Page 48 - News

Person removing a yellowing leaf from a spider plant on a sunny windowsill with other potted plants nearby.

Spider plant leaves: what breakage and folding say about watering and position

Harriet M. Ashford • August 17, 2026

Often, the damage has more behind it than simple bad luck. Many owners treat the spider plant as a hassle-free...

Person kneeling and using a hand cultivator to tend to soil in a vegetable garden with young plants growing.

Spring digging vs no-dig: protect soil life with mulching

Harriet M. Ashford • August 17, 2026

The first warm day arrives, the beds are calling, and the spade is within reach. For decades the rule seemed...

Person tending to colourful potted flowers on a sunny balcony with a watering can and soil bag nearby.

Lantana Shrub: The Ever-Bloomer for Balconies, Patios and Borders

Harriet M. Ashford • August 17, 2026

If you’ve ever stared out at a bare garden in January or November and felt deflated, it’s easy to assume...

Hands planting seeds beside young seedlings in a garden bed, using a ruler for spacing.

Claytonie (Claytonia) winter purslane: sowing at 0.5 cm for the best harvest

Harriet M. Ashford • August 17, 2026

With the first mild days of spring, the craving grows for fresh, young leaves picked straight from the bed. Many...

Hand sprinkling seeds into a terracotta pot among other potted herbs on a wooden indoor table.

The Matchstick Trick for Fungus Gnats in Houseplants

Harriet M. Ashford • August 17, 2026

Anyone who dotes on their houseplants will recognise the tell-tale nuisance: out of nowhere, tiny black flies lift off from...

Person planting a small tree on a terraced garden slope with various plants and flowers surrounding them.

Stabilise a Slope with Plants for Under €20 per m²

Harriet M. Ashford • August 17, 2026

With the right planting, the whole scene changes. Instead of paying for an expensive retaining wall, more and more garden...

Person arranging a spider plant on a wooden table with scissors and wire in a sunlit room.

Turn a Spider Plant into a Living Sculpture

Harriet M. Ashford • August 17, 2026

Many flats have one parked somewhere: a spider plant in a cover pot-tough, low-maintenance, but more of a background extra...

Hand sowing seeds into a wooden planter box on a table with seed packets and gardening tools nearby.

March Is the Deadline in the Vegetable Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • August 17, 2026

March is the deadline in the vegetable garden. As the birds get louder in the mornings and the ground slowly...

Man kneeling in garden holding a 450 euro bill, with a woman leaning on a fence in the background.

Burning garden waste: why green waste can mean a 450 Euro fine in spring

Harriet M. Ashford • August 17, 2026

Many amateur gardeners still reach for a match to get rid of green waste “quickly”. What used to be seen...

Person tending to large-leafed plants in a sunny garden beside a wooden table with gardening tools and plans.

Paulownia tomentosa: the fast-growing privacy screen tree for your patio

Harriet M. Ashford • August 17, 2026

Many homeowners reach for privacy screens, reed mats or timber panels. They can bring quick relief, but they also block...

Person sprinkling dried banana chips onto a potted plant on a balcony with other plants nearby.

Gardeners warn: don’t waste pure plant gold - banana peels

Harriet M. Ashford • August 17, 2026

Gardeners are warning: we’re throwing away pure plant gold. Plenty of amateur gardeners pay for pricey liquid fertiliser from the...

Person pruning a small evergreen tree in a garden with gardening tools and supplies nearby.

Evergreen Shrubs: The One-Third Rule for Pruning in Late February

Harriet M. Ashford • August 17, 2026

Handled properly, evergreen shrubs can be turned into a dense, resilient green screen in just a few weeks. The secret...

Hands pruning vibrant orange, red, and pink flowers in a sunny garden with a bee flying nearby.

Lantana: the nearly indestructible tropical shrub for UK gardens

Harriet M. Ashford • August 17, 2026

Many keen gardeners know the pattern all too well: summer is a riot of flowers, then from autumn onwards the...

Man kneeling on lawn adjusting a red lawnmower in a sunny garden with a rake and garden supplies nearby.

The First Lawn Cut in March: How to Set Up a Strong Summer

Harriet M. Ashford • August 17, 2026

Many garden owners simply wait “until it’s properly warm” before they reach for the lawnmower. That’s exactly where things go...

Hands holding a roll of paper towel near small seedlings in biodegradable pots on soil in a wooden garden bed.

Toilet roll tubes: the simple garden trick that protects young plants

Harriet M. Ashford • August 17, 2026

In spring, many gardeners pour their energy into young tomatoes, lettuces and flowers - only to lose them after a...

Hands soaking an orchid plant's roots in a bowl of water on a sunlit windowsill with other orchids nearby.

Orchids: Simple steps to get them flowering again almost all year round

Harriet M. Ashford • August 17, 2026

Receiving a flowering orchid as a gift often means enjoying its burst of colour for just a few weeks -...

Person planting a small green plant in a garden bed surrounded by colourful flowers on a sunny day.

A simple year-round ground cover trio: winter heath, moss phlox and leadwort

Harriet M. Ashford • August 17, 2026

Many amateur gardeners know the pattern all too well: spring looks lush, high summer throws everything off balance, gaps open...

Bees collecting nectar from blooming lavender flowers with a garden watering can in the background.

Why Catnip (Nepeta × faassenii) Is Outshining Lavender for Bees and Easy Gardens

Harriet M. Ashford • August 17, 2026

Anyone replanting a patio or garden in spring almost automatically reaches for lavender. Mediterranean vibes, a blue carpet of flowers,...

Hand sprinkling white powder near ripe tomatoes on plant and in basket on raised garden bed outdoors.

Baking Soda for Sweeter Tomatoes: What It Really Does to Soil pH

Harriet M. Ashford • August 17, 2026

Anyone who proudly picks the first fruit from their own bed in summer is expecting an Italian-style hit of flavour...

Person kneeling on grass applying termite bait paste to a circular station with garden tools nearby.

Toilet paper trick: repair patchy lawns with grass seed

Harriet M. Ashford • August 17, 2026

With one simple household product, these gaps can be filled surprisingly easily. Plenty of garden owners know the scene: children,...

Person using an electric chainsaw to cut a branch on a garden table with safety goggles and gloves.

Leroy Merlin deal: GARRYFIZH mini electric chainsaw for €36.89

Harriet M. Ashford • August 17, 2026

Plenty of garden owners know the feeling: the first mild day arrives and you’re keen to get outside, but the...