Garden Safety

Break-ins to garden sheds and thefts from the garden are a common problem. Valuable equipment, such as lawn mowers, bicycles and golf clubs, are often stolen from sheds and outhouses because security is inadequate. For advice on shed and garage security use this Quick Link

Boundary Fences and Walls.

    • The boundary fence or wall to the rear of the house should be constructed in such a way that is difficult to climb. Fences need to be of a sturdy construction and of suitable height. Fences or walls to the front should be kept to waist height. This discourages thieves as they cannot work without being seen by pedestrians. Enhancements may include a trellis fixed to the top of the fence which allows thorny plants to trail over the fence, both of which make it difficult to climb. Don`t forget that the way a fence or gate is constructed can contribute to crime prevention. Slatted fenced should be constructed with the slats vertical and with insufficient space betwen them for a foot hold.
    • Gates should be capable of being secured closed, and, if wooden slatted, the slats should be vertical and close enough together to prevent children putting their feet between the slats enabling them to swing on the gate. If it deteriorates it will be left open and there will be easy unrestricted access to your home.

Paths

    • A gravel path is a good crime prevention alternative to paving slabs or mono-block. If the gravel is laid thickly it will crunch under foot and act as a deterent to the thief. You will be surprised how much sound will carry from the outside gravel to inside your home.
    • A gravel driveway, or gravel around the drive slabs will also deter people from snooping around your car.

Garden Items

    • Garden Furniture, tools, lawnmowers, etc, should be secured and marked with your postcode by engraving the rear/underside, scraping,painting or other permanent method.
    • Never leave gardening tools lying around. They make ideal tools for someone to use to break into your shed or home.
    • Other items may provide an ideal means to climb to higher windows or flat roofs.

Garden Plants/Shrubs.

  • Plants and shrubs which are prickly, such as Berberis, hawthorn, Pyracantha, Holly and Rose,- including climbing and wild varieties – will help deter an intruder. You should also consider chosing low growing plants which do not provide a place for a thief to hide. Any of these, or a combination, can provide additional protection to boundary fences, walls and drainpipes. You should not rely on them to be the sole means of security.
  • Mixing various tyes of bush and foliage can provide all year long garden security
  • A good quality defensive planted barrier not only keeps thieves at bay but also provides food and a variety of foliage for wildlife. It can be planted to reinforce an existing fence, however an effective barrier needs time to grow. A hawthorn barrier can attract about 200 species of insect.
  • Don`t leave items against a wall allowing a thief to use it as a step, permitting access to a high open window, or flat roof.

For those not into plants and gardening the following is a rough guide to some plants that can help protect your garden.
(Information reproduced from a leaflet produced by Scottish Natural Heritage)

Wild Rode: (Rosa rugosa alba)
A large tough, prickly shrub growing to about 1.5 mtrs high and 1.5 mtrs wide. Large single white flowers are followed by orange, orange -red hips. When planted with rugosa rubra the two make a colourful mix. Plant about 3ft apart.

Hawthorn: (Crataegus monogyna)
When trimmed repeatedly gives a low hedge. If given a free reign this provides a cattle proof boundary with white flowers and harmless red beries. Space it about 1ft apart.

Firethorn: (Pyracantha ‘Orange Glow’)
Attractive in flower and fruit and makes a prickly hedge to keep intruders out. This plant will grow in any garden soil. Plant about 2ft apart and this can grow to about 12ft.

Butterfly Bush: (Budleia davidii)
Butterflies are attracted to this fragrant shrub. It grows easily and reaches about 8ft. Long flower spikes July – October.

Barberry: (Berberis stenophylla)
Makes an impenetrable hedge, spaced 2ft apart with long arching prickly sprays, flowers yellow April to May. Reaches 9ft if left uncut.

Hornbeam: (Carpinus betulus)
Similar to beech but with grey bark and green leaves which hang on late, Plant 1.5 ft apart, grows to 2-3ft.

Holly: (Ilex aquifolium)
The cultivras ‘J C Van Tol’ and ‘Pyramidalis’ are both self fertile and will give heavy drops of berries. Grows to height of about 6ft by about 4ft. July is a good time to trim. Plant 2ft apart.

 

 

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