Page 9 - News

Woman in a garden feeding a red squirrel among green plants and garden netting during sunny day.

Squirrels in the Vegetable Garden: Your Powerful Ally

Harriet M. Ashford • October 18, 2026

Smart planning for your beds can give you a powerful ally. Many amateur gardeners blame squirrels whenever soil has been...

Person wearing a straw hat pruning blooming hydrangea flowers in a garden on a sunny day.

Pruning hydrangeas in spring for abundant flowers

Harriet M. Ashford • October 18, 2026

Many amateur gardeners become frustrated when their hydrangeas produce nothing but leaves instead of flowers – yet the answer lies...

Man tending to tall potted plants on a balcony overlooking a cityscape on a sunny day.

Bamboo on city balconies: the new Asian alternative

Harriet M. Ashford • October 18, 2026

On many city balconies, the long-celebrated bamboo is facing competition – an unassuming plant from Asia is currently turning many...

Hands planting blue flowers in a garden bed with a small gardening trowel nearby on soil.

Living Mulch: Make Your Garden Almost Weed-Free with Ground Covers

Harriet M. Ashford • October 18, 2026

Anyone who does not want to spend every weekend in spring weeding on their knees can make their garden almost...

Hands offering sunflower seeds to great tits flying around a wooden bird feeder in a garden.

Sunflower Seeds: The Simple Trick That Fills Your Garden with Tits

Harriet M. Ashford • October 18, 2026

A simple trick takes hardly any effort – and suddenly the garden is teeming with tits. Many amateur gardeners do...

Person tending to potted lavender and other plants on a wooden balcony table in daylight.

Plectranthus ‘Magic Mona Purple’: The little-known purple perennial for autumn

Harriet M. Ashford • October 18, 2026

A little-known purple perennial really comes into its own at this time. Anyone who traditionally fills their balcony planters with...

Person in a beige sweater sprinkling white powder on a small garden patch on a balcony with plants and a watering can.

Bicarbonate of soda against moss and weeds: clean patio joints in winter

Harriet M. Ashford • October 18, 2026

Terrace joints, paving stones and driveways: as soon as temperatures rise in spring, moss begins pushing through the gaps again,...

Hands holding pruning shears trimming a young maple tree branch in a garden.

Japanese maple pruning: why the wrong cut can weaken it for months

Harriet M. Ashford • October 18, 2026

Many garden owners treasure their Japanese maple as an ornament – yet pruning it incorrectly at the wrong time can...

Person placing a lemon tree pot on a foam mat on a sunny balcony with another potted plant nearby.

Protect Your Potted Lemon Tree from March Frost with One Simple Trick

Harriet M. Ashford • October 18, 2026

Many amateur gardeners breathe a sigh of relief after winter: the lemon tree on the balcony or terrace starts growing...

Person using a garden rake to clear moss from a garden bed with gardening tools nearby on grass.

Lawn Moss: Three Essential March Jobs for a Healthier Lawn

Harriet M. Ashford • October 18, 2026

After winter, lawns often look tired, patchy and covered in moss – but three focused jobs in March can turn...

Person tending to purple and pink lupine flowers in a sunlit garden with bees flying nearby.

Ornamental Sage: Tougher Than Lavender and Loved by Bees

Harriet M. Ashford • October 18, 2026

For anyone who does not want to spend every summer evening carrying a garden hose or watering can, different plants...

Hands crafting star-shaped ornaments with green stems beside flowering potted plants on a balcony railing.

Hibiscus: The 3-Second March Move for More Flowers

Harriet M. Ashford • October 17, 2026

In late winter, hibiscus often looks rather forlorn – with long, bare shoots and only a few flowers. One tiny...

Man adding organic waste to a smoking compost bin in a sunny garden with plants and wheelbarrow nearby

Burning garden waste: why it can cost up to €750

Harriet M. Ashford • October 17, 2026

After winter, many people look forward to their first jobs in the garden: scarifying the lawn, clearing flowerbeds and cutting...

Woman planting lavender in a garden bed with other flowers and gardening tools on 31 March.

Plant by 31 March: drought-tolerant perennials for a water-saving border

Harriet M. Ashford • October 17, 2026

Planting now saves effort and water while creating resilient borders. This only works if you make the calendar work for...

Young man in apron hanging a purple flowering plant on a balcony with gardening tools and pots nearby.

Plectranthus ‘Magic Mona Purple’: the robust shade plant for autumn hanging baskets

Harriet M. Ashford • October 17, 2026

Robust in shade, surprisingly late-flowering, and easy to manage. Many people choose petunias or fuchsias, even though they demand considerable...

Person planting herbs in terracotta pots in a garden bed with flowers and gardening tools nearby.

Plants That Repel Ants: A Simple Green Solution

Harriet M. Ashford • October 17, 2026

Yet there is a remarkably simple, environmentally friendly answer. Ants perform an important function in soil: they loosen the ground...

Person repotting a poinsettia plant on a balcony table with gardening tools and decorations nearby.

Poinsettia care in March and April: how to save it for summer

Harriet M. Ashford • October 17, 2026

The red glow has gone, the colourful bracts have faded, and a few leaves are already lying on the windowsill....

Person kneeling on grass adjusting a red lawn mower with a checklist on the ground nearby.

When to Mow Your Lawn in Spring: The Right Cutting Height

Harriet M. Ashford • October 17, 2026

However, timing and cutting height are what separate a lush lawn from needless strain and bare patches. Mowing too early...

Person installing solar garden lights around a tree in a backyard during sunset with tools and instructions nearby.

Garden Bright Solar Uplighter at Aldi: affordable garden lighting for £9.99

Harriet M. Ashford • October 17, 2026

A new budget-friendly option is now taking the stress out of planning. Anyone wanting to see their patio, bed edging...

Hands tending to orange and yellow marigold flowers and purple lavender in a raised garden bed on a sunny day.

Marigolds, Lavender and Garlic: The Natural Aphid Brake for Your Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • October 17, 2026

The evening warmth still hung over the small terraced houses as I stepped into Anna’s garden. The air carried the...

A hand dropping a coin into a birdbath with two small birds perched and a mosquito flying nearby in a garden.

1-Cent Coin in the Bird Bath: What the Garden Tip Really Does

Harriet M. Ashford • October 17, 2026

A tiny 1-cent coin placed in a bird bath is currently attracting attention: behind this unusual tip lies a serious...