Design Heights Ltd

Checklist ✅ Winter Garden Preparation Now... yes, this weekend, is a great time to tidy up your garden and prepare your outdoor space for winter. It will help ensure a healthy, flourishing garden in spring. Here's my quick checklist to help you along your way: ✅ Clear Leaves and Debris Rake up fallen leaves: Leaves can smother grass and plants if left to rot, add them to your compost heap. Leave any leaves on bare earth, unless there is any issue with disease and pests, as this creates habitat for wintering small animals and insects. Tidy borders: Cut back perennials that have died, leaving some grasses or seed heads that provide winter interest and food for birds. ✅ Prune Shrubs and Trees Prune deciduous trees and shrubs: Cut back any overgrown, damaged, or dead branches. Be cautious not to prune spring-flowering shrubs like forsythia, as you might remove next season’s buds. Trim evergreen hedges to keep them neat and ready for winter. ✅ Lawn Care Mow the lawn: Give it one of the last cuts of the season leaving it slightly longer than in summer. Aerate and scarify: If your lawn is compacted, use a garden fork to aerate the soil and rake to remove moss. Add autumn lawn feed: Apply an autumn-specific lawn feed to strengthen the grass roots for the cold months ahead. ✅ Plant Spring Bulbs Plant bulbs for spring: Late Autumn/early winter is the perfect time to plant daffodils, crocuses, tulips, and other spring-flowering bulbs. ✅ Mulch and Compost Mulch flower beds: Spread a layer of compost; leaf mould, or bark chips over your borders to protect the soil and plant roots from frost. Tend to the compost heap: Turn your compost pile to help with decomposition. ✅ Protect Plants from Frost Move tender plants indoors: Bring frost-sensitive plants like pelargoniums and begonias into a greenhouse or indoors before the first frost. Cover delicate plants: Use fleece or cloches to protect tender plants if they need to stay outside. ✅ Clean and Organise Tools Clean tools: Give your tools a thorough clean to remove soil and rust, sharpen blades and store in a shed or garage to protect them from the winter weather. ✅ Look After Wildlife Install bird feeders: Provide food for birds through winter with seeds, suet and water. Leave some areas untidy: Piles of leaves or logs can be left in a corner of the garden as shelter for hedgehogs, frogs, and other wildlife. Hey Presto - your garden is now Winter ready 🙌 OK it might take a couple of weekends! #WinterReadyGarden #WinterPreparation #BloomWithDesignHeights #BeckenhamGardenDesigner #GardeningLife #GardenBlog #DesignHeights #GardenLife

DOPAMINE DECORATING 😀 Dopamine decorating for your garden is all about transforming your outdoor space into a joyful, feel-good haven. Infuse it with vibrant colours, playful textures, and bold design choices that spark happiness every time you step outside. Let your garden be an extension of your personality and a place that uplifts your mood, no matter what time of year. We wrote a blog with advise on how to inject and plan out a colour scheme for you garden here: https://lnkd.in/eAfSksyR We can help you bring this vision to life with designs that make you smile 😀 #Dopamine #FeelGoodHaven #BloomWithDesignHeights #BeckenhamGardenDesigner #GardeningLife #GardenBlog #DesignHeights #GardenLife

Case study - Mid-Century Modern Garden This 1960’s property had recently undergone a sympathetic modern refurbishment and the clients were looking to update their garden in keeping with this modern aesthetic. Read the full story to find out how we approached the design; inconsideration of the garden’s aspect, soil type and requirement for year-round interest to fulfil the brief and compliment their beautiful home. Link: https://lnkd.in/eSqhGqat We have one space available this November, if you’re looking to have your garden completed for spring 2025 YOU MUST ACT NOW! DM me or make contact using the link https://lnkd.in/egTkDFY5 #CaseStudy #BloomWithDesignHeights #BeckenhamGardenDesigner #GardeningLife #GardenBlog #DesignHeights #GardenLife

Top 3 mistakes to avoid when designing your garden When designing a garden there are certain mistakes that can undermine its functionality, aesthetics, and maintenance. Here are the top 3 mistakes to avoid along with the suggested solutions: 1️⃣ Neglecting to Plan for Plant Growth and Spacing Mistake: Planting too closely or choosing plants without considering their mature size can lead to overcrowding, reduced airflow, and stunted growth. It also makes future maintenance difficult. Solution: Research the full growth potential of plants, including their height and spread, and leave adequate space for growth. This ensures a healthy, balanced garden in the long term. 2️⃣ Ignoring Sunlight and Soil Conditions Mistake: Placing plants in areas where they don’t get the right amount of light or aren’t suited for the soil type can lead to poor growth, disease, and frequent replacements. Solution: Analyse the sun exposure throughout the day in different areas of your garden and choose plants that match those conditions. Conduct a soil test to know its pH and texture, and select plants that thrive in those conditions. 3️⃣ Overcomplicating the Design Mistake: Incorporating too many elements, plant varieties, or design styles can create a cluttered look and make upkeep overwhelming. Solution: Keep the design simple and cohesive, using a limited palette of plants and materials that complement each other. Choose low-maintenance plants and focus on creating functional zones for relaxation or activities. Avoiding these mistakes will help create a garden that's visually appealing, easy to maintain, and sustainable. If you need help designing your garden get in touch using the contact form: https://lnkd.in/egTkDFY5 #GardenDesignMistakes #GardenDesignSolutions #BloomWithDesignHeights #BeckenhamGardenDesigner #GardeningLife #GardenBlog #DesignHeights #GardenLife

Revisiting this garden with our photographer and wow how has it grown 🙌 I am looking forward to coming back to plant bulbs and a bit of tweaking next month. The clients have been looking after it so well, so many things have grown to the max! 👀Look out for the case study next month once I’ve written it. #Visuals #Photographer #BloomWithDesignHeights #BeckenhamGardenDesigner #GardeningLife #GardenBlog #DesignHeights #GardenLife

I highly recommend Carole, she took our overgrown, unmanageable garden and created a perfect, low maintenance stylish space. Carole and her extended team were all polite and efficient. We are so happy with our new garden - Lara Lang Why not head over to our website and check out the case study: https://lnkd.in/e755e7JP #ClientTestimonial #HappyClients #BloomWithDesignHeights #BeckenhamGardenDesigner #GardeningLife #GardenBlog #DesignHeights #GardenLife

Autumn Pots & Planters Autumn gardening in pots and planters is a wonderful way to keep your outdoor space vibrant as the temperatures drop. While some summer plants fade, many others thrive in cooler conditions. Here's a guide to help you create beautiful autumn containers: 1. Choosing the Right Plants Autumn offers a range of hardy plants that can withstand cooler temperatures. Consider mixing flowering plants, ornamental grasses, and evergreen foliage for a dynamic look. 2. Arranging the Plants Use the "thriller, filler, spiller" technique for arranging plants in pots: Thriller: A tall, eye-catching plant (like ornamental grasses or snapdragons) in the center or back. Filler: Medium-sized plants that fill in the space around the thriller (such heuchera). Spiller: Plants that cascade over the sides (like ivy or trailing sedum). 3. Choosing the Right Pot Size: Opt for larger pots to give roots more room and insulation from cold weather. Material: Terra-cotta looks great but may crack in freezing temperatures, so consider using frost-resistant materials. 4. Soil and Fertilizer Use high-quality potting soil, not garden soil, which can become compacted in containers. Add slow-release fertilizer when planting. 5. Maintenance Tips Watering: As the weather cools, plants need less water. Water deeply but allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Make sure containers have proper drainage to avoid root rot. Mulching: Add a layer of mulch to the top of the soil to help retain moisture and insulate roots from sudden temperature drops. Frost Protection: Move containers to sheltered spots (like near a wall or under eaves) during particularly cold nights, or use frost covers if needed. Happy pot planting 😊 #PotsAndPlanters #BloomWithDesignHeights #BeckenhamGardenDesigner #GardeningLife #GardenBlog #DesignHeights #GardenLife

3 Ways to work with me in October: 🍂1 - Book a Site Consultation 🍂2 – Book a Design Makeover 🍂3 – Book a Plant Refresh #WaysToWorkWithMe #BloomWithDesignHeights #BeckenhamGardenDesigner #GardeningLife #GardenBlog #DesignHeights #GardenLife

Sustainable Family Garden This was such a fun brief as one of the owners was Finnish and wanted a garden that reminded her of the forest she grew up in. The clients also wanted to use sustainable materials wherever possible and most importantly the garden had to accommodate their baby daughters developing needs for discovery and creative play. Read the full case study to see how we transformed their plain featureless garden into a lush haven for wildlife and a place of adventure for their daughter: https://lnkd.in/eXVxCsX9 Later this month we will finally break-ground on their unusual front garden, I can’t wait to share it with you! #SustainableGarden #FamilyGarden #Transformation #BloomWithDesignHeights #BeckenhamGardenDesigner #GardeningLife #GardenBlog #DesignHeights #GardenLife

“One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides.” - W.E. Johns. Especially if like me you can’t remember where you planted some bulbs and perennials in your garden! 😉 William Earl Johns was an English First World War pilot, and writer of adventure stories, best known for creating the fictional air-adventurer ‘Biggles’. #GardenDesignQuotes #BloomWithDesignHeights #BeckenhamGardenDesigner #GardeningLife #GardenBlog #DesignHeights #GardenLife