My Global Garden

Garden for a living London

Debbie — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:23:49 +0000

Living half my time in London and half in East Sussex since January has really made me appreciate the positive impact of green spaces .I realise how crucial it is to my way of life to have contact with plants, flowers and anything green on a daily basis.

There are lots of opportunities for Londoners to engage with gardening and a great web-site called wild london set up by the Wildlife Trust aims to encourage this. With three million gardens in the capital they want to encourage city gardeners to create wildlife and climate friendly green spaces that will turn into a network of nature reserves.

London Wildlife Trust suggest seven gardening actions which can contribute to making a stronger “Living London”:

Plant drought resistant plants
Plant a mixed hedgerow
Plant a broad leaved tree
Make a pond
Use mulch
Add a green roof to your shed
Wild up your decking

Climate change makes trees grow faster

Debbie — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:06:42 +0000

A recent study of trees in eastern America suggests that forests could be growing faster now than they were 200 years ago as a result of climate change.The trees appear to have accelerated growth rates due to longer growing seasons and higher concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The study in Maryland suggests that this extra growth in trees could help to act as a more efficient carbon “sink”, which could offset the carbon dioxide being added to the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels.

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/global-warming-makes-trees-grow-at-fastest-rate-for-200-years-1886342.html

The photograph below was taken by me in mid November 2009 whilst visiting Rome .It shows how warmer weather can prolong the leaf season for many trees - it was 22c and the city was bathed in glorious sunlight. If like me you adore looking at photos of trees then check out the work of this inspirational photographer

http://www.tonyhowell.co.uk/Trees.htm

Grow your own in local skips

Debbie — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:36:25 +0000

Gardeners are being encouraged to grow carrots in skips on building sites and tomatoes in hospital car parks under new plans to increase the amount of land available for grow-your-own vegetables.

The Government is setting up a national “Landbank” that will link keen gardeners with public or private land available in their area where they might grow their own produce.

Visitors to a new web-site will tap in a postcode and find out where the nearest piece of land is available. Everyone is being invited to provide land that is currently not being used including public authorities like schools and hospitals as well as private developers.?http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/7361528/Grow-your-own-vegetables-in-the-local-skip.html

This is already happening in many parts of London - take a look at this innovative skip garden at the new Kings Cross development .http://www.kingscrosscentral.com/skip_garden

Spring in a box

Debbie — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 10:50:40 +0000

Beautiful sunshine tempted me into the garden early this morning but a biting wind soon sent me back indoors. I suppose this puts me into the category of fair weather gardener?

My enthusiasm to get gardening is not just down to the sunshine today. I have been inspired by a beautiful leaflet I just received from an innovative company called rocket gardens. Their motto is “we sow your grow” which is a rather attractive idea whilst I am working full time in London. There just never seems enough time at the weekend to do everything. I am way behind on my seed planting. Apart from the cute window sill vegetables in a pot I talked about a few weeks ago, my seed planting is non-existent at the moment. Really need to get started on this so that I can be ready for the planting out season from May onwards.

Rocket Gardens looks the perfect option if things don’t go according to plan. They have a tempting Mediterranean garden box of all the vegetables that I plan to grow in 2010 like aubergine, artichoke, peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, rocket, courgettes, Borlotti beans and a selection of herbs such as Italian parsley, basil, oregano and rosemary. The box includes 48 different plants for 36.99 including free delivery from mid May. Great way to save air miles too - no more nipping to the super-market and buying produce flown over from the Mediterranean itself.

http://www.rocketgardens.co.uk/showdetails.asp?id=105

My big problem is I still don’t know how much space I will have - no news on whether I have an allotment .My other plan of buying a house with a small garden is on hold for a few weeks until I see what is happening to the yo-yo that is the property market.

Think I will do a mix of both - sew a few seeds this week but think about saving my pennies to invest in ready made “Spring in a box” from Rocket Gardens.

All these decisions you have to make as a gardener - great fun!

Met Office weathers climate criticisms

Debbie — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:10:05 +0000

The Met Office is in the news this week . Firstly they published an influencial review of more than 100 scientific studies that track the observed changes in the Earth’s climate system. The aim is to restore faith in scientific data following recent adverse publicity centred around the University of East Anglia Climate Change e-mail scandal.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/mar/05/met-office-analysis-climate-change

The second story reported there will be no more seasonal weather forecasts from the Met Office.They have decided to provide these on a monthly basis rather than quarterly to avoid ongoing criticism that long range weather forecasts are highly inaccurate, especially in 2009 with the infamous barbecue summer that never was .They suggest this is due to the unpredicatability of our UK weather as a result of the country’s size and location.Combine this with the influence of climate change, which is seriously affecting the seasons, and long-range forecasting is a definite scientific challenge http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2010/pr20100305b.html

Perhaps the best way to announce the arrival of spring is to experience the local weather in your garden. Here is a picture of beautiful flowers basking in the sunshine in my garden today.

How is the weather in your garden?

Gardening in the Global Greenhouse

Debbie — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:00:07 +0000

The original inspiration for my websites about climate change gardening came from an impressive document produced in 2002 by the Royal Horticultural Society,the National Trust, English Heritage, the UK Climate Impacts programme and other environmental /horticultural organisations.

Entitled ” Gardening in the Global Greenhouse, the impact of climate change on our gardens”, it clearly sets out that our gardens are in trouble and face an uncertain future.It is an impressive document, covering the key issues that will concern anyone who gardens and is well worth the time to read through its impressive and very detailed 17 pages.

The introduction is by one of the UK’s most passionate gardeners , HRH Prince Charles, who poignantly expresses his concerns about the threat of climate change. I remember reading his powerful words for the first time and feeling very moved . Here are just a few lines that I am sure will make you want to read more:

“Almost all scientists now agree that the British climate is likely to change significantly in years to come. The precise nature of these changes is still uncertain, but it is both an alarming and sobering thought that some of the nation’s best loved gardens might become unsustainable due to changing climatic conditions”. http://www.globalgardening.org/uploads/pdf/climate_summary.pdf

Buy climate change plants

Debbie — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:00:00 +0000

Visit these excellent nursery web-sites to buy climate change plants and seek planting advice:

Will Giles Exotic Garden and tree house in Norwich, Norfolk

NORFOLK

www.hardybamboo.com

www.junglegardens.co.uk

www.turn-it-tropical.co.uk

www.urbanjungle.uk.com

OXFORD

www.junglegardens.co.uk

www.silktree.co.uk

SURREY

www.hartcanna.com

www.thepalmcentre.co.uk -

SEE REVIEW AT http://www.myglobalgarden.com/blog/the-palm-centre-ham-near-richmond-su

WEST SUSSEX

www.bigplantnursery.co.uk

www.architecturalplants.com

WORCESTERSHIRE

www.mulu.co.uk

www.palmsandexotics.co.uk

WALES

www.crug-farm.co.uk

Grow Your Own Everything and Anything in 2010

Debbie — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:52:51 +0000

Growing-your-own- everything is increasing in popularity in London . According to Christopher Woodward, curator of Lambeth’s Garden Museum “In the uncertainty of a recession we want soil, roots and a sense of belonging”. I feel this is perhaps a very romantic view of why so many people are starting to grow their own veg. For the large majority of people that I know, it is more a way of sourcing your own food combined with economic issues that drives individuals to look around for any spot of soil where they might grow a few veggies.

Would be interested to hear your motivation for growing produce if you are currently drooling over seed packets and dreaming of rows of straight carrot tops!

If you want top indulge your fantasies even further then do get hold of a great book called “Creating your Garden Farm - it is a re-issue of the 1945 Dig On for Victory http://www.amazon.co.uk/Creating-Your-Garden-Farm-Green/dp/1907030107

Another inspirational read is “The new Complete Book of Self Sufficiency” by John Seymour which gives tips on foraging for free in hedgerows as well as how to grow espalier pears and soya beans.http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Complete-Book-Self-sufficiency/dp/1405345101/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263721240&sr=8-1

Now I am working in London, I am keen to find out more about how Londoners with just a balcony, rooftop or small front garden achive such wonderful results with growing their own produce.Eco architect Justin Bere has a wildflower meadow and beehive on his Islington roofhttp://www.islingtongardeners.org.uk/new/roofs.php

Deborah Nagan, a landscape designer, has turned her front garden on the Brixton Road over to beans, brocoli, artichokes and asparagus. This is much to the delights of passers by and recent suggestions that urban pollution has no effect on the delicious taste of home grown whatever - any views on this topic?

http://www.landscapejuice.com/2009/07/nagan-johnson-to-open-their-garden-for-the-ngs-yellow-book.html

All of this is good new for climate change gardening .It demonstrates that individuals are thinking about how they manage their outdoor space and source their food as well as making conscious decisions about their lifestyles. If you are currently contemplating these issues, then explore the variety of global options below and dream of growing- your-own-anything in 2010:

ORIENTAL VEG

Excellent growing tips on pak choi, lemon grass, mizuna and many more unusual crops?http://www.amazon.co.uk/Oriental-Vegetables-Joy-Larkcom/dp/0711226121

MEDITERRANEAN INSPIRATION

Specialist seeds from Italy that deliver excellent results http://www.seedsofitaly.com

NEW BERRIES

Lingonberry from Sweden /honeyberry from Siberia sold as plants at?http://www.dobies.co.uk/

OVERSEAS VISITORS

If you live in Australia, New Zealand or America, take a look at this excellent website which provides home gardeners with easy access to localised knowledge on growing healthy food that tastes great, using organic and biodynamic methods.It contains a wealth of information about growing hundreds of different veg and herb crops http://cityfoodgrowers.com.au/

Lawn Calendar - March

Debbie — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:21:30 +0000

Lawns start growing as soon as the days get longer and weather conditions improve. If you think your lawn needs a trim at this time of year then make sure the blades are at the highest setting and try not to do it more than twice during March. Grass needs to adapt to warmer temperatures before being given too many haircuts!

March is the time to inspect your lawn for any signs of diseases or moss. Try to use organic products if you must treat your lawn, preferably digging up any moss and re-seeding rather than using strong chemicals that can harm wildlife.

1st March - Spring delights

Debbie — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:07:32 +0000

March is here at last and with it the tell tale signs that spring is coming - found these adorable crocus in Gordon Square in central London.

I love wandering round the many beautiful London squares spotting which plants are growing well in the polluted but warmer air. The heat from buildings and the huge amount of traffic in the city creates a mini greenhouse effect which allows many plants start flowering earlier. London is often 2-3c warmer than other places in SE England.

Really hope 2010 is going to provide a warm spring after the exceptionally cold weather that has been experienced this winter in the UK and the USA .

This seems not to have been the case everywhere. Canada is having an exceptionally mild winter with very little snow which has made the Winter Olympics rather challenging .

Is this climate change or the result of a variety of weather systems - check out what the Met Office say on the subject

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2010/pr20100106b.html