Ebanda's Handyman Services Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 The woods manageable though. Even if it isn't quite spot on, it simply looks more natural! Is the decking already there? If you are doing decking, surely you can add steps? Concrete is a bit more set in stone (so to speak). If its not done right, it looks squint and wrong. Are you planning it from scratch, or getting some sort of kit? A lot of decking kit includes steps with it does it not? I'm no expert in this though, I'm just a man with an angle grinder. The garden at the moment is grass and a shed! I'll give the steps a bash and post pics for your hilarity. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBairn Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 I think xbl is right. Wooden steps would look much more natural and would obviously blend in better with the decking and garden in general. Hows your garden coming along xbl? It was looking very nice the last I saw. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xbl Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 (edited) I think xbl is right. Wooden steps would look much more natural and would obviously blend in better with the decking and garden in general. Hows your garden coming along xbl? It was looking very nice the last I saw. I'm quite pleased with it! The Pansies have almost all come up really well, the grass looks alright, albeit still a bit bare, but I got a proper mower, so that should be kinder to it. The current annoyance is that the stuff in the greenhouse isn't coming up that well, but thats because slugs keep sneaking in, and I keep forgetting to water them. Still, I plan to put a couple more plants out at the weekend, and hopefully the other flowers will continue to grow. Oh, and its beautiful by night, all twinkly and colourful! Of course, its all ultimately for naught, my landlord is selling up, so I'm gone in the autumn. The garden at the moment is grass and a shed! I'll give the steps a bash and post pics for your hilarity. In that case, when you buy decking, you should be able to pick up the stuff for steps easily enough! For gods sake though, don't tell your wife you've changed your mind because some blokes on the internet said so! Edited May 12, 2010 by xbl 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pink Freud Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 Question - re bamboo, how does it get on in the shade? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBairn Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 I'm quite pleased with it! The Pansies have almost all come up really well, the grass looks alright, albeit still a bit bare, but I got a proper mower, so that should be kinder to it. The current annoyance is that the stuff in the greenhouse isn't coming up that well, but thats because slugs keep sneaking in, and I keep forgetting to water them. Still, I plan to put a couple more plants out at the weekend, and hopefully the other flowers will continue to grow. Oh, and its beautiful by night, all twinkly and colourful! Of course, its all ultimately for naught, my landlord is selling up, so I'm gone in the autumn. Yeah but its still worth it for the time youre currently spending there. And youll be able to take your experience on to the next garden you have 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBairn Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 Question - re bamboo, how does it get on in the shade? Bamboo is hardy as f**k. Itll be absolutely fine in shade. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBairn Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 For gods sake though, don't tell your wife you've changed your mind because some blokes on the internet said so! Yeah, that would go down well. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pink Freud Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 Bamboo is hardy as f**k. Itll be absolutely fine in shade. Excellent. I need a barrier from next door's weans, but I don't want to put in hedging or the like. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBairn Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 Excellent. I need a barrier from next door's weans, but I don't want to put in hedging or the like. Be careful what type you get. You dont want the type that spreads like crazy. Read up on the type you get before you buy it. Itll save hassle in the long run. Although if you dont have anything near where youre planting it, you should be ok with the spreading type. I had to remove some over the last year or so as it spread a good 8 foot and was sprouting in my veg patch. It was a nightmare to get out as it had travelled under a path which had to be ripped up to remove the roots. Sounds like youd be better with a 'clumping' bamboo which doesnt spread fast but creates a good barrier and if you plant enough itll make a good wind break or 'noise' break I really do lvoe bamboo. Its one of my favourite plants. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pink Freud Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 (edited) Be careful what type you get. You dont want the type that spreads like crazy. Read up on the type you get before you buy it. Itll save hassle in the long run. Although if you dont have anything near where youre planting it, you should be ok with the spreading type. I had to remove some over the last year or so as it spread a good 8 foot and was sprouting in my veg patch. It was a nightmare to get out as it had travelled under a path which had to be ripped up to remove the roots. Sounds like youd be better with a 'clumping' bamboo which doesnt spread fast but creates a good barrier and if you plant enough itll make a good wind break or 'noise' break I really do lvoe bamboo. Its one of my favourite plants. Cheers! been doing a bit of internet hunting and there seem to be several types that grow to about 2-4 meteres and clump. Thinking of combining a bed with this and some ferns. Any particular websites you'd recommend? keep it clean mind... Edited May 12, 2010 by Pink Freud 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBairn Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 Ive just ordered a rake of stuff from this website Garden Express It seems to be quite good and they have a cracking 'screen bamboo' called Pseudosasa japonica or Arrow Bamboo which looks like it would be perfect for what you need. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBairn Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 I also fancy getting these for the front garden http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/perennials/classid.3278/ I think the pic on the top right with the black and yellow perennials contrasting with each other looks great. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xbl Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 Yeah but its still worth it for the time youre currently spending there. And youll be able to take your experience on to the next garden you have Aye, I'm desperate to move into somewhere with a garden! I'm not at the state where I can by a house (hopefully in a year and a half's time!) so I just need somewhere to tide me over. I don't want a flat in the meantime though, gardening is pretty much my only hobby. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBairn Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 Bamboo arrived today so I potted them. Look good I also planted my tatties, 2 tomato plants, 1 green chili plant, 1 sweet chili plant and 1 japaleno plant (HEEHEE ) 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savagecabbage Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 First load of lettuce and radish picked today and eaten for dinner. Most stuff coming on great. Got celery, parsnips and carrots in the ground. Constant battle keeping the birds away from the blueberry bush,blackcurrants and rasps. the blighters even got under the netting. Is it just me or does there seem to be more cgarden pests? The slugs are kept at bay with the john smiths so far. Mice are being kept at bay with the trap. Got pumpkins and corgettes coming on great too but the butternut squash is proving difficult. all the dig in stuff has been sown. Asda has a good deal on 70l compost bags 2 for £6 and the stuffs okay. I seem to spend a fortune at garden centres these days. A lot of flowers from last year are coming on great like the dahlies and begonias. lavantara and cesonosis that i thought might be dead are coming back. Hanging baskets planted up too so looks like plenty of flowers and veg. Will need to get some pics taken,. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 Just about got the lawn back from the ravages of winter..Rhubarb is stunning, planted up my tubs will keep them under cover for another week methinks,god i am knackered. Oh and still at war with the local cats... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savagecabbage Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 Just about got the lawn back from the ravages of winter..Rhubarb is stunning, planted up my tubs will keep them under cover for another week methinks,god i am knackered. Oh and still at war with the local cats... cats hate getting scooshed by water. they also dont like lavender. Theres a spray you can buy that comes in a green container from garden centres that are quite good. i bought a few more tubs and troughs from homebase today for my carrots and beans and stuff. i dont have enough space for rhubarb but luckily my old man has some and is bringing it round. Rhubarb crumble 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reynard Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 We had some melon a few weeks ago and my daughter wanted to plant some seeds. So now we hae twelve melon plants in grow bags in the greenhouse. Hope they come to fruition as I love melon/s 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xbl Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Update! Day... Night! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perthshirebell Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Update! Day... Night! Good work, i have spent half of today planting, and constructing a bird table. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.