tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558177355557812752024-03-19T14:43:46.467-07:00Bella Terra House & Garden Design - TuscanyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369368817999054075noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-23728663289171211422017-05-25T05:03:00.002-07:002017-05-25T05:05:45.282-07:00Tuscan Garden Inspiration - Summer 2017This summer we are working on a fantastic project near Siena in Tuscany. Here are a few plant ideas for the communal and poolside garden of this gorgeous Agriturismo 'Borgo Argiano'...<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369368817999054075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-15850344396799635112014-05-11T08:45:00.000-07:002014-05-11T08:45:55.989-07:00Borgo Santo Pietro - Gardens to die for<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This post is inspired by the breath-taking gardens of Borgo Santo Pietro near Siena. Designed and created by owners Claus and Jeanette Thottrup who have successfully designed an estate that truly combines beauty with productivity. With acres of kitchen, herb and flower gardens this stunning hamlet in central Tuscany takes self sufficiency to a whole new level. …</span></div>
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Root in Tuscany </span></b></span></span>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="background: transparent;">Borgo
Santo Pietro's gardens take perfection and productivity to another
level</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Located
in the very heart of Tuscany, Borgo Santo Pietro has some of the most
beautifully designed hotel gardens in Europe. The meticulously kept
gardens are not only aesthetically breathtaking but also serve a very
important purpose. Supplying the hotel's three restaurants with
year-round organic fruit and vegetables.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Designed
by owners Claus and Jeanette Thottrup the gardens have evolved over
time and now extend to over 13 acres of formal flower gardens,
traditional kitchen gardens, classic water gardens, rolling meadows,
spring water lakes, courtyard gardens and panoramic terraces.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">The
extensive building and sensitive landscaping work at Borgo Santo
Pietro started in 2001 with the hotel first opening its doors to
guests in 2008. “We always had a vision of how the gardens would
look and have gradually extended out from the villa creating unique
spaces linked to together with entwined walkways, covered paths and
intriguing passageways,” explains Jeanette.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">“<span style="font-size: small;">We
wanted the gardens to feel like they had always been there, a natural
extension of the house itself. In fact, we have used lots of local
stone and sculpture within the garden which also reflects the
architectural style of the villa. We spent months researching what
plants would work here which was pretty complex as the climate is
extremely changeable. In the winter, temperatures can plummet to
minus 15° whilst in the peak of summer the heat can rise to 40° or
more. Therefore, everything we have planted is relatively hardy and
low maintenance. Whilst we wanted the gardens to retain a classic
appearance we did not want to over formalise the landscape and have
tried to keep things relaxed yet elegant.”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">After
several years of very hard work the gardens are looking as if they
have actually been in place for decades. The Thottrups have spared no
expense when purchasing trees and larger plants and have personally
selected mature trees such as Holm Oaks, Acacias, ancient Olives and
mature Cypresses all sit alongside hardy shrubs and formal hedge
plants. On arriving at Borgo Santo Pietro you are greeted with
sweeping avenues of Cypress Trees. Meticulously placed hedges of Bay,
Elaeagnus and Box break up the undulating lawns into smaller areas
and give privacy and interest. Swathes of Lavender Spica fill the air
with a nostalgic heady perfume, border plants such as Oleanders give
colour and you can detect the perfume of rosemary, sage and thyme
amongst the roses.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">Jeanette's
eye for detail and ability to foresee how a garden will develop has
given Borgo Santo Pietro an established and classic feel in a
relatively short time. “At one time we had thousands of plants
wilting in the sun just waiting to go in, we knew we were stretching
ourselves to the limit but it felt right.”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Sourcing
plants from specialists in Pistoia and from nurseries around Tuscany,
the gardens have an international flavour. There are references to
many diverse styles of gardens at Borgo Santo Pietro with influences
drawn from many sources such as Italian formal gardens, Provençal
Country Gardens, Moroccan and English Courtyard Gardens, you can even
sense a touch of contemporary design in parts. Key elements remain
consistent within all areas with a sense of relaxed elegance being
universally achieved.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">One
of the first projects was to create a large terrace and several
courtyard gardens around the main villa. The terrace overlooks a
panoramic vista of the Tuscan hilltops, forests and distant
mountains. In the spring and summer months the terrace plays host to
numerous antique terra-cotta pots housing heritage varieties of
lemons.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Just
beyond the terrace you are greeted by a series of charming courtyard
gardens each leading on to another. Low box hedges have been used to
contain beds of antique and classic Tuscan roses. These ornamental
beds literally overflow with colour and scent and the pure number of
roses is impressive to say the least. As a backdrop to the rose
gardens and ornate water gardens are the climbing roses that envelop
numerous arches, wrought iron pergolas, timber loggias and natural
stone walls and pillars. Jeanette explains, “Roses are one of my
passions and at Borgo we have created more and more beds every year.
I love the look of cascading blooms drifting from the pergolas and
rose arches. Also, we have an in-house florist who uses these
gorgeous flowers for displays in the villa, restaurant and bedrooms
which once again naturally links the house with the garden. We have a
combination of <span lang="en-GB">classic
English Roses from David Austin such as Rosa Crocus, Winchester
Cathedral and Darcy Bussel alongside many old Tuscan roses. We do
have to be careful in our plant selection of course, as some of the
more sensitive antique roses simply would not cope with our
changeable climate.”</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Climbing
plants are a key element at Borgo Santo Pietro and have been
successfully used to create outdoor 'rooms' and enchanting private
areas. 'Piante Rampicanti' can be seen in every corner of Borgo's
extensive gardens. Climbing roses, jasmines and perfumed honeysuckles
have been introduced to create a natural canopy over a romantic
private dining 'grotto'. Virginia creepers and weeping willows
entwine to give a magical feel to the area around the fresh water
ponds. Both the villa and garden cottages are also swathed in
perfumed climbers including varieties of wisteria, jasmines and
climbing hydrangeas.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Borgo
Santo Pietro has developed extensive kitchen gardens that require a
team of designated and knowledgeable gardeners. The kitchen and herb
gardens have been designed to provide a large percentage of the
produce needed by the hotel's three restaurants. “We are investing
time, energy and money in the kitchen gardens as we feel they pay a
crucial role at Borgo. Organic vegetables feature highly on our
seasonal menus and we are also re-introducing some older heritage
varieties of fruit and vegetables such as tomatoes, salad leaves,
squashes, courgettes and potatoes. Growing varieties that have always
been harvested in the region makes perfect sense to us, we are so
proud of Borgo's history and the hamlet used to be self sufficient in
years gone by”.</span></span></span></div>
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<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-GB" style="background: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; page-break-after: auto; page-break-before: auto; page-break-inside: auto; text-decoration: none; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Along
the gravelled path leading to the vegetable gardens or 'orti' as they
are known in Tuscany, you pass beneath wrought iron arches festooned
with roses and soft fruits such as raspberries, black-currants and
gooseberries. The soft fruits are underplanted with forest and Alpine
strawberries and the path winds alongside the vegetable gardens that
also feature formal rows of espalier fruit trees including pears,
apples, plums and apricots. “We produce enough fruit and vegetables
to supply the kitchens and still have enough left over to make Borgo
'marmalate' jams, jellies, preserves and sauces”. The herb garden
too provides numerous flavours and perfumes for use in the kitchen.
Even the lavender flowers are also harvested once the season has
passed and used within accessories for the Borgo interiors range.
Plans are also in place for the creation of a range of Borgo remedies
and beauty products and essences for use in the hotel spa.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; page-break-after: auto; page-break-before: auto; page-break-inside: auto; text-decoration: none; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; page-break-after: auto; page-break-before: auto; page-break-inside: auto; text-decoration: none; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">The
soil at Borgo Santo Pietro is actually heavy clay and the team of
gardeners is dedicated to improving its quality. Head Gardener Peter
Mountford comments “We are bringing in regular truckloads of sheep
manure which is then dug into the soil, over time, the structure is
changing and gaining a higher nutrient level, but it is an ongoing
job. The local sheep farmers</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span lang="en-GB">'</span></span><span lang="en-GB">
famous for their 'Pecorino' cheeses are proving most obliging and
this year we are hoping to introduce our own livestock in the meadows
and paddocks adjacent to the kitchen gardens. We have a menagerie
lined up including; alpacas, pigs, deer and chickens which will mean
that we will have our own source of Borgo 'muck' which will also help
enormously.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; page-break-after: auto; page-break-before: auto; page-break-inside: auto; text-decoration: none; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; page-break-after: auto; page-break-before: auto; page-break-inside: auto; text-decoration: none; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Borgo's
gardens incorporate many natural or traditional gardening techniques
such as composting, mulching, seed collection, growing from cuttings
and regeneration. The garden team is also working towards
biodynamic methods of propagation, planting and harvesting.
Encouraging natural wellbeing in the garden whenever possible, Borgo
has also introduced its own bees which assist in the pollination of
the plants and of course they supply delicious Tuscan honey for the
kitchen too.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; page-break-after: auto; page-break-before: auto; page-break-inside: auto; text-decoration: none; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; page-break-after: auto; page-break-before: auto; page-break-inside: auto; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span lang="en-GB">Dotted
around the estate are discreetly constructed garden buildings such as
timber summerhouses and pavilions which provide shelter from the
summer sun and also allow guests to partake in artisan activities
such as flower arranging, photography and painting. Peter explains
more about the lifestyle at Borgo, “We encourage guests to enjoy
time in the garden and we are delighted to accompany them on garden
walks where we explain what is growing where and how things work
here. Also, some guests want to help us harvest fruit for the
kitchens or cut flowers for the florist which is wonderful as they
really get a feel for the Borgo experience. Everyday, something new
is happening in the garden and we want guests to feel part of that.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; page-break-after: auto; page-break-before: auto; page-break-inside: auto; text-decoration: none; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="color: #00116a;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang=""><u><a class="western" href="http://www.borgosantopietro.com/"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>www.borgosantopietro.com</b></span></span></span></a></u></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Thank you so much for sharing your creativity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">www.borgosantopietro.com </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369368817999054075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-56539488573966120392014-02-03T03:48:00.004-08:002014-02-03T03:48:49.178-08:00High Water & Biodynamics<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well, Tuscany has taken on a whole new appearance in the last few days, rivers bursting their banks, impressive landslips, collapsing medieval walls, sink holes and roads disintegrating have become everyday events.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All is not lost though, the sun is making a brave attempt at peering over the top of the mountains and the hedgerows are already coming alive with spring bulbs and wild flowers. I am watching our tulip bulbs growing in a Herculean style and have measured an inch growth overnight this weekend, impressive to say the least.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am throwing myself head-first into Biodynamic gardening methods this year and am carefully monitoring the lunar cycles. Taking age-old advice from gardening journals and of-course from other gardeners and farmers in this region. On the work front we are working on a very exciting garden design for a client near Castellina in Chianti where we need to devise a low maintenance highly resilient garden needing little water. The garden is located in a micro climate and is more Sub-Alpine than Mediterranean and can reach -15° in the winter and +40 so plant choices are limited.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Initial Thoughts are:</span><br />
<br />
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Climbers:</b> Wisteria,
Jasmine, Roses, Passion flower</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Herbs & Aromatics:</b> Sage, Rosemary, Lavenders, Thyme, Winter Savory, Feverfew,
Camomile, Nepeta, </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Perennials:</b> Florentine
Iris, Winter Iris, Day Lily, Russian Sage, Acanthus</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Trees:</b> Cypress
Horizontalis, Plane, Almond, Cherry</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Borders and Hedges:</b> <span class="st">Teucrium
chamaedrys, </span>Viburnum, Elaeagnus, Bush Roses,
Laurel, Buddleia, </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Roses:</b> Iceburg,
Constance Spry, New Dawn, Banksiae</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Architectural: </b>Box Balls, Low Hedges or Columns </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br /><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Jobs on the to-do list include:</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Plant vegetable seeds in raised beds with fleece-blankets</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lay natural paving stones to the courtward garden</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Install Wrought Iron Rose Arch at the start of our driveway</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Agree summerhouse design</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Build log store</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finish Butterfly Garden design</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For garden design inspiration why not take a look at our pinterest board: http://www.pinterest.com/bellaterra1/garden-design/ </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369368817999054075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-5811279394829236082013-09-24T01:00:00.000-07:002013-09-24T01:03:10.413-07:00Raised beds<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C9AW2H6fNXhMnxnidKBmd6RG3ngnOvNeH7QBWmcR_Z7go4xekdCpSmuNuM16AxQdeK7fNTP2NsbncwBdciDwHZcO1jxdea1AUCKNWDUqLUN7Foc4K2JMqgYV9uRDAqZDGHHi-ulOTc85/s1600/0396112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C9AW2H6fNXhMnxnidKBmd6RG3ngnOvNeH7QBWmcR_Z7go4xekdCpSmuNuM16AxQdeK7fNTP2NsbncwBdciDwHZcO1jxdea1AUCKNWDUqLUN7Foc4K2JMqgYV9uRDAqZDGHHi-ulOTc85/s320/0396112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Over the years we have created all manner of raised beds, formal,
informal, rustic chestnut timber and sleek contemporary zinc, curved and
streamlined. Raised beds are without a doubt one of the most rewarding
elements of a classic or contemporary garden. In Tuscany raised beds
can be used to create pockets of rich fertile soil where flowering
plants or veg can benefit from bountiful nutrients and water. Trying to
alter the structure of the soil in large areas is labour intensive and
expensive and takes time. Raised beds however are easy to manage and
can quickly provide a heavenly growing area. This year we created two
vegetable beds in our small courtyard garden to grow some winter
vegetables in. Built from timber cut-offs and designed to be large
enough to offer space but of a size that we can easily reach within.
These were then filled with a mixture of grass cuttings, brown mulch,
organic scraps and some left over compost, over several months the
contents has broken down and is now a rich hummus full of worms and our
first batch of veg have truly thrived.<br />
<br />
On a grander
scale raised beds can provide formal features in ornamental herb and
kitchen gardens and can be masterfully designed to compliment
architectural features of a period property. Whilst in smaller cottage
or villa gardens raised beds offer a time and space saving alternative.<br />
<br />
Below
are some images for inspiration and should you wish to talk through
your ideas for a garden using a raised bed system why not email me at
bellaterra@arthouse-pr.com<br />
<br />
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Photos sourced from Pinterest...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369368817999054075noreply@blogger.com053100 Siena, Italy43.318808999999987 11.33075740000003943.226384999999986 11.169395900000039 43.411232999999989 11.492118900000039tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-68120588899218198282013-08-14T03:08:00.000-07:002013-08-14T03:08:53.738-07:00Wellbeing and WaterWhenever I hear the sound of water in a garden I stop and breathe, the effect this has on me is instant. Whether it be a fountain, stream, waterfall, rippling pond or tiny table top water feature, the sense of restfulness is the same. In Tuscany water is an issue it most likely will remain so, therefore the use of water in the garden has to be carefully considered. However with a little bit of wizardry water can be channeled and reused in the garden and need not become a drain on precious resources. I always try and incorporate an element of water within a garden, classic Tuscan gardens often include a grand statuesque fountain whereas simple more contemporary gardens take a modern twist with simple metal or stone water features. Water connects spaces in the garden and can also act as a focal point or resting space. Sitting alongside a flowing stream or cascade of water will naturally calm and refresh bringing a sense of well-being to the space.<br />
<br />
I recently stumbled upon this amazing artist and am in love with his work. I will be asking for his input on any larger garden designs as his sculptures are truly breathtaking. http://www.gilesrayner.com/sculpture-portfolio.php<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369368817999054075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-78529626740330758512013-08-07T08:30:00.003-07:002013-08-07T08:32:03.367-07:00Glorious Gravel Gardens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well I never thought I would get quite this excited about gravel but actually it really does inspire me. Gravel is one of the most underused material in the Tuscan garden especially by overseas home owners. Strangely no matter how much property owners from the UK, USA, Germany and France love classic Tuscan gardens they still want Lawns! This is often a topic that causes some difficult discussions and heated conversations with our clients. Lawns are expensive and need a huge amount of yes you guessed it Water. So at the risk of getting hot under my collar about lawns in Tuscany I'll stick to my original topic 'glorious gravel'.<br />
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Gravel can be practical and hard wearing, it can be cost effective and a quick solution for some areas but most of all gravel is an attractive solution. Gravel paths can weave through gardens from space to space, gravelled driveways give a sense of grandeur to a property, gravelled beds keep the soil cool and hydrated whilst also acting as a protective mulch.<br />
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Now there are many types of gravel, I favour river bed gravel for ornamental or formal spaces, whereas more angular rough gravels are better suited to sloped driveways where water flow would cause round or bevelled gravel to roll away. Essentially, if you do the groundwork well a gravel garden will give a relatively low maintenance result. You will need to excavate, base line with a permeable membrane and then lay a specialist honeycombed product which will hold your gravel in place.<br />
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On an aesthetic note, gravel gardens are classic elements of formal Tuscan Gardens and can transform an otherwise unattractive area. For centuries gravel paths have been used to divide formal beds and borders and they often protect plants from invasion from rampant weeds. The moisture retained within the gravel allow plants to enjoy a little moisture when the Tuscan Sun is at its most forceful. So if you have a large but tired expanse of expensive lawn why not consider breaking it up with a few graveled areas.<br />
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Please do call me to discuss your ideas on 3345995702 <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369368817999054075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-73351485683803211302013-08-02T03:07:00.001-07:002013-08-02T03:07:52.144-07:00Autumn Garden PlanningSo in the midst of the searing heat what better way to relax than plan a little Autumn gardening. Whilst our days are currently spent mowing and watering and keeping gardens in good shape, evenings are overflowing with lists of flowering bulbs, winter veg, maintenance jobs and reorganisation of beds and borders. This year I am planning a formal vegetable garden using raised beds and classic decorative formations. I am studying Gertrude Jeckyll's gardens and will be taking a trip to Castle Drogo in September for more inspiration. So I encourage all of those planning a garden in Tuscany to well ahead towards Spring 2014 and start ordering spring bulbs and seeds. There are some great mail order companies such as Franchi or check out the RHS website or the Mediterranean Garden Society for research material. <br />
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Why not create an online scrapbook of ideas on Pinterest too which is great fun and start compiling a monthly check list of garden jobs to do this autumn.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-35643314553565593612013-07-05T08:35:00.000-07:002013-07-05T09:22:06.424-07:00Rose Gardens Tuscan Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I never grow tired of taking time to smell the scent of the roses, it comes naturally to pause at climbing roses, rose bushes, wild hedgerows and formal rose beds to take in the form of the blooms, the sheen of the leaves and the scent of the rose petals. In Tuscany roses are grown in vineyards in vegetable gardens, on wild verges and on balconies, a timeless statement of natural beauty. The climbing rose in particular works wonderfully in both informal and classic Tuscan Gardens. I have some personal favorites such as Banksiae with its clusters of petit white or yellow blooms, this climber is robust and fast growing and will spread across walls and pergolas swiftly achieving a mature look in the first year of planting. New Dawn is a delicate looking rose with pale pinky blooms often merging with a peach hue, this too is robust and hardy and will tolerate changeable weather conditions. Constance Spry is personal friend and a firm favorite of mine and if you are looking for a stunning bush plant then you can't beat Jude The Obscure. Another very good all-rounder is the Iceberg which needs little maintenance and will establish well in most situations.<br />
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In my nursery garden I have over 30 types of rose cuttings which I am watching over with baited breath I have had great success with Iceburg, Banksiae and many others so watch this space. For details on roses that will thrive in Tuscany contact Sharon on 334 599 5702 or email bellaterra@arthouse-pr.com For research check out David Austin Roses at www.davidaustinroses.com<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banskiae</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Constance Spry</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jude the Obscure</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iceburg</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Dawn</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1Staggia Senese, 53036 Staggia Province of Siena, Italy43.4210004 11.18385209999996743.2361279 10.861128599999967 43.605872899999994 11.506575599999968tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-21634052832882290382013-05-07T06:54:00.000-07:002013-05-07T06:56:28.677-07:00Tuscan Gardens, In love with aliums xThis spring has simply whizzed by even though the weather has been somewhat confused. For gardeners here in Tuscany the season is horribly late and we have only had one week of real heat since the winter months. However, things are now really taking off. Olives are still being cut, grass lawns are being mowed under control and the weeds are seriously taking hold of the flower beds. We are spending much time up trees and on our knees which gives us time to think about new ideas for gardens and planting schemes.<br />
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Today I ate a delicious alpine strawberry fresh with dew at 6am whilst looking around the garden - fantastic, then I and picked a large bowl of sugar snap peas which we are growing up an ugly dividing fence, a great way of making use of it. So in all corners the gardens are busy.<br />
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The courtyard garden is being developed to give a mix and match effect of English Cottage Garden and Tuscan Farmhouse, we are growing on borage and comfrey, hollyhocks, peonies, jasmines, wysterias, roses and herbs, a jumble of colours, textures and scents. The vegetable garden is messy but productive and we have in many rare and interesting types of aubergines, just for fun and for our clients. Also round courgettes, long courgettes verigated and yellow zuchinni, we hope to use the kitchen garden a an example of permaculture gardening once established.<br />
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On the drawing boards are plans for a Monastic Garden based around classic elements such as kitchen, herb and medicinal beds. Also a hot red border featuring lots of texture and mexican grasses. On love of ours is the trusty alium, whether ornamental, edible or simply architectural, these plants work in flower beds, veg gardens, borders, wild flower meadows and in pots for balconies and terraces. Here are a few of our favourites, enjoy...<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-4435682588202404282013-04-05T10:23:00.000-07:002013-04-05T10:24:23.331-07:00The Ripple Effect - swimming pools in Tuscany<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">A
reviving dip in the pool after a long day under the Tuscan sun, a few refreshing
laps before heading off to the office or simply time spent splashing around
with the kids whilst on holiday in Italy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whatever your lifestyle or personal requirements a private pool will
undoubtedly bring you a great deal of pleasure and also increase the desirability
of your home or holiday property.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Pool
design in Tuscany
has become so advanced that almost any type of property can accommodate an
indoor or outdoor pool of some description.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many unassuming traditional looking properties contain state of the art
fitness suites and contemporary underground pools skilfully designed to make
the very best use of the space available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The options are impressive, whether you have the space to enjoy a large landscaped
pool in your grounds or a simple indoor plunge pool, the benefits are endless.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Modern swimming pools are
becoming ever more sophisticated and the systems that support them increasingly
intelligent. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Italian designed pools
have evolved greatly in recent years and can add an artistic dimension to a
landscape or garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The infinity pool for
example is perfect for those homeowners whose Tuscan property enjoys an
elevated position and gives the user the ability to enjoy undisturbed views
whilst relaxing or socialising in the pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This style of pool works particularly well in Tuscany or on hilltop settings and is a perfect
choice for holiday home environments and can also be found onboard luxury
yachts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Tuscan
based pool designers such as Big Blu are now able to pretty much deal with most
kinds of terrain and if you have your heart set on an outdoor pool then taking an
organic approach is often the most successful way of introducing a pool into a
natural setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interestingly, some of
the most striking outdoor pools blend seamlessly with the surroundings, and the
natural swimming pool is an idea that is being adopted by luxury hotels and adventurous
homeowners worldwide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michael Littlewood
of EcoDesign Scape explains <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The initial
concept was c</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">onceived in Austria more than 20 years ago, the
natural pool is an inspiring and healthier alternative to a conventional
swimming pool and a beautiful addition to a garden – even in winter. It stays
clean without any chemical treatment, its natural cleaning system mimicking the
regeneration process of a healthy lake. The result is a serene swimming
environment which is also a working aquatic garden. This seamless blending of
environments makes a natural pool unique; being surrounded by plants as you
swim creates a very special kind of mood. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A typical private pool is a minimum of 50 square metres
and features one body of water separated into two zones, one for swimming and
one for cleaning. The regeneration zone, in which all the biological cleaning
takes place, contains marsh and water plants in a bed of gravel, minerals and
loamy sand. The plants create a habitat for the micro-organisms which keep the
water clean and break down potential pollutants, while the gravel bed acts as a
natural filter. </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">During the summer months the water temperature is
usually a few degrees warmer than in a conventional pool. This benefits
wildlife as well as people, and amphibians arrive to enjoy the warm water in
the shallow regeneration zone. Dragonflies and other pond creatures add to the
diversity, and the whole area becomes a very valuable habitat, especially for
endangered species.”</span></i><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">For those preferring a simple
setting or a classical period style design there are also many ways in which an
outdoor pool can be created to complement existing architecture or features
such as exterior walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pools of course bring
many health benefits to the homeowner and allow the opportunity for occupants
and guests to switch off and take time out whenever they feel the need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A pool is also an excellent focal point for
socialising with friends and family and has the added value of offering the
opportunity to indulge in some instant fitness and wellbeing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Indoor Pools are very
popular within city developments and larger apartments and townhouses will
increase in value substantially if the home includes a pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Technology now allows for pools to be
constructed with a moveable floor above thus allowing for the room to be used
in a more creative way, either as a pool room or an additional space in which
to entertain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Movable swimming pool
floors have made it possible to maximise the use of your swimming pool with
variable depth and also use the space taken up by the swimming pool for other
purposes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the touch of a button, an
entire pool floor is fully adjusted to any water depth or becomes level to pool
surround thus serving as a dry deck or dance floor. It's no longer an
imagination but a reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Movable
swimming pool floors can have multiple programming capabilities and can offer
flexible uses of the same space. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">The maintenance of a private
pool is now very simple and easily controlled with automatic systems and
advanced filtration techniques all of which can be overseen by a designated
team of engineers if required.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Lighting is another key
element to successful pool design as most residential pools are used both in the
day and in the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is nothing
better than enjoying a swim before dinner or watching the sun go down whilst
sitting alongside a glimmering pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mood lighting is key and automatic sensors mean that the lighting can
self adjust according the time of day, coloured lights also change the
atmosphere depending on your mood or occasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pool lighting can be divided into three main types. General lighting
that illuminates the pool deck and paths so you can wander safely after dark.
Then there is underwater lighting that is useful for swimming after dark as
well as creating cool night time lighting effects. Finally, there is accent
lighting that is generally used to add atmosphere to the poolside setting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">At Bella Terra most of
our clients own or wish to install a swimming pool of some kind and we can
ensure that the overall garden design and landscaping works in harmony with the
pool construction.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoMm_ZvpvtijUw5bSWuRbAJNKRTCDwJnUub_f2Yw3x4gmHDs3qP2t0hrZRRvbVnqqJU3bxnI265OC2VDFpGiGyI9j9TkoNIQIuMOpSAQ1mg8-JttkKnnbJWSTbcgRr4OmvUKpH-gCF1l-/s1600/29.3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoMm_ZvpvtijUw5bSWuRbAJNKRTCDwJnUub_f2Yw3x4gmHDs3qP2t0hrZRRvbVnqqJU3bxnI265OC2VDFpGiGyI9j9TkoNIQIuMOpSAQ1mg8-JttkKnnbJWSTbcgRr4OmvUKpH-gCF1l-/s320/29.3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Contact Sharon Kilby of
Bella Terra Garden Design for more information on natural swimming pool design
cel: 334 599 5702</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">For inspiration on natural
pools check out… <a href="http://www.piscinenatura.it/">www.piscinenatura.it</a>
all images courtesy of piscine natura, Grazie</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-72407545322174146762013-01-02T09:33:00.003-08:002013-01-02T09:35:05.464-08:00Ideas for summer 2013<div style="text-align: justify;">
Taking inspiration from others and learning something new everyday is so important when gardening. Letting your skills and knowledge evolve each season will arm you with a mental reference library of facts, techniques and practical ideas. I love studying other people's gardens and draw inspiration from other gardener's and their wisdom and vision. At Bella Terra we have a wonderful collection of images and ideas for our clients to ponder over and our portfolio is expanding each year but nothing beats keeping your own mood board or scrapbook of garden ideas or dreams, one unique to you. Here are some of my favorite garden images that fill me with inspiration.</div>
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Gardener's I would like to credit include Jean Horton who is my mentor and ongoing inspiration and Hugo Bugg who's work brings a fresh innovotive approach to garden design.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-31559764830259021962013-01-02T09:13:00.002-08:002013-01-02T09:14:40.358-08:002013 Gardens on the go<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here in Tuscany the seasons have had a strange uneven flow of late and many plants have gone into a state of confusion, to blossom or not to blossom this is the dilemma. </div>
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The last few weeks have been taken up by planting thousands of spring bulbs, Narcissus, aliums, crocus, iris, tulips you name them we've dug the holes for them. The nursery garden is full of trays and pots and we are awaiting the arrival of our new poly tunnel.</div>
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In December our latest garden design project in Tuscany kicked off with a flurry of activity. We are now in mid flow of creating a relaxed family garden designed to deter wasps, bees and other stingers as the family are extremely allergic. We are introducing meandering gravel paths, hidden corners in which to sit and relax, flower borders beneath the trees and a covered eating area. A large semi circle of neutral toned gravel has given the old Tuscan Farmhouse a welcoming entrance and we are introducing raised beds for veggis and herbs which have been handcrafted from chestnut timber poles.</div>
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The garden is taking on a whole new identity one that draws you in to different spaces and entices you to explore.</div>
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Our wonderful tree surgeon Oscar and his assistant Stefano have just completed a chestnut pergola for a woodland cottage in Pescia and also created a bespoke handcrafted wrought iron balustrade. We love including artisan or one-off designs in our garden projects as they give the outside space a unique quality. Next up on the list is a 'Alice in Wonderland' style tree-house constructed from natural timber, no straight lines here! We are building this tree house with the idea that it will last for generations and still appeal to teenagers and adults alike.</div>
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When not working in a client's garden I'm pouring over seed catalogues for a little indulgence as I have just started an orto in our own garden here near Siena. I also hope to create a small formal kitchen/herb garden or 'witches' garden as they are known here.</div>
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A few images from Bella Terra's gardens this winter...</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-8773120148157151812012-09-19T02:13:00.000-07:002012-09-19T02:13:29.038-07:00Little By LittleGardens in Tuscany have never been so beautiful, in my eyes at least. With the cooler air and the changing of the seasons the landscapes take on a whole new vibrancy. Lately at Bella Terra we have been dividing our time between serious ground moving and hands on gardening. Fences have been crafted from Chestnut poles in the traditional Tuscan style. Hillside gardens have been shored up and secured using a no cement environmentally friendly system and a monastic inspired culinary herb garden designed and planted.<br />
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Over the Autumn our to-do lists are positively overflowing but all with good stuff. Our sheds are full to the brim with 1000s of bulbs and corms and we are chomping at the bit to start on an adventure playground and tree-house fort for a family near Pescia.<br />
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For now though we are continuing our work on two wonderful gardens near Arezzo and Montespertoli both of which will in time grow to be truly beautiful. We have planted climbing roses, aromatic herbs, lavender beds, Russian sage borders, banks and banks of iris, Box Hedging and now we are working on wild flower meadows.<br />
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Whilst I truly love working outside I am also looking forward to getting back to the drawing board this Autumn. I have been inspired by a good friend to work on a collection of 'one stop pots' where we can provide 'instant' garden solutions for rooftop and patio gardens. Lightweight, low maintenance and hassle free, so watch this space.<br />
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Below are a few in progress shots of projects on the go...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This garden was sliding down the hill</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chestnut uprights and horizontal metal supports secure the bank</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Eco method uses 'zero' cement</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terraces are manageable and ready for planting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0A4KLzs3JP6RlPiw-9KAU0X-gXHHVSxJEefHB-bsw3lxVJqy5Q457as05KSRlIpUWXTO3JkjyhsO7ec0wElosiuyMSp-08EbfcdgdENPfdJRmTokAdwUbJDefWIo4zG4jgyuBZdLmChB/s1600/WP_000514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0A4KLzs3JP6RlPiw-9KAU0X-gXHHVSxJEefHB-bsw3lxVJqy5Q457as05KSRlIpUWXTO3JkjyhsO7ec0wElosiuyMSp-08EbfcdgdENPfdJRmTokAdwUbJDefWIo4zG4jgyuBZdLmChB/s320/WP_000514.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic Tuscan fencing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The timber fence sits gently amongst the woodland setting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzshqoCxkHQyUuFArSgwYzq1v7WdoWAZbV-d_SsEJeQbzPqz-sJDQkxgiRYG2SbfWYCVOYnZcRJZ8HUASDd-xddzINLMmx55mrbtYoyPxf5K0yz-8E7NohyphenhyphenOUkhzp0OLPc1Qq6EBFtZB2l/s1600/WP_000540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzshqoCxkHQyUuFArSgwYzq1v7WdoWAZbV-d_SsEJeQbzPqz-sJDQkxgiRYG2SbfWYCVOYnZcRJZ8HUASDd-xddzINLMmx55mrbtYoyPxf5K0yz-8E7NohyphenhyphenOUkhzp0OLPc1Qq6EBFtZB2l/s320/WP_000540.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 months old, the early stages of a formal kitchen garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dry Stone Walls, Herbs, Lemons, Apples and a quiet space to relax</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-58388509962391878672012-07-31T07:30:00.003-07:002012-07-31T07:31:24.303-07:00All work no play<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This season has been an incredibly busy one with projects near Arezzo, Montespertoli, Siena and Pescia. Our days have been filled with dusk to dawn landscaping and more importantly watering, weekends have involved trips to client gardens with the children to keep the water flowing and to keep the poor thirsty plants alive. With great trepidation dare I say it might just rain tonight? With days spend digging, strimming, moving earth, building terraces, fencing, planting and watering I felt the need for a little thoughtful time enjoying the results of good old fashioned hard work. So I have created a mood board on Pinterest <a href="http://pinterest.com/bellaterra1/garden-design/">http://pinterest.com/bellaterra1/garden-design/</a> whre you can share with me some wonderful inspirational gardens. I have learn't so much over the years through practical work but also buy listening to others and enjoying gardens created by other designers and gardeners. One of the most uplifting gardens for me is by <a href="http://www.poderepalazzo.com/">http://www.poderepalazzo.com/</a> designed by Patrizio Fradiani, I hope some day to create a formal kitchen garden for myself, in the meantime I am so lucky to be working on a few glorious Tuscan Gardens here near my home in the Sienese countryside. Watch this space for images of may latest work to be uploaded soon. For now enjoy these pics of Patrizio's garden and sign up for pinterest and see my moodboard. <br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/bellaterra1/"><img alt="Follow Me on Pinterest" height="28" src="http://passets-lt.pinterest.com/images/about/buttons/follow-me-on-pinterest-button.png" width="169" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-24010650627614743642012-04-02T04:55:00.002-07:002012-04-02T04:55:58.042-07:00Inspired by OthersThis month I am thrilled to see that my good friend and mentor Jean Horton has a wonderful garden feature in Architectural Digest Magazine. Jean has been a great source of inspiration for me over the past few years and her knowledge of Tuscan Gardens is truly wonderful. Jean specialises in restoring historic or lost gardens and also creating Tuscan Gardens that thrive in diverse climates. I am very fortunate to have worked with Jean on a couple of projects and she also acts as a consultant on Bella Terra's projects here in Tuscany. Below are a few pages from the feature... If you would like to find out more about Tuscan Gardens or speak to Jean or myself on this subject please email: bellaterra@arthouse-pr.com or call: 0039 0577 933326<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-9784162404344099172012-03-08T09:35:00.000-08:002012-03-08T09:35:12.756-08:00Rules and Regs Tuscan StyleWorking in Tuscany is a joy but there are elements of this work that can prove tricky. Take permissions for example, what might seem like a simple gardening job can turn into a legal nightmare if you don't seek the legal permissions and conduct a survey.<br />
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Whilst we have worked on projects in several different regions of Tuscany there are no set rules, each Commune will have its own structure for obtaining permissions therefore we always advise seeking the help of an experienced local Geometra.<br />
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Things to consider when planning a garden and checking for permissions include:<br />
<ul>
<li>Boundaries</li>
<li>Rights of Way</li>
<li>Access</li>
<li>Heights of Garden Structures</li>
<li>Ground Moving activities</li>
<li>Pergola Designs - with or without a covers</li>
<li>Materials - local suppliers</li>
<li>Water Courses - above and below ground</li>
<li>Protected environments</li>
<li>Communal Use</li>
<li>Visibility from other Communes and Churches</li>
</ul>
Phew, yes it is a bit of a minefield and well worth checking out all queries with an expert before undertaking larger landscaping work. I always work with nature rather than against her and this is vital in Tuscany with such wildly variable climates and I try create harmonious gardens that sit well within the environment. Taking this approach and using locally sourced natural materials will always prove beneficial when seeking legal permissions for gardening work.<br />
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For more info on planning a Tuscan Garden call Sharon on: 334 599 5702Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-69556692389768725272012-01-04T03:22:00.000-08:002012-01-04T03:22:51.971-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1v0us/TheTuscanMagazineiss/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetuscanmagazine.com%2F" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z-fE3yToim8/TwQ10LUw5DI/AAAAAAAABic/6ptRTQrQNvc/s320/TTM_issue_07_HIRES-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
See our latest article on Tuscan Gardening on pages 24 and 24, click on the image above to link to the feature. Hope you like it x<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-30513225649689594782011-11-28T01:57:00.000-08:002011-11-28T01:57:34.409-08:00Influences<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnQ95xiZy1bmQ6b0k4WUd_tn9YtqtB5WNm41RwX0nsS7jN_aYbnTSa3zSyhIMWnKOTD0byCZhkDi06weSVgXJ02-pinS76S9sqRWb3_UZ-vVgurJ_Y_CGzCtylfrDSBf0tmtRHnORJ4Wk/s1600/14987706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnQ95xiZy1bmQ6b0k4WUd_tn9YtqtB5WNm41RwX0nsS7jN_aYbnTSa3zSyhIMWnKOTD0byCZhkDi06weSVgXJ02-pinS76S9sqRWb3_UZ-vVgurJ_Y_CGzCtylfrDSBf0tmtRHnORJ4Wk/s320/14987706.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKqLNsmudmQgXWBa_P5JlcdY5zt-OQaV0mtWEAoFLSvUqZS-Vo8EaNRgF9PgDe0PYi3v1RNrgxyWyGMnX4_iPSmvYnlyIFJUHcfzMSe9Jtramp6ORfPR623LXaoWc0LrA1MvCpNk-bZZj/s1600/1258965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKqLNsmudmQgXWBa_P5JlcdY5zt-OQaV0mtWEAoFLSvUqZS-Vo8EaNRgF9PgDe0PYi3v1RNrgxyWyGMnX4_iPSmvYnlyIFJUHcfzMSe9Jtramp6ORfPR623LXaoWc0LrA1MvCpNk-bZZj/s320/1258965.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEuE_kngQNaoqtnai_QPkNJqBnXFWTV1oC1SUDUwmy0pllZ446tt4nicXDe_qmzdZ5Ge9gsqVXBwKKIEphwtytYa7zWGvD2TDIzI701yvGq1RxDwjEQMDcv7Ug-9CkuLDMKovZVs6CnBf/s1600/alnwick_garden_4_470x316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEuE_kngQNaoqtnai_QPkNJqBnXFWTV1oC1SUDUwmy0pllZ446tt4nicXDe_qmzdZ5Ge9gsqVXBwKKIEphwtytYa7zWGvD2TDIzI701yvGq1RxDwjEQMDcv7Ug-9CkuLDMKovZVs6CnBf/s320/alnwick_garden_4_470x316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This year we have been really focusing on learning from others, absorbing colour, pattern, texture, shape and form. Drawing inspiration from gardens and garden designers, architects and artists gives us fresh ideas and helps us to form our own visions for garden design and keeps the creative juices flowing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last month I visited Alnwick Gardens in Northumbria, UK and was overwhelmed by the glorious rose garden, still bursting with colour even in the autumn. The contemporary metal water features were seriously impressive and would I feel work well on a smaller scale, children were enthralled by how the water kept flowing and the Vortex was a favourite for me. The formal rose garden was just wonderful and I was able to select a few different species that would work in our Tuscan Garden Designs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The willow maze made an impact and I would love to grow living willow sculptures or dens for kids but just need to create a damp garden for the plants to thrive in - not so easy here in the countryside near Siena. I was also reminded of the wonderful quote engraved on a standing stone within the garden 'only dead fish swim with the stream' so true and should be interpreted into all that we do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I brought back a whole heap of notes, photos, sketches and ideas combining traditional and contemporary ideas for modern gardens here in Italy. Can't wait to start working on a few projects, but first I need to finish off the hardwood cuttings ready for the spring and pot up plants for gardens in Pescia, Monte Amiata, Siena and Montespertoli, phew!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-67078948323048933572011-10-21T01:31:00.000-07:002011-10-21T03:13:33.889-07:00Spring bulbs in the Tuscan garden<div class="MsoNormal">We are currently working on a wonderful project in Pescia which looks set to become a gorgeous family garden with areas for eating, relaxing, woodland walks, terraces, a pergola and treehouse. So whilst we have all been very busy we are enjoying the challenge of working on such an exciting project. This week has involved planting over 1000 spring bulbs and I can’t wait to see the shoots nose through the soil over the next few months. We have also been moving lots of autumn bulbs to new locations ready for next year. This month’s <a href="http://www.thetuscanmagazine.com/blog/category/ttm_gardening_blog/">Tuscan Magazine</a> also includes our feature on spring bulbs and how to create a wonderful Tuscan garden bursting with colour and of course we have included info on the renowned Florentine Iris. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBACWyzLO-O3h711GXRvZgGvrWvS90MKmijjBegYc0Hbvy4HOK4mEMtlopjkd9bC7Nk8G8FbJzAazyxgb8s8vwSFrqUPhVgOc_MImEaU9EcL5zQHTS5psvJcNJ1hSq-Y6FAcbT_9Zvvf4/s1600/garden+angel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBACWyzLO-O3h711GXRvZgGvrWvS90MKmijjBegYc0Hbvy4HOK4mEMtlopjkd9bC7Nk8G8FbJzAazyxgb8s8vwSFrqUPhVgOc_MImEaU9EcL5zQHTS5psvJcNJ1hSq-Y6FAcbT_9Zvvf4/s320/garden+angel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58VksJSGsc27LB_gykM9AAjHdVCfyhTDxYO4yHveO2K2yZgmLOTo7xnLjUppPxXDB5yhET9nW0cVj2d88Uis-YBaLEeBSsViKq300T4_L8qeHujPsEzpoTR37WVfYGQ1QO2E9k243oSoW/s1600/iris+field.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58VksJSGsc27LB_gykM9AAjHdVCfyhTDxYO4yHveO2K2yZgmLOTo7xnLjUppPxXDB5yhET9nW0cVj2d88Uis-YBaLEeBSsViKq300T4_L8qeHujPsEzpoTR37WVfYGQ1QO2E9k243oSoW/s320/iris+field.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_2sO11oYdqIdThLQn7WwLHzU00-MlPOwy2Qdp6ntbsDxGJ5mUAS1Jcji8nu0o9Qnp6zuU2r3EnWYR5hAI-13nxx57PakpRY4ERxctFWxT60m2NlNovIIOesSOvebWTxiwZZpBb8nLODb/s1600/italy+daffodils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_2sO11oYdqIdThLQn7WwLHzU00-MlPOwy2Qdp6ntbsDxGJ5mUAS1Jcji8nu0o9Qnp6zuU2r3EnWYR5hAI-13nxx57PakpRY4ERxctFWxT60m2NlNovIIOesSOvebWTxiwZZpBb8nLODb/s320/italy+daffodils.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At last we have some rain and the gardens are so happy and are already looking healthier and greener. Here near Siena the gardens had literally dried out and I am amazed by the plants resilience, with scant watering and lots of encouragement they have come through, I am sure the thick mulch has saved them. Next week we are back to Pescia and are also working on a project in the forest at Monte Amiata which is stunning, and we get to collect chestnuts whilst we are working – wonderful.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-81686076912277018602011-08-16T00:52:00.000-07:002011-08-16T01:01:36.736-07:00Adventure Gardens<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSTdXBfoQWcBUxYmvbBv8Zgdr-WR-IWx7XSoB-qLLZT2pkiSEz5sIqnJ_OI85bCvESACU1boGZ1Ydn6y5AikOAoKwHez25tihnjOV0ryQSOE7uK276USICY9aMBSB7pALlW1yYsUcE7Qn/s1600/normal__J4E8810_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSTdXBfoQWcBUxYmvbBv8Zgdr-WR-IWx7XSoB-qLLZT2pkiSEz5sIqnJ_OI85bCvESACU1boGZ1Ydn6y5AikOAoKwHez25tihnjOV0ryQSOE7uK276USICY9aMBSB7pALlW1yYsUcE7Qn/s320/normal__J4E8810_large.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marnie Moyles hand carved swing - lovely</td></tr>
</tbody></table>To us the sheer joy of creating a beautiful garden is magnified by sharing it with others. Gardens over the years have changed in their use, ornamental and formal gardens were designed to impress and demonstrate power and wealth. Kitchen, Fruit and Medicinal Gardens were essential elements of larger country estates whereas now we find more and more gardens are created to be family friendly spaces. Environments where families come together to relax and share time outdoors. Here in our garden we have gone one step further and whilst we do have an outside dining area, places in which to enjoy the views over San Gimignano and Poggibonsi but we have also created a zone for adventure and fun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5O859k1ip5FQew-evAVpDvhKjr7okLtxFOoMILQSYTJGDQYc7meXYOySQSr5od-ftzkzT2Vj9YeMvpyVh002HAiYcxR0034ZScvgHRWDVm1U_eZd1f9FlA1fOvdHiYm1ac2WDT30qVmne/s1600/DSCN1466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5O859k1ip5FQew-evAVpDvhKjr7okLtxFOoMILQSYTJGDQYc7meXYOySQSr5od-ftzkzT2Vj9YeMvpyVh002HAiYcxR0034ZScvgHRWDVm1U_eZd1f9FlA1fOvdHiYm1ac2WDT30qVmne/s1600/DSCN1466.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pod seat image courtesy of Mulcheney Forge - I love this idea<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3h2zxOpsjG0jiBoqnTmrxqR2mCCENghlQE5-DGdlpCnAXbOioQk1bV5EPEgZ5jP8NOWSwuw6deuNY3lil3KDfzVzSVKcUxxHcFanzj4Z2MogQ_phch4eqLP_66l_plVKlfCIx3zQNX7F/s1600/492-monkey-swing-323-i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3h2zxOpsjG0jiBoqnTmrxqR2mCCENghlQE5-DGdlpCnAXbOioQk1bV5EPEgZ5jP8NOWSwuw6deuNY3lil3KDfzVzSVKcUxxHcFanzj4Z2MogQ_phch4eqLP_66l_plVKlfCIx3zQNX7F/s320/492-monkey-swing-323-i.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
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</tbody></table>Designed for children of all ages we have utilised the natural planting and strung rope walks, tight ropes, trapezes and high flying swings from our massive umbrella pines. In our smaller garden one large and very understanding pine tree plays host to four activities, knotted ropes for climbing, a hand-made rope ladder, a wooden swing and of course the essential siesta accessory a spacious hammock.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTi-Q4SNROVGFQ7zzZFW8K8QFdgsw3LMufa9OZKpiKRfQw-4dqpDrwq5y8hXofKL6-QBhMA0izyVE7Fq8fet0bXE5pIPsknztQEyicPKNZxt8sqA9L00jlImZJoSz4jApvFC-6PYO_TUn/s1600/pod_chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTi-Q4SNROVGFQ7zzZFW8K8QFdgsw3LMufa9OZKpiKRfQw-4dqpDrwq5y8hXofKL6-QBhMA0izyVE7Fq8fet0bXE5pIPsknztQEyicPKNZxt8sqA9L00jlImZJoSz4jApvFC-6PYO_TUn/s320/pod_chair.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metal swing seat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKeDnr6B_AXwLFy_64XaDFHguY_4mXNZKQQNRyFDTM40sq5NU2SUJEigxM2m0jY510y13sKE_HPqfc6ijcToqAI-fqFBtiUIOX_FFhQp6KkCxQcDRAEQqZ-BjZWa4D5PLT93YJJMo2rGv/s1600/hanging_chair_oval_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKeDnr6B_AXwLFy_64XaDFHguY_4mXNZKQQNRyFDTM40sq5NU2SUJEigxM2m0jY510y13sKE_HPqfc6ijcToqAI-fqFBtiUIOX_FFhQp6KkCxQcDRAEQqZ-BjZWa4D5PLT93YJJMo2rGv/s320/hanging_chair_oval_500.jpg" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this woven pod</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFCDFIJRGHYGNfewFamKyH7bxssX8rio0xs7FSCxJeZcuasPdAkz7KZpZPBz817PSuX3SNReMwn9PTkkhQshlio6JtR_SdwRSIEOZoFyS_Mf-LXk_psNfUPjOMJDmv87pa3QTgIsrEQdr/s1600/outdoor-hanging-seats-cacoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFCDFIJRGHYGNfewFamKyH7bxssX8rio0xs7FSCxJeZcuasPdAkz7KZpZPBz817PSuX3SNReMwn9PTkkhQshlio6JtR_SdwRSIEOZoFyS_Mf-LXk_psNfUPjOMJDmv87pa3QTgIsrEQdr/s320/outdoor-hanging-seats-cacoon.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool Australian Design</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZbKB3Vk_Gf2e49tnJiVJFEUltPRHJkKostQv5no3r-IPRcZz8pHoBt0tKasvZAsnvC_CodU5_YSa8k8ew8St-RfZWkk2AVdDthwT2SeO5ZfHz-w90xBcmGvAxFPKAuCv3HIMVk06rfqj/s1600/garden_swing_chair_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZbKB3Vk_Gf2e49tnJiVJFEUltPRHJkKostQv5no3r-IPRcZz8pHoBt0tKasvZAsnvC_CodU5_YSa8k8ew8St-RfZWkk2AVdDthwT2SeO5ZfHz-w90xBcmGvAxFPKAuCv3HIMVk06rfqj/s320/garden_swing_chair_400.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect for a shady spot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_svMF_RnQPO2DMBboHCxVTzqCsqIuxw3FbGo5igwLjiSGuofnCG_cqn2OtwS66vYrW1DJCK73gLMApRW00wjCevPF_ySlr1lV8NW7J0gUjqvRRAiLeqdEFt1tcRszfZxsOWnI2AENDtoK/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_svMF_RnQPO2DMBboHCxVTzqCsqIuxw3FbGo5igwLjiSGuofnCG_cqn2OtwS66vYrW1DJCK73gLMApRW00wjCevPF_ySlr1lV8NW7J0gUjqvRRAiLeqdEFt1tcRszfZxsOWnI2AENDtoK/s1600/5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Siesta space</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPH9J5jCP1FeiBdWojE-uEhUF7Zh3-tFTY0w3MzcUoOEQsOf2GfyZCDR-LuFdJ_9B_XUtQ8Aq4oxz7EZqt0NcRkynJkGqnb7xSc4JhxdpNPGHy2fJdqqdZb1Vhve6sgpzSQKC5R9qWlHq/s1600/DSCN1464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPH9J5jCP1FeiBdWojE-uEhUF7Zh3-tFTY0w3MzcUoOEQsOf2GfyZCDR-LuFdJ_9B_XUtQ8Aq4oxz7EZqt0NcRkynJkGqnb7xSc4JhxdpNPGHy2fJdqqdZb1Vhve6sgpzSQKC5R9qWlHq/s1600/DSCN1464.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">check out http://muchelneyforge.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5O859k1ip5FQew-evAVpDvhKjr7okLtxFOoMILQSYTJGDQYc7meXYOySQSr5od-ftzkzT2Vj9YeMvpyVh002HAiYcxR0034ZScvgHRWDVm1U_eZd1f9FlA1fOvdHiYm1ac2WDT30qVmne/s1600/DSCN1466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Why not create a wild space for your children in the garden, a place for imaginations and spirits to soar. Children also love to be involved in the building and knotting of ropework so it is a great idea to create a plan together. At Bella Terra we are currently working on ideas for a woodland rope walk, a secret garden and treehouse, natural living willow huts and dens, hanging garden seats and very cool woven pods which are wonderfully comfortable and look pretty gorgeous too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJq2H7K9rnXTIslZth3b23Byr8fCB_jX6mLqe8qIQUT-wdKYEtsWYL44bBllInSAplPFY19WcejK5R4br6hCWrnPAncXWco3acuSh0uOqR4LfGGdHz3qtaXd5hlzoYcsRedxh02PVacA5D/s1600/9+large+willow+den+with+2+windows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJq2H7K9rnXTIslZth3b23Byr8fCB_jX6mLqe8qIQUT-wdKYEtsWYL44bBllInSAplPFY19WcejK5R4br6hCWrnPAncXWco3acuSh0uOqR4LfGGdHz3qtaXd5hlzoYcsRedxh02PVacA5D/s320/9+large+willow+den+with+2+windows.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.carolebeavis.co.uk - play den, handwoven willow sculpture</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-21343218058044001702011-07-21T06:41:00.000-07:002011-07-21T06:41:37.314-07:00Natural Swimming Pools<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Experienced garden and swimming pool designers are now able to pretty much deal with most kinds of terrain and if you have your heart set on an outdoor pool then taking an organic approach is often the most successful way of introducing a pool into a natural setting. Interestingly, some of the most striking outdoor pools blend seamlessly with the surroundings, and the natural swimming pool is an idea that is being adopted by luxury hotels and adventurous homeowners worldwide. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDDttEFVmPcn_1C-nYXvggBIP6ffyzZ8BkCAN6fAMWi2vy-HILWoU29znAnilJiIav5cqg6Vmbqc-shYt0Gisrsynbka0lzrS3_qM7x4XHoF1lEtQNC-m-V5S27em7cbHjqux6X6cTtso/s1600/pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDDttEFVmPcn_1C-nYXvggBIP6ffyzZ8BkCAN6fAMWi2vy-HILWoU29znAnilJiIav5cqg6Vmbqc-shYt0Gisrsynbka0lzrS3_qM7x4XHoF1lEtQNC-m-V5S27em7cbHjqux6X6cTtso/s320/pool.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVTr8f7NK62-QuCFy355LWgVSIrlXJVIeI71csbGR2NlGqGTEvdRsygDrNh2Dusme-IdYNDvoEjv9VAmG93_4LMUkE8onIAyA894oZHzhaveDW7MSUctzTjR3FmcSTeIezIHzo36Tbpdw/s1600/pool2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVTr8f7NK62-QuCFy355LWgVSIrlXJVIeI71csbGR2NlGqGTEvdRsygDrNh2Dusme-IdYNDvoEjv9VAmG93_4LMUkE8onIAyA894oZHzhaveDW7MSUctzTjR3FmcSTeIezIHzo36Tbpdw/s320/pool2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Michael Littlewood of EcoDesign Scape explains <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The initial concept was c</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">onceived in Austria more than 20 years ago, the natural pool is an inspiring and healthier alternative to a conventional swimming pool and a beautiful addition to a garden – even in winter. It stays clean without any chemical treatment, its natural cleaning system mimicking the regeneration process of a healthy lake. The result is a serene swimming environment which is also a working aquatic garden. This seamless blending of environments makes a natural pool unique; being surrounded by plants as you swim creates a very special kind of mood. A typical private pool is a minimum of 50 square metres and features one body of water separated into two zones, one for swimming and one for cleaning. The regeneration zone, in which all the biological cleaning takes place, contains marsh and water plants in a bed of gravel, minerals and loamy sand. The plants create a habitat for the micro-organisms which keep the water clean and break down potential pollutants, while the gravel bed acts as a natural filter. </span></i></div><div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">During the summer months the water temperature is usually a few degrees warmer than in a conventional pool. This benefits wildlife as well as people, and amphibians arrive to enjoy the warm water in the shallow regeneration zone. Dragonflies and other pond creatures add to the diversity, and the whole area becomes a very valuable habitat, especially for endangered species.”</span></i><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">I love natural pools and try and encourage people to consider this option when planning a Tuscan garden, for more inspiration check out. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">www.ecodesignscape.co.uk </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="http://www.clear-water-revival.com/">www.clear-water-revival.com</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-85608970603138310062011-06-09T00:39:00.000-07:002011-06-09T01:16:09.720-07:00Summer storms<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My last post seems particularly premature as we have now had 8 days of rain, the new herb spiral survived, thankfully, and every other area of the gardens we work with are growing like crazy. We are currently creating a garden for reflection including lots of medicinal and healing herbs, aromatics and traditional plants usually found in ancient Monastic gardens. This week I am really in love with Greek Basil which can be grown in pots and trimmed into lovely curves and flowing shapes, the perfect pot to have on the garden table, it smells lovely when you brush the leaves.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Just lately I have seen some real garden disasters, all of which could have been avoided if better planning had been implemented early on. Following the heavy rain so many pools have been filled with Mud as fast flowing streams of rain wash away soil badly placed around the pool.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Creating rolling banks may seem an answer to utlising the huge amount of excavated earth created when digging out a pool, but it is not, also this is not generally good to grow plants in. Yesterday I saw a very very sad 'New' garden with mounds of stony earthy piled high and levelled off around the pool and bathing area of a Tuscan house near Poggibonsi. The hedging plants were dying as there was not top soil or mulch and the swimming pool had been the recipent of streams of muddy water from the banks...tragedy. Expensive and avoidable. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FsOUuFjE5NU/TfB6icEXR3I/AAAAAAAABFE/5jpzjmh4i18/s1600/IMG_0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FsOUuFjE5NU/TfB6icEXR3I/AAAAAAAABFE/5jpzjmh4i18/s320/IMG_0106.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hem1-0hYpTM/TfB6vxXYtbI/AAAAAAAABFI/V68WJT7rLsE/s1600/IMG_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hem1-0hYpTM/TfB6vxXYtbI/AAAAAAAABFI/V68WJT7rLsE/s320/IMG_0062.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FW8SBx3-u8/TfB61Rt5c9I/AAAAAAAABFM/iWtLW_OCDms/s1600/IMG_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FW8SBx3-u8/TfB61Rt5c9I/AAAAAAAABFM/iWtLW_OCDms/s320/IMG_0108.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mYi8MtQTIS0/TfB7NJxzASI/AAAAAAAABFU/08puNhACO_Y/s1600/IMG_0140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mYi8MtQTIS0/TfB7NJxzASI/AAAAAAAABFU/08puNhACO_Y/s320/IMG_0140.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EbSibEUUEtc/TfB7OpgpU9I/AAAAAAAABFY/LkjwntOmZyQ/s1600/IMG_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EbSibEUUEtc/TfB7OpgpU9I/AAAAAAAABFY/LkjwntOmZyQ/s320/IMG_0141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vOmDwho5MlI/TfB7OnFigSI/AAAAAAAABFc/J6lW6adTaA8/s1600/IMG_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vOmDwho5MlI/TfB7OnFigSI/AAAAAAAABFc/J6lW6adTaA8/s320/IMG_0142.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyT17vaM89S9rpnFtCBRTX-s7dj0ELyevXLK-Cq76lmy4RAU7bdABxrYYmWyIyo5E3J43SlN6S0lJX8pDJIyt4QB_ZdZvH_vhNlRx_SDVr8RVubVKupnQWO3KNliNYgfhW0YI0mpGkxkti/s1600/IMG_0139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyT17vaM89S9rpnFtCBRTX-s7dj0ELyevXLK-Cq76lmy4RAU7bdABxrYYmWyIyo5E3J43SlN6S0lJX8pDJIyt4QB_ZdZvH_vhNlRx_SDVr8RVubVKupnQWO3KNliNYgfhW0YI0mpGkxkti/s320/IMG_0139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>However learning from our mistakes arms us with knowledge for the future. when it has not been raining I have been taking a look around a few Tuscan gardens.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-69689456402663181352011-05-24T05:37:00.000-07:002011-05-24T05:38:16.239-07:00All go in the Tuscan Garden<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here the temperature has picked up as has the humidity, we are watering our gardens regularly and mulching furiously, the climbing roses are at their most beautiful and our vines are taking off at speed. Here are a few pics from our garden near Siena, Italy.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qPJW_GbtjiQ/TdpqsWGKUII/AAAAAAAAA_8/WyoqAGz_n7Q/s1600/IMG_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qPJW_GbtjiQ/TdpqsWGKUII/AAAAAAAAA_8/WyoqAGz_n7Q/s320/IMG_0060.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little forest strawberries -a gardener's treat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1GhRu-3pWf8/TdprHxNlLTI/AAAAAAAABAE/tGxDYY4IqPA/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1GhRu-3pWf8/TdprHxNlLTI/AAAAAAAABAE/tGxDYY4IqPA/s320/IMG_0069.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Dawn - so delicate</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4OfluQt89vU/TdpsWyl8M7I/AAAAAAAABAo/blYpPgaPcHU/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4OfluQt89vU/TdpsWyl8M7I/AAAAAAAABAo/blYpPgaPcHU/s320/IMG_0078.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherries in the making</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MkyMS-Yq0mE/TdprzkIPLSI/AAAAAAAABAY/5QVShBac44s/s1600/IMG_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MkyMS-Yq0mE/TdprzkIPLSI/AAAAAAAABAY/5QVShBac44s/s320/IMG_0076.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">English Rose</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--3hnhsfmPok/TdptfI4tYYI/AAAAAAAABBE/VTuB7ODtRto/s1600/IMG_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--3hnhsfmPok/TdptfI4tYYI/AAAAAAAABBE/VTuB7ODtRto/s320/IMG_0092.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basil in pots </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bMRWfdsZsZE/Tdpt3H-cmjI/AAAAAAAABBQ/aZXNrz3SVEc/s1600/IMG_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bMRWfdsZsZE/Tdpt3H-cmjI/AAAAAAAABBQ/aZXNrz3SVEc/s320/IMG_0093.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scruffy but very healthy strip of veg</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qcsLOSPndTg/Tdpt7hsPpEI/AAAAAAAABBU/34_I82uBess/s1600/IMG_0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qcsLOSPndTg/Tdpt7hsPpEI/AAAAAAAABBU/34_I82uBess/s320/IMG_0100.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosiac Reflections</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A7yN43nLBcw/Tdps0EiMUsI/AAAAAAAABA0/H6MX78dSKfQ/s1600/IMG_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A7yN43nLBcw/Tdps0EiMUsI/AAAAAAAABA0/H6MX78dSKfQ/s320/IMG_0081.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pots of colour</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LmfQEPfLz_4/Tdpr9QqmNCI/AAAAAAAABAc/j14qBtm9tZA/s1600/IMG_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LmfQEPfLz_4/Tdpr9QqmNCI/AAAAAAAABAc/j14qBtm9tZA/s320/IMG_0072.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passion Flower zooming up</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-41jvr6PA4QI/TdprNUT4u0I/AAAAAAAABAI/PZkE36abxyo/s1600/IMG_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-41jvr6PA4QI/TdprNUT4u0I/AAAAAAAABAI/PZkE36abxyo/s320/IMG_0067.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunbathing</td></tr>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-9147881434006824732011-05-10T09:20:00.000-07:002011-05-10T09:21:25.431-07:00Water, water not a drop to spare<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">He we go again, the gardens we are working on are getting pretty thirsty but we have taken a few measures to stop plants drying out, and are also making sure they get extra nutrients in the hotter days ahead. Tucked in amongst the leafy plants we have submerged some medium sized plant pots in the ground and are putting chopped up organic matter in the pots and topping the pots up with water whenever possible. The veg peelings etc are feeding the plants and when we fill the pots with water they then slowly distribute the water. Make sure you cover the top of the submerged pots with a terracotta bowl or plate to stop the flies though.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Currently in bloom, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comfrey"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Comfrey</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> (<em>Symphytum officinale)</em> which also acts as a great fertiliser, if you chop up the leaves and leave to stew in the spring air for a few days in a covered tub, let the Tuscan sun do the rest, then feed your veg plants - wonderful, pongy but great stuff. Or simply cut a few big leaves from the plant and lay these around your young veg plants, as the leaves break down they feed the soil.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPpBMtfwCThv3OaFEyBVLRhTF1piRaj9jaOBmrh8Ri7EabysBD_q4H46AdAk_ab5oSGek7VSNZ1gUsFhaEXMvihHgwZVxPURsQhXG7KXKzHsv85W9DG10e5oEricjwIHVxCIu0PG8jaK1/s1600/comfrey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPpBMtfwCThv3OaFEyBVLRhTF1piRaj9jaOBmrh8Ri7EabysBD_q4H46AdAk_ab5oSGek7VSNZ1gUsFhaEXMvihHgwZVxPURsQhXG7KXKzHsv85W9DG10e5oEricjwIHVxCIu0PG8jaK1/s1600/comfrey.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655817735555781275.post-49653045525436273502011-04-13T03:35:00.000-07:002011-04-13T03:35:16.478-07:00Grand Designs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNPEYQD1EEcl_0CVGoKpaTzc2lKytSz-Mu7MaC6NqMOJDURGJ0xLU-R5tDy6NIn4nmP34gWPm3tGzDiPnNRiNuhHCVkXI1WGwTMcv79Vp2QGJhOz6Bit0kw4N2jBOeayJJl3KHAqy4l2R/s1600/iStock_000006245788Medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNPEYQD1EEcl_0CVGoKpaTzc2lKytSz-Mu7MaC6NqMOJDURGJ0xLU-R5tDy6NIn4nmP34gWPm3tGzDiPnNRiNuhHCVkXI1WGwTMcv79Vp2QGJhOz6Bit0kw4N2jBOeayJJl3KHAqy4l2R/s320/iStock_000006245788Medium.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Well at one of our busiest times of the year in terms of gardening work we have also been invited to write for the <a href="http://www.tuscanlivingmagazine.com/">Tuscan Magazine</a> which is really lovely and we are delighted to be putting together a feature on <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Tuscan</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Gardens</placetype></place> for the next issue of the magazine. <state w:st="on">Tuscany</state> is a wide and varied region with differing climates and plants that grow perfectly well in the rolling hills of <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Siena</place></city> may suffer in the more alpine areas such as the Garfagnana and Radda, therefore it is crucial to take note of your surroundings and draw inspiration from other gardens around you. A classic rustic Mediterranean garden may not be possible and checking out the essentials such as water supply, protection from the wind, frost and heat will save you energy and money in the longer term. Take some time to explore gardens and the landscape near your property and take notes and pictures of plants and architectural features you like, then put together a large scale board with images and plant names on. Move items around and mix and match colours, textures and shapes, try to understand how you want your own garden to work, live with you plans for a while and research costs involved and labour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more research you do the better the approach you will have to creating a garden that will thrive and grow ever more beautiful with time.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0