This weeks gardening tip

Attractive, practicable and easy-to-maintain, hard landscaping is one of the best ways to get the most from your garden and enhance the appearance of your house. What's more, a luxurious patio, splendid path or fabulous feature needn't cost the earth and can easily be created over a weekend.

Whatever type of landscaping project captures your imagination, don't forget to include at least one circle or curve. Popular with today's designers and homeowners alike, circles and curves can really make a difference to your patio and are perfect for winding paths through the garden or even framing a pond. A good shortcut is to use the standard 1/2 circle pack in the Wentworth range of paving from Wickes. Priced at £79.99, the pack includes all of the different segments you require to create a 2.7m diameter half circle.

You can also place your new Wentworth circle within a square frame by purchasing a special '1/2 Square-Off Kit'. Priced at £45.99, the kit is ideal for incorporating a circular feature within a square patio without the need for cutting.

Don't forget that whatever landscaping materials you use should complement the style of your house. So if you want to maintain a traditional look, go for the grey/green colouring and deep riven pattern of Hamilton paving also from Wickes. Available in a range of three sizes, Hamilton paving looks best when laid in an apparent random pattern or edged with  brindle coloured Stamford block paving to give an interesting panelled effect. For older style properties, choose paving with an aged and weathered effect such as the  new Knightsbridge block which has an appealing tumbled finish and costs just 25p per block.

Pond features are extremely desirable and can be easily constructed over a weekend. You will need a pond liner, large pond pump, a pond hose, and waterproof junction box, all of which will set you back around £112. A paved perimeter of Wickes Buxton paving together with a garden lighting kit will add another £125, making a total of £237 for a really worthwhile yet inexpensive project.

Feeling inspired? A good place to start is with a copy of Wickes Outdoor Projects Guide which can be picked up free of charge from any Wickes Home Improvement Centre. An invaluable aid to anyone planning to use hard landscaping or wanting to improve their garden, the 16 page, full colour Guide is packed with lots of good ideas and features several basic step-by-step outdoor projects including how to lay slabs and block paving, how to erect fencing and how to build an outdoor barbecue using a simple walling technique. For details of your nearest Wickes store, call Freephone 0500 300 328.

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