Sustainable wood products
From garden furniture to our barbecue charcoal, we use many wood products in our gardens. With hardwood forests being torn down to provide us with our patio furniture, it makes sense to purchase ethically if possible. Look for the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) logo on a product. This tells you that it comes from a sustainable source. Don’t be taken in by statements such as “From a managed source” or similar, without the FSC label. Check for the logo on your barbecue fuel, or buy BioRegional Charcoal. This is produced in the UK by managing woodlands and using local suppliers. It is an excellent way of regenerating neglected woods and forests, and reducing the impact of transport on the environment.

More ideas for furnishing your garden
As well as garden benches, chairs and tables, have you considered the following? Take a look at the random list below and see what takes your fancy. You’ll find places to purchase all of these online in the lists above.

Swing seats made of wood or metal.

Hammocks, both freestanding and for suspension between trees.

Patio and garden heaters: don’t let the chill curtail your evenings under the stars!

Chimeneas: attractive patio heaters which burn wood or charcoal, many of which double as barbecues.

Folding deckchairs: so easy to store, so colourful – and cheap.

Kid-sized garden furniture: give them their own picnic table!

Parasols: essential shade for sunny lunchtimes.

Rose arbours and arches: the ultimate romantic garden features.

Gazebos, permanent in toughened glass, wood or metal, or demountable in canvas.

Garden lighting, including atmospheric solar lighting.

Weathervanes: many designs, including traditional weathercocks.

Statues: add elegance to your garden with strategic placing of stone or stone-substitute pieces. Try attractive stone stepping stones through deep flowerbeds, too.

Ponds, fountains and other water features: imagine the soothing sound of bubbling water. Encourage frogs and toads, and they will help to keep the slugs down, too.

A greenhouse – or, in a little garden, a small glass lean-to.

Looking after garden furniture
In winter, it’s best to store your garden furniture inside if you have space in a basement, shed or garage. If not, then fold it, lean it against a wall so that water runs off, and if possible get it off the soggy lawn onto some hard standing. Cover it with tough, well-secured, waterproof covers. Make sure the furniture is completely dry before you cover it.

Treat wooden garden furniture every year to a thorough clean and a dose of wood preservative. Hardwood furniture is very durable, but will still benefit from a coating of teak oil or other suitable product. Pine furniture is cheaper and less resistant to the weather, but it will last a number of years if you treat it every year. Do this in dry weather, preferably in the autumn before putting the furniture away for storage. Lightly oil any joints and moving parts to keep them flexible.

To keep metal garden furniture looking good and lasting for years, clean it every year and check it for rusty spots and patches. Gently rub these down to remove loose material and then paint on a rust preventer. Even plastic-coated metal furniture can suffer from rust if cracks open up in the plastic and moisture creeps in. Lightly oil any joints and moving parts to keep them flexible.

Plastic furniture is the easiest to maintain, but it can lose its looks if you don’t care for it. Wipe it down regularly to avoid marks and staining. Try to bring the furniture in during the winter as sunlight causes plastic to deteriorate and become brittle over time. If you can’t store it inside, stack it or fold it and if possible, cover it with a tightly-secured waterproof cover.

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