Page 83 - News

Woman pruning white flowering shrubs in a well-maintained garden with red-leaved plants nearby on a sunny day.

Photinia vs Pittosporum: the evergreen hedge alternative to ‘Red Robin’ and Thuja

Harriet M. Ashford • September 6, 2026

Anyone wanting to shield their garden from prying eyes often turns to fast-growing hedge plants. First, Thuja seemed to be...

Person planting a Swiss chard seedling in a garden bed with a basket of harvested stems nearby.

Forcing Rhubarb in the Dark: Harvest Earlier with Sweeter Stalks

Harriet M. Ashford • September 6, 2026

A straightforward trick from the veg patch can bring your rhubarb harvest forward by weeks - and the stalks turn...

Person placing a white orchid plant in a transparent pot into a bowl of water on a wooden kitchen countertop.

Get Orchids Blooming Again: the Five‑Minute Bath Trick and the Dark Phase

Harriet M. Ashford • September 6, 2026

With a surprisingly simple tweak, that can change completely. Anyone who’s ever been given a beautifully flowering orchid will know...

Person gardening with gloves on a balcony surrounded by purple flowers and flying bees in sunlight.

Nepeta × faassenii catmint: the tougher alternative to lavender

Harriet M. Ashford • September 6, 2026

Anyone looking to brighten up a balcony or garden in spring often reaches for lavender almost without thinking. A touch...

Hands hanging a brown paper wasp nest trap on a wooden beam in a garden with flowers and gardening tools nearby.

Asian hornet: the paper bag trick to deter nests in your garden

Harriet M. Ashford • September 6, 2026

If you want to sit comfortably in the garden in summer, there is a new worry on many people’s minds:...

Person applying white plaster or paint to a terracotta plant pot on a wooden table outdoors

Terracotta Pots: The Ceramic Trick with Paint and Bicarbonate of Soda

Harriet M. Ashford • September 6, 2026

Plenty of hobby gardeners know the frustration: after one or two winters, beloved terracotta pots can look truly sorry for...

Man in a blue sweater pruning blue hydrangea flowers in a sunny garden.

Monty Don: the March cut that saves hydrangea blooms

Harriet M. Ashford • September 6, 2026

Anyone who has ever seen a photograph of hydrangeas covered in lush, ball-shaped blooms expects the same spectacle at home....

Young woman planting seedlings in a raised garden bed with a watering can and smartphone nearby.

The Best Time to Sow and Plant Out Tomatoes

Harriet M. Ashford • September 6, 2026

Chapo: A lot of garden lovers put their tomato plants into the ground far too early - and later wonder...

Red lawnmower on grass beside a person wearing jeans, with a rake lying on a dry patch in a fenced garden.

First spring lawn cut: when to mow and how short to set the mower

Harriet M. Ashford • September 6, 2026

When the first mild days arrive, many keen gardeners instinctively wheel the lawnmower out of the shed. It looks diligent...

Father and sons installing a wooden birdhouse on a tree in a sunny garden.

Owl Nest Box in the Garden: A Simple Way to Help During Breeding Season

Harriet M. Ashford • September 6, 2026

If you ever catch a muffled “hoo-hoo” in the small hours, you may not realise how fiercely these birds compete...

Person tending to potted spider plant on a windowsill with a watering can and other plants nearby

Spider Plant Kinked Leaves: Causes and Fixes

Harriet M. Ashford • September 6, 2026

Many owners are puzzled: the spot seems right, watering is regular - and yet the spider plant suddenly looks tired,...

How Sprite or 7Up Keeps Roses Fresh for 5 to 7 Days

Harriet M. Ashford • September 6, 2026

Heads often start to droop after only a few days. A simple kitchen trick can make a noticeable difference. Plenty...

Person wearing gloves planting colourful pansies in garden soil with a trowel and seed trays nearby

Living mulch in March: ground-cover perennials that keep weeds down

Harriet M. Ashford • September 6, 2026

As many hobby gardeners know, it can feel like a losing battle: you finish weeding a bed, and after the...

Man covering young plants with a protective mesh in a sunny garden with blooming tulips nearby.

Ice Saints 2026: Frost Dates and Safe Planting for Your Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • September 6, 2026

Spring is in full swing: garden centres are packed, and seedlings are jostling for space on windowsills. Yet one anxious...

Person planting a flower in a garden bed surrounded by colourful blooming flowers on a sunny day.

15 Robust Perennials to Transform Your Garden Beds This Spring

Harriet M. Ashford • September 6, 2026

After the colder months, a glance out into the garden often reveals little more than flat, bare patches. It’s easy...

Woman spraying a tomato plant affected by leaf disease in a garden with a homemade remedy.

Bicarbonate of Soda in the Garden: Why the “Harmless” Powder Can Burn Leaves and Ruin Soil

Harriet M. Ashford • September 6, 2026

More and more amateur gardeners are reaching for household remedies instead of chemicals. On social media, countless videos promote a...

Person scattering orange peel fertiliser around blooming blue and pink hydrangeas in a garden bed.

Hydrangeas: a simple boost with dried citrus peel

Harriet M. Ashford • September 6, 2026

If you grow hydrangeas in the garden, you will know the frustration: instead of tight, round flower heads, the blooms...

Young boy planting seedlings in a raised garden bed surrounded by flowers and gardening tools.

March Gardening: What to Sow and Plant for Flowers, Vegetables and Fruit Trees

Harriet M. Ashford • September 6, 2026

Getting started now gives flower borders, veg patches and fruit trees a real head start. The soil is warming up,...

Person scrubbing a wet green tiled balcony floor with a brush beside a bucket and cleaning sprays.

How to Make a Slippery Terrace Safe in One Hour with Vinegar

Harriet M. Ashford • September 6, 2026

With one basic kitchen staple, it can be safe to walk on again in about an hour. Many homeowners know...

Person pruning a small plant on a tiled patio with watering can and potted plants nearby.

Oleander after winter: check, harden off, prune, repot, fertilise and water properly

Harriet M. Ashford • September 6, 2026

Many amateur gardeners get a shock in spring when they look at their oleander: brown leaves, dried-out twigs, barely any...

Person gardening herbs with a wooden spoon in a raised garden bed on a sunny day.

Wooden spoon in the veg bed: the clever soil and moisture test

Harriet M. Ashford • September 6, 2026

No decoration, no superstition - there’s a surprisingly smart trick behind it. Anyone who scrolls through gardening forums or flicks...