Monthly Archives: January 2021

keep-the-fire-burning

Keep Your Fire Burning with Weston Sawmill

If winter has you feeling a little down, where you look outside and all you see is rain through the darkness, why not look to the fireplace for a touch of happiness?

Keeping your fire burning can be somewhat of an art, with many people taking a while to perfect the art of building a fire in the home. We have pulled together some of the basic that we find the most useful, just to give you a helping hand.

Keeping Your Fire Burning


Whether you already have a method of getting your fire going that just needs to be fine-tuned, or you are struggling to get anything going, not everyone will follow the same routine. Find what works for you and tweak to adjust accordingly to ensure that your fire burns as long and efficiently as possible. Here’s a few tips to get you going:

  • If your burner has vents, make sure these are open to start with as a fire will start easier with more oxygen.
  • If you have a multi-fuel burner (or an open fireplace) set out a layer of coal in the base, this will pump out heat for long after your logs have burnt away. (smokeless are the best here)
  • Using knotted newspaper to start a fire, if you don’t have firestarters, is much more effective than sheets of paper.
  • Use kindling to form a pyramid in the centre of you fire (on top of coals if you are using them)
  • Once your kindling is completely alight and burning well you can begin to add two or three larger, preferably dried, logs to your fire. Take care not to smother your fire.
  • After adding your logs, ensure to keep an eye on them to make sure they catch well. If you have a door on your log burner you can close this now.
  • Once your fire is on its way you can start adjusting your vents to suit, they may require opening again when you add fresh logs.


Please ensure that no children are left unaccompanied with an open fire, or where they can burn themselves on a burner.

Order Logs and More Online Today

Here at Weston Sawmill, we offer a selection of logs that are ready to be thrown on the fire. You can also find smokeless coal and kindling to help you get your fire going and burning for longer.

For more information, please contact a member of our team today, who will be happy to assist you.

Suffolk Garden Gates

Why Choose Our Garden Gates

The addition of Suffolk gates from Weston Sawmill to your outdoor space will give you an attractive, versatile and cost-effective product.

During the colder winter months, it is a great time to take a look at your garden and decide what you would like to add throughout the next few months. For our latest blog, Weston Sawmill will give you some reasons to consider new garden gates.

8 Reasons to Consider New Garden Gates

Add Interest To Your Garden – Gates are one of the best ways to add some interest to your garden; plus the right ones are an indication of the mystery of what may lie beyond. This could be a hidden cottage garden, a walled garden or even a wildflower area for picnics during the summer.

Add Some Beauty – You do not need a large garden for new gates, as they can be a way to create something beautiful out of a small and ordinary space.

Make Your Garden Look Bigger – Even if your garden gate does not lead anywhere, it can give the illusion that your outdoor living space is much larger. Some homeowners add a garden gate to their home to increase its value when selling.

Screen Off Unsightly Areas – Having larger garden gates can block off views of a car park or a neighbouring builder’s yard.

Allow Access – Your new gate will provide an entry to a pedestrian walkway or side access if you have one adjoining your property.

Enhance Privacy – Gates can create a boundary at part of your home that is attractive as well as offering increased privacy.

Provide Security – Garden gates act as a psychological barrier and help make your property more secure.

Keep Children and Pets In – Gates can also prevent young children or dogs having access to a nearby road plus they also prevent other people’s pets coming onto your land.

Get in Touch With Any Questions

If you have any questions about our range of Suffolk garden gates, please do not hesitate to contact us today. Weston Sawmill is also the leading provider of fencing and decking for customers right across Shropshire.

Raised garden beds in Wolverhampton

The Best Reasons to Use Raised Garden Beds

While raised garden beds are not a new idea, they continue to be a big discussion point amongst avid gardeners.

By definition, they are a garden bed that is built up instead of down, into a position that solves all manner of gardening challenges. They offer a host of benefits to gardeners, which we will discuss throughout this blog.

9 Ways to Utilise Raised Garden Beds

  1. No Tilling is Better for Soil – A raised bed is a great way of setting up your soil for the easiest gardening session. Instead of tilling up the soil every year to add fertiliser and amendments, you can maintain them by adding materials on top. Compost, mulches, manures and other soil conditioners can all go directly on the top few inches of soil without any extensive work. Your soil is capable of doing its own tilling as worms and roots push their way through. Regular tilling by human hands depletes the soil structure and does nothing to build up the organic component of your soil over a period of time.
  2. Prevent Back Pains – It is surprising how much back and knee strain happens when weeding your garden – especially in larger spaces. A raised bed can resolve back and joint pain plus it is a way to get younger children involved in gardening through hand weeding. Investing in raised beds is an investment in your health.
  3. More Aesthetically Pleasing – If you live in a busy city, having raised beds looking great as well as being practical. They also make pathways easier to maintain as there is a definitive line between the bed and the path.
  4. Keep Away the Critters – Although slugs can climb, the tall sides of raised garden beds slow them down and give you the opportunity to stop them in their tracks. You can also install hardware cloth on the bottom of the box to prevent crawling critters such as groundhogs from stealing root crops. Because of their elevated height dogs are also less likely to urinate on plants. There is also the option of adding plastic hoops for bird barriers, cold frames or row covers.
  5. Raised Soil Means Better Drainage – If you live in an area prone to flooding or in marshy yards, raised beds are the best way to have a full growing season. They also tend to drain better generally, even in heavy rains.
  6. Fewer Weeds and Crab Grass – Tilling will create more weeds as it buries weed seeds and gives them the perfect chance to propagate. One of the best ways to battle crab grass is with raised beds, as its raised barrier stops the grass from infiltrating.
  7. Plant Earlier in the Season – Because of the better drainage in the soil, early planting is possible as the soil will dry out faster in the spring and warms quicker for planting than soil at ground level.
  8. Avoid Contaminated Soil – Many different vegetables, especially roots, tomatoes and greens, absorb heavy metals from contaminated soils which can cause a serious threat. Bringing in raised beds allows you to bring in new soil that has not been subjected to toxicity from elsewhere. You can also greatly reduce toxicity by adding compost which dilutes any concentrations of contamination over time.
  9. Great for Gardening Beginners – Raised beds are great for anyone looking to get into gardening without any prior experience. By adding a box, some soil, compost, seeds and water, you will start growing in no time.

Get in Touch With Any Questions

If you have any questions about raised garden beds, please do not hesitate to contact us today. Weston Sawmill are also the leading providers of fencing and decking for customers across Shropshire and Staffordshire.

big garden birdwatch

Support the Big Garden Birdwatch

The world’s largest bird watching survey returns on 29th January with the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.

While we are spending more time than ever indoors, you can still support this important campaign from the safety of your very own garden porch.

Here at Weston Sawmill, we understand the importance of keeping your garden looking spectacular, thanks to our range of decking, fencing and raised flower beds. For this post, we will share more information on the Big Garden Birdwatch.

Everything You Need to Know About the Big Garden Birdwatch

Pick a Time – Choose an hour between 29th and 31st January 2021. This means if you are an early bird or a night owl you will still be able to participate.

Log Your Results – Count the birds you see in your garden or from a balcony (if you live in an apartment or upstairs flat. Make sure you ignore any birds that are already in flight and avoid double-counting. Simply record the highest number of each bird species you see at any one time; don’t keep a running total.

As we have mentioned, this year of the Big Garden Birdwatch will be a little different due to the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning you can also birdwatch from your window if you overlook a green space or courtyard.

Once you have compiled your results, they can be submitted online from 29th January until 19th February. Alternatively, send your results by post using a downloadable submission form, but ensure your results are posted before 15th February.

Finding out which birds do not visit your area is as important as understanding those which do.

Thinking of Upgrading Your Garden? Get in Touch

If you are considering giving your garden an upgrade for 2021, please do not hesitate to contact Weston Sawmill today. View some of our latest work on our Facebook page.

Decking in Shropshire

Your Guide to Winter Decking Maintenance

As the leading supplier of decking across Shropshire and Staffordshire, Weston Sawmill knows a lot about keeping it looking spectacular, even in winter.

This is why we have put together this handy guide with plenty of information on decking maintenance during the coldest months of the year.

7 Essential Decking Maintenance Tasks

  1. Clear Debris – Autumn and winter can bring plenty of debris such as fallen leaves, twigs, moss and rubbish onto your decking. If left unattended, these organic materials will start to rot down, eventually creating a mulch which can penetrate the wood and lead to rot. We would advise grabbing a broom once or twice a month and sweeping up any debris from the decking area and put it in the composter or garden bin.
  2. Remove Any Planters or Seating – If you have heavyweight planters or seating, we would advise removing them from the decking and putting them in storage. If left out, they will create damp spots on the decking, underneath where they are placed. This leads to a build-up of moisture in this particular area which also leads to rot.
  3. Keep An Eye on Mould Build-Ups – Decking is one of the ideal environments for mould and mildew growth and build-ups. As it is situated close to the ground, water and moisture can quickly seep into the timber plus rainfall can, in some cases, settle. Other troublesome areas include the cracks and spaces between two boards. We would recommend giving this area a thorough clean to prevent any build-ups.
  4. Thorough Cleaning Process – A thorough cleaning of decking is needed in winter. For removing fallen debris that is too stubborn to move with a broom, try some hot and soapy water and elbow grease to get rid of it. Now you will need to pressure wash the surface to further clean the area and then scrub areas where dirt or moss have built up. The best way to prevent deterioration is by keeping your decking surface dirt-free.
  5. Remove Any Pet Fouling – If you have a dog or cat, make sure you clear up any mess they make on your decks as this can damage and stain the wood plus it can spread into other areas after rainfall. Another preventative method could be a temporary barrier or decorative fencing to stop them getting into this area.
  6. Paint with Timber Treatment – Wood preservatives are of the best ways to make sure your decking is long-lasting. Before applying treatment, check if the surface is clean and dry and remove any existing wood stain or paint. If any parts of your decks have started to deteriorate then you can always sand back to a better-quality surface. When the area is prepared sufficiently, apply the timber treatment with a brush and make sure it covers all the gaps and cracks.
  7. Apply Water Repellent – Roughly 3 days to a week after applying timber treatment, Weston Sawmill recommends applying a water repellent to help improve your decking’s life expectancy. Once applied, the wood is protected from moisture which also prevents the wood from decay. If left untreated, water will collect in cracks or gaps and will eventually penetrate the wood. Once trapped inside this will begin to cause rot.

Get in Touch for More Information

If you have any questions about decking from Weston Sawmill, please do not hesitate to contact us today and one of our team will be happy to help.