23 Oct

Gardening tasks for Autumn

There’s plenty to do to prepare your garden during autumn for the impending winter, and indeed for next year. There are some things you simply won’t be able to do once the cold and wet does really set in.

Clearing Leaves

Probably the most obvious autumn job is to clear the leaves that will inevitable drop into your garden during this time of year. One trick for clearing leaves off your lawn is to run them over with your lawn mower, thereby shredding them and causing them to rot quicker. This simple technique is by far the easiest way to keep your lawn looking tidy, and should be done about once a week.

For patios, paths, decking and other hard surfaces, it may be worth investing in a leaf blower. This one off purchase will make your life immeasurably easier, and will be well worth the cost. Blow the leaves onto the lawn and run them over when mowing, or alternatively blow them onto some tarpaulin to be collected up and added to your compost heap.

You can even put the leaves in jars on their own, allowing them to form a fine kind of compost known as leaf mould.

Protect Your Plants

Of course there are plenty of hardier plants that will easily withstand the British winter, but it’s a good idea to bring indoors your more tender plants around this time of year. Once the frost comes, they’ll inevitably die if left outside.

Turn Your Compost Heap

All the tidying up will, of course, produce lots of material to be added to the heap, but it’s important to remember that the rate of decomposition will decrease in the colder months ahead. Turn the contents regularly to encourage them to rot down quickly.

By following these simple steps, you can ensure your garden is spruced up and ready to brave the winter!

To find out more about the range of products we offer, from building materials and decorative stones to shingle & gravel, soils and landscaping products, contact our team today on 01258 857465 or take a look at our special offers!

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12 Jun

How to create a low-maintenance garden

Are you getting tired of moving the lawn and weeding? Are you looking for a more low-maintenance garden this summer? There are many of us who love to idle away the hours tending to our gardens, but there are also many of us who dread the onset of summer, as our gardens require a lot of maintenance. Typically, the most dreaded garden tasks tend to be mowing the lawn and weeding, which needs to be done on a weekly basis over the summer. If you are looking to curtail your time in the garden, why not consider creating a low-maintenance gravel garden? If the thought of weeding fills you with dread, then why not consider replacing your earth borders with gravel for an attractive but easy maintenance garden. To create a gravel garden, you need to: Clear the designated area Remove the existing planting from your borders or from the designated area. If you want to keep some or all the plants, then place them to one side. The Edge You will be looking to place your gravel where the lawn borders meet your current planting space. Here, you will need to add an edge, such as an monoblock mowing strip. This will provide you with a nice rounded curve which will compliment your gravel layout. Preparing your borders Once your edging has been done, you can then prepare your borders. Start by digging over the borders to introduce air into the soil which will make it easier to work with. Take this as an opportunity to improve the health of your soil. If your soil is looking quite heavy, then you can look to add some peat free compost which will help break it up a bit. You might want to add a granular fertiliser too at this stage. Don’t forget to rake through the soil so that it is spread evenly to avoid any bumps in the gravel. Laying membrane Further to preparing your borders, you can now start to lay out your membrane, in most instances, you can utilise weed membrane which is a fabric woven matting which essentially blocks out light to weeds and will keep the soil separated from the gravel. The membrane also allows water to pass through the woven material and into the soil. Border planting You can now take the plants that you wish to include in your new gravel garden and place them in your position of choice. You will find that it is best to plant in pockets of gravel where you can create small islands of plants surrounded by gravel. Here, you can also plant through the membrane, simply cut a cross in the membrane which is large enough to accommodate the plant and place the plant in the soil. Once the plant is immersed in the membrane, fold back the edges of the membrane so that it seals around the plant. Lay down the gravel Now you can start dressing the membrane with gravel, you can opt for either small piece of gravel or larger pieces of gravel. At MB Wilkes, we have a wide range of gravel and shingle that are suitable for gardens, walkways and driveways. You may want to consider 2-6mm shingle gravel which is a light golden flint shingle gravel or go a little larger with 10mm ravel which is approved by the National Trust. MB Wilkes provides gravel and shingle up to 40mm. Get decorative Once your gravel is in place, you can look to accessorise your new gravel layout with garden ornaments. You can also look to add texture by incorporating different textures and colours to add interest. Whether you go for an all-over gravel garden, or you just incorporate some gravel to parts of your garden, this will certainly reduce the maintenance of your garden, giving you more time to relax and enjoy the summer! To find out more about the range of products we offer, from building materials and decorative stones to shingle & gravel and driveway materials, contact our team today on 01258 857465 or take a look at our special offers!

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18 Apr

The ultimate guide to choosing gravel and shingle

From paths to sitting areas, gravel and shingle are ideal options to create a durable but soft looking area that is cost effective, attractive and versatile. There are lots of several types of gravel and shingle and how it can be used varies enormously. If you are looking to use stepping stones in your garden, you may want to consider using loose gravel or shingle. It is one of the cheaper types of gravel and shingle and looks great on a flat piece of land. Keep it looking tip top by dragging a pallet over it to give it that perfectly raked finish. Typically, the smallest gravel particles are around 5mm and anything that is smaller than this is classified as sand. Gravel is a natural material that is available in lots of different shapes, sizes and colours which makes this a truly versatile addition to your garden. At MB Wilkes, our shingle starts at 2mm - 6mm and is a light golden flint shingle which is brown and yellow in colour. Our shingle range goes up to 40mm shingle which are best suited to drainage and soakaways. Loose gravel is best suited to land that is flat and ideally, we wouldn’t recommend using loose gravel on a slope that exceeds 1.10) any slope less than this can utilise loose gravel with a polythene hexagon mesh which sits around 40mm underneath the surface of the gravel and can provide an ideal solution for a gentle slope that is gravel friendly. For paths and driveways, you may want to consider our 10mm shingle which is a light golden flint shingle. However, at MB Wilkes, we provide a consultative approach and will provide you with our personal recommendations for your specific project. Most the gravel and shingles have been approved by the National Trust and MB Wilkes are a wide range of gravels to suit your requirements and your budget. To find out more about the range of products we offer, from building materials and decorative stones to shingle & gravel and driveway materials, contact our team today on 01258 857465 or take a look at our special offers!

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25 Jan

How to use decorative stones to improve your garden

Decorative stones are a brilliant way of living up your garden and bring a real touch of quality to your residence. There are a huge range of choices available, all with different styles, sizes and prices. Ultimately, they could be considered a 'quick fix' for any garden that is lacking style and design. They are ideal if you are looking to add a sense of structure to your gardens look, provide texture and areas of interest, as well as creating either a sense of space or division - all dependent on how they are used. No matter what size of garden or outdoor space you have, the addition of decorative stone can help to create detailed contrast and depth, helping to give a more traditional feel to your residence. Here are some of the best ways to utilise decorative stones: Create a garden path - A selection of landscaping stones can be used to create a fantastic garden path which can elongate your garden and give the illusion that your garden is longer than it actually is. Use garden gravel - As a low maintenance option, garden gravel is brilliant way to keep weeds at bay whilst offering up a delightful alternative to a lawn or driveway. You could even include a coloured stone for extra impact! Add a water feature - If you already have a water feature, or are considering adding one, decorative stone can look great as a border. It can draw attention to it and more importantly mark its edges - this is definitely useful! Improve flowerbeds - Decorative stones can make excellent features within flowerbeds, but don't overlook softer chippings for a more subtle look. These can also be added in various colours for a more textured finish. Create a rock garden - Commonly referred to as a rockery, these stylish collections of decorative stones can give your garden a meditative Zen-like feel. They are also low maintenance and safe for children and pets. To find out more about the range of products we offer, from building materials and decorative stones to shingle & gravel and driveway materials, contact our team today on 01258 857465 or take a look at our special offers!

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Most Recent Stories

15 May

Summer Gardening Tips and Tricks

The summer months are a busy time for gardeners, as gardening offers a great opportunity to enjoy those long, warm days and evenings. Despite most of the planting of flowers and vegetables being done earlier in the spring, there is plenty to be done over the summer. May and June are ideal times for bedding plants to be planted out, raising foliage plants, and sowing several outdoor seed varieties, including Alstroemeria, Achillea, Arabis, Canterbury Bells, Coreopsis, Erigeron, Myosotis and Sweet William. Weather can be unpredictable during these months, so during May, you want to protect more vulnerable plants with a horticultural fleece, which you can remove in June. As the threat of frost should have passed by June, it is the ideal time to plant bedding plants grown under cover either into borders or into hanging baskets and containers. Late-flowering Annuals Throughout May, you should sow late-flowering annuals such as Nasturtiums under glass. You can expect them to flower from August onwards if you sow them in early May. You may also want to sow fast-maturing annuals, like Clarkias and Calendulas. You will be able to enjoy them blooming throughout the summer, which will add an extra splash of colour to your garden. Don't forget to add some water gel crystals and slow-release fertiliser to your compost when planting. Who doesn't love a Dahlia? Use your time in May to plant Dahlia bulbs, but protect them from slugs. This will also work with your regular gardening jobs of watering, mowing and weeding. Don't forget to spruce up your window boxes too. Check that you have enough topsoil before doing this to ensure a smooth and easy process. Tidy Up June is usually a time for you to dedicate a few minutes to tidying up parts of your garden. Dead foliage should be removed from spring flowering bulbs, excluding daffodils and tulips, which should be left a little longer to die back naturally. Trim or throw away any faded plants and keep on top of your weeding, with a particular focus on your borders and beds. Install Protection Fruits bushes and trees should be inspected carefully to check for pests and diseases and treated if necessary. Soft fruit bushes, such as currants and strawberries, should be protected by a fruit cage or netting to prevent birds from eating the fruit. Carrots should be protected from carrot fly, and cabbages from caterpillar damage by covering them with protective materials. If you are keeping some plants in a greenhouse to keep them safe, they need to be kept well-ventilated during the day as extreme variations in temperature could adversely affect the fruiting of tomato plants. In addition, tapping the flowers of greenhouse tomatoes will improve pollination. Uncover Fruit and Vegetable Strawberry bushes that have been kept under glass should now be uncovered so that pollinating insects can gain access to them. Vegetables such as brussel sprouts, cabbage, celery, courgettes, cucumbers, marrows, runner and French beans that have been grown in a greenhouse should also now be planted out. Don't forget to keep them hydrated and keep the soil as moist as possible. If you have vegetables like marrows, peppers, tomatoes and courgettes, ensure that these are hardened off before you look to plant them outside. Mow Grass Regularly May is the start of the mowing season, and you will need to mow your grass more regularly and ensure that your mower blades are kept sharp. Water Regularly May through September can be hot and dry, so remember to water plants regularly to avoid wilting. To aid drainage, a layer of gravel or shingle is a great solution that also offers a touch of style and texture to your garden area! Renovate Your Garden Summer is also a great time to landscape your garden by adding some raised plant beds using sleepers or even fitting a paved section to create the perfect space for garden furniture.

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27 Mar

How to use decorative stones in your garden

Decorative stone is a term that encompasses a wide range of materials, including gravel, pebbles, and slate. They are a fantastic way to add interest and texture to your garden. Each type has its own benefits. Therefore, you should consider these when deciding which decorative stone to use in your garden. In this blog, our landscaping experts at MB Wilkes, Dorset’s leading supplier of decorative stones, share a breakdown of each type of decorative stone and what they’re best used for. Pebbles Smooth and round pebbles are formed when a stone's rough edges are slowly eroded by running water. As such, they will look perfectly at home as part of a garden water feature. We recommend using colourful pebbles like our 14-20mm Scottish pebbles for an authentic feel. Due to their rounded surface being safe to walk on barefoot, these decorative stones make good garden pathways, and when combined with landscape fabrics like our woven geotextile, you can prevent weeds from growing underneath. Pebbles can help prevent soil degradation and eroding too, making them great to enhance the top of potted plants. Pebbles and decorative stones also make for beautiful and natural borders for flower beds. If you are laying a pathway, contrasting coloured pebbles in the garden is a fantastic way to make a style statement all across your garden. Additionally, you could also use different colours to differentiate the various sections of your garden from each other. Avoid using pebbles on driveways because they are so smooth they will move and shift under the heavy weight of a vehicle. This will cause the driveway to deteriorate quickly. Slate Slate is a fine-grained, metamorphic rock that splits easily into thin slabs. Much sharper and larger than pebbles, slate is perfect for decorating borders. For example, our black slate would make for a dramatic and modern accent to a path, pond, or patio. Slate also makes for poor driveway material, as there is always the chance that a sharp piece could slice open your tyre. It is also a relatively brittle material, so putting it under constant stress from heavy cars will cause it to crumble over time. This will lead to the build-up of dust, which could inhibit drainage. Stone Paving Decorative stones aren't just limited to pebbles and rocks. Natural stone paving is the perfect material for creating gorgeous and perfectly flat patios where you and your loved ones can enjoy many BBQs and garden parties together. We stock lots of different paving slabs in a range of colours, textures and finishes, so you're sure to find one to suit your style. Gravel & Shingle Gravel is made up of loose rock fragments. Gravel and shingle are grippy, durable stones, making them excellent choices for driveways and paths. In fact, they are one of the cheapest driveway options available. Outside of filling in the uneven surface now and then, driveway gravel is largely maintenance-free and has no chance of cracking or sinking like asphalt or concrete. Choose a gravel like our golden shingle for a classic driveway look or opt for something a bit different with our luxurious limestone or elegant blue slate. Gravel and shingle are very good at draining water. If your garden is habitually waterlogged and causing your plants and flowers to suffer, installing a French drain using gravel or shingle will help the water drain harmlessly away. Shingle will also work in any water feature you might have, enhancing the sound of the water falling. Opting for our rainbow shingle will also boost its overall appearance too. Premium decorative stones from M B Wilkes Whether you're looking to build a rustic path or driveway, improve drainage, or simply beautify your garden, our decorative stones offer limitless possibilities. Browse our wide range of premium decorative stones to find the perfect type for your garden. You'll be spoilt for choice at MB Wilkes, as our range of landscape materials, pebbles and decorative stones is the best in Dorset. If you have any questions about our products, don't hesitate to get in touch - contact us online or call us on 01258 857465.

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16 Jan

Grab-Away Waste Removal: Large-Scale Waste Management

Waste removal and disposal is a part of your business that you can’t ignore, yet it is often something that is left at the bottom of the to-do list to sort out because many businesses think it is a hassle. However, this doesn’t have to be the case with grab-away waste removal services. No matter what size business you are running, it is likely that you will be producing a fair amount of waste, so large waste removal services with tipper and grab lorries are often an ideal solution that ensures your waste is removed and disposed of responsibly and in a compliant manner. In the article, we discuss what our grab-away waste removal solutions include and why you should consider them for your waste disposal in Dorset. What are grab-away waste removal solutions from MB Wilkes? Grab-away waste removal services are exactly as they say on the tin; a licensed waste disposal company, such as ourselves, visits your site, grabs your waste, and removes it for disposal. Read our guide to grab hire and muck away service to learn more about what we offer. Grab or tipper truck for grab-away services? Usually, a grab lorry is used for this service, as they have grab arms that extend and pick up the waste from the site and place it into the bed of the lorry. This makes loading the waste from your site into the lorry easy and efficient. However, for some large-scale waste removals across Dorset, such as on construction sites, a tipper lorry may be used as they have the equipment to load the bed of the tipper lorry. We have a fleet of grab and tipper lorries, which are able to remove up to 20 tonnes of waste in one trip. Waste types accepted Our grab-away waste removal service is able to accept a variety of waste types, making it a flexible solution for many businesses. Waste types accepted include: Sand Concrete Gravel & aggregates Mulch Household waste Building & Landscape materials Not sure if we collect your waste type? Our team is always happy to discuss our services with you and answer any questions, so get in touch with us at 01258 857465. Frequency of grab-away collections Our grab-away services are flexible, so we can create a schedule that suits your needs. If you are working on a one-off project or infrequently have large amounts of waste to dispose of, a one-off grab-away waste removal is likely to be the best solution for you. This will ensure that you are only paying for what you need rather than paying for a large grab or tipper truck that you might not fill. Alternatively, if you frequently have large amounts of waste to dispose of, we can arrange a scheduled waste collection with our grab-away service. We can work with you to create a schedule that suits you; whether you need the waste removed once a week, once a fortnight or once a month, you can trust us to reliably remove your waste when you need it gone. Benefits of grab-away waste removal solutions No matter how often you use our grab-away service, there are many benefits. Save stress Trying to find a way to remove large quantities of waste can be stressful, especially if you aren't sure what to do with it. Our large waste removal services remove the stress and make the disposal process smooth and hassle-free. We have a reliable and expert team, so you can trust that we will get the job done, allowing you to get on with other work that needs your attention. Lower carbon footprint Removing all the waste in one journey, as opposed to lots of smaller journeys is better for the environment and will help you run a more sustainable and environmentally friendly business. Additionally, waste removed by a professional service will be disposed of correctly, meaning it is more likely to go to a recycling centre than a landfill. Safe working environment Large amounts of waste can take up space on your site. Using a grab-away waste removal service will mean you don't have heaps of rubbish sitting around your site, creating a safer work environment for your staff. Why use MB Wilkes? MB Wilkes are waste removal experts, providing a stress-free grab-away waste removal solution to businesses across Poole, Bournemouth and the rest of Dorset. We are fully licenced to remove and transport waste from your site to a disposal facility, meaning we provide a fully compliant waste disposal service. Being able to remove up to 20 tonnes in one trip, our service makes waste removal quick. Our aim is to make large waste removals simple to sort so that the task can be ticked off your to-do list quickly and stay ticked off. The MB Wilkes team are always happy to discuss your needs and work with you to create a grab-away waste removal solution that suits you and your business needs. Contact our expert team today by calling 01258 857465 or completing our contact form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

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