Page 112 - News

Woman harvesting ripe tomatoes in a garden, with a burlap sack and a glass of tea nearby.

Bison Manure for Tomatoes: The Little-Known Natural Fertiliser

Harriet M. Ashford • August 19, 2026

A little-known natural fertiliser is changing the game. Tomatoes are heavy feeders in the veg patch. If you rely on...

Person planting seeds next to colourful potted flowers on a balcony garden with bees flying nearby.

March: Fast-Growing Flowers for a Balcony and Border Full of Spring Colour

Harriet M. Ashford • August 19, 2026

In many gardens, March still feels grey and weary even though the days are clearly stretching out. Yet this is...

Man reaching out to a bird on an ivy-covered tree in a sunny garden with houses in the background

Ivy on Trees and House Façades: When It Protects and When It Causes Problems

Harriet M. Ashford • August 19, 2026

Radically cutting everything back can easily achieve the opposite of what you intended. When people see an overgrown tree trunk...

Person planting oregano in a garden bed surrounded by flowers, tomatoes, and a watering can.

Oregano in the Vegetable Garden: The Best Companion Plants

Harriet M. Ashford • August 19, 2026

Many home gardeners reach for oregano without thinking when they are cooking. In the veg patch, however, this Mediterranean herb...

Person planting seeds in soil in terracotta pots on a balcony with gardening supplies nearby.

Metal Spoon in a Plant Pot: Does It Really Help?

Harriet M. Ashford • August 19, 2026

What looks like a quirky decoration trend actually has a practical backstory. Plenty of hobby gardeners swear that a simple...

Person adjusting a red lawn mower on overgrown grass in a garden on a sunny day.

Correct Mowing Height: The Simple Way to Keep Moss Out of Your Lawn

Harriet M. Ashford • August 19, 2026

The real culprit is often something far more mundane in the garden shed: lawnmower wheels set to the wrong height....

Person wearing gloves tending to agapanthus plants in a garden bed on a sunny day

Agapanthus: Divide by 15 April for more plants and better flowers

Harriet M. Ashford • August 19, 2026

Lovers of agapanthus often end up spending a small fortune: pots are pricey and garden centres can sell out of...

Hand pouring banana peel water into a small terracotta pot on a windowsill with green houseplants.

Two-ingredient banana water: a UK garden journalist’s fix for tired houseplants

Harriet M. Ashford • August 19, 2026

As the days lengthen in March, plenty of houseplants still struggle to get going. Leaves droop, buds are slow to...

Man kneeling and planting flowers in a garden bed with gardening tools and plans nearby on a sunny day.

Why Councils Are Banning Thuja Hedges and What Homeowners Can Do

Harriet M. Ashford • August 19, 2026

Anyone heading to the planning department today with plans for a tall, opaque hedge along the boundary is increasingly being...

Tabby cat sitting on a garden path near birdhouses and green plants in a sunlit backyard.

How to reduce bird deaths in your garden with an outdoor cat: Refuge 3-2-1

Harriet M. Ashford • August 19, 2026

Anyone who lives with an outdoor cat will recognise the moment: your tomcat struts through the patio doors with a...

Man wearing a straw hat planting saplings labelled "Before" in a garden with gardening tools nearby.

Trend 2026: Photinia gives way to Pittosporum for tougher hedges

Harriet M. Ashford • August 19, 2026

A shrub that has been overlooked until now could put an end to this headache for good from 2026. Anyone...

Person kneeling on grass planting small potatoes in soil next to a bucket and gardening tools.

Nutsedge: How to Identify, Control and Prevent It

Harriet M. Ashford • August 19, 2026

It shoots up rapidly after mowing, spreads through borders and comes back again and again even after you weed: nutsedge....

Young person inspecting and cleaning a leaf of a spider plant by a sunny window indoors.

Spider plant leaves: why they bend and break - causes and fixes

Harriet M. Ashford • August 19, 2026

Many owners only realise something is wrong with their spider plant when they spot snapped leaves or blades that have...

Two men outdoors measuring a hedge with a tape measure while one uses an asthma inhaler.

Hedge Allergy Disputes With a Neighbour: Distances, Health Risks and Legal Remedies

Harriet M. Ashford • August 19, 2026

Many people value a dense hedge as a natural screen from prying eyes. But if that same greenery triggers coughing,...

Woman planting flower bulbs in a labelled garden bed on a sunny day with watering can nearby

March guide to summer bulbs: seven flower bulbs for a long flowering season

Harriet M. Ashford • August 19, 2026

In March, a border can still look bare, yet below the surface the groundwork for July and August is already...

Person tending to vibrant garden flowers with hummingbirds flying near feeders in a sunlit backyard.

Shade Plants for Hummingbirds: Turning Dark Corners into a Nectar Haven

Harriet M. Ashford • August 19, 2026

Many hobby gardeners give up on shady corners in frustration: nothing seems to flower properly, and everything feels dull and...

Person holding soil with plant roots in a vegetable garden, kneeling next to a spade and garden fork.

Annual Digging: What It Does to Your Garden Soil

Harriet M. Ashford • August 19, 2026

The woman in the next garden leans on her spade, draws one deep breath, and heaves over the next block...

Person watering a potted poinsettia plant on a sunlit windowsill with a metal watering can.

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima): how to turn it into a lush summer houseplant

Harriet M. Ashford • August 19, 2026

If you avoid one simple care mistake now, you can enjoy a magnificent houseplant all summer. The familiar story: bought...

Person using a brush and spray bottle to clean moss from outdoor stone tiles with vinegar and baking soda nearby.

Vinegar and Bicarbonate of Soda Against Moss on the Patio

Harriet M. Ashford • August 19, 2026

With a simple kitchen trick, you can get rid of it surprisingly sustainably. Many homeowners scrub year after year until...

Person kneeling in garden planting bulbs with small gardening rake and bag of bulbs nearby on sunny day

How to Fix a Spongy Lawn with Moss After Winter

Harriet M. Ashford • August 19, 2026

In place of a firm turf, a vivid green carpet spreads out - a serious warning sign. If you walk...

Person kneeling on tiled patio scrubbing with brush, bucket of soapy water, and cleaning supplies nearby.

A simple 2-product trick with soda crystals and washing-up liquid to clean your terrace

Harriet M. Ashford • August 19, 2026

A straightforward trick can get your paving slabs looking right again. When the patio looks grim, many people automatically reach...