Buying Guides

Composting at home can help provide your plants with useful nutrients, and stimulate growth, while also increasing yields! Not only is this a useful way to improve your gardening, it’s also a fantastic way to dispose of kitchen and garden waste, preventing it going to landfill, and thus reducing your impact on the environment.

Composters come in all different shapes and sizes, and it’s not always immediately apparent which type will be suitable for your needs. Whether it’s large-scale hot composters, plastic garden composters, or small-scale kitchen composters, that's why we’ve broken down our top 10 composters to give you the lowdown of each and every one!

400L Aerobin Hot Composter - Brunswick Green

Our Aerobin Hot Composters are the ideal composting solution, with three different sizes (200L, 400L, and 600L) to fit any size garden! Not only can they speed up compost production, they're also easy to assemble.

With an Aerobin:

• There is the potential to add meat, bones, fish, eggs
• Usable compost is produced in as little as 12 weeks
• There is no need to turn your compost
• You can do all-year-round composting due to weatherproof insulation
• There are no odours

An Aerobin is a great way to get started with composting, perfect for beginners who are hoping to get the most out of their garden, and what’s more our 200L Aerobin has double the capacity for the same price as other major brands.

220L Green Compost Converter

Made from recycled plastic, the Blackwall 220 Litre Compost Converter can help you to convert any garden or food waste in to useful, nutrient rich compost. It’s straightforward design in perfect for beginners, and easy to use. Due to its robust design, it provides a secure environment for compost, protecting it from vermin and pests.

This compost converter also requires no assembly, so simply remove it from the box and you’re good to go. An extra-large hatch located on the bottom makes removing compost easier than ever.

3 Tray Standard Tiger Wormery Black

Wormeries provide an efficient method of composting at home, as well as a valuable way to get rid of kitchen waste. A wormery is normally organised via trays, with the bottom tray housing the worms and any organic matter added to it. The worms eat their way through the organic matter (preferring rotting matter over fresh!) and produce worm castings in the process (worm poo). These castings are known as vermicompost, one of the richest and most efficient types of compost available.

There are also pet poo wormeries available, meaning you can turn your pets nasty brown mess into black gold. It is recommended that a wormery is kept under cover during wet weather and insulated or kept inside during cold weather. A wormery is a unique way to create usable compost, and it’s also a great educational tool for children, making great garden projects, ideal for young kids or schools.

Our wormeries are available in a variety of colours and configurations.

Maze 245 Litre Compost Tumbler + 55 Litre Composting Cart Set

The Maze 245 Litre Compost Tumbler and Cart set is an excellent way to speed up your compost production, with it’s two compartments you have the option to produce, as well as store compost. The principle of the Maze Tumbler is that unlike a traditional composter, the compost does not require turning with a fork, instead aeration is achieved by rotating the compost drum via a handle.

The act of turning the compost ensures that it is mixed, and that the heat contained within is distributed evenly. In a traditional composter this is only achieved by turning the pile, which when you’re dealing with a larger composter can be quite difficult. By allowing an even distribution of heat, the process of decomposition is increased, and therefore usable compost is created much quicker.

The included 55 litre cart makes the process of emptying and using your compost that much easier, simply turn the access hatches towards the ground, slide the cart underneath, and fill to the required amount.

We have a large variety of tumbler composters in addition to the Maze 245.

330L Green Johanna Hot Composter

Similar to the Aerobin Hot Composter, the Green Johanna is a more affordable hot composting solution. With 330L of composting space, you’ve got plenty to work with, and when it comes to composting, bigger is almost always better. The abundant amount of space helps to speed up compost production, and also gives you much more freedom to add organic materials as often as you like. Like the Aerobin, the Green Johanna composter is able to break down, meat, fish, and bones without any trouble.

When it comes to cold weather, hot composters fare better than most, however in certain temperatures you may want to add an additional level of insulation. Luckily, we offer a specific winter jacket for the Green Johanna which is tailored to fit the shape of the composter perfectly.

Gardening Naturally Dual Tumbling Composter 2 x 70L Cells

Like the Maze 245 composter, the Gardening Naturally Dual composter relies on the act of the compost being spun to produce compost. However, unlike the Maze composter, this one does not have a handle, which is reflected in it’s more affordable price point, this isn’t a reflection of its quality mind you. This composter is just as capable of breaking down organic material as most other composters.

Each chamber can be rotated independently, allowing you to keep one for storage, and one for production, this allows you to constantly have a cycle of compost production on the go.

260L Garden Compost Box

If you’re looking for affordability and capacity, you can’t go wrong with the 260L Garden Compost Box. Akin to a traditional wooden composter, but less prone to weathering due to its plastic construction, this composter does not rely on being airtight in order to break down organic matter, instead it requires turning and time.

It’s top loading lid, while not airtight, prevents rain from finding its way in. It’s easy enough to put together and compact enough to not take up all your free garden space.

Thermo Wood Composter 600L

Made from 100% recycled plastic, the Thermo Wood Composter is a hot composter with a wood effect finish. If you’re looking for a more understated, large capacity hot composter, then this is the one for you. This composter features ventilation openings on all four sides, concealed under the wood effect planks, this allows air to circulate through the compost – aiding in the decomposition process.

Due to its convenient easy lock system, assembling this composter can’t be simpler – no tools required.

315L CompoSphere Rollable Tumbler Composter Green

The CompoSphere is a tumbler style composter which is turned by rolling it on the ground, and while the capacity of it is a generous 315L, it’s still easy enough to move, even when full. With full UV protection, you can guarantee that it won’t be weathered over time, maintaining its look for years to come.

It’s ability to roll is a two-fold benefit, first of all it helps to mix the contents and break down organic matter, secondly it enables quick and easy movement of the CompoSphere, so you can apply your home-made compost anywhere in the garden, with little hassle.

Not sure where to start when it comes to composting? Click through on to our ultimate composting guide for more info!

As the days get colder and colder, it can sometimes be difficult to feel motivated, especially when it comes to maintaining your home and garden. Winter can also be one of the busiest times of year for gardening, with various tasks requiring your attention. Luckily, there are a number of ways you can make life easier for yourself, and to help you feel relaxed at home, after a hard day gardening!

Blackdown Range Composter



When you have an abundance of garden waste such as grass clippings, dead leaves, and more, one of the best solutions is to compost it. Not only does composting your garden waste help to keep your garden clean and tidy, it will also supply you with nutrient rich compost that you can use to maintain and keep your plants healthy and flourishing. Compost is generally high in nitrogen, which is an essential component for helping plants to fight diseases. Composting sacks can help keep your composting material together if you’ve got an open top composter, they can also be placed amongst plant beds once full and will naturally breakdown to provide a great mulch.

If you’re growing fruit and vegetables, compost can also help to increase the yield of any crops, a wormery (which works much in the same way as a traditional composter, with worms) will provide vermicompost, which is the most nutrient rich of all compost.

Our Blackdown range of composters are a fantastic way to start composting in your garden, and their modular design makes it easy to add additional modules if you feel the need to expand your composting capacity, or if you need a slightly different design.

Aerobin



If you’re looking to add all types of kitchen waste to your composter, you can’t go wrong with an Aerobin. Aerobin’s can take all your usual garden waste, in addition to being able to take food scraps such as meat and eggs. In a traditional composter these sorts of items will struggle to break down and can attract the likes of rats and other vermin, due to the Aerobin’s hot composting design, food waste will break down at an accelerated rate before it has the chance to attract pests.

Because of its unique design an Aerobin breaks down waste through aerobic decomposition, something that is normally done by turning and mixing a compost pile, with an Aerobin this is no longer necessary. You can have usable compost within 12 weeks, without turning the contents, much quicker than most other composters, with the added benefit of being odour free.

Garden Fleece



We spend all year cultivating our gardens, with plants becoming the pride and joy of our displays, of course there is nothing worse than all that hard work going to waste when adverse weather sets in. There are a number of ways to protect your plants, but one of the most effective ways is by using a garden fleece. Made from a variety of different materials, a garden fleece will normally provide you with years of use, protecting your plants from frost, wind, snow, and more. Garden fleeces are even more imperative if don’t have a greenhouse to keep your plants in over winter.

For smaller plants there is also the possibility of using a garden cloche for protection. These durable items can help shield your plants from the worst weather, while still allowing your plants to get the valuable sunlight they need to sustain them. Keep check on any plants which have any sort of cold protection, slugs and other pests can sometimes proliferate without notice and damage your plants.

Rhubarb Forcer



Cold weather limits the range of fruit and veg that we can grow during the period, but one plant that can absolutely thrive during this season is rhubarb. Rhubarb naturally grows during spring, but ever since it became popular during the 1800s, people have found ways to force rhubarb to grow out of season. Rhubarb forcing should ideally be done to an already established rhubarb crop, forcing a newly established rhubarb plant to grow in winter may be possible, but it will likely not have the energy to grown and may actually damage itself in the process.

By placing a rhubarb forcer over the roots during winter, the rhubarb will be insulated and will continue to grow as it would during spring. Due to the lack of sunlight, the rhubarb that is produced will look slightly different to rhubarb that is grown the rest of the year.

Bird Feeders and Nests



Winter is one of the most important times of year for birds, especially when it comes to feeding. Food sources tend to be scarce in winter, so birds rely on external food sources such as bird feeders even more. Smaller birds tend to eat up to a third of their own body weight in food each day, this helps them to build up their fat stores for those cold winter nights. Providing bird food via a bird feeder is a great way to sustain bird populations throughout the year. You can even make your own fat cakes for birds:

• Mix unsalted peanuts, currants, sultanas, oats, breadcrumbs, and grated cheese together with lard or suet. Mix well until everything binds together
• Place the mix in a yoghurt pot with a hole in the bottom. Thread a piece of twin all the way through and out the bottom. Place in your fridge overnight then hang it outside!

It’s important to make sure you provide the right foods for birds too, as many birds have varying dietary requirements. Seeds, berries, and fat balls are common options for birds, but it’s always best to check what is suitable for the species of birds visiting your garden. In the peak of winter it’s advisable to supply birds with food twice a day. A sturdy bird box or nest will help any chicks survive the coldest of conditions.

Storage



In winter you’re not always going to need access to all the tools you would use the rest of the year, plus you’re also going to want to store your garden cushions and summer accessories, so why not use an affordable yet durable storage solution? With a generous 190L capacity, wheels for easy movement, and a padlock loop to keep any dangerous items away from children, this heavy-duty storage box is ideal for use in the garden or at home. With it’s watertight design, you can even keep the storage box outside all year round, it's also available in 175 and 145 litre capacities.Don’t just take our word for it, here are just a few of our customer reviews:



Keeping Warm

Gardens can be a communal, and a productive space, but no matter how you choose to use your garden, there are ways in which you can ensure that you, and your friends and family can stay warm. There are a variety of products on the market which can keep you garden nice and toasty, but we prefer the more traditional methods, something a bit more elemental, something that can make a statement.

A traditional method for keeping warm, as well as for cooking, a chimenea is a historical design that has been used for several centuries. Distinctive due to their unique shape and design, chiminea’s are most often produced in clay, but can also be made from Iron and other metals, both are exceptionally good at retaining heat and very durable. You can even cover your chimenea when it’s not in use to stop it becoming weathered in adverse weather.

Fire bowls and pits create a unique ambience, being much more open to the elements than other sources of warmth. For this reason, there is an extra element of safety involved, embers and ashes can be spread around much easier, so this is something to consider when looking at fire bowls and pits. Like chimeneas, some fire bowls and pits come with grills to cook food.

Keeping Comfortable



One of the biggest problems with garden furniture is that is completely exposed to the elements, the last thing you want to happen to your garden furniture is for it to degrade over time. This Rownlinson Bunbury Sofa Set does not have this problem, in fact it is specifically designed to be completely weatherproof, so you can be safe in the knowledge that you won’t have to put your furniture away during the worst of weather. The set comes with a sofa, two armchairs, a glass topped coffee table, and cushions, luxurious yet affordable. Relax in your garden no matter what the weather brings!

Practical Eco-Friendly Stocking Fillers

Gift ideas for the eco-conscious loved ones in your life

Christmas is a time that brings joy to our hearts, a time where we can raise each other’s spirits, and reflect upon the year that has passed. Whether you know it or not, we all have the power to make this world a better, more eco-friendly place, and Christmas is a great time of year to start embracing that power.

If you want to encourage a friend or loved one to start their eco-friendly journey, there is no better time to start, so read along as we showcase some of our select stocking fillers, which we feel will help inspire a sustainable future.

Worm Card Voucher



Tiger Worms are the best worms you can use in your Wormery. They are supplied in breathable pouches and sent by secure delivery service to arrive in a healthy condition. If you’re looking to start a wormery or have already purchased one, this is the best option for you, as you can redeem your worms whenever you have your wormery setup and fully established at home.

Bokashi Bran



Bokashi Bran is perfect for use in a Bokashi Bin, a soil improver or compost accelerator so you can get composting. The Bokashi Bran helps to speed up the fermentation process, ensuring that all your food waste breaks down correctly. This brown Bokashi Bran comes in a 2kg pack and is also a great addition to chicken feed and wormeries.

Lime Mix



Lime mix is a useful item to have on hand if you have a wormery, as it helps to avoid your wormery becoming too acidic and killing off your worms. Plus, if you end up having lots of citric fruit waste it will safeguard the integrity of the wormery by reducing the overall PH, so you can keep adding your fruit waste with no issues.


Tiger Wormery Moisture Mats



If you find that your worms aren’t making their way up your wormery to the next tray, they may need some encouragement. Moisture mats can help attract worms upwards, and they also provide a barrier to the outside world, so if you have an abundance of flies, place a mat on top of your food waste. The mats are degradable too, so the worms will eventually break them down to make more vermicompost.

Pelletised Worm Treats



If you find that you have a week or two where you’re not putting as much food in your wormery as you usually would, you can always supplement it with pelletised worm treats. These treats will provide all the nutrients your worms need to keep healthy during quiet periods, they also soak up moisture.

Composting Sacks



If you’re composting in your garden, it’s not always possible to have an abundance of space available for the task. That’s why composting sacks are so useful, simply add your garden waste and leaves to the bag, and place amongst flower beds, vegetable patches, or borders, and soon worms will begin to break down the bag and its contents. What’s left will help to enrich your soil and increase your vegetable yields; the sacks will also help to deter weeds from propagating.

Compostable Caddy Liner Bags



Suitable for small kitchen bins, this 4 pack of 10Ltr 25 compost caddy liners are fully biodegradable and compostable. The liners which can each hold up to 10 litres, are supplied on one roll and are made from a plastic free natural vegetable starch-based material. Perfect for adding to your compost bins, with no mess.

Mini Tool Set



Christmas is a great time of year to introduce children into the world of sustainability and gardening. With our children’s mini tool set you can encourage your kids to become more active, and play a role in all your outdoor activities, a fun and educational way to garden.


Big Winter Vegetables Gardening Kit



While we’re on the top of gardening, we’d be amiss if we didn’t cover some aspects of growing your own veg! We’ve got an entire guide available to help you grow vegetables during winter, but if you’re looking for something on a smaller scale, our big winter vegetables kit is a fantastic way to start. The easy to use and guided directions and advice will mean that your kids can learn while also having fun and spending time with their family.

3D Puzzle Garden Windmill



Similar to our previous item, the 3D Puzzle Garden is  great entry into growing your own vegetables for the little ones. With an eye catching and impressive design, this eco-friendly product is sure to inspire and fascinate the minds of children and adults alike.

Camouflage Fleece Jackets



Protecting your plants is always paramount, especially when the colder weather sets in. When we leave the house in winter, we tend to put our jackets on to stay warm, so why should it be any different for our plants? Camouflage fleece jackets can help keep your plants protected against frost, while also blending in with the rest of your garden surroundings, ideal for hanging baskets, beds, pots, containers, and more.

National Trust Bee Log & Insect House



During the winter months, bees need more help than ever, if you want to provide refuge for bees you can use a bee log & insect house, solitary bees will soon take up residence after placing it. Unlike worker bees, solitary bees don’t swarm, so you don’t have to worry about them taking over your garden. Solitary bees can suffer heavily when it rains, so if you do choose to provide a home for them, it’s best to situate it somewhere where rainfall is minimal.

Vanilla Blanc Fragrance Collection



Our Vanilla Blanc collection uses all natural ingredients, so you can be sure that the fragrances and scents that fill your house won’t have any undesired side effects or cause a detrimental impact on your health.  Our range of candles and diffusers are available in a variety of scents, including lemongrass, eucalyptus, and sweet orange, and can help establish a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy every time you walk into a room.

Betty Hula & Green Angel



If you’re looking for sustainable and organic health and beauty products, look no further. Our Betty Hula range is ideal for the vegan in your life, produced using traditional techniques and the finest quality ingredients, with Hawaiian inspired scents. Our Green Angel range provides a unique seaweed skin care solution, harvested from four types of organic Irish seaweed, these fantastic products make an ideal gift for the more eco-conscious amongst us.

Top Ten Product Picks for November

Read our picks for November’s hottest items, useful and seasonal products to help you live a more sustainable lifestyle

As November is coming into view, we’re still anticipating the colder months ahead, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t make the most of our gardens and enjoy some cosy evenings indoors too. With the leaves well and truly falling, composting is a big topic of the conversation, and so too are garden heating options.

Nordmann Premium Real Christmas Tree 6-7ft - UK Grown!



Our Normann Fir Christmas Trees are individually-selected from expert growers around the UK who have a passion to provide you the best quality Christmas trees available. From the moment it's cut, your tree will be carefully netted and packaged in a specially designed box for safe delivery during your chosen date period.

Christmas Limited Time Offer

Did you know you can compost your Christmas tree once the festive period is over? As a bonus for ordering, you will receive a 10% discount voucher via email to use on a selected range of composters. Valid until Feb 28th 2022. Excluding Tumblers.

Build A Barrel by VegTrug



The VegTrug Small Build a Barrel is a lovely addition to any garden or patio area. This product is great for adding colour and providing the perfect home for plants. The base of this attractive planter is made from plastic to prevent it from rotting and allows maximum aeration and drainage for the roots, providing optimum conditions for plant growth. This feature also allows you to have the option to move the planter in the future if required.



400L Aerobin Hot Composter - Brunswick Green



The 400L Aerobin Hot Composter is a device that provides an ideal environment for highly efficient, healthy aerobic composting in most climates. This hot composter can accelerate the composting process, even for tough waste. Efficiently turns food and green waste into rich compost. Exclusive to Original Organics, one of our most popular products!



600 Blackdown Range Single Standard Wooden Composter with Lid



Our 600 Blackdown Range Single Standard Wooden Composter with Lid is made from pressure treated FSC accredited wood with a natural timber finish. One if the great features of our Blackdown range is that it is modular, so if you want to extend your composting ability it is very easy to do so.

Maze 245 Litre Compost Tumbler + 55 Litre Composting Cart Set



A key feature of the Maze 245 is the two separate compartments, which means you never have to stop composting. When the first compartment is full, you start on the second compartment. Once this side is full the first side is ready to empty, and the cycle continues. The strong reinforced barrel has been UV protected and contains multiple air vents to promote aerobic decomposition. The large opening and sliding doors allow for the easy addition of waste and collection of ready compost. Due to the process of tumbling, you can accelerate the composting process.



Asteria Extra-large Grazed Purple Chimenea made of Chimalin AFC



This Extra-large chimenea with a large opening mouth, for full view of the fire and easy re-fuelling, can be located on any patio, and comes with a metal stand and matching clay lid. The finish on this chimenea is mottled purple. CHIMALIN AFC is a new and unique fire clay, offering exceptional resistance to fire cracking. This chimenea is guaranteed 5 years against cracking due to thermal shock. Perfect for keeping warm in your garden this winter. Partner with our Homefire Kindling Pack to make the process of starting your fire much easier.



Medium Dakota Steel Fire Pit



A compact steel fire pit which is easily assembled and suitable for use with any solid fuel such as wood, charcoal, or coal. Ideal to keep you and your family warm and cosy during those chilly evenings and a great addition for any camping trip. Has handles which allow for easy handling and transportation. Use Ecoal 50 Smokeless Coal to avoid watery eyes and smoky gardens.

Relay Classic Natural Rug - 140 x 200cm



With excellent eco-credentials, the Classic Relay rugs and runners are produced from excess carpet materials therefore helping the save the planet. Relay makes a stand against carpets going into landfill or incineration, by buying up pre-consumer surplus and turning into stylish and practical rugs. Made from carefully selected material, cut by state-of-the-art machinery, and finished by a skilled team of machinists ensures as little as possible goes to waste and the rugs are built to last. A great alternative to traditional household rugs.

Hedgehog Barn



A beautifully designed wooden hedgehog house made from naturally durable FSC-certified timber. The unique design of the Hedgehog Barn features an innovative extending porch which helps prevent access by predators and makes it easier to clean and store. This product has been carefully designed to suit the needs of hedgehogs and help encourage them into your garden. Hedgehogs need all the help they can get in winter, check out our blog on making your garden hedgehog friendly for more info.

Black Metal Cat in Window Silhouette Mirror



An attractive looking window style mirror that is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use that will make a great addition to any garden or outside area. It has a glass mirror section that is covered by a black metal frame that covers part of the glass whilst featuring the silhouette of a cat. The appearance is bound to catch the eyes of friends and family members whilst they visit and become a real talking point. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

Sustainable Tips for World Food Day

Adopt an Eco-Friendly Attitude Towards Food with Our Handy Tips on World Food Day

Today is World Food Day, an important day in the calendar of all who seek to live sustainably! Across the globe, events will be taking place to highlight the importance of food growth and sustainability, especially when it comes to nations with food scarcity.

We can all do our own part to ensure that we adopt a sustainable and eco-friendly attitude when it comes to food. Here are just a few of the ways you can start.

Growing your own vegetables will save you money, time in the supermarket, and slash your carbon footprint. Portable containers, crates or pots are a perfect place to start if you don't have enough space for a dedicated vegetable patch.

Invest in a greenhouse to increase your yield of fresh fruit and vegetables and to save space, you can grow legumes (runner beans, broad beans, French beans, and peas), squashes and pumpkins vertically. Use a smaller planter to grow salad leaves, herbs and tomatoes grow well on balconies and patios.



Buy a water butt to collect rainwater. There are many good reasons to install a water butt, particularly if you’re looking to save money on your water bills if your home is run by a water meter.

Filling your buckets and watering cans with naturally collected rainwater also means that you will avoid the use of chlorinated tap water, which can be toxic to plants. You'll also have a consistent supply of water to keep all your fruit and veg fed through any dry spells!



Making compost is all about layers. Regularly adding alternating layers of green (nitrogen-rich) materials like grass cuttings, weeds, and uncooked vegetable peelings and brown (carbon-rich) materials like leaves, wood chippings, shredded paper and cardboard, and sticks allows the compost to truly thrive. Some hot composters such as the Aerobin can make compost in as little as 12 weeks.

Using nutrient rich compost can increase the quality and yield of any fruit and veg you grow.

The Benefits of a Sustainable Christmas Tree

Each and every day we are drawing closer to Christmas, and of course no Christmas is complete without a Christmas tree. You might be wondering just how eco-friendly a Christmas tree can really be? This is a reasonable concern to have, and it’s one that we are going to address, and hopefully give you a better insight in to Christmas trees, and what type is right for you. After all, we all like to try and live as sustainably as we can, so even a small change such as swapping out one Christmas tree for another, can make a big difference.

Artificial Trees



Artificial trees are the biggest point of contention; can they really be sustainable? The answer isn’t quite as black and white as you might imagine. Most artificial Christmas trees are made a combination of plastic and metal components, with a large proportion being produced using PVC (a type of plastic which has a very negative effect on the environment).

Not only is PVC unable to be recycled, with 100% of it being sent to landfill in the UK, it also means the majority of artificial tress are made in China (where most PVC products are produced). This results in a massive carbon footprint to ship them to the UK, a footprint which gets bigger every year as the population increases.

In order to offset the impact to the environment, you would have to re-use the same tree each year for up to 20 years, which seems unlikely for most people, but not impossible. The other alternative is to buy a pre-loved artificial tree, which would be less damaging than buying a new one.

Real Trees



Some people may be concerned that buying a real tree may promote deforestation or unsustainable logging practices, however there are ways to ensure this isn’t the case. First, if you are looking to buy a real tree for Christmas, look for an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) approved tree, this means that it is from a sustainable source.

One extra benefit of buying a real tree is that during the growing period, the tree will absorb carbon dioxide, while the soil will also trap ten times the amount of C02 as the tree.

If you buy a tree with the roots intact you can also keep it growing for future Christmases, just make sure to keep it well watered and cared for while it is indoors during the Christmas period.

If you don’t want to keep the tree, or can’t, one of the distinct advantages of buying a real tree is that it can easily be recycled in a variety of ways, with mulch or compost being an effective way to dispose of it.

Christmas trees require more attention than most people think, dependant on whether you have it indoors or outdoors a Christmas tree will also have different needs. Some people are unaware that when a tree is cut at the trunk, within twelve hours a strong resin will form where it was cut. As most trees will be pre-cut it's important to cut the trunk again before placing it in it's pot. This will enable the tree to absorb any water you feed it with.

Contrary to what some may believe, plain water will be the best option for your tree. If you have a water butt available, this can give you a constant supply for watering your tree.

If you're looking to plant a Christmas tree in your garden there are a few steps for watering it:

• 1-2 weeks after planting, water daily.

• 3-12 weeks after planting, water every 2 to 3 days.

• After 12 weeks, water weekly until roots are established.

Prior to planting, the tree should be kept in a pot with adequate drainage to ensure it does not become waterlogged.

Gardening is a passion that is near and dear to our hearts, it is such a satisfying art, where the rewards commonly justify the effort. Of course, the Great British Summertime is a time of year for which we usually associate gardening, where the flowers are in full bloom, and the bees are out in droves.

We don’t necessarily equate gardening with the colder months, but that doesn’t mean that we have to stop gardening as soon as we see the first sign of frost, the very opposite in fact. The winter months can be a very productive time for flowers, so read through our list of flowers to plant in winter, and you too can make the most of those colder months!



Flowers To Plant

Tulips

Tulips have a tendency to grow fast, so avoid planting them too early as they may rise up too soon and freeze during winter. The time for planting tulips is quite broad, from mid-autumn until December is usually a good time, but sometimes even later will also work.



Daffodils

September is a great time to plant daffodils, but similar to tulips, anytime before December will usually yield results. Try to plant in groups or clumps, as they will look much more natural as opposed to being solitary flowers.



Alliums

When planting the bulbs, make sure that the hole is roughly twice as deep as the length of the bulb, to ensure full growth. Alliums are fairly durable, so don’t require watering, the regular rainfall throughout winter will provide more than enough.



Hyacinths

If you want your hyacinths to bloom around Christmas time, its best to plant bulbs around September time. They’re a great addition to any garden, especially near to paths or doorways due to their particularly impressive scent. Due to the size of the flower heads, it’s recommended that they are supported by a small structure or stake, this will prevent collapse.



Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle requires a lot of sunlight to produce full flowers, it will also need plenty of watering during the drier days, at least until it has had a chance to grow. Afterwards it is very easy to tend to, and only needs pruning if it is growing too large.



Foxgloves

It is important to note that foxgloves are poisonous, so it’s imperative to keep pets away, especially if they are prone to eating plants. Some varieties of foxglove can grow in complete shade, which makes them ideal for the darker winter months, where sunlight is scarce. Foxgloves require very little care, which makes them a very low-maintenance option. The effects of the coldest weather on the plant can be prevented by using a fleece jacket.



Delphiniums

Delphiniums will benefit from a layer of mulch to keep them warm through the winter period. It is best to plant them in a place with minimal wind, as they are prone to collapsing if over-stressed. Soil must not be too dry, as the delphiniums will suffer.



Bluebells

Bluebells are very resistant to being planted at the wrong time of year, however it is still best to plant in late autumn and winter, and they fare well in shade. Bluebells can even be planted in clay soil, provided that it has been enhanced with compost.



Crocus

Crocuses need full sunlight during the winter months, with close spacing between bulbs allowing them to grow as a group. Well drained soil is best for crocuses, with cold temperatures being ideal for their growth, due to their natural resistance. Of course the cold weather can make the ground much more unpleasant to be kneeled on for long periods, use of a kneeler or garden board can alleviate some of the worst effects of cold and wet ground.



Camassia

Camassia are very tolerant to all soil types and acidities, perfect if you have diverse garden conditions. During winter they will need a layer of mulch to keep them insulated, at least for their first year, afterwards they can adapt to the cold. They are even tolerant of damp conditions, due to their origins of growing near to streams.



All your winter planting tools and requirements can be found here.

How To Stay Warm In Your Garden This Autumn

Chimeneas, Fire Bowls and Fire Pits, Which One Is Right For Your Garden?

With the colder months drawing in, its more important than ever to make the most of our gardens before it gets too cold. Gardens can be a communal, and a productive space, but no matter how you choose to use your garden, there are ways in which you can ensure that you, and your friends and family can stay warm. There are a variety of products on the market which can keep you garden nice and toasty, but we prefer the more traditional methods, something a bit more elemental, something that can make a statement.

Chimeneas



A traditional method for keeping warm, as well as for cooking, a chimenea is a historical design that has been used for several centuries. Distinctive due to their unique shape and design, chiminea’s are most often produced in clay, but can also be made from Iron and other metals, both are exceptionally good at retaining heat and very durable. You can even cover your chimenea when it’s not in use to stop it becoming weathered in adverse weather.

With a clay chimenea it is advisable to place a few inches of sand at the bottom of the bowl to dissipate some of the heat away from the clay and prevent it from cracking.

Some chimineas also include doors, helping to keep in the heat even more, this also has the bonus of keeping embers from escaping it. Grills are another common feature of chimineas, allowing you to cook food in your garden and make the experience a much more communal one.

Fire Bowls and Pits



Fire bowls and pits create a different ambience to chimeneas, where a chimenea is a much more contained way of enclosing a fire, a fire bowl or pit is much more open to the elements. For this reason, there is an extra element of safety involved, embers and ashes can be spread around much easier, so this is something to consider when looking at fire bowls and pits. Like chimeneas, some fire bowls and pits come with grills to cook food.

Fuel



Both fire bowls and chimeneas need a source of fuel to keep burning, once the fire has started it can keep going for varying lengths of time, depending on the fuel source. Firewood or kindling is a great way to get the fire started, and we would always advise using a sustainable source of wood for your fire bowl or chimenea. If you are using wood that you have sourced yourself, it is important to use wood that is dry, any moisture at all can cause smoke clouds, something you don’t want to coat your garden!

Another fuel source you can use is coal, but if you are sitting close to it make sure to make a smokeless variety. Not only will this be a much more pleasant experience to be around, but it is also much less harmful for the environment, with less pollutants being released into the atmosphere. Coal can burn at higher temperatures too, something to be aware of especially when using it in a chimenea, it also burns for longer.

Food



Both chimeneas and fire bowls can cook food, and the type of food you can cook with them is very open, but here are a few ideas to get you started.

• Barbecue – much like a standard barbecue, you can use your chimenea and fire bowl to cook food over a metal grill for an authentic outdoor experience.
• Chimeneas work particularly well when it comes to cooking dough-based foods, pizza, bread, and so much more.
• Wrapped in a bit of foil, you can cook some delicious baked potatoes.
• Using your chimenea as a smoker is another great idea, use wood for smoking fish, or really anything you want to.

Which One Is Right for You?

Fire bowl or chimenea, which one you prefer really depends on the aesthetic you are trying to achieve in your garden. The practical uses of each are similar yet with enough differences to warrant some thought over. Hopefully this guide has given you a better idea about what both are about, and you can now make a more informed decision.

Still not sure? Take a look at our whole range here.

How To Keep Your Greenhouse Clean For Winter

Get Your Greenhouse Prepped For The Colder Months Ahead With These Handy Tips

Autumn and winter is a fantastic opportunity to maintain several garden tools and structures: water butts, sheds, tools, gutters and more. One of the most intimidating garden structures to keep tidy and clean is a greenhouse, with the larger sized ones being particularly daunting. However, keeping your greenhouse maintained is a great way to increase the amount of light being absorbed by your plants, increase the efficiency of your gardening, and bring you piece of mind. Another benefit to cleaning your greenhouse is that it gives you a chance to eliminate any dirt, moss, and pests before continuing planting.



De-Clutter



One of the first tasks you should focus on before doing anything else is de-cluttering. Many of us will be the first to admit to hoarding items that we have the best intentions of using but knowing we probably never will. Old pots, broken containers, and expired plant food have a habit of sticking around, but it doesn’t mean we have to throw them away, many items can be recycled or reused to have another lease of life. Even if you can’t find a use for an item, it doesn’t mean that someone else wont, always consider giving away items to friends and family, with disposal being a very last resort.

If you have any plants currently inside of your greenhouse, now is the time to temporarily remove them. If you don’t have anywhere warmer to keep them for the time being you can cover them with a fleece.

Clean



Removing extraneous items provides a chance to focus on cleaning not only the items used inside the greenhouse, but also the greenhouse itself. We always recommend using eco-friendly alternatives to bleach and most store-bought cleaners, these can either be products which have been designed to have little to no impact on the environment, or you can also make your own home-made cleaner using lemon and vinegar. Using harmful cleaning products can also cause damage to any plants you have in your greenhouse, or ones that you’re are hoping to add to it.

Start by cleaning any tools or items removed from the greenhouse, and then move on to the greenhouse itself. Depending entirely on where your greenhouse is situated, cleaning the outside glass can be one of the easiest or one of the hardest parts of the process. A sponge, bucket, and scouring brush will be your best friends during this stage! This process can be made easier by using a water butt in your garden, you can even add a hose to the water butt to speed up the process.

The interior of the greenhouse should be an altogether easier affair now that you have emptied all the items from inside it. Start from the top, as any detritus that falls can be cleaned once you get to the bottom.  

If your greenhouse has gutters, its vital that you remove any leaves and detritus from them, as these can easily build up and cause problems. The use of a Hedgehog gutter brush can help you clean the leaves out and prevent most leaves from settling in the first place. If you have a potting table or station, this can make the effort of cleaning and keeping your greenhouse organised much easier.

Organise



If you like to keep all your tools, pots, etc. inside of your greenhouse, there are several ways you can keep them organised. A potting station or potting table can be a great place to store and organise your tools, or if you don’t have space inside your greenhouse you can place one outside. Attachable hooks can be a great way to store your watering can and other oft used tools in an easy to reach spot, try using overhead wires and pegs to keep your gloves on hand (no pun intended).

Utilise old jars and condiment containers to store your smaller tools and planting accessories, not only does this give you an almost limitless supply of storage containers, it is also eco-friendly.

Larger tools can be kept in portable storage containers to make it easy to transport, these have the added benefit of being able to be put in your car boot, so if you want to help relatives or friends with their gardens, you can easily do so. If you have multiple containers it’s easy to forget what is in each one, so label every container to make your life easier in the long run! Alternatively, you can dedicate an entire space to your tools, reserving the space inside your greenhouse purely for planting and growing.

Greenhouses are likely to produce waste so it’s imperative to have a convenient way to dispose of your waste to hand. A wheelbarrow, composting cart, or garden cart gives you the freedom to easily wheel your garden waste to your composter or wormery.

The Benefits of Composting

There are a number of ways to get involved with composting, from using a standard wooden composter, Wormery, hot composter, and more!


How To Compost

• First of all, you need a container to hold your compost (view our range here).
  
  
• Secondly, you need a location. Different types of containers will work better in different environments, but generally you want a consistent temperature as much as possible.
  
  
• Some composters are suitable for outdoors, such as larger wormeries and garden composters
  
  
• If space is an issue you can also use a container design to be used indoors, such as a Bokashi Bin or similar items.
  
  

What To Put In It?

• Generally a mix of brown and green materials is advised
  
  
• Green materials includes kitchen waste, grass, and weeds
  
  
• Brown materials includes wood, cardboard, and dead leaves
  
  
• Lime can change the acidity of the composter if there is an imbalance
  
  
• A wormery will need Tiger Worms in order to function
  
  

Maintaining It

• Depending on your type of composter, you may need to turn the materials inside of it to add air in to the mix
  
  
• Some composters are designed with this in mind, and have functions to allow the turning more easily, such as the Maze 245 Litre Compost Tumbler
  
  
• Wormeries have different needs to traditional composters, you can find out more about Wormeries here
  
  

Using Your Compost

• Once your compost is ready you can use it in a variety of ways
  
  
• If you're growing vegetables and herbs, the compost can be placed around the base of these plants to ensure better and healthier growth
  
  
• Adding compost to grass will maintain and improve a healthy lawn
  
  
• Mix with soil for use with potted plants, adding additional nutrients to the plant
  
  
• Flower beds can be improved with the addition of compost, giving the plants an extra boost