In the last seven years over one and a quarter million new homes have been built. This represents around 5% of all the houses in this country. The real demand is for homes with gardens and there is increased demand for professional help in designing and constructing the new outdoor spaces. Today’s home owners have little time to dig and create so they consider that paying a professional is a good way to enjoy a good looking garden, with the added bonus of increasing the value of their property and contributing to the local biodiversity. There are some good designers in the area but a better bet is to use a designer who has an in house construction team. These are usually designers who have the experience of building the projects they design and are more practical than a designer who has no experience of the building techniques.

It is particularly important to create new refuges for wildlife as the old habitats are disappearing quickly. Birds can for example, be attracted by sensitive planting and the provision of water. Instead of looking at a bare fence why not cover it with a green coat. By planting a Pyracantha, Cotoneaster or Bramble you will provide good food for the birds and endless pleasure for you in the activity it creates. Michaelmas Daisy and Nasturtium attract butterflies. Insects are attracted by nectar sources such as Lavender, Buddleia, Thyme and Teasel. Of course there are hundreds of plants to attract wildlife and the pleasure this gives is unbelievable. You can provide seed and nuts etc. particularly important in winter but the most important requirement is that of water. A pond would be great but just a shallow bowl or bird- bath will have great benefit and bring in many visitors.

In the grand design of your garden, professionally built or a do-it-yourself job, it is important to include some hard landscaping, for example, a paved area to sit in, a focal point or feature to give the garden some interest and plants and features to make you want to be out there. Some beautiful gardens can be created without the need for high maintenance or high cost, do some research first and the results can be outstanding.

The government has recognised that homes and gardens can have a positive effect on people and the environment and has produced a code aimed at helping constructors to build more environmentally efficient homes. The code uses a rating system that evaluates energy efficiency, home composting facilities, ecological enhancement, rainwater collection and space for recyclable materials etc. the overall aim is to produce carbon neutral homes in the near future. Many of these features already exist in our gardens but are not really recognised. It does not necessarily cost a fortune to make your garden more environmentally friendly or, in fact, to improve the effect it can have on the quality of your leisure time. Spent a little time and thought, add a feature and a plant or two and you can make the world of difference to your Grand Design.

Colin Keast – Rock and Stone York Ltd