Page 136 - News

Person arranging a large pot of vibrant flowers on a doorstep with a watering can and colour samples nearby.

Oriental hellebore (Lenten rose): the winter plant that transforms your front door

Harriet M. Ashford • August 11, 2026

Grey February, a fine drizzle, plants lying dormant. And then, all at once, one front door becomes a must-stop spot...

Man planting strawberries in a garden surrounded by leafy vegetables with a cat in the background

Plastic bottles with water in the garden: what they are for and how to use them

Harriet M. Ashford • August 11, 2026

Hanging plastic bottles filled with water around the garden is a habit seen in various parts of Brazil and it...

Person watering a peace lily plant indoors on a wooden tray in a sunlit room.

Peace Lily: How It’s Linked to Protection from Negative Energies at Home

Harriet M. Ashford • August 11, 2026

The idea that certain plants can help “filter” negative energies in the home is an old one, found in many...

Person preparing a raised garden bed with soil and vegetable scraps in a snowy backyard during daylight.

Lasagna gardening: building raised beds in late winter

Harriet M. Ashford • August 10, 2026

Rather than chiselling at frozen soil or battling a rotavator, more gardeners are spending the tail end of winter quietly...

Man in a straw hat hanging a yellow sticky trap on a tree in a garden with a basket of mangoes nearby.

Plastic Bottles on a Mango Tree: A Simple Way to Deter Pests

Harriet M. Ashford • August 10, 2026

Hanging plastic bottles from the branches of a mango tree is a familiar sight in many Brazilian back gardens. Although...

Hands pouring small potatoes with soil from a white bucket onto paper with gardening tools nearby.

Growing Potatoes in Buckets: A Practical Guide

Harriet M. Ashford • August 10, 2026

A plastic bucket can become a surprisingly productive food-growing system, whether it’s set on a balcony, a warm doorstep or...

Person repotting a variegated houseplant over a wooden table with other potted plants nearby and soil scattered.

Yellow Leaves Despite Regular Watering: The Drainage Problem

Harriet M. Ashford • August 10, 2026

From across the room, Emma’s lounge could have been lifted straight from a Pinterest mood board: hanging planters, terracotta pots,...

Hands tending to potted herbs on a wooden table with gardening tools and a glass of infused water.

Growing Mint at Home: Why It Must Be Kept in Its Own Pot

Harriet M. Ashford • August 10, 2026

Growing mint at home is a rewarding habit that adds freshness to day-to-day life. Although it is hardy and straightforward...

Person pouring water from a metal watering can into a large green rain barrel in a sunny garden.

How Rainwater Transforms a Garden: Barrels, Gutters and Smarter Watering

Harriet M. Ashford • August 10, 2026

In the still-cool light of early morning, the water gathered overnight gleamed with a quiet promise. From the gutter came...

Person placing a plant cutting in a glass jar of water on a light wooden table by a window with plants.

Indoor Plants That Grow Only in Water: Easy Options for Home and Office

Harriet M. Ashford • August 10, 2026

Indoor plants that grow only in water have been appearing more and more in homes and workplaces, especially among people...

Hands planting lavender in a wooden garden bed surrounded by potted herbs and a small bowl of lavender buds.

Plants That Repel Ants: Natural Ways to Protect Your Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • August 10, 2026

In many home gardens, ants can multiply quickly and take over whole beds of vegetables and flowers. Many people reach...

Person wearing a coat and beanie pruning a blossoming tree in a garden on a cold morning.

Japanese cherry tree: how to grow it and encourage flowering in cold weather

Harriet M. Ashford • August 10, 2026

The Japanese cherry tree stands out in garden planting because it combines hardiness in cold conditions with a delicate bloom...

Hands pouring homemade banana vinegar from a bottle into a watering can beside potted plants and banana peel on a wooden tabl

How to Use Banana Peel with Vinegar as a Natural Fertiliser

Harriet M. Ashford • August 10, 2026

Interest in sustainable ways to look after plants grows year after year. Rather than relying only on manufactured products, many...

A hand holding a tennis ball near a small hole in the ground with a hedgehog and a bird nearby.

How a Tennis Ball Can Save Birds and Hedgehogs in Your Garden This Winter

Harriet M. Ashford • August 10, 2026

A hard thump, a flash of feathers, and then it was still. In the hush afterwards you could make out...

Young man gardening cherry tomatoes on a balcony with various potted plants and a jar of coins nearby.

Home kitchen garden: easiest plants to grow at home and save money

Harriet M. Ashford • August 10, 2026

That little shock at the till when you scan fresh herbs or a sweet pepper at the supermarket? A lot...

Person pruning white flowering bush in garden with gloves, spray bottle and cloths on wooden planter box.

Ornamental Shrubs: How to Prune After Spring Flowering

Harriet M. Ashford • August 10, 2026

The start of summer signals an important turning point for many ornamental shrubs. Once the spring display has peaked, it...

Person hanging reflective CDs on apple tree branches to deter birds from the fruit in a garden.

Old CD in fruit trees: how it helps keep birds away in the garden

Harriet M. Ashford • August 10, 2026

Hanging an old CD in fruit trees has become a familiar trick in gardens and small orchards because it reflects...

Person spraying water on a hanging plant in a bright living room with various green plants and a sofa.

Hanging Plants to Purify the Air: Pothos, English Ivy and Fern

Harriet M. Ashford • August 10, 2026

In recent years, hanging plants have become a familiar sight in flats, offices and compact homes, blending style with practicality...

Person watering newly planted sapling with watering can in a garden with potted plants and garden hose nearby.

The Best Time to Water Your Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • August 10, 2026

For a split second, the spray catches the sun and sparkles, then it disappears into warm air and baked ground....

Woman in kitchen holding peeled black banana over a bowl of food on a wooden countertop.

Black Banana Peel: Practical Uses at Home

Harriet M. Ashford • August 10, 2026

Black banana peels may look like rubbish, yet they can become a practical resource for plants, leather and a few...

Person pruning a young tree branch in a woven basket outdoors with gardening tools on a wooden table.

Correct Pruning to Encourage Flowers in Summer

Harriet M. Ashford • August 10, 2026

Looking after a flower bed takes the right techniques and a bit of commitment from everyone at home. When you...