yardz

WINTER DAISIES

Barbie pink is not a colour that is widely found in winter bedding. You can find washed out pansies or electric bright cyclamen but not the warm clear pink that you can find in double daisies. The warm autumn and early winter have been kind to those planted in baskets and containers resulting in them flowering as though it was mid March. The benefit of growing these double daisies is that as perennials they will last more than one year so it is worth in late spring planting them in a shady spot out of the way for the summer ready to use again. You should still find them available in garden centres now and when planting them try underplanting with a few dark grape hyacinth bulbs for a great contrast.

EVEN YARDS NEED TREES

Yesterday was the start of National Tree Week. There will be many events taking place over the week including community planting projects (www.treecouncil.org.uk). There is a Guinness world record bid taking place on 5th December to plant the largest number of trees in one hour.(www.BBC.co.uk/treeoclock)
Even those of us with very small outside spaces should look at planting trees either in the soil or in large containers. In my 5x5 space I have two trees, a double flowered hawthorn, Crataegus Pauls Scarlet and a mountain ash, Sorbus Joseph Rock. Both of these trees are perfect for small gardens giving flower, foliage and flower interest as well as encouraging wild life. So help with your own carbon footprint- plant a tree this week.

SACKS OF NATURAL SLUG DETERRENT

 The Natural Slug and Snail Dererrent from www.ecocharlie.co.uk comes packed in wonderful 10kg hessian sacks* that make it a great Christmas present for the keen 'yardner'.

It is made from recycling old ceramic sinks, baths,toilets etc which are washed and then cushed into small sharp chunks. This works as a barrier around plants as the natural porous properties of the ceramic dry the mucus of the slug/snail slowing its movement. The sharpness of the chunks causes discomfort to the snail/slug which deters them and also smaller particles combine with the slug/snails mucus prevent its further movement.

This looks a great product that is well worth trying. Have a look at the suppliers website www.ecocharlie.co.uk where besides finding other great eco friendly garden products there are also some unique demonstration videos on how their products can be used.

*The deterrent is also available in 2.5kg bags or boxes

SEEDS FOR URBAN GARDENS

Over the last few years we have seen a wide range of seed collections being offered in garden centres and online. www.thompson-morgan.com are launching for next year a range specifically aimed at container growing and small gardens - The Kew Urban Garden Collection.There will be a range of 16 vegetables and 4 beans & peas selected for their uniqueness and suitability for growing in small spaces.All the varieties are unique in the range. Well worth looking out for.
 

AMOOSING LIGHTING FOR CHRISTMAS

It is always difficult to know how and if to decorate the yard for christmas. I saw this wonderful amusing Moo Wall Lamp on one of my favourite blogs, www.myurbangardendecoguide.com The light designed by Trond Svendgard and Ove Rogne is constructed of poly-resin and steel so is suitable for outdoor use.

It is available from www.scandinaviandesigncentre.com  £773.92

THE ULTIMATE MAINTENANCE FREE YARD

 
I've mentioned Sedums in posts before. They are a great plant that as an alpine are able to withstand hardy conditions. This makes them perfect for low maintenace situations such as on roofs. They are very good in dry conditions as their foliage stores water.

Though usually used on 'green roofs' I see no reason why you couldn't just plant the whole of you yard with sedum to create a living green mat.Once planted, as long as the preperation is right, it's as easy as laying turf, you have an almost maintence free garden. By mixing varieties you would be able to having a reasonable succession of flowering and the plants will become a kalidoscope of colourful foliage. It is also a very enviromentally friendly way of gardening with no need of fertilizers and irrigation.

It is well worth looking at www.sempergreen.com who are international specialists in the field of using sedum and will give you some great ideas.

SHELVES VEGETABLE

As regular visitors to my blog will know I am really interested in vertical gardening and the advantages it brings to the small space gardener.

This French System by the designer Germain Bourne is designed for flexible vertical growing. Each shelf is filled with a suitable growing media allowing for vegetable culture from sowing to harvesting. Watering is via a waterfall system with water flowing from the top shelf to the bottom. The system is made from stainless steel and is 3m long and 1.6m high.

It looks very stylish and would look great filled with a selection of grasses for those not into 'grow your own' yet.

PERNETTYA PEARLS

Pernettya mucronatta is a great small evergreen shrub for containers and windowboxes over winter. It has small shiny green leaves that take on a bronze tint over winter but its main feature are the pearly dark pink to white berries that it holds from late autumn into early summer. Prefers acid conditions so treat it to some ericaceous compost when planting.

SOLAR PYRAMIDS

Though I use them myself and find many of the new designs very interesting, solar lighting is not always that practical. Solar lighting is great outside in the summer when daylight has enough power to recharge batteries enough to give a long period of light at night but present technology, even with LED, has not acheived the same over dull winter conditions.

Never the less I do like these solar pyramid shaped lights from www.cdn.overstock.com . They are designed for edging a deck but would fit anywherewhere light is needed to outline an edge. The shape is very practical with the four solar panels to pick up sunlight as the sun moves round and the are made from rust resistant stainless steel. My one gripe though is the fixing screws which seam a bit heavy handed.

£22.06

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Pyramid-shaped-Solar-Deck-Light/3938812/product.html
 

BEACH LOUNGER BRINGS THOUGHTS OF SUMMER

As the rain tips down and thewind blows a gale, I was taken with thoughts of summer on finding this Beach Lounger Seat from www.lovethyspace.co.uk.

This inflated comfortable lounger is available in three colours - dark grey, light grey and orange. It can be used in two positions, either upright with the foot rest behind for support or as a perfect lounger with the rest for your feet. The chair comes complete with a hand pump for inflation and a handy carrier bag. The fact that it is inflatable and easily storage makes it a winner for balconies and roof gardens but perhaps not in November.

www.lovethyspace.co.uk   £99.00