Contemporary Surrey garden with layered planting and stone terrace

The Journal

Garden design and landscaping insight

Practical advice, design thinking and project stories from our Surrey studio — written to help you plan a garden you will genuinely use.

All articles Garden Design Landscaping Hard Landscaping Planting Outdoor Living Garden Maintenance Garden Rooms Driveways & Patios

Composite decking in a landscaped Surrey garden with modern garden furniture, planted borders and a neatly maintained lawn.

Hard Landscaping

How Much Does Decking Cost in Surrey?

Find out how much decking costs in Surrey, with price estimates for timber and composite decking and advice on installation, groundwork and design.

Mekail16 October 20266 min read

Terraced sloping garden in Surrey with stone retaining walls, paved seating area, garden steps, lawn and layered planting.

Landscaping

How to Create a Terraced Garden on a Slope

Discover how to create a terraced garden on a slope, with advice on retaining walls, drainage, steps, planting and garden design.

Mekail16 October 20266 min read

Tree Surgery

What Should You Do If a Tree Is Damaged in a Storm?

Storms can leave trees with broken branches, split trunks or damaged roots. Learn how to assess the risks safely, protect your property and decide when professional tree surgery is needed.

Mekail15 October 20267 min read

Tree roots lifting driveway paving beside a brick garden wall in a landscaped Surrey garden.

Tree Surgery

Can Tree Roots Damage Your House, Driveway or Garden Walls?

Tree roots can sometimes lift paving, affect garden walls and contribute to foundation problems. Learn what causes root damage, the warning signs to look for and how careful landscaping can help prevent it.

Mekail15 October 20267 min read

Wooden fence panels protected from rot with concrete gravel boards in a well-maintained Surrey garden.

Fencing

How to Stop Wooden Fence Panels Rotting

Wooden fence panels can rot when exposed to constant moisture. Discover how to protect your fencing with gravel boards, timber treatments, better drainage and simple maintenance.

Mekail15 October 20267 min read

Resin-bound driveway at a Surrey home with a smooth, permeable finish and landscaped garden borders

Driveways & Patios

Are Resin-Bound Driveways Permeable?

Resin-bound driveways allow rainwater to pass through the surface when installed over a suitable base. Discover how permeability works and what Surrey homeowners should consider before installation.

Mekail15 October 20265 min read

Outdoor kitchen with a protective barbecue cover in a landscaped garden before winter.

Outdoor Living

How to Protect an Outdoor Kitchen Before Winter

Prepare your outdoor kitchen for colder weather with advice on cleaning appliances, protecting worktops, draining vulnerable pipes and keeping the surrounding area in good condition.

Mekail14 October 202610 min read

Planting

When Is the Best Time to Plant a New Hedge?

Discover when to plant a new hedge, which varieties suit your garden and how to prepare the soil, space plants correctly and care for them as they establish.

Mekail14 October 20269 min read

Garden irrigation pipework and fittings being checked before winter.

Landscaping Advice

How to Protect Garden Irrigation Before Winter

Prepare your garden irrigation system for colder weather with practical advice on draining pipes, cleaning filters, protecting timers and preventing frost damage.

Mekail14 October 202610 min read

A stone path through layered planting leading to a brick house in a Surrey garden

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