Weeding the Web

The Hampstead Flower Show Now On – it's Smart as Paint

With Chelsea Flower Show over for another year, the Catto Gallery in North London has leapt into the breach. The Hampstead Flower Show is a bit like Chelsea,they say, “but with no hay fever, free admission and fewer bees”. In other words, it’s an exhibition of garden art.

The Catto is an active gallery, exhibitions-wise, with a large stable of artists. One of my favourites is David Gerstein, who produces brightly coloured creations in cut out steel, mostly handpainted, though some of the smaller pieces are wooden or coloured by silk-screen printing. All are exuberant, joyful works, often created in three layers to create movement and depth. I defy you not to smile when you see them. And they make great garden art because the metal ones are weather-proof. I can just see the flowers pictured against a white-painted wall on the patio.

Totally different is Alan Parry’s work. Parry is new to the Catto Gallery but has had very successful shows at the Montpellier Gallery, Stratford-upon-Avon, nearer to his Worcestershire home. I think he’s the highlight of this exhibition.

Allotment growers emerge blinking into spring

As activity at the allotment cranks up, have you seen these characters?

“The species allotment growers and its two sub groups: allyearroundi (seen every month of the year, harvesting in any weather),and hibernatei (finishes in October,clears the ground and reappears the next year).

"Spring is close because hibernatei has been sighted,wearing the Christmas present of new gloves. (What else do you give an allotment holder?)

"Contemplating the patch that had been left clean but is now growing weeds and covered with leaves,hibernatei faces its first big decision of the year. Which essential tool to use first – spade, fork, hoe or thermos flask? That initial decision determines the remainder of your season. It is imperative to make the right choice as a stewed thermos of tea or coffee can ruin everything.”

Well, it certainly made me giggle. Over at the Horsell Allotments, Chairman David Inns writes the allotment blog for the Woking News and Mail. It’s well worth following, not just for his wit. He’s currently conducting an experiment to see whether fresh chicken manure will help in combating club root in his brassicas. (Note: follow David's blog at a new address from March 2010)

Skipping the Allotments means a fight for Fortis Green

The Government is so keen for us to Grow Our Own that we are to be encouraged to grow vegetables in skips, according to an article by Louise Gray in the Daily Telegraph yesterday.

The idea is that the Government will set up a national “land bank” so that you and I can find the nearest piece of public or private land available to start sowing and reaping. Land would be available at hospitals, car parks, schools and on development sites where food could be grown in skips and moved about, presumably as the housing estates go up around them.

Am I the only one that thinks there’s something odd going on? Anyone would think there was a war on. Are we expecting one? Indeed, John Denham, the Communities Secretary, likened the plans to the wartime Dig for Victory campaign. Does the Government know something we don’t?

Glass sculptures add structure

Speaking of structure in the Winter Garden, one “eye-catcher” that definitely caught my eye at the Hampton Court Flower Show a couple of years ago was Garden Glass by brother-and-sister team Sarah and Dominic Hayhoe. Available either in tall panels or as individual leaves, the glass adds a touch of warmth and colour, even with the weak light of January behind it, not to mention making quite a splash against the recent snow!

The Garden Museum's secret blogs

I’ve got a soft spot for the Garden Museum, Lambeth, even though, to date, I’ve found it disappointing. As a museum to visit, I feel it doesn’t quite deliver, as I wrote in my review of the Beth Chatto exhibition for Landscape Juice. However, they are branching out media-wise. The museum has taken on their first ever intern, Matthew Collins, and he’s bravely baring his soul on the Garden Museum Gardener’s blog. It’s a place, he feels, “to admit the extent to which I feel under-experienced, under-studied and a little out of my depth.” He keeps asking himself, “Are they sure they chose the right candidate?” Well, not a lot of people are going to find out if the museum doesn’t advertise his blog better.

Presents for Gardeners: Penkridge’s perfect produce

It might seem a bit cruel, giving a gardener a gorgeous replica of an apple. Sort of rubs it in – hey, have you managed anything as good as this? But on the other hand, of anyone, gardeners really appreciate the beauty in small things, such as the perfect peapod, or smallest berry.

More than twenty years’ experience in ceramics have made Lorraine Taylor and Nicky Smart, of Penkridge Ceramics, experts in reproducing fruit and vegetables, which they cast from moulds of the originals, then glaze. They have a range of over hundred different fruits and vegetables, from globe artichokes and garlic to tomatoes, plums and quinces.

Experience has taught them an intimate knowledge of their models. “Straight off the tree, colours are light and fresh, but as the fruit lies around the studio—assuming it’s not eaten—it ripens more and colours deepen and mature. We’re now experts on the aging of fruit!”

With each new growing season, they add new varieties and shapes to the range. “We make several versions of different fruit and veg so that they look natural piled up together,” says Lorraine. “We used to choose perfect specimens, but now we go for pieces with knobbly, interesting bits. In fact, we like to use home-grown produce. It has more character.”

I’ve seen their work and it’s truly lifelike and very difficult to spot the difference between these and the real thing.

For future reference, they’re also happy to copy a prize-winning vegetable for you, so Dad can show everyone just how big his pumpkin really was.

Now, there’s an idea for a pressie.

Presents for Gardeners: Art in aid of Garden Organic

Garden Organic is hoping that a whole new audience will be inspired to “Grow Your Own” by three limited edition prints issued by The Keep Calm Gallery.

Released in time for Christmas, the "Grow Your Greens" collection is now on sale for between £30 and £120 and 35% of the profits will go to Garden Organic.

Garden Organic’s Chief Executive, Myles Bremner is delighted at the collaboration with the gallery, saying that it is exactly the sort of support needed by Garden Organic.

The Keep Calm Gallery, established in 2007, is particularly strong on typography and if you like the "Keep Calm and Carry On” variety of print, you’ll find plenty to browse through here, including some typical jokey aphorisms such as “If you want breakfast in bed, sleep in the kitchen”.