Hertfordshire
Gardens and drives in Elstree
Gardens on the hill, towards the studios and the road into Borehamwood.
Jake McGrath’s address is The Garden Centre, Birchall Lane, Hertford, SG14 2NR. Elstree work still covers the hill, the houses towards the studios, and the roads that run into Borehamwood.
The soil is London clay. It holds water in winter and sets hard in a dry summer, so turf needs a base and paving needs a fall. Gravel and a patio usually last longer here than a wide border that can only be dug when the clay is neither too wet nor too dry.
Birches, conifer hedges and garden oaks are the trees that get in the way of a new patio. Hertsmere is the authority if one of them might be protected.