Page 132 - News

Woman spraying water on orchids placed on a wooden table in a sunlit room.

Asian Secret for Humidity Control to Keep Orchid Flowering Indoors Longer

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

Keeping flowering lush and long-lasting indoors can feel like a real test for anyone who loves growing plants at home....

Person planting potatoes in soil on a raised garden bed with gardening tools and hose nearby.

When to Plant Potatoes: Finding the Right Time

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

Between the date printed on the seed-potato bag, well-meant advice from next door and the lunar calendar, it’s easy for...

Small brown birds eating seeds from a person's hands on a wooden table in a garden at sunset.

Why the House Sparrow Is a Vital Garden Ally

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

When the first buds open, the sun starts to warm things up again and birdsong grows louder, many people feel...

Orchard with small apple trees surrounded by colourful flowers, garden tools, and a wicker basket in sunlight.

Companion Planting Under Fruit Trees for a Healthier Orchard

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

The ground beneath fruit trees is often left bare or ends up covered only with soil and dry leaves. Yet,...

Woman propagating plants in jars on a wooden table in a bright room with large windows.

Hanging plants in water: how to grow houseplants without soil

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

Not every houseplant needs a pot of compost to thrive. Some varieties will happily form roots straight in water and...

Person spraying a potted plant on a wooden table with lemons and a jar of liquid nearby.

Orange Peels as a Natural Insecticide for Potted Plants

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

Growing vegetables in flats or in tight urban spaces calls for smart, low-impact ways to keep leaves healthy without harming...

Wooden rake on white pebble Zen garden with a small tree and large rock in the background.

Zen Gardens and Low-Maintenance Modern Landscaping with Decorative Stones

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

The search for serenity in city homes has fuelled a striking trend in contemporary residential landscaping across several major capitals....

Woman pruning a potted pink flowering plant with gardening gloves in a backyard with a child playing nearby.

Oleander: Spring Pruning for a Longer Summer Flowering Display

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

Oleander is a dream shrub for anyone who wants a touch of Mediterranean holiday atmosphere on the patio or balcony....

Hand pouring liquid from a glass jar onto strawberry plants in a garden with a bowl and jar of strawberries nearby.

Yeast Fertiliser for Strawberries: Bigger, More Flavourful Fruit from Your Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • August 12, 2026

Strawberries grown in your own garden often taste better than supermarket fruit, yet they can still turn out small and...

Young man smelling vibrant orange and yellow flowers on a balcony garden in daylight.

Lantana: the honey-scented flower for a colourful balcony

Harriet M. Ashford • August 11, 2026

Choosing a plant for a balcony usually comes down to colour, fragrance and how easy it is to look after....

Person planting seedlings in colourful pots on a wooden table with gardening tools and a yellow watering can.

How to Reuse Long-life Milk Cartons in the Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • August 11, 2026

Long-life milk cartons often go straight in the bin once they’re empty, yet they can be turned into genuinely useful...

Person planting a lavender seedling in a terracotta pot on a sunny wooden patio.

How to Grow Lavender at Home: Simple Care for a Fragrant Oasis

Harriet M. Ashford • August 11, 2026

Keeping lavender looking lush at home can feel like a daunting task, yet the real trick is to stick to...

Person removing a slug from a leaf with a small garden trowel in a raised garden bed outdoors.

Finding a Slug in the Home or Garden: What It Means

Harriet M. Ashford • August 11, 2026

Finding a slug creeping around the house or garden can feel a bit unsettling, but it is not automatically a...

Person using a peel to place a pepperoni pizza into a smoking outdoor brick wood-fired oven in a garden.

Clay Oven: How to Build and Use It in the Back Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • August 11, 2026

A clay oven can turn a back garden into a place to bake breads, pizzas, empanadas, meats and vegetables with...

Woman kneeling in a garden tending to a rose bush, spreading mulch with a watering can nearby.

Three simple March steps to prevent black spot on roses

Harriet M. Ashford • August 11, 2026

Many amateur gardeners ask themselves every year why their roses fade in June, produce hardly any flowers and look generally...

Woman arranging a green potted plant on a wooden table in a bright, cosy room with books and plants.

The Jade Plant in Feng Shui: Prosperity and Where to Place It

Harriet M. Ashford • August 11, 2026

Among the best-known plants in Feng Shui, the jade plant stands out as one of the most closely linked to...

Person attaching reflective tape strips to lemons on a tree in a garden with potted plants in background.

Hanging Aluminium Foil Strips on a Lemon Tree: Benefits and Best Practice

Harriet M. Ashford • August 11, 2026

Among fruit trees grown in urban spaces, the lemon tree often turns up in back gardens, small plots and even...

Woman cleaning tiled balcony with mop and bucket by sea, surrounded by potted plants and white buildings.

Why Using a Hose to Clean a Balcony in Greece Can Cause Problems

Harriet M. Ashford • August 11, 2026

In Greece, rinsing a balcony with a hose can feel like a straightforward way to tidy up, yet in many...

Person planting flower bulbs in a garden bed with blooming purple agapanthus and gardening tools nearby.

How to Get More Flowers from Agapanthus with a Simple Spring Soil Fix

Harriet M. Ashford • August 11, 2026

Many hobby gardeners puzzle over why their Agapanthus produce hardly any buds even with good care. The answer often has...

Hummingbird hovering near a vibrant red and yellow flower with a bee flying nearby in a lush garden.

Hummingbird-pollinated bromeliads form new species nearly twice as fast

Harriet M. Ashford • August 11, 2026

Plants that rely on hummingbirds for pollination split into new species at roughly double the pace of close relatives that...

Hands planting and mulching a young plant in a raised wooden garden bed in daylight.

Using Dry Straw Mulch Around Plants in Winter

Harriet M. Ashford • August 11, 2026

During winter, a layer of dry straw around plants works like a simple blanket over the soil, cutting down heat...