I'm a gardening pro – my easy steps – including a £2.25 Dunelm trick – will banish garden pests like aphids this summer
But mother nature never makes it easy for us. Instead - of course - there's a new pest in town.
2
RHS members have found aphids to be the biggest problem this year
Credit: Getty
2
Adam Woolcott told Sun Gardening how to get rid of garden pests
Credit: Supplied
Aphid levels have rocketed this year - and the RHS reckons it's top of the list of gardening queries to their hotline.
There's over 500 different species found in the UK - and can be red, yellow, black, green, brown or pink.
They feed by sucking sap from plants - and can cause severe damage - including distorted growth, sooty mould and plant viruses - and sometimes plant death.
Chelsea award winning gardener Adam Woolcott - and Webb ambassador - gave Sun Gardening some top tips on how to tackle the most common early summer pests.
APHIDS
Physically remove the aphids from the stems and leaves.
Use natural insecticidal soaps.
Blast off with water jets.
Encourage predators such as ladybirds, lacewings, and hoverflies
VINE WEEVIL
Both the adult vine weevil beetles and their larvae cause damage.
Adults — all female — chew distinctive 'U-shaped' notches in leaves, particularly on evergreen shrubs like rhododendrons, escallonias, and viburnums.
Underground: larvae feed on plant roots and can kill container plants like Heucheras.
Remove adults at night when they're most active
Break the life cycle with biological controls such as nematodes (apply in spring and autumn when grubs are active) Chemical treatments are a last resort, but offer longer-term control
LILY BEETLE
The bright red beetles and their larvae are both covered in their excrement. They can strip a plant in days, affecting flowering and bulb health.
Remove beetles by hand where practical
Encourage wildlife into the garden. Birds and ground beetles will eat the larvae
Grow a resistant variety.
Tolerate some damage if you can — total eradication isn't always necessary.
CATERPILLARS
Especially troublesome in veg patches. Cabbage white butterfly caterpillars love brassicas, while box tree caterpillars are spreading rapidly across the UK, stripping foliage as they go.
Remove the caterpillars by hand if you can and destroy any badly affected plants (if practical) to stop the infestation from spreading.
Use biological sprays like nematodes.
In some cases, hot water and a mild detergent can help. Ecover is on sale at Dunelm for £2.45.
As a last resort, chemical controls can be effective
Also in Veronica's Column this week...
Top tips, Gardening news, and a competition to win a £250 lawnmower
NEWS KING Charles made a surprise visit to Windsor Flower Show last Saturday. Celebrities including Alex Jones and Kirsty Gallacher were at the one-day show - which had wonderful village fair vibes, vegetable and cake competitions and fantastic floral displays.
TOP TIP JUNE is actually a good time to take Hydrangea cuttings - and get your own plants for free. They'll have produced some soft green growth - which is what you want. Choose healthy, non flowering shoots that are 10-15cm long and cut just below the node (the leaf joint). Don't collect cuttings from plants with leaves that are turning brown. And try to collect in the morning if you can.
Remove the lower leaves - leaving just one or two at the top.
Then dip the end in rooting powder or gel - then pop it straight in a pot. You could splash out on seeding and cutting compost - but multi purpose will do - just add a bit of grit or perlite. Then keep them out of direct sunlight and keep moist. They should have rooted within about a month.
NEWS A RARE 'sheep-eating' South American plant has flowered in an English primary school for the first time. The Puya Chilensis, with its iconic spike pattern, is normally found in the Andes in Chile. But after it was planted 10 years ago by school horticulturalist Louise Moreton, it has sent out a 10ft spike at Wicor Primary School in Portchester, Hants. It's called a Sheep Catcher as it would normally entangle wildlife, hold onto it - and then when the animal died - would take the nutrients. Ms Moreton said it was exciting but a worrying sign of global warming.
WIN! Keep your lawn looking its best this summer by winning a Webb Classic Self Propelled Petrol Lawn Mower worth £249.99. To enter visit www.thesun.co.uk/WEBBCOMP or write to Sun Webb competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Entries close 11.59pm. July 5, 2025. T&Cs apply.
TOP TIP IF you want to get more flowers from your sedums (now called Hylotelephiums) and prevent them from collapsing - pinch them out around now. Pinch off around four sets of leaves down - which will make them bushier.
JOB OF THE WEEK Weeds thrive this month - keep on top of them by hoeing. Tie in sweet peas, and give your plants a good feed - liquid seaweed feed is great - and Tomorite works with nearly everything. Give agapanthus a high-potash feed every couple of weeks.
For more top tips and gardening news, follow me @biros_and_bloom
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Western Telegraph
3 days ago
- Western Telegraph
Snowberry, the invasive plant that can damage your garden
Some of the most well-known invasive plants include Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed, but there are plenty of lesser-known species that can be harmful. Including the snowberry bush (Symphoricarpos albus), which, although it looks pretty, can soon become a problem. Here's everything you need to know about the invasive snowberry bush and how to stop it from growing in your garden. What is the snowberry plant? Described as "vigorous", the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) explains that the snowberries are oval-shaped with dark blue-green leaves that are held in pairs along a stem. During the early summer, the plant has short clusters of small, pink, bell-shaped flowers that are followed by clusters of white berries that last in winter. The snowberry plant reaches a height of between 2.5 to four meters and a spread of between 2.5 to four meters. The plant grows best in chalk, loam, sand and clay conditions that are moist and well drained. Is the snowberry plant invasive? According to Gardeners' the snowberry is considered to be invasive, sharing: "Snowberry can be invasive in gardens and is considered a problem species in woodland where, like rhododendron, it out-competes native plants. "If you live near woodland, you might consider not growing snowberry, due to its tendency to sucker." Recommended Reading How to grow the snowberry plant If you fancy growing a snowberry plant, the RHS shares that it can be propagated by using softwood cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn. Adding that suggested planting locations and garden types include cottage or informal garden, wildlife gardens and banks and slopes. It's important to note that the snowberry plant is susceptible to aphids and fungal leaf spots, powdery mildews, rust diseases, stem galls and honey fungus.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
My orchids died all the time—now I follow 5 rules so my plant flowers repeatedly
I've always loved orchids, but I admit they're not the easiest houseplants to look after. I've had three orchids in total, and I was determined to get my care routine right to ensure my current one survives I'm a huge admirer of orchids, but I'll be the first to admit they're not the easiest houseplants to care for. I've had three orchids in total, and only one has survived. Luckily, the remaining orchid is thriving and even manages to produce beautiful white flowers thrice a year. The type of orchid I have is a phalaenopsis, also known as a moth orchid, which boasts long-lasting blooms. These orchids are typically available in large supermarkets and garden centres for as little as £15, according to the Express. I love this variety of orchid because it can bloom at any time of the year, meaning I often get a burst of new blooms at the most unexpected times. However, having lost two other orchids, I've realised that there are certain tasks I must do to ensure my orchid thrives and blooms all year round. How to make your orchid bloom 1. Don't overwater When it comes to orchids, less is more. If you water your orchid too frequently, the roots can become overly damp and start to rot. Signs of root rot include black or mushy roots, wilting leaves and an unpleasant smell coming from the pot. Most experts recommend watering your orchid every seven to 10 days, but in autumn and winter, I actually only water my orchid once every fortnight. In the warmer months, I aim to water my orchid once a week. The plant's roots usually indicate if it needs water. Grey roots suggest it's time for water, and green roots mean it's had enough. 2. Feed orchids in spring I only tend to my orchids in the spring and occasionally in the autumn months. Feeding your orchid will encourage it to grow and bloom. However, it's vital you don't overfeed it. One of my previous orchids died because I fed it too frequently. According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), feeding your orchid every time you water it can lead to a build-up of harmful salts, which need flushing out with water. I use Baby Bio Orchid food, which is available at Sainsbury's and most local garden centres. Typically, I add between five and 10 drops to my small houseplant watering can once a month. 3. Prune spent stems Mastering how to prune orchids hasn't been straightforward; these plants grow so slowly that cutting off stems feels counterproductive. However, correct pruning ensures the plant produces flowering shoots. Once my orchid's flowers die, I cut off the stalk just above the second joint beneath the old flowers. Sometimes, the entire stem dies and turns brown and dry. In such cases, I cut off the stem at the base, as nothing new will sprout from this. I also remove spent blooms when they don't fall by themselves. 4. Position it correctly Orchids prefer bright indirect light, so finding a position that suits them throughout the year can be challenging. Most people will find they have to relocate their orchid twice a year, so they don't end up getting scorched in the summer or not receiving enough light in the winter. However, I've found a spot for mine where it enjoys bright, indirect light all year round. It's tucked against a wall slightly behind a larger pot, facing a south-facing window. My skylights also allow natural light to flood into the room throughout the year. Despite finding the perfect spot for my current orchid, one of my previous ones didn't survive a particularly blistering summer. The plant was positioned on a coffee table facing a south-facing window. This was ideal during the winter months, but when summer arrived, the leaves of the plant scorched and eventually, the orchid died. The RHS recommends that moth orchids should be placed in bright light; east- or west-facing windowsills are perfect. They shouldn't be placed near radiators or heaters or exposed to draughts as they dislike fluctuating temperatures. 5. Be patient Patience is one of the most vital lessons I've learned when dealing with orchids. Orchids grow at a slow pace and need a gentle touch to keep them happy. Aggressive pruning, overwatering, overfeeding and frequently moving them around your home will only distress them.
STV News
4 days ago
- STV News
Cause of Orkney whale stranding ‘almost impossible to figure out', says expert
An expert on whale strandings in Orkney has said it will be 'almost impossible' to figure out the cause of the latest incident, involving over 23 whales on the island of Sanday. A pod of pilot whales were found on Roo Beach in Sanday on Sunday after a mass stranding. Volunteers at the Scottish Marine Animals Stranding Scheme believe the animals had lain undiscovered for up to three days due to the level of decomposition. Another animal was found washed up in Sanday since the pod was discovered, as well as others appearing elsewhere, with experts fearing the initial stranding may have been bigger than first thought. Those found in Sanday include a pregnant female and three calves, two of which were under six months old. This came just one year after another mass stranding of 77 pilot whales on the same island last summer. Emma Neave-Webb, strandings coordinator at the International Whaling Commission and a Sanday resident, describes the island as a 'bit of a whale trap'. She has been busy gathering samples from the whales beached at Roo Beach. These will be sent for testing at the Glasgow-based Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS). However, she said the testing process is slow. Also, given that the whales lay dead on the beach for around five days before being discovered, it will be 'almost impossible' to figure out the cause of the stranding. Investigators are working with a process of elimination, finding out what did not cause the stranding and have been able to rule out injury, disease or trouble birthing as potential causes. In the meantime, the public has been asked to stay away from the area while a decision about disposing of the carcasses is being made. Orkney Islands Council has said 'letting nature take its course' is being considered. LDRS Emma Neave Webb Meanwhile, more mammals are being found, and they have come from the same pod. These include a live calf in Westray last week, another animal off Fair Isle, two near North Ronaldsay, and another live animal in Orkney. Emma said there is a particular reef near the location of the most recent beaching. It may be that some whales grounded there and died while others were able to get away and are now popping up in different places. At this point, not much can be said for sure. However, more can be said about last summer as some test results have been delivered. She said: 'For the stranding from last summer, we're still waiting for the test results for the test that looked at the ear bones. 'That can tell us if there was noise involved. 'Whales have very tiny hairs on their inner ear bones that can get permanently damaged if they're exposed to a certain level of noise. 'But it takes over a year for that test to happen. 'If it turns out they weren't exposed to noise, we'll look and think about alternatives. 'We've already ruled out disease and injury for the stranding last year. All of the animals were in good health. 'None of them were showing signs of birthing difficulties. 'That's what happens with a lot of these big mass strandings – we never know what the cause is, but we can rule things out.' She explained that the circumstances of the recent stranding, where the whales were found by locals last weekend, will be particularly difficult to discern. As they had already been dead for days, investigators won't be able to conduct a 'full necropsy' as they had already begun to decompose. Emma explained: 'We can say there was no sign of obvious injury. We can say there were none having birthing difficulties, and we can say they looked like they were in really good health. 'So, it looks like something went wrong but we're never going to know exactly what caused it. 'One theory we're running with is that it could be climate change having an impact. 'It could be that their food source is moving or they're moving because conditions aren't suitable where they'd normally be. 'So, they're moving into new areas, and that is bringing them into conflict with something that could be human-induced, or it could be that they're moving into environments they're not used to. 'It's something we see with other species.' With two mass strandings in two years on Sanday, the island has been seeing more than the rest of Orkney put together. The reason for that may be down to the island's particular geography. The expert explained: 'Everywhere there are pilot whales, there are mass strandings. There are particular hotspots around the world, like Farewell Spit, in New Zealand. 'A lot of the time it's to do with the geography of the area. 'They normally occur on very shallow sandy bays, complicated areas, areas with strong currents, and high-energy environments where the animals struggle with their echolocation. 'They can't build a picture of what's going on because the sand in the environment isn't pinging back on their echolocation. 'All of these things describe Sanday absolutely perfectly. 'Our beaches are beautiful, but for the pilot whales, they are not. We're just a bit of a whale trap. 'Overall, pilot whale strandings are not unusual around the world. 'It is increasing in Scotland, and it's unusual for it to happen on the same island two years running.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
