Garden Sheds A Buyers Guide

Buyers guide – Garden Sheds

A dull subject ??? perhaps so, perhaps not.  A garden shed is just a garden shed??  Oh No… As the recession hits, garden crime is increasing at an alarming rate.  What do we mean by garden crime??  – Somebody pinching your daffodils?? – No.   Tool theft is the problem. They are expensive, untraceable and usually uninsured.  The trend is to break in to a shed and:

1: Steal the tools and sell them

2: Use your tools to break into your house

The solution? A decent secure storage unit.

 So what are the Garden Shed options:

No Shed:  You can always leave your tools in the garage.  As with our bike storage guide, not everybody has a garage and often they have a car in them!

Wooden sheds.  In the same way we don’t supply cheap bike locks, we don’t supply cheap, wooden sheds.  Why?? They offer no virtually no protection from theft and require constant maintenance (refelting, painting, rot protection) So, a “bargain” £99 shed ends up costing you time and money in the long run.  Typically a wooden shed will only last a few years.  No matter how many times you apply weather guard to the structure, it will begin to rot.  Also, from a theft point of view, a wooden shed offers little or no protection.

Wooden Garden Sheds

Wooden Garden Sheds

Metal sheds:

Good quality, weather proof sheds with decent locks and a built in floor will save £££s over the years.  Look for a galvanised finish as this will ensure the shed will be weather proof and rust proof.  A full metal construction ensures the unit will be theft resistant – assuming the shed is made from a decent thickness of steel.  Also look out for an integral metal base.  A lot of entry level sheds don’t have a base (that’s why they are cheap).  Without a base, the shed will leak, have condensation issues and will be easy to lift up or push over.  The shed construction is also important  -how is the shed put together??  Asgard sheds are built inside out.  So there are no exposed screw heads on the outside of the unit – looks good and stops thieves from unscrewing the door from the outside.  Finally, historically the biggest issue with Metal Sheds has been condensation, cold metal and a warm lawn mower = moisture = rust.  Asgard use air vents hidden in the roof eaves on all units – actually the Flexistore range has even more ventilation with additional fascia slots.

Sneak Thieves Are About

Sneak Thieves Are About

The metal shed options:

The Vangard

Asgards entry level, low height garden shed.  Just because it’s our baby shed, this does not mean it’s not a tough one.  With excellent double door access, this little shed is big enough for most small to medium gardens.  A thumb turn lock is included for you to add your own padlock for security.  Even though this is our little baby shed, it still comes complete with an all weather galvanised construction, a full metal integral floor and built in (to the roof) condensation vents.  An all round excellent package, most popular with gardeners for general garden storage.  Supplied with a ten year warranty.

The Vangard Metal Shed

The Vangard Metal Shed

The Flexistore Range

Designed by our customers as a mid range super tough garden store.  Available in three standard sizes 5 x 5, 5 x 7 and 5 x 11.  We are really excited by this new range, we have managed to take many of the features of our top rated Centurion metal sheds and squeeze oodles of them (and more) into these excellent value metal sheds.  So what is so good about them?

Flexistore Metal Garden Sheds

Flexistore Metal Garden Sheds

The Flexistore range is:

Made from galvanised weather proof steel

Has a 10 year warranty

Built in hidden roof vents to reduce condensation

Extra front fascia vent to reduce moisture even more!!

Ideal for hot lawn mowers on cold days.

Uses the same tough 3 point locking system using the pick resistant euro cylinder found on our insurance approved units.

Full metal floor – Check out the competition – no one else gives you this as standard.

Built from the inside so no exposed screws or easy access points for thieves.

Shelf and hook packs available for even more flexibility.

Free ground bolts to secure the shed to the ground Easy self assembly

Weighing in up to 39 stone this shed is going no where

1.1meter extensions available to make your shed as big as you need it

Currently at a reduced introductory price – so hurry up!

Recommended by gardeners UK wide

Free mainland delivery – to most locations

All backed by a ten year warranty

The Centurion heavy duty metal shed

If you want the ultimate in garden security then this is the shed for you.

With an incredible high build quality this all metal weather proof shed has our top rated 5 point locking system.  This shed is so secure we sell thousands into schools and collages across the UK as sports storage units.  The Centurion is often left unattended in the middle of a field for days on end, full of several thousand pounds of sports equipment.  To date we have had only one successful breakin attempt – When a car was used to ram raid the shed.

Centurions are all 5ft wide (depth according to model)

The Centurion Metal Garden Storage Shed

Centurions are:

Φ Made from galvanised weather proof steel

Φ Has a 10 year warranty

Φ Built in hidden roof vents to reduce condensation

Φ Uses a really tough 5 point locking system using the pick resistant euro cylinder found on our insurance approved units.

Φ Full metal floor – Check out the competition – no one else gives you this as standard.

Φ Built from the inside so no exposed screws or easy access points for thieves.

Φ Shelf and hook packs available for even more flexibility.

Φ Free ground bolts to secure the shed to the ground Easy self assembly

Φ As used by the nations schools and collages

Φ Weighing in up to 52 stone this shed is going no where

Φ 1.1 meter extensions available to make your shed as big as you need it

Φ Recommended by gardeners UK wide

Φ Free mainland delivery – to most locations

Φ All backed by a ten year warranty

The Gladiator

If you want the ultimate in garden security – but need a little extra width then this is the shed for you.

The Gladiator Metal Shed

The Gladiator Metal Shed

With an incredible high build quality this all metal weather proof shed has our top rated 5 point locking system.  This shed is so secure we sell thousands into schools and collages across the UK as sports storage units.  The Gladiator is often left unattended in the middle of a field for days on end, full of several thousand pounds of sports equipment. So that is testament to just how tough these units are. Even though this garden shed is huge and tough, it is just as simple to build as our smaller units – 2 averagely fit people can build one of these in around an hour using the fully illustrated instructions supplied.  The Gladiators are built in the same way as the Centurion units, just a little wider!  This extra width allows you to fit out this shed with shelf after shelf of storage capacity without interfering with the main, central storage area.

The Gladiators are: all 7.4ft wide (depth according to model)

Φ Made from galvanised weather proof steel

Φ Has a 10 year warranty

Φ Built in hidden roof vents to reduce condensation

Φ Uses a really tough 5 point locking system using the pick resistant euro cylinder found on our insurance approved units.

Φ Full metal floor – Check out the competition – no one else gives you this as standard.

Φ Built from the inside so no exposed screws or easy access points for thieves.

Φ Shelf and hook packs available for even more flexibility.

Φ Free ground bolts to secure the shed to the ground Easy self assembly

Φ As used by the nations schools and collages

Φ Weighing in up to 52 stone this shed is going no where

Φ 1.1 meter extensions available to make your shed as big as you need it

Φ Recommended by gardeners UK wide

Φ Free mainland delivery – to most locations

Φ All backed by a ten year warranty

Thats a brief round up of the Metal Shed Options available.  For further information either visit our website http://www.asgardsss.co.uk or just call us on 08456 580730

Bike Storage / Bike Security Buyers Guide

Buyers guide – Bike Storage and Security

So ….

You have just taken advantage of the government cycle to work scheme and bought your self a fantastic bike – tax free!  But what is the best way to store your new bike?

The first thing to remember is  that you don’t actually own the bike until your final payment, so if your bike is stolen you will not only have no bike, you will then have to continue paying for it.**

** – Recently there has been an increase in cycle thefts from locked, domestic garages. Thieves will follow you home after a ride, wait until the dead of night and cut the lock off the garage door and take the bike.  Cycles are easy to strip down and sell for parts.  Check out ebay for 2nd hand cycle spares.   Useful and interesting theft article in the Independant newspaper here.

So you really need to keep it safe, yet easily accessible by you.

Bike storage could be as simple as buying aa metal tube bike rack for around £15 from Argos and hanging it in the garage.  But, like a lot of people these days you either may not have a garage or you may actually put a car in it!  The answer would be a dedicated outside bike storage unit.

So, what are the bike storage options available to avoid bike theft?

An “economy” bike lock

These really represent a false economy; you can pick these up for a fiver down at your local hardware store or market.  A cheap chain can be cut in seconds with nothing more than a simple bolt cutter.  No matter how many times you wrap the chain around your frame these are nothing but a (slight) visual deterrent.  “Ok” for leaving your bike outside the shop for a little while in a busy shopping centre – but nothing more.  This type of lock is so bad, here at Asgard we simply do not supply them.

Cheap Bike Locks Are Useless

Cheap Bike Locks Are Useless

Cycle Alarm

New to us here at Asgard is the cycle dick brake alarm”. What is it??  Well it’s an alarm that screams if anyone tries to steal your bike. These are normally associated with motorcycle security, but they are so compact and effective we like to use them as cycle locks.  All you do is push click this weighty, metal lock to one of your disc brakes – no one can ride away your bike with a chunk of metal hanging off the back wheel!! And as a bonus these locks have an excellent built in movement detector with a powerful 110db siren.  Unlike most of this type of lock, I can personally confirm this one does not keep going off in the middle of the night.  I have now had one of these on test on my own precious mountain bike in an Asgard Addition bike storage unit for a month without any false alarms.  I can even kick the side of the locked bike unit and the alarm will not trigger. However, open the unit and try to move the bike and WOW its loud.  So even if I forget to lock the bike unit up (which I often do) - No one is sneaking out of the garden with this lock hanging off the back wheel.

See the Asgard Bike Security Alarm Video here.

Asgard Cycle Alarm

Asgard Cycle Alarm

Addition Bike Store 

The original secure bike store.  We like to think we really got the bike storage market going with this one.  It’s compact and tough.  Designed to take up to 3 bikes (I have a road, a Hybrid and a MTB in ours).  With either full or half width shelves available allowing you to store not only your bikes, but also all of your maintenance equipment in one place (I also keep three packs, two pairs of shoes, a track pump, workstand, gt lube, oils, and a small pressure washer in mine) .  With a large double door access point that can be handed to suit your location and featuring our drill and pick resistant 3 point locking system. This all metal unit has a built in floor and weighs in at an impressive 16.3 stone.  All Asgard metal sheds come with fixing bolts as standard – these allow you to bolt the unit to the ground – I think the unit is so heavy on it’s own I have never bothered to bolt it down – trust me, these are heavy!

Add in the fact we have hidden roof vents to allow air flow and reducing condensation (not enough to dry wet clothes though) and we are talking about some serious bike storage.

Hailed by the industry as “the best bike store they had ever seen” this is an excellent way of looking after your bikes and keeping the mud and dirt out of the house.  Addition Bike Storage Customer Comments

Addition Bike Storage

Addition Bike Storage

Access Bike Store 

Designed after talking to serious bikers who were looking to store either their precious carbon road bikes in total comfort (I know riders who have bought this 4 bike unit and keep only a single Carbon bike in) or for storing the whole families bikes together to free up the garage.  With a capacity of up to 4 bikes, the Access Bike Store is deeper and wider than the Addition.  Still made from the same tough weather proof steel, including a solid metal floor, but now you have the benefit of a gas lift, lift up lid.  This gives you greater access to your bikes and equipment, fit the optional hooks and shelves and you can fit all of the families cycle gear in – including packs, clothes, maintenance, shoes .… everything.  Instead of the handle lock, the Access Bike Store uses keyed alike disc locks.  Rated at level 8 (out of 10) by the manufacturer these are super tough locks hidden behind a steel plate – so your bikes will be very safe in here. Add in the fact we have hidden roof vents to allow air flow and reducing condensation and we are talking about some serious bike storage.

Access Bike Storage

Access Bike Storage

The Twin Bike Locker

Designed in response to a lot of city based commuters who live in flats or town houses with restricted garden access.  Perfect for narrow alley ways or tucked away discreetly into a shared courtyard the twin bike locker.. well it … stores two bikes.  Still made from our heavy duty galvanised steel, the twin has the same tough 3 point locking system as the Addition bike store and comes complete with two hooks to hang your helmets on.  The perfect his and hers bike storage solution, once again featuring our hidden roof vents to allow air flow and reducing condensation.

Twin Bike Locker

Twin Bike Locker

The Annexe bike store 

We are now talking about some serious high security.  If you are really paranoid about bike theft then this is the product for you!  From the outside this looks just like our Addition bike store, galvanised steel, full metal base – tough and secure … but inside  we have added reinforced stiffeners to the doors, to the roof and to the general panels.  Finally we have upgraded the lock to a five point locking system (still with our pick and drill resistant cyclinder).  This means this unit, on it’s own with no further ground anchors (unlike a lot of units out there which require additional locks to be approved) this unit is Loss Prevention certified to level 1.  This can actually reduce your insurance premiums.  Like the Addition the Annexe bike store can hold up to 3 bikes and associated equipment (with the optional shelf and hook packs). Once again featuring our hidden roof vents to allow air flow and reducing condensation inside the unit.

High Security Bike Storage

High Security Bike Storage

Ground Anchors 

If the budget won’t stretch to a full bike storage unit or you do actually have room in your garage for a bike you should consider a ground anchor and chain.  Asgard only supply chains and anchors we use ourselves for our own bikes – We believe in supplying goods that are good enough for us to use.  Why supply something that we wouldn’t use ourselves?  A ground anchor is a tough metal plate that is screwed into the ground or wall (concrete or tarmac) by anything up to 100mm.  You then simply thread one of our tough chains around your bike frame and through the gap in the plate.

Ground Anchor

A Ground Anchor In Use

That’s a quick rundown of the bike storage available from Asgard.  If you have any questions about any aspect of bike security contact us for free advice.  Just visit our web site and ask.  http://www.asgardsss.co.uk

Bicycle Security Alarm Systems.

For bicycle owners, cycle security is one of the most discussed topic; ‘which bike security products are best for my bike’?  Using sturdy padlocks, chains, disc locks, and ground anchors are all recommended when parking your bike at all times but the key message is clear – always double up on security where possible.

This means using at least 2 different types of security measures in order to protect your bike and deter thieves.

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Choose heavy-duty, sturdy locks for your cycle.

The type of bike locks to use will depend on your type of bike, and where you are parking it.  There are a wide range of portable disc locks and chains, ideal for when you are riding around the town, as well as numerous chain locks and ground anchors suitable for securing in your back garden, garage or bike storage unit.

Double up on security

However, as an additional security measure, we would also recommend you to use a cycle alarm system, such as the Screamer Cycle Disc Lock.

The Screamer Cycle Disc Lock with attack activated alarm system.

The Screamer Cycle Disc Lock with attack activated alarm system.

The Screamer Cycle Disc Lock gives you that extra and security for your bike when not in use. Once activated, if someone is then attempts to move your bike or tamper with the lock the 100db siren will activate automatically, emitting a shrill of 100 decibels to put off would-be bike thieves and alert you.

The 7mm locking pin fits through the holes on the brake discs of the majority of cycles. There are 3 keys supplied with the lock, with a key way cover to protect the locking mechanism against dirt and dust. The lock can also be secured without the alarm being activated, if required.

Parking up your bike

And finally – Always park your bike to something solid in a visible place when out riding around the city centre.  Select highly visible locations such as busy streets or in front of store as thieves are unlikely to consider taking your bike if it’s locked out in the open.

And when you park your bicycle up for the night, make sure you store it in either a garage, or in a secure outdoor bike storage unit to keep out of sight and safe from thieves.

For more information on Asgards range of bike security products, visit http://www.asgardsss.co.uk

The last of the Summer BBQs

With summer season officially drawing to a close in the next few weeks, if you have not had a chance to host your very own BBQ party by now, we recommend that you join in with this family friendly outdoor dining experience whilst you can…and to help you on your way – we’ve put together some BBQ basics to help you throw a party to remember!

Step 1 – Choose your BBQ

Essentially a choice between a Charcoal or a Gas powered barbeque – this will depend on which one you prefer.  Although charcoal barbeques may be the cheaper option, they are often messy and difficult to handle.  On the other hand, gas barbeques are quick, easy to use and fully controllable heat – it’s not difficult to see why so many people opt for gas barbecues

For more information on choosing the right BBQ Grill for you, as well as how to clean and maintain your grill, visit the Barbecue Party website.

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Serve up a BBQ burger bonanza!

Don’t forget – You will need to set up your BBQ with either gas or charcoal so stock up before hand and store them somewhere safe, ideally in well ventilated and dry area, such as a metal garden shed or a secure gas bottle storage, like the one pictured below, available from Asgard.

The simple, safe and stylish solution for gas bottle storage

For more information, visit the Calor Gas website on how to order the correct gas required for your equipment.

Better safe then sorry – check out the secure steel gas bottle and outdoor storage range from Asgard available to order from their website.

Step 2 – Choose your food!

Grilled Kebabs and burgers are the popular choices – quick and easy to make with little preparation required.  Depending on your tastes, you can go for all the traditional meaty BBQ favourites, spice things up with the tastes of Asia, or opt for some healthier vegetarian options and finally don’t forget drinks!

For a range of recipes, visit the BBC website for a range of tried and tested recipes.

Step 3 – Invite your guests!

Outdoor dining is a great way for friends and family to spend some time together, so it’s the perfect excuse to invite all the family round! Inform your guests well in advance and set out your garden with table, chairs and party decorations. Stack plates, napkins and utensils at one end of the food station.  And finally don’t forget the CD Player and a selection of games!

Outdoor dining is fun for all the family!

Forgotten something? Use this checklist before the party kicks of so that you and your guests can enjoy the BBQ Party of the year!

Cycling Plus Magazine rates the Asgard Access Bike Shed as the ‘Editors Choice’ product.

At Asgard, we like to think that we are the bike security storage experts, and with a number top reviews for our popular bike storage range already under our belt, Cycling Plus magazine featured the Asgard Access Bike shed, naming it the ‘Editors Choice’ product.

After a detailed analysis of the secure metal storage unit, Cycling Plus confirmed the Access unit is ‘impressively strong, with an excellent attack-proof design’ and gave it a 9 out 10 overall product rating.

Read the full article below, and let us know whether you agree with the Editors as Cycling Plus magazine.

CyclingPlus-Review

For more information on the Asgard Access Bike Shed, or our other bike security product range, visit our website at http://www.asgardsss.co.uk

Mobility Scooter Storage

For those of you who rely on your mobility scooter on a regular basis will appreciate the freedom it gives you.  The number of mobility scooter users in the UK has increased in recent years and they have become a popular and effective way to increase mobility and independence of users.  It is also one of the most cost effective option for many users and doesn’t require a special license to own or use.

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The convenient and practical transport option for mobility scooter users.

However, although it may be a worthwhile investment, users also need to consider adequate maintenance and storage of their vehicle in order to keep your mobility in good condition when not in use.

When you are searching for the best storage for your mobility scooter, there are two primary considerations – protection from the weather and security.

  • Protection from the weather – so that your mobility scooter and any of its electrical components don’t get wet during the rain or snow.
  • Security – probably the biggest factor to consider when you are searching for the best mobility scooter storage is the security issue.  Storage Covers will not protect your scooter from theft or vandalism.  You should consider security purpose-built mobility scooter storage unit that has lockable doors.

What’s the best way to store your mobility scooter?

One option may be to use a Storage Cover, which are handy for keeping the dust and rain off your scooter will you are not using it.  However, these covers do not provide much security for your vehicle, and are only advisable as a temporary measure or if you are storing your vehicle in a large garage or other sheltered area.

We would recommend a secure metal storage unit, which has been specially designed to store your mobility scooter when not in use.  Asgard, the specialists in secure steel storage units have specifically designed an outdoor Mobility Scooter Storage Unit based on feedback and customer demand.

The Asgard Mobility Scooter Storage Unit.

The Asgard Mobility Scooter Storage Unit – a ‘must-have’ for all scooter users.

The Asgard Mobility Scooter Storage Unit provides secure outdoor storage of your mobility scooter or electric wheelchair.  Built from very thick, galvanised steel panels this unit is ideal for the outside storage of your scooter.  You can drive your scooter straight in this unit with the convenient double door access and fold-down ramp.  And to keep your vehicle powered up, you can even charge up your vehicle if required, as an electrical mounting plate is included on the side panel.

Whats more, Asgard can even help you assemble the unit for you as well.  For more information and to view the full mobility scooter storage range from Asgard, visit the website http://www.asgardsss.co.uk

Any questions?

Check out these ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ about Mobility Scooters, and to request a Free Scooter Brochure & Buying Guide at the Help My Mobility website.

How to choose the right lawn mower for your garden.

You would never know how complicated buying a basic lawn mower for your garden can be unless you’ve had to buy one yourself.  What seems like a simple enough purchase initially, it can seem very confusing unless you know exactly what you need. So we’ve done a little research to help you make the right choice of mower for your garden.

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Make the grass greener with the right Lawnmower for your garden.

Before you can pick up a gardening equipment catalogue, or head off to the nearest garden centre, it’s a good idea to think about what the most suitable mower will be, depending on the following areas.

7 Key Questions…

1) Size: How big is your garden?

An electric lawn mower may be sufficient for standard sized front and back gardens. Lightweight and manoeuvrable, they are easy to handle and the electric cable should not cause any difficulties. But if you have a large garden or field, you may be better off with a ride-on mower or even a tractor mower to speed up the time taken to do the job.

2) Type: What type of grass do you have?

Determine what grass types your lawn is made up of. A lawn made up of really fine turf will need frequent cuts to keep the grass short and looking its best and a cylinder mower will provide this short, fine cut.
However, the most common garden lawns are made up of a mixture of ryegrass, weeds and some moss. This type of lawn will get plenty of wear and tear and need cutting at least once a week, so a rotary mower would be the best choice. As there are more versatile than cylinder mowers, rotary mowers can cope with longer grass if you miss a weekly cut.

3) Power Supply: What kind of power supply is required?

Here you have the option of either and electric powered mower or petrol mower.  Your decision will depend on whether you can get an extension lead for an electric motor in your garden, or whether a petrol mower might be a better option.

4) Shape: What shape is your lawn?

Does your garden have curving edges and border paths, with slopes and grassy banks, with planted trees and shrubs in your lawn? If so, then a hover mower will be ideal as they are extremely lightweight and float over the grass – they are also easy to handle even in small areas and between flower beds.

5) Noise: Is noise going to be an issue?

Petrol powered mower can be very noisy to use, and if this is likely to be an issue, opt for a quieter electric powered mower.

6) Safety: What safety features does the mower feature?  

Thousands of hospital treatments are needed every year as a result of lawn mower accidents and so look out for safety featured such as protected blades, risk of upturning and power cut off when selecting a lawn mower.

7) Security: Where will you store your lawn mower?

Your Lawn Mower will need to be stored somewhere that is not only dry and well ventilated but also safe and secure from theft.  Always ensure you store your mower in your garage or a secure out door storage unit, like the Asgard Flexistore 15222 Lawn Mower Storage Unit when not in use.

Asgard Flexistore Lawn Mower Storage Unit

Asgard Flexistore Lawn Mower Storage Unit.

The Asgard Flexistore 1522 Lawn Mower Storage Unit has been designed to keep all types of lawn mowers and gardening tools and equipment stored safe and sound from the weather as well as risk of theft.  Ideal for petrol lawnmower, electric lawn mower, rideon mower, or even just a push lawn mowers, all types of lawnmowers can be expensive – so keep them locked up in a high quality, weatherproof Lawn Mower Storage Unit to prevent rust forming and damage over time.

For more information and to view the full range of secure metal garden storage, visit our website at http://www.asgardsss.co.uk

Watch lawn mowers in action

Check out a short clip By presenter Joe Swift from Gardeners World  for a demonstration and quick guide to the various types of lawn mowers available. 

Garden Theft

Garden TheftWhat can you do??

You are out at work all day, so your plants are there.. alone .. vunerable and in full view of the street with no one to guard them.  How can you protect them??

You could put barbed wire all around your fence. ..

Employ a full time guard …

Never leave the house … just sit in the front window all day watching .. waiting??

Perhaps extreme? Maybe not.  Gardeners are now looking for new ways to keep their plants in their gardens.  Britain spends 4 billion pounds a year on their gardens.

Garden Theft

Garden Theft

It’s a sad fact that landscape gardeners vans are a beacon for garden thieves.  No sooner has the van arrived.. then the garden thieves note its presence in the area.

A few days (and several thousand pounds) later the garden is finished.  50 hand picked and hand planted fresh, exotic, new plants planted in perfect balance.  They smell great, they look perfect!

You wake up the following morning, they have all gone!

Stolen Plants

Stolen Plants

For most home gardeners, theft on this scale is rare.  Yet this is a crime that is on the increase.  You may have been a victim and not noticed.  The odd missing plant here and there often goes unnoticed.

There are few options available to secure ourselves from garden theft. Obviously the area you live in, the type of plants you have recently positioned and whether your garden is obscured from the road side can all contribute to the possibility of becoming a victim to plant theft. None of these issues are easily overcome.

You could move house but that’s never easy and won’t guarantee that the area you move into won’t change over the years.

You could even plant more common, cheaper plants but how boring would that be?

Here’s a few gardening tips we have found on the net for those not wanting to suffer at the hands of plant thieves.

Aim sensor lights towards your most recently acquired plants. Sensor lights (aff.) can flood your garden with light the moment an intruder enters the property or heads to your plant.

In the same vein, although far less efficient at deterring humans than animals, is the Scarecrow Sprinkler . While this may annoy the would-be thief it may not be enough to distract them from their intent. Plus, unless you’re a light sleeper you’re probably unlikely to be aroused with the sprinkler than a set of sensor lights.

Keep a guard dog. While this is a great option for keeping intruders at bay, having a dog in your prized garden can wreak its own set of problems.

Protection with thorns

Protection with thorns

Stake your plants. Plants that are positioned and have been tied to a stake, or set of stakes, are less likely to attract the interest of a plant thief – but then again, it all depends on what that plant is.

After a month or two, your plant’s roots should have secured it in place and also made it a less likely target. However, if a thief plans to steal one, or more, of your plants there isn’t a whole lot you can do about it.

Get a secure metal shed.  A shed with a decent locking system will ensure you can lock up your tools.  At least this will mean the thieves will have to bring their own tools.  So they will look conspicuous walking around your neighbourhood with a sack full of spades.

There are no simple answers to this dilemma but it would appear that gardeners are going to have to find some…. and sooner rather than later

Guide to Gas Storage at your Caravan (Part 1)

If you’re currently preparing for your next caravan holiday, you will know that you won’t get very far if you haven’t thought about your bottled gas supply.  Your caravan will use gas for cooking, heating and maybe even lighting so it’s important to make sure you have the correct gas and equipment on-board and ready for your caravan break.

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Home from Home – The alternative holiday break

As they can potentially pose a significant risk, it is equally important to consider how you will store your gas bottles safely and securely.

Fire risks

Your gas bottles should be stored in a locked storage unit because they pose a fire risk. Don’t forget to check you have the correct fire extinguisher for the protecting you and your caravan against any fire risks.

Remember: When not using your caravan, ensure that all gas bottles and your appliances are turned off.

Security measures for your gas bottles

Gas bottles can be unsightly and easy to steal or damage and that is why Asgard, the specialist in secure steel storage have designed the Asgas Gas bottle Storage range, which has been selected as a Calor Gas Choice product.

Asgas Gas Bottle Storage for Caravans

Storing your gas bottles safe from theft at the Caravan Site.

The Asgas 38 gas bottle storage unit has been developed for the storage of up to two 19kg propane gas bottles.  All our gas units are built from thick, heavy gauge galvanized (weather proof) steel panels with a large (lockable) single door access, the Asgas 38 Gas Bottle Storage provides superb secure store for propane gas bottles.

Seasonal Maintenance

The winter months are usually a time when your caravan may be closed up and if you have not ensured your van is ready for the frost and months of idleness then you could be facing big problems and even expensive repair bills.

If you are not going to be using your van during the winter, it is recommended that you remove all gas cylinders and store in an adequately ventilated location.  Ensure that all cylinders are fully turned off and the gas compartment is locked.  Keep in mind that when storing Butane gas, it begins to freeze at temperatures below 4°C whereas Propane does not.

For more information on keeping your Caravan or mobile home safe and secure all year round make sure you have read the advice from The Camping and Caravanning Club website.

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