Page 5 - Latest from DWNYE

Whether it’s a task you’ve tackled before or this is your first foray into landscaping, laying your own patio can save you money, but will cost you time. If this is a trade-off you’re happy to take, then with some careful planning and preparation you could be enjoying the fruits of your labour with a glass in hand this summer.

The biggest decision is what material to use, from reclaimed natural sandstone to the latest porcelain tiles and man-made blocks, the variety available means you can create any look – whether it’s a clean contemporary style or a rustic cottage garden.

At this time of year, the most common question we get asked is ‘how do I lay paving stones?’. Drawing on our years of expertise we’ve put together a guide to creating the perfect patio, with hints and tips on the process and tools needed.

1. Ensure a stable foundation

Draw a plan of your proposed patio space using detailed measurements, so you can work out the correct

How to lay paving stones – our five step guide

Whether it’s a task you’ve tackled before or this is your first foray into landscaping, laying your own patio can save you money, but will cost you time. If this is a trade-off you’re happy to make, then with some careful planning and preparation you could be enjoying the fruits of your labour with a glass in hand this summer.

The biggest decision is what material to use, from reclaimed natural sandstone to the latest porcelain tiles and man-made blocks, the variety available means you can create any look – whether it’s a clean contemporary style or a rustic cottage garden.

At this time of year, the most common question we get asked is, "How do I lay paving stones?". Drawing on our years of expertise we’ve put together a guide to creating the perfect patio, with hints and tips on the process and tools needed.

1. Ensure a stable foundation

Draw a plan of your proposed patio space

Our 6-step guide to laying Templeton Driveway Setts

What can be more satisfying than gazing out of your front window at a newly-laid driveway? A neat and attractive drive can freshen up the front of your home or turn a patchy lawn into a useful parking space while still looking stylish. So with summer on the way, why not take advantage of the drier weather and longer hours to start work on a new drive?

Stonemarket Templeton Driveway Setts
As of June, we’re introducing an exciting addition to our stock of Stonemarket driveway systems: Templeton Driveway Setts. This easy-to-use product includes a straight-edged base on every flagstone, allowing fast and simple installation. With each Project Pack containing five different sizes of sett, you can easily lay out the driveway pattern of your choice without the hassle and cost of fiddly cutting to fit.

Templeton Driveway Setts come in two different colour options: dark grey Vienna, and the lighter-coloured

How to clean artificial grass

Harsh weather conditions, endless mowing, and pesky weeds are just some of the reasons that growing numbers of garden owners are turning to artificial lawns. Fake grass is a great way to do away with the hassle and still keep a lawn that looks and feels natural. Although there’s no mowing or fertilising to contend with, artificial lawns still require some upkeep to stay looking tip top. Thankfully we’re here to guide you through the best way to clean and maintain artificial grass.

Raking and Brushing
One unavoidable job will be keeping your lawn free of the garden rubbish that inevitably builds up. Fallen leaves, twigs, and blossoms can be tidied up with a rake, while a stiff broom can be used to sweep up any smaller bits of debris. Just be sure not to use metal rakes or brooms, as these can damage the individual blades of grass. We recommend

Announcing our chosen charity – the Born Free Foundation

Last month we held a poll on social media to choose our nominated charity for the year. It was a close-run competition, and we’re now delighted to announce the winner.

The Born Free Foundation is a family-run charity based here in West Sussex, but its influence spreads all over the globe. Born Free was founded in 1984 by the actors Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, and works to prevent animal suffering, protect threatened species and keep wildlife in the wild.

Born Free runs many high-profile initiatives, including the ‘Big Cat’ campaign that rescues individual lions, tigers and leopards from tiny cages around the world and gives them lifetime care at sanctuaries, funds major lion and tiger conservation projects and fights hunting big cats for ‘sport’.

We’re delighted to be supporting this brilliant cause, and will be raising funds over the next twelve months in a variety of ways.

Calling all local charities and groups

If you work for a local charity, volunteer for a group, or receive support from a regional good cause, now is the time to nominate it to be our next Proud to be Local winner.

So far we’ve given away thousands of pounds to worthy community groups who’ve used the funds to buy equipment, increase resources and update facilities so they can carry on providing essential services within the region. This time, the group of your choice could soon receive a cheque for £500 in the second round of our competition.

If you’ve read about our Proud to be Local campaign in the local press or on our website, and always wanted to get involved, now is the perfect time to nominate your favourite charity. Throughout April and May, we’ll be collating nominations via email and letter. Anyone can take part and all entries are carefully considered.

The closing date for nominations is midnight on Sunday 12th May

After

After a barrage of harsh weather, our outdoor spaces have taken a hammering. The promise of warmer weather may be on the horizon, however it’s hard to guarantee we’re going to be frost-free for the next few weeks, which might encourage you to ignore the state of the garden for a little bit longer. But rather than retreating to the sofa, now is the perfect time to prepare before it takes on a mind of its own.

Any groundwork that you can put in will ensure your job is made easier in the coming months. It’s also an ideal time to view the stripped-back version of your space, to identify gaps or areas for improvement.

With the long wait coming to an end, you’ll want your garden to be ready as soon as summer is here, so we’ve compiled a list of the essential landscaping jobs for spring:

1. Have a good old-fashioned spring clean:

The most pressing task is to clean up after months of water damage. Under these conditions, moss

And the winner is...

Our Proud to be Local campaign set a new record this month – having received well over 2,000 votes for our shortlisted finalists.

We’re delighted to announce that the winner of the first round of this year’s campaign is…

Trafalgar Community Infant School in Horsham, which stormed to first place with over half of all the votes.

This emphatic win means a cheque for £500 has been presented to the school to help towards the cost of essential equipment upgrades and maintenance, at a time when local schools are suffering from severe budgetary restrictions.

Trafalgar took part in our campaign to boost its own fundraising initiative, run by The Friends of Trafalgar School, to raise a grand total of £40,000 for new playground equipment - as existing items are no longer fit for purpose. We’re pleased to be able to contribute to a worthy project which will provide the children with an essential outdoor play space for years