Barbecues
Traditional
charcoal barbecues come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, from folding types to take
on the beach or picnics, to those that are suitable for garden use, and of course built in
barbecues. Prices for these range from £9.95 to about £200
* If
you are planning a barbecue on the beach or in a park, do check that you are not breaking
the law.
I found that garden centres, DIY stores and now even supermarkets and
garages all stock a good range of barbecues. Your social habits will dictate which type
you buy, but a word of caution ... over the years we have had many barbecues that have
either been left out in the rain, or put away in the shed without being cleaned first,
only to be thrown away the next spring - sound familiar? So if you are new to eating
"al fresco" buy a cheap, small barbecue first.
Garden Furniture
Family favourites, and good old standbys are the resin tables and
chairs that stay out in all weathers, don`t rot and are easy to clean. They come in some
good colours now and don`t show the dirt like white. Prices start from £25 for a round
table and four chairs. Add another £25 to spruce it up with seat pads, parasol and
stand.
Metal framed garden furniture is the most expensive but hardest
wearing of all, and will grace your garden for many years. Prices are from £199 for
a round aluminium table and four chairs, to £275 for the six seater aluminium and
glass set with the latest textile technology seating.
As with barbecues, your requirement for garden furniture very much depends
on your lifestyle. If you have young children or grandchildren you won`t want them
spilling sticky drinks all over your new padded cushions. For permanent seating,
benches dotted around the garden painted in "Cuprinol Garden Shades"
look good. You can also paint a few pots and bits of trellis to match,
livening up those dull winter months.
Garden Lighting
Solar
powered lighting is the best for simplicity and convenience. Just buy the lights and
let the sunlight do the rest......... I have had some solar powered lights in my garden
for about five years and they`re still going strong. Of course they are not as bright as
my electric halogen lights, but they have the advantage of being totally portable. Prices
are from £24.99 to £59.99 each, the most expensive having a movement sensor for added
convenience.
Electric
lighting is much cheaper but you will need an electrician to install the system for
you. Once in place they are permanent and cannot be moved around like solar powered
lights. Prices range from £9.99 to £49.99 and some of these are sets of four
lights.
Then
there is the fun stuff, pond lighting, outdoor party light sets, net lights which
cover gazebos, globe sets, Chinese lantern sets, parasol lighting, patio torches, oil
lanterns, linking spot lights, tree lights and lastly, bite fighter lights that help to
repel insects....
Garden
lighting is both practical and appealing. When it is dusk there is no need to cut short
your enjoyment of the outdoors, just switch on the outside lights and you will see a whole
new dimension to your garden. Don`t forget to get security lights.
Patio Heaters
When
it gets chilly and you`re relaxed you won`t need to go indoors if you have a
patio heater. Gas patio heaters provide warmth that`s mobile, efficient and easy to
control, with prices ranging from £149 to £299
Terracotta
Chimney Patio Heater burns natural smokeless fuel for £49.97
Try
this combined oven/patio heater to enjoy the unique flavours of foods roasted,
baked or smoked over aromatic wood chips and herbs, then as the evening draws in warm
yourself around the Chiminea`s welcoming glow....mmm. Only £149 plus £18 carriage.
Tel:- 08703 30 81 50 - 24 hour orderline - or go to:- http.www.cannockgates.co.uk for
details
I
think the terracotta chimney would do for me then we could use it on bonfire night to keep
warm, and roast chestnuts on.......
Plants
I
couldn`t find anything really new whilst doing the rounds of my favourite garden centres,
but I have noticed how popular herbs are becoming in today`s gardens, and have just
counted twenty different varieties in my own garden - as I do have a
liking for them. They are aromatic, attractive and mainly edible, what more could you ask
of a plant? Favourites for scent are Mint, Lemon Balm, Pineapple Sage, Lavender,
scented leaved pelargoniums, bergamot, Rosemary, Thyme and Origanum Aureum or Yellow
Marjoram, which is a delightful bright yellow leaved plant that smells of lemonade powder
when crushed, and in my opinion has the best scent of all the herbs...
Why
not have a go at growing your own herb garden?
Have
a look at previous editions of
Gardener`s Diary
|
