News
Planting fruit trees in March: keep the graft union above the soil
Harriet M. Ashford
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Spring arrives, garden centres fill up, and before long an apple, cherry or peach tree ends up in the boot....
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Spider Plant Bonsai: Turn a Spider Plant into a Living Mini Sculpture
Harriet M. Ashford
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Many people dream of having their own bonsai, but the perceived effort and long waiting times put them off. In...
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The 75p Natron trick for removing moss from your lawn
Harriet M. Ashford
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When you first step on the lawn in spring, it can feel spongy underfoot. Instead of fresh blades of grass,...
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Why Tits Avoid Your Garden
Harriet M. Ashford
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Something not adding up? Plenty of keen gardeners pour time, money and care into their plot, expecting a little haven...
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The 8 Toughest Low-Maintenance Perennials for Lazy Gardeners
Harriet M. Ashford
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Many hobby gardeners go all-in in spring, only to shove the watering can into a corner in high summer in...
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The Fir Cone Trick for Watering Houseplants in Winter
Harriet M. Ashford
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Many keen home gardeners reach for the watering can on autopilot in winter the moment the compost looks dry. That’s...
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Hanging Tomatoes Upside Down in a Bucket: Safe Setup and Weight Guide
Harriet M. Ashford
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Growing tomatoes upside down in a bucket can look like another internet garden hack at first glance. In reality, it’s...
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Pruning Roses in March: Why the Eyes Rule Matters
Harriet M. Ashford
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The bed looks bare, winter still clings to the branches, and your gaze lands on the secateurs: cut everything back...
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Robin nest box: turn an old clay teapot into a natural nesting site
Harriet M. Ashford
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Robins are among the most likeable garden birds of all. Plenty of people are delighted whenever this small songbird drops...
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Chemical‑Free Garden Beds: How They Really Work
Harriet M. Ashford
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The morning smells of damp soil as the sun slowly climbs over the fence. An older couple stands between their...
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Star Jasmine: Checks to Make Before You Plant It
Harriet M. Ashford
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Planting star jasmine is one of those jobs where it pays to look a little closer first. This evergreen climber...
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Turn Tin Cans into a Herb Garden for Balcony and Windowsill
Harriet M. Ashford
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Empty tin cans usually get tossed into the recycling without a second thought. Gardeners are now urging people to pause:...
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A simple lawn lime trick to fix a yellow lawn by correcting soil pH
Harriet M. Ashford
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Many people instinctively reach for more fertiliser - and often end up making the problem worse. The real answer sits...
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Attract Tits to Your Garden: Why Nest Boxes Alone Don’t Work
Harriet M. Ashford
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In March or April, a quick look out of the window first thing makes one thing obvious: every branch, hedge...
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Hydrangeas in Spring: Pruning and Care for Years of Blooms
Harriet M. Ashford
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Many amateur gardeners know the feeling: a few years ago you had a glorious sea of flowers; now it’s mostly...
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Asian tiger mosquito: why 15°C and rain can trigger a mosquito boom
Harriet M. Ashford
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While plenty of people are still thinking about winter coats and heating bills, gardens and balconies are already starting to...
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Old Picture Frames: 8 DIY Ideas for the Balcony and Garden
Harriet M. Ashford
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In many German homes, old picture frames end up piled in cupboards or corners, long after the photos have disappeared....
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Gaura lindheimeri: the low-maintenance perennial that flowers for months
Harriet M. Ashford
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A nearly forgotten perennial comes astonishingly close to this dream. Many hobby gardeners know the routine: you pour money, time...
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Cardy (Cardoon): the forgotten Mediterranean leaf vegetable for garden and table
Harriet M. Ashford
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In older gardening books it still turns up with some regularity, yet in today’s vegetable beds it can look oddly...
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First Lawn Cut in Spring: Why Timing Matters
Harriet M. Ashford
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After the first bright, sunny days, it’s tempting to get straight outside: you want the garden to look tidy, the...
News
Sunflower: the natural feeding station that brings birds back
Harriet M. Ashford
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Many garden owners will recognise the scenario: an expensive feeder, a premium seed mix, topped up like clockwork - yet...