Page 46 - Latest Articles - aucklandtrees.co.uk

Man examining soil with debris in garden while another person holds clipboard by a sign reading Free Fill.

Free soil: why garden fill can become a costly problem

Harriet M. Ashford • October 3, 2026

At first, the idea seemed almost too good to be true: lorryloads of free soil, a plot that needed levelling...

Hands placing bay leaves on colourful vegetable and meat skewers cooking on a charcoal barbecue grill outdoors.

How to Use Bay Leaves on Barbecue Coals

Harriet M. Ashford • October 3, 2026

Throwing bay leaves onto barbecue coals is an easy way to scent the smoke and lend an aromatic note to...

Person planting green shoots in dry, cracked soil next to patchy grass in a sunny garden.

Zoysia: the drought-tolerant lawn for tired gardens

Harriet M. Ashford • October 3, 2026

By late August, the garden often looks more worn out than we do. Between yellow patches, seedlings emerging unevenly and...

Hands pruning strawberry plant runners in a raised garden bed with ripe strawberries and gardening tools nearby.

Should You Remove Strawberry Runners?

Harriet M. Ashford • October 3, 2026

Strawberry runners are side shoots that can root and develop into new plants. They are useful if you want to...

Young man gardening indoors with plants, pots, watering can, and books in a sunlit living room.

What a Plant-Filled Home Reveals About Your Personality

Harriet M. Ashford • October 3, 2026

For some people, the first thing you notice when you walk in is neither the sofa nor the wall colour,...

Man harvesting ripe jujube fruits from a small tree in a garden at golden hour.

Jujube tree: the Asian fruit tree that can withstand -15 °C

Harriet M. Ashford • October 3, 2026

One September morning, in a small garden still damp with dew, a neighbour proudly showed off a tree laden with...

Man assembling a wooden fence panel on a balcony next to a sofa and small table with a book and coffee cup.

Wooden-batten balcony screen: a simple DIY project that creates an extra room

Harriet M. Ashford • October 3, 2026

One June evening, you open the patio door for some fresh air and find the familiar balcony: two mismatched chairs,...

Man kneeling in garden refilling bird feeder with birds perched and squirrel nearby in daylight.

Coffee Grounds: A Simple Way to Keep Squirrels Away from Bird Feeders

Harriet M. Ashford • October 3, 2026

A surprising tip is gaining ground in gardens: sprinkling ordinary coffee grounds around bird feeders may put squirrels off. It...

Hands tending a young tomato plant in a terracotta pot on a wooden table with gardening tools and watering can.

How to use banana peel as fertiliser for plants

Harriet M. Ashford • October 3, 2026

Growing plants at home becomes more vigorous when everyday natural resources are put to use, supplying essential nutrients to cultivated...

Two people discussing a garden gate with a clipboard and tape measure between suburban houses.

Neighbour right of way: when a verbal agreement becomes a dispute

Harriet M. Ashford • October 3, 2026

On a spring Saturday, Marc opens his gate as he has done for fifteen years. His neighbour’s tyres crunch over...

Person harvesting ripe tomatoes from plants into a wooden crate in a garden.

September tomato care: how to ripen green fruit before autumn

Harriet M. Ashford • October 3, 2026

As autumn approaches, many vegetable gardens still hold green fruit. A few straightforward actions can transform the end of the...

Person kneeling on grass connecting an orange extension cord to an outdoor wall socket with a lawnmower in the background.

Outdoor Extension Lead Safety: Why You Should Never Leave It Outside All Summer

Harriet M. Ashford • October 3, 2026

Left exposed to rain and sunshine for weeks, an ordinary extension lead can become a genuine safety hazard. As autumn...

Young person in a hat watering sunflowers on a bright balcony filled with various potted plants.

Plants That Love Strong Sun: Best Choices for Hot Areas

Harriet M. Ashford • October 3, 2026

In many parts of Brazil, intense sunshine for much of the year is a fact of life. In these conditions,...

Person repotting a purple flowering plant on a sunny balcony with gardening tools and pots nearby

Heliotrope: a fragrant flowering shrub for summer containers

Harriet M. Ashford • October 3, 2026

Once mainly grown by knowledgeable enthusiasts, heliotrope is now becoming more popular with home gardeners. Its appeal lies as much...

Person spreading granular fertiliser on soil around green leafy cabbage plants in a garden bed.

Wood Ash in the Garden: Which Plants Benefit and Which to Avoid

Harriet M. Ashford • October 3, 2026

On a February morning, beside a stove that is still warm, the bucket of ash always seems to raise the...

Person arranging two wet plastic chairs on a patio with a wooden table and a bench in the background.

Garden furniture: which materials withstand frost, rain and sunshine?

Harriet M. Ashford • October 3, 2026

Frost, rain and sunshine can quickly weaken certain garden equipment. Before buying, it is worth assessing how well it will...

Person placing potted flowering plants into a wicker basket on a wooden table in a garden.

How to Reuse a Broken Basket in the Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • October 3, 2026

A broken basket may still contain sturdy sections that remain useful in the garden. Rather than throwing it away straight...

Two colourful birds with orange, yellow, and blue feathers flying near a wooden bird feeder with fruit.

How to attract Great Kiskadees to your garden with a bird feeder

Harriet M. Ashford • October 3, 2026

Anyone hoping to attract birds to an outdoor space soon finds that a bird feeder alone is not always enough...

Hands planting fresh coriander in a terracotta pot on a wooden table by a window with potted herbs.

How to Plant a Supermarket Bunch of Parsley at Home

Harriet M. Ashford • October 3, 2026

Turning a bunch of parsley bought at the supermarket into a thriving plant at home is one of those straightforward...

Hands lifting grill lid and turning meat skewers on a smoky barbecue in a garden setting.

How Bay Leaves Can Transform Your Brazilian Barbecue

Harriet M. Ashford • October 3, 2026

Traditional Brazilian barbecue takes on a distinctive character when aromatic ingredients are placed directly onto a very hot charcoal bed....

Person in cosy sweater tending potted orchids on a sunny windowsill with a snowy garden outside.

Winter-flowering orchids: colour and fragrance for colder days

Harriet M. Ashford • October 3, 2026

During winter, when many species become dormant and lose their vibrancy, certain orchids use the colder period as an opportunity...