Summer is upon us, which means gardeners are struggling to strike the fine balance between under-watering and over-watering and wondering who they should get to provide holiday watering cover.

Help is at hand as a company has set up a helpline to provide free watering advice and developed a range of innovative holiday-proof watering products.

Lancashire-based gardening products retailer and manufacturer, Greenhouse Sensation has set up a free ‘Gardening Angel’ phone and email advice service, to answer watering related questions.
According to Gardening Angels, most people know that it is important to ensure plants are not under-watered, because they need water in order to transport nutrients to all parts of a plant, but most people don’t realise that it is just as damaging to over-water.

Over-watering forces air out of the root area. It is the most common cause of plant fungal infections, proliferation of pests, root rot, yellow leaves and ultimately, plant death.

The most common result of erratic watering is blossom end rot; the tell tale sign is tomatoes, peppers and aubergines with brown/black bottoms. Finding the correct middle path for specific plants in a specific garden or greenhouse is a difficult task.

For those who want a bit more certainty about their plants, the Quadgrow from Greenhouse Sensation is a set of 4 pots that keeps plants perfectly watered for two weeks at a time, banishing overwatering, underwatering and holiday plant care rotas - forever.

Plants can be taken out of their standard pots and growbags and put into a Quadgrow.

SmartMats link the Quadgrow’s massive 34litre reserve of water with the compost in the pots, delivering water to the compost when it’s needed.

The automated watering is more responsive to a plant’s needs than manual watering; it’s like standing over their plant all day adding teaspoons of water; the plants receive exactly what they need, when they need it, so that they grow stronger and healthier, producing bigger harvests.
Quadgrow.
Size: L55cm x W55cm.
Price: £52.90.
For further information on Quadgrow planters and stockists visit the Greenhouse Sensation website.

Haddonstone, the leading UK manufacturer of fine cast stone garden and landscape ornaments, is opening its acclaimed show gardens as part of the National Garden Scheme’s Yellow Book for the first time ever.

The show gardens, located in the picturesque village of East Haddon, near Northampton, will be open on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September, giving visitors a rare opportunity to view the gardens at a weekend; they are usually only open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm (except Christmas and Bank Holidays).

Visitors to the show gardens will be able to see Haddonstone’s impressive collection of planters, fountains, statuary, bird baths, sundials and follies ~ all in a fabulous setting.

Featured here is the Hadrian Vase. This elegant vase combines a half-gadrooned bowl with egg-and-dart rim, two scroll and foliate carved handles, a circular socle and square base. Priced at £566. It is also available without handles at £440.

Width at top: 97cm.
Width at base: 35cm.
Height: 84cm.

Haddonstone’s two-acre show gardens have developed as the company has expanded. The Jubilee garden was opened in 1998 and includes a pavilion, temple and gothic grotto.
An Orangery was constructed in 2002 and is a prominent feature on the main lawn.
A contemporary garden – showcasing the new Robert A.M. Stern Collection of planters – is currently being constructed.

The stunning show gardens attract visitors from around the world and have been featured on television programmes including BBC Gardeners’ World and BBC Wild About Your Garden.

For more information, or to request a copy of their inspirational 208 page catalogue,visit the Haddonstone website.

Tel:  (01604) 770711

The new ‘Grow’ range of vegetable growing kits from Greenhouse Sensation, promises to help gardeners develop greener fingers, produce bigger harvests and enjoy stress-free holidays.

These clever vegetable plots and pots automatically feed and water plants to prevent over and under-watering, the chief causes of many common gardening problems.

Simply top-up the growing kit’s integral reservoir and plants are automatically provided with the water they need, when it’s needed.

Plants automatically get the perfect balance of water, nutrients and lots of oxygen, so the gardener gets bumper harvests.

Gardeners can see how much water has been taken from the reservoir, and quickly learn about the amount of water plants need, according to soil dampness, plant size, light levels and weather conditions.

The Grow kits even improve harvest sizes, as the automated watering is more responsive to a plant’s needs than manual watering.

Experienced gardeners will also be relieved to learn that the Grow kits keep plants perfectly watered over extended periods – like summer holidays - no more having to rely on friends and neighbours.

The range of four styles of veg plots and pots, can be used in any indoor or outdoor sunny spot to grow almost anything; they are watered by a SmartMat mechanism, and the Solargrow is watered by a solar panel powered pump.

About Grow Products – no power supply required, all can be used indoors or outdoors:

• Windowgrow– self-watering windowsill plot with seed raising lid. Price: £26.99.
• Size: L70cm x W15cm x H15cm.

• Vitogrow – Self-watering veg plot with optional mini greenhouse. (In our Picture) Price: £34.90 to £109.90.
• Size: Square 55cm x 55cm or Long 105cm x 55cm

• Quadgrow – 4x self-watering pots for tall plants such as tomatoes, chillies and beans. Price: £52.95.
• Size: 55cm x 55cm.

• Solargrow – solar-powered large planter with solar panel and solar-powered pump to water plants 2 x every hour. Price: £64.90.
• Size: Planter 55cm x 44cm. Solar panel: 23cm x 23cm.

Every customer has access to the Gardening Angel advice service offered by the company, to call or email their experienced team of horticulturalists.

Greenhouse Sensation products are available direct from the Greenhouse Sensation website, and from a range of stockists.

Tel: (0845) 602 3774

Haddonstone, the UK’s leading manufacturer of fine garden and landscape ornaments, has completed a full costing review of its current ornament prices, which has led to over 70 price reductions.
The company has also absorbed the recent VAT price increase for both garden ornaments and fireplaces.

As a consequence there is now an increased range of planters that cost less than £100 including, the Plaited Basket, Belton Box, Etruscan Vase, House of Dun Urn and the Vine Urn; and the Small Key Planter is now only £15!

Significant savings include the popular Bayeux Fountain, which has been reduced from £1200 to £995 – saving more than £200!

Pictured here is the Bayeux Fountain HC130: Inspired by Romanesque architecture; this robust self-circulating fountain features stylish leaf moulding around the fountain bowls; this design was created by Haddonstone to act as a focal point in a sheltered garden or conservatory.
Includes Pump.

Height: 1525mm./60”; Weight 222kg./ 489lb.
Diameter of main bowl: 950mm. / 37.38”.
Diameter of base: 572mm. / 22.1/2”.

Please note: The fountain will require mechanical lifting on site in all instances.

Other designs which have been reduced in price include, the Victorian Jardinière, Florentine Urn, Tudor Jardinière, Bust of Pan, statues of Andromeda and Venus, Large Dolphin Fountain, Seasons Plaques, Haddonstone Table Supports and the Elizabethan Smokers’ Stand.

Simon Scott, Haddonstone’s Marketing Director, comments: “We have undertaken a full review of our production costs and are delighted to be able to pass on savings, wherever we can, to our clients.
By also absorbing the recent VAT increase, we are pleased that customers can continue to buy quality products at reasonable prices.”

For more information visit the Haddonstone website.

Tel:   (01604) 770711 to request a copy of their inspirational 208 page catalogue.

Delicious, fresh vegetables from your own garden on your dinner table every day – what a luxury!

It needn’t be a worry if you think your garden is too small, or if you only have a few hours to spare.

Complete kits for instant edible gardens have arrived!:

Small Vegetable Garden Plant Pack - The plant pack contains all the plants and seeds you’ll need for ONE GROWING YEAR. It doesn’t matter when you buy the pack, as you will receive deliveries through the post for a whole 12 months.

• The young plants are only sent out when they are ready for planting, so there’s no need to ‘harden’ them off or pot them up.

• With each plant pack you will be sent a Planting Plan.

• How many plants you’ll need to fill your beds, has been carefully worked out; how far apart each plant should be and depending on the weather, the best time to plant. It’s a bit like ‘planting by numbers’.

• Great for one to two people - It will fill two raised beds 1.2m x 2.4m, or a plot 4m x 4.5m. Price: £92.50 Including delivery.

The Mini Kitchen Garden Plant Pack – New from The Travelling Souk.

• Its small size means that it will fit into all gardens, raised beds or pots.

• There is something very satisfying about growing your own and with the instant edible garden kits you are helped every step of the way.

• Ready-to-plant organic young plants are delivered to you by post and a planting by numbers plan means that you get it right – an excellent way of engaging your children too.

• The mini-kitchen-garden pack is packed with veggies, salad, herbs and strawberries – just dig in!

• The kit contains 40 young organic plants and retails at £45.

Also available from The Travelling Souk are Raised Beds and Mini Green Houses.

Visit the Travelling Souk website to view more gardening delights.

Haddonstone – the UK’s leading manufacturer of fine cast stone garden and landscape ornaments – is starting 2010 by launching a new planter and fountain.

The charming West Lodge Urn, was originally replicated for the prestigious West Lodge Park Hotel in Hertfordshire and has now been added to the standard range.

The West Lodge Fountain featured here was created as an addition to the planter.

West Lodge Urn: £240.
West Lodge Fountain: £295.

Haddonstone is regarded as the UK’s leading manufacturer of fine ornaments; there are over 500 designs in the standard cast stone garden and landscape collection in classical, traditional and contemporary styles.

Fireplaces and Interiors.
Haddonstone’s range of fireplaces, mantels and chimney piece surrounds, has also been dramatically expanded to offer customers a choice of seventeen standard surrounds, from the simple and stylish to the ornate and elegant.

NB prices may vary, due to alterations in VAT from 1st January 2010.

For more information please visit the Haddonstone website.
or Tel: (01604) 770711 to request a copy of the inspirational new 208 page catalogue.

Haddonstone – A leading UK manufacturer of fine cast stone garden ornaments and landscape features – has a range of designs that are perfect for creating a gothic theme in any garden.

There is a gothic inspired folly at Haddonstone’s show gardens, to demonstrate that different architectural components can be combined to create an eye-catching feature.

As well as gothic designs, the Haddonstone Collection features planters, statuary and fountains in contemporary, classical and traditional styles.

Style Redefined…Haddonstone Launches Inspirational New Catalogue

Haddonstone has launched an inspirational new 208 page colour catalogue. Standard designs range from planters, fountains, sundials and statuary to columns, balustrading, paving and follies.

The layout of the new catalogue, reflects their new website, which was launched at the beginning of 2009. There are seven main sections including, ‘Garden & Landscaping’, ‘Architectural Cast Stone’ and ‘Fireplaces, Mantels & Interiors’.

The catalogue features new designs such as, the West Lodge Urn and Fountain, Andalos Jardinière and Fountain, Leazes Park Urn, Small Key planter, statues Music and Poetry, Toros Pool Surround, Large Lotus Fountain and the Textured, Riven and Smooth Paving ranges.

Also new to the catalogue are the Olympian and Athenian ranges – stylish new planters, developed in conjunction with renowned architects Robert A.M. Stern.

The ‘Useful Information’ section, details colour options and encourages visitors to the company’s acclaimed show gardens in rural Northamptonshire.

To view Haddonstone’s entire collection, or to request a copy of their most comprehensive new catalogue please visit:

Web: http://www.haddonstone.com
Tel: (01604) 770711

Current economic conditions in the housing market have meant that many people are looking at simple and cost effective ways to improve their homes, to give it that something extra – either to create the perfect home or make it stand out to house buyers.

An entrance is arguably the most important feature, as this is the first impression a potential buyer will have.

One of the simplest but most effective ways in which to improve an entranceway is to build a portico on the front of the house; whilst obviously providing shelter from the elements, porticos can also be used to embellish an otherwise dull and uninspiring entrance.

With a Haddonstone portico costing from under £2000, while appearing to have a significantly higher price tag, this is also a great way to increase the value of a property.

Haddonstone produce a standard range of cast stone porticos and door surrounds and can also manufacture custom designs.

Different Haddonstone components, including classical capitals, dentilled cornices, curved entablature and balustrading, can combine to create dramatically different effects on various styles of property – whether traditional, classical or contemporary.

There are over 500 standard designs in the Haddonstone Collection ranging from porticos, door surrounds and balustrading to columns, window surrounds and fireplaces. The company also has the ability to create custom made stonework to individual specifications.

For more information please visit:
Web: http://www.haddonstone.com
Tel: (01604) 770711

Spring seems to be with us at last, and it won’t be long before we’ll be spending long summer afternoons in the back garden or chic urban balcony.

After a morning spent planting, using the Flowerpower gardening tools, festoon your oasis with Dotcomgiftshop bunting and decorations in preparation for the afternoon feast - cooked slowly over one of their colourful BBQ buckets.

Then sit back and savour the summer sun on one of the bargain metal chair and table sets - all at really affordable prices:

Some of the attractive items in our picture include:

Ice Cream design garden parasol - £29.95.
Blue Savannah Picnic Hamper for 4 - £39.95.
Pink Hawaiian Picnic Hamper for 4 - £39.95.
Ceramic Birdhouse Butterfly large - £14.95.
Union Stripe Hammock with fringe - £19.95.
Cushion to match - £6.95.
Silver Plated Candlepot Jardin - £9.95.
Glass Honeypot Wasp Catcher - £4.95.

Standard UK Delivery £2.95 orders over £50 Free.

Go on spoil your self this summer!

See all of the Dotcom Gift Shop’s summer collection at:

Web: http://www.dotcomgiftshop.com

Haddonstone – the leading UK manufacturer of fine cast stone garden ornaments – has launched a new and innovative Italian Quadrant Planter.

The Italian Quadrant Planter is perfect for any garden, as it is extremely versatile; Haddonstone has launched this unique planter in response to suggestions from clients.

This Planter provides the solution to the problem, of how to ornament a difficult corner, it’s decorated on one side, yet plain on the other two faces:

• The planter can be positioned in a corner.
• Two can be placed side by side to create a wall trough.
• Three can wrap round a corner. (In our picture, priced at £585)
• Whilst four can create a large compartmentalised planter, ideal for containing invasive plants or herbs such as mint.

Many of Haddonstone’s stunning designs can be seen, in Haddonstone’s acclaimed show gardens at its head office in East Haddon, Northamptonshire, which are open Monday to Friday from 9am until 5pm (except Christmas and Bank Holidays).

Haddonstone offers over 500 standard designs in traditional, classical and contemporary styles – from planters, statuary and fountains, to sundials, bird baths and follies. – there is something to enhance every garden.

To view the entire Haddonstone Collection visit the company’s new website at:
Web: http://www.haddonstone.com

Tel: (01604) 770711