[gavinjconway]

@ Trillium re 'the stool' ahh- I'd not spotted that so had a closer look!  I have one of these, it must be from Lidl  you can turn it upside down as an assisted 'kneeler pad' and the 'legs' help you to get up again!  I've not used that function just yet....

Yup quite right... Hi Trillium I got it from a skip at a customers house.. great little gadget - it's one of these..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Draper-Green-Padded-Cushion-Garden-Kneeler-Seat-Stool-or-Chair-with-Storage-/32091872246

[Trillium]

I was thinking about one of those seats until I saw THIS and am dropping very heavy hints for Christmas gift.

My many raised beds are about 18" tall and give me a real crick in the back when I have to pick things like beans, blueberries, or do weeding. The rolling seat will be ideal as I have lots of territory to cover   

[Beetroot Queen]

How about trying some vertical gardening too 

[gavinjconway]

I was thinking about one of those seats until I saw THIS and am dropping very heavy hints for Winterval gift.

My many raised beds are about 18" tall and give me a real crick in the back when I have to pick things like beans, blueberries, or do weeding. The rolling seat will be ideal as I have lots of territory to cover   

Mmmm... very clever Trillium - nice   

[RobRob]

Vertical is the key! Thanks, good points for me to plan from

[Christine]

Of course, state of your soil, state of your weather and state of your health are key ingredients of how much you grow. If any of the three fail, I've found you don't do as well as you might.  All three have been good to me this year.

[Madame Cholet]

I'm experimenting with vertical growing with arches paths. Try alpine strawberries, sorrel and chives under fruit bushes, they all do well for me in the shade. Also have a look into forest gardening for ideas if you are happy to give more unusual crops a go. Its my first year for good king henry which looks good so far.

Joy Larkolms book Grow Your Own Vegetables, whichI find excellent, has a table which gives you a yeald per area.

[gobs]

That's a very good book in my view, too.

Those plants in the shade might overrun your garden, given the chance...

[RJR_38]

I was thinking about one of those seats until I saw THIS and am dropping very heavy hints for Winterval gift.

My many raised beds are about 18" tall and give me a real crick in the back when I have to pick things like beans, blueberries, or do weeding. The rolling seat will be ideal as I have lots of territory to cover   

I need one of these in the classroom!

[Kristen]

I was thinking about one of those seats until I saw THIS and am dropping very heavy hints for Winterval gift.

I Googled it looking for a UK supplier ... found Chinese suppliers  $10-20 FOB ... retail price in your link $98

Depressed now 

[surbie100]

I'm experimenting with vertical growing with arches paths. Try alpine strawberries, sorrel and chives under fruit bushes, they all do well for me in the shade. Also have a look into forest gardening for ideas if you are happy to give more unusual crops a go. Its my first year for good king henry which looks good so far.

Joy Larkolms book Grow Your Own Vegetables, whichI find excellent, has a table which gives you a yeald per area.

I've had really good results with things clambering up arches, and am putting them across the main path down my plot for next year. Likewise would second Madame Cholet's underplanting recommendation.

[Trillium]

Kristen, I'm not sure where the one I want was made but the supplying company I listed carries only high quality equipment (rarely oriental made) and I know it will be lifetime items, much like your Harrod Hortic. in the UK. I've found that both companies carry many of the same items. I've seen that rolling utility stool in their store and it's very well made, worth the $98. Normally I'd cringe at such a price but these days in tools you really do get what you pay for.

[Kristen]

That's good to hear   The Chinese ones I saw looked identical ... they may well be direct copies but nothing like as robust.

[sunshineband]

One thing not yet mentioned is to make sure that you plan ahead to make the most of your ground during the winter/early spring, with PSB, kales, spring cabbages, leeks and winter hardy salad leaves such as lambs lettuce, and those that with a little protection keep going, such as rocket, endive and radicchio.