This is an incredibly bittersweet project that my husband and I undertook purely due to the circumstances. My Dad suffers from Dementia. Due to his condition, he had to move from an absolutely stunning home and garden (he was a Gardener by trade) to a house with a fairly bland backyard. The move itself was pretty stressful for him but not as stressful as it was to watch him stare out over just the lawn and not much more than that. Something had to be done for the sake of his health and well-being! Before Photos It mightn't seem like it, but this backyard with it's sloping lawn was actually the PERFECT layout to create a beautiful space because we could achieve a lot of the things that's important to Dad. So let me take you on a mini journey of Dad's beloved garden transformation and all the things I learned along the way. Involve the person who the garden is being built for. When designing a garden for someone with cognitive impairment we needed to look into the future as difficult as it was / is. The biggest thing was to ensure Dad was a part of the process and to run by our ideas through him first before we went ahead with it. I felt like this really empowered him and he started to show signs of excitement that he'll soon have a garden to cherish. Consider how easy it is to move around the garden and navigate. At the moment, Dad is pretty good on his feet, but in time that mightn't be the case so we opted to create a garden with no stairs and instead designed a garden with three different levels with a gentle sloped pathway. The largest of the levels was divided by a drystone sandstone wall which looks pretty incredible - a feature in itself! The pathway itself is a loop which means that no matter which direction Dad enters the garden, he'll always arrive at the same place. This is especially important for someone with Dementia. Ensure the garden provides sensory elements but keep it simple. The garden path was created with road base to add that little bit of crunch underfoot. We planted a variety of different textured plants for Dad to touch that not only would attract wildlife but were also familiar to Dad - particularly the plants that he had planted himself in this previous home. Familiar plants act as talking points. Other features included a beautiful solar-powered water feature, a bird bath made out of a tree stump that was uncovered during excavation, and a well-crafted windmill sculpture from Wentworth Falls Pots which adds a lot of interest during the more windy days. And since there was not one single tree in the backyard (so very little shade to enjoy when it gets warmer) we added a gorgeous Eucalyptus Saligna that is already about 4 meters tall (they're fairly rapid growers). Provide some seating areas At the back of the garden, we created a little 'zen' area with sandstone crazy paving and the same drystone sandstone wall. We transplanted a number of tree ferns to create a feeling of enclosure and safety. The other seating area overlooks the entire garden with the wrap around bamboo bench which offers another beautiful spot to contemplate nature and watch the birds. Involve the community This was the most humbling part of the whole project. As morbid as this seems, I'm not sure how long Dad has to fully enjoy the garden so we wanted to plant more advanced plants to make the garden feel established. Since mature plants are hard to come by (especially the traditional Blue Mountains varieties - Azaleas, Camellias, Magnolias) or can be incredibly costly, I put out a post through a local Facebook group asking if anyone had any to offer. The response I got was overwhelming. We truly do live in an incredibly generous community! As a result, we were able to plant many well-known varieties of plants that were at least 5 years old in Dad's garden which instantly made it feel established. The amount of care and generosity given to my Dad is so heart warming that of all the things that Dad reflects on, he is constantly saying how grateful he is for the community's support. You could say that this garden has definitely been created with love. These photos were taken toward the end of Autumn and as you know, we've had a terrible time with the rain. With all things considered, I feel this garden has been transformed into something Dad will continue to love. We deliberately pulled back on the number of plants as it's important to allow for the existing plants to grow freely without being confined and we also wanted to encourage Dad to continue visiting nurseries to add more plants to his new garden which has always been something he's enjoyed. I know we will all cherish the garden as a family and continue to reflect on how it all came together and the people that were involved. It really is therapy for all of us. _______________________________________________________________________________ Would you too like your very own garden sanctuary? If you'd love for us to provide you with some ideas as to how to create your very own sanctuary with you at the forefront of the design and construction, then please don't hesitate to contact us. We would be more than thrilled to help you transform your space into something you can truly feel good in.

My wife and I had been talking about how much we'd love to have our own veggie garden for years now but with life being so busy we just continued to put it off. That was until 2020 came around and brought with it COVID-19. What a crazy year we've had so far! But the one thing COVID has taught my family and I is to slow down and smell the roses, or in this case, the broccoli. With Australia in lockdown we decided it was the perfect time to design and build a one-of-a-kind organic vegetable garden. The bottom portion of our backyard was being unused. It had a steep slope down onto a grassed area with surrounding Agapanthus. We decided the best way to make use of the space was to tier the garden into sections and use recycled colour-bond sheeting to construct raised garden beds. And so it began! The first step was to remove the Agapanthus. If you've ever tried removing over 50 Agapanthus by hand then I'm sure you'll know just how hard it can be. Luckily the excavator was able to make light work of it and within 30 minutes we'd cleared the steep slope completely. Next it was time to cut into the side of the slope to create the two tiers and secure it with heavy duty star pickets and steel sheeting. This is where it got exciting as we could see just how much more space we'd gained as a result of sectioning off the slope. Then we moved onto clearing the bottom garden to create three large raised garden beds which would give us a total of 6 garden beds - much more than we first thought which was a bonus! Next it was a matter of filling each with organic compost mix and topping with sugar cane mulch to keep the soil moist and enriched with nutrients. We also couldn't forget the bird netting that sits over conduit pipes to protect our veggies from the birds. After a few months of work on and off, this is the result so far... So far we have grown (and still growing): Tomatoes (Big Beef and Cherry Tomatoes) Broccoli Pak Choy Celery Potato Pumpkin Carrots Onion Rocket Leek Lettuce Radish Zucchini Cucumber Rockmelon Watermelon Strawberry Parsley Oregano Basil Chilli Dill Lemon Mandarin Tamarillo Sage Peas Beans We've been amazed at just how much we can grow here in the Blue Mountains and how different the fruit and vegetables taste when compared to store-bought produce (not to mention the savings!). Plus, we have peace of mind that our vegetable garden is completely organic - no nasty's used of any kind. Of course this is a labour of love but we're all able to see the benefits - the kids even eat their greens now because they've been able to pick them directly from our backyard. I'll be sure to keep posting updated photos as the garden matures and crops are rotated. Cheers, Michael Interested in turning your garden into a fully functioning organic fruit and vegetable patch? You'll save money, enjoy everyday food freshness, and have piece of mind that you're eating organic produce straight from your own garden! Contact Michael to organise an obligation-free quote and turn your love for fresh produce into a real-life experience

One of the more common issues I come across as a Landscaper is drainage issues. When there's a lack of sufficient drainage in a garden you'll likely see puddles that seem to take longer to dry then they should, the appearance of bare roots or moss growing instead of grass, rotting retaining walls (especially if water is collecting behind the structure), soil built up noticeably higher than the damp course of the house, and rising damp throughout the house. This is not only an unsightly issue but it can cause serious problems structurally to your house and garden. So what should you do? The simple answer is: redirect the flow of water. Many times the drainage issue occurs because there is a lack of slope in the garden and this means there's no way for the water to move where it can be used throughout the garden effectively. As we've become fairly water conscious, it's a good idea to put in place a drainage plan for the garden so the plants can thrive and you're not spending money on hefty water bills. So what's an effective drainage plan? The secret is water retention. We want to retain the water and use it for the garden instead of wasting it. Here's how to do it: 1. Install a rain water tank that's connected to the gutter down pipes of the house instead of the water wastefully flowing into a storm water pit or flowing into your garden and causing issues. A rain water tank is especially vital for us in the Blue Mountains since the threat of bush fires is fairly high; there's the option to use the collected water as a means of fire defense. 2. Any water collected on a hard surface (e.g. paved and concreted driveways and pathways) can be redirected to local plants nearby with proper installation of pit drains and agricultural lines. 3. If your property is considerably sloped, there's the option to buffer the water using mulch and ground cover that will thrive with the additional water it receives. 4. If the water is building up behind retaining walls, I recommend digging down behind the retaining wall to the footing and installing a well positioned agricultural line supported by gravel and then back filled to the top of the wall with the same gravel. For additional protection for masonry walls, I also recommend water proofing the back of the wall while you have already dug down. It's really not a matter of if you should have a drainage plan in place, but rather a necessity and there's plenty you can do to save water whilst protecting your garden and your house. The easiest and fasted way to put a drainage plan in place is to hire a qualified Landscape Professional who can deal with simple to complex drainage issues. It is far more cost effective to hire a professional Landscaper who can create lasting solutions than it is to fix structural issues down the track which could be not only difficult on your finances but also disastrous to your home. No matter your drainage issues, we can find a solution. Contact Furner Landscapes for an obligation free quote on 0438 592 025 or simply fill in the easy online form found on in the contact page of this website.

A retaining wall can be an attractive feature to any outdoor living space but they also serve a very important purpose - to stabilise the sloping ground, prevent erosion and movement of soil. It's for this reason that your retaining walls structure must be built correctly so it can withstand any changes to the land mass over time. Since the Blue Mountains is a significantly undulated area, there's a higher chance your retaining wall may move or crack over time and depending on the area the wall is holding up could create serious damage to other spaces on your property. Signs your current retaining wall may need to be repaired or in some cases completely replaced include: - The wall is tilted, leaning forward, or has a bowed appearance - The face of the wall is crumbling, split, or pavers have fallen off - A section of the wall is separated from the rest of the structure - Cracks have appeared and are becoming more noticeable These images also demonstrate retaining wall distress: It might be tempting to fix it yourself over the weekend but retaining walls are complicated structures that must adhere to specific structural guidelines to ensure they do their job properly. Firstly it must have a stable foundation, excellent drainage, and of course be strong enough to withstand the typical Blue Mountains terrain. Any retaining wall that is created without these principles in place are likely to fail which could cause more damage and damage your wallet significantly. So the smart and most cost effective solution is to hire a professional who knows exactly what to do and how to do it correctly the first time, every time. Of course, Furner Landscapes has the expertise and tools to ensure your retaining wall is properly constructed and designed in a way that enhances the beauty of your property. If you're looking to get your retaining wall repaired / replaced or you're after a brand new retaining wall then please don't hesitate to contact Michael of Furner Landscapes. All contact details can be found on this website.

Although the temperature is increasing here in the Blue Mountains, we're still considered a cold climate area of Australia. This is why it can get a bit confusing working out what the best herbs, fruits and vegetables are that will grow easily in your garden. Since there's nothing more satisfying then growing your own edible produce, I've put together a list of excellent herbs, fruits and vegetables that will thrive in our Blue Mountains climate coupled with the right kind of care. HERBS: Basil, Chives, Coriander, Dill, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Sage and Thyme FRUITS: Strawberries, Apple, Tomato, Oranges, Lemon, Mandarin VEGETABLES: Beetroot, Broccoli, Cucumber, Zucchini, Cabbage, Eggplant, Carrot, Cauliflower, Lettuce, Onion, Peas, Pumpkin, and Sweet Corn These are the most common herbs, fruits and vegetables that I recommend to my clients as I know they'll do quite well. Along with choosing the best seedling, what also needs to be taken into account is the position of the 'produce patch', the soil used, and the regular maintenance that will ensure you'll receive all the herbs, fruits and vegies you want. WHERE SHOULD I CREATE THE PRODUCE PATCH? Generally a sunny well drained area in your garden is the best place to plant your seedlings although it's always a good idea to check with the seedling information blurb that comes when purchasing a punnet or seedling packet. WHAT SOIL SHOULD I USE? The best soil to use to help your seedling thrive is a garden-mix from your local landscape supplier that's rich in organic matter. WHAT IS THE BEST PRODUCE FOOD I SHOULD USE TO HELP WITH GROWTH? Try to use organic-based fertilisers such as Dynamic Lifter, Blood and Bone or Seasol are ideal. Regular use of dilulted Seasol will help your seedlings grow to their fullest potential. WHAT GENERAL MAINTENANCE SHOULD I KEEP IN MIND AS THE PRODUCE GROWS? Ensure you weed the area regularly to allow for the sunlight to reach your produce - this is also important so the weeds don't use up all the available nutrients in the soil. I'd suggest daily watering during the warmer days so your plants and herbs don't dry out. If you find you're having a problem with pests or disease, you can purchase a pest oil (Brands vary) from the Hardware store or Nursery to combat the nasties. Lastly - enjoy the 'fruits' of your labour....they always taste better.

Even in the coolder months! There's a dangerous rumour going around that the colder days we're experiencing here in the Blue Mountains means our gardens no longer need TLC. That couldn't be further from the truth. Although the rate of growth slows down (especially the lawn), this doesn't mean our gardens are inactive. I have some really useful tips to share with you that will help your garden to flourish even if the temperatures are decreasing. The benefit to looking after the garden is two-fold; no, correction, three-fold. Firstly maintaining your garden no matter the time of year means your garden will always look it's best which ultimately means you can enjoy it all year round. Secondly, by taking some time manicuring your garden, you have an opportunity to double (or more) the number of plants in your garden by propagation, and thirdly - you'll save a lot of money on heating! When you're actively manicuring your garden you'll get plenty of exercise - more increase = higher body temperature = less money spent on heating bills to keep warm! Who would have thought maintaining your garden had so many benefits! Here are my top 6 tips for you to take on board during the cooler months in the Blue Mountains: #1 - Autumn is the time to make new plants from cuttings. Take 10cm cuttings from hardwood herbs such as rosemary and bay or natives such as banksias, grevillea and coastal rosemary. Remove the lower leaves, dip cuttings into hormone powder and pot in small containers of premium potting mix. Keep just moist and shelter from strong wind and sun. #2 - Gather Fallen Leaves and Debris. We've had our fair share of wind and rain lately, so it's no wonder our garden is littered with fallen leaves and debris. It's best to gather the litter so the undergrowth is able to receive sunlight and therefore won't die off. You can simply play the litter in a layered compost bin. #3 - Turn your compost regularly. Turn your compost periodically with a garden fork to allow air to circulate and feed organisms, and decompose the organic matter quickly. Don‘t overload your compost with one particular ingredient – maintain a mix. #4 - Prune harvested fruit trees. Now is the time to prune your harvested fruit tress, except apple trees. Wait until Winter sets in when they lie dormant. Make sure you apply compost as a form of mulch to the trees also. #5 - Spray frost sensitive plants. For those plants in your garden that are susceptible to frost, you can apply an anti-transpirant spray to avoid frost damage. #6 - Bring in colour. Your garden doesn't have to remain outdoors either. You can easily buy indoor plants in flower such as cyclamen, chrysanthemum and poinsettia for colour for six weeks. Keep in well-lit space. And as always - we are here to provide more tips and tricks for your garden. We also offer obligation free quotes for your next landscaping project (no project is too big or small) so call us today to organise a time (ph: 0438 592 025). Until next time! Mike

As we enter the Summer months and temperatures continue to climb, it's no surprise that the demand for water in the garden increases. Being water smart will help you in a number ways. Firstly, you're doing your bit for the environment. As Australia is a dry climate country, water is not always readily available. When you take up some water saving practices which we'll talk about in a moment, you're ensuring those damn levels remain at a healthy level. Secondly, you're saving yourself some money. Water bills can be quite costly, so being water smart will certainly help the bank account. Thirdly, your plants will thank you. Heat can seriously stress out the flora, so the fact that you're giving them some TLC will ensure they continue to bring you joy all year round. So let's take a look at how water smart you can be #1 - Choose the right tool to water your garden: A standard garden hose and nozzle is the least efficient means of applying water to plants because so much water is lost as mist, runoff and evaporation. Use a soaker hose or a sprinkler wand. #2 - Water where it's needed: Don't soak the plant's foliage; it does little good. And don't apply water outside a shrub's or a perennial's root zone. A shrub's root zone is roughly 1 to 3 times the diameter of its canopy, and keeping the water inside this radius will allow it to soak down to where the plant's roots can reach it. #3 - Check your mulch is allowing water down into the soil: Mulch is great for holding in moisture and keeping the base of plants cool. However, a thick layer of mulch can also form a crust that prevents water from soaking in. Break up crusted mulch with a rake to allow water in. #4 - Water at the optimum time of the day: If you water while it's (relatively) cool outside, water can soak in before it evaporates on the surface. And if you do it in the morning, that helps the plant to take up the water during the day. Late afternoon or evening is ok, however morning is preferrable. #5 - Only water your garden with cool water: Don't use a hose that's been coiled up, filled with water and sitting in the sun all day. That coiled hose can act like a water heater, and hot water stresses sensitive plants. Store your hose in the shade. #6 - Water for the appropriate time intervals: With your lawn and perennials, it's better to give them larger amounts of water at longer intervals than it is to apply small amounts of water frequently. That's because shallow watering encourages shallow rooting. In very hot weather, a ballpark range for watering is every other day for perennials and every three to four days for shrubs. Again, make sure to monitor the soil moisture. Water annuals and container plants as needed. Since container plants can't draw moisture from surrounding soil, it's crucial that their soil remain moist (but not wet). For more information on water conservation in your garden, please contact Michael of Furner Landscapes.

Spring has arrived in the beautiful Blue Mountains (although it snowed on the 14th October!) and it always brings about a certain amount of motivation to tidy up the garden and make it look inviting. So I thought I would include some essential Spring garden tips that you can easily implement to help your garden flourish during the warmer season. TIP #5: Fertilise all Spring flowering plants - this simply maximises the flower rate and longevity of the plant. You can use an all rounder fertiliser or Dynamic Lifter (our personal favourite) which will have your plants thanking you in the long run. TIP #4: Aerate and Top Dress Your Lawn - Top dressing your lawn is simply spreading a thin layer of top-dress mix (soil) to improve the health of your lawn for the looming hot Summer days. It also acts as a fertiliser. Aerating your lawn will help the nutrients from the top-dress mix to reach the roots which will make your Lawn incredibly happy. TIP #3: Mulch all Your Garden Beds - The type of mulch you use is really up to your own preference as they all do a wonderful job of keeping the moisture in the ground. This is especially important as the weather heats up. Our personal favourite mulch is known as Euci Mulch which derives from Eucalyptus leaves. TIP #2: Improve Any Drainage Issues Around Your Property - If you have lived in the mountains for long, you'll undoubtedly be familiar with the regular evening thunderstorms we get from the hot temperatues of the day. These thunderstorms can bring about flash flooding which can of course be detrimental to your property if it does not have the appropriate drainage facilities. This can be a bit of a tricky process so my advice is to contact us to provide an accurate assessment of your property's drainage status. TIP #1: Prune, Prune, Prune - We have left the best till last because pruning is inherently associated with Spring garden tasks. Prune dead wood from the Winter season using sharp secateures. It is also a great time to prune out old growth to promote healthy new growth so that your garden continues to flourish. We hope you have enjoyed reading up on our top 5 tips for garden survival during the warmer months in the beautiful Blue Mountains. We love to share our expertise and knowledge in all things garden and landscaping, particularly to those who appreciate the outdoors. There is undoubtedly one, or a number of landscaping tasks you have been putting off, whether you are time constrained or unsure how to approach and create it, which is where we come in. For all your landscaping needs, call us now: 0438 592 025. We look forward to transforming your outdoor area.

You might have noticed the changes in the look of your garden as we enter the more cooler months in the Blue Mountains; the deciduous trees loosing their leaves, the lawn growth slowing down and the enthusiasm to maintain the garden becomes less and less. Sure you mightn't have a burning desire to get out into the garden when temperatures drop below 8 degrees, and I'm sure you would much prefer to be indoors with the slow combustion heater churning out an average of 25 degree temperature whilst you sit on the couch in shorts and a tshirt but lets just think about your garden for a moment. Although it seems that it has become a dormant ecosystem, there is still a fair amount that you can do that will ensure you get the most of your paradise in the Spring and Summer months. We've put together our top 5 projects you must do now that will have your garden thanking you in the long run! #5 CORRECT ANY DRAINAGE ISSUES: Although it mightn't sound like an important project to undertake, correcting any drainage issues in the garden is an absolute must. Why? Because stagnant water can rot plant roots, eventually leading to the plant dying (means investing more $$ in replacing those beloved roses). Not only that, but water build-up behind retaining walls can weaken the walls integrity causing major damage which might be irreversible (means investing more $$ in replacing that beloved wall). Even blocked drains can create huge hassles in the area around the drain (means investing more $$ in fixing the damage). You can see a bit of a theme here. We'd like to save you some money by suggesting a way around these problems: - If you notice water pooling in the garden, the easiest and most effective way of correcting this is by installing ag lines which lead to a stormwater drain - essentially this diverts the stagnat water. The same method is used during retaining wall construction.This of course can be a time consuming task but we're at your service to solve any garden drainage issues, just give us a ring on 0438 592 025 to discuss. #4 REMOVE FALLEN LEAVES FROM LAWN: Deciduous trees are labelled 'decidious' due to the loss of all their leaves during winter. This can create a fair amount of green waste on your lawn, preventing the sun rays from providing the essential nutrients the lawn needs to survive. No nutrients = no lawn. Very easy project this one - simply rake the leaves into piles to remove off your property. #3 MULCH GARDEN BEDS: Why not use the leaves you have just collected from the lawn and turn them into mulch. This is a fantastic way to save money, and you're doing your bit for the environment. You can easily hire a chipper from your local hire store and get chipping. Alternatively, you can invest in a variety of mulching products (e.g. eucalyptus mulch, pine bark, red chip) from your local landscaping supplies. Mulch during Winter helps retain the heat in the soil, keeps the weeds at bay and as it breaks down, a lot of it's own nutrients leach back into the soil. #2 FERTILISE WINTER PLANTS: Not all plants are Spring and Summer lovers. Winter plants such as Camellias and Daphne can really benefit from a good fertilising as we enter the cooler months. Fertiliser comes in a variety of mediums but our recommendation is to purchase a slow release fertiliser that contains a number of nutrients which will enhance the flowering period. Liquid Fertiliser (e.g. Seasol) is another good fertiliser which should be applied to the winter plants every 2 - 3 weeks during flowering season. #1 PRUNE: The cooler months are renowed for pruning and for good reason. It's the perfect time to remove any unwanted branches from deciduous trees and maples for example. Whilst pruning, you can take the opportunity to shape and scape the plant to influence the appearance of new growth, and check plant branch condition to ensure no pest attack or rot (particularly fruit trees). We hope you have enjoyed reading up on our top 5 tips for garden survival during the cooler months in the beautiful Blue Mountains. We love to share our expertise and knowledge in all things garden and landscaping, particularly to those who appreciate the outdoors. There is undoubtedly one, or a number of landscaping tasks you have been putting off, whether you are time constrained or unsure how to approach and create it, which is where we come in. For all your landscaping needs, call us now: 0438 592 025. We look forward to transforming your outdoor area.