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27th May 2022 Garden Bar Trends For This Summer - elbec garden buildings

Garden bar trends for this summer

It’s a trend that’s long surpassed lockdown and is here to stay: the garden as an entertainment space. With so much to look forward to this year including the Jubilee, we’re all in the mood for a garden party. Pop a cork and get the whole family round with our garden bar ideas.

What’s driving the garden bar trend?
Since 2021, interest in garden pubs as an outdoor space has rocketed by an incredible 494%. Driven by a need to entertain at home, followed by increasing costs of going out, the at-home drinks station has taken centre stage.

Looking for ideas to style your outdoor bar? Choose a trend based on your theme, space and budget.

Versatile garden shed spaces
Like outdoor entertaining, working from home is also here to stay. That’s why we’re creating versatile spaces in our gardens – from dividing seating areas to using multi-purpose outdoor bars. If yours is a larger garden, consider ‘zoning off’ areas, such as a drinks station, bar area and seating around a firepit.

Got a smaller space? No problem. A garden shed with both a workspace and bar area helps us transition from work life to home life easily. Our Paradise Pent Garden Bar and Store offers a roomy retreat with a hatch for serving drinks.

Tropical Tiki bars
Stuck in the passport queues? Bring the tropical vibes to your garden with this summer’s Tiki bar trend. Accessorise yours with bunting, coconuts and artificial flowers to bring a taste of Hawaii to your home. This pressure treated Mercia Garden Bar offers carte blanche for you to adorn in your favourite tropical themes. Why not hang a few bar signs to beckon your guests?

Remember to keep things toasty as Britain can’t quite deliver the same standards as the Tropics. Add a patio heater or chiminea: all of the warmth with none of the tropical storms.

All-weather seating areas
There’s nothing like the unpredictable, great British weather. But that’s not stopping us optimistic Brits, and we’ve developed products to withstand year-long weather conditions. L-shaped sofas and outdoor rugs allow us to enjoy our gardens in both the summer and winter months.

As for garden bars, you’ll want a well-treated wood finish that can withstand Mother Nature’s worst. There’s no need to pack away the bar stools, either. This handy Shire Garden Bar and Store features a stylish overhanging roof for when clouds start to gather.

Taking the indoors outdoors
As our love for interior design grew throughout the pandemic, so too did our love for the garden. Many homeowners are uniting both by taking the indoors outdoors – from the abovementioned rugs and couch seating to the décor.

There’s no need to limit your garden aesthetic to biophilic browns and greens. Bring the contemporary touch of your kitchen to the outdoors with this Shiplap Pent Forest Garden Bar. The monochrome design acts as a continuation of modern kitchens, ideal for sophisticated garden parties.

Maximising space
With more urban environments taking on the garden party vibes, there’s no need to hold back if you’re short on space. Position your bar area in the corner with a simple side entrance for easy access. Our garden bars also double up as storage space during the winter months, so you can keep those ice buckets tucked away.

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27th May 2022 Platinum Jubilee Garden Party Ideas - elbec garden buildings

Go platinum with these Jubilee garden party ideas

She’s Britain’s longest-serving monarch with an astonishing seven decades on the throne. That alone is worth celebrating. Whether you’re entertaining at home or indulging in a good old-fashioned street gathering, our Jubilee party ideas are fit for a queen.

Get baking
The official Jubilee pudding has been named, and it’s a cracker of a British dessert. Jemma Melvin’s lemon Swiss roll trifle is sure to be a hit this summer – and you can make your own. Keep it retro by serving your trifle in an 80s-inspired trifle bowl: the perfect centrepiece for your Jubilee garden party.

Not into the red, white and blue? Pay tribute to Her Majesty in another way by adding a dash of lemon to your garden. If you’ve got guests coming over, it’s time to give those wood finishes a lick of paint. Go bold with this zesty yellow.

Liven up the garden furniture
Of course, the Jubilee is a fantastic excuse to bring out the bunting. But why not put your own spin on it? Rather than hanging it on your front door or fence, use it to complement your existing foliage. Got flowers twisting around a garden arch? Incorporate the bunting into it and don’t risk it blowing away!

Cross the Ts and dot the Is with street parties
If you’re getting the whole street involved, the more the merrier – but make sure you’re playing by the rules. Street parties are totally legal and there’s no need for an alcohol licence, but you should inform your local council.

Once the boring stuff’s out of the way, keep it communal with your garden furniture. This lightweight picnic table can be transported easily from your garden out into the centre of the action.

Add a competitive element
There’s nothing more British than a little sport. While you don’t need to assemble a five-a-side football team, you can keep it sporting with some outdoor games. Think classic British favourites like British Bulldog, or bring props along with giant Jenga. Need to keep the kids entertained? Have them play Queen of the Castle in their own playhouse.

Create a ‘Best of British’ theme
As the head of the British institution, the Queen is an extension of our own culture – and there’s much to be celebrated! Create a musical playlist featuring the best of British artists. Think old classics like The Beatles, Britpop legends like Blur and Oasis, or party floor fillers like the Spice Girls.

While royal family masks are almost a dealbreaker, we can pay tribute to the Queen in other ways. Did you know that the Queen’s favourite flower is Lily of the Valley? Make your tribute last with artificial flowers around the garden.

Make a plan B with a summerhouse
We can never rely on British weather, so make sure you’ve got a contingency plan should the clouds start to roll in. Turn your summerhouse into the ultimate royal residency with flags, themed pillows and ornate cake stands.

Now’s the perfect time to serve a few British tipples, too. Go for the classic Pimm’s or mix it up with a shaken-not-stirred Martini. There’s no reason to leave the kids out, either. Try a few summer mocktails such as rhubarb cocktails or peach iced tea.

Stock up for summer now with elbec
A Jubilee celebration may not come around often, but with the right garden buildings, you can live it up all summer. Explore our full range of durable summerhouses, each with a 10-year anti-rot guarantee. Here’s to the next 70 years: we can’t promise the weather but we can promise the party.

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24th March 2022 Get to Know Some of Our Summerhouse Offers

Get to Know Some of Our Summerhouse Offers

Have these warmer days and brighter evenings got you dreaming of a garden escape? Look no further than our impressive range of summerhouses to suit every garden design vision. With generous offers on some of our most popular models, now is the perfect time to grab a bargain in time for summer so that you can relax in style and comfort without needing to leave home!

Shire Barclay Corner Summerhouse

As one of our bestselling summerhouses, the Shire Barclay Corner Summerhouse has proven itself to be a staple of the garden building market and with good reason. Available in three sizes of 7 x 7, 8 x 8 or 10 x 10 depending on the capacity of your garden, the Barclay is the perfect solution for making the most of an unloved corner and creating a beautiful space that you will look forward to spending time outdoors in.

With full length fixed windows and double doors providing ample light, the bright interior this creates is maximised by the generous headroom provided by the 2.2m high ridge. Constructed from robust 12mm interlocking shiplap cladding, this sturdy build also offers a solid tongue and groove floor that can withstand heavy footfall and furniture so you don’t have to worry about stability and comes with the added bonus of free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Mercia Vermont Summerhouse

With the luxury standout feature of bi-folding doors, the Mercia Vermont Summerhouse offers an open-fronted design with abundant interior lighting thanks to two additional styrene windows on either side of the building. With security at the forefront of this design, the Vermont not only comes supplied with a lock and key for the bi-fold doors but is also structurally secure thanks to its robust 12mm shiplap cladding. These interlocking panels provide immense strength to the structure whilst also having the added benefit of being smooth planed, making them ideal for painting or leaving bare for a rustic timber finish.

Available in two sizes of either 8 x 8 or 10 x 8 the Vermont is covered by a 10-year anti-rot guarantee and supplied with comprehensive instructions for easy self-assembly. This beautiful summerhouse guarantees plenty of joyful memories to be made in the garden, with the peace of mind afforded by such a high-quality construction.

Shire Highclere

The Shire Highclere, available in four sizes from 8 x 6 to 10 x 10, is a contemporary summerhouse with a simple but effective design. Its pent roof diverts rainfall away from the building to prevent a buildup of moisture that leads to damp and rot, as well as being covered by a durable green mineral felt covering to provide further protection against the elements.

The frame overhang offers shade from sunny spells and shelter from light showers around the front of the building, providing the perfect space to keep your favourite potted plants. With three full length windows that offer a stunning 270-degree lighting display, as well as wide-opening double doors for easy access to the space, the Highclere is a sure-fire winner for homes looking to extend their garden space.

Forest Xtend range

This exciting new addition to our Summerhouse offering boasts superb energy efficiency and a high spec finish with premium quality materials and craftsmanship. If you’ve been considering a home extension which can be costly and disruptive, the Forest Xtend range offers a cost-effective alternative that holds a C-class energy efficiency rating as well as the elegant finish of modern anthracite grey windows and doors.

Designed with the luxurious appearance of a modern home, this insulated garden building packs many practical features designed to endure both the elements and maximise temperature regulation throughout the changing seasons so that you can enjoy working, relaxing or entertaining in this stylish addition to your garden year-round. With an 11mm OSB roof coated in a thick EDPM rubber coating to create a maintenance free, waterproof membrane around the Xtend’s roof, to the 97mm thick insulated walls that ensure the Xtend stays warm in winter and cooler in the sunny seasons, this is an investment that is sure to make the most of your garden with the endless possibilities of a home office, gym space or hobby room. The Xtend is available in three sizes of Xtend 2.5 (8 x 9), Xtend 3.0 (10 x 9) or Xtend 4.0 (13 x 11).

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15th March 2022 Mother's Day and Beyond: Our Gift Guide

Mother's Day is the perfect time to remind someone of just how special they are. What better way to do that than by gifting them new ways to spend more time in the garden doing what they love. We’ve selected some of our favourite garden products that are sure to brighten any outdoor space and delight somebody very special this Mother’s Day.

Forest Slatted Tall Wall Planter (1 Shelf)

A stylish addition to any modern garden, the Forest Slatted Tall Wall Planter combines a rustic slatted design with practical shelving to offer a convenient space for potted and hanging plants. For the mother that wants to add the finishing touch to her garden, or simply bring a garden wall to life, this is an excellent choice and can be easily customised with the ornaments she loves.

Shop Forest Slatted Tall Wall Planter (1 Shelf) now: https://www.elbecgardenbuildings.co.uk/forest-slatted-tall-wall-planter-1-shelf-pressure-treated-511-06m-x-018m/p7183

Forest Kitchen Garden Planter – Pressure Treated

For the mothers who revel in the joy of using homegrown herbs and salad vegetables when cooking, the Forest Kitchen Garden Planter – Pressure Treated is the perfect addition to their garden as Spring approaches. Its raised height makes it ideal for taking the strain away from bending down to tend to plants, and its smooth-planed pressure treated finish is both practical and stylish. Available in a choice of two sizes, either the 3 x 2 Forest Kitchen Garden Planter or the 6 x 2 Forest Large Kitchen Garden Planter to offer even more growing space, you can be sure that this is a great addition to her garden this Mother’s Day.

https://www.elbecgardenbuildings.co.uk/3-x-2-1m-x-07m-forest-kitchen-garden-planter-pressure-treated/p6955

https://www.elbecgardenbuildings.co.uk/6-x-2-18m-x-07m-forest-large-kitchen-garden-planter-pressure-treated/p6956

Forest Double Sleeper Bench (1.2m)

Give your mother the gift of a quiet space to take in the view of her beautiful garden with the Forest Sleeper Bench (1.2m). This smooth-planed timber bench offers comfortable seating for up to two people so that you can enjoy a cup of tea together in the peace and quiet of the garden. With a splinter-free finish and sturdy, chunky wood design, it’s a great way to enjoy the sunshine whilst birdwatching or grazing in the garden throughout the warmer months.

https://www.elbecgardenbuildings.co.uk/4ft-12m-forest-sleeper-bench-pressure-treated/p6949

Shire Blossom Arbour – Pressure Treated

Don't miss this great bargain just in time for the big day! The Shire Blossom Arbour offers a cosy area to sit comfortably and shelter either from light showers or shade from the sun. This delightful seating space for one is manufactured from high-quality pressure treated timber and assembled in a simple but elegant design, including arm-level shelving on either side for the perfect spot to rest a morning cup of tea. Its compact nature means it offers a small haven to enjoy the outdoors, even in the smallest of gardens.

Shop Shire Blossom Arbour now: https://www.elbecgardenbuildings.co.uk/shire-blossom-arbour-pressure-treated/p3454

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17th February 2022 Our Guide to Choosing the Perfect Greenhouse

With the evenings staying lighter for longer and spring on the horizon, now is the perfect time to start planning ahead for your summer garden projects. Offering versatile space for growing plants and vegetables year-round, the addition of a garden greenhouse means you can look forward to expanding your garden and providing the perfect conditions for your beloved plants to thrive. Check out our guide to everything from the different framing materials to ventilation below to learn more about which greenhouse style best suits your needs and become a greenhouse guru in no time!

Key Features and What They Mean

Style

Freestanding

Ideal for more open spaces where lighting and window access won’t be limited by garden walls, a freestanding greenhouse is the hub of any garden. Many freestanding models do not require a base to be laid and offer easier ground level access, with a large, open capacity to store plenty of plants and tools and some models offer additional internal height space to extend your planting experience.

Lean-to

Perfect for saving space in a smaller garden, a lean-to greenhouse can be added to an existing garden wall to create a compact area for potting plants. This allows you to place your greenhouse wherever the sun best hits your garden and results in a more manageable gardening solution, with the added stability of using a sturdy wall for support. Bring your greenhouse to your doorstep and attach to the side of your home in order to simply step out of your back door and into your growing haven.

Patio

For smaller patio spaces and courtyards, a patio greenhouse is the perfect solution to owning a greenhouse in a smaller, more awkward space. These more compact designs still provide the perfect conditions for growing fruits, vegetables and plants with a thoughtful design that maximises on limited space.

Potting Shed

Potting sheds are a perfect blend of the benefits of both a traditional garden shed and a greenhouse. Providing the ample storage space of a shed and the lighting and sunny interior of a greenhouse, this is a building that offers the best of both worlds.

Greenhouse and Shed Combi

A greenhouse and shed combi means that gardeners can enjoy the benefits of both a greenhouse and storage shed in a single structure. Keeping these two zones separate, you can utilise the capacity of the building to securely store garden tools and bikes whilst also enjoying an elevated growing space thanks to the greenhouse features such as large potting areas and lots of light from the many large windows.

Materials

Aluminium Frame

As the most popular style of greenhouse frame, aluminum is renowned for its lightweight composition that makes it easy to assemble and handle, whilst also providing robust support for your greenhouse. It has the added benefit of not rusting or rotting (and no annual maintenance), so that it can endure the elements throughout the changing seasons for many years to come. Aluminium frames also offer the option of powder coating, allowing you to customise your greenhouse with a high-spec finish in a wide variety of colours to suit all garden settings.

Wooden Frame

Offering a traditional style that can be easily paired with other timber garden features, such as decking and pergolas, a wooden greenhouse can be easily customised with a paint shade of your choice to blend into your garden setting perfectly. With the correct treatment and annual upkeep, it will also be protected against rot and the wear-and-tear of the elements, for a long-lasting build.

Accessories

Ventilation

Perhaps the most critical feature of any greenhouse is its ventilation system, which maintains a healthy airflow to your plants in warmer weather. Manual roof and louvre vents are a standard feature of many models and easy to operate whilst you attend to your plants, whereas an auto vent is cleverly designed to open and close automatically depending on the temperature of your greenhouse. Automatic roof and louvre vents are a great solution for busy gardeners who spend a lot of time working away from home or simply have planned a day out, as it means you don’t have to be around to open up. Be sure to keep an eye out for this key feature on any models you’re interested in.

Rainwater Collection

Plants thrive on rainwater and with a rainwater collection kit, you can make the most of this natural resource. Utilise guttering, drainpipes and water barrels in the damper seasons to collect the downpour and use it to nourish your plant life.

Staging

Easily store a variety of potted plants with a clever solution tailored to perfectly suit your greenhouse. Though staging can be included with some models, it can also be purchased separately to customise your greenhouse layout to suit your needs. In many cases, the staging can also be adjusted in height to accommodate different plant heights and allow for the storage of grow bags underneath, maximising your ground space.

Shelving

Shelving is an essential feature for containing utensils and tools all in one place, making your greenhouse a one-stop facility. This can also be included with some models or purchased separately to find the perfect shelving for your greenhouse.

Heaters & Lighting

Protect your plants even further by combatting the effects of the colder, frostier weather with the addition of a greenhouse heater. A heater makes it possible for you to grow plants and vegetables year-round without worrying about the cold stunting their growth.

Products displayed

Freestanding – Image shows the 6 x 6 Elite High Eaves Greenhouse in optional Stone powder coated finish.

Lean-To – Image shows the Elite Winsor Lean-To Greenhouse in optional graphite powder coated finish.

Patio - Image shows the 4 x 11 Forest Victorian Tall Wall Greenhouse.

Potting Shed - Image shows the 6 x 8 Forest Shiplap Dip Treated Potting Shed.

Greenhouse and Shed Combi - Image shows the 10 x 6 Mercia Traditional Greenhouse and Shed Combi.

Aluminium – Image shows the 5 x 8 Elite Streamline Greenhouse.

Wooden - Image shows the 4 x 3 Forest Victorian Walkaround Greenhouse.

Ventilation - Image shows the Elite Manual Roof Vent.

Rainwater Collection - Image shows the Elite Rainwater Collection Kit.

Staging – Image shows the 7 Slat Elite Diamond Staging in optional Green powder coated finish.

Shelving – Image shows the Elite Diamond Shelving (above the Diamond Staging) in optional Stone powder coated finish.

Heating - Image shows the 1.9KW Elite Blue Flame Gas Heater.

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15th July 2019 Customer Stories: Stuart's Bucknells Log Cabin

Pictured Above: a Shire Bucknells Log Cabin in its Natural Habitat

An exceptional log cabin can transform your garden into a place where everyone wants to be. An elbec customer, Stuart, recently found this out after assembling his 10 x 8 Shire Bucknells Log Cabin which he explains was first ‘intended as a man cave’ – until the rest of his family took a strong liking to the new hideaway at the end of their garden.

From outside the log cabin, the Georgian style window and door give the exterior a timeless and handsome appearance – especially alongside the darker stained finish Stuart has picked, which beautifully complements the nearby potted plants and tree. It’s easy to miss the row of lights subtly placed under the shelter of the overhanging gable roof, the perfect finishing touch for some warm ambience when night-time comes.

Stuart's Overly Popular 'Man Cave'

The size of these Georgian style windows also provides the cabin with ample sunlight. There is nothing cave-like about this cabin – at least until Stuart decides it’s time to roll down the blinds, turn on his wall-mounted TV, and settle down on the sofa for a movie night. With walls built from 28mm logs, the cabin will stay cosy throughout the year. This is helped by a draught seal system on the doors and windows, designed to keep the elements at bay. There are always the additional options of having felt roof tiles, or upgrading to safety or double glazing for the windows –both are improvements which will make the interior even more warm and inviting.

On hotter days, the window can be opened to let any breeze flow through the inside of the log cabin. Stuart has left the interior unpainted, showing off the tight grain and blond colour of the timber logs. With a photo from the cabin itself below, you don’t need to imagine how to the place fills with natural light that bounces off these spruce logs.

A Bright, Airy and Comfortable Interior

The timber used in Stuart’s cabin is the high quality spruce used for all of Shire’s products, slow-grown in Scandinavia and Siberia before being cut down into straight-edged logs. These interlock with one another to give the walls a sleek and engineered look, which stands apart from the more traditional log cabin design with bulky, rounded log ends. Unlike the cheaper pine timber often used for log cabins, this spruce has a much finer grain with generally fewer knots in the wood, ensuring that Shire Bucknells log cabins have a long lifespan – so Stuart can be confident in his cabin lasting for many years to come.

One of the most exciting and rewarding parts of searching for your ideal log cabin is finding a structure that perfectly suits the space you have. This is why Bucknells Log Cabins are made to order, and can be constructed with bespoke measurements if needed.

This 10 x 8ft cabin – the smallest standard size in the range – has a modest footprint that allows it to fit snugly at the end of Stuart’s garden.

Stunning Roof Beams made from Superior Spruce

He has also taken advantage of the option to choose the side on which the door and window are located. The window overlooks his lush nearby tree and lawn, and the door is positioned next to it, where it meets the garden path as it naturally should.

Then again, Bucknells Log Cabin looks equally elegant in a more open space, where the joinery in the four corners shows off the quality timber and gives it a striking appearance from a distance. If Stuart wanted to find a new home for this cabin in the future, it would certainly look just as tasteful elsewhere. This is always possible with the Bucknells Log Cabin, which can be taken down and packed up, even after years of use.

A TV, Ambient Lights and Some Shelving... the Man Cave is Complete

A smooth ordering and delivery experience with elbec made sure that Stuart was in the mood to relax when his cabin was complete. ‘The order process was hassle free,’ he says, ‘and I took advantage of the 0% finance, which was also easy to set up.’

Our finance plan is available on all products from elbec over a thousand pounds, so that the customer can spread out their payment into more manageable chunks without worrying about extra charges.

As someone who ‘enjoys putting things together’, he took pleasure in the experience of assembling the flat-packed cabin by himself over the course of two days – with some extra pairs of hands from his wife and children now and then, of course! Most customers find they need to set aside a full weekend or two to get their cabins built and furnished to their tastes. For those who would rather not involve their loved ones in a DIY project, there is always the option for assembly by our professionals along with the purchase.

A Blank Canvas for you to Decorate

Stuart has fallen in love with his cabin so much that he says he is ‘thinking about getting another cabin soon’. With a variety of options for the cabin, including a felt tile or shingle roof and additional glazing for the windows, we don’t blame him for wanting to invest in another one. ‘I just love being in it,’ he admits. We aren’t surprised!

The Bucknells Log Cabin is built with quality materials and tailored to the size you need, whether you mean to use it for work or for leisure. Learn more about this log cabin and others on the product page and find the cabin you’ve always wanted today.

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30th November 2018 Need a Log Cabin in a Hurry?

Looking for a log cabin to use over Christmas? Perhaps you need extra space for entertaining, somewhere for the kids to chill away from the adults or room to accommodate visitors who will be staying over.

Don’t despair because elbec can deliver a Shire log cabin within seven working days.

Shire log cabins are well made and come in a variety of styles. In fact there are 20 different types of log cabin available and delivered within seven working days. These include three different corner log cabins, the Bourne which has side storage, and the Bradenham, a log cabin which doubles as a garage.

All Shire log cabins are built to last and made from high quality spruce which is more durable than pine, the wood of choice for the majority of manufacturers. Shire is one of the oldest established manufacturers of garden buildings with a fantastic range, of which log cabins are but a part. All Shire products are made near Wisbech, Lincolnshire using the most up to date machinery to ensure quality products which are excellent value for money.

If you are looking for a well-made, sensibly priced log cabin and want to use it in a hurry, have a look at our Quick Delivery Log Cabins. You’ll find plenty of models to choose from with log cabins of different dimensions to suit every type of garden. And there’s even an option to buy your log cabin with either a felt or a tile roof.

But most importantly, elbec is currently the only manufacturer able to offer a fantastic range of quality log cabins which can be delivered to the UK mainland within seven working days. What’s stopping you?

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14th September 2018 How to Love Your Garden

Have you been following the new series of Love Your Garden? Then you may have spotted a few great products you recognise…

Several of our suppliers have been helping out deserving guests on the show, including Grange, Forest, and Protek. Check out the images and descriptions below, then pick your favourites and head over their product pages. With elbec, you can create your own outdoor masterpiece and really learn to love your garden.

Forest Henley Summerhouse

Starting off the new series with a bang, the wonderful garden renovation aired on 24^th July featured a beautiful Henley Summerhouse from our supplier, Forest.

This top quality build features a robust tongue and groove construction, pressure treated timber for a 15 year anti-rot guarantee, and large toughened glass windows to let plenty of light in. It’s strong and secure, as it can be kept safe with a key lock, and its attractive hexagonal design looks good from every angle. What’s not to love?

Painted in contrasting dark and light colours, this Henley really stood out as the focal point of the garden. For more information and to order your own, click here.

Grange Portico Arch

A stylish and sturdy choice of trellis archway, the Portico Arch from Grange was a great addition to the first episode of the show. Its pressure treated timber comes with a 15 year anti-rot guarantee, and it has plenty of space for climbing plants and hanging baskets, so you know the Love Your Garden team made a great choice.

Interested in finding out more? Head to the product page by clicking here.

Protek Paint and Woodstain

Episodes 2, 4 and 6 featured some great treatments by our supplier Protek. In particular, 14^th August’s instalment included their Silver Fir Woodstain & Protector, and we know you noticed the striking Royal Exterior Teal paint in Fiona’s garden on 28^th August. Check out the huge range of beautiful colours from Protek that we stock here.

Grange Sleepers – ‘Sawn Railway’ and ‘Rounded Garden’

Love Your Garden loves sleepers! Particularly sleepers from Grange…

Episode 1 of this series featured Sawn Railway Sleepers (you can view the product page here), while in Episode 5 the team used Rounded Garden Sleepers (view the product page here).

These sleepers are great for adding low borders to different parts of your garden, creating raised beds, or even forming small walls. They’re attractive and robust, and all come pressure treated with 15 years anti-rot guarantee.

Forest Overlap Pent Shed

Tucked away next to Pat’s sewing room in Episode 3 was a neat little shed from Forest. Simple and compact, the Overlap Pent Shed is great for making use of little corners, as the Love Your Garden team proved.

It’s also got pressure treated timber and 15 years anti-rot guarantee, so it’s designed to last. Interested in one of your own? Click here for more information.

Grange Fencing – ‘Closeboard Panels’ and ‘Contemporary Vogue Panels’

Grange’s fencing has helped more than one Love Your Garden guest to a perfect outdoor space. On 7^th August we saw their Closeboard Panels supplied to Pat, and the following week their popular Contemporary Vogue Panels were featured in Roisin’s new garden. Very stylish!

To find out more about the Closeboard fencing, click here, or for more information on the Contemporary Vogue fencing, click here.

Forest Shiplap Pent Large Outdoor Store

Another example of great garden storage from Forest, the Love Your Garden team installed their Shiplap Pent Large Outdoor Store for Irene’s charity donations. This is a brilliant, compact alternative to a conventional shed, and we think it’s an excellent choice.

Want something like this for your garden? Click here to view the product page.

Grange Elite Lattice Trellis

A versatile product that can be both feature and fence, Grange contributed several 6ft square panels of their Elite Lattice Trellis (plus the gravel boards and posts) to Jim’s lovely new garden in Episode 7.

Pressure treated to last longer with an environmentally-friendly system, and coming with an anti-rot guarantee that lasts for 10 years, this is a great choice for climbing plants and boundaries alike.

Click here to see the panels Jim has in his garden and explore our website for a variety of sizes of this excellent trellis.

Catch up on Love Your Garden on the ITV Hub now!

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7th September 2018 Customer Stories: the Shire Playhut Playhouse

The popular Shire Playhut Playhouse is always making our customers (and their kids) smile, and we love receiving photos and reviews from people who are enjoying the new addition to their gardens. Take a look at the stories below to see why the Playhut could be for you:

Emma was lucky enough to be a winner in one of our monthly competitions, and sent us this great picture of the little ones enjoying their brand new Shire Playhut Playhouse. Looks like they’re having fun!

The Playhut is a great first playhouse, being small and simple (look how neatly it tucks away into that tight corner), but it’s also relatively cheap and comes with lots of little details that make it great value. It even includes a floor!

Caroline’s made great use of the space in her Shire Playhut Playhouse, painting the inside a pale colour to help bring the summer daylight in, and leaving plenty of space to let the children’s imaginations run wild.

The family photos add a wonderful bit of personality and style, and we love the curtains she’s put in the window, too.

Now here’s an unusual one – playhouses for bunnies! Sharon’s made great use of these three Playhuts, painting them to match, and even adding a little rabbit to them.

The Shire Playhut Playhouse has piano hinges on its window and door to prevent trapped little fingers when in use by children, as well as styrene window panes for added peace of mind, but it turns out these are great safety measures for adults and pets too!

Want to create and enjoy your own Shire Playhut Playhouse? Check out the product page for more information.

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30th August 2018 Grandad Fred’s Greenhouse Tips

Grandad Fred is a familiar face around our showsite, appearing regularly to help tend to the plants in the Elite Greenhouse. Today he’s sharing his top tips for greenhouses, so read on for some nuggets of wisdom…

Tip 1: Cut up a pair of tights to secure plants to canes

The stretchy fabric is ideal for tying plant stems to canes to keep them growing upright, and you can get plenty of ties from a single pair of tights.

Tip 2: Spray green beans with water to help blossom the flowers

The extra moisture helps the delicate flowers to bloom as beautifully as possible, and means you’re more likely to end up with plenty of beans when the time comes.

Tip 3: When growing cucumbers, keep a washing up bowl of water underneath the pot

Cucumber plants must be kept in moist earth at all times. By making a hole in the bottom of the plant pot and sitting it in a washing up bowl of water, the earth in the pot will absorb the water as it dries out, meaning it keeps a constant moisture content. This allows the cucumber to remain fully hydrated, and therefore grow to its best.

Tip 4: Put a banana skin in the tomato bag for a sweeter taste

This is a great one for making the most out of the produce you grow. Banana skins hold plenty of nutrients, and tomatoes are able to absorb these from the soil as they grow, meaning your tomatoes will be far sweeter.

Tip 5: In hot weather, keep the greenhouse well-ventilated

It’s always important to keep your greenhouse well-ventilated so it doesn’t overheat, but this is especially true during baking hot weather like we’ve been having recently. This is to prevent your plants from drying out – remember to keep them hydrated too!

Leave the windows open while the sun’s out, and even try to keep the doors open if possible, especially around midday. Even better if you can add Elite’s automatic ventilation kits to the roof vents and louvre vents of your greenhouse, to keep the plants well-ventilated even while you’re not out there with them.