Page 11 - Latest Articles - aucklandtrees.co.uk

Woman in denim jacket planting flowers and sprinkling fertiliser in a vibrant garden with a watering can nearby.

March fertiliser: 11 perennials that need feeding

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

Many hobby gardeners find themselves in May staring at beds with only a few flowers and blaming the weather. In...

Person planting purple flowers by a stone garden wall on a sunny day with gardening tools nearby.

Aubriete: Transform a Retaining Wall into a Spring Flower Cascade

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

Many amateur gardeners know the situation: the borders look immaculate, the lawn is neatly trimmed, yet the retaining wall behind...

Elderly man holding tomatoes and a document, standing among potted plants inside a greenhouse.

New tax on private garden greenhouses alarms pensioners

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

At 7:15 on a Tuesday morning, the light inside Margot’s modest suburban greenhouse has an almost sacred quality. Tomatoes wind...

Person wearing gloves spraying plants with water in a garden on a sunny day.

Sprouting Garlic Keeps Snakes Out of the Garden in March

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

A bit of kitchen waste is turning into a secret weapon. As temperatures climb in March, life returns around patios,...

Hands painting strawberries on potted plants placed on a sunlit windowsill indoors.

Pro Method for Growing Strawberries Indoors - Right in the Living Room

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

Using a professional technique, the strawberry dream can still work - right in your living room. Anyone living in a...

Person pruning autumnal hydrangea flowers in a sunlit garden with gardening tools in a metal bucket nearby.

January pruning for hydrangeas, climbing roses and pome fruit trees

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

Many amateur gardeners put their feet up in winter and let beds and shrubs doze. It makes sense: outside it’s...

Person tending to a hanging pot of white flowering plants on a sunny balcony.

How to Grow Wax Flower on a Charming Balcony

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

A flower-filled, charming balcony is the ambition of many flat residents looking to bring a touch of urban nature into...

Person tending to vegetables in a wooden raised garden bed with a watering can and digital meter nearby.

Why Raised Beds Dry Out So Fast - and How to Keep Them Moist

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

The first time you make a raised bed, it brings a real sense of achievement. New timber or gleaming metal,...

Person planting a basil plant in a raised vegetable garden with cucumber and pumpkin plants nearby.

Five bad neighbours for basil in the garden

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

Basil is often seen as an easy-going kitchen herb and a classic partner for tomatoes. But not every plant makes...

Person gardening by a small tree with a basket of leaves, a watering can, and a hand rake nearby on a wooden deck.

Japanese maple: the March mulch layer that prevents summer leaf scorch

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

Many garden owners are surprised each year by how quickly a delicate Japanese maple can scorch in summer or start...

Hand feeding seeds to a European robin perched on a plate outdoors with garden tools in background.

Feed Robins Porridge Oats and Cheese Tonight

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

By 4pm, the garden has already fallen into shade, and the birds behave differently – more alert, faster, almost pressed...

Person kneeling on grass sprinkling fertilizer with watering can and gardening tools nearby in sunlight.

The 1‑Euro bath salt trick: Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) for a greener lawn

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

A tip is currently doing the rounds in gardening forums and Facebook groups that sounds almost too good to be...

Hands striking a flint with pruning shears to create sparks on a wooden table outdoors with plants in pots.

How to Sharpen Pruning Shears Quickly Without Specialist Tools

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

The blades were grey, chipped and tacky, as though they had been gnawing through twigs rather than slicing them. He...

Person harvesting fresh lavender with scissors into a small pot on a wooden bench outdoors.

Pruning Lavender Properly: The Technique That Keeps Plants Healthy for up to 20 Years

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

The good news is that the problem is usually not ‘poor soil’ or the weather, but one often-overlooked pruning technique....

Person pruning pink and white flowers in terracotta pot on wooden table with watering can outdoors.

Oleander: The golden rule for masses of flowers

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

A simple rule of thumb can change things surprisingly quickly. Anyone who spends a holiday in southern Europe can hardly...

Person tending colourful sweet pea flowers growing on a wooden trellis in a sunny garden.

Sweet Pea: A Natural Barrier for a Beautiful Protected Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

Creating an attractive, sheltered outdoor space depends on choosing the right plant species. The climbing plant known as the sweet...

Person pruning pink and orange flowers in a balcony garden with a watering can and seed packet nearby.

Diascia: The overlooked summer powerhouse for balcony boxes

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

With the right trailing plant, that will not happen. Anyone planting up their containers in spring hopes for months of...

Woman using a broom to weed around a small plant in a gravel garden outside suburban houses on a sunny day.

How to Keep a Gravel Driveway Weed-Free with Three Natural Steps

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

Many garden owners will recognise the pattern: you spread the gravel with care, and for a few weeks the driveway...

Person watering a potted plant on a wooden table with gardening supplies and plants in the background.

Homemade Fertiliser for Yellow Leaves: 5 Kitchen Ingredients

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

Yellowing leaves are a common indication that a plant is experiencing an imbalance. In many instances, the issue is associated...

Hand placing an orchid stem with roots into a glass jar of water on a bright kitchen countertop next to corn and a spoon.

Phalaenopsis Orchid: A Simple Cooked Maize Root Booster for Fresh Blooms

Harriet M. Ashford • September 8, 2026

A humble leftover from the kitchen can make orchid roots surprisingly responsive again. Plenty of hobby growers have seen it:...

Person watering soil in a white pot indoors next to a green houseplant and gardening supplies on a rug.

How to Water a Peace Lily Without Drowning It

Harriet M. Ashford • September 7, 2026

The hose was already on when Linda spotted the problem. Yellow leaves formed a ring around her prized peace lily,...