Page 104 - News

Man pushing a lawnmower while another man relaxes on a balcony with a coffee and book nearby.

The ban on mowing lawns between noon and 4 p.m. is dividing neighbours

Harriet M. Ashford • August 22, 2026

On a washed-out spring afternoon-the sort where the city’s light almost feels forgiving-the sound arrives like a jolt. A neighbour...

Hands watering a small basil plant in a terracotta pot on a wooden garden table outdoors.

The Everyday Watering Habit That Quietly Invites Pests Into Your Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

The garden looked flawless from a distance - lush, green, and ready for Instagram. Up close, it felt like a...

Person fertilising potted plants with soil on a balcony table alongside a coffee maker and bowl of soil.

Coffee Grounds as a Winter Shield for Potted Plants

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

The first hard frosts do not wait to be invited. A single cold evening can scorch soft new growth, check...

Woman tending to a garden with blooming pink, purple, and white flowers beside a wooden table with gardening plans.

Fast-Growing Shrubs and Bushes for Quick Garden Privacy

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

Plenty of garden owners crave a bit more peace and quiet, but don’t fancy waiting years for tall trees or...

Person planting seeds in a raised garden bed with illustrated plant markers and gardening tools nearby.

6 Beginner-Friendly Flowers to Plant in March for a Brighter Summer

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

The first properly mild day in March has a way of taking you by surprise. One week you’re battling sleet...

Woman gardening purple flowering plants with watering can and child standing in background on sunny day

Red sand thyme: the lawn replacement that helps keep mosquitoes away

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

Summer evenings on the patio, chilled drinks, lively conversation - and no more irritating buzzing around the table. One unassuming...

Person using a garden rake to reveal a coiled snake underneath a green tarp on grass in a backyard.

Spring Garden Tarpaulins: The Hidden Snake Magnet Many Overlook

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

When the sun returns in spring, an often-overlooked hazard can be hiding in the garden - and many people don’t...

Person adjusting a digital timer displaying 18 minutes next to a white humidifier and houseplant indoors.

The Hidden Indoor Cause of Brown Leaves: Dry Air and Drafts

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

There’s a particular kind of heartbreak that only houseplant people understand. You stroll past your pride-and-joy monstera, or the pothos...

Person planting flower bulbs in soil beside pink and red rose bushes, with watering can and gardening tools nearby.

Banana Peels for Roses: How to Boost Blooms with Pruning and Organic Feeding

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

If you walk past your roses in spring and spot only the odd bud, it’s easy to assume you need...

Woman pruning branches of young fruit tree in orchard with tools and notebook on table nearby

January pruning for apple and pear trees: the tiny window that decides your harvest

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

No hum of insects, no sweet hint of blossom - only boots rasping over frozen grass and the neat snap...

Person watering a small potted plant on a wooden table with other potted plants in the background.

Dracaena Yellow Streaks: Fix with a Balanced Liquid Fertiliser

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

That bright indoor “corn plant” can look perfectly fine one day and then, seemingly overnight, develop odd striping, with yellow...

Person kneeling on a patio sprinkling white powder near moss, with a watering can, gloves, and brush nearby.

How Bicarbonate of Soda Removes Moss from Patio Slabs in 48 Hours

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

Many people reach for boiling water - and then wonder why the problem returns so quickly. If you want to...

Hands preparing a jar with soil and water on a wooden table with plants and gardening supplies nearby.

The Simple Home Soil Test That Changes Everything for Your Plants

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

It started with a geranium that simply… stopped. The leaves hovered in that flat, nowhere-green: not crisp and healthy, but...

Person spraying weed killer on paving stones with garden tools, dog and child playing in background.

Washing-up Liquid and Vinegar Spray for Weeds: Does It Work and What Are the Risks?

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

Between paving joints and gravel paths, weeds return year after year. That is why many garden owners reach for household...

Small birds around purple coneflowers and garden gloves on a snowy raised wooden garden bed in a backyard.

How Purple Coneflower Turns Your Garden into a Winter Buffet for Tits

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

Many garden owners put up bird feeders in winter and still wonder why only the odd bird turns up. The...

Man planting seeds in garden soil next to a calendar marked 17 September and a soil moisture gauge

Why He Sows Beans on September 17 Every Year

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

Not the 15th. Not the 18th. The 17th, or nothing. Each year, as the light turns gentler and the evenings...

Person tending to indoor potted plants, removing a yellow leaf, with watering can nearby on the floor.

Why Your Houseplants Are Dying Even With Regular Watering

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

The leaves were perfectly fine on Monday. By Thursday they’d gone limp, picked up spots, and somehow looked… dusty with...

Person setting up a projector displaying a festive winter scene on a house garage door at dusk with two people walking nearby

Solar Christmas projectors: Gifi’s budget light show for your front garden

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

A single small spike light and a few half-hearted rays of winter sun can be all it takes for a...

Person gardening with a small spade in a pot releasing steam, surrounded by plants and gardening supplies.

Composting Kitchen Waste: What Really Happens When You Do It Properly

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

You hover between options: the general waste, the council food-waste caddy, or finally that much‑talked‑about compost bin at the back...

Woman tending to purple flowering plants in a sunny garden with a jug of lemonade in the background.

Red thyme: the thyme carpet that replaces lawn and puts off mosquitoes

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

A modest little herb can change everything. Anyone who enjoys summer evenings in the garden knows the double headache: a...

Person watering tomato plants in a raised garden bed on a sunny day with a watering can.

The Best Time to Water Your Garden: 5–8 a.m. Can Save Up to 30% Water

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

The hose felt warm in my hand the moment I lifted it. Not hot, exactly-more that tepid warmth that tells...