v BRINGING THE GOOD NEWS TO YOU SINCE 1994 v 7th August 2025 • The HERALD • Page 63 DOWN THE GARDEN PATH SPADEWORK Family Landscaping & Fencing Team ] Decking & Natural Sandstone Paving ] Patios ] Driveways ] Block Paving ] Turfing ] All Types of Domestic & Commercial Fencing ] Security Fencing Supplied & Fitted Tel: (023) 8089 4909 Mobile: 07703 566814 u Free Estimates u Fully Insured • All types of trees expertly felled, topped & pruned • Stump Grinding • Hedges pruned & trimmed • Lawns Laid • Fencing & garden work • Rubbish Clearance • Patios & drives jet-washed • Patios & Drives resurfaced or replaced Registerd Waste Carrier Licence CBDU374716 H Fully Insured H Evening: 01794 522092 Daytime Mobile: 07511 863693 Email: treefellers@gmx.com SJB Gardening Services RHS Qualified & Experienced Gardener specialising in quality hedge cutting, shaping & pruning ❀ General garden maintenance ❀ Garden clearance ❀ Hedge removal ❀ Planting ❀ Mulching ❀ Creation of new beds & borders ❀ Pruning & removal of trees to approx 8 metres ❀ Commercial properties All Work Fully insured Free quotations call Simon on 07443 649192 Smithwood Landscaping Professional Gardening & Landscaping • Seasonal Tidy Ups • Garden Redesign • Fencing • Trees & Shrubs Carefully Pruned • Astro Turf • Rockeries Designed • Ground Cover No Job Too Small as I am a Local Gardener Any advice over the phone is freely given Contact Gary (Master Landscaper) 07707 433194 PET FRIENDLY GARDEN di erent textures and scents to your garden. Mix things up by combining so grass, smooth paving stones, rough cobbles, and mulch. As gardeners we know the value of mulch to suppress weeds and help retain water but be aware that cocoa mulch contains the same ingredient that makes chocolate toxic to your dog. Instead, choose natural wood chips or gravel when mulching. Herbs and scented plants are a real treat for their noses, while ornamental grasses and bamboo can create gentle sounds to soothe as the wind moves through them, adding a calming atmosphere. A small water feature can be a lovely addition, too. e sound of trickling water is therapeutic for both pets and their humans, making your garden a peaceful spot to relax for both you and your animal friends. Playgrounds for pets If you want to protect your plants and lawn, we recommend creating a special play area for your pets, where they can entertain themselves to their heart’s content. is could be a corner where they can dig, chase toys, climb, or just have fun without causing damage. For cats, sturdy shrubs and bushes like ceanothus, choisya, dwarf lilac, and ferns can o er exciting places to climb and hide, turning your garden into their own little adventure playground. Don’t forget to provide some shade for hot days and a bowl of fresh water to keep your pets cool and hydrated. can be a wonderful, safe place for your pets to enjoy alongside you. By choosing the right plants, adding sensory touches, creating play areas, using natural pest control, and securing your space, you’ll make sure your outdoor area is a happy haven for all members of your family.” Continued from page 62 Boundaries for pets Your pet may want to play but you need to establish clear boundaries for your pet too. Use short fences, borders, or raised beds to mark o - limits areas. Creating pathways with pet friendly materials like agstones or smooth gravel helps guide your pets and protects delicate plants. Leave a border between fences and planting beds if your pet likes to patrol its patch. Security for pets A secure garden is key to keeping your pets safe, so make sure fences have no gaps or holes, especially if you have smaller animals like puppies, rabbits, tortoises or guinea pigs who might squeeze through. Pets who like to dig can be deterred by reinforcing fence bases or laying down stone or paving strips along the edges. Cats and dogs can be great jumpers, so a fence at least six feet tall is a good idea if you want to keep them inside. Don’t forget to lock gates, garages and shed doors every time you come and go to prevent any sneaky escapes. Amy Stubbs, Project and Development Manager at British Garden Centres said: “With a little thought and care, your garden e members of Black eld Flower Club enjoyed an a ernoon tea produced by the committee for the July meeting and were entertained by the ‘Burnt Toast’ Band. ey performed two sets with music from the sixties which certainly got the feet tapping and some audience participation with wellknown songs. e band had requested that the Club make a donation of their choice to a charity and it was decided that the Isle of Wight and Hampshire Air Ambulance would receive this donation. e Club do not meet in August. e next meeting will take place on Tuesday 9th September at 2pm when there will be a demonstration by Katie Baxter entitled ‘Tales from the Cutting Garden’. Meetings take place at the Royal British Legion, Exbury Road, Black eld, SO45 1XD. Visitors welcome, please contact Jan Gordon on: 023 8084 4835 for more details. Blackfield Flower Club
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