I have always loved gardening, Chris has come to love it slowly too, he said he wanted to start growing food, as we have a small garden its been a bit of a compromise for me to give up part of the flower and shrub beds.
I have always had a gro bag for tomatoes, a strawberry planter and pots of herbs, but not much else.
So we made a space and this year Chris decided to grow courgettes, carrots and lettuce all courtesy of the Dig In campaign for the BBC.
The carrots came up and then vanished, we sowed more and again as soon as the wispy leaf appeared within days it had completely gone.
The lettuce was pretty successful in a pot, the courgettes were planted in a border and was the most amazing thing I think I have seen grow in a season.
They started as a little seed and within six weeks well, we called it them the Triffids!
We had courgettes all through summer and that's it, we are both hooked on grow your own.
Its so satisfying, watching something grow from seed or plug plant, flower and then bear goodies. Finally arriving fresh on your plate. Its a great experience.
The only thing we found is in a garden our size (small) its a bit hard to fit into a border, so we need some troughs or larger tubs of some kind ready for next year.
The Stewart Company have provided just that and whats more in a really practical way too.
I now have a Grow in Box. Its either one large rectangle or two 100 X 100cm squares, we are so happy I cannot wait to get planting in spring, we are planning potatoes in one, and our giant friend the courgette in the other, then buying another pack for salad planting in May.
With the grow-your-own movement showing no signs of slowing down, leading garden supplies manufacturer, The Stewart Company, has again extended its range of products designed for the experienced vegetable grower and new enthusiast alike.
Grow-in-Box™
Grow-in-Box™ gives gardeners all the benefits of a raised bed in an instant, and is made from 100% recycled plastic. The modular system is flexible and convenient, and can be used to grow vegetables, herbs, salads and flowers in any size garden, patio, balcony or allotment.
Grow-in-Box™ gives gardeners the opportunity to easily create new growing areas in small spaces. Unlike most other raised bed systems which are fixed sizes and shapes, Grow-in-Box™ can be used to create square, rectangular or corner beds in single or multiple depths. This means the system is great for root vegetables as it can be stacked up, and perfect for potatoes as soil can be banked.
Even if you’ve only got a balcony or patio, a fresh crop of veg is only weeks away when you use Grow-in-Box™ with a Stewart Gravel Tray. The raised beds can be used on a platform for gardeners who have problems kneeling down, and can also overcome problems with your existing soil by using new soil or an organic growing medium.
Grow-in-Box™ is a simple clip-together system which is bought as a kit and can be carried away under your arm from the garden centre, priced at £29.99.
The Grow-in-Box™ set can be used to create 2 x 50cm square sections at 21cms deep, or 1 x 50cm square double stacked to 42cms deep, or a rectangular bed at 21cms deep. The kit is made up of eight rigid panels, eight corner units, four fastening clips, and two strengtheners for rectangular beds. Full assembly instructions are included.
Key benefits:
Supplied in full-colour carton with excellent POS impact
Grow-in-Box™ is free draining, easily accessible and provides early warming for crops.
It can be used to grow vegetables, salads, herbs or flowers
For gardens, patios, balconies and allotment
The modular system allows square or rectangular beds, and planting in single or deeper layers.
Extra kits can be used to increase the height or size of the bed
Grow-in-Box™ is manufactured in the UK from 100% Recycled Material
New to the line-up are the Windowsill Propagator and the Electric Kitchen Garden Propagator.
Windowsill Propagator
Measuring 67cm in length, the Windowsill Propagator features a rigid crystal clear cover and adjustable ventilation to its growing tray. Economical and easy to use, the Windowsill Propagator is ideal for growing vegetables at home.
Available for £10.99 in garden centres from September 2010.
Electric Kitchen Garden Propagator Set
Kitchen Garden, also 67cm long, incorporates a 9 Watt heater mat which gently heats the soil inside the unit, allowing propagation to begin earlier the colder months. Also included is a starter kit of pots and trays, together with a rigid crystal clear cover and adjustable ventilation. A 2 metre cable allows flexibility in positioning it around the home/Greenhouse.
Available for £32.99 in garden centres
The propagators complement The Stewart Company’s established range of grow-your-own products.
Heat & Grow Thermostatic Control Electric Propagator
Available in two sizes, 38cm and 52cm, the Heat & Grow Thermostatic Control Electric Propagator enables growers to maintain a steady temperature between 18° and 23°C. The 38cm model is powered by a long life economical 8 Watt heater and comes with a standard size and two small seed trays and six flower pots. The 52cm version, powered by a 22 Watt heater – also long life and economical - is supplied with one large and two small seed trays and ten flower pots. Both models include a copy of “A Guide to Successful Propagation”.
All of the new products are easy for customers to install, and can be carried away from garden centres and DIY stores. The Stewart Company also makes it easy for gardeners to understand the product with its point-of-sale material, which is recognised in the industry as among the best: the company was a previous winner and finalist in the Gima Awards Best Point of Sale category.
Formed in 1945, The Stewart Company has 65 years of design and manufacturing expertise and knowledge in the gardening sector
The company’s products are available in over 1000 outlets across the UK and Eire including major DIY outlets such as Homebase and Wilkinsons and garden centres across the UK such as Dobbies and Klondyke/Strikes, The Garden Centre Group and some 600 plus independent garden centres. In 2009, The Stewart Company became the first manufacturer to produce a 100% biodegradable plastic flower pot. Having achieved a dominant position domestically with durable
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