gardening for children uk

Posted on | February 27, 2008 | No Comments

gardening for children uk

In todays world with climate issues very much at the forefront of international debate it is hard for us not to take notice. Skin Cancer has risen in the UK and for most it is caused from UV (ultraviolet) rays from the sun. The UK alone have 75,000 diagnosed new cases and 2,300 die each year, not an uplifting statistic but very real, which is why we must include shading in our gardens when planning outdoor entertainment and rest areas, recreational activities and play areas for our children.

At the moment there are plenty of inexpensive shading products on the market but there are not many that can shade recreational areas like swimming pools, hot tubs and tennis courts or childrens play areas as well as providing shade for patios.The only product I have seen that can shade various areas is the very versatile sail shade, which has been widely used by the Australians for many years.

These shades, when erected, look stylish and contemporary but more importantly are extremely effective at blocking out 98% of harmful rays. Also because the material used is porous, heat does not build up underneath, so you, your friends and family can enjoy a leisurely Sunday lunch out on the terrace without feeling uncomfortable in the midday heat, children can play happily in a sandpit, paddling pool or swimming pool without worrying about the sun.

The DIY shades come in two different shapes Triangle and Square, 5 different sizes and a selection of contemporary colours. These shades can also be custom made for just about any purpose, so can shade larger areas like car ports, communal gardens, playgrounds etc. making it a very useful shade in todays ever changing climate.

The DIY shades can be installed by anyone and on existing external wall(s), wooden or metal pole(s) with good quality stainless steel fixings. The DIY shades on the market at the moment are competitively priced. If, however, you are looking for something a little more individual you can opt for a more individual bespoke shade.

The only downside to these shades it that they are not classed as waterproof. They are designed to breath during extremely warm sunny days, which is why the material needs to be porous.

With contemporary styling becoming more appealing and outdoor living a must, it is good to see products that can fit within these styles without paying designer prices. I believe sail shades will be appearing in more and more households as an alternative to the more commonly used parasol and gazebo.

About the Author:

Shaun Parker is an expert on the Garden shade. To find out more visit http://www.shadednation.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Garden Issues Very Much In The Shade

In The Night Garden – Hutchy B Dub Remix

Small garden patch for children. What should we grow?

I have a small patch of soil in my garden approximatly 1.5mtrs square. My daughters are aged 7 & 9 years.
Any suggestions to what we can grow. The patch is against a fence and a wall on 2 sides. othetr 2 sides are open. Its in my back yard and in a really shaded area. probably on about 2 hours of direct sunlight each day. Thats if its sunny lol. We live in the UK.
Do i need lots of compost and how much digging over should be done before planting. and how long can we expect to wait untill things grow.
Im very very new to gardening.
My daughters have suggested groing veg.
Last summer it was filled with rocks and a few pansy plants. We have also tried putting grass seed down but didnt really work.
tried to grow sunflowers a few years ago. but because of the lack of sun ( 2 hours a day ) they just didnt seem to grow beyond 12 inches

I know that spinach is a cool weather crop. It may do well in shade. You can start spinach three weeks before the last frost. Tomatoes on the other hand require a ton of sun. Try spinach and leaf lettuce to make salads. Although two hours of sun may not be enough, those two would be my best guess. You take a shovel and turn the area over. You only have to dig down about twelve inches or the length of the shovel head. Turn the ground over and then break it up with a hoe or the shovel head again. You can buy bag of manure or compost, or some 10-10-10 fertilizer and add it to the soil. Then, you put small wooden stakes at the end of each row to hold some white string representing the row. You plant your seeds along the string. You remove the string after the plants have come up. You can’t water a garden too much. They love water. Water it every other night. I love a fresh salad. I grow two types of lettuce, spinach, onions, and tomatoes.

[mage source="tags"]gardening for children uk[/mage

Comments