Page 6 - News

Birds feeding at bird feeder and birdbath in frosty garden viewed from window with person holding mug

Winter birds in the garden: what bird visits reveal about your garden

Gareth Whitfield • October 7, 2026

When hedges suddenly begin to stir on frosty winter mornings and quiet chirping can be heard, there is more to...

Three brown hens pecking plants in a garden bed while a person scatters seeds nearby.

Chicken Run: Clover, Ribwort Plantain and Wild Chicory for Green Forage

Gareth Whitfield • October 7, 2026

Rather than accepting a brown, muddy enclosure, small-scale keepers can use late winter to lay the foundations for a healthy,...

Person pruning a potted avocado plant indoors near a sunlit window with gardening tools.

How to Grow an Avocado Tree as a Houseplant

Gareth Whitfield • October 7, 2026

An avocado tree grown from its own stone can feel like a small miracle on the windowsill. First the root...

Hands planting blue Corydalis flowers in a garden bed with a watering can, trowel, and bees flying nearby.

Corydalis ‘Spinners’: The Blue Bee Magnet for Your Garden

Gareth Whitfield • October 7, 2026

Many amateur gardeners look for plants that offer more than good looks and also benefit wildlife. One little-known perennial does...

Man pruning a lemon tree in a sunny garden with gardening tools on a wooden crate nearby.

Pruning Citrus Trees Before Spring for a Rich Harvest

Gareth Whitfield • October 7, 2026

Many amateur gardeners do not realise how much a single, well-timed pruning session can determine whether a lemon tree struggles...

Person gardening colourful pink, white peonies and lavender in raised wooden flower bed on a sunny day.

Peonies: the best companion plants for a spectacular border

Gareth Whitfield • October 7, 2026

Many amateur gardeners wonder why their own peonies look attractive but never quite spectacular. The flowers are there, yet the...

Person watering and harvesting fresh radishes in a home garden with lush green leaves and rich soil.

Radishes: The Simple Trick for Perfect Crisp Roots

Gareth Whitfield • October 7, 2026

Radishes are often seen as the classic beginner’s vegetable: open the packet, sow quickly, harvest a few weeks later –...

Man gardening outdoors kneeling by plants with gardening tools and a book beside him on a stone patio.

Pampas Grass and Vipers: What Garden Owners Should Know Before Mid-March

Gareth Whitfield • October 6, 2026

Many garden owners have no idea that dangerous hidden residents may already be sheltering beneath certain ornamental plants as early...

Person's bare legs resting on lavender bushes beside a wooden patio table with a drink and plants.

Creeping Thyme: The Fragrant Lawn Alternative That Deters Mosquitoes

Gareth Whitfield • October 6, 2026

Many homeowners across German-speaking countries face the same issue: a thirsty lawn that turns yellow at the height of summer,...

Person watering a potted plant indoors with gardening supplies nearby on wooden floor.

Avocado tree indoors: 5 common care mistakes

Gareth Whitfield • October 6, 2026

Many people enthusiastically sprout an avocado pit in a glass of water, only to find a puny, yellowing plant on...

Person kneeling on grass gardening, planting moss with a rake and watering can nearby in a sunny garden.

Scarifying the Lawn: The Spring Mistake That Ruins Your Lawn

Gareth Whitfield • October 6, 2026

Many amateur gardeners enthusiastically reach for the lawn scarifier in spring – and within a few days ruin what winter...

Person removing a yellow leaf from a spider plant on a wooden windowsill with other houseplants nearby.

Spider plant leaves bent, yellow or dry: causes and solutions

Gareth Whitfield • October 6, 2026

Many indoor gardeners only notice the problem once their spider plant no longer resembles a green fountain, but looks more...

Person in a straw hat picking colourful flowers in a sunny garden with a basket, open book, and plate of berries nearby.

Create an Edible Flower Bed That Looks Beautiful and Feeds You

Gareth Whitfield • October 6, 2026

Picture a border that resembles a sea of blooms – where almost everything can end up on your plate. Many...

Person mowing garden lawn with red lawnmower near yellow flowering bush in sunny backyard.

First Spring Lawn Cut: Let the Yellow Flower Be Your Signal

Gareth Whitfield • October 6, 2026

Spring is itching at your fingertips and the lawnmower is ready to go – but mowing the lawn too hastily...

Person holding a strawberry and pouring juice into a bowl near a strawberry patch and rustic bread.

Yeast Fertiliser for XXL Strawberries: A Simple Kitchen Trick

Gareth Whitfield • October 6, 2026

A simple kitchen trick can transform the results completely. An unassuming blend of yeast, water and sugar is currently attracting...

Young man tending to tall bamboo plants on a balcony with city buildings in the background at sunset.

Bamboo on the Balcony: Why the New Asian Alternative Is Replacing It

Gareth Whitfield • October 6, 2026

For years, bamboo was regarded as the quick answer for privacy screening, an Asian feel and evergreen balcony retreats. Now,...

Person harvesting fresh hops cones into a wicker basket on a wooden table outdoors in sunlight

Wild Hops: The Expensive Delicacy Hiding in Your Garden

Gareth Whitfield • October 6, 2026

Among faded perennials, old hedgerows and neglected corners of the garden, there may be a plant most people try to...

Person pruning a potted plant with garden scissors on a balcony next to a watering can and soil bag.

Save a Frost-Damaged Oleander: How to Restore Strong Growth and Flowers

Gareth Whitfield • October 6, 2026

Right now is the decisive moment: will the shrub give up, or burst into a spectacular display of flowers? A...

Person planting a small tree in a garden with a watering can and house in the background.

Jujube Tree: The Fruit Tree of the Future for Dry Gardens

Gareth Whitfield • October 6, 2026

Increasingly hot summers are putting traditional fruit varieties under severe pressure. Apples, cherries and pears can reach their limits with...

Person planting a young tomato seedling in a garden bed with gardening fork nearby in sunlight.

Loose soil: the garden’s unsung hero

Gareth Whitfield • October 6, 2026

The gardener stops halfway along the bed, raises a hand and simply says, “Listen.” There is no birdsong and no...

Person repotting a small green plant indoors on a wooden table with gardening tools and watering can nearby.

How to save a money tree: practical rescue steps

Gareth Whitfield • October 6, 2026

With a few well-chosen steps, a money tree can often be rescued surprisingly successfully. Many owners give up on their...