Landscaping Guidance

Welcome to the consumer information section of the website. Here you will be able to find useful guides of choosing the right landscaper or designer, what to expect to pay and the processes, plus some ideas of what garden to have. Be Inspired. #WeAreApl

Gardens For Winter Wellness - A Design-Led Approach

Winter in the UK can be a challenging time for our mental and physical health. But did you know that your garden can be a powerful tool to boost your well-being, even in the coldest months?

Can Gardens Be Landscaped in Winter?

For many homeowners, the very idea of working outdoors all day every day in wintery conditions fills them with dread. But there are plenty of advantages to having your garden landscaped in winter. And yes, professional landscapers do work all year round.

A contemporary courtyard garden with wheelchair accessibility

Designing and Building an Accessible Garden

Designing and building an accessible garden is an exciting opportunity to create a space that everyone can enjoy and benefit from.

Do Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations Apply to Landscaping Projects?

If you’ve ever been involved with a building project - perhaps a house extension or a self-build, you’re probably already aware of The Construction Design and Management (2015) Regulations

Garden design illustration

Why You Should Start Planning Your Garden Makeover Months in Advance

Don’t wait for spring or summer to start planning your garden makeover. Here’s why you need to give yourself more time.

How A Garden Designer Can Help You to Tastefully Rewild Your Garden

Rewilding gardens has had a lot of press coverage lately and there’s no doubt about it, many people find the idea appealing.

10 Low Maintenance Plants for Small Gardens

We’re often asked about low maintenance plants for small gardens, so here are ten of our favourites.

How To Start A Career In Gardening

Designing, building and caring for gardens are some of the most rewarding careers anybody could have. The feeling of accomplishment you get from doing even the simplest of tasks is amazing

What Is The Most Important Part Of A Garden?

Every garden owner will have their own opinion on what the most import of a garden is. For some, it might be the privacy afforded by a hedge, for others it may...

Do I Need Planning Permission For A New Garden?

Before you begin any landscaping project, it’s wise to check whether or not you need planning permission for any part of the scheme. If your property is...

Nice and Easy: Grow Your Own

Summer is finally coming and it won’t be long until we can enjoy crunchy veggies and juicy fruits direct from the garden. If you feel you’d like to...

Bee A Hero: How Your Landscape Choices Can Help Bees

May 20th is World Bee Day and following hot on its heels, May 22nd is The International Day For Biological Diversity.

Free Food in May? You Bet! Your Guide to Foraging

Foraging for food unlocks a whole host of new flavours and textures. And it costs nothing but your time. Here’s where to find free food in May.

The Pros and Cons of No Mow May

No Mow May has become firmly ensconced in the garden maintenance calendar thanks to the charity Plantlife. Plantlife introduced the concept in 2019 in order to address the decline in insect populations.

What Makes A Good Landscaper?

Find out how to tell a good landscaper from an enthusiastic amateur...

The Power of Partnerships in Landscaping : How valuable is a Garden Designer?

Some Landscapers have developed good working relationships with Garden Designers and already know the benefits of a strong, trustworthy and loyal collaboration between these two professionals to the success of their projects...

Award Winning Gardens That Are Built To Last

Let’s take a look at this year’s APL Award Winning Gardens and discover what makes the APL awards relevant to anyone planning on buying a garden...

Make Your Own Garden Mulch

Nothing boosts soil and plant health more than rich compost. We’re looking at the pros and cons of making your own garden mulch...

Gathering The Good Stuff - Our Guide To Foraging

Gathering food from hedgerows, beaches fields and forests is known as foraging and although it’s not a common activity for most of the UK population...

What Does A Landscaping Apprenticeship Involve?

Landscaping is a thoroughly rewarding career. Just look around you any time you are out and about. Nearly all of the beautiful places in the built environment will have...

The wildlife value of private gardens, both commercial, and domestic

The total area of private gardens in England is roughly equivalent in size to the county of Somerset. This is larger than the total area of all designated nature reserves...

Does Outdoor Living Space Add Value?

If you were in the market for a new home, would the state of the garden influence the offer you put in for a property? If your answer is yes, then you can be...

Builders and Landscapers: Who Will Give Me The Best Deal On My Garden Makeover?

Builders and landscapers. At first glance you might think that they do similar jobs. But in actual fact the two skills sets are very different indeed. Here’s why it’s a...

What Is A Professional Gardener

Gardens are dynamic, living things that are subjected to everything the climate and the environment throws at them. Frost, drought, floods, airborne seeds from unwanted...

This Is Why Hiring APL Accredited Designers, Gardeners and Landscapers Offers Great Value For Money

Here’s a reminder of just some the benefits of working with APL members...

Taking Care Of Your New Garden

Some elements of your new garden may need extra TLC in the first 12 months after installation. Here are our tips on taking care of your...

Everything You Need To Know About The Landscaping Process

Once you have found the right landscaper to build your new garden, the landscaping process can begin. But don’t expect your landscaper to turn up the very next day with a spade...

How Do I Find A Landscaper Near Me?

I need some work done in my garden, but how do I find a reputable landscaper near me? It’s a question that the team at the Association of Professional Landscapers is...

The Garden Design Process

These days, it’s not difficult to find a garden designer. An internet search will bring up a whole list of garden designers working in your area...

First Steps To Planning Your New Garden

Nowadays our gardens are an important part of our lives. They provide places for entertaining outdoors, for children to play, and for de-stressing and...

How To Maintain Your Garden

Many landscapers and garden designers are asked to create low maintenance gardens. And with careful selection of materials and plants, that’s...

What Can I Expect To Pay For Landscaping?

Most experts in any industry will advise potential clients to take magazine articles with a pinch of salt. The internet is bulging at the seams with companies plying their...

How To Choose A Landscaper

Top tips to ensure that you hire the right landscaper for the job..