Sparrow and Finch

Our Tomato Garden takes centre stage yet again. This time it has a lovely feature in the Garden Essential section of the May 2013 issue of Period Ideas magazine.

They say:-"Garden Essentials - Help your garden blossom with our selection of new designs -  Cultivating Taste - Nothing is as satisfying as home-grown tomatoes, so get planting with this Tomato Garden by Sparrow & Finch."

Tomato Garden Raised Planter by Sparrow & Finch featured in Period Ideas May 2013

Another magazine feature of multiple products of ours. This is the other page to our A Frame in Living Etc Magazine. Our Tomato Garden is proving very popular with the magazines, and quite rightly so we think (Well, we would, wouldn't we!!). It is perfect for growing the most fabulous tomatoes, be it vine or bush varieties. I like to grow different varieties on mine, and last year I had a fantastic crop that kept me in fruit for the whole season. My tip:- plant a couple of Marigolds in the middle of the planter, this deters the bugs without the need for horrible pesticides.

Tomato Planter Raised Garden feature in Living Etc May 2012

Our A Frame really is a fantastic product. It looks beautiful in the garden doing its job, and at the end of the season if you so wish, simply pick it up fold it flat and store it away. It takes up hardly any space. If space is an issue, don't worry just leave it outside. Mine stays out year round. Here it is featured in Living Etc's May issue.

A Frame Plant Support featured in Living Etc

Wow, there is an array of Sparrow & Finch featured in the Spring issue of Edible Garden Magazine. All very pertinent for the spring, our beautiful Tomato Garden and The Babington Hen House are featured for the gardener, whereas our Dig For Victory Posters and Chopping Board Stack are featured for the gourmand in the house.

Wow, there is an array of Sparrow & Finch featured in the Spring issue of Edible Garden Magazine. All very pertinent for the spring, our beautiful Tomato Garden and The Babington Hen House are featured for the gardener, whereas our Dig For Victory Posters and Chopping Board Stack are featured for the gourmand in the house.

The Tomato Garden Raised Planter featured in The Edible Garden Magazine Spring Issue                                     

It is the turn of the Egg Trug to have a turn in the spotlight this time. The Sunday Telegraph has named it on of the 5 Of The Best in their Lifestyle Magazine

egg_trug_sunday_telegraph_March_2013

Our Beehive Planters have had a bit of a face lift. We have removed the lettering on the front. This I feel makes the planter much more flexible, without taking the beauty of the planter away. This feature in Period Homes and Interiors talks about growing strawberries in it.

They say:-"Berry Nice. Perpetual and summer-fruiting strawberries can be planted from Mid-April. This pretty container is a decorative way to grow these delicious fruits. Strawberry plants have a fairly short three year cycle; the first year you get a small crop; the second year, a larger crop; and after three years you will need to replace your plants with new ones. Beehive Strawberry Planter, Sparrow & Finch."

http://www.sparrowandfinch.co.uk/garden-outdoor/beehive-planter.html

Be prepared, some jobs you will need to do before you can start planting.

Buy your seeds, if this is your first time growing an edible garden, check our Hertitage Seed Collection for recommendations of what to grow.

Think about what to grow, its easy to get overwhelmed when choosing seeds, start with the things you like to eat, its so much more exciting growing something you know well, especially when it tastes better than its ever tasted before  You can move onto the exotic and unusual later.

Calculate your sowing dates, a little planning here will set you up for a successful season ahead.

Organise your supplies so that you are ready to plant.

What you'll need, my top tips.

Containers, seeds can be sown in a variety of containers, but our Living Larder raised planters are the best.

Soil, the best material for germinating seeds is a high-quality organic compost.  Prepared compost is free of disease causing contaminants often present in garden soil.

Labels, don’t forget to label what you’ve planted to avoid confusion, especially if you need to transplant your seedlings, I use lolly sticks for mine.

Seed Covers, you will need to cover your seeds after planting to retain warmth and moisture, essential to help delicate seeds germinate and thrive.  Our Cloches are designed to fit your Living Larder raised garden or can be used as a row cover in your vegetable garden.  If you are planting indoors a sheet of clear plastic will speed up the germination process.

Water, room-temperature water is best.  Watering needs to be gentle so that you do not disturb the seeds or damage seedlings.  A watering can that has a spray nosel is ideal.

Light Source, growing seedlings calls for steady, consistent light.  Choose a sunny spot that has bright sun for most of the day.

Jump start your seedlings, and beat the great British weather.

To give your seeds a jump start on the growing season you can start them indoors in containers or if you have a conservatory sow directly into your Living Larder raised planter and lift it outside when the weather warms.

Sowing

Fill your container or Living Larder with compost lightly packed and moistened.

Use a pencil to press holes into the compost at the correct depth for your seeds (you will find this information on the back of the seed packet).  If you have been given seeds and don’t have instructions, a good tip is to cover the seeds to a depth equal to four times their diameter.

Then add one to two seeds per hole spaced about 10cm apart.

Cover lightly with compost.

Label each row with the plants name and the sowing date.

Now carefully water the compost.

To speed up the germination process cover the compost with a plastic sheet, if you are using a small container you can place the whole container into a plastic bag.

Place your container into a warm draft free place until the seeds germinate, you don’t need a light source until they begin to sprout.

If your containers are well insulated you probably won’t need to water them again until your seeds sprout, when you move them into a sunny area to continue growing.

It typically takes 7 to 14 days for your seeds to sprout.  When you see sprouts emerging, remove the plastic and move your containers to a draft free place where there is plenty of light.

If you are using a Living Larder raised garden now is the time to use your Cloche.

If your containers are too far away from the light your seedlings will have to reach for the light and this will cause them to be leggy and weak.  Rotate your container from time to time to ensure the light is reaching them evenly.

Check your seedlings daily to make sure that the soil is moist (not wet).

When your plants are well established and the weather has warmed you are ready to move them outside.  If you are using a Living Larder raised planter then move the complete garden outside to a sheltered sunny spot, you can keep using your Cloche until the days are warmer, and even then it is a good idea to use at night.

Samantha x

We are very pleased that our beautiful A Frame plant support has been chosen as product of the month in The English Garden Magazine April 2013 issue.

They say:-"Product of the Month- A Frame Living Larder Plant Support by Sparrow & Finch."

Gardeners A Frame Plant Support by Sparrow & Finch featured in The English Garden April 2013

Our Window Box Herbs and French Trug were features as perfect Mothers Day gifts in todays London Metro.

They say:-"Treat the most special lady in your life to one of these Mothers Day gifts. Window Box and French Trug by Sparrow & Finch."

Window Box Herbs and French Trug by Sparrow & Finch featured in The Metro