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Archive for August, 2016

Desk allotment! Sprout seeds with Biosnacky from A.Vogel

Wednesday, August 31st, 2016

Sprout up’ with BioSnacky, the mini-greenhouse for your desk or windowsill

This is a lovely kit to grow fresh  sprouts at home. There’s a huge variety you can use to sprout and they are really delicious!

This seed sprouter is really lovely to use. It’s very simple in design, three layers of plastic sprouting space which have special filter devices that just let the water go through from the top layer to the middle layer and down to the bottom layer and into the tray at the bottom.

Adding seeds is very simple, rinsing with a small sieve makes sure they’re clean and then pop them into one of the trays.
It’s important not to put too many in one tray so they are not too overcrowded. This allows air to circulate.

The sprouts can be eaten at different stages, from just sprouted, to longer or when they’re starting to green up.

They are delicious served in a variety of ways from sprinkled on top of a salad, added to a sandwich, or sprinkled on the top of a meal. They can be added to stir fries too – the Chinese bean sprouts you enjoy are grown from mung bean seeds. They’re delicious raw and fresh too.

If you’re looking for a way to eat more fresh veegtables then sprouting seeds can be an easy way. No spades, no bags of compost, no plant pots and the only fork you need is the one you eat them with.

A very nice seed sprouting kit that you will get years of happy use from. It’s joyful seeing how quickly seeds sprout; it’ll intrigue  the kids watching them grow in the kitchen!

The plastic trays are easy to wash out. Hygiene is important to ensure the seeds grow cleanly. The transparent layers will be fun to watch as you pour the water in at the top and watch it flow through to the bottom tray.

 I recommend this sprouter as it’s easy to use and works really well!

If you don’t have a garden or access to an allotment, growing your own nutritious vegetables might seem like an impossible task, but with BioSnacky from A.Vogel you can now sprout seeds in your own home, no garden needed.

 

Sprouts are very young plants, one stage up from a seed, and appear days after being germinated. They are an incredible source of minerals, vitamins and complete proteins and, due to being a small plant carrying all the building blocks for a much bigger vegetable, they contain these natural vitamins in extremely high concentrations – sprouts really punch above their weight!

Healthy, fresh and delicious, sprouts can be grown in any season in a short period of time; simply choose which seeds you’d like to sprout from A.Vogel’s range and get growing…sprouted-seeds

o   Alfalfa – Organically grown alfalfa seeds that complement light meals such as salads.

o   Broccoli – Organically grown, fresh-tasting broccoli seeds.

o   Mild Aromatic Mix – Light and delicate lentil, mung bean and white radish seeds.

o   Gourmet Mix – A mixture of quinoa, radish and lentil seeds.

o   Fitness Mix – Antioxidant white radish, mung bean and wheat seeds.

o   Red Clover – Red clover sprouts look like alfalfa sprouts and have a mild sweet flavour.

o   Mung Bean – Organically grown mung bean seeds that have a mild, nutty taste.

o   Little Radish – Strong and spicy tasting seeds.

o   Wellness Mix – Mung bean, red clover, lentil and white radish seeds.

o   Menopause Pack – Which includes Alfalfa, Broccoli, Gourmet Mix and Red Clover seeds.

o   Superfood Pack – Which includes Broccoli, Detox Mix, Fitness Mix and Red Clover seeds

The range of sprouting seeds can be grown with A.Vogel’s BioSnacky germinators. They’re not expensive, you will see your seeds sprouting right in front of your eyes and with two sizes to choose from you could keep one on your desk for quick lunches and a larger one at home to add to evening meals. The sprouts can be harvested fresh from the germinator before they lose their nutritional benefits and, depending on the variety, the sprouts will be ready-to-eatwithin one week. For the healthiest sprouts, sow seeds thinly and water twice a day.

 

The BioSnacky system has two types of seed sprouters – both are easy to use, simple to clean and dishwasher safe:

o   Small Germinator (RRP £4.99 at avogel.co.uk) – The small glass germinator is ideal for the single person or small family.

o   Large Germinator (RRP £17.99 at avogel.co.uk) – If you’re looking to grow more than one batch of seeds, the large seed sprouter is perfect for you! With the 3 tier sprouter, you will be able to ‘sow’ your sprouts at staggered intervals – starting every 2 or 3 days. As one tray of sprouts is ready for harvesting, the others will contain seeds just starting to germinate.

With summer right around the corner, sprouts are the perfect addition to a salad, smoothie or soup. Why not make our refreshingly light Cucumber & Feta Cheese Salad using someBioSnacky alfalfa sprouts? Ideal for summer, the alfalfa sprouts give this Greek inspired salad an extra boost of goodness and flavour. Or if you’re hosting a dinner party this summer, our delicious Sweet Potato Canapés with a sprinkle of BioSnacky broccoli sprouts will definitely impress your guests.

A.Vogel, pioneers in natural health, have been producing quality products since 1902 and are now stocked at www.yourhealthfoodstore.co.uk and www.avogel.co.uk. For more information about BioSnacky or any of their other products visit www.avogel.co.uk or followA.Vogel_Health on Instagram.

And what do you do with the seeds after you’ve grown them? You can add them to any salad or serve as a side, use them in stirfries or enjoy them in these yummy recipes.
They can be snacked on as a healthy nutrition packed snack.

BioSnacky Recipes

Sweet Potato Canapes – http://www.avogel.co.uk/food/recipes/sweet-potato-canapes/

Sweet Potato Canapés

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes
  • Peanuts, salted if preferred
  • Olive oil
  • ½ red onion, finely chopped
  • Freshly chopped parsley
  • Handful of bioSnacky®Broccoli sprouts

For the peanut dip

  • 2 tbsp crunchy peanut butter
  • 3 tsp soya or natural yoghurt
  • ½ tsp grated ginger
  • 1 tsp sweet soy sauce
  • 1-2 tbsp maple syrup
  • ½ tsp lemon juice
  • Chilli powder

1. Heat the oven to 180°C. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into approx. 1cm pieces. Finely chop the peanuts and parsley. Wash the sprouts and leave to drain.

2. Put the potato pieces into a pan and sprinkle with a little olive oil (alternatively, use a pastry brush and coat all sides with the oil). Lay the pieces on a baking sheet lined with greaseproof paper and bake them for about 15 minutes until they are tender.

3. Meanwhile, mix all the ingredients for the peanut dip together in a food blender until the mixture resembles a creamy sauce. Season to taste and use to coat the upper surface of the sweet potato pieces. Scatter over the onion slices and bake for a further 10 minutes until the onions are soft.

4. Leave them to cool slightly then top them with the chopped peanuts and parsley. Lastly, spread the BioSnacky® Broccoli sprouts over the top.

Cucumber and Feta Salad – http://www.avogel.co.uk/food/recipes/cucumber-feta-cheese-salad/

Cucumber & Feta Cheese Salad

  • 1 large cucumber, sliced
  • 1 head iceberg lettuce, washed, dried and torn into bite sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup of bioSnacky® Alfalfa sprouts
  • 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup chopped dill
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta

1. Add the cucumber, lettuce, BioSnacky® Alfalfa sprouts and garlic to a bowl.

2. In a separate bowl mix lemon, olive oil, salt and pepper.

3. Drizzle over the salad.

4. Garnish with dill and feta.

Price reductions at Harrod Horticultural

Wednesday, August 31st, 2016

Harrod Horticultural reduced the price on this item today

Link Stakes Seconds

Link Stakes Seconds was £12.50 now £4.95
Link Stakes Which Have Imperfections And Sold As Seconds With An Amazing 50% Discount Off Our Normal Prices – Providing You With An Effective, Reliable And Very Cost Effective Way To Support Your Plants. The Plastic Coating May Be Split In Some Places – But That Wont Affect Strength. Available Only While Stocks Lasts And These Items Are Non-refundable. 50% Discount On Plant Support Secondsstrong, Sturdy And The Green Coating Helps Them To Virtually Disappear When In Place.many Plants Are Vulnerable To Damage From Wind And Rain Unless Properly Staked.all Our Link Stakes Are Made From Steel Wire Rod And Coated With Dark Green Plastic.they Will Last For Decades And Are Virtually Invisible.aim To Stake Your Plant About Half Way Up Its Full Height And Allow A Few Inches In The Ground.the Most Versatile And Discreet Way To Support Plants Throughout The Border

New products at Van Meuwen

Wednesday, August 31st, 2016

New item at Van Meuwen

Perennial Mix Lucky Dip - 18 perennial plug tray plants

Perennial Mix Lucky Dip – 18 perennial plug tray plants £20.97
A new lucky dip selection of stunning hardy perennials - just perfect for creating a cottage garden or filling in gaps in your borders! You will receive at least 3 different varieties from our popular range - these perennial plants are exceptional value for money and will get bigger and better each year, filling your garden with colour as well as attracting bees and butterflies. Supplied as plug tray plants.Please note: image for illustration purposes only - actual varieties may vary.

New products at John Lewis

Wednesday, August 31st, 2016

John Lewis has these new lines today

Artstone Ella Vase Planter, Black, H49cm

Artstone Ella Vase Planter, Black, H49cm £39.00
This tall vase planter is made from a unique stone composite which makes it lightweight, yet robust. It’s frostproof, 100% recyclable and UV stable, with an efficient drainage system – so no waterlogged plants in wet weather.

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New products at Suttons Seeds

Wednesday, August 31st, 2016

New items at Suttons Seeds

Oscar

Oscar £8.99
A touching story of Oscar the cat and his extraordinary journey. Paperback.

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New products at GreenFingers

Wednesday, August 31st, 2016

New products at GreenFingers

La Hacienda Flocked Effect Sheep - 40cm Width

La Hacienda Flocked Effect Sheep – 40cm Width £24.99
This unique La Hacienda Flocked Effect Sheep features a fuzzy green texture giving it the appearance of natural moss.This sheep is made of hard resin and features a highly detailed face and body with stone effect wings. The flocked effect is made with artificial grass which is water proof and gives the piece the lived-in look of garden moss. This decoration can be used indoors or outdoors.Dimensions: W40 x D13 x H28cm

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Price reductions at Lawn Mowers UK

Sunday, August 28th, 2016

Lawn Mowers UK has cut the price of this item

Mountfield S46PD LI (80V) Cordless Lawn mower

Mountfield S46PD LI (80V) Cordless Lawn mower was £599.00 now £549.00
Cordless gardening equipment is growing in popularity due to
the latest technological innovations in the industry. Battery powered gardening
equipment is quieter and more environmentally friendly than its petrol
equivalent and there are also no trailing mains cables so you have freedom of
movement around the garden.The Mountfield S46 PD Li 4 wheel mower is not only
completely cordless it is also self-propelled so you have that extra bit of
power for going up slopes. The self-propulsion enables the user to cover more
ground & with less effort than by using a push mower. The 1500w brushless
motor produces the same power as a 100cc petrol engine but with less noise or pollution.
No having to measure amounts or top up with petrol or oil.Constructed on a steel chassis the Mountfield S46 PD Li self-propelled cordless
mower has a 46 cm cutting width and comes complete with a 60 litre grass box & mulch kit. The height of cut adjustment is in 5 increments from
27 – 80mm. Start at the top setting and work down gradually through the cutting heights for the best cut and
finish.

When using the mower for mulching only cut a third
of the grass height at a time to ensure the best cut & finish on the lawn.
Mulching whilst you mow finely chops the grass clippings into tiny pieces where
they are blown back onto the ground, virtually disappearing into the lawn. These tiny pieces help to add extra nutrients & moisture to the soil for a healthier
lawn growth.SpecificationsModel : S46 PD LIType : 4 wheelDrive : Yes, single speedCutting Width : 46cmMotor / Battery : 80v – 5Ah 1500wChassis Material : SteelCutting Heights : 5 positions from 27 – 80mmCutting Height Adjustments : CentralisedGrass Collector Type : Canvas with hard topCollector Capacity : 60 litresGrass Bag Full Indicator : YesMulching Kit : StandardWeight : approx 24kg

Warranty : Manufacturer’s 2 year (Terms and Conditions
Apply)

Price reductions at John Lewis

Sunday, August 28th, 2016

John Lewis reduced the price on this item today

Kärcher WV2 Window Vacuum Cleaner

Kärcher WV2 Window Vacuum Cleaner was £59.95 now £44.99
The new, improved, WV2 Window Vac from Kärcher has been designed to make cleaning smooth surfaces even easier than before. Smaller than its predecessor, it is has a longer battery life so it can clean up to 75m² on one battery charge. It is 14% lighter and, with the on/off switch now on the front of the handle, it is even more comfortable to use. Tank emptying is quick and simple with the new, larger, plug and it’s 7% quieter as well. With the WV2 you can clean all smooth surfaces, such as windows, mirrors, work surfaces and shower screens, sucking up dirty water and spills without leaving streaks or the need for additional cloths. The unit is totally portable and can be used inside and outside the home. Accessories: Suction nozzle, wide, 280 mm Lithium-ion battery Battery charger

New products at Garden Buildings Direct

Sunday, August 28th, 2016

Garden Buildings Direct has loads of new items today

BillyOh Keeper Overlap Apex Shed 6ft gables

BillyOh Keeper Overlap Apex Shed 6ft gables £205.00
BillyOh Keeper Overlap Apex Shed

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New products at Gardens and Homes Direct

Sunday, August 28th, 2016

New item today at Gardens and Homes Direct

Natural Lutyens Bench

Natural Lutyens Bench £129.99
A classic and iconic design by the great architect Sir Edwin Lutyens: Our Natural Lutyens Bench will sit beautifully and is a superb focal point in any contemporary or traditional garden setting or decor. The bench is crafted in durable weather-resistant acacia hardwood from sustainable sources with a smoothed finish. Features: Classic design by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Solid acacia hardwood in a smart hand-oiled natural finish. A focal point in any garden design or decor. Dimensions: Width 130cm/51in Depth 52cm/20.5in Height 88cm/35in