For those who appreciate being outdoors nothing beats getting into the garden and enjoying a bit of fine weather. For some gardens this is only practical during the summer time but for those with some all weather areas, the garden can be both more attractive and a whole lot more usable. A spacious patio and footpaths made from natural stone makes all year round use of the garden a possibility.

As autumn comes to a close and plants start to die back in preparation for the winter, many people almost have to say goodbye to their gardens for a few months because they don’t have any practical way of using it when the weather turns colder and wetter. Lawns become damp and perhaps muddy with worm casts, fallen leaves are left to create more untidiness and the garden ceases to be that attractive lure it once was earlier in the year. But during winter the garden doesn’t have to be that no-go area many people assume it is. Crisp winter days can be wonderful times to get outside into the garden when wildlife is easier to spot and some plants, especially trees and shrubs have their own beauty.

Owning a garden is not without its costs. First of all a property with a large garden will have attracted a premium price when it was first purchased, not to mention the extra stamp duty the government would have applied to that price. Then there is the cost of maintining a nice garden. Of course if you look after your own garden the man hours of work are effectively free, but gardening does takes time and large gardens even more so. Then there is the expense of plants, fertilizers, weedkillers and machinery. Given all that financial outlay wouldn’t it make sense to use the garden as much as possible? After all, had you spent a significant sum of money purchasing and maintaining a nice car, you wouldn’t take too kindly to being made to leave it in the garage for 6 months of the year. So getting the most out your garden space by being able to use it all year round makes perfect sense.

The key to achieving a year-round garden is creating spaces that can be used whatever the weather and that normally means footpaths for convenient access and patio areas. Normally the material of choice for an attractive patio is natural stone and there is a wide choice of stone alternatives available including Indian Natural Stone that is available in sandstone and limestone variants as well as Cotswold and York Stone from the UK.

Natural stone can be purchased in a range of pre-cut sizes that lend themselves to creating all manner of designs and layouts. A good natural stone company will often provide a choice of ready-made designs or can create a custom design for your own particularly patio area. They will also offer advice on how to lay the stones and may even be able to recommend a choice of local landscaping contractors.

There are also ready-made packs of natural stone that can be laid as a stone circle, perhaps as a feature in a lawn or in a garden sun spot that can be used frequently during autumn and winter. Indian stone setts are also available which can be used not only for patios but also for pathways and driveways. The use of natural stone for a patio makes it both a useful and attractive feature and if pathways also use the same stone, the whole garden becomes a place that everyone will want to spend more time. For that completely natural look, Indian natural stone can also be used for wall copings and even swimming pool copings and corners.

So create a natural stone patio area and don’t neglect your garden once the summer is over. Your garden will look better for it and the investment will add value to your property too.

Author Bio: Gordon lives for garden design and works with suppliers of natural stone in Surrey to showcase what can be achieved with yorkstone, sandstone and natural stone paving. The beauty of natural Indian stone is a sustainable and attractive option for garden patios and footpaths.

Category: Gardening
Keywords: