Latest news with #ChrisBonnett
Daily Mirror
31-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Experts swear by five houseplants that make home feel cooler in summer
With heatwave after heatwave arriving in the UK, people up and down the country will be looking for ways to cool down their homes A gardening expert has offered up five useful houseplants to help make the home cooler during hot weather. As the UK puts up with one humid heatwave after another this summer, many are trying to find inventive ways to keep the temperature from overwhelming them. One straightforward approach is to introduce air-purifying plants into your living space. While they won't chill a room as an air conditioning unit does, they can make it feel more refreshing and less stifling due to a process known as transpiration. This is essentially how plants 'sweat', emitting water vapour through minuscule pores in their foliage, which adds moisture to the air and helps create a cooler and more agreeable environment indoors. Chris Bonnett from elaborates: "Plants 'sweat' like us. They take in water through their roots, send it to their leaves, and release it as vapour through tiny pores. "This process is called transpiration. Similar to how sweat cools our skin, the vapour from the plants cools the air around them. Essentially the more water a plant gives off, the more it cools the air around it." Bonnett also notes that while plants won't reduce temperatures as much as air conditioning, they do contribute to a fresher atmosphere, reports the Express. He added: "Of course it's not going to cool your home down the way air conditioning would but adding some moisture back into the air can definitely make the room feel fresher and less stuffy - think of them like small, natural humidifiers." Five houseplants to cool down your home Boston Fern: The Boston fern is known for its high moisture output and air purifying properties. It's perfect for bathrooms and kitchens due to its need for a humid environment. Although it requires regular misting and access to high humidity, it's worth the effort. Areca palm: The areca palm is highlighted as a particularly effective plant for this purpose due to its high transpiration rate, which allows it to release plenty of moisture into the air. It's also low-maintenance and tolerant of dim lighting conditions, making it an ideal choice for busy homeowners. In addition to its benefits, the areca palm will bring a tropical and exotic flair to your home, making it an ideal summer addition to your indoor plant collection. Aloe Vera: Not only does the aloe vera plant create a cooling atmosphere, but it also requires minimal watering, making it a great choice for those seeking low-maintenance plants. The gel from this plant can be used to treat sunburns, which is particularly useful during the hot summer months. Peace Lily: The peace lily is another popular choice for houseplants, thanks to its beautiful cream flowers. Known for its air purifying qualities, it fits well in any room - plus, it's easy to maintain and blooms occasionally. Rubber Plant: The rubber plant is a statement piece that would make a great addition to any home. Its large leaves contribute to humidity control, and it's incredibly easy to look after, even indoors.
Daily Mirror
28-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Expert names common garden plants that can rocket the value of your home
Gardening experts have shared a list of well-maintained, established plants that can boost the value of your home Property owners are being advised about plants they can introduce to their gardens which could increase their home's value. Your garden can serve a crucial function in determining your property's worth when the time comes to sell. Well-tended, mature plants are particularly desirable as they minimise the requirement for continued maintenance. From blooming shrubs and climbing plants to sophisticated trees, these varieties can turn a garden into a precious commodity that boosts a home's total value. Gardening specialists at suggest that carefully selected plants such as hydrangeas, roses and Japanese maples can improve street appeal whilst needing little upkeep. Numerous evergreen hedges bring personality and structure to a property, with types like yew or boxwood providing all-year framework and substantially improving street appeal. A strategically positioned, established tree can also provide multiple advantages, from visual attractiveness to shelter, produce, and drawing in wildlife, reports the Manchester Evening News. Chris Bonnett, garden expert and owner of GardeningExpress, said: "Having a variety of lush plants in your garden always enhances the outdoor space, adding colour, aromas, and inviting wildlife. While it can be challenging to establish some plants, like mature trees or flowering shrubs, once thriving, they offer exceptional value to any property." Eight garden plants that can boost your home's value, according to the experts: Hydrangeas Hydrangeas are stunning flowers with large, ornamental flower heads that will add a touch of elegance to your garden, offering a range of hues from blue to pink - depending on the pH level of your soil. Not only are hydrangeas pleasing to the eye, but they also require minimal upkeep once established which is fantastic for homeowners seeking a flourishing garden without much effort. Japanese maples Japanese maples are cherished for their delicate, intricately shaped leaves and striking colours, varying from deep reds to soft greens throughout the year. These elegant trees bring a sense of calm and sophistication to any garden and are relatively low-maintenance. They can enhance a garden's design, contributing to the value of the outdoor space. Magnolias Magnolias are recognised for their large, fragrant blooms and glossy green leaves. These gorgeous trees signal the arrival of spring, with flowers blooming in shades of white, pink, or purple. They create a spectacular display when planted as a focal point tree, adding elegance to front gardens or lawn areas. Olive trees Olive trees provide a Mediterranean feel in the garden. Highly desired for their sculptural form and silvery-green foliage, they flourish in a variety of conditions and require minimal maintenance once established. Not only do olive trees offer visual appeal, but their fruit is also excellent for culinary use. Fruit trees A mature fruit tree is a treasure in any garden, not only for its seasonal bounty but also for the stunning visual appeal it brings. Whether adorned with blossoms or laden with fruit, these trees provide year-round interest and can become a striking centrepiece. They're perfect for drawing in birds, bees, and other wildlife, injecting life and biodiversity into your garden. Roses Roses, with their beauty and fragrance, are an enduring favourite in gardens worldwide. With a vast array of colours, shapes, and fragrances, they can complement both traditional and contemporary landscapes. Blooming from spring to autumn, roses infuse any outdoor space with vibrant colour and charm. Lavender Lavender is renowned for its delightful scent and striking purple hue, adding a captivating feature to your garden. Not only does it enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of your garden, but it also attracts butterflies and bees, fostering a healthy and lively environment. These attributes can significantly enhance your home's kerb appeal, creating a welcoming, fragrant atmosphere. Evergreen hedging Evergreen hedges such as yew or boxwood provide both privacy and structure to a garden. Once established, these plants lend a neat, well-maintained appearance to outdoor spaces. They offer year-round interest and serve as a classic backdrop to the rest of your garden. These varieties are also excellent for topiary, adding decorative interest and shape to your garden.
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
Little-known 1p hack keeps pesky flies from your home for good
As Brits begin to enjoy the warm weather, it often comes with an influx of flies. However, an expert has shared a little-known trick to keep them away A nifty trick involving 1p coins is touted as the ultimate solution to banish flies from your home and garden 'for good' this summer. As Brits gear up for the sunny season, they're often greeted by an unwelcome swarm of flies. These pesky insects are not only annoying to eliminate but also pose a hygiene risk when they hover around food. The gardening gurus at have revealed that simply placing a few coppers in a glass of water can effectively repel these winged nuisances. This clever method exploits the reflective properties of light to disorientate flies, keeping them away from dining areas and guests. Just fill several glasses with water and pop about three 1p coins into each one. Strategically place these glasses around your barbecue and food serving zones, and you'll observe a noticeable absence of flies, reports the Manchester Evening News. Alternatively, half-fill a plastic bag with water, toss in five to seven pennies, and hang these bags around various spots in your garden. Other tactics include deploying potent aromas like citronella, lemon, garlic, and rosemary to ward off flies outdoors. Chris Bonnett, the founder of Gardening Express, said: "There's nothing worse than when you're having a nice barbecue with friends and family and there's bugs flying about." He added that while insects can be incredibly bothersome, there are several low-cost strategies to keep them at bay. Chris added: "These tricks are really simple and a lot of them involve using things most of us probably already have in our homes." For those looking to fortify their gardens against insect invasions, consider planting natural insect repellents. Insect repellent plants Plants such as Lavender and Chrysanthemum not only add a splash of colour to your garden but also help keep pesky bugs at bay. Simply position a few of these near the barbecue to deter flies and insects. Citronella candles Citronella candles are an affordable solution for repelling mosquitoes and other bugs. Just light a couple, and you're all set. Lemon and garlic Certain foods can also help keep bugs and flies away from the barbecue. Cut a few lemons in half, insert a clove of garlic into each one, and distribute them around the barbecue area to keep insects at a distance. Brown paper bags Wasps tend to avoid other wasp nests, so this trick is ideal for keeping them at bay. Just take a brown paper bag, stuff it with some rubbish to make it look like a wasp nest, and hang it near the serving area to keep wasps away. Herbs Certain herbs are known to repel insects due to their strong scent. Toss some sage and rosemary on the grill while you're barbecuing, and the bugs will steer clear. Egg cartons To keep mosquitoes away, simply light an empty egg carton and place it in a safe spot away from your guests. The burning smell will prevent mosquitoes from invading the barbecue area. LED lights As dusk falls, you might notice that garden lights are attracting bugs. Consider swapping out your lights for LEDs, as these are less likely to attract bugs.
The Sun
05-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
45p homemade solution gardeners swear by for killing ivy – it works in a couple of days & stops it growing back
IVY may look pretty but it can be impossible to remove from the exterior of your home. The invasive plant climbs up your walls and may eventually cause damage to your brickwork. 2 If your house is covered in this stubborn growth, a simple trick can help to banish it from your property. In one swoop, you can kill off any ivy and prevent it from growing back. And all you need is two kitchen ingredients that won't break the bank. The DIY solution is recommended by Chris Bonnett from Gardening Express. 'A few strands of ivy can look great in a garden but if English ivy starts to grow over leaves and plants, it can cause significant damage," he explained. As well as damaging your brickwork, ivy can also prevent other plants from receiving essential nutrients from sunlight. To tackle this issue, the gardening expert advises homeowners to tackle the root of the problem, literally. Killing the roots is a crucial step, and while some people suggest using natural methods such as boiling water, this expert has a different method. He revealed that he swears by a homemade solution of apple cider vinegar and salt. "The salt dehydrates the ivy and disrupts its water balance, while the acidic content of the mixture helps kill it," he explained. Shoppers urged 'not to blink' and get their hands on Home Bargains garden essential that sold out fast last time and it makes your garden extra cute - TikTok homebargainsofficialuk This means when the foliage has died, you can remove the roots to stop it coming back However, he warned against spraying the mixture onto the plant. Instead, the pro recommended manually apply it in a careful manner. 'Put on some gardening gloves and rub the solvent onto the ivy as using a spray bottle could damage nearby plants," he said. For the best results, apply the solution on a dry day and check the forecast to make sure no rain is expected for the following days. This concoction should start working immediately, eliminating the remaining ivy within five days, according to the expert. And while the mixture should put an end to your ivy problem, it won't have any long-term effects on your soil. You can execute this method without breaking the bank. A 350ml bottle of Apple Cider Vinegar is available from Tesco for just £1.50. But since you will only need around 100ml to carry out this process, the cost breaks down to just 43p. And tack on an additional 2p for the five teaspoons of table salt you can take from the 750g bottle from Sainsbury's, available for just 69p.
Scottish Sun
05-06-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
45p homemade solution gardeners swear by for killing ivy – it works in a couple of days & stops it growing back
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IVY may look pretty but it can be impossible to remove from the exterior of your home. The invasive plant climbs up your walls and may eventually cause damage to your brickwork. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 A DIY solution can help to tackle your invasive ivy problem (stock image) Credit: Getty If your house is covered in this stubborn growth, a simple trick can help to banish it from your property. In one swoop, you can kill off any ivy and prevent it from growing back. And all you need is two kitchen ingredients that won't break the bank. The DIY solution is recommended by Chris Bonnett from Gardening Express. 'A few strands of ivy can look great in a garden but if English ivy starts to grow over leaves and plants, it can cause significant damage," he explained. As well as damaging your brickwork, ivy can also prevent other plants from receiving essential nutrients from sunlight. To tackle this issue, the gardening expert advises homeowners to tackle the root of the problem, literally. Killing the roots is a crucial step, and while some people suggest using natural methods such as boiling water, this expert has a different method. He revealed that he swears by a homemade solution of apple cider vinegar and salt. "The salt dehydrates the ivy and disrupts its water balance, while the acidic content of the mixture helps kill it," he explained. Shoppers urged 'not to blink' and get their hands on Home Bargains garden essential that sold out fast last time and it makes your garden extra cute - TikTok homebargainsofficialuk This means when the foliage has died, you can remove the roots to stop it coming back However, he warned against spraying the mixture onto the plant. Instead, the pro recommended manually apply it in a careful manner. 'Put on some gardening gloves and rub the solvent onto the ivy as using a spray bottle could damage nearby plants," he said. For the best results, apply the solution on a dry day and check the forecast to make sure no rain is expected for the following days. This concoction should start working immediately, eliminating the remaining ivy within five days, according to the expert. And while the mixture should put an end to your ivy problem, it won't have any long-term effects on your soil. You can execute this method without breaking the bank. A 350ml bottle of Apple Cider Vinegar is available from Tesco for just £1.50. But since you will only need around 100ml to carry out this process, the cost breaks down to just 43p. And tack on an additional 2p for the five teaspoons of table salt you can take from the 750g bottle from Sainsbury's, available for just 69p.
