Page 18 - News

Person tending to white flowers on a balcony garden with pigeons perched nearby and residential buildings in background

White flowers to keep pigeons away from balconies and gardens

Harriet M. Ashford • October 13, 2026

Anyone with a balcony or garden in the heart of the city will know the issue: no sooner have the...

Person planting seedlings in wet soil on a rainy day, wearing a green waterproof jacket.

Why Rain Does Not Always Water Plants Properly

Harriet M. Ashford • October 13, 2026

Looking out of the window at rain hammering down can quickly make you feel excused from the daily watering routine....

Woman tending to colourful daffodils in a pot on a sunny balcony with gardening tools nearby.

Freesias for a Fragrant Balcony and Terrace

Harriet M. Ashford • October 13, 2026

Not a dozen pots, but one carefully chosen plant. Many balcony owners know the dilemma: you want a fragrant summer...

Two people planting shrubs and flowers in a garden next to a house during daylight.

Pittosporum Replaces Photinia as a Stronger Evergreen Privacy Hedge

Harriet M. Ashford • October 13, 2026

More and more amateur gardeners are frustrated by bare patches in their hedges and prying eyes from neighbouring properties. One...

Person adjusting a red lawn mower on a garden lawn with green and brown grass patches.

Lawn cutting height: how to keep moss out of your garden

Harriet M. Ashford • October 13, 2026

The real issue is often simply that the grass is being cut at the wrong height. If you genuinely want...

Hands planting blue flowers in a garden bed with bees flying nearby and yellow tulips in the background

Corydalis ‘Spinners’: the blue bee perennial for wildlife-friendly gardens

Harriet M. Ashford • October 13, 2026

Many amateur gardeners plant whatever happens to be fashionable at the garden centre. Yet there are perennials that are virtually...

Hand placing a piece of paper into a glass containing a large fake spider on a wooden shelf by a window.

Why You Should Not Put House Spiders Outside

Harriet M. Ashford • October 13, 2026

Many people want to act in a “kind-to-animals” way and carry spiders outside. Yet this well-intentioned instinct can be fatal...

Woman gardening pink Begonia flowers in a sunny backyard with a small shovel and seed packet nearby.

Bergenia: the hardy ground cover with an anti-weed effect

Harriet M. Ashford • October 13, 2026

Many amateur gardeners know the problem: no sooner has a flower bed been cleared than fresh weeds appear. With synthetic...

Person planting a seedling in soil with crates of garlic, onions, asparagus, and potatoes nearby in a garden.

Plant vegetables instead of sowing: save valuable weeks in spring

Harriet M. Ashford • October 13, 2026

Many amateur gardeners reach for seed too quickly in spring – and lose valuable weeks as a result. Some vegetables...

Person lifting tarp to reveal a snake coiled on wooden boards in a garden setting.

The Garden Item That Attracts Snakes: Dark Tarpaulins

Harriet M. Ashford • October 13, 2026

Many amateur gardeners throw themselves into spring tidying, bringing out the furniture and planning the first barbecue. Yet one ordinary...

Person planting a colourful bougainvillea in a terracotta pot on a sunny tiled balcony.

Bougainvillea: Why It Grows Leaves Instead of Flowers

Harriet M. Ashford • October 13, 2026

A Bougainvillea shrub on a patio or balcony brings visions of a blaze of pink, orange or white. Yet the...

Four great tits flying around a potted flowering plant on a wooden table with a hand and watering can nearby.

Plant Purple Coneflower in Spring for a Natural Winter Bird Buffet

Harriet M. Ashford • October 13, 2026

Anyone who enjoys watching tits and other garden birds will usually put out feeders during winter. Far fewer people consider...

Person planting colourful pansy flowers in a garden bed using seed packets and a small gardening trowel.

9 Fast Flowers for a Dense Carpet of Blooms

Harriet M. Ashford • October 13, 2026

Sow wisely now and, by early summer, you could be looking at a flower display that practically explodes with colour....

Woman kneeling in garden affectionately interacting with a golden retriever surrounded by plants and garden tools.

Ticks in the Garden: Which Plants Create Hidden Risk Areas?

Harriet M. Ashford • October 13, 2026

Many gardens look wonderful in spring – while also acting as hidden magnets for ticks. The reason often only becomes...

Young woman relaxing with a cup on a cushioned wooden balcony bench surrounded by hanging green plants.

IKEA NÄMMARÖ: The 3-in-1 furniture for more balcony privacy

Harriet M. Ashford • October 13, 2026

A simple piece of IKEA furniture can change that. In many cities, the next balcony is only a railing away,...

Person feeding small birds with berries near a plant in a sunny garden setting.

Turn Your Garden into a Bird Haven

Harriet M. Ashford • October 13, 2026

The real key lies elsewhere in the garden. Anyone hoping to hear birdsong just outside the window in the morning...

Person repotting a poinsettia plant on a wooden table with watering can and calendar showing March/April.

Poinsettia care in March: avoid this simple mistake

Harriet M. Ashford • October 13, 2026

Many poinsettias end up in the bin in March – entirely unnecessarily. Anyone who avoids one simple mistake now can...

Person kneeling on grass using a soil moisture meter with garden shears and open notebook nearby.

Scarifying Your Lawn: The Spring Mistake That Ruins Grass

Harriet M. Ashford • October 12, 2026

The lawn feels springy underfoot, with patches of moss and yellowing grass, while discounted scarifiers are piled high at the...

Man gardening with trowel while a hoopoe bird searches soil among colourful flowers in the garden.

What a Hoopoe in Your Garden Reveals About Soil, Climate and Garden Design

Harriet M. Ashford • October 12, 2026

For many garden owners, it feels almost magical. The sight could have come straight from a wildlife documentary: a slender...

Hands placing a potted lemon tree on a wooden pallet with cork mats and a thermometer outdoors.

Lemon tree in a pot: the simple protection against late frost

Harriet M. Ashford • October 12, 2026

Many amateur gardeners breathe a sigh of relief once winter and February have passed. The lemon tree in a pot...

Woman kneeling in a garden bed, covering soil with reflective foil to protect young plants from pigeons.

Aluminium Foil Against Pigeons: Protect Your Garden Naturally

Harriet M. Ashford • October 12, 2026

.. and pecked at: Anyone getting their garden into shape now may be in for an unpleasant surprise from pigeons....