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Rock Salt

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:23:38 GMT

Rock Salt Supplies 2011

With winter only round the corner many companies will be assessing their requirements for Rock Salt for the forthcoming season.

Salt in general provides huge potential for winter sales, in what is generally considered a quieter time for many suppliers. However customers/retailers must be vigilant in ensuring that the product that is sold contains no less than 90% salt in order to comply with British Standards BS3247. It is therefore important to ensure that you are purchasing your salt from a reputable supplier who not only certifies that the product conforms to British Standards, but also someone you can trust for continuity of supply and product quality.

Stonewarehouse supply Rock Salt which has not been diluted by blending in any sand or grit , over and above the British Standards compliance amount. Retailers can be rest assured that they are selling 100% salt to their customers avoiding any come back from customers on the performance of this product.

Our salt is supplied in a strong durable white bag, with colourful design, that is unique in its manufacture by having an inner black layer, which serves to prolong the shelf life of this product.

We look forward to supplying you with any of your future rock salt requirements either pre-packed, loose or bulk bagged and we are currently offering exceptional deals on Rock Salt, please call us for information on Tel: 01629 630139 or email sales@stonewarehouse.co.uk

Order early to avoid the rush!

We Will Rock You

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

A picture of a stick man isn’t a work of art. A random selection of words isn’t a poem. And a pile of rocks isn’t a rockery. It’s only when we get creative and put in some extra effort that basic ingredients can be transformed into something that little bit more special.

That said, whether a gardener, an artist or a writer, we all have to start somewhere and hopefully this article will provide a bit of inspiration to help get your rockery underway. Sadly, on this occasion we’re afraid we can’t help with self portraits or epic poems.

There are of course dedicated books on rockery construction, but if you follow the below advice, you’ll get off to a very good start. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t invest in such a book; there are some excellent manuals available which will help immeasurably.

So, where should we begin? Well first things first, we have one simple rule that we’d suggest that you always keep in mind when planning a rockery. This being that at all times, keep your rockery’s appearance as natural as possible.

Time will undoubtedly weather your rockery making it appear less artificial, but there are a number of ways you can speed up the ‘naturalisation’ process from the off:

Don’t just plonk your rockery in the first place that comes to mind. Spend some time planning its positioning and consider how it will fit in with your plantings and beds etc.
Consider what is likely to naturally grow in your rockery’s top soil or gravel and what type of rock will compliment these plants.
Speaking of rockery stone; it’s important that in your excitement, you don’t include too many different types of rock in your rockery. For instance, it’s highly unlikely that in a natural rock formation, you’ll find Red Gritstone next to Brown Yorkstone.
Lean all your rocks in the same general direction to create a harmonious effect running through the rockery.

So, with some thought put into the naturalisation of your rockery, here are a few more tips:

Find a slope for your rockery as even the slightest incline will enhance it.
Drainage is a very big factor to consider when planning a rockery. Obviously, using a slope will help here, but if you have any doubts, use gravel to bed in your rocks and improve the overall drainage of the area.
Put some thought into how you will move in and about the rockery to weed and tend to your plantings. Don’t make it too cluttered as this will be unnatural, unattractive and impractical.
Clear your soil of weeds before you put the rocks in place. Imagine how tough it will be to remove a weed if you already have a heavy rockery stone on top of it?
If your rockery is going to be of a particularly impressive size, use paddlestones as stepping stones to enable easier access and create an attractive looking path.
When it comes to your plantings, we could write another full article on the subject. That said, we would simply suggest using general gardening know how and logic in your plans. So, don’t dramatically mix your plantings, only plant flowers which flourish in similar conditions and throw in some bright colourful flowers to contrast with the neutral shades of your rocks.

When all is said and done, it’s not rocket science (nor is it rockery science!) Use common sense and don’t let your garden become a mockery of a rockery. Plan it properly and use some creativity; the end result will be well worth it.

Decorative Gravel And Its Uses

Sat, 30 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Using gravel in a garden is a bit like including filet mignon in a three course meal; it may have been done years and years, but its amazing taste has not been diminished in the slightest. That’s certainly not to say that Stone Warehouse encourages the eating of gravel or any other stone based product. Instead, what we do encourage are inventive and creative uses of gravel in landscaping and gardening projects.

PLANTING SCHEMES

Using gravel to surround a planting scheme has a number of advantages. First and foremost it is visually pleasing and can give a pleasant contrast to your colourful plantings. Due to most decorative gravel options having neutral colours, the vivid colours of flowers are enhanced and ‘pop’ far more than when simply surrounded by top soil.

In addition to its aesthetic properties, gravel has a couple of practical benefits that are perhaps the best reasons for purchase. Unlike top soil, gravel is able to both allow moisture through to a plant’s roots and also retain this moisture and suppress its evaporation, ultimately encouraging growth. It should be noted that while gravel can inhibit weeds, it cannot suppress their growth entirely and therefore should always be coupled with garden membrane.

WATER FEATURES

Similar to when used in a planting scheme, using gravel in a water feature has benefits of both an aesthetic and practical nature. Whether used in a small ornamental pond or in a larger dramatic waterfall, gravel seems naturally at home in a water feature and each element compliments the other flawlessly. Insofar as its practical benefits are concerned, larger types of gravel can help to control the flow of smaller streams and also act as an excellent filter for waterfalls. Unlike larger stones, gravel is less likely to attract algae and will therefore retain its natural appearance for longer and without the need for cleaning.

PATHS AND DRIVEWAYS

Particularly in the UK, the most traditional use of gravel is to distinguish a path through a garden; thereby protecting that pristine lawn and beautiful flower beds from a potential trampling. But why should you choose gravel over cobbles or paving stones? Firstly, gravel is that little bit more organic looking than certain alternatives and is particularly easy to manipulate to create a meandering route through a garden. It also doesn’t take an expert to lay and is particularly cost effective; especially if the path itself is likely to be fairly long or wide.

As with paths, laying a driveway can be an expensive task and again this makes gravel a very attractive solution due to its relatively low cost. This can also be said for long term expense too since there is less of a need for repairs and therefore lower maintenance expenses. Additionally, while it will inevitably get somewhat dirty due to being driven over on a daily basis, the appearance of gravel will generally endure and therefore add a touch of colour to any driveway.

Also, it should be noted that gravel paths and driveways come police recommended. Acting as natural burglar alarms, they’re almost impossible to walk on without creating a least a little noise; thereby alerting a house owner to a potential intruder.

PATIOS AND SEATING AREAS

Your garden is replete with beautiful flower arrangements. It has a lovingly manicured lawn and a clear, tranquil water feature. Eager to invite friends round to give them a glimpse of this mini-nirvana-Eden-like-slice-of-heaven, you suddenly notice the state of your decking. Visibly grimy, it is discoloured and splintered in places despite yearly treatments.

Suddenly that little know-it-all voice in head whispers; “you should have used gravel Steve”. Your name may not be Steve, but aside from that, the voice was bang on the money; gravel is perfect for outdoor seating areas. As when used on paths it gives a pleasing crunch under foot, but above all else its low maintenance qualities mean that it will keep a pleasant appearance for decades without the constant need for cleaning and treatment.

So, you’ve read this article and your imagination has been pricked; what now? Well, now it’s time to purchase some gravel, and there’s no one better than Stone Warehouse to buy from. With one of the largest ranges of gravel and chippings online, it would be silly to go elsewhere.

For instance, our Apricot gravel comes in lovely shades of orange and white and is particularly at home in a pond or water feature. Meanwhile, our ever popular Derbyshire Spar gravel is a stunning mix of neutral shades and textures that sparkle in the sunlight. On the other hand, the Canterbury Spar range is full of reds, whites and greys, and has the potential to make your driveway the most envied on the estate.

Take a look through our full range of gravel and chippings and add some pizzazz to your garden today. But please, at all times remember that gravel is not a suitable sandwich filling... even if it does come in delicious shades of honey.

Winter Rock Salt Warning

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

With the recent news of rock salt shortages across the UK; the signs are that this upcoming winter could again prove difficult for travel.

Already this year, a number of local authorities such as Bradford and Powys have increased their rock salt stock levels to cope with another potentially harsh winter and the general public has been urged to do the same.

Sue Jackson of Stone Warehouse commented: “With the winters of our youth returning in the last couple of years, we’d strongly recommend that everyone stocks up on rock salt to avoid delays in travel and potential injuries from slips and falls due to icy paths and driveways.”

2010 saw councils across the UK regularly sending for emergency salt supplies as snow and cold weather gripped the country for the second year in a row. An unprecedented amount of salt was required over a long spell last year, which led to the Government restricting the supply of rock salt into the private sector. This not only resulted in a national shortage of rock salt, but also saw the product price soar uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, UK businesses lost an estimated 690 million pounds per day due to 1 in 10 employees being stuck at home for reasons such as cars being stuck on driveways.

Sue Jackson warned: “It is for these reasons that we are recommending that our customers order now. This will not only ensure supply, but also guarantee the most competitive price, as once the demand of salt increases the price will likely follow suit.”

Stone Warehouse currently has large stocks of rock salt available for purchase over the phone or via their recently relaunched website (http://www.stonewarehouse.co.uk). Quantities can be bought in 20kg bags with bulk orders available for larger requirements.

Welcome to the new Stone Warehouse website.

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:31:32 GMT

Welcome to our new site which has been built to make sure finding decorative aggregates, chipping, gravel, rockery stone and more much easier.

Stuck for ideas?

With our new inspiration gallery you will never be stuck for ideas, helping you find the perfect solution for your home. From driveways and paths to ponds and features our gallery will help you find the look you are after.

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New Post From Sue Jackson

Wed, 05 May 2010 10:41:53 GMT

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