Charcoal vs Gas

When the weather is glorious, its always nice to have a barbecue in the garden. There's just something so relaxed about cooking and eating outdoors that makes the food taste that much more special, even if the sausage is slightly overdone.

But, with the wide variety of BBQs on the market, how on earth is anyone meant to pick one? The most basic and important decision is 'charcoal or gas?', but even this can be complicated when the pros and cons of each aren't properly explained.

Alfresia has a very extensive range of barbecues (both gas and charcoal) and we feel we should provide the necessary information, so: charcoal or gas?

How convinient are they? A general rule of thumb when answering this question is that the more convinient a barbecue is to use, the less 'authentic' it is going to be. This can extend not just to style but to the taste of the meat. A gas grill obviously doesn't produce as much smoke as a charcoal bbq does and a gas grill is easier to clean (the grills, burners, rotisseries etc. tend to be easier to remove). However, the lack of smoke detracts from that smoky barbecue flavour. A charcoal barbecue might be more difficult to clean, but the food will taste more like barbecued food.
Winner: Draw. This is a matter of preference. What matters most to you? Taste or ease of use?

Which is easier to cook on? As we've said above, gas barbecues are easier to use. They light instantly and heat up quickly. If you're cooking on a charcoal grill it can take a while for the barbecue to be ready to use. With a gas barbecue you can just light the grill and put the meat on.
Winner: gas barbecues are definitely easier to cook on.

Does the taste differ? As we have established above, charcoal barbecues produce an authentic, smokey tasting meat. Meat from gas barbecues tastes like it is just out of the oven - it might taste good, but doesn't this defeat part of the object of barbecuing?
Winner: Charcoal cooked meats. That's not to say the meat from a gas bbq tastes bad, its just that charcoal barbecues create that flavour.

How will you use the barbecue? If you're just cooking for your family or for a small group then it doesn't really matter what size or kind of barbecue you use. Gas BBQs light quicker but, with enough preparation time, there is no great discrepancy in efficiency. However if you're catering for a larger group or party then a gas barbecue might be better option. This is because charcoal BBQs are limited in size. You can however purchase large gas barbecues that serve as outdoor kitchens, with up to 6 burners, a grill, preparation areas and a rotisserie!
Winner: There's not real winner here as which barbecue  you choose tends to depend upon how many people you plan to cook for. Charcoal barbecues are great for small groups, but you can only cater efficiently for a large group with a gas barbecue.

How much do the cost? Its hard to come up with an average price across the entire range, but on the whole gas barbecues will be more expensive than charcoal barbecues. However, charcoal tends to be a slightly more expensive fuel, so this choice won't save you money in the long run.
Winner: draw.

Results

         Gas BBQ: 4
Charcoal BBQ: 4

Ultimately, we can't come to a conclusion as to which breed of barbecue is better. It all comes down to personal preference. That said, we hope we've provided you with enough information to make an informed choice!

Preparing a Diamond Jubilee Party

There's a deluge of high profile cultural events happening in Britain this summer, mostly notably the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee. Whatever you think of her madge and the family, you really should use the celebrations as an excuse to host a garden party (unless you didn't need an excuse in the first place, in which case: go right ahead!).

At Alfresia we intend to celebrate with something as close to a party as working hours allow (now if only the management would let us take the barbecue from the showroom and some deck chairs to the roof - THAT would be celebrating...). June 5th is the official date and there's nothing to stop you preparing now!

We're all hoping for a sunny summer, so the ideal place to hold a summer party is the garden. You'll want to cook and entertain in comfort and buy products which you can use again and again (after all, after the Jubilee it is the Olympics!).

When weighing in the pros and cons of one kind of outdoor cooker against another, there will be several boxes which must be ticked for the product to be even considered. You want an attractive, efficient barbecue which can be used again and again; you want a high quality product for a fair price; you want your monies worth. The range of Toledo Cast Iron Chimeneas tick just those boxes. They look good, are cast in the traditional spanish way and are hard wearing. What's more, they double up as a chimenea and barbecue. This means that you can cook on them whilst the sun is out and then gather round them afterwards.

Once you've served up, you'll need somewhere to eat and you'll want to consider this hardwood garden furniture. Its hard wearing, practical and attractive. You can buy dining sets, recliners and chairs. Anything and everything you need to inhabit your garden without straining your legs.

Enjoy!

Ride On Lawnmowers

Most people are familiar with a simple lawnmower, but using one to cut the grass can be a tiring and time consuming process, especially if you have an above-average sized lawn. Here, Alfresia can be of some help. We have recently introduced a new range of ride-on lawnmowers. These combine efficiency and innovative design to create a powerful tool for tending to your lawn. Our Ride-On Lawnmowers come from two reputable brands with decades of experience in building lawnmowers.

Mountfield Lawnmowers

The Mountfield range of ride-on lawnmowers feature three versions of their flagship mower, each suited to a different type of garden. The 2500SV Compact Lawnmower is suited to smaller gardens and can fit through a standard sized garden gate! It is a great alternative to larger, stand behind mowers. The 2800SH Compact Lawnmower is the middle model, and basically a more powerful version of the 2500 and is suitable for larger gardens. The top of the Mountfield range is the 4000SH Lawn Tractor with a 40in ContraFlo cut and collect system and a hydrostatic transmission system. This Lawn Tractor is ideal for large lawns. All our Mountfield Ride On Lawnmowers use Honda engines, guaranteeing quality, with an electric key start mechanism.


Hayter Lawnmowers

The two Hayter lawnmowers use Briggs & Stratton engines. They are built for comfort and ease of use and are great tools for getting lawns of any size mowed. They lack some of the power of the Mountfield-Honda models, but are cheaper and still have the ability to get the job done. Both feature an astonishing 6 cutting heights, meaning you have a great many options as to how low you want your grass to be cut. The grass bags on Hayter models are particularly easy to remove; the whole mower is really designed to be as ergonomic as possible!





Both ranges of Ride On Mowers have their advantages, so check out the whole collection of lawn mowers on Alfresia today!

Garden Adventures for the Kids

Although the weather today certainly doesn't suggest it, summer is approaching. When the sun finally does get here, you'll want you and your family to spend as much time in the garden as possible and you'll want to keep your kids entertained. A great way to do this is through using toys and play areas.

On Alfresia, we've recently massively expanded our range of play areas. All these play houses are made using shiplap cladding. As we've spoken about before shiplap cladding is a far sturdier construction method than overlap cladding, which means that these play houses will last longer than and need less maintenance than those found elsewhere constructed using overlap cladding. A particular highlight of our range is the Tulip group of playhouses. This is a group of 4 playhouses which share the same design and construction methods. However, each model has different features, ranging from the basic play house to the play house tower with slide and swing. All of our playhouses comply fully with the EU saftey regulations and have been awarded the EN71 saftey rating. Equally, all windows and glass components across the entire range are fitted in the factory. Whilst these playhouse do represent something of a financial investment, they are great value for money being sturdy, safe and well made. Your child is sure to get hours of enjoyment from our playhouses and the range is wide enough to suit all needs and concerns.


Another range we've recently expanded is that of our outdoor toys.  These are pedal-powered tractors and trucks. We have products suitable for any ages between 2 and 8, which means that you're sure to find something to suit you! All of our ride on products are guaranteed for 3 years. The highlight of this range is the Premium John Deere Farm Tractor. This one is for kids between 4 and 8 and it displays an impressive range of features. A lifting bonnet, adjustable seat and a fully functioning front loader which can be removed mean that the tractor is fairly customisable, whilst a protected chaindrive, inflatable rubber tyres, an emergency stop break and 2 functioning gears make up the mechanic spec. The tractor can also be combined with a couple of trailer accessories too for added play value. Again, with these tractors and JCBs, there are options to suit any budget and all are guaranteed to be great fun your child to use!

Shiplap Cladding Vs Overlap Cladding

On Alfresia, we've just launched a whole new range of garden sheds, greenhouses, playhouses and summerhouses. These have just come in and can broadly be divided into two kinds of sheds: overlap and shiplap.

But what do these categories mean, and how do they should they affect your decision when choosing a wooden garden building?

What is Overlap Cladding?
Overlap cladding refers to the way in which the cladding is fitted together - the pieces of timber overlap. This style is easier and cheaper to construct, and the savings are passed onto the customer - overlap sheds tend to be cheaper than other kinds of shed. Whilst not as sturdy and durable as shiplap cladded sheds, overlap cladding is still a safe and secure mode of construction meaning that overlap sheds are great value products. The advantages and disadvantages of overlap cladding have led us to believe that it is suitable more for the construction of sheds and storage units - the cladding keeps your tools or garden clutter safe and dry and provides shelter if you use the shed as a workshop.

                                

What is Shiplap Cladding?

Shiplap and tongue and groove cladding two similar ways of interlocking the pieces of timber. This gives a far sturdier construction and reduces the chance of water getting inbetween the wood, in turn reducing the risk of getting wood rot. The sturdier construction also means that the shed will be less likely to be damaged by day to day wear and tear. The more advanced techniques required to build the sheds mean, however, that they cost slightly more money.

We believe that Shiplap Cladding is more suitable for use in the construction of workshops and garden buildings where you might be spending a longer period of time, time that you use to relax rather than do house/garden work. The sturdy construction makes these buildings secure for storing valuables and more comfortable for sitting in on a hot summer's day. They are also more suitable for use as children's playhouses.

Whichever kind of construction sounds favourable to you, you will be sure to find a shed that is ideal in size and style for you on Alfresia UK. Recently we've added a vast number of garden sheds, a collection of children's playhouses, a range of summerhouses, utilising both traditional and modern designs, and a small number of buildings suited to both  casual and keen gardeners.

Alfresia is also an online retailer of garden furniture.

Gardening in March

 

March is the beginning of the busiest season of a gardener's year. There are many important jobs to do in the garden at this time, though you may not be aware of them all. This article isn't exhaustive, but it is a good start on how to prepare your garden for the warmer months.

With regards to the vegetable patch: You can start planting onions and shallots in a few days. They need the sunniest position with free drainage.  Don't bother putting manure on the soil, as these crops prefer a more mature soil. Position them in a line so that they are easy to weed. To avoid birds pulling them out of the soil, place a net over them until the roots have a hold.
Potatoes need time to chit before they are planted. Leave them in a cool, bright room to promote the eyes. Later in the month you can plant the early growers, but keep them covered in fleece to be on the safe side.

There are still some plants that need pruning. However, don't prune evergreen until April. Remove a third of spent flowering stems on plants that flowered in the winter, back to the old wood, This promotes fresh growth.Wisteria, clemantis and late flowering shrubs like Russian Sage should all have been pruned properly by the end of the month. If you don't, you will risk losing important fresh growth energy if this is left too late.

Later this month, you can probably start to sow some plants directly outside. Sweet Peas and Broad Beans suit an earlier planting, as do mustard and rocket. Hold off on planting any new turf until early April, though you can prepare the ground for sowing.

Slugs can be a danger to new growth but use pellets wisely and only where necessary. Try to use organic pellets because they provide no danger to any other animals or plants.

Alfresia UK is an online retailer of garden furniture.

Mexican Handmade Chimeneas

We've had a range of handmade clay mexican chimeneas on Alfresia for quite some time and they have proved so popular that we've doubled the range today, introducing some exciting new designs and updating some of the older ones.

One idea we find particularly interesting is the fusion of the old and new.

The Ellipse Chimeneas are a great example of this design ethos. The Chimeneas are handcrafted in Mexico, using the same techniques that the locals have been using for hundreds of years when using clay. This development time means that, today, the product is extremely efficient when burning fuel and allows the fuel to be lit easily.

 The expertise of centuries is poured into their construction. Fused with this traditional crafting is the modern design and styling of these particular chimeneas. They have been built in a round shape, with a huge mouth-shaped opening through which you can see the fire and stoke the flames. They are finished with a number of different coloured glazes.

Handcrafted, they offer great value for money and can even be used inside with the addition of a simple accessory - the Universal Chimenea Burner (see the post below on bio-fuels). Shop the Ellipse Collection today!

Mexico has a range of ceramic traditions that date back to a time before Mexico was Mexico! Today there at least 7 major recognisable styles of Mexican pottery, with many others that are less well known.

This hertiage means that clay products from Mexico are among the best in the world, and they are still made by hand! If you're intereseted in a new chimenea (that can now be used inside or out), check out our range of Mexican Chimeneas on Alfreisa UK. We promise that you won't be disappointed.

Alfresia UK is an online retailer of garden furniture and Chimeneas.

The Clean, Green, Renewable Chimeneas

What's wrong with our chimenea?
Chimeneas are great in your garden - they're warm, stylish and useful. However, they have some major disadvantages: they create loads of smoke, the fuel can be difficult to light and you can only use them outside. Additionally, burning the traditional fuels is also wasteful as they aren't renewable and produce emissions that aren't particularly healthy for the environment.

What's the answer?

The answer is here in the form of Bio-Ethanol fuels and chimeneas. We've just introduced two new models on Alfresia: the Lorenzo and the Celina.

They both have a hidden reservoir in which you pour the bio-ethanol fuel. They can be placed inside or out, on the floor, or a table because there are no emissions.

That sounds great, but I already have a chimenea...

If you're interested in using a cleaner fuel, but don't want to buy a new chimenea, you can purchase a universal chimenea burner. This features the same hidden reservoir, but does not have any of the periphery of the full chimeneas. You can place this smaller burner inside an existing chimenea or BBQ and let it burn from there. This means you can have your clay chimeneas inside!

What exactly are the benefits of Bio-Ethanol fuel?

As we've said, the benefits aren't only environmental. Yes, you there are no harmful emissions and yes, you can use it inside because of this. However, Bio-Ethanol is also the fuel of choice for many now because it lights easily (unlike logs or charcoal) and also dies down easily when you have finished with it.

What is Bio-Ethanol though? Where does it come from?

Sugar cane or corn are processed into ethanol, the undiluted form of alcohol, through fermentation. Then most of the water is distilled, so that the fuel is easier to burn. Following that, the mixture is dehydrated (further), making the resulting ethanol suitable for fuel.



If any of that sounds like a good idea to you (it does to me!) and you decided to make your chimeneas more versatile and cleaner, then check out our new range of Bio-Ethanol fireplaces and fuels.

Alfresia is an online garden furniture retailer.

February Gardening

With it nearly being March and nearly being spring, there are a few jobs that need doing in your garden to prepare for it.

You need to ensure that any vegetables that need an early planting are sorted before the end of the month;  aubergines, cucumbers, melons and peppers should all be planted inside a heated greenhouse. Tomatos, on the other hand, need to be kept under unheated glass.

You should, if the conditions allow, continue to prepare the soil for planting. You can use the technique of single digging to do this. Remove the soil from an area one spit deep and 15inches wide. Put it in a pile at the other end of the border. Move the soil from the next strip forwards into the area you have just dug out. Continue doing this until you reach the end of the border and put the first batch of soil into the strip you dig out.

You should also prune your trees, removing dead wood and any intrusive lower branches. Perform this with a saw, cutting neatly and cleanly. Start with an upward cut to stop the branch splitting if it is heavy. When you have finished cutting, you should apply a protective coat to the wound.

Carrying on with pruning, you should take a look at any Clematis plants. Vigorously growing examples, such as montana need little/no pruning apart from removing dead wood. You might also reduce the tangle of stems. This isn't vital but does reduce the weight that the plant's supports have to carry. Species such as Lasurstern, early flowering varieties, need to have all their dead wood removed, followed by a strict pruning of all weak growth, cutting shoots back to two strong buds. Clematis that flower on new growth, like Hagley Hybrid and Viticella, should be pruned almost to the ground in midwinter, so that all the previous year's growth is cut back, almost to the base, just above a pair of sound buds.

This isn't an exhaustive list of jobs that need doing before spring, but they are all important.

Care for your Valentine's Day Bouquet of Red Roses

Happy Valentine's Day! A bouquet of red Roses is the most traditional Valentine's Day present going. They are available from virtually anywhere but still manage to be incredibly romantic. Many people will recieve a bunch today but most of those same people will be unusure of how to care for their red roses. If you follow our tips your roses won't last forever, but they will live for a lot longer.



As soon as you are given your flowers, use a pair of garden shears or a sharp knife to slice one inch off each stem at a 45 degree angle. Do not use scissors as the pressure they exert will ruin your stems.


Fill a vase two thirds of the way with luke warm water. Place the stems into the water, removing any leaves and foliage on the stems first. This is because they will eventually fall off and decomposing material will contaminate the water.

To keep the water bacteria free, thus preserving your roses, you can try one of two methods:

• Adding bleach to the water sounds dangerous but, if use in moderation, it can be quite effective.1/4 tablespoon of bleach per quart of water is enough to purify the water and kill bacteria.

• Adding aspirin and a penny to the water is also effective. The aspirin lowers the water's pH level, warding off the bacteria, and the penny serves as a fungicide.

Putting a few tablespoons of sugar into the lukewarm water will give the flowers the nutrients they need to survive for a while, even though the roots have been cut off.

You should change the water everyday and keep putting the sugar in. This process is easy, takes up little time and will make sure your flowers look much nicer for much longer. After all this, enjoy your Valentine's Day.

Alfresia is an online retailer of garden furniture and barbecues.

How To Deal With The Snow In Your Garden

As you may have noticed, much of the UK has been covered in Snow over the weekend. Whilst the majority of the roads are clear (though it was perilous getting to the Alfresia offices this morning!), wide open spaces, like gardens and parks, are still likely covered. The snow probably won't have melted by tonight so: how to protect your garden now that the snow has fallen?

The first thing you should note, however, is that snow can be quite beneficial in cold weather. This is because it acts as an insulator and protects any covered plants from the cold and frost to which they would otherwise be exposed. That being said, a heavy fall of snow can cause branches and leaves to break off. To avoid these problems, follow these easy instructions:

• If your tree branches, shrubs and hedges are covered, shake the excess snow from them to prevent the weight disfiguring them.
• To this end, use some string to support the branches of conifers. This will stop them being pulled out of shape. If they do move out of place now, they won't spring back when the snow has melted.
• Sweep any weighty deposits of snow from the roofs of greenhouses or cold frames. This has a dual purpose: it prevents the structures from bending under the weight of the snow and it lets light in so your plants are unneccesarily affected.
• At all costs, avoid crossing the snow-covered grass. If you walk on it, you will damage the turf beneath and leave unsightly marks on the lawn. You will also be guilty of encouraging the growth of fungal diseases.

If you can perform these tasks, then you will have done all you can to prevent damage in your garden. After this, you might try building a snow man. It won't have any affect on the health of your garden but it is fun. To build said snowman, pack lumps of snow together on the ground until you have a large ball. Repeat this process but creating a slightly smaller ball. If you want to make a truly impressive snowman, repeat again to make a ball slightly smaller again. Stack the giant snow balls on top of one another, decorating the top ball with anything you can think of to make a face - a carrot should definitely feature! Use sticks for arms, and maybe add buttons and then you are sorted. Voila: a snowman.

 Alfresia is an online stockist of garden furniture.

Staying Warm and Stylish in the Garden

If you're sitting out in your garden anytime before the height of summer, you'll face the probelm that English weather isn't always conducive to your efforts. Indeed, even when it is a fine day, a cold breeze might be killing any attempt to use your outside space. But should we be held to ransom by the temperamental weather? At Alfresia we are clear that the answer should be no. However, to fight the conditions you will need some equipment.

Patio heaters are a must for every outdoor living space. They can bring the comfort of indoor living to your patio or garden and choosing the right heater allows you and your family to enjoy more time together outdoors all year round. However, to modern families, fittings and furniture must not only be functional but stylish too - what could be worse than a beautifully designed patio ruined by an ugly patio heater?

 

Our Living Flame Patio Heater ticks both these boxes. The heater is a powerful 9.5kW floor standing model and has a heat radius of 15-20 feet. This means it puts out a great deal of heat in a large area - perfect for keeping you warm on chilly winter evenings. The Living Flame Patio Heater also looks spectacular when lit, as the flames shoot up a glass tube like Apollo's arrow. The glass tube is further enclosed by stainless steel grids - you can see the flame, but young children or pets cannot touch the tube. Thus any health and saftey worries are assuaged.  The body of the heater features a space for the gas bottle to be stored - one of the panels can be removed and the gas placed inside. The design is thoroughly modern, featuring sleek lines and an unusual shape, so it is no surprise that this particularly model is ordered by the trendiest bars and restaurants in London and Manchester.

 

So if you want to stay both warm and stylish in your garden this spring, the only solution is the Living Flame Patio Heater can be supplied in either stainless steel or black. Alfresia is also a stockist of garden furniture.

Make The Most Of A Day Inside

The weather this week hasn't been great. It might not be great for a while. But how on earth are you meant to relax and enjoy the outdoors when, if you go outside, you get soaked by rain, frozen by the cold or swept over by the wind? It may sound like I'm exaggerating, but it was like something out of Wuthering Heights outside our office yesterday.

The answer to this quandary is simple: invest in some high quality, comfortable conservatory furniture now. A lot of the ranges on websites like Alfresia are currently reduced, and there are many online conservatory furniture sales. This means it is be a smart time to invest.

Conservatory furniture is a great way to enjoy the view of your garden, without being subjected to whatever the conditions are outside. In winter and early spring you can watch your garden start to come back to life without getting bitten by the wind. In later months, you can cool off in your conservatory, with a healthy breeze blowing through the windows.

Conservatory furniture comes in numerous styles and materials. This means that there is a suite to suit all tastes.

If you're going for a modern and stylish look, you could try the Tuscany Designer Resin Wicker Suite. The VIRO Resin is all weather meaning that you can leave the suite inside in the winter and then, in the summer months, you can take it outside and leave it there - you enjoy the best of both worlds. Even better, the resin wicker is available in traditional brown or stylish black and there are 4 different colour choices for the cushions! The suite price is down to 50%, and there are only a few left in stock!

More traditional looking, the Penang Cane and Sea Grass suite is great value for money - the cushions are reflex foam, making them comfy and durable and the chairs are constructed of the highest quality cane. The seats offer something to relax on in your conservatory. 

Whatever you choose, conservatory furniture is the only way to use your conservatory! If you invest now, you'll save greatly in the long run as the prices will be greater in the summer.

Alfresia is an online retailer of garden furniture and patio furniture.

Win a Gardeco Vulcan Brazier Fire Basket & BBQ Grill from Alfresia

In our Facebook 'Race to 3000' competition, Alfresia is offering the chance for you to win this fantastic fire basket from Gardeco.

This Brazier Fire Basket and BBQ Grill from Gardeco, the leading UK supplier of fire baskets and chimeneas, will add practicality and warmth to your garden and offer many years of service.

A brazier fire basket not only adds heat and warmth to your garden or patio (perfect now the cold days and nights are upon us!) but it also offers a practical solution to dealing with fallen leaves, logs and other garden waste. You could even incinerate unwanted personal documents in a safe and stable manner.

This 40cm x 56cm model is also supplied complete with a steel grill plate so you can use the basket as a BBQ, perfect for use throughout the summer months, and beyond if required.

This brazier has a sturdy round base which collects fallen ash and debris and helps to reduce the likelihood of the basket tipping over.This eye catching basket is as attractive as it is practical and being constructed from steel will ensure years of practical use.

It requires simple home assembly and is delivered with full instructions.

 To stand a chance of winning this fantastic fire basket, all you have to do is be among the first 3000 people to 'like' Facebook page. When the counter hits 3000, one winner will be randomly selected. The quicker we reach 3000, the sooner a winner will be announced, so share our link on your Facebook page, so all your friends can find out about us too!

Alfresia sells a wide range of chimeneas, braziers and fire baskets online. We also supply garden furniture.

Let Alfresia help you with your gardening queries

Need to know when to weed your lawn? What the dimensions and details of a certain barbecue are? Or you'd like some advice on which patio heater to choose? Send an email to us about what articles you'd like to see, and we'll do our best to answer you on the blog.

Email alfresiauk@gmail.com - we would love to hear from you!

Taking Care of Your Lawn in January

We've talked before about how its difficult to do any task that seems to beautify your garden in an English January. That is not to say that you cannot engage in constructive care for your garden. In January there is a few key tips to note.

Brush over any part of the lawn surface that has become covered with worm casts, using a besom or broom. Earth worms are of tremendous benefit to your garden - they are a vital part of soil and garden health. However, the casts that they can make on your lawn can be infuriating. You don't want to smear the casts into the lawn as this can cause slipperiness and, if they layer is too thick, it provides a perfect seedbed for weeds. Instead, brush them on a dry day. This means that it will be easier to distribute the fine soil evenly but thinly over the lawn.


Whenever possible, avoid walking on or working from the lawn when it is frosted or the ground is frozen. This is probably the cardinal rule of winter lawn care. If you break it, you can do a very great amount of damage in a very short amount of time and you may even encourage infections such as snow mould. If you absolutely have to cross the lawn, at least wait until the frost has cleared and the ground has thawed. If you are going to be working for an extended amount of time, lay down some planks or boards to distribute your weight evenly.

If the surface is not frozen, it may be worth carrying out a bit of temporary aeration using a garden fork. The purpose of this is to the movement and flow of air within the soil and relieve soil compaction. It will also aid irrigation. Do not attempt it if the soil is wet - this will only worsen the problem. Simply take your garden fork and plant holes at regular intervals. The ideal depth is 4 to 8 inches.

Lawn Mowing

On Alfresia, we've recently extended our range of Lawnmowers to include new and exciting products, designed to make sure that keeping your lawn looking good has never been easier. A good mowing is the  central way to keep your lawn looking pristine, however there are a few other ways in which you can help the lawn. 

The secret of a good lawn is to mow little and often; your objective is to cut only the top of the grass each time you mow it. Overall, this  will make mowing much easier and helps to keep the grass green and healthy.

Whenever the lawn is actively growing, it is suitable to mow. However you will find that from early spring until late autumn will be the most prolific growing months. To garner the best results only use your lawnmower when the grass is dry and remove any foreign objects from the lawn that may cause damage to the mower. If you want stripes on your lawn choose a mower with a rear roller.

Another procedure that will help protect the lawn is to feed it with a good lawn fertiliser. This has two effects: not only does it make the grass greener, but it makes it grow thicker and increases its strength, vigour and health so it is more robust and better equipped to compete with weeds, moss and weather-related stresses. In spring, the best results are achieved by using a granular feed that supplies a regular amount of nutrients over several weeks.

Alfresia is a supplier of garden furniture and lawnmowers.

Sowing in January: Broad Beans

January is traditionally too cold for anything to be sown. However, in warmer areas, you can sometimes sow broad beans. These are the earliest beans to crop. If your soil is too damp (through rain or snow) then they will not grow, so ensure the soil is relatively dry.

Broad beans will require a sunny position, but soil type is less relevant. They are normal sown in double rows, 9 inches apart, and with the seeds the same distance apart in each row. Dwarf varieties of the vegetable won't need support, but taller varieties will. Use cane or posts with string to give this support.

The worst pest that will afflict your broad beans is blackfly. To deter them, remove the  top 3 inches of the shoot when the plan is in fire.

Harvest the beans when the pods have swelled. They can be used immediately or frozen and used later. The green broad beans freeze better than the white ones.

Broad bean, feta and basil mash

For this dish, peeling the broad beans probably is essential - unless they are really tiny and fresh. The mash can be served as a side dish, but to keep it simple just eat it spread on toast (bruschetta, if you want to be classy about it).

400g shelled broad beans
150g feta cheese
50g basil leaves
500ml olive oil

Pop the broad beans from the pods and cook in boiling water until just tender. Cool in cold water, then peel them by squeezing between your fingers. Place the beans in a food processor with the feta, a generous handful of basil and a generous splash of olive oil. Blend the mixture in short bursts to get a rough mash. Season with salt and pepper, though the former might be unnecessary with the feta. Use at room temperature.

Alfresia is an online retailer of garden furniture and patio furniture.

General Gardening in January

Snow hasn't really been prevalent this winter, and it looks like that is going to continue. But what have we had instead? Rain. The weather is really preventing us from doing very much in the garden, but there are a few simple things you can do to prepare your garden for the spring. Some of these tasks are simply carrying on things we talked about last year, but some are quite new!

If it looks like its going to get cold in your area, then keep the water pipes drained or lagged. However, if you've escaped the cold, its probably safe to run them again.

This is the principal time to prepare the soil for a vegetable garden. Your main concern must be, as elsewhere in the garden, with the condition and fertility of the soil. When digging the soil, it is a good idea to periodically loosen the lower soil by double digging. Dig two spade spits deep, but don't mix the lower spit of soil with the upper spit. You need only do this every few years. The rest of the time, a single digging will suffice. You should also avoid walking on wet or sticky soil because this will compact it.

Additionally, now is the time to make sure you've ordered seeds and plants for the next year. Even this is leaving it to the last minute, so ensure you get on with this.

Tackling the borders of your garden, the bits that can be reached from a solid path, is another easy job to do this month.

Alfresia is an online retailer of garden furniture and patio furniture.