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Just a quick updateon the potatoes in the Haxnicks potato bags.As the plants have grown, vegetable compost has been added to the bags just covering the growth. The shoots have now reached the top of the bags so I shall top up finally with compost and await the harvest.
For many years I have grown the small growing tomato Tumbler in hanging baskets. They produce lots of small sweet flavoured fruits over a long period and as long as they are watered and fed will be a far better choice than cordon tomatoes grown in grow bags for yard growers.
This year though I'm also going to try the smallest of tomatoes, 'Micro Tom'. It grows to only about 6" high and is great for window boxes or even in pots on a windowsill. It should produce several dozen fruits from July to September.
Like many modern varieties of tomatoes they are becoming more and more available at your local garden centre, if not try www.homeofdistinction.co.uk (£1.75/plant)
These superb outdoor armchairs are produced by www.scab.it and are available at some garden centres and on line. The Super Jenny Armchairs are made from recyclable polypropylene with ananodised aluminium legs. They are available in a range of colours including lemon green, blue, anthracite, linen, orange, red and light grey.
They are very comfy with no need of cushions, perfect for after dinner dallying at the dinner table.
Have discovered this weekend a great site, www.seedtoplate.co.uk, that tells you in easy terms everything you need to know about sowing, growing and cooking your own veg.
Included in the site is an easy to use plot designer, sowing calendar and grow guides. There is also a shop section for purchasing online organic seeds and a basic range of garden equipment.
The site is beautifully constructed and very easy to use. Go on visit it now.
French Bean Speedy
Having grown the compact pea Half Pint last year in troughs successfully, I thought this year I would give dwarf french beans a try.
French Bean Speedy is one of earliest and quickest to harvest from sowing being ready to pick in 6 to 12 weeks. It is very compact and gives a high yield.
From www.suttons.co.uk £2.25 for 75 seeds approx.
Rock Garden Modular Planters designed by Alain Gilles and available from www.passionforpots.com are something very different.
These modular planters are reminiscent of the logic found in rock gardens and have a touch of the natural stone paths, made out of roughly cut stone. Only by experimenting with the positioning of these planters will the infinite number of possibilities be evident. Each arrangement will be unique and personal, creating an individual statement. Anything is possible, either by combining several pieces, or with a single, large impactful piece. They are the perfect planters with which to recreate a rock garden on a terrace, or to visually divide larger spaces. Plant aromatic herbs or modern foliage for a contemporary look. When used inside these planters will add an unexpected touch of creativity to any setting.
Price depends on arrangement.
New from IKEA this year is this simple but very stylish solar lighting.It is composed of clear 39cm long stakes with matt black bases. In the base are unplighters that shine up the translucent stakes causing them to give off a warm glow in the dark. They are very effective.
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/80148272 SOLIG £7.99 for 5 stakes
In most gardens space can be a problem but in very small gardens it can be critical. Raised or cantilevered decks can give the bonus of planting space beneath them.
Plants should be chosen that will be happy in dry shade. I have used evergreen ferns and a selection of hostas, including the 'white' Hosta White Feather. I have watered them to settle them in but should now survive with little help other than an annual feed of chicken pellets.
The next step is to get some under deck spotlights to create a bit of theatre at night.
Why not grow Tomatillo as a change from tomatoes this year.
They produce golf ball sized green fruits encased in a papery husk. The fruits can be used unripe in salso or ripe eaten raw or used in pies and jams.Grow in pots or growbags and treat as tomatoes.
Tomatillo Large Green from Thompson and Morgan £1.69 40 seeds
Magnolias are looking amazing this year with few late frosts the flowers have kept there perfect colours and shape.
Though normally too big for the yard growing to the size of a medium sized tree*, they do make an amazing feature in spring.
Of all the magnolias Magnolia Black Tulip is possibly the most stunning. It is well named with its perfect tulip shaped flowers of the deepest purple that is almost black. It would be suitable to grow in a large container using a loam based compost but would need watering well throughout the growing season.
* The best smaller magnolia to grow is without doubt Magnolia stellata which has small brilliant white flowers.
