Organic preservatives
It’s a safe way to protect trellises and furniture
Autumn’s the perfect time to protect wooden sheds, garden furniture, fences and trellises before the worst of the winter weather takes hold. A number of non-toxic wood preservative and paint options are available to natural gardeners that are safe to use around pets, children and edibles. ● LifeTime Wood Treatment is an environmentally-friendly, sustainable, non-toxic wood preserver that soaks into wood fibres and protects them from rot, fungal growth and mould. It comes in a powder form to mix with water, and only needs one application. Buy from The Natural Gardener (01584 890092; www.thenaturalgardener.co.uk) price £14.95 for 1 gallon/4.5-litre (covers 16 sq m/180 sq ft) or £59.95 for 5 gallons/22litres (covers 80 sq m/900 sq ft). ● Croma Non-Toxic Wood & Timber Protective Treatment is a water-based protective treatment in brown or green that’s mixed with water and comes in 250ml, 500ml, 1-litre and 20-litre quantities. Buy from Gardening Works (01254 820088; www.gardeningworks. co.uk) from £6.99 for 250ml. ● Osmo Country Colour is an oilbased, opaque, exterior wood finish based on natural micro-porous oils that allow wood to breathe. It’s weather and UV resistant and available in 19 shades. Price £23.26 for 750ml or £70.42 for 2.5-litres (covers 26 sq m per litre per coat – 2 coats required), from Celtic Sustainables (01239 777009; www.celtic sustainables. co.uk).