Garden

Making its debut at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show this year is the national charity, Thrive, which has clear evidence that gardening really is good for you whatever your age.

Throughout the centuries, gardeners & horticulturists around the world have developed different tools to suit their needs. Some tools are specific to the cultivation of certain plants or crops, others are just a different way of doing the same jobs.

As gardens are increasingly used as an extra room more people are bringing colour outside to add another dimension to their garden. A splash of colour in the garden can really add dynamism to any plot, whether large or small. In large gardens colour can be used to break up large expanses of green by adding interest, for example a secluded gazebo, which could benefit from being painted. In smaller gardens, colour can be used on garden furniture to add a fun element to the area, or on trellises to complement climbing plants.

Forget the Jones’ – a new study by B&Q has found we’re now a nation desperate to keep up with the ‘Greens’ next door in light of the current housing market, according to new research.

It’s common knowledge that preventative action makes sense, avoiding the cost of replacing expensive garden furniture and fixtures, but people are frequently put off by the bewildering range of exterior wood care products and concerns over their safety and environmental impact, not to mention the prospect of spending days out in the garden painstakingly creosoting acres of woodwork.

Outdoor lighting can extend the use of outdoor space while providing safety, security and peace of mind. A garden can come to life in the evening with just a few, carefully selected fittings.

Water is a key element in garden design, whether to create movement, to provide soothing or energising sound, as a surface for reflections, an environment for aquatic plants and wildlife or simply as a resource for essential watering of plants.

Three innovative and modern designs have been selected as winners in the NS& I Growing Gardens Today competition at BBC Gardeners' World Live 2008, in association with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

Made from a special blend of recycled American hardwood and polymer, TimberTech is the perfect decking material. Combining style and longevity, TimberTech resists sun and water damage - even in coastal settings, so it’s also ideal for use around pools and hot-tubs.

Green fingered enthusiasts can explore the range of garden products on offer at the forthcoming Country Living Magazine Spring Fair, with inspiring ideas to add a touch of rustic country chic to your garden.

Visit the RHS London Orchid Show and catch a glimpse of the world’s most beautiful, rare and exotic orchids. Whether you want to invest in a rare £100 orchid or are looking to pick up a plant for just £5, the RHS London Orchid Show, Saturday 15 – Sunday 16 March, is the perfect place to enjoy thousands of the finest orchids from around the world.

The Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Britain in Bloom finals officially launch later this month (28 February 2008), with a new theme to encourage communities to come together to improve their home towns, cities and villages.

Children in the East of England have the chance to get their hands dirty and transform their school gardens with the help of a new school gardening advisor, courtesy of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

When considering designing your garden, the best place to start is by contacting the Society of Garden Designers (SGD), which can put you in touch with the leading designers working in your area.

The new Monaco Pavilion Sunbed from Indian Ocean is a luxurious addition to any garden, providing an attractive focal point in its own right, the Sunbed is roomy enough to lie down in and features a double canopy roof, designed to protect the Sunbed from gusts of wind or rain.

2008 will see leading garden hard landscaping manufacturer, Bradstone, giving its support to three of the most high profile shows on the gardening calendar.

The easy living of summertime returns to one of its favourite homes as Indian Ocean at Selfridges London opens in February with an irresistible mix of stylish contemporary outdoor furniture collections and a new, extended, collection of outdoor accessories ranging from candles to picnic baskets and parasols.

First it was the swimming pool, and then it was the hot tub; now the latest garden must-have is the outdoor kitchen. The discerning al-fresco diner wants not just a gleaming, state-of-the-art built-in barbecue, but also a full range of up-to-the-minute appliances, including fridges, power burners and bar caddies - all to hand in the garden.

Easter, the country's frantic fortnight of home improvements, is hurtling out of the calendar weeks earlier in 2008 - so now's the time to plan.

Award-winning garden designer Cleve West is joining forces with BUPA as it enters a show garden at the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show for the first time.

Mature shrubs and trees coupled with a paved patio area are the nation's favoured garden features, according to research by Halifax Estate Agents.

Families across the UK are aiming to improve their outdoor spaces so they can spend more time relaxing in their ‘extra room’, according to research from Alliance & Leicester Personal Loans.

With Britain’s summer rained off and recent reports stating that retailers are witnessing a 44% decline in the sale of BBQs, recent research from Legal & General reveals that 67% of Brits are not considering buying anything for the garden this summer.

For the second year running Cater Allen, one of the UK’s most innovative private banks, has commissioned a specially designed garden for this year’s Tatton Park Flower Show.

Garden Organic, the organisation behind the Save Our Gardens campaign, has warned that over 200 acres of garden space will be wiped out in the time that it takes the much-awaited Land Use Bill to be returned to the House of Commons for its postponed second reading in October.

For the second year running Cater Allen, one of the UK’s most innovative private banks, is to sponsor the Conceptual Gardens at the Hampton Court Flower Show, organised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

Do you remember when you were young how your parents would spend the whole weekend gardening and it never occurred to you to enquire what gardening actually entailed - or, more importantly, how they actually knew how to do it?

Bespoke summerhouses and pavilions provide the perfect year round retreat for relaxation and entertainment, family gatherings or impromptu suppers with friends call for that certain special place. HSP Garden Buildings specialise in creating just that.

If you are updating your garden this summer why not introduce a little rubber into your life!

'NS&I: Growing Britain' - the exhibit featuring British-grown produce and sponsored by NS& I - and designer Penny Riley have won the highly prestigious President's Award at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2007.

Having pampas grass, magnolias and ivy in your garden could knock thousands of pounds off the value of your house, according to a new study.

Eating al fresco and enjoying long, lazy afternoons with friends is one of the joys of summer, when the garden, no matter what size, becomes an extension of the house. Crisp white linen somehow doesn't suit the more relaxed style of summer dining where colour and vibrancy work better in the bright light.

Summer is here again and gardens across the country are blooming! With thoughts naturally turning to tools of the trade, what self-respecting gardener can do without the humble watering-can?

Last year was the UK's warmest year on record, and predictions from the Meteorological Office and University of East Anglia say that summer 2007 will be even hotter.

Calling all Landlords! Keep ahead of the smoking ban, by getting MODE outdoor heaters installed – before you start to loose customers! Make sure the only thing served cold is the lager, with year round heat. From pavement terrace to pub garden, MODE have the most stylish range of heaters around.

Rainpiper.com has launched Rainpod, a rainwater harvester which can store over 800 litres of rainwater. Rainpod comes with a 100ft irrigation system that incorporates an automatic timer, so it can water the garden without assistance.

A beautiful yet contemporary addition to your outdoor space can be found with the Outpost Pod, a visually stunning, avant garde construction that is a superb addition to any garden.

Barlow Tyrie offer finely crafted furniture with true longevity that offers both beautifully classic designs working hand in hand with contemporary flair. Barlow Tyrie has an exceptional portfolio of stunning pieces in natural teak, woven and mixed materials such as teak combined with aluminium or stainless steel ready to adorn any part of your garden, conservatory or outdoor living area.

A garden is no longer just a garden, with more people than ever using their outdoor space as extension of their home. With the arrival of spring just around the corner, a B&Q advisor offers some advice on sprucing up your garden and making the most of your outdoor room.

Following on from the success of attending The RHS Chelsea Flower Show last year, Garden Totems will be returning this year. They will be on Stand number RM/33 from May 22nd to the 26th.

TV gardener and designer Chris Beardshaw is going back to school at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (3-8 July) with a show garden designed to enrich learning experiences for children of all ages.

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) welcomes Defra’s consultation on a more sensible approach to the imposition of hosepipe bans on domestic gardens, for which it has been campaigning vigorously since the ban was imposed last year.

The planetary system, cosmos, time travel and star gazing are set to take the world’s most famous flower show to another dimension! For the first time in its’ 84 year history of being held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, space, astrology and science fiction is a significant theme at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, sponsored by Marshalls plc.

Now is the perfect time to be thinking about creating your own outdoor oasis, with the innovative range of PVCu fencing and decking from Liniar. Imagine relaxing in the peace and privacy of your garden, enjoying a refreshing drink in the warm sunshine or entertaining friends on a summer’s evening.

The essential kit for your garden and deck this summer, Hotspot offers a range of products for the garden all designed by professionals. Real fuel and gas BBQ’s, portable grills, firepits & braziers, food and wine cooler, patio heaters, gas lights and torches all combine quality manufacture with affordable prices.

As freak rainfall continues across the country, with many counties releasing flood alerts, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer has seen stocks of water butts fly off the shelves as customers look to capitalise on the extreme wet weather.

Don’t let your garden down this summer! Created by award winning designers, Grilltech is an exclusive range of ingenious luxury outdoor cooking and entertaining equipment that guarantees both style and quality.

Gardens are fast becoming an extension of the home with more and more people eating, relaxing and entertaining outside. But when it comes to DIY projects and sprucing up your abode during spring, why is it that the exterior of the house often gets neglected? It does need a bit of TLC too!

The Barlow Tyrie name is synonymous with only the highest quality of innovative garden leisure furniture. A combination of sumptuous comfort and cutting edge style caters perfectly for the discerning customer.

With some of the finest garden products on offer at the Country Living Magazine Spring Fair, you can transform your back yard into a Garden of Eden in no time. Go wild and take your spring clean outdoors by giving your garden a chic, country style makeover. You’ll find these exhibitors and much more at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London from 14-18 March 2007.

Resolved to sort out your garden this year but need a helping hand? Local garden maintenance and lawn care expert, All Gardening is running a special ‘free hours’ promotion to help you get off to a good start. For every three gardening hours booked during January, All Gardening will put in an extra hour free of charge.