Gardeners should keep outdoor space secure

For those whose greenhouse, flower beds and vegetable patch are their pride and joy, they might want to take note of the following advice.

With a lot of people choosing to stay at home this summer, rather than go away on holiday, many green-fingered folk are falling in love with their gardens, explained Julie Owens from moneysupermarket.com.

It can result in being a valuable area – not only because of the hard work – but because of the expensive patio heaters, barbeques and furniture, she noted.

Ms Owens added it is important to ensure all valuables are stored safely to avoid the heartache of having them stolen by opportunist thieves.

"Landscaped gardens and costly furniture items are easy targets for thieves, as are elaborate statues and expensive plants," she said.

Advice people might like to consider includes installing a security light on a wall or greenhouse, ensure all fences and gates are locked, do not leave expensive items lying around and check what insurance covers.

In other news that might interest greenhouse owners, a recent article on the Examiner website looked at how fruit and vegetables in the garden can make an area more attractive.