Solar Farm

Take a look at this solar panel 'farm' down in Oxfordshire. Fields have been covered in swathes of huge panels to create electricity. Something tells me the locals will be mortified at this development as it hardly blends in with the countryside. They look even worse than wind turbines, which although can be seen from further away don't cover green fields in shiny dark glass.

I suppose one good thing is that it's not been concreted over and in theory the land can be returned to it's normal state at some point. I like solar energy but I think the panels should be put on roofs of large factories, office blocks, urban industrial parks etc and not in the middle of the countryside. Farm fields should be kept for growing food.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2151406/Lots-sunshine-just-like-Summer-sun-gives-solar-farm-owner-particular-reason-smile.html

RHS Chelsea Favourite

Just going off photos and video, my favourite garden was the Arthritis Research UK Garden designed by Thomas Hoblyn. There's great plants, the stonework is excellent and he's used water really well. Theres a formal pond then water spouts leaping in arches over the hedging. The Cypress trees are a great backdrop and theres a great old Cork Oak.

The only thing I think is missing is a few white water lillies in the pond.

You can see the garden yourself on BBC Iplayer move the dial to start at 4 minutes, if you want to avoid seeing alan Titchmarsh drooling over Claudia Schieffer HAHA!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01jg8v5/RHS_Chelsea_Flower_Show_2012_Episode_15/

You can also learn more about the garden on the designer's website here;

http://thomashoblyn.com/chelsea

Police Investigate Jeremy Clarkson

Chris Packham was at a farm owned by Jeremy Clarkson for a feature on a nature photography competition the programme is running. He was telling Chris packham how he wanted to attract more birds and butterfly species to the farm. They were approaching a barn, where Clarkson said he had installed an Owl Box and thought there was Barn owls nesting in it, when a Barn owl flew out and off over the fields. PC Marshall a wildlife officer watching the show at home didn't waste anytime and reported them to Thames Valley Police and they are now accused of a 'reckless disturbance of birds', which carries a maximum sentence of 6 months in prison. It is just so ridiculous! Did he think Chris Packham was going to try and pluck them alive?! When you think of all the burgularies, car robberies etc and the police are wasting their time investigating one of the countries most well known naturalists because he approached a bird nest. In fine internet tradition I'll end this post with ROLL EYES.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2149878/Police-probe-BBC-Countryfile-claims-protected-barn-owls-disturbed-filming-Jeremy-Clarksons-Oxfordshire-farm.html

Olympic Torch - Eden Project

The Olympic flame passes through the Eden Project Biome in Cornwall during the first stretch of its long journey across the British Isles.

RHS Chelsea Show Gardens

You have to take a look at these pics of the show gardens at this years Chelsea. A mix of shock and awe. Here are some that stood out for me. To see pics of the gardens you will have to click the link at the bottom.

DMZ Forbidden Garden - Looks a bit like an overgrown disused concentration camp. Mmm interesting....

Trailfinders Australian Garden - Fair dinkum, but its not exactly the garden of paradise more like Madge off neighbours back garden.

Magical Tower Garden - looking at this 8 storey scaffold tower laden with Silver birch trees and other greenery, it makes you wonder what plants are on the top floor. Far out maaaan! I like it!

The Telegraph Garden - Another garden with Silver Birchs. Look lovely though don't they. It seems like a nice airy and spacious garden with water, attractive natural materials and plenty of plants. A light subtle touch. The designer, doesn't seem to have over egged the pudding.

Rooftop Workplace of Tomorrow Garden - I like parts of this garden. The glass fronted office looks great with the foliage wall, but I don't think much of the great big square raised planting area for a tree with all those big grey pebbles, far too drab and not enough colour.

The World Vision Garden - A really great modern garden with nothing to gimmicky. The water feature looks good and the Tree Ferns look super. I bet this garden is one a lot people say they would like to have as their back garden.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/chelseaflowershow/9274727/Chelsea-Flower-Show-2012-The-16-show-gardens.html#?frame=2223182

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

2012 marks the 99th anniversary of the start of the world famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

RHS Chelsea, the world's most renowned garden show begins next week. Here is a few historical facts about the show;

Did you know?

• RHS Chelsea Flower Show was originally called the RHS Great Spring Show, and that name has never officially been changed.

• Despite the First World War, the show was held in 1914 – 1916, but cancelled in 1917.

• In 1926 the show was held a week late due to the General Strike.

• Japanese dwarf trees, now known as bonsai, were first seen at the first show in 1913.

• The show was cancelled during the Second World War, when the land was requisitioned by the War Office for an anti-aircraft site.

• In 1937, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth celebrated their Coronation year, and an ‘Empire Exhibition’ was staged. It featured wattles from Australia, pines from Canada, gladioli from East Africa and even a prickly pear from Palestine.

How to Create a Wild Flower Garden

Here is a great advice vid, from Landscape Designer Sarah Price. She gives a few tips and suggestions on how to create a wild flower garden.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningvideo/9265583/Chelsea-Flower-Show-2012-How-to-create-a-wild-flower-garden.html

Dog Poo Bombs

Could all dog owners please stop putting their dog crap in plastic bags then sealing them, then very neatly putting them in places where you think know one will notice. I walked past one today that had carefully been placed in a small gap between the lamp post and wall. It's almost funny really that so many people do it so tidily. How considerate for the people that have to pick it up, or if it is left there being in plastic it doesnt decompose in a hurry.

In some ways getting everyone to wrap dog poo in un-biodegradable plastic really isn't a good idea. You see them in the verges, in the hedgerows, and yes even on your driveway as the dog walkers get sick of carrying their poo bombs so when they think no one is looking they throw it away.

I read Kirstie Allsop who is now a patron I think of Keep Britain Tidy has a passionate hatred of these gross additions to our parks and countryside and who can blame her.

Perhaps they should change the law so people are expected to cover their dog poop in sawdust rather than create plastic wrapped stink bombs!

Seed Sale

Thompson Morgan have started their annual Veg seed sale and it runs until midnight 16th May. Packets available for just 34p. If you have a greenhouse or sunny window sill there might still just be enough time to get things growing for this year, or you could always put them somewhere safe and dry for next year.

View sale HERE

Cheap Greenhouse

If money is tight and you're yearning for a greenhouse you might think you'll have to do without. The good news is there is portable plastic greenhouses that can easily be put up on a spare patch of grass or patio paving. This one is a perfect example.

It has a roll down entrance and inside there is enough space to grow seedlings, a few tomato plants etc. It is 6ft x 6ft in size. Another good thing about having a small greenhouse is they are handy for when its a bit nippy outside or raining and make for a nice warm and dry shelter. £49.99

Buy from Thompson & Morgan HERE

Keep Britain Tidy Leaflets & Posters

If you work in a community centre, church, doctors surgery, school or other place whether people gather, you might be interested in ordering a FREE poster or leaflets from Keep Britain Tidy. They have specific posters aimed at various types of litter problems and audiences.

There is also a poster to advertise any litter picking event you might want to organise in your area.

You can order them here if you live in the UK.

http://www.keepbritaintidy.org/OrderMaterials/Default.aspx

Aralia cordata 'Sun King' - Glow in the Dark Plant!

Van Meuwen has a new plant for sale that has a glow in the dark effect during dusk. If you click on the link below you can watch a short video which gives you an idea what it looks like. Perhaps it's because I used to love wearing Luminous yellow socks as a boy in the 80's but this certainly got my interest! It has white flowers then later in the season purple berries. Height and spread: 1m (39”).

1 plant in a 9cm pot - £9.99


Order from Van Meuwen HERE

Super Moon

5th May 2012 there was a 'Super Moon' about 14% bigger and 30% brighter than a normal full moon. What's even more miraculous is that Newcastle managed to shut up for 1 minute 30 seconds on a Saturday night while I filmed it!

Mini Polytunnels

It's the first week of May and it is chilly! After a deceptive taste of summer in March the weather did a huge U turn and it has been either cold or wet ever since. This is playing havoc with gardens, and no doubt there will be many who have been caught out by plating early in the nice weather and regretting now there has been some very cold weather for this time of year. One way to protect plants and veg such as lettuce is to use mini polytunnels that will protect them from the cold weather and also give some extra warmth so they can get established. Here is an example. The polythene is on a concertina frame and can be stretched out for 3m. Standard and Giant are both the same length, but Giant is wider. Standard: Dimensions 3m long x 45cm wide x 30cm highGiant:Dimensions 3m long x 60cm wide x 45cm high. Standard £23.99 Giant £29.99

Click here to order on Thompson & Morgan