Concrete for your garden

Concrete is a very well-used hard landscaping selection. It is an infinitely useful product that can be moulded into any possible shape and almost used for any application.

Economical to make and easy to use, whether in a mould or in situ, wide range of finishes can be applied to it. With a little imagination and creativity, concrete can be a very stunning material; with a lack of it, concrete can be dreadfully ugly.

Laid as surfacing, concrete is mixed on site, then poured into a mould or footing in ground. As many people leave the concrete surfaces at an untreated or uncoloured stage, concrete has acquired a reputation of being dull and rather unappealing. But, indeed concrete can be coloured with dyes or textured by using surface finishes to create an attractive terrace, patio or pathway.

Sweeping a steel trowel over the surface of concrete will give a polished, even surface. But a wooden trowel will give a more textured look and that will have more anti-slip properties. Brushing the surface will let some aggregate used within the concrete to show through. Different stones used in the mix will give diverse effects, as will various direction of brushing.

Slabs are available in a variety of colours, but it is best to select shades of buff or grey. Strongly coloured slabs not only fade quickly, but tend to clash with furniture, plants and other elements. If selected wisely and laid properly, concrete slabs can last you for years. High-quality slabs will be dense, with even mix of fine crushed stone and cement with well machined edges.

Below are some other choices:

Coloured concrete

Pigments are available in the market to achieve coloured concrete.

Precast concrete slabs

Laying concrete in its fluid form in this way is an inexpensive way to get a strong solid garden surface. But precast concrete slabs and pavers are other affordable options. There is a huge range available in the market today as an economical alternative to stone paving. They are often riven finished to create a more convincing imitation. They are regular in size and very easy to lay. Concrete pavers also vary in thickness depending on their use.

Walling with 'in situ' concrete

Concrete can also be greatly useful in creating sinuous curving shapes or walls with large cut-out shapes, by careful construction.

Concrete blocks

Concrete blocks are very quick to lay and very cost effective. These can be cut to shape after building to form sculptural boundaries and internal division walls. It is best to render or paint a block wall after construction to make it look more attractive.

Furniture

Concrete can be moulded or cast to create furniture. But traditionally, this has resulted in heavy pieces that are difficult to move. However, modern techniques in manufacturing concrete pieces are making concrete furniture more and more desirable, particularly as pieces sit so well in urban settings.

Concrete pots and sculpture

The same principles of design are also being applied to the manufacture of concrete sculpture and planting containers. Polished concrete surfaces, ribs, textures and patterning offers elegant and more desirable elements.

They are perfect for either a contemporary rooftop garden, or even for more classic setting, where more traditional pieces will weather down to give the look of a natural stone.