I have never thought myself as particularly lucky, but a Grand National win later, and a competition on The Lifestyle Editor, and I think the tide could possibly be changing. The prize for the latter was a book by small-space gardening expert Isabelle Palmer called The House Gardener. Now that it’s a bit warmer outside I have been itching to get my small balcony in order and transform it into a little urban oasis. I have also been watching with a keen eye as my succulents and orchids grow little by little on my bedroom windowsill.
The House Gardener has more than 60 ideas, from Victorian style terrariums to cosy fireplaces, and even the ingenious idea of using old lightbulbs as small plant containers, providing me with some much-needed creative inspiration. After a brief look, I was onto Amazon to buy Isabelle’s first book, The Balcony Gardener, which has some interesting DIY projects, for example turning an old wine crate into a planter, as well as more practical information, such as how to grow vegetables in a small space. And now you can see for yourself the results of my green fingers, following a trip to Columbia Road flower market this weekend to pick up an old bucket, inspired by Isabelle’s projects, and some new tomato plants.
Et Voila! The lavender and clematis are doing really well, and there’s a bit of basil and parsley. I just need to buy some soil for the tomato plants in the bucket (£10 Columbia Road!), but I think it’s a good idea to protect them from the wind for the moment.
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