{"title":"Sustainable Gardening Products","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOur extensive natural gardening range is full of sustainable gardening products and tools that will help you to create and maintain a successful garden. Our range includes everything from \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/mulch-mats\" title=\"Mulch Mat collection\"\u003emulch\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\/products\/cocopeat-peat-free-compost\" title=\"Peat-free compost\"\u003epeat-free compost\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/growing-planting\" title=\"Growing \u0026amp; Planting gardening range\"\u003eseed planting supplies\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\/products\/metal-hanging-basket\" title=\"Hanging basket\"\u003ehanging baskets,\u003c\/a\u003e tree planting supplies, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/plant-protection\" title=\"Plant protection range\"\u003eplant protection\u003c\/a\u003e and even\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-kits-gifts\" title=\"Gardening Kits \u0026amp; Gifts\"\u003e gardening gifts\u003c\/a\u003e! Combining our love of gardening and our passion for sustainability and tree planting, we’ve been able to create a range of products for the garden that use natural materials like jute and wool. Our products will work effectively whilst allowing you to garden consciously and in harmony with the environment, protecting wildlife and biodiversity. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhether you’ve got a compact balcony garden, an allotment or a large garden with lots of flower beds, you’ll find the right gardening tools to complete any garden task throughout the year. We’ve even got sustainable products for organic gardeners, no dig gardening and vegetable gardens! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWe’ve curated the range to ensure we’ve got natural solutions to weed prevention, slug control and dry weather gardening, by utilising the features of natural materials, like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\/products\/herdwick-sheep-wool-1kg\" title=\"Sheep Wool\"\u003esheep wool\u003c\/a\u003e. Both the jute that we use in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/mulch-mats\" title=\"Jute Mulch Mat collection\"\u003ejute mulch mats\u003c\/a\u003e and the wool in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\/products\/sheep-wool-garden-felt\" title=\"Sheep Wool garden felt\"\u003ehorticultural fabrics\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\/products\/3-5l-sheep-wool-pellets\" title=\"Wool pellets for the garden\"\u003ewool pellets \u003c\/a\u003eand \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\/products\/mulch-shillies\" title=\"Mulch felt shillies\"\u003ewool shillies,\u003c\/a\u003e not only work well in a variety of ways but will also compost down into the soil, adding valuable nutrients for your plants and flowers.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGrowing our own from seed couldn’t be easier. We’ve got a fantastic selection of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/growing-planting\" title=\"Growing and Planting range\"\u003eseed planting and growing products\u003c\/a\u003e, to ensure your plants get the best chance of survival and success. From \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/growing-planting\/products\/plastic-free-gardening-rubber-seed-tray\" title=\"Rubber seed trainer\"\u003eseed trays\u003c\/a\u003e to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/growing-planting\/products\/plastic-free-gardening-rubber-root-trainer\" title=\"Rubber root trainer\"\u003eroot trainers\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/growing-planting\/products\/dalefoot-peat-free-wool-compost-for-seeds\" title=\"Peat-free seed compost\"\u003epeat-free seed compost\u003c\/a\u003e to sustainable \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/growing-planting\/products\/3-5l-sheep-wool-pellets\" title=\"Sheep wool pellets\"\u003esoil enrichers,\u003c\/a\u003e you’ll have luscious flowers and healthy home grown veg in no time!  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWith our very own peat-bog restoration project through \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/pages\/buy-land-plant-trees\" title=\"Buy Land Plant Trees information\"\u003eBuy Land Plant Trees\u003c\/a\u003e, ensuring we had a range of peat-free composts was important to us. Peat is incredibly important to the environment for many reasons, mainly due to it’s carbon capture qualities. Protecting and maintaining it is vital, which is why we’ve got a range of peat-free composts available for \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\/products\/dalefoot-peat-free-wool-compost-for-seeds\" title=\"Seedling composts\"\u003eseedlings\u003c\/a\u003e and mature plants, including \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\/products\/dalefoot-peat-free-wool-compost\" title=\"Dalefoot Peat Free Wool compost\"\u003epeat-free wool composts\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\/products\/cocopeat-peat-free-compost\" title=\"Coir cocopeat blocks\"\u003ecoir cocopeat blocks.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\/products\/cocopeat-peat-free-compost\" title=\"Coir cocopeat blocks\"\u003e \u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eUsing your garden to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/wildlife\" title=\"Wildlife collection\"\u003eprotect and encourage wildlife \u003c\/a\u003eis a fantastic way of increasing biodiversity. Our sustainable gardening range includes \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\/products\/wildflower-seed-mat-kit\" title=\"Wildflower planting kits\"\u003ewildflower planting kits\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\/products\/seed-bomb-kit\" title=\"Seed bomb kit\"\u003ewildflower seeds bombs\u003c\/a\u003e to help produce bee-friendly gardens. We’ve also got a whole lot of homes for wildlife to encourage birds, bugs, hedgehogs, frogs and bats into your garden. Our wildlife houses and feed will protect wildlife that is under threat is because of a loss of habitat.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhatever your garden project our eco-friendly garden collection will ensure you make a success of it! \u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"coffee-sack-cushion","title":"Coffee Sack Cushion","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis carefully crafted chunky outdoor cushion is hand made in our factory close to the Lake District in Cumbria. Rustic, yet still chic, we make clever use of locally sourced coffee sacks freely given to us by nearby artisan coffee roasters \u003ca title=\"Carvetii Coffee website\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carvetiicoffee.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCarvetti Coffee\u003c\/a\u003e - they make just the perfect naturally hardwearing cover.  These outers are then stuffed full of Herdwick wool that we collect from local farms to ensure they're not only comfy but chunky too. We finish these off by stitching all the parts together with natural thread - meaning there's not a single ounce of plastic in these outdoor cushions. We really wanted to produce something luxe yet sustainable when it comes to these cushions, which is why we've ensured all the materials used to produce these homely outdoor cushions is as locally sourced as possible. We then take advantage of low energy, small batch production methods to ensure we're making something with a lovely low carbon footprint. The perfect sustainable choice for any festival get up or outdoor lounging area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe jute hemp cover is naturally hardwearing, it disguises marks and dirt well meaning they're very easy care - you shouldn't need to give them a wipe often, but when you do they are readily wipeable. The wool inner ins naturally breathable, so if they do happen to get a little wet they will simply dry out with a bit of a breeze and some time\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery single one of these fantastic coffee sack cushions is wonderfully individual, this is because every coffee sack we receive is different. Although this means we can't guarantee what pattern you'll receive, it does mean that the item you're receiving really is one-of-a-kind. Your own completely unique piece! Now, what neat gift these would make!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach cushion measures approximately 60cm x 40cm - please note these measurements may vary as they are handmade!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow can I use this natural outdoor cushion?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWell, these can be used for anything you'd use a big chunky cushion for really. First and foremost we feel these look just fantastic, so we'd say they'd be a fantastic feature on any shelf, sofa or cabinet - after all they just look great and really very trendy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTake advantage of the hardwearing jute hemp coffee sack covers and incorporate these into your outdoor lounge set up, they'd make a fabulous addition to any outdoor patio furniture set, giving a very holiday, festival feel - they're readily wipeable, hard wearing and rustic - perfect for outdoor use. They're the perfect perch to pop on an extra stool when you're hosting a few friends for a BBQ, and they'd make a fantastic seat for any summer festival party, placed upon straw bales or simply on the grass!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the avid gardeners, they're a very comfy kneeling cushion - an amazing choice for when you're kneeling and digging into your beds or for a long afternoon weeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese wonderful outdoor cushions are truly multipurpose, and we're sure you can come up with plenty more ideas than us for uses for them!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow can I make the most of the outdoors, naturally?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere at Chimney Sheep we're all avid outdoor enthusiasts, there's tonnes of benefits to being outside and in nature for individuals as well as families and we feel you should take advantage of this where possible. Whether this be simply in your garden, your local part of into the depths of the wild Lake District. So, we introduced a range of sustainable outdoor products perfect for getting your outdoors on! From natural wool filled \u003ca title=\"Gruezi Sleeping Bag\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/camping\/products\/gruezi-wool-sleeping-bag-plus-model\"\u003esleeping bags\u003c\/a\u003e for the wilderness adventurer, \u003ca title=\"Skaza Bioplastic Picnic Set\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/picnicware\/products\/skaza-bioplastic-picnic-set\"\u003ebio-plastic picnic kits\u003c\/a\u003e for those who like to venture to the park and enjoy nature with a snack, to \u003ca title=\"Go Outside!\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/go-outside\"\u003einspirational nature activities\u003c\/a\u003e you can enjoy as a whole family. There's something for everyone in our \u003ca title=\"Go Outside!\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/go-outside\"\u003eGo Outside!\u003c\/a\u003e range.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"Rectangular","offer_id":56779031183738,"sku":"CSC01","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Square","offer_id":56779031216506,"sku":"CSC02","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/HessianBagVarietyHiRes.jpg?v=1690801176"},{"product_id":"stormguard-shell-outside-tap-cover","title":"Stormguard Shell Outside Tap Cover","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrozen taps outside can lead to very expensive damage, particularly if your pipes become frozen as well. Why? Because when water freezes, pressure is created between the frozen tap and the blockage in the pipe, which could then build up to the point that the pipe bursts. However, the good news is that prevention is easy!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe recommend that during the cold winter months, you always take the necessary steps to prevent frozen taps. This can be done by investing in an incredibly cost-effective, outdoor tap insulation, which protects garden taps from frost and ice, even when temperatures become extreme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy should I use outside tap insulation covers?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMade from a hard plastic shell, lined with polystyrene, the outside tap cover, is designed to slot over most new and existing outdoor tap systems. The outdoor tap cover forms an insulating barrier around your taps, to prevent the tap coming into contact with cold temperatures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike other outdoor tap covers, the Outside Insulated Tap Cover therefore eliminates the need for you to cover your taps with bubble wrap and its easy removal, means that your garden tap also remains accessible. We love it because it is:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn effective outdoor tap insulation \u0026amp; garden tap cover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIce \u0026amp; frost protection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCost-effective\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQuick \u0026amp; easy to fit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQuality made by Stormguard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow do I use insulated outdoor tap protectors?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery simple! There’s a loop, which acts as a hook, on the end of the cord. Firstly unfold the hook and straighten the toggle, before positioning the hook around the neck of your outside tap or handle. Now, holding the toggle, push your outside tap protector against the wall and tighten the toggle to ensure that the insulated outdoor tap protector has got a firm grip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMade by Stormguard, the insulated outside cover measures 16 x 15.4 x 11cm. To avoid disappointment, please check that these measurements will comfortably fit around your outdoor tap, before purchasing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Stomguard","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45982008836402,"sku":"CA008","price":8.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/stormguard_shell_tap_cover.jpg?v=1693566921"},{"product_id":"plant-a-tree-kit","title":"Plant a Tree Kit","description":"\u003ch4\u003eCan you tell me a bit more about each of the products in the Plant A Tree Kit?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe LOVE trees here at Chimney Sheep - they're a part of who we are. We set up the Community Interest Company, Buy Land Plant Trees, in 2019. 10% of the profits made at Chimney Sheep go towards Buy Land Plant Trees where we, quite literally, buy (agriculturally useless) land and plant trees! You can read more about that \u003ca title=\"Buy Land Plant Trees\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/pages\/buy-land-plant-trees\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Plant a Tree  Kit comes in a drawstring bag, made from natural jute hessian. It's the perfect size to keep everything else in your kit safe. Included in the bag are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChildren's trowel - this trowel is made with an ash wood handle, shaped for a comfortable grip. The head is made from high quality, stainless steel, and it's all just a bit smaller than an adult's trowel, so it won't be too big and heavy to use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTree leaf and seed identification cards - each of the nine tree leaf and seed identification cards has been beautifully illustrated and also includes facts about the leaves or seeds. Can you find any of the leaves shown?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eField Maple and Alder tree seed pellets - coming in a recyclable pillow box, we have five pellets all containing Field Maple and Alder tree seeds. They're protected by a mix of clay and soil, and are the perfect size to get planted in your coir pots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoir pots - Five coir pots ready for you to plant your tree seed pellets, they're the perfect size for the first stage of growing your trees, inside a greenhouse or on your windowsill. Once they're strong enough, the coir pots can be planted in the ground as they will fully biodegrade, allowing your tree to grow big and strong!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGuide - A useful guide packed full of information, such as how to plant your tree seeds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWho would this be appropriate for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Plant a Tree  Kit would be appropriate for children aged 6 years and over, and is a fun, educational and environmentally friendly to enjoy together as a family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy is it important to get children to play outdoors?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere at Chimney Sheep, we see the value in nature play! Being outdoors is great for our mental and physical growth, education, and understanding of the world and our place in it. We want to make playing outside fun and interesting by doing something a little different.  Our range of kits will provide an activity for all interests. Whether your child is arty or sporty, into bugs or flowers, we'll have a kit for them. Providing children with all they need to play and learn, leaving an enduring connection with nature and all it holds!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResearch founded by \u003ca title=\"The Wildlife Trusts website\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wildlifetrusts.org\/?msclkid=0d5d2702ac2511ecba5b655135203d0c\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eThe Wildlife Trust \u003c\/a\u003efound children’s well-being increased after they had spent time connecting with nature. Children have reported their experience outside made them more confident and capable of doing new things when they tried, learned something new, and formed better relationships with classmates. More benefits of outdoor play can be found \u003ca title=\"The Wildlife Trusts website\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wildlifetrusts.org\/news\/new-report-nature-nurtures-children?msclkid=a17b08daac2311eca11351acb9a2d089\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNeed more ideas on how to keep kids busy in the holidays?\u003ca title=\"Outdoor play with children blog\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/blogs\/blog\/6-outdoor-play-activities-with-children\"\u003e Check out our blog full of outdoor summer fun suggestions.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45982488232242,"sku":"JK001","price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/Plant_a_Tree_Kit_Product_Cards.jpg?v=1693567234"},{"product_id":"bamboo-skewers-pack-of-40","title":"Bamboo Pegs Pack of 40","description":"\u003cp\u003eA while ago, the only pegs available for mulch mats were made of plastic. We really didn't want to sell compostable mulch mats with bits of plastic that would stay in the ground for centuries. So we used cocktail skewers which did a reasonable job but were a little flimsy and could be faffy to insert. We still have these in the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimneysheep.co.uk\/products\/wildflower-seed-mat-kit\" title=\"Wildflower seedmat kit is a perfect way of learning about no dig gardening\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ewildflower seedmat kit\u003c\/a\u003e as they are perfect for small projects like this. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever. I am delighted to say that now there are proper, robust bamboo pegs available. These can be stamped or hammered in as necessary. These are particularly useful with our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimneysheep.co.uk\/collections\/plant-protection\" title=\"bamboo pegs for pegging down mulch mats\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003elarger square mats\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimneysheep.co.uk\/products\/sheep-wool-garden-felt?variant=46063469363506\" title=\"wool felt for the garden, useful for a wide range of natural gardening applications\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003erolls of garden felt\u003c\/a\u003e,  and rolls of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimneysheep.co.uk\/products\/jute-mulch-roll?variant=46062247313714\" title=\"25 metre rolls of jute matting are ideal for mulching large areas of the garden, or for mulch for hedges\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ejute matting\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuite often, what we find is that once it gets wet, and grass underneath sort of grows into it in an attempt to get through, it makes it adhere to the ground and the material it's mulching contributes to the mulching properties of the mat. So they don't necessarily need pegging down. But it makes a neater job of it, especially in locations prone to wind.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimply arrange the mat around the base of the tree. You may need to stamp down any weeds or grass that's already protruding. If it's long don't bother to cut it, just trample it down. Then peg each corner down with a bamboo skewer. There are 40 in a pack, enough to go with up to 10 of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/100cm-square-individual-jute-mulch-mat\" title=\"100cm Square Individual Jute Mulch Mat\"\u003e100cm x 100cm mulch mats\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45985465467186,"sku":"MM010","price":4.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/Bamboo_Garden_Skewers_New_Improved_2048.jpg?v=1755783373"},{"product_id":"nutscene-potters-pal","title":"Nutscene Potter's Pal","description":"\u003ch4\u003eHow do I use the kit?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Nutscene Potters' Pal, make your own seedling pots kit is easy to use, environmentally conscious and pretty fun too. It allows you to turn waste paper such as used newspapers or magazine sheets into little seedling pots that you can use to grow and transplant tiny seedlings (saving you money and time at the garden centre).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn these few simple steps you can turn a humble piece of used paper into a wonderful home for a tiny plant:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou'll need:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScissors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePen or pencil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRuler\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNewspaper or similar used paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYour potters pal kit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSteps:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMeasure out an area of 8-13cm x 57cm from your paper (depending on how tall you want your pot to be). Mark these measurements.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCut out the measured rectangle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNow you have your strip of paper, wrap the strip around the Potter's Pal, then fold over the excess paper.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePush the 'Pal' firmly into the base, make sure to give it a twist.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVoila you have your little paper pot!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMake sure you fill it with a high quality peat-free compost such as our \u003ca title=\"Dalefoot Peat Free Wool Compost\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/dalefoot-peat-free-wool-compost\"\u003eorganic sheep wool compost\u003c\/a\u003e, or even our specialist seedling compost- they contain gallons of nitrates and other nutrients, perfect for growing strong and healthy seedlings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow you've got everything ready to plant your seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe thoroughly recommend making use of the kit in a fun activity or home lesson for children - it's the perfect set up for learning about how plants grow from seeds! In fact we have a whole range of interesting activities for families to try. Take a look at what we've got to offer in our \u003ca title=\"Go Outside!\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/go-outside\"\u003eGo Outside!\u003c\/a\u003e range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSo, how many pots could you make?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWell, how much used paper do you have? This gadget allows you to make unlimited paper pots. In fact, we challenge you to make it wear out! You'll be able to create as many paper seedling pots as you have storage space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the best things about this device is the number of resources it will save. Not only does it encourage you to recycle paper that would otherwise have gone in the bin, it stops you having to purchase tiny little plastic pots, or any little pot for that matter. By using this little plant pot maker your reducing demand for oil and gas resources, as well as reducing your plastic consumption and carbon footprint - great right? Also, all the paper pots you produce will be readily biodegradable and compostable, so you won't be adding anything to the landfill!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's so important to \u003ca title=\"Client Earth website\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clientearth.org\/latest\/latest-updates\/stories\/fossil-fuels-and-climate-change-the-facts\/#:~:text=When%20fossil%20fuels%20are%20burned,temperature%20has%20increased%20by%201C.\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ereduce our natural resource consumption\u003c\/a\u003e, whether that be through re-using or repurposing, making conscious choices to avoid plastic, or generally reducing your carbon footprint. Reducing your natural resource consumption reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere, making a positive contribution towards stopping global warming, as well as the amount of rubbish in the environment.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nutscene","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46016044728626,"sku":"PPN001","price":16.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/NutscenePottersPalproduct.jpg?v=1690965799"},{"product_id":"nutscene-flax-garden-twine","title":"Nutscene Flax Garden Twine","description":"\u003ch4\u003eHow do you use garden twine?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwine is a fantastically multi-purpose tool. You can use it for all kinds of things in home or the garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome of the most common tasks you might need some twine for are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSupporting or fixing climbing plants with trellis or stakes - you simply tie the stalk gently against the supports and tie a nice tight knot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDesignating planting areas. Use some \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\/products\/bamboo-skewers-pack-of-40\" title=\"Bamboo Skewers\"\u003ebamboo pegs\u003c\/a\u003e and run lines of twine. Using this you're able to outline areas or sections for planting easily! You can use jute twine or flax garden twine for this.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTraining branches of your trees. Simply tie the branches into the correct shape and make sure they're in the correct direction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy did you add flax twine to your range?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe're always on the look out for natural garden accessories to add to our environmentally friendly gardening range and twine is one of those products essential for any gardener.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere's loads of different twines out there, designed for all kinds of different purposes but lots of them contain dyes, bonding agents or plastics. This is incredibly frustrating for gardeners wanting to watch their carbon footprint, their plastic usage and generally just want to keep things natural when it comes to their garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur flax garden twine is 100% natural, chemical free, plastic-free, biodegradable and compostable. It's remarkably strong, easy to knot and doesn't fray. So it's a wonderful eco-friendly yet durable choice for gardening projects. This particular twine is completely hairless, slimline and tough, it's very clean to use and non messy!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe use of plastic gardening products, or garden accessories with plastic content is something that we're conscious of here at Chimney Sheep® . Not only is plastic entering our environment at alarming rates due to landfilling or dumping of single-use plastics. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC8834762\/\" title=\"Microplastics as Emerging Food Contaminants, National Library of Medicine website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBut it's also entering our food chain\u003c\/a\u003e. This is majorly due to plastic contamination of lands or the ocean, then these plastic particles making their way up the food chain. But it's also due to direct contamination of foods, growth mediums and growth areas with micro plastic particles. The use of plastic garden accessories, such as plastic twines, stakes or tarps means they could break down, risking micro-plastic pollution in your soil. Which could contaminate your plants and veggies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat else can you use flax garden twine for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwine isn't just for gardeners. Did you know that it can be used in all kinds of DIY and craft products too? It's a cheap and easy way to add a farmhouse touch to furniture, update out-of-style pieces as well as a quick and easy fix for the odd cracked object (think banisters or handles!).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere's a few examples of some DIY projects you could try:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhy not update your ageing cabinet or drawer handles? Paint them black and wrap some twine around the centre to form a delightful twine 'cushion'.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrack at the bottom of your wooden banister? Or in the handle of your favourite mug? Twine is the answer. Simply wrap twine over the weakened area, making sure you start and finish past the crack. Secure it into place and you've got some protection against further damage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGive your indoor plant pots an update, wrap them in garden twine. You'll end up with a lovely rustic finish!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGot herbs, garlic or other items you need to dry? Hang them from your beams using twine.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Nutscene","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46016076448050,"sku":"FGTN001","price":13.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/Nutsceneflaxtwine.jpg?v=1690966337"},{"product_id":"nutscene-jute-garden-twine","title":"Nutscene Jute Garden Twine","description":"\u003ch4\u003eHow do you use garden twine?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwine is a fantastically multi-purpose tool. You can use it for all kinds of things in home or the garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome of the most common tasks you might need some twine for are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupporting or fixing climbing plants with trellis or stakes - you simply tie the stalk gently against the supports and tie a nice tight knot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDesignating planting areas. Use some \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\/products\/bamboo-skewers-pack-of-40\" title=\"Bamboo Skewers\"\u003ebamboo pegs\u003c\/a\u003e and run lines of twine. Using this you're able to outline areas or sections for planting easily! You can use jute twine or flax garden twine for this.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTraining branches of your trees. Simply tie the branches into the correct shape and make sure they're in the correct direction.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy did you add jute twine to your range?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe're always on the look out for natural garden accessories to add to our environmentally friendly gardening range and twine is one of those products essential for any gardener.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere's loads of different twines out there, designed for all kinds of different purposes but lots of them contain dyes, bonding agents or plastics. This is incredibly frustrating for gardeners wanting to watch their carbon footprint, their plastic usage and generally just want to keep things natural when it comes to their garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur jute garden twine is 100% natural, chemical free, plastic-free, biodegradable and compostable. It's remarkably strong, easy to knot and knots very tightly. So it's a wonderful eco-friendly yet durable choice for gardening projects. This particular twine is thick, grippy and incredibly strong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe use of plastic gardening products, or garden accessories with plastic content is something that we're conscious of here at Chimney Sheep® . Not only is plastic entering our environment at alarming rates due to landfilling or dumping of single-use plastics. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC8834762\/\" title=\"Microplastics as Emerging Food Contaminants report, National Library of Medicine website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBut it's also entering our food chain\u003c\/a\u003e. This is majorly due to plastic contamination of lands or the ocean, then these plastic particles making their way up the food chain. But it's also due to direct contamination of foods, growth mediums and growth areas with micro plastic particles. The use of plastic garden accessories, such as plastic twines, stakes or tarps means they could break down, risking micro-plastic pollution in your soil. Which could contaminate your plants and veggies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat else can you use jute twine for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwine isn't just for gardeners. Did you know that it can be used in all kinds of DIY and craft products too? It's a cheap and easy way to add a farmhouse touch to furniture, update out-of-style pieces as well as a quick and easy fix for the odd cracked object (think banisters or handles!).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere's a few examples of some DIY projects you could try:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhy not update your ageing cabinet or drawer handles? Paint them black and wrap some twine around the centre to form a delightful twine 'cushion'.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrack at the bottom of your wooden banister? Or in the handle of your favourite mug? Twine is the answer. Simply wrap twine over the weakened area, making sure you start and finish past the crack. Secure it into place and you've got some protection against further damage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGive your indoor plant pots an update, wrap them in garden twine. You'll end up with a lovely rustic finish!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGot herbs, garlic or other items you need to dry? Hang them from your beams using twine.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Nutscene","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46016102203698,"sku":"JGTN001","price":4.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/NustceneJuteTwine.jpg?v=1690966805"},{"product_id":"nutscene-oak-wooden-plant-labels","title":"Nutscene Oak Wooden Plant Labels","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese are no ordinary plant labels! Made from beautiful FSC certified sustainable British Oak, these fantastic wooden plant labels are the perfect choice for identifying any vegetable, herb or plant in your garden. They're easy to use, simply write the name of the plant you wish to identify with the pencil provided and place in the soil, next to or in front of the relevant plant. Hey presto! You'll have a delightful plant label.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy should you choose wooden plant labels?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWooden plant labels, particularly our Nutscene wooden oak plant labels are a fantastic sustainable alternative to the typical plastic plant labels you receive with seedlings, seeds and the like. Made from sensibly sourced FSC certified British Oak they'll last year after year, and can simply be re-used again and again. The fact they use FSC wood means that you can guarantee that by choosing these labels, you're supporting sustainable forestry practices and the maintenance of British woodland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey're just as simple as plastic plant labels, you simply write directly onto the label with the pencil provided or a marker of your choosing and voila! Your label is ready to go. You can then just pop it on your garden. Wood is also very aesthetically pleasing, so when you look around your eyes won't be drawn to any unsightly white plastic plant labels, simply beautiful natural Oak wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing a wooden plant label instead of a typical plastic one means you'll be helping to reduce the amount of plastic that enters the environment. Choosing wood instead of plastic reduces demand for single use plastic products such as plant labels, this helps ensure less plastic waste enters our oceans and means you're helping reduce the impact of plastic on already vulnerable sea wildlife. End of life they are completely compostable and can just be mulched down for use in the garden - though we're sure they'll last for years and years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow do I re-use my Oak wooden plant labels?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt depends on what medium you've used to write on the surface of the wood. If you've used the pencil provided, you can simply use a standard eraser to remove the graphite pencil marks from the wood surface. It'll be ready to go again in less than thirty seconds - no problem!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you've used something a little more permanent such as marker pen, it will take a little more effort, but it is doable. You just have to get your hands on some sand paper or similar. Scrub the surface and the marker pen until it comes off, leaving the clear sanded wood behind. You'll then have a lovely clean wooden surface to write on again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can clean these wooden plant labels up again and again, season after season - they're certainly not a single use product!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow can I use more natural products when gardening?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIntroducing more sustainable, natural garden products into your gardening tool kit is something we really want to encourage you to do. These days there's some absolutely wonderful natural alternatives to typically plastic-made products that you could introduce as like for like swaps. Lots are actually better than the man-made options as they biodegrade down and help enrich the soil whilst doing their job too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust a few ideas:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGather a collection of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\" title=\"Gardening collection\"\u003ejute mulch mats\u003c\/a\u003e - get a variety of sizes (or even a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/jute-mulch-mats-variety-pack-of-60\" title=\"Jute Mulch Mats Variety Pack of 60\"\u003ehandy variety pack\u003c\/a\u003e) they're a fantastic weed defence and water retention device.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwap your plastic garden twine for some natural \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/nutscene-flax-garden-twine\" title=\"Nutscene Flax Garden Twine\"\u003eflax\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/nutscene-jute-garden-twine\" title=\"Nutscene Jute Garden Twine\"\u003ejute\u003c\/a\u003e twine. It'll do the job just as well without the environmental price tag.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstead of using plastic tarpaulin to mulch, why not try some of our natural wool and jute hessian \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/sheep-wool-garden-felt\" title=\"Sheep Wool Garden Felt\"\u003egarden felt\u003c\/a\u003e?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwap easy to crack plastic plant pots for beautiful \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/fair-zone-rubber-planters-pack-of-6\" title=\"Fair Zone Rubber Planters\"\u003erubber alternatives\u003c\/a\u003e you can use again and again each season. The same with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/plastic-free-gardening-rubber-seed-tray\" title=\"Rubber Seed Tray\"\u003eseedling trays\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChange out plastic skewers for \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\/products\/bamboo-skewers-pack-of-40\" title=\"Bamboo Skewers\"\u003enatural bamboo pegs\u003c\/a\u003e, a simple swap that you won't even notice!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Nutscene","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46016126353714,"sku":"NWPL06","price":5.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/Nutscenewoodenplantlabels.jpg?v=1690967545"},{"product_id":"nutscene-wooden-cane-toppers","title":"Nutscene Wooden Cane Toppers","description":"\u003cp\u003eHandcrafted in Scotland, and made from beautiful FSC certified sustainable British oak wood these wonderful rounded acorn cane toppers are just the perfect accessory to finish off your veg patch or garden. Stylish yet sustainable, these garden camps simply sit atop the end of  your canes or sticks, ensuring you're protected from any sharp ends, whilst also looking good! These particular cane caps have been carefully carved into beautiful little acorns, sweet and quirky yet still stylish - perfect for any garden, allotment or veg patch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePackaged sustainably in cardboard tubing these wonderful Nutscene wooden cane toppers come in packs of five. They're plastic free, sustainable and incredibly quality!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey'd be the perfect gift for anyone green fingered or garden proud!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow do I use wooden acorn cane toppers?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWell for covering canes in the garden - these ones are extra easy to use. You simply pop in on top of the exposed cane end of course! They fit cane diameters up to 10mm, and they simply stay perched on top - no extras needed. We'd definitely recommend covering all canes and supportive sticks that are even remotely at eye height, including eye height for little ones, and when you're bending over - just to ensure no accidents happen! Safety in the garden is incredibly important - in fact canes and sticks make onto the\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.asgardsss.co.uk\/blog\/post\/garden-accidents\" title=\"How many garden accidents happen each year? Asgard website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e top 10 list of accidents that happen in the garden\u003c\/a\u003e. Definitely food for thought!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese acorn cane caps are so delightful they'd also make a wonderful gift, or crafting activity. They're perfect for painting or customising and popping on display. The wood is untreated meaning it's the perfect material to personalise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eOther nifty bits for the garden\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can never have enough bits and bobs for the garden. Whether it's \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\" title=\"Gardening collection\"\u003esustainable garden twines\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/bamboo-skewers-pack-of-40\" title=\"Bamboo skewers\"\u003elittle skewers\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/garden-equipment-and-accessories\/products\/nutscene-wooden-garden-line\" title=\"Nutscene garden line\"\u003egarden lines\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/garden-equipment-and-accessories\/products\/nutscene-oak-wooden-plant-labels\" title=\"Nutscene oak wooden plant labels\"\u003eplant labels\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/garden-equipment-and-accessories\/products\/nutscene-wooden-pot-brush\" title=\"Nutscene wooden pot brush\"\u003epot brushes\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/sustainable-wool-rope\" title=\"Sustainable Wool Rope\"\u003elittle bits of rope\u003c\/a\u003e - we've got your nifty needs covered. Here at Chimney Sheep we've carefully curated our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\" title=\"Gardening collection\"\u003enatural gardening range\u003c\/a\u003e to include those little bitty things that make your gardening life a little bit easier - whilst still keeping sustainability in mind, so you don't have to. There's no little bits of plastic here, everything in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\" title=\"Gardening collection\"\u003egarden range\u003c\/a\u003e is entirely natural and sustainable - to ensure your gardening habit doesn't hurt the earth! Don't worry we've got the bigger essentials too - a great one stop shop for all your eco-friendly natural gardening needs. Why not take a peek?\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nutscene","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46016326992178,"sku":"NSWCT001","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/AcornCaneTopper2.jpg?v=1690969150"},{"product_id":"grazers-g1-rabbit-pigeon-and-deer-deterrent","title":"Grazers G1 Rabbit, Pigeon and Deer Deterrent","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhile we don’t wish wildlife any harm, we do want to stop some creatures from ravaging our trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables. Grazers G1 Rabbit, Pigeon \u0026amp; Deer Deterrent includes a solution that will control these pests while giving your precious plants an added boost, and  it will also put off mice, voles and squirrels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow does it stop pests?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrazers G1 formula, which is based around the plant nutrient calcium, was developed as a mineral growth enhancer for crops, but it soon became clear that the plants that had been treated were being avoided by pests, so the manufacturer decided to market it as a natural pest control product too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe solution makes the plant taste bitter to the animals and birds that would usually eat it, which means they leave it alone. As well as acting as a Rabbit, Pigeon and Deer Deterrent, the solution also enhances growth and strengthens the plant. So, by applying this product, you’re effectively helping the plant to help itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou need to anticipate the pests and spray the plants before damage is caused, repeating the process every six weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy is this Grazers G1 Rabbit, Pigeon and Deer Deterrent better than chemical pest control products?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSynthetic products can be very effective, but they pose a serious threat to the environment.  They also threaten the future of the food chain. Chemical fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides poison our waters, our soils, other living creatures and our own bodies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eFor how long is the product effective?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrazers G1 formula is absorbed by the plant and grows with it. It lasts for up to six weeks after which it should be reapplied. Is Grazers G1 Formula harmful to humans or pets? No. The main ingredient is a form of calcium, which is totally harmless to people, pets and the environment. Grazers G1 formula has been successfully used by farmers since 1999 and is safe to use on both edible and ornamental plants. If applying to vegetables or salad crops, it’s recommended that you wait a week before harvesting them as it may have a subtle effect on the taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is loads of useful information available about damage caused by these pests. If rabbits are your issue, try this \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.which.co.uk\/reviews\/gardening-through-the-year\/article\/guides\" title=\"Gardening guides, which.co.uk website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ewebsite\u003c\/a\u003e or you can find out more about tackling deer \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.rhs.org.uk\/biodiversity\/deer\" title=\"Deer, RHS website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e. If pigeons are attacking your plants, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.rhs.org.uk\/biodiversity\/pigeons\" title=\"Pigeons, RHS website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e are some useful tips.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eDo you sell any other natural pest control products?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, lots! Take a look \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/plant-protection\" title=\"Plant protection collection\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e! We can help you protect your plants and homes from all sorts of wildlife.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Grazers","offers":[{"title":"750ml Spray Bottle","offer_id":55334139134330,"sku":"NPC001","price":9.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"750ml Concentrate","offer_id":55334139167098,"sku":"NPC001-02","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/Grazers-G1-RTU.jpg?v=1692710329"},{"product_id":"grazers-g2-slug-and-snail-deterrent","title":"Grazers G2 Slug and Snail Deterrent","description":"\u003cp\u003eNeeding a slug pellet alternative? Slugs and snails have an important role to play in our gardens, but they can also wreak havoc on our precious plants. Replace your slug pellets with Grazers G2 Slug \u0026amp; Snail Deterrent will help prevent damage while protecting wildlife at the same time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow can I stop slugs and snails eating my plants?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpraying your plants with Grazers G2 Slug \u0026amp; Snail Deterrent will help protect them from being damaged by these common garden pests. The solution lasts for around six weeks. It makes the plant taste bitter to the animals and birds that would usually eat it, which means they leave it alone. As well as deterring pests, the solution also enhances growth and strengthens the plant so, by applying this product, you’re helping the plant to help itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow are G2 Slug and Snail Deterrent a natural slug pellet alternative?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSynthetic products such as slug pellets, pose a serious threat to the environment and can get into the food chain. Grazers G2 is an environmentally friendly, natural slug pellet alternative that deters pests without killing them leaving the pests healthy for consumption by their own natural predators.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs this formula harmful to humans or pets?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It’s totally safe to use in areas used by children and pets as the main ingredient is a form of calcium, which is harmless to people and animals. It’s suitable for both edible and ornamental plants, but it’s recommended that you wait a week after treatment before harvesting plants that are to be eaten as it could affect the taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs there anything else I can do to tackle this problem?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Grazers 2 doesn’t kill the pests, it just puts them off eating the plants, so it’s important to improve the biodiversity in your garden to encourage their natural predators. We sell a range of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/wildlife\" title=\"Wildlife collection\"\u003ehomes for wildlife\u003c\/a\u003e and bird food too. Useful information about slugs and snails is available from \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/friendsoftheearth.uk\/nature\/slugs-and-snails-should-we-love-these-gliding-gastropods?gclid=CjwKCAjwvZv0BRA8EiwAD9T2VYLcjBXaQUZqXi2hm7jWGmx6q3YMYjv0LrBsBRdPUYnR-AHrIKP4pxoCSOUQAvD_BwE\" title=\"Slugs and snails, Friends of the Earth website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFriends of the Earth\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Chimney Sheep sell any other natural pest control products?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. We stock natural moth repellents, as well as sprays to put off other garden pests. Have a look at our\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/plant-protection\" title=\"Plant Protection collection\"\u003e list\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Grazers","offers":[{"title":"750ml Spray Bottle","offer_id":55334766084474,"sku":"NPC002","price":9.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1L Concentrate","offer_id":55334766117242,"sku":"NPC002-02","price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/Grazers-G2-RTU.jpg?v=1692710309"},{"product_id":"grazers-g3-cabbage-white-caterpillar-and-aphid-deterrent","title":"Grazers G3 Cabbage White, Caterpillar and Aphid Deterrent","description":"\u003cp\u003eGrazers G3 is a great Cabbage White Butterfly, Caterpillar and Aphid Deterrent. It will stop these pesky creatures from eating your plants, without harming them. They just don't like the taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow do I spot the signs of damage?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s easy to tell that your plants, particularly cabbages and other brassicas, have been attacked by these creatures as their leaves will be full of holes. If left unchecked, they will eat the whole plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAphids also damage plants causing flowers and fruit to become distorted or deformed. Some species cause galls, or growths, to form on roots or leaves. They may transmit viruses between plants and often excrete a sticky substance on which sooty moulds can grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow can I stop this?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrazers G3 Cabbage White, Caterpillar and Aphid Deterrent is simple to apply using a spray to ensure even coverage. It lasts for six weeks and is harmless to people, animals and the environment. It’s safe to eat salad crops, fruit and vegetables that have been sprayed with Grazers G3, but we recommend waiting a week before so doing as the solution can have a slight effect on the taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow does Grazers G3 work?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt makes the plants unpalatable to cabbage white butterflies, caterpillar and aphids. This means they’re less likely to attack the foliage. It also strengthens the plant and stimulates growth, so it helps the plant to look after itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy is it better than chemical pest control products?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a natural product that is harmless to people and wildlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs there anything else I can do to tackle this problem?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrazers G3 doesn’t kill the pests so it’s a good idea to improve biodiversity in the garden to encourage their natural predators.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome birds eat the cabbage white butterfly larvae so it’s worth providing feeders and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/wildlife\" title=\"Wildlife category\"\u003enest boxes\u003c\/a\u003e. It’s also helpful to plant lots of flowers and blooming herbs around your cabbage patch to provide a strong supply of nectar for beneficial insects\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell boxes for bats, bugs and birds, as well as wildflower seeds. Have a look \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/wildlife\" title=\"Wildlife collection\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information about cabbage white butterflies and caterpillars try this useful BBC \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/gardening\/advice\/pests_and_diseases\/identifier.shtml?cabbage_white_butterflies\" title=\"Pest and disease advice, BBC website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003elink\u003c\/a\u003e or learn more about aphids from the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.rhs.org.uk\/biodiversity\/aphids\" title=\"Aphids, RHS website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRHS\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I buy any other natural pest control products?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. We \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/household-supplies\" title=\"Household supplies collection\"\u003estock\u003c\/a\u003e natural moth repellents and repellents that are effective against other insects that are harmful to health, as well as sprays to deter other garden pests.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Grazers","offers":[{"title":"750ml Spray bottle","offer_id":55334872416634,"sku":"NCP003","price":9.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1L Concentrate","offer_id":55334872449402,"sku":"NPC003-02","price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/Grazers-G3-RTU.jpg?v=1692710256"},{"product_id":"grazers-g4-red-lily-beetle-deterrent","title":"Grazers G4 Red Lily Beetle Deterrent","description":"\u003cp\u003eProtect your plants from this greedy little creature with the Grazers G4 Red Lily Beetle Deterrent. It stops this common garden pest from eating the leaves, stem, buds and flowers of lilies, fritillaries and other members of the lily family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat effect does the red lily beetle have on plants?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs well as spoiling the flowers, attacks in early summer can result in the plant forming undersized bulbs that may not flower the following year. In some parts of the country the beetles are such a problem that some gardeners end up giving up on growing lilies because they can’t save them from these voracious pests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow can this Red Lily Beetle Deterrent help?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Grazers G4 formula is an easy-to-use spray which discourages these beetles without doing the plants or the pests any harm. It’s easy to apply and lasts six weeks before the treatment needs to be repeated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s also safe to use without harming people, pets or the environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe product makes the foliage taste unpleasant, so the beetles don’t want to eat it. It doesn’t kill these pests. It just makes them avoid treated plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy is it better to use G4 formula than chemical pest control products?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers can be poisonous to people and animals and can cause a threat to food chains.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs there anything else I can do to tackle this problem?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSadly, no. There are no natural predators for red lily beetles, which makes it even more important to treat the plants with Grazers G4 before they’re attacked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Chimney Sheep sell any other natural pest control products?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. We stock natural moth repellents and repellents that are effective against other insects that are harmful to health, such as ticks, midges and mosquitoes. We also have products that deter pigeons, deer, rabbits and other little creatures. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Grazers","offers":[{"title":"750ml Spray bottle","offer_id":55335021117818,"sku":"NCP004","price":9.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1L Concentrate","offer_id":55335021150586,"sku":"NCP004-02","price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/Grazers-G4-GTU_01.jpg?v=1692710237"},{"product_id":"aries-moisturiser-with-egg-shaped-tin","title":"Natural Olive Oil \u0026 Beeswax Hand Cream","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis concentrated moisturiser is perfect for gardeners' chapped and dried hands. I find after a session potting on plants my hands are incredibly dry, and although I start off with the best of intentions using gardening gloves, somehow the muck gets in or the gloves come off to poke a root in or something and voila: dry skin again. It has high levels of beeswax in it making it a solid moisturizer, easily absorbed, long lasting, less messy and more quickly absorbed into the skin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is entirely made of yummy good organic things, and smells gorgeous. You could buy it for the gardener in your life but you'd best get two because you will want to keep one to yourself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe concentrated moisturiser is purely natural. The olive contains vitamin E, essential for skin repair, and the properties of the beeswax and essential oils give it longevity meaning it doesn't need any artificial vitamins, emulsifiers or preservatives adding in. Skin acts as a direct way of absorbing chemicals into your bloodstream. So if you're putting anything on your skin you want to be sure it's beneficial. If you're gardening without chemicals then you want to moisturise without them too!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe concentrated moisturiser contains extra virgin olive oil, yellow beeswax, organic essential oils: Olea Europaea Oil, Cera Flava, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Lindalool, Limonene, Geraniol (raw materials certified organic)  Limonene, Geraniol\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo apply, simply slide the egg between clean, slightly damp hands and rub them together. You can also apply it to other needy parts of the body such as feet, elbows or knees. The active ingredients are released by body heat to bind the residual moisture and care like a regular skin cream.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition is comparable to the original  skin cream. The firmer consistency is due to a higher proportion of pure beeswax. This makes it ideal for travel as it is much more concentrated, contains less water and is long-lasting.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aries","offers":[{"title":"Moisturiser in Tin","offer_id":47582490951986,"sku":"HM001","price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Moisturiser Refill","offer_id":47582490984754,"sku":"HM002","price":6.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/Egg-Shaped_Moisturiser_01.jpg?v=1692710124"},{"product_id":"sustainable-wool-rope","title":"Sustainable Wool Rope","description":"\u003cp\u003eLuxurious, unique, and completely ethical, this 100% British wool rope is just THE alternative to synthetic rope you've been looking for. Every inch of this British sheep's wool rope has been carefully handmade in Yorkshire, using artisan techniques and years of experience. There are no glues, binders, or synthetics in this rope, it's 100% natural and simply made of wool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery rope is made from wool sourced directly from farms local to Yorkshire, in fact, all of the wool used to make this wool rope comes from an area spanning approximately 60 miles. This means this rope is an excellent low-carbon alternative to the products you'd find in your local DIY store. It gets even better though, each farm is known personally to the manufacturer, this means all of the wool is completely traceable, right back to the farm and flock of sheep it came from. This means we can guarantee that sheep are treated well and that the farms use ethical practices in line with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalsheep.org.uk\/for-the-public\/welfare\/\" title=\"National Sheep Association website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBritish standards\u003c\/a\u003e!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery centimetre of this rope is made entirely of sheep's wool, it's been carefully produced to ensure it's not only functional but completely natural and sustainable too. It is a 100% plastic-free product, and a simple swap to implement if you're trying to reduce your plastic consumption.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBut, what can I use wool rope for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWell...pretty much anything you'd use a standard rope for. Not only is it chunky, multipurpose, and functional, it's lovely in hand too - its really an excellent like-for-like eco-friendly swap to make - we think you'll notice the difference in a good way!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, the specifics of this rope are the following:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiameter: 10mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTensile Strength details:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMean tensile strength at break (kg) - 117.6\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMean tensile strength at break (kN) - 1.154\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMean elongation at break (%) - 57.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, anything you would use a rope of this calibre for, you can use this 100% natural sheep's wool for rope too! This includes things like tying items together, building in the garden, and winching and lowering things during a DIY project. The list of uses is really endless when it comes to rope. Swap it for your current rope that's in your backpack - your:  'in case I need it rope' (provided it meets the criteria you need of course - make sure you double check!!).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs this rope is made entirely of wool, it is naturally insulating, as well as hygroscopic - meaning it could also have wonderful insulating applications too. It would work wonderfully for lining cracks surrounding outbuilding windows and doors, or in areas where our insulating wool tape might just not be the ticket. It's nice and chunky and very malleable, so it would work wonderfully for odd-shaped, wiggly cracks as well!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wool rope is also incredibly high quality and would be perfectly suited to crafting and creative projects, it is a beautiful hue of undyed grey, it splices wonderfully and we think looks beautiful when coiled or swirled. Why not think about producing some wool art or hanging decorations using this high-quality luxury rope? Or perhaps get creative and weave something for your wall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease do note, that this wool rope IS NOT moth proofed, so this would be something we'd advise you to take into account when using it for these applications - perhaps think about pairing it with some lavender deterrent or similar to help keep your rope in tip-top condition!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSo, what's the problem with plastic rope?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWell simply put, synthetic ropes contain plastic. This means not only do they require lots of energy to produce, but they also shed an \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.microplasticsolutions.org\/whitepaper?gclid=Cj0KCQjwpPKiBhDvARIsACn-gzDZoX4eShmgBR7c4NvdWRU2Ch_lu4Mx5peAr2-JCfZdbU-J41kaU_0aAtelEALw_wcB\" title=\"microplasticsolutions.org website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eenormous amount of plastic microfibres\u003c\/a\u003e which are entering the environment and food chain at an alarming rate! It's day-to-day activities such as gardening, and doing the laundry ( which you can make more eco-friendly by using a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/planetcare-microfibre-filter-starter-kit\" title=\"Planetcare Microfibre Filter Starter Kit\"\u003emicrofibre filter\u003c\/a\u003e), that contribute to this huge environmental issue. In activities such as sailing and fishing, waste synthetic rope and fishing nets end up dumped into the ocean, damaging precious wildlife and ecosystems - not to mention washing up on shores around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTraditionally ropes, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/nutscene-crafting-twine\" title=\"Nutscene crafting twine\"\u003etwines\u003c\/a\u003e, and strings have always been made using natural fibres, in the years before plastics ropes such as this would have been produced using wools of all different types, and natural plant fibres such as jute and flax. Natural fibres have withstood the test of time for millennia so with this in mind we feel it's time to take a leaf out of the history books and move back to natural plant fibres where possible. Making the choice to be more conscious about what we use and consume is essential to ensure we protect our planet and the environments surrounding us, so why not make a simple switch to plastic free?\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46017450344754,"sku":"SWR001","price":6.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/10mmcoilrope.jpg?v=1690981414"},{"product_id":"dalefoot-peat-free-wool-compost-for-seeds","title":"Dalefoot Peat Free Wool Compost for Seeds","description":"\u003ch4\u003eWhy is this Peat-Free Wool Compost for Seeds so great? \u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Peat-Free Wool Compost for Seeds is brilliant for growing flowers and produce from seed. It provides a firm foundation for a healthy start in plant life with a gentle sustained feeding to take plants through to potting on. The compost is fine textured and is perfectly formulated for strong and healthy seed germination, seedling growth and essential root-ball development. We’ve had great success with it when growing from seed. Here are a few reasons why it is so wonderful:   \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompletely peat-free\u003c\/strong\u003e – this compost is 100% peat-free which means it has great environmental benefits (you can read more about that below!). We have found that it works just as well, if not better, than compost containing peat and even has a similar soft texture. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHas added ‘Bocking 14’ Comfrey\u003c\/strong\u003e – Comfrey is a ‘dynamic accumulator’, rich in essential nutrients. It is a fantastic fertiliser and is a healing herb so offers seedlings a fantastic rehabilitative nutrient boost. It is particularly good for stressed or damaged roots.  \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContains wool\u003c\/strong\u003e – like some of our other gardening products such as our \u003ca title=\"Sheep Wool Garden Felt\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/sheep-wool-garden-felt\"\u003egarden felt\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca title=\"Mulch Shillies\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/mulch-shillies\"\u003eshillies\u003c\/a\u003e, this compost contains WOOL! Wool is such a brilliant material to use in your garden for lots of reasons. In this compost specifically, wool helps the compost retain water naturally due to wool’s hygroscopic properties (which means less watering for you!). The wool is also full of slow-releasing nitrogen which, as we already know, is really important for strong plant growth. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes bracken\u003c\/strong\u003e – bracken is FULL of potash (potassium) which is essential for fruiting and flowering. It promotes healthy growth and provides growing plants with the essential trace elements \u0026amp; minerals. It also toughens growth in order to resist pests and diseases whilst increasing a plant’s resistance to drought or extreme cold. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSocial Association approved\u003c\/strong\u003e – the compost is sustainably made from renewable, natural ingredients on Dalefoot Farm in the Lake District and is approved for organic growing by the Soil Association.   \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow can I use this Peat-Free Wool Compost for Seeds? \u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Peat-Free Wool Compost is a compost especially for planting seeds and seedlings. It isn’t too rich and instead provides a gentle sustained feed to ensure strong germination rates and a healthy root growth.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo use this compost for seeds follow the following steps: \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith \u003ca title=\"Fair Zone Gardening Gloves\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/fair-zone-garden-gloves\"\u003egardening gloves on\u003c\/a\u003e, loosely fill clean \u003ca title=\"Rubber Seed Tray\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/plastic-free-gardening-rubber-seed-tray\"\u003eseed trays\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca title=\"Fair Zone Rubber Planters\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/fair-zone-rubber-planters-pack-of-6\"\u003epots\u003c\/a\u003e with compost for seeds and gently tamp the mixture down.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThen, gently water the top of the compost with a spray bottle or watering can fitted with a fine rose. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNext, sow seed sparingly. This will make it easier to prick out later. Always remember follow the instructions on the seed packet! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRemember to label each one with the seed variety and the date sown. Then, place your trays or pots on a warm windowsill, in the greenhouse or in a propagator. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll you need to do is wait with eager anticipation!  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen your seedlings are ready to pot or plant out, use the \u003ca title=\"Dalefoot Peat Free Compost\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/dalefoot-peat-free-wool-compost\"\u003ePeat-Free Wool Compost for Potting\u003c\/a\u003e which will ensure your plants continue on their healthy growth trajectory. You may also want to pair this with some extra natural protection such as our \u003ca title=\"Gardening  collection\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\"\u003eJute Mulch Mats\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca title=\"Mulch Shillies\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/mulch-shillies\"\u003eFelt Shillies\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca title=\"Sheep Wool Garden Felt\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/sheep-wool-garden-felt\"\u003eWool Gardening Felt\u003c\/a\u003e.    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is peat? \u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeat, as defined by the \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca title=\"IUCN website\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.org\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eInternational Peatland Society\u003c\/a\u003e, is “Peat is the surface organic layer of a soil that consists of partially decomposed organic matter, derived mostly from plant material, which has accumulated under conditions of waterlogging, oxygen deficiency, high acidity and nutrient deficiency”.  It is formed in bogs, over thousands of years and is thick and muddy! \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeatlands make up around 12% of the UK and when in good condition store significant amounts of carbon, as well as providing a quarter of the UK’s drinking water and being rich in rare and endangered plants and animals. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOver the last century, the \u003ca title=\"IUCN website\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.org\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eInternational Union for Conservation of Nature\u003c\/a\u003e estimates 80% of the UK’s peatlands are in a damaged and deteriorating condition having been modified as a result of present and past land management activities, including extraction for horticulture and draining for agricultural improvement. This is bad news! Ke\u003c\/strong\u003eep reading and we’ll explain why.    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy is it important to protect peat? \u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs we mentioned above, peat takes many years to form which means that the loss of peat through harvesting for horticulture and agriculture is irreversible over human timescales. Using products containing peat is completely unsustainable. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReducing the amount of peat in our environment could be detrimental because it plays such a number of important roles in our ecosystem: \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eActs as a carbon store\u003c\/strong\u003e – peat is a brilliant carbon store. In upland blanket bogs, the predominant UK peatland type, the peat layer is typically 1–5 m thick and every square metre contains 40–200 kg of carbon. To put that into context, it is estimated that over 3 billion tonnes of carbon are stored in UK peatlands currently, which is equivalent to all the carbon stored in forests in the UK, Germany and France combined. On a global scale, the remaining areas of near-natural peatland) contains more than 550 gigatonnes of carbon. The world’s forests sequester about 0.37 gigatonnes of CO2 a year. Pretty mind-blowing right? However, when it is cultivated, the peat bogs start to dry out which releases the carbon stored as carbon dioxide into the environment. This, as we all know, speeds up global warming and climate change – not good! Degraded UK peatland is responsible for around 5% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. By retaining and establishing peat bogs we can not only help reduce our emissions but also start to capture the carbon that is being released into the environment in other forms. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHelps with water management\u003c\/strong\u003e – peat plays an important role in the hydrological cycle helping to maintain water quantity and quality. It can hold up to 20 times its own weight in water and according to the \u003ca title=\"IUCN website\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.org\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eONS\u003c\/a\u003e, in the UK alone, peatland represents 27% of the UK ecosystem service accounts. Its ability to hold such huge amounts of water helps it to regulate water flows, playing a key role in flood prevention. This is something more and more of us in the UK (and globally) are suffering with due to the effects of global warming, and it is being made worse by the reduction of peat in our environment. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProvides important habitats\u003c\/strong\u003e – peat bogs provide unique, natural habitats for many scarce species as well as a wide range of nationally and internationally important flora and fauna. They support species such as carnivorous sundew plants and uncommon insects like large heath butterflies, four-spotted chaser dragonflies and picture-winged bog craneflies. These have seen dwindling numbers due to the decrease in wet peatland areas which has a wider impact on our ecosystem. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eActs as a vital historic record of the land\u003c\/strong\u003e – peat contains vital and unique historical evidence of an area and its inhabitants. It preserves a record of past vegetation, pollen counts, landscapes and people. You may wonder why that is important? Well, for historical research it is very important but it also acts as a very good indicator of how the landscape has changed over the years and what we need to be doing to restore it. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, as you can see, peat is very important to protect, and as consumers, we can help to protect it by choosing peat-free gardening products. In fact, the UK Government are committed to halting the use of peat in horticulture in England by 2030. From 2024, the sale of peat for use on private gardens and allotments will be banned in England There will also be a final voluntary phase-out target of 2030 for professional growers of fruit, vegetables and plants. So why wait? Make the change now! Many growers and producers of plants are now using this compost as an alternative to peat, with excellent results, so we promise, your garden will still be blooming beautiful when you make the switch.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dalefoot Composts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46017866105138,"sku":"GP008","price":12.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/Wool_Compost_for_Seeds.jpg?v=1692709848"},{"product_id":"dalefoot-peat-free-wool-compost","title":"Dalefoot Peat Free Wool Compost","description":"\u003ch4\u003eWhy is this Peat-Free Wool Compost so great?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Peat-Free Wool Compost is brilliant and we’ve had great success with it in our own gardens. Here are a few reasons why it is so wonderful:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompletely peat-free\u003c\/strong\u003e – this compost is 100% peat-free which means it has great environmental benefits (you can read more about that below!). We have found that it works just as well, if not better, than compost containing peat and even has a similar soft texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHas added ‘Bocking 47’ Comfrey\u003c\/strong\u003e – Comfrey is an organic ‘dynamic accumulator’ packed with nutrients. ‘Bocking 47’ is the gold standard of Comfrey varieties as it contains very high levels of potassium, phosphorous and nitrogen all of which are essential for healthy plant growth, larger flowers and bigger crops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContains wool\u003c\/strong\u003e – like some of our other gardening products such as our garden felt and shillies, this compost contains WOOL! Wool is such a brilliant material to use in your garden for lots of reasons. In this compost specifically, wool helps the compost retain water naturally due to wool’s hygroscopic properties. The wool is also full of slow-releasing nitrogen which, as we already know, is really important for strong plant growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes bracken\u003c\/strong\u003e – bracken is FULL of potash (potassium) which is essential for fruiting and flowering. It also toughens growth in order to resist pests and diseases whilst increasing a plant’s resistance to drought or extreme cold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo need to feed\u003c\/strong\u003e – due to all the wonderful ingredients of the compost we mentioned above, you don’t need to add any extra feed to this compost or any water-retaining gels either. You can plant and leave. Easy peasy!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSocial Association approved\u003c\/strong\u003e – the compost is sustainably made from renewable, natural ingredients on Dalefoot Farm in the Lake District and is approved for organic growing by the Soil Association.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow can I use this Peat-Free Wool Compost?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Peat-Free Wool Compost is a general-purpose compost and is ideal for use in growing in pots, tubs and hanging baskets where water retention is key. It also works really well directly into gardening beds – we’ve had great success with it in raised beds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow to use the compost in pots, tubs and hanging baskets:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf you are making up a hanging basket, we would suggest using one of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/jute-hanging-basket-liners-pack-of-2\" title=\"Jute Hanging Basket Liners\"\u003eJute Hanging Basket Liners\u003c\/a\u003e which are super dense, are biodegradable but last long enough to use for several seasons. If you are just making up a pot or a tub, skip that step!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFill your container with the compost and water it in well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThen you can plant bedding or well-rooted seedlings directly into the compost. And, that’s it! Once you’ve planted them, you can leave them to flourish!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow to use the compost in garden beds:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFill your raised beds with the compost and water it in well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDirectly plant your shrubs, flowering plants or vegetable plants into the compost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll done! You don’t need to add any fertilizers or plant feed into the compost because it is already packed with loads. If you have previously had a problem with slugs or weeds, then give our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/jute-mulch-mats-variety-pack-of-60%20natural-garden\" title=\"Jute Mulch Mat variety pack of 60\"\u003eJute Mulch Mats\u003c\/a\u003e a go which will add an extra layer of protection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is peat?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeat, as defined by the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.org\" title=\"IUCN website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eInternational Peatland Society\u003c\/a\u003e, is “Peat is the surface organic layer of a soil that consists of partially decomposed organic matter, derived mostly from plant material, which has accumulated under conditions of waterlogging, oxygen deficiency, high acidity and nutrient deficiency”.  It is formed in bogs, over thousands of years and is thick and muddy!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeatlands make up around 12% of the UK and when in good condition store significant amounts of carbon, as well as providing a quarter of the UK’s drinking water and being rich in rare and endangered plants and animals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver the last century, the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.org\" title=\"IUCN website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eInternational Union for Conservation of Nature\u003c\/a\u003e estimates 80% of the UK’s peatlands are in a damaged and deteriorating condition having been modified as a result of present and past land management activities, including extraction for horticulture and draining for agricultural improvement. This is bad news! Keep reading and we’ll explain why.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy is it important to protect peat?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs we mentioned above, peat takes many years to form which means that the loss of peat through harvesting for horticulture and agriculture is irreversible over human timescales. Using products containing peat is completely unsustainable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReducing the amount of peat in our environment could be detrimental because it plays such a number of important roles in our ecosystem:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eActs as a carbon store\u003c\/strong\u003e – peat is a brilliant carbon store. In upland blanket bogs, the predominant UK peatland type, the peat layer is typically 1–5 m thick and every square metre contains 40–200 kg of carbon. To put that into context, it is estimated that over 3 billion tonnes of carbon are stored in UK peatlands currently, which is equivalent to all the carbon stored in forests in the UK, Germany and France combined. On a global scale, the remaining areas of near-natural peatland) contains more than 550 gigatonnes of carbon. The world’s forests sequester about 0.37 gigatonnes of CO2 a year. Pretty mind-blowing right? However, when it is cultivated, the peat bogs start to dry out which releases the carbon stored as carbon dioxide into the environment. This, as well know, speeds up global warming and climate change – not good! Degraded UK peatland is responsible for around 5% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. By retaining and establishing peat bogs we can not only help reduce our emissions but also start to capture the carbon that is being released into the environment in other forms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHelps with water management\u003c\/strong\u003e – peat plays an important role in the hydrological cycle helping to maintain water quantity and quality. It can hold up to 20 times its own weight in water and according to the ONS, in the UK alone, peatland represents 27% of the UK ecosystem service accounts. Its ability to hold such huge amounts of water helps it to regulate water flows, playing a key role in flood prevention. This is something more and more of us in the UK (and globally) are suffering with due to the effects of global warming, and it is being made worse by the reduction of peat in our environment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProvides important habitats\u003c\/strong\u003e – peat bogs provide unique, natural habitats for many scare species as well as a wide range of nationally and internationally important flora and fauna. They support species such as carnivorous sundew plants and uncommon insects like large heath butterflies, four-spotted chaser dragonflies and picture-winged bog craneflies. These have seen dwindling numbers due to the decrease in wet peatland areas which has a wider impact on our ecosystem.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u0026gt;\u003cstrong\u003eActs as a vital historic record of the land\u003c\/strong\u003e - peat contains vital and unique historical evidence of an area and its inhabitants. It preserves a record of past vegetation, pollen counts, landscaped and people. You may wonder why that is important? Well, for historical research it is very important but it also acts as a very good indicator of how the landscape has changed over the years and what we need to be doing to restore it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, as you can see, peat is very important to protect, and as consumers, we can help to protect it by choosing peat-free gardening products. In fact, the UK Government are committed to halting the use of peat in horticulture in England by 2030 and introduced a voluntary target for amateur gardeners to phase out the use of peat by 2020. There will also be a final voluntary phase-out target of 2030 for professional growers of fruit, vegetables and plants. So why wait? Make the change now! Many growers and producers of plants are now using this compost as an alternative to peat, with excellent results, so we promise, your garden will still be blooming beautiful when you make the switch.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dalefoot Composts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46018251227442,"sku":"GP003","price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/DalefootCompost.jpg?v=1690987167"},{"product_id":"fair-zone-rubber-planters-pack-of-6","title":"Fair Zone Rubber Plant Pots Pack of 6","description":"\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Fair Trade Rubber?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Fair Rubber Association was founded on June 21, 2012, with the aim to apply the principles of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.fairtrade.org.uk\/what-is-fairtrade\/\" title=\"What is Fairtrade?, Fairtrade website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003efair trade\u003c\/a\u003e to products made of natural rubber, so that the tappers and small farmers involved in obtaining the raw latex milk (raw rubber) get help improving their living and working conditions. They currently pay a fair trade premium of EUR 0.50 kg\/DRC (Dry Rubber Content). The farmers, plantation workers and tappers decide for themselves how they want to use the Fair Trade premium; whether that be access to clean drinking water, grants for students, or anything else that will benefit the workers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese Fair Trade Rubber Planters are the perfect pots for your garden project. Natural rubber is a climate and environmentally friendly rubber; so friendly in fact, that the trees from which the natural rubber is tapped absorb more carbon dioxide than the tropical rainforest because of their high leaf density. On the other hand, synthetic\/artificial rubber is made with fossil energy, contributing to global warming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy use these planters instead of regular plastic planters?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlastic plant pots (PP, LDPE, HDPE) are lightweight and cheap, but once they’re broken and unusable, they’re difficult to recycle due to pigments used in the process of their manufacturing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur Rubber Planters are long-lasting, durable, reusable, and because of the flexibility of natural rubber, plants can easily be detached for repotting. They’re made from fairly traded FCS certified natural rubber, which is sustainable and renewable, and once these natural rubber planters have reached the end of their long life, they’re biodegradable too; so they’re better for the environment all-round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStandard plastic planters and containers, while have been useful for gardeners, are not good for the planet. It’s estimated that there are around 500 million plastic plant pots in circulation each year, just in the UK alone. Not only is this an issue itself, but research undertaken by Horticulture Week in 2019 uncovered that a staggering 87% of councils that could recycle plastic plant pots, won’t. They instead get sent to landfills, where they take more than 400 years to completely break down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is plastic-free gardening? \u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlastic-free gardening is exactly what it sounds like – gardening with no plastic! More and more people are turning to biodegradable and environmentally friendly products instead of the common, plastic alternatives, and together, we should be encouraging others to do the same. Of course, it’s not easy to just start using no plastic, especially considering gardeners are surrounded by plastic, whether it be seed trays, plant pots, compost bags or other GYO (Grow Your Own) accessories. Even just cutting down on the amount of new plastic you use by reusing the plastic you already have and buying plastic-free where you can would be a great start towards removing all the plastic from your garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlternatives to plastic are slowly becoming more and more readily available, whether that’s plant pots, seed trays, or the plants themselves (most of the time you can just pop into your local garden centre and buy plants or seeds in some sort of plastic container, but if you take a bit of time to shop around in the right season, you might just be able to get them plastic-free!).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDo you have any other plastic-free gardening products?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, plenty! In fact, pretty much all our gardening products are natural and plastic-free. As well as these Rubber Planters, we have our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/plastic-free-gardening-rubber-root-trainer\" title=\"Rubber Root Trainer\"\u003enatural rubber root trainers\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/plastic-free-gardening-rubber-seed-tray\" title=\"Rubber Seed Tray\"\u003enatural rubber seed trays\u003c\/a\u003e, and a whole range of wool garden products including \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/mulch-shillies\" title=\"Mulch Shillies\"\u003efelt shillies\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/3-5l-sheep-wool-pellets\" title=\"Sheep Wool Pellets\"\u003ewool pellets\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/sheep-wool-garden-fleece\" title=\"Sheep Wool Garden Fleece\"\u003egarden fleece\u003c\/a\u003e. We also have lots of jute products like our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/jute-mulch-mats-variety-pack-of-60%20natural-garden\" title=\"Jute Mulch Mat variety pack of 60\"\u003emulch mats\u003c\/a\u003e, hanging basket liners and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/jute-mulch-roll\" title=\"Jute Mulch Roll\"\u003ejute roll for larger areas\u003c\/a\u003e. Have a look around and see what other plastic-free items you could use in your garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fair Zone","offers":[{"title":"Cerulean Blue","offer_id":46018519400754,"sku":"RPL001-01","price":18.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fresh Green","offer_id":46018519433522,"sku":"RPL001-02","price":18.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Grey","offer_id":46018519466290,"sku":"RPL001-03","price":18.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Coral","offer_id":46018519531826,"sku":"RPL001-04","price":18.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/PetrolBluerubberplanterx6.jpg?v=1690989127"},{"product_id":"plastic-free-gardening-rubber-seed-tray","title":"Plastic Free Gardening Rubber Seed Tray","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDurable, flexible natural rubber seed trays that make growing from seed easier and kinder to the planet.\u003c\/strong\u003e Unlike disposable plastic trays that crack and break, these FSC-certified rubber trays last for years and make transplanting seedlings effortless.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey benefits:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReusable for years – robust natural rubber won't crack like plastic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEasy seedling removal – flexible design lets you pop plants out without damaging roots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFair trade certified – supports sustainable rubber farming communities\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFSC natural rubber from renewable, forest-friendly sources\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvailable in 6, 20 or 30 cell options\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy choose rubber over plastic seed trays?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReusable and long-lasting\u003c\/strong\u003e – Each rubber seed tray is made from robust natural rubber that stands the test of time. Use them year after year without the cracks and breaks common with cheap plastic trays. While plastic versions might seem cheaper initially, they often need replacing after one or two seasons. These rubber trays save you money long-term and eliminate unnecessary plastic waste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSustainable and renewable source\u003c\/strong\u003e – Plastic trays are made from fossil fuels. Our rubber version comes from \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/fsc.org\/en\" title=\"FSC website\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eFSC natural rubber\u003c\/a\u003e, sourced sustainably from suppliers who preserve biological diversity and haven't replaced natural forests with plantations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEasy to remove seedlings\u003c\/strong\u003e – The flexible rubber design is a game-changer at transplanting time. Simply push on the rubber bottom to pop seedlings out cleanly. The soil retains its shape, keeping roots intact for a stress-free transfer – like a plant version of silicone baking trays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eHow are these seed trays fair trade?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNatural rubber is grown by small farmers and plantation workers, but current market prices don't even cover production costs. Because these trays come from a Fair Rubber Association member, they pay primary suppliers a fair trade premium of EUR 0.50 kg\/DRC – presently almost 40% above world market prices (similar to what we do with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimneysheep.co.uk\/pages\/operation-wool\" title=\"Operation Wool page\"\u003eOperation Wool\u003c\/a\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis premium improves working and living conditions for producers and ensures environmentally friendly, sustainable production. Your purchase helps protect rubber plantations from conversion to palm oil or beef production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eHow to use your rubber seed tray\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLoosely fill cells with seed compost (no need to wet it first)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlant seeds according to packet instructions, or start seedlings in coir coins and transplant using \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimneysheep.co.uk\/products\/dalefoot-peat-free-wool-compost\" title=\"Dalefoot Peat Free Wool Compost\"\u003eDalefoot wool compost\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFor small seeds (basil, mustard), leave uncovered; for larger seeds or those requiring darkness, cover with a thin compost layer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLabel your trays so you know what you've planted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater gently with a spray bottle to avoid washing out seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlace trays on water-soaked \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimneysheep.co.uk\/products\/sheep-wool-garden-felt\" title=\"Sheep Wool Garden Felt\"\u003esheep wool garden felt\u003c\/a\u003e for steady moisture supply via capillary action\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhen roots emerge from the base holes, seedlings are ready for transplanting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFor sweet peas, maincrop beans and peas, or trees, we recommend our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimneysheep.co.uk\/products\/plastic-free-gardening-rubber-root-trainer\" title=\"Rubber Root Trainer\"\u003erubber root trainers\u003c\/a\u003e instead.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eMore plastic-free gardening products\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExplore our full range of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimneysheep.co.uk\/collections\/gardening-products\" title=\"Gardening collection\"\u003enatural, plastic-free gardening products\u003c\/a\u003e including \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimneysheep.co.uk\/products\/plastic-free-gardening-rubber-root-trainer\" title=\"Rubber Root Trainer\"\u003enatural rubber root trainers\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimneysheep.co.uk\/collections\/plant-protection\/products\/mulch-shillies\" title=\"Mulch Shillies\"\u003efelt shillies\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimneysheep.co.uk\/collections\/plant-protection\/products\/3-5l-sheep-wool-pellets\" title=\"Sheep Wool Pellets\"\u003ewool pellets\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimneysheep.co.uk\/collections\/plant-protection\/products\/sheep-wool-garden-fleece\" title=\"Sheep Wool Garden Fleece\"\u003egarden fleece\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimneysheep.co.uk\/products\/jute-mulch-mats-variety-pack-of-60%20natural-garden\" title=\"Jute Mulch Mat variety pack\"\u003ejute mulch mats\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimneysheep.co.uk\/products\/jute-hanging-basket-liners-pack-of-2\" title=\"Jute Hanging Basket Liners\"\u003ehanging basket liners\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimneysheep.co.uk\/products\/jute-mulch-roll\" title=\"Jute Mulch Roll\"\u003ejute roll for larger areas\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStart your seeds sustainably – choose natural rubber seed trays that work harder and last longer.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Plastic Free Gardening","offers":[{"title":"20 cell seed tray","offer_id":46018945810738,"sku":"GP005-01","price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30 cell seed tray","offer_id":46018945843506,"sku":"GP005-02","price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"6 cell seed tray","offer_id":56705128661370,"sku":"GP005-03","price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/20_Cell_Seed_Tray_11.jpg?v=1692709755"},{"product_id":"plastic-free-gardening-rubber-root-trainer","title":"Plastic Free Gardening Rubber Root Trainer","description":"\u003ch4\u003eWhat sort of plant varieties should I plant in this rubber root trainer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis rubber root trainer is great for any seeds, seedlings plugs and cuttings of plant varieties that are sensitive to root disturbance or require deep root beds. We love using them for sweet peas, maincrop beans and peas, for trees (particularly when we are growing trees for our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/pages\/buy-land-plant-trees\" title=\"Buy Land Plant Trees page\"\u003eBuy Land Plant Trees project\u003c\/a\u003e) and for taking cuttings. The root trainers force the plant roots to grow down and deep which the legumes varieties love. The cutting's roots bulk up more quickly giving you stronger plants, quicker. For trees, the deep-reaching roots will add further stability which helps when they get to be planted out. These ones also have unique ridges on the inside of the cells to ensure the development of a healthy root system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaving said that, they are great for any seed really but if a long root run isn’t your main aim, take a look at our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/plastic-free-gardening-rubber-seed-tray\" title=\"Rubber Seed Tray\"\u003erubber seed trays\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy is this rubber root trainer better than plastic ones?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese rubber root trainers are a more sustainable and practical option than the conventional plastic root trainers for a number of reasons:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReusable and long-lasting\u003c\/strong\u003e – each of the rubber root trainers is made of a robust natural rubber. This means that they will stand the test of time and can be used, year after year. Many of the plastic ones you find in garden centres, although are cheaper, often crack or break after one or two uses. What does that mean? They get thrown away and new ones are bought year after year. That extra plastic waste isn’t great for the environment (as we all know) and financially, you aren’t much better off as you are spending money year after year. These reusable, rubber root trainers prevent all of that. Win, win!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSustainable and renewable source\u003c\/strong\u003e – the plastic root trainers are made from disposable plastic that is made using fossil fuels. Again, we are all well versed that this isn’t environmentally friendly. Our rubber version is made from \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/fsc.org\/en\" title=\"FSC website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFSC natural rubber\u003c\/a\u003e. This means that it comes from a sustainable and renewable source and from suppliers who preserve the biological diversity of the natural forest. The rubber plantations are also certified not to have replaced natural forests.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEasy to remove seedlings\u003c\/strong\u003e – as well as being environmentally better than the plastic seed tray, the rubber seed trays are practically better too, which is why we love them so much. When ready to plant out your seedlings, root trainers have a mechanism where you can open each cell. Although some of the plastic ones do this as well, we’ve found that due to the robust and flexible nature of the rubber, when you pop our bundles out, they release a lot easier and the soil retains its shape better which keeps the roots intact and makes for an easy and stress-free transfer!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow are these root trainers fair trade?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike the plastics industry, which is controlled by a few massive multinationals, natural rubber is an entirely sustainable product, which is grown by small farmers or on plantations. Due to the extremely low current price of natural rubber, a lot of rubber plantings are under threat from conversion to palm oil or beef production. So when you buy these rubber root trainers, you ensure the survival of a valuable, natural resource.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRubber trees are tapped by small scale farmers or plantation workers, in theory providing an important source of revenue however, at present the price for natural rubber does not even cover the cost of production. But because these come from a supplier who is a member of the Fair Rubber Association, they pay our primary suppliers a fair trade premium of EUR 0.50 kg\/DRC (Dry Rubber Content) – at present almost 40% above world market prices (similar to what we do with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/pages\/operation-wool\" title=\"Operation Wool page\"\u003eOperation Wool\u003c\/a\u003e). This helps to improve the working and living conditions of the primary producers and ensures environmentally friendly, sustainable production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow do I use this root trainer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust like you would use a regular root trainer really! Here are some simple steps:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLoosely fill your cells with seed compost (no need to wet it first).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe like to start our seedlings off in our coir seed coins and then transplant them into the root trainer using the Dalefoot wool compost. You can plant your seeds straight in if you like using seed compost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf planting seeds straight in, place two to four seeds on the surface of the compost, and gently press the seeds down so they're nestled in nicely. Make sure you refer to the seed packet for the correct depth to plant the seeds and then cover them with a layer of compost to germinate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDon’t forget to label your trays to ensure you know what you’ve planted (we are speaking from experience here!).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGently water the cells, with a spray bottle, taking care not to wash out any compost or the seeds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe then like to place our root trainers onto a length of water-soaked \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/sheep-wool-garden-felt\" title=\"Sheep Wool Garden Felt\"\u003esheep wool garden felt\u003c\/a\u003e as it acts as a brilliant capillary matting. The wool absorbs and holds the water really well. The small holes in the base of each cell in the tray enable the moisture to slowly be reabsorbed back into the compost, ensuring that your plants get a steady supply of moisture rather than soaking and drying. You can use this in the bottom of larger pots or on the surface of your garden beds as extra support and protection when planting out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf you are using a propagator, you can place the cell tray in your propagator, with the lid on. Once you see roots emerging from the holes in the base of the cell your seedlings will be ready for transplanting into larger pots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat other plastic-free gardening products do you have?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOh we have lots! In fact, pretty much all \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\" title=\"Gardening collection\"\u003eour gardening products\u003c\/a\u003e are natural and plastic-free. We have our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/plastic-free-gardening-rubber-seed-tray\" title=\"Rubber Seed Tray\"\u003enatural rubber seed trays\u003c\/a\u003e and a whole range of wool garden products including \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/mulch-shillies\" title=\"Mulch Shillies\"\u003efelt shillies\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/3-5l-sheep-wool-pellets\" title=\"Sheep Wool Pellets\"\u003ewool pellets\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/sheep-wool-garden-fleece\" title=\"Sheep Wool Garden Fleece\"\u003egarden fleece\u003c\/a\u003e. We also have lots of jute products like our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\" title=\"Gardening collection\"\u003emulch mats\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/jute-hanging-basket-liners-pack-of-2\" title=\"Hanging Basket Liners\"\u003ehanging basket liners\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/jute-mulch-roll\" title=\"Jute Mulch Roll\"\u003ejute roll for larger areas\u003c\/a\u003e. Have a good gander and see what you could use in your garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Plastic Free Gardening","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46039116906802,"sku":"GP006","price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/8_Cell_Rootcoach_Roottrainer_Plastic_Free_Gardening_1.jpg?v=1691054288"},{"product_id":"rowan-metal-rectangular-planter","title":"Rowan Metal Rectangular Planter","description":"\u003ch4\u003eWhy should I choose a metal rectangular planter?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStylish, yet robust and practical metal window boxes are the perfect choice to display your favourite array of beautiful plants. Metal rectangular planters work perfectly inside or outside, they're lovely to look at, easy to use, yet still tough enough to withstand whatever the British weather might throw at them. These particular balcony planters are completely plastic-free and have been coated with a glossy powder paint coating which is weather resistant and colourful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePicking a metal planter is a great environmentally conscious choice to make, not only will they last significantly longer than their fragile plastic alternatives, they can be completely recycled at the end of life by all local recycling centers. You also reduce the risk of microplastic contamination within the plants themselves, which is especially important to consider if you plan on planting fruit or vegetable plants within your planter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMicroplastics within the food chain is something the world is slowly becoming more aware of. It is now thought that the majority of humans on planet earth have \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.greenqueen.com.hk\/microplastic-pollution-german-study-finds-plastic-byproducts-in-over-97-of-children-tested\/\" title=\"Microplastic pollution information, Green Queen website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003edetectable levels of nanoplastics\u003c\/a\u003e within their bodies, some of which will have come up through the food chain- from our use of plastics within the food growing process. A very scary thought!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat can I plant in a window planter?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll kinds! Let your imagination run away with this one. You might want to take into account your choice of colour when it comes to planting your favourite plant or flower. But with such an array of beautiful pastel shades, you won't be stuck for complimentary plant choices. Or, you could always purchase one of each if you can't quite decide!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAre there other plastic-free gardening choices I can make?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbsolutely! Here at Chimney Sheep we're all about trying to make environmentally friendly alternatives as easy to access as possible. We feel that making plastic-free swaps in the garden should be easy. That's why we have an entire range of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\" title=\"Gardening collection\"\u003enatural gardening products\u003c\/a\u003e. They're all plastic-free where possible and try to make the best use of the natural materials we have available to us - whilst still being effective.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhy not take a peek at our range of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/fair-zone-rubber-planters-pack-of-6\" title=\"Fair Zone Rubber Planters\"\u003eplastic free pots\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/plastic-free-gardening-rubber-seed-tray\" title=\"Rubber Seed Tray\"\u003eseedling trays\u003c\/a\u003e? Or take a peek at our natural jute hessian \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\" title=\"Gardening collection\"\u003emulch mats\u003c\/a\u003e, or even our sheep wool \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/sheep-wool-garden-felt\" title=\"Sheep Wool Garden Felt\"\u003egarden felt\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rowan Gardening Accessories","offers":[{"title":"Cream","offer_id":46039849795890,"sku":"RMPC01","price":8.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Grey","offer_id":46039849828658,"sku":"RMPG01","price":8.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Green","offer_id":46039849861426,"sku":"RMPG02","price":8.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Pink","offer_id":46039849894194,"sku":"RMPP01","price":8.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Light Grey","offer_id":48925515088178,"sku":"RMPLG01","price":8.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Blue","offer_id":48925515120946,"sku":"RMPB01","price":8.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/CreamRectangeBucket1.jpg?v=1691055682"},{"product_id":"rowan-metal-plant-pot","title":"Rowan Metal Plant Pot","description":"\u003ch4\u003eHow can I use a metal plant pot?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWell, in reality there's all kinds of uses for a metal garden plant pot. Ours in particular are wonderfully colourful, meaning they'll suit pretty much any style or colourway - and bring a little pop of colour to any room or garden. They are a great plastic-free alternative to traditional plastic plant pots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou could use this metal pot for anything really. From storage, to plant pot, to water catcher, or simple display piece, our metal planters are both practical and lovely to look at. They're made of strong metal coated in a weatherproof glossy powder paint coating - so they're perfect for use indoors or outside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe'd suggest using this metal planter for displaying your favourite plant or flower, and adding a little personality into your yard or garden. It can be used like any other pot, you may just need to consider the addition of drainage holes as needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow do I maintain my metal plant pot?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis ones easy, because each metal planter is coated in a glossy weatherproof powder paint coating they are incredibly durable and weather resistant. In reality the pots should require pretty much no maintenance at all. If they get a little dirty, you simply have to wipe the item clean with a damp cloth. If it's particularly dirty on the inside, you could rinse out under the tap or with a hosepipe - you won't cause the metal pot any damage by getting it wet. It's incredibly durable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe colourful nature of this painted metal plant pot means it's perfect for use indoors or outside, so it's just a matter of keeping the item as clean as you like. Even the worst of the British weather won't damage it. If you happen to chip a little of the coating off, simply seal over the exposed metal with a little clear varnish or similar to protect it from rusting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the end of life, these metal plant pots are entirely recyclable, and it can simply be donated to your local recycling centre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat else do I need to know about plastic-free gardening?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe think plastic free gardening is one of the best steps to take towards a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Eliminating plastic products from your garden is one of the easier leaps to make, as there's tonnes of excellent like-for-like swaps you can make to more environmentally friendly choices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlastic pollution is one of the world's biggest environmental threats right now, and it is continuing to grow. In 2020 alone, it was estimated that the UK consumed over \u003ca title=\"Statista website\" href=\"https:\/\/statista.com\/statistics\/1269387\/plastic-on-market-and-plastic-waste-united-kingdom\/#:~:text=Yearly%20quantity%20of%20plastics%20placed,the%20UK%20as%20of%202020\u0026amp;text=It%20is%20estimated%20that%204.9,approximately%20three%20quarters%20becomes%20waste.\"\u003e4.9 trillion tonnes of plastic\u003c\/a\u003e, of which over three quarters became waste. Huge quantities of plastic enters our waterways, oceans and ecosystems. It causes damage to habitats, injures wildlife and just lingers, polluting our wonderful environments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSwapping to plastic-free gardening products is just one step you can take to help counteract this pollution. Choose natural mulching products such as our sheep's wool \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/sheep-wool-garden-felt\" title=\"Sheep Wool Garden Felt\"\u003egarden felt\u003c\/a\u003e, or natural jute hessian \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\" title=\"Gardening collection\"\u003emulch mats\u003c\/a\u003e instead of plastic tarpaulin. Or ditching plastic pots in favour of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/fair-zone-rubber-planters-pack-of-6\" title=\"Fair Zone Rubber Planters\"\u003erubber\u003c\/a\u003e - it's as simple as that!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rowan Gardening Accessories","offers":[{"title":"Grey","offer_id":46040299471154,"sku":"CMGPB01","price":6.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Cream","offer_id":46040299503922,"sku":"CMMGPC01","price":6.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Green","offer_id":46040299536690,"sku":"CMGPG01","price":6.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Pink","offer_id":46040299569458,"sku":"CMGPP01","price":6.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/BlackBucket1HIRes.jpg?v=1691057311"},{"product_id":"hessian-coffee-sack","title":"Hessian Coffee Sack","description":"\u003ch4\u003eWhy use a recycled coffee sack?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere at Chimney Sheep we're all for anything natural or environmentally friendly. We LOVE these Hessian Coffee Sacks. Hessian is a natural fabric made from the jute plant. Hessian Coffee Sacks are durable, breathable, reusable, affordable and if you eventually decide you don't need them anymore, they're 100% biodegradable!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat can I use them for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reusable Hessian Coffee Sacks have SO many uses, probably more than you could imagine!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe natural jute sacks are fully compostable, making them good to use when collecting natural waste from the garden like leaves and soil - if you don't want to empty it you can just throw the whole thing onto the compost heap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother great use for the coffee sacks is to transport and store raw vegetables like potatoes and onions. The natural hessian sack is highly breathable while also shielding the veg from light, meaning you can store it for longer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're a particularly arty or creative person, you can upcycle them or reuse them for something else! Many people use them for things like pillowcases and seat covers to spruce up an older piece of furniture or just to give it a new look. If you're really good you can make them into tote bags or aprons! Some other cool ideas we've seen people use them for are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003edog beds - simple enough, just fill them up with a soft material and sew them closed - they look great too!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003elampshades - the tricky part here will be cutting it to the right shape and size, but once you have all you need to do is secure it to the lampshade rings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eposters or wall art - many people like the rustic look of the coffee sacks and either stretch them around a wooden frame, show them off behind glass in a large photo frame style, or just pin them up on the wall\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Chimney Sheep use them? \u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, we do - and we absolutely LOVE them!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe use them for a range of things including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/coffee-sack-hessian-door-draught-excluder\" title=\"Coffee Sack Hessian Door Draught Excluder\"\u003e Coffee Sack Hessian Door Draught Excluder\u003c\/a\u003e - this is designed to stop draughts from creeping under doors and will fit most door frames. We've filled them ourselves with washed Herdwick wool direct from the Lake District. Not only does it work, but it looks great too!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAs packaging for our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/plant-protection\/products\/mulch-shillies\" title=\"Mulch Shillies\"\u003eFelt Garden Mulch Shillies\u003c\/a\u003e - the Hessian Coffee Sacks help us to keep our felt shillies plastic free and because the sack is 100% biodegradable, it can also be used as extra mulch for your plants - how amazing is that?!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOur \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/jute-mulch-mats-variety-pack-of-60%20natural-garden\" title=\"Jute Mulch Mats Variety Pack of 60\"\u003ejute mulch mats\u003c\/a\u003e are made from recycled coffee sacks, that have been picked apart and re-felted into thick, durable mats.  They're great for helping to create a natural barrier against weeds and reduce the competition for water and nutrients, helping your plants grow big and strong!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTell me a bit more about the Hessian Coffee Sacks \u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe source the Hessian Coffee Sacks from a local, Cumbrian coffee roasters - \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.carvetiicoffee.co.uk\" title=\"Carvetii Coffee website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCarvetii Coffee\u003c\/a\u003e. The sacks vary according to the type of coffee and where it has been shipped from. We can't guarantee which designs you will get, but we will try to send you the best sacks we have at the time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hessian Coffee Sacks are approximately 67cm (W) x 100cm (L) and can hold up to 69kg.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy have you got plastic sacks as a variation when you go on about how great hessian is?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimply because we hate waste. Sometimes there are plastic coffee sacks in the ones we collect. They still look great, but they're...plastic. So we've added them in for £1 each because they're still practical and useful. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"Plastic Coffee Sack","offer_id":48676573675826,"sku":"HCS001-02","price":1.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Hessian Coffee Sack","offer_id":48676573643058,"sku":"HCS001-01","price":5.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/CoffeeSackWhite1.jpg?v=1691059485"},{"product_id":"nutscene-leaf-sack-pack-of-2","title":"Nutscene Leaf Sack Pack of 2","description":"\u003ch4\u003eHow do I use this compostable leaf sack?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis compostable leaf sack is an easy and convenient way to contain autumn leaves, particularly if you don’t have a compost bin. Rather than piling them up and letting the wind blow them away, this sack can keep thousands of leaves nice and contained, helping to keep your garden tidy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimply collect up the leaves, put them into this compostable sack and either put them in your compost bin or if you don’t have a compost bin, just leave them in a corner in your garden and forget about them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver time, the leaves and the hessian sack will compost down leaving you with a fantastic, rich and organic compost that you can use around your garden. Depending on how long you leave it, will depend on what sort of material you are left with. If you leave the leaves and sack for about a year you will get a great mulch that you can use around your garden. If you are patient enough and can leave it for two years, you’ll have the perfect soil conditioner which will help helps to improve the soil’s properties by adding slow-releasing nutrients.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy are leaves great to use as mulch?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUltimately, leaves are nature’s way of mulching under trees which traps moisture, opens the soil and keeps down weeds. This mulch is great to use across the garden as it’s 100% natural and organic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the leaves compost down, they created leaf mould which is useful to all plants as it increases the fungi in the soil, including mycorrhizal fungi, which are important in helping plants take up water and nutrients. Fungi start to break down autumn leaves, but once they have rotted down enough, bacteria move inside and continue the process of turning the leaves into compost. This sort of compost is great for perennials, fruit bushes, trees and shrubs as it is quite a fungi-dominant soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAged leaf mould (over a year old) can be used for annuals and growing vegetables as it will be higher in bacteria which is a preferable soil type for them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn our eyes, using leaves as mulch is a no-brainer as it is free (apart from the compostable leaf sack, of course!), organic and very versatile!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nutscene","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46041427247410,"sku":"CLS001","price":7.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/Leaf_Sack_02.jpg?v=1692774269"},{"product_id":"hahn-plastic-wood-composter","title":"Hahn Plastic Wood Composter","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is brilliant. It’s a composter made of recycled plastic. It’s ridiculously heavy. It weighs around 56 kilos. You will have seen these made of wood, right? They slot together and within minutes you’ve got a slatted composter. And within a couple of years it’s started biodegrading itself, and becoming one with the compost. I should know, I had one, and it was great for a while.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo what’s so great about this recycled plastic wood composter? Well. I’m glad you asked. It’s made of mixed household waste plastic. The trouble with recycling plastic is that there are so many different types. Some recycled plastic products, like our \u003ca title=\"Ecoforce Peg Basket and Pegs\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/ecoforce-peg-basket-and-pegs\"\u003eEcoforce clothes pegs\u003c\/a\u003e, are made by extracting particular types of plastic from co-mingled waste. This is quite labour intensive and means only certain types of plastics can be used. This recycled plastic wood composter uses a whole range of different plastics mixed together to create an entirely new type of plastic called plastic lumber. The reason it’s so heavy is that it’s quite dense. And that’s what is so exciting about it, for us here at Chimney Sheep anyway: 56 kilos of household waste plastic in a beautifully made recycled plastic wood composter is 56 kilos of plastic waste not in landfill or bobbing about in the ocean! That’s like around 2800 empty 500ml bottles all incapsulated into one useful product. Or 5600 empty yoghurt pots. Or as it’s comingled waste, any combination of thousands of yoghurt pots, plastic bottles, plastic bags, plastic food trays, and all manner of other rubbish all usefully recycled. Now can you see why we’re so happy?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA composter is the perfect application for plastic lumber. It is extremely durable: it doesn’t rot or biodegrade. It doesn’t splinter or crack. It’s weather resistant and maintenance free.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eProduct details for the recycled plastic wood composter\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions (LxWxH): 100 x 100 x 90 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEasy assembly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeather-resistant, maintenance-free, durable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial and use match perfectly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFor professional gardeners and keen amateurs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDelivered as a kit excluding base\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDurability and performance\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeather-resistant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRot-resistant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSplinter-free, therefore low risk of injury\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCan be used year round\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoisture-repellent, does not absorb water, therefore dries fast\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eEnvironmental credentials\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduced without preservatives\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReduces the strain on landfills, is sustainably environmentally friendly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecyclable in the material cycle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade by Hahn Plastics who have been awarded the \"BLUE ANGEL\" eco-label\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater neutral\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNon-toxic (safe according to DIN 71, Section 3 Playground Regulation)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eEconomic benefits of the recycled plastic wood composter\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong service life\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eResistant to oils, brines, acids, and salt water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo maintenance costs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade of high-quality processed secondary plastics (polyolefins)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow to make good compost\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComposting your garden waste is an excellent way of reducing waste and producing your own lovely organic compost. If you read about composting it can seem really complicated. There are a number of ways of doing it. There is lots of useful information about composting on the \u003ca title=\"Composting, RHS website\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rhs.org.uk\/soil-composts-mulches\/composting\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRHS website\u003c\/a\u003e. This recycled plastic wood composter is predominantly for garden waste only. The materials rot down with a combination of bacteria and worms. If you want to put food waste in the mix then it's recommended to use a closed system like the Green Johanna. If you put food waste into an open slatted composter then you are likely to attract vermin. The Green Johanna is great since you can put all kinds of food waste in it, mixed with garden waste and shredded paper and such. There are small holes in the base so useful creatures like worms and insects can get in, but the rats can't.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe great thing about the recycled plastic wood composter and the Green Joanna is that with the worms to help you can just keep adding stuff until the mix is about right. If it's too wet then add shredded paper or card, and if it's too dry add wet stuff. A lot of compost instructions advise mixing it regularly but this \u003ca title=\"Abe Books website\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abebooks.co.uk\/servlet\/BookDetailsPL?bi=31277688859\" target=\"_blank\"\u003elovely book about compost\u003c\/a\u003e simply advises letting the worms do the mixing and I must say in my experience that works fine.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hahn Plastics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46041541902642,"sku":"RPC001","price":187.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/plasticwoodcomposter.jpg?v=1691061120"},{"product_id":"snug-feet-wool-insoles","title":"SnugFeet™ Wool Insoles","description":"\u003ch4\u003eWhy is wool great for insoles?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are LOTS of reasons! In fact, we think wool is one of the best materials for insoles because it really is functional. Here are a few some of wool’s unique qualities that make it the perfect material to use for insoles:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOdour resistant\u003c\/strong\u003e – this is one of the main reasons wool is so brilliant for insoles. In fact, better than most manmade material insoles. As you may already know, human sweat does not actually smell. It is the bacteria that develops over time in our clothes or shoes that causes body odour. Wool naturally absorbs and locks away odours during wear. The wool fibre actively binds odours within its fibre where bacteria do not thrive. As a result, the garment remains fresher for longer. Clever hey?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNaturally breathable\u003c\/strong\u003e - wool has a unique structure that allows it to absorb and release moisture (such as sweat) without affecting its thermal efficiency. It can absorb up to 30 per cent of its own weight, even when next to skin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExtra warm\u003c\/strong\u003e - thanks to wool’s hygroscopic abilities these insoles will help to keep your feet nice and warm. That is also why wool works so well for our \u003ca title=\"Insulation collection\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/insulation\"\u003e100% Sheep’s Wool Insulation\u003c\/a\u003e!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHypoallergenic\u003c\/strong\u003e - wool is resistant to bacteria that can trigger skin irritations in some people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e‘Bouncy’\u003c\/strong\u003e – the insoles are 10mm thick so add a great bit of comfort and bounce!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompletely natural\u003c\/strong\u003e – our insoles are made of 100% Herdwick Sheep’s wool from Cumbria that we collect during our \u003ca title=\"Operation Wool Page\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/pages\/operation-wool\"\u003eOperation Wool project\u003c\/a\u003e every year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSustainable\u003c\/strong\u003e – wool is one of the most sustainable materials on the planet because it is totally renewable thanks to all the lovely sheep we have in the UK.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompostable after their long life\u003c\/strong\u003e – these insoles should last you a good few years but, like all good things, they must come to an end. BUT, because the insoles are made with 100% wool, they are fully compostable! Hooray!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want to read more about the wonders of wool visit the \u003ca title=\"Campaign for Wool website\" href=\"https:\/\/www.campaignforwool.org\/about-wool\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCampaign for Wool\u003c\/a\u003e website where they have lots of cool facts about wool!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat shoes can I use these wool insoles for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are suitable for all shoes really, but we love using our insoles in walking boots, winter boots, wellingtons, gardening shoes and our slippers!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat size insoles do I need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur SnugFeet™ wool insoles come in two different sizes: a smaller size (UK shoe size 4-8) and a larger size (UK shoe size 9-12). Both are 10mm thick.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith everyone’s feet being different shapes and sizes, we have designed the insoles so that you can measure them to fit your own feet. To get the best fit, take the insole out of the boot or shoe you are planning to fit the wool insoles into. Use this as a template to cut your new (and much comfier!) wool insole and tadaah! Cosy, fresh smelling insoles that will fit perfectly in your shoe.  After some wear, the insoles will compress down and mold to the exact shape of your foot.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"Size 4-8","offer_id":46044969533746,"sku":"SLCA059","price":6.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Size 9-12","offer_id":46044969566514,"sku":"LCA058","price":6.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/SnugFeetMensSingle.jpg?v=1691073141"},{"product_id":"jute-mulch-mats-10-25cm-pack-of-20","title":"Natural Jute Weed Suppression Mulch Mats 10\"\/25cm Pack of 20","description":"\u003ch4\u003eWhat is mulch?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMulch is defined as any material that is placed on the surface of cultivated soil, be that over beds, fields or over compost in individual pots. It could be something like our jute mulch mats, cardboard, straw, hay or bark chippings. It’s a technique that’s been around for millennia, but it seems to have fallen out of favour through modern farming methods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, \u003ca title=\"Natural garden mulch products blog\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/blogs\/blog\/natural-garden-mulch-products\"\u003emulch is definitely enjoying a come-back\u003c\/a\u003e due to the increased need for sustainable agriculture and with methods of gardening like the ‘\u003ca title=\"No dig gardening, Charles Dowding website\" href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesdowding.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eno-dig\u003c\/a\u003e’ method.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat are the benefits of mulch?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca title=\"The benefits of mulch, scotts.com website\" href=\"https:\/\/scotts.com\/en-us\/lawn-care-101\/the-benefits-of-mulching-how-to-pick-the-right-type-of-mulch-material.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ebenefits of mulch are widespread\u003c\/a\u003e, both for domestic gardeners and widescale horticulturalists, farmers and foresters. We have certainly noticed the benefits of mulch our gardens and in our \u003ca title=\"Buy Land Plant Trees page\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/pages\/buy-land-plant-trees\"\u003eBuy Land Plant Trees\u003c\/a\u003e project.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are a few of the benefits of mulch:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConserves water\u003c\/strong\u003e – mulch conserves water by reducing water evaporation from the soil. Mulch (in most cases, but particularly in the case of our Mulch Mats) allows water to permeate through it into the soil below. However, the barrier the mulch forms between soil and the air reduces the amount of water that evaporates off the soil’s surface. Studies of mulch in draught-prone countries have demonstrated how the water-saving properties of mulch improve crop growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNaturally suppresses weeds\u003c\/strong\u003e – using mulch to cover soil and compost where plants or crops are growing creates a natural barrier against weeds. The weeds don’t have access to light, can’t photosynthesise, and therefore perish and eventually rot away into the ground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReduces competition for water and nutrients\u003c\/strong\u003e – by reducing the number of weeds it ensures that there is less competition for plants. This means they can access more water and nutrients, helping them to grow more effectively! When looking at this in an agricultural context, using mulch reduces the large-scale use of herbicides which is beneficial both to the wider environment and us.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReduces temperature fluctuations\u003c\/strong\u003e – Mulch protects plant roots against temperature changes by acting as an insulator. They help to regulate soil temperature to keep plant roots cool in the summer and warm in the winter ensuring plants can continue to grow well. Our Mulch Mats are particularly good at this because of their density.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy are Chimney Sheep’s Jute Mulch Mats a great mulch option?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo faffing required\u003c\/strong\u003e – we love our Mulch Mats because they are quick and easy to use. There is no shovelling, cutting to size or pinning down required. Just slot them around the base of the plant you want to protect and hey presto! They sit firmly on the ground and what we find is that weeds and grass they suppress, sort of grow into the fabric of the jute. They don’t manage to get through but they help to anchor the mulch mat to the soil, so it sits nice and firmly in place.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuper versatile\u003c\/strong\u003e – our Mulch Mats can be used in gardens, allotments, greenhouses, on house plants – the list is endless! The great thing about them is that you can use them in individual standard plant pots or for putting round individual plants in larger beds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMulch for every plant\u003c\/strong\u003e – because each plant will get its own little bit of mulch all to themselves, the concentration of mulch per plant is much higher than having to share lots of mulch (like with straw or bark chippings) with other plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProvides nutrients for the plants as they compost down\u003c\/strong\u003e – jute is a natural vegetable fibre so once it has composted down, it provides lots of nutrients to help plant growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHelping to deter greedy slugs and snails\u003c\/strong\u003e - while we can never promise that our Mulch Mats will completely deter slugs and snails, they do make it a lot harder for the greedy molluscs to gain access and devour precious plants. We’ve had a lot of success from pre-soaking the mats in the Hole-less Hosta garlic decoction, which seems to have been very effective at persuading the slugs and snails to go and consume something else. Mwah ha ha ha. It’s not kind but nor are they!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade from recycled coffee sacks\u003c\/strong\u003e – jute is such a fantastic fibre which works perfectly for mulch. We don’t like seeing great materials go to waste, so we use recycled jute coffee sacks to make our Mulch Mats.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo plastic\u003c\/strong\u003e – unlike the polypropylene versions, these Mulch Mats are completely plastic-free which means they will biodegrade and compost down completely, without leaving microplastics in the soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have lots of other sizes of \u003ca title=\"Growing and Planting collection\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/growing-planting\"\u003eMulch Mats\u003c\/a\u003e so why not take a look here to find the perfect size for your garden project! We also make \u003ca title=\"Tree spats pack of 10\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\/products\/jute-tree-spats-pack-of-10\"\u003eJute Tree Spats\u003c\/a\u003e which are perfect for when you are planting baby trees. Need lots of our Mulch Mats or Tree Spats? \u003ca title=\"Contact us\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/pages\/contact\"\u003eGet in touch\u003c\/a\u003e!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46059045912882,"sku":"AI-4B8T-F597","price":15.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/GardenJuly_09.jpg?v=1691140436"},{"product_id":"jute-mulch-mats-8-20cm-pack-of-25","title":"Jute Weed Protection Mulch Mats 8\"\/20cm Pack of 25","description":"\u003ch4\u003eWhat is mulch?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMulch is defined as any material that is placed on the surface of cultivated soil, be that over beds, fields or over compost in individual pots. It could be something like our jute mulch mats, cardboard, straw, hay or bark chippings. It’s a technique that’s been around for millennia, but it seems to have fallen out of favour through modern farming methods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/blogs\/blog\/natural-garden-mulch-products\" title=\"Natural garden mulch products blog\"\u003emulch is definitely enjoying a come-back\u003c\/a\u003e (hooray!) due to the increased need for sustainable agriculture and with methods of gardening like the ‘\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesdowding.co.uk\" title=\"No dig gardening, Charles Dowding website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eno-dig\u003c\/a\u003e’ method.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat are the benefits of mulch?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/scotts.com\/en-us\/lawn-care-101\/the-benefits-of-mulching-how-to-pick-the-right-type-of-mulch-material.html\" title=\"The benefits of mulch, scotts.com website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ebenefits of mulch are widespread\u003c\/a\u003e, both for domestic gardeners and widescale horticulturalists, farmers and foresters. We have certainly noticed the benefits of mulch our gardens and in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/pages\/buy-land-plant-trees\" title=\"Buy Land Plant Trees website\"\u003eBuy Land Plant Trees\u003c\/a\u003e project.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are a few of the benefits of mulch:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConserves water\u003c\/strong\u003e – mulch conserves water by reducing water evaporation from the soil. Mulch (in most cases, but particularly in the case of our Mulch Mats) allows water to permeate through it into the soil below. However, the barrier the mulch forms between soil and the air reduces the amount of water that evaporates off the soil’s surface. Studies of mulch in draught-prone countries have demonstrated how the water-saving properties of mulch improve crop growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNaturally suppresses weeds\u003c\/strong\u003e– using mulch to cover soil and compost where plants or crops are growing creates a natural barrier against weeds. The weeds don’t have access to light, can’t photosynthesise, and therefore perish and eventually rot away into the ground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReduces competition for water and nutrients\u003c\/strong\u003e – by reducing the number of weeds it ensures that there is less competition for plants. This means they can access more water and nutrients, helping them to grow more effectively! When looking at this in an agricultural context, using mulch reduces the large-scale use of herbicides which is beneficial both to the wider environment and us.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReduces temperature fluctuations\u003c\/strong\u003e – Mulch protects plant roots against temperature changes by acting as an insulator. They help to regulate soil temperature to keep plant roots cool in the summer and warm in the winter ensuring plants can continue to grow well. Our Mulch Mats are particularly good at this because of their density.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy are Chimney Sheep’s Jute Mulch Mats a great mulch option?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo faffing required\u003c\/strong\u003e – we love our Mulch Mats because they are quick and easy to use. There is no shovelling, cutting to size or pinning down required. Just slot them around the base of the plant you want to protect and hey presto! They sit firmly on the ground and what we find is that weeds and grass they suppress, sort of grow into the fabric of the jute. They don’t manage to get through but they help to anchor the mulch mat to the soil, so it sits nice and firmly in place.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuper versatile\u003c\/strong\u003e – our Mulch Mats can be used in gardens, allotments, greenhouses, on house plants – the list is endless! The great thing about them is that you can use them in individual standard plant pots or for putting round individual plants in larger beds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMulch for every plant\u003c\/strong\u003e – because each plant will get its own little bit of mulch all to themselves, the concentration of mulch per plant is much higher than having to share lots of mulch (like with straw or bark chippings) with other plants. Provides nutrients for the plants as they compost down – jute is a natural vegetable fibre so once it has composted down, it provides lots of nutrients to help plant growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHelping to deter greedy slugs and snails\u003c\/strong\u003e - while we can never promise that our Mulch Mats will completely deter slugs and snails, they do make it a lot harder for the greedy molluscs to gain access and devour precious plants. We’ve had a lot of success from pre-soaking the mats in the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/blogs\/blog\/sheep-trees-grass-and-wool\" title=\"Sheep trees grass and wool blog\"\u003eHole-less Hosta garlic decoction\u003c\/a\u003e, which seems to have been very effective at persuading the slugs and snails to go and consume something else. Mwah ha ha ha. It’s not kind but nor are they!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade from recycled coffee sacks\u003c\/strong\u003e – jute is such a fantastic fibre which works perfectly for mulch. We don’t like seeing great materials go to waste, so we use recycled jute coffee sacks to make our Mulch Mats.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo plastic\u003c\/strong\u003e – unlike the polypropylene versions, these Mulch Mats are completely plastic-free which means they will biodegrade and compost down completely, without leaving microplastics in the soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have lots of other sizes of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/growing-planting\" title=\"Growing and planting collection\"\u003eMulch Mats \u003c\/a\u003eincluding a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/growing-planting\/products\/jute-mulch-mats-variety-pack-of-60\" title=\"Mulch Mat Variety pack of 60\"\u003evalue variety pack\u003c\/a\u003e so take a look here to find the perfect size for your garden project! We also make \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\/products\/jute-tree-spats-pack-of-10\" title=\"Tree spats pack of 10\"\u003eJute Tree Spats\u003c\/a\u003e which are perfect for when you are planting baby trees. Need lots of our Mulch Mats or tree spats? \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/pages\/contact\" title=\"Contact us\"\u003eGet in touch!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46059348623666,"sku":"7I-9XTK-NKAG","price":15.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/GardenJuly_04.jpg?v=1742904981"},{"product_id":"jute-tree-spats-pack-of-10","title":"Large Round Mulch Mat Tree Spats Pack of 10","description":"\u003ch4\u003eChemical-free weed contro\u003cstrong\u003el \u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe jute disc slots around the base of the plant, supressing other competitive weeds and grasses. The competing plants are deprived of light, and perish. The mats last around two years, which is plenty of time for even the most resilient of weeds to rot away. The Tree Spat Mulch Mat is also ideal for covering bare ground in order to prevent competitive weeds from seeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eConserve water\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mulch mats retain water in the soil, reducing evaporation, meaning you need to water the plants less and retaining moisture for the plant's roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eInhibit Pests\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOkay, so I can't promise that these will keep the slugs off your hostas, but the texture is spiky and rough, making it an unpleasant surface for slugs and snails to cross. If there is a more easy-access plant then they will tend to avoid the jute mats protecting the more tender plants, and go for the easier option.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eNaturally biodegradable\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe jute mulch mats are made of 100% plant material so over time (around one year or a bit more) they will gradually biodegrade introducing nutrients to the plant as it goes. By that time your plant should be big and strong enough to fend for itself or you can just put another mat down. These packs of 10 are more cost-effective but get in touch with us if you want larger quantities or different sizes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow do I use biodegradable Tree Spat Mulch Matting?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimply slot your eco-friendly weed mat around the base of your tree sapling, shrub or delicate plant. It should not need any pegging out. Larger bespoke mulch mats can be pegged with bamboo skewers (for mini kebabs!) if you need a biodegradable peg, but we have found with the ones we use that they stay put and do not blow around as the lighter polypropylene tree spats do.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"13.5\"\/35cm","offer_id":46060242829618,"sku":"T3-V70B-EEXH","price":13.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"16\"\/40cm","offer_id":46060242862386,"sku":"XD-7Z4S-L4IT","price":15.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/GardenJuly_08.jpg?v=1691141809"},{"product_id":"square-mulch-mats-pack-of-10","title":"Square Natural Mulch Mats Pack of 10","description":"\u003cp\u003eYoung trees suffer from root shock when they are transplanted and need a lot of care in their first few years of life. Weeds around the base need to be removed regularly, either by using appropriate herbicides, hand weeding, or careful strimming. They also need to be regularly watered. Our square jute mulch mats make this a whole lot easier, saving time, money and chemicals. Our square jute mulch mats simply slot around the base of the young tree, suffocating weeds and retaining water. They also protect the delicate roots from extreme temperature fluctuations. They are 5mm thick so are quite robust, especially once they’ve got some water soaked into them, and last around a year before they slowly biodegrade into the soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat are the benefits of using square mulch mats for young trees?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to horticultural expert Don Kinzler, “if grass is allowed to compete with a tree, the tree will grow slower in both height and trunk diameter compared to a tree grown in bare soil. If you add mulch over the bare soil, the tree’s rate of growth increases compared to both bare soil and grass. This is so important it merits restating. Trees growing in grass have the slowest increase in height and trunk diameter. Trees in bare soil grow next best, and trees with mulch over the root zone have the greatest rate of growth” Read more about it \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/blogs\/blog\/sheep-trees-grass-and-wool\" title=\"Sheep Trees Grass and Wool blog\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDo the mulch mats need to be pegged down?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike polypropylene mulch mats, the mulch mats tend to sit firmly on the soil without needing to be pegged out. You may find with the square ones that the corners lift a little before they embed in, in which case we recommend pegging them down with bamboo skewers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs there an issue with the square jute mulch mats tree spinning in the wind, creating bark damage?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The 5mm thick mulch mats are quite heavy, and will stay put, even in windy conditions. We've used them in extremely windy locations in Cumbria without any problem. However that's because they stay wet most of the time. If you're using them somewhere where it's very dry, you may wish to secure them with pegs to be on the safe side. We've never had any issues reported to us though.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDo you do discounts on larger volume orders?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes! We like orders of 1000+ mulch mats! Our discounts start at 100 mats so contact us for a quote at info@chimneysheep.co.uk\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat's the difference between a round one and a square mulch mat?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe round ones tend to look a bit neater around the base of trees. The square jute mulch mats give you more mulch for your money and if you do want to peg them out they are better suited to being pegged. It's all a matter of preference really, they both do a good job!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"40cm Square","offer_id":46061040959794,"sku":"HR-JFNZ-T0LM","price":15.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"50cm Square","offer_id":46061040992562,"sku":"50x50Mat","price":26.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"60cm Square","offer_id":46061041025330,"sku":"60x60mat","price":31.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/GardenJuly_16.jpg?v=1691142711"},{"product_id":"100cm-square-individual-jute-mulch-mat","title":"Square Jute Mulch Mat 100cm","description":"\u003cp\u003eYoung trees suffer from root shock when they are transplanted and need a lot of care in their first few years of life. Weeds around the base need to be removed regularly, either by using appropriate herbicides, hand weeding, or careful strimming. They also need to be regularly watered. Our 100cm jute mulch mat tree spats make this a whole lot easier, saving time, money and chemicals. Our biodegradable tree spat mulch mats simply slot around the base of the young tree, suffocating weeds and retaining water. They also protect the delicate roots from extreme temperature fluctuations. They are 5mm thick so are quite robust, especially once they’ve got some water soaked into them, and last around a year before they slowly biodegrade into the soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat are the benefits of using mulch mats for young trees?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to horticultural expert Don Kinzler, “if grass is allowed to compete with a tree, the tree will grow slower in both height and trunk diameter compared to a tree grown in bare soil. If you add mulch over the bare soil, the tree’s rate of growth increases compared to both bare soil and grass. This is so important it merits restating. Trees growing in grass have the slowest increase in height and trunk diameter. Trees in bare soil grow next best, and trees with mulch over the root zone have the greatest rate of growth” Read more about it \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/blogs\/blog\/sheep-trees-grass-and-wool\" title=\"Sheep Trees Grass and Wool blog\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDo the mulch mats need to be pegged down?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike polypropylene mulch mats, the mulch mats tend to sit firmly on the soil without needing to be pegged out. These large ones will take a while to bed in, so it's recommended that they are pegged out. You can use the commercially available plastic pegs, metal pegs, or we use biodegradable bamboo skewers. They don't last as long but after a few weeks the weeds sort of mesh themselves into the underneath of the mat and help to hold it in place, after which it's not so necessary to peg them down anyway.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDo you do discounts on larger volume orders?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes! Our discounts start at 100 mats so contact us for a quote at info@chimneysheep.co.uk\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease note that unlike the other mats, these don't have a central hole or slit for tucking around the base of a tree. They are used for a range of tree sizes so it's best if you cut a nick in the centre yourself when fitting it around the base of the tree. If it's got a thin stem then it will just wrap around the base as it is.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46061585727794,"sku":"JMM100","price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/GardenJuly_55.jpg?v=1691143403"},{"product_id":"jute-mulch-roll","title":"Jute Mulch Mat Weed Control Roll","description":"\u003ch4\u003eWhat is mulch?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMulch is defined as any material that is placed on the surface of cultivated soil, be that over beds, fields or over compost in individual pots. It could be something like this jute mulch roll, cardboard, straw, hay or bark chippings. It’s a technique that’s been around for millennia, but it seems to have fallen out of favour through modern farming methods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/blogs\/blog\/sheep-trees-grass-and-wool\" title=\"Sheep Trees Grass and Wool blog\" target=\"_blank\"\u003emulch is definitely enjoying a come-back\u003c\/a\u003e due to the increased need for sustainable agriculture and with gardening methods like ‘\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesdowding.co.uk\" title=\"No dig gardening, Charles Dowding website\"\u003eno-dig\u003c\/a\u003e’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat are the benefits of mulch?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/scotts.com\/en-us\/lawn-care-101\/the-benefits-of-mulching-how-to-pick-the-right-type-of-mulch-material.html\" title=\"The benefits of mulching, Scotts.com website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ebenefits of mulch are widespread\u003c\/a\u003e, both for domestic gardeners and widescale horticulturalists, farmers and foresters. We have certainly noticed the benefits of mulch our gardens and in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/pages\/buy-land-plant-trees\" title=\"Buy Land Plant Trees page\"\u003eBuy Land Plant Trees\u003c\/a\u003e project.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are a few of the benefits of mulch:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConserves water\u003c\/strong\u003e – mulch conserves water by reducing water evaporation from the soil. Mulch allows water to permeate through it into the soil below. However, the barrier the mulch forms between soil and the air reduces the amount of water that evaporates off the soil’s surface. Studies of mulch in draught-prone countries have demonstrated how the water-saving properties of mulch improve crop growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNaturally suppresses weeds\u003c\/strong\u003e – using mulch to cover soil and compost where plants or crops are growing creates a natural barrier against weeds. The weeds don’t have access to light, can’t photosynthesise, and therefore perish and eventually rot away into the ground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReduces competition for water and nutrients\u003c\/strong\u003e – by reducing the number of weeds it ensures that there is less competition for plants. This means they can access more water and nutrients, helping them to grow more effectively! When looking at this in an agricultural context, using mulch reduces the large-scale use of herbicides which is beneficial both to the wider environment and us.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReduces temperature fluctuations\u003c\/strong\u003e – Mulch protects plant roots against temperature changes by acting as an insulator. They help to regulate soil temperature to keep plant roots cool in the summer and warm in the winter ensuring plants can continue to grow well. Our jute mulch roll is particularly good at this because of its density.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy is Chimney Sheep’s Jute Mulch Roll a great mulch option?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePerfect for larger areas\u003c\/strong\u003e – our Jute Mulch Roll is perfect for mulching big beds and works particularly well in allotments and for hedge planting. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=NhKxC7oZQuo\" title=\"Charles Dowding video, YouTube\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eTake a look at how Charles Dowding used a roll to grow some potatoes here.\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMulch for every plant\u003c\/strong\u003e – because each plant will get its own little bit of mulch all to themselves, the concentration of mulch per plant is much higher than having to share lots of mulch (like with straw or bark chippings) with other plants. The density of the roll also helps with this. If you are wanting to mulch individual plants or trees, then our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\" title=\"Gardening collection\"\u003emulch mats\u003c\/a\u003e would work better!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProvides nutrients for the plants as they compost down\u003c\/strong\u003e – jute is a natural vegetable fibre so once it has composted down, it provides lots of nutrients to help plant growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHelping to deter greedy slugs and snails\u003c\/strong\u003e – while we can never promise that our mulch roll will completely deter slugs and snails, it does make it a lot harder for the greedy molluscs to gain access and devour precious plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo plastic\u003c\/strong\u003e – unlike the polypropylene versions, these our Jute Mulch Roll is completely plastic-free which means it will biodegrade and compost down completely, without leaving microplastics in the soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow can I use the Jute Mulch Roll for hedging?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust roll it out along the length of where the hedge is to go, then cut holes through the fabric to plant the whips through. Simple as that! A roll will sit quite firmly on the ground but if you want to peg them down you can use our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/bamboo-skewers-pack-of-40\" title=\"Bamboo Skewers\"\u003ebamboo pegs\u003c\/a\u003e which will also compost down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConventional hedging necessitates the use of herbicides to remove all weeds, then planting of the whips, usually with guards and stakes, then returning for re-treatment of herbicides to manage weed control. Using the jute weed control for hedging reduces this work and use of chemicals. The jute efficiently suppresses the weeds. The weed control fabric can be cut with a pair of sharp scissors or knife, puncturing holes in it through which the whips can be planted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce you’ve planted the hedging using the jute, you can just leave it! The jute will suppress weeds and remove the need to return and spray or strim. The jute lasts at least a year by which time the whips will be well established. It gradually biodegrades down to provide additional nutrients for the young trees. It also retains moisture thus reducing the need to water in dry conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"1 Linear Metre (1m x 1m)","offer_id":46062247313714,"sku":"MM017-01","price":14.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 Linear Metres (1m x 2m)","offer_id":55820438733178,"sku":"MM017-03","price":26.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 Linear Metres (1m x 3m)","offer_id":55820438765946,"sku":"MM017-04","price":39.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"4 Linear Metres (1m x 4m)","offer_id":55820438798714,"sku":"MM017-05","price":53.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 Linear Metres (1m x 5m)","offer_id":55820438831482,"sku":"MM017-06","price":66.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"6 Linear Metres (1m x 6m)","offer_id":55820438864250,"sku":"MM017-07","price":79.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"7 Linear Metres (1m x 7m)","offer_id":55820438897018,"sku":"MM017-08","price":92.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"8 Linear Metres (1m x 8m)","offer_id":55820438929786,"sku":"MM017-09","price":106.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"9 Linear Metres (1m x 9)","offer_id":55820438962554,"sku":"MM017-10","price":119.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 Full Roll (1m x 25m)","offer_id":46062247444786,"sku":"MM017-02","price":220.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/jute_mulch_gardening_roll.jpg?v=1693314384"},{"product_id":"sheep-wool-garden-felt","title":"Sheep Wool Garden Felt","description":"\u003ch4\u003eWhat exactly can I use your 100% natural sheep wool garden felt for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe list is endless! Customers are always telling us about a new way they have used our sheep wool garden felt but here are a few of our favourite ways:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca title=\"Mulch Mulch Mulch blog\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/blogs\/blog\/mulch-mulch-mulch\"\u003e Mulching\u003c\/a\u003e areas of a garden or allotment for a ‘no-dig’ method of gardening\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCreating new beds without digging out turf by using the felt to cover areas of grass or weeds and topping it with compost\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUsing it when planting out a vegetable patch to protect against weeds, slugs and snail infestations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeeping delicate plants protected and warm in the winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTied around roots balls of trees to protect them when transplanted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCapillary matting in plant pots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAs a base layer for propagating seeds indoors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eUsing the sheep wool garden felt for mulching in ‘no dig’ gardening\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCover your required area with the 100% natural sheep wool gardening felt and, well, that’s it. The wool and jute combination will inhibit weed growth and will also retain water due to its hygroscopic qualities. The felt lasts about a year, over which time it will slowly compost down and release valuable nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphate into the soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWant to know more about the ‘no dig’ method of gardening? \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=NhKxC7oZQuo\" title=\"Charles Dowding demonstrates how to use garden felt from Chimney Sheep for no-dig gardening\"\u003eHave a look at how Charles Dowding uses our felt and jute. \u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eUsing the felt for developing new beds without digging\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is hard work digging out turfs to create a new bed. With the no-dig method, you don't need to!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo create a new bed, simply lay our garden felt onto the area of grass\/weeds and put a good thick layer of compost over the felt - then start planting. It really is as easy as that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe roots of the plants you sow will push through the felt, down into the soil. The wool and jute combination will smother the grass and weeds sufficiently enough so that they die back and rot away long before the wool felt composts down and releases its wonderful nutrients into the soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eUsing the sheep wool garden felt to protect vegetable patches against weeds, slugs and snail infestations\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll you have to do is lay the felt over the area you want protected and cut holes in the felt to pop the plants through. Bob’s your Uncle!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLots of our customers are commercial gardeners and horticulturalists who want to cultivate produce without using chemical weed control and our gardening felt does just that by smothering them. The texture of the wool is hated by slugs and snails so is great for keeping them at bay too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eUsing the felt to keep delicate plants warm and protected in the winter\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe garden felt can be used as a duvet (for plants, not people). You can wrap the felt round your pots to make a cosy home for the plants, layer it over the roots for a bit of extra warmth or go crazy and layer it over entire plants to keep them snug and warm during the winter!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eUsing the sheep wool garden felt to protect root balls when transplanting trees\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrees are delicate things, gentle giants really, and rely on the eco-system of fungi that develop around its root system. If they are transplanted without this support network it is difficult for them to extract all the nutrients they need, and can perish which is not what we want!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur 100% natural sheep wool garden felt can help with this. Place the tree or plant to be transplanted onto the biodegradable felt and cut a generous square that will comfortably wrap the entire root ball. Use jute or similar biodegradable twine to bind it all together, and plant the lot ensuring that the tree isn't planted deeper than the level of soil that it has started with. The felt will retain the soil it’s grown up in and won’t ‘shock’ it. The wool and jute will retain water to nourish the tree in its early days, and slowly biodegrade releasing valuable nutrients into the soil which will allow the roots to penetrate deeper into the surrounding soil as it grows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eUsing the felt as capillary matting\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCapillary matting is an excellent way of using water efficiently in the garden or greenhouse. Have you noticed that sometimes when you water your pots, the water gushes straight through? This is often worst with drier plants, exacerbating the problem since the water escapes rather than soaking into the soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you stand your pots on the natural felt, the matting absorbs the water that leaks out and with it being hygroscopic it will hold onto the water. The small holes in the base of the pot enable the moisture to slowly be reabsorbed back into the compost in the pot, ensuring that your plants get a steady supply of moisture rather than soaking-and-drying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eUsing the sheep wool garden felt to propagate seeds\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDid you ever grow cress on paper towels? If you haven’t you should give it a go, it’s fun! Growing seeds on large pieces of felt takes the process up a whole gear and gives your little seeds the perfect start to life!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant your seeds within the sheep wool felt and let them germinate and grow a little bit. Once they've grown a little bit, pull off the pieces of wool where the seed has grown and plant it outside! Or just plant the whole piece into a bed for instant cover.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"1 Linear Metre (1.8m x 1m)","offer_id":46063469363506,"sku":"SWG001-01","price":11.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 Linear Metres (1.8m x 2m)","offer_id":55814933479802,"sku":"SWG002-01","price":22.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 Linear Metres (1.8m x 3m)","offer_id":55814933512570,"sku":"SWG003-01","price":33.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"4 Linear Metres (1.8m x 4m)","offer_id":55814933545338,"sku":"SWG004-01","price":44.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 Linear Metres (1.8m x 5m)","offer_id":55814933578106,"sku":"SWG005-01","price":55.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"6 Linear Metres (1.8m x 6m)","offer_id":55814933610874,"sku":"SWG006-01","price":66.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"7 Linear Metres (1.8m x 7m)","offer_id":55814933643642,"sku":"SWG007-01","price":77.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"8 Linear Metres (1.8m x 8m)","offer_id":55814933676410,"sku":"SWG008-01","price":88.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"9 Linear Metres (1.8m x 9m)","offer_id":55814933709178,"sku":"SWG009-01","price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Full Roll (1.8m x 10m)","offer_id":46063469461810,"sku":"SWG001-02","price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/ChimneySheep_Garden_19.jpg?v=1691145454"},{"product_id":"sheep-wool-garden-fleece","title":"Sheep Wool Garden Fleece","description":"\u003ch4\u003eWhat does garden fleece do?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGarden fleece has been a garden staple for many years! For good reason too as it protects plants from a variety of things, yet still allows enough light penetration. Here are the advantages of using our garden fleece:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProtects plants against frost\u003c\/strong\u003e – when used to cover plants, our garden fleece will create a barrier between your plants and the frost, stopping the frost from killing your plants. This is particularly important for delicate and younger plants. We like to use it throughout the winter for this reason. We all know how unpredictable the British weather is, so we also like to use it in the Spring during our early planting to protect the young plants from any unexpected frosts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProtects against pests\u003c\/strong\u003e – garden fleece is highly effective in protecting against pests by acting as a physical barrier between them and your plants. We particularly like using it on our brassicas to keep cabbage white butterflies from laying eggs on them! \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/agro.icm.edu.pl\/agro\/element\/bwmeta1.element.agro-d0aff1d3-05d9-4a1c-b5af-91dc390dd66b\/c\/1.pdf\" title=\"Application of Sheep Wool report, ACTA\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eStudies have shown\u003c\/a\u003e that sheep wool can also deter deer due its 'sheepy' smell, so if you have a problem with deer then it's definitely worth using our garden fleece to drape over plants or trees to protect them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeeps plants warm\u003c\/strong\u003e – our garden fleece will also help to raise the temperature of plants when the sun shines all year round. This can be by about 2°C compared to uncovered plants in the sun and can advance maturity by about two weeks. With wool being naturally breathable, our garden felt will ensure that it doesn’t get too humid or hot for your plants. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow do I use it in my garden?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor wrapping potted plants, bushes and trees\u003c\/strong\u003e – when using the garden fleece to wrap up plants and trees, you need to make sure you get a piece that will cover the whole plant or tree so we suggest getting a piece slightly bigger than the area you need to cover. Then, all you need to do is use some garden twine or string to tie it up around the base or trunk of the plant. If the plant is quite tall it is also worth tying it in the middle too to ensure it is secure. When covering a potted plant, you can tuck the fleece underneath the pot which should act as an extra anchor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is your Sheep Wool Garden Fleece better versus traditional garden fleece? \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost traditional garden fleece products are made using polypropylene which isn’t a  sustainable material and isn't easily recyclable. Our garden fleece is made of 100% wool (ACTUAL fleece rather than synthetic fleece) which is sustainable (as sheep always need to be sheared!) and compostable. If you are using it across a plant bed, you can leave it to biodegrade down which will provide added nutrients to your soil. If you've used it and it is starting to look past its best, it can go on the compost heap or you can use it at the bottom of plant pots for roots to grow into and to retain water in the pot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWool also has lots of naturally occurring properties like being breathable and insulating which makes it perfect to use as garden fleece! We use wool in a few of our gardening products due to its brilliant properties. Why not have a look at them \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\" title=\"Gardening collection\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e?\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"1 Linear Metre (1.5m x 1m)","offer_id":46064285417778,"sku":"GP004-01","price":4.8,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 Linear Metres (1.5m x 2m)","offer_id":55818849091962,"sku":"GP004-06","price":9.6,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 Linear Metres (1.5m x 3m)","offer_id":55818849124730,"sku":"GP004-07","price":14.4,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"4 Linear Metres (1.5m x 4m)","offer_id":55818849157498,"sku":"RF-JGVT-M6XK","price":19.2,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 Linear Metres (1.5m x 5m)","offer_id":55818849190266,"sku":"GP004-08","price":24.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"6 Linear Metres (1.5m x 6m)","offer_id":55818849223034,"sku":"GP004-09","price":28.8,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"7 Linear Metres (1.5m x 7m)","offer_id":55818849255802,"sku":"GP004-10","price":33.6,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"8 Linear Metres (1.5m x 8m)","offer_id":55818849288570,"sku":"GP004-11","price":38.4,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"9 Linear Metres (1.5m x 9m)","offer_id":55818849321338,"sku":"GP004-12","price":43.2,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 Linear Metres (1.5m x 10m)","offer_id":55818849354106,"sku":"GP004-13","price":48.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/GardenJuly_61.jpg?v=1691146415"},{"product_id":"wool-mulch-shillies","title":"Wool Felt Mulch Shillies","description":"\u003ch4\u003eWhat are these felt garden mulch shillies made from?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese felt garden mulch shillies are made from 100% sheep’s wool which is totally biodegradable. Herdwick sheep’s wool to be precise! You can read more about how we source our wool \u003ca title=\"Operation Wool page\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/pages\/operation-wool\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur chimney draught excluders are made to fit flues of all shapes and sizes, meaning that we’re quite often left with lots of scrap Herdwick felt. We hate waste at \u003ca title=\"Chimney Sheep\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/chimney-sheep\"\u003eChimney Sheep\u003c\/a\u003e, so we cut the scraps into even smaller pieces and the result is a garden mulch that works brilliantly and bears a pleasing resemblance to the traditional slate shillies!  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat are the benefits of mulch?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca title=\"The benefits of mulching, Scotts website\" href=\"https:\/\/scotts.com\/en-us\/lawn-care-101\/the-benefits-of-mulching-how-to-pick-the-right-type-of-mulch-material.html\"\u003ebenefits of mulch are widespread\u003c\/a\u003e, both for domestic gardeners and widescale horticulturalists, farmers and foresters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are a few of the benefits of mulch:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConserves water\u003c\/strong\u003e – mulch conserves water by reducing water evaporation from the soil. Mulch allows water to permeate through it into the soil below. However, the barrier the mulch forms between soil and the air reduces the amount of water that evaporates off the soil’s surface. Studies of mulch in drought-prone countries have demonstrated how the water-saving properties of mulch improve crop growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNaturally suppresses weeds \u003c\/strong\u003e– using mulch to cover soil and compost where plants or crops are growing creates a natural barrier against weeds. The weeds don’t have access to light, can’t photosynthesise, and therefore perish and eventually rot away into the ground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReduces competition for water and nutrients\u003c\/strong\u003e – by reducing the number of weeds mulch ensures that there is less competition for plants. This means they can access more water and nutrients, helping them to grow more effectively! When looking at this in an agricultural context, using mulch reduces the large-scale use of herbicides which is beneficial both to the wider environment and us.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReduces temperature fluctuations\u003c\/strong\u003e – Mulch protects plant roots against temperature changes by acting as an insulator. They help to regulate soil temperature to keep plant roots cool in the summer and warm in the winter ensuring plants can continue to grow well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy do these felt garden mulch shillies make such great mulch?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGardening mulch is commonly used to enrich the soil around plants, by acting as a protective shield. Mulch can be made of cardboard, straw, bark chippings or it could be something like our \u003ca title=\"Gardening collection\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/gardening-products\"\u003ejute mulch mats\u003c\/a\u003e. Wool, however, is also a great mulch with so many naturally occurring properties that help to protect plants and ensure they stay strong and healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur shillies make a great mulch because they are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNaturally hygroscopic\u003c\/strong\u003e - Herdwick wool is naturally hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture and releases it slowly. Choosing a garden mulch with excellent moisture-retaining properties, therefore, reduces the need for you to water your plants as much in the summer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSnail \u0026amp; slug deterrent\u003c\/strong\u003e - the prickly surface of the wool does act as a natural slug repellent. They HATE the texture of the wool which means the greedy mollusks stay away. You can read more about how to use them to deter slug and snails below.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInsulating\u003c\/strong\u003e - Just as the \u003ca title=\"Chimney Sheep\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/chimney-sheep\"\u003eChimney Sheep\u003c\/a\u003e acts as an incredibly nifty draught-proofing solution for your home, the highly durable and insulating properties of Herdwick wool, can also help to barricade soil and balance extreme temperatures. This is particularly important for young, more delicate plants that need a bit of extra TLC when it's cold.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNaturally nutrient-dense\u003c\/strong\u003e – wool is naturally full of nitrogen, potassium and phosphate which helps with strong, healthy plant growth. As the wool biodegrades and composts down, these nutrients are released into the soil to benefit your plants!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow do I use these wool shillies?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe great thing about these shillies is that they can be used in pots for individual plants or across beds to protect a whole area. You will need approximately 1kg of felt shillies per 1 square metre of soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo use them on potted plants, just pile up the shillies around the base of the plant and across the diameter of the pot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor use on beds, spread them out across the whole area. If there are particular plants in the bed that need an extra bit of protection (delicate plants or ones that are vulnerable to slugs), ensure you give pile the wool shillies around the base of the plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you find that your shillies tend to blow away in the wind, you can water them in which will help to make them slightly weightier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur felt shillies are now packaged using recycled coffee sacks which can also be used in your garden. They could also be used as mulch, a bit like our \u003ca title=\"Jute Mulch Roll\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/jute-mulch-roll\"\u003ejute mulch roll\u003c\/a\u003e as they are completely biodegradable or to collect leaves in the autumn to create a rich leaf mulch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes wool garden mulch help to deter slugs and snails?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, the prickly surface of the wool does act as a natural slug repellent. However, to increase the felt shillies snail and slug repelling properties, we recommend that you also try this simple recipe for slug repelling garlic water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFirstly, crush and then boil two bulbs of garlic to a pulp, in two pints of water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSieve the mixture and then top it back up to two pints, using cold water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeave the mixture to cool and store in a container (e.g plastic milk container).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhen ready to use, dilute two tablespoons of the mixture per gallon of water and then pour it over your felt shillies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"1kg (Covers 1 Square Metre)","offer_id":46065031348530,"sku":"WF-1J6S-E2GQ","price":6.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"3kg (Covers 3 Square Metres)","offer_id":46065031381298,"sku":"CA028-01","price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/FeltShilliesLoose1500.jpg?v=1691147731"},{"product_id":"johnston-jeff-multi-species-nest-box","title":"Johnston \u0026 Jeff Multi Species Nest Box","description":"\u003ch4\u003eDo different species prefer different apertures of access hole?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes they do. This one has a 30mm diameter hole so it’s a versatile size that will suit a wide variety of birds. However if you want to target specific species then it’s possible to alter this. BTO has detailed information about how to make nest boxes suitable for a wide range of our native species. A 25mm hole will be suitable for blue tits, coal tits and marsh tits. They will use boxes with larger holes but there’s a risk they’ll be pushed out by larger, more dominant birds. If you want to adapt your box to be suitable for these species, you can use the detachable front panel as a template and cut a section of wood to the same dimensions, then bore a smaller hole.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGreat tits and tree sparrows select nest box openings that are 28mm or greater. According to the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.bto.org\" title=\"British Trust for Ornithology website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBTO\u003c\/a\u003e house sparrow and nuthatch select boxes with holes 32mm or greater. They know what they are talking about, they’ve been around since 1932. Some birders state that nuthatches and sparrows will go through the 30mm hole but if you want to be sure of making it suitable for these species then you can enlarge the hole a little.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes it matter about the shape of the open-fronted nest box?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe main thing is the size of the opening. If you are sure you want to attract robins, blackbirds, wrens and wagtails then select the open fronted bird box. However if you want to have the option of open or closed, then this style is ideal, especially if you are buying it for someone else. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Johnston \u0026 Jeff","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46065573593394,"sku":"MultiNestBox","price":12.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/MultinesterLarchcutout.jpg?v=1691150253"},{"product_id":"bird-box-with-nest-wool","title":"Bird Box with Nest Wool","description":"\u003ch4\u003eWhy is it important to provide bird boxes for wild birds?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a sad fact that \u003ca title=\"Is the number of birds in decline article, RSPB website\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/birds-and-wildlife\/advice\/how-you-can-help-birds\/where-have-all-the-birds-gone\/is-the-number-of-birds-in-decline\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ebirds are declining\u003c\/a\u003e in number in the UK, even species that we consider to be relatively common. There are many reasons for this but one of them is a reduction in suitable breeding sites. They’re pretty clever at finding secret out of the way places but these are becoming scarcer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a nation, we’re very generous with our bird food, and we love seeing them in the garden, but they also need the right places to nest. You can make all the difference to your local bird population by putting up a range of nest boxes. We’ve put a few in our fields as part of our \u003ca title=\"Buy Land Plant Trees page\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/pages\/buy-land-plant-trees\"\u003eBuy Land Plant Trees\u003c\/a\u003e project and they have been very popular!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat species of bird is the Bird Box suitable for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis bird nest box is a versatile “multi-nester” design, suitable for a range of bird species. It has a 30mm diameter opening that makes it suitable for most tit species, sparrows, nuthatches, redstarts and flycatchers. To make it even more versatile the top panel can be removed to convert it into an open-fronted nest box making it suitable for robins, blackbirds, wrens, and wagtails (or buy our special \u003ca title=\"Johnston \u0026amp; Jeff Robin \u0026amp; Blackbird Nest Box\" href=\"johnston-jeff-robin-and-blackbird-nest-box\"\u003eRobin and Blackbird open fronted nest box\u003c\/a\u003e!).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy include wool with the Bird Box?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you’ve ever seen a bird’s nest you will know that they are beautiful structures with the body of the nest carefully woven together then lined with soft materials like moss, feathers and wool. Providing a bag of wool gives them a ready supply of nest lining material and encourages them to use the Bird Box. You can put the wool into a \u003ca title=\"Johnston \u0026amp; Jeff Hanging Bird Feeder\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/johnston-jeff-hanging-bird-feeder\"\u003ewire mesh bird feeder\u003c\/a\u003e for the birds to peck bits out and line their nests with or just dot it around your garden and let them discover it. If you run out, don’t worry! We sell \u003ca title=\"Herdwick Sheep Wool\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/herdwick-sheep-wool-1kg\"\u003erefill packs of wool\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can also encourage birds to use the nest box by hanging out a variety of bird food close by such as peanuts, sunflower seeds and fat balls. You could even put out one of our \u003ca title=\"Johnston \u0026amp; Jeff Ground Bird Feeder\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/johnston-jeff-ground-bird-feeder\"\u003eGround Feeder Sanctuaries\u003c\/a\u003e for all those ground feeding bird species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhere should I put the Bird Box?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst of all, make sure it’s in a good location that won’t be disturbed. It can be fixed to a tree, shed, post – anything that’s discreet and out of the way. Birds are clever at going in and out of the nest box just when no-one’s looking. Think about how you use your garden and whether the place you’re putting it is going to be disturbed when you go to hang out the laundry or do garden chores for example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s also very important to make sure it’s not somewhere that can easily be accessed by predators, particularly cats. If you’re fixing it to a shed, for example, make sure the cat can’t just sit on the roof or garden wall and take up a passion for ornithology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou want to make sure that you don’t put the nest box too high up. \u003ca title=\"Wildlife World Bat Box\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/wildlife\/products\/wildlife-world-bat-box\"\u003eBat boxes\u003c\/a\u003e need to be as high as you can get them, which can be tricky, but most small bird species tend to nest nearer to cover from shrubs and bushy trees so having the box near this sort of cover is ideal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf there isn’t a suitable location in your own garden then think about other locations that might be better suited to being used by wild birds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes the nest box need to be cleaned out?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe nest box has a removable panel at the front which means the box can be easily cleaned out after the birds have finished nesting. We find that with our own nest boxes the old nesting material tends to decompose over the year, and each spring the birds come and replenish it. So they don’t need too much maintenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, over time they can get filled up so it’s a good idea to empty them out every few years. Remember, if there are any unhatched eggs remaining, they can only be removed between 1st August and 31st January. (\u003ca title=\"Wildlife \u0026amp; Countryside Act 1981, Legislation.gov.uk website\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/ukpga\/1981\/69\/contents\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eWildlife \u0026amp; Countryside Act 1981\u003c\/a\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46372930617650,"sku":"ZW-ZQ69-F0M2","price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/Multi-Nest_Bird_Box_with_100g_Natural_Herdwick_Wool.jpg?v=1692705974"},{"product_id":"johnston-jess-classic-bird-nest-box","title":"Johnston \u0026 Jeff Classic Bird Nest Box","description":"\u003ch4\u003eWhat species of bird is the Classic Nest Box suitable for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Classic Nest Box has a hole with a diameter of 30mm. This makes it suitable for a wide range of birds, including tits, sparrows, nuthatches, redstarts and flycatchers. It has a hole in the back so it can be easily fixed using a single nail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhere should the nest box be erected?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt can be fixed to a tree, shed, post – anything that’s in a discreet out of the way place. Birds are clever at going in and out of the nest box just when no-one’s looking, but it’s got to be somewhere where they’re not going to be disturbed. Think about how you use your garden and whether the place you’re putting it is going to be disturbed when you go to hang out the laundry or do garden chores for example. And it’s very important to make sure it’s not somewhere that can easily be accessed by predators, particularly cats. If you’re fixing it to a shed for example, make sure the cat can’t just sit on the roof or garden wall and take up a passion for ornithology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you have access to wild areas then this is ideal. Sadly most of our British species of bird are on the decline at the moment, and one of the reasons for this is a loss of suitable breeding spaces. We spend billions on wild bird food in this country which is great because it means by adapting and moving to gardens as a feeding habitat, \u003ca title=\"Nature communications website\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-019-10111-5\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eit provides birds with a chance to survive\u003c\/a\u003e. However having suitable places to nest and breed are equally important, and that’s where putting up nest boxes comes in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow high should the Classic Nest Box be erected?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt can be a mistake to put a nest box too high up. Bat boxes need to be as high as you can get them, which can be tricky, but most small bird species tend to nest nearer to cover from shrubs and bushy trees so having the box near this sort of cover is ideal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan the Classic Nest Box be painted?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt doesn’t need to be painted since it’s treated with a water-based stain to preserve the wood for longer. However it can be fun to paint bird boxes and it’s a way of engaging children with an interest in wildlife. The bird box can be painted with non-toxic paints. It’s best to use colours that won’t alert predators to the presence of the box, so nice camouflage colours work best.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes the Classic Nest Box need to be cleaned out?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe nest box has a panel at the front so it can be unscrewed and old nesting material removed. What I find with my own nest boxes is that old nesting material tends to decompose over the year, and each spring the birds come and replenish it. So they don’t need too much maintenance. However over time they can get filled up so it’s a good idea to empty them out every few years. Remember, if there are any unhatched eggs remaining, they can only be removed between 1st August and 31st January. (\u003ca title=\"Legislation.gov.uk website\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/ukpga\/1981\/69\/contents\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eWildlife \u0026amp; Countryside Act 1981\u003c\/a\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow can birds be encouraged to use the nest box?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst of all make sure it’s in a good location that won’t be disturbed. If there isn’t a suitable location in your own garden then think about other locations that might be better suited to being used by wild birds. Encourage wild birds by hanging out a variety of bird foods. Finally, you can help them make their nests nice and snug by hanging out a bag of sheep wool for them to line their nests with.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Johnston \u0026 Jeff","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46065659380018,"sku":"ClassicNestBox","price":10.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/ClassicLarchcutout.jpg?v=1695737194"},{"product_id":"johnston-jeff-robin-and-blackbird-nest-box","title":"Johnston \u0026 Jeff Robin and Blackbird Nest Box","description":"\u003ch4\u003eWhere should the open fronted nest box be located?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese birds normally select low-down nesting areas so try to erect this open fronted nest box between 30cm and 1m from the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlackbirds and robins, in particular, may seem like quite tame garden birds but when it comes to raising their young they want somewhere that’s discreet. It’s tempting to put a birdbox somewhere where it can easily be observed, but this means it’s less likely to be used by the birds. It will need to somewhere where there is lots of sheltered undergrowth. Think of places where there is dense ivy or tucked into thick shrubs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLow-nesting birds are particularly vulnerable to predators, especially cats so try to locate the box somewhere that’s safe from predators in a private spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy is it important to provide bird boxes for birds that nest low to the ground?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRobins and blackbirds seem like the commonest of garden species, yet all of our wild birds need help because even the most common of bird species are \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.bto.org\/our-science\/publications\/developing-bird-indicators\" title=\"Developing Bird Indicators, BTO website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003edeclining in numbers in the UK\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s all well and good providing food (which of course is very important) but one of their other greatest threats is loss of habitat, and with that loss of suitable breeding sites due to decreased woodland and hedgerow areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can make all the difference to your local bird population by putting up a range of nest boxes, like our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/johnston-jess-classic-bird-nest-box\" title=\"Johnston \u0026amp; Jeff Classic Nest Box\"\u003eClassic Nest Box\u003c\/a\u003e. We’ve put a good variety in our fields as part of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/pages\/buy-land-plant-trees\" title=\"Buy Land Plant Trees page\"\u003eBuy Land Plant Trees\u003c\/a\u003e project and they have been very popular with our local birds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow can I attract these birds to use the open fronted nest box?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuite simply – food and nesting materials!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRobins, blackbirds and wrens like to eat suet and mealworms. Fat balls are made of suet and they love them! Most birds that like nesting close to the ground are ground feeders so you can crumble  fat balls on to our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/johnston-jeff-ground-bird-feeder\" title=\"Johnston \u0026amp; Jeff Ground Bird Feeder\"\u003eground feeder\u003c\/a\u003e to let them feed safely. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can put out some nesting materials like our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/herdwick-sheep-wool-1kg\" title=\"Herdwick Sheep Wool\"\u003ebird nest wool\u003c\/a\u003e in the spring which they can use to line their nests to make them snug and warm.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Johnston \u0026 Jeff","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46065712202034,"sku":"2P-HLNL-SF64","price":10.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/RobinLarchcutout.jpg?v=1691150749"},{"product_id":"metal-hanging-basket","title":"Rowan Metal Hanging Basket","description":"\u003cp\u003eHow do I use my metal hanging basket?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFirst of all ensure you've a hook secured to the wall or fence you wish to hang your basket from. You'll need that later!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLine your hanging basket with a hanging basket liner. Ensure you pick a size that corresponds to the diameter of your hanging basket. We'd strongly recommend choosing something natural such as our jute hanging basket liners. They're biodegradable, absorbent and breathable, making them an excellent choice for most plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFill your lined hanging basket loosely with compost. It's a good idea to pick a compost that has good nitrate content, such as our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/dalefoot-peat-free-wool-compost\" title=\"Dalefoot Peat Free Wool Compost\"\u003e100% natural organic sheep's wool compost\u003c\/a\u003e. Nitrates are essential for plant growth and strength, so it makes sense to give your precious plant an ample supply!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMake a hole in the centre and gently pot your plant as per its planting instructions. Ensure you gently firm it into place so it's nice and secure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhy not sprinkle a few \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/3-5l-sheep-wool-pellets\" title=\"Sheep Wool Pellets\"\u003ewool pellets\u003c\/a\u003e on top of the compost? They're excellent natural slug repellent, and they're fabulous at storing water - ensuring your plant stays hydrated between top ups.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHang up your basket and enjoy!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce your plants have finished flowering simply empty the basket carefully, taking time to detangle the roots. You can then separate the plants and re-pot them. If you do this, you're able to hang different varieties of plants depending on the season, and as a bonus, will have some lovely potted plants ready for next year!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSeasonal hanging basket ideas:\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHanging baskets aren't just for summer! Spruce up your planters year round with a variety of different plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSpring flowers?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpt for a basket full of yellow Daffodils, or pastel purple Crocuses!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhy not curate your basket with some spring greenery? Add a few bulbs of Allium or Dill to break up the wall of colour.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWant a summer bloom?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGo bright and bold! Choose a variety of brightly coloured Marigolds, Petunias, Lilacs and Hibiscus. You've all the colours of the rainbow to choose from for a vibrant summer basket.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhy not think ahead to the summer heatwaves and pop a layer of protective shillies on top - keep the water in the soil where it should be!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAutumn colours\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLook no further than Crocosmia, Sedum or Aster. Not only do these plants have a wonderful colour palette, they're resistant to the channging autumn temperatures too.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou could also try a mini-tree hanging basket. Take advantage of those beautiful changing leaves and hang a little dwarf Japanese Maple and admire those colours. (Don't forget to pot your tree after you're finished!)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCheer-up winter basket\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDreary cold weather? Don't despair. Winter flowering Lavender, Pansies and Snowdrops will still happily bloom. They're perfect for a cheery winter basket! \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorried about harsh frost? Keep a warm layer to hand such as our sheep's wool garden fleece. Simply give your basket a woolly jacket in preparation for those extra cold days of midwinter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy do you sell metal hanging baskets?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHanging baskets are widely available, you'll find them lining the shelves of most garden or DIY centres - they're pretty easy to get a hold of really. But, nearly all baskets available in shops or online contain plastic (even the wooden ones)! It's actually incredibly tricky to get your hands on a hanging planter that's entirely plastic-free - which is why we added one to our range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough wooden or plastic hanging planters do the job, they're just not of the same caliber as a crafted metal hanging basket. Wooden ones tend to break down after a couple of uses and plastic ones, well...they're made of plastic!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoiding plastic is also one of the kindest things you can do for the environment. Our constant use of plastic products has led to all kinds of biological disasters. From plastic pollution in the ocean physically harming aquatic wildlife, to 'biodegradable' plastics leaching microplastics into the water table and food chain. Plastic is everywhere and it doesn't seem to be going away any time soon. So, why not ditch the plastic garden products in favour of the crafted metal kind?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur hanging baskets are made entirely of metal, with a readily recyclable powder paint coating. So, no tacky plastic cover, making these metal hanging planters entirely plastic-free!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.azahner.com\/blog\/metal-sustainability\" title=\"Metal Sustainability, Azahner website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMetal is a fantastically eco-conscious choice\u003c\/a\u003e.  Not only is it easy to recycle, it's also incredibly strong and durable. It's perfect for hanging planters you can use again and again. Remember, re-using is one of the most environmental choices you can make, so pick gardening products you can use year in, year out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow long will my hanging baskets last?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges! You should be able to use them for several years. We chose these particular planters because they're easy to re-use. If you choose to pop a single season plant in there, you can simply remove and compost the plant, leaving the basket ready to use next season. We particularly like this variety of hanging basket because of the powder paint coat - it's less likely to crack than plastic coated options. If your metal hanging basket does eventually perish, it's incredibly easy just to pop it into your home metal recycling.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rowan Gardening Accessories","offers":[{"title":"12\"","offer_id":46065752375602,"sku":"MHB001","price":3.6,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"14\"","offer_id":46065752408370,"sku":"MHB002","price":4.8,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"16\"","offer_id":46065752441138,"sku":"MHB003","price":6.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/HangingBasketMediumEmpty.jpg?v=1693314549"},{"product_id":"sheep-wool-nesting-material-100g","title":"Sheep Wool Nesting Material 100g","description":"\u003ch4\u003eHow to use Sheep Wool nest material\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePut the wool in a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/johnston-jeff-hanging-bird-feeder\" title=\"Johnston \u0026amp; Jeff Hanging Bird Feeder\"\u003emetal mesh bird feeder\u003c\/a\u003e so birds don't get tangled in net mesh. You can put it in one of those spiral ones, well any suitable dispenser really, but if it’s too easy to get at you may find it disappears a bit too rapidly when the jackdaws find out about it. Never mind, they need nice soft nests too and you can always get some more! Ask us if you want to buy larger quantities of it. We gathered up a lot of Herdwick wool in the autumn so there’s plenty to go round. Read more about Operation Wool \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/blogs\/blog\/operation-wool-goes-large\" title=\"Operation Wool Goes Large blog\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDon’t put wool directly into nest boxes to try and encourage birds in. If birds want to nest in the box then they’ll build the nest the way they want it. I’ve heard of birds getting tangled in wool when it’s put in the box so let them sort it out for themselves. The Herdwick wool is a bit shorter than posh wool so it’s less likely to tangle birds up. And it’s a perfectly natural material, birds select it from fields and fences in the wild, so this way you’re making it more available to them and having the pleasure of watching them use it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBirds start building their nests from early February onwards. Put the wool out between early February and mid April. If the wool isn't all used up then bring it in and keep it for the following year. Hang it somewhere where the birds can have a good peck at it without being at risk from predators, especially cats. You can leave some bits on the ground for species like robins, blackbirds and wrens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhere does the sheep wool nest material come from?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wool is from \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/pages\/operation-wool\" title=\"Operation Wool\"\u003eHerdwick Sheep\u003c\/a\u003e that are almost entirely exclusive to the E\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.lakedistrict.gov.uk\" title=\"Lake District National Park website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003english Lake District\u003c\/a\u003e. They are a hardy breed and stay out in the mountains all year round. Their wool is course and wiry, which is why it’s perfect for making our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/chimney-sheep\" title=\"Chimney Sheep\"\u003eChimney Sheep chimney draught excluders\u003c\/a\u003e. We buy tonnes of wool directly from local farmers. It all goes to Yorkshire to be professionally scoured, or thoroughly cleaned. Sheep are mucky creatures who delight in rolling around in mud and getting caught in gorse and stuff so it’s best to have their wool cleaned in the proper facilities. The lanolin is extracted and used for a variety of purposes (such as cosmetics and even pet food). The muck is used for fertiliser. The bits of wool that are washed out with poo and dirt in it is made into pellets that make brilliant mulch with slug deterring properties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan the sheep wool nest material be used for domestic birds?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wool is clean and lanolin free, so as long as this is what suits your birds then yes, it’s fine.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46065803723058,"sku":"NestWool","price":3.6,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/Raw_Herdwick_Wool_in_Hammertone_Fatball_Feeder_02.jpg?v=1692705759"},{"product_id":"johnston-jeff-ground-bird-feeder","title":"Johnston \u0026 Jeff Ground Bird Feeder","description":"\u003ch4\u003eWhere should I put this Ground Bird Feeder Sanctuary?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe great thing about this Ground Bird Feeder Sanctuary is you can put it anywhere in the garden! On your lawn, nestled in a flowerbed – basically anywhere flat. We love having it so we can see it out the window and watch all those little ground-feeding birds fill their boots. It never fails to lift the spirits!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat food can I use in this Ground Bird Feeder Sanctuary?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can use any bird feed! We particularly like using peanuts and sunflower hearts for birds which are both tasty, high energy and full of lots of vitamins, minerals, healthy oils and protein. You can also crumble fat balls in the little tray for an extra special treat!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMake sure, once you’ve started putting food and water out for the birds, that you continue throughout the year (yes, winter too!). They come to rely on you and will even learn your feeding routines. You can learn more about what to feed birds safely on the \u003ca title=\"Johnston \u0026amp; Jeff website\" href=\"https:\/\/johnstonandjeff.co.uk\/wild-birds\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eJohnston \u0026amp; Jeff website\u003c\/a\u003e or from the \u003ca title=\"Feeding birds article, RSPB website\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/birds-and-wildlife\/advice\/how-you-can-help-birds\/feeding-birds\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRSPB\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat bird species are ground feeders?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrushes, wrens, chaffinches, dunnocks, blackbirds, house sparrows and robin are all ground feeding birds which means they mostly scour for insects and other forms of sustenance from the soil. They are the types of birds you see hopping around your back garden on the grass, having a good old peck into the soil. The ‘early birds that catch the worms’!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow else can I help wild birds in my garden?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the reasons lots of birds and other wildlife are under threat is because of loss of habitat. This can be helped by providing them places to live and nest! We have a \u003ca title=\"Wildlife\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/wildlife\"\u003eselection of bird boxes\u003c\/a\u003e which make the perfect little places for birds. Our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/johnston-jeff-robin-and-blackbird-nest-box\" title=\"Johnston \u0026amp; Jeff Robin and Blackbird Nest Box\"\u003eRobin and Blackbird Open Fronted Nest Box\u003c\/a\u003e is a great one to pair with our Ground Bird Feeder Sanctuary because Robins are lovely little ground feeders! To help birds make their nest boxes super cosy, place some of our sheep wool nesting material in your garden and watch them slowly transport it into the nest boxes to make a cosy nest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a topic we are really passionate about here at Chimney Sheep. We’re trying to do our bit at Chimney Sheep by rewilding local land through our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/pages\/buy-land-plant-trees\" title=\"Buy Land Plant Trees\"\u003eBuy Land Plant Trees\u003c\/a\u003e initiative to try and help create habitat for lots of wildlife species!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Johnston \u0026 Jeff","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46065832853810,"sku":"HFW003","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/GroundFeederSanctuaryFilled.jpg?v=1691151854"},{"product_id":"3-5l-sheep-wool-pellets","title":"Sheep Wool Pellets 3.5L","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese sheep wool pellets are a combination of wool and muck, pressed into pellet form.  Sheep wool pellets have traditionally been used by organic gardeners as slug deterrents. They can put them off a bit but a \u003ca title=\"Gastropod barriers article, RHS website\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rhs.org.uk\/science\/plant-health-in-gardens\/entomology\/rhs-projects-on-plant-pests\/gastropod-barriers-experiment\" target=\"_blank\"\u003estudy by the RHS\u003c\/a\u003e found that wool pellets weren't all that successful. We find that the best and most brilliant use of these pellets is instead of water absorbent crystals. The commercial ones are made of polyacrylamide - read a bit more about it \u003ca title=\"The difference between potting soil and potting mix, The Spruce website\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thespruce.com\/difference-between-potting-soil-potting-mix-847812\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e if you're interested. I found one article that said they were benign and one that said they were carcinogenic. Anyway, these sheep wool pellets are completely natural, in fact use a waste product, and will absorb water, slowly releasing it back into the basket as the surrounding soil dries out. The wool pellets can hold 1.5 times their weight in water. They slowly biodegrade, releasing valuable nutrients into the soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can also use them as a dense, nutrient rich mulch. Our \u003ca title=\"Mulch Shillies\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/mulch-shillies\"\u003efelt shillies\u003c\/a\u003e will go further but these will provide more nutrients and mulch combined if you really want to spoil your plants!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust to be clear about how much is in a pack: the volume is 3.5 litres, and the weight is 2.0kg. They are weirdly dense for sheep wool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat are the nutrients in the organic sheep wool pellets?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe contents are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrganic NK fertilizer 11-5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003etotal nitrogen: 11% N\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epotassium oxide: 5% K20\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003etotal sulphur: 2% S\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eorganic substance: 85%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs this is a natural product, the values given may vary slightly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat can organic sheep wool pellets be used for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e100% untreated organic sheep's wool pellets provide long lasting mulch and soil improver. The pellets contain valuable nutrients that are slowly released to plants. They can absorb and store 1.5 times their own weight in water. This makes them perfect for hanging baskets, planters and window boxes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pellets can also be used as mulch to prevent weed competition, increase water retention in the soil, and protect delicate roots from temperature fluctuations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, the pellets have been shown to have some slug and snail repelling properties as they don’t like sliding over the prickly surface of the wool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow good are sheep wool pellets at deterring slugs and snails?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou'll notice that we don't try to claim amazing slug deterring properties for our sheep wool pellets! Anecdotal evidence indicates that if there's a hosta with a border of pellets, and a hosta that's completely unprotected, the slugs will take the easy route. The coarse fibres in the wool are uncomfortable for them to slither over. But, think like a hungry slug. If there's nothing else to eat but a lush and delicious hosta, and there's a boundary that's a bit uncomfortable to climb over, if you're hungry enough you'll endure the discomfort and go for the hostas. I guess you worry about the return trip later when you're nice and full.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow can you stop slugs and snails from devouring your garden plants?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are beasts. But, we've had some success with the Holeless Hosta recipe from RHS at \u003ca title=\"Holehird Gardens website\" href=\"https:\/\/holehirdgardens.org.uk\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eHolehird\u003c\/a\u003e. Make a decoction out of garlic and sprinkle this over the \u003ca title=\"Mulch Shillies\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/mulch-shillies\"\u003efelt shillies\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca title=\"Mulch Shillies\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/mulch-shillies\"\u003e,\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eseems to work best.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are various other options but my tried and tested is to go out with a torch at night and collect up bagfuls (up to you what you do with the bags of slugs) (but remember they are homing slugs if you're relocating them). Also, find plants they don't eat. And encourage the slug and snail eating wildlife in your garden, like hedgehogs and thrushes. Just please please whatever you do don't put poisonous slug pellets down. I won't post the video of the dying hedgehog writhing in agony after eating poisoned slugs, but trust me, it's traumatic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow to encourage hedgehogs in the garden\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHedgehogs need all the help they can get, as they are becoming more scarce in the UK. They like wild untidy parts of the garden so keep some unkept sections if you can. They need somewhere to hibernate, and such a lot of cover dies back in the winter so it's a good idea to put out a \u003ca title=\"Hedgehog House\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/johnston-jeff-hedgehog-house\"\u003ehedgehog house\u003c\/a\u003e for them. We put out a pile of straw in the autumn and it's fun to watch it disappear in a messy trail into the hedgehog house as Mrs Hog makes her hibernation nest perfect. They have a large range and will need the size of more than one garden to meet their ecological requirements. If your garden is fenced then you can create a little hedgehog sized gap so they can get through to your neighbours and increase the area they have access to.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46065838981426,"sku":"MM016","price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/SheepPellets2.jpg?v=1757424590"},{"product_id":"johnston-jeff-hanging-fat-ball-feeder","title":"Hammertone Hanging Fat Ball Feeder","description":"\u003ch4\u003eWhat makes this hanging fat ball feeder so brilliant?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe don’t like to compromise on quality when it comes to keeping our local wildlife happy and our hanging fat ball feeder is no exception. It’s been carefully designed to hold the balls firmly in place to make for easy pecking by your feathered friends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is 30cm in length which means it can hold 5-6 fat balls at once which means more food for the birds and less refilling for you!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMade with cast iron and other strong, safe materials, this feeder really is the best of the best in terms of quality. It can also be disassembled for easy cleaning to prevent the spread of diseases. The whole thing is rust-resistant and can be hung outside all year round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can also use a bird table to serve fat balls - just crumble them on and let your feathered friends peck away!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhere shall I put my hanging fat ball feeder?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBe careful where you hang your fat ball feeder to keep potential predators at bay. Ideally, they should be hung from tall, thin strong poles which cats can’t climb, around two metres away from bushes or trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhich fat balls should I use?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe would always recommend using high energy fat balls which are made by Johnston \u0026amp; Jeff. They contain everything a wild bird needs to stay fit and healthy – good fats, natural minerals, protein, fibre and most importantly no cheap bulking agents, Johnston \u0026amp; Jeff monitor and test all the ingredients they use to make certain they are safe. They clean all their raw materials to a purity level of 99.9% to ensure no contamination with fungal toxins. They also don’t come wrapped in wasteful plastic nets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, if you have found another brand you and the birds like and they do have net bags around them, don’t forget to remove them before you put them inside the feeder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I use the hanging fat ball feeder for anything else?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot only is our hanging fat ball feeder the perfect way to provide healthy, nutritious food for wild birds, it can also be used to help them make their nests warm and cosy too! Add a bag of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/sheep-wool-nesting-material-100g\" title=\"Sheep Wool Nesting Material\"\u003esheep wool nest material\u003c\/a\u003e to your order and stuff it inside a feeder so your feathered friends can collect it and make a snuggly nest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow can I help the wild birds stay healthy?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMake sure you clean and disinfect all your wild bird feeders regularly, so the flocks of visitors stay fit and well. When you do this, empty away any uneaten food so it can’t accumulate at the bottom of the mesh tube.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can also add variety to your bird feed, for example putting out sunflower hearts and peanuts in a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/johnston-jeff-hanging-bird-feeder\" title=\"Johnston \u0026amp; Jeff Hanging Bird Feeder\"\u003ehanging bird feeder\u003c\/a\u003e for them to peck at. Some birds don’t like to feed from hanging bird feeders, so our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/johnston-jeff-ground-bird-feeder\" title=\"Johnston \u0026amp; Jeff Ground Bird Feeder\"\u003eground bird feeder\u003c\/a\u003e offers a great alternative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhatever way you decide to feed your local wild birds, once you’ve established a bird feeding routine, stick with it. They’ll learn to look out for fresh supplies of food and water and come to rely on you. You can learn more about what to feed birds safely on the Johnston \u0026amp; Jeff \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/johnstonandjeff.co.uk\/wild-birds\/\" title=\"Johnston \u0026amp; Jeff website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ewebsite\u003c\/a\u003e or from the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/birds-and-wildlife\/advice\/how-you-can-help-birds\/feeding-birds\/\" title=\"Feeding birds article, RSPB website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRSPB\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow else can I keep the wildlife in my garden happy and thriving?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are all sorts of things you can do but one of the best and simplest things is to provide them with safe little homes! Loss of habitat and therefore loss of safe places to nest and breed is one of the biggest threats to our wildlife here in the UK.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have a great selection of homes for birds like our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/wildlife\/products\/bird-box-with-nest-wool\" title=\"Bird Box with nesting wool\"\u003ebird box with nesting wool\u003c\/a\u003e and our special \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/johnston-jeff-robin-and-blackbird-nest-box\" title=\"Robin and Blackbird Nest Box\"\u003erobin and blackbird open-fronted nesting box\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBirds aren’t the only garden wildlife we can help though! We also have a range of homes for \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/johnston-jeff-hedgehog-house\" title=\"Johnston \u0026amp; Jeff Hedgehog House\"\u003ehedgehogs\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/wildlife-world-bat-box\" title=\"Wildlife World Bat Box\"\u003ebats\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/aries-insect-hotel\" title=\"Aries Insect Hotel\"\u003einsects\u003c\/a\u003e too.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Johnston \u0026 Jeff","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46065853169970,"sku":"EY-AN57-D8WP","price":10.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/30cmHammertoneFatBallFeederFINAL.jpg?v=1691152524"},{"product_id":"herdwick-sheep-wool-1kg","title":"Herdwick Sheep Wool","description":"\u003cp\u003eNatural Herdwick sheep wool is an incredible material. It's a natural biodegradable substance with a multitude of uses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSo what makes Herdwick sheep wool so good?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSheep wool has some amazing properties - unlike what you can find in synthetic materials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirstly it is incredibly hygroscopic - meaning it can absorb significant amounts of water without becoming significantly wet or heavy - this makes it a fantastic gardening material as raw wool is able to hold a large quantity of water compared to its raw weight - placing a little on top of plants can ensure they have sufficient water to grow well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is also rich in nitrates and other nutrients - when wool biodegrades down it releases lots of minerals including nitrates - these are essential to encourage plant growth!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's 100% natural and biodegradable - unlike many synthetic products you can be rest assured if you use this in your garden or home it contains no plastics, chemicals or other nasties - also when you're done with it you can be sure it will simply degrade away, and not end up in our oceans or land fills!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWool is a great insulator, draught stopper and sound proofer - wool is a fantastic absorber, it absorbs the energy from sound waves helping to dampen sound. It physically blocks draughts - we use wool every day to produce our very effective \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/chimney-sheep\" title=\"Chimney Sheep\"\u003eChimney Sheep\u003c\/a\u003e! It also traps air in between its fibres helping to keep warmth in homes, and preventing heat escape via conduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWool absorbs chemicals - by using wool in your home you are helping to reduce the number of chemical nasties present in your day to day life - wool has been shown to be a very efficient absorber of chemical gases such as formaldehyde and others which may be present in glues, plastic and electrical equipment around your home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWool is a fantastic carbon store\u003c\/strong\u003e, the processes used to grow and produce wool mean that wool is loaded with carbon dioxide that would otherwise be in the atmosphere - in fact carbon makes up to 50% of the weight of wool!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow much Herdwick Sheep Wool do you get in the pack?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWool isn't very heavy so a kilo is quite a lot. We squash it into a box that's 27cm x 41cm x 28cm. That's about 0.03 of a cubic metre. We do more than just the one kilo now, with our largest 7kg box measuring 77cm x 50cm x 50cm - the rest are somewhere in between, but since we try and reuse boxes where we can, we can't be sure what size box they will come in. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat can Herdwick Sheep Wool be used for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWool is amazingly versatile stuff. It's a brilliant replacement for moss in hanging baskets. Moss is taken from forests and shipped in from places as far afield as Chile. Wool holds moisture and delivers nutrients as it slowly biodegrades. It’s the perfect replacement for moss! And our 1kg box will do a lot of baskets. While you’re in the garden it also works as an excellent biodegradable mulch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs you know there are a whole load of products that are made from wool for heat and sound insulation. But the wool on its own can be used for all kinds of things such as poking into gaps around your home or using as sound absorption in various applications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI love hearing about all the crafty uses that skilful artists use it for. Spinning, needle felting, wet felting, as a filler for soft toys, cushions and door draught excluders…the wool contains a lovely range of natural colours and textures that can be used in all kinds of imaginative ways. In fact please send us pictures of your projects, we’d love to show them off on Facebook!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother amazing property of wool is that it absorbs VOC’s from the air. VOC’s are emitted by all kinds of household products from nail varnish remover to cleaning products to varnishes and things that give off that “new” smell. These have serious health implications. The molecules in the VOC’s bind permanently to the wool fibres. The wool effectively cleans the air around your home, in your car or place of work or education. We are sure you can come up with other clever uses of wool!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy this wool?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur wool in particular is sourced directly from farmers in the Lake District, it's completely Herdwick Sheep wool - it has no added chemicals and has simply been washed, so it's nice and clean ready for use! All our wool is sourced from farmers we know - it's local , and hasn't travelled very far - it's even scoured (washed) in nearby Yorkshire - so this wool hasn't even travelled out of North England!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"1kg","offer_id":55218705072506,"sku":"RR-5SD9-K2VY","price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2kg","offer_id":55218705105274,"sku":"NHSW001-02","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"3kg","offer_id":55218705138042,"sku":"NHSW001-03","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"5kg","offer_id":55218705170810,"sku":"NHSW001-05","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"7kg","offer_id":55218705203578,"sku":"NHSW001-07","price":50.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/Herdwick_Wool_1KG_Seperate_2048.jpg?v=1746777578"},{"product_id":"johnston-jeff-hanging-bird-feeder","title":"Johnston \u0026 Jeff Hanging Bird Feeder","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes this hanging bird feeder so brilliant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe don’t like to compromise on quality when it comes to keeping our local wildlife happy and our hanging bird feeder is no exception – it really is the best of the best! We LOVE using it in our gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur hanging bird feeder has a diamond-shaped mesh design which means that the bigger birds can’t steal all the nuts and seeds, ensuring that even your littlest winged visitors get a good feast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sturdy bird feeder also has a carbon steel fitted lid and base which has been designed to let rainwater drain away, while the powder-coated mesh and stainless steel handle are robust with no sharp edges. The whole thing is rust-resistant and can be hung outside all year round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere shall I put my hanging bird feeder?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIdeally, you want to hang your bird feeder on top of some kind of tall thin pole so that cats can’t climb up it and prey on the birds when they are feeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou also want to ensure it is a couple of metres away from trees and bushes so that predators can’t hide in the hope of catching your feathered friends!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow can I help the wild birds stay healthy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMake sure you clean and disinfect all your wild bird feeders regularly, so the flocks of visitors stay fit and well. You also want to empty away any uneaten food so it can’t accumulate at the bottom of the mesh tube.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can also add variety to your bird feed, for example putting fat balls out for them to peck at too. Some birds don’t like to feed from hanging bird feeders, so our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/johnston-jeff-ground-bird-feeder\" title=\"Johnston \u0026amp; Jeff Ground Bird Feeder\"\u003eground bird feeder\u003c\/a\u003e offers a great alternative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhatever way you decide to feed your local wild birds, once you’ve established a bird feeding routine, stick with it. They’ll learn to look out for fresh supplies of food and water and come to rely on you. You can learn more about what to feed birds safely on the Johnston \u0026amp; Jeff \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/johnstonandjeff.co.uk\/wild-birds\/\" title=\"Johnston \u0026amp; Jeff website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ewebsite\u003c\/a\u003e or from the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/birds-and-wildlife\/advice\/how-you-can-help-birds\/feeding-birds\/\" title=\"RSPB website\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRSPB\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow else can I keep the wildlife in my garden happy and thriving?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are all sorts of things you can do but one of the best and simplest things is to provide them with safe little homes! Loss of habitat and therefore loss of safe places to nest and breed is one of the biggest threats to our wildlife here in the UK.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have a great selection of homes for birds like our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/wildlife\/products\/bird-box-with-nest-wool\" title=\"Bird Box with Nest Wool\"\u003ebird box with nesting wool\u003c\/a\u003e and our special \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/wildlife\/products\/johnston-jeff-robin-and-blackbird-nest-box\" title=\"Johnston \u0026amp; Jeff Robin and Blackbird Nest\"\u003erobin and blackbird open-fronted nesting box\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBirds aren’t the only garden wildlife we can help though! We also have a range of homes for \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/wildlife\/products\/johnston-jeff-hedgehog-house\" title=\"Johnston \u0026amp; Jeff Hedgehog House\"\u003ehedgehogs\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/collections\/wildlife\/products\/wildlife-world-bat-box\" title=\"Wildlife World Bat Box\"\u003ebats\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/aries-insect-hotel\" title=\"Aries Insect Hotel\"\u003einsects\u003c\/a\u003e too.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Johnston \u0026 Jeff","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46065874436402,"sku":"SNFLFDR","price":10.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/Sunflower_Hearts_Bird_Feeder_Outside.jpg?v=1692705574"},{"product_id":"raw-sheep-wool-10kg","title":"Raw Herdwick Sheep Wool 10kg","description":"\u003cp\u003eRaw wool makes excellent mulch and slow release fertiliser - especially when you need to add plenty of nitrogen to your soil or growing medium. It's a natural pest deterrent - deer, slugs and snails hate it. Plus, because it's a fully natural product it's readily biodegradable and completely compostable, so it'll biodegrade down over the period of approximately a year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of wool's superpowers is that it holds onto moisture really well. During dry spells, wool will help to keep your plants hydrated. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wool was sourced during \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"we source the Herdwick wool directly from farmers in the Lake District\" href=\"https:\/\/chimneysheep.co.uk\/pages\/operation-wool\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eOperation Wool\u003c\/a\u003e. We pay above market prices and source it directly from the farmers, but we've ended up with a surplus.  It's primarily for going on the garden but some of it might be good for spinning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach bag contains 10 kg of raw sheep wool. Please note - this wool is in its natural state, just off the sheep meaning it isn't moth-proofed or suitable for use in building projects or similar. Some customers buy it for greasy spinning wool but please note that we can't guarantee it will all be good for spinning. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is natural sheep wool good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWell, all kinds of things really. In its natural state, just shorn from the sheep, wool is full of all kinds of great things, including\u003ca title=\"Lanolin overview, Science Direct website\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/agricultural-and-biological-sciences\/lanolin#:~:text=Lanolin%20is%20the%20wool%20grease,in%20cosmetic%20and%20pharmaceutical%20formulations.\"\u003e lanolin\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e,\u003c\/strong\u003e plant matter and sheep poo! These little extras are just fantastic for mulching applications in the garden. The wool (and little extras) readily composts down nutrients into the soil, it's nitrogen dense meaning it'll give plants with high energy requirements the boost they need to grow big and strong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot only this, because wool is naturally fibrous, and coated in lanolin, it's an amazing pest deterrent. The texture naturally deters slugs, snails and other slimy pests because they simply hate sliding over it - and the natural sheepy state of raw wool deters deer too! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow to use sheep wool in the garden\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt comes in distinct fleeces off each sheep. A typical Herdwick fleece weighs around 1kg so there are up to 10 fleeces in each bag. These may need a little tugging or teasing apart to lay on the soil, but then you can simply lay it on the ground around your plants as densely as you need to. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSheep wool also makes amazing mulch, it readily biodegrades, it's completely compostable and it adds a lot of nutrients to soil when it's left to break down over a period of time. It also helps insulate plant roots against frost, and retain moisture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want a more refined wool product to work with, then try our popular \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Sheep wool garden felt for sustainable no-dig gardening\" href=\"https:\/\/chimneysheep.co.uk\/products\/sheep-wool-garden-felt?variant=46063469363506\" target=\"_blank\"\u003esheep wool garden felt\u003c\/a\u003e which has a wide range of applications. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThen there's the Dalefoot \u003ca title=\"Dalefoot Peat Free Wool Compost\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/dalefoot-peat-free-wool-compost\"\u003esheep wool compost\u003c\/a\u003e. Made from sheep wool and bracken, is a high quality peat free compost. Full of nutrients and extra high in nitrates sheep wool compost really does give your plants a boost - and makes fantastic use of wonderful wool!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"Herdwick","offer_id":56187852128634,"sku":"10kgRW001","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/10kg_Herdwick_wool_in_a_pile.jpg?v=1746525817"},{"product_id":"coir-compost-seed-coins-pack-of-10","title":"Coir Compost Seed Coins Pack of 10","description":"\u003ch4\u003eWhat are Cocopeat peat free coins?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cocopeat is made from \u003ca title=\"Coir, Wikipedia website\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Coir\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ecoir\u003c\/a\u003e,  the husk around the outside of the coconut. The stringy bits are used to make all kinds of things – ropes, mats, bags and whatnot. The leftover stuff is sieved to take out any impurities. They are compressed to form the coins with a small dimple in the top. The fabric around the outside is a papery textile made of corn starch that is readily biodegradable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow do you use the peat free coins?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimply put them in a waterproof tray. They fit nicely in food packaging containers, which is a useful way of re-purposing them. Pour in about a centimetre of water and let it all be absorbed. The coins should swell to about 5cm in height. If they look like they need a bit more water then top them up. These coins are best suited for planting larger seeds, such as lupins. Press one seed into the dimple of each coin. Push it in so it goes below the surface. Check the growing instructions and if it needs a good layer of compost to cover it then you can sprinkle a bit more compost over the top to sort of fill up the dimple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eMaintenance\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey’re low maintenance but you do need to make sure they don’t dry out. When the seeds germinate they can be very delicate. The best way to water them is to put more water in the tray, so the coins soak up the water, rather than watering onto the top of the plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePlanting on\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the seedlings are well established, just plant the whole lot into the garden or into a pot. The rootball stays intact and the plant can just keep growing happily. If you really want to spoil it then you can give it some \u003ca title=\"Sheep Wool Pellets\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/3-5l-sheep-wool-pellets\"\u003ewool pellets\u003c\/a\u003e to help with moisture balance and give a delicious boost of nutrients.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46066040013106,"sku":"GP001","price":3.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/Coir_Coins_02.jpg?v=1692705549"},{"product_id":"jute-hanging-basket-liners-pack-of-2","title":"Jute Hanging Basket Liners Pack of 2","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese robust hanging basket liners are made of 5mm thick felted jute. These are great because you can re-make them year after year. What I find with a lot of the shop bought ones made with a natural woven outer and plastic lined inner is they look great when you buy them, but only last a season and look really shabby whatever you try and do to rejuvenate them the following year. And what do we hate at Chimney Sheep? We hate waste of course! So using these biodegradable liners with wire framed baskets is an excellent way of making the basket last year after year, and you can have all the creative fun of making your own hanging baskets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow to make your own gorgeous hanging basket\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStep 1: get the correct sized liner for your basket. The liners are sold in pairs according to the diameter of the basket. So for example, a 14” liner is for a basket 14” in diameter. The actual liner itself is 22”.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStep 2: place the inner in the basket and fill it with compost and water retention pellets if you’re using them. Please try to avoid compost with peat in it. If it doesn’t say “Peat Free Compost” it’s probably got a percentage of peat in it. I totally recommend the \u003ca title=\"Dalefoot Peat Free Wool Compost\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/dalefoot-peat-free-wool-compost\"\u003eDalefoot Composts sheep wool compost\u003c\/a\u003e as it’s the best peat alternative I’ve been able to find. We’ve got \u003ca title=\"Cocopeat Peat Free Compost\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/cocopeat-peat-free-compost\"\u003eKokoblock peat free blocks\u003c\/a\u003e that are pretty good. We also have the brilliant \u003ca title=\"Sheep Wool Pellets\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/3-5l-sheep-wool-pellets\"\u003eorganic sheep wool pellets\u003c\/a\u003e, made of a mix of sheep wool and muck. These absorb water and slowly biodegrade, releasing valuable nutrients into your hanging basket or planter. Mix these with the compost and fill the basket to just below the top.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStep 3: now for the fun bit! Get it planted up. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to hanging baskets, it depends very much on your own taste and what’s available. If you’re having to make do with what you’ve got to hand then you’re going to have to be a bit more creative anyway. A general *guidance* is to have an upright plant in the centre. Then depending on the size of the basket, a certain number of smaller flowering plants around this. So a 14” basket would have about 5 or 6, and increasingly more as the basket gets bigger. Then choose some trailing plants to go around the perimeter. There are holes in the liner so you can poke plants into the sides if you want to, but once the trailing plants get going they will dangle round the sides and cover the sides nicely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStep 4: water everything well and leave in a warm, light place for the plants to grow into the basket and get the roots established for a bit before hanging it out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTips – if you haven’t got traditional hanging basket plants to hand, go a bit off-piste and get creative with what you’ve got. How about using trailing tomatoes instead of lobelia? Or a bit of ivy – these root really easily so pull a section off where it’s growing and push it into place. Try poking in cuttings from rosemary or lavender that self-root easily. If you’re thinning out certain plants, see if you can propagate them to use in your hanging basket. You could try scattering in some bee and butterfly friendly seeds to make it more attractive to visiting pollinators.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chimney Sheep","offers":[{"title":"12\" Hanging Basket Liners","offer_id":46066074779954,"sku":"4I-G5ST-KQGX","price":3.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"14\" Hanging Basket Liners","offer_id":46066074812722,"sku":"14inchliner","price":5.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"16\" Hanging Basket Liners","offer_id":46066074845490,"sku":"SQ-HSJI-FBE3","price":6.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"18\" Hanging Basket Liners","offer_id":46066074878258,"sku":"18inchliner","price":8.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/GardenJuly_20.jpg?v=1691154878"},{"product_id":"aries-insect-hotel","title":"Insect Hotel","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn Insect Hotel is a nesting and hibernation aid for insects - used by nature-loving gardeners to promote diversity in their back yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are geared towards beneficial insects and pollinators, such as bumblebees, wild bees, honey bees, butterflies, ladybirds and beetles. As well as other predatory insects that help to control unwanted pests in your garden or allotment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur Insect Hotel is made of natural materials such as wood, tree bark, straw and bamboo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis hotel has a strong wire mesh to protect against birds and a weather resistant coating. This makes it tough enough to stay in your garden all year round!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhere should I put my insect hotel?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe best location for an insect hotel is in a spot that has access to lots of sun but is also protected from the weather. This ensures that the insects inside stay warm but are protected against the wind and rain. A good location will also help prevent damage to the materials inside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere should also be an abundance of wild-flowers, trees and fauna surrounding the hotel, to ensure the insects have sufficient food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDon't think you have enough wildflowers? Check out our \u003ca title=\"Seed Bomb Kit\" href=\"https:\/\/chimney-sheep.myshopify.com\/products\/seed-bomb-kit\"\u003eseed-bombs\u003c\/a\u003e! They contain an abundance of beautiful wildflowers - perfect food for your garden insects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat are the benefits of insect hotels?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEncouraging biodiversity - Insect hotels encourage the presence of beneficial insects. This increases the population of insects in your garden, and so its biodiversity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePest control - Beneficial insects include predators that target pests such as fleas and greenflies. If you have a lot of predatory insects in your garden you won't need to use pesticides - so you will reduce the amount of chemicals released into the environment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOther animals! If the number of insects in your garden increases, so will the number of other animals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Aries","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46066082218290,"sku":"HFW001","price":27.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/files\/thumbnail_IMG_5368.jpg?v=1691155068"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/7322\/5010\/collections\/GardenJuly_111_1.jpg?v=1692110453","url":"https:\/\/chimneysheep.co.uk\/collections\/sustainable-gardening-products.oembed?page=5","provider":"Chimney Sheep","version":"1.0","type":"link"}