Page 3 - News

Person pouring water from a metal watering can into a mason jar on a kitchen countertop beside an orchid and a bowl of fruit.

Rice Water and Banana Peel Tea for Orchids

Harriet M. Ashford • September 13, 2026

You have misted, turned and begged. The flower spike has stopped, the buds have shrivelled and fallen, and that expensive...

Person tending to pale purple flowers on a trellis on a balcony with potted plants and a watering can.

Flowering Climbers: From Winter Bells to Summer Trumpets

Harriet M. Ashford • September 13, 2026

From winter bells to fiery summer trumpets, flowering climbers are taking centre stage in compact gardens and urban patios, transforming...

Person watering a peace lily plant indoors near a window with sunlight and bananas on a table.

Banana Peel Water for Peace Lilies: A Simple Trick for More Flowers

Harriet M. Ashford • September 13, 2026

Two weary green leaves, slightly dusty, were doing their best to look alive from the edge of a crowded kitchen...

Woman inspecting colourful tulips in a garden while holding a notebook and gardening tools nearby.

Why Your Tulips Bloom in Unexpected Colours and Shapes

Harriet M. Ashford • September 13, 2026

The cry came from a woman in a grey cardigan, stopped halfway along the path with a mug of tea...

Hand pouring white powder into glass bottle next to vase of roses on kitchen counter.

How Sugar and Vinegar Revive Drooping Flower Stems

Harriet M. Ashford • September 13, 2026

Today, the roses a friend brought round are drooping over the edge of the vase, as though they have abandoned...

Person trimming colourful dahlias with pruning shears in a garden bed during golden hour sunlight.

Three Dahlia Pruning Cuts for Stronger, Longer-Flowering Plants

Harriet M. Ashford • September 13, 2026

Stems sag, buds fail to open, and the display fades far too soon. But a handful of well-judged, almost unnoticed...

Person adjusting a white orchid on a windowsill next to a spray bottle and digital thermometer showing 7.0°C

How to Revive a Phalaenopsis Orchid With a Cool-Night Reset

Harriet M. Ashford • September 13, 2026

The leaves have lost their lift, the stem resembles a bare twig, and you may be asking whether you have...

Man scattering flower petals from bouquets on roadside with people and tractors carrying flowers in background

Why Farmers Dump Flowers Over Rock-Bottom Prices

Harriet M. Ashford • September 13, 2026

The flowers land on the tarmac with a muted, damp slap. Yellow marigolds, white chrysanthemums and bunches of roses still...

Person adding edible orange flowers to a fresh salad on a wooden table with flower pots and watering can.

Nasturtiums: The Trend Flower of 2026 for Beds, Balconies and Vegetable Gardens

Harriet M. Ashford • September 13, 2026

Many amateur gardeners are tearing up their old planting plans – a long-underestimated flower is taking over beds, balconies and...

Woman kneeling by potted plants, admiring white orchids on a sunny patio with gardening tools nearby.

Vanilla flower for the garden: the perfect choice to fragrance your outdoor space

Harriet M. Ashford • September 13, 2026

The search for the perfect flower to fragrance the garden has been growing among residents in different parts of the...

Person placing banana peels around blooming pink and red roses in a garden bed for natural fertiliser.

Banana Peels for Roses: The Spring Trick for More Flowers

Harriet M. Ashford • September 13, 2026

When people think about their roses in spring, pruning, a watering can and perhaps a bag of specialist fertiliser from...

Hands picking ripe strawberries in a garden bed with a basket of flowers and gardening tools nearby.

Dried Iris and Tulip Leaves: Free Mulch for Earlier Strawberry Harvests

Harriet M. Ashford • September 13, 2026

Across the country, amateur gardeners are now pulling faded leaves from borders, cutting back spring-flowering plants and carrying bags of...

Person tending to vibrant flowering plants on a sunny balcony with gardening tools and watering can nearby

How to grow bougainvillea in pots for a colourful balcony

Harriet M. Ashford • September 13, 2026

Creating a flower-filled balcony is easier when you choose a plant suited to outdoor conditions. The beautiful bougainvillea is an...

Hand holding essential oil bottle near diffuser, plate with cloves, fresh mint, spray bottle, and lemon water on wooden table

Natural Oils to Keep Wasps Away From Balconies and Terraces

Harriet M. Ashford • September 13, 2026

Enjoying meals outdoors on balconies and terraces calls for effective ways to keep unwanted insects at bay. Using particular aromatic...

Child planting seeds in a raised garden bed with seed packets and a planting guide nearby on a sunny day.

Vegetable Garden in April: What to Sow for a Better Summer Harvest

Harriet M. Ashford • September 13, 2026

April can mean the difference between a meagre plate and a generous bowl in the vegetable garden – sow the...

Person potting a pink flowering succulent on a wooden table with gardening tools and watering can nearby.

Desert Rose Care: How to Grow a Healthy Ornamental Plant at Home

Harriet M. Ashford • September 13, 2026

Growing ornamental plants at home brings great pleasure and beauty to the family setting. The renowned desert rose stands out...

Person writing on seed packets on a wooden table with a wooden box and plant in background.

How to Organise Seeds Using Paper Envelopes

Harriet M. Ashford • September 13, 2026

When planting time came around again, Clara opened the box where she kept her seeds and spotted the issue: small...

Person watering colourful petunias in terracotta pots on a sunny balcony garden table

Calibrachoa in pots: an easy way to brighten your balcony

Harriet M. Ashford • September 13, 2026

Calibrachoa, often called the mini-petunia, brings together prolific blooms, trailing growth and strong suitability for pots and window boxes. It...

Person pruning lavender plants in a garden with gardening tools and a small potted plant on a wooden table.

Pruning Lavender Correctly Can Almost Double Its Lifespan

Harriet M. Ashford • September 13, 2026

Many amateur gardeners are puzzled: a few years ago, their lavender was a perfect violet cushion; now a scruffy brush...

Hand placing a perforated tin can in soil beside tomato plants with garden tools and a watering can nearby.

Food Tin Drip Irrigation: A Simple Garden Watering System

Harriet M. Ashford • September 13, 2026

Among empty food tins, coffee grounds and discarded packaging, there is often more potential than daily life suggests. One amateur...

Person watering soil with a metal watering can beside a bottle labelled "vinigre" and a gardening notebook.

How to Remove Ant Nests in the Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • September 13, 2026

Getting rid of ant nests in the garden takes more than levelling the soil or blocking the visible opening. The...