Landscape Juice

Autumn observations

At this time of year, it's almost impossible to keep up with the autumnal changes. Here in France, the fruits are ripening and disappearing fast and the chestnut tree leaves are turning brown, but due to lack of water rather than cold weather, writes Carol Miers.

On-tap tips at the Hampton Court show

Once more exhibiting at Hampton Court, ‘The Perfumed Garden’ has received many unequivocal comments, encouraging an overwhelmed and exhausted Jill Foxley to rally her enthusiasm.

She shared her experiences and emotions from the crowded scene yesterday; “I am so proud of my team who have all worked so hard.

"Every single one of them did over 100hrs last week, it’s a labour of love in the end. Apart from that, there is an enormous sense of self-satisfaction.

"We’ve had a huge amount of interest in it. We have had lots and lots of positive comments, a few negative ones, with people saying that the tap’s the worst thing they’ve ever seen.

Rammed Earth is a sustainable landscaping method

'Sustainable' is becoming a very cheap word. It is now so overused that I am finding it hard to distinguish between reality and marketing hype.

There really are too many materials, production methods, packaging and foods that are called sustainable but are clearly costly in terms of resources consumed to get them to market, that their sustainability 'label' is devalued by a lack of carbon neutrality.

I am always on the lookout for methods of landscape construction that would allow the consumption of materials without a high cost or heavy impact on the environment.

Kenilworth Castle gets re-build of Robert Dudley's Elizabethan garden

An Historic garden, first constructed in Elizabethan times by Robert Dudley the Earl of Leicester, has been painstakingly recreated by English Heritage using sixteenth century information.

The four hundred year old Warwickshire garden was originally built by Dudley in an attempt to impress Elizabeth I who he had hoped to marry. The recreation cost around £2.1 million.

Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said: "The re-creation of an Elizabethan garden on such a scale is unique, this is to gardens what The Globe was to theatre.

Building a dry stone wall is a specialist's job

Landscaping is such a very diverse industry and it is possible to design almost any feature and use any material to create an effect in a garden.

Some practices are favoured over others but one particular specialist skill that can only be practised by a talented few is dry stone walling.

Richard Clegg is one of those 'artists' who is able create dry stone features that will stand the test of time.

Considering alternative play equipment.

I got involved with our local tenant management organisation over a single issue, that they had proposed to remove the disused playgrounds and replace them with nothing for the children on the estate, writes George Arkless.

Dealing with prejudice and preconceptions it was obvious that I needed to take on a long term strategy, but getting caught up on the governance of the organisation it has taken me three years to get to the point where I can seriously tackle the issues

Building a garden office in sixty seconds

Working from a home office has become extremely popular in the last few years as people come to realise that time is more precious than sitting in the car stuck in traffic on the motorway.

If you are a garden designer or landscape architect and you need to be inspired by being practically amongst the trees and shrubs then perhaps installing one is worth thinking of.

Mark of Garden2office has just added this sixty second time-lapse video of an office being constructed. I cannot wait for the second part when the roof goes on.

Find more videos like this on Landscape Juice Network

How I made a garden bench - part three

I have to start with an apology. I have realised that making this garden bench might have seemed simple to me, but I do have the right tools for the job and I don't expect you to necessarily have the same.

I have now eased the edges of the oak cross brace by cutting a wavy edge with the jig-saw - this certainly makes the whole structure look softer and is in keeping with the rustic look.

Making a simple garden bench - part two

I am not too sure if I am a little boring for working in my workshop for two hours on Boxing Day or if I can pass it off as genuine recreation.

However it is judged, I enjoyed the fresh air and the distraction while the kids played with their Christmas gifts.

Strengthening the weak joint.

The piece of wood which formed the splayed legs was originally made as one of the shelves in the kitchen.