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

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

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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

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!

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.

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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!

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

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!

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!

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?

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!

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.

Contact us for more information

Kerb Appeal

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

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?

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

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?

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!

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

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

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?

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?

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

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!

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?

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.

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Edible Gardens

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!

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?