When a patio floods, it rarely feels like a small problem. Water sits against doors, mud gets tracked everywhere, pots tip over, and the whole garden starts to look a bit defeated.

If you have ever booked a gardener, then watched the day drift by with a damp Camden sky overhead and no one turning up, you will know the feeling.

If you manage a patio near Camden Market, you already know the reality: it has to look good, work hard, and cope with a lot.

Terrace gardening along Regents Canal has a character all its own. You get the charm of water nearby, narrow outdoor space, changing light, and the usual London mix of wind, shade, and privacy worries.

Outdoor living areas such as patios, balconies, porches, and decks have become indispensable for homeowners seeking an oasis of relaxation, entertainment, and privacy.