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The next time you walk out into your garden, take some time to consider how many people have done the very same thing of the years.

Of course, in a new garden on a recent build, the garden would not really have too much of a history but in the case of old Victorian or Georgian houses and before that too, children played and conversations took place.  However, sometimes, other activities of a more macabre theme took place and no-one, except the garden, witnessed what happened.

A garden once witnessed the Jules Rimet World Cup trophy being hidden and then found by Pickles the terrier dog - many other gardens have also been a silent witness too.

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Well it’s some time since I wrote my last blog here yet I have a lot of things to update readers of the site with, not least a subject that I’m sure many readers here at Problem Solved would wish to have their say on – choosing a quality installer for an interiors project.

If anyone hasn’t visited our forum, which, by the way, is a fountain of all knowledge for kitchen buyers, then now is the time to have your say in a topic so hot that we need you to help douse the flames.

We have a forum post entitled - iKBBI –Any opinions, which relates to the creation of a government sanctioned Institute that aims to represent installers of kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms in the UK.

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If you are a bit handy in the kitchen and also like to save a little bit of money when it comes to gardening, this bit of simple advice could be what you are looking for.

The next time you are passing a Willow tree and you just happen to have a pair of secateurs with you, cut your self a bundle of twigs about 100mm long.

The recipe is easy to follow and for detailed instructions, visit the post - How to make your own rooting compound - on Landscape Juice.

Why the Internet will become the medium of choice for the garden industry.

If you were to ask an editor of popular garden magazine how his subscription numbers are fairing, you will probably be told politely - to mind your own business.

It is not a particularly easy subject to deal with when you are in denial but that is exactly what is happening to garden and landscaping publications They just do not want to accept that the 'tipping point' has passed and the slippery slope will compel, those that are still strong enough and have the will, to alter their strategy.

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Blessed relief that summer seems to have arrived or at least shown it's face. It means we'll all be able to rip the cardboard, or whatever we have stopping fresh air getting into our homes, away from the vents. Hopefully, it will also stop the multitude of callers asking us to come and inspect the black mould growing up behind their settee.

NO its not rising damp. According to science and Isaac Newton in particular, rising damp can only reach about 1.1m from ground level (that's 40 inches for the refusenicks). So if its upstairs or in the upper corners of your room, even if that's an interior basement wall, its because you haven't got sufficient air circulation - full stop. CURE - either grin and bare it with open windows all year round or fit a powerful heat exchange humidity switched fan.

Forget the diy job from B&Q they wont solve your problem. If you want to disagree with me or have a damp problem you wish to discuss, please do. Otherwise, next blog - why the damp around your fireplace?

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Most people have fond childhood memories of a piece of furniture a relative once owned, just by seeing and feeling that furniture can bring back emotions. From your Great-Aunties artfully carved dining room chairs perhaps to your Grandmothers antique sofa, even the smell of a piece can evoke a memory.

When the unfortunate time comes you inherit that piece of furniture you are suddenly left with the feeling it will never fit in with the rest of your decor and in this sense inherited pieces of furniture can be a blessing or a burden. Before deciding what to do you first need to consider the following:

Is it comfortable?

Is it of good quality?

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If, like me, you rely on the services of your partner or the local dry cleaners to ensure you don’t hit the streets looking like a cousin of Wurzel Gummidge, you’ll be delighted to know that help is at hand and comes in the form of Fagor’s Driron.
Looking rather similar to a fridge freezer in both size and appearance, the Driron, (pictured below) doesn’t offer the finish one expects from a skilled launderer but can achieve perfectly good results once you’ve mastered the operation techniques required.

The freestanding unit comes complete with a comprehensive instruction manual and DVD allowing the user a virtual demonstration on how best to operate the appliance. Add to this the ability to remove unwanted wrinkles from dry garments that require de-creasing after long periods sitting in the wardrobe and you have a versatile machine at your disposal.

Measuring a nominal 600mm in width and at a height of 1860mm, the fluff free Driron is accompanied by a number of innovative accessories designed to provide an effective result. These include sleeve-straighteners, tenter clips to hold shirts, skirts, dresses and trousers in correct alignment and a slide out top basket for drying smaller garments such as socks and underwear.

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Gardens can be fun but they can also be a lot of hard work, but one the other hand they can be enjoyable and once you have achieved your garden then the best part is just relaxing with a few friends over a nice glass of wine.

The best way to achieve your dream garden is to look at your friends gardens and also magazines. Have you the same size as theirs? Would you like the same design or outlook, or would you prefer something entirely different.

The main area of any garden is the outlook from the kitchen window, but it’s also a good idea to look from the bedroom window to give you the overall look at the garden from a birds eye view.

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Dry gardens are no longer the preserve of the garden designer. In this era of water conservation and the dreaded hosepipe bans they are an essential part of our evolving landscapes. Here at Warner Grounds we have been consulting the RHS to put together our updated plant list for these niche projects. We have discovered some lovely new ideas to mix with the more traditional.

Today we have also been designing a seating area made from railway sleepers with recessed planting in the arms. We intend to fill these with dwarf lavenders to provide both colour and scent. The seat will be placed in a town garden which is being paved in Sahara Yellow Indian Sandstone. There is also a large raised bed area, again constructed from reclaimed sleepers which will also feature dry planting. The biggest decision is whether to recommend turquoise tumbled glass or white Cotswold chippings to the client for the top dressing.....

The complete article from conception to design and installation will be featured on our website once the job is completed and we hope that you will enjoy seeing the journey our latest creation has made. We know we do.

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Happy New Year to you all. December and January have been very busy months. I just adore Christmas, in fact I start thinking about it in September, sad I know but I think I have such fond memories of Christmas as a child that it’s carried on in adult life. I’m not interested in the presents, well that a lie. It’s more about decorating the home, seeing friends and of course cooking, which I love when I have the time.

This year was a bit different mind you.  I bumped into Deborah Barker the editor of Homes & Gardens magazine, at the Marks & Spencer Home Spring press show, which by the way was as always, impressive. Take a look www.marksandspencer.com  to view their Spring homeware E-catalogue to find out what’s new this season. My must haves are the washable silk bed linen from Autograph which is simply stunning. I’m a believer in everyday luxuries and it feels so wonderful next to your skin. Although my partner who has very thick stubble is NOT allowed to use the pillow as he’ll shred it in a night!

I digress - sorry - I do that.

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