Perfect Christmas Gifts for the Avid Gardener

Perfect Christmas Gifts for the Avid Gardener

There is no denying that the bests gifts to give and receive are those which are heartfelt. They show that you know that person well, and really do listen when they discuss the things that they love with you. The problem with that is that it can take up lots of time trying to search for the 'perfect' gift. However, If that close friend or family member is a gardener you're in luck! We have scoured the internet to find some of the best fun but also practical gifts for four different types of gardener, all for under £20. The young gardener, the show-off, the lazy gardener and the beginner can all be catered for, and for all your hard work, you can even treat yourself to something too...

(1) For The Young Gardener(1)

~£7.19~

This is the perfect gift for any child who is interested in gardening. They are all proper tools, manufactured from carbon steel with a hardened and tempered, gun metal finish, but are much lighter than the full size versions.
This Kit Contains:

• 1x Hand Cultivator

• 1x Hand Trowel

• 1x Hand Fork

• 1x Pair of Gardening Gloves

(2)For The 'Show-Off'(2)

~£13.99~

These trowels make the perfect gift for the gardener fried, or family member, you know and love. Fun and functional these trowels show them you know just how special they are. Featuring an etched stainless steel blade for resistance to rust and a mirror polished finish that helps the blade slip easily into the ground (and makes it easier to clean) these trowels also come with a ten-year guarantee. These trowels also have an additional hardwood handle with a tang to help to prevent scraped knuckles and provide additional leverage. Weather proofed for longer life these trowels are an essential park of any gardeners tool kit.

(3)For The Lazy Gardener(3)

~19.20~

This item makes the perfect gift for any gardener in need of some TLC. It is great value for money (considering the amount of items you receive) and comes with the option to have it wrapped in Christmas paper. 

This Kit Contains:

• 1x Lady Gardening Cloves, Pink (colours and pattern may vary)
• 1x Lady Size Lightweight Secateurs, Plain Green (pattern and colour may vary)
• 1x Gardening Hand Fork with Pink Handle 
• 1x Gardening Hand Trowel with a Pink Handle
• 1x Gardening Twine with Metal Cutter (30mtr)
• 1x Travel Mug with handle, ideal for in the garden and can be used for hot or cold drinks. It wont spill and keeps insects from helping themselves to a drink
• 1x Dove Soap Lather Rich, nice to use after gardening
• 1x Dove Purely Pampering Nourishing Body Wash, Shea Butter and Warm Vanilla (250ml)
• 1x Nail Brush in Pink
• 1x Pink Foam Rose, great little keepsake
• 1x Box Tray, can be used in the shed or house for storage (33cm x 26cm)

(4)For The Beginner(4)

~£14.95~

This Vegetable Growing Starter Kit Includes:

• High Quality Seeds ; Carrot 'Nantes' , Dwarf French Beans ' Speedy', Peas 'Rondo' , Spinach 'Bordeaux' , Swiss Chard 'Bright Lights'
• Beautiful 5-Step Illustrated instruction booklet
• Growing on, outdoor sowing, harvesting and uses instructions
• Mini Greenhouse
• Plant Markers
• Pencil

Want to Buy? Just click on the links below! 

(1)http://www.lanleesupplies.co.uk/Products/005800050008/GPYG

(2)

-Garden Queen Trowel  http://www.lanleesupplies.co.uk/Products/005800050008/TOGSJEGHTGQ

- Worlds Best Gardener  http://www.lanleesupplies.co.uk/Products/005800050008/TOGSJEGHTWBG

(3) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ladies-Gardening-Tools-Gloves-Gift-Set-Trowel-Fork-Secateurs-Gift-Set-FREE-WRAP-/131654833484

(4)http://www.plant-n-grow.co.uk/product/vegetable-growing-starter-kit-grows-from-april/

Lanlee Guide: Protecting Plants in Winter

Lanlee Guide

How to Protect Your Plants From Frost Damage

Plants have many of their own safeguards to protect them from the winter months when both heat and sunlight are sparse, however as the species of plants in our gardens diversify an the winters seem to get harsher there are many steps that need to be taken to insure your garden 'blossoms' into something truly spectacular when spring rolls back around. We have compiled a list of the three main steps that you should carry out to protect your garden from frost damage and the ,often harsh, winter weather.

1. Plan

When Planting it is important to consider where you place your plants so that they are protected from the cold. Planting more vulnerable vegetation against a south facing wall can both protect it from strong winds and allows it to get the maximum amount of sunlight. 

You should also pay attention to the type of plants you grow as there are many species of flowers, fruit an vegetable which are hardier than others and may even continue to grow in the winter time.

2. Prepare

One of the biggest tasks for gardeners is making sure that you are prepared for winter. 

As the leaves start falling it would be useful to get a compost bin and gather up any fallen or rotting plant matter in that. You can also shred the dry leafs to make leaf mulch. Leaf Mulch is the most effective mulch for deterring weeds so by doing this you could save yourself having to spend hours de-weeding your garden in the summer time. 



Pay Attention to the Weather. If rain is sparse make sure the roots of your trees and shrubs are well watered before the ground freezes or else you put them at risk of dehydration.

3. Protect

Mulch helps soil to retain moisture and protects plants from extreme temperatures. Before adding mulch to your garden (and around your plants) you should wait till the ground is slightly frozen. By doing this you will stop any unwanted critters (such as mice) from nesting inside the mounds

Sheltering your plants. Since there are many different sub-species of plant, they all are protected best from the winter in different ways, for example To Protect the bark of young trees you should place a cylindrical cage (made from chicken wire) around it but, some more tender plants, must be removed from the garden and re-potted indoors (till the near end of winter) so they survive and will bloom again in the spring/summer. If you decide to cover your plants with Burlap or any other types of cloth coverings make sure that you take them off during the day time, otherwise the plant will not get enough sunlight ,during the day to survive,

For more tips, or to buy any of the products mentioned in this post please visit our website http://www.lanleesupplies.co.uk/Products/Logs_Firewood_Kindling and like our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/LanleeSupplies/

The Best Heating?

Keeping Warm This Winter

(The Best Heaters)

Halogen Heaters

Advantages:

-Cheap To Buy

-Provides Instant Heat

-Directs Heat Towards You

-Provides Light

Disadvantages:

-Unsafe to Run Unattended

-Only Warms a Singular Room

-Not Good for Large, Open Spaces

Halogen Heaters provide instant heat which can be focused towards whoever is using the fire. Halogen Heaters, unlike log fires, do not give off any smoke or fumes meaning that not only are they better for the environment, but they are also safer to use within the home, however, the light can cause the metal front of the heater to warm up quite significantly, this means that if it falls over it could burn or set fire to your flooring. 

Prices of Halogen Heaters can range from anything between £10-£50. Overall they are great for small rooms and apartments but wont provide the amount of heat necessary for bigger rooms.

Fan Heaters

Advantages:

-Portable

-Heat up Quickly

-Fills the Whole Room with Warmth

-Can Be Stored Away Easily

Disadvantages:

-Noisy 

-When the Heater is Turned on Any Dust Which Has Gathered Inside Will Be Dispersed Back Out Into The Room.

Fan Heaters successfully heat enclosed rooms such as an office or bedroom, more quickly than any other heating method and can be slotted easily under desks and in other small spaces, to save room and avoid obstruction. They Can provide a lot of heat in a very short amount of time so not not have to be left on for long lengths of time for you to still feel the heat afterwards. 

Prices of Fan Heaters can range from anything between £10-£400 for the most efficient models (such as Dyson).

Wrapping Up Warm

Advantages:

-Warm in Any/Every Room

-Reduces Energy Bills

-Helps to Conserve Energy and Fuel and Saves the Environment

Disadvantages:

-Inconvenient

-Can be Uncomfortable or Restricting
-Relies on Body Heat Alone

Wrapping up warm is the most cost effective way to keep yourself from getting cold this winter. By putting on a cosy jumper over your clothes when you get into the house and some warm slippers instead of turning on the central heating not only do you save money but you also help to protect the environment by reducing the increasing demand for fossil fuels and energy during the winter time. 

Unlike the other heating methods mentioned in this post, when 'wrapping up warm' the heat comes with you wherever you go throughout the house instead of just staying within the confines of one small room. This means that hopefully you wont have to be trapped in one room with everyone you know and the neighbours cat until you go upstairs and cocoon yourself into your bed covers.

Log Fires

Advantages:

-Can Give Off Lots of Heat

-Feels Homely

-Heat Fills the Room

-Relatively Cheap to Run

Disadvantages:

-Unsafe when Unattended

-Produces Smoke

-Requires Maintenance

Log Fires are the perfect method of heating to use when entertaining guests or relaxing with the family. Not only do they provide a cosy and relaxing atmosphere, but the heat also tends to radiate throughout the room and is not focused on a particular person or spot (unless someone is sitting directly in front of the fire of course). In addition to their cosiness they are also fun to light and burn things on and you can buy many different products that can turn the flames different shades of cool and warm tones.

The only real inconvenience of a log fire is that you constantly have to keep adding coal and logs to the fire to maintain the right level of heat and stop the fire going out. However, with the right wood and coal your fire could possible burn possibly for hours without interference. 

Portable Gas Fires

Advantages:

-Heat Can Be Adjusted

-Can be Run Without Constant Supervision

-Portable

-Safe to Use

Disadvantages:

-Heavy 

-Gas Can Be Expensive to Buy

Portable Gas Fires, though expensive to buy at first, are very much worth the investment. Not can they be the most stylish of the other options, but they can also allow the user a lot more control over how much heat is given out and can be left unattended without putting the owner, or owners property, in any significant danger.


Gas Heater Prices Range from around £80-£500.

Be Selfish-Get Yourself A 1200W Halogen Heater for only £19.99

http://www.lanleesupplies.co.uk/Products/00460008

Browse Gas Fires and Bottles Below

http://www.lanleesupplies.co.uk/Products/LPG_Gas_Fires_Bottles_Fittings

Make the Family Happy -Buy Coal/Logs For Your Fire

http://www.lanleesupplies.co.uk/Products/Logs_Firewood_Kindling

For more tips, or to buy any of the products mentioned in this post please visit our website  http://www.lanleesupplies.co.uk/Products/Logs_Firewood_Kindling and like our Facebook Page  https://www.facebook.com/LanleeSupplies/

Gas Fires vs Log Fires

Which is the Best?

Gas Fires vs Log Fires

Portable Gas Fire

Advantages:                                                          

-Require Low Maintenance                               

-Portable (Can be moved from room to room)   

-Temperature can be Controlled                      

-Safer than log fires

-Stylish

Disadvantages:

-Heavy

-Only One Room Feels The Heat of the Fire

-Gas is more Expensive

Gas fires do not require to be cleaned after every use and require almost no maintenance during and after use unlike an open fire which must be cleaned and built back up before being able to be lit again .

Portable Gas Fires can be moved into whichever room you require heating, with almost no trouble.

You can adjust most Portable Gas Fires to be as hot as you want them to be , meaning that you will not get too hot or too cold when using one.

Gas Fires, unlike log fires, do not have to keep being topped up with wood and coal to give off heat, nor does the heat fluctuate in its' intensity. 

Arguably, Gas fires are much safer for both young children and small animals than open fires as there are no flames which they could possibly touch, or sparks that could fly off the fire and cause them harm or distress. There is also less risk of a more serious 'House Fire' when using a portable gas heater as there is no logs/Coal being burnt there is no  build up of creosote in a Chimney (When not swept away creosote can cause a serious chimney fire.)

Portable Gas Fires offer a stylish alternative to the open fire. As they can be bought in a  broad range of colours and designs, gas fires can blend in nicely with your home or even act as a piece of 'stand-out' furniture.

Open Fire/Log Fire

Advantages:

-Feels Homely
-Smells Good
-Cheaper Than Other Heating Alternatives
-Can Give Off Lots of Heat
-More Eco-Friendly Than You Might Expect

Disadvantages:

-Lots of Heat is Lost Through The Chimney
-Can Make a Room Smoky
-Has to be Constantly Maintained



Log Fires both look and smell great, and are good to sit around with your family on cold days. The smell of various burning woods is described as both comforting and relaxing by many people who enjoy heating their homes through the use of a wood fire.

A log fire is considerably cheaper to use than most other heating methods. foraging for twigs and other scraps of wood for your fire makes not just for a fun activity, but also helps you to save further money on fuel costs.

Though it cannot be controlled like a gas fire, an open fire can give off lots of heat which radiates throughout the house due to much of it rising through the chimney breast and into other rooms upstairs.

Logs are a carbon neutral fuel source meaning that when burned they do not contribute to or reduce the amount of carbon within the atmosphere.

Browse Gas Fires and Bottles Below

http://www.lanleesupplies.co.uk/Products/LPG_Gas_Fires_Bottles_Fittings

Buy Coal/Logs Below

http://www.lanleesupplies.co.uk/Products/Logs_Firewood_Kindling

For more tips, or to buy any of the products mentioned in this post please visit our website  http://www.lanleesupplies.co.uk/Products/Logs_Firewood_Kindling and like our Facebook Page  https://www.facebook.com/LanleeSupplies/

The Best Christmas Tree?

Which Tree Should You Buy This Christmas?

Christmas time, though joyous, can be extremely stressful. As the years go by it seems like the amount of everything (gifts,food etc.) available to us is constantly increasing, which only makes making decisions harder. That's why we have compiled this short list of the good and bad points of some of the most popular Christmas Trees in the UK to help make things a little easier for you.

Nordman

The Nordman Fir is the most commonly used Christmas tree in the UK. The needles are shiny, dark-green in colour with silver-grey undertones and are soft to touch, making it ideal for a family environment

Advantages:                                          Disadvantages:

- Low Needle Drop                               - Wide Tree (so may need lots of space

- Soft to Touch                                       to Display the tree in its best form)

- Symmetrical Shape

- Strong Branches

Norway Spruce

The Norway Spruce Tree is described as smelling "Just like Christmas" and its feel and overall shape are of that generally associated with a Christmas tree. The needles are a mid to dark green colour and the tree itself is extremely hard wearing. Almost every Christmas a Norway Spruce tree lights up the Rockefeller Centre in New York.

Advantages:                                       Disadvantages:

- Strong Branches                         - Needle Retention Poor in Warm Buildings    

-"Christmas Smell"                       - Needles are Slightly Prickly to Touch.

- Beautiful Colour and Shape

- Holds up well in bad weather

Frazer Fir

Frazer Fir Tree is, like the Norway Spruce, a pyramid shaped tree. The foliage on the tree is both dense and soft and, coupled with its shiny, deep green needles, this tree is both aesthetically pleasing, and ideal for decorating. The Frazer Fir is an American favourite and as it is repeatedly chosen as the official Christmas tree of the Whitehouse.

Advantages:                                      Disadvantages:

- Narrow                                          - Low Fragrance

- Strong Limbs                                - Not as 'Full' as Some Other Breeds

- Retains Needles Well

- Soft

Pine

Pine Tree is known best for its "Keep-ability" meaning it is able to maintain its overall appearance for a longer time than most domestic Christmas trees. It has dark green foliage and strong branches making it easy to decorate. Pine trees do not drop their needles when dry.

Advantages:                                     Disadvantages

- Excellent Needle Retention        - Not as Dense as Some Other Trees  

- Stiff Branches 

- Long Lasting

Artificial

Artificial Trees are often the most convenient option when searching for a Christmas tree. They can be used continuously, which results in cost savings, they can be moved, packed and stored away without any large amount of hassle, branches can be bended and shaped and there is an extremely large amount of colour choices, however it is not all good...

Advantages:                               Disadvantages:

- Generally Cheap to buy         - Fire Hazard

- Don't Drop Needles               - Not Recyclable 

- Convenient                            - Made from PVC plastic

For more tips, or to buy any of the products mentioned above please visit our website http://www.lanleesupplies.co.uk/Products/Logs_Firewood_Kindling and like our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/LanleeSupplies/