Page 37 - Latest Articles - aucklandtrees.co.uk

Person tending to colourful flowering plant on balcony with bees and a watering can nearby.

Lantana: the tough, ever-flowering shrub for sunny gardens

Harriet M. Ashford • August 22, 2026

While roses can be temperamental and hydrangeas often wilt in hot spells, a more exotic newcomer gets on with it...

Person using a magnifying glass and spoon to inspect soil of potted indoor plant on a windowsill.

The Teaspoon-of-Soil Test for Curling Leaves

Harriet M. Ashford • August 22, 2026

The first time you spot it, you assume you’re seeing things. A leaf that once sat flat and confident is...

Small birds perched on purple coneflowers in a snowy garden with houses in the background.

Plant Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) in March and April for a Natural Bird Buffet

Harriet M. Ashford • August 22, 2026

Many garden owners diligently top up their bird feeders in winter, then wonder why only the occasional bird appears. The...

Hands in wool gloves cutting green net with fat balls near bird feeder and birds on snowy branch outdoors.

Why Plastic Nets on Fat Balls Can Trap Garden Birds

Harriet M. Ashford • August 22, 2026

I watched blue tits and robins flit back and forth and felt genuinely pleased with myself for doing something kind....

Cozy outdoor patio with wrought iron table and chairs, cushions, flower pots, and soft warm lighting.

Patina over Plastic: The Brocante Look for Garden, Balcony and Terrace

Harriet M. Ashford • August 22, 2026

Patina instead of plastic: more and more garden lovers are picking up old finds at flea markets and turning balconies,...

Man in a beanie holding a halved papaya in a garden with papaya plants and a wooden crate of fruit.

The Pawpaw: the “Tropical” Fruit Tree That Survives UK Winters

Harriet M. Ashford • August 22, 2026

On an icy January morning, there’s one fruit tree that looks as though it should be growing in the tropics...

Young man arranging a miniature bonsai landscape with rocks, moss and trees on a wooden table by a window.

Penjing: The Chinese Art of Miniature Landscapes - Not Just Bonsai

Harriet M. Ashford • August 22, 2026

On a tabletop scarcely larger than a baking tray, entire mountain ranges, winding rivers and ancient forests come to life...

Person adding coffee grounds to a potted plant on a sunny windowsill with other plants nearby.

Using Coffee Grounds and Eggshells for Houseplants: A Kitchen-to-Canopy Routine

Harriet M. Ashford • August 22, 2026

There’s a modest mound of spent coffee grounds by the sink, teaspoons chiming against mugs, and a little pile of...

Man pushing a lawnmower while another man relaxes on a balcony with a coffee and book nearby.

The ban on mowing lawns between noon and 4 p.m. is dividing neighbours

Harriet M. Ashford • August 22, 2026

On a washed-out spring afternoon-the sort where the city’s light almost feels forgiving-the sound arrives like a jolt. A neighbour...

Hands watering a small basil plant in a terracotta pot on a wooden garden table outdoors.

The Everyday Watering Habit That Quietly Invites Pests Into Your Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

The garden looked flawless from a distance - lush, green, and ready for Instagram. Up close, it felt like a...

Person fertilising potted plants with soil on a balcony table alongside a coffee maker and bowl of soil.

Coffee Grounds as a Winter Shield for Potted Plants

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

The first hard frosts do not wait to be invited. A single cold evening can scorch soft new growth, check...

Woman tending to a garden with blooming pink, purple, and white flowers beside a wooden table with gardening plans.

Fast-Growing Shrubs and Bushes for Quick Garden Privacy

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

Plenty of garden owners crave a bit more peace and quiet, but don’t fancy waiting years for tall trees or...

Person planting seeds in a raised garden bed with illustrated plant markers and gardening tools nearby.

6 Beginner-Friendly Flowers to Plant in March for a Brighter Summer

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

The first properly mild day in March has a way of taking you by surprise. One week you’re battling sleet...

Woman gardening purple flowering plants with watering can and child standing in background on sunny day

Red sand thyme: the lawn replacement that helps keep mosquitoes away

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

Summer evenings on the patio, chilled drinks, lively conversation - and no more irritating buzzing around the table. One unassuming...

Person using a garden rake to reveal a coiled snake underneath a green tarp on grass in a backyard.

Spring Garden Tarpaulins: The Hidden Snake Magnet Many Overlook

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

When the sun returns in spring, an often-overlooked hazard can be hiding in the garden - and many people don’t...

Person adjusting a digital timer displaying 18 minutes next to a white humidifier and houseplant indoors.

The Hidden Indoor Cause of Brown Leaves: Dry Air and Drafts

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

There’s a particular kind of heartbreak that only houseplant people understand. You stroll past your pride-and-joy monstera, or the pothos...

Person planting flower bulbs in soil beside pink and red rose bushes, with watering can and gardening tools nearby.

Banana Peels for Roses: How to Boost Blooms with Pruning and Organic Feeding

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

If you walk past your roses in spring and spot only the odd bud, it’s easy to assume you need...

Woman pruning branches of young fruit tree in orchard with tools and notebook on table nearby

January pruning for apple and pear trees: the tiny window that decides your harvest

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

No hum of insects, no sweet hint of blossom - only boots rasping over frozen grass and the neat snap...

Person watering a small potted plant on a wooden table with other potted plants in the background.

Dracaena Yellow Streaks: Fix with a Balanced Liquid Fertiliser

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

That bright indoor “corn plant” can look perfectly fine one day and then, seemingly overnight, develop odd striping, with yellow...

Person kneeling on a patio sprinkling white powder near moss, with a watering can, gloves, and brush nearby.

How Bicarbonate of Soda Removes Moss from Patio Slabs in 48 Hours

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

Many people reach for boiling water - and then wonder why the problem returns so quickly. If you want to...

Hands preparing a jar with soil and water on a wooden table with plants and gardening supplies nearby.

The Simple Home Soil Test That Changes Everything for Your Plants

Harriet M. Ashford • August 21, 2026

It started with a geranium that simply… stopped. The leaves hovered in that flat, nowhere-green: not crisp and healthy, but...