Page 22 - News

A detailed animated bird walking on a tropical island with a ship and palm trees in the background.

The Dodo Was Not Stupid, New Research Shows

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

Depictions of dodos often make them appear absurdly witless, and the bird's name has become associated with insults such as...

Underwater view of a snorkeller communicating with a manatee in seagrass near orange buoys.

Dugong: the gentle giant linked to mermaid legends

Gareth Whitfield • October 1, 2026

With its sturdy body, downward-facing snout and unhurried movements near the surface, the dugong might seem like a creature from...

Hand holding a small gardening trowel digging soil on a wooden table with potted plants nearby.

Spoon in a Pot: Does the Plant Trick Really Work?

Gareth Whitfield • September 30, 2026

What may initially look like chaos actually follows a simple plan: an old metal spoon is placed in a pot...

Person planting seeds with a dibber in a garden bed, surrounded by young plants and gardening tools.

Sowing Beetroot in March: Simple Steps for a Successful Harvest

Gareth Whitfield • September 30, 2026

With a few straightforward measures, this can easily be avoided. As soon as the first spring day arrives, gardeners are...

Person gardening with a watering can and hand rake near green plants with small yellow flowers in raised soil beds.

Green Manure with White Mustard: Give Your Soil a Head Start

Gareth Whitfield • September 30, 2026

Many home gardeners wait until the weather turns properly warm before thinking about sowing. Yet late winter offers a valuable...

Person harvesting ripe strawberries from a potted plant on a sunny balcony with gardening tools nearby.

Strawberries in Pots: The Simple Method for Sweeter Berries

Gareth Whitfield • September 30, 2026

In the early evening, when the neighbours are already shutting their windows, Lisa bends over her balcony planters once more....

Man in gloves pointing while kneeling near a green garden hose on a reel in a sunlit backyard.

Why Garden Hoses Attract Snakes in Spring

Gareth Whitfield • September 30, 2026

With the first warm days of the year, many people take the mower, watering can and gardening gloves out of...

Person trimming pink and orange dahlia flowers in a garden bed with a labelled terracotta pot nearby.

Early Dahlia Cutting: More Flowers and Stronger Stems

Gareth Whitfield • September 30, 2026

Anyone who reaches for the secateurs early in the year can change exactly that. A small cut to young dahlia...

Hands pruning a potted jasmine plant with white flowers on a garden table with gardening tools nearby.

Star Jasmine: What to Check Before Planting

Gareth Whitfield • September 30, 2026

Failing to check a few essentials before planting can lead to yellow leaves, pest infestations and even risks for dogs...

Person holding a steaming cup of tea on a balcony with flowering and lemon plants at sunset

Mosquito-repelling plants for the balcony: citronella and rose geraniums

Gareth Whitfield • September 30, 2026

By planting your balcony thoughtfully, you can prevent precisely this situation. Many people automatically reach for chemical sprays or light...

Woman planting a holly bush in a garden with gardening tools, a watering can, and a bird on a table nearby.

Plant Firethorn or Holly in March for a Bird-Friendly Winter Garden

Gareth Whitfield • September 30, 2026

If you love birds, you may regularly put out fat balls and scatter seed during winter. There is, however, a...

Man wearing a beanie and jacket testing soil or plants in a blossoming orchard at sunset.

Apple Tree in April: How to Protect Your Harvest from Late Frost

Gareth Whitfield • September 30, 2026

The blossoms gleam, bees are buzzing and everything appears steady – yet a single night can be enough to ruin...

Young man gardening on balcony, arranging potted plants and flowers on a sunny day.

Portable Garden Ideas for Renters Who Move Home

Gareth Whitfield • September 30, 2026

A move does not have to mean leaving your garden behind if you design it to be mobile from the...

Garden pathway lit by solar lights with potted plants, gardening gloves, and a watering can on a wooden deck at dusk.

Aldi Garden Bright Solar Uplighter: Affordable Lighting for Your Garden

Gareth Whitfield • September 30, 2026

More and more people are spending time at home, making balconies, patios and gardens a second living room. That is...

Man wearing headphones records sounds from a small monkey in a dense forest using a microphone and tablet.

Marmosets Use Names to Call Each Other, Study Finds

Gareth Whitfield • September 30, 2026

Marmosets may be small, endearing monkeys from South America, yet they should not be underestimated. These tiny primates lead intricate...

Person kneeling on grass starting a red lawn mower in a garden with patchy grass and plants.

The right lawn cutting height: prevent moss in your lawn

Gareth Whitfield • September 30, 2026

The good news is that, in most gardens, a thick, rich green lawn depends less on the most expensive fertiliser...

Cat wearing a harness watching small birds around a wooden bird feeder in a sunny garden.

How to Make a Garden Safer for Birds and Cats

Gareth Whitfield • September 30, 2026

Anyone who loves cats while also worrying about blackbirds, tits and robins will know the dilemma well. Pet cats are...

Person tending to lavender plants in pots on a sunny windowsill with gardening tools and a watering can nearby.

How to Grow Lavender in a Compact Flat

Gareth Whitfield • September 30, 2026

Growing an aromatic plant in a compact flat offers major benefits to the daily routine of anyone with limited free...

Hands gently repotting a peace lily plant in a white bowl on a wooden windowsill with watering tools nearby.

Peace Lily Watering Trick for More Flowers

Gareth Whitfield • September 30, 2026

A small watering trick can change everything. In countless living rooms, a lush green peace lily sits in its pot,...

Person painting a green metal fence outdoors with paintbrush, colour swatches, and tablet nearby.

Painting your garden gate in spring 2026: fines of up to €300,000

Gareth Whitfield • September 30, 2026

As the days grow longer and winter grime is cleared from patios, garden furniture and driveways, many people feel the...

Person planting a young zucchini in a raised garden bed with seedlings, seeds, a trowel, and watering can nearby.

Zucchini seeds: Grandma’s simple trick for a plentiful harvest

Gareth Whitfield • September 30, 2026

Many hobby gardeners despair over their zucchini seeds every spring – while overlooking a simple trick from Grandma’s day. Anyone...