yardz

MORE THAN JUST LEAVES

 

When growing herbs we sometimes become obsessed with removing the flowers to encourage bigger and better foliage for culinary use. But sometimes we can compromise.

These purple basil growing in a pot on the patio have been flowering for several weeks now and are superb. The lilac purple flowers contrast so well against the deep purple green foliage. I haven't noticed that the foliage is any less pungent.

So perhaps it is worthwhile allowing some of our herbs to go to flower at the end of the summer.

SUPERLATIVE BBQ STYLING TO BRIGHTEN THE WETTEST DAY

The Coleman Diamento designed by Pininfarina

This is the ultimate in bbq styling. Designed by famous Italian stylists Pininfarina it embodies all that you would require in a top of the range bbq. You really would need nothing else in your yard - except a chair to sit and drool over this amazing cooking machine. They are not cheap at just over £2000 but what the hell - sell your car or your mother-in-law this is something that would make even your worst day worth living.

It is available in three colour ways - varnish red, varnish blue and varnish grey and has an amazing array of accessories, including a deep fat fryer to do your fries, that clip onto the main body.

www.coleman-bbq.com

RECYCLED BARBEQUE

A recycled enamal barbeque that is hand made by craftsmen in Senagal. It is not only a barbeque but also incorporates an ovan for roasting or keeping things warm.

The barbeque is made from recycled metal which is painted on the outside with Stove Bright high temperature paint.

'A charming, versatile barbeque that can be used as a grill or as a stove.

The upper section acts as an oven for roasting or for keeping food warm.

The lower section holds the charcoal for barbequeing or for cooking in a pot. It is lined with terracotta to reduce the amount of charcoal needed.'

£130.00

http://www.henandhammock.co.uk/products/product_detail.asp?194,19,0,0,0#more_details

EASY OUTDOOR GRILLING

Doing the weekly shop in the supermarket last night, I came across the George Forman Indoor/Outdoor Grill 14036 on offer for only £49.99. (George Forman offer price £59.99)

It is very stylish, has a good size grill and is cheap and easy to use. The other great benefit is with the British weather always so unpredictable, it is simple to carry the grill inside if your bbq party is interrupted by rain. Its compact, so is perfect for our smaller spaces and ideal for balcony use in apartments where it is against the lease to have gas/charcoal bbq's.

http://www.georgeforemanoffers.com/product_details.php?products_id=555

URBAN FLOWER TRAY

An amazing design for a mundane item.

The tray has sensuous round spaces on each side to store, for example newspapers, cutlery and napkins allowing for tidy organisation of the items on the tray. It also sits comfortably on the lap.

It is an elegant combination of materials: laminated lime tree wood with a simple and stunning laser engraved pattern inspired by the theme of nature transformation, acrylic and chrome. It is very light.

www.empty-me.com  £49.00

BEER BIRD

Beerbird is not an original idea but its still a great add on to the BBQ and the best way to cook a chicken.

Beerbird is a metal grid-like device with a tube of metal fixed in the middle of it. The tube in the middle holds a drink of your choice, lager, beer or a soft drink. Drink a third of the can and place a whole chicken, spiced the way you like it, cavity first onto the can. Place in a covered BBQ and within two hours you will be eating the most juicy succulent chicken you have ever tasted.

This was first launched in South Africa and is now being launched in this country, so look out for it at your local garden centre. RRP £9.99

www.beerbird.co.uk

PEA UPDATE

 

PEA HALF PINT

 

For those of you who read the YARDZVEG Diary, you will know that I sowed Half Pint peas in these 30cm long plastic troughs. This variety of pea, a very old Victorian variety, is perfectly suited to growing in containers as it is quick to grow and very compact. Up to now they have grown well with only regular watering and keeping slugs at bay. They have now started flowering so I'm looking forward to sweet fresh peas in a couple of weeks.

www.thompsonandmorgan.com

BUILD A SQUARE FOOT GARDEN

'Square Foot' Gardening is an American method of growing as many vegetables as possible in as small a space as possible, Seems the perfect solution to yardners wanting to 'grow their own'

Checkout this link to Lifehacker blog for more info.

http://lifehacker.com/369341/build-a-square-foot-garden

HOT OFF THE GRILL

NEW FOR 2009

www.kingsfordbbq.co.uk will be launching the O-GRILL at the Garden & Leisure trade show at the NEC in Birmingham in September.

It is a stylish and unique BBQ that is truly portable. Use a full size gas cylinder at home or a portable gas cannister when on the move - there is no need for expensive conversion kits. The large cooking area and high specification does not prevent it from being fully transportable by just one person. Comes in a range of colours

HOT PATIO

THE WORLDS HOTTEST PEPPER

www.thompsonandmorgan.com supply the worlds hottest chilli - the chilli/hot Tepin(Atomic). This extremely hot birds' eye pepper can be grown from seed and will fruit happily on the patio in a sunny position. Beware - make sure you handle the seeds carefully.