yardz

GETTING THE RIGHT HANDLE ON YOUR GARDEN TOOLS

These highly innovative PRO-Lite tools from the USA have been introduced to us Brits by www.brilliantgardenproducts.co.uk. Made from carbon steel with a fibreglass shaft they are fitted with the Radius patented 'O' grip which gives up to four times more gripping area. The range includes a spade, shovel, digging fork and transplanter. 

LATTE ON THE PATIO IN 2011

This week yardz has been at the SOLEX show in Telford. This is the Summer Outdoor Living Exhibition of garden furniture and barbeques. All the new ranges for 2011 were on show including this neat little bistro set from www.Kettler.co.uk in their Contemporary Living range.

The Caffe Latte Set will be available in pink,blue,green and grey and will retail at under £150 for the folding table and two folding chairs. 

PLANTING ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW IN PLYMOUTH

It must be something about the south Devon air that encourages its inhabitants to be so adventurous in their planting. I spotted both these schemes last weekend. The planting above was by the waterfront at the Barbican and has been well designed to stand up to hot dry conditions as well as the full force of atlantic winter gales.

The other scheme was part of communal gardens behind trendy new apartments. This is a fascinating scheme using a wide selection of grasses, perennials and shrubs using in strict blocks giving almost a 'barcode' look. My only worry is what it will look like in a few years time with all these plants having a wide range of growth pattern.

Both schemes I'm sure could be adapted to small garden design perhaps using blocks of vegetables between more permanent plantings of evergreens or grasses.
  
 
 

SUNNING WITH MIDCENTURY MINIMALISM

Developed by Brown Jordon, this sun shade has a retro fell about. Its stand is small taking little space while the rotating shade allows for easy positioning.

We are so use to traditional 'umbrella' type parasols which though they work well can be cumbersome and not very stylish. The minimalist Midcentury Sunshade on the other hand is a work of art in its own right.

www.dwr.com 
 

CONIFERS'N'GRASS

Conifers have been out of fashion since the 60's and 70's. Shrubs and then perennials have taken centre stage in garden planting. But now conifers and especially slow growing conifers are making a comeback. Inter planted with mainly evergreen grasses they provide great low maintenance ground cover with lots of colour and texture interest throughout the year.  

GAME MATCH & BISTRO SET

 

The London garden centre Ginkgo Gardens,www.ginkgogardens.co.uk are cashing in on the Wimbledon factor by selling this Wimbledon bistro set designed by Jonart design. Finished in traditional green, it is design to imitate wood but is in fact metal. It is said to be weather resistant and low maintenance.Other sizes of table are also available in the range as well as a matching bench.

90cm Folding Square Table £134.99  Folding chair £69.99

DESKTOP FOR YARDNERS

There are many days when we are trapped behind the pc rather than enjoying the benefits of being out in the yard. This idea from Chelsea brings the yard onto your desk using planters filled with plants selected to improve the atmosphene in your work space. House plants help with absorption of carbon dioxide and the emission of oxygen refreshing the air.

Blog posted here.

GREAT BALLS OF PEBBLES

yardz has posted on pebble spheres when seen at the Autumn Fair at the NEC Birmingham. They were smaller and more basic produced for mass retailing. This large pebble sphere is from www.davidharbersundials.co.uk  and aptly named the 'Dark Planet Garden Sphere'. In day light it makes a stunning sculpture especially when shining wet in rain but in darkness the internal lighting sends shafts of light through chinks in the pebbles.

David Harber has a stunning range of sculpture and waterfeatures in a range of materials all with a contemporary twist. Well worth a look.

STAINED GLASS STYLE

 
yardz saw these beautiful stained glass panels at the Chelsea Flower Show. Available from www.hayhoedesigns.com, they are perfect for adding colour into the yard as the sun tracks through the day. Panels can be linked together to form an informal screen or single panels would create a great feature set amongst foliage.

THE EGGPOD A PERFECT HEN HOUSE FOR RICHARD

A sad tale that might now have a happy ending!
Richards hens came to an untimely end one night when the fox visited and the coop security was not up to scratch! But now he's going to start again. I think I've found just what he needs.

The Eggpod from www.eggpod.net is a new design of chicken housing using traditional timber construction with a lightweight and weatherproof recyclable plastic shell. The practical layout caters for up to 8 chickens and is light to move and easy to keep clean. Made in rural Devon near Axminster, the Eggpod is supplied flat packed yet is easy to put together - perfect for Richard.