Landscape Juice

Has Michael Heseltine lost touch with his markets?

“I'm interested in horticulture and if I buy a horticulture magazine I read all of it, every single page, and I look at all the ads, because I don't know what exactly it is I'm looking for, but I want to make sure I find out what's new. “For that reason I think there's a sporting chance the advertisers will come back to specialist magazines. Whether they will return to newspapers is a different matter because you can get the same news and information from so many competing sources – television, websites...” These are the words of Haymarket Publishing's ex-chairman,... Read more →

Garden and landscaping equipment list of stolen items

Garden machinery, landscaping equipment and small buildings tool theft is a growing and expensive menace for small businesses and home owners. Much of the equipment that is stolen is not insured and can leave owners with an unwanted bill to have the items replaced; the recession has made the situation worse as criminals target vans, sheds and garages in search of equipment that can later be sold on the black market. It's a massive problem and I hope Landscape Juice can do its part in trying to cut down these crimes. This isn't just a financial thing...theft affects peoples lives... Read more →

Growing your own garden winners announced for Gardeners' World Live 2010

National Savings and Investment has announced the winners of its Growing Gardens Today competition, and has selected three sustainable garden designs based on ‘growing your own’ to be built and displayed at BBC Gardeners' World Live 2010. The competition, now in its third year, received the highest number of entries since its inception, from gardening hopefuls eager to see their visions of a contemporary garden design brought to life at this year’s garden show. The three winners, based in Devon, Reading and North Yorkshire, will all receive a £5,000 grant to build a 25m² garden, to be showcased in the... Read more →

The future of funding Britain's parks

Sid Sullivan says that budget cuts in Britain's park departments is running at 15-20% and expertise being lost and not replaced. One of Sullivan's suggestions on making the best out of these reduced budgets is to start thinking and acting locally and start investing in management. Interview by Magda Ibrahim Hort Week. Sidney Sullivan | Managing Director | SGS Environmental & Management Consultancy E-Mail [email protected] Read more →

A Taste of Powys... keeping food local

I got an email from Taste of Powys Project Officer, Liz Morrison who asked my if I would publicise growers and food producers in Powys. As local food production and consumerism is a topic that that is dear to me, and something I would love to see work the nation and world over, I am delighted to. The Welsh Assembly backed, and European Union aided, Taste of Powys' concept is simple - linking a consumer or business with a local producer. There is a new online directory for food and drink producers from across Powys to register their business, free... Read more →

One day gardening course with Peter Donegan

My long-term blogging buddy, Peter Donegan from Dublin, is starting a series of day-long gardening courses. The subjects on the agenda for the day are: * gardening basics * how to grow your own from seed * growing plants on a budget * window ledge balcony gardening * looking after your plants * planting your planters * growing in a confined space * not enough hours in the day/ the 10 minute gardener * herb and salad kitchen gardening If you are up for it then get in touch directly with Peter via his blog. By the looks of it... Read more →

Review of BBC Gardeners' World Practical Gardening Handbook by Toby Buckland

Have you ever driven a new car from the forecourt of the garage after taking the plunge and succumbing to the marketing spiel...only to find, a few miles down the road that the reality is somewhat a little different? I was asked a while back if I would preview Toby Buckland's Practical Gardening Handbook before it is released in March. Sure, I thought; I would be delighted to have a look at the book before its general release. Ignoring the marketing info that accompanied the email as I didn't want to be lead or misled by the publishing house or... Read more →

International Garden Photographer of the Year opens with brand new format

The fourth International Garden Photographer of the Year competition opened for entries on 6th February 2010. This year the competition has a brand new format called ‘4 Seasons’ – the four seasonal competitions, based on specific themes, will allow photographers to win cash prizes throughout the year. “We want people to rush out with their cameras when the weather is right and have fun working with our seasonal themes.” Says organizer Philip Smith Everyone who enters goes automatically through to the main International Garden Photographer of the Year competition with a closing date of 30th November 2010. Igpoty have offered... Read more →

European pesticide consultation on legislation

February 9th saw the start of an industry-wide consultation on how to implement European legislation on the use of pesticides. It concerns the approach to be taken in implementing a directive on the sustainable use of pesticides and two provisions in a regulation on plant protection product authorisations which may need to be implemented by domestic legislation. A wide range of views are sought including trade associations, public, government bodies, domestic and commercial pesticide application practitioners, rural groups and generally, anyone who has an interest in the impact of pesticide on the environment. The Chemicals Regulation Directorate of the Health... Read more →

RHS Photographic Competition 2009 winners

Linda Wride from Oxford has been crowned the RHS Photographer of the Year 2009. Linda’s image entitled ‘The allotment in June’ took first place in the Garden View category and fought off 2,000 other entries to claim Linda her coveted title. Explaining her picture, Linda said, “This image was taken at my local allotments, as part of a project called ‘Cultivating Communities’. The poppies, verbascum and alchemilla jostle for space outside the greenhouse where tomatoes are thriving in the warmth. The watering cans stand ready for use. Who says the cottage garden is dead?” Each year the RHS Photographic Competition... Read more →