This long, thin garden design in Stanmore is in need of a complete overhaul. The clients have developed their interior to cope with their increasing needs as a small family, and now need to realise the potential of their outdoor space. They would like to include a garden office and require ample space for their very active toddler. Budget constraints are a consideration in the redesign.

The design divides the garden into distinct zones. Directly adjoining the back of the house will be a patio constructed from a combination of mint fossil sandstone slabs, sunken railway sleepers, creeping thyme and a sedum mix to fill, mortared with a sedum mix. The multiple textures in this flooring will give a high degree of interest while allowing the maximum usable surface area. The existing acer palmatum will remain and help frame the entrance to the next section of the garden.

This divide is accentuated with the addition of a timber screen with apertures of various sizes, some filled – some left open to the view beyond. Some of the apertures are filled with small aggregate and other materials to add more texture to the garden. Directly behind this screen is a timber framed tunnel clad in stainless steel mesh, to the right of which, set back from the screen is the garden office. In front of the garden office, the decking is extended to allow for a cafe style table and chairs. Between the edge of the decking and the patio is a stainless steel sphere water feature nested in a bed, in order that its calming effects can be enjoyed from both the garden office and the patio. Moving down the garden past the existing yew tree, the existing storage chest has been relocated, and sits alongside the path that zig zags its way up the garden. This path will be laid with hoggin and edge in steel. The first lawn (one of three) laid on the diagonal has a timber frame over it to allow for versatility in hanging a swing, or fabric to transform it into a den. lawns 2 & 3 have a timber frame with mesh screen in them to add interest. To the right a raised railway sleeper planter allows the opportunity for a small bit of vegetable gardening. At the bottom of the garden, the space opens out into decking allowing another location at the bottom of the garden for relaxing. A 6 x 4 shed also provides extra storage.

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17 hours ago
robert pryor replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I have a 6ft pair of Niwakis, wish i’d had them years before I did. I initially got the 8fts and immediately realised they would be a pain for the majority of hedges I used to cut. I think they are brilliant just make sure they are seated properly.…"
17 hours ago
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yesterday
Adam Woods replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I wouldn't cut a hedge without one. Anything over 6' you should get with 3 adjustable legs, otherwise they can be unstable if you lean - but positioned correctly they are the only way. 
Befrore retirement I had an 8' and a 4; . The 4' went in the…"
yesterday
John F replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Yes had that scenario where you can't reach a fiddly bit no matter what ladder and have to balance on the apex of a shed roof or do best job painstakingly with a long reach pole pruner . "
yesterday
PGM replied to PGM's discussion Grass Cutting 2026 Season
"We've just finished our second week, so that's a full round of all customers now, and didn't have a single one we couldn't do. It's been a really good start here in the north west and now with nice sunny weather coming up this week it's a great time…"
Sunday
Duncan Neville replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I'm very wary of these tripod ladders, I took a life changing fall from the top of a 12ft tripod. Now I only use them myself with great care. The issue is that they are very unstable at the top if you lean to either side, and they go with no…"
Sunday
Billybop replied to PGM's discussion Grass Cutting 2026 Season
"Done a couple of second cuts already this last week would you believe. It's almost as if the grass has a memory of last year's drought and is making up for it now plenty of moisture available"
Sunday
Billybop replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"the tripods are good but in some scenarios the wide base and the fact the 3rd leg has to be placed some distance away from the step part for stability makes this large foot print impractical eg when cutting hedge behind a shed or greenhouse with…"
Sunday
Graham Taylor replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Never tried these but always thought they look a bit of a pain to cart about. Looking at the picture, seems you're quite away from the hedge so you have to reach out more?   I just use ordinary aluminium extension ladders that you can easily adjust…"
Saturday
Sam Bainbridge replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Tripods are better than any other ladder that's a fact. You can cut hedges that are lower than the ladder but it is more awkward, I have a 6ft amd a 12 foot been using both for the last 15yrs and haven't come stuck yet. Believe me once you've had…"
Saturday
Intelligent Landscapes replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I agree with HB. 12 foot Henchman with 3 adjustable legs are fantastic and we use them all the time."
Saturday
Joseph Taylor and The Stonemart Ltd are now friends
Friday
Honey Badger replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"You won't regret it, they are most comfortable ladders to use. Worth every penny."
Friday
matt replied to Julian chambers's discussion Price increases
"Increase prices every year, costs go up every year both on business and at home so otherwise your taking a pay cut, i dont get greedy i make small increases annually but as I do it every year and customers have learned thats part and parcel of it,…"
Friday
matt replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"i have two sizes and couldnt be without them, as use the smaller set for lower hedges so ladders never in the way and ive never bothered with the platform ladders"
Friday
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Does moss always = full renovation

Hi.Does a mossey lawn always equal a full lawn renovation? Once you kill (or control) moss the customer is left with brown / black dead moss all over their lawn. So then its needs scarifying to rake it up, then usually a preseed fert, seed and top…

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8 Replies · Reply by PGM on Thursday
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