Page 78 - News

Hummingbird feeding from a red feeder held by hands in a sunlit garden with flowers and gardening tools.

5 Things Hummingbirds Need in May

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

Hummingbirds become far more active in May, as this is when they begin building nests, searching for food and protecting...

Person watering and fertilising young plants in a garden bed with a metal watering can on a sunny day.

Transplanting Seedlings: The 10 Litres per Square Metre Watering Rule

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

Cold mornings, mild afternoons and trays of eager seedlings can make spring gardeners rush a stage that plants experience as...

Person fertilising lavender plants in a garden with tablet fertiliser and gardening tools nearby.

Lavender: the simple spring trick for more flowers in July

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

A simple springtime trick can make this dream surprisingly realistic. Many gardens present a rather disappointing sight in summer: a...

Hand inspecting soapberry plant with black berries in garden bed, next to watering can and spray bottle.

Ants in the Garden: The Plants That Attract Them

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

Many keen gardeners are puzzled by trails of ants in their flowerbeds, without realising that they may have planted the...

Person spraying moss on stone tiles in a garden patio with brooms and a spray bottle nearby.

30-Cent Vinegar Trick: Remove Moss from Patio Slabs

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

Many homeowners and flat owners look out at their outdoor spaces in spring with frustration: the slabs are slippery, mossy...

Person harvesting fresh radishes from a raised garden bed with green plants in a backyard.

Four Ultra-Fast Vegetables for a March Sowing

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

As winter starts to release the garden, it shifts from dormant to full of potential. With a little forethought, several...

Man wearing a straw hat planting a small shrub in a sidewalk gap in an urban area during daytime.

Shrubs with Less Aggressive Roots for Pavements and Squares

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

Choosing shrubs for pavements and squares may sound straightforward, yet it often becomes a real puzzle. Everyone wants an attractive,...

Woman in denim overalls sowing seeds beside colourful wildflowers in a field with a watering can and insect house nearby.

How Five Million Native Pollinator Plants Are Bringing Landscapes Back to Life

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

Wet earth, bruised foliage and the light sweetness of countless tiny flowers that have yet to open after the night....

Person in white lab coat setting a test tube into a black device outdoors with a microscope and spray can nearby.

Private Mosquito Spraying Drives Tiger Mosquito Resistance in Raleigh

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

Most mosquito spraying in the United States takes place without any involvement from a government body. Raleigh, North Carolina, has...

Person planting lavender seedlings in a garden bed with a trowel and ripe tomatoes nearby.

Plants That Keep Ants Away From the Garden Naturally

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

In many home gardens, ants can become an ongoing problem, particularly when they start protecting aphids, damaging fresh shoots or...

Female scientist in a lab coat using a microscope and tablet by a riverside with test tubes and a clipboard on the table.

Study finds Anopheles darlingi malaria mosquito resistance growing in South America

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

Malaria is a severe illness that affects millions of people worldwide each year. In South America, it continues to circulate,...

Man pouring coffee grounds into a compost bin in a garden during late afternoon.

Homemade Compost Activator: Wake Up a Frozen Winter Heap

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

Every gardener has a winter that almost defeats them. For me, it was the year my carefully made compost heap...

Hands placing dried bay leaves into a cloth pouch in a wooden kitchen pantry with jars of pasta and grains.

Why Put a Bay Leaf in the Kitchen Cupboard?

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

In day-to-day household routines, small practices can make a real difference to organisation and food storage. One habit found in...

Person cleaning outdoor tiled patio with brush, bucket, and wet/dry vacuum cleaner nearby.

How to Clean a Blackened Patio Without Hurting Your Back

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

Paul did not notice the blue sky first when he opened the curtains. What caught his eye was the embarrassing...

Person gardening among labelled flowers with an open notebook showing bee drawings on the soil.

Cultivated Garden Plants Can Support Pollinators

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

A garden filled with vivid blooms can offer more than visual appeal. It can also provide quiet support for bees,...

Hands planting young seedlings in biodegradable pots in a wooden garden bed outdoors.

How Toilet Roll Tubes Protect Young Plants in the Vegetable Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

What looks like a quirky sight actually hides a remarkably effective protective method. At first glance, it may seem like...

Woman planting seeds in soil containers on a balcony surrounded by potted plants and gardening supplies.

How to Make Your Own Compost and Potting Soil at Home

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

As garden centres pile up pallets of compost for spring, a quiet rebellion is taking root in sheds and back...

Man kneeling on patio planting a palm tree in a pot next to gardening tools and a plant design plan.

Palm Trees for Small Gardens: Low-Mess Species and Planning

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

In residential settings, choosing palm trees is often driven by the desire for shade, landscaping appeal and added property value....

Woman in a knit sweater and beanie applying garden pesticide to plants in a fenced backyard during daylight.

Bathroom Cleaner for Rats in the Garden: A Winter Neighbourhood Debate

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

On a wet November afternoon in a peaceful British cul-de-sac, a woman in mud-splattered wellies moves slowly around her flower...

Four potted succulent plants, a small terracotta watering can, and an open notebook on a wooden cabinet in sunlight.

5 Indoor Plants That Survive Well With Little Watering

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

In many urban homes, indoor plant décor must fit around fast-paced routines and limited time for daily care. In this...

Person pruning apple tree branches in autumn garden with ladder and cut wood nearby

Autumn Pruning: Five Trees to Focus on Before Frost

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

By late October, the afternoon light fades earlier each day and the garden can suddenly appear a little… worn out....