Page 20 - News

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...

Hand reaching to touch pink peony flowers in a vibrant garden with gardening tools and hat on bench.

Best companion plants for peonies in the garden

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

Many gardening enthusiasts simply put peonies anywhere in a border, then wonder why the flowering falls short of expectations. Yet...

Coiled snake on rocky desert ground with a spider nearby and a bird flying above in arid landscape.

Spider-tailed viper: the snake with a tail that looks like a spider

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

Hidden among the arid rocks of western Iran, a snake almost vanishes into its surroundings as something remarkable wriggles in...

Man tying a white ribbon around a potted plant on a balcony with a flying pigeon nearby.

How to Keep Pigeons Off Your Balcony and Terrace

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

Living in a town or city, you will know the issue: your balcony or terrace could be a peaceful retreat...

Person spraying plants in a garden with a green sprayer, surrounded by gardening tools and plant fertiliser.

Iron Sulphate for Lawns in March: The Simple Garden Powder

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

With one simple, frequently overlooked powder, amateur gardeners can make a remarkable difference in March. By the end of winter,...

Person tending to a potted cactus with colourful buds on a wooden windowsill beside a metal watering can.

Why Your Easter Cactus Needs the Right Winter Rest to Flower

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

Often, the issue is not a “black thumb” but a single winter-care mistake. Many plant enthusiasts know the situation: at...

Hands harvesting potatoes from soil in a garden bed with a wooden crate and gardening trowel nearby.

When to Plant Potatoes: Expert Tips for a Bigger Harvest

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

Seed-packet numbers, well-meaning advice from a neighbour and lunar calendars can quickly make potato growing seem confusing. Instead, an experienced...

Three adults planting a young tree in a sunny, flower-filled garden with gardening tools nearby.

Magnolia, garden gnome and the mother-in-law’s battle for control

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

What was meant to be a quiet, almost ceremonial day in a new home turns into a power struggle over...

Hands tending to a basil plant with white flowers on a wooden table with watering can in the background.

How to remove basil flowers for longer leaf harvests

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

The appearance of flowers on basil does not necessarily mean there is anything wrong with the plant. However, when the...

Hand placing a plastic bottle cloche over young lettuce plants in a raised garden bed outdoors.

Bottle Method Against Slugs: Chemical-Free Protection for Your Vegetable Garden

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

Many amateur gardeners reach for blue pellets in frustration when they find nothing but chewed leaves in the vegetable patch...

Person watering soil with a metal watering can beside a green shrub in a garden bed.

Why Rain Does Not Always Water Your Garden Properly

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

Many amateur gardeners breathe a sigh of relief as soon as the sky darkens and rain begins to fall. At...

Woman sitting on a garden bench at dusk, adjusting string lights with steaming mugs on a table nearby.

Home Bargains Solar String Lights for £14.99 Transform Gardens

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

Many people are taking a more critical look at their balcony, patio or garden this spring – and noticing how...

Hand holding wooden spoon digging soil in garden bed with worms, plants, gardening trowel, and open notebook.

Wooden Spoon Soil Test: Check Garden Soil Life and Moisture

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

Among the tomatoes, lettuce and courgettes, a wooden handle may suddenly be sticking out of the soil. It is neither...

Hands harvesting green round-leafed microgreens with scissors from a wooden planter box on a balcony.

Tellerkraut: the fast leafy plant for frustration-free garden salads

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

A little-known leafy plant can put an end to frustration in the vegetable patch – and produces a crop in...

Robins perched on a wooden bench with gardening gloves, tools, an open book, and red berries in the background.

Dog Rose and Japanese Rose: Turn Your Garden into a Bird Paradise

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

Many people hang up fat balls yet still wonder why their garden remains surprisingly quiet. Others, however, see blackbirds, thrushes...

Boy kneeling to pet a black dog near a pool, surrounded by four other dogs in a sunny coastal village setting.

Dog Breeds Originating in Portugal

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

Dogs have lived alongside humans for thousands of years. Over that time, different communities developed breeds suited to their particular...

Person using a garden fork to cultivate soil in a sunny backyard garden near a bucket and fertilizer bag

Why Your Lawn Becomes Spongy and Mossy in Spring

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

In spring, anyone walking through the garden will notice it immediately: the ground yields underfoot, it almost seems to squelch...

Hands caring for a potted orchid on a windowsill with a jar of water and plant care tools nearby.

Phalaenopsis with Limp Leaves: The Sweetcorn Trick for Orchids

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

A Phalaenopsis with limp leaves and a bare flower spike can quickly seem destined for the bin. Expensive specialist fertilisers...

Child with gloves using a magnifying glass to examine fungi and moss on a tree stump in a garden.

Why You Should Leave a Tree Stump in Your Garden

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

After a tree has been felled, the remaining stump can look like nothing more than an unattractive grey obstacle in...

Person wearing a hat planting seedlings in a garden bed with a watering can and gardening tools nearby.

How to Grow Courgettes: Space, Soil and Sunlight

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

Courgettes may look easy to grow, yet they need plenty of room, fertile soil and long periods of sunshine to...