Page 3 - Blog

  1. img

    What is play sand made from? We discuss our recipe for fun sand for play

    When you're looking to order kids' play sand, seeing all the different bags of sand on offer can make it hard to understand exactly what type you need. There are some key differences between all-purpose sand and play sand, so it's useful to know what they are.

    Play sand is more refined and is a higher quality composition, which is what you would expect, considering it's going to be used for children's sand play. You shouldn't use plain all-purpose sand in kids' play areas, because it simply isn't designed for that type of use.

    All-purpose sand is pretty much what its name suggests. It has been washed to reduce the amount of dust it contains and it has also been sifted. It has a moderately coarse texture; a technical description that means it's free from the majority of larger particles.

    Although reasonably small, the remaining particles may still have a few rough edges. All-purpose sand is used for such things as mixing with cement to make concrete, giving paving slabs

  2. img

    Where do the best Scottish pebbles come from? We discuss.

    Scottish pebbles are renowned for their smooth and well-rounded appearance. They come in a natural blend of earthy and rustic tones, adding a decorative yet organic element to any garden, patio or driveway.

    The high-quality pebbles supplied by Decorative Gardens have the same smooth feel as our larger cobbles, evoking the ambience of a rural walk in the beautiful countryside. Our premium Scottish pebbles will contain perfectly blended shades of beige, orange, black, pink and white.

  3. img

    Scottish pebbles vs English pebbles: What’s the difference?

    Whether you enjoy walking on beaches picking up pebbles or you’re constantly trying to find the perfect shade or shape of pebble for your driveway, look no further than our guide to English and Scottish pebbles today. If you’re a pebble collector or are simply on the hunt for pebbles for landscaping purposes, this guide covers all you need to know from the maintenance and practicality of each type of pebble to how to decide which option is right for you.

  4. img

    How much can a rockery add to your home’s value?

    The last 18 months have shown UK homeowners the importance of their gardens. Unable to ramble parks and countryside due to government COVID restrictions, many people found a new love of their outdoor areas. UK property experts, Foxtons, state that 62 per cent of their client base say that gardens are important in a purchase.

    Given these facts, it’s little surprise that property owners looking to increase the value of their homes are looking to improve their gardens. Statistics show that the average UK homeowner will spend around 86 minutes every week on gardening. This would seem to be a good use of their time as figures show that a neat and tidy outdoor area can add as much as 20 per cent to a property’s asking price.

    Depending on the type of garden you have, improving it can be easy or a challenge, but one option that is ideal for all outdoor areas is the garden rockery. Read on as we explain the benefits these easy to establish yet innovative features can have and how you

  5. img

    Can you drive on black basalt? Why this material is increasingly popular with homeowners for driveways

    Choosing the right material for your driveway may not be something that you give a great deal of consideration. However, it's important to bear in mind that the type of material you choose will affect how much time and effort you need to spend on maintenance down the line, how long your driveway will last, the look and feel of the front of your property, and more.

    There is a huge number of choices out there, but one particular material is becoming more and more popular: black basalt. But what exactly is black basalt, and why is it proving so popular with homeowners for driveways?

    Take a look at our black basalt offering, available in quantities of 875kg upwards, and read on to learn more about why it is such a great choice for driveways.

  6. img

    Modern rockery ideas for contemporary homeowners

    A garden rockery is a wonderful addition to a contemporary home. They offer a beautiful space to enjoy with minimum day to day maintenance, so they’re ideal for a busy household. That said, it’s worth investing time during the planning stage of creating your contemporary rock garden. Choosing the right type of stone, and of course, the perfect plants, will help you create a space to love for years to come.

    There are many types of rock gardens to use as inspiration. You may choose to take inspiration from the simple shapes of a Japanese Zen Garden, or perhaps take your cues from gardening masters such as Gertrude Jekyll or William Robinson. The beauty of a rock garden is that you can create a space that is as simple or as elaborate as you like.

  7. img

    How to create an indoor rockery with Scottish pebbles

    If you've ordered Scottish cobbles or pebbles in bulk for a driveway, garden or patio, you'll know just how beautiful these smooth, round stones in earthy and natural colours can be. But did you know that they look equally fantastic inside your home as they do outside?

    If you have a few Scottish pebbles or Scottish cobbles (which tend to be larger than the pebbles) to spare, why not use them to create an indoor rockery? It's a great way to bring the outdoors in and add a beautiful decorative touch to your home. It's also perfect for those who have no garden space but still want to get green-fingered! What's more, an indoor rockery can be as low or high maintenance as you like, making it the perfect choice for gardeners and non-gardeners alike.

    But how do you create an indoor rockery, and why are Scottish cobbles and pebbles such a great choice?

  8. img

    The benefits of Deco-Pak Highland cobbles for your property

    There are lots of ways to add visual interest, colour and practical appeal to a garden, and the use of Scottish cobbles is certainly one of them. In particular, the Deco-Pak Highland cobbles receive rave reviews from customers, and here's why they would make a fantastic addition to any garden.

    Natural appeal

    If you're looking to add natural features to your garden, then the Deco-Pak cobbles score top marks. These beautiful cobbles are sourced from the Scottish coast, so they will bring an organic look to your garden.

    Attractive and colourful

    Coming in beige and brown colours, these earthy cobbles can introduce warm tones to your garden. Whether you use them to create a focal feature or use them for practical ground cover purposes, they are certain to catch the eye and boost the stylish appeal of your space.

    Provides texture

    Creating a showstopping garden is much more than just adding lots of colour; it also involves adding different textures

  9. img

    What is black basalt made from? We explain

  10. img

    10 fish you can keep in your rockery pond

    Keeping fish in a rockery pond is quite different from keeping them in an aquarium. Things like the weather need to be taken into consideration, meaning you need fish that can endure changes in temperature. Other factors like pond size, water depth and water quality also need to be taken into account. Choose fish that will thrive in your conditions, and keep up with maintaining your rockery pond to keep them healthy.

    Read on to learn about some of the best fish species to keep in your garden rockery pond