In simple terms a kneeling bench is a tool which you kneel down on whilst gardening. It is made out of a soft padded material which offers protection for you knees. When gardening you will find the kneeling down on the hard ground does begin to damage your knees. A kneeling bench helps to limit this damage. A kneeling bench can also offer you a place to store your handheld tools. These include you shovel, scissors and gloves. Kneeling benches offer storage pouches on either side of the handles. The good thing about kneeling benches is that they can also offer another purpose… a seat. By turning this bench upside down you will discover somewhere for you to sit. This is perfect for if you are wanting to take a small break whilst working. It is also good for if you are working at a slightly higher level where being seated is the perfect height.
Author: Alan
Gardening Must-haves!
You may be a beginner or a long term gardener, but there are tools which every gardener must-have.
Knee Pad
Every gardener must own a knee pad. These are a lifesaver. With all the kneeling down you will be doing your knees will become sore. The knee pad will help to ease the soreness on your knees. They come in lots of different styles so you will be able to find the one for you.
Garden Knife
A knife or scissors are used a lot whilst gardening. Cutting string, flowers, harvesting fruit and trimming back bushes to name a few. It will be handy for you to carry one of these gardening knives with you.
Trowel
A hand trowel is one of the most used garden tools. This is why it is a must-have! Hand trowels are mainly used for digging, but can also be used for smoothing or moving small amounts of soil.
Patio or decking – What’s best?
A deck is an open outdoor porch or platform without a roof that extends from the rear of a house (usually). On the other hand, a patio may be a paved area situated directly on the ground, which may either be attached or detached from a house. Patios are generally less costly than decks because the materials are cheaper, but the ROI on a replacement deck runs greater than one on a patio. However, both additions offer excellent styling and practicality, so whichever route you take, it’s unlikely you’ll be disappointed.
Now that you know the basic difference between a deck and patio, it’s probably best that we look into each of the pros and cons, as this will help you make a final decision, so you can get back to working on your garden, rather than Googling this very question!
Patio Benefits
- Easy maintenance (if you’ve chosen a good quality paving)
- A wide mix of colours, shapes and textures
- Paving looks good with a bigger selection of property styles
- Longevity (if you’ve chosen high-quality paving)
Patio Downsides
- More intensive construction needed underneath a patio, especially in areas with tons of ground movement, as reinforcement is usually required
- Environmental impact of using concrete
- The cost can be high
Deck Benefits
- Quicker, easier construction, especially if raised above ground level
- Natural-looking material
- Slightly cheaper counting on the wood used
- If using reclaimed wood, it’s more environmentally friendly
Deck Downsides
- Maintenance (requires regular oiling if you would like to keep that gorgeous brown colour)
- Longevity (so long as you don’t go for untreated softwood decking)
- It can be very slippery in winter. There are many horror stories of people falling.
Whilst the above list does raise a few concerns to take into account, the best place to start is by walking outside and just looking at the type of property you have. If you reside within the middle of rural England during a beautiful old house, decking probably isn’t getting to be the simplest material to use because it won’t be kept in line with the house style.
However, if you reside in a built-up urban area, decking will look great with it, especially if it’s a new build. So do take the time to think about the sort of house you’ve got before making a final decision.
What would add the most value to my home?
It’s a tough decision as it depends on the materials used. You can have a poorly constructed decking and a lousy patio, or you can have a great one! That said stone patios are usually around forever, and the decking is comparatively new the United Kingdom, but it’s become ubiquitous during just a few years.
It has grown in popularity so quickly because it’s usually cheaper than a patio, albeit you need to employ the best quality timber because there tends to be less ground preparation. A good quality paved patio is straightforward to take care of and will be built to last a lifetime. Still unsure? A trip to your local garden store will show that there are many options to suit all tastes, so there should be a patio or decking to suit you.
What is a companion seat?
Designed with ‘just for two’ in mind, a companion seat is a great purchase for your garden. With an interconnected table, it is ideal for relaxing side by side and enjoying your surroundings. It’s important to find one with a contemporary and robust construction, providing exceptional durability which will give many years of good service. You don’t want one that’s going to break in just a few weeks or months. It will be even better if you can find a companion seat that’s British Made, using slowly grown joinery grade oak or redwood. We’d also recommend you buy a seat that comes with at least a year’s warranty though you may be able to find one that is equipped with a 5-year guarantee. A companion seat is more than a stylish addition to your garden. It’s practical and allows you to enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle.
Great Ideas For Using Railway Sleepers
Railway sleeper are a great addition to gardens, where they add a wonderful natural look to many features. It is worth knowing that today one can buy ‘Softwood Treated Railway Sleepers’ which have been specifically designed for use in landscaping. These offer a regularity which can be difficult to find in railway sleepers that have actually seen use on railways. They are also free of the creosote which was used to weatherproof the original railway sleepers – and they are lighter and therefore easier to handle when undertaking a landscaping project. However, many people still prefer the original item (reclaimed or used sleepers) – and if grade 1 railway sleepers can be found (free of defects) they can provide a weathered look that is tremendously attractive.
Landscaping uses for railway sleepers can include Raised Borders building up raised beds, edging, steps (especially attractive in multi-level or split gardens), pathways or retaining walls. They can also be used to make garden furniture and construct decks.
However, the uses of railways sleepers extend into the home, rather than being limited to outdoor use. For the avid DIY enthusiast, there are a number of exciting projects which can make use of railway sleepers. The fact that reclaimed railways sleepers are available in various different wood types (Pine, Azobe, Oak, Jarrah, etc) makes them perfect for use in any home, almost irrespective of the interior design.
Interior projects can include tables, which are tremendously attractive when constructed from railway sleepers. Each piece will be unique, which makes a change from the often ‘cookie-cutter’ appearance of mass-produced modern furniture. The tables that can be produced are almost endless in variety. From coffee tables to sideboards and television stands, the limit is only the imagination.
Bookcases and bed bases are also fantastic projects that will accentuate the interior design of any home – but will be especially striking in those homes that have a more rural aesthetic – a trend that is becoming increasingly popular. That said, combining railways sleeper furniture with other materials can be extremely effective. For tables using glass as the tabletop, supported by railway sleepers is very effective. Combining stainless steel with railways sleepers provides an interesting contrast between the old and the new as far as interior design is concerned.
In short, railway sleepers are tremendously versatile – and for those who want to stand out from the crowd – either through landscaping or interior furnishings railway sleepers offer an option well worth exploring.