garden design

There is no escaping technology and today it has found its way into your garden as well. There are several kinds of accessories that you could use in your garden to make it an even more interesting experience. A bio-ethanol burner can easily be turned into a lighting source for your outdoor area. There are several versions that you can use, an open grate fire place, an enclosed square table and the like. All of these ensure a safe means of light in your garden and adds that touch of uniqueness.

You could also consider investing in an all-weather wicker furniture set. Here is a set of furniture, available in a range of shades and with that wicker finish that you love so much. You do not have to worry about it being in the sun or the rain because it is covered with a resin that allows it to handle the elements no matter how harsh they are. The best thing about such all-weather wicker furniture is that they come in a range of designs and so you never have to worry about not finding something to suit your décor.

For those who love to spend their spring and summer outdoors, a Terazzo table would be an excellent addition to your backyard. This is a stone table which can be opted for in similar seating arrangements as well. These stone tables are all-weather and you never have to worry about them being damaged out in the sun or snow. It is great for those early evening dinners or for those summer barbecues when the whole family gets together. Having one around also gives children another place to head to with their board games.

Solar garden lights are becoming increasingly popular among people who would like to have their outdoors nice and bright without the hassle of drawing power from the main grid lines. Once you install solar panels to the top of your home, you can be assured of a night’s worth of power with your solar garden lights. These come in different varieties to suit any place they are put in. You have different ones’ for the patio, the lawn, shrubs, water bodies etc. All of these can easily be installed and require minimum maintenance.

And for all those folks who love a good barbecue, the 4 burner gas barbecue, would be a perfect addition to your garden. Since it is based on gas, you do not have any worry of excessive smoke, over burning and the like. Having 4 burners will give you the advantage of controlling the heat. For a barbecue person, this could not be more important. 

Cadix garden furniture offers a range of products that can enhance the looks of your garden greatly. They are easily the biggest name in the UK when it comes to premium garden utility products that reflect your lifestyle.

If you are looking for some great earthy planters, Cadix planters will do fine with their coarse natural look. They are produced in lightweight concrete and are available in a variety of sizes and shapes to hold flowers and small ornate plants and shrubs. They are great garden items to contribute to the landscape design of your garden.

Cadix furniture is available in a broad range of designs and styles and is created to give your garden that improved, homely look at all times. The product list includes items such as patio sets, all weather resin Rattan weave articles, cast aluminium furniture, stone ceramic tops and resin weave items and garden accessories such as Parasols and Bases.

Perspective garden mirrors are available in beautifully designed frames of various materials and finishes. They can create space and light in the darker corners of your garden and will add more substance and character to the blank walls where you intend to use them. Another product that can enhance your garden is the mirrored windows with shutters. They are designed to reflect light into a dark corner and come in many shades and styles.

Garden wall art of reputable brands can be used to create an atmosphere that seems natural and serene. Wall art includes butterflies, sparkling dragons, and exciting and wholly natural looking bumble bees among others. There are other exciting wall pieces available such as terracotta items, fish wall art, floral designs and sun and moon wall art in a variety of sizes and styles.

Looking for a unique garden clock? Find some really innovatively designed clocks such as ones made of terracotta or even fossils. Even station clocks can be used to add a touch of elegance to your garden and make them look stylishly different. There are some unusual stone effect clocks also available that will blend perfectly with your garden settings.

Garden bamboo screening is the ideal decorative screen for your garden as it helps enhance your garden space and also provides that much needed privacy. The screen is prepared from best quality natural bamboos and can be easily attached to your existing fencing as an extension.

To give your garden that personal touch of your own you can bring in a premier barbeque which can be placed in a strategic location. Garden parties will never be the same again.

Looking for a post box to go with your home exterior? There are a host of options available to help you choose the best of the many varieties available. Modern day letter boxes are available in many styles and colors and serve people with diverse artistic interest and of course budget.

Modern post boxes are trendy, stylish and engineered to stop pilferage. They are sturdy, long lasting and aesthetic in their look and purpose. Stainless post boxes also provides the best service in terms of durability, function and affordability. Residential post boxes are available in many styles and cool colors. You are sure to find the perfect one for your home among the huge variety of collection available.

The steel post boxes are made from brushed, high quality stainless steel and can be accessed by key. There are top loading as well as side loading types available while all the varieties are weather resistant and rustproof. They can be wall mounted easily and come with one year warranty.

Are you looking for cheap post box models? Budget post boxes are now available in steel with a lot of color options. The features include name plate window and mail check window. They are designed to facilitate easy removal of contents from a side hinged door.

If you are in the market for an expensive designer post box, then there are some attractive options available. Stylish high end designer post boxes can be customized and made to match your exact specification. You are free to choose the styling and color and any additional features that you might like to have.

You can even order multi-occupancy post boxes now available from leading manufacturers of designer post boxes. Apartment post boxes made from high quality steel and a paint finish in a variety of colors are available from leading manufacturers. The flush designs allow multiple boxes to be fitted side by side easily or one below the other. Despite their close location, they allow easy removal of contents and are extremely convenient to use.

The letter boxes are weather proof and designed to withstand the British weather. There is no way your important mail will be damaged or affected by the damp English weather. You just have to make sure that you order your post box from reputable manufacturers. The best manufacturers will give you an extended warranty and the best prices.

UK Water Features has a huge range of garden summer essentials ranging from garden lighting, garden buildings, bbq's and water features. 

We are pleased to have the exclusive preview of the new fountain range for 2012 from Kelkay, the UK’s number one choice for resin garden water features.

The new range includes Traditional, Classic, Bronze Reflection, Natural, Contemporary and Statuary.

Favourites from the new range and predicated best sellers for 2012 include:

A new version of the popular Fluted Tier Fountain with a stone effect finish, two flowing tiers and built in white LED’s at the top where the water bubbles out from. This fountain is suited to a more traditional garden and when running creates the soothing sound of falling water. RRP £169.99 (On sale from January 2012).

The Tree Cascade is a very realistic looking tree crag style water feature with built in LED lights. This would suit a well planted garden and actually looks like it is carved from a large tree stump. Water falls from the top and flows down a couple of drops before entering the drop pool at the base. Enjoy at night with built in white low voltage LED lights. RRP £199.99 (On sale from January 2012).

Contemporary water features have proved popular this year and we predict this trend will continue into 2012 as people opt for low maintenance modern gardens. The Serenade Fountain has a sitting lady and a well thought out mixture of resin and stainless steel. The lady’s head offers reflections around the garden and built in LED lights where the water bubbles out a superb effect at night. If you’re looking to add peace and tranquillity to your garden next year the Serenade Fountain is the one we would recommend. RRP £199.99 (On sale from January 2012).

Continuing the modern contemporary theme Kelkay has added the Vision Fountain, Garden Spring, Inspiration Fountain and Spirit Fountain to their range. If you have a big enough garden why not build the whole set into your design! 

The Friendship Fountain has proved to be our best seller for the past two years so we are excited to see a new smaller version to the larger model. The Companion Fountain stands at just less than 80cm making this suitable for smaller gardens and patio areas. Just like the Friendship Fountain the Companion Fountain has built in low voltage halogen lights and is fully self-contained. RRP £149.99 (On sale from January 2012).

As always the new fountains are all fully self-contained and can be set up within minutes of removing from the box. All you need is included, just connect the pump and lights, add water and plug in. It really is that simple.

To view the full range of Kelkay Water Features, click here. 

UK Water Features has the largest range of indoor and outdoor garden water features.

Having a water feature in your garden can create a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere where you can sit and enjoy your lovely garden. If you are one of those hands on people, who prefer to get the satisfaction of starting from scratch on a project to achieve a sense of accomplishment with the outcome then creating your own water feature is actually not that tough.

The concept of flowing water transforms the ambience of a garden. It doesn't really matter where the source of the moving water is coming from this is all personal preference. Whether it’s a garden pond or a spectacular flowing cascade water feature, the end result is the actual the sight and sound of flowing water that provides triggers a response of our senses. An important factor to consider is the actual placing of the water feature as once it is placed and water is flowing, you really do not want to be moving it around all that much. A couple of perfect ideas to consider are areas of your garden that is partially shaded, sheltered from wind and of course where the water feature can be appreciated by yourself and others.

What you need?

All in all it is actually quite simple and there is no need for you to be a garden designer or some sort of water feature specialist in order to construct. All recycling water features, i.e. those that circulate their own water feature. As with many self contained water features that recycle from a reservoir via a pump through a decorative feature, they are actually mostly constructed in a similar way whether they be freestanding, flush with the ground or even a wall-mounted feature.

To create a basic garden water feature of your very own the essential building kits consists of: a reservoir, which is filled with water; a submersible pond pump (plus attachments if you are creating a fountain effect). Obviously you’ll also need some sort of tools for digging out the hole (if the reservoir is below ground), and a spout with extra hose if the out-flow is elevated above the reservoir, and a nearby electricity supply.

A note to remember is that even though the submersible pump recycles water, the reservoir will need topping up every now and then (especially during days of warm or windy weather). Water features generally use pumps which run off low-voltage electricity. Remember though that they all need to be plugged in in-doors and always use a residual circuit breaker (RCB).

It is possible to create a simple water feature with a small budget. So unless you are thinking of creating a luxurious cascade water feature with expensive rocks or millstones then this may be a double if not more. To keep things simple, here is a shopping list to create a lovely yet simple water feature in your garden.

�� Small pump
�� Butyl pond liner and reservoir tank or pebble-pool reservoir
�� Steel mesh
�� Cobbles

First dig in your reservoir.

Next cover the reservoir with heavy gauge steel mesh and supporting timber if needed.

Attach a pipe to the outlet of the pump, and pass it through the mesh to the fountain head.

Position the head and arrange some stones so that the head is held in place and can’t be seen.

The flow rate will need to be adjusted by a valve on the outlet pipe of the pond pump so that water sprays out of the fountain, washes over the stones and back into the reservoir.

To build a raised water feature could potentially be a little more expensive depending on the actual fountain head that you decide on. This kind of water feature could also be constructed in a day. To construct a raised water feature you will need:

�� Medium-sized pump
�� Reservoir tank
�� Steel mesh
�� Fountain head
�� Cobbles
�� Length of hose

In order to construct this kind of water feature the reservoir needs to be big enough/deep enough to hold water feature pump. If free-standing, you could choose an attractive container such as a water tank or large ceramic pot. If not then it can be concealed behind a low wall or behind an arrangement of flowers

Place the new water feature pump in the tank and attach a long piece of flexible hose to the outlet pipe.

Cover the tank with a piece of steel mesh and thread the hose through it. (Same as before)

Then run the flexible hose up to the fountain head.

Disguise the pipe work by running it behind a batten attached to a fence post.

If the water feature is built against a wall, embed it into the brickwork.

Cover the steel mesh with a layer of decorative garden pebbles.

Adjust the flow rate so that water sprays/flows into the reservoir.

Choosing the correct pump really depends on what your intentions are. With such a wide range of water feature pumps available, it will certainly be to your benefit to doing a little research on which pump will suit your water feature.

One final note, as we know water and electricity are a potentially lethal combination, so when conecting our new feature to the mains don't forget to make sure that any mains supply to the garden is protected by an RCD, preferably at the house fuse box.

Sit back, admire your new water feature and relax in your garden. Job well done!

UK Water Features has a huge range of garden summer essentials ranging from garden lighting, garden buildings, bbq's and water features. 

If you are looking to add a little extra to your garden or patio area this summer then why not add some beautiful decorative garden aggregates to a flower bed or at the base of a garden water feature. These simple additions really do add so much to a small space. Simply enhancing the base of water feature for example with some decorative chippings or garden pebbles add to the overall look of the feature and help to bring out its natural beauty.

Kelkay is one of, if not the most respected name in garden features. With so much on offer, such as garden fountains, water features, decorative garden ornaments they now offer a wide range of decorative garden aggregates that are suitable for paths, driveways, ground cover, mulch, most ponds and water features, where specified by the fish friendly logo.

It really does not matter what you do in your garden, nor do in your garden looks like one thing for sure is that the addition of small and simple additions such as placing a garden aggregates in a patch of your garden certainly adds to the overall effect. The addition of decorative garden aggregates is a favourite amongst professional garden designers and is sometimes the considered to be the last touch to complete a garden.

UK Water Features has a huge range of garden summer essentials ranging from garden lighting, garden buildings, bbq's and water features. 

By now we all know that adding a water feature to our gardens dramatically enhances the overall look and feel of the garden. Now many water features are coming with built in lights. Simply by placing one or two LED lights inside the water feature offer you a new world of exciting shadows and reflections from a once dim and glum corner of your garden.

   Garden water features with lights are a perfect addition to an area of your  garden that tends to lack a little light at night. Simply by placing the water  feature in the desired corner will dramatically enhance the effect the water  feature has on your garden. Most lit water features are provided with a low  voltage LED or hologen bulbs that offer the perfect amount of light to bounce off  the shimmering water to create a very unique effect.

 What is the difference between LED and Halogen bulbs?

 In all fairness there is not that much of a difference between the two. LED (light  emmiting diode) lights produce light when an electrical current is run in an arc  pattern between two electrodes. Halogen lights produce light by heating up a  tungsten filament. That is probably the bigest difference between the two. LED  lights will gernerally last much longer than halogen lights. Halogen lights typically last for anywhere between 2,000 and 6,000 hours. Finally, halogen bulbs tend to be a little less expensive. Something to consider when deciding on which of the two.

All water features are child safe so there is no need to worry about the little ones. If you are sat there thinking that the addition of all this lighting to a water feature must mean that the install is going to be a nightmare..well no, not really. The install is so simple and in fact is no different to a regular watefeature without any lights. You simply unpack the water feature, remove the packaging, place it where you feel you will get the most satisfaction or where you feel that it will complement your garden the most, run a wire to the mains, plug in and enjoy a beautifully lit garden water feature.

Some of the more popular garden water features with interior lights are the Friendship Fountain, the Harmony Fountain and the Arched column Bowls all by Kelkay. These water features offer the perfect amount of light to complement any garden.

UK Water Features has over 3500 products online, with over 1000 water features. 

This year’s Chelsea Flower Show has gotten off to a great start. Yesterday was opening day at the show and while many of us sat and watched the event on the television there were some lucky people who were able to get their hands on some tickets for the event. It was nice to see that for the 9th year in a row, Yorkshire was represented as one of the featured gardens.

'The Leeds Garden' was on show down in London yesterday and attracted thousands of spectators who were influenced by this magnificent garden design.

Description of garden

A slice of Yorkshire in Chelsea, a stone mill house complete with waterwheel is surrounded by semi-naturalistic planting, evoking old industrial Leeds. With areas of dry and damp shade the planting is more tamed and 'gardened' close to the building and, as you get further away, increasingly wild containing native species which will support local flora and fauna. An old boundary wall with ferns tucked into the stonework and large loniceras cloaking other boundary surfaces make this an intimate space which appears to have been here for years and that's Martin's aim, through sound, sight and scent, to create an atmosphere of days gone by. However it's not just looking to the past when the power of water built cities like Leeds, but also the future and water's potential role in the supply of sustainable energy.-BBC

The designer of the garden was influenced with his deisgn by the his love for his home town and heritage. Watermills were directly referenced as reference point for the design. The use of the watermill is a fantastic idea to create a unique water feature within this creative garden design.

List of plants planned to feature in garden

Geranium robertianum - Herb robert

Geranium macrorrhizum - Big-root Crane's bill

Menyanthes trifoliata - Bogbean

Myosotis scorpioides - Water forget-me-not

Primula bulleyana - Bulley's primrose (candelabra primulas)

Crataegus monogyna - Hawthorn

Acer campestre - Field maple

Alchemilla mollis - Lady's mantle

Lychnis flos-cuculi 'White Robin'

Thuja plicata - western red cedar

Viburnum opulus - guelder rose

Everyone here at UK Water Features wishes Paul Ackroyd and Martin Walker the designers of the Leeds Garden this year at the Chelsea Flower Show the best of luck.

Today sees the offical start of the Chelsea Flower Show (24th-28th May). It is a highly significant event in the gardening world where millions of people come together for 5 days to both celebrate the highest quality horticulture and view some of the amazing gardens and features that are on display. Hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in the grounds of the Rotal Hospital Chelsea in London, it is widly considered to be the most famous show in the United Kingdom, infact it could possibly be the most famous gardening event across the globe. The event plays a crucial role for the social scene throughout London and is hugely anticipated throughout the year.

With the show being such a large event, there are many designated areas of interest. One of the more popular parts of the Chelsea Flower show include the 'show gardens' which are designed entirely by some of the top names in the garden design industry. This year sees several of the 'show gardens' featuring various water features. A popular trend this year seems to be in the inclusion of stainless steel water feature. The event really is great time of the year for both spectators and businesses. While it is a ticket only event the BBC televise the entire show for the enjoyment of the garden fanatics who prefer to enjoy the event from the comfort of their own home. It certainly will be very interesting to see how the week unfolds.

The programming time are as follows:

Evening programmes
Sunday 22 May 18:15 - 19:00 on BBC One
Monday 23 May 19:30 - 20:00 on BBC One and 20:00 - 21:00 on BBC Two
Tuesday 24 May 20:00 - 21:00 on BBC Two
Wednesday 25 May 20:30 - 22:00 on BBC Two
Thursday 26 May 20:00 - 21:00 on BBC Two
Friday 27 May 20:00 - 21:30 on BBC Two
Saturday 28 May 19:30 - 20:00 on BBC Two
Sunday 29 May TBC on BBC One

Daytime programmes
Monday 23 - Friday 27 May 2011 12:30 - 13:00 on BBC One

The sound of flowing water can be a very relaxing and mellow sound for many. For some people the sound of flowing water can trigger a childhood memory or a favourite sound from the past. When we sit there and relax to the sound of flowing water, we can think back to sitting on a beach listening to the ocean, or sat relaxing in the countryside by a slow flowing stream. It is possible to re-create these sounds with water features that are simple plug and admire features or straight from the box. However, with the advances in modern technology, we can now re-create a much more realistic and personal water feature experience with custom built water features.

The beauty of a custom built water feature in your garden is that it is suitable for all budgets. It is possible to have a magnificent looking custom built water feature even on a smaller budget. When all said and done, the idea of a custom water feature is to be completely unique and personal. You basically can create a water feature the way you want it. Custom built water features are also perfect for garden designs, restaurants, office space and building projects.

When starting from scratch is a good rule of thumb to determine our overall budget for the project. Weigh up the list of items that you are going to be needing to create your water feature. For example, you will need a good quality water pump, basin materials such as plastic tubs, buckets, stoneware or the whole kit which includes the statuary and pump. It may also be worth considering a pump with adjustable water flow. As you can see there is a wide range of choice and it all depends on your overall budget and what it is that you want your water feature to do.

For a lot of people, the simple out of the box water features is exactly what they are looking for. After all these water features are simple to install, require minimal time and effort you are able to visually see the water feature prior to installing it. However, there are some people who prefer to be unique. They prefer to have a water feature that holds a personal touch or personal connection. Purchasing the parts one by one to create that unique water feature can be a fun and fulfilling experience. To see the final outcome of their perfect water feature will certainly provide them with a great sense of achievement.

Once your water feature is up and running you may want to consider decorating around the feature to hide any sort of working parts from the human eye. Adding a few garden ornaments or statuary to hide working parts is a simple yet very effective tip. Then you can just sit back and enjoy your new custom built focal point in your garden.

Proud of your home or garden features? Then then this months monthly prize draw is a great chance for you to show everyone all your hard work.  There is a crate of wine available to the lucky winner this month.  

If you would like to be automatically entered into our monthly prize draw then please send over a picture of our water features, garden ornaments or any other features that you feel are prize winning placements in your home or garden.

Send an Email to us with your pictures, follow us on Facebook and post your pictures to our wall or follow us on Twitter and tweet your pictures to us.

The winner will be announced at the end of the month, good luck to you all!

Adding paved areas to your garden area will enhance its appearance and reduce maintenance. The paved area will not need to be weeded and watered, just swept as needed. If the paved area installation is well done, you will not need to repair or replace it for twenty or thirty years.

The size of your garden and how you want to use it will guide your decisions. Do you want a paved path meandering through the garden, a paved patio area for entertaining or perhaps, you would like to pave the whole area, very low maintenance, and add large container gardens for color.

Once you have decided on the use, you will find paving materials and aggregates in many different colours and shapes available in concrete, cobbles, brick and natural stone. Concrete is the least expensive choice; stone the best choice for a natural look.

Material chosen; plan your design. A small garden with a pond or fountain as a focal point, small areas devoted to greenery and flowers and a patio covering the rest of the space, with perhaps a garden table and chairs and some pots filled with seasonal flowers placed about, would be lovely.

A large garden could be divided into different areas; an entertaining area, children play area, lawn and flower gardens and a kitchen garden, all with a unifying theme, are a few suggestions.

Many people enjoy the exercise and fresh air that an outdoor garden affords. And the rewards for such efforts are the peaceful greens of foliage and the myriad pleasing colours of flowers. But whether you have acres of garden or a tiny cottage patch of flowers, there are always those pesky weeds with which to contend. Rock aggregates are the perfect way to keep weeds down and accent your favourite garden plants at the same time.

While there are many types of mulches available on the market, rock aggregates are becoming more and more popular with gardeners these days. Small stones, pebbles, gravel for walkways and larger stones are available, as well, for accent pieces in and around the garden pond. Every colour of rock is available to enhance the colour of the plants you have chosen for your plantings. Rock aggregates can also be used as paving stones as edging for flower beds or as paving stones for pathways. And crushed rock and crushed glass of many colours will add a touch of class to your outdoor garden scheme. Unlike mulch, rock aggregate materials do not need to be replaced as often, and do not biodegrade as quickly as mulch.

Nothing beats rock aggregate for a low maintenance garden as a mulch, path or basis for a garden pond.

UK Water Features - UK's leading water feature and garden supply website

Stainless steel is a practical and beautiful material for garden water features. It is durable, easy to clean, and resists algae growth. Stainless steel is much easier to clean than traditional concrete, which both algae and moss tend to grow on. It is so much more enjoyable to spend countless hours walking in your garden viewing stainless steel water features than it is to spend all your time cleaning stone and concrete water features with brushes.

The beauty of stainless steel is in its reflective shimmering quality which is brought out by the shimmering water flowing over its surface. Wet stainless sparkles in the sun, and reflects the shapes and colours around it, with a glorious brightness and lustre. Stainless steel water features can be exceptionally beautiful, in a contemporary garden.

Stainless water features comes in a variety of finishes, styles and sizes. Orbs and cylinders are very popular forms, but there are also basins with spray founts, series of bowls and basins, and even cubes. Freeform modern stainless sculptures are an attractive alternative as well.

Some stainless steel water features can be placed in small ponds while others are free standing and self contained. Stainless Steel water features can be placed in stainless steel reservoirs and pebble grids, to help keep your garden clean and tidy. When the garden is not in use, stainless steel water feature pumps can be shut off by remote control, to avoid wasting power.

There are few events more exciting for a gardener than the Chelsea Flower Show. Where else can you go to one place and see thousands of beautiful, perfectly maintained flowers and plants? It is impossible for any gardener to go to the Chelsea Flower Show and not walk away feeling more inspired and ready to improve perk up their personal garden.

For those not familiar, the Chelsea Flower Show, officially The Great Spring Show is a yearly event held over the course of 5 days held by the Royal Horticulture Society and located in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in Chelsea, London. The Chelsea Flower show is a sight to see with vibrant coloured flowers, stunning landscaping and lovely planting. It attracts over 150.000 visitors that come to soak up inspiration and take home ideas for their own garden.

The 2010 winner of the Best Courtyard Garden was ‘Music On The Moors’ exhibited by the Two Moors Festival and was the perfect balance between nature and landscaping.  There was a fantastic water feature representing a trickling stream that was flowing over a beautiful piece of Dartmoor granite into a pool. Christina Williams, who designed the garden, described how the sound of the water was a metaphor for music and features heavily in the mood of her garden. The serene and tranquil ambience created in this courtyard garden must have worked for the judges to receive the gold award. 

With cold temperatures and the snow of winter, are you looking ahead to spring and planning your garden? If so here are a few great tips on how to make it beautiful and be the envy of your neighbours. Gardens need to look great and provide serenity to those who enjoy the outdoors when it is warm. This is where adding a water feature to your gardens come in handy.

A water garden surrounded by landscaping timbers and flowers gives off a feeling of being somewhere exotic if landscaped the right way. Gardeners can replicate waterfalls by building up their land so that the water cascades like a real waterfall. Add a few different colour water lights underneath and surrounding the bottom of the pond where the water flows down to is a great idea. Have a patio area set up nearby and you can have cookout at night or just sit out under the stars and enjoy friends and family.

Along with your waterfall garden, you should plant lots of water flowers and plants to accent the look you are trying to achieve with your garden. Place a few outdoor candles along side of the pond and light them at night to add extra glow and give your garden the feeling of being on holiday all year round.

There are many ways to decorate your garden in the spring, but none is better than having a water garden to adore through the warmer months.

UKWaterFeatures.com offer ideas on garden design and landscaping and sell the UK's largest range of water featues and garden products

If your garden needs a little something extra to spice up its appearance, consider the possibilities of a cheap and really beautiful water feature. For just a little money you could add a peaceful and calming water feature to your garden and exponentially enhance its appearance.

One really common and easy way to do this is by incorporating an old wooden barrel or a retired garden pot. Most gardeners have access to some decent sized gardening pots and could easily use one of these. If you’re interested in a something a little larger and maybe more unique, try to get your hands on an old wooden barrel; most wineries sell these or you can look online to see where a cheap one might be in your area, click here for a range of oak water features.

Recycling an old wooden barrel or garden pot to make a water feature is easier than you think. The first thing you'll need to make sure of is that your barrel or pot is water tight. A wooden barrel will need to be lined with plastic or sealed at each of its seams with epoxy or melted wax, and most pots will only need their drainage hole plugged. Find a nice pump and faucet and attach them accordingly to your barrel or pot. After filling the container with water, plug in your pump and enjoy the heightened ambiance of your transformed garden.

UK Water Features are specialists in water features, fountains and garden furniture

There are certain things that take an outdoor space up to the next level, and a water feature is definitely one of them.

Landscaping companies are more than aware of the perks of a water feature and charge a small fortune for their services. However, it's more than possible for a handy homeowner to build their own bespoke water feature themselves for a fraction of the price.

There are a variety of kits available locally and online, but it's also possible to build a water feature with little more than a basic pump and some other simple supplies.

A water feature consists of a water tight base to hold the water, a pump and hoses for movement and circulation, and rocks, a sculpture or shells for the water to flow over.

Select an optimal spot in the garden. Dig out a bed for the water tight container. Line the hole with liner and insert the container. It should be snug. Arrange the rocks and tubing throughout, creating a pleasing structure. Silicone caulking works well to secure the tubing. When caulking is dry, submerge the pump and hook up the tubing. You now have your own bespoke water feature.

Choose decorative rocks or a sculpture that appeals to you and you will create a work of art that is uniquely yours.

Right now is an excellent time for planning the garden for a new season. While the days are shorter and the weather is cold and wintry, those who love to garden can be doing some dreaming about next year, and getting ideas for items they wish to add. Perhaps a lovely water feature could be chosen and some further landscaping to make the outdoor space more inviting, but it is important to think ahead and plan for spring.

Garden water features vary in design style and function. There could be a small fountain or a pond, but should it be naturalistic or art deco? For the private residence or business, a bit of water gurgling and overflowing into a small pool is so refreshing on those warm spring and summer days. A few well chosen rocks or a rock wall retaining the pool might be desired.

Of course, it is wise to take time when planning a water feature because there are several things to consider like how much space in the yard should be devoted, or just how the pond should lie. Maybe a narrow, disappearing stream would be better than a contained pool. The drainage could be an issue. There are professionals available for advice. Still, fountains and ponds can be inexpensive and yet fabulous additions to gardens.

Maintaining water features throughout the year with the change in weather and season is challenging task. Water can soon get clogged up. It is important to maintain your landscape water element properly for its running. There can be countless problems that can be a result of water features, especially when someone utilizes dirty or contaminated water. Special measures should be taken to solve problem and to avoid trouble.

Basically, two types of algae, string algae and notorious plankton algae affect the pond by making its water green. Sunlight and nutrition are two factors behind their growth. Providing shade to the pond by using above or besides the growth of plant can provide cover to the surface and reduces sunlight to get into it. Use of these covers can stop sun light to get into and thus reduces algae growth. Cleaning of the water timely will reduce the presence of nutrients.

Winter protection covers for fountains are available for outdoor fountains and in ground swimming pool. These covers help to protect these pools from the effect of cruel weather. They are made up of durable material and also have additional feature such as weather resistant surface coating which increases their durability and strength. Algae stopper anti algae treatments are very effective in reducing algae growth. Fountain cleaning products prolong the cleaning period of the fountain and ponds and make cleaning faster to provide fresh water.

If you are looking for the ideal Christmas gift for everyone on your list, check out indoor water features. They are inexpensive and very relaxing for anyone. It is very economical in energy use and takes very little water to make a wonderful focus point in any décor. You can find them at most stores for the home or the office.

For the office water choose a small water fountain with a single plant. It provides a living, moving flow in an environment without natural light. Most office buildings have so many employees, that a desk can be a long distance from the nearest window. A water feature provides a relaxation for the eyes when taken from a computer screen.

If you are looking for a gift for your teenage girl, choose one with fantasy characters or cute animals. The water provides a continuing sound of relaxation so she can focus on homework, solutions to problems or just something fun to break that mood of bored to tears that teens seem to go through.

For the adult you can find water features that will match décor. Check with us for a great range of indoor features. Use a colour theme such as blues and grey to fit any décor or search out something in all black or with lights for a change to the décor already in place.

Winter is here, but that doesn't mean your garden has to suffer. In addition to caring for your plants and maintaining the landscape, you can add any number of festive touches to make your garden a true winter wonderland in time for the holiday season.

For example, you can't go wrong with Christmas imagery. Sledges and bright lights make wonderful decorations that can be arranged around your plants or plant posts without harming the health of your garden. If you have anything sturdy and durable, a little red ribbon won't hurt their survival.

You could also try planting something new, something festive. Berried bushes can make a delightful addition to larger gardens, especially holly - holly leaves won't lose their colour even in the dead of winter, making a beautiful contrast to snowy lawns.

If you feel like planning ahead for the years to come, think about re-planting your very own Christmas tree. The average evergreen can add eight to ten inches per year. Just make sure local weather conditions are conductive to their growth.

As long as you take care of your plants, maintain good gardening habits - and don't let neglect working outside just because it gets cold! - There’s no reason why your garden can't shine just as well in winter months as the height of summer.

Every Christmas I go all out on decorations for inside my home. I have the biggest tree and the best stockings. However, this year I realised that in my Christmas frenzy I have neglected my garden.

This is why I have decided that my outdoor space deserves the very best outside Christmas lights decorations. I started deciding on the colour scheme of red and white. I bought bunches of red and white twinkling lights and wrapped my porch and gutters with them. I then found some beautiful Moravian Stars in white and hung those from the tree that overlooked my nativity scene.

I also bought a light up reindeer light display, light up bear and a light up topiary of Santa's sleigh. I also bought some red and white light up stakes that line the walk way up to my house. They are in a ball shape and really let off a lovely light at night. My final purchase was this beautiful 5 foot tall light up snowman. He is a silver colour and has a red scarf and a red trimmed hat to fit in with my theme. He comes wrapped in silver lights and sits in the middle of my topiary scene.

Rock salt is considered another form of table salt. The main difference between the table brand of salt and rock salt is the size. Rock salt is much bigger in size and weight. Rock salt is actually a very valuable commodity to gardeners and homeowners in the winter months.

Rock salt is sprinkled on major roadways during the winter months across the country because it lowers the freezing point of water and makes it much easier for drivers to manoeuvre safely over slippery roads. Rock salt is also great at melting ice build-up on driveways and paths.

Every home owner should stock up on rock salt during the winter months to be on the safe side. This is a good idea because if a snow emergency strikes the home owner will be prepared.

Another surprising use for rock salt is making ice cream. Do not be alarmed. The rock salt is not added to the ice cream mixture. The rock salt is used to melt the ice that is around the ice cream container. This was the process used to make ice cream for many years before modern technology introduced new freezing methods.

Rock salt is generally found at local grocery stores, supermarkets, and hardware stores. Many gardening centres also carry the product in bulk. Rock salt is available in large bags of about ten pounds and up.

What better way to both beautify your garden and show your pride in the great UK than with a slate monolith dug from Welsh quarries? Most slate monoliths available in the UK were dug out of quarries right on the mainland, so not only would you be adding a beautiful piece to your garden but also showing your support of British-based manufacturing companies.

Not just any old water feature will do in the great UK. Water fountains can be found in gardens literally all over the world, but authentic Welsh slate monoliths can only come from one place. Simply adding a water feature to your garden can take the ambience to a whole new level, but also adding the beauty of one of these slate monoliths puts it over the top, above and beyond the neighbours' gardens.

If you want a quick and easy way to turn your garden from an everyday run-of-the-mill garden to a place of beauty and serenity, a slate monolith direct from a Welsh quarry is the way to go. Since we have the privilege of calling Great Britain home, these amazing pieces of art can be shipped to us in days and installed in a jiffy, all while not breaking the bank. I've got one literally smack dab in the middle of my garden, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

As we start getting less daylight we also start getting cooler evenings. We tend to stay closer to the comfort of our homes. Keep enjoying your gardens by putting your potted plants and flowers close to your patio and bring lighting closer. If you have solar lights bring them closer into your patio or sitting area.

If you have a window you often are looking out, please bring some plants and lights closer for viewing so you may still enjoy what you have grown throughout the summer.

Embrace the sight and sounds of your bird baths, water falls or any other running water by putting a small solar spot light under them. For your sound effects, purchase an in expensive baby monitor. You will be surprised at how relaxing and comforting it is to see and hear the happenings of your own yard under different outdoor garden lighting.

As winter does draw closer be sure to remove any motorised parts from your bird baths or water falls so as not to damage them by any frost or below freezing weather if you are not using a heating system in them.

Get pleasure out of what you have harvested for as long as you possibly can.

Early evenings don't stop the fragrance that you get from you hard summer days work.

Most people treat their gardens as a place of beauty, serenity, and life. When you combine all three of these elements, you come up with a slate monolith. While there are many different types of water features you can put in your garden, very few can compare to the beauty and peacefulness of a slate monolith. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colours, so finding one that fits your garden would be a breeze.

Even if you don't use your slate monolith as the main centrepiece of your garden, it will still seem to breathe new life into the atmosphere. Nothing is more peaceful-sounding than running water, and when that sound is combined with the beauty and smell of the life around you it can complete any garden theme. While you can get that same basic sound with any old water feature, nothing quite pulls it all together like a beautiful slate monolith.

While a slate monolith may seem very simply in design (it is basically just a slab of beautiful rock), the uniqueness of such a water feature astounds even the most experience landscaper. You can find one that fits just about any budget, and once you place it in your garden and see it in its majestic glory, you will realize what a good investment it was.  What’s more is that they are sourced from Wales.

Pre-formed pond liners are a quick and simple way to create a mini-wildlife habitat in your private garden. All you need is a small amount of space, a spade, and a strong back (or at least know where to find one).

Pre-formed pond liners are usually made of plastic or fibreglass, are lightweight, and easy to install. Easy to follow directions come with the liner, or there are many landscapers available who are familiar with the installation of pre-formed ponds in private gardens. You can make your garden pond look natural by surrounding it with stones, bedding material, or anything else that disguises the top edge.

Once your pre-formed pond has been created, it won’t take long for wildlife in your area to begin to frequent your garden. From birds, to amphibians, to small or (even large) mammals, you should soon see a wide variety of wildlife visit your garden oasis for water, food, or shelter. Depending on your location and the type of wildlife you want to attract, you can surround your pond with the plants and other habitat enhancements that certain wildlife favour. You can feel good that you have done your small part to make life more enjoyable for our animal friends, while you get to enjoy viewing them in their natural habitat.

If you want custom made water features for your business, you will find that there will be more restrictions than with those that you put in your garden. You will be aiming for a different atmosphere. Keep your client base in mind as you choose what to implement.

In an office building, you will want to have a more conservative look. Water running over a stone etched with your logo is a common and simple idea. You can choose something that says something about your business, incorporating it into your niche with a statue, or you can have something generic in order to keep the atmosphere more formal.

At a restaurant, you have much more freedom, but still not as much as in your own garden. You will want to keep the water feature in the same theme as the rest of your restaurant. You can get quite creative in a restaurant, and make the feature a focal point.

In any business, location is key with a water feature. Many larger businesses will have the feature in their lobby or even on the path as a symbol of status. In restaurants, it might be wise to have water flowing near the bar, as it will inspire thirst in customers.

When setting up landscaping around your home it is essential not to forget the importance of some form of water. Many people may settle for a small fish pond or even a hot tub. Although, when it comes to water and landscaping, nothing beats the H2X Momentum Swim Spa. It is eye catching and does way more than an ordinary spa.

While the H2X Momentum has therapy settings that allow you to enjoy stationary muscle therapy far better than the ordinary spa, it has other features as well. The H2X has an aquatic exercise system with varying levels of resistance to tune it to your perfect underwater workout. It even has dual temperature settings for the therapy and the spa sides to enhance your workout or your comfort. The spa and swim sides are also tactfully separated by an acrylic wall that allows for multiple activities to get going on at once without any other users noticing. The H2X Momentum Swim Spa is perfectly set up for the ultimate comfort of all users. It even features special LED lighting systems and stainless steel spouts to enhance the comfortable feeling of the spa's atmosphere.

The H2x Momentum is also a breeze to take care of, it is very low maintenance. As well as being, the most low energy using swim spa on the market, over the long run it could pay for itself in savings. If these features sound great to you, head down to us at our showroom to schedule a private swim test. You will not be disappointed.

Are you searching for ways to make your ordinary gardening area “pop”? With the use of garden ornaments and solar lighting, you can turn these plain areas into breath-taking views around your home. Simple decorating and lighting additions can turn your gardening areas into a unique, one-of-a-kind sanctuary that defines who you are.

For personalised touches, you can add stepping stones that feature poems and special sayings that may represent a time or person who is in your life. Gazing balls can help to create focal points that allow you to just sit and ponder the special moments that you would like to relive, even if only in your mind and heart. Fountains and waterfalls provide a sense of tranquillity that seems to be missing from the chaos of everyday life.

With the use of solar lighting, it is possible to enjoy your gardening areas during the evening hours as well. Available in many different designs, solar lighting can be used to line pathways to your garden, be installed within the gardening area itself or used to accent your various garden decorations. These solar lights are simply placed where you will get the most benefits from them. There are no complicated wires or electrical hook-ups that need to be installed.

So as you can see, using gardening decorations and solar lighting have many great benefits. The designs and uses are limited only by your imagination. So get creative, and enjoy the visual beauty you can create with your own two hands.

There are many benefits of having a swim spa installed in your home, some more obvious than others. If you are a bit overweight this summer, a swim spa can be used as an easy and fun way to do exercises and workouts. If you know that a swimming pool would be too costly for your family, a swim spa is a great deal cheaper and can be placed just about anymore in your home, either indoors or even outside.

If you have had a long day at work and all you want to do is relax, you can use your swim spa as a hot tub and just sit back and relax. Some of them have jets that provide a current that is very relaxing. When it comes time to clean and maintain your swim spa, you can be assured that you don't have to do anything special like in a regular swimming pool. Since it is much smaller than a swimming pool, you have less to maintain. Just make sure you keep the water clean, you use the right chemicals to keep it clean and fresh, and check to make sure your filtration system is always working properly.

Add functionality, beauty and value to your outdoor space with a garden building. From a garden shed to an additional summer bedroom, garden buildings can a bit of luxury to your property.

Depending on the materials used and the design of the structure, a starter garden building can be planned for almost any budget. A handy home owner can turn the construction of the building into a do it yourself project. Garden building kits are available to make the process easier if time is a concern. An ambitious project can be outsourced to a contractor.

Choose the type of garden building that best serves your lifestyle now while remembering that circumstances change with time. A garden building intended to serve as a playhouse for the children can serve as a storage area; a gardeners shed or even a studio in the future.

A larger storage shed, built with quality windows and entry ways can be converted to a summer guest house with the addition of partitions or even a loft. The addition of a porch or deck will add an entertainment area to your outdoor space.

A garden building can be used to add privacy to your outdoor spa, block the view of an unattractive neighbouring property or just serve as a shaded area to relax in.

Creating an outdoor living space is one of the most common objectives on the home to-do list. Creating an outdoor entertainment area with paving stones and friendly garden furniture is actually a simple task to complete.

The main objective is to create a beautiful and enjoyable area. Use the paving stones as a way to maintain focus on a specific area. You can lay these stones out in any pattern you decide, so consider laying them out in a manner which defines an area. This can be done by simply laying all the stones out in a horizontal layout, and switching up to a vertical layout for your entertainment area.

Including some friendly and fun furniture will be a great feature in your outdoor space. Be sure to include multi purpose furniture such as a sitting wall, and a fire pit with a sitting wall around it. This type of furniture can provide additional seating just by adding a comfortable pad. This is incredibly beneficial if more people show up than you originally planned to entertain. Be sure to include a few easily accessible tables to place drinks and plates, and plenty of furniture that will allow guests to kick back and relax.

Adding a few small plants can be the perfect touch to tying an area together, giving it an additional beauty factor.

Garden lights can be great for adding some details to a garden or for creating a sense of security for a home. They come in several different varieties and at affordable prices. A session with a consultant is not necessary with a do-it-yourself mentality and a little inspiration from a visit to a home improvement store.

There are several things to consider when choosing garden lights. The most important factors are safety and security. The lights need to be clear and bright enough to light walkways at night. Time in the garden can be extended, too, with the right lighting. Also, garden lights can increase the overall security of a home because intruders are more likely to stay away from lit places. After considering that, the choice of lights are purely aesthetic. Be sure to avoid over-lighting and save colored lighting for special occasions. Spotlights are great for accentuating specific features of a garden but can be bad for eyes at night if they are used to light walkways. LED lights are great overall because of they have longer lives and they use less energy.

Regardless of whether the garden lights will be solely for atmospheric or functional purposes or both, choosing the right lights can be fun and easy.

Garden lighting fixtures can be used to illuminate areas for the comfort and convenience of visitors and to compliment plants and water features.

Lighting fixtures along paths and shining on areas of pedestrian traffic need to be placed in a way that illuminates the area but should not be overly bright. They should be installed in a configuration that does not shine directly into the eyes but still gives appropriate lighting.

Many garden lights are controlled by a timer or solar cell that turns them on and off automatically, eliminating the need for switches and special wiring. Less frequented areas are a good location for motion sensor lights that can be set to turn on when approached. They are designed to ignore animals and can be adjusted to stay lighted for various periods of duration.

Solar powered lights, which depend on the sun recharging them each day, need to be in an area where they can gather full sunlight into their solar cells. Other areas can be illuminated with low voltage or standard voltage lighting.

Gas lights are available for garden lighting, but care must be taken to have the lines that feed them properly installed. They should be placed in such a way that they will not interfere with future cultivation. The same caution should be observed when installing wiring for electrical lighting.

Lighting fixtures should be installed in such a way that they do not draw attention to themselves during daylight hours. Placing them behind rocks or statuary and tucking them in behind plants serves well as long as they are kept properly trimmed to avoid overgrowth.

At night, they should compliment the plants they illuminate and should be of proper wattage so they are not too bright in relation to other lights in the garden.

Trees and large plants create a pleasurable appearance when their limbs and branches are illuminated with up lights, but caution should be taken so that the area is not over illuminated.

In areas where other gardens are in close proximity, care should be taken so lights do not invade neighbors' windows or interfere with other garden lighting.

Choose lighting that highlights the favoured areas of the garden, and select subdued lighting for areas of less interest or importance. A transposition from light to dark is a good design feature as long as proper lighting for walking safely is preserved. Small lights that illuminate the earth or stones along a path serve this purpose well.

Water features offer an excellent area for lighting to be creatively placed. Underwater lighting is available in many variations and is especially attractive in a small pond with fish swimming about. Care should be taken to use lighting that is properly installed and is specifically designed to be placed underwater.

Waterfalls and fountains totally change in appearance when lighting is added to their areas of the garden.
Both natural light and lights of various colours can make water features the focus of attention or an attractive background for plants.

Choosing Lighting For Your Garden can be an enjoyable experience and can be done over a period of time stretching out the cost and allowing designing as the seasons change.