Page 19 - News

Two men discussing measurements by a brick wall with plans and documents on a wooden table outdoors.

Boundary Wall: What Does the Law Say?

Gareth Whitfield • October 2, 2026

What does the law say? Many homeowners know the situation: a neighbour puts up a wall along the property boundary,...

Hands harvesting fresh rosemary from a garden bed with pruning shears and a potted rosemary plant nearby.

Brown rosemary in March: what to do after winter

Gareth Whitfield • October 2, 2026

Many amateur gardeners look at their herb bed in bewilderment as winter draws to a close: where lush green rosemary...

Man fixing a wooden birdhouse on a tree in autumn with birds and falling leaves around.

When to Put Up a Nest Box: Why Autumn Is Best

Gareth Whitfield • October 2, 2026

The nest box is new, attractive and sturdy, and its position appears ideal – yet it remains unoccupied. Surprisingly often,...

Woman in beige dress arranging a potted peace lily on a wooden table beside a laptop in a sunlit room.

The peace lily for bad vibrations and unpleasant odours in your home

Gareth Whitfield • October 2, 2026

A seemingly inconspicuous plant can make a difference precisely where the air and the mood begin to turn. Walls, furniture,...

Woman wearing a hat planting lavender in a raised garden bed on a sunny day with gardening tools nearby

Plant in March: Five Drought-Tolerant Perennials for a Low-Water Border

Gareth Whitfield • October 2, 2026

Act quickly in March and you could save countless watering sessions in July and August. Five particularly resilient perennials, combined...

Scientist wearing gloves holding a fish over a water tank with a DNA model and computer screen in the background.

South American Lungfish Genome Is the Largest Animal Genome Ever Found

Gareth Whitfield • October 2, 2026

The longest genome in the animal kingdom does not belong to a giant animal or an especially intelligent creature. Instead,...

Hands planting yellow flowers in a garden bed near a tree with a watering can and pot nearby.

Epimedium: Transform Dry Shade Beneath Trees into a Flower Carpet

Gareth Whitfield • October 2, 2026

A little-noticed perennial can transform exactly that. Many amateur gardeners know the problem: growth is lush everywhere except beneath a...

Person playing with a tabby cat using a feather toy by a scratching post in a sunlit living room.

Why Some Cats Scratch More Than Others, According to a New Study

Gareth Whitfield • October 2, 2026

Scratching is a perfectly normal part of cat behaviour, but a new study sheds light on why some of our...

Great tit landing on a bird feeder beside a steaming cup and smartphone on a wooden garden table.

When Tits Visit Your Garden: The Best Feeding Time in Winter

Gareth Whitfield • October 2, 2026

Many garden owners wonder why tits flock to their neighbour’s feeders while their own garden remains completely empty. The good...

Underwater scene of a fish eating a mussel on a rock covered in yellow mussels with sunlight filtering through water.

Golden mussel: native fish help control the invader in Paraná

Gareth Whitfield • October 2, 2026

The golden mussel has become one of the most troublesome invasive species in Brazilian waters, establishing colonies that can clog...

Scientist in lab coat examining insect specimen with microscope and digital screen showing magnified image in lab.

Ancient Tardigrades in Amber Reveal the Origins of Cryptobiosis

Gareth Whitfield • October 2, 2026

Tardigrades - microscopic, eight-legged animals regarded as some of the hardiest organisms on Earth - have existed for an extraordinarily...

Middle-aged man measuring wood on sawhorses in a sunny garden with potted plants and a cordless drill nearby.

How to Reuse an Old Plank in the Garden

Gareth Whitfield • October 2, 2026

An old plank in the garden can be given a fresh purpose as a plant stand or identification sign. Before...

Person kneeling in grass, holding blue flowers with basket and open botanical book nearby in garden.

Blue and Purple Spring Plants: Edible Wild Herbs for Your Garden

Gareth Whitfield • October 2, 2026

Between making the first plans for barbecues and tackling the spring clean, something is happening in the garden that many...

Man at airport desk showing passport and ticket to health official amid sloth fever warning on screen.

US Reports First Sloth Fever Cases After 21 Travellers Return From Cuba

Gareth Whitfield • October 2, 2026

The United States has recorded its first cases of 'sloth fever' after 21 travellers returned from Cuba infected with the...

Person planting fertiliser near a small tree with purple flowers in a sunlit garden.

Paulownia: The Fast-Growing Alternative to Bamboo for Modern Home Gardens

Gareth Whitfield • October 2, 2026

Until now, anyone relying on bamboo for quick garden screening and a touch of the exotic has a competitor from...

Woman planting a young tree in a garden bed beside a white wall with a watering can and gardening tools nearby.

Plant a Jujube Tree in Late March: 4 Rules for a Rich Harvest

Gareth Whitfield • October 2, 2026

Many gardens are still in winter dormancy, but the planting season is already getting under way. Alongside apples, cherries and...

Red fox pouncing in snowy landscape at sunset with two photographers and evergreen trees in background.

How the Red Fox Uses the Earth’s Magnetic Field to Hunt

Gareth Whitfield • October 2, 2026

Beneath a layer of snow, a small rodent may be entirely out of sight. Even so, the red fox can...

Golden retriever and tabby cat playing with tennis balls in a sunlit living room with a smiling person.

Why Cats and Dogs Both Love Fetching

Gareth Whitfield • October 2, 2026

Many people are familiar with dogs playing fetch, yet cats can join in too. Although their approaches to hunting and...

Man planting seeds in a sunny garden bed with flowers and gardening tools beside him

Drive Moles Out of the Garden Humanely: 3 Effective Tricks

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

Many garden owners know the dilemma: the lawn suddenly resembles a crater field, yet moles are protected and should not...

Woman tending to potted plants on a wooden wall-mounted rack in a sunny balcony garden.

How to Turn an Old Colander into a Hanging Planter

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

An old colander can be given a purpose beyond the kitchen by turning it into a hanging planter. Its existing...

Hands harvesting fresh radishes in a garden bed with gardening tools and a wicker basket nearby.

Vegetable Garden in March: Four Fast-Growing Vegetables for an Early Harvest

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

Starting a vegetable garden in March does not mean waiting until summer for the first harvest. Several hardy crops grow...