Being respectful of our environment is paramount to the force behind CAR Gardens. Being friendly to wildlife in our designs, planting and construction are all important. But what is the reality of it all? We were challenged recently by a customer who asked us to put a little order into her ‘na...
A small court yard garden needed our attention recently. The property is part of a lovingly restored farm, and yet the combination of a contemporary design is softened and blended successfully by restoring the existing rustic timber.Gardens not only have to look good but also have to combine with us...
www.blackle.com We have made this our home page in the office at CAR Gardens. The idea is that a bright monitor screen uses more energy per pixel than darker ones. Seems to make sense. It may be that the amount of energy saved is slight, but if we all dropped the usual white Google page […]
A big thank you to our generous and supportive customers, and to Sue Lupton at the IW County Press for this latest article, in the Islands newspaper gardening supplement. We look forward to our future on the Isle of Wight, and to continue offering a great service for our new customers. By clicking o...
Here’s our latest tool! CAR Gardens has invested in a second van, to assist in our pledge to offer a reliable Island wide service. All it needs are those infamous spiral graphs… watch this space! We have also invested in a new range of smaller tools, horticultural products, treatments, l...
Apologies for the break in uploading our latest blog. It has been difficult to know when the best time is too reveal more details of this wonderful project.On reflection I don’t think there is.Each month the ellipse bed gracefully grows, and indeed will soon fade in to the Autumn. I will post ...
These photos document our latest garden make over. All hard landscaping and planting have been installed by CAR Gardens.
CAR Gardens has installed these two archways to help separate a large garden, into areas with different uses. Beyond one arch there is the Orchard and children’s play area, and through the other the utility shed and compost bays. Despite only being recently installed, existing climbers were pr...
An Illustrated talk, by Prince Charles’ head gardener David Howard. The 25th of May was a busy day. Having enjoyed an inspiring morning at Chelsea flower show, I left the big smoke to return to the Island and enjoy an evening with David Howard. That is David plus 100 other avid listeners. If y...
Having lived for many years in poky flats with out any outdoor space, it goes without saying how enjoyable it has been for me, Jem and Louie to share in new gardening experiences that are our own, now that we have a lovely south facing garden. Radish was recommended for an easy, quick first crop, [&...
Barefoot in the square On my recent visit to the city I was pleasantly surprised to be able to feel the cool grass underfoot, whist admiring the sand blasted Nelsons’ column. Apparently it was laid as a celebration of London’s village culture. Hmmm… well, I’m not sure about t...
An inspiring trip? I tried a slightly different approach to the show this year. Prior and during my visit I did not concern myself with the medals, reviews or the television coverage. With a uncluttered head, (albeit a little fuzzy from a beer or two the night before) I enjoyed a clear view of the [...
The Environmental Transport Association (ETA) provides a vechile break down service, whilst campaigning for a sustainable transport system. They aim to promote sensible and responsible motoring with a view to ”improving our world”. The term ‘Climate Change’ is aquiring increa...
The national garden scheme is a charity that helps raise funds through the opening of gardens in England and Wales. The ‘yellow book’ and leaflets give details of these gardens and events. You can look out for them in local garden centres or on line at www.ngs.org.uk. This friendly websi...
CAR Gardens latest project on the Island gains editorial in the local newspaper.
An un-illustrated talk by Highgrove head gardener, David Howard 16th March, 2007 This was CAR Gardens’ first, eagerly anticipated, opportunity to see what was going on behind the scenes at HRH.Prince Charles ‘organic’ country estate in Gloucestershire. It was also an ideal opportun...
We have been busy planting ‘whips’ to form an informal hedge for a customer who has needed a natural barrier from the road. Having installed a coppiced Hazel wattle fence, it seemed appropriate to use new Hazel plants in front. They will grow tall, and offer catkins and nuts as they matu...
The Island’s annual hedgelaying competition was held today at ‘Blackwater Hollow’. Having recently relocated from central London to the Isle of Wight; urban to rural, I was very interested to learn how the hedgerows are traditionally managed. It aims to recreate the straggly plants...
Fallen leaves can be composted in with your normal heap, but are slow to decay. Large quantities can be recycled separately to form leafmould. Leafmould can be used anywhere in the garden, as a compost or mulch, at any time of the year.A leafmould container simply stops the leaves from blowing away,...
Our first harvest of button cup mushrooms. Organically grown, and harvested in the kitchen what could be a nicer fresher way to make mushroom risotto?!Even if you haven’t the space outside for growing your own vegtables this method for growing mushrooms is quick, clean, easy and occupies very ...
At CAR Gardens’ current Landscaping project we are proudly working with local wooden sculptor, Erik Phipps.Pictured here, he is using traditional wattle crafts to construct bespoke fencing.Erik coppices local Hazel and either weaves on site, or constructs various sized panels. This fencing is ...
Recyling organic waste is paramount to sustainable organic gardening. It reduces the need for artificial fertilisers, and helps to create strong, more pest resistant plants. It also cuts down on environmental pollution that burning and dumping creates. Creating seperate bays for different materials ...
This latest design is in a lovely garden in Havenstreet. Fed up with the effects of such a hot and dry summer our customer approached us to redesign a section of her struggling lawn. Warren Oldershaw, the latest gardener to join our forces, has created this brilliant out line plan, elevation drawing...
This was our last main project for the hot summer of 2006. We were thrilled to be comissioned to create a garden that was great to look at and smell, to sit and relax in, to share with friends, to be straight forward to look after, and to be alive with the local wildlife. Being […]
Marion was keen to have her garden brought back to life. It has been created with the health of the environment in mind, as seen in these photos. (clicking on them to enlarge may help). Pesticides are avoided, and green waste recycled and reused to help enrich the soil. The myriad of creatures that ...
We’ve upped sticks from Willesden Green to Ryde, on the fantastic ‘gardening Isle’ of Wight. A huge thank goes out to all our London customers; it has been a privilege to meet you and care for your precious gardens. Your generous references are totally appreciated.We wish you all t...
These new flower beds, created and planted by C.A.R. Gardens have to work in a very hot and dry site. As an entrance to a property, and viewed by many neighbours it was important to look and smell great too!The large grass was chosen for its abundant oat like seeds that nod in the breeze. […]...
Gardening can have a real impact on our wildlife. www.bumblebeeconservationtrust.co.uk has more information about the problems and the future of bumblebees, planting solutions to help attract these beneficial insects and some great photos. CAR Gardens can advise on organic garden solutions that will...