yardz

LIVING LARDERS FOR SMALL SPACES

I am passionate about growing vegetables in small yards and salad leaves are about the most productive for small spaces. I grow them in trays in a small grow house but its not that attractive to look at. 
This Living Larder Salad Garden from www.sparrowandfinch.co.uk is not only attractive but also designed to grow three different sowings of salad leaves. You can either stagger your sowings to have a continuous supply of leaves or sow three different types of salad to mix and match.

Available in French Gray finish  £199.95

SPIDERS IN THE BED

 

 
Spider plants, Chlorophytum comosum, are usually grown as houseplants, decorating many a kitchen windowsill. They can though be grown outside with summer bedding, their variegated spiky leaves contrast well against bright bedding plants such as geranium.

The only problem is that they do not like damp cold weather so it can be a risk if we have a poor summer.

THE ULTIMATE FOLD AWAY CHAIR

The Flux chair is "a unique design that transforms from a flat package with a handle into a design chair"

Its great to use outside or in, is available in eight colours and has cushions as an extra. 

www.mooch.co.uk  £129.00

 
 

 
 
  
 

 

 
 

ECO DISPOSABLE BBQ

Instant disposable barbeques have never been very stylish - just foil trays filled with charcoal that end up as a tray of grease and ash that has to be disposed of.

The Ecogrill is something totally different. Its an Alder log hollowed out with airducts and filled with charcoal.It burns for three to four hours with the log burning away to create more fuel. The grill can be used just as a bbq but will happily boil a kettle or support a frying pan. 

www.woofwoodfuel.co.uk from £9.95

SWINGING THE BLUES

 
Sometimes taking a risk pays off. I planted these blue petunias in my hanging cones about six weeks ago when the weather was really good not  thinking that there would still be a risk of frost. Luckily I got away with it and now they are looking great. I have not planted trailing varieties as I find in our windy conditions they can get broken in summer storms.  

GROOVY GRASS FOR GROOVY YARDZ

 
Groovy Grass is new from www.verdesports.com. Its a super soft artificial grass that is great for using outside.It has a dense durable design with a two tone curly thatch. Its available in 2 and 4 metre widths.

Available in lime green, purple, turquoise, funky pink, black and white. £42.00 per square metre 

A MINIGARDEN FOR MAXI CROPS

 
 
Minigarden from one of my favourite websites www.gardenbeet.com, is a simple and stylish vertical garden system. It is a modular system that allows you to build a garden as large or as small as you require. The design helps reduce the need for watering by controlling evaporation.

Available in black and white.  £50.75

WHITE SWAN AT CHELSEA

 

The superb Anenome White Swan was voted Plant of the Year by the RHS at the Chelsea Flower Show last week. Its a new introduction that should be available in garden centres next year.

This is a low growing anenome that has large pure white flowers with a blue reverse, It flowers from spring through into summer and would make a great container plant in a semi shade situation. 

A CHELSEA GARDEN THAT PULLS AT THE HEART STRINGS

One of my favourite show gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show this year is the British Heart Foundation Garden by designer Anne-Marie Powell. The predominately green planting offsets the dramatic red of the 'heart string' arches and 'blood cell' shaped stepping stones. This contrast reminds me of the landscaping at the Hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris. 

 

STYLISH BBQ CONES

As with all Bodum products the Bodum Fyrkat Cone BBQ is beatifully designed. For cooking it has two grill levels and a battery powered rotisserie with grill spit. The cone not only provides a large ash catcher but also allows for air regulation.

Available in four Bodum colours.

www.bodum.com  £139.00