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Bird Hide, Animal Hide

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We were recently asked to bespoke build a Bird Watching shed for a customer and organise delivery to a reasonably remote location on the Scottish Borders

From start to finish the customer was exceptionally polite and communicated exceptionally well but also quite specific about the detail.

Working from a very detailed brief we contacted our manufacturing partners and calculated the best prices we could after a series of emails back and forth with the customer confirming the details around the delivery agreeing the prices etc the building was ordered. https://www.taylorsgardenbuildings.co.uk/bespoke-bird-watching-shed-2m-x-2m

After eight weeks in production we accepted the delivery into the garden centre where we checked the components before sending onto to Scotland, we used a reliable local haulier who we have been working with for many years who use Moffat forklifts attached to the back of the lorry. they got as close to the delivery site as they could with the lorry and used the forklift to take the few hundred yards to the customers storage area until they were ready to assemble.

A few weeks later the customer managed to organise labour and get the building to the final place where they assembled the building.

It looks stunning! a 2m x 2m Bird Hide or Bird Watching shed which will give them hours of protection from the elements whilst still enabling them to watch the birds and other wildlife.

Three windows with internal lockable shutters, a shelf to rest the cameras/binoculars etc on, a bench seat so they can rest a lockable door for security when they are not on site.

The building was made using heavy duty framework, heavy duty cladding, heavy duty floor all pressure treated so guaranteed against rot and wood eating insects for ten years. The roof was covered with heavy duty felt

This is a building that was designed by the customer and made to last.

It was an absolute pleasure to be involved in this project and we are pleased with the results

The customer has provided the below feedback

Good Day Adam,

At long last the hide has been built.  Last week a team got together to transport and erect the hide.   I have since made a couple of visits and everybody I’ve been in touch with have been pleased with it.

As you asked I have taken some photographs and these will come to you by WeTransfer.com.  They are print quality should you wish to use them in this way or cut them down for posting on your website.  You will probably notice a difference between the first 2 and the remainder.  These were taken quickly after erection and are only the front.  The lock hadn’t been put on until later, nor was the interior finished.  After these items were done the hide was secured by inserting the stobs at the corners.

Adam I know this has been a long drawn out process but in the end it has been worth it.  Perhaps it will bring you additional business and hides will be built in other locations offering similar pleasure to others.

Thanks, and Best Regards

Brian

If you are interested in a bespoke Bird Watching Shed, Bird Hide or any other Shed, Workshop or garden Building then please contact us to discuss your own requirements such as the layout of the building, as many permeations are possible. You may have additional requirements such as alternative cladding, security hinges, double doors, stable doors, heavy duty locks or security windows. Several other options are also available; strengthened floors, partitions, and even roll on – roll off roofs.

We specialise mainly in bespoke buildings. If you would like to have a building built to your dimensions or specifications whether it be a small kennel or a 6 bedroom log cabin then please contact us to discuss your requirements.

For more examples of our bespoke buildings please visit https://www.taylorsgardenbuildings.co.uk/bespoke-made-to-measure-sheds/

Swallow Greenhouses Base advice

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Kingsfisher Greenhouses

Kingfisher Greenhouse Range

The last post was all about Swallow Greenhouses a great range of timber frame greenhouses to suit a wide range of garden styles, below is what they say on the back of their brochure some sound advice about greenhouse bases.

Greenhouse Base Advice

The idea base for the greenhouse would be;

  1. Paving slabs to encourage natural drainage
  2. Solid concrete base to the size of the greenhouse with a minimum 4″ thickness
  3. Concrete strip footing again with a minimum 4″ thickness
  4. Dwarf wall can be built – heights to be advised

The base can be larger than the greenhouse if required by the customer but it must not be any smaller.

Most importantly the base must be level

Lean to Base Advice

There are additional factors to be considered if a lean-to greenhouse is purchased. In addition to the advice above, the following must also apply;

  • The base must be 90 degrees to the wall and level
    Swallow Lean to Greenhouse

    Swallow Lean to Greenhouse

  • Swallow (GB) will ask if the wall is straight and will request photographs if necessary Swallow (GB) will ask the type and height of the wall upon receipt of the order.

Swallow(GB) will ask the type and height of the wall upon receipt of the order

Access Information

We require the following height clearances for access as all panels are pre-glazed in the factory;

  • Finch, Cygnet, Jay, Kingfisher – 6′ 6″
  • Heron, Mallard, Swan, Raven, Rook, Falcon, Eagle – 8′ 6″

Once the order is received, we will forward a base plan for the building. We then ask you to contact us when the base is ready to enable us to plan installation.

Specifications

All Swallow (GB) Buildings have the following features as standard

  • All the redwood pine is thermally modified
  • All the boards are fixed with stainless steel nails
  • The inward-opening door has a mortice lock and lever handle
  • All the glass is toughened (tempered) safety glass (three times stronger than standard)
  • The glass is slid into a groove and sealed with quality silicone (this is very reliable and makes it resilient to adverse weather conditions)
  • The glass shapes are joined with a clear plastic ‘H-Section’ (clean looking and easy to wipe)
  • Each roof vent is fitted with a Bayliss automatic opener
  • There is a plastic section fixed around the bottom of the greenhouse. This keeps the timber off the ground, prolonging the life of the building.

So pay attention and follow the advice above from Swallow Greenhouses for the ideal base for your new Swallow Greenhouse.

Swallow (GB) Greenhouses Ltd

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I love receiving new marketing information from our various suppliers and one that was dropped onto my desk last week was a great partner we have called Swallow (GB) Ltd we have been working with this company since our first introduction many moons ago.

Raven Greenhouse from Swallow

Swallow Raven Greenhouse

Swallow Greenhouse products are made from Thermowood which is manufactured from red wood pine. The process involves kiln drying the timber which is put into a special oven where a powerful compressor which removes the air, the temperature is raised to 215 degrees C which bakes the timber, the result seals the capillaries, destroys resins and proteins and stabilises the timber.

The benefits are;

  • It can be left untreated
  • All bacteria is killed, resulting in a sterile material
  • Paints excellently and lasts up to three times longer
  • The timber is totally natural and chemical free
  • Reduced thermal conductivity
  • Consistent colour throughout the wood
  • Improves durability against decay
  • Improved dimensional stability
  • Good choice for allergy sufferers

    Falcon Greenhouse

    Swallow Falcon Greenhouse

Some general advice from Swallow Greenhouses on how to keep your greenhouse in tip-top shape.

A greenhouse is an excellent addition to any garden, whether a novice or a time honoured gardener, it is always good to receive a few tips. Your new Swallow Greenhouse will give you the ability to extend the growing season, with the possibility to grow produce that would not usually grow in your area of the country.

All Swallow Greenhouses are fitted with automatic vents allowing ventilation and temperature control. These help to make the greenhouse efficient and with the inclusion of a regular cleaning routine will keep your greenhouse pest and disease free.

Mould

By far the biggest problem you might come across in your greenhouse is mould. However, with a few simple steps your greenhouse should be mould free all year round.

Grey mould is caused by the fungus Botrytis Cinerea, a common fungus with a wide host range. It produces are large amount of spores that move around the greenhouse via air currents. To help control the grey mould a control of the environment should be maintained, this will prevent the fungus growth and to sporulate. By keeping the humidity level below 85%, as well as ensuring good air circulation and adequate plant spacing.

Cygnet Greenhouse

Swallow Cygnet Greenhouse

Annual Greenhouse Cleaning

In the first instance its a good idea to find way suits you best. With the seasons in mind, a warm sunny day will put less stress on the plants when you move them outside. This will enable you to use cleaning solutions without the worry of damaging or spills on any of your plants. Working from the top to bottom, clean the windows thoroughly with soapy water, adding one part bleach for ten parts of water if you can see mould or moss growth.

Sweep off any growing tables or staging to clear out any dirt or weed remnants. Discard broken or unsuitable growing containers. Clean and sterilize any benches and tools. Sweep and disinfecting the floor, another step pertinent to maintaining a disease and pest free greenhouse.

This is also a good opportunity to clean the outside of the greenhouse, clearing gutters, opening vents to clean thoroughly, cleaning windows.

Daily Greenhouse Upkeep

Finch Greenhouse

Swallow Finch Greenhouse

To maintain a healthy and well balanced area for your plants to grow, a routine daily maintenance schedule is a good idea. Just simply sweeping, weeding, removal and disposal of infected and damaged plants. Areas kept clean and tidy as you become more familiar with your greenhouse you will be able to notice where any maintenance is required.

All these measures will add up to a healthy growing environment for your plants, with an abundance of growth.

Click here to view our full range of Greenhouses

Moving on…

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Brooklyn Log Cabin

Brooklyn Log Cabin from Lugarde one of our quality manufacturing partners

Its been an interesting few months. BT eventually managed to install our new phone lines at Woodmeadow Garden Centre and we have, after much long awaited anticipation moved our sales office into the Brooklyn Log Cabin that’s at the front of the garden centre.

Over the last couple of years as our industry has evolved and as garden fashions are ever changing so has our business changed, we have a new team of cabin fitters, new suppliers with new ranges of products, new display buildings and greenhouses at our new garden centre, new challenges everyday. If it was easy everyone would be doing it.

It is not possible for us to be the cheapest supplier of log cabins and cheapest sheds but our aim is to offer a wide range of Garden Buildings at the best prices we can. Cheap garden buildings are not always the best way forward and although we sell them as a part of our range we always try and advise our customers to consider the better quality sheds and summerhouses

Denbigh Summerhouse

Last years best seller the Denbigh Summerhouse

or the quality log cabins that for only a little extra have better accessories, buy cheap buy twice is a saying that’s been drilled into me over the years and is a common thing I talk about with customers in the garden centre when they are complaining about a cheap alternative that they have purchased and it only lasted for one year.

Buy cheap… Buy twice…Ring us for friendly advice or pop in for a cuppa and a chat.

Easter Bank Holiday Weekend Opening

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PicCollage

We will be closed Easter Sunday, according to the Sunday Trading Act as we unfortunately fall into the criteria of ‘shop larger than 280 square metres’ which means we have to close on Easter Sunday, so as well as being one of the busiest weekends of the year on the roads for travelling; Easter Bank Holiday Weekend is also one of the biggest weekends of the year for Gardening and DIY and a lot of the larger retail places across the country will be closed so check before you venture out and save a wasted journey.

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Play in the Garden

For the garden buildings, sheds, summerhouses, garages and workshops on our website it is unfortunately too late now to get anything delivered before the bank holiday weekend but you can still visit our Garden Centre (except Easter Sunday) enjoy a Panini or toasted sandwich in the Tearoom and take a look at the buildings we have on display. (Its always worth calling before your visit to check we have an example of the log cabin, shed or particular product you are looking for as we have thousands of products on the website and cant physically fit everything in the garden centre.

You can of course order online as normal and we will be on the phones Saturday and Monday as normal 01604 586939

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Outdoor Play

Whether your travelling or staying at home, doing the first grass cutting of the year or painting the kitchen, have a great weekend from all of us at Taylors Garden Buildings and Woodmeadow Garden Centre

Woodmeadow Garden Centre

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Its taken nearly a year but the purchase of Woodmeadow Garden Centre was finally completed and we had our first Christmas. We have been extremely busy within the Garden Centre stock taking, organising and planning for the coming season.

Ready Built Sheds and Summerhouse

Ready Built Sheds and Summerhouses

We have a good selection of new buildings on display from our Ready built and installed range which now includes a factory painted option as well as the standard range of dip treated golden brown or pressure treated options. this is our most popular range of garden buildings including Heavy Duty in both Pent roof and Apex roof styles in a wide range of sizes to suit. as well as the ready built sheds we have a great range of ready built Summerhouses in a variety of styles and sizes. the best part is if we haven’t got exactly what you want we can in most cases make to order, so if you have a space that requires a particular size garden building and you have found a style you like then why not ask if we can make it to the size you require. We have many diverse designs over the years and will always do our best to meet your requirements.

Also at the garden centre we have a new range of

Greenhouses

Greenhouses

Greenhouses at great prices with quality service and many accessories everything you need to grow your own.

As well as the space being made for the buildings and the greenhouses we have also been working on the plant tables rebuilding, tidying and making space for some of the new stock that has been arriving ready for the 2016 season.

Plants2 Plants

We try and maintain a good range of basic plants as we are a traditional garden centre but the main part of our business is the Garden Buildings

For any of our friends that have been and visited over the years our tearoom is now under new management with a more extensive menu (difficult to keep out of as the cake is amazing).

Winter Tips

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With winter well underway there are few things you need to take care of to make sure you stay on top of the gardening.

Keeping on top of the weeding and having a general tidy up of the borders is obvious, and if you haven’t already, start a compost. Start by going out and buying a bin or making a partially enclosed area for a heap. You must make sure to replace the goodness in soil after the growing season, not to mention autumn offers masses of garden waste. Cuttings from the lawn, bedding plants, moss, hedge clippings and kitchen peelings are ideal!

Make sure to turn the heap over once a week, but never add any diseased or pest ridden material to your compost, they are for the bonfire.

The greenhouse is due a good clean, make sure to do it thoroughly to prevent pests hibernating. Wash both the inside and outside windows to allow maximum light to get through. You basically want to hose down the entire greenhouse, especially the dark corners. If you feel up to it, take all your plants out the greenhouse, light a sulphur candle in the middle of the floor and shut the door. Leave it until the smoke and fumes have completely gone, (a good 8 hours later) and your greenhouse should be pest free!
Take care of your soil by digging in good compost, and as much organic matter as possible.

Now is also the perfect time to plant container grown shrubs, trees or bushes, as the moist warm soil is perfect for growing.

Although watering isn’t too much of an issue this time of year, make sure to keep an eye on it, there is still the occasional dry period.

By keeping on top of the choirs and making sure you are ready for the winter will make your life a whole lot easier in the long run. The key is planning, make sure you know what needs to be done and when to do it and you will be good to go.

Winter Gardening Tips

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While you can, it’s a good idea to have a good clean up! Have a go at sorting out the garden; here are a few tips to do this winter. Try tiding the garden shed, make things easier to find, throw out anything you no longer need. Gather all the tools you have been using over the past few months, and give them a good clean, get rid of all the dirt and rust. You can use a mild detergent to disinfect your pots if needed.

Check your sheds, gates and fences for any rot or damage, you will want to sort that out before the snow and strong winds start! Now the grass has stopped growing so fast it’s a good idea to leave it alone and let it have a bit of breathing space. But don’t forget to dead head any autumn-flowering plants before the frost starts!

With all these dead leaves and cuttings, now is the perfect time to start a compost bin. If you already have one, try giving it a stir to help speed the process up a little. While you’re at it, put out some fat blocks and other food, this will help out the local wildlife. This will also mean that frogs, birds and hedgehogs will stay in your garden, by the spring they will repay the favour by keeping the typical pests at bay!

Visit our website for related products: www.taylorsgardenbuildings.co.uk

A New Season Has Begun Today

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Many of you may or may not be aware that Wednesday 23rd September is officially the first day of Autumn. Most people have their personal favourite time of the year, a lot of people prefer the warmer months of Summer while others prefer the colder snowy climates of Winter. I am very pleased to say that Autumn is my favourite, I love to see the gorgeous seasonal colours start to appear on the trees and love the weather which, although cooler now, is not as harsh and bitter cold as the Winter period which is looming on the horizon.

Taylors Garden BuildingsThe one and only down side to this season (in my opinion) is  the mess that is caused by the falling leaves, in my youth I used to love charging through the huge piles that gathered on the pavements and kicking them up as high as I possibly could. Obviously being a grown-up I can’t really do that nowadays (unless I am absolutely sure that no one is watching – then it is a free for all in my case!).

Unfortunately the falling leaves are non biased about where they land and you will undoubtedly come down one morning to find your perfectly manicured lawn awash with the pests!  Not only that, if you don’t get rid of them fairly soon your lawn will soon turn in to a mulch pit – not a pretty sight!

The Bosch Cordless Garden Leaf Blower

Garden Leaf Blower

Luckily we have a good selection of garden tools and machinery to help with this dilemma, we have several blowers on our site which can help to move the leaves in to a more manageable area to be scooped up and disposed of in an orderly fashion. All of our blowers are portable and handheld for easier control and are available in either electric or petrol versions.

Flymo Scirocco Electric Vacuum

Flymo Scirocco Electric Vacuum

A good alternative to the trusty blower is a vacuum, these suck the leaves up and collect them in to a bag for you. Many of these also mulch the leaves down ready to be composted which not only saves time but is also highly beneficial for your garden and helps you to prepare for next year when your garden will start to come alive again.

Petrol Pro Shredder

Petrol Pro Shredder

Other useful devices for this time of year are our shredders which can also help to dispose of garden rubbish by reducing it down in size and thereby making it easier to fit in to your garden waste wheelie bin.  We have electric and petrol models available with a good range of prices to suit all tastes and budgets.

Also of interest could be somewhere to store your equipment, we have many options for this ranging from smaller wooden garden storage units and sheds or similar models manufactured in metal or plastic.

Whether you are an avid gardener or not there is almost certainly going to be something that might be if interest to you.  These machines will definitely make your life easier by removing the back breaking aspect of garden maintenance or at the very least put you in to your partners good books for a while!

Thanks for reading!

Looking after our feathered friends!

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September 2015 is officially national chicken appreciation month!

The gang at Woodmeadow Garden Centre

A stroll by the pond!

Naturally the limelight this month has to go to our Luna and her chums who live at our garden centre in Northampton. If you have ever visited our show site you are bound to have seen them – they are down the bottom end of the shed display area next to the pond and bridge. Failing that you would almost certainly have heard them on a visit as we have a magnificent cockerel who lives with them who likes to make his presence known by crowing at regular intervals.

Luna has been with us for a few years now and has been a firm favourite with children who like to see her shiny feathers and feed her some grain.

Mrs Bo at Woodmeadow Garden Centre

Mrs Bo rules the roost at Woodmeadow not Luna! (Her words – not ours!)

In fact she almost puts Mrs Bo’s nose out of joint sometimes!

Hen house

This hen house is the perfect area for keeping your birds.

Luna and her friends are housed in luxury accomodation in a timber Hen House which includes a raised floor, single door and separate closing hen access door with ramp.We have a model available on the Taylors Garden Buildings website measuring 6×6 (including the run on the front).

Woodmeadow Garden Centre

Night time visitor!

The run on the front of the Hen House has galvanised mesh with lockable door to keep them safe inside at night time from any predators who like to visit and have a mooch around. Being surrounded by fields at Woodmeadow it is inevitable that we get the odd late visitor here and there and this hen run gives us confidence that our feathered beauties are safe and sound.

We have had this hen house for as long as we have run Woodmeadow Garden Centre (just over three years) and have had perfectly satisfactory use from it (Luna has certainly never complained – especially in the middle of Winter when she and her colleagues are all tucked away nice and warm in the early hours!).

We also have two more models available on the Taylors website which are manufactured by one of our most successful manufacturers – Rowlinson.

Rowlinson Small Chicken Coop

Rowlinson Small Chicken Coop

The smaller of the two models is designed to comfortably house 4 chickens. Featuring a two compartment nest box and internal perches as well as an easy access ramp. This coop carries the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo supporting the responsible management of the world’s forests. This indicates that any wood used is sourced from well managed forests. With a natural timber finish, this coop is pressure treated.

Chicken Coop

The compartments on both of our Rowlinson models  feature removable lids for easy egg collection. The coops have easy access with a slide opening door with hook supports as well as a rear door. For ease of cleaning the coops are fitted with a slide out floor.

Click here for more specifications on these models.

Rowlinson Large Chicken Coop

Rowlinson Large Chicken Coop

 

The larger of the two models has all the same features as its smaller counterpart but is designed to comfortably house 6 chickens.

We don’t just cater for chickens on Taylors website either – we also have housing available for  all types of smaller animals as we also have some kennels and catteries available too.

Come and take a look – don’t be chicken! (Sorry).

With thanks to Mr Adam Freeman for the inspiration to write this blog.