London garden designer

Hello everyone I thought I'd share this great idea to keep your little monsters entertained over the summer holidays. The mini dinosaur park is easy and cheap to make and will keep your little ones busy for hours and hours. You can read the full instructions here: http://www.simonorchardgardens.com/single-post/2016/06/26/How-to-create-a-mini-dinosaur-garden And as ever, if you have any bigger garden projects in mind, please get in touch. Happy building!

A few people on our street have turned their front gardens into driveways in the last year and it breaks my heart! Yes parking on the street can be a nightmare but it's good exercise to walk a couple of minutes to your car if you've had to park it round the corner! And all these paved gardens contribute massively to localised flooding causing damage which our taxes pay for (?3 billion in 2007 alone say the RHS!). But flip it the other way round and try to put a price on the emotional wellbeing that gardens can give us. Coming home to a nice front garden can help let those stresses of the day drain away, and being out in your front garden is a great way to meet your neighbours and forge new friendships. And when you finally come to move on, you'll most likely get your money back on anything you've invested in your garden. And whether your front garden is big enough for two cars or just big enough for your 2 wheelie bins, with a little imagination there are lots of things you can do to make it a lovely green space, rather than a mass of ugly concrete. I?ve designed a few front gardens recently (see attached) and it?s such a pleasure to turn these often neglected spaces into beautiful gardens. I'm always happy to offer advice and help so please feel free to get in touch. Happy planting! Simon http://simonorchardgardens.com

Hi there, I'm Simon Orchard from Simon Orchard Photography. I specialise in baby and family shoots (but also do weddings and events), I take natural shots, using natural light. And I always make sure it's a fun session and everyone is relaxed. I've done lots of shoots for people in the East Dulwich area. Please feel free to check out my portfolio at http://simonorchard.com and my faceboook page 'simonorchardphotography' With kind regards Simon 07806 355 656

Hi Cazz Timing of planting is generally related to flowering time, but I wouldn't be too concerned about planting early - daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths would have been fine being planted back in September. Tulips on the other hand are best planted in November so you still have time! And planting them this month means less risk of 'tulip fire' disease. As long as you get your bulbs in the ground before the first frosts you stand a good chance of success. Happy planting! Simon P.S As well as your Winter Jasmine and Forsythia, you could add further winter interest with a Sarcococca (Christmas Box) - evergreen and amazing smell in the depths of winter! http://simonorchardgardens.com

There?s something quite special when the first of the bulbs appear after the cold winter... brightening up the garden and letting you know that spring is on its way. And now is the perfect time to be planting your bulbs. With a little bit if thought you can have flowering bulbs from January right the way through to May and June by which time the perennials and shrubs in the garden will be providing a good show. And don't worry if you don't have a big garden - you'll get a great display by planting them in layers within containers on your patio or balcony. Why not try the following: Galanthus nivalis (snowdrops): January/February Iris reticulata: Feb/March Narcissus tete-a-tete (daffodil): March/April Muscari armeniacum ?Saffier? (grape hyacinth): April/May Tulipa ?Negrita? and ?Gabriella?: April/May Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation?: June Also make sure you follow the instructions on the packet for planting depths. Of course living in London our friends the squirrels will think it's fair game to dig some up them up so try covering with chicken wire or garden netting for a couple of weeks until the roots get established. I hear chilli oil on your borders and containers can ward off both squirrels and foxes if you're so inclined... My advice is just get some bulbs in the ground, forget about them and you'll have a lovely surprise come spring. And if you?re thinking of adding more shrubs or perennials or contemplating a complete garden make-over, Autumn is a great time to do it: landscapers are a little less busy so you won?t wait months for the work to be carried out. Also your lovely new garden will be ready to enjoy as soon as you are in the spring, and the plants will have had time to establish their roots so you get a better display next year. Happy planting! Simon 07806 355 656 http://www.simonorchardgardens.com facebook: simonorchardgardens

Hi there I am an East Dulwich based garden designer. I have just finished my garden design diploma at Hampton Court Palace (with KLC School of Design) and can certainly help on planting schemes and 'right plant, right place' ...as well as any other design aspects. Please feel free to contact me on 07806 355 656 Kind regards Simon Orchard

Hi there Did you get anywhere with this. If not, I would be happy to advise. I'm just completing a 1-year Garden Design diploma at the prestigious design school KLC - based at Chelsea Harbour. (I have had 16 years marketing/design experience before this). My services include site analysis/survey, taking a brief from you, producing designs in 2d and 3d and producing a comprehensive planting plan. I can also source plants and plant up once the build is complete. I'd be happy to have an initial no obligation chat with you and show you my portfolio. You would need a landscaper builder to carry out the actual build. I could put this out to tender on your behalf or you can organise this yourself. Hope to hear from you soon. Kind regards Simon Orchard 07806 355 656

Hi there If you are still looking I hope I can help I'm a family and baby photographer based in East Dulwich - I do lots of portraits locally - if you search for my name on the forum you'll see lots of testimonials. I tend to shoot at clients' homes - and I'm used to capturing great photos with cluttered backgrounds so don't worry about that. I think you'll get a much nicer result at home with natural light than shooting in a studio with all the lights. Please check out my website, facebook page and my reviews on google local. I've done lots of shoots in the last few weeks that aren't up on my website yet, but happy to send you a slideshow if that would help. Kind regards Simon 07806 355 656 w: www.simonorchard.com f: http://tinyurl.com/noj8ot9 google local: http://tinyurl.com/ock8n94

Hi Nick, good to make contact, thanks. Don't know anywhere I could get a couple of frames of bees from to help my last ailing colony which is about to die out?

Hi Carpgirl - very kind offer but I'm afraid I can't help you on that front, sorry!

... I would love to come and get it! I am a Bee-keeper in East Dulwich, but sadly my 2 colonies have not made it through the winter so I am bee-less, and quite sad about it! Now is the time that bees might be swarming so if you see on on your apple tree/garden bench/neighbour's shed please let me know immediately on the mobile and I'll be over in a flash with my smoker and a box to take them away in And please don't be afraid if you see a swarm - despite the thunderous noise, they are very calm when they swarm as they aren't protecting their home and their tummies are full of honey (for the journey) which makes them very placid! Many thanks in advance Simon 07806 355 656

Hi there East Dulwich Yes you did read that correctly. For a limited period only, I would like to offer my Wedding photography service for FREE. I have been a keen photographer for many years and do a lot of baby and newborn portraits and events. I have now branched out into weddings and would be happy to photograph your wedding in the next couple of months for free so I can build up word-of-mouth. I have professional Canon cameras and lenses and flashunits so the quality will be second to none. I'll meet with you beforehand and agree the gameplan, then on the day I will take over 1000 shots, covering the bridal preparations right through to cake-cutting and first dance. My style is informal reportage-style. After the wedding I will edit them down to about 300 - all of which will be professionally tweaked to perfection (which will take 3 full days). These will be provided to you on DVD (high res) and are yours to keep! You'll also get a low res album you can share with your friends and family on facebook. All that I ask is you pay my travel costs and if you wan't to donate a few quid if you are pleased with the result (you will be I can assure you!) so I can buy a back-up memory card I wouldn't say no - but certainly not a requirement :) I'm happy just to do a wonderful job and leave you feeling delighted so you tell all your friends. This service would normally cost ?1000 so is a gift. Please search simonorchardphotography on fbook and have a look at my albums. I look forward to hearing from you soon Kind regards Simon 07806 355 656