Charlotte Hallam | The Garden Guru

Creating a flowerbed from scratch

March 26, 2018May 15, 2018 Charlotte Hallam

Gardens are the envy of many people and certainly many neighbours. A pristine, well landscaped garden is something we all long for. However, it’s something that seems out of reach for so many, despite being perfectly within reach. To create a perfect flowerbed from scratch you don’t need any special skills, or even any previous green-fingered experience because we’re about to show you how. Remove grass and unwanted vegetation Once you’ve decided exactly where you’d like your garden bed to be, you need to remove all grass and vegetation…

Snow-proofing your garden

March 19, 2018March 18, 2018 Charlotte Hallam

The UK has suffered some very weird weather patterns over the last few weeks and despite it being the 19th March, spring has most definitely not sprung. It’s snow problem Although it might seem like the end of the world, one day of light snow shouldn’t be enough to kill your spring plants. Rather than panicking it’s important to remember that the soil must have been workable in order to be able to plant anything, and one day of unexpected weather isn’t enough to freeze it again. However, if…

Country Kitchen Essentials – What to Buy

March 5, 2018March 4, 2018 Charlotte Hallam

The country and cottage kitchen style has become enormously popular over the last few years as people move away from modern, shiny units and opt for beautifully crafted, painted wooden kitchens instead. Acting as the hub of the home for many people, the kitchen is where everything happens. The idea of the kitchen being solely dedicated to the preparation of meals is one that’s vastly outdated. Open plan layouts have meant that the kitchen has become the heart of the home; a space for cooking, eating and entertaining. To create…

Top tips for dog proofing your garden

February 26, 2018February 22, 2018 Charlotte Hallam

They say man is a dog’s best friend. In reality though, it’s their gardens. Your dog will love your garden. However, they don’t tend to appreciate neat borders and well-crafted decking. Dogs generally like to wreak havoc in our gardens. However, there is a way to get the best of both worlds. Take a look at our top tips for preventing pets from becoming garden pests. Keep your dog out of your flower beds A dog digging and lying down in the flower beds is a gardener’s worst nightmare.…

The Dos and Don’ts of Disguising a Septic Tank Cover

February 19, 2018February 11, 2018 Charlotte Hallam

Although they’re unavoidable in rural areas for reasons we’re all aware of. They’re an eyesore for the people who have no choice but to accommodate them on their property. Thankfully, the tank is often buried in the ground with a thick cover being the only access point. However, as access is required semi-regularly, hiding it is not as simple as covering it over permanently. To avoid any nasty disasters – you know what we mean – we’ve put together a comprehensive list of possible disguises. We’ve also added in a…

Improving your Winter Garden – The How-to Guide

February 12, 2018February 11, 2018 Charlotte Hallam

Winter is a pretty sad time for our gardens. Your garden will generally look pretty dark and damp. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. There are plenty of ways to improve the look of your winter garden. Take a look at our top tips that will allow you to enjoy your garden all year round. Trees Choose trees that’ll be the centre of attention in spring and autumn. Beautiful blossom and long lasting fruits are exactly what you should be looking for. Fruit trees are particularly popular…

Choosing a real Christmas Tree

December 13, 2017December 20, 2017 Charlotte Hallam

A real Christmas tree is the thing of Christmas dreams for many people. They’re the perfectly decorated trees you see in movies, shopping centres and town squares. They’re also the Christmassy addition you plan to add to your home every year but run out of time, and instead grab your trusty artificial tree for another year in the limelight. Well, we’re into the first couple of weeks of December, so before time runs out for another year, here’s our top tips on choosing the perfect real Christmas tree. What…

Christmas gifts for a lovely lady

December 11, 2017September 9, 2019 Charlotte Hallam

The idea of Christmas shopping fills most people with dread. However, it doesn’t need to be an activity that you put off. Our final gift guide of the season should help you on your way to choosing the perfect gift for the special lady in your life this Christmas. Lumie Bodyclock Luxe 750D Women may not be notorious for their love of gadgets but honestly, this alarm clock will revolutionise her morning routine. The Lumie mimics a true sunrise which helps make the user feel refreshed and awake as…

Top gifts for the man in your life this Christmas

December 8, 2017May 7, 2019 Charlotte Hallam

Buying for your husband, boyfriend, brother or just a friend? Whether he’s into his gadgets and gizmos, loves a new grooming tool or is a complete movie buff, we’ve got you covered with a list of this year’s top Christmas gifts. Tile Mate Available from Amazon, Argos, John Lewis and other major retailers, Tile Mate is the perfect giftable gadget for any man who’s constantly losing his wallet or keys. Tile mate is a stylish looking keyring that can be easily attached to the majority of losable items. The…

Top 10 Christmas Gifts for the Kids this Year

December 4, 2017May 7, 2019 Charlotte Hallam

Last week all the top retailers released their lists of what they believe will be the best sellers this Christmas. To be honest, some of the products on there are already sold out in many places, so it’s pretty clear those are already proving popular. Take a look below at the top 10, their prices and where to get hold of them. Luvabella doll THE Christmas must have this year. It seems everywhere is currently sold out, but as it’s still early enough you should be able to get…