Multi-headed Tools for Gardening

Do you want a Wolf in your garden? Well you might if it was one of the mulit headed interchangeable garden tools like those pictured.

Wolf is a German company with a rather strange slogan ‘Not everything that is new is good; not everything that is old is reputable.’ Still the tools sell because they work.

Fruit Picker

One handle many attachments. Or a short and a long handle for even more flexibility. I have a couple of tolls but tend to leave one on permanently (as the sales team hoped I suppose).

Wolf speaking ‘For more than 80 years, red and yellow have been synonymous for excellent gardening technology. Starting with the first WOLF-Garten tool ever produced, a field hoe modified into a drag hoe….’ read more on link

BBC’s Best Gardening Magazines

A good read, with ample pictures, is a comforting pastime for weary gardeners. The BBC have cornered a glossy section of the market with best selling Gardeners World and Gardens Illustrated which features the best gardens, plants and designers from around the world.

Gardeners World subscribe or see more detail

Regular features in Gardens Illustrated include ‘Nurseryman’s favourites with plant expert Graham Gough which highlights must-have garden plants and Kew-trained gardener Alys Fowler guide through her monthly tasks in the kitchen garden.’

Gardens Illustrated subscribe

Spun out of the Country File programme there is enough interest for most gardeners in this monthly magazine. As the subject matter is far broader it tackles the latest rural and environmental stories, explaining how they affect you.

Countryfile subscribe

Ready Made Water Features

I saw this water feature at our local garden centre. It appealed as it was ready to go into the garden and did not seem to need much effort from me.
It seemed to be easy to clean and an appropriate size for a small corner.
The evaporation will be less than with a spray fountain yet there will still be the gurgle and movement of a small stream.
This type of feature is very popular for conservatories as a method of maintaining humidity levels.

If you are good at DIY then ‘Outdoor Water Features: 16 Easy-To-Build Projects for Your Yard and Garden’ may be the book for you.

Best Mail Order Seeds

Mail Order Seeds are Best

• Seeds bought mail order have not been stood in a warm or even hot shop.  Heat can kill off the seeds ability to germination .
• Seeds should be fresh and have been stored in the right conditions. Seed companies do it better than retailers.
• Delivery is usually in protective bubble wrap to avoid crushing damage.
• The choice is fantastic, far wider than most shops can stock.

Mail Order Companies I Use

• Thompson & Morgan are a premier UK supplier.
  • They also sponsor our web efforts through an affiliation and it is much appreciated.
  • Their catalogues are a good read and very visual.
  • Many special offers are available once you become a customer.
  • ‘Which magazine’ rate the germination percentages of Thompson & Morgan highly.
  • Clubs and horticultural societies can get discounts for bulk buying.
  • Thompson & Morganweb site is searchable for many plant and seed varieties and you can order online.

• Wallis Seeds are a good value range.
  • They are packed in plain packets to save costs.
  • I find they supply greater quantities of seed than other suppliers usually for less money.
  • I do not use them for vegetables.

• Chiltern Seeds are mid range of prices with plain seed packets.
  • Their elongated seed catalogues are a wonder and worth acquiring for the knowledge and language about the many seed varieties they sell.
  • This year they have 220 pages with an average of 15 varieties on each -
  • I make that over 3000 seed packets to chose from and believe it or not vegetables are in another catalogue..

Read gardeners tips for many more links to Seed companies

Read Seed Propagators

On my Garden Shelf

If a picture tells a thousand words this 2 foot run of shelf in my shed will generate a couple of chapters.

Centre stage is the large tub of Slug and Snail Killer. No holding back punches on this lable, at least I hope ‘it does what it says on the can’. I have bought these mini pellets from Wilkinson’s as a cheap means of protecting the new herbaceous plants like Delphiniums as they emerge from the winter soil.

It is a testament to my untidiness that the tub is on top of some secateurs that look like immature broad beans. Hidden away behind a green jar is a ph meter that tests the alkalinity-acidity of my soil and compost using a long thin probe. J Arthur Bowers lime and Epsom salt tonic flank the slug pellets.

Hanging from nails in the wall are sundry pieces of wire, raffia and a pair of reading glasses that I need when reading out the measurements of concentrated fertilizers etc.

Ornaments for The Garden

Sorry this is not a picture from my garden which is virtually ornament free. This garden centre is having a sale (I thought everything was always for sale).  After the cold winter some of your garden ornaments may need replacing or you may want to decorate a new part of the garden.

Garden Ornaments

• Ornaments work best with hard landscaping.
• Small and medium ornaments tend to get lost as vegetation grows from late spring. In winter spots look bare that in summer are thronged.
• Beware unnatural colours when selecting your ornaments unless you are A Dermot Gavin type of gardener.
• Ornaments need to be kept clean to look their best.
• Expensive ornaments should be fixed down to deter thieves.

Tip - Plan to spend at least as much money on good plants as you would on a good ornament. A plant should get better with age whilst most ornaments will do the opposite.

This stand at the garden centre was at least as colourful as any bloomin’ garden!

Fence Care

As the algae has grown on this fence so it looks progressively more unsightly. I believe it is still well protected but any sales force for fence care products will try talk you into a respray.

Part way through the new treatment the fence is being painted by brush. It is hard to get into nooks and crannies and when you do it takes up a lot more solution than you ever expected.
A sprayer will also use up the Weathershield, Cuprinol or Ronseal but is quick, even in application and able to reach the parts other methods can not. A sprayer is a good investment if you have a large fence area to cover.

Creosote has been banned as fence treatment for several years. Most current substance make no claim to extend the life of wood but claim to be water repellent and add colour. I leave it to you to decide if you like this orange colour.

Read the rest of this entry »

Fun Seeds for Children

Children are often environmentally wise, eco-friendly and concerned about the environment.
Seeds can be used to explain about food miles and geography in a fun manner.
Kids also enjoy growing plants in their own patch or plant pot.

Kids Fun Seeds

• Chose seeds that are large enough to handle like peas, nasturtiums, beans or sunflowers.
• Marrows grow large and quickly to hold the attention.
• Mustard and cress and sprouting Mung Beans can be grown indoors and eaten within days.
• Thompson & Morgan sell a range of kids seeds shown above

Bonsai Equipment

Starting Bonsai need not be daunting. Growing from seed will take too long unless you have great patience. I suggest you buy a couple of ready grown bonsai trees and learn the craft on them. You could start with a sizable seedling from your garden if you prefer.

Containers are crucial in creating good aesthetically pleasing Bonsai and a wide range are available from garden centres. Bear in mind that most Bonsai will live outdoors so the pots should be frost proof.

Equipment and Tools

• Cutting and pruning tools include concave branch cutters, knob cutters and shears.
• Wiring tools include pliers and wire cutters.
• A selection of wire of different gauges in aluminium or copper will be used.
• Potting tools add refinement to the Bonsai process. A scoop, traditional brush,trowel, root hook and mesh will all be a pleasure to use.

8 Piece Premium Bonsai Tree Care Kit  

Bonsai from Amazon£29.99
Items included within this kit -

• 250ml of best selling liquid bonsai feed,
• 250ml of Leafshine, Humidity tray,
• 100grms of 2mm wire,
• 180mm Long handled scissors, Coco brush for safely cleaning the surface of the soil,
• 1 bottle of bonsai revitalisation liquid used for giving your tree a healthy boost of minerals and vitamins,
• A copy of   101 best selling bonsai tips and hints.

The kit is a bit heavy on chemicals and treatments. I did not start feeding my Bonsai until 12 months after potting. They may have been a bit reluctant to grow for this reason.

Read Gardeners Tips on Bonsai

Growing Kits for Chillies

Reduced from over £12 to under £6 you can grow five different types of chilli plant with this red hot gift box. Buy from Amazon

• Growing your chillies is simple – everything you need is inside this gift box, including a booklet containing growing tips.
• This gift box is an ideal present for food lovers, and once grown could provide them with a supply of fresh ingredients for all their Indian, Tex mex and many more favourite cuisines.
• This complete kit includes everything you need to get started, including natural coconut husk starter plant pots and compost discs, which expand when they are watered.
• You will get enough seeds to grow a selection of hot, vibrant chillis, including Tabasco, Demon Red, Hungarian Hot Wax, Jalapeno and Anaheim chilli plants.

Disclaimer from Amazon: ‘ This pack contains real plant seed. The seed can die before or after germination. Please plant your seed as soon as possible. Occasionally, due to the nature and availability of the seed, it may be necessary to substitute certain seed varieties with alternatives. Please retain packaging for future reference. This is a novelty gift and must be regarded as such. This product is not suitable for children under 36 months as it could cause a choking hazard. To be used under the direct supervision of an adult.’