Page 54 - News

Hands harvesting ripe red tomatoes from a plant in a garden bed with pruning shears.

Tomatoes: Protect the Root Collar When Mulching and Watering

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

No pest in sight, no spots on the leaves. In that moment, many allotment and garden growers assume it must...

Great tits perched on and flying around purple coneflowers in a snowy raised garden bed with gardening tools.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): the natural winter feeding station

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

If you find yourself staring sadly at empty bird feeders in January, you can turn things around as early as...

Person mowing overgrown lawn with electric push mower in sunny garden near patio table and chairs

Aldi launches Ferrex electric lawn mower for £49.99 (under €60)

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

Many hobby gardeners know the feeling: a few mild days, a bit of rain - and suddenly your lawn looks...

Man tending a controlled garden burn with wood pile, wheelbarrow, rake and green bin in a sunny backyard.

Garden fires: burning garden waste is being phased out as March deadlines tighten

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

Clearing up the garden in spring often means reaching for a match rather than a wheelbarrow. Leaves, branches, shrub cuttings...

Person wearing gloves holding a garden hose in a sunny backyard with plants and garden tools nearby.

Why Your Garden Hose Can Become a Snake Hideout in the Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

Many keen gardeners are now pulling the lawnmower, spade and watering can back out of the shed. What most people...

Person spraying foamy pesticide or plant treatment on garden plants next to bottles of liquid on sunny path.

Vinegar and Washing-up Liquid Against Weeds in Paving Joints

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

You scrub the patio and sweep the driveway - yet just a few days later, new tufts of weeds push...

Woman tending to colourful flowers in a sunlit garden bed during golden hour.

21 annual flowers for beds, pots and balcony boxes – including Cosmos

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

Perennials are brilliant, but they take time to establish. Annual flowers, on the other hand, deliver a burst of colour...

Young man watering plants on a rainy balcony with a yellow watering can beside a wooden stool.

Why Rain Isn’t Always Enough: Hidden Drought Stress at the Roots

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

Many amateur gardeners relax the moment dark clouds roll in. The sky opens up, so there’s no need to water...

Person repotting a green plant indoors on a wooden table with gardening tools nearby.

Money tree care in March: the small changes that trigger new growth

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

Many hobby gardeners are surprised each year when their money tree sits in sunshine on the window sill yet produces...

Person planting a young tree under a blooming purple flower tree in a garden on a sunny day.

Paulownia (Kaiserbaum/Blauglockenbaum): Fast Shade Without Invasive Bamboo

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

Many keen gardeners want shade quickly, but don’t fancy paving over half the plot with rampant bamboo. That’s where a...

Person harvesting fresh green lettuce from a wooden raised garden bed on a balcony or patio.

Pak Choi: Fast Spring Harvest in 30 to 50 Days

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

Anyone who counts down the days in spring until the first home-grown harvest knows the familiar frustration: tomatoes, peppers, courgettes...

Person refilling a bird feeder while small birds, including blue tits and a robin, gather around a garden table.

Bird feeding in England: the British strategy for a lively garden all year round

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

It is still common in German-speaking countries for stale bread to be tossed on the lawn. In England, however, many...

Person preparing a potato on a cutting board with a pink orchid and other plants by a window in the background.

How a Potato Slice Can Help Your Orchid Bloom Again

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

Then a humble slice of vegetable from the kitchen suddenly became part of the solution. Anyone who has ever stared...

Man wearing gloves planting a green plant in a garden bed surrounded by flowers and gardening tools.

How to Control Nutsedge (Zypergras) in Lawns and Beds

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

Once nutsedge (Zypergras) turns up in a lawn or border, it quickly becomes clear this weed plays by different rules....

Woman in straw hat harvesting ripe tomatoes from plants on a sunny rooftop garden.

Tomatoes: 19 Practical Adjustments for a Bigger Summer Harvest

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

If you want to pick your own tomatoes in summer, you often run into the same frustrations: masses of leafy...

Person sprinkling fertiliser around purple flowers in a garden bed on a sunny day.

Agapanthus: The March P–K Protocol for Taller Flower Stalks

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

Anyone who loves Agapanthus (African lily) wants those tall, majestic spheres of bloom held well above the foliage - not...

Person harvesting fresh green leaves into a wooden bowl on a kitchen countertop with plants nearby.

Winter Purslane (Claytonia perfoliata): the overlooked spring green for salads and more

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

If you take a slow walk through the garden in April and really look, you’ll often spot a modest little...

Man planting red flowering shrubs in a garden bed bordered by stones with garden plans and soil bag nearby.

How to Use a Defence Hedge with Thorny Plants to Deter Burglars in Your Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

Alarm systems, cameras and smart door locks: many homeowners rely on technology first when it comes to protecting their property....

Person tending to a garden with herbs including lavender and mint, using a watering can on a sunny day.

Herbs and Scented Plants to Repel Ants Naturally in Your Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

Ants are as much a part of the garden as earthworms and bees. They help aerate the soil, clear away...

Man spraying plants in garden using spray bottle next to watering can and garden tools on ground

Photinia black spots: a simple natural late-winter step to stop leaf drop

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

Many hobby gardeners are surprised in late winter: the evergreen photinia looked healthy in autumn, but now it appears spotted,...

Person repotting a flowering plant on a balcony with a yellow watering can and plant food nearby

Potted lemon tree in March: avoid frost and watering mistakes

Harriet M. Ashford • August 15, 2026

A potted lemon tree can look full of vigour: buds start to swell and, out on the balcony, it suddenly...