Page 93 - Latest Articles - aucklandtrees.co.uk

Person pruning a small tree with red leaves in a garden beside a February desk calendar.

How to Prune a Japanese Maple Safely in February and Winter

Harriet M. Ashford • August 25, 2026

The elegant Japanese maple is often seen as a jewel in the garden - costly to buy, slow to put...

Hands tending colourful lantana flowers in a garden with a watering can, gloves, and a butterfly nearby.

Lantana camara: the overlooked shrub that flowers almost all year

Harriet M. Ashford • August 25, 2026

Most amateur gardeners reach for the same dependable favourites again and again: roses, geraniums, hydrangeas. Meanwhile, a plant that can...

Person spreading fertiliser on a garden lawn using a green handheld spreader on a sunny day.

Spring lawn fertiliser: the right timing for a dense, green lawn

Harriet M. Ashford • August 25, 2026

Many amateur gardeners reach for the lawnmower in March and hope for a miracle. In reality, the real turnaround starts...

Person kneeling on a patio pulling weeds with gardening tools and a bucket of plants nearby.

Terrace paving joints weeds: the right time to clear them in spring and autumn

Harriet M. Ashford • August 25, 2026

You’ve scrubbed the terrace, cleaned the paving joints, sprayed natural vinegar - and two or three weeks later dandelions, plantain...

Person wearing a straw hat tending to a vibrant garden with pink, blue, and purple flowers on a sunny day.

Peonies: the best companion plants for a healthy, striking border

Harriet M. Ashford • August 25, 2026

Many gardeners tuck peonies into any spare spot in a border and then wonder why the display never looks as...

Green potted plant on wooden stool in a bright, modern bathroom with rolled towels and a sink nearby.

Compact Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosum ‘Ocean’ for the Bathroom

Harriet M. Ashford • August 25, 2026

If you step into a tired bathroom each morning-cold ceiling light, yellowing grout lines, and surfaces crowded with bottles-you will...

Person pruning young rose bush with red garden shears in a sunny backyard garden bed.

When to Prune Roses: The Best Time Window for Strong Spring Growth

Harriet M. Ashford • August 25, 2026

Many amateur gardeners face the same question every year: when is the ideal moment to prune roses so they burst...

Person in a hoodie gardening in a raised bed while a squirrel snacks on acorns nearby on a sunny day.

Attract Squirrels Cleverly and Protect Your Vegetable Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • August 25, 2026

Whoever attracts them cleverly can even protect their vegetables. Many amateur gardeners initially see squirrels as little raiders that churn...

Person placing a healthy peace lily plant in a decorative pot on a white table indoors near a sofa.

Peace Lily (Einblatt): The Simple Watering Routine for More Blooms

Harriet M. Ashford • August 25, 2026

The reason is almost always incorrect watering. The peace lily (Einblatt) has a reputation for being easy-going: it shrugs off...

Boy planting holly with red berries in a garden, with bird feeder and child in colourful jacket in the background.

Holly (Ilex) as a lucky charm: plant before the beginning of March

Harriet M. Ashford • August 24, 2026

A lot of amateur gardeners feel the same pull towards the end of winter: something needs to change, and the...

Person sprinkling orange peels onto soil near colourful hydrangea flowers in a garden.

Orange Peel for Hydrangeas: The Simple Kitchen Trick for Better Blooms

Harriet M. Ashford • August 24, 2026

The answer is often closer than you think - sometimes it is sitting right in your own kitchen. If you...

Person holding soil over a garden bed with seedlings, garden fork, and a jar of soil nearby in sunlight.

Compacted Garden Soil: How to Spot It and Fix It

Harriet M. Ashford • August 24, 2026

It often starts without any drama at all: you’re out in the garden early, coffee warming your hands, the air...

Person tending to lavender plants in a sunny garden with gardening book and potted herb on a stool nearby.

Replace Your Lawn with a Red Wild Thyme Carpet

Harriet M. Ashford • August 24, 2026

A modest groundcover can change everything. Plenty of gardeners have been there: the lawn turns brown, the watering can stays...

Hands planting an orange lily with gardening tools, notebook, and colourful plant dyes on a wooden surface outdoors.

Asian Lilies and Juglone: Planting Under Walnut Trees

Harriet M. Ashford • August 24, 2026

Anyone with a black walnut tree or other walnut relatives in the garden will recognise the pattern: some plants suddenly...

Couple organising colourful garden toys inside a large beige outdoor storage box on a sunny lawn.

Keter Eden 2-in-1 Bench Storage: Garden Bench and Storage Box for About £100 at B&M

Harriet M. Ashford • August 24, 2026

A modest-looking piece of garden furniture promises a tidier outdoor space - and throws in a bench seat at the...

Hands placing a potted peace lily plant in a water tray on a wooden table with gardening tools nearby.

How to Water an Einblatt (Spathiphyllum/Peace Lily) for More Blooms

Harriet M. Ashford • August 24, 2026

The houseplant with elegant white bracts is often described as easy-going, yet in many homes it produces few flowers-or none...

Person kneeling on grass spreading fertiliser in a sunny garden with a hose and instruction sheet nearby.

Why Scarifying Your Lawn in March Prevents Summer Burn

Harriet M. Ashford • August 24, 2026

By the end of winter, a lawn often looks dull, slightly yellow and generally tired. Many people assume that is...

Hands harvesting fresh radishes from soil in a garden with a wooden crate and watering can nearby.

The simple watering trick for perfect radishes

Harriet M. Ashford • August 24, 2026

Many hobby gardeners sow radishes in spring almost as an afterthought. They are seen as the perfect beginner’s vegetable: quick...

Man trimming ivy growing on a tree trunk in a garden beside a brick house at golden hour.

Ivy on Trees and House Walls: When Cutting Back Helps - and When It Harms

Harriet M. Ashford • August 24, 2026

Specialists are increasingly critical of the habit. In countless gardens, ivy clippings are routinely tossed onto the compost as if...

Woman caring for a large Monstera plant in a bright, cosy living room with natural light.

What a Monstera Really Does for Indoor Air Quality

Harriet M. Ashford • August 24, 2026

How much can this on-trend houseplant really do for your indoor air quality? In how-to guides and social media clips,...

Orange and pink lilies blooming under a tree beside a small shovel and metal watering can in a garden bed.

Asian Lilies Under Black Walnut Trees: Living with Juglone

Harriet M. Ashford • August 24, 2026

Many keen gardeners give black walnut trees a very wide berth, because vegetables, perennials and ornamental shrubs often fail outright...