Archive for May, 2010
Urban Gardeners Unite
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
I want to fly the flag for a brilliant new social networking site called Urban Gardeners
It was set up by east Londoner Callum Saunders for the growing community as a place to come together, share experiences, offer advice and seek support. Callum hopes to unite a group of passionate, youthful, urban gardeners who are keen to shake off the shackles of stereotypical gardening perception. The forum is terrific if you have any tricky small space gardening problems.
Callum lives in a modern flat which had a bare concrete balcony. He decided to spruce this up with a few window boxes, then found a small table that had been thrown away, so started putting pots on this…. Then one day in April last year he decided to grow some salad leaves, then some tomatoes, then runner beans, then carrots – and the rest really, as he says, is history!
Callum’s also writes a brilliant blog about his own balcony gardening exploits. One year on, and the balcony has gone, but an allotment share has meant his unique urban project can continue.
I love the way he is happy to share his successes and his mistakes and show people that they can enjoy gardening and vegetable growing as a pastime, even if they only have a balcony, small patio – even just a windowsill or doorstep.
He’s an urban gardening inspiration to us all!
Salads and Sprouts
Thursday, May 13th, 2010
Hurrah! I finally made it to Franco Manco, the tiny Brixton Market-based pizzeria my friends have been raving about for months. And yes, it really lives up to its not so secret reputation of serving up “the best pizzas in Britain” (The Observer). They are the most delicious Neapolitan style pizzas made with fresh sourdough, organic cheese from Somerset and Gloucestershire Old Spot Ham.
Franco Manco also make a lovely green side salad, garnished with lots of fresh mint and alfalfa sprouts. It reminded me what a great idea it is to serve mint in a salad and because it’s such a vigorous herb, I am always looking out for interesting ways to use it up as the little pot on my balcony – that I grew from seed last year – is out of control.
Speaking of salads, look out for our new Sproutapouch, coming soon. It’s an innovative, easy and fun way to grow your own salad shoots at home. It’s also a proudly British invention. All you need to do is add water to the pouch, sprinkle the seeds and leave to grow a tasty micro-salad in days. You can either hang them in your window or they sit on the windowsill. Rocket, red cabbage, broccoli, radish or mustard sprouts will be available.
And back to Brixton Market, check out Wild Caper, a little organic café cum deli who make a delicious hot chocolate for afters!
