
Gardening expert names when to prune lavender to get 'second flush of flowers'
A gardening expert has shared the best time to prune lavenders so they produce more flowers - and it's sooner than you might think. The secret is to prune them twice a year
Lavender lovers, take note! Plant experts @plantvibrations have divulged top tips for pruning the fragrant favourite to ensure a bountiful bloom. In their latest YouTube video, the green-fingered gurus revealed that the secret to the healthiest lavender brimming with flowers is to prune them twice a year.
According to the experts, early spring and summer are the prime times for giving your lavender plants a trim. But there's a twist in the tale for those eager to maximise their lavender's potential – the plant whisperers also suggest a sneaky alternative pruning time during the "peak bloom season".
READ MORE: Simple airport duty free trick to bag cheaper beauty and alcohol before arriving
By cutting back a third from the top of the foliage at this time, you might just coax out a second flush of flowers towards the end of summer or as autumn begins.
And there's a bonus for those snipping away during the flowering season – the cuttings can be transformed into delightful bouquets to adorn your home.
Simply tie up the stems and hang them to dry, infusing your living space with both beauty and fragrance, reports the Express.
The video has sparked a flurry of comments from fans lauding the expert advice, with @deborahklinlger8565 exclaiming: "I would dry bunches of it!"
Another viewer expressed gratitude, commenting: "Thank you so much! I really wanna grow some lavender one day!"

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Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Gardening expert names when to prune lavender to get 'second flush of flowers'
A gardening expert has shared the best time to prune lavenders so they produce more flowers - and it's sooner than you might think. The secret is to prune them twice a year Lavender lovers, take note! Plant experts @plantvibrations have divulged top tips for pruning the fragrant favourite to ensure a bountiful bloom. In their latest YouTube video, the green-fingered gurus revealed that the secret to the healthiest lavender brimming with flowers is to prune them twice a year. According to the experts, early spring and summer are the prime times for giving your lavender plants a trim. But there's a twist in the tale for those eager to maximise their lavender's potential – the plant whisperers also suggest a sneaky alternative pruning time during the "peak bloom season". READ MORE: Simple airport duty free trick to bag cheaper beauty and alcohol before arriving By cutting back a third from the top of the foliage at this time, you might just coax out a second flush of flowers towards the end of summer or as autumn begins. And there's a bonus for those snipping away during the flowering season – the cuttings can be transformed into delightful bouquets to adorn your home. Simply tie up the stems and hang them to dry, infusing your living space with both beauty and fragrance, reports the Express. The video has sparked a flurry of comments from fans lauding the expert advice, with @deborahklinlger8565 exclaiming: "I would dry bunches of it!" Another viewer expressed gratitude, commenting: "Thank you so much! I really wanna grow some lavender one day!"


Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Daily Record
Gardeners urged to follow this 1p bird bath trick this summer
Householders are being advised to put copper coins in their birdbaths to protect wildlife. Gardeners looking to protect the wildlife this summer are being urged to follow this cheap and easy hack. According to experts, popping copper coins in your garden bird bath will help deal with a common summer issue that many experience. Bird baths feature in many gardens up and down the country. They provide fresh water for a variety of birds, including robins, magpies, starlings and crows, allowing them to keep hydrated and to also bathe. However, during the warmer months, particularly when temperatures are high, keeping the water clean can become difficult. This is a more common problem when you live in rural areas which have been transformed into housing estates and roads, meaning there is less natural habitats available for birds. Algae, a green plant matter, also tends to grow in bird baths. This can cause the water to become contaminated with bacteria, which can inevitably harm birds and cause diseases to spread. To prevent this issue, gardening experts are advising people to place 1p and 2p pieces, in their bird baths, reports the Express. The copper coins help inhibit bacterial growth in the water, slowing down the spread of harmful bacteria. Coins minted before 1992, which contain a higher copper content, are most effective, but newer coins can still have some impact. Prior to 1992, UK copper coins were made up of 97% copper, but this was changed to copper-plated steel in 1992. Pergolux UK advises on bird bath cleanliness by stating: "Algae in bird baths can occur from debris falling into the water, which is why it's important to refill them every couple of days. "If you notice algae is persistently coming back, then give your bird bath a thorough cleaning and place a copper coin into the fresh water. This can help slow down the growth of algae." House Digest provides insight into the underlying process: "The copper in the pennies releases ions, which slow the algae growth in water." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. They also note the precautions and attraction strategy: "While large quantities of copper can be harmful to birds, small amounts are safe, allowing you to use a few pennies in the bottom of your bird bath to keep the water clean and fresh. "Since many birds, like crows and blue jays, are attracted to shiny objects, the pennies can also help you attract them to your yard and garden." Maintaining effectiveness requires regular care: "For best results, replace the pennies every few months. The coins are an excellent alternative to harsh chemicals and cleaners which can be harmful to wildlife and the environment." They also recommend additional maintenance steps: "While the copper pennies will help keep the water clean, it still helps to switch out the water whenever you water your garden or yard, particularly in warmer climates."


Wales Online
12 hours ago
- Wales Online
'I left husband and kids for mud hut with my Kenyan toyboy - but things soon turned sour'
'I left husband and kids for mud hut with my Kenyan toyboy - but things soon turned sour' Cheryl Thomasgood, now 65, left her husband and three children to be with a Maasai warrior in Kenya, but says the romance was a disaster and she still regrets it Cheryl and Daniel wed wearing traditional Masai clothing A woman who abandoned her husband and three children to start a relationship with a Maasai warrior in Kenya has spoken out about her regrets and the emotional impact of that period in her life. Now 65 and living peacefully in a coastal town in Somerset, Cheryl Thomasgood has broken her silence more than three decades after her story gained global attention. Her choice to swap her comfortable suburban existence on the Isle of Wight for the remote Samburu region of Kenya in 1994 was motivated, she now admits, by a desire for spiritual healing and an escape from personal trauma. Cheryl was 34 when she met Daniel Lekimencho, a Maasai warrior who performed traditional dances for tourists at the Bamburi Beach Hotel in Mombasa, Kenya. Captivated by his charm and the appeal of a completely different lifestyle, she ended her marriage to her second husband, Mike and left their three children behind to begin a new life in Kenya with Daniel, who was ten years her junior, reports the Mirror. Cheryl met Daniel on a package holiday to Kenya (Image: YouTube ) Article continues below Cheryl fully embraced Daniel's world - living in a mud hut, cooking over open fires, and adopting aspects of Maasai culture, including a diet of cabbage and cow's blood. However, as time passed, the stark differences between their backgrounds and expectations started to put pressure on the relationship. In 1995, the couple made their way back to the UK, tying the knot on Valentine's Day in traditional Maasai attire and setting up home on the Isle of Wight with Cheryl's children. They later welcomed a daughter, Mitsi, now 27. However, Cheryl recounts that the idyllic life they envisioned began to crumble swiftly. Daniel, who was once deeply rooted in Maasai spirituality and tradition, allegedly shifted his focus towards material wealth and status. "I felt like I was just a meal ticket," Cheryl confided to MailOnline. "I made a huge mistake, and I have a lot of regrets - especially about how it affected my children." Cheryl said Daniel's Maasai heritage meant the couple had big cultural differences (stock photo) (Image: Yellow Dog Productions via Getty Images ) Cheryl describes how Daniel's aspirations grew to include a larger house, designer clothes, and sending money back to relatives in Kenya. Their arguments became frequent, and the spiritual bond they once cherished dissipated. According to Cheryl, the only moments Daniel seemed happy were when he was performing his traditional Maasai dance in the garden. "He would say that he was getting ready for battle and wanted to jump as high as an elephant. The kids loved it, but it got on my nerves after a while." Cheryl suggests that cultural differences and the challenges of adapting to British society played a significant role in their separation in 1999, a mere four years following their wedding and just one year after their child Mitsi was born. She admits that part of her drive to remain in the marriage was to defy the sceptics. When they met, Cheryl was dealing with childhood trauma and an unhappy marriage. Upon the advice of a choir friend, she travelled to Kenya seeking solace. Daniel with the couple's daughter Misti (Image: EX ) However, Cheryl found that the relationship acted merely as a brief respite rather than a cure. She confessed: "The biggest regret of all was the impact on my children. Daniel tried, but he couldn't be the father they needed. They missed out on having a stable male figure." Now, Cheryl has reconciled with her history and maintains strong bonds with her four children: Steve, aged 43, Tommy, 41, Chloe, 34, and Mitsi, 27. Mitsi, she reflects, was "the one good thing" to emerge from her time with Daniel. Despite the turmoil, Cheryl has no intentions of remarrying. She quipped: "Three marriages were enough," dubbing them a "hat-trick of disasters." Article continues below The mum urged anyone pursuing a holiday romance to "be careful" as you could end up "regretting it for the rest of your life". Daniel has stayed in the UK after their split and now works in a supermarket on the Isle of Wight.