Using Vintage Plant Containers

Using Vintage Plant Containers

By   9:21:00 AM   No comments:

As a resident of the metropolitan city of London I, unsurprisingly, do not have any outdoor space. I live in a two bedroom flat which doesn’t have so much as a balcony; however, this has not deterred me from growing my own herbs and vegetables. Just outside the door to my flat is a large windowsill and landing, upon which I have managed to create a beautiful container garden. The key to the distinctive and idiosyncratic look of this garden is the use of vintage plant containers which I picked up from junk and antique shops. This nostalgic approach to container planting coincides effectively with current themes in garden and interior design as old-fashioned patterns, such as those championed by Kath Kidston, and antique furniture and accessories are currently very popular.

I have been growing chives very successfully in enamel tea and coffee pots as well as in medical supply containers. The chives have grown very happily in their unusual containers, providing me with a regular crop which quickly grows back after cutting. As the containers are metal and therefore subject to degrading, I have lined each container with a plastic bag before adding the soil and compost in order to ensure they remain water-tight.

I have been able to use these antique enamel containers for a number of different plants, including lavender grown in and old saucepan and mint grown in an old tea pot. All of these plants were grown from seed and have flourished successfully in their containers. To make sure the plants are properly drained I have added broken ceramics or stones to the bottom of each container.

Old ceramic containers also work very well and make beautiful holders in which to grow herbs. This ceramic bowl was picked up for a couple of pounds in an antique market and has provided a brilliant container in which to grow parsley. This particular container has a break which has been glued back together, but I have found this has caused no problems as the container has remained structurally sound and water-tight.

I have also been able to use vintage containers to grow larger plants. This pepper plant has been very happy growing in this enamel saucepan, whilst this parsley plant has thrived in this old enamel bread bin.

Vintage wooden boxes are also brilliant containers in which to grow herbs and vegetables. I have planted mint in this old cocoa box and it has been growing successfully for several years now. Like with the enamel containers, to ensure the wooden containers remain water-tight I have lined them with strong plastic bags.

I have found that I get great pleasure from my container garden and it has completely enhanced the concrete area outside my London flat. The vintage look of my container garden fits in perfectly with the quirky interior of my flat and all the plants seem to be growing very happily in their antique homes.

John Barlow works for Artscape, a company that specialises in garden design in Berkshire. He loves to use vintage items and reclaimed furniture in his garden design.

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The Joys of Spending Time in the Garden

The Joys of Spending Time in the Garden

By   8:57:00 AM   2 comments:

Many homeowners tend to go outside in force during the warm and sunny weather. Sports events, picnics, and garden barbeques; we try to grab as much sunshine as possible as we never quite know how long it will last. One of the most convenient places for many of us to head to during the warm weather is simply out in the back door and into the garden.

We use our gardens for a range of activities, from barbeques to pool parties. If you think about it, we probably spend quite a lot more time and money than we think we do on making our gardens an enjoyable place to be. Many of us purchase expensive barbeques and other cooking equipment, gazebos, garden furniture, and plants, flowers, tools, and accessories as well.

It might be worth checking whether the goods in your garden are covered in your garden or home insurance policies; it may give you the peace of mind you need in order to relax! However, there is more you can do to give your garden a comfortable feel, whether you live alone or with kids. Water features can provide a gentle background noise, and can also attract birds and wildlife into your garden.

If you have children, it is probably best to steer clear of uncovered swimming pools or ponds without fences, as these could be potential hazards during playtime. Instead, why not buy or build a bird feeder? This way you could take advantage of the spring chorus, and also laugh at those sneaky squirrels trying to snatch some of the feed.

Although it is lovely spending plenty of time outdoors, it does need to rain once in a while in order to keep our gardens so green. When this does happen, make sure your cushion covers and other more delicate items are brought indoors or put in the shed to withstand the showers. Once it has stopped pouring, you may have the joys of sweet smelling summer rain and grass filling your nostrils.

About the author: Ashton Mapletoft writes a number of articles on how to make the best of your home and garden, including the best home insurance policies.

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How to encourage wildlife in your garden

How to encourage wildlife in your garden

By   9:02:00 AM   No comments:

Whether you live in the city or the countryside if you have a garden, that garden can become a haven for wildlife. Increasingly we are becoming concerned with the ecology of our planet as environmental changes and the decline of species like the bumble bee are becoming more and more worrying. This article provides you with a guide to encouraging wildlife in your garden and will help you transform your garden into an ecological oasis.

Biodiversity

The greater the number of plant species in your garden, the greater variety of wildlife which will be encouraged. As your garden will support local wildlife it is important to see what sort of plant would thrive in your local environment. If you have alkaline soil, plant plants which like that type of soil as it is likely the local insects and animals will also like that type of plant. If you are concerned about the aesthetics of your garden why not plant the less attractive yet locally suitable plants in areas which are less visible, such as planting a climber on the side wall of your garage. This would also fill the vertical space in your garden which allows you to grow a greater variety of plants than if you were just growing plants flat in your flowerbeds.

Bird Boxes

Some bird boxes are designed to attract a particular species of bird, so before you purchase your bird box you need to decide whether you want to encourage a variety of birds or if you would like to help conserve a particular species. Bird boxes will not necessarily be inhabited by birds as soon as you put them up so it is worth being patient and persevering. Bird boxes are particularly necessary in the winter months as they can provide birds with much needed shelter.

Daisies

According to the RSPB, the daisy family are particularly good for encouraging wildlife. Daisies and dandelions are often some of the first plants we get rid of in our gardens, either by weeding or mowing the lawn; however, if you set aside a small area where they can grow freely this would be beneficial to the wildlife in your garden. This is because the Asteraceae family are great at either attracting insects for nectar or producing seeds which will attract small mammals.

Feed the birds

Hanging up a bird feeder or introducing a bird table to your garden can really help your local bird population. You should avoid using nylon mesh for your bird feeder as birds can become trapped; instead use a wire feeder which has quite generous spaces through which the birds can access the nuts and seeds. Fat feeders are especially good in winter and can easily be made at home. Simply put fat into a holder and either leave plain or push nuts and seeds into the fat for added nutrition. Another simple homemade bird feeder is achieved by cutting a coconut in half and hanging it from a tree.

John Barlow works for Artscape, a company that specialises in garden design in Berkshire. He loves to use vintage items and reclaimed furniture in his garden design.

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