Page 131 - News

Young woman in a straw hat tending colourful flowers in a sunny garden, securing a plant to a wooden stake.

Dahlia: How to Grow It for a Colourful Summer Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

Few flowers draw the eye quite like the dahlia. With petals ranging from refined, delicate shapes to large, full and...

Young person closely examining white flowers on a potted plant on a balcony with gardening tools nearby.

Snake plant (mother-in-law's tongue): the surprising flowers it can produce

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

The snake plant, also known as mother-in-law's tongue, turns up in countless homes because it is tough and easy to...

Person gardening with various plants including roses and orange berries beside a garden plan on wooden border.

Four Garden Plants That Help Deter Burglars Naturally

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

Many homeowners invest in CCTV, smart-home alarms and heavy-duty doors. What is often overlooked is that your garden can act...

Hand pruning vibrant orange and pink bougainvillea on a sunny balcony with gardening tools and pots nearby.

How to Grow Bougainvillea in a Pot on a Sunny Balcony

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

Many people want to turn outdoor areas into welcoming, lively spaces that bring back the kind of warm childhood memories...

Person planting purple flowers in a garden bed surrounded by potted plants and gardening tools in sunlight.

15 Perennials to Plant in Spring for a Garden That Comes Back Every Year

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

Many home gardeners reach spring and feel stuck when they look at their beds: bare patches, tired shrubs, and the...

Hands pouring water from a glass jug into a potted peace lily plant on a wooden windowsill.

Banana Peel Water for the Peace Lily: Does It Help It Flower?

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

The peace lily is one of the most widely loved houseplants, prized for its glossy foliage and refined white blooms....

Person pruning rosemary herb in a terracotta pot on a wooden garden table outdoors.

Rosemary pruning in March: the right timing and height for more flowers

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

Anyone who treats rosemary as nothing more than an indestructible kitchen herb is missing a great deal of what it...

Man and child near a vibrant orange-flowered tree in a suburban neighbourhood with birds and modern houses.

Mulungu: the native tree transforming urban landscaping

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

Growing native species has become increasingly popular in Brazilian cities because it combines visual appeal with sustainability. Among these plants,...

Colourful hydrangea bush with blue, pink, and purple flowers in a garden with a person tending it.

Hydrangeas: The Best Companion Plants-Ferns, Astilbes and Hostas

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

Plenty of amateur gardeners recognise the pattern: hydrangeas look glorious in spring, then in summer the leaves go limp and...

Person pouring liquid into a green watering can on a wooden table with potted plants and gardening tools.

Homemade Fertiliser: Turning Kitchen and Garden Waste into Plant Feed

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

Anyone who grows plants knows that nutrient-rich soil can make all the difference to the development of leaves, flowers and...

Person tending to a jasmine plant in a terracotta pot on a sunny balcony with gardening tools nearby

How to Grow Poet’s Jasmine Climber on a Balcony in Pots

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

Having a lush green corner in a small flat is high on many urban residents’ wish lists. Growing a fragrant...

Person harvesting potatoes by hand in a garden bed with gardening tools and a bucket nearby.

Planting Potatoes in April: 5 Simple Steps for an Earlier Harvest

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

In April, the vegetable garden really gets going: the seed potatoes are ready, and the same questions come up every...

Person watering a potted succulent on a wooden table with other succulents and gardening tools nearby.

The Rarest Succulent for a Balcony Pot: Haworthia cooperi

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

The rarest succulent to grow in a pot on a balcony is Haworthia cooperi, best known for its translucent leaves...

Hands planting tomato seedlings in biodegradable pots into soil in a garden with gardening tools nearby.

Toilet paper rolls in the garden: a simple way to protect seedlings and feed the compost

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

At first glance it almost looks like a prank: grey cardboard tubes standing upright in the bed, right amongst the...

Terracotta pot with blooming white, peach, and dark purple hellebore flowers on a doorstep by a green door.

Oriental hellebore: the winter-flowering rose for a smarter front door

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

In the middle of a grey, biting February, a front entrance can suddenly look as though it belongs in an...

Man watering plants in a garden bed at dusk with gardening tools and a notebook nearby.

Slugs in the garden: the evening watering-can routine that really helps

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

The evening air hangs damp and mild over the garden when the first slugs slide out of the shadows like...

Man kneeling on grass placing stones around the base of a young tree in a garden on a sunny day

Stone Circle Around Garden Trees for Modern Landscaping

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

Keeping a back garden looking its best takes steady effort from anyone who enjoys home gardening. Laying decorative stones around...

Hands pruning vibrant orange trumpet vine flowers in a terracotta pot on a wooden outdoor table with bees nearby.

Tecomaria ‘Cape Town Orange’: the compact shrub with glowing orange flowers

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

There is, however, a way to keep the garden glowing with colour for months. Many keen gardeners know the dilemma:...

Young man picking red apples from a tree on a balcony with potted apple trees and a crate of apples.

Columnar Fruit Trees for Small Balconies

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

Living right in the city often means you have no more than a narrow balcony or a few square metres...

Person wearing gloves pruning rose stems with secateurs beside a notebook and empty plant pot in garden.

Rose pruning in spring: the simple professional trick that makes the difference

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

Many amateur gardeners damage their roses with well‑intentioned pruning - yet one straightforward professional trick in spring makes all the...

Person adding fruit scraps to a compost bin on a kitchen counter with plants in the background.

Home Composting: Turn Fruit Peels into Organic Fertiliser for Your Potted Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

Keeping a home veg patch means daily care and making the most of plant-based leftovers. Turning fruit peels into fertiliser...