yardz

ROLLING AROUND THE YARD

 

I know that the Compospere is not the most practical object to have in a small garden but the design of it is just great and would make a great feature in its own right!

'The CompoSphere is a 315 Litre spherical composter which, because of its shape and design, allows you to easily mix and tumble the contents simply by rolling it around. Similar to a conventional compost tumbler, but its not restricted to a frame and its certainly not conventional!

Every time you roll the composting process is accelerated. Roll regularly and use an organic accelerator and you could enjoy a new supply of compost within a matter of weeks.
The CompoSphere is rotationally moulded using 100% recycled plastic and features an easy-twist lid. Its two hemispheres nest inside each other for convenient shipping and storage.'

www.greenstamp.co.uk   £89.99

http://www.greenstamp.co.uk/product_info.php/cPath/45_79/products_id/171?osCsid=cd0f9c2b5f8f53c7d6266dd295538002

CONTAINER FIREWORKS

 

Clematis can easily be grown in small gardens on walls and fences but some are also suitable for growing in containers. The clematis shown in the photo is Clematis Fireworks. It has been in the container for almost twenty years, travelling down to Devon with us on moving, and always flowers well both in early summer and again in the autumn. If planting in a container make sure it is as big as possible, at least 24"/610mm across, and use a soil based compost such as John Innes No.3. Keep well watered through out the growing season, feeding every 10 days with a general liquid feed.

'The Clematis Fireworks has some of the largest flowers in the Clematis world, Fireworks has two separate flushes in the season May - June then again in Sept. This Clematis can tolerate shade and will grow to around 10 feet. Fireworks can be grown in a container or the garden and has the AGM.'

www.taylorsclematis.co.uk    £8.00

http://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/product.php?productid=16175&cat=269

 

AN OASIS AMONG THE BARREN WASTES OF THE MODERN ESTATE

 

Our small yard garden is now three years old. We started with a blank canvas as the house was on a new green field site in rural Devon. The plot is small, south facing, on a heavy soil and slopes steeply towards the house.

In those three years we have worked to create a plot that gives us somewhere to sit, relax and entertain as well as planting that gives us twelve months of interest and also a certain amount of food in the form of salads.

Birds now visit our garden to feed and then bath in the clear water of the rill. We have bats flittering over the garden at night in search of the insects that hover over the lush foliage.

Sadly our neighbours have plots in the state they were when the builders moved out. A square of grass or gravel and maybe an odd shrub or two. No trees even when offered by the builders are planted in these barren plots. I can understand that they are not interested in traditional gardening or do not have the time to improve their plots but what a waste. A waste in enlivening their lifestyle by not using this available space when there is so much information around to help and garden furniture, plants and accessories to excite.

THE TRENDY CAGE PLANTER

 

The trendiest plant container this year is the wire Cage planter. You may have noticed it on Chelsea display gardens this year.

This white version is available from www.heals.co.uk. £120.00

'This wirework planter has a retro feel and is a great alternative to heavy terracotta or ceramic pots.'

http://www.heals.co.uk/Planters+Pots-/Cage-Planter-White/invt/897283

SPEEDY BEANS

 

Dwarf French Bean Speedy  from www.suttons-seeds.co.uk  is great for growing in small spaces. This year I'm growing them in plastic troughs in multipurpose compost. I have used them as an edging to the overhanging deck where I hope they will be both decorative and productive.

They are ideal for containers being easy to grow and as their name implies they are speedy, growing to harvest in seven weeks. Keep sowing to the end of June/early July to give fleashy pods 13-14cm long up to the end of September. 

OLD FASHIONED TRENDS

 

Astrantias

Having always been a firm favourite with flowers arrangers due to their unusual flowers, Astrantias have now found their way into the palette of top garden designers. Some of the Chelsea display gardens including the award winning Laurent Perrier garden, include some of the darker flowered varieties. These included Astrantia Claret and Astrantia Hadspen Blood which along with lighter flowered varieties are available at www.crocus.com

Astrantias are herbaceous perennials that die down in winter. They prefer full sun or semi-shade and like amoist soil. They are happy growing in containers and will flower from June to August.

BBQ EVA SOLO STYLE

 

Another really stylish product from the designer Eva Solo.

'Eva Solo Table Top Ceramic BBQ. Gather around this handy table grill so everyone can join in grilling their favourite food. The bowl is made of porcelain, while the grill, and the insert which hold the coals, are made of stainless steel. The BBQ is portable when cool and stands securely on a table guard when in use. After use the bowl, grill and insert can be put in the dishwasher. When not being used as a barbecue the porcelain bowl can be used for salads.'

Available from www.heals.co.uk  £175.00

http://www.heals.co.uk/BBQs/Eva-Solo-Table-Top-Ceramic-BBQ/invt/896349

OUTDOOR KITCHEN BY JOE COLOMBO

Saw this iconic mini-kitchan that can be used outside on Anne Roberts blog www.myurbangardendecoguide.com.

Looks just the thing us yard dwellers have been looking for!

http://www.myurbangardendecoguide.com/2009/05/iconic-mobile-outdoor-kitchen-by-joe-colombo.html