Hartley Magazine

All the latest news, hints, tips and advice from our experts

Clive Woods

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Down to Earth Gardening

I was born in 1950 in Welling, which is now part of London, but was then in Kent. I have been gardening for many years, although sometimes doing the minimum to keep everything tidy. As a child in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, I was given a very small patch of our garden where I built a minature rockery and bought plants for it. I also remember successfully growing nasturtiums, sweet corn and begonias. Later my father got an allotment and I grew some pumpkins. Unfortunately the biggest was stolen. I was very upset, although the next biggest still won a prize at the allotment show. I remember double digging the plot; also picking raspberries on hot summer days. After I went to University my Dad gave the allotment up - saying that Mum did not use enough of the crops we grew! For the next few years gardening disappeared from my interests, and it was only after buying a house and getting married that I started again - flowers in a very small garden in Leeds. We have lived in our present house for 30 years and gardening has always been important. A beech sapling and mountain ash 'sorbus: Joseph's Rock' are now large trees. When I retired we redesigned our garden with the help of our son so that we now have 2 ponds connected by a stream, as well as paths and lighting. We also bought a greenhouse in 2007 and that has been really useful for protecting half hardy and young plants and growing tomatoes and cucumbers. Four years ago we were also fortunate to get a small allotment (one-third of a plot) so now we can grow all sorts of vegetables - not always successfully! For us the best crops have been French Climbing Beans, Runner Beans, potatoes, lettuce, onions, as well as strawberries and raspberries.

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Christmas Gardening Gift Ideas

Christmas is getting closer by the day, so it’s time to start planning those presents so you don’t have the familiar panic on Christmas Eve having realised that you have forgotten to buy a gift (like I traditionally do).

If there is someone in your family or circle of friends who is a keen gardener and loves nothing more than spending their day pottering around in the garden, then we have the perfect ideas to get you on your way to finding a great Christmas gift:

Sealskinz Mens Ultra Grip Glove Black

Sealskinz Mens Ultra Grip Glove Black

There’s nothing worse than being in the garden and getting numb fingers, because without your hands there really isn’t much you can do but stand and admire it.
These fantastic Ultra Grip gloves will you the warmth you need to be able work in the garden, while ensuring you still have a good range of movement in your fingers and the grip to hold onto any tools or plants you may be working with. They are waterproof, windproof and very breathable.

Jack Wolfskin Mens Lakota Vest Black

Jack Wolfskin Mens Lakota Vest Black

It can be really cold on a crisp winter’s day, but instead of piling on layers of outdoor clothing, this Jack Wolfskin vest will keep you warm and snug while you work in the garden over a long-sleeved top.
With an 80/20 down filling, this vest is both water repellent and wind resistant. Made from organic natural cotton, it will keep warm and dry without making you sweat. Ideal for everyday wear, the vest has two pockets to keep bits and bobs in as you make your way round the garden or just warm your hands up in now again!

Mini Dot & Garden Bird Garden Kneeler & Glove Set

As the frost starts appearing and the ground becomes damp, there is nothing worse than coming in from a little bit of gardening with soggy knees.
This beautiful kneeler and glove set from Cath Kidson means that you can protect your hands and knees in the garden while looking stylish and feminine – the perfect Christmas gift for a girly gardener.

cath-kidson-garden-kneeler

Gardeco Cantera Large Mexican Chimenea in Brown

mexican-chimenea

Bring a patio to life and breathe warmth into a social occasion with this fantastic, genuine Mexican chimenea.
This original Mayan and Aztec designed chimenea will certainly get a few compliments and become the focal point of your garden. It can be used year around and requires no assembly at all.

Tool and Tuck Box

Tool and Tuck Box

This tool and tuck box is a fantastic present for any keen gardens or allotment owners. It can hold a whole host for tools, seeds, twine and anything else that might be needed for a gardening session.
There is also a special compartment for food and drink so a packed lunch can be taken safely too, the internal sliding compartment has a lid on it so nothing can fall out or get ruined.