Calling all subscribers of Gardens Monthly magazine – we now have a locked-article facility on site offering exclusive content to you. If you have not visited before, welcome to Gardening.co.uk and I hope you get the very best out of our print and online gardening facilities. To find our more about subscriber content on this site, please continue reading.
Non-members and non-subscribers, don't go away before you've read the benefits of joining and subscribing here. I hope to hook up with you on the Forum and share your gardening experiences.
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| Locked: Charlie's wildlife ponds
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How can I tell which articles are locked and accessible to subscribers only?
That's simple – there is a green icon marked G+ to the right-hand side of each article as it appears on the site. The icon represents subscriber-only content.
When I go to read the G+ articles, how will anyone know if I'm a subscriber or not?
You'll be identified as a subscriber by your subscriber number, which you'll need to enter. This is easy – simply click on the locked article you want to read and a short article will pop up entitled SUBSCRIPTION ONLY AREA (please don't be put off by its rather authoritative tone).
* Then, depending on whether you are a member, a subscriber, neither or both, you'll be given options to follow. Read more about these below.
How do I know what my subscriber number is?
It's on the delivery label that comes with your magazine (it usually has 10 digits and sits above your address). It's also on your welcome letter or email when you first subscribe.
Okay, I am both a site member and a magazine subscriber?
Click on a G+ article and the short article SUBSCRIPTION ONLY AREA will pop up.
* Read STEP 2 only and enter your subscriber number in the box provided to access the feature you want. You only need to do this once, then you'll have access to locked features straightaway.
* STEP 2 also gives you the option of checking your subscription status and emailing our technical department with any problems.
I'm a site member, but not a magazine subscriber?
Click on a G+ article and the SUBSCRIPTION ONLY AREA article will pop up.
*Read STEP 1 only, which allows you to subscribe to the magazine online there and then.
I'm a magazine subscriber, but not a site member?
Click on a G+ article and the SUBSCRIPTION ONLY AREA article will pop up.
* Read STEP 1 and STEP 2 of the article. STEP 1 allows you to enter your subscriber number there and then (you'll find it on the delivery label that comes with your magazine). STEP 2 allows you to join the website there and then, which is free, quick and easy.
*Alternatively, go to the Home Page and you'll see the JOIN TODAY! pod on the left-hand side. When you join, you will be invited to add your subscriber number here, below your name and email address. If your surname and subscriber number match correctly, you will see that your sign-up page gets filled with your address details automatically. Once you have become a Gardening.co.uk member (but not before), you will have access to locked content.
I'm neither a member nor a subscriber?
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| Locked: slug control
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Click on a G+ article and the SUBSCRIPTION ONLY AREA article will pop up.
* Read STEP 1 and STEP 2 of the article. STEP 1 allows you to subscribe to the magazine there and then; STEP 2 allows you to join the website there and then.
Can I add my subscriber number anywhere else?
If you are a Gardening.co.uk member, you can add your subscriber number to the 'Subscriber's Box' that appears on your 'My Details' Page.
*The subscriber number link also displays a pop-up box showing where the number appears on your magazine address label, if in doubt.
How does this facility benefit me as a subscriber?
It's probably safe to say that subscribers of any magazine have an interest in the subject that extends beyond 'passing' and is more likely to be anything from 'keen and involved' to 'fanatical'.
In general, subscriber-only articles currently on the site offer an in-depth view of a subject, whether it's weed control; slug control; or building a pond for wildlife with Charlie Dimmock. So, the current locked articles are aimed at gardeners keen to delve into a subject in some detail.
Locked articles linked to other articles
Some of these locked articles link directly to articles that are accessible to all. One example is the series of 60-second articles that everyone can glean something from in no time at all; designed for those on a tight schedule snatching a minute at work, in the early morning, or late at night. They may also appeal to schoolchildren or teachers who are unlikely to subscribe.
*If you check out the Related Articles at the bottom of these 60-second articles, you are likely to find a G+ article which goes into the subject in more detail. For instance, 60-second guide: organic matter has related locked-down articles exploring organic matter and compost in greater depth.
A bit more on related articles
Related articles are another important facility of this site and easy to find. Every article you look at, whether you're a subscriber or not, is likely to have several related articles linked at the end of it. Simply scroll down to the end of the page (including this one) and you'll see the heading 'Related Articles'. Sometimes you might not find what you're looking for in one article, but the related articles might shed more light – and the more of them there are, the more you will be able to explore any given subject (say clematis) in some depth. The related articles at the end of this page will give you more information on joining benefits, site members and prizewinners, for instance.
Forum threads at the end of an article
*Likewise Forum threads at the end of an article, give you the opportunity to comment on the article, post a question or continue the discussion. These threads that appear at the end of an article automatically appear on the Forum as well. If someone has already posted a thread below an article, you can simply follow that thread to the Forum and post your own thread.
As a subscriber – can I make suggestions about content I would like to see online or in the magazine?
Please do. The easiest way to do so is to email me, Sarah B with your suggestions and comments. I look forward to receiving and acting on all reasonable and constructive input.
How much subscriber-only content appears on site?
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| Locked: weed control
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At the moment it's about 10%. You will come across more G+ articles as time goes on, with the maximum ratio of locked content being about 25%.
So now I'm a member and a subscriber. Do I get a gold star?
Not quite yet – buy maybe in the future! There are benefits to being a member, a subscriber and both. Members can upload images onto the Gallery, take part in Forum discussions, enter competitions and receive regular newsletters keeping them up to date with what's on site and forthcoming articles. Every month a new site member wins a prize and there are also prizes for the best Gallery photo, Forum thread and Forum contribution.
Subscribe, save money and receive your free gift
New subscribers to Gardens Monthly magazine can take advantage of great savings up to 30% when you subscribe by direct debit – plus you'll also receive a free gift, currently a fabulous Acer palmatum.
A word or two about joining the site and your profile
It takes just a couple of minutes to fill in the minimum information requirement – your name and address details, and membership is free.
If you have a couple of extra minutes to spare, please fill out the section 'My Gardening' (six questions); 'My Buying' (three short questions which tell us how you came across the site, whether you read the magazine and if you attend shows); and 'My Profile' where you can add information about yourself and your garden.
Your details, should you choose, are private and confidential, although you can elect for other members to email you (they never have access to your email address) and read about you in 'My Profile'. This means that when you post a message on the forum, Gardening.co.uk members can contact you direct, or discover more about you and your garden. You can also choose to receive regular newsletters by email, telling you what's currently on the site and what's coming up, as well as details of offers and promotions.
So don't miss out. Subscribe to Gardens Monthly magazine and join Gardening.co.uk to make the most of our resources – and your garden.
denotes Subscriber-only content | Wednesday 23 July 2008 | Help | Glossary 
