Garden seats & benches, garden dining sets, parasols, love seats, garden tables & arbours

LATEST OUTDOOR LIVING F.A.Q.

How Do I Protect My Wooden Swing Seat in Winter?

A swing seat made from wood should certainly never be left out or unprotected in the elements during the worst months of the year. The best option is to move it to somewhere under cover such as a shed or even a conservatory or you can purchase a special swing seat cover made from waterproof fabric. Be sure to secure it well though, possibly even tying it down, in case of gusts of strong wind.

To Prevent High Winds Blowing Over Garden Chairs

If you have a group of garden chairs, around a garden table, outside in gale force weather they will inevitably not only blow over but may even blow round your garden and do some extreme damage. The best way to prevent this, if you can’t put them under cover, is lay them down flat on the ground and tie them to something very heavy or preferably permanent such as a tree or at the very least to each other; this will form sort kind of anchorage. If you secure them to a garden table do make sure it is heavy enough not to get blown over itself. Probably the most important thing is to keep them well clear of any large windows or a conservatory. Remember a strong gust can easily lift a light garden seat and turn it into a missile!

How Long Will Natural Reed Screening Last?

Natural reed screening will never last as long as proper fence panels and should only be viewed as a temporary screen or wind break. A lot depends on where you are putting it but it probably lasts about 2 – 3 years.

LATEST GARDEN IDEAS

A small scale garden ornament needs the right setting that carefully chosen planting can provide. For example mossy saxifrage makes a good foil for stone textures and forms a neat green foundation to enhance such features such as a birdbath or an antique style sundial.

Use a traditional trellis with a garden arch, dripping with sweet smelling roses, to frame a distant wooden bench that is approached by a slab path edged on both sides with deep purple lavender. The whole effect makes for an eclectic mixture of classic and cottage gardening.

A paved garden can be versatile and adaptable, especially if you love entertaining outside and need a dry mud free area. You can devote part of this type of garden to outdoor dining or cooking for friends on the barbecue, all year round.

If you have a narrow town garden with high walls use a large garden mirror to reflect more light around your outside space and also give it the illusion of seeming larger than it really is. There are some amazing designs on the market from lavish gothic arch styles to 'window ajar' or 'gate ajar' styles which create the impression of a window or gate set into the wall. You can even buy a mirror for your garden which includes a metal or wooden trellis overlay.

To create a living shelter for your garden seat why not consider growing a structure made from living willow rods. Now is the time to plant them ready for the spring. You can purchase rods in bundles of 50, with a membrane and pins, from www.greenmanwillows.net or call 01527 857742