Battle Proms, West Side Story and other things to do near Reading this weekend

Take a look at some of the great events happening from Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7

from getreading - Arts & Culture http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/battle-proms-west-side-story-11679167

Locked up: The Berkshire criminals who have been sent down over the last four months

Take a look at who has been jailed from Reading, Wokingham and Bracknell areas

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/locked-up-berkshire-criminals-who-11682880

Reading Bridge crash, Travellers and a stabbing are in the top five stories you've been reading this week

These are the stories you have been enjoying on getreading  this week since Monday, July 25

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/reading-bridge-crash-travellers-stabbing-11686749

The BFG parade, Grease open air screening and more family fun near Reading this weekend

Take a look at some of the great family events happening from Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7

from getreading - Family & Kids http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/bfg-parade-grease-open-air-11679140

Ronan Keating and Gabrielle to play Ascot Racecourse gig with Fun Lovin' Criminals and Lawson

Everything you need to know about catching the performances at Ascot Racecourse this August

from getreading - Music & Nightlife http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/ronan-keating-gabrielle-play-ascot-11675744

Best shows to see at theatres in Berkshire this August

If you want to know what shows are coming up this month at theatres in Berkshire, take a look at our show round up

from getreading - Theatre http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/best-shows-see-theatres-berkshire-11676079

See the seven Bracknell parks named among the best in the country

Green Flags are flying high above seven Bracknell parks as the borough retains the awards for its green spaces

from getreading - Family & Kids http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/see-seven-bracknell-parks-named-11681972

Advice for flying your drone in Reading safely

Thames Valley Police have issued guidance about safe drone flight

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/advice-flying-your-drone-reading-11678725

Victorian Crime in Reading: The Ballad of Reading Gaol

Angela Buckley tells the story of Thomas Wooldridge - the prisoner immortalised by Oscar Wilde

from getreading - Berkshire History http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/berkshire-history/victorian-crime-reading-ballad-reading-11682593

Berkshire Golf Club fire fought by seven crews

A fire in Ascot at The Berkshire Golf Club was dealt with by crews from seven fire stations

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/berkshire-golf-club-fire-fought-11681589

Rio 2016: Berkshire's athletes on show for Team GB at the Olympic Games

Sam Townsend, Katie Clark and Chris Mears among the names to look out for in Brazil

from getreading - Other Sport http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/other-sport/rio-2016-berkshires-athletes-show-11676579

First controlling behaviour conviction prompts call for domestic abuse victims to come forward

Steven Strong, 25, has been sentenced after controlling his victim in a domestic abuse case

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/first-controlling-behaviour-conviction-prompts-11679415

Can you pass the driving theory test?

You may have been driving for years, but can you pass the new tough test 50 per cent of drivers fail

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/can-you-pass-driving-theory-11676753

Victorian Society defends 'Biggles Building' from university demolition ball

The eminent society made a formal objection to the University of Reading's plan to demolish St Patrick's Hall to build modern students' halls

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/victorian-society-defends-biggles-building-11672283

Open air theatre in Berkshire with The Wizard of Oz at Mapledurham House

Mapledurham House will host an open-air production of the classic story The Wizard of Oz this August

from getreading - Theatre http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/open-air-theatre-berkshire-wizard-11669810

Pride of Reading: Dingley's Promise do 'fantastic work' with disabled children

Dingley’s Promise has been nominated as Charity of the Year in the Pride of Reading Awards

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/pride-reading-dingleys-promise-fantastic-11677384

River and Rowing Museum shortlisted for Family Friendly Museum Award

The museum in Henley has been shortlisted and is expanding its exhibition programme for families

from getreading - What's On News http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/river-rowing-museum-shortlisted-family-11666614

Music in Reading: What's coming up in August?

Take a look at what's coming up in August on the music scene in Reading and the surrounding areas

from getreading - Music & Nightlife http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/music-reading-whats-coming-up-11665535

StartUp Britain Tour doing business in Reading

Budding businessmen and woman are welcome to visit the StartUp bus in Broad Street

from getreading - Arts & Culture http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/business/startup-britain-tour-doing-business-11666116

Reading artists' work accepted for Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition

Both Robert Fitzmaurice and Tom Cartmill's art work is being displayed at the exhibition

from getreading - Arts & Culture http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/reading-artists-work-accepted-royal-11664174

Beale Park celebrates its 60th anniversary with fun for all the family

The park put on a variety of activities and entertainment to celebrate its anniversary - take a look at our gallery of photos

from getreading - Family & Kids http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/beale-park-celebrates-60th-anniversary-11661198

StartUp Britain Tour doing business in Reading

Budding businessmen and woman are welcome to visit the StartUp bus in Broad Street

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/startup-britain-tour-doing-business-11666116

Shinfield Players' Theatre celebrates Diamond Jubilee

The theatre group celebrated its 60th anniversary at the weekend

from getreading - Arts & Culture http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/shinfield-players-theatre-celebrates-diamond-11660894

Sandhurst biker died in crash just 15 yards from his home

Mark Waters, 47, died as a result of his injuries after his bike hit a car just yards from his home in Sandhurst, a inquest heard.

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/sandhurst-biker-died-crash-just-11656019

Opera, garage music, railways and more things to do near Reading this weekend

Take a look at some of the great events happening from Friday, July 29 to Sunday, July 31

from getreading - Arts & Culture http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/opera-garage-music-railways-more-11650695

Dinosaurs, superheroes, Bracknell Festival and more family fun near Reading this weekend

Take a look at some of the great family events happening from Friday, July 29 to Sunday, July 31

from getreading - Family & Kids http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/dinosaurs-superheroes-bracknell-festival-more-11647958

Garden furniture to love – 4 best looks

How do you choose garden furniture?

Do you drift in to a garden centre and look for the offers? Or is your garden furniture an important part of your design?

Ours has accumulated over the years. It’s all beginning to fall apart, so I’ve been keeping a watch on garden furniture trends when visiting gardens and shows.

There seem to be four key directions – modern, classic, vintage and upcycled. Here’s what they mean for your garden.

Modern garden furniture

If you like contemporary style, you need chunky, large pieces in neutral colours, such as black, brown, beige or white. Then add a strong splash of vibrant colour. Look for giant sun loungers and huge teak tables that seat 10 or more. This style works particularly well in small city gardens. Interior designers often say that you need one or two large items in a small space to make it seem more opulent.

Paola Lenti furniture in a garden designed by Charlotte Rowe. The strong shapes and colours work well in a city garden.

Classic style

Classic style is comfortable. It includes teak tables, rattan armchairs and umbrella parasols. We’ve had a plain teak table for 10+ years and it will last several more. We also have a traditional cream parasol that fits through a hole in the centre of the table. This is beginning to show signs of wear after 5 years.

This comfortable teak bench has lasted 13 years. There’s no sign of it deteriorating.

We will have to replace the parasol soon. I will be making a bid for a ‘banana’ style parasol (see the listing below). This is on a stand placed to one side of the table or sun lounger. When the parasol is down, it is out of the way of the table. When a standard central parasol is folded, it takes up space on the table top. The ‘banana’ parasols are also more flexible – you can adjust them as the sun moves. The more expensive ones are fully adjustable in every direction. The cheaper ones have limited flexibility. I’ve picked two popular models for the listing below.

The vintage look

The vintage look is perennially charming. Think tin cafe tables, wrought iron benches and old garden tools and planters. One of the fun things about this look is that it’s easy to ring the changes by painting the chairs, tables and benches. I have painted our chairs in Hardwick White by Farrow & Ball, matching them to the garden door, but I am thinking of renovating it all by picking another colour (maybe a really dark one, this time?)

We painted four French garden chairs and a sewing machine table base in Hardwick White by Farrow & Ball.

Upcycled chic…

You may think that ‘vintage’ and ‘upcycled’ is the same, but it is a little different. Upcycled means adapting something to a new use. That means using indoor chairs (and even sofas) outside, or turning pallets into garden tables.

Don’t throw your old sofa away. If you’ve got a covered pergola, give the sofa a last season outside, covered in throws. Eventually the wind and rain will get it, but in the meantime you can enjoy a bit of Bohemian garden comfort. Or look in junk shops and markets for mid-century modern chairs in plastics. They’ll withstand life outside and will add character to your garden.

How to find the best garden furniture to buy

I’ve been looking through Amazon to find good garden furniture to buy. After many hours of scrolling up and down the page, I have picked out the brands that got the highest number of 4* and 5* customer reviews. As I am an Amazon affiliate, you can link through to Amazon to buy the furniture. If you do, I may get a small fee but it doesn’t affect the price you pay.

The post Garden furniture to love – 4 best looks appeared first on The Middle-Sized Garden.

from The Middle-Sized Garden http://www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk/3-best-garden-furniture-looks-summer/

Whitley man fined for revenge porn offence

Tom Hibberd, 26, admitted sharing a sexually explicit photo of a woman with another person

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/whitley-man-fined-revenge-porn-11653601

Newbury FC to continue to fight council over plan to build on home ground

West Berkshire Council says it will go to court to reclaim the ground in Faraday Road

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/newbury-fc-continue-fight-council-11645343

Reading's L'Ortolan named in the top 100 restaurants in the UK for 2016

Reading’s only Michelin starred restaurant plus several other Berkshire hot spots secured a spot in the top 100

from getreading - Food & Drink http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/readings-lortolan-named-top-100-11646566

Tasty BBQ recipes to test out this summer

Sizzling sausages, sweet stuffed peppers and juicy burgers - it's enough to make your tummy rumble!

from getreading - Arts & Culture http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/tasty-bbq-recipes-test-out-11633654

Yellow weather warning of thunderstorms from Met Office

The thunderstorm warning covers the Reading, Bracknell and Wokingham area from 11am into the afternoon

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/yellow-weather-warning-thunderstorms-met-11649506

Treat the family in Berkshire for under £25

Take a look at some of the fun activities and days out you can have in and around Berkshire for under £25

from getreading - Family & Kids http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/treat-family-berkshire-under-25-11632637

Earley power cut, a swimming suspect in Reading and controlled explosions - Today's round-up

The daily round-up for Thursday, July 21

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/earley-power-cut-swimming-suspect-11648749

Alok Sharma plays "dragon" for young citizens

The Reading West MP takes in a Dragons' Den contest as part of the National Citizen Service

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/alok-sharma-plays-dragon-young-11631412

Judges pick Pride of Reading vase competition winners

The winning designs will be transformed into vases for table centre pieces at the Pride of Reading Awards in November

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/judges-pick-pride-reading-vase-11643220

Oracle fire, summer heat wave and a lost cat - Today's round-up

Here's a quick digest of today's stories

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/oracle-fire-summer-heat-wave-11643258

How much will Brexit cost you if you are holidaying in Europe?

Find out how much more money you'll need to spend if you are holidaying in Europe following the Brexit vote

from getreading - What's On News http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/how-much-brexit-cost-you-11633326

Take a look inside Bombay Sapphire Distillery and find out how your gin is made and all about the site's history

We went behind the scenes at the distillery to discover how Bombay Sapphire gin is really made

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/take-look-inside-bombay-sapphire-11610495

Watch police officers smash in Bracknell front door during drugs raid

The raid was part of mass operation into drugs offences by organised crime groups operating in Reading, Bracknell and Wokingham

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/watch-police-officers-smash-bracknell-11635390

Delays likely as Reading to Paddington trains feel the effects of the heat

A speed restriction is in place due to soaring temperatures on Tuesday, July 19

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/delays-likely-reading-paddington-trains-11635151

See the Full Buck Moon over Berkshire tonight

There's an extra special sighting in the sky tonight - here's all you need to know about how it got its name

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/see-full-buck-moon-over-11633328

Reading weather: hot this afternoon and uncomfortably hot tonight

University of Reading meteorologist is predicting one of the hottest night time temperatures in Reading tonight

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/reading-weather-hot-afternoon-uncomfortably-11634822

Bracknell's Redwood Technologies donates £10,000 to British Red Cross

The company gave £10,000 to the British Red Cross as part of its charity work

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/bracknells-redwood-technologies-donates-10000-11627386

Meet Geordie Shore's Gaz, see a play at the Mad Stad, watch Lee Nelson and six other things to do near Reading this weekend

Take a look at some of the great events happening from Friday, July 22 and Sunday, July 24

from getreading - Arts & Culture http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/meet-geordie-shores-gaz-see-11621476

Reading's population would start shrinking without immigration

Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell and West Berkshire's birth rates were below the 'replacement fertility rate' last year

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/readings-population-would-start-shrinking-11620111

Pride of Reading: Brakspear's support for Sue Ryder 'truly shows what a business can do for the community'

Brakspear Brewing Company is up for Fundraiser of the Year at the Pride of Reading Awards

from getreading - Business http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/business/pride-reading-brakspears-support-sue-11624988

The best front garden ideas – smart, easy and cheap

Here is a round-up of my favourite front garden ideas.

Your front garden is part of your community. It’s what people see when they walk home from work. You can talk to neighbours while you’re working in it.

Your front garden also has an environmental impact. The RHS’s Greening Grey Britain campaign aims to prevent everyone from paving over their front gardens to make parking spaces. It also has good ideas for those who want a parking space but are prepared to share it with green space.

So, in no particular order, here are some front gardens that cheer people up when they walk past them. They’re (almost) all easy to adapt yourself and they’re not expensive.

The horticulturalist’s front garden

If you are mad about plants, then your front garden is a wonderful place to display them. This garden below is one of four gardens in a row near me in Faversham. Each of the four front gardens is completely different but delightful.

This front garden makes plants its priority. It’s always a pleasure to walk past. Angel’s fishing rods and agapanthus work well.

Another Faversham front garden for plant-lovers. It always has something in flower.

A formal front garden

This is the next garden in the row of four. It has a classic formal design, and is planted mainly with lavender. The blue of the lavender works well with the duck egg blue front door.

Classic rope edging works well in front gardens because there usually isn’t any lawn. It’s also appropriate if you have a Victorian house

Colour co-ordinated front garden

This row of four gardens shows an excellent use of colour. In this garden, the colour of the front door matches the colour of the garden gate. Even the box (for electricity meters?) on the side of the front door is painted in the same smart blue-grey. This looks great and is easy to do.

The twentieth century garden gate matches the Victorian front door and also the edging tiles.

A simple front garden planting

This is the last of the four gardens in a row. This front garden has a relaxed, easy feel and is wholly dominated by erigeron karvinskianus. This looks so charming – it just frothes up everywhere. Planting just one kind of plant in your front garden is often effective, especially when it’s a simple daisy like this.

Topiary front garden

The garden below probably cannot be described as either ‘easy’ or ‘cheap.’ But it does show how effective topiary can be in a front garden. You can buy box and yew from markets and grow your own topiary.

A traffic-stopping topiary front garden in Putney, London.

Choose your front path with the house in mind

If you have a yellow brick house, then have a yellow brick path. It’s such an easy thing to forget. In fact, it’s a good idea to remember that all the elements of your front garden ought to work together, from the colour of the front door and garden gate to the path and the planting.

Garden consultant Posy Gentles had a concrete path. She replaced it with a brick path more in keeping with the house.

Think about colour themes

A simple blue and white front garden scheme in Faversham. A white door, blue pots and blue flowers all add up to a charming sight.

I love the way this front gardener seems to have planted her front garden to match the street sign!

This is our front garden, mainly planted by our predecessors. They chose a pink theme. In summer, Rosa bonica flowers for months on end. We also have hot pink wild gladioli (self-seeded) and pink nerines. I have underplanted with nepeta as I think that looks good with the railings.

The pink Rosa bonica flower endlessly, and many commuters have told me that they love seeing them on their walk home.

Miranda Alexander has painted an obelisk in her front garden. It’s in harmony with her front door.

Upcycled front garden ideas

Fern Alder started Full Frontal, a community front garden initiative which spread all over the country. She believes in making the most of front gardens and encourages people to do interesting things, such as recycling unusual objects as planters.

Fern has planted a rusted old dustpan with succulents and hangs it beside her front door.

Old wellie boots planted up at Doddington Place Gardens.

Grab a pot of paint and transform your front garden now…

I hope that’s given you some ideas. Let me know your pretty, smart or unusual front garden ideas. And do share this, using the buttons below – thank you!

The post The best front garden ideas – smart, easy and cheap appeared first on The Middle-Sized Garden.

from The Middle-Sized Garden http://www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk/best-front-garden-ideas-smart-easy-cheap/

Paw Patrol, Beale Park's 60th, samba, plastic duck race and more family fun near Reading this weekend

Take a look at some of the great family events happening from Friday, July 22 and Sunday, July 24

from getreading - Family & Kids http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/paw-patrol-beale-parks-60th-11621479

M4 and A34 overnight lane closures continue near Reading

A look at the roadworks in Berkshire for the week Monday, July 18 to Sunday, July 24

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/m4-a34-overnight-lane-closures-11625338

Henley Literary Festival tickets go on sale on Monday as Nadiya, the Archbishop of York and many more stars confirmed

Tickets for the 10th annual literary festival will go on sale on Monday, July 18 - see who's on the line up

from getreading - Arts & Culture http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/henley-literary-festival-tickets-go-11618479

Summer holidays in Berkshire: 37 things to do with the children

Looking for things to do with the kids during the summer holidays? Here are 37 things to keep the little ones busy

from getreading - Family & Kids http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/summer-holidays-berkshire-37-things-9647008

Wokingham barbers will see art and music takeover this weekend

Check out some art and hear a live DJ? It's all happening at Headcase Barbers

from getreading - Business http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/business/wokingham-barbers-see-art-music-11607870

Reading Town Hall to be packed with activity - including the 3Bs

Plans are in hand to maximise the use of Reading Town Hall - including holding marriage ceremonies there - to increase income

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/reading-town-hall-packed-activity-11610735

IKEA campers, M4 chaos and three other stories you may have missed on getreading

Catch up on all the stories you may have missed from Wednesday, July 13

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/ikea-campers-m4-chaos-three-11611993

Pangbourne attack: four arrested after man gets stabbed in neck

A man was taken to hospital with stab wounds after a fight broke out in Bourne Road on Sunday night

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/pangbourne-attack-four-arrested-after-11609451

Berkshire MP Theresa May moves into No 10 today

Theresa May will visit Buckingham Palace today to accept the offer from the Queen to form a Government

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/berkshire-mp-theresa-moves-no-11608092

Grandfather jailed for kidnapping, another bridge in Reading and three other stories you may have missed

Catch up on all the stories you may have missed with today's getreading round up

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/grandfather-jailed-kidnapping-another-bridge-11606281

Yeomanry House where thousands have said "I do" could be sold

Reading Borough Council has reviewed all its buildings and plans to move marriages from Yeomanry House to the town hall

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/yeomanry-house-thousands-said-i-11603397

Win your own photograph turned into Touchnote postcards

I’m really excited by my latest discovery – Touchnote postcards. So I’ve got 100 for you to win.

Touchnote is a super-easy app which turns your own photographs into postcards, then mails them for you. You add your message and the address of the recipient, then ‘post’ it directly from your phone or laptop.

Touchnote postcards of gardens I’ve visited on my mantelpiece.

A few days later, the postcard is delivered through your friend’s letterbox.

It’s perfect for gardeners – we are always visiting gardens and taking photographs.So I asked Touchnote to offer 100 Postcards worth £2.99 each – one to each of 100 lucky Middle Sized Garden readers.

How Touchnote postcards work:

Download the free app (find it here), then ‘start a postcard.’

Pick a photo from your own laptop or phone photo gallery. You can add a caption.

Choose from a selection of layouts – here I’ve chosen 3 photos I took at Doddington Place Gardens in May. Type your message in, add an address and click ‘send’.

After you’ve chosen your photo and layout, the option to ‘write a message’ comes up, followed by ‘add address’.

Then you tap one final ‘click after checking everything is OK. Off it goes. I’ve just sent one from my phone – it took me less than four minutes. I found it much quicker and easier than going out to buy stamps and then walking the dog to the postbox (although the dog may not agree).

And it’s great fun to use your own photos of gardens as a thank-you note or ‘wish you were here’.

With 100 postcards to win, you have an excellent chance of getting one, so enter now:

Closing date is August 4th 2016!

All you need to do is click here to enter  – good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms: Prize draw open to UK readers aged 18/over. Closes at midnight on Thursday 4 August 2016. One hundred winners selected at random after closing date and notified by email. Winners must be contactable within 7 days of draw. Touchnote Account will be opened in winners names and each prize awarded as 1 credit for winner to redeem at their leisure. Prize not transferable, no cash alternatives. Promoter: Touchnote Limited, 72-74 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA

Fair Collection Notice: Touchnote Limited and The Middlesized Garden may send further communications which may be of interest to you. If you don’t wish to receive them, either enter the giveaway with Twitter or unsubscribe after the first email. Thank you!

The post Win your own photograph turned into Touchnote postcards appeared first on The Middle-Sized Garden.

from The Middle-Sized Garden http://www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk/win-photograph-turned-touchnote-postcards/

Reading and Bracknell tips launch webcams to keep tippers ahead of the queues

Visiting Smallmead and Bracknell tips should be easier now Re3 has installed webcams to let visitors know if the dumps are busy

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/reading-bracknell-tips-launch-webcams-11602150

East Reading rapid bus route would mean another new bridge

A new single lane bridge over Kennetmouth is proposed as part of a £20 million rapid bus route to by-pass Cemetery Junction

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/east-reading-rapid-bus-route-11599812

IKEA Reading: First look inside the town's new Swedish arrival

We took a sneak peek inside the UK's newest IKEA for more than seven years and it's all you expected, and more

from getreading - What's On News http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/ikea-reading-first-look-inside-11599894

Rising Sun will host Finnish musical journey as part of Reading Fringe Festival

Do you fancy finding out more about the Finnish tango or tapping your toes to a hummpa?

from getreading - Arts & Culture http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/rising-sun-host-finnish-musical-11598005

Top 10 doctors' surgeries in Reading as rated by patients plus find out how your GP compares

Find out which surgeries patients across Reading, Wokingham and Bracknell have ranked as the best and where your GP comes

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/top-10-doctors-surgeries-reading-11589133

Seven things to do near Reading this weekend including open air Shakespeare and a jazz festival

Take a look at some of the great events happening from Friday, July 15 to Sunday, July 17

from getreading - Arts & Culture http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/seven-things-near-reading-weekend-11583525

IKEA's opening times, Tilehurst dad's viral video and more: The most read stories this week

Take a look at the five most read stories from the site this week

from getreading - Family & Kids http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/ikeas-opening-times-tilehurst-dads-11593344

Seven things to do with the kids near Reading this weekend including spot a steam train, clowns and magic

Take a look at some of the great family events happening from Friday, July 15 and Sunday, July 17

from getreading - Family & Kids http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/seven-things-kids-near-reading-11583527

8 inspiring ideas from a stunning English country garden

If you want inspiration, visit an English country garden. The romantic mix of colour, abundance and formality appeals to people everywhere.

Parham House & Gardens in Sussex really is still a family garden in spite of its grandeur. I was invited to visit by Tom Brown, the head gardener, to find out what Parham has to offer the middle-sized gardener.

The Lion Gate to Parham’s four acre walled garden. Not middle-sized, but lots of inspiration lies within.

Dating back to Elizabethan times, Parham was bought by the Hon Clive Pearson in 1922. He and his wife Alicia restored the house and gardens. Although it is now a charitable trust, it is still lived in by members of the family.

Parham was one of the first gardens to open to the public. The Pearsons opened it in 1948, with Alicia Pearson saying ‘Parham has a beauty so essentially English that it is a delight to show it…’

It is an exceptionally beautiful garden, and is hardly middle-sized. But it does have lessons for us middle-sized gardeners.

Focus your gardening ideas with one word

At Parham the word ‘tapestry’ means alot in the house and garden. Inside, each floral arrangement sits on its own colour-co-ordinated tapestry mat. These were sewn by the Pearson’s daughter, Veronica Tritton. In the garden, the word ‘tapestry’ directs Tom Brown and his colleague Henry Macaulay when they’re planning new beds or filling gaps in older ones.

The Herb Garden at Parham evokes its tapestry theme.

Tapestry mats made by Veronica Tritton – each flower arrangement inside the house is placed on the appropriate mat

More ‘tapestry’….the greenhouse exit at Parham

You can have flowers for the house and the border

Many domestic gardeners struggle between wanting to have vases of flowers in the house, but not wanting to strip the borders of colour. There is a tradition of having wonderful flower arrangements in the house at Parham – always supplied by the garden. But it’s also a garden open to the public, so the borders have to look good too.

Tom manages this by a certain amount of rationing – the flower arrangers can have lots of cut-and-come again flowers. Special blooms, such as spikes of delphiniums, are doled out carefully.

He also slips flowers for cutting into beds everywhere – even the vegetable beds. ‘Every bed needs to supply a basketful of vegetables and a bunch of flowers for the house each week,’ he says.

Here the yellow Cosmos ‘Xanthe’ is tucked in alongside courgettes and kale, making use of every little inch of space in the veg patch.

Sometimes you just have to start again

We all have bindweed. It is comforting to know that Parham is no exception. Last winter, they made the decision to dig up the whole of the blue border and pick out every bit of bindweed root they could find. Tom and Henry then replanted the border from scratch in the spring.

This was all dug up last winter to get rid of bindweed.

Make your borders extra deep

As you can see from the above photo, Parham’s borders are extra deep. Tom says that it’s useful advice even for much smaller gardens – ‘make your borders deeper and they’ll look much better.’ (In fact, we did this a few years ago and he’s right – you’d be better off having one deep border than two shallow ones.)

Plant in drifts

Tom advises you to thread planting through borders rather than planting in rows or clumps.

In the newly re-planted ‘blue border’, salvias are threaded through in drifts rather than planted in clumps.

Borders need to ‘speak to each other’

‘Borders need to relate to each other,’ explains Tom. You can’t plant them in isolation from each other.

I have two borders on either side of a bench. I don’t think they have exchanged two words since we moved in in 2003. I realise I need to sort this out, and restore some senses of unity. I hope I’m right in interpreting this as ‘plant similar or the same flowers in both borders or repeat patterns.’

How to settle things between you

The newly replanted blue border at Parham was created by Tom, working with Henry. ‘Because there are two of us, there’s always a struggle to arrive at a consensus,’ says Tom. They each allowed each other one ‘must-have’ plant.

I suggested that this strategy might be useful for a husband and wife trying to re-design a border. Tom said that he is often called in by friends to settle gardening disputes between couples. ‘It can be very difficult,’ he says.

When we re-designed the middle-sized garden, Mr Middle-Size had just one stake to plant firmly in the ground. He said he didn’t want to mow round trees. So we have a rectangular lawn with no trees in  it. If only we had been to Parham and seen what they do with the trees there. A ring of lawn clippings mulch around the trees in the orchard – adding nutrients and suppressing growth. No dodging under branches!

How to deal with greenhouse envy

You will want a greenhouse if you go round Parham. If you already have a greenhouse, you will want a different greenhouse.

The long narrow greenhouse at Parham clings to one garden wall.

Seriously though – if you don’t have space for a traditional greenhouse, the Parham long narrow one is effectively a lean-to running along one garden wall. The style is highly practical and could easily be adapted to a middle-sized garden.

Edit, edit, edit

When Tom and Henry set out to plan the new blue border, they soon had a list of about 50 plants. ‘We then had to scale it down to around 20-30,’ says Tom. ‘It’s better to repeat plants rather than have lots of different ones.’ He suggests that a domestic (middle-sized) border might be best with only about five different plants in it.

Another wonderful tapestry-like planting in the new blue beds. Henry often says that ‘all roads in gardening lead to pink’, so they have tried to keep the lavender blues from turning out too pink. Plants, such as eryngium and thalictrum, are repeated several times all along the border.

The best time to visit an English country garden is when it’s raining

It was pouring with rain when I visited Parham. It confirmed one of my theories: that the best time to visit a garden is when it’s raining, because there’s hardly anyone else there. You can have vistas and views uncluttered by other people…

Taking shelter from the rain and watching it fall on the Pleasure Lake. The oak trees are very old.

A wet day is ideal for garden visiting…Parham House & Gardens in the rain last week.

It’s the Parham Garden Weekend this weekend (9/10 July) with lots of plant stalls and special things to see. You must go, especially if it’s raining….and do please share this using the buttons below so that people who love English country gardens can put Parham on their ‘to visit’ list. Thank you!

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The post 8 inspiring ideas from a stunning English country garden appeared first on The Middle-Sized Garden.

from The Middle-Sized Garden http://www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk/8-inspiring-ideas-stunning-english-country-garden/

Lord-Lieutenant of Berkshire visits Reading's Porterhouse Medical to celebrate Queen's Award

The Queen's official representative, the Lord-Lieutenant of Berkshire paid a visit to Reading company, Porterhouse Medical

from getreading - Business http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/business/lord-lieutenant-berkshire-visits-readings-11589040

Watch rescue operation of injured dog on the M3

The dramatic footage was captured between Camberley and Lightwater on the M3 but thankfully the dog has now fully recovered

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/watch-rescue-operation-injured-dog-11588701

When does IKEA Reading open?

All the you need to know about when IKEA opens in Reading

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/when-does-ikea-reading-open-11580980

The beasts of Berkshire: Check out the amazing creatures you can see within a short drive of Reading

You don't have to go to Madagascar to see ring-tailed lemurs

from getreading - Family & Kids http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/beasts-berkshire-check-out-amazing-11570602

Thousands of University of Reading students celebrate graduation

Honorary degrees are also given out, along with the Alumnus of the Year to weather presenter Laura Tobin

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/thousands-university-reading-students-celebrate-11578825

How did Berkshire MPs vote on the Iraq War?

As the Chilcot Inquiry report into the Iraq War is finally released, find out here whether your MP voted against or in favour of military action in 2003

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/how-berkshire-mps-vote-iraq-11575406

Reading firefighters battle 1300C heat in fierce fire in Henley

The fire was in Hart Street and broke out at around 12pm midday

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/reading-firefighters-battle-1300c-heat-11573024

In pictures: Berkshire Motor Show sees classic cars and family fun

There were classic cars, hovercraft rides and wrestling bouts at the event in Prospect Park on Sunday, July 3

from getreading - Family & Kids http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/pictures-berkshire-motor-show-sees-11569799

Who are Reading, Wokingham and Bracknell MPs backing to be the next Prime Minister?

Who will be the next leader of the Conservative party? MPs from the three towns have publicly declared their support for the candidates

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/conservative-leadership-next-prime-minister-11568667

In pictures: Family fun at Crowthorne Carnival

Take a look at our a gallery of pictures from the annual event

from getreading - Family & Kids http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/pictures-family-fun-crowthorne-carnival-11564797

Brexit won't mean Reading saying auf wiedersehen to Düsseldorf

Reading Düsseldorf Association has released a statement saying "we remain committed to the friendship between our cities".

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/brexit-reading-dusseldorf-eu-referendum-11564221

7 things to do near Reading this weekend

Take a look at some of the great events happening from Friday, July 8 and Sunday, July 10

from getreading - Arts & Culture http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/7-things-near-reading-weekend-11555997

This week's most read stories on getreading

These are the stories you have been enjoying on getreading this week since Monday, June 27

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/weeks-most-read-stories-getreading-11559885

Win Baby Bio Outdoor liquid feed & see the results of our tests

Enter this giveaway to win one of three sets of Baby Bio Outdoor plant food, worth £11.98 each.

Each set consists of one 75ml bottle of Baby Bio Outdoor Flowers & Shrubs and one 75ml bottle of Baby Bio Outdoor Fruit & Vegetables

Each bottle will give you 75 litres of plant food. Just add a 10ml capful of liquid feed to every litre of water in your watering can. (Standard watering cans take 10 litres of water).

The Baby Bio Outdoor Big Boost challenge

To enter: either leave a comment on this post telling me what your favourite grow-your-own veg is.

Or tweet me @midsizegarden saying you’d like to win a set of Baby Bio Outdoor liquid feed.

CLOSING DATE: Enter the competition by midnight on July 14th. Entries after this date are not valid.

The results of my Baby Bio Outdoor liquid feed Big Boost challenge

Baby Bio invited me to take the Baby Bio Challenge (see here for more detail). It involves taking two identical plants. I’ve fed one with Baby Bio Outdoor and not fed the other. I have chosen to focus on vegetables, and have done the challenge with beans, courgettes, tomatoes, mangetout and chillies.

Fertilising your plants isn’t difficult – it just means adding a liquid fertiliser such as Baby Bio Outdoor to your regular watering routine every 14 days. However, do be careful not to get water with fertiliser on leaves – make sure that you water the soil beneath the leaves instead.

Courgettes:

I did the test with two groups of courgettes. Two ‘Courgettes Romanesco’ were grown from seed and planted in the vegetable bed. Another two were planted in pots. One of each group was fed fortnightly with Baby Bio Liquid Outdoor feed.

After two weeks, the Baby Bio-fed plants were slightly larger. All the plants looked healthy.

After 4 weeks. The plant on the right is fed with Baby Bio Outdoor liquid feed.

The Baby Bio plants produced courgettes to harvest about five days earlier than the non-Baby Bio.

I have harvested 16 courgettes from the two Baby Bio-fed plants and eight from the two that weren’t fed.

We also had a great deal of rain, and at one point, both the courgettes in pots looked very mouldy and manky. I thought they were both on their way out, but both have perked up. The Baby Bio fed one perked up sooner and has started giving me courgettes again.

The courgette plant that hasn’t been fed hasn’t produced any more courgettes at all. I am now going to feed both plants to see if the plant that hasn’t been fed will start producing courgettes if it is fed from now.

Tomatoes and chillies:

It’s too early to say. Plants are growing and look healthy. They have only been planted out for 2 weeks.

Runner beans:

Both Baby Bio and non-Baby Bio bean plants are growing well. I have five red flowers on the non Baby Bio and fourteen flowers on the plant fed with Baby Bio.

Mangetout:

I grew these in my mini polytunnel which has turned out to be far too small for them. They are so hopelessly entangled with each other and with the self-seeded nasturtiums that are allowed to roam freely. I’m afraid I have failed in maintaining proper test conditions, but I have eaten alot of mangetout, so something must be working.

 

The post Win Baby Bio Outdoor liquid feed & see the results of our tests appeared first on The Middle-Sized Garden.

from The Middle-Sized Garden http://www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk/win-baby-bio-outdoor-liquid-feed/

6 sure-fire ways to harvest more grow-your-own veg now

Would you like more and better harvests of grow-your-own veg? Is it too late to make a difference?

No. Once you start picking, there is alot you can do to increase your yield.

Now is the time to make sure that the harvest lasts as long as possible. It’s at this stage – when everything seems to be going so well – that I often lose my way, and find myself with fewer vegetables than I expected.

This year is already different. We have been eating from the garden every night, and there is lots to come.

There’s no doubt that feeding fast-growing plants like vegetables is the number one way of getting maximum harvest, and this post is a collaborative one with Baby Bio Outdoor liquid plant food.

The courgette in the foreground is fed by Baby Bio Outdoor liquid feed.

But feeding isn’t the only important thing you need to do now to ensure that you’re still a happy harvester by September.

These are the things I often forget to do. If you remember to do them, you will have much better harvests.

1. Feed your fruit and vegetables

Producing leaf, flower or seed takes up alot of nutrients, which plants usually get from the soil. Looking after your soil by regularly adding compost or well-rotted manure is very important, and that is enough for many border plants. But’ hungry’ plants need a top-up while they are growing.

The RHS says that if your plants seem healthy and are growing in the right conditions, but aren’t giving you much of a harvest, then it’s likely they need feeding.

You will (usually) find feeding instructions on labels and seed packets. It will be either be ‘feed weekly’ or ‘feed every 14 days’ once flowering has started. For more about how and when you need to use garden fertiliser, see this post here

I am feeding tomatoes, beans, courgettes, chillies and mangeout with Baby Bio Outdoor liquid feed. I am not feeding the salad crops because they are currently vigorous enough without.

I’m also doing a Baby Bio Outdoor liquid feed Big Boost Challenge on my courgettes, chillies, mangetout and beans. One plant is fed with Baby Bio Outdoor and the other – exactly the same size and type – is not.

See the results here (link) where you can also win a set of Baby Bio Outdoor liquid feed. The main findings so far are that the courgette plants fed with Baby Bio Outdoor are about 15% larger than those which are not fed.

I have also had 16 courgettes from the two plants fed with Baby Bio Outdoor, compared to eight courgettes from the two plants that weren’t fed.

2) Keep harvesting

Old hands at allotment and grow-your-own veg know this. It’s why they arrive at your house with bags of salad and beans.

There’s a saying ‘the most generous gardener has the most flowers’. Certainly the most generous veg growers will have the biggest harvests.

This is where I went wrong in the past – I hesitated to harvest in case I somehow weakened the plant. Or I thought ‘I’ll need that on Saturday, I’ll save it for later.’

Keep harvesting – almost every day

But after attending the excellent Sarah Raven’s Year Round Veg course, I realised that holding back on harvesting cut-and-come -again veg like courgettes, salad and beans was probably my biggest single mistake.

This year I go round the garden every evening, picking every mangetout and courgette I can find, and snipping off salad leaves. There is always more the next day.

Sarah says that you get more if you snip leaves off around the outside leaves of salad, kale and chard rather than cutting across the plant. For more useful veg tips, see this post here – or go on the course yourself. I can highly recommend it.

3) Don’t relax your guard against slugs, snails and pigeons

As we live in town, our veg doesn’t suffer from rabbits or deer. And as we live in the Northern Hemisphere, we don’t get kangaroos, wallabies, parrots or possums devouring our veg either.

But the British snail is sneaky and powerful beastie.

I’m prepared to share some of my harvest with Mr Snail and his millions of friends and relations, but not all. I use ferric phosphate snail pellets, which are certified for organic use.

Birds and hedgehogs don’t eat dead snails so you won’t poison them. If there was any chance of getting rid of slugs and snails entirely, I would say ‘leave some for the birds’, but there are always plenty of slugs and snails left, even if you use slug pellets regularly.

The key to using slug pellets is to throw a small handful across the bed. Don’t make little barriers around individual plants – the snails will swing over on a leaf, Tarzan-style, and you will spend more money to less effect.

I’ve done a video on it here:

I have a number of Heath Robinson contraptions to keep the birds and squirrels off. I find that draping horticultural netting over hoops or even metal garden supports seems to work fine. I secure the netting with bricks or stones. I have a polytunnel with a netting layer which can be unzipped, and also a wire cloche from Crocus. This year the veg have outgrown both by now.

There are lots more options for deterring pests in the highly readable book Outwitting Squirrels by fellow blogger, Anne Wareham.

I let the nasturtiums romp around, as they are excellent companion plants. But everything has outgrown its protection. In the foreground is a cloche – great for protecting small seedlings but it’s also quickly outgrown.

4) Keep planting

I usually forget to keep on planting. The veg bed is full to bursting, so it doesn’t seem necessary. But many salads and leaf veg can be planted throughout the summer for a steady crop.

Keep the beetroot harvest going by re-planting, something I often forget to do.

At the beginning of July, I can plant radishes, chard, beetroot, komatsuma, summer lettuces, coriander and kale. There are probably loads more, but that’s what’s waiting in my seed pack.

5) Keep watering

Veg, like container plants, need more water than many border plants. They grow so fast, and don’t have deep roots. Also their leaves often cover the soil. That helps stop evaporation but it can stop light rain from being effective.

This komatsuma, or mustard spinach, after rain.

6) Grow unusual grow-your-own veg

This is another tip I learned on the Sarah Raven course. It makes sense. Cut-and-come again leaves, such as salad, chard, perpetual spinach and most herbs will grow again after harvesting. And there are now many unusual varieties available, which are highly productive.

This year I have planted mizuna and komatsuma (available as seed here from Sarah Raven) instead of carrots. I started to harvest the mizuna over six weeks ago. It works in salads, stir-fries and soups and it grows fast. It really has produced more than any other veg in my patch – ever.

The mizuna is the very green leaf on the left as you walk up the path. There is komatsuma, red amaranth , chard and kale sprouts elsewhere.

Mizuna doesn’t seem to get too nibbled (although there is a small white moth-type thing that resembles cigarette ash, which flutters out of it sometimes…)

More about Baby Bio Outdoor liquid feed

I always remember my mother using Baby Bio on her pot plants (I have to admit that her pot plants were always better than mine!). This year, Baby Bio® Outdoor liquid feed was introduced, in two variants: Baby Bio Outdoor Fruit & Vegetables and Baby Bio Outdoor Flowers & Shrubs. Baby Bio say this about their new products:

‘Baby Bio Outdoor liquid feed has all the nutrients plants need and its unique formulation, which contains biostimulants, means plants can take them up and use them to the absolute max.

‘What does this mean for your garden?  It means healthy greener leaves, plants bursting with long-lasting, beautiful flowers and up to 35% more fruit and veg, compared to using a standard NPK fertiliser.’

Have you got any good tips for maximising your harvest? Let me know. And if you’ve found this useful, do share it using the buttons below. Thank you!

The post 6 sure-fire ways to harvest more grow-your-own veg now appeared first on The Middle-Sized Garden.

from The Middle-Sized Garden http://www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk/6-sure-fire-ways-to-harvest-more-grow-your-own-veg-now/