If you live in Chadderton Failsworth and Hollinwood and are interested in growing some fruit and vegetables then you might be interested to know that a new group is being set up to encourage more of this!

Contact Diane on her twitter account for more info

UK garden step ‘is ancient Sri Lankan moonstone’ artefact

Garden trough turns out to be Roman coffin worth £100,000
A trough used by a couple to hold plants in their garden has been identified as a 2,000-year-old Roman sarcophagus.

I was thinking about this sort of thing the other day. Getting seeds off to a good start is always easier with a little bottom heat!

Variety of Propogator colours and combination sets in Kitchen Garden range, Propogator
by Stewart Garden

Stewart Garden, the gardening products division of UK manufacturer, Stewart, is set for the sowing season with products and indoor growing sets, creating the Kitchen Garden collection featured in its 2013 Buyer’s Guide.

The collection includes the Electric Kitchen Garden Set, comprising Stewart Garden’s 67cm growing tray, a propagator cover, a 12 watt heater matt, five flower pots and two seed trays. The set is available in lime and mocha with a suggested retail selling price (SRSP) of £34.99.

Stewart Garden’s Herb Pot in mocha and white joins the highly popular lime and white model. With its patented self watering system, four removable pockets for individual planting and water reservoir for easy maintenance, sales of the Herb Pot, with an SRSP of £14.99 in both colours, look set to increase even further in the coming months.

Another highlight is the 38cm Kitchen Garden Propagator Set, complete with a deep gravel tray and vented clear cover, four growing pots and two seed trays. Also available in lime and mocha, this versatile set sells at an SRSP of £9.99.

Full Kitchen Garden products and SRSPs
67cm Electric Kitchen Garden Set (lime, mocha) £34.99
Includes growing tray, propagator cover, 12 watt heater mat, five flower pots, two seed trays

22cm Kitchen Garden Propagator set (lime, mocha) £4.99
Includes deep gravel tray and vented clear cover, four growing pots

2 x 22cm Kitchen Garden Propagator set with 67cm tray (lime, mocha) £14.99
Includes 67cm tray, two x 22cm propagators, five flower pots

Herb Pot (lime and white, mocha and white) £14.99
38cm Kitchen Garden Propagator Set (lime, mocha) £9.99
Includes deep gravel tray with 38cm vented clear cover, four growing pots, two seed trays

67cm Window Sill Growing tray (black) £3.49
With the increasing popularity of grow your own and concerns about seasonal eating, shopping bills and the environment, Stewart Garden’s commitment to the gardening sector is stronger than ever. Major investments are planned for new technology, new products and expanded merchandising and POS support for retailers. The company also works closely with the Carbon Trust to maintain high levels of efficiency and social responsibility.

For further information on Stewart Garden visit www.stewart-garden.co.uk.

1. Noise
   Probably the easiest way to disturb your neighbours is to be noisy in your
   garden. Whether it’s the sound of kids playing, a non-stop waterfall, or the
   sound of windchimes, or a lawnmower doesn’t matter. They can all annoy. Often
   it’s the starting time and duration that cause the problems.
   Lawns need mowing and kids need to play out and get fresh air.
   If it’s a reasonable time then it’s fine – just take into account other people
   might not get up at the crack of dawn, or they might go to bed earlier than
   you.
2. Bonfires
   Another hellish thing you can do to your neighbour is light a bonfire. Do
   it whilst they’ve got washing out and you’ll be doubly unpopular. If its a
   hot sunny day then it’s just plain mean to light a fire.
3. Rubbish in your garden
   If your garden looks like steptoe’s yard then you might upset your neighbour.
   But it’s your garden and as long as it’s not a rat haven or health hazard
   there shouldn’t be any issue. They should stop looking!
4. Frequent loud parties
   If you’re a party animal and love to party all night long then being out in
   your garden might seem really nice. It might be driving your neighbour mad
   though. Invite them and don’t stay outside too late as sound travels much
   more at night and you’ll be unpopular!
5. Wild plants and weeds
   If your garden is creeping into theirs then they might not be happy. They’re
   allowed to prune anything that overhangs and pass it back to you.

This is a wonderful opportunity to see Pippa Greenwood talk about growing your own!

Pippa Greenwood and Stewart Garden plan second UK tour
from March to May 2013

Stewart Garden, the gardening products division of UK manufacturer, Stewart, and
Pippa Greenwood have announced dates for a second tour of UK garden centres. Eight
dates throughout March, April and May 2013 have been confirmed. The tour follows
the successful series of visits to centres across the country earlier this year.

The tour is part of Stewart Garden’s three-year partnership with the regular
broadcaster, columnist and grow your own specialist which commenced in 2011.

Motivated by increasing food prices, more and more people are opting to grow their
own fruit and vegetables. The trend shows no sign of slowing down.

Even people who don’t have gardens can enjoy the benefits of grow your own.
An amazing range can be grown on a balcony or a small back yard.

Throughout the tour, Pippa Greenwood will explain the principles of grow your
own and give practical demonstrations of potting, creating growing beds and propagation.
Comprehensive information sheets written by Pippa and complementing the demonstrations
will also be available to visitors.

2013 tour dates confirmed are:
Thursday 7 March: Ruxley Garden Centre, Maidstone Road, Sidcup, Kent
Thursday 11 April: Squires Garden Centre, Sixth Cross Road, Twickenham, Middlesex
Thursday 18 April: Thetford Garden Centre, Kilverstone, Thetford, Norfolk
Thursday 25 April: Trago Mills, Trago Mills Liverton Newton Abbot, Devon
Thursday 9 May: Houghton Hall Garden Centre, Houghton, Carlisle
Wednesday 15 May: Wentworth Garden Centre, Hague Lane, Wentworth, Rotherham, S
Yorkshire
Thursday 23 May: High Legh Garden Centre, High Legh, Knutsford, Cheshire

Speaking of the upcoming tour, Pippa said, “The popularity of last year’s
tour proved that there’s a big demand for grow your own products, information
and advice. We met many people who want to increase their knowledge and develop
their skills. Stewart Garden’s product range demonstrates its strong commitment
to these customers. Together we can help gardeners across the country grow great
vegetables and have fun while saving money.”

Visitors wishing to attend Pippa Greenwood’s appearances should contact
the garden centres direct. More information about the tour will appear on Pippa
Greenwood’s Stewart Garden blog at www.stewart-garden.co.uk/blog.

For more information about Stewart Garden, visit www.stewart-garden.co.uk.

For more information about Pippa Greenwood and ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa
Greenwood’, visit www.pippagreenwood.com.

Ever heard of pothole gardening?

Steve Wheen makes gardens from potholes on London’s streets!

The “guerilla gardener” says he wants to bring “moments of happiness” to anyone who stumbles across one of his creations.

It’s very pretty, but I’d love to know how long they last!

Here’s Steve’s blog!

http://www.permaculture.org.uk/noticeboard/job-listing
Job info and date to apply by:
Permaculture Association LAND Project network coordinator Monday, 19 November, 2012
AGROFORESTRY AND CROPS RESEARCHER Monday, 26 November, 2012
Various jobs at Tipi Algarve, Algarve, Portugal 2013 Friday, 30 November, 2012

Garden Answers £42.12

Garden Answers Quarterly Direct Debit + Giant Roman Numeral Clock to UK £11.00

Garden Answers Six Months Direct Debit to UK £15.21

Garden Answers is written by real gardeners, providing solutions to an audience who are truly passionate about their garden. Garden answers is not only the most practical gardening magazine available, it aims to inspire, encourage and help you to garden.

Please note: Garden Answers is published 13 times a year. A bi-annual direct debit splits the annual cost into two equal amounts – so in each half you will receive a minimum of 6 issues, but 13 issues in a full year.

Direct Debit: You enter into a Direct Debit agreement with the intention that your subscription will continue for a minimum period of 12 months, even if the frequency of payment is for a shorter period. However, you will still have the right to cancel your Direct Debit in accordance with Direct Debit Guarantee below if you so desire. If you do cancel, you will receive only the issues you have already paid for. If a gift is included as part of the subscription offer we reserve the right to request the return of the gift in the event of an early cancellation of the subscription.

A sensory garden should be designed for maximum appeal to its audience. There are 5 senses so something for each

hearing, sight, touch, smell and taste

hearing – listening to wind chimes, or water or rustling leaves. Even the crunching of gravel underfoot can be heard.
sight – the easiest one I think – so many pretty plants to look at – foliage and all year round colour to consider though
touch – soft plants, spikey plants, scratchy plants (but consider some may cause irritation)
smell – herbs, lavender, roses,
taste – edible plants – tomatoes, herbs again, fruit and vegetables should all make a display for this section

This is a great news story – for all those kids who love gardening, or haven’t yet discovered they love gardening!

Pippa Greenwood launched Stewart Garden Schools campaign at Glee 2012

Grow your own specialist and regular broadcaster, Pippa Greenwood, appeared at Glee 2012 to launch the Stewart Garden Schools campaign.

Stewart Garden is the gardening products division of UK manufacturer, Stewart. The Schools campaign aims to inspire young children and their families to discover the benefits of growing plants, salads and vegetables and by helping 100 schools across the UK embrace gardening every year.

As part of the launch, Pippa Greenwood took part in a photocall at Glee, where she revealed the Stewart Garden Schools campaign logo for the first time. An opportunity also arose at Glee whereby Brother, the world wide electronics and manufacturing company, agreed to generously donate towards the campaign.

Stewart Garden Schools will be a far reaching campaign. A wide range of Stewart Garden products, including propagators, seed trays, plant pots, troughs and watering cans will be donated as part of the Stewart Garden Schools Growing Kit. Promotional materials for participating schools and garden centres will have also be produced. Children will receive a booklet produced by Pippa Greenwood, who is also providing three varieties of easy grow vegetables seeds.

Brother, first learnt of the ’Stewart Garden School Project’ while attending the Garden Leisure & Equipment Exhibition in September.

Mike Kelly, Head of Category – Identification at Brother “I had the opportunity to speak with both Pippa Greenwood and Nigel Thompson of Stewart about the initiative. The plants and vegetables grown by the school children need to be labelled and that’s where our product can add value. Consequently Brother have been happy to supply one of our GL100 garden labellers to each of the 100 schools involved in the project”

Throughout the coming year, Stewart Garden, together with representatives of participating garden centres will visit schools and create a shortlist of the top five. These five schools will receive a visit from Pippa Greenwood and the judges in July 2013. Pippa and the judging team will then nominate the winner. The winning school will receive £2,000 to be spent at their Stewart Garden Schools garden centre. The second and third placed schools will receive £1,500 and £750 respectively, also for purchases at their nominating garden centre.

Pippa Greenwood is one of Britain’s most popular gardening broadcasters. She has presented a number of television and radio programmes.

Stewart Garden and Pippa Greenwood work together to help consumers improve their understanding of growing fruit and vegetables at home and support retailers in this increasingly popular market sector.

Pippa has several regular writing commitments including BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and a monthly page in NFU Countryside Magazine. For eighteen years Pippa was the gardening columnist for The Mirror newspaper.