yardz

SEED PACKETS GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT

These seed packets are from www.thebalconygardener.com The range includes vegetables suitable for growing in small spaces and cost £3.25 a packet.

The packets are stunning, well worth buying just to frame. 

FIGHTING TOMATO BLIGHT WITH A NEW BASKET VARIETY

New from www.thompson-morgan.com for 2011 is this new cascading basket variety of tomato, Tomato Losetto F1 Hybrid.  This variety has shown exceptional tolerance to tomato blight that has plagued tomato growers over the last few years. The produce sweet cherry sized fruits in abundance and are perfect for hanging baskets and containers.

£3.49 for an varage of 6 seeds 

DOUBLE YOUR PATIO YIELD WITH AN EARTHBOX

The Earthbox from www.earthbox.co.uk is a super design for 'growing your own' . The growing boxes are small enough to fit on a patio or balcony and growing in them couldn't be simpler. 

The Earthbox is easy to use and it uses a fraction of water and fertilizer utilised in conventional growing. Available in two colours - Hunter Green and Terracotta. Initial kit starts at £34.99

 

THE MODUS RAISED BED

Over the last few years we have seen many types of raised bed for the small garden launched on the market place. Most have been very basic composed of rough timber that is cheap and works well but is not very stylish.
Sculptor David Watkinson had designed this modular raised bed system in marine grade aluminium and stainless steel fittings. It will last a lifetime and as a bonus has slug repellent properties.
Www.davidwatkinssculpture.co.uk

Blog posted here.

FIRST SALAD LEAVES

The first salad leaves grown in large trays in my yard are ready to harvest. Salad leaves are without doubt the most productive veg to grow in restricted spaces. These were sown in a tray of multipurpose compost in a small polythene growhouse. Before they become ready to harvest another tray is sown to provide a continuation of cropping.

Blog posted here.

WINDOW SALADS MADE EASY

This kit from www.seedpantry.co.uk was introduced to yardz via one of our favourite sites, www.mytinyplot.co.uk.

This Window Salad kit is an easy way to grow a variety of salad plants on your windowsill including lettuce, onions, raddish aned herbs. It comes with full instructions in a stylish box that would make a great present, all for only £14.99.

The Window Salad Kit is just one of many growing kits that www.seedpantry.co.uk supply. There are kits for all seasons and interests as well as a Little Potter kids for the youngest gardener.

 

ON THE BANK HOLIDAY GREAT LONDON GARDEN TRAIL

The amazing roof top garden at Great Ormond Street Hospital designed by Andy Sturgeon is just one of the gardens open to the public as part of The Great London Garden Trail. The Society of Garden Designers, the RHS and the publishers DK have teamed up again to organise the opening of a range of private gardens on Bank Holiday Monday, 3rd May. 

The gardens range from small courtyard gardens to large family gardens and are spread across London. All the gardens are open from 12.00 - 5.00pm and entrance is free.

Check out the website for further details and a downloadable map-pack.

http://www.dorlingkindersley-uk.co.uk/static/html/features/gardentrail2010/gardentrail.html

POTATOES IN HANGING BASKETS OR AM I JUST BEING SILLY

Is it mad to plant potatoes in hanging baskets? I'm not sure. A deep hanging cone should give enough depth of compost and as long as its kept well watered, growth should be no problem. The leaves and flowers of the potato are quite decorative so you should end up with a decorative and interesting feature, and a plate full of the tastiest potatoes.

Well, mine went in on saturday. I've planted one Accent tuber in a deep cone in Westland Organic Vegetable Compost so I'll report back as things progress. 

THE KIDS ARE FULL OF BEANS WITH A STICKLEBAG KIT

Finding things for children to do in the garden is OK if you have space but for those with small yards or balconies it can be difficult.

The Designer Growing Kits from www.hi-grow.co.uk could solve this problem. These designer planters are available in three designs - George Giraffe, Pebbles and Grass with ladybird, and cost £19.99 each. 

'The STICKLEBAG DESIGNER GROWING KIT comprises an illustrated growing bag, an inner lining bag, a set of 3 1.4metre collapsable bamboo canes, a triple cane topper/connector and a compressed fertilized compost disc which re-hydrates to 30 litres of peat free growing medium.'

http://www.hi-grow.co.uk/details.php?p=48

GARLIC IN POTS

Garlic is best planted in the ground in autumn when bulbs are available in garden centres but if you really want to try growing garlic in your yard or on your balcony you can grow it in containers.

Hunt around and you should be able to buy pots of already growing garlic bulbs for around £2.99 a pot.
Using a large container, about 40cm in diameter, fill with John Innes No.3 compost with added grit to make sure it drains well and place in a sunny position. Do not overwater and do not overfeed or the bulbs will become soft and will not keep well.  Once growth slows down in the summer reduce any watering to allow the bulbs to mature.

Varieties to look out for includes Albigenston Wight, Purple Wight and Solen Wight.