Maintaining your garden

We know your garden can be an important element of your lifestyle. It’s your personal place to relax and entertain, cultivate flowers and shrubs, enjoy the local wildlife and simply savour being outside. 

You may wish to plant shrubs, hedges and trees, but there are a few points we would ask you to bear in mind:

• Most shrubs and trees need little attention once they are established, but should be regularly watered during the first year.
• Newly planted trees should be drenched at least twice a week and more frequently during dry spells.
• Never plant trees too close to your house, as roots may interfere with your foundations. We recommend you seek an expert opinion.
• Also be careful planting doesn’t interfere with drainage or other services.
• Cut back plants during the autumn to improve root growth.
• You can cut back trees and plants overhanging into your property, but we’d recommend talking it over with your neighbour first. In the case of trees, you should also consult the local authority to check for any Tree Preservation Orders.

We install extensive drainage systems on our developments to clear surface water from roads and pavements. However, it is normal for some areas to become a bit waterlogged in extremely wet weather conditions.

• This isn’t a construction defect and so isn’t covered by your warranty.
• Wait to see if the water drains away of its own accord within a day or so.
• If the water is within three metres of your home and doesn’t drain away within a reasonable time, and especially if you experience prolonged flooding in that area near to your home, please contact us to discuss the matter.
• Water pooling more than three metres from your home is not covered by your warranty.

Making home improvements such as installing patios, block-paving or other impermeable surfaces in your garden may reduce the rate at which water drains away and make the area more susceptible to waterlogging. 

• The appearance of mushrooms in recently laid turf is not unusual and is not a cause for concern.
• The process of harvesting, transporting and laying new turf can sometimes stimulate the growth of mushrooms. They will most commonly appear during warm and humid conditions and will usually disappear after a few weeks or when the season changes.
• They are unlikely to reappear after the first growing season.
• The mushrooms can be removed by brushing away or mowing the lawn, we would recommend using a collection box to prevent spreading.