yardz

DRUMSTICKS AND TULIPS

 

Still time to plant up containers for spring. A stunning mix that will be a real wow factor in any small area is using Primula denticulata, the 'drumstick primrose' under-planted with the bright red tulip Apeldorn.

The primulas will give a long flowering period in spring giving a cover ofround mauve drumstick shaped flowers at a height of around 15cm/6". The tulips will flower mid-spring giving a levell red sheet over the mauve primroses - very effective.

NEW TIMES CHANGING WORLD

A NEW LOOK AT HOW WE USE OUR PERSONAL OUTDOOR SPACE

Recession, credit crunch, unemployment, inflation - all these things are making the outdoor space we own or use far more important. In this blog I have always been amazed at how many urban yards are a wilderness of unused valuable living space. It is now costing us more to go out and pay for entertainment, eating out,etc. and in the coming months that money is going to be in short supply.

The small outdoor space should now be used to the full as not only a twelve month entertainment zone but also as a micro-market garden. There are so many options for yardeners on how they divide their space and technology is at last catching up with the reality that these outdoor spaces are becoming smaller and smaller. One of my main passions, and part of my job as a retail buyer, is searching out exciting and practical new garden merchandise that is suitable for yards and not only traditional large gardens.

The upsurge in vegetable growing has brought many young people into gardening for the first time and this expansion can now move from gardens and allotments into yards.

Linear space is at a premium in our yards so to make cropping of any edible plants a viable alternative several things must be taken into account:

• the cost of growing - seeds, compost, etc.
• the amount of produce in relation to these costs
• the health benefits from producing your own food
• the loss of valuable space that could be used for other activities

To help us to make a choice as to whether we use our space for micro-cropping is being helped by the international increase in non traditional growing techniques. These include vertical planting, hydroponics, production of micro-veg and 'salad machines'.

Also on a less technical level we now have available plant specific and organic growing bags, vegetable plants bred to mature quicker and at a smaller size and also pre-grown vegetable plants ready for planting and growing on.

It is now time over the coming months to prepare for spring and be ready to use the technology now available to create an exciting and productive yard. 

LIMEHOUSE BLUES

I understand that the unique Docklands Garden Centre has closed. This amazing centre was built alongside Limehouse Station in the east of London, and was a well loved and used feature of the area.

Its unusual design made the most of the small space it fitted on to. Built around a central atrium the wooden structure went up layer upon layer with the plant sales area being at the top almost level with the raised station buildings. On this level you found a multitude of plants for sale of all types and sizes including large specimens, how they got them up there I can't imagine!

They bottom levels contained rooms of all the normal garden centre sundries as well as a superb range of containers and even a selection of houseplants. At Christmas it was filled with Christmas trees of all sizes.

I know it will be sadly missed.

COLOURFUL COCONUT DUET

  

Summer arrived this weekend with stunning blue skys and blazing sun, so it seemed odd to be turfing out the last of the summer bedding and replanting the baskets for winter.

Devon is a windy place and even in my well enclosed yard it can be quite blustery. I have to take this into account when choosing winter and spring bedding. Violas are perfect. They are hardy, fragrant and long lasting. They flower almost continuously and are very fragrant. I've chosen Viola Coconut Duet which is purple/blue and white and will under plant with the deep purple dwarf Iris Pauline. 

COLD WAR MODERN

 

An interesting chair from the 60's that I saw at the Autumn Fair in Birmingham is now available at the V & A shop.

'An original prototype of this classic 60s design will be a highlight of the Cold War Modern exhibition. Designed by Peter Ghyczy, the chair was eventually mass produced in East Germany and is one of the few design products of the Cold War era, sold in both East and West. Celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year the chair is now produced by Felix Ghyczy, the designer's son. Suitable for use in the garden. Only available in yellow. Weighs 16.2kg.'

£1250.00

http://www.vandashop.com/product.php?xProd=2697&xSec=235&navlock=1

COMPO VIZ

 

The new Compo Viz is a flat pack lightweight compost bin with a twist.

Its made from recycled plastic, is a compact 80ltr size for small gardens  and comes in a trendy designer finish.

www.compoviz.com   £19.99

BLOOMIN' MIRACLE

 

Miracle cyclamen are available everywhere to buy to brighten winter and spring yards. They are hardy and flower for yonks! Great for baskets but best massed as single colours in containers.

Cost around £1.99 per 9cm pot

AUTUMN CONES

 

We've gone from summer to autumn in one jump this week with the clear blue skys and sun changing to our more seasonal wind and rain.

The summer planting in the cone baskets have now had their day and are ready to be planted for winter and spring. Try something different this year not just the standard universal winter flowering pansies.

The basket shown includes carmine coloured miracle cyclamen and mauve winter flowering heather, set off against variegated trailing ivy and variegated acorus. This will give a great mix of flower colour and foliage texture throughout the coming months.

I would suggest underplanting with dwarf bulbs and in the case of the above mixture would use Iris George.