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This metal wreath with bow from www.worm.co.uk is a real change from twiggy circles and fading tinsel.
'Create your own Christmas wreath, either for the door or to hang in the garden as a Christmas treat for your feathered friends.
The wreath is extremely versatile with small trap door at the top so it can be filled with tiny pears, apples, small clementines or chinese lantern seed pods.
Made of metal with grey finish.'
£25.00
Seed sprouting can be very tedious using the old fashions jar method. Regular water flushing is required and with todays busy lifestyle that is not always possible.
The Freshlife Sprouter from www.ukjuicers.com solves that problem.
'The Freshlife sprouter is easy to use and very economical to run. It features an automatic, timed sprinkling system to produce fresh, nutritious and tender living-foods. This delivers a continuous supply of fresh water, ensuring the sprouts are periodically rinsed even if you are out through the day. '
£79.00
http://www.ukjuicers.com/freshlife-automatic-sprouter
Another great alternative to outdoor Christmas trees from www.outer-eden.co.uk
'Designed by Michael Young to create a unique lighting experience for outside. Lenticular body with circular detail.'
£400.00
http://www.outer-eden.co.uk/product_details.asp?c=123&d=3&p={CEA65826-FED7-4EE0-9BD2-80A74EF05166}
Parrot Tulip Green Wave
Highly unusual tulip with large ruffled flowers, pure green in the early stages, turning to a vibrant pink at the outer edges when fully open.
Last call for buying tulip bulbs. There are still a few left around on garden centre shelves which are by now usually marked down to clear.
It is now rather too late to plant daffodils and many other spring bulbs but tulips if in good condition can be planted as late as January.
Try looking for Parrot Tulips which flower in the middle of spring and are just an amazing splash of colour and form, Plant in low containers or bowls so you can look down right into the mouth of the tulip and enjoy the colours to the full.
These little planters made from re-cycled vegetable sacks are great. Plant them up with herbs for a quirky and original look for the kitchen windowsill or on the patio.
'Each one is unique and therefore the pattern will be different. Some have a partly meshed bottom, whilst others have a full bottom'
http://shop.theurbangarden.co.uk/planters/re-cycled_planter_vegetable/3124_p.html
JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE
Jerusalem artichokes make a great decorative screen or just an architectural feature in the smaller garden. Planted in spring, the tubers that look like knobbly potatoes soon grow into tall stems of fresh green foliage. In late summer and autumn these stems produce bright yellow daisy like flowers, a welcome bonus at that time of year. Mine this reached almost eight feet high and survived the winds of North Devon.
The bonus of all this growth is what has been going on underground! The plants produce large quantities of new tubers in the same way that potatoes do. Dig them up at the end of autumn and dry the tubers out and store in a cool dark place.
'Jerusalem artichokes are very rich in inulin, a carbohydrate linked with good intestinal health due to its prebiotic (bacteria promoting) properties. These health benefits come at a price; the food can have a potent wind-producing effect.
Jerusalem artichokes also contain vitamin C, phosphorus and potassium and are a very good source of iron.
Cook as you would potatoes - roast, sauté, bake, boil or steam. If peeling or cutting, drop pieces into water with a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent discolouration. Unlike potatoes, Jerusalem artichoke can also be used raw (e.g. in salads) or lightly stir-fried.'
One of the best ways to use artichokes is combining them in soups with other things.
Serves 6 - 8 people
Peel and slice artichokes then put them into a bowl of cold water to prevent them from discolouring. Peel and slice the carrots. Melt the butter in a cooking pot and soften the onion and celery for 5 minutes, then stir in the carrots and artichokes. Add some salt and put the lid on and let the vegetables sweat for 10 minutes on a low heat. Then pour in the stock, stir well, put the lid back on and simmer for a further 20 minutes or until the vegetables are soft. Then liquidise the soup. Taste to check the seasoning, re-heat and serve.
Recipe from www.abelandcole.co.uk
Myflower- Luminous Screen designed by Flavio Lucchini
'Flavio Lucchini, a leading figure in the cultural, fashion and artistic field, interprets for Slide a new way to divide and decorate space. My Flower is a cheerful, funny sculpture made of polyethylene, an high and stylized icon-flower joining art and design intended for a wide audience and both for private or public outdoor spaces.'
Available in green,pink and white - would make a great alternative Christmas tree for the yard!
£887.69
http://www.madeindesign.co.uk/prod-Myflower-Luminous-screen-Slide-refsdflo180-p.html
MATT JAMES
'Matt's gardening career began as a teenager working on a small farm. He then went on to study at various horticultural colleges and work at nurseries. Matt was honoured in 2000 as Londoner of the Year in the field of Environment and Regeneration, in recognition of his work establishing a successful circuit of Farmers' Markets in the capital. Today his enthusiasm has led him to teaching and he lectures at a South London college.'
Matt James has a passion for small gardens, yards, balconies, etc. that stands him apart from the other celebrity garden designers. His book 'The Urban Garden Bible' is more than just a 'how to do it' tome but a realinsight in to his views and understanding of how to make the most use of small outdoor spaces. He is a great plantsman and this shows in his makeover projects. Matt lives in a flat and just has a balcony so he understands how to be creative in the smallest of spaces.
Matt James is without doubt a Yardz Hero
Great acrylic balloons and giant decorations that are perfect for putting a bit of creative festive spirit in your yard. Available in funky mixed colours or traditional gold, silver and red.
Look out for stockists of Festive Products www.festive.co.uk .
The Uovo outdoor lamp from www.madeindesign.co.uk is more than just a light its illuminated sculpture of the highest level.
'Table or floor lamp for outdoor. Diffuser in satin white polyethylene manufactured through rotational moulding process. Mounting in stainless steel. Black feeding cable, 5 meters long, provided with a plug in protection class IP X4. It can be installed on a top by means the version with base in stainless steel or into the ground by means of the version with anchor rods.'
£539.95
