Welcome to City Escapes
Design, Construction and Maintenance

City Escapes formed in 1988 in South west London with contracts ranging from Campden Hill Square to Lansdowne Gardens SW8.

 

The founder, Damian Mackay, being Kent/Sussex borders born and bred spent every Friday "escaping the city" back to Burwash and the countryside – hence the name.

 

From a farming background and having qualified in Amenity Horticulture at Writtle College,

during which time Damian served an apprenticeship at Sutton Place under Head Gardener John Humphris, formerly of Borde Hill.

 

After qualifying Damian worked in London for other landscape contractors and also abroad before branching out on his own. The business has grown steadily as a result of recommendation and through hard work, reliability and capability.

City Escapes specialise in-

All Our Staff are:

  • CRB Checked
  • Uniformed
  • Well trained
  • Polite and helpful

 

  • Regular garden and grounds Maintenance
  • Garden Construction
  • Garden Design

 

 

  • Small one-off garden works
  • Seasonal Bedding plant displays
  • Turf care management and diagnosis

 

 

  • Soil analysis
  • Problem solving
  • Approved pesticide/herbicides operators

 

 

  • Timer controlled drip irrigation
  • Decorated Christmas Trees and Festive displays
  • Snow Clearance

 

Seasonal Advice from City Escapes

What to do in your garden in April

  • Apply more organic matter wherever possible to help lock in moisture.
  •  Consider installing "leaky pipe" to aid establishment to new plantings and mulch over. Leaky pipe when connected to a timer should be exempt of restrictions. Maximise water benefit by setting timer to work only at night.
  • Lawn maintenance - moss kill when sward is damp. Apply broad spectrum selective herbicide to control lawn weeds. Scarify and feed when rain is imminent.
  • To increase drought tolerance do not cut lawns too often. Longer grass will provide shade thus reducing evaporation resulting in lawns remaining green for longer.
  •  Provide means of support to growing herbaceous perennials using either modern metal systems or traditional pea sticks.
  • Feed naturalized bulb areas unless the area is under a wildflower maintenance regime.
  • Enjoy spring bulbs - cyclamen, daffodils and tulips should be out as well as anemones and crown imperials. 
  • Water pots and containers by hand or consider timer controlled drip irrigation which are exempt from the restrictions.
  • Prune Dogwoods to 6" to form a stool from which young growth will grow and present the most intense stem colour.
  • Sow direct carrots, lettuce, beetroot and leeks. Transplant the latter into final growing area when big enough to handle. For annual rotation keep records of planting locations.
  • Still time to plant onion sets eg Red Baron and Sturon. Or start onion seed in the greenhouse or on window sill.
  • Sow direct Broad Beans and Peas.
  • Sow Spring onions and plant potato tubers at Easter..
  • On dry days weed through beds with a fork or hoe  as the weeds are growing. Leave soil cultivated to a depth of 2" then apply bonemeal or Growmore if not composted. 
  • Clean down garden furniture and apply suitable oil or timber treatment.
  • Subject to overnight temperatures consider clipping/pruning silver leafed plants such as Lavender, seneccio and santolina. The cuts allow in frost causing die back.
  • Unwrap plants protected from frost such as Olive, banana,dicksonia.
  • If you struggle to get the best out of your garden RING Damian - now is the best time. 01435 868211

 

Latest Projects

 Take a look at what we have been doing lately ..


 

Domestic - What we can do for you

Services provided from Burwash, East Sussex. Our range of works is extensive within the domestic sector but encompasses:

 

  • Garden maintenance service in Kent, Sussex and Surrey. Size is not important. Regularity,reliability and ability is paramount.
  • Landscaping of either whole or parts of gardens throughout Kent and Sussex.
  • Small one off garden works of as little as a man day.
  • Lawn Specialists fully equipped to attend to the needs of lawns throughout Tunbridge Wells, Kent and Sussex
  • Hard Landscaping - Decking, paving, walls, paths and fencing throughout Kent and Sussex.
  • Soft Landscaping - Plants, lawns, hedges and trees

Commercial - What we can do for you

Services provided from depots in London and East Sussex covering London, Herts, Essex, Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire. Our range of works is extensive within the commercial sector but encompasses the following areas:

 

  • Office buildings
  • Residential blocks
  • Car dealerships
  • Hotels
  • Golf Clubs
  • Industrial estates
  • Cemeteries

Maintenance

Landscaping

Lawn Specialists