logo
Hydrangeas will 'grow like crazy' and be 'gorgeously blue' with 1 kitchen scrap

Hydrangeas will 'grow like crazy' and be 'gorgeously blue' with 1 kitchen scrap

Daily Mirror04-06-2025

One woman shared a simple gardening tip that will turn your hydrangeas blue and have them 'growing like crazy'
Hydrangeas, with their riot of hues ranging from pure whites, lush greens, deep purples, rosy pinks, and striking blues to variegated wonders, are sure to have a shade that complements your garden's vibe. Blue hydrangeas, in particular, are the pride of many a green thumb, with their vibrant spherical blooms standing out amongst other blue-flowered plants.
Garden enthusiasts who covet the unique charm of pink hydrangeas often yearn to transform them into the coveted blue variety. Remarkably, these colour-shifting marvels—especially the Hydrangea macrophylla or "Bigleaf Hydrangea"—depict nature's own alchemy.

The Bigleaf variant is known for its spectrum of colours: pink, blue, and even resplendent white blooms that remain steadfastly unaffected by any attempts at colour alteration. However, it's not a paintbrush but the soil's pH level that determines whether you'll get pink or blue flowers from this plant.

A big reveal on the Creative Gardening Facebook group showed Janet Scott exalting the astonishing impact coffee grounds had on her hydrangeas, transforming them into a vibrant blue and promoting lush growth, reports the Express.
She enthused: "My hydrangeas have turned gorgeously blue and have been growing like crazy since using coffee grounds."
Fellow gardening expert Lori Jagon shared: "I do the same at the beginning of spring through till autumn and have beautiful blue blooms."
Kat Niman advised: "Coffee will act as a fertiliser and help produce blue blooms due to the acidity. You can go ahead and add it now.

"Depending on the bloom colour you'd like, you can adjust the pH by using other additives."
So, what's behind this trick? In a nutshell, the more alkaline the soil, the pinker the blooms.
At a neutral pH, some varieties will remain pink, while others will start to display hints of blue, along with lovely shades of lavender.
For blue hydrangeas to truly thrive, they require acidic soils, typically with a pH of 5.5 or lower.
To give it a try, incorporate the coffee grounds into the soil before watering. Be patient, as the colour change will occur gradually - it may take a full year of consistent effort for the soil to reach the desired acidity.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Dog owner with six pets shares 10 things every owner needs - and one is 'lifesaver'
Dog owner with six pets shares 10 things every owner needs - and one is 'lifesaver'

Daily Record

time2 hours ago

  • Daily Record

Dog owner with six pets shares 10 things every owner needs - and one is 'lifesaver'

From grooming products to items that will make your home cleaner, these are the essentials every pet parent needs. An American dog lover with a pack of six has shared her top ten must-haves for fellow canine carers. Owning a pet, particularly a dog, requires dedication and thoughtfulness to ensure they lead a happy life, encompassing everything from basic needs like sustenance to enrichment items such as playthings. Regular walks are part of the routine for many dog owners to ensure their furry friends get the exercise they need. Typically, dog owners equip themselves with essentials like leads and collars to maintain control over their pets in public spaces, including parks. ‌ It's common for them to also invest in food and water dishes, comfortable bedding, and grooming necessities like shampoos, clippers, and brushes. ‌ Tracy Fosterling from Jacksonville, Florida, not only has six dogs and two cats but also champions dog fostering. She's an avid "rescue advocate" and utilises social media platforms to document her experiences as a foster dog mother, inspiring others to take up fostering, reports the Express. In a bid to assist other dog parents, she uploaded a TikTok video stating: "Here are the ten things that every dog parent needs, let's go. And this is coming from someone who has six dogs. I use all of these things, none of it is sponsored, they're just lifesavers." 1. Mudbuster Tracy mentioned that it "cleans up perfectly." The product description on Amazon reveals that the Mudbuster uses soft silicone bristles to effectively cleanse dirt and mud from a dog's paws. 2. K.O.E cleaner "It's amazing and this bottle will last forever." ‌ K.O.E., which stands for Kennel Odor Eliminator, is designed to eliminate smells from cages, kennels, floors, tables, walls and other large areas. 3. Good de-shedder She commented: "It's amazing. I swipe it through my dogs once and a huge clump of hair comes out." The foster dog mum revealed that she tries to brush her dogs with this product every day. ‌ 4. Dental water additive The additive aids in reducing plaque and giving dogs fresher breath. It serves as an easy method to enhance dogs' oral hygiene. 5. Slow feeders "I absolutely love slow feeders." ‌ Slow feeders make it more challenging for dogs to get their food, providing enrichment. 6. Air purifiers Tracy disclosed that she has air purifiers in her bedroom and all the main areas of her house. Air purifiers clean and filter the air in a room by removing airborne particles, pollutants and allergens. ‌ 7. Snout Soother "This is for dry skin on dogs, on their nose, on their feet." The dog parent said she applies Snout Soother on areas of her dogs that are dry or red, and it "works really well." 8. Handheld vacuum She described it as a "lifesaver" as she uses it constantly. Handheld vacuums are perfect for cleaning hard-to-reach areas. ‌ 9. Mr. Sticky "You just clean it with water and roll it and obviously, I used mine recently and it's full." The Mr. Sticky rollers can be utilised to remove pet hair from surfaces, like walls and floors. 10. Patience It's crucial to exercise patience when training a dog and managing their behaviour. This not only builds trust but also fosters positive relationships between dogs and their owners.

Natural yogurt tastes creamier when £1 ingredient is added and it's not honey
Natural yogurt tastes creamier when £1 ingredient is added and it's not honey

Daily Mirror

time5 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

Natural yogurt tastes creamier when £1 ingredient is added and it's not honey

Yogurt is a great breakfast meal that can help keep you fuller for longer while also being low in fat and carbs - however if you find it can taste tangy, there are some easy ways to sweeten it up Greek yogurt is a great way to fill yourself up and curb that mid-morning hunger - and there's an easy way to make it taste even better. It's packed with nutrients including calcium, vitamins B6 and B12, potassium and probiotics, which promote good gut health, but it can taste quite tangy. It's made by straining traditional yogurt to remove the whey, resulting in a thicker and creamier texture but it can have quite a tangy taste which can put people off serving it up. Many people enjoy with a serving of fruit or granola, but if you are wanting to save time and money, this £1 addition will make it taste great. Honey is a popular option to sweeten the taste, but adding cinnamon can also have the same result. Food experts at Cultures For Health said experimenting with different flavours can help level up your breakfast routine. "You can also experiment with natural flavorings like vanilla extract, almond extract, or cinnamon to add depth and variety to your Greek yogurt," they explained. "Start with a small amount and gradually add more to adjust to your taste preferences. You can also try adding a touch of cocoa powder for a chocolatey twist." Not only does it make it taste good, it is good for those who are watching their sugar and carb intake as Greek yogurt is higher in protein compared to unstrained or regular yogurt. You can pick up a jar of ground cinnamon powder for just £1 from Asda. Another way to add some flavour to your yogurt is by adding a spoonful of nut butter such as peanut butter or almond butter. It will add richness and a hint of a nutty taste, and not only will it taste good, it also boosts the nutritional value. "The combination of Greek yogurt's protein and probiotics with the healthy fats and nutrients from the nut butter makes for a satisfying and nourishing snack or breakfast option," the experts add. You can also sprinkle nuts such as almonds, peanuts and walnuts on top to add a nutty flavour and crunch. A tip is to toast the nuts beforehand for some extra flavour and then either sprinkle them on top or mix them in. Alternatively, you can include natural sweeteners such as honey, pure fresh maple syrup or stevia which can provide a delicious sweetness to your Greek yogurt. Or if you prefer something a little more savoury, Mary Berry has shared one of her secret tricks for perfecting poached eggs. In her recipe for Eggs Benedict, Mary let slip that a splash of vinegar in the pan ensures the egg whites set rapidly and maintain their buoyant form, reports the Express. She said: "The secret to a poached egg is boiling water with a dash of vinegar in it." Simply start by bringing a pot of water to the boil on the hob. Lower the heat until you've got a simmer going then introduce a modest splash of vinegar to the mix. Cracking the egg into a ramekin or cup first makes it simpler to transfer it into the water. Stir the simmering water to create motion before adding the egg.

Air fryer chef's roast potato recipe with simple rule for crispy results
Air fryer chef's roast potato recipe with simple rule for crispy results

Daily Mirror

time6 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

Air fryer chef's roast potato recipe with simple rule for crispy results

Roast potatoes are an essential part of any Sunday roast, but they can be tricky to get right. A top chef has shared his simple air fryer recipe that promises perfect roasties every time Roast potato recipes are plentiful, but few promise a quick cooking time without sacrificing taste. However, with the aid of an air fryer, it's simple to achieve the ideal combination of both and yield crispy results. In this recipe, Philips' Airfyer chef Martin Senders unveiled his fail-safe method for scrumptious roast potatoes. Whether you're planning to pair them with a meticulously prepared joint of roast beef or a quiche for a summer spin, Martin's recipe guarantees just 45 minutes of cooking time. He revealed that the secret is as much in the technique as it is in the ingredients, and highlighted the common culinary blunder many commit which leads to soggy potatoes. ‌ How to cook roast potatoes in an air fryer The ingredients required for tasty and crispy roast potatoes are minimal and can be adapted to various flavour profiles, reports the Express. ‌ Martin's recipe requires a blend of floury potatoes like Maris Piper or King Edward, coupled with a mix of salt, fresh rosemary, onion and garlic powder, pepper, and specific amounts of beef or duck fat. Ingredients 1.4kg floury potatoes Two tsp salt 100g beef/duck fat One tsp onion powder One tsp garlic powder One teaspoon of baking powder Two pinches of pepper, freshly ground Method The initial step to flawless roasties is to boil the peeled and quartered potatoes. Fill a large pot with water and set it on high heat. Once the water hits boiling point, turn down the heat to let it simmer, then thoroughly mix in the salt and stir in a teaspoon of baking powder until it's fully dissolved. Pop the potatoes into the pan and let them bubble away for about 10 minutes or until they're fluffy on the outside. Martin advised: "While the potatoes are cooking, add your fat of choice into the saucepan and add the onion and garlic powders and pepper. ‌ "Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Take care to remove it from the heat as soon as the onion and garlic powders are slightly browned." He went on to say: "Once cooked, drain the potatoes. Do not rinse them at any point and let them rest for two minutes." Martin pointed out that rinsing the potatoes is a blunder many commit, resulting in roasties that don't have that sought-after crunch. After the potatoes have had a chance to rest, chuck them into a large bowl and lavish them with the infused fat. He suggested giving the potatoes a gentle toss to ensure they're well coated with the fat. The next move is to pop them into the Airfryer basket and blast them at 180C for 16 minutes, shaking them just the once during the cook. Then crank up the heat to 190C and give them another 20 minutes. Once they're done, lay the potatoes out on a big serving dish and let them sit for a minute. Sprinkle with fresh rosemary and they're ready to be served.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store