outdoors

Looking for a post box to go with your home exterior? There are a host of options available to help you choose the best of the many varieties available. Modern day letter boxes are available in many styles and colors and serve people with diverse artistic interest and of course budget.

Modern post boxes are trendy, stylish and engineered to stop pilferage. They are sturdy, long lasting and aesthetic in their look and purpose. Stainless post boxes also provides the best service in terms of durability, function and affordability. Residential post boxes are available in many styles and cool colors. You are sure to find the perfect one for your home among the huge variety of collection available.

The steel post boxes are made from brushed, high quality stainless steel and can be accessed by key. There are top loading as well as side loading types available while all the varieties are weather resistant and rustproof. They can be wall mounted easily and come with one year warranty.

Are you looking for cheap post box models? Budget post boxes are now available in steel with a lot of color options. The features include name plate window and mail check window. They are designed to facilitate easy removal of contents from a side hinged door.

If you are in the market for an expensive designer post box, then there are some attractive options available. Stylish high end designer post boxes can be customized and made to match your exact specification. You are free to choose the styling and color and any additional features that you might like to have.

You can even order multi-occupancy post boxes now available from leading manufacturers of designer post boxes. Apartment post boxes made from high quality steel and a paint finish in a variety of colors are available from leading manufacturers. The flush designs allow multiple boxes to be fitted side by side easily or one below the other. Despite their close location, they allow easy removal of contents and are extremely convenient to use.

The letter boxes are weather proof and designed to withstand the British weather. There is no way your important mail will be damaged or affected by the damp English weather. You just have to make sure that you order your post box from reputable manufacturers. The best manufacturers will give you an extended warranty and the best prices.

UK Water Features has a huge range of garden summer essentials ranging from garden lighting, garden buildings, bbq's and water features. 

Finding it difficult to grow exotic plants naturally in your garden? Well, the next best option available is to fake it. There are many garden owners faced with the same predicament but have found fakes to be the ideal solution for overcoming the problem.

Topiary balls can be an attractive option to consider when it comes to decorating your garden. Artificial topiaries can make attractive decorative items at parties. You can make your own topiary with materials that are easily available. It is easy to make and will live much longer than a topiary made from a living plant.

There are many fake topiary plants to choose from including outdoor and indoor topiaries. It is an ancient form of art which can be easily replicated in your home or even as a commercial venture because the demand for these plants is large. Artificial topiaries are used in various decorative arrangements for garden parties for welcoming guests and to lend more colour and foliage.

Artificial topiary is in great demand especially the silk topiaries. They provide a great decoration option and can fit into multiple designs and landscapes. You can choose among the bay leaf topiary, ivy topiary and of course the silk topiary which requires virtually zero maintenance. They are available in the latest designing trends.

Artificial topiary plants can also be used in home and office interiors to eliminate that drab, monotonous look and infuse an element of greenery and freshness. It is the ideal way to make use of the greenery without having to undergo the trouble of maintaining these plants. The artificial plants feature soft natural looks and bring the warmth and pleasant look of the outdoors into your homes. Decorating with topiary plants is one of the easiest ways to spruce up the look of your drawing room or conference hall.

There are many people who love greenery but don’t really mind using fakes as long as they look completely natural. Beautiful blooms that look as good as, if not better than, originals are available nowadays and at prices that are wholly affordable. Ivy topiaries that are tall and have thin stems with wispy tops can dramatically alter the looks of your place. They are not like your usual stiff and stuffy artificial, they look naturally green and lively.

The only difference between real and artificial topiary is only the smell factor. They don’t smell like fresh herbs but there is no denying the fact they look so very real and more importantly they will last for years to come.

With winter on its way out and spring slowly making its way in, this is now the right time to get that gardening equipment you had stashed away and prepare your garden for the burst of color that this season brings. This is the time you get rid of all your winter plants that have run its course. It is time to prep those garden beds, put in new flowering plants and a fresh batch of nice summery vegetables. Along with prepping your garden up for the show of colors that will soon happen, you can also change the way it looks. Introduce elements that are aesthetic while being functional.

For those home gardens that are constantly low on space, you could think of bringing in a 4- tier greenhouse. It will stand perfectly against the wall and will serve as the perfect place to start germinating those plants. It comes with an easily removable cover and four shelves, giving you the space and flexibility you will need to tend to the plants. Assembling a stand like this does not need an expert and in fact requires no tools as well. It’s the ideal place to start growing your vegetable garden.

If you live in a fenced home, you will understand how unsightly the fences can get when you have a beautiful green garden in front of it. If you would like to cover than up, you could think of investing in bamboo screening panels that are usually available in a 6X6 standard size that can easily open up in one of your fence walls. All you have to do is attach these panels to your existing fence and you will have a great background on which to show off those creepers. Almost instantly you will have a perfect setting for a garden.

Another element that will be of great use in a garden cramped space or not, is garden planters. You could choose a few of the classic 34” trough wood styled versions which come with stain resistant woodwork. This works well in a garden where water is of course a constant. The heavy frame will keep things in check and you can easily put it together from the box without the worry of something falling apart. These are perfect for flowering plants and for a range of vegetables you might want to grow.

And finally, to bring in a bit of nature, do introduce a bird bath in your garden. There is nothing like waking up to the sound of grateful chirping birds that have come down for a drink or a bath. 

UK Water Features offers more than just water features with a wide range of garden ornaments, barbecues, garden furniture, garden lighting, wild bird feed and electronic pest control products.  

Today sees the offical start of the Chelsea Flower Show (24th-28th May). It is a highly significant event in the gardening world where millions of people come together for 5 days to both celebrate the highest quality horticulture and view some of the amazing gardens and features that are on display. Hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in the grounds of the Rotal Hospital Chelsea in London, it is widly considered to be the most famous show in the United Kingdom, infact it could possibly be the most famous gardening event across the globe. The event plays a crucial role for the social scene throughout London and is hugely anticipated throughout the year.

With the show being such a large event, there are many designated areas of interest. One of the more popular parts of the Chelsea Flower show include the 'show gardens' which are designed entirely by some of the top names in the garden design industry. This year sees several of the 'show gardens' featuring various water features. A popular trend this year seems to be in the inclusion of stainless steel water feature. The event really is great time of the year for both spectators and businesses. While it is a ticket only event the BBC televise the entire show for the enjoyment of the garden fanatics who prefer to enjoy the event from the comfort of their own home. It certainly will be very interesting to see how the week unfolds.

The programming time are as follows:

Evening programmes
Sunday 22 May 18:15 - 19:00 on BBC One
Monday 23 May 19:30 - 20:00 on BBC One and 20:00 - 21:00 on BBC Two
Tuesday 24 May 20:00 - 21:00 on BBC Two
Wednesday 25 May 20:30 - 22:00 on BBC Two
Thursday 26 May 20:00 - 21:00 on BBC Two
Friday 27 May 20:00 - 21:30 on BBC Two
Saturday 28 May 19:30 - 20:00 on BBC Two
Sunday 29 May TBC on BBC One

Daytime programmes
Monday 23 - Friday 27 May 2011 12:30 - 13:00 on BBC One

Garden Gazebos are becoming more popular amongst the UK public. Gazebos tend to be a free-standing structure that is either attached to the building or an individual feature set apart from the building. They are perfect for open areas such as parks and gardens. Today, you can enjoy a garden gazebo in your garden for a very reasonable cost.

A high quality garden gazebo is usually made from pressure treated timber in order to ensure the gazebo lasts for a longer period of time. The quality of the timber used for constructing a garden gazebo is a key element in determining it's quality. 

With the weather warming up, gazebos are great for providing you with a perfect amount of shade in those warm spring afternoons. They also provide a brilliant platform for entertaining your guest this spring as well as providing your garden with an eye catching focal point. 

A note to remember when selecting a gazebo in the garden is to be sure to consider the weather in your particular area. For example, if you live in hot climates, very little rain it is not necessary to stress yourself out trying to find a gazebo that resistant to the snow and rain. However, here in the UK you probably will need one that is resistant to rain.

Regardless of the type of gazebo you choose, hexagon, octagon etc. you can rest a sure that is going to be extremely versatile. Dig into you creative side and to decide how you want to enhance your garden.

Well with the long weekend upon us, there is some great news that will certainly put a smile on your face today. This Friday sees the first day of the bank holiday/Easter weekend, and guess what? It is time to break out the sun tan lotion in April. Yes, you heard it right it's going to be a warm one.

According to the Met Office, temperatures could rise to a scorching 23C this Thursday in the South of England. Unbelievably, this is warmer than Mediterranean hotspots such as Corfu, where their high is 19C and Athens at 18C and to be honest not that far off from Tenerife where their high is at 24C.

The unusually hot weather is set to continue throughout the weekend which sets it up to be a brilliant weekend in the sun. The average temperatures in the UK in mid April hover around the 10C-15C, so this surprising warms weather is certainly well above average.

With the long weekend set to be a warm one, the smell of sizzling food on a BBQ in the air is a certainty. When the weather is nice, there is nothing better than the smell of food cooking over charcoal lingering in the air. It is a great sign that summer is near. If Barbequing is not your thing, then you can definitely look forward to a relaxing weekend in the sun in the comfort of your own back garden, deck or patio area or even a lovely weekend away. Either way, the weather looks like it is going to be here till around the Royal wedding so let's take advantage of it. Don't forget your sunscreen! 

Winter is coming to an end and spring is upon us. With all the grim weather and all the snow we have had over the winter, warmer weather is on the horizon and now is the time to start thinking about preparing your garden for the spring season. If you are one of those people who love to spend some time in the garden then now is the time to begin your preparations and add them unique touches.

If your garden is in need of a little touch up just before the spring season starts then a few simple additions will go a long way to help you achieve that special look this year. The addition of a self-contained water feature or fountain is a brilliant way to add a unique touch to your garden. These are all very easy to install and require no additional plumbing. With the warmer weather just around the corner, what better way to relax over the weekend and admire your garden than sitting on a new garden swing? The addition of a garden swing or furniture would be a great addition to your garden a place where you can sit and relax and enjoy the view. Keep in mind that there will still be a chill in air so the use a patio heater will be very useful. Finally adding the final touches are key, small garden ornaments will set a larger garden feature off and help them stand out.

It is officially spring here in the UK in 20 days, so you should also begin to consider what plants and/or vegetables you are going to be planting. Here’s tips though, do not go rushing in with that post winter gardening itch and begin planting quite yet. However get out there and inspect all your gardening tools and if needs be then now would be a good time to purchase any new tools and equipment that you may need this year. It would also be a great idea to clean and organize your garden shed.

UK Water Features offers a range of water features, paving, aggregates and ponds for all your garden needs. 

For those who have a home garden and would like to attract different types of wildlife, a great way to do this is with a pre-formed pond. Water is essential for every different forms of life, and it will help your garden get the water it needs and grow. There are many different beautiful flowers and plants that will grow around ponds throughout the different seasons in the year. Also, many different animals in the natural habitat will come to use the pond, and this can provide for enjoyable viewing and entertainment.

Many animals will gather at water to drink, and animals like fox, rabbits, and even squirrels will come to drink from a garden pond. Not only will the pond attract larger animals that need to hydrate, but it will also attract smaller species that live in water, such as minnows, frogs, and birds. Birds will swim in ponds and you can place seed out get as many species as possible, and many different traveling birds like ducks will come and go. The size of your pond will determine the different animals that you will have visiting.

Using a pre-formed pond to attract various kinds of wildlife to your garden is very easy to do, you just want to make sure that you have the space in your garden, and the time to enjoy it.

UKwaterfeatures.com is the leading supplier of garden products, buildings, pond supplies and aggregates in the UK.

With cold temperatures and the snow of winter, are you looking ahead to spring and planning your garden? If so here are a few great tips on how to make it beautiful and be the envy of your neighbours. Gardens need to look great and provide serenity to those who enjoy the outdoors when it is warm. This is where adding a water feature to your gardens come in handy.

A water garden surrounded by landscaping timbers and flowers gives off a feeling of being somewhere exotic if landscaped the right way. Gardeners can replicate waterfalls by building up their land so that the water cascades like a real waterfall. Add a few different colour water lights underneath and surrounding the bottom of the pond where the water flows down to is a great idea. Have a patio area set up nearby and you can have cookout at night or just sit out under the stars and enjoy friends and family.

Along with your waterfall garden, you should plant lots of water flowers and plants to accent the look you are trying to achieve with your garden. Place a few outdoor candles along side of the pond and light them at night to add extra glow and give your garden the feeling of being on holiday all year round.

There are many ways to decorate your garden in the spring, but none is better than having a water garden to adore through the warmer months.

UKWaterFeatures.com offer ideas on garden design and landscaping and sell the UK's largest range of water featues and garden products

Maintaining water features throughout the year with the change in weather and season is challenging task. Water can soon get clogged up. It is important to maintain your landscape water element properly for its running. There can be countless problems that can be a result of water features, especially when someone utilizes dirty or contaminated water. Special measures should be taken to solve problem and to avoid trouble.

Basically, two types of algae, string algae and notorious plankton algae affect the pond by making its water green. Sunlight and nutrition are two factors behind their growth. Providing shade to the pond by using above or besides the growth of plant can provide cover to the surface and reduces sunlight to get into it. Use of these covers can stop sun light to get into and thus reduces algae growth. Cleaning of the water timely will reduce the presence of nutrients.

Winter protection covers for fountains are available for outdoor fountains and in ground swimming pool. These covers help to protect these pools from the effect of cruel weather. They are made up of durable material and also have additional feature such as weather resistant surface coating which increases their durability and strength. Algae stopper anti algae treatments are very effective in reducing algae growth. Fountain cleaning products prolong the cleaning period of the fountain and ponds and make cleaning faster to provide fresh water.

Getting ready for winter is not a task most of us relish. After the Christmas season passes and our New Year’s resolutions are long forgotten, we still have to deal with the snow, sleet, and most of all the cold. Sleet and snow can make it difficult for us to get where we need to go. Inadequate maintenance of our driveways, for example can lead to expensive downtime if we injure ourselves.

The best way to avoid injury to ourselves and others is to keep our walkways clear. Providing a winter care package, preparedness kit, or whatever a person would like to call his collection is a good way to make sure we have the items to prevent accidents that bring either pain to us our loved ones, or financial injury to our pocket books.

Preparing a winter care package is relatively easy. Start with the basics snow shovels or a snow blower and rock salt for the home. Pick up an extra shovel to keep in your car for emergencies. Don't forget windshield scrapers and brushes to wipe off the snow or frost on the cold winter mornings. You can even stock up on tea, coffee or hot chocolate to make sure that you have something warm to drink at home after using your winter care package. Just remember to take breaks when shovelling snow.

Winter is here, but that doesn't mean your garden has to suffer. In addition to caring for your plants and maintaining the landscape, you can add any number of festive touches to make your garden a true winter wonderland in time for the holiday season.

For example, you can't go wrong with Christmas imagery. Sledges and bright lights make wonderful decorations that can be arranged around your plants or plant posts without harming the health of your garden. If you have anything sturdy and durable, a little red ribbon won't hurt their survival.

You could also try planting something new, something festive. Berried bushes can make a delightful addition to larger gardens, especially holly - holly leaves won't lose their colour even in the dead of winter, making a beautiful contrast to snowy lawns.

If you feel like planning ahead for the years to come, think about re-planting your very own Christmas tree. The average evergreen can add eight to ten inches per year. Just make sure local weather conditions are conductive to their growth.

As long as you take care of your plants, maintain good gardening habits - and don't let neglect working outside just because it gets cold! - There’s no reason why your garden can't shine just as well in winter months as the height of summer.

Every year Christmas seems to sneak up on me. I think I have everything under control that I am on top of the shopping and decorating and travel plans and then I check my calendar and realise it is not in fact still November but December and I am very, very behind. This year I am getting a jump start on the decorating and making some of my own decorations. Here are a few of the simple and easy decorations that I have made and you should be able to make too with just a couple of hours and some simple items.

One of the things I like to make every year is a stocking countdown calendar. I take a clothes line and 25 fun coloured kids socks and iron in the dates counting down to Christmas. I then hang them over the fire place and fill each one with a small treat. As the days count down the kids get to take a stocking off and get a sweat treat!

Another easy idea is Christmas magnets. You can cut out your favourite Christmas decorations, angels, trees or snowflakes out of heavy duty cardboard and glue them to magnets to make your fridge festive. This is the perfect way to display all those Christmas cards you will be receiving!

Every Christmas I go all out on decorations for inside my home. I have the biggest tree and the best stockings. However, this year I realised that in my Christmas frenzy I have neglected my garden.

This is why I have decided that my outdoor space deserves the very best outside Christmas lights decorations. I started deciding on the colour scheme of red and white. I bought bunches of red and white twinkling lights and wrapped my porch and gutters with them. I then found some beautiful Moravian Stars in white and hung those from the tree that overlooked my nativity scene.

I also bought a light up reindeer light display, light up bear and a light up topiary of Santa's sleigh. I also bought some red and white light up stakes that line the walk way up to my house. They are in a ball shape and really let off a lovely light at night. My final purchase was this beautiful 5 foot tall light up snowman. He is a silver colour and has a red scarf and a red trimmed hat to fit in with my theme. He comes wrapped in silver lights and sits in the middle of my topiary scene.

Rock salt is considered another form of table salt. The main difference between the table brand of salt and rock salt is the size. Rock salt is much bigger in size and weight. Rock salt is actually a very valuable commodity to gardeners and homeowners in the winter months.

Rock salt is sprinkled on major roadways during the winter months across the country because it lowers the freezing point of water and makes it much easier for drivers to manoeuvre safely over slippery roads. Rock salt is also great at melting ice build-up on driveways and paths.

Every home owner should stock up on rock salt during the winter months to be on the safe side. This is a good idea because if a snow emergency strikes the home owner will be prepared.

Another surprising use for rock salt is making ice cream. Do not be alarmed. The rock salt is not added to the ice cream mixture. The rock salt is used to melt the ice that is around the ice cream container. This was the process used to make ice cream for many years before modern technology introduced new freezing methods.

Rock salt is generally found at local grocery stores, supermarkets, and hardware stores. Many gardening centres also carry the product in bulk. Rock salt is available in large bags of about ten pounds and up.

With the coming of cold weather, we all wonder what Mother Nature has in store for us come spring. There are several things we can do to keep the plants we cared for over the past year to come up healthy as warm weather approaches.

First, start by raking up the leaves around your plants and pulling out the weeds, as this will give you a head start as your plants pop through the dirt come spring. Dig up tender bulbs and store them over the winter.

Get rid of dead plants and trim perennials leaving about a one inch stem above ground to prevent rot and to keep away insects. Add a two inch layer of mulch to keep roots warm and to protect them from sudden temperature changes allowing water to flow, keeping the roots hydrated and prevent tissue damage. Cover plants and shrubs with a cloth fabric to prevent damage from an overnight frost. Do not use plastic, as it restricts air flow. Remove covering during the day to give them needed sunlight and fresh air. If some of your plantings are in small containers, bring them indoors storing them in a basement or garage for the duration of the winter. Larger container plants could be dug up and re-potted, then put back in the warmer weather.

Check out our vast array of water features and outdoor christmas lights in our online store

Christmas lights are popular throughout the holiday season because it gives life to our decorations.

Tips that should be helpful are knowing what kind of lights you are using and the size of the area to decorate. If you are decorating outside be sure to get the lights that are for outdoor use. Shorter strands are helpful when replacing a strand that has broken. Measure the area to make sure you have enough strands to completely fill the area intended.

When decorating inside, make sure that you use lights that are for indoor use. If you have a real tree make sure that it is watered daily. Add lights to the focal points of the inside of your home, this will make great conversation for your guests. One thing to keep in mind and that is to not overload your lights or extension cords. If there are to many lights plugged into the same outlet, this could be hazardous.

If you are interested in lights that change with the music, there are control units that can be purchased or information on the web for the do it yourself.

If you have a light that is not working, just hold the lights up and look through each one. If there is a bad bulb you will see it. This way you are still able to use that whole strand of lights.

The harsh winter conditions experienced throughout the United Kingdom at the start of this year were both unexpected and rare. However, as anyone who has an established garden should know, it is important to take steps to ensure that both you and your garden are well prepared for any winter conditions that may await within the next few months.

It is important to remove weeds or any other unwanted growths before the winter months arrive. Make sure to prepare the soil of your garden so that it can easily withstand harsh conditions. Fertilize your garden, and plant spring bulbs if desired. Also, make sure that any perennial plants are accounted for. Ideally, they should be kept separate in your garden

When deciding to prime your garden for the upcoming winter months, it is important to be mindful of your personal safety at all times. Start preparing your garden well in advance of any harsh temperatures. If you start early, you should be able to take steps to optimise your garden well before the temperatures drop.

If you have adequately prepared your garden for winter, it should be well equipped to deal with harsh conditions. Why not buy rock salt and use it to help you with thick ice or snow on your garden paths as you should never risk your safety to inquire about the condition of your garden. Wait until outdoor conditions seem safe, and any snow and ice has melted away.

LED Christmas Lights come in all colours and for all occasions. Traditionally, Christmas lights are used to adorn indoor and outdoor Christmas trees, porches, fences, and outline homes in a gingerbread house fashion. Deciduous trees and shrubs will look stunning outlined in white lights. Several hundred stands of LED lights will create a gingerbread type village that will draw onlookers from afar.

Bright C7 and C9 LED lights are great for wrapping postboxes and steps. Softer LED lights are the perfect touch around an indoor nativity scene. LED red mini lights look great woven into an ordinary fir wreath, giving it the warm glow and aura of berries. Use green lights to trim doorways and stairs.

LED lights can be used year round, to enhance any special occasion. White lights are increasing in popularity, being used to create ambiance in homes, restaurants, and along the villages. Brides are using coloured LED lights to decorate reception areas. Homemakers enjoy using LED lights along fireplace mantles and in potted plants.

Regardless of the use, LED lights offer users both beauty and safety. LED lights are weather-proof and are made without the fragile filaments, making them more durable. LED’s are also designed to stay cool to the touch, therefore creating a much lower risk of being a fire hazard than traditional lights.

Autumn brings many new colours, birds, and flowers to your garden at home, along with some new chores like raking leaves and preparing your water feature for the winter. An important thing to remember about your water feature is that you can't just leave it all winter, unless you happen to live in a very warm climate all year long.

If you have a concrete or any type of stone fountain, the best advice for the cold winter months is to empty the fountain out completely and bring it indoors before the first winter frost. Simply emptying the fountain may not be enough, as stone tends to expand and contract with varying temperatures. This could cause the fountain to crack, especially if there is still water in it. Adding antifreeze to your fountain may seem like a quick fix, but that is dangerous to pets and wildlife.

If the fountain is too big or you simply don't have room for it inside, then still protect it by emptying it out, removing all pumps and hoses, and putting a cover over it. You might also want to check it from time to time to ensure no water has leaked into it.

If you follow these basic instructions, you can be sure your fountain will be in good shape when it's time to use it again, and you'll get years of enjoyment out of your outdoor water feature.

A bonfire is something that many people wait for with anticipation especially when they are looking forward to a special occasion. Preparing that bonfire requires some special planning if you want to make it the best it can be. One of the most important things to remember when preparing a bonfire is to build it for safety.

Whenever fire is to be a part of a celebration planning is the key to success. Bonfires should not be built so high that you run a risk that it might fall bringing the fire with it onto a celebrating crowd. With that in mind, you should also be careful to not build the fuel for the fire so loosely that when it burns down it might topple.

Once you have prepared the stack of materials to be burned you are ready to get started and enjoy your time with family and friends. One of the most spectacular things about a bonfire is the much anticipated fireworks display that goes along with it.

Just think about the cosy time that will be had by all participants as they gather together for chit chat and roasting marshmallows and such. The excitement gets started and builds until everyone is satisfied with a good time that is had by all. A successful bonfire will live in the memory for a long time.

Add a touch of class to your garden with Stainless steel water features. These features are becoming more and more popular these days both in the United States and in the UK. Stainless steel is very versatile which is great for reflecting water movement along the surface. These features look fantastic in either a modern or in a basic classic garden. Stainless steel is a very durable material. It is also very easy to maintain. There are very basic forms such as geometric shapes. Examples of these shapes are spheres. There are also many other abstract forms to choose from. No matter what your preference may be elegant or bold most people would agree that stainless steel water features are very unique and eye catching. Stainless steel features look good in any type of setting when combined with plants and trees and are very attractive at night.

When deciding on a water feature for your garden it is important to know the style of your landscaping. It is a good idea to select your water feature to fit your surroundings. Your water feature may look out of place if you make the wrong choice. Your outdoor design is what determines what water features you would like to use. Fountains and other water features also come in natural stone and copper which is very much in style these days. It is important that you choose water features that complement your design, and the style of your home.