Thursday 21 April 2016

Modern Garden Magazine: Review.

 
 
 
Hello Everyone,
 
 
Here is my review of the new gardening magazine, here in the UK, Modern Gardens. The second issue was released yesterday, and I sat in the evening and read it, almost cover to cover!
 
 
The concept is brilliant, it's quite unique in terms of your average garden mag. It's for those who want their outside space to be an extension to their home, but perhaps haven't got oodles of time or money. I love looking through gardening magazines, especially those expensive glossy ones, the ones where each garden is 3 plus acres, show gardens really. They are the gardens of the rich, or at least those who dedicate their life to their garden.
 
 
Modern Gardens features 'normal' gardens, by that I mean those up and down most streets in the UK, not on some vast estate somewhere. There's definitely been a gap in the market, and I think it's just been plugged. The magazine is about the norm, but that doesn't mean our gardens have to be boring, or average. They can be creative, beautiful, with a little bit of effort and not too much cash. The thing that's most needed is creativity, and if you feel you haven't much in that department either, well luckily it spills out from every page!
 
This month there are features on:
Readers gardens and how they achieved the look.
How to choose and develop your gardening style.
Too many Upcycle projects to mention.
Vertical gardens.
Auriculas...I really, really need some of them in my life!
Creating focal points in your garden.
Colourful planting schemes.
Upcycled containers...some of the ideas are brilliant.
Outdoor spas...we all need one of those!
 
 
Every single page is crammed full of ideas, in fact it's a bit overwhelming, it's best to keep picking it up in short bursts, perhaps with a cuppa.
 
 
So, is there anything I would change?
I think they've got the balance of adverts just right, (please don't put an advert on every other page).
I'd love to see more readers homes in the mag, 3 or 4 full makeover articles, instead of just the 2.
For those of us who like to grow our own, a few more features on growing fruit and veg in your back garden would be fantastic. Most of the grow your own magazines available, seem to focus on allotments, or those with huge plots.
Maybe even a feature about a garden in another country, I'm sure there are loads of people who would like to share their spaces.
 
 
It's an excellent magazine, there's even a £1.00 voucher to give to someone so they can by it cheaper. If you've read it, please let me know your thoughts. This isn't a sponsored post by the way, paid for the magazine myself, and thoughts are my own, unbiased and honest.
 
Right, I'm off to potter in my own garden, Mr Landscape man is back on Monday, curtesy of a tax refund, (now that's never happened before!). So watch this space...I'm ever so excited!
 
 
Amanda :) xxx
 
 
(My images don't do the pages any favours...sorry!).
 
 
Otto, and I have had a difficult few days, both unwell, but getting better :) xxx
 
 
 
 
 

 

16 comments:

  1. Yes, I agree, big gardens are nice,the gardens of the rich as you call them. The gardens where you can go for a walk on Sunday afternoon with your family or with your friends, with ancient trees and maybe exotic plant from somewhere in the world... but I prefer the simple loved and well- kept garden with a few money and lots of ( economic ) sacrifices to have it! But yes... this is only my opinion.
    Hoping that you and Otto are well now!
    Miriam

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    1. Hi Miriam, big gardens are very inspirational, I just love National Trust gardens. The magazine however shows what can be done in smaller spaces and that's just as inspirational. We are on the mend thank you :) xxx

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  2. Hi Amanda, I left a message on your previous (or maybe the one before!!) post because I'd just read it and recognised your summer house before I realised it was you! Yes, I enjoyed it very much, my Other Half read it and said some good ideas but not in death gardening for gardening hard-liners… and I tend to agree with him here. HOWEVER, I think you are spot on when you say there has been a gap in the market and it does fill it. I don't mean to denigrate it by saying this… it seems more of a house mag for gardens, than a 'dirty fingernails' toe gardening mag. I will certainly buy the next issue, because as you know we are doing lots to our small patch and this mag has lots of really good ideas. Lxx

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    1. You're right Lynne, it's more for those looking for creative ideas than the hard core gardener, I think I fall in between these groups. If I need to find out something more technical or maybe that should be scientific about I plant I just google it now. The mag is great if you are just about to revamp an area of your garden, or just looking for some inspiration. Your Other half doesn't need any inspiration...he has you! ;) xxx

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    2. Ha! And he's very conscious of the fact, Amanda! But endlessly patient, I have to say. Two typos -- DEATH should read DEPTH, and TOE should read…TYPE! I know - I should have checked before I clicked!. Going out today to buy issue no. 2! Yippeee! Lx

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    3. Lol...it's a good job I know you! Enjoy reading and planning ;) xxx

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  3. Brilliant review, bought the first one and loved it - now looking forward to seeing this one! I love my garden but not having parents who gardened I need all the help I can get! Thank you, best wishes to you and Otto

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    1. We are both getting better thank you...good luck with your gardening plans! :) xxx

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  4. I've subscribed to it. We are changing the garden to incorporate a proper cooking & eating area. The first issue had some really good idea I hope the following issues do to xx

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    1. I'd LOVE a pizza oven Jo, one day maybe...I will enjoy looking at your progress over on your blog :) xxx

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  5. I bought this mag and loved it! I love my garden and spend lots of time on it but sometimes you want an instant WOW and there are tons of them in this mag. I think it will encourage newer and younger gardeners to have a go, it doesn't get bogged down with double-digging and latin names. I will pass it onto my daughter as she and her lovely husband are just about to move into a new home with a very bland garden. Best wishes x

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    1. Hi Lisa, there's lots of little instant impact projects in it. We both know gardening is long term but sometimes instant is what's needed ;) xxx

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  6. can tell you have got so much pleasure from this magazine, can picture you sitting either in the garden weather permitting or your studio reading this and loving the photos articles etc

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    1. I've really enjoyed the articles Margaret :) xxx

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  7. Amanda, thanks So much for the review and it's been fascinating reading the comments which I'll show to em everyone at the magazine. You've got us spot on and I will also take your comments on board.

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    1. Thank you Fiona, I think you and your team have worked incredibly hard getting this off the ground, pack full of ideas for those of us that aren't naturally green fingered! :) xxx

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Hello! Thank you so much for leaving your thoughts and messages with me. I read each and everyone and will try and answer any questions as quickly as I can! :)x