September 2010: Shopping List for Gardeners
Author:
Editorial Staff
Issue:
September, 2010, Page 120
LITTLE GEMSEnjoy art in the garden with these glistening
stackable outdoor glass beads. Designed by Tucson landscape architect Margaret Joplin and her husband, Michael, the beads range in size from 4" in diameter to smaller jewel-like elements, and sit on rusted-steel posts. They can be made in a range of colors and styles, and also adapted with LED lights. Find them at purebeautytucson.com. | |
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| SOLAR-POWEREDNow you can clean your swimming pool by simply utilizing energy from the sun. The Solar-Breeze robotic pool cleaner from Phoenix-based Eco Pool Technologies uses the sun’s power to run its motors to remove dirt, debris, pollens and even suntan oil from the water’s surface. Surplus power is used to charge the product’s batteries. For more information, call (623) 582-2825, or log on to solar-breeze.com. |
MOD POTGrobal’s stylish garden container makes growing plants a breeze. Created by Scottsdale resident Treg Bradley in collaboration with industrial designer Karim Rashid, the Grobal Self-Watering Pot draws water and nutrients from its reservoir and into
the growing chamber. A water-level window indicates when additional water is needed. Available in various sizes and colors (including Sunrise, pictured), it can be found at Red Modern Furniture, (602) 256-9620. | |
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| SMALL-SPACE GARDENINGDiscover how to get the most out of your outdoor space with help from Andy Sturgeon’s book Big Plans Small Gardens (Octopus Publishing Group Ltd.).
Consider the options, he advises. Would you like your outdoor space to be used for eating and entertaining, gardening, playing, resting and relaxation, or a combination of these? Drawings and photographs of case studies provide examples and plans that can be used to create the garden of your dreams.
Illustrated solutions by area offer tips on how to properly plan for a garden space depending on its location. For example, light levels in a dark courtyard can be improved by painting the walls a light color or by incorporating pale stone or gravel. Rooftop or high-rise gardens often have harsh settings due to wind and direct sunlight, but plants with waxy or thick leaves, herbaceous perennials, and deciduous trees and shrubs thrive in these conditions.
Other suggestions include up-lighting trees or spotlighting a key element to create style, mood and atmosphere. Water features also provide a pleasing aesthetic and natural background noise. Sturgeon’s book expounds on these and many other ideas. —Taylor Rose |
