The Best Dressed Garden

Yellow Fever: Inject some early spring sunshine into your garden

2012-03-09T07:02:00.000-08:00

1. Freek Outdoor Rug 2. Luxembourg Bench 3. Zancudo Outdoor Fabric

4. Metal Cafe Chair 5. Cargo Folding Square Table 6. Egg Planter

Its this time of the year, when the daffodils are starting to flower, that I start to think about brightening up my garden and bringing it back to life after the winter. These bright cheerful items of garden furniture and accessories are just what the garden needs to add some early spring colour.

The Alternative Easter Egg

2012-03-05T01:56:00.001-08:00

Beautiful, colourful and, most important of all, calorie-free, these ceramic Egg Bird Houses and Bird Feeders are the perfect alternative to a traditional chocolate Easter egg.

Both the bird house and feeder are available in 2 gorgeous colours; orange peel and aqua, and are priced at £89 each
Available from The Best Dressed Garden. Click here for more information

Illuminated Outdoor Cube

2012-03-02T05:05:00.002-08:00

How cool is this ....

We just added this illuminated outdoor cube to our online shop and we think it's really amazing. Versatile as well as funky, it's fully rechargeable, so there is are no wires to limit you and you can position it anywhere you like. Plus its sturdy enough to use as a stool as well as a light source, and its waterproof so it can be left outside even in our unpredictable British weather.

The 4 different modes allow you to choose the effect you want from flickering candle through to multi-coloured light changing. What more can you ask for ....

Click here for more information on this illuminated outdoor cube

We now deliver for FREE

2012-02-25T08:58:00.001-08:00

We are now offering a Free Delivery service for our standard range of gorgeous garden furniture, accessories and lighting to any UK mainland address.

By standard we mean anything under a certain size. A few of our larger pieces of furniture still have a £40 delivery charge due to their size and weight and this is indicated in the individual product details.

For overseas deliveries, please contact us at http://www.thebestdressedgarden.co.uk/

If you do one thing this month .... plant some pansies

2012-02-16T08:50:00.000-08:00

Last year I planted some winter pansies in February and they flowered their little heads off right the way through to autumn. This year I will be doing the same again .

Dig out the paintbrushes

2012-02-13T04:23:00.000-08:00

Great news ... Farrow and Ball's entire chart is now available as exterior paint. Now I really have no excuse not to get out there with a paintbrush

Image courtesy of Livingetc

Valentine's Day Heart Shaped Lantern

2012-02-06T03:21:00.000-08:00

We love, love, love ......

Hang from a piece of ribbon over your table for two.

Just £9.99 from The Best Dressed Garden, with FREE delivery. Plus we guarantee to get this gorgeous lantern to you before Valentines day if you place your order by 4pm on Friday 10th February.
Click here for more information and to purchase

Industrial Chic for the Garden

2012-01-23T13:11:00.000-08:00

Industrial Chic, the latest look for the garden ...

The Big Garden Sale at http://www.thebestdressedgarden.co.uk/ ends at midnight on 29 January 2012. Don't miss out on a garden bargain

Post Holiday Blues

2012-01-23T11:43:00.000-08:00

For those of you who didn't already know, I spent the first week of January 2012 in Egypt with my family. And when I say my family by this I mean 24 close relatives; parents, brothers, sister-in-laws, uncles, aunts, cousins, and not forgetting 7 of my fabulous nephews and nieces. The whole week was organised (and paid for) by my parents who wanted to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in style.
Although my inital thoughts were .... 24 family members all thrown together for a week ?.. what could possibly go wrong??!! In reality, nothing did go wrong and we all had the most amazing week together.

Coming back to cold, damp England was certainly something of a comedown, especially as the first day back at work was 'blue Monday', officially the most depressing day of the year. Although the new shoots pushing through on the bulbs I planted in Autumn did raise my spirits slightly. Some tips from The Telegraph on how to get back into the real world without too much hassle certainly came in useful.

Roll on Spring!

The Big Garden Sale

2012-01-16T04:11:00.000-08:00

Welcome back everyone, I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year, although it all seems to far away now. Feeling rejuvenated after a week in the sunshine in Egypt so its straight back to it with our Big Garden Sale.

We are giving up to 40% off some of our gorgeous garden goodies, so grab yourself a bargain for the garden

Here are some highlights ...

Save £48 on our Curved Slatted Chair. Was £239, now £191

Save £74 on our Round Metal Table, was £295 now £211

Save £12 on our Hurrican Lantern, was £29.99 now £17.99

Save £9.25 on our Triple Metal Planter, was £39 now £29.25

Plus much more. But remember, we are only running this sale for 2 WEEKS and it ends at midnight on 29 January.

http://www.thebestdressedgarden.co.uk/

Goodbye 2011 and Hello 2012

2011-12-28T04:49:00.000-08:00

As this is the last blog post for 2011, I'd like to say Thank You to all our customers, suppliers, friends and family who have supported The Best Dressed Garden throughout its 2nd year of trading.

2011 has been a very busy year for us with many ups and downs, but when I look back over the year as a whole I'd like to think that its been a productive one and The Best Dressed Garden has taken huge steps forward with its new website, new blog, new suppliers, new operating systems, and many great new garden living products.

As a business we have learnt some valuable lessons which will take us into our 3rd year of trading well prepared and focused on providing an even better service to our customers.

Personally, I am looking forward to 2012 with real anticipation, but only after I've recuperated on a beach in Egypt for a week in January!

See you all when we re-open again for business on Monday 16th January 2012

Happy New Year

The Best Dressed Garden Christmas Gift Guide

2011-12-11T09:46:00.001-08:00

Egg bird feeder in aqua £93 - Curled wire cake stand £29.99 - Lace tealight holders from £5.30 - kadai kebab skewers £30 - square zinc edged lantern £32.40 - triple grey metal planter £39

All in stock and posted out to you for £4.95 only

Couldn't resist this

2011-12-11T09:26:00.001-08:00

I bought this bright little cyclamen from the local garden nursery when I went to pick up a christmas tree. It was only £1.50 and it makes me smile everytime I walk round the corner to my front door

For more information regarding the pots shown, see our online garden living store

Kadai Fire Bowls now delivered for £4.95

2011-12-06T01:20:00.001-08:00

We now deliver our gorgeous Kadai Fire Bowls for only £4.95 per fire bowl.

Available in 3 sizes and with a choice of high or low stands, the Kadai was once used for cooking at ceremonies across India. They now make a perfect fire bowl or BBQ

We also have a range of Kadai accessories to compliment your Kadai Fire Bowl, such as a Kadai Charcoal Maker, a Kadai Charcoal Starter, and a set of four hand-forged Kadai Kebab Skewers

The stands are available to buy separately, so if you can't decide whether you want a high stand to BBQ or a low stand for a fire bowl, you can order both.

For more information and to order, visit The Best Dressed Garden's online garden living store

Fireplace Wood Store

2011-12-06T01:13:00.001-08:00

So how about this for a wood store with a difference

From Homes & Gardens, photography by Ben Anders

More herbs please

2011-11-27T23:20:00.001-08:00

This weekend I've been raiding the homegrown herbs again. This time it was the rosemary and sage I planted last year in an old metal bucket.

On Saturday I tried Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's Chilli, Cheese and Rosemary Polenta with tomato sauce. I've recently become slightly obsessed with Hugh, maybe its something to do with him looking so much cleaner and healthier since he took up vegetarianism, or maybe its just the new short haircut, who knows. Anyway, I've never really been a fan of polenta until I tried this recipe and its really rather good.

However, even Hugh's enthusiasm is not enough to convert me totally to vegetables, and on Sunday I used several large sprigs of sage to flavour a roasted free-range chicken, along with a whole lemon and rather alot of garlic. Served with the juices poured over and a mound of mashed potato - delicious!

Hugh's Chilli, Cheese and Rosemary Polenta with tomato sauce

4 tbsp olive oil.
1 garlic clove, chopped.
1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped, OR a good pinch of dried chilli flakes.
1 tbsp finely chopped rosemary.
150g quick-cook polenta.
100g strong Cheddar or well-flavoured, hard goat’s cheese, grated.Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.For the tomato sauce
2 tbsp olive oil.
2 garlic cloves, finely slivered.
2 x 400g tins plum tomatoes, any stalky ends and skin removed.
1 bay leaf (optional).
A pinch of sugar.

Method

1.To make the polenta, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a frying pan over a medium-low heat. Add the garlic and chilli and sweat gently for a couple of minutes – don’t let the garlic colour. Add the rosemary and remove from the heat.
2.Pour 800ml water into a saucepan and bring to the boil. Now pour in the polenta in a thin stream, stirring all the time. When smooth, allow it to return to a simmer. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring often, then remove from the heat. Stir in the garlic, chilli and rosemary mixture, then add the grated cheese and a generous amount of salt and pepper. Mix well.
3.Tip the polenta on to a cold surface, such as a plate or a marble slab, and spread it smoothly into an even disc, about 2cm thick. Leave to cool completely.
4.To make the tomato sauce, heat the olive oil in a wide frying pan over a medium-low heat. Add the garlic and sweat gently for a couple of minutes; don’t let it colour. Put the tomatoes into a large bowl with their juice and crush them with your hands. Tip the lot into the frying pan, adding a bay leaf if you have one handy. Bring to a simmer then cook for 20–30 minutes, stirring often and crushing the tomatoes with a fork until you have a thick, pulpy sauce. Season with salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar.
5.When the polenta is cool and firm, cut into slices or wedges. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a non-stick pan over a medium-high heat and fry the polenta pieces for 2–3 minutes each side, until they have a light, golden brown crust. Serve topped with the hot tomato sauce.

Hugh, my veggie hero

Garden Lanterns - 10% OFF for Winter

2011-11-21T11:19:00.001-08:00

All our garden lanterns have got 10% OFF for the next few months, so go on - light up your winter garden

For more information and to order, visit http://www.thebestdressedgarden.co.uk/

Home Grown Herbs

2011-11-14T11:14:00.001-08:00

I was watching the Great British Food Revival yesterday and the lovely Mary Berry was enthusing about home grown herbs. I have to agree with her, this summer I planted some basil seeds and grew them on my kitchen window sill. They are still going now, albeit a little skinny and unenthusiastic but even the smallest of leaves still have the most incredible flavour and smell. Sprinkled over salads and pasta, they bring the essence of summer back on the bleakest of November days.

Looking forward to Spring

2011-11-12T09:02:00.001-08:00

This weekend I'm avoiding the November gloom by looking forward to Spring . Not that I'm wishing my life away, its just that this has to be the most depressing time of the year in the garden so I've cheered myself up by filling some pots with spring and summer bulbs.

So far I've planted a large pot of the stunning Allium 'Purple Sensation', some delicate Fritillaria meleagris because I'm fascinated by its unusual colouring and several pots of double-headed miniature Narcissus Tete a Tete

Tomorrow, I'll be planting up my biggest pot with Tulip White Triumphator and Tulip Queen of the Night, and hopefully I'll get the same gorgeous display as last year

I found these great wooden plant labels at Wilkinsons and wrote on them in pencil to remind myself what was planted where. Roll on Spring!

The table, chair, round grey pot and antiqued lantern shown in the photos are available from The Best Dressed Garden online garden living store

Plastic Fantastic

2011-11-11T04:29:00.000-08:00

These really rather fantastic garden chairs are new in on our website and will have you thinking again about plastic garden furniture.
Colourful, lightweight, stackable or foldable, durable, UV and water resistant, easy to clean, in fact what's not to like??

Remember, remember the 5th of November

2011-10-17T03:48:00.000-07:00

As the nights draw in and the leaves begin to fall, here are The Best Dressed Garden we're starting to think about Bonfire Night celebations. These are our top tips to get your Bonfire Party off with a bang

1. Light Up The Way

Theres nothing worse than stumbling around in a dark garden or field trying to find your way to the bonfire. Light the way with tealight holders hung from trees such as these pretty glass and wire holders. These ones are on special offer at the moment - buy two and get a third one free.

If you don't want to use candles, try placing hurrican lanterns in strategic positions along the way. This lantern burns lantern oil and has a tall glass shield so it keeps alight on the breeziest of nights.
Click here for more information

All the lanterns at The Best Dressed Garden have 10% off to celebrate Bonfire Night.
Click here to see the full range

2. An Alternative Bonfire
Not everyone has the space or indeed enough rubbish lying around to have a full bonfire. A Kadai Fire Bowl makes a great alternative to a bonfire for the smaller garden.

All sizes of Kadai Fire Bowls are available from The Best Dressed Garden and delivery is twice a week at £4.95 per fire bowl

3. Make your parkin a week in advance
Traditional oatmeal parkin improves with age and after about a week it will be much more moist and sticky than when it was first made. This is one of our favourite parkin recipes by Delia Smith

Ingredients
8 oz (225 g) medium oatmeal
4 oz (110 g) self-raising flour
a pinch of salt
7 oz (200 g) dark syrup or golden syrup
1 oz (25 g) black treacle, plus 1 teaspoon
4 oz (110 g) margarine
4 oz (110 g) soft brown sugar
2 level teaspoons ground ginger
1 large egg, beaten
1 tablespoon milk
Method
Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 1, 275°F (140°C).
First weigh a saucepan on the scales, and weigh the syrup and treacle into it.
Then add the margarine and the sugar to the saucepan and place it over a gentle heat until the margarine has melted down, do not allow to boil.
Meanwhile, measure the oatmeal, flour and ginger into a mixing bowl, add a pinch of salt, then gradually stir in the warmed syrup mixture till the mixture is all thoroughly blended.
Next add the beaten egg, and lastly the milk. Now pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake on the centre shelf of the oven for 1¾-2 hours.
Then cool the parkin in the tin for 30 minutes before turning out. Don't worry too much if the parkin sinks slightly in the middle

4. Serve something warm and alcoholic
A little nip of Vin Chaud always goes down well when you're stood around in the cold. Try gently heating a bottle of red wine with 4 cinnamon sticks, 5 whole cloves, a piece of orange zest and 4tbsp granulated sugar. Do not allow to boil and just before serving add 1/3 cup of brandy. Share and enjoy!

Reduced delivery charges

2011-10-10T13:47:00.000-07:00

After an email from a customer who didn't understand the way our delivery charges worked, we came to the conclusion that we were being far too complicated. So after much discussion, we simplified our charges down to two rates:-

Firstly, a standard delivery charge of £4.95 to a single UK mainland address, regardless of the number of items in your order. Not bad, considering what you save on driving, parking and queuing, plus general stressing out.
Secondly, a delivery surcharge of £40 to a single UK mainland address for when larger items are ordered. A one-off payment to cover the extra cost of getting a heavy item into your garden.

Of course, we still have some extra heavy items, such as our green oak Ripple Bench, which we will quote for delivery on receipt of the delivery address. Quotations to deliver items to addresses outside of the UK mainland are also available on request.

This means that our Kadai Fire Bowls and Kadai accessories are now delivered to you for just £4.95, as well as any number of garden lanterns and lighting, bird houses and feeders, garden planters, garden accessories etc

Happy shopping!!

Those 'Not so Hot' Summer Nights

2011-10-02T12:22:00.000-07:00

With the recent heat wave taking us all by surprise, its easy to forget that we are actually now into October and the evenings drop cold quite early. So anything that stops us running indoor at 7pm seems like a good idea, which is why we love these new accessories for our Kadai Fire Bowl.

This Kadai Charcoal Starter is a quick and effective way to get your Kadai Fire Bowl started. Uniquely designed to light your charcoal and bring it up to cooking temperature without the need for smelly lighter fluids.

Awarded Product of the Year 2011 by the RHS at Chelsea, the Kadai Charcoal Maker is an environmentally friendly way of making your own charcoal at home

Simply fill with hardwood logs then put the whole unit inside a fully lit Kadai, cover with firewood and enjoy the Kadai firebowl for the evening. The following day, when cool, open your charcoal maker and the wood will have changed into charcoal ready for use on your next barbeque.

For further details and to purchase, visit The Best Dressed Garden online garden living shop

Extend your Summer with these Hotspot Gas Lights

2011-09-15T08:07:00.000-07:00

Anything that makes the Summer nights lighter and warmer is a bonus at this time of the year, which is why this range of gas lights is such a big hit.

They run on 'blow torch' gas cylinders which last for up to eight hours per canister. Lightweight, portable and rust-proof, they are constructed from high quality, anodised alumium, which means they can also be left outside all year round.

Choose from the Table Top Gas Light, the Spike Gas Light or the dramatic Olympic torch with its fantastic real flame.

Priced at £29.99 each, they are available from our online garden living shop http://www.thebestdressedgarden.co.uk/

We love .... this wire cake stand

2011-08-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

We don't normally show anything that isn't strictly garden-related, but with this gorgeously rustic cake stand we decided to make an exception. Made from curled wire, this cake stand comes with an antiqued glass insert for ease of cleaning

And in case you're wondering, the luscious lemon and blueberry cake was made for our photoshoot by Nell, our lovely model seen skipping around the garden in the photo on our home page.

Although only eleven, Nell is the best cake baker I know and makes the most delicious cakes for friends' birthdays, leaving do's, anniversaries and any other occasion she can find an excuse for. Although she says she's going to be a barrister when she's older, we think her career as a baker is set ...

Lemon and Blueberry Cake

175g unsalted butter, softened
175g caster sugar
3 medium size eggs, beaten
175g self-raising flour, sieved
4 large tablespoons good quality lemon curd
150g fresh blueberries

Lemon Butter Cream Icing

50g unsalted butter, softened
250g icing sugar, sifted, plus extra for dusting
Zest of one lemon

Method

Preheat oven to 180°C, fan 160°C, gas 4. Grease and line two 20cm sandwich tins.
Place the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and cream together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, adding a tablespoon of flour with the second egg. Add the remaining flour and beat well.
Divide the mixture equally between the prepared sandwich tins. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the cake has risen and springs back to the touch. Cool on a wire rack.
Beat the butter for the icing with the lemon zest until smooth and then gradually beat in the icing sugar, until white and creamy
Spread the base cake with the lemon curd, followed by the butter icing
Arrange the blueberries on top of the butter icing
Sandwich the two cake layers together and dust with icing

Cut and enjoy with friends

Available from The Best Dressed Garden, this cake stand is priced at £29.99.

Click here for more information and to purchase the cake stand

A new look to The Best Dressed Garden

2011-08-17T14:16:00.000-07:00

Its all change here at The Best Dressed Garden ... We have just launched our new-look website and unfortunately as a result we managed to lose our blog, ahhh the joys of cyberspace.

Anyway, enough complaining ... we now have a new blog alongside our new website and a new range of gorgeous garden stuff. Plus our new shopping cart should make the whole purchase process much easier to navigate.
Happy shopping http://www.thebestdressedgarden.co.uk/