.00 for a 2.4m wide bed up to four boards depth – suitable for most root vegetables. Prices ex. delivery dependent on area.

Why not contact us for more advice on how to create the perfect kitchen garden? Call
us on 0845 539 1467 or visit www.limeorchard.co.uk

Are You Sitting Comfortably?

2011-02-25T02:51:00.000-08:00

With the cost of living rising at its fastest pace for two years, as inflation hit 4% in January, many homeowners will be looking at tightening the purse strings and dispensing with the annual summer trip abroad. If your traditional two week break is looking likely to be spent at home, then make it a holiday to be remembered by investing time now to get your garden get-away in ship shape condition.
Hopefully – weather permitting – you’ll be able to sample the delights of UK alfresco living so it is worth reviewing your outdoor dining facilities now if you want to be ready to enjoy ‘your very own place’ in the sun:

Does your garden offer a dedicated dining area which can easily accommodate your outside garden furniture?
Does the area offer sufficient shade from the midday sun, so diners can sit (safely) and comfortably outside for extended periods of time?
Is there easy access to power in your outdoor dining zone, so that barbecues and lighting can easily be activated without having to rely on hazardous extension leads?
Does the garden furniture do the garden justice? Is it in dire need of a style update?
Is the area lacking in privacy? Too noisy or simply too exposed? It might be time to build in some additional shelter to create a more intimate dining spot

For the professional low down on how to create the ultimate outdoor dining area for your garden, contact our garden design team on 0845 5391467 or visit www.limeorchard.co.uk for further details.

Edible Gardens

2011-02-11T05:25:00.000-08:00

Last year, a major food trends report commissioned by Sainsbury’s, predicted that in 2030, British families will spend less time eating out and more time at home cooking an increasing amount of garden grown vegetables. The report, produced by The Future Laboratory, forecasts that the trend of grow-your-own, which took off during the recession, will continue with far more than the current 15 million people likely to be planting vegetables and fruit on windowsills and gardens in the future.

And with the general public gaining inspiration from top chefs around the UK who have started their own kitchen gardens in order to secure the freshest possible produce the concept of a kitchen garden is destined to snowball.

However, the over-riding attraction of, and practical argument for, creating a dedicated kitchen garden within the outdoor room does not necessarily need to be at the expense of a visually pleasing, beautifully styled outside space. With a bit of careful planning, aesthetic appeal and designer good looks can happily sit alongside the undisputed functional benefits that a kitchen garden offers.
If you are thinking of introducing a touch of the Good Life to your outdoor room, here are a few suggestions to consider:

- sounds obvious but make sure that you site this part of the garden fairly close to the house to make access to the produce quickly and easy. This will also ensure the glorious scents associated with some of the plants will permeate into your indoor living accommodation

- don’t be under the impression that you need to have acres of space to create a kitchen garden. Even the smallest patio and window can house pots to grow herbs (purple sage offers a dramatic display of colour), edible flowers (eg nasturtiums, lavender and rose) and ornamental onions and garlic

- if time is in short supply, consider investing in the creation of some bespoke raised beds. Not only do they look great, their raised height makes light work of weeding and also negates the possibility of domestic pets straying into the family’s outdoor larder!

- if your garden contains a wall, fence or trellis, espalier trained fruit trees will create a dramatic design statement, whilst also delivering bountiful supplies of delicious fruit. In England, espalier training is usually done with apple and pear trees

- if you have areas of the garden which are uneven or where natural mounds occur forget about trying to level them out, instead look at creating a herb tump. These are raised graveled mounds (hoggins) which featured in 18th century garden design. They represent a beneficial way to grow sun-loving plants from the Mediterranean, providing good drainage. Rosemary, fennel, lavender, chives and wild strawberries do particularly well in this type of environment

- the grow your own revolution can also be extended to rearing your own livestock. Whilst we don’t all necessarily want to entertain the idea of living with pigs and chickens, soaring numbers of people are taking up bee keeping as a hobby amidst concern over the decline of the honeybee. The British Bee Keepers Association has reported a 3.5 million jars of honey were produced by their members this summer and since 2007, the number of hives registered in Britain has doubled, to 80,000

Why not contact Lime Orchard for more advice on how to create the perfect kitchen garden?

Join the Self Build Revolution!

2011-02-04T02:41:00.000-08:00

Yes, sorry we bring you news of yet another revolution! This time we are referring to the growing army of aspiring self-builders in the UK. At the beginning of the year, Housing Minister Grant Shapps called on this influential body of home developers to make a housebuilding revolution their New Year's resolution. Self-builders are already Britain's largest housebuilder, and account for one-fifth of Britain's new homes each year, but for far too long the aspirations of ordinary people to build their own home have been thwarted by barriers and infamous red tape.

These obstacles have resulted in the UK having one of the lowest proportions of new homes built by self-builders in Europe - so the Minister has pledged to make self-building more accessible. Barriers that stand in people's way will be torn down - including the current complex and bureaucratic planning system, regulatory burdens, and lack of access to land and finance.

A new Community Right to Build will offer communities the chance to give the green light to new developments without the need for specific planning applications.
This could be local people working alone to build their own homes, or entire communities coming together to build the homes the area needs.

At the moment, self-builders complete as many as 10,000 building projects each year - so making it easier for more people to build their own home will provide a welcome boost to the ailing housing market.

Mr Shapps has asked the National Self Build Association (NASBA) to work with his officials to develop an action plan to boost the number of self-builders across the country - and address the common barriers aspiring self-builders face, which include:

availability of land - including making public sector land available for house building
availability of finance - working with lenders to ensure self-building communities can get the finance they need

availability of expert support - how self-builders can support communities looking to build the homes they need, and how those new to self-building can be supported

Building your own house (and of course creating your ideal outdoor living accommodation) has to be the most rewarding – and often financially savvy – means of achieving your dream home. So is it time you joined the revolution?

January Blues? Get Some Garden Therapy!

2011-01-31T01:19:00.000-08:00

During the month when we are all seeking out ways in which to enhance our healthy living credentials we bring you findings that prove that gardening can officially change the way you feel – in a good way!

Research undertaken by Thrive, the official society for Horticultural Therapy shows that spending time in the garden can deliver a host of health related benefits:

1 in 5 report that gardening has helped them through a period of mental or physical ill-health
physical activity has been proven to be helpful in the treatment of anxiety, depression and dementia
In a study by Mind, the mental health charity, 90% said that the combination of nature and exercise had the greatest effect on their well-being and 94% felt that being involved in gardening related activities lifted depression

Overall the research has shown that being in the outdoor garden environment can help us get back on top of things and make us feel happier, more confident and healthier! And no prohibitively expensive gym membership required!

New Year, New Garden?

2011-01-26T02:29:00.000-08:00

If ever there was a time to rethink your outdoor living space it is the month of January!

Hopefully you have entered 2011 bolstered by the endemic bout of positive thinking designed to help us all take action to improve our quality of life! This burst of motivation could be just what is needed to take your garden to task and make those longed for improvements in your outside living accommodation.
Now is also the perfect time to start planning if you want your garden to be ship shape for spring – when (hopefully) we can finally start to enjoy some drier, warmer weather. Kick starting the process to getting to grips with your garden in January will save you having to join the queues later in the season. So when those around you are struggling to find a designer / landscaper with time to take on the job, you can sit back and enjoy your stylish newly transformed outdoor space.
Why not speak to a member of the Lime Orchard design team to get a fresh new perspective on how to get the very best out of your outside room? Visit www.limeorchard.co.uk for more inspiration

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year

2010-12-24T02:42:00.000-08:00

We’d like to take this opportunity to wish you a zingy Merry Christmas and a Refreshingly Happy New Year from all the team at Lime Orchard.

www.limeorchard.co.uk

What's Hot for 2011

2010-12-20T03:37:00.000-08:00

Well the current year is not even over but pundits are already out there making their predictions regarding the anticipated top garden related trends for 2011.

The Garden Media Group (GMG) has identified a new umbrella theme titled ‘Gardening with a Purpose.’ Analysts are saying this ‘purpose’ may vary – involving anything from growing fruit trees and vegetables to feed the family, to maintaining garden planters and flowerbeds in communal public spaces But the overall trend will be that gardening will have some “greater” function over and above creating aesthetically pleasing outdoor spaces.The last 12 months has seen a sharp increase in the number of people with gardens in their back or front yards and an even larger increase in the amount of community gardens or allotments established, so all the signs are there that growing food for the table is already on the increase.

Market research specialist Mintel, backs this prediction up saying that modern city dwellers are exhibiting a growing love of gardening and a need for nature.

With fresh, organic produce still economically out of reach for the masses, the general public is finding alternative means to bring healthy home. In the US, 26% of internet users purchased vegetable seeds in the past year, 19% bought vegetable/flower garden fertilizer and 27% like to grow vegetables at home. While in the UK, 1 in 5 consumers now grow their own fruit & vegetables and the UK Allotment waiting list has grown 20% in 2010.

Another suggested gardening trend for 2011 is the arrival of ‘vertical gardens’ (illustrated here) which relates to the growing popularity of climbing plants, especially in outdoor rooms which have space limitations. These plants can be used tactically to provide privacy, screen eyesores, and draw the eye upward to create the illusion of space.

Lime Orchard will keep you posted on any new trends as and when we hear about them!

Win £200 of Bahco professional garden tools

2010-12-16T02:32:00.000-08:00

NEW YEAR, NEW GARDEN
If you’re looking to refresh your outside room for 2011, it pays to bring in the professionals. Using a specialist one stop garden transformation company like Lime Orchard, provides you with access to award winning designers and skilled landscapers, whose experience and expertise will help you exploit your garden’s full potential, on time and on budget.
Working with Lime Orchard is the ultimate stress free approach to achieving the garden of your dreams. Just leave it to us to translate your outdoor living aspirations into a stylish and practical reality, with minimum hassle and maximum satisfaction!

Whatever the project, whether it’s a garden that just requires an image boost or a major revamp of an outdoor living zone, Lime Orchard recognises the importance of having access to the very best tools for the job in hand. That is why the company chooses Bahco – the professional’s choice of ergonomically designed, quality garden ‘tools of the trade’.

Lime Orchard has teamed up with Bahco and the Newark Advertiser to give you the chance to win their very own set of professional Bahco garden tools this Christmas, worth £200,

to enter complete the coupon in today's Advertiser (16 Dec 2010) or request an entry form from the Newark Advertiser's offices.

Entries must be received by 23 December 2010, no purchase nessary, full terms and conditions avaliable on request

For more information visit www.limeorchard.co.uk or tel 0845 539 1467. For further details on Bahco visit www.bahco.com or telephone 01709 731 731.

Get Garden Fit!

2010-12-13T04:44:00.000-08:00

Most of us feel like we’ve put in a good day’s work, after gardening for hours on end. But can gardening really be considered as good exercise? According to the University of Virginia, gardening rates up there with other moderate to strenuous forms of exercise, like walking and bicycling. Naturally, this will all depend on what gardening task you are doing and for how long. Like any other form of exercise, you have to be active for at least 30 minutes to see a direct benefit. Although you may not always realize it, while enjoying yourself in the garden, you are also working all the major muscle groups: legs, buttocks, arms, shoulders, neck, back and abdomen. Gardening tasks that use these muscles build strength and burn calories.

Besides the exertion involved, gardening has other pluses that make it a good means of exercise and calorie burning. There can be a great deal of stretching involved with gardening, like reaching for weeds or tall branches, bending to plant and extending a rake. Lifting bags of mulch, pushing wheelbarrows and shoveling all provide resistance training similar to weight lifting, which leads to healthier bones and joints. Yet while doing all this, there is minimal jarring and stress on the body, unlike aerobics or jogging.

And if you want to shed some pounds to prepare for the potential feasting frenzy that is Christmas, take note of the following research from Iowa State University, which shows how some of the more strenuous gardening tasks can really burn calories.

Digging Holes - Men: 197 calories, Women: 150 calories
Planting - Men: 177 calories, Women: 135 calories
Weeding - Men: 157 calories, Women: 156 calories

In addition, further research shows that gardening for just 30 minutes daily will help:

Increase flexibility
Strengthen joints
Decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels
Lower your risk for diabetes
Slow osteoporosis

So if you are planning to tuck into mountains of mince pies and tones of turkey , - you know exactly what to do if you want to avoid starting 2011 with an uncomfortably tight waistband!!

Join the Revolution!

2010-12-07T01:58:00.000-08:00

And we are not talking the Grow Your Own revolution this time! According to Smarta – ‘the ultimate advice and networking resource for anyone starting and running a small business’ – ‘the chicest, most bang-on trend for office space this season is …the humble garden shed”.

Shedworking is fast becoming a national phenomenon with many home workers choosing to locate their business premises in the garden. So if one of your new year resolutions is to start your own business, or even to try and maintain your current role but working from home, consider the following benefits of a garden office:

free from the disruption and distraction of the traditional office, working from a dedicated garden office you are likely to be more productive and focussed
cutting out the daily commute means that you get to spend more time actually working and less time wasting precious hours sitting in traffic or on a crowded train
no more costly train fares or petrol expenses – AND a reduced food bill as eating from home is far cheaper than buying lunch from your local sandwich bar
opportunity for parents to embrace flexible working patterns – the time you save on travelling to and from work can be put to better use doing the school run / attending children’s school events
psychologically you are likely to perform better without the stress associated with travelling to and from work, and the natural garden landscape provides a comforting environment and an enhanced sense of work / life balance
a good garden studio can add up to 5% to the value of your property, and works well as a selling point in competitive markets

Why not contact Lime Orchard to discuss how a home office can be blended into our garden landscape? .

Planting Perfection

2010-11-23T02:00:00.000-08:00

The aesthetic beauty of any garden, will always largely be determined by the final choice of plants that have been selected to adorn the outdoor space – and the manner in which the plants are displayed. If you like, so many of our customers, aspire to own a stylish outside room – but have zero time or interest in ‘gardening’ per se, the likelihood is that you won’t necessarily have a clear understanding of which plants you should consider to inject a dash of designer flair into the garden.

However, don’t despair if your fingers lack the ‘green’ midas touch, Lime Orchard is offering a brand new planting plan service to customers. Not only can we deliver a cracking proposed planting plan for the garden (or even just for a new border) - which includes details of the variety, position and suggested size of each plant – we can also draw upon our extensive contacts to supply and plant everything you need for your new look garden. Because we buy through trade nurseries we can offer you the best prices on the supply of plants which will typically save you a whopping 20% less than what you would expect to pay in a garden centre!

And even if you enjoy the hard graft of planting up, we can help make the job a little less stressful by bringing in a team to help clear existing areas, dig over and improve the soil so you can get going as soon as the plants are delivered.

To find out more about Lime Orchard's Planting Services click here >

Nottinghamshire Schools Garden Design Competition

2010-11-15T09:08:00.000-08:00

SEARCH FOR BUDDING JUNIOR GARDEN DESIGNERS
Nottinghamshire children invited to design the ultimate alfresco classroom …

A countywide schools competition has been launched to seek out the region’s budding junior garden designers – with the winning school receiving a professional garden design consultation from award winning local company, Lime Orchard (worth £2,000).
Nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools in the area have been tasked with the challenge, which invites students (with a little help from the teaching staff!) to design an inspirational outdoor learning space.
The project, which requires entries to be submitted s via a sketch and short written description - is designed to help local learning establishments appreciate the proven benefits of the alfresco classroom. A survey of 700 schools and early learning settings, commissioned by Learning through Landscapes (the national school grounds charity) proved that schools which have invested in and improved their outdoor facilities for pupils, experience significant tangible benefits such as

enhanced pupil behaviour (73% of respondents)
a reduction in bullying (64% of respondents)
improved attitudes towards learning (65% of respondents)
better social interaction (84% of respondents)
increased community / parental involvement (66% of respondents)

And in June of this year, the Royal Horticultural Society released findings from a study of 1,300 teachers and 10 schools which confirmed that taking part in gardening can make a child feel happy and boost their development’. It found children in schools that encouraged gardening became more resilient, confident and lived healthier lives, resulting in the RHS saying ‘school gardening should be used as a key teaching tool, rather than as an extra-curricular activity’.
Judy Behl, managing director of Lime Orchard comments:

"There is a vast body of evidence to prove that children really thrive in schools with a good outdoor learning facility. Having been involved in a national RHS Chelsea Flower Show project to design the garden that ‘children really really want’, we are very much aware of how much enthusiasm children have for the alfresco classroom. Following on from our RHS Chelsea experience, it made total sense to capture some of that inspiration and passion amongst local children here in the county of Nottingham”.

The competition, will run from October 2010 to February 2011, with judging taking place during March 2011.

Click here to contact us for further information

Visit our Schools Garden Design Page for more inspiration!

Wildlife Wonderland

2010-11-11T02:06:00.000-08:00

Regardless of whether or not you are a wildlife enthusiast, you can’t escape the fact that your outdoor space is always going to be a living zone shared with various species of wildlife. These could be a family of hedgehogs or bumblebees, frogs, earwigs, birds, badgers – the list is endless. But as you go about your garden tidying tasks this autumn, it is important to remember that the fallen leaves, dead stems and log piles which we refer to as ‘mess’ and feel duty bound to clear up represents ‘home’ for many wildlife visitors.

A recent Facebook poll on Gardenersworld.com suggests many of us are willing to compromise our gardening practices for wildlife. It is possible to be tidy AND care for wildlife at the same time, it just takes a little forethought. So rather than throwing any garden debris onto a compost heap or bonfire, just move it to a corner of the garden out of sight, but where it can still benefit insects and mammals. Think about creating hibernaculums (a winter home for hibernating animals) out of natural materials, for example you can bundle tree branches behind pots for insects, gather bags of leaves which can be crammed into corners to provide shelter for frogs, slugs, and snails or leave a stack of logs in a damp, shady corner to attract hedgehogs, beetles and amphibians. And don’t forget you can invite a variety of birds into the garden if you regularly provide them with food during the winter, see below for a list of preferred menu options for specific species of bird!

House sparrows, dunnocks, finches, reed buntings and collared doves: small seeds, such as millet

Blackbirds: flaked, maize , dog and cat food

Tits and greenfinches: peanuts and sunflower seeds

Goldfinches and siskins: Nyjer seeds

Greenfinches, house sparrows, nuthatches, great spotted woodpeckers and siskins: peanuts

Robins, dunnocks and wrens: crushed or grated nuts, mild grated cheese

It Pays to Improve - Not Move

2010-11-02T03:03:00.000-07:00

House prices are said to be sliding again and some are saying Chancellor George Osborne’s spending review will accelerate the market’s decline.

Even before the Chancellor announced his £81 billion cuts, property prices were coming under severe pressure. The prospect of nearly 500,000 public sector job losses will make things worse by increasing the number of distressed sales.

Last month mortgage lending hit its lowest level for a decade at just £12 billion, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders. This followed shock figures from Halifax showing a record 3.6 per cent drop in house prices in September, the biggest fall in 27 years. So if ever there was a time to sit tight and ensure you exploit the full potential of the property you already own it’s now.

"Improve, Don’t Move" has become a tired phrase but it still rings true for many home owners, who may be forced to opt out of the buying / selling chain but nonetheless need to ensure their current home really does tick all the boxes. And it goes without saying, why move when you can gain extra living accommodation from your outdoor space! Garden studios and outside offices continue to grow in popularity while decking and patio installations can provide a year round entertainment and / or safe play area. Speak to us for details of how to design these new features into your existing garden landscape.

2010-11-01T04:55:00.000-07:00

Lime Orchard continues to buck the doom and gloom associated with the current economic climate, and we are delighted to announce our move to larger premises based at the prestigious Reg Taylor’s Garden Centre, Southwell, Nottingham.

Reg Taylor’s, which boasts a 60-year horticultural heritage, and an established reputation as being one of the UK’s leading garden centres, offers a natural business base for Lime Orchard. We will be promoting our award winning garden design and build services to the regular flow of visitors to the centre, and in the future, we plan to create on site, a dedicated design studio as well as inspirational show gardens. Our first step will be to recreate the small but perfectly formed BBC Gardeners’ World Live Show show garden (which was awarded an RHS Commendation - the highest accolade achievable in its category) to provide an eye-catching example of Lime Orchard’s award-winning design capabilities.

Come and see our offices and show garden at :

Reg Taylor's Garden Centre
Corkhill Lane
Normanton
Southwell
Notts NG25 0PR

www.regtaylors.co.uk

Remember, Remember the 5th of November

2010-10-21T03:54:00.000-07:00

Many families still choose to celebrate Bonfire Night at home in the privacy of their own garden. However, according to Environmental Protection UK , lighting up a bonfire should not be something that is done without careful thought and consideration for the environment. Burning garden waste produces smoke – especially if the waste is green or damp.

This will emit harmful pollutants including particles and dioxins causing air pollution. Burning plastic, rubber or painted materials is even worse, since noxious fumes are created which can give off a range of poisonous compounds. Air pollution can have damaging health effects, and people with existing health problems are especially vulnerable, e.g. asthmatics, bronchitis sufferers, people with heart conditions, children and the elderly. In addition smoke, smuts and smell from bonfires have long been a source of a significant number of complaints to local authorities every year. Smoke prevents neighbours from enjoying their gardens, opening windows or hanging washing out, and reduces visibility in the neighbourhood and on roads.

Allotments near homes can cause problems if plot holders persistently burn green waste, and leave fires smouldering. And of course there are important safety issues to consider, fire can spread to fences or buildings and scorch trees and plants. Exploding bottles and cans are a hazard when rubbish is burned. Finally piles of garden waste are often used as a refuge by animals, so look out for hibernating wildlife and sleeping pets before any matches are struck.

That said, and contrary to popular belief there are no specific byelaws prohibiting garden bonfires or specifying times they can be lit. However, this is not a license for indiscriminate burning! Here are some tips on how to enjoy a safe bonfire this Guy Fawkes!

- Warn your neighbours – they are much less likely to complain if you tell them in advance that you are planning a bonfire-

- Only burn dry material

- Never burn household rubbish, rubber tyres or anything containing plastic, foam or paint

- Avoid lighting a fire in unsuitable weather conditions – smoke hangs in the air on damp, still days. If it is too windy, smoke blows into neighbours' gardens and windows and across roads

- Avoid burning when air pollution levels in your area are high or very high. You can check air quality on 0800 556677 or at www.airquality.co.uk

- Keep your fire away from trees, fences and buildings

- Never use oil, petrol or methylated spirits to light a fire – you could damage yourself as well as the environment

Plan Now for Next Year's Dream Garden

2010-10-14T03:24:00.000-07:00

Thinking about spending time in the garden may be the furthest thing from your mind as the winter weather sets in and the usual scramble of Christmas chaos starts to gather pace. But if you are hoping to make some improvements to your outdoor space you really need to start planning this side of Christmas if you want the project completed in time for Spring 2011.

Before you meet with a designer to discuss your dream garden aspirations, you need to review the existing space and identify what you’d like to achieve from your outside living accommodation. Here are some useful pointers to get yourthinking on track:

-    Ahead of any plotting out of what goes where, make a note of where the sun falls when, so you can plan a dining area in dappled shade; a sun-bathing area in full sun and a children's play area somewhere cool and sheltered

-    Think about privacy. Do you need to work in some tall planting or trellis somewhere so that neighbours can't see into your garden?

-    Will you need to put in an outside tap for a hosepipe? Or, perhaps, if you have kids, a hot tap will be handy, too, for the (few) times it's warm enough to fill up the paddling pool in the summer

-    Be realistic about what you can achieve in your garden if you have children and / or pets. There's little point in creating a splendid display of delicate flowers if you live in constant fear of it being destroyed by boisterous kids or a playful pet!

-    Ponds are probably a no no if you have young children due to the obvious safety hazard they represent - with an average of five children under the age of six drowning in garden ponds in the UK each year, according to RoSPA. If you want water, you could instead consider a pebble pond or a water feature that has no water basin, thereby eliminating any risk to children

-    What storage will you need now and in the future? You should allow space for not just garden tools, but probably DIY tools, too. Plus, garden furniture, children's toys and bikes

- Do you plan to do much entertaining in the garden? Think about easy access to the kitchen and a dedicated ‘eating’ zone These are just a sample of some of the questions you need to ask yourself, for more ideas, advice and inspiration visit www.limeorchard.co.uk

Improve - Don't Move?

2010-10-07T01:59:00.000-07:00

Talking to The Telegraph at the end of July, TV property expert Phil Spencer reckons the property market is difficult to read right now “It is very difficult to fathom what is going on at the moment,” he says. “One set of stats says the market is going up and another says it’s going down. “Then you have to look at the year we have had so far. First, there was the snow, then the general election. Next, everyone said wait until the World Cup is over, then everyone said wait until the summer is over.

“Clearly, the market overall is not going to be rising by 10, 15 or 20 per cent a year, like it has done in the past, but I do believe it will rise by small amounts, maybe two or three per cent a year.

“What this means, of course, is that owning a home is not, in itself, going to earn you enough money to move up to the next price bracket, to the next rung on the property ladder. You can’t just sit back and wait for your house to make you enough money to move on. You are going to have to take active steps to create that extra value for yourself.”

One of the examples Phil cites as a way to add value to a property investment is to ‘bring the garden into the house … and to view the garden as another room’. That means extending your indoor living accommodation quite literally to the space outside. According to Phil, transforming the garden into a welcoming outside room, can add two per cent to the house value. Glass patio doors, outside lighting and a deck are all useful features to incorporate if you want to encourage a seamless transition from indoor to outdoor living – speak to a member of the Lime Orchard design team for more details.

Smart Thinking from Lime Orchard

2010-09-29T01:57:00.000-07:00

Nottinghamshire residents will soon be seeing a lot more of Lime Orchard! Always keen to demonstrate a refreshing new approach to business, we have invested in a customised Smart car sporting the funky bright Lime Orchard logo and will be operating from our head office, near Southwell. The car, which we unveiled at the Flintham & District Ploughing Match – Agricultural & Horticultural Show (pictured below) and later at the Southwell Ploughing Match & Show in September, is a great example of innovative and highly memorable ambient advertising.

In addition to showcasing the new Smart car, we also exhibited at both shows, with our small but perfectly formed award winning BBC Gardeners’ World Live Show show garden (which won an RHS Commendation - the highest accolade achievable in its category).

Property owners in the region will have to keep their eyes peeled for the Lime Orchard Smart car on the road – a Chelsea Flower Show standard of garden design could be about to arrive in your street!

Gardens that Heal

2010-09-10T01:33:00.000-07:00

This year’s RHS Show Tatton Park showcased a number of ‘therapeutic gardens’ - gardens which have been specifically designed to confer a therapeutic effect on the garden owner for whom it has been created. Elisabeth Daly’s ‘Embracing Tranquility’ garden promoted healing and restoration. The design and colour scheme was calming yet rich and vibrant. A closer look revealed that every plant possessed some sort of healing power. If you want to improve the healing properties of your garden, we’ve taken a look at the top 10 medicinal plants for your outdoor space (according to the Alternative Medicine Zone web site):

1. Aloe Vera
This plant boasts 101 uses including offering effective treatment for minor burns, cuts, eczema and for reducing inflammation. The bottom stalk of aloe vera provides a soothing balm which can be directly applied to the skin. Aloe vera can also be taken internally as an aloe vera juice to treat digestive problems, ulcerative colitis, chronic constipation and poor appetite.

2. Great Burdock
This stunning plant with its purple and green thorny flowers, is also known as Edible Burdock or Lappa Burdock and is used as a root vegetable. Referred to in traditional medicine, the Great Burdock is used as a blood purifying agent, a diuretic and a diaphoretic. Other uses for this medicinal plant include boils, rashes, bruises, burns, acne, ringworm and bites.

3. Pot Marigold
Pot Marigold can help heal bites, stings, sprains, sore eyes, wounds and even varicose veins. When taken internally, this medicinal plant can be used to treat chronic infections and fever.

4. Chamomile
Chamomile can help treat more than 100 separate ailments and conditions including the common cold, digestive problems, diarrhea, eczema, gastrointestinal conditions, toothache, earache, shoulder pain and basic wounds.

5. Echinacea
The legendary healing powers of the Echinacea plant make it a handy medicinal plant to include in the garden. It has a wide array of uses, including the treatment of sores, burns, wounds, allergy relief, insect bites, stings and snakebites. It also has the ability to help relieve allergies by strengthening the immune system.

6. Great Yellow Gentian
This medicinal plant is actually a bitter herb which is used in traditional medicine, and its main function includes the treatment of digestive problems. It also aids the relief of exhaustion from chronic diseases, by stimulating the gall bladder and liver while at the same time strengthening the body.

7. Tea Tree
Renown for its healing properties, tea tree oil comes from the leaves and twigs of the tea tree plant. It has a great many uses, including the treatment of acne, athlete’s foot, warts, insect bites, cold sores, minor burns, thrush and chronic fatigue syndrome.

8. Peppermint
The remedial properties of Peppermint have been well documented. Naturally rich in vitamins A and C and manganese, it helps reduce a number of symptoms including irritable bowel syndrome, upset stomachs, fevers, flatulence and spastic colon.

9. Ginseng
Ginseng is hugely popular in eastern countries but is being increasingly recognized in the UK for its ability to promote general health (instead of just being useful for a particular type of ailment.) It’s the root of the ginseng which is particularly useful in relaxing the nervous system. It also helps reduce cholesterol levels, improve your immune system and stamina, and helps treat lack of appetite and sleep disorders.

10. Sage
Sage is a great salve for insect bites, skin infections, gum infections and mouth infections. It can also help with indigestion, flatulence, depression and even menopausal problems.

Courting Kerb Appeal

2010-09-03T03:46:00.000-07:00

September often marks a window of opportunity in the property market, capitalizing on the period when the mayhem of summer is over and the chaos of Christmas still looms in the future. If you are thinking of putting your house on the market, remember the importance of ‘kerb appeal’ if you want your property to attract potential buyers.

Initial impressions really do matter so if the first feature that catches a prospective purchaser’s eye is an unkempt front garden, scruffy path and battered gate – there is a good chance they may just drive on! Property Ladder TV presenter Sarah Beeny advises "Imagine if the garden was over run with brambles and there was rubbish blocking the pathway. First impressions count for a lot. A bad appearance can do a lot of damage." It doesn't take a great deal of effort to change this though, Sarah suggests

"However small the space is, add some greenery. You don't need a big garden to plant a creeper, and houses look beautiful with plants trailing up them. And you can easily make window boxes yourself. Just paint a plastic planter and plant it with some draping ivy. Landscaped beds with colourful planting and box hedges set off the front of a house; or for smaller spaces, such as either side of the front door, think about investing in some planters with box topiary.”

Why not talk to a member of our design team to find out how you can enhance your property’s kerb appeal!

Back to School - Outside!

2010-08-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

Recent research commissioned by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has revealed that children attending schools that encouraged gardening became more resilient, confident and lived healthier lives. The study which involved 1300 teachers and 10 schools demonstrates the power of a school garden as an effective teaching tool (rather than viewing it merely as an extra curricular activity).

Researchers at the National Foundation for Educational Research found that teachers who used gardening as part of learning said it helped improve children’s readiness to learn. The report also revealed that the outdoor classroom encouraged children to become more active in solving problems as well as boosting literacy and numeracy skills. So if your child’s school doesn’t yet have a garden, perhaps it’s time to lobby for an outdoor classroom facility?

Style Counsel for the Garden

2010-08-26T05:08:00.000-07:00

Having your own personal wardrobe or colour consultant - – even your own personal interiors consultant have all become part and parcel of day to day living for our generation. Less familiar perhaps is the realisation that now you can apply that all important ‘professional styling expertise’ to your home’s exterior living space – the garden!

Speaking to a ‘garden stylist’ or garden designer will not only help to deliver the outdoor room of your dreams, it can also represent excellent value for money. For most people, the definition of a garden designer is someone who creates a detailed plan complete with planting recommendations, which will result in a total garden make-over. But whilst this is clearly a worthwhile investment, to many it is simply not an option, for a variety of reasons ranging from the overall cost of such a project, the imminent likelihood of a move or a feeling that you are merely improving a rented property for the landlord’s benefit. That said, the desire to spend time in a sleek and immaculately styled outdoor room dictates that even if you are not in the market for a complete re-design of the garden, you may still a need access to some immediate measures which can enhance your enjoyment of the unrivalled advantages of garden living.

A professional garden stylist can offer a fresh new perspective on your outdoor living zone, bringing a host of inspirational styling ideas all designed to offer designer kudos and most important of all - instant gratification! Delivering a splash of bold colour to a wall, adding a selection of super chic garden accessories, updating your garden furniture, creating a strong focal point with a smart water feature – these are just some of the suggestions that can transform a dull outside space into an inviting outdoor haven!

For more details of Lime Orchard’s Garden Stylist services:

Call us on 0845 5391467 or visit www.limeorchard.co.uk

Star Sign Style...

2010-08-02T04:13:00.000-07:00

Expert astrologer Russell Grant has used his unique powers to reveal what your garden says about you. The famous TV horoscoper has given his insight into what garden style is best suited to your individual star sign.

So for a full low down on the most harmonious choice of outdoor space according to your birth date read on …

Aries – You might put a lot of thought into the creation of your garden but you won’t want to feel committed to having to put constant and regular effort into looking after it

Taurus – You love nature and your garden is likely to be a wildlife haven, designed especially to attract a range of wildlife visitors

Gemini – Young at heart, the Gemini will have gnomes and leprechauns hiding behind bushes and animal statues in the most unexpected places

Cancer – There’s something homely and ancient about the Cancerian’s garden. It will feel as if it has been established for years, even if it was designed fairly recently

Leo – The Leo’s garden is likely to be full of colour and creativity. In the Spring, they will introduce new plants, enjoying the anticipation of what they might sprout into

Virgo – This is one of the earth signs and these people love nature but there is also a perfectionist side to their nature that suggests they prefer to see things tidy and in control

Libra – Libra loves beauty in all forms and there will be nothing ugly or overgrown here but there will be features that will provide year-round interest

Scorpio – The Scorpio loves perfection and that’s why there’s always something tidy and picture-perfect about their garden

Sagittarius – Just as the Sagittarian hates to be tamed or subdued, their gardens will be spacious and informal

Capricorn – There is likely to be a strong sense of traditional landscaping in the Capricorn’s garden

Aquarius – Rather than going for anything traditionalist or formal, Aquarius will delight in deconstructing old garden designs and ideas to experiment with new ones

Pisces – The Pisces garden will reflect their love of peace and tranquility. It will be a serene place where people will feel comfortable and at ease

Personally, we think you might be better off talking to the garden professionals to find out what type of garden is best suited to you and your family!

Holiday Friendly Gardens?

2010-07-20T07:54:00.000-07:00

As the peak holidaying season approaches those with high maintenance gardens will be tearing their hair out trying to come up with (cost friendly) solutions that ensure their garden’s holiday care plans don’t rival the cost of a further couple of days spent in paradise! Perhaps now is the time to consider putting in place a few low maintenance features which will alleviate some of the stress and strain of going away …

If you are unaffected by the hose-pipe bans coming in, an automated irrigation system is a god-send during the watering season. This makes light work of the endless chore of restoring moisture to baked soil; adding mulches to plant borders will do wonders to not only help retain moisture, but will also fend off unwanted weed growth minimizing the hours spent weeding - and some mulch materials can also serve as a dramatic style feature in their own right.

Replacing some of the grassed areas with hard landscaping (paving / decking / aggregate finishes) will naturally reduce the man hours spent mowing and if you invest in mowing strips, you can make the weekly mow-a-thon even quicker! If you are interested in down-sizing in terms of the labour of love required to maintain your outdoor room, why not speak to one of our Garden Designers to find out more about further low maintenance measures to incorporate in your outside space ….

Merging Indoor Living with Outdoor Living

2010-07-16T02:48:00.000-07:00

A recent article in The Independent drew attention to the number of hours we can sometimes spend choosing planting schemes and agonizing over paving materials for the garden, which is sometimes in sharp contrast to the lack of effort put into selecting the furniture which will adorn the outdoor room.

Given that a sizeable chunk of our well earned ‘garden’ down time is likely to entail eating, drinking or simply chilling, it seems ridiculous that we are content to compromise on such a significant detail. However, as the trend for outdoor living spaces continues to gather momentum, there is a growing body of designers who take pride in incorporating bespoke seating into their plans to achieve not only the delivery of a functional practical seating solution but to also provide a striking stylish focal point for the outside room.

Choice of material, colour and the all important comfort factor are important points to consider when reviewing built in seating options and in our wonderful British climate, it is also advisable to incorporate some easy to access storage options to house any cushions during the less sunny months! Speak to a member of our design team to find out more on this subject ….

Show Time Again for Lime Orchard!

2010-07-12T04:27:00.000-07:00

The 18th BBC Gardener’s World Live event last month proved to be a massive success for Lime Orchard with an endless stream of visitors to our small but perfectly formed Show feature exhibit which was an awarded an RHS Commendation (the highest accolade for this class of exhibit).

The compact but über chic space combined dramatic planting with cool sleek grey slate tiles and incorporated an innovative outdoor work space complete with a neat under storage solution.

WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO BBC GARDENER'S WORLD LIVE 2010

2010-06-11T02:32:00.000-07:00

Two winners will each receive a pair of tickets valid for any day at BBC Gardener's World Live, to be held at The NEC, Birmingham from Wed 16 - Sun 20 Jun 2010. The tickets, worth £21 each also included entry to the BBC Good Food Show, running at the same time.

Lime Orchard will be showing off its skills with it's outdoor exhibit 'Adding Designer Zing to the Garden'! Come and see us at BBC Gardener's World Live stand no. RHS12

To enter our free prize draw, simply complete the form below (Terms & Conditions apply - click here). The draw closes at 10.00 am on Tuesday 15th May 2010 and winners will be notified the same day by email.

Click here for the entry form (opens in new window)

Click here for more information about BBC Gardener's World Live

Football Fever Allows Women to get what they Really Want!

2010-06-10T05:28:00.000-07:00

As the nation prepares to sit back and watch the beautiful game for a whole month, this could be the perfect time for all ‘footie widows’ to cash in on the opportunity to get the garden looking great for summer. So whilst the man in your life lies slumped in front of the TV why not grab the chance to get to grips with the outdoor room? That way you can create the perfect environment for all those world cup celebration / commiseration parties!

Advances in outdoor living have made it possible to replicate pretty much all of the luxuries associated with the indoor living space – thus easing the way to creating the ultimate alfresco entertainment zone. Get your party rocking with a sophisticated outdoor sound system; warm up your guests with a cosy patio heater, chiminea or fire pit / brazier and light up the ‘room’ with simple tea lights or a bespoke outdoor lighting system. But regardless of the number of latest ‘cool’ features and gadgets you pack into your garden living room, your outside space will never fulfill its true potential if it lacks a basic design template.

A professional garden designer will help you maximize the opportunities in the area available, taking into consideration you / your family’s specific aesthetic as well as functional needs to deliver a totally bespoke solution. Investing in a professional design does not need to cost the earth, nor does all the work need to be completed in one hit. A reputable designer can help you identify your priorities for the garden and can produce a design blue print that – if necessary - can be completed in stages

HOT HOT HOT in the Garden this Summer!

2010-06-07T01:33:00.000-07:00

It’s been a long time coming - a whole 12 months, in fact - but it seems the country really is on course for a barbecue summer. And this prediction comes from a forecaster with a more reliable track record than the Met Office who famously told us to expect a 'barbecue summer' in 2009, which turned out to be so spectacularly wrong that it led to an embarrassed Met Office dropping long-term seasonal forecasts.

In fact, last summer was a washout, as correctly predicted by Positive Weather Solutions, which has 'out-forecast' the Met Office over the last two years with a string of accurate long-term predictions. And it is PWS that is confident that Britain will indeed see a barbecue summer this year commenting saying “there will be stifling temperatures, making it possibly the warmest UK summer on record and placing it at least in the top three warmest summers recorded”.

Armed with this knowledge, it may pay to consider some creative ways in which to inject some shade into the garden before the temperatures begin to rise and the heat is really on! Rustic pergolas boasting fragrant climbing roses or clematis; ultra chic modern sails; natural thatched sunshades and patio awnings are just some of the many options available. Why not talk to our Garden Design team to get the low down on the latest stylish shade solutions?

Garden Design. Planting Plans.Garden Build by Lime Orchard

Is Your Street Top of the Crops?

2010-06-01T03:18:00.000-07:00

The Horticultural Trades Association PlantforLife campaign has launched a new Neighbourhood Crop Swap initiative targeting the 67% of the nation who would like to do more gardening but don’t know where to begin. The new initiative aims to get streets in Britain growing, and most importantly, swapping their own fruit and vegetables. Neighbourhood Crop Swap is the first project of its kind and comes in light of new research from PlantforLife, which shows that the grow your own phenomenon in the UK has doubled with over half (54%) of UK gardeners now growing fruit and vegetables, compared to just a fifth two years ago.

Despite this trend, research shows 40% of people don’t think they have enough space to grow and a quarter remain clueless in terms of what they can grow. The Neighbourhood Crop Swap aims to encourage communities to work together helping them to enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables, regardless of the type of garden they have. Each household will grow two or three varieties which can then be swapped with neighbours, helping communities enjoy a variety of foods without the need for a lot of space.

To kick-start the launch of Neighbourhood Crop Swap, PlantforLife is running a pilot scheme with the budding gardeners of a street in Twickenham. Celebrity plants man Chris Collins will be working with the street, giving tips and expert advice showing, how with the right tools and know how, everyone and anyone can get planting. The whole nation will be able to monitor their progress too by logging on to www.plantforlife.info/cropswap to see pictures and video diaries from the street.
PlantforLife has also produced a handy Neighbourhood Crop Swap guide so communities up and down the country can get their new fruit and vegetable garden underway.

Log on to www.plantforlife.info/cropswap to download the free Neighbourhood Crop Swap guide.

Lime Orchard - Your Dream Garden Designed, Built, Planted

RHS Chelsea: Champion of the Show Circuit

2010-05-25T04:14:00.000-07:00

Marshalls Living Street, designed by Lime Orchard's Ian Dexter
- RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2009

With ticket selling out eleven days before the first open day for RHS members, this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show looks set to be a major success – and even the weather forecast looks positive!
Opposite ends of the same spectrum are being pushed to extremes at the 2010 event; bringing the great outdoors and plants galore inside whilst taking the indoors and all its home comforts outside into the garden.

Wet bars, showers and fire places in gardens as well as kitchens taken over by orchids, walls papered with artificial grass and a living office which boasts a computer fan powered propagator, these are among the ‘firsts’ to be celebrated at Chelsea this year, with designers really pushing the boundaries to integrate the indoors with the outdoors.

For those of you who didn’t manage to secure a ticket, beat the crowds and catch coverage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on BBC One and Two from Sunday 23rd May through to Sunday 30th May.

Lime Orchard - Your Dream Garden Designed, Built, Planted

Solar Decathlon - The Heat is on...

2010-05-07T04:53:00.000-07:00

Lime Orchard is delighted to be associated with Nottingham University’s entry in the Solar Decathlon 2010, which will be held in Madrid, in June. The 40 strong team of students from the University are representing Britain in the first ever Solar Decathlon Europe and are hoping their Nottingham H.O.U.S.E (a family home optimizing the use of solar energy) entry will beat off stiff competition from 19 other universities from across the globe.

Our very own Design Director, Ian Dexter has been working closely with Michelin-starred chef Sat Bains. Ian’s brief is to design a garden capable of delivering ecologically sourced food which will be used to create a memorable dining experience in the house, during the competition. Click Here for a video of the team's tasting at Restaurant Sat Bains.

Ian’s garden sets out to provide a mix of fruit and vegetables planted amongst soft grasses and flowering herbaceous plants. The long term aim of the resulting succesion of food crops is to help sustain the family who might live in the house designed by the students. Fragrances and textures also characterise the planting choice thus heightening the sensory interaction of the family to their living environment.

Visit http://www.nottinghamhouse.co.uk/ to follow the team's progress

Lime Orchard - Your Dream Garden Designed, Built, Planted

Summer = Al Fresco Entertainment

2010-05-03T00:12:00.000-07:00

We’re about to enter the season where your garden really comes into its own as a natural alfresco entertainment zone. Whether it’s a formal outdoor dinner party or simply an impromptu barbecue, a dedicated patio area is a must if you want to make the most of the warmer weather. With more and more of us looking to extend our living space, the garden has become a natural gathering place for friends and family, providing a spacious area for us to mingle and eat – without the hindrance of indoor walls!

Gone are the days when patios were simply a concreted block outside your kitchen, today’s stylish and ultra convenient outside eating spaces now go as far as boasting their own outdoor kitchens! Whereas once the outdoor entertainment zone might simply feature a barbecue, today’s more sophisticated alfresco kitchens might incorporate separate cooking and grilling areas, a wine cooler, specialist pizza oven and of course, a suite of outdoor furniture. Combine this with the latest garden lighting and heating innovations and a super cool sound system and you are likely to find yourself spending far more time outside than in (weather permitting of course) this summer. Why not speak to one of our Garden Designers to see how your garden can be transformed to enhance its outdoor entertainment credentials? Subscribe to Garden Living by Email

Lime Orchard - Your Dream Garden Designed, Built, Planted

Ditch the Daily Commute

2010-05-01T08:21:00.000-07:00

Whereas working from home used to be reserved for ‘mumpreneurs’ or retirees looking to make some extra money, this trend has been sharply reversed as more and more employers recognise the benefits of flexible working arrangements. If you are looking to reduce the commute to your office and have the opportunity to work full or part-time from home, or, if you are looking to launch your own business and don’t want to incur pricey office rental costs - or maybe you simply want to create a dedicated home office / craft project area distinct from your day to day living accommodation, then your outdoor space could provide the perfect solution.

With websites such as www.shedworking.co.uk delivering ‘a lifestyle guide for shed workers’ it is clear that the home working revolution has gathered momentum but today’s home offices are a million miles away from the poorly converted garden sheds of yesteryear. Although the garden office has been around for quite some time now, its basic designs have evolved considerably over recent years. Indeed, modern garden offices, offer attractive, fully functional and potentially lucrative additions to the home, equipped with solid walls, floors, cladding, electrics and even plumbing to provide a peaceful and pleasant environment for home workers. And don’t forget, it’s not just money that is saved by avoiding rising petrol / travel costs - you’ll also be doing your bit to save the planet by reducing your carbon footprint …
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Lime Orchard - Your Dream Garden Designed, Built, Planted

Lime Orchard on Show!

2010-04-27T02:05:00.000-07:00

The official RHS garden show calendar is about to kick off, with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show just a month away. This year Lime Orchard will be exhibiting at the BBC Gardeners’ World Live event which takes place 16-20th June at the NEC, Birmingham, attracting over 100,000 visitors. Our exhibit (pictured right) will be displayed in the smaller show feature gardens section and will clearly demonstrate the benefits of good design in a restricted area.

Recognising the growing trend for flexible working and the desire for a seamless trend from indoor to outdoor living, our garden will represent an inspirational and thoroughly innovative outdoor work space...

For details of tickets / how to get to the show visit http://www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com.

Great Gardens Add £££s to your Property

2010-04-23T02:40:00.000-07:00

As if we didn’t already know it, getting to grips with your outdoor room represents a worthwhile investment – and not just in terms of the enjoyment that you will derive from the project but also in relation to the £££s you will be adding to the value of your property. According to a survey of over 2,000 British homeowners commissioned by QVC, an untidy garden can knock as much as £5,000 off the price of a house and a massive two thirds of Brits are put off buying a house if the garden is unattractive. No surprise then that over 55% of house hunters reported that the state of the garden is as important as the inside of the house.

Features in the outdoor room which are deemed to add the most value to a property are privacy, ie a garden which offers sanctuary from the outside world, patios and a tiptop lawn. Interestingly, decking definitely got the thumbs down in the survey, with 50% of respondents claiming decking was an off-putting ‘garden gripe’. Lime Orchard - Your Dream Garden Designed, Built, Planted

Freedom for Kids!

2010-04-05T01:29:00.000-07:00

Last April, Natural England released research that revealed we are raising a generation of ‘cotton wool kids’ with fewer than 10% playing in woodlands, countryside and parks.

The same survey claimed that nature based activities such as pond dipping, climbing trees and playing conkers are enjoyed by children – that is when they are allowed to participate - and a whopping 81% of children wanted more freedom to play outdoors.

Given that 85% of adults agreed that they would like their children to play outside more often – with concerns relating to road safety and stranger danger holding them back, it seems the most sensible solution is to create a safe and secure outdoor play area within the confines of your property’s outside space. An appealing play area for children need not be at the expense of a stylish outdoor room but a well thought out garden design is a must to help you achieve that all important balance to maintain good family relations!

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Lime Orchard - Your Dream Garden Designed, Built, Planted

Invest in DFY!

2010-04-02T07:02:00.000-07:00

A new book by BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Joe Swift highlights the plight many city dwellers face when they embark upon a journey to secure their own slice of garden living, only to become quickly disappointed when their exclusive sanctuary fails to live up to expectations.

"City dwellers often pay a premium for a property with a garden, so that they can have access to their own highly prized 'private outdoors space'," says Swift. "Very quickly, however, most people become disillusioned, claiming that it's 'too much work', 'it's overlooked' or 'the kids have made it all muddy'. Their negative feelings lead to their garden becoming increasingly ignored and neglected”

In Joe’s Urban Garden Hand-book, he claims the real problem is a lack of motivation - and says, “who could blame those who've got a full-time job and don't have valuable time to spend on pruning and weeding”. Joe quickly quashes the view of the ‘keen gardener’ who can ‘get incredibly snooty” at the suggestion of paying an expert to help. Instead the author advises to call for assistance – a method that he describes as DFY (Done For You). This might involve “finding a tree surgeon, who can cut any existing planting into shape; or, employing a garden designer, who can oversee the project”. Joe continues “If the cost puts you off, bear in mind that any outlay is an investment and will most likely be repaid when you come to sell your property”.

We couldn’t agree with you more Joe!

Lime Orchard - Your Dream Garden Designed, Built, Planted

Solar Decathlon 2010

2010-03-31T08:17:00.000-07:00

Lime Orchard is proud to be associated with 'Nottingham H.O.U.S.E', Nottingham University's entry in the Solar Decathlon 2010, to be held in Madrid in June.

A 40 strong team of students from The University of Nottingham are representing Britain in the first ever Solar Decathlon Europe – an international house building competition featuring the very latest in sustainable solar architecture- which takes place in Madrid between June 18 and 27.

The Nottingham H.O.U.S.E (a family home optimising the use of solar energy) is competing against 19 other universities from across the world to design, build and test drive Europe’s most energy efficient home. Academics, researchers and students from the various disciplines in the Department of the Built Environment have partnered with a select group of industrial sponsors and specialist consultants to make the project possible.

The students are also working with award winning garden designer Ian Dexter from Lime Orchard and Michelin star Chef Sat Bains to provide and grow ecologically sourced food which will form part of the dining experience in the house during the competition in Spain

Nottingham HOUSE Website

Lime Orchard - Solar Decathlon Links

Future Perfect Furniture

2010-03-30T03:07:00.000-07:00

After the long hard winter we’ve just experienced (experts say this has been the coldest winter for over 30 years), the majority of the population couldn’t be more pleased that Spring has finally arrived. As the temperatures begin to creep up and the layers of extra clothing slowly diminish at long last we can look forward to the prospect of spending some quality time in the garden. So if you are hoping to get in some hard earned R&R in the outdoor room pretty soon you may be considering investing in some new garden furniture. To ensure your garden remains totally on trend, here’s the latest advice on the essential items tipped to cause a stir in the world of garden furniture this season:

Al fresco bistro! A bistro table is considered a garden must have. Ideal for a terrace, balcony, deck or right in the middle of the garden, a tiny bistro table is the perfect setting for morning coffee, an afternoon cup of tea, or a post work beer or glass of wine.

Bespoke style
Create some hand made furniture out of natural materials which will blend perfectly with your garden scenery. A bench made of giant pieces of stone, a stone that functions as a chair, a grass covered mound that provides an ideal spot to sit – these are all possibilities which can transform naturally occurring objects into an unusual furniture talking piece.

Wicker works
A huge trend in 2010 is the continuing popularity of all weather wicker furniture. One piece you may definitely want to add to your garden is the all weather wicker lounger or daybed (also known as all weather rattan furniture) for the ultimate in chill out luxury. Comfortable, light to handle and crafted in natural materials which fit so beautifully in the garden environment, wicker is a winner once again!

Mix it up
Several of the luxury garden furniture brands are introducing new ‘mixed material’ furniture. Companies are mixing it up by combining stainless steel with outdoor wicker, as well as stainless steel with granite or concrete. The result is a totally contemporary, uber chic collection that really takes the concept of bringing the indoors, outdoors to a new level.

Lime Orchard - Your Dream Garden Designed, Built, Planted

Tempted by our Free Taster?

2010-03-26T05:17:00.000-07:00

If you are unsure as to what a professional Garden Design could do for your outside space then here’s a chance to sneak a free taster of our service. Just visit the web site http://www.limeorchard.co.uk/free_garden_design_taster.htm and download the Lime Orchard Design Questionnaire. Fill out the form in as much detail as you can to convey your designer garden aspirations (you can even include inspirational pictures from magazines or other web sites) – a simple sketch with some basis measurements will help and you will also need to send in two photos which show your garden from different perspectives.

Send us the completed questionnaire – either be email or snail mail and a member of the team here will contact you within 3 working days to give you a real flavour of what could be done to create the dramatic outdoor room of your dreams.

Lime Orchard - Garden Design. Planting Plans. Garden Build

What's Hot and What's Not!

2010-03-04T02:12:00.000-08:00

Following the theme of trend forecasts, our very own garden trends commentator, Design Director Ian Dexter has some predictions of his own in terms of some top tips for what the best-dressed gardens will look like in 2010!

I want it now! : Society’s growing lust for instant gratification has been dubbed ‘nowism’ and this emerging trend will also be witnessed in the outdoor room. No longer willing to wait for nature to take its course, the modern homeowner is likely to seek out mature specimen trees to create immediate impact. Pleached tree screens, mature buxus balls and ‘to go’ established hedging are all rising in popularity and it seems that price is no barrier when it comes to fulfilling the desire for quick fix results.

Space aware: Gardens are not necessarily getting any bigger, and indeed with many urban based home owners looking to partake in a spot of ‘garden living’ despite the obvious restrictions which go hand in hand with city life, the optimum use of space is another popular theme for 2010. Espalier fruit trees which are trained to grow upwards rather than develop expansive branches to the side, are tipped to feature heavily this year as are living walls and living roofs. As well as the obvious aesthetic appeal, low maintenance living green roofs deliver additional environmental benefits such as reduced flooding, improved sound and heat insulation and the obvious provision of a wildlife friendly environment. Any flat roof or a roof with a slope of up to 45 degrees can be used to grow a fabulous range of sedum products or eco friendly wildflowers creating a dramatic roof top sensation.

Green, green, greener: As we’ve already heard the ‘go green’ trend is well and truly here to stay, so adopting environmentally friendly strategies in the garden is most definitely ‘in’. Prepare to see the use of eco-friendly and recycled materials, water harvesting, composting and an increasing reliance on solar energy all grow in popularity. In addition to this, there will be a ‘greener’ approach to selecting key features for the outdoor room. Modern, man made, synthetic features such as shade sails & stainless steel water features will be replaced by more natural looking elements such as pergolas shrouded in fragrant climbers and natural stone spill stones & drilled boulders.

Lime Orchard - Garden Design. Planting Plans. Garden Build

Blue is the Colour

2010-02-24T05:18:00.000-08:00

Well a turquoise shade of blue to be precise! If you want your garden to be bang on trend this year colour experts and trend houses are predicting turquoise as the key colour for 2010. Voted the official ‘colour of the year’ by Pantone – the world-renowned authority on colour - apparently turquoise will ‘transport us to an exciting tropical paradise while offering a sense of protection and healing in stressful times’. So even if your bank balance won’t allow for visiting tropical sunnier climes this year, all you need to do is introduce some splashes of turquoise into your outdoor room, sit back and prepare to feel the force of the tropics!

Lime Orchard - Garden Design. Planting Plans. Garden Build

GYO or GIY?

2010-02-19T01:19:00.000-08:00

You may be experiencing snow where you are but believe us, Spring is well and truly on its way and with it comes the anticipation of getting to spend more time in the outdoor room. And if findings from a recent survey by the Horticultural Trades Association are anything to go by, as a nation Brits are now spending more time in their gardens than they have over the past four years. The surge of interest in the ‘Grow your Own’ movement has undoubtedly played a role in increasing the overall appeal of the garden but there is also a general belief that younger people are ‘connecting’ more with the environment and reconsidering the value of gardening.

But it is not just the ‘grow your own’ revolution that is continuing to gather momentum. As a nation we are showing an increasing concern for waste or excess of any kind. This is probably due to the need for many of us to cut costs during the recession but the trend looks set to stay with us having become conditioned to thinking more carefully about our use of time, money and resources. With this in mind, the need to reduce carbon emissions, pollution and waste, alongside the growing call to action in relation to adopting recycling and reuse in the home has become the accepted norm. This trend translates into more consumers taking a wider interest in recycling and recycling products, the care of wildlife, biodiversity and a renewed interest in garden design and garden projects, arising in the birth of a whole new generation of ‘Green it Yourself’ consumers (GIY).

Lime Orchard - Garden Design. Planting Plans. Garden Build

Diary Dates 2010

2010-01-12T06:18:00.000-08:00

RHS Show Cardiff – 16-18 April 2010
Malvern Spring Gardening Show – 6-9 May 2010
RHS Chelsea Flower Show – 25-29 May 2010
BBC Gardeners’ World Live – 16-20 June 2010
Solar Decathlon - 18-27 June 2010
Hampton Court Palace Flower Show – 6-11 July 2010
RHS Show Tatton Park – 21-25 July 2010
Malvern Autumn Show – 25-26 September 2010

Beware Rogue Traders

2010-01-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has received a record 4,000 complaints about rogue traders – that’s 18% up on 2008 - representing a massive £8m cost to householders! The most common complaints related to dodgy driveways, rip off roofs and imperfect cavity wall insulation. The OFT is now launching a Your Doorstep, Your Decision campaign to help the general public steer clear of unscrupulous landscapers. The campaign advises householders that if they pay £35 or more for a service and sign a contract on the doorstep, traders legally must say they have seven days in which to cancel. Other advice includes not handing over a cash deposit, shopping around and getting a second opinion before letting work begin.

Get High from Green Living

2009-12-30T02:22:00.000-08:00

Why not transform that dull roof into something spectacular with a low maintenance living green roof that offers some really worthwhile environmental benefits? Now you can use your flat roof – or a roof with a slope of up to 45 degrees - to grow a fabulous range of sedum products or eco friendly wildflowers to create a dramatic roof top sensation.

With the increasing concern about the impact our development of the planet is having on the worldwide environment and the UK government calling for sustainable development, green roofs offer a number of benefits over more traditional forms of roofing, helping to meet sustainable development objectives:

Flooding floored
Following a heavy rainfall a green roof will initially retain more rain than a conventional roof. This minimises the initial heavy run-off, which can cause localised flooding and put pressure on the sewage system. The remaining water then drains off more slowly, allowing more rain to remain in the natural water cycle and less in the sewage system.

Ssh …
The soft layer of sedum blanket growing on a green will absorb sound, as opposed to hard conventional roofs which can reflect noise. The same layer improves the buildings sound insulation properties, reducing sound pollution within the building.

Thermal Insulation
The addition of a green roof layer to a property increases its thermal insulation properties, making it warmer in winter, cooler in summer and reducing those all important (and rising!) energy costs.

Home sweet home
Green roofs can help compensate for the loss of green surfaces, sacrificed to building developments. This helps to provide an environment for the development of wildlife, especially bird, plant and insect life, increasing the biodiversity in our towns and cities.

Canine Design!

2009-12-23T07:37:00.000-08:00

Julia Everett, the winner of our recent ‘win a £1000 garden design’ prize draw had an unusual motivation for wanting a garden transformation. One of the main issues associated with the current layout of her outdoor space related to Molly, Julia’s beloved rescue dog. Molly, a foxhound cross had been terribly abused by her previous owners and as a result, when she first came to Julia she was extremely timid and nervous. Three years on and after lavishing much TLC, Molly is now a boisterous, mischievous pooch, prone to leaping over the fence and any gaps in the hedge to pursue adventures beyond the safety of the garden! Julia’s main priority is for a design that is not only aesthetically pleasing but which also removes any opportunity for Molly to make a quick getaway! Watch this space!

Lime Orchard - Garden Design. Planting Plans. Garden Build

Alfresco Play

2009-12-04T03:50:00.000-08:00

With talk of Britain raising a generation of ‘cotton wool kids’ denied the pleasures of traditional outdoor play as a result of over anxious parents too scared to let their children out alone, the pressure is on to allow kids the opportunity to indulge in some traditional free play in the safety of the home garden.

The risk of a potential knock or fall in the garden pales into insignificance compared with the dangers or raising a child whose experiences are defined by websites and computer games. That said, there are definite guidelines to follow to limit the risk of an accident in the outdoor play room :

Play surfaces for gardens need to comply with safety standard EN1177, and basically this means that it should be self draining and non slip in order to do things like safely stop muddy patches under swings
Play equipment must satisfy the British Toy and Hobby Association to standard no EN71-8, which covers swings, slides, and similar activity toys for indoor and outdoor family use. If it does it will display the CE and Lion mark on it as an indication that it has passed the relevant stringent tests and is fit for purpose
It makes sense to create a dedicated children’s play zone rather than have activities taking place in the middle of your outside entertainment zone! Be sensitive to the need to provide shelter from the sun and also avoid placing any equipment close to walls or a concrete surface
As well as specific outdoor play equipment consider investing in some specially adapted outdoor games. Giant Pick Up Sticks, Giant Dominoes or the classic kids favourite board game Snakes and Ladders can all provide endless hours of fun

Shed Life!

2009-11-30T02:02:00.001-08:00

According to an article in the Guardian earlier this year, garden offices are cheap, chic, eco-friendly and above all, do away with the dreaded daily commute – so the trend for ‘shedworking’ is becoming increasingly commonplace. With more than 2.5 million businesses being run from home, the creation of a garden building represents the second most popular siting for a home office, although the spare room retain the no1 slot. Aside from the practical advantages of a garden based home office, the decision to invest in an alfresco work space can also add value to your property – up to 5% according to some experts - and installing an office in the garden is certainly far cheaper than buying a house with an extra room!

Garden offices can be home built, designed by an architect or purchased from the myriad of suppliers competing in this growing market. Latest models sport not only ultra chic and stylish designs, but also boast added green credentials such as power generation through solar panels in the roof and solar light generation.

Christmas Comes Early!

2009-11-24T05:05:00.001-08:00

Christmas has come early for North Lincolnshire based Julia Everett, who is the lucky winner of our free prize draw and receives a free garden design worth £1000 prvided by Lime Orchard’s own Chelsea Flower Show Medal-winning Design Director, Ian Dexter.

Commenting on the win Julia says "I can’t believe our luck, we've never won anything before! We’re all absolutely thrilled to bits and can’t wait to see the design! We have been in the house for 20 years but have some problem areas that a professional pair of eyes will really be able to sort out. We are looking forward to having our dream garden ready for the Spring”

Follow the progress of Juila's design in coming issues of Garden Living from Lime Orchard

No Need to Shop Until You Drop!

2009-11-06T08:36:00.001-08:00

Looking for stylish accessories to complement the outdoor room?

In search of original garden related Christmas gift ideas?

Then look no further, we’re delighted to announce the arrival of the Lime Orchard online shop http://www.limeorchard.co.uk/garden-gifts featuring beautiful hand picked items to add that all essential zing to any outdoor room setting.
As award winning garden designers, the team at Lime Orchard definitely has its finger on the pulse in terms of what’s hot and what’s not for the garden! Our range of chic accessories has been carefully selected to provide a super slick ‘garden styling’ service to complement Lime Orchard’s credentials as creators of dramatic outdoor rooms.

And with Christmas just around the corner don’t forget to visit the online shop here for inspiration when you’re on the hunt for gorgeous gifts for loved ones – far less stressful than traipsing around the stores in the busy run up to Christmas!

From cute kiddies garden pots to patchwork tools, indulgent pampering kits and stunning candle globe lighting, there’s something for everyone.

But if you simply can’t settle on a present idea online, don’t forget Lime Orchard gift vouchers which represent the ultimate lasting gift, available in a selection of denominations. Visit http://www.limeorchard.co.uk/garden-gifts

Happy shopping!
The Lime Orchard Team

On Your Marks, Get Decked!

2009-11-03T00:36:00.000-08:00

Even as the winter weather begins to set in, many of us still want to grab a slice of garden living on a daily basis. Few garden “accessories” boast decking’s immediate ability to so effectively extend your living area – quite literally creating an outdoor room which often seamlessly connects to your home’s interior – making decking the ultimate must-have for outdoor living enthusiasts. And if you have kids, it really pays to have somewhere they can let off steam but preferably without becoming covered head to toe in mud!

The appeal of decking lies in its flexibility to blend with a variety of garden types and designs - and at a budget to suit. From expansive elevated decks to the more intimate free standing island deck, there’s a whole host of decking options to choose

from each one providing a dramatic, stylish feature for your outdoor space that will last for years and years. If you’re entertaining the idea of having a deck installed in the garden, it is always worth talking to the professionals to ensure the agreed design meets with health and safety, as well as any necessary planning control and building regulations.

Contact Lime Orchard to arrange a dedicated discussion to cover the do’s and don’ts of successful decking!