Nature Valley – Gardens to Go Event

Sometime ago I wrote about the fabulous Facebook competition from Nature Valley called Gardens to Go. Entrants designed perfect mini gardens, with the hope that theirs might be made for real! The top 50 entries have now been picked and this Wednesday you could get your hands on one.

On Wednesday 13th July there will be gardens dropped off at 5 secret locations around London, 10 gardens in each location. The gardens are there for anyone who finds them, so you could actually take one home!

To be in with a chance, you’ll need to take part in the Treasure Hunt due to happen all across Twitter on the 13th. Make sure you’re following @NatureValleyUK who will be tweeting clues, pictures and much more.

I would personally love to join in the fun, but wont be in London on Wednesday 🙁 so you guys need to get out there and grab one instead. If you feel like popping one on a train to Derbyshire I could definitely give it a good home.

Chelsea, Flowers, Gardens & Pots.

For those in the UK you may well be aware that Chelsea Flower Show has recently finished. I’ve never actually been, but I watched it every evening on the BBC. The gardens looked spectacular as always, although I tend to be won over by the cottage style rather than the more industrial creations. But whatever your preference it’s always an inspiration to get out and get gardening. This year we’re attempting to grow several vegetables, pumpkins, courgettes, lettuces, tomatoes and more. I’m not optimistic about the french beans, they’ve grown and climbed but their leaves look rather sad and I suspect a neighbourhood slug or snail may be to blame. I don’t think they’ll be worthy of Chelsea, but if by the end of the season we have anything remotely edible I’ll be one proud gardener. If you want to take a look at real award winning veg take a look at www.medwynsofanglesey.co.uk who won Gold this year for their amazing display.

As for the rest of the garden, I like to arrange things as I would in the house, using old objects like pans or watering cans. Most of my plants have been grown from tiny cuttings, the soil is heavy clay which can be a challenge but on the whole most things have grown well.

I would love to have more flowers and slowly I intend to add more. One that seems to enjoy clay soils and is multiplying without any help from me is this aquilegia or granny’s bonnet.

I am hoping to go to Tatton Park on July 21-25. I doubt I’ll buy any plants as they’ll probably be very expensive but I will enjoy all the beautiful gardens and I hope to come home with some inspiration. For anyone living further south there is Hampton Court July 6-11.

In honour of gardening we’ve created some garden inspired jewellery. Please share your favourite gardening stories or jewellery, we’d love to hear about them.