Released on = September 15, 2006, 3:02 pm

Press Release Author = Charles Hogarth Landscapes

Industry = Agriculture

Press Release Summary = Leading designer of imaginative landscape gardens based in
Tring, Hertfordshire shares practical ways to help gardens cope with the hotter,
drier summers that lead to water shortages in the garden.

Press Release Body = Charles Hogarth Landscapes, a leading designer of imaginative
bespoke gardens based in Tring, Hertfordshire shares practical ways to help gardens
cope with the changing climate. Charles Hogarth Landscapes is an award-winning
garden landscaping and maintenance company with over 20 years experience of
transforming gardens. It specialises in water features, lighting schemes and
irrigation systems and has an experienced and professional garden maintenance,
design and build team. Charles Hogarth Landscapes is an active member of the
Association of Professional Landscapers (APL), a national body raising standards for
garden landscaping.

For more information visit: www.charleshogarth.co.uk, or call: 01442 890985.

Practical ways to help gardens cope with changing climate

The increasing trend of dry winters followed by hotter, drier summers are leading to
water shortages in the garden and many areas are currently experiencing hose pipe
bans. In preparation, there are some simple things that can be done to make best
use of the scarce water resource and still enjoy the peace and tranquillity that a
well kept, thriving garden brings.

Consider the aspect of a garden

If a garden is in full sun for most of the day, or a particularly windy site it may
be time to revisit the planting scheme to check its resistance to drought and
perhaps make some changes to ensure the right plants are chosen to thrive in the
future. Many grey or silver leaved plants and succulent species are cleverly
adapted to be drought tolerant, such as lavenders, olive trees, sempervivums and
sedums. This gradual change in climate has made available more semi-tropical and
Mediterranean plants that previously wouldn\'t have survived in the UK's climate.
New plantings will need to be well watered until established, when their drought
tolerance kicks in. Hedging is also useful for reducing the drying effects of wind.

Improve a garden's soil

Sandy soils will drain too quickly and lose essential nutrients so add masses of
organic matter such as mushroom compost and composted bark to improve its structure
and water holding capacity. Clay soils can become baked hard in summer making it
near impossible for plants to extract the water. Improve clay soil now by digging
in organic compost and about an inch layer of horticultural grit or river washed
sand.

Improve garden Irrigation

Overhead watering with sprinklers and hoses is very wasteful, and often doesn\'t
reach the roots of the plants where it is needed. The most practical and economical
irrigation system to install is a simple drip line or \'leaky pipe\'. It can be woven
through flower beds, with \'branches\' to reach every plant, delivering the same water
pressure at the beginning and the end of the line. It can even be extended to patio
pots.

For more information and tips visit: www.charleshogarth.co.uk, or call: 01442 890985.

About Charles Hogarth Landscapes

Charles Hogarth Landscapes is an award-winning designer of imaginative bespoke
gardens based in Tring, Hertfordshire. Charles Hogarth Landscapes transforms gardens
through its landscaping services that cover the full design, build and maintenance
stages of creating a beautiful and practical garden.

Charles Hogarth Landscapes has been designing and building quality bespoke gardens
for over 20 years and specialises in water features, garden lighting schemes,
irrigation systems and creative terraces and timberwork. Charles uses his
horticultural expertise and flair for effective planting schemes to create beautiful
and original gardens to relax in - each one unique to the owner.

Charles Hogarth Landscapes has an experienced and professional garden maintenance,
design and build team covering Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Thames Valley and the
Home Counties and is an active member of the Association of Professional
Landscapers, a national body raising standards for garden landscaping.

Contact Details

Charles Hogarth

Phone: 01442 890985
Email: admin@charleshogarth.co.uk
Web: www.charleshogarth.co.uk

Wisselli House
Dunsley Place
Tring
Herts, HP23 6JL

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Web Site = http://www.charleshogarth.co.uk/Charles Hogarth

Contact Details = Charles Hogarth
Charles Hogarth Landscapes
Wisselli House
Dunsley Place
Tring
Herts, HP23 6JL
01442 890985
http://www.charleshogarth.co.uk/
charles.hogarth@momentumws.co.uk