Begin with design – where does the sun fall in the garden, how big an area do you want decked, what shape, and so on. Then mark out the area with string and wooden pegs. If you’re laying the deck on lawn, clear the turf and level the ground first.

Once you’ve decided on how you’d like to lay your garden decking, cut the joists forming the sides to size. Lay further joists at 400mm intervals, sealing the edges with preservative. Secure this framework with three 75mm screws at each joist end (pre-drill the holes to avoid splitting the wood). Cut the deck boards to the size you need, sealing the edges with preservative, and position the first board flush with the joist at the front of the decking assembly, fixing it into place with two 50mm screws. Repeat the procedure with the other boards, but leave a gap of 3mm between them for expansion. Make a fascia out of the remaining deck boards to cover the side joists. Get some potted plants and some chairs, open a novel and relax.

They can be seen in many English landscape portraits, and are referred to in Chinese, Persian and classical literature. Gazebos really afford a focal point in an open space but also provide a shelter from the sun or inclement weather, though as they are open-sided we’re talking mild conditions rather than gales and storms.

As a social and aesthetic complement to even the average back garden, a gazebo has few rivals, and there are scores of different types to choose from, suiting all tastes and bank accounts.

A simple decorative arbour can transform a garden, and provide a relaxing place to sit on a warm summer evening. Alternatively, or in addition, a patio gazebo will add space to the back of a house, opened up in fine weather for social events or just to reclaim the garden as summer starts.

For the occasional function, or to keep the kids occupied, a canopy gazebo can be stored anywhere and set up in minutes, or you can go the whole hog with a permanent wooden gazebo. Wood gazebos are popular because they blend naturally into the garden’s organic environment and are seen as environmentally friendly.

Whatever your situation and requirements, gazebos are a great way of providing focus and shelter for any social or private occasion.

Many people enjoy relaxing in a hot tub after a long hard day at work and there will be nothing worse than having this relaxation interrupted by a torrential downpour of rain. A hot tub gazebo takes away the worry of the weather and allows you to just enjoy your soak in the tub.

Hot tub gazebos differ from many adaptable gazebos as they are fixed into one position. This means they cannot be put away and stored. It also means that a hot tub gazebo will also require greater maintenance and care.

A hot tub gazebo is usually made from wood, which will be sealed with a protective layer of clear paint or wood varnish. This should stop rain from damaging the surface of the wood and weakening the overall structure of the gazebo.

Hot tub gazebos are not cheap in comparison to the other types of gazebo available. In most cases, as hot tub gazebos can be larger than normal ones, you will need a professional to install them; however, this isn’t always the case, if you are skilled yourself it can be a DIY job. 

A hot tub gazebo can also be very useful during the summer. It will provide shade from the intense heat and allow people to cool down. However, the ultimate function of a hot tub gazebo is to ensure that a hot tub can be used at any time of the year.

A canopy gazebo is a great alternative to a regular gazebo. A canopy gazebo is much like the tents used at fairs and comes in either a wrought iron framework or aluminium coated steel, making them sturdy enough to provide shelter from sun and rain.

Materials for canopy gazebos vary, from vinyl to canvas to leather. A canopy gazebo is also easy to use; it can be installed in just a few minutes. All that needs to be done is to assemble the frame and add the cover. It is also very portable and can be used anywhere and anytime. Aside from that, a canopy gazebo provides screened-in space, protecting one from insects.

A canopy gazebo also has its disadvantages. The materials of a canopy gazebo, especially the coverings, may not last long. Another disadvantage is that a canopy gazebo will not be able to withstand extreme weather conditions. Since the canopy gazebo is much like a tent, it is not very attractive, which could pose a problem for many people.

A garden gazebo is a great place to conduct outdoor parties and get-togethers. It provides protection from the elements and is easy to use. All in all, it is a portable and convenient alternative to a more expensive, permanent gazebo.

A patio gazebo is a great place to relax outdoors but still be protected from the weather. This is one reason patio gazebos are becoming more and more popular.

They can be customised in many ways, making them a popular choice for people who are into patio decorating. Patio gazebos can be square, octagonal or even hexagonal in shape. Outdoor furniture can be added to a patio gazebo, or benches can be built-in. Some people even add hot tubs and other amenities to patio gazebos.

Some patio gazebos have mosquito nets to give protection from insects. Patio gazebos can be made from varied materials like metal, wood or vinyl. One can choose to add fabric or canvas as side coverings.

The type of patio gazebo depends on the person’s choice. Metal gazebos are uncommon; however, metal provides an artistic appeal to a patio gazebo. Its structure is like that of the plastic gazebo, but the metal gives it a new and updated look.

Wooden gazebos are the most common type of patio gazebos. This type of gazebo looks appealing and charming. However, its beauty will fade as time passes. It requires a lot of maintenance, including staining or painting, to keep its beauty and usefulness.

The most convenient type of patio gazebo is the vinyl gazebo. This type of gazebo needs little or no maintenance. It can withstand weather and time and still maintain its beauty.

These pavilion structures have existed for 5,000 years. According to some historical accounts, gazebos were used as a place of worship, to communicate with the gods. However, the word was first coined in the 18th century when gazebos first came out in England. The word was derived from the word “gaze” and combined with another word “ebo,” which is a Latin suffix. Ebo means “I shall”, which completed the phrase, “I shall gaze”.

The earliest Roman gazebos were made out of marble and were typically located in the summer homes of the privileged. These gazebos could also be seen in public places.

On the other hand, one of the earliest models of garden gazebo was constructed at the Louvre in Paris. The English followed this model as it became widely famous. They adapted this gazebo structure, as witnessed in the Elizabethan gardens during the 1400s.

Orientals also modelled their own gazebos. For the Chinese and Japanese, their teahouses were inspired by these structures. Their style of gazebo was also followed by most Europeans in the 18th century.

In the United States, gazebos became popular in the middle of the 19th century. The backyard gazebo gained back its popularity in the 1930s among affluent people. They then lost prominence until they became popular again in the 1980s.

Today, these wonderful structures are still being built to add appeal to a garden setting.

Fully automatic or robotic lawn mowers are specially created to mow the garden area without the need of a user. Auto lawn mowers can be used to cut the grass as large as one third of the acre land and return back home to get recharged at the base station, this is all possible without any human intervention.

On the other hand, the latest auto lawn mowers can easily handle more than an acre of land without needing to recharge. Effective, fully automatic and clean, the users can sit back while the robot performs all the work.

Robot garden mowers are designed to cope well with both rainy and bad weather. The rain sensors attached in such mowers alert its robot to come back to the docking station and stay in the docking station during the rain.

A simple electrical mower without this rain sensor facility means that one will have to run into rain to move the mower into shelter.

Robotic mowers are environment and user friendly. With the problem of global warming being a main issue, one can have peace of mind using such mowers. The auto lawn mowers run with the help of rechargeable batteries and without any requirement of petrol or oil, as opposed to the case of conventional mowers.

The bump sensors in robotic mowers protect the garden mower from running over the items that might be lying on the lawn, thereby increasing its overall efficiency and life. The automatic garden mowers save large amounts of effort and time of the user.

The very first thing is the size of the lawn mower. Lawn mowers are usually sized as per the width of lawn grass that needs to be cut. While some mowers can cut approximately 41 centimeters grass, some can cut to as little as 28 centimeters. Generally the rule of the thumb is that the larger the garden, the bigger the mower. In case the lawn area is big, a rider mower can prove to be the perfect option.

Another thing to consider is the working of the mower. The mowers move with the help of wheels, rollers or hover. Hovers are good for small lawns and are quite inexpensive. Since these do not have any wheels, they need to be carried around. Hover mowers give a neat and good finish to any lawn. Hovers can be utilised on slopes or banks.

Another type of mower is the roller mower. They help in leveling the surface aside from cutting grass. Since the rollers are duly attached, they keep steady level of machines and perform better by leveling the land as well as the grass. Wheel mowers are the last kind of mower and provide great maneuverability and mobility when cutting the grass.

It is also important to give due consideration to the power on which the mower operates. Electricity, power and rechargeable battery run mowers are the three types of mowers available in the market today. It is also good to consider purchasing a mower with collection box so that all the grass can be collected while the mower is doing its job. This helps to keep the lawn clean and neat.

The most popular gate in the UK is undoubtedly the Wrought Iron Gate which will last for many years if treated initially and given simple maintenance over time. Most gates will normally swing open like a door, pivoting on a hinge. This kind of gate will suit most homes; gates usually swing inwards to the property to avoid opening on to a public highway and causing a hazard.  If you are restricted by space or the driveway is on an incline the standard swing gate may not be suitable. However in these instances it is possible to use a sliding gate, which often involves a little more installation work, but is still able to provide the finish you are looking for at the entrance to your property.

Sadly many of the examples of Wrought Iron Gates and iron railings disappeared during World War 2 when they were confiscated for metal required for the war effort. We are now only left with archive pictures of places where Wrought Iron Gates were dominant such as York, the Minster was enclosed with beautiful gates and railings fashioned by artisans of the day. Strictly speaking modern Wrought Iron Gates are no longer made from wrought iron but of mild steel, but this no way detracts from their appearance, it is in fact an advantage. However, if the gates and railings were to be reinstated around York Minster, true wrought iron would have to be used for the authentic conservation of this historic structure.

For one reason or another, being around a fantastic scene of water offers a positive energy as well. It is especially good if one practices Tai Chi or meditation or yoga near water. A continuous flow of water aids concentration. When one decides to install a fountain garden, he or she needs to take care when choosing one so that it goes well with the décor of the garden.
You will need to ask yourself a few questions like does the garden fountain you are planning to buy enhance your garden?  Does it look as if it is meant to be there?

Having a fountain garden is not just relaxing; it adds a huge amount of character and appeal to the area. Remember, that gardens are not just meant for growing vegetables and fruits. It is a place where you can retreat to from the outside world and take time for your own thoughts.
The different types of fountains available include tabletop, floor and backyard fountains. One can choose an appealing statue to be placed inside the fountain area made of ceramic, bronze, stone, fiberglass, copper or wood in order to give your garden a more elegant and charismatic look.