HOW TO PROTECT YOUR GARDEN DURING A BUILD

Ensure prized plants, trees and possessions stay intact during your project by following these simple steps

- SARAH WILSON

Understanding how to protect your garden during a build is vital if you're going to prevent damage to your plants, shrubs and trees. While undertaking an extension for your home is an exciting prospect, it's also important to make sure your garden doesn't suffer so much during the process that it ends up needing an overhaul too.

If you're considering a construction project it's good to do a little pre-planning with the builder to avoid causing any damage to the garden, especially if you have plants or trees growing near the house. You will also want to move containers, garden ornaments, barbecues and patio furniture out of harm's way, so you will need to think about the best place to store them while the build is in progress.

It's also a good idea to establish beforehand exactly where construction materials and equipment are going to be stored rather than having them dumped on the lawn as that's the only available space when the delivery shows up.

MAKE A PLANT LIST

Draw up a detailed list or plan of all the plants in your garden that you'd like to keep. Make a note of what they are, where they’re planted, and include how old they are, as any recently planted specimens will be particularly vulnerable. Pay special attention to anything rare, expensive or especially delicate. If there are areas that need extra care - such as mature trees or long-established flower beds - make sure they're clearly marked both on the plan and with actual physical markers.

CLEAR UP THE GARDEN BEFORE WORK STARTS