The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) was set up in 1993 in response to concerns over mass deforestation – the loss of irreplaceable forests and the habitats they provide.  It is difficult not to be aware of or see the effects of this destruction as our televisions are so often broadcasting the plight of orphaned primates or the effects on the Earth’s carbon balance. 

Timber products carrying the FSC logo are sourced from sustainable, well-managed forests. There are other certification schemes such as MTCC (Malaysian Timber Certification Council), SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification). Buying products endorsed by these schemes is really the only way we can buy in confidence knowing that we are not promoting illegal deforestation.

So you’d think by now that specifying or buying timber products that are certified from sustainable sources would be one of the simplest things we can do to help protect our precious resources, wouldn’t you?, …….well either there is still a lack of awareness or we blinker ourselves and find ways to justify our product choices regardless of source…..  because I was absolutely astounded to visit a large timber yard recently and see the amount of hardwood that is NOT certified.   

Ipe, Yellow Balau, Opepe, Cumaru – non of these carried the FSC logo. The issue seems to be that the timber suppliers try to get FSC certified wood but when this becomes difficult they continue to provide the same wood from non-FSC sources, and yes of course, the non-FSC wood is cheaper.

But who should take responsibility for stopping this process - the timber yards or the consumers (specifiers and buyers)?  

Relying on the consumer to change the buying habits of suppliers is a slow process and relies on awareness campaigns and ultimately the cost of products. Given the urgency of the need to stop this destruction why are there not regulations banning the import of non certified wood into the UK?   

The Forestry Commission’s regulations for importing wood are concerned only with plant health and the prevention of bringing diseased wood into the UK. They need to be widened. Forest destruction is a global disaster but we have to stop the demand for this wood in the UK.

I design gardens because I have a love of the environment and the pleasure it provides. I went to the timber yard with the intention of using Ipe wood, whilst it looked beautiful I will not be specifying this with the uncertainty that it may have been sourced from illegal logging. Massaranduba wood however is available from FSC sources, whether this will continue I don’t know but I urge anyone buying wood, or wood  products, to always check that it comes from a recognised certified source. 

www.fsc-uk.org - Forest Stewardship Council

www.pefc.org - Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification

www.sfiprogram.org - Sustainable Forestry Initiative

www.mtcc.com.my - Malaysian Timber Certification Council

Jill Crooks

The theme was Red, White, Blue and Silver to mark the 25 anniversary of their french twin town.  Planting needed to look its best on judging day (10th July) and create a long lasting display in the window…..

Red Perlagoniums (geraniums) provided the top layer

White Impatiens (buzy lizzies) filled out the middle layer

Blue Lobelia (Sky Blue cultivar) trailed down for the lower layer

Also included in the scheme was a basket of strawberries and silver helichrysum positioned on a penny farthing bicycle

It could have been a lovely summer

Sitting amongst sweet flowers, not nettles

Oh what a bummer

The barren patch of earth just longing to be fruitful

            With potatoes and beans and healthy things

            That would keep me youthful

The old herbaceous bed looks at me with sorrow

            Its blooming days are long gone now

I’ll sort you out tomorrow

The poor neglected path with its concrete cracked and broken

            With a new lease of life to change its journey   

The garden….and me… could be awoken

As for the patio, for fine dining alfresco

            Well, there’s no garden larder

            So it’s back down to Tesco

Oh where is my haven, my bolthole from stress

A place where chilled Sauvignon

Can spill down my dress

Enough of this dilly-dallying, this procrastination

            My senses are crying out

For a garden sensation

So lets get planning, I want to feel alive

            I know what to do

            Talk to Room105

Q. How do you cope with Essex clay, what can you do to improve it?
A. Clay soils can be easily damaged and cultivation needs to be carried out at the right time, don’t work it when it’s wet as the structure can be weakened and easily compacted. Drainage is the key problem and can be improved by adding stone and grit. An application of lime (calcium carbonate) will also improve the crumb structure but will make your soil more alkaline so check your pH first (the best pH for plants is 6.5). Carry out cultivations in early winter so that any frosts break down the clods, also adding plenty of organic matter at this time will give the worms and other soil organisms time to work it in before next spring - letting nature work for you!

Q. Some of the leaves on my Camellia have started to turn brown, what could be causing it and what should I do?
A. Check the pH of your soil or compost, Camellias are acid loving plants and need a pH less than 7.0, if it’s too alkaline you can add ericaceous compost or sequestered iron. Don’t plant or position Camellias facing east - in frosty weather the morning sunshine can damage their buds.

Q. My asparagus haven’t come up what am I doing wrong?
A. Asparagus need good drainage and lots of fertiliser, dig a wide trench about 30cm (1ft) wide and 15cm (6in) deep line it with manure and a sandy loam, cover the asparagus crowns with about 7.5cm (3in) of sandy loam and keep topping up trench as plants grow. Spears should not be cut until the second spring, after which the ferny foliage should be left on until it turns yellow in autumn. Don’t over harvest the spears, leave some to grow for future crops.

BBC Essex talk to Room105 garden design

The event was covered by BBC Essex and can be heard again on the BBC iplayer until Sat 30th May  

Does your garden need a new lease of life?  perhaps including a ‘grow your own’ area that looks good and provides you and your family with seasonal salad crops and vegetables - we’d love to hear from you!

The article includes Joes top 5 architectural plants:

• Melianthus major
• Dicksonia antarctica (tree fern)  
• Musa basjoo (banana)
• Tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Rex’ (the rice paper plant)
• Astelia ‘Silver Spear’

“..the combination of high visual impact and low upkeep means they won’t stay in the shade for long”

Thanks.