Page 52 - News

Barefoot person walking through a garden with purple heather flowers and potted herbs near a wooden deck chair.

Roter Sand-Thymian (Thymus serpyllum 'Coccineus') for fewer mosquitoes by the terrace

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

Many home gardeners know the same summer saga: brown patches in the lawn, hosepipe bans, the racket of the mower...

Person scrubbing mossy garden tiles with brush and soapy water in a blue bucket on a sunny day.

Washing-up Liquid Against Moss and Algae on Your Patio: The Bucket Trick

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

When you open the patio doors in spring, you’re often greeted not by a cosy seating area but by slippery...

Young man tending tall potted plants on a sunny balcony with city buildings in the background.

Why Bamboo on the Balcony Is Being Replaced by a Hardy Asian Alternative

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

Anyone who used to stock their balcony with bamboo almost on autopilot is now thinking twice. A tough, previously overlooked...

Woman tending leafy green lettuce in a raised garden bed with a soil thermometer and planting calendar nearby.

Gardening before the Ice Saints: what to plant early

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

The thermometer says “spring”, garden centres are overflowing with plants - yet plenty of borders are still bare. The reason...

Person tending to potted lavender plants on a sunny balcony with a butterfly and watering can nearby.

Nepeta (Catmint): The Hardy, Long-Flowering Alternative to Lavender

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

When you replant your balcony or garden in spring, it’s easy to reach for lavender on autopilot. A touch of...

Person kneeling on grass using a garden rake near a sprinkler irrigating a flowerbed in a sunny yard.

Four Steps to Fix a Yellow Lawn with Dwarf Clover

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

The good news is that a thick, richly green lawn doesn’t require pricey miracle fertilisers or constant watering. If you...

Person planting flower bulbs in soil on a raised garden bed next to seed packets and potted flowers.

March: Planting Seven Flower Bulbs for a Summer Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

In March, borders often still look dull and bare, yet below the surface the run-up to high summer is already...

Person planting dark-leaved plants in a raised garden bed with gardening tools nearby on a sunny day.

Black garden: dark foliage trend and easy planting tips

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

What only a few years ago was dismissed as a quirky notion dreamt up by landscape architects is now turning...

Person crushing dried orange peels in a bowl on a wooden table outdoors near blooming hydrangeas.

Hydrangeas: How Dried Orange Peel Can Boost Blooms and Colour

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

If you water your hydrangeas carefully and feed them regularly, you’ll know the frustration: washed-out leaves, smaller flower heads and...

Woman crouching in a garden feeding a red squirrel perched on a birdbath surrounded by plants and gardening tools.

How to Turn Squirrels into Garden Allies

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

A closer look changes everything. Plenty of keen gardeners grumble when a small, red bundle of fur darts through the...

Person scrubbing green moss off tiled patio with brush and spray bottle nearby in bright garden setting.

Remove Moss from Your Patio with Vinegar and Bicarbonate of Soda

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

Many homeowners eventually give up on the green film of moss on patios, paths and driveways. You buy pricey specialist...

Hands picking fresh green clover leaves into a bowl on a garden bed with a plant guide book nearby.

Chickweed in Late March: Why It Beats Lettuce

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

At the end of March, a delicate, pale-green plant pushes its way to the front of the border among tulips,...

Woman kneeling and planting flowers in a colourful garden bed on a sunny day.

10 Fast-Growing Perennials to Fill Beds Quickly

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

Plenty of amateur gardeners will recognise the pattern: in spring the bed is prepped, a few plants go in -...

Woman picking orange and yellow flowers from a raised garden bed with vegetables in the background.

Nasturtium’s comeback in the veg patch: the easy, multi-purpose garden ally

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

Between seed trays, planting plans and the excitement of that first harvest, an old favourite suddenly reappears: nasturtium. For decades...

Hands planting white flowers in terracotta pots on a balcony table with butterflies and bees flying nearby

Pentas (Egyptian Starflower): an easy bee and butterfly magnet for garden and balcony

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

People with packed diaries often steer clear of labour-intensive borders, fussy perennials and delicate roses. Even so, the urge for...

Woman pruning a red rose bush in a colourful garden during daylight.

March Pruning with Monty Don and Julian Palphramand: Five Ornamental Shrubs for More Flowers

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

In March, without much fuss, the groundwork is laid for how colourful the garden will look just a few weeks...

Man kneeling in garden uncovering a snake hiding beneath a green tarp in bright daylight.

Tarpaulin in the Garden: Why It Attracts Snakes Near the House

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

When the sun returns in spring, garden jobs kick off everywhere: mowing the lawn, getting beds ready, hauling furniture out...

Person planting pink and blue flowers in a garden bed with bees flying nearby and gardening tools beside them.

Lungwort: the early nectar boost for shade beds, bumblebees and wild bees

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

A perennial with huge value for bees is often hiding in exactly those spots. When people think of bee-friendly spring...

Person sprinkling white powder onto moss growing between stone patio tiles in a garden.

Bicarbonate of soda to remove moss from your lawn, driveway and patio

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

A simple cupboard staple can get green surfaces back into shape. Plenty of keen gardeners end up staring at greened-over...

Hand holding a hanging bird feeder with seeds while a child sits at a table in a garden.

DIY Bird Feeding Station from a Metal Coat Hanger

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

When you pop into a DIY store or garden centre, the prices can be a surprise: plain bird feeding stations...

Person planting flower bulbs near a blooming cluster of snowdrops in a sunlit garden bed.

Snowdrops after flowering: the care steps for dense carpets

Harriet M. Ashford • August 16, 2026

In late winter, snowdrops are often the first flowers to bring life back into the garden. Once those delicate blooms...