Practical + Outdoors

A reusable and compostable cleaning sponge. Highly absorbent, this sponge will absorb 10 times it's dry weight. Ideal for washing cars and household cleaning. Made of plant cellulose and totally plastic free. Machine washable. 

Size 153 x 83 x 25mm.

We are in a guidebook! Flick to page 350 to see us described as a happy hubbub...!

Motorway services are boring – motorways are boring – but they’re a necessary and convenient evil when you need to break the journey, especially when travelling with kids and pets. Enter The Extra Mile, here to steer you away from mediocre, expensive motorway service stations and garage forecourt food and into the arms of the UK’s best farm shops, independent cafes, and cosy pubs, all within striking distance of motorway junctions and main A roads.

Why go the Extra Mile? After yet another in a long line of bland ‘lattes’ and limp sandwiches next to the thundering motorway, we asked ourselves if there wasn’t another way. In rejection of soulless, expensive services, we set out to celebrate local alternatives, uncovering places that offer impeccable local food – some direct from the field – space for children and pets to let off steam, and beautiful surroundings. 

The Extra Mile offers a dependable list of independent and brilliant outlets, gorgeous countryside and delicious food worthy of a short detour. They’re all hand-selected and no more than 15 minutes’ drive from a junction, so you can add a bit of magic to your journey while supporting local businesses. 

These Willdflower seeds are grown and harvested in Dorset by Seed Revolution. They take a no-nonsense approach to the biodiversity crisis, with loud, in your face branding. Their aim is to both educate people on the imminent threat to native natural habitats, whilst also reconnecting people with nature.

Scatter and spread in your gardens or lawns - the bees thank you!

We LOVE this fertiliser! We have the 20L fertiliser on a circular system - we buy in 20L, decant for you, and then return the container back to the suppliers to be sterilised and reused! Shropshire Seaweed know that you cannot compromise on fertiliser quality - plants are your babies!

They use the finest seaweed form the cleanset Atlantic waters. It is then distilled without heat or chemicals. Just wait to check out the results, the fertiliser does wonders!

• Pure Ascophyllum nodosum from the North Atlantic coast
• Unbeatable for vegetables and fruits. And lawns. Oh, and houseplants
• Grow bigger, greener, higher, fatter. Show up your neighbours
• Certified organic by OFG. Vegan-friendly. No nasties
• Created in rural Shropshire. In a barn. One hundred miles from the sea

About seaweed - how does it work?!

This is taken from Shropshire Seaweed themselves: Seaweeds are some of the quickest growing plants on the planet with some species expanding by several feet in length every day. This growth is driven by the presence of hormones called auxins and cytokinins. Luckily for the gardener or horticulturalist, these active elements can be harnessed for use on practically any plant by using distilled seaweed fertilizer.

Regular application of seaweed fertilizer encourages growth in plants, grass, trees, fruits and vegetables. On top of this, seaweed contains some of the widest variety of macro and micro nutrients in the world which it draws in from its marine environment. These help to provide plants with a range and variety of the nutrients they need to thrive.

Besides the growth stimulants and wide range of nutrients, seaweed has also been shown to have an impact of the health and composition of root zones and boost chlorophyll levels in plants.

How to use the fertiliser: Mix The Shropshire Seaweed Company Organic Fertilizer with water at the rates given below. Please note that 0.1% is equivalent to 1ml of seaweed in 1l of water. Use as a foliar spray or a root drench, whichever suits the job best. And remember, little and often is the way with seaweed.

Store in a cool place out of direct sunlight. Use within two years of opening for best results.

SEEDS + SEEDLINGS

Soak your seeds in a weak concentration of The Shropshire Seaweed Company Organic Fertilizer and water (0.1%) for up to 12 hours before sowing. This will boost their germination by up to 80%. When transplanting seedings, dip their roots in a stronger seaweed extract solution (0.2%) to help their roots adjust to their new pot. Once the seedlings are three weeks old, they are ready for their first foliar feed. Again, use the 0.2% mix and mist them all over. Using seaweed at these three crucial stages lays the foundation for healthy and strong plants in the long-term.

HYDROPONICS

Hydroponics is a rapidly expanding sector on the British growing landscape - and here too seaweed extract is a very beneficial supplement. The Shropshire Seaweed Company Organic Fertilizer should be added at a rate of 0.05% every seven days. Combine with a two-weekly foliar spray of the crops themselves at a rate of 0.2%

GRAZING

The Shropshire Seaweed Company Organic Fertilizer is a low-cost way of keeping the grass in good condition for your animals. It's also totally organic and offers no threat to the health of horses, cows or sheep. You don't even need to clear them out of the field to apply it. Mix 2l of Shropshire Seaweed per acre (or 5l per hectare) and dilute at a rate of 1% with water. Apply evenly across the area once or twice a year for optimum results.

AGRICULTURE

There are a wide range of uses for The Shropshire Seaweed Company Organic Fertilizer in the agricultural sector. Contact us for more information and we can send you a feed schedule based on what you're growing.

SUMMARY

Seaweed: Ascophyllum nodosum; Appearance: Golden to dark brown; Alginates: c. 30%; Suspended solids: c. 5%; pH: 5.3 to 6.0; Density: c. 1.05g/cm2; Solubility: Complete; Shelf life: 24 months

MACRONUTRIENTS (%)

Calcium: 1.95; Chlorine: 3.42; Magnesium: 1.23; Nitrogen: 0.62; Phosphorous: 0.12; Potassium: 2.11; Sodium: 3.10; Sulphur: 1.56

MICRONUTRIENTS (PPM)

Barium: 127; Boron: 194; Copper: 6; Iodine: 1200; Iron: 211; Manganese: 22; Selenium: 4; Zinc: 35

ACTIVE AGENTS

Auxins; Betaines; Cytokinins; Alginic Acid; Mannitol; Lamanarian; 18 Amino Acids; 10+ Vitamins

Recycled Natural Cotton Twine made with 100% recycled yarn, perfect for gift wrapping + adding labels! 

45 m long: A high strength string made in Switzerland.

100% recycled and natural cotton string. Biodegradable, compostable and recycled/recyclable

Natural Flax Twine 50 m long. A high strength string made in Switzerland. Flax string, compostable after use. 80 g. 50 m

If You Care 100% Biomass Firelighters contain two ingredients only: FSC wood and non-GMO vegetable oil. Simple as that. Use these environmentally friendly fire starting cubes for fireplaces, BBQ grills, wood burning stoves/ovens and campfires/outdoor fire pits.

Our firelighters are:

• Extremely stable, have a long shelf life, do not lose firepower or dry out when left open
• Have no unpleasant smells
• Non explosive and non toxic, and can be stored safely near or with food.
• Harmless when in contact with plants, vegetation or aquatic organisms.

No Petroleum Products

Some firelighters contain kerosene and /or paraffin or paraffin wax, all derived from petroleum, and therefore based on fossil fuels. With the combustion of some firelighters, formaldehyde- a substance which has been classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – may be released. If You Care 100% Biomass Firelighters are 100% from renewable resources and are non-toxic.

Carbon Neutral Emissions

Because If You Care Firelighters are made 100% from biomass- wood and vegetable oil- the emission resulting from their combustion are considered carbon neutral. This is due to the fact that the CO2 emitted from the combustion of biomass is offset by reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere as a result of new biomass growth. This is in accordance with guidelines by the EPA as well as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The same cannot be said for firelighters using petroleum products, such as kerosene, paraffin wax or slack wax.If You Care 100% Biomass Firelighters come in 2 sizes – 72ct bag and 28ct tablet.

HOW TO USE

If You Care Firelighters are quick and easy to use, just follow these simple steps:

1. Open Bag.
2. Place 3-4 If You Care Firelighters under wood or on top of charcoal.
3. Light each Firelighter on the fractured side of the cube. Cube burns for 8-10 minutes with the first 5 minutes producing the strongest flame.

River Cottage organic seeds, in partnership with seed revolution. Based in dorset, this seed collection brings you some of our favourite varieties of vegetables - from your garden straight to the kitchen! 

Seeds available: radish, carrots, sweetcorn, peas, beetroot, 

Long handled bags also available.

These classic, organic, cotton string bags are brilliant for everyday use and are naturally super strong - they will take up to 40kg! CERTIFICATIONS: Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): no chemical pesticides or fertilisers are used in the production of the of the fabric and farmers must work under safe conditions with an agreed minimum wage.

Get rid of those plastic bags and grab one of these. It folds down and fits into your pocket / handbag / backpack.

These bags are so durable! When we had forgotten any extra bags we only had one of these when we did our food shop. It stretches SO MUCH we managed to get everything in (except a long baguette!).

They are also a fab company, putting human rights at the top of their agenda, committing to the 10 principles of Fair Trade organisations

Wash at 30c and do not tumble dry

1 pack of handmade, native wildflower Beebombs. 1000s of seeds from 18 native wildflower species, mixed with local protective clay and sifted, nurturing top soil. 1 pack provides coverage for roughly 21 sq ft / 2m² of wildflower meadow.

Beebombs are a mix of 50% annuals and 50% perennial species, providing natural and diverse habitat. Using seedballs protects the seeds from predators and provides a nurturing environment for the seeds to germinate from, making it easier for you to create the wildflower habitat Britain needs.

The Beebombs are made in a sustainable way on a farm in Parley, Dorset!

The Coastal Café Guide (new for 2024) is the ideal travel and café guide for anyone who loves food and loves the coast (please see our delivery note below).

The Coastal Café Guide has featured in The Times Weekend, The Sun, and The Scotsman. It’s the perfect gift for beach lovers, coast-path walkers, surfers, paddle-boarders, seafood fans, water sports enthusiasts, holidaymakers, and those travelling with families and dogs. It’s from Printslinger, publisher of 2023’s Amazon #1 bestseller, The Extra Mile: Delicious Alternatives to Motorway Services (4th ed). Inside The Coastal Café Guide, find:

• Around 150 cafés, restaurants, beach bars, seafood cabins, and pubs, on or near the coast
• Dog-friendly and family-friendly places to eat, often with a sea view
• 10 striking regional maps
• Independent, smaller places to eat
• Features on a dozen marine- and coast-relevant charities including Surfers Against Sewage
• Low food miles, local food places to help you support local food businesses
• 256pp pages with full-colour photography throughout
• Places in England, Scotland and Wales (inc. Isles of Scilly, Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Isle of Skye)

This new 2024 guide is a carbon-neutral certified book with a foreword from the RNLI. The Coastal Café Guide also highlights the work of 12 coast and marine-focused charities and organisations. These include the RNLI, Surfers Against Sewage, Ramblers (and the England Coast Path), The Marine Conservation Society, The Marine Stewardship Council, Open Seas, The Wave Project, The John Muir Trust, National Trust for Scotland, The Outdoor Swimming Society, City to Sea and The South West Coast Path Organisation. 1% of Printslinger’s income from this book will be donated to Surfers Against Sewage via Work for Good.

Sustainable sunglasses / glasses retainer strap hand-made from fishing nets recovered from beach cleans of the Cornish coastline.

Available in black or turquoise. 

A secure, sustainable and adjustable eyewear retainer strap compatible with Waterhaul sunglasses and prescription glasses frames.

Handmade in Looe, Cornwall, by Behaviour Change Cornwall, using ghost fishing nets collected from the Cornish coast. Finished with stainless steel beads, engraved with a batch number used to trace where the net has been recovered from.

Custom-made to fit the entire Waterhaul frame range, and the adjustable loop design means they should fit with most other eyewear frames too.

- The length of the strap can be adjusted, depending on if you want a tighter fit behind your head, or a looser fit while your sunglasses are hanging around your neck.

- Straps can be positioned in front of or behind the ear on the temple of the frame, depending on personal preference.- Each eyewear strap has come from a specific ghost fishing net, collected from the Cornish coastline by Behaviour Change Cornwall, represented by a batch number that has been laser engraved into the stainless steel beads on each strap.

- Our current batches include 001 (black) collected from Perranporth Beach, and 002 (green) collected from Kynance Cove.

Meet your new pocket's best friend.

This upgrades carabiner clips with confidence, boasting enhanced strength and a grip that actually feels good in your hand. Crafted entirely from recycled plastic, it transforms everyday key-wrangling into an eco-conscious act - no mountaineering skills required.

Perfect for the organised minimalist or anyone tired of jangling keys, this little wonder keeps your essentials exactly where you need them.

Lightweight at just 7g and measuring 41.5mm x 66mm x 8.7mm, it slides seamlessly into pockets, bags, or belts without the bulk.

Functional, sustainable, and surprisingly stylish - proof that doing good for the planet doesn't mean compromising on practicality.

Beautifully illustrated throughout, The Little Guide to Wildflowers offers a fresh perspective on identifying the flowers around you. Featuring 40 of the most beautiful flowers from around the world, including the common wildflowers we know and love, as well as the rare and interesting.

Each flower has been delicately illustrated by printmaker Tom Frost to capture its individual characteristics, and is accompanied by information about the plant family to which it belongs and where it can be found, plus associated facts and fables. There is also an interactive spotters guide at the back, where you can check off each flower you find.

This informative, practical and beautiful guide is part of a new nature series designedto encourage creativity through exploring the outdoors.

he Farm Shop Guide (edition 1, new for 2024) is the ideal food, travel and farm café guide for anyone who loves fresh food, farm-to-fork experiences, and farm-focused events and activities. If you love farm-fresh food and local flavours and are keen to shop seasonally and avoid flown-in food (while supporting Britain’s farmers and growers), this is the book for you. The Farm Shop Guide will help you find farm-fresh food and independent farm shops and cafés across Britain: perfect places for a weekly shop, an eat-out treat, or a family-friendly day trip. In the book you’ll find:

• First-rate farm shops, cafés and restaurants
• Farmers’ Markets and Food Festivals
• Dog-friendly and family-friendly places to stop, eat and shop
• Places with EV chargers for your vehicles
• PYO (pick-your-own) fruit, veg, flowers, Christmas trees, and pumpkin places
• Striking full-colour maps and full-page features per venue
• Spotlights on food, farming, and environmental charities including: Pasture for Life, the Sustainable Food Trust, Buglife, RSPB Fair to Nature, the Permaculture Association, Community Supported Agriculture, and the Soil Association.

To find tasty local produce and avoid bland flown-in food, buy The Farm Shop Guide today. It’s the perfect gift for your food-loving friends and anyone who likes to know where their food really comes from. The guide is from Printslinger Ltd. and the team behind 2024’s #1 Bestsellers, The Coastal Café Guide (2024) and The Extra Mile: Delicious Alternatives to Motorway Services (2023).