Instaplanta - Container Gardens for a New Generation

Ringing Endorsement from Martin Walker of S'martyPlants - Growing Trends!

2012-01-22T15:28:00.006Z

There is no doubt that enthusiasm towards growing food crops is seeing a hearty revival, although personally I feel it has always been popular just not in mainstream media. Research on the psychological benefits of gardening has led to an appreciation that cultivation can ease stress and engage the mind with the bonus of an attractive and tasty outcome. This is not without frustration though as many would be recruits find it difficult if not impossible to allocate space in their garden and let’s face it the chances of securing an allotment are about as likely as a winning the lottery.

I have been involved in gardening all my life and recent retirement has provided me with an opportunity to indulge myself in my passion, no, lets be more ambitious, start a new career that concentrates on all those things work prevented me from doing!

As a keen gardener I have always tinkered and changed my garden around, trying new plants, having little flurries of focus on particular groups but there has always been one big frustration ‘Space’.

I know you are thinking that all professional gardeners have huge plots, not this one; it has been a constant frustration trying to find a property with a large plot and not stray too far away from my family. Ever the optimist I am determined to develop my interest albeit on a small scale. The challenge then is how to make use of every available space to grow and produce plants.

I have always enjoyed searching periodicals and gardening journals for new ideas and to increase my knowledge, more recently exploring approaches to small space gardening I stumbled across developments from over the ‘Pond’. The American’s have an uncanny way of thinking up names for new techniques, ‘Square Foot Gardening’ or ‘Cube Foot Gardening’, a term used to describe raised bed or intensive contained gardening. Generally it involves creating raised beds on your existing plot, enriching the soil to support intensive cropping where plants are grown closer together in a more carefully prepared soil. Ground preparation is essential and although the crops tend to be smaller they mature faster, which means that there is the opportunity to grow a number of crops in succession throughout the season.

So what has this to do with my aspirations, well the space I have available is on hard standing, my patio to be specific. I have perused the many and varied types of planters, considering style, build quality, capacity and of course price. It is a minefield out there with hundreds to choose from, so I needed to apply further criteria mobility, flexibility and watering.

My search led me to a relatively new approach that goes by the name of ‘Instaplanta’, is this just another raised bed system? Well, let me tell you that it is not just a box you fill with compost, nor is it unattractive. The system is ingenious in that it is a wooden container in which you have a number of lined basket inserts. Principally developed to target the School and Care Home market where flexibility is important. The ‘Instaplanta’ utilises planting pods made of plastic coated weld-mesh, lined with a geotextile to stop the compost falling out. Two handles make the 30cmx 30cm cube easy to lift out and to work on. The wooden planter is very robust and the baskets sit on slatted wood rails allowing air movement around the base of the pods. The company also offer a watering tank system which is similar to those used in office planters. The tank is positioned inside the pod before filling with compost, a small tube at soil level makes filling the tank quite easy, good if you spend time away from home. For the Schools and Care Home market there are small workstations and wheeled transporters to move the planting pods inside a classroom or under a shelter when the weather is poor.

I have two planters each with six baskets which allows me to grow small quantities of crops next to one another with minimum disturbance. As space is at a premium in my garden I can’t accommodate a workstation so I made a small seat out of decking offcuts which fits neatly between my planters and doubles as a work shelf.

The compost I use is my own mix, why? Well composts from garden centres can be variable and I know what the compost should feel and look like so I mix a combination of compost, grow bag and John Innes no 1, add a little vermiculite (pearlite will do) just to help water and nutrient retention and keep the compost aerated. You could use compost straight from the bag if you are happy with its quality. Basically you are providing something for the roots to grow in. I also add a handful of organic food pellets, ‘Slug Gone’ or the like are perfect. This will give a base reserve of nutrient but due to the crops being grown quickly and in a small space they will need supplementary feeding.

Whether sowing direct or planting pot grown crops the pods are easy to handle and refill, in addition, crops that mature quickly can be harvested without disturbing their neighbours.

Watering will be the most important issue, particularly through a warm dry period, but a few minutes every morning is all that is needed.

I am looking forward to experimenting with this system and feel that it will allow me to produce modest crops of the vegetables I like, maybe not self-sufficient but a real treat. The only word of advice I would give is to grow crops that fit the scale of the planters, Brussels sprouts, and Pumpkins are out, but there is an increasing range of mini veg available to try. Start with salads and short rooted carrots, turnips and dwarf beans.

Martin Walker S'marty Plants.

Time for a Coffee with Christine!

2012-01-12T22:48:00.000Z

Mal Simpson of instaplanta meets up with Christine Walkden, Plants Woman and BBC TV Gardening Presenter for a coffee and a catch up!

Instaplanta Keeping Fingers Crossed for Joan Mulvenna and Garden Design Manchester!!

2012-01-10T17:33:00.002Z

Joan Mulvenna of Garden Design Manchester has recently submitted her garden design entry to the RHS for the opportunity to exhibit at the prestigious RHS Tatton Flower Show 2012.

Joan will be vying for a place in the highly competitive 'Back to Back Garden' category. Her garden entitled 'Carry on Gardening' is themed around a care home setting and demonstrates how elderly people can continue to access the therapeutic benefits that gardening activities bring.

If Joan's application is successful she has chosen to use Instaplanta products as an integral part of her design and in turn Instaplanta will become one Joan's key sponsors!

So fingers crossed everybody lets hope it's good news for Joan and good news for Instaplanta!!

Gardening Celebrity uses Instaplanta products in Award Winning Exhibit.

2011-12-28T19:00:00.001Z

Well known gardening presenter Joe Maiden used Instaplanta planting pods in his recent exhibit at the prestigious Leeds Show. Joe's entry was awarded Large Gold Medal and the Stan Hill trophy for best exhibit in Societies section.

Joe has been using the Instaplanta system many months now and stated, "The Instaplanta system is great, I’m planning to use it with various combinations, in particular vegetables and herbs. The planting pods make it so easy to change and replant,
I don't know why it hasn’t been done before!"

New Instaplanta Patio Allotment!

2011-12-27T09:12:00.002Z

Growing salad, veg and herb crops right outside your kitchen door!

Even in the smallest of garden's you can grow an array of veg, salad and herb crops using Instaplanta's New Patio Allotment.

With their removable planting pods you can get started quickly and be eating your own 'home grown' produce in no time, perfect for the 'five minute gardener'

Click here to contact us today for more information.

Instaplanta Products A Great Success At Glee

2011-12-12T16:54:00.000Z

Glee is a major Gardening & Horticulture product exhibition held at Birmingham NEC.

Instaplanta won accolade from Glee’s international visitor set that spoke of “Big environmental and economic potential” for the unique planter products.

Instaplanta displayed a wide range of products at the exhibition and displayed in detail the self-watering and easy ‘move’ and ‘change’ benefits of the Instaplanta products.

Glee’s visitors realised the Outdoor Advertising possibilities of the Instaplanta products Media buyers from the public and private sectors in loved the idea of being able to advertise to a potential large footfall of people for very competitive rates and be seen to be adding to the environmental impact of a clients area.

Media buyers love ‘New Advertising Ideas’ and they are quickly jumping onto the Instaplanta product range capitalising on a unique cost effective outdoor advertising product range.

Using school grounds for gardening

2011-11-23T09:10:00.000Z

Using school grounds for gardening

'The White Rose Centre Sharing the Success with Local Businesses'

2011-07-10T08:35:00.003+01:00

We recognised that in the current economic climate, many organisations are having to make cuts. Unfortunately, items such as container gardens and street planters are often seen as a luxury they can no longer afford. However, managers recognise the importance of that 'first impression' – customers can make snap judgements about an organisation based on its appearance - and make these cuts reluctantly.

That’s why we at Instaplanta have come up with a fantastic and innovative scheme which provides a 'win win' solution. If you qualify for the scheme, we will provide you with commercial planters totally free of charge as we have done for the White Rose Centre in Leeds!

We provided the White Rose with free deluxe fully stocked planters and then sought out local businesses wishing to advertise their services on two signs fitted the planters for just £2.15 per day!! This is a hugely popular visitor attraction which attracts up to 13million visitors per year, 70% of which are from the surrounding area.

Better still, Instaplanta handle all the administration.This incredible scheme enables establishments such as Retail Parks, City/Town Centres to improve the aesthetic appeal of their premises and maintain visitor satisfaction, whilst still easing budgetary pressures. Finally yet another added bonus is that all planters are exchanged for new ones in the fourth season so standards are continually maintained.

For more info visit our website @ Click here!!

Martin Walker is Instaplanta's 'Gardening Guru'

2011-05-02T12:12:00.002+01:00

Martin Walker Instaplanta's own 'Gardening Guru'
Martin has a lifetime of horticultural experience and will be regularly updating our blog site with useful hints and tips to get the most out of your Instaplanta Garden!!

Martin Walker 'The Gardening Guru'

Another Celebrity Gardening expert gives the thumbs up to the Instaplanta System!

2011-04-26T19:57:00.001+01:00

Joe Maiden is a well-known author, gardener, horticulturist and BBC Radio Leeds presenter based in Yorkshire. Joe recently scooped the ‘Best Practical Journalist’ Award at the Garden Media Guild Awards.

Joe Said..........

“The Instaplanta system is great, I’m planning to use it with various combinations, in particular veg and herbs.

The baskets make it so easy to change and replant, I don't know why it hasn’t been done before”

St Joseph's Catholic Primary Choose the Instaplanta Way!

2011-04-07T19:53:00.001+01:00

Headmaster of St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Castleford West Yorkshire was proud to finally open their new school kitchen garden. Our planting pods have proved very popular with many schools the lenght and breadth of the UK.

When space is limited Instaplanta's planting pods work well!

Instaplanta teams up with Growing Schools!!

2011-03-15T21:07:00.000Z

http://www.growingschools.org.uk/News/detail.aspx?ItemID=35

Instaplanta's Design A Poster Competition is Here!!

2011-02-27T12:59:00.001Z

Spring Arrives for Kippax in Bloom

2011-02-27T10:02:00.000Z

Holbecks in Bloom with Instaplanta!!

2011-02-18T17:03:00.000Z

The first signs of Spring arrive in Holbeck!!
This well planted planter supplied by Instaplanta is enough to bring a smile to anyone's face ..........

Great Online Resource!!

2011-02-12T11:54:00.003Z

Directory for UK gardening and gardens online. Find suppliers, advice, plants, seeds, tools, gardens to visit, gifts, lawn care, design tips, garden buildings and more

GardenLinks

New Partner for Instaplanta ..............

2011-02-09T18:47:00.001Z

We are also pleased to announce that Victoriana Nursery Gardens have agreed to partner with us and offer any school a 20% discount on all their plants or seeds to make the most of your new Instaplanta container. They offer a wide range including vegetable seeds and pretty perennial plants. They are a traditional old fashioned nursery so can offer additional advice or support should you need it and grow everything naturally so you won't need to worry about any nasties for your children. Why not take a look at their range http://www.victoriananursery.co.uk/

2011-02-07T16:17:00.002Z

Instaplanta Launch New Website!!

2011-02-06T08:26:00.000Z

Click Here & Check it Out!!

LIFE OF A GARDENER: THE ALTERNATIVE TO BEDDING PLANTS

2011-01-22T12:48:00.000Z

LIFE OF A GARDENER: THE ALTERNATIVE TO BEDDING PLANTS

Excellent Self Watering Wooden Street Panters

2011-01-16T08:35:00.001Z

These street planters help to brighten up the most dismal of urban areas, with their unique planting basket system and built in water reservoir they are easy to install, maintain and replant!!

Container Gardens for Schools - Don't let the weather dictate when your school take part in gardening activity!

2011-01-09T17:13:00.002Z

Lawns Park Primary School in Leeds don't let the weather get in the way when they want do a little gardening, when bad weather strikes they simply wheel their planting pod's inside and carry on gardening!!

Local authorities - you may qualify for free Commercial Planters..... Yes 'Free' Contact Instaplanta Now!!

2010-11-28T21:16:00.005Z

Instaplanta Container Gardens For The Elderly

2010-11-28T13:53:00.004Z

Instaplanta's Mobile Therapy Garden is designed for use in residential care homes where staff find it difficult to deliver gardening activities to residents due to their failing health and restricted mobility.

So when you can't get the residents outside into the garden then why not bring the garden inside to them?

This new system of gardening will allow care home providers the opportunity to engage more readily with their older and more frail residents. Carrying out gardening in this way will allow them the opportunity to access the stimulating benefits that gardening brings in a safe comfortable environment.

This 'no dig' garden also frees staff from the high maintenance regimes that come hand in hand with the more traditional permanent gardening plot. Click on the 3D movie clip below and see how this works!!

Instaplanta Container Gardens for Schools Movie Clip!!

2010-11-28T13:49:00.003Z

The Instaplanta System makes school gardening easier for time poor teachers. This "No dig" garden allows the children get straight down to the enjoyable eliments of gardening.

No longer can the typical British Climate interupt the children's enjoyment either as the garden comes with a mobile unit which allows teachers t...o simply move the planting pods indoors or under cover!!
See how it works by watching the movie clip

Instaplanta now on Facebook!!

2010-11-07T16:06:00.003Z

Instaplanta (Yorkshire) Ltd

Promote your Page too

Leeds school gets a new play area!!

2010-09-24T15:16:00.000+01:00

Lawns Park Primary took delivery of the first phase of their outdoor play equipment and the children just can't wait to get outside and play!!

Deputy Head Mr Stone said "We are delighted at the wonderful playground that Instaplanta have created for our school"

Mr Stone went on to say "The staff and pupils are very excited and are looking forward to the future development of the play area and year 4 are already putting together a rota for the school to ensure the children all get a fair turn"

The equipment supplied consisted of an A-frame, pull-up bars, slalom poles, balance beams, a stile and lots lots more!!

A-Frame

Equipment installation

Instaplanta form partnership with local Leeds School .............

2010-08-30T06:58:00.000+01:00

Instaplanta are to work closely with Lawns Park Primary School in Leeds to help them in the development of both their gardening project and their outdoor play facilities.

Instaplanta's Paul Robinson said " It's a real pleasure to be working with Lawns Park, being a Yorkshire based company ourselves to be giving something back to the community fills me with a great sense of satisfaction"

Instaplanta will be providing the school with their new and unique gardening system which allows children to participate in gardening activities in any given location, including indoors so the weather can no longer disrupt the teachers lesson plans. The system also allows children to take home their own plant filled growing pods to look after during the school holidays.

The school will also be receiving new outdoor play equipment such as, pull-up bars, a-frames, balance beams and lots more to help encourage the children to lead more active lives!!

Portable Horticulture Comes of Age !!

2010-08-09T22:45:00.000+01:00

Click on link below to read news clip.

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/2f5fb3ac#/2f5fb3ac/56

Instaplanta's Commercial Self Watering Planters for Woodlesford in Bloom

2010-08-08T16:37:00.001+01:00

Yorkshire in Bloom judges have chosen Woodlesford as the village to represent the county in next year's Britain in Bloom. It follows the village being awarded a Gold Rose in the competition category.

Chair of the Leeds Floral Initiative, Councilllor Frank Robinson, told Rothwell Today: "I'm delighted that Woodlesford gardeners' hard work has been recognised in this way. "Next year we want everyone getting their hands dirty and discovering their green fingers as we gear up for our strictest judging in 2010."

Britain in Bloom is one of the largest horticultural campaigns in Europe working year-round to create a cleaner and greener Britain through community action. Participants can earn top marks in horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation.

Deluxe Self Watering Wooden Street Planters

2010-08-08T07:18:00.001+01:00

These street planters help to brighten up the most dismal of urban areas, with their unique planting basket system and built in water reservoir they are easy to install, maintain and replant!!

Instaplanta Veg-Bench for Roseville Enterprises in Leeds!!

2010-06-08T22:56:00.000+01:00

Roseville Enterprises provide supported employment opportunities for disabled people. Their activities include the manufacture of PVCu windows, high security doors, computer recycling and refurbishment, pine furniture, soft furnishings and curtains as well as commercial laundry.

They have now decided to introduce a new Gardening Club for employees and eventually members of the local community. They found the Instaplanta Veg-Bench was just the ticket to get started, they are already growing their own onions, cauliflower and radishes!! They hope to extend their Growing Corner further by incorporating further Instaplanta products in the future.

Another school choose Instaplanta's Container Gardens to help brighten up their school grounds!!

2010-05-30T18:20:00.001+01:00

Prince Henry's Grammar School in Otley near Leeds have purchased six self-watering deluxe timber planters to help improve their school grounds. They believe that there is much more to education than simply what happens in the classroom, well planted, colourful and relaxing school grounds puts pupils in the right frame of mind to learn!!

PSLG (Public Sector & Local Government) Journal Cover Instaplanta News Story

2010-05-16T11:46:00.000+01:00

http://www.pslgbuilding.com/newsitem.asp?newsID=125

Instaplanta featured in "Gardens Monthly"

2010-05-15T06:37:00.000+01:00

Instaplanta were featured in this months Garden's Monthly click on link to view;
http://www.morefromyourgarden.co.uk/news/article.asp?a=6402

Cleasewell Hill School in Northumberland eagerly await their new Mobile School Growing Zones....

2010-03-20T09:16:00.000Z

Two mobile growing zones, three static raised basket holders and two double work stations are winging there way Northward's as Cleasewell Hill School decide Mobile Growing Zones are the way forward!!

Christine Walkden BBC T.V. Gardening Presenter Helps out at an Instaplanta Workshop!!

2010-03-20T09:00:00.000Z

Instaplanta were joined by Christine Walkden to carry out an indoor gardening session for the residents of Sabourn Court care home. Christine said "It was a fantastic afternoon of gardening and it was lovely to see the elderly residents being able to get involved in gardening once again"

Christine who had her own BBC2 gardening series 'Christine's Garden' and is currently the resident gardener for the BBC1 nightly programme 'The One Show' went on to say

"The Mobile Therapy Gardening System will allow care home providers the opportunity to engage more readily with their older and frailer residents and allow them the opportunity to access the stimulating benefits that gardening brings"

New School Work Stations for Container Gardening !!

2010-01-23T17:14:00.001Z

Instaplanta's new school work stations allow children to work at a comfortable height indoors or out!!

With room to store their plants and tools the stations come fitted with wheels and a secure brake system which makes for light work when moving around the school!!

Instaplanta's Container Gardening For The Elderly at BUPA Care Home !!

2010-01-16T12:39:00.001Z

Staff from Instaplanta held a workshop at a Bupa Care Home in Leeds to show how versatile and inclusive their 'Mobile Therapy Garden'really is!!

The residents had the opportunity to add some winter colour to their garden without having to don their winter woolies and brave the artic conditions, rather than going out into the garden Instaplanta brought the garden inside to them.

The residents and staff enjoyed getting down to some real gardening without having to suffer the freezing conditions!!

Instaplanta Container Gardening System Comes Highly Recommended !!

2010-01-10T08:19:00.001Z

“I fully recommend the Instaplanta systems as units enabling children and people of all ages and abilities to be able to garden where ever they are. A very practical and cost efficient way of enabling everyone in the community to gleam the pleasures and satisfaction of gardening”

Christine Walkden
Horticulturist & BBC T.V. Gardening Presenter

Winner of the AoC Gold Award for Further Education Alumni 2009

Container Gardening for Bupa Workshop Mpeg

2009-12-05T02:08:00.001Z

Our versatile Commercial Street Planter

2009-11-21T08:43:00.001Z

When opting for an Instaplanta product you will receive a superior planter with a multitude of additional benefits.

Health & Safety

- Reduces risk of accidents whilst carrying out roadside replanting.

- Enables off-site planting in a ‘Safe Environment’.

- When changing planter baskets staff never come into direct contact with the growing medium, reducing risk of injuries caused by ‘sharps’.

- Reduces risk of manual handling/repetitive strain.

Environmental Benefits

- Reduces compost levels (approximately 70% less compost used).

- Self watering.

- Infestation of pest or disease can be dealt with both quickly and effectively.

Flexibility

- Allows you to change the planter quickly using spare planting baskets.

- Enhanced displays because fresh compost is used every season.

- Quality control is managed more effectively.

- Excellent for in ‘In Bloom’ groups who have elderly members or people with disabilities.

Resource Savings

- Significantly reduces watering regimes.

- Increased staff productivity and efficiency.

- Materials – less growing medium used.

- Product – Our planters are extremely competitive against all other suppliers.

Children celebrate after finishing their first Mobile Container Garden supplied by Instaplanta !!

2009-11-18T07:51:00.001Z

Staff from Instaplanta join the children to show off their very first "Growing Zone" which will be placed outside the schools main entrance to welcome all visitors!!

Gardens on the move??

2009-11-18T07:34:00.000Z

Kids don't just like planting in our growing zones they love to push them around too !!

This means they can protect their garden from the elements,

Too hot - simply water and move it to a shady spot for the day!!

Too windy - wheel it to a sheltered area until the wind abates!!

If a frost is forcast cover your growing zone with fleece and move it to an area not prone to frost!!

It's makes sense ........ it's fun ....... and it's easy !!

Our Mobile Therapy Garden!!

2009-11-07T10:51:00.000Z

Our Mobile Therapy Garden is designed for use in residential homes where staff find it difficult to deliver horticultural therapy to residents due to physical and mental disabilities.

So when you can't get the residents out to the garden then why not bring the garden in to them?

The unit has 6 removable planting baskets which residents can grow colourful flowers, heavily scented herbs or their own healthy vegetables!!

The unit comes fitted with heavy duty wheels and a secure breaking system allowing you to move the unit around your site both easily and safely!!

Instaplanta Website!!

2009-11-07T10:35:00.000Z

http://www.instaplanta.co.uk

Our Kids Growing Zones!!

2009-11-07T10:03:00.000Z

Our kids growing zones come with six separate removable growing baskets which allows school teachers to assign each child to their own planting zone,where they can grow their own flowers, herbs and vegetables!!

The growing zones are fitted with heavy duty wheels so if the school is limited on space then it can be simply wheeled from area to area!!

If it rains ..............Simply wheel it to a sheltered area!!

If it's too hot then push your growing zone into the shade to protect both the plants and more importantly the children from the sun!!

40"x40" planter with our unique planting baskets

2009-11-07T09:29:00.000Z

Our 40"x40" with our unique planting baskets!!

Our products!!

2009-11-07T09:24:00.000Z

One of our 40"x40" Planters during the manufacturing process

Who are we????????

2009-11-07T08:35:00.000Z

We are new start company based in Leeds and we produce excellent exterior planters for local authourities and the commercial business sector. We also supply portable growing zones to schools and the residential healthcare markets.

This blog will follow our progress as we try to make our business a successful one, I'm sure there will troubles ahead but it how we overcome those testing times that I am most looking forward to!!