tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27208819109721471262024-03-05T10:21:19.052+00:00The Chimera's GardenAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16939229807734321812noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720881910972147126.post-21064185769479955792014-01-10T16:35:00.000+00:002014-01-10T16:35:00.742+00:00Inspiration from the wildSometimes the best way to get inspired is to get out and about and see what is growing around you.<br />
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Way back in November now I went for a walk around and about in Bristol. This first picture I took down by the side of the <a href="http://www.riversidegardencentre.com/" target="_blank">Riverside Garden Centre</a> in Southville. I'd popped in after walking through the Greville Smythe park, just to see what they had. I do this from time to time. I love to look at the fruit trees at the moment. They had an exciting looking apple tree that I wish I could afford and had room for (and a permanent home for too.) It had three different species of apple grafted on to the base. I would kill to have cooking and eating apples on one tree if I end up with a small garden in my new house that I will theoretically buy one day!<br />
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From there I wondered around to the railway, crossed over the little foot bridge and down the side of the police horse stables. I took this picture below and only realised after I'd taken it that I'd captured the little bird sitting on the fence post. I love it when you capture surprising little details like that. There is something beautiful about that little path, especially in that sort of light. Scattered leaves on the floor, one side strictly regimented, strong and regular. The other side has been stolen by nature, leaves and ivy poking through, the tree over hanging creating an arch. You could definitely take this photo and turn it in to a garden design.<br />
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When I took this photo below I felt a little silly. Bending back with my phone pointing in the air (I hadn't planned to go on a photo mission) on the pavement by a junction of a pretty busy road. This is down by the road leading of to the university campus. I just thought this tree was so twisted and distinctive. It looks a little like it's trying to turn itself in side out. It made me realise how important the architectural structure of plants can be in winter, devoid of leaves and colour, they still being huge interest in to a garden.<br />
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I saved the best 'till last. This cotoneaster is simply stunning. Just growing by the side of a road, minding its own business. There are a few of them in varying oranges and reds. But this took my breath away! If you're living in Bristol and want some autumn interest for a sunny wall, I think this ought to be the plant for you!<br />
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Have you found any spots locally this winter that inspired you?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16939229807734321812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720881910972147126.post-73796962201111972712014-01-01T11:02:00.000+00:002014-01-01T11:02:00.905+00:00Happy New Year!Happy New Year!<br />
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I hope this year brings you good and beautiful things. I wish you good luck in all your endeavours!<br />
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I took this photo in the Marksbury park in Bedminster in about February '13. Love all the different textures! And, despite all the doom and gloom, despite the nay sayers, despite the debate about whether this means the environment is broken or not...I will be wishing for snow again this year! <br />
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Wishing you all a spectacular 2014!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16939229807734321812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720881910972147126.post-18821018990605856522013-12-30T13:47:00.000+00:002013-12-30T13:47:09.952+00:00Colour in the garden. Week 3: ComplementaryWelcome to "week 3". A little bit late I know! Well, I'm comfortable blaming Christmas for getting in the way. I hope you all had as beautiful a time as I did.<br />
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On to the colour! This week is Complementary week.<br />
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This is the colour scheme that your probably most familiar with. This is the scheme behind Christmas's red and green. It's the blue and orange of the Firefox logo! It's the yellow and purple of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wario" target="_blank">Wario's</a> outfit! And, although I say your probably most familiar with it, you actually dont see it about all that much in every day things. <br />
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<a href="http://eyeseepretty.com/2010/05/26/wednesday-101-colour/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://eyeseepretty.com/2010/05/26/wednesday-101-colour/" border="0" height="619" src="http://eyeseepretty.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/colourwheel01.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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The reasoning behind this is simple. The Complementary just means two colours which are opposite on the colour wheel. The easiest to spot are the primary colours and their opposite as illustrated in the above picture. In my head, when I read Complementary, I actually think contrasting. The colours work in a way (especially if you get the pure hues of the colour wheel) that when placed next to each other they seem to make each colour brighter. They pop and sizzle. This effect is one that we don't generally want to see all the time. But it is a great device for getting something noticed, and it enhances the effect of each individual colour.<br />
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Because of the difficulties in the garden of pinpointing one colour (primary blue say, rather than greeny-blue or purpley-blue,) I think it best to look at these schemes in block colours. All the blue spectrum vs all the oranges that are out there. Ditto for the purple vs yellow combo. I'm not sure how to address the green/red Complementary scheme. It is going to look astoundingly similar to the monochromatic red theme from week 1! With this in mind though you can start to appreciate that in fact the Complementary scheme in a garden does not have to have that eye watering effect, because you can have muted yellows against bright blues, and everything will be interspersed with green in any case!<br />
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This is a lovely example of a purple/yellow scheme using tints of the colour (tints are a pure colour (hue) with white added.) The purple is faded, almost wondering off in to white with some of the plants used. The lovely pale yellow rose mirrors this faded look. This is an example of a like for like scheme working well. The colours play off each other and enhance each other, but because the colours are so pale, its a delicate look that is created. <br />
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<a href="http://plantpropaganda.wordpress.com/2011/04/12/nostalgia-for-england-part-three/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://plantpropaganda.wordpress.com/2011/04/12/nostalgia-for-england-part-three/" border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5102/5614981710_f301950c18.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Asides from the naughty patch of red, this scheme uses the same colours but with much stronger purples. The deep purple on the right plays off well against the light yellow. It seems to make the purple darker. On the left hand side, the paler purples seem to make that light yellow even lighter! The great use of shape in this border, of spheres and spikes draws your eye to the back, and the dark yellow spikes almost hidden there. And, then even further back in to the depths where another wave of purple lurks. This is a brilliantly framed border with blocks and undulations of different textures, all (well mostly) using the same two colours. Inspiring use of the Complementary.<br />
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<a href="http://loveandaquestion.tumblr.com/post/45095725684/kissmegray-spring-wall-garden-by-myeyesees-on" target="_blank"><img alt="http://loveandaquestion.tumblr.com/post/45095725684/kissmegray-spring-wall-garden-by-myeyesees-on" border="0" height="640" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/9de7d9f7d92257db9a00a6df74b8b691/tumblr_mjhcmc6GDD1r779fko1_500.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This example above is another use of the purple/yellow scheme that really speaks to me. I am learning that I actually love block colour, bold lines and contrasting textures. This display has it all. A mass of purple flowers and then a spiky crown of bright clean yellow tulips. I'll admit that the photographer caught a sublime moment of the sun hitting this little patch, but the colour works so well. I could stare at this picture for hours.<br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/chloeandchimera/exteriors/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.pinterest.com/chloeandchimera/exteriors/" border="0" height="426" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/79/ed/ff/79edffa236dd2fe66545366ccae3fd0e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another meandering border of yellow and purple. Simple block planting here. The use of the Complementary colours here makes the garden feel really alive and lush despite the feeling that this is the height of a hot dry summer, but perhaps that's just something to do with the quality of light!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30122252@N02/2888372543/in/set-72157607503695873/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30122252@N02/2888372543/in/set-72157607503695873/" border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/92/fc/a5/92fca55f7ee528139f33586d08f884d8.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Blue and orange! The line is fine in a garden between this scheme and the previous one. This scheme uses the blue and orange mixed thoroughly together, yet the blue has a hazy fluffy quality, whereas the orange pops with its little round flower heads poking through everywhere. The mix of these textures works really well because of the colours used.<br />
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Wow! Bit different huh? I was actually finding it hard to find interesting examples of blue and orange gardens. And then I found this! Up until now I have been ignoring anything in the garden but the planting really. When when I saw this, I felt the error of my ways. The blue wall, orange container and matching planting is totally and utterly perfect. That warm blue works so well against the hot orange, and each colour sizzles and seems to get hotter. Great focal point and use of colour.<br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/92/8d/10/928d1089962ae5e3aa51c2aa30e66cc7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/92/8d/10/928d1089962ae5e3aa51c2aa30e66cc7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once I found the previous picture, I got to thinking about the use of colour in the garden in the form of sculptures. This fascinating sculpture above - (it must be 2D, but has been made to look 3D. Very clever and good fun too!) - it a great example of using Complementary colour in a garden without thinking about planting.<br />
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<a href="http://reddirtramblings.com/blogging/how-pinterest-changed-my-gardens-color-palette" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://reddirtramblings.com/blogging/how-pinterest-changed-my-gardens-color-palette" border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/d1/2d/af/d12daf00aaa6a2149b72e637df46c346.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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Sculpture has shown me the way too, when it comes to the most challenging Complementary scheme - red/green. These two glass sculptures (above picture and below) are wonderful examples of art in the garden to highlight green as a colour separate to the general greenery. The more elaborate piece below also uses lime green, against the more leafy greens surrounding it, which again focuses your attention on the contrast of it against that eye-wateringly bright red. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/writeman/4812438211/in/pool-71062095@N00/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.flickr.com/photos/writeman/4812438211/in/pool-71062095@N00/" border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-cd0.pinimg.com/736x/a0/ee/85/a0ee85a7cb49e03053f73a9b5d41ef4a.jpg" width="466" /></a></div>
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So there you have it. A small selection of Complementary schemes used in the garden. Which is your favourite? Would you consider using one of these themes yourself? Perhaps paint all the wood, pots and walls orange and have only blue planting? This concept can be surprisingly soft, and doesn't need to leave you on edge. It would be great for any space, often creating neither a hot nor cold feeling, or enclosing or enlarging a space either!<br />
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I haven't decided on the theme for next week yet! Keep an eye out for week 4: the mystery week.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16939229807734321812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720881910972147126.post-30878472721052665812013-12-25T10:10:00.000+00:002013-12-28T09:45:10.646+00:00Merry Christmas!Christmas has been a bit of a whirlwind this year! Meant to get a post out and a little Christmas message out before Christmas, but what with one thing, or a hundred others it didn't happen.<br />
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But now the food coma is over with, I would like to wish you all a merry Christmas! Please enjoy my tree (purchased from the ever brilliant <a href="http://www.riversidegardencentre.com/" target="_blank">Riverside Garden Centre</a> in Southville,) and keep a look out for the remaining two posts of my <i>colour in the garden</i> series.<br />
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Happy Christmas!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16939229807734321812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720881910972147126.post-24507892694473277542013-12-20T21:06:00.002+00:002013-12-20T21:06:35.790+00:00Whoops!Today was meant to be the 3rd instalment of the Colour Schemes in the Garden Series, but due to cooking and cleaning and general getting ready for Christmas things I seem to be a bit behind! Keep an eye out over the next few days as I plan to get the next part out before Christmas!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16939229807734321812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720881910972147126.post-59489947007978150342013-12-13T15:17:00.000+00:002013-12-13T15:17:00.613+00:00Colour in the garden. Week 2: HarmoniousHarmonious colour schemes, sometimes called analogous, are a mix of colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel. This can still be a subtle approach to planting but with greater variety than the monochrome schemes of last week.<br />
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<a href="https://ece.uwaterloo.ca/~dwharder/Presentations/Guidelines/VisualAids/LookAndFeel/ColourScheme/" target="_blank"><img alt="https://ece.uwaterloo.ca/~dwharder/Presentations/Guidelines/VisualAids/LookAndFeel/ColourScheme/" border="0" height="546" src="https://ece.uwaterloo.ca/~dwharder/Presentations/Guidelines/VisualAids/LookAndFeel/ColourScheme/images/colour.10.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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As you can see in the above diagram this sort of scheme doesn't limit you to either an hot or cold colour. You can plant both blue (cool) and purple (warm), or Turquoise (cool) and yellow (warm). This option can solve the problem of last weeks yellow, North facing small garden. The problem was that a small North facing garden would benefit from being made to feel larger warmer. The yellow would create warmth, but would also advance, being a warm colour, which would make the space seem smaller. Being able to play with shades, tints and tones here helps. I would pick a scheme of pale yellow, light oranges and peaches. All colours which are still next to each other on the wheel with additional white. Of course to try to cover all bases, last week I really did only look at strong colours. A monochrome scheme for the scenario would work just as well probably if you picked a lot of pale yellows with some strong accents. That would still count as monochrome.<br />
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<a href="http://www.artemisgardens.com/2010catalogueN-SH.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.artemisgardens.com/2010catalogueN-SH.html" border="0" height="424" src="http://www.artemisgardens.com/images/fields2001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This picture above illustrates the colour scheme I named for the problem garden above quite well. Light yellows, peaches, pinks, oranges and a little spatter of darker red. It's a little broader in it's scope and number of colours, but I'll be the first to admit that keeping to a strict three colour Harmonious scheme in a living garden would be very hard indeed. The set of colours work well together, nothing jars the eye, but yet there is variation and there is points of interest in the addition of the darker shade red.<br />
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<a href="http://daviddixonphotography.co.uk/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="daviddixonphotography.co.uk" border="0" height="640" src="http://daviddixonphotography.co.uk/gardens/images/gpdi04-00000908-001.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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Tints, tones and shades were something I didn't really cover last week. The diagram below covers it pretty well, but on the above colour wheel all the colours are at their most vibrant and pure. That is called the hue. A tint means the hue has had white added, so you get light pale colours. A tone is where grey has been added, you get a darker version of the colour, which is a little indistinct and misty. The shade is when black is added, getting a dark, sometimes muddy colour.<br />
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So you have pure vibrant hues, pale and light tints, misty tones and dark or muddy shades.<br />
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I may not use these terms correctly throughout these articles, because, well, despite being pedantic, I have better things to worry about. To use them correctly, I would end up using a great many more words than strictly necessary! In the above photo of the tulips in warm hues, you'll find that the yellow flowers are almost correctly a hue, perhaps they are a slight tint of yellow. The orangey-peach in the foreground is definitely a tint. The red tulips are a rich shade of red and the orange in the background is a tone. Not only is defining colours like that long winded, but also confusing. If I read 'a shade of red' I'd be left wondering 'what shade?' rather than going 'ooh, that means a dark red'. So, we'll carry on as before! <br />
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A note of the above tulip photo, isn't it beautiful? Almost text book Harmonious colour scheme right there.<br />
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This scheme above has moved around the wheel a little. Going from red through purple into blue (see the tiny blue flowers in the background?) This image, like those above, mostly uses just one type of flower. This creates continuity through the different colours. You can enjoy the colour without needing to tackle different shapes and sizes of flower. This point is neither a negative one or positive one in reference to Harmonious colours. It's just a design feature of the garden that helps create an impression, much like a lawn of daffodils or a border of lavender. Repetition makes a bold statement, and here repetition of the tulips is very eye catching.<br />
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This border is the same but different. It uses a very similar scheme - blue through to purple and a little hint of red, yet unlike before this does not use repetition of flower type. It's a riot of species, shapes, heights and sizes. As you can see neither uses the colour palette better, each has its benefits, a woodland glade and a cottage garden border each has its place, and can each use a similar palette in a different, but effective way.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66656285@N00/4779094954" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66656285@N00/4779094954" border="0" height="346" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4102/4779094954_2893fa043f_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This image I almost left out. I have already covered repeated shapes with in the scheme, and also covered this particular palette. But I think it's a very striking border, and worth looking at just 'cos it's pretty!<br />
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<a href="http://wifemothergardener.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/gardening-in-pennsylvania-gbbd-may-2012.html" target="_blank"><img alt="http://wifemothergardener.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/gardening-in-pennsylvania-gbbd-may-2012.html" border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Ce_e3m_bXeayxxaK2WwrITmfdFcRdphjCDzOOJusKEsq8WVq1dBTzhb8ucvwcExvCeOaxEY616KV6AUDTvtfYVpVASagBwvHCk9KOk5UYMqt6657pDWugl1K2Gtc6ALev8TCnrf7KYo/s640/DSC_0144.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ah hah! Now this picture took an age to hunt down. You be wondering why? You may also be wondering why it's in an article about Harmonious colour schemes? You'll be thinking 'It's just got blue and a bit of purple.' And that, is true my friends, up to a point. Yet those are not the only flower colours in there. The reason it took so long to find a picture that met my requirements is because I was searching for 'Euphorbia and forget-me-nots' (and variations on the theme of blue flowers) and waiting until I found a picture that also had purple or yellow flowers. I felt that the first picture in this article was being unnecessarily harsh to the green side of the colour wheel. What with three greens to cater for, that's a large chunk of schemes that can't be used as green is always there, and therefore you tend not to count it in the scheme. Green flowers are kind of hard to come by, and let's face it, blend in when faced with the cacophony of other bright colours. Therefore the picture above illustrates how you can use green and create a, subtle yes, but distinct Harmonious palette. Lime green Euphorbia flowers, forget-me-nots, and the purple hints from Aquiligia and the other purple flowers in the foreground. Green, blue and purple. (Win!) Oh and top of that, isn't it beautiful?<br />
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This last picture leads me on to address the changing of the seasons. To reiterate what I said last week, I am not a professional gardener. I don't pretend to be, and that pretty much the point of this blog! Designing a garden for all seasons right off the bat isn't easy. So, with that in mind here is one example of a Harmonious colour palette in the autumn. (I have to admit defeat when I think about using the cooler side of the colour wheel in Autumn and Winter.) The red and yellow autumn leaves clearly work well together. Here, I'm going to cheat a little, the dying foliage to the right has taken on a lime green hue. Lime-green, yellow, and orangey-red. Perfectly Harmonious!<br />
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Come Winter proper you can fall back on the good old dog wood, Viburnum and Hamamelis, among others. Take a <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/gardening/2011/12/winter-flowering-trees-and-shr.shtml" target="_blank">look here</a> for other plants to build your scheme on in Winter.<br />
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So Will you be trying an Harmonious scheme? Any ideas how one could make a pink, purple, blue scheme work in Autumn and Winter!?<br />
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Tune in next week for Complementary schemes. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16939229807734321812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720881910972147126.post-18023517882798852492013-12-06T12:06:00.000+00:002013-12-06T12:06:00.150+00:00Colour in the garden. Week 1: MonochromeIf you've taken the time to look at my Twitter or Pinterest accounts you'll see that I'm not only interested in gardens. This can sometimes be a huge distraction, when I feel it's time to design dresses or decorate the house, but the disciplines of design are applicable in all areas and actually change little.<br />
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I wanted to look at the way colour is used in the garden, and how the rules of colour theory apply when in an ever changing setting. This week I'm going to look at monochrome, or restricted schemes.<br />
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True monochrome means one colour only. The place you'll see this term the most is probably in reference to black and white photography.The reason that 'black AND white' photographs are monochrome is that they are just variations on a tone. Think of the photo as grey. The palest parts have the most white added, and the darkest part have the most black added. In this way you can create monochrome images and settings in real life from any colour, made up of various tones.<br />
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<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningpicturegalleries/10061157/International-Garden-Photographer-of-the-Year-monochrome-winners-and-finalists.html?frame=2564244" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningpicturegalleries/10061157/International-Garden-Photographer-of-the-Year-monochrome-winners-and-finalists.html?frame=2564244" border="0" height="640" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02564/filename_ext_2564244k.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Of course in a garden absolute monochrome would be not only difficult, but not very interesting to look at! Think not only planting, but pots, woodwork, walls, etc! The first picture is a great example of a monochrome garden working. You've got white in the painted stonework, and the natural wood in the decking and chippings, then everything else is green. It works very well. There is very little variation in the colour of the greenery too, a little bit of blue leaf here and there, but the rest of it works simply because of the great use of texture. Texture is the key to a monochrome scheme, whether it is in the garden, or a living room, or on a dress or painting.<br />
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<a href="http://www.clivenichols.com/cgi-bin/stephen_johnson/database/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=59k&image=059907.jpg&img=1664&search=61k%2060k%2059k&cat=all&tt=&bool=or" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.clivenichols.com/cgi-bin/stephen_johnson/database/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=59k&image=059907.jpg&img=1664&search=61k%2060k%2059k&cat=all&tt=&bool=or" border="0" height="640" src="http://www.clivenichols.com/website/database/gallery/59k/059907.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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A purely green on green scheme in the garden is a strong statement, and leaves great scope for architectural design within the garden as well as some fascinating planting combinations. Ferns, grasses, topiary, evergreens, and the host of green flowered plants you can find can create different textures, play with the light differently, make different sounds when the rain falls or the wind blows. I think that limiting your colour palette to one colour makes all your other senses all the more important and acute.<br />
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Green as a colour is generally pretty neutral. I mean this in terms of the emotions it creates. Unlike some colours, like red, orange and yellow, green doesn't excite, and neither does it calm like blue and white can. It soothes, that's perhaps the best way to describe it. Clearly an all green garden would have nothing to pick out instantly, the eye would not have a focus in respect to colour, meaning that the garden as a whole would work as one, the eye would slide from shape to shape. There would be no stress or strain as your eyes and brain don't need to do battle with the environment to work out what's going on. Green is generally accepted as the colour which is easiest on the eye (supposedly the part of the eye which detects light vs dark, is better when looking at greens.) <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tavia14999/5771598676/in/faves-26092888@N03/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tavia14999/5771598676/in/faves-26092888@N03/" border="0" height="480" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2663/5771598676_958dcaa772_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A final point about our monochrome green garden is of course that it could easily be designed to change little with the seasons, and could also be very low maintenance. <br />
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But what if you like dead heading? Or your not in the mood to be soothed? Or, do you like a little colour? Do you just want a bit more variation in the plants you can grow?<br />
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In that case lets move on. When I've been looking at, and reading about garden planning and design, I often see the term monochromatic also applied to gardens that use one flower colour. So, a 'white' garden would clearly be white <i>and </i>green. In my pedantic head this annoys me. I have just tried to do a search for variations on a 'two colour, colour scheme'....nothin'. So with a little knowledge of pre-fixes I managed to find the words '<span class="st"><span class="f"></span>Monochromatic, dichromatic, trichromatic and tetrachromatic', meaning one, two, three and four colours. It was in respect to colour vision and deficiencies, so I don't know if these are the correct name in reference to anything else..........Anyway! Enough about my pedantic nature and lover of the correct words.</span><br />
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<span class="st">Lets look at <i>dichromatic </i>colour schemes!</span><br />
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<a href="http://amnahshurfa.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/small-gardens.html" target="_blank"><img alt="http://amnahshurfa.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/small-gardens.html" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1p1ddd_a-FGcYCphoDjVhRLC1IZhiaBkEKQX2fksXqMF6RAjWfPFvEoVSnqMmVzNNKGGe14vOuqY2oMKMj4yzJSRhpwkuRxfirTkgWy-sqejomk3sZZhGeWlj6OE0TeCNHTWkoCJPlD0/s640/white.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span class="st">It almost looks like snow has fallen doesn't it?</span><br />
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As you can see, a green and white garden creates a calm, cool and relaxing feeling. In the above example the eye is kept busy with all those great textures and shapes. The mixture of the spiky tulips and grasses and the more rounded shapes of the other flowers and leaves works well, but none of this busyness detracts from that mellow feeling.<br />
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<a href="http://www.clivenichols.com/cgi-bin/stephen_johnson/database/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=20k&image=020451.jpg&img=12352&search=garden&cat=all&tt=&bool=and" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.clivenichols.com/cgi-bin/stephen_johnson/database/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=20k&image=020451.jpg&img=12352&search=garden&cat=all&tt=&bool=and" border="0" height="640" src="http://www.clivenichols.com/website/database/gallery/20k/020451.jpg" width="414" /></a></div>
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White as a colour is often thought to denote innocence and purity, cleanliness, death, and new beginnings. It's calm, cool, clean and unsullied. <br />
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White flowers sometimes attract more nocturnal insects, as they are still visible at night. But, as with every other colour of flower, scented and open flowers are best for this!<br />
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Returning to texture and shapes, the above photo creates brilliant tension. The thick heavy drooping Wisteria contrasts beautifully with the sporadic, loose and light planting beneath it. <br />
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<a href="http://plotblog-lilymarlene.blogspot.co.uk/2008_05_01_archive.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://plotblog-lilymarlene.blogspot.co.uk/2008_05_01_archive.html" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvplqHyZnziHrcGLELEnJChfcQXRWXnpg4_wo5Roe4P5S16E0s6cm9FOaA91o7IkZ-n_Fm6xA6LsvJbI59DcqWlOIIV-T0hbTPj4ogdJSh0OWDAg4cM-3XvdQ3YpbP2yGH08F1uLeeVfA/s640/DSCF1395.jpg" width="430" /></a></div>
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Back with colour theory for a moment. White is as neutral as you can get. Light colours tend to recede, which means that they open up spaces, (imagine a room painted white and the same room painted black. The white room would feel much larger than the black one.) White planting would help to make a small garden seem larger. In the above example they have added bamboo to the back of the border adding height, which will also make a space feel bigger, and the heavily planted borders beneath add depth. This could easily be mimicked in a small garden.<br />
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<a href="http://patientgardener.wordpress.com/2012/08/02/wollerton-old-hall/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://patientgardener.wordpress.com/2012/08/02/wollerton-old-hall/" border="0" height="480" src="http://patientgardener.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/2012_08010018.jpg?w=640&h=480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now we move on to colour. Real, juicy, evocative, sensuous, eye popping colour. Just what you've been waiting for huh?<br />
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Mmm...Red. Red, the colour of sex, danger, love, passion, warning and heat. The above picture, despite being taken in a cloudy moment, has a real feeling of being hot and empowering.<br />
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This garden uses repetition of the tulips for impact and the addition of red foliage. These darker reds create a calmer feeling, as does the light planting. The space in between the plants make it airy and not oppressing, which with such dark colours, I image it could feel if heavily planted. Dark colours advance, the opposite of the white above. They can help draw together a large space. Warm colours also have this affect, so with red the result is doubly so. This is why a light touch with the planting of dark reds is needed. Yet as with the white and the all green gardens, the effect of having only one colour to focus on leaves the eye free to find the form and structure of the garden itself.<br />
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<a href="http://toneontoneantiques.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/update-on-our-blue-garden.html?showComment=1341696079949" target="_blank"><img alt="http://toneontoneantiques.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/update-on-our-blue-garden.html?showComment=1341696079949" border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMrm5eb21pJv-96or2w_vlIVF6WNmMDllwzMJNMNQy8pciXpElGQBEOPImQcGdF8msJ0pC0c1sTdZE32iPYRDtXIQZOYa8ryluKrDCTMAXzwNe58ovq1NRacL3RrBkRiO-PCcpp1FksR1/s640/Lo7a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Blue. A cold colour, one for feeling relaxed, and calm (although sometimes you can find a 'warm' blue.) In this example they've planted large blocks of the colour. I'm not sure I'd have made a blue garden in such a shaded spot. I imagine that unless it gets a lot of sunlight the garden would leave you feeling melancholic and physically cold. Don't get me wrong, the garden is beautiful, well designed and well planted, but I'd want the sun blasting it to feel comfortable there.<br />
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Yet another blue garden in the shade. This one looks like painted clouds to me. Ok, this one cheats a bit as it has white flowers in there too. This huge bed is opened up even further because the colour is another receding one. The huge variety of textures in this area almost become one due to the heavy planting. I'm wondering if this works, and isn't over powering, because all the blues are actually very similar in tone. There is little difference between the colour of one flower compared to the next. If this garden were in red instead I think it would blast your senses far too much.<br />
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<a href="http://indulgy.com/post/pKhwBp0lP1/pink-garden" target="_blank"><img alt="http://indulgy.com/post/pKhwBp0lP1/pink-garden" border="0" height="640" src="http://indulgy.net/x/V/w2/68719512420VOqtJuXWc.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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Aaah, cute, girly, soft, undemanding pink. I actually don't like pink much. I accept it here and there but I don't think I'd ever create a pink garden or have a pink room. But it does in this picture create a very cottagey garden feeling. It's oldy Worldy and very English. Pink roses are very evocative of an English Country Garden.<br />
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<a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-7481281/stock-photo-blaye-gironde-aquitaine-france-a-garden-at-summer.html?src=same_artist-7481266-1" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-7481281/stock-photo-blaye-gironde-aquitaine-france-a-garden-at-summer.html?src=same_artist-7481266-1" border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/7f/c1/af/7fc1af64adc141aba8d3d88045325378.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I did find, on my internet based researchy travels, a couple of beautiful pictures of pink gardens which were not in this cottage style. Unfortunately I couldn't find the original source so I couldn't put them up here. They both used cherry blossom as the main feature. They were much more in the style that perhaps I'd use if I were tempted by pink, Very bold, with the architectural structure of the garden smothered in the focus colour of pink. <br />
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Before I move on to my last colour perhaps I should mention the seasons again. I said earlier that the all green garden was a blessing in that it stayed the same if you chose your plants carefully. The change from summer to winter would be far less marked than with flower gardens.<br />
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This is certainly true. In my above example of the cherry blossom gardens, that is such a tiny season. A few weeks where that garden would be pink, and after that the main feature would fade and and become green, and then where is your pink garden?<br />
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This is where the skill of the gardener comes in. I certainly haven't mastered planting for all the seasons yet. I am still pretty new to this gardening malarkey. But, I am sure it can be done. <br />
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Perhaps you plant daffodils for the spring, tulips a little later, you can have mahonia, barberry. Cotoneaster could provide you with yellow berries, as could rowan, and then you could plant dog woods with yellow stems for the winter.<br />
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A little note on yellow before moving on with green and coloured gardens for all seasons. Yellow is another colour from the warm side of the colour wheel. It is bright and airy. Denotes happiness, freedom, excitement. It's a difficult one in terms of how the colour effects the space it resides in. It's warm so should advance, but it mostly a light colour and therefore recedes. I think it depends which shades you use (orangey-yellows would advance for instance,) and what size and shape the space is, and which direction it faces. I'd use warmer yellow shades in a North facing garden, but would be careful if that space were small, as those warmer tones could make it seem smaller. Perhaps in that scenario, I'd use a mixture of colours. Either a Harminous, Complementary or Split Complementary or Triad scheme (tune in over the next few weeks for a focus on them!)<br />
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<a href="http://johngrimshawsgardendiary.blogspot.co.uk/2013_08_01_archive.html" target="_blank"><img alt="http://johngrimshawsgardendiary.blogspot.co.uk/2013_08_01_archive.html" border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLxNYf5STSCfs5TbF0V4uu8KAUXlgHyxkx5zHhE3XmjZ_Rty4x6_TgIVcnLYPu7O2ok5-Y8Ob-Gjo-Rte-Jl3ni0506QuJ8GC1ypmNzawKoXpcqJwz13ieqIpY_4QhcvS4pOmBlPrHkw/s640/yellow+border.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I remember in my Mum's garden a little while ago I noticed a curious effect. She wasn't a keen gardener, and did it grudgingly at best. But she was also a designer and couldn't leave it to be a mess. So she planted and at least tried to keep on top of the worst of the invasive plants. Now, I can't remember the order, but the season would start with yellow in the spring. Up would pop daffodils, there was a <span class="SubHeading">forsythia, and a number of other yellow plants. A bit later on these would mostly fade, and the pink flowers would start to come out. Roses, geraniums. Then a little later it would start to slide in to purples and blues. The lilac came out, and a few irises I think. This was years ago and totally by accident, but I think it's a great concept that could be used. Why stick to just one monochromatic (or </span><span class="SubHeading"><span class="st">dichromatic</span>) scheme in your garden?</span><br />
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<span class="SubHeading">I hope you've found this useful and inspiring! Come back next week for Harmonious schemes.</span><br />
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<span class="SubHeading">Have you got a monochrome or two-tone garden that you want to share? Has this got you thinking about starting a garden in this style? I'd love to hear from you!</span><br />
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<span class="SubHeading"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16939229807734321812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720881910972147126.post-32051353618164410912013-12-02T16:47:00.000+00:002013-12-02T16:47:00.879+00:00Glasgow Botanical Gardens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, in September I was up in Scotland staying near Glasgow. The last time my boyfriend and I went up there we weren't up there long enough to get to the Botanical Gardens. But this time I made sure we had enough time to go!<br />
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Although the weather we had when we were there was good, by that I mean it didn't rain. We were not, unfortunately, blessed with sunshine. <br />
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So on this cloudy and cold day we wondered around the green houses and gardens. They were somewhat brilliant! Firstly we went in to the carnivorous plants area. I love pitcher plants, and have on numerous occasions managed to keep one alive for at least a few months. They don't seem to do too well with me, but this room was amazing, so many different varieties!<br />
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There was a large room, with concentric circular beds in it next. Huge plants reaching up high. I cant remember exactly what plants it had now, I think there were a mix from various areas of the world.<br />
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Next we found our way in to a net work of interconnecting green houses. All of them in the beautiful white iron work. <br />
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Some were massive with tall trees reaching the ceiling, and leaves the same size and my torso. Others were smaller, tunnel like, but all stocked with so many varieties of plants, from different places, which do different things.</div>
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There was a room with unusual commercially farmed plants like cocoa. </div>
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There were huge quantities of flowers I'd never seen before, with beautiful structures and colours.<br />
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This plant above I spotted a few times. It's not a great photo but I was struck with its triple triangular leaves and little white trumpet flowers. It's beautiful.<br />
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Bananas!<br />
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I couldn't work this one out. The pink must be flowers as they are attached to the same plant as the green leaves. What ever it is its pretty damn stunning.<br />
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There were a couple of ponds, the one in the picture below had cat fish skulking in the depths, mostly sitting on the pipes within the pool though. We guessed that the pipes held something warmer than the surrounding water, so they were doing the fishy equivalent of sunbathing.<br />
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There was a room of orchids, and one of super delicate (or poisonous!) flowers kept behind glass.<br />
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There were also huge grounds which on a hot sunny day would be filled with people mooching about eating ice cream and basking in the sun. On our day out there were just a few people using it as a cut through. They have a rose garden, which was sadly faded at that time of year. They had wheat and oats growing in a bed, which we spent some time over being interested in beer and brewing! There was a physic garden and lots of beautiful trees. <br />
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I would love to go again on a day in the summer, when I can stroll about with an ice cream and have tea and cake in the café.<br />
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I highly recommend going and taking a look even in the dead of winter! The hot houses are cosy, instructive and beautiful! You'll find things you've not seen before and take inspiration from their out doors areas. If you have kids they have a play area in amongst all the gardens too.<br />
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Their website here: <a href="http://www.glasgowbotanicgardens.com/">www.glasgowbotanicgardens.com</a> Take a look, plan and visit and enjoy!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16939229807734321812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720881910972147126.post-84213148738967395392013-11-29T13:51:00.000+00:002013-11-29T13:54:05.271+00:00September observationsWell, I know this is a little late. September came and went quite a while ago now.<br />
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My summer here in Bristol was not particularly spectacular. I had scorching heat, and with no water access at the back of my house, no chance of watering most of my garden at all. That was in between the pouring rain of course, which incidentally doesn't reach parts of my garden at all due to trees over head that I can't prune for a number of reasons. North facing, dark, cold, with saturated clay soil, and also bone dry and solid in places too! I can see why I have difficulty getting some things to grow!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCd2frcWqY2UMz1w9XEQ4anV3nH4PDD_fhyafkpoHcR-4lAat7EJkJFcOrS1UIPKr7E1UQe1DZoHofWkw52FXv40-xxs7OAOC0f8g90GueGF9ihEHx3T6lklt2t5oR-hOJzNS-UQHuMg/s1600/SDC13788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sunflower black magic" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCd2frcWqY2UMz1w9XEQ4anV3nH4PDD_fhyafkpoHcR-4lAat7EJkJFcOrS1UIPKr7E1UQe1DZoHofWkw52FXv40-xxs7OAOC0f8g90GueGF9ihEHx3T6lklt2t5oR-hOJzNS-UQHuMg/s640/SDC13788.JPG" title="Black magic F1 sunflower" width="640" /></a></div>
Still, I had some success with my plants. Above is a picture of one of only two sunflowers that I planted which actually came up. They only grew a couple of feet high, not the 4" stated on the packet, and with wobbly stems. The flowers only lasted a week or so too! But I managed to capture this lovely velvety flower before it faded for good. Isn't that firey orange great with that dusky purple? The variety is called 'Black Magic F1.'<br />
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This is Sweet pea 'Pathfinder.' Again, my display was a little lacking. But the flowers which did emerge were pretty. I had another sweet pea planted in another location, with beautiful pure white flowers, I picked the first to emerge getting all excited that there'd be more, and not only did it not flower again, but the entire plant disappeared without trace! I took this picture after a rain shower, I love seeing rain drops sitting on leaves and petals.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQ_GfYghKyHEKL95IYcYrtaPNUffwEAOK0N5HvXzI_Qut6qAAQSImG3HHWKLzbkL04eEma7S_AmGcPw-XfFaLS7Oo2duvKld6FIq6sibOe0I2g9Leu_1NO0VNiqoYHNraeXXuTpbg6gM/s1600/SDC13796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rain nettle" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQ_GfYghKyHEKL95IYcYrtaPNUffwEAOK0N5HvXzI_Qut6qAAQSImG3HHWKLzbkL04eEma7S_AmGcPw-XfFaLS7Oo2duvKld6FIq6sibOe0I2g9Leu_1NO0VNiqoYHNraeXXuTpbg6gM/s640/SDC13796.JPG" title="Rain drops on nettle" width="640" /></a></div>
Doing my bit for wildlife. This was a pretty late growing nettle, I caught it after the same rain shower pushing its way up between some other plants. I left most of the nettles until just last week to try and encourage some more bugs to make my garden home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TSeJQhuiqMxgk2PuefDc0avsQto4seGgi4KqE9U2TNXPMsTxUTWQUTtfkUMGLOWolvE84Y830rNAMWUUH-I2K4TZhU66P8nqqRt89_aTfkzTedem_ngoi2N77-s6FJ9tg7KDASFw5dg/s1600/SDC13799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spider web berries" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TSeJQhuiqMxgk2PuefDc0avsQto4seGgi4KqE9U2TNXPMsTxUTWQUTtfkUMGLOWolvE84Y830rNAMWUUH-I2K4TZhU66P8nqqRt89_aTfkzTedem_ngoi2N77-s6FJ9tg7KDASFw5dg/s640/SDC13799.JPG" title="Spiderweb slung between elderberries and leaf" width="640" /></a></div>
The Elderberries just starting to ripen. I loved the way the spider web was slung between all the berries. No spider in residence though.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KQuVD8PmfTGWrm35Cw2TLrOcOYUfdoSCkAfwPvme3Fz7-tsudz4BRLQ-FgvOX_JLTZffx_dA87ZK6p2ZzjfFO72dV29ZjaJBVONimQCVZxrNFBgQa4-XMHhg-vIO6irM7cEEoyeKMDE/s1600/SDC13780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cabbage white caterpillar" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KQuVD8PmfTGWrm35Cw2TLrOcOYUfdoSCkAfwPvme3Fz7-tsudz4BRLQ-FgvOX_JLTZffx_dA87ZK6p2ZzjfFO72dV29ZjaJBVONimQCVZxrNFBgQa4-XMHhg-vIO6irM7cEEoyeKMDE/s640/SDC13780.JPG" title="Cabbage White caterpillar" width="640" /></a></div>
And finally Jeff the caterpillar (I don't know why I've named him Jeff. But, Jeff he is.) He was posing in this helpful position, so I just had to capture him! I got a huge number of Cabbage White caterpillars this year destroying my Nasturtium. I don't mind though. I probably got a huge number of well fed birds too!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16939229807734321812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720881910972147126.post-51979166930377501332013-09-17T14:29:00.000+01:002013-09-17T14:29:00.090+01:00Cosmos - Cosmos Bipinnatus<i>Cosmos bipinnatus</i> is a member of the <span class="family" style="white-space: nowrap;">Asteraceae </span>family. It can grow up to 4ft or 120cm in height, but does require staking as it doesn't support its own weight well especially when in flower. It has medium-sized open flowers and feathery bipinnate leaves. It is a half-hardy herbaceous annual. Prefers full sun but will tolerate part shade. Comes in shades from dark magenta through to white.<br />
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Cosmos is native to Mexico. It was introduced to England in 1799 but it only became popular as a garden plant in the early 1900's. It was awarded an Award of Garden Merit in 1936. There are many varieties of <i>C. bipinnatus</i>.<br />
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<a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cosmos_bipinnatus_01_ies.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Cosmos_bipinnatus_01_ies.jpg/800px-Cosmos_bipinnatus_01_ies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Cosmos bipinnatus </i>is great for bees and butterflys.<br />
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Cosmos prefers a less rich soil in full sun. It will stand drought. Can be sown inside, but may result in a lanky plant. Best sown outside in flowering position in Spring. Should germinate between 1-2 weeks. Will self seed.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16939229807734321812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720881910972147126.post-56655694452531824572013-09-06T15:31:00.000+01:002013-09-06T15:31:44.535+01:00Plant terms, descriptions and labelling.If you are anything like me you can get easily confused. Genus, perennial, cultivar, herbaceous, pinnate...I could go on and on... In fact I think I will. Below is a list of words and definitions used to describe various plant attributes. I'll keep adding as I go along! (I'll also arrange things better soon so you can find what your after more easily.)<br />
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<ul>
<li><b>Alternate </b>- <i>Leaf structures, where the leaves grow alternately along the length of a stem.</i> </li>
<li><b>Annual </b>- <i>Living only one growing season.</i></li>
<li><b>Biennial </b>- <i>Two year life cycle, flowering and fruiting in the second year.</i></li>
<li><b>Bipinnate </b>- <i>Pinnate leaves which have themselves become pinnate. Sometimes called 'twice-pinnate.' <a href="http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/grasses/photos/mshield_fern1.jpg">This</a> is a good example of a Bipinnate leaf (<a href="http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/grasses/plants/mshield_fern.htm">from here</a>).</i></li>
<li><b>Cultivar </b>- <i>A plant variety that has been created intentionally by selective breeding.</i></li>
<li><b>Cultivation </b>- <i>preparation of ground for planting and the planting, tending and harvesting of the plants them selves.</i></li>
<li><b>Evergreen </b>- <i>A plant which does not lose all of it's leaves in Autumn.</i></li>
<li><b>Fruit </b>- <i>The ripened ovary of a plant. Usually fleshy. Bears the seeds. Edible (although not always to humans)</i></li>
<li><b>Genus </b>- <i>A grouping of living things in taxonomy (see </i>Taxonomy <i>below.) Genus are subdivided in to Species. I.e. </i>Quercus robur<i> (English Oak) and </i>Quercus alba<i> (White Oak) belong to the same Genus (</i>Quercus<i>) yet are separate species.</i></li>
<li><b>Germination </b>- <i>The beginning of growth in a seed</i>.</li>
<li><b>Half-hardy </b>- <i>A plant able to survive out of doors except in extreme cold, snow and frosts.</i></li>
<li><b>Hardy </b>- <i>Able to survive what ever the weather</i></li>
<li><b>Hedge </b>- <i>A row of shrubs and trees, usually low growing forming a boundary.</i></li>
<li><b>Herbaceous </b>- <i>Refers to plants that are fleshy rather than woody, lacking in a permanent woody stem</i>.</li>
<li><b>Hybrid </b>- <i>A plant resulting from a cross between two different species of plant. Example <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peppermint">here</a> of peppermint. Denoted in the plant names by an 'X', I.e.</i> Mentha x piperita.</li>
<li><b>Japonica </b>- <i>Species name implying it comes from Japan</i>.</li>
<li><b>Opposite </b>- <i>In leaf structures - the leaves grow from the stem opposite to each other (as opposed to alternate or whorled)</i></li>
<li><b>Ovary </b>-<i> <a href="http://eppcapp.ky.gov/nprareplants/images%5Cflower_diagram.jpg">Here</a> for image (<a href="http://eppcapp.ky.gov/nprareplants/glossary.aspx">from here</a>.) Female part of the plant that, once fertilised, produces the seeds or fruit.</i></li>
<li><b>Palmate </b>-<i>Lobed leaf where the lobes emanate from a mid point.</i></li>
<li><b>Perennial </b>- <i>A plant which lasts more than two years. May 'die back' in winter to grow new shoots in Spring.</i></li>
<li><b>Petal </b>- <i>The coloured part of the flower. Primarily for attracting pollinating insects in to the reproductive parts.</i></li>
<li><b>Pinnate </b>- <i>Leaves which have become split, fanning out from the central vein. As with a feather.</i></li>
<li><b>Sepal </b>- <i>The casing of the flower bud.</i></li>
<li><b>Shrub </b>- <i>A bush - a woody plant of low height which has no central trunk.</i></li>
<li><b>Species </b>- <i>The lowest taxonomy. The most commonly used way of describing one plant as distinct from another. Named by the Genus and then an adjective or noun both in Latin and italicised. I.e. </i><span class="kno-fv"><span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?client=firefox-a&hs=pQI&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&biw=1320&bih=655&q=%22sweet+pea%22+%22scientific+name%22+%22lathyrus+odoratus%22&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAGOovnz8BQMDAz8HsxKnfq6-gWVZunmxA-PqKgn30OmCWwIXBO73Uo1bw_fr31QAMCmgaCwAAAA">Lathyrus odoratus</span></span><i> (Sweet Pea) This belongs to the Genus </i>Lathyrus<i>. (</i>Odoratus<i> means fragrant.) </i></li>
<li><b>Taxonomy </b>- <i>The hierarchical organization of plants (and other living things). Species belong to Genus', and genus' belong to families etc. <a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/taxonomy">This </a>explains it well.</i></li>
<li><b>Trailing </b>- <i>A plant which has a long stem which does not support it's self.</i></li>
<li><b>Tree </b>- <i>A perennial woody plant with a main trunk</i>.</li>
<li><b>Tripinnate </b>- <i>Bipinnate leaves which has divided once more to become 'thrice-pinnate'. <a href="http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/48400/48433/48433_tripinnate_md.gif">This is how it looks</a>. Often found in ferns.</i></li>
<li><b>Whorls </b>- Leaf structure - where the leaves grow in a circle from the stem like <a href="http://luirig.altervista.org/cpm/albums/bot-units28/galium-aparine13245.jpg">this</a>. (From <a href="http://luirig.altervista.org/photos-search/index2.php?rcn=42710">here</a>.)</li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16939229807734321812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720881910972147126.post-67500707883643828862013-09-05T09:55:00.001+01:002013-09-05T10:01:21.810+01:00Scary bush<p>Saw this diseased looking, over grown box hedge yesterday while out. I didn't get a good photo unfortunately, but it was smothered with spider webs. Just that bush! The surrounding vegetation was happily web free. </p>
<p>This requires research! It can't just be practising for Halloween!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFlj50tiNHNlTbvUjGcX0SCnWC8TCWl04fS9vYmYWFsY0QN2vUqFY39IBSYOdx4L5OOEt0mBal9WIi0_uor6aSmRLrO-VlOs7SijsrvplSEBDAZmk-sy18_47VSbZsa6qVQ6pfKlkvdA/s1600/DSC_0417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFlj50tiNHNlTbvUjGcX0SCnWC8TCWl04fS9vYmYWFsY0QN2vUqFY39IBSYOdx4L5OOEt0mBal9WIi0_uor6aSmRLrO-VlOs7SijsrvplSEBDAZmk-sy18_47VSbZsa6qVQ6pfKlkvdA/s640/DSC_0417.jpg"> </a> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16939229807734321812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720881910972147126.post-25197200234685692772013-09-04T13:06:00.000+01:002013-09-04T13:06:08.573+01:00Technorati Claim<span class="status">XDU7C6B7A5RH</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16939229807734321812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720881910972147126.post-87259108429484895422013-09-04T12:51:00.000+01:002013-09-04T13:28:41.753+01:00Compost HeapsThere's no two ways about it. A compost heap is pretty much an essential if you have a garden.<br />
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Let's start with the basics. According to a well renowned <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(quickly googled) online </span><a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/compost">dictionary</a>, compost is defined as "A mixture of decaying organic matter, as from leaves and manure, used to improve soil structure and provide nutrients."<br />
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That pretty much covers it. You put organic matter that will decompose in a heap, and after some time a material is produced that you can use on the garden that will improve growing conditions.<br />
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<a href="http://web.extension.illinois.edu/homecompost/science.cfm">This article</a> explains in some depth the reasons why and how a compost heap works, from bugs and bacteria to temperature, what you put on it, and how damp it is. I'll go through a lot of that in a lot less depth below.<br />
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Why? </h4>
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So, why compost? Well the two main reasons I compost are to feel a wonderful sense of smugness at not throwing huge amounts of kitchen waste to landfill, and to create a material that will improve the quality of my soil, and therefore the quality of my plants.<br />
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Adding compost to the soil will improve the nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and magnesium. It's open and crumbly nature will, when dug in help to improve the drainage in soil, and oxygen levels. In a selfish respect, digging compost in to the soil makes further digging a lot easier as, especially for clay soils the heavy material is mixed up with that light organic material making it a much better substance for you to work with. If you add compost to sandy soil on the other hand it makes it heavier and better at retaining the moisture it needs.<br />
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Basically compost makes everything better. There is no down side!<br />
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How?</h4>
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On to the 'How'. There's the 'what to compost?' question.<br />
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<a href="http://backyard-garden-101.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/how-to-compost-in-your-backyard.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe04m7UbKuPG2GOBmH5ZHwpMnxEj0HTkwpyGPNL9wdLK5WNWiaVISNXEdhwGSkUcz30QAFjumsqhjg6JiWwjtthB4pEDhPGYD6EYigX0Z87KcuRjQKWir7iSJVmb3z7OK-tRn5fUY8OYA/s1600/How+to+compost+in+your+backyard.jpg" /></a></div>
Great image here, covers pretty much everything you can and can't put on. The only thing I'll add is some citrus fruit (especially limes) seem to be on many 'don't' lists. Although I imagine everything in moderation huh?<br />
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There are two generally accepted methods of composting. Hot and Cold. <a href="http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/hot-composting-vs-cold-composting.aspx">Look here</a> for a quick break down. The hot method is more work but works much faster (and kills weed seeds) the cold method requires little work but takes much longer (also doesn't get hot enough to kill off those seeds, so try not to add too many dandelion heads.) Of course you can mix the two, and start of off 'cold' then turn the mixture often to 'heat' it up (this actually just aids getting oxygen to the mix helping those aerobic bacteria)<br />
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Lastly in this 'how' bit I shall send you to google for a comprehensive list of compost bins. <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=compost+bins&client=firefox-a&hs=V6q&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=BgonUvnKAcHE7Aan7YDIAg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1320&bih=655">Google Compost Bin Search.</a> This I should imagine will cover every style, size and shape of bin out there, from buying ready made to making your own.<br />
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My local council provides (and delivers) those slightly conical plastic bins with the hatch at the base at a low cost. I'd advise you look at your local council's website to find if they do a similar scheme.<br />
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My plan for myself (when I have a garden big enough to house one) is to build my own wooden (from reclaimed pallets or similar) a three stage compost bin.<br />
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<a href="http://www.growingwisdom.com/Three-Bin-Composting-System/41/1/500/">This video from Growing Wisdom</a> explains the three bin system. I think this is the system used by Monty Don on Gardeners' World too. It sort of means that you are compromising between cold and hot composting. You put a little more effort than in to cold composting, and you get your compost a lot faster, but you can also keep adding matter to the bins in a continuous cycle.<br />
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<h4>
Who?</h4>
Um...well, everyone with a garden? (Yes. Everyone...see below)<br />
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Where?</h4>
Anywhere that there is a garden that requires some compost. Including all of you with only a balcony or a courtyard. (yeeah, I heard all you balcony owners starting to whine...)<br />
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When?</h4>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php"><b>Spring</b></a></span></i><br />
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<li><i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php">At this point, when things thaw from the winter months, the
materials that were added to your composter in the winter will start to
break down. You can speed this up by keeping your compost well aerated –
this will warm up the pile and help decomposition along.</a></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php">Finished compost at the bottom of the composter can now be used in
your garden. Spring is the best time to add compost to your garden! Mix
it in directly with the soil you currently have in your garden, or you
can pass your compost through a sieve before placing it on top of your
soil.</a></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php">Prune your plants and remove any dead plants/leaves from the
garden that may not have been removed before the winter began. These
products can be added to your composter.</a></span></i></li>
</ul>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php">
</a><a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php"><b>Summer</b></a></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php">
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<li><i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php">Summer is the best season for composting. The weather is warm and helps the materials to compost fastest. </a></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php">Make sure that you have the right ratio of green to brown material
in your composter, and to insure that it decomposes fastest make sure
everything is chopped into small pieces.</a></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php">In order to keep your composter running smoothly, make sure that there is enough moisture in it.</a></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php">Continue using finished compost in your lawn and garden to help your plants gain the nutrients they need to grow healthy.</a></span></i></li>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php">
</a><a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php"><b>Fall</b></a></span></i><br />
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<li><i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php">Keep up with the composting throughout the fall to guarantee that
you’ll have fresh compost in the spring when you need it. Keep in mind
that you don’t want to overwhelm your composter with only one type of
material (leaves, for example) – you may want to save some of this to
layer with the kitchen scraps you add to your composter throughout the
winter.</a></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php">In order to help keep your composter warm, you can use a cover over it. </a></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php">Mix your compost every couple of weeks in order to keep it aerated.</a></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php">Finished compost should be spread out over your garden to put the nutrients back into the soil to get ready for next spring.</a></span></i></li>
</ul>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php">
</a><a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php"><b>Winter</b></a></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php">
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<li>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php">Keep up with your composter, even if it only includes making a
trek out to it once a week or so with a bucket of kitchen scraps.
Everything you add to your composter during the winter will actually
break down quicker than you would have expected, due to the way the
weather freezes and then thaws your materials.</a></span></i>
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</ul>
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<li><i><span style="font-size: small;">
<a href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/green-living/seasonal-composting.php">Do not mix or aerate your composter at this time of year, as this will cause heat to escape from your composter. If you are worried about heat retention, you can always insulate your composter with straw, hay or leaves around the sides and top of the composter.</a></span></i>
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(As you may have worked out, I lifted the entire section above, it's all a link to the source)<br />
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So. To summarise: Put decomposable matter on heap of choice, getting mix of brown and green right, mix or turn as often as you want, when its brown, crumbly and smells nice, spread on and mix in to garden. There you go, instantly improve your garden!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16939229807734321812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720881910972147126.post-33598480076909164292013-08-28T12:20:00.001+01:002013-09-04T12:57:03.363+01:00Habitats - Log piles and alternatives. Now is a great time to think about creating habitats for your garden animals to over-winter in.<br />
One of the easiest ways to create habitat is the log pile. This will help to provide a place for everything from spiders and beetles to hedgehogs, toads and ladybirds.<br />
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Small branches and logs can be layered in a sheltered spot, perhaps behind your shed or behind some tall plants. Try to avoid putting too close to living trees, bacteria and fungus can infect these. You want a cool, shady and maybe damp-ish location. Leave sufficient space between the logs (especially on the bottom layer) to let those creatures in.<br />
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These links give more advice with more in-depth information. <a href="http://www.discoverwildlife.com/wildlife-gardens/how-use-logs-attract-wildlife">Discoverwildlife.com</a>, <a href="http://www.wildaboutgardens.org.uk/habitats/log-pile.aspx">Wildaboutgardens.org.uk</a> and the <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/gardening/deadwood.aspx">RSPB</a>.<br />
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If you've no room for a log pile or no logs try these alternatives:<br />
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<a href="http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/projects/wildlife-gardening/how-to-make-a-hedgehog-house/145.html">Hedgehog homes</a><br />
<a href="http://www.inspirationgreen.com/insect-habitats.html">Insect houses</a> (pretty spectacular huh? Some great ideas in there, but you can <a href="http://gardentherapy.ca/build-a-bug-hotel/">create</a> or buy smaller less...over the top versions easily!)<br />
Toad houses (<a href="http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/children/garden-toad-house.htm">Basic DIY</a> )<br />
Compost heaps (<a href="http://www.gardenersworld.com/blogs/wildlife/compost-heaps-and-wildlife/3182.html">Great article on compost and wildlife</a>)<br />
<a href="http://www.discoverwildlife.com/wildlife-gardens/how-make-your-walls-wildlife-friendly">Garden walls</a> can create a habitat to bees and bugs (don't fill in those holes and cracks!)<br />
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/organic_nativehedge1.shtml">Hedges of native plants</a> (lets get rid of of that suburban 6' high, untrimmed box hedge. Please.)<br />
<a href="http://www.pondconservation.org.uk/bigponddip/IdentifyingPond+Creatures">Ponds</a><br />
<a href="http://www.nettles.org.uk/nettles/wildlife.asp">Nettle Patches</a><br />
Meadows<br />
Bird and bat houses <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16939229807734321812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720881910972147126.post-9538123322776478242013-03-17T14:31:00.001+00:002013-09-04T12:57:25.464+01:00Chitting seed potatoesThe Chitting of seed potatoes is not a necessary task to grow potatoes, but it is a simple one that'll make growing your own far easier.<br />
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In order to chit all you need to do is to put your seed potatoes in to a light, frost free position until small green shoots appear from the eyes on the potato. You want dark stubby shoots, not the long breakable ones that form on potatoes kept in the dark.<br />
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This means they will sprout and grow more quickly when planted (usually about two weeks faster compared to un-chitted potatoes.) This means you can put off planting and avoid frosts.<br />
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An egg box and a window sill are the perfect pieces of equipment for this purpose.<br />
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<a href="http://www.gardenhealth.com/grow-your-own/hints-and-tips/what-are-seed-potatoes">Here's</a> a little bit of information on seed potatoes and what they are. It also talks about different types of potato crops.<br />
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Monty Don helps to define seed potatoes on this video on the <a href="http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/projects/basics/how-to-chit-potatoes/256.html">Gardeners' World website here.</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16939229807734321812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2720881910972147126.post-67478718578126742132013-03-13T10:50:00.000+00:002013-09-04T12:57:42.306+01:00PlanningAlthough planning can be done at any time, the first weeks of the year should offer as blank a canvas as you're likely to get.<br />
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Planning your garden doesn't have to be an overwhelming operation. Good practice dictates measurements, squared paper, sharpened pencils, soil samples and so on. I think that if all of that seems too much, the back of an envelope and a biro can be perfectly good enough.
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Firstly do a rough sketch of the garden as it is. Then, list what you want from the garden. <a href="http://www.garden-design-it-yourself.com/support-files/garden_design_checklist.pdf" target="_blank">This list</a> from <a href="http://www.garden-design-it-yourself.com/planning_a_garden.html" target="_blank">here</a> (requires Adobe) is a great place to start if your not sure what you want.
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Then, sketch out as many variations of <i>that</i> space, with <i>those</i> requirements as you can think of. That's where the artistic bit comes in. I could list hundreds of different ideas, styles and methods of design, but it's perhaps better to look for your own inspiration, try gardening magazines, <a href="http://pinterest.com/all/?category=gardening" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Garden&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=qTq&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=6Yn1UNHuEZOR0QW5sYGwBg&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAA&biw=1320&bih=678" target="_blank">Google</a>, walk around the countryside and visit local gardens. <a href="http://www.landscapingnetwork.com/garden-styles/" target="_blank">This </a>is a good page for an initial starting point. Each style links to further information about it, with ideas for materials and plants. <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.rhs.org.uk/Media/PDFs/RHS-Encyclopedia/ShapesSpaces&sa=U&ei=HI_1ULG3Gq2L4gTI8IGgAg&ved=0CAcQFjAA&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNHVUD69WmR7a29CmPAxZD5Vg0j1AQ" target="_blank">This guide</a> on the <a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/" target="_blank">RHS</a> (requires Adobe) gives a more complex but interesting point of view on some of the basics of garden shape planning.
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Once the overall design has been achieved you can focus on what plants to work with in the space. It does help to know what type of soil you have, but you can do this easily. Take a quick look at <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/htbg/module1/soil_types1.shtml" target="_blank">this guide</a> and you'll find out easily. If your worried about the PH (acid, alkali) then look at <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/htbg/module1/soil_ph1.shtml" target="_blank">this guide</a>. Once you know the soil, you need to know your light levels, this couldn't be easier. If it's in shade most of the day (under a tree canopy? North facing?) you'll need shade tolerant plants , if it gets the sun from morning 'till evening you'll need light and heat tolerant plants. This can affect the soil too, you can have dry or damp shaded areas, sunny areas are more often affected by drought too. Once you have that knowledge searching for plants is easy. The <a href="http://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/" target="_blank">Gardeners' world 'plants' section</a> is great for choosing plants and getting inspiration. Another way to find out what will grow in your garden is to wonder around your local area. If it's growing in someone else's garden, or in the wild near you chances are it'll thrive in your ground too.
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Once you've chosen what plants you'd like, you need to organise them. Generally you put taller plants at the back and short ones in front. That's about the only rule I can come up with. Group colours how ever you want. Block colours can be very striking, but then so can a riot of colour. I believe its all personal choice. For a bit of direction colour-wise though take a look <a href="http://www.gardensablaze.com/Landscaping/LandscapeColor.htm">here</a>. <a href="http://www.theenglishgarden.co.uk/garden-design/planting/lightshade">This </a>is a great guide too with good advice, follow the pink links near to bottom for advice on other types of border, each page has good general advice.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16939229807734321812noreply@blogger.com0