Starting with how you use the garden
Landscaping is the part of our work where a garden changes shape. It might be a single job, such as an Indian stone patio outside the back door, a gravel path down to the shed or a new lawn, or a complete makeover where paths, patio, lawn and planting are rethought together. Whatever the size, the starting point is the same: what do you want to do out there, and what stops you now? A lawn that never dries out, a slope you can't put a chair on, a front garden that would be more use as a driveway.
Ideas from Pontefract's own gardens
The town has some good examples on its doorstep. Friarwood Valley Gardens, near the hospital, is listed Grade II on the register of historic parks and gardens. The council's appraisal explains that work began there in 1950 to the designs of R W Grubb, the parks and cemeteries superintendent, and continued until 1954, on land that had held part of the town's Dominican friary and, later, orchards. Its rose garden, sensory garden and avenue of cherry trees show how a space can be divided into rooms with their own feel, even on an awkward site; Valley Gardens sits well below the streets around it.
Up at the castle, after it was pulled down in 1649 the grounds were grazed and cultivated as market gardens, and liquorice was grown there for generations; by 1720 the Dunhill family were leasing land within the castle for it. Wakefield's museums service puts the crop's success down to the town's deep loamy soil, which is good news if your plans include new beds, borders or a lawn.
Patios, paths, paving and driveways
Most makeovers include some hard landscaping. Indian stone is a popular patio choice, available in a mix of sizes and in buff, grey and warmer tones; in the older parts of town, where the council's appraisals describe red brick, Welsh slate and sandstone walling, a buff or grey stone can sit comfortably next to the house. Block paving is hard wearing and suits driveways and paths that take daily traffic. Gravel is a quick way to finish side passages, awkward corners and spots where grass struggles, and lets water through.
Every hard surface needs a proper base and a fall that sends rainwater away from the house, and what lies underneath varies across Pontefract. In some gardens it is deep soil; around Dark Lane the Friarwood appraisal describes sandstone cliffs and old sand pits. If you are turning a front garden into a driveway, think about where the water will go, because rain that once soaked into a lawn now has to drain somewhere. A visit lets us check levels, drainage and access before suggesting anything.
Lawns, turf and artificial grass
If you want a real lawn, new turf gives you a green garden almost straight away and can take light use once it has rooted, usually within a few weeks. Artificial grass suits gardens that are heavily shaded, used hard by dogs or children, or belong to someone who would rather not mow. Planting then softens the edges. In the long back gardens behind Victorian semis and villas, which the Friarwood and Button Park appraisal describes as generously sized, a patio and lawn near the house with planting and a seating area further down often works well, so the whole length of the garden gets used.
Conservation areas and front gardens
In Pontefract's conservation areas, the council's controls over minor development are stronger, and boundary walls, hedges and front gardens are part of what the appraisals describe as each area's character. Talk to Wakefield Council before changing a front boundary or paving over a front garden there. Back gardens are usually where makeovers happen anyway. If the new layout needs a new boundary too, fencing in Pontefract can be planned in alongside the rest.
Planning your project
Landscaping is easiest from spring to autumn, when the ground isn't waterlogged, though paths and patios can go in through much of the year in dry spells. If the garden is overgrown, it needs clearing first, and garden clearance in Pontefract can be the first stage. To talk through your ideas, call 07347 572509, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. We are a family run, fully insured business based in Knottingley, next door to Pontefract, working for homeowners and commercial customers. You can read more on our landscaping page, or see all our local services on the Pontefract area page.
