Page 120 - News

Person planting dark-leaved plants in a raised garden bed with gardening tools nearby on a sunny day.

Black garden: dark foliage trend and easy planting tips

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

What only a few years ago was dismissed as a quirky notion dreamt up by landscape architects is now turning...

Person crushing dried orange peels in a bowl on a wooden table outdoors near blooming hydrangeas.

Hydrangeas: How Dried Orange Peel Can Boost Blooms and Colour

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

If you water your hydrangeas carefully and feed them regularly, you’ll know the frustration: washed-out leaves, smaller flower heads and...

Woman crouching in a garden feeding a red squirrel perched on a birdbath surrounded by plants and gardening tools.

How to Turn Squirrels into Garden Allies

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

A closer look changes everything. Plenty of keen gardeners grumble when a small, red bundle of fur darts through the...

Person scrubbing green moss off tiled patio with brush and spray bottle nearby in bright garden setting.

Remove Moss from Your Patio with Vinegar and Bicarbonate of Soda

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

Many homeowners eventually give up on the green film of moss on patios, paths and driveways. You buy pricey specialist...

Hands picking fresh green clover leaves into a bowl on a garden bed with a plant guide book nearby.

Chickweed in Late March: Why It Beats Lettuce

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

At the end of March, a delicate, pale-green plant pushes its way to the front of the border among tulips,...

Woman kneeling and planting flowers in a colourful garden bed on a sunny day.

10 Fast-Growing Perennials to Fill Beds Quickly

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

Plenty of amateur gardeners will recognise the pattern: in spring the bed is prepped, a few plants go in -...

Woman picking orange and yellow flowers from a raised garden bed with vegetables in the background.

Nasturtium’s comeback in the veg patch: the easy, multi-purpose garden ally

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

Between seed trays, planting plans and the excitement of that first harvest, an old favourite suddenly reappears: nasturtium. For decades...

Hands planting white flowers in terracotta pots on a balcony table with butterflies and bees flying nearby

Pentas (Egyptian Starflower): an easy bee and butterfly magnet for garden and balcony

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

People with packed diaries often steer clear of labour-intensive borders, fussy perennials and delicate roses. Even so, the urge for...

Woman pruning a red rose bush in a colourful garden during daylight.

March Pruning with Monty Don and Julian Palphramand: Five Ornamental Shrubs for More Flowers

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

In March, without much fuss, the groundwork is laid for how colourful the garden will look just a few weeks...

Man kneeling in garden uncovering a snake hiding beneath a green tarp in bright daylight.

Tarpaulin in the Garden: Why It Attracts Snakes Near the House

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

When the sun returns in spring, garden jobs kick off everywhere: mowing the lawn, getting beds ready, hauling furniture out...

Person planting pink and blue flowers in a garden bed with bees flying nearby and gardening tools beside them.

Lungwort: the early nectar boost for shade beds, bumblebees and wild bees

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

A perennial with huge value for bees is often hiding in exactly those spots. When people think of bee-friendly spring...

Person sprinkling white powder onto moss growing between stone patio tiles in a garden.

Bicarbonate of soda to remove moss from your lawn, driveway and patio

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

A simple cupboard staple can get green surfaces back into shape. Plenty of keen gardeners end up staring at greened-over...

Hand holding a hanging bird feeder with seeds while a child sits at a table in a garden.

DIY Bird Feeding Station from a Metal Coat Hanger

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

When you pop into a DIY store or garden centre, the prices can be a surprise: plain bird feeding stations...

Person planting flower bulbs near a blooming cluster of snowdrops in a sunlit garden bed.

Snowdrops after flowering: the care steps for dense carpets

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

In late winter, snowdrops are often the first flowers to bring life back into the garden. Once those delicate blooms...

Person cleaning soil off a small tomato plant in a terracotta pot using a green sponge outdoors.

Using an Old Sponge in the Garden: Water Storage, Seed Starting and Protection

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

Whether it’s eggshells, coffee grounds or vegetable peelings, more and more home gardeners are finding practical ways to reuse kitchen...

Person shaping a plant stem into a heart next to a heart-shaped leaf plant on a wooden table in a living room.

Turn a Spider Plant into a Living Sculpture with One Simple Move

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

With a single simple adjustment, it can become a living artwork that genuinely everyone notices. In many homes there’s one...

Middle-aged man planting a young tree in a vibrant garden surrounded by flowers and gardening tools.

Paulownia: the “miracle tree” for gardens-promise, pitfalls and climate claims

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

An exotic-looking tree has been popping up in more and more gardens, leaving neighbours amazed and filling gardening forums with...

Man sifting soil in garden while girl and dog watch in sunny backyard filled with flowers and greenery

Moles in the Garden: Why Molehills Can Help Your Lawn

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

Many people reach for drastic measures straight away - and end up undermining their own garden happiness. Molehills are often...

Woman examining plant leaves with a magnifying glass in a garden on a sunny day.

Lemon tree in April: brown bumps, sticky leaves and how to beat scale insects

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

Anyone who moves their lemon tree from indoors to a balcony, patio or the garden in April looks forward to...

Person watering colourful petunias and marigolds on a balcony garden with gardening supplies nearby

Calibrachoa: How to Get Overflowing Balcony Boxes with Million Bells

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

Many balcony gardeners know the pattern: pricey window boxes, attractive pots, planted with the best intentions - and by July...

Man using a plastic cover to protect steam rising from plants in a raised garden bed in a backyard.

Ice Saints 2026: dates, background and gardening guidance

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

May is widely seen as the heart of spring: the moment to get tomatoes and courgettes going and to fill...