A lightweight 'Olympic Torch' that gives a fantastic real flame. Runs on 'blow torch cylinders' available from DIY stores that cost about £3 and give 7 hours of flame.
£59.99 inc free delivery
08/04/2008
02/04/2008
WASH DAY STYLE
SUPERB WASH DAY STYLE. Gone are the boring green airer covers and peg bags, www.alfrasia.co.uk offer a great range in 'Minky Pebble' design.
The Rotary Airer Cover is suitable for most models. Has a full length zip, is water resistant and UV stable. £4.00
The Peg bag is water resistant to keep pegs clean and dry.
We could do with more of this type of thought put into the design of everday items.
FAN DANCING
Phormium tenax, the New Zealand Flax, is a great 'architectual plant' planted a lot these days in public spaces. It is hardy and dramatic, growing with large spears of foliage reaching up to 1.5 metres high. It does tend to form a rather tight clump of fans of these leaves which do tend to detract from the shape of the individual spears.
An article in Saturdays' Times gardening section, sugested that by choosing the best 'fan' of foliage and cutting out the rest at the base, you will end up with all the plants energy being pumped into the remaining foliage. The result will be a stunning fan of leaves up to 3-4 metres high.
31/03/2008
COPPER WINDOW BOXES
Handmade steel windowboxes with copper coating. Weather resistant. From £24.95 www.gardenboutique.co.uk
25/03/2008
WOW WATERFEATURE
Amazing design led water feature by www.water-features-aquazone.co.uk
OUT TO GRASS BY SAVING MONEY
Decorative grasses are very popular especially in small gardens. Most are evergreen are easy to keep and even in the most sheltered garden react to prevailing weather conditions. They are best planted on mass where they show off their movement and architectual beauty. THE ONLY PROBLEM CAN BE THAT THEY ARE NOT CHEAP TO BUY. This can be solved by growing your own plants from seed. It is easy to do with only the basic requirements of pots, seed compost and a windowsill. Follow the instructions on the seed packet and by summer your micro garden can be transformed into an urban prairie.
Most of the main seed companies now sell a good range. Three from www.mr-fothergills.co.uk are great for small gardens and are easy to grow.
Fountain Grass - Pennisetum setaceum - a very elegant grass that creates great movement and texture.
Silver Grass - Miscanthus sinensis - a graceful grass with reed-like stems and tall feathery plumes.
Angel's Hair - Stipa tenuissima - beautiful and airy with arching almost-hair plumes.
All thse seeds are cheap to buy, around the £2 mark for up to 100 seeds.
19/03/2008
INSTANT SALAD GARDEN
The Instant Salad Garden is a great idea if you havn't got the time or space to grow your own vegetable plants. The garden pack is a selection of vegetable plants grown from organic seed without the use of pesticides. All you have to do is drop each plant into a small hole and water well. Great for containers.
The plant selection will vary according to the season. The packs are sent out between April and September. Plants may include rocket, lettuce, dwarf beans, ruby chard, mizuna, etc..
www.henandhammock.co.uk Instant Salad Garden £37.00
Great galvanised containers in bespoke sizes can be made to order by www.landscaping.co.uk. These are perfect for vegetable growing giving good root depth.
THE ULTIMATE FOLIAGE PLANT
Having been pondering rhubarb for the past few days, I've came up with the thought that it shouldn't just be an add on to any micro garden design but the main reason for it. Rhubarb really is the ultimate foliage plant. From the bright red bulbous buds in spring to the overpowering dark glossy leaves in summer and the late summer creamy plumes of flower. In between of course you can enjoy weeks of rhubarb crumble.
Planted in a strict 900mm grid system, the foliage would give almost complete ground coverage in the summer. Surround the plants with a mulch of coarse cold gravel and intersperse the plants with large 50cm sandstone balls, to give interest through the winter and contrast through the summer.
17/03/2008
RHUBARB MING
A great clean shaped container designed by Rodolfo Dordoni. Available in a range of colours including 'barbie' pink red and orange. The pure white finish though would be a perfect contrast to the red stems and dark green leaves of rhubarb.
