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The Sun
2 days ago
- General
- The Sun
I gave my garden the perfect Autumn glow up for £5.99 – here are 9 other tricks to transform your outside space
IT'S AUGUST and it's hot. There's a tendency to think of this month as a time to sit back and relax in your outside space. And of course you should - take as much time as you like to enjoy the literal fruits of your labour. 3 3 3 But if you feel like flexing your gardening muscles - then there's still a lot of jobs you can take on. If you fancy some Autumn colour THIS year - check out autumn crocus bulbs - also known as Colchicom - or 'naked ladies' because they come up without any leaves. August is the perfect month to plant as it gives them time to settle in and develop a decent root structure before flowering . They look fab naturalised in grass - especially under trees. And they give your garden a real Autumn glow-up. I've used Crocus to buy these bulbs before - and they're currently selling for £5.99. If you're thinking about colour for your outside space NEXT year - then you can start sowing hardy annuals like marigolds, cornflowers, love-in-a-mist, forget-me-nots or poppies straight into the soil. Just make sure it's weed free and raked. And it's a good time to plant 'cut and come again' lettuce, kale, spinach, pak choi and chard. You can also get rocket seeds in the ground for an autumn harvest. Beetroots are also good to plant now - 'Boltardy' has a really good heat tolerance so great for the current heatwave - and go for fast-growing carrots like Nantes 2, and cauliflower 'All the year round' to get harvest later this year. If you've got evergreen hedges - this is the last month for getting them in shape - after that can cause bare patches. If they've got large leaves, like a cherry laurel or bay tree - it's better to use secateurs to prune individual stems. If they're smaller leaves - consider using a hedge trimmer. Pruning Yew now will also ensure density for next year. Grow your groceries - how to grow tomatoes from tomatoes! And make sure you remove all the watershoots from the base of trees - especially fruit trees. These are the vertical really fast growing shoots that sprout out the bottom of the tree - normally after it's had a hard prune. Keep deadheading this month - the more you deadhead - the more you'll get flowers coming back to fill your outside space with colour. Roses, petunias, day lilies, rudbeckias, cosmos, salvias and dahlias all need attention. And finally - although you can start thinking about your garden for next year - just make sure you enjoy yours now. Also in Veronica's Column this week... Top tips, gardening news, Plant of the Week and a competition to win a Stiga lawmower worth £269 TOP TIP Nasturtiums are one of the unsung heroes of the garden - and here's why. Did you know that their flowers and leaves are edible - and add a peppery kick to salads - and the leaves are high in Vitamin C You can also decorate cakes with them, and they look lovely And the young seed pods can be pickled and used as an alternative to capers. They're great as companion plants to grow alongside others - as they act as a 'trap crop' - attracting aphids away from other valuable crops. They're really low maintenance and thrive in rubbish soil. They self seed like an absolute beast and grow really quickly. They're great ground cover - but also look fab trailing from baskets or over the side of containers. Their bright, beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers really brighten up any outside space. TOP TIP! Gardeners Question Time hero James Wong once worked out that he spent 70 per cent of his gardening time 'holding a hose.' To make sure you're not doing the same in this heatwave - remember to water cleverly. This means watering first thing in the morning or at night so it's not all evaporating. Watering deeply means you don't have to water as often. Mulch between plants - like bark chippings or leaf mould - which will retain water. Weeding carefully means less competition for water. Collect water in any way you can around the garden - be it butts or buckets. NEWS! Southport Flower Show returns this weekend with TV stars and top gardening experts heading up another fun-filled programme of family entertainment. Every August more than 50,000 visitors head to the show venue at Victoria Park for the UK's largest independent flower show. Celebrity guests include Kelvin and Liz Fletcher, from Fletchers' Family Farm as well as some of the best-known gardening experts in the field, including This Morning's David Domoney and horticulturist Nick Bailey from BBC Gardeners' World. Plus Carole Baxter and George Anderson, presenters of The Beechgrove Garden. For tickets for today or tomorrow, visit OFFER: YouGarden are offering Sun Gardening readers £14.99 off Cordyline 'Torbay Dazzler' with a special code. Use the code CORDYLINE5 at to get the two litre pot for just FIVE POUNDS instead of £19.99 (plus P&P). WIN! Take home a Stiga Collector 140e Kit Lawn Mower worth £269. To enter visit or write to Sun Collector Mower competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Entries close 11.59pm. August 30, 2025. T&Cs apply PLANT OF THE WEEK Passiflora - PASSION FLOWER - really vigorous climber, hardy, beautiful flowers - mine covers a whole fence - tropical vibes, flowers from July to September, great for novice gardeners. For more gardening content follow me @biros_and_bloom
Toronto Sun
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Trial begins for suspects in 2024 Moscow concert hall attack that killed 149 people
Published Aug 04, 2025 • 1 minute read Emergency services vehicles are seen outside the burning Crocus City Hall concert hall following the shooting incident in Krasnogorsk, outside Moscow, on March 22, 2024. Photo by STRINGER / AFP via Getty Images MOSCOW — A trial began Monday under tight security for 19 defendants accused of involvement in last year's shooting rampage in a Moscow concert hall that killed 149 people and wounded over 600 in one of the deadliest attacks in the capital in years. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account A faction of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the March 22, 2024, massacre at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in which four gunmen shot people who were waiting for a show by a popular rock band and then set the building on fire. President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials have claimed, without presenting evidence, that Ukraine had a role in the attack. Kyiv has strongly denied any involvement. The Investigative Committee, Russia's top criminal investigation agency, said in June that it concluded that the attack had been 'planned and carried out in the interests of the current leadership of Ukraine in order to destabilize political situation in our country.' It also noted the four suspected gunmen tried to flee to Ukraine afterward. The four, all identified as citizens of Tajikistan, were arrested hours after the attack and later appeared in a Moscow court with signs of being severely beaten. The defendants appearing in court on Monday kept their heads bowed as they sat in the defendants' cage. The committee said earlier this year that six other suspects were charged in absentia and placed on Russia's wanted list for allegedly recruiting and organizing the training of the four. Other defendants in the trial were accused of helping them. Sunshine Girls Celebrity Sex Files Relationships Columnists
The Guardian
21-06-2025
- General
- The Guardian
10 of the best climbing plants for your garden, from honeysuckle to sweet pea
Within a week of moving house, three years ago, I was dreaming of climbing plants: anything that could clothe the uninspiring domesticity of my new garden's bare fences. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Three summers on, I have a good sense of which climbers thrust ahead and which take their time to get established; which spread thinly or densely; which annuals offer up a temporary, seasonal backdrop; which climb perfectly well unaided; and which benefit from a supportive frame. Here are 10 climbers I've enjoyed growing, and how to nurture them. Often slower-growing yet enduringly structural, woody climbers produce hardened stems that lignify in place. They include plants such as ceanothus, trumpet vine, wisteria, akebia and rose, many of which require the sturdy support of wire or trellis. Undoubtedly, woody plants demand more patience, but they can prove low-maintenance in the long term, and are easy to train and shape. From £7.99 at J Parker's£11.69 at B&Q A house-warming gift, one of the first climbers added to my garden was the cream yellow-flowered honeysuckle, Lonicera periclymenum Graham Thomas. A woodlander at home in low light, it was planted in the north-facing shade of our house, where its dark, glaucous-leaved stems clamber over horizontal wires, producing phenomenal, night-scented midsummer blooms visited by moths. £9.99 at Jacksons NurseriesFrom £11.24 at Crocus This one will take time to get going, but few climbing plants are as rewarding as Hydrangea petiolaris. Endlessly elegant with clusters of refined white, the deciduous petiolaris uses aerial roots to attach itself to surfaces, though wires can offer a leg up while it establishes itself. Growing happily in semi-shade, and relatively unfussy of soil preference, the only difficulty with this heavily set hydrangea is keeping it from bushing out from the wall or fence. To avoid this, prune outwardly extended stems back by a few buds right after summer flowering. The Pilgrim £33 at Burford Madame Alfred Carrière £21.59 at Carbeth plants£23.38 at B&Q Unlike the often untamable 'rambling' rose, climbers can be heavily micromanaged – so you can tie them into artful loops or swirls, which can become obsessive, trust me. The temptation with roses might be to direct the stems upwards for quicker results, but the key for maximum surface coverage is to get strong, long stems tied down horizontally, incrementally in succession up a wall or fence: horizontals promote more flowers and further vertical growth, which will add density at a surprising pace. Planted in full sun, favourites from my garden include bold-blooming, butter yellow the Pilgrim and fellow David Austin cultivar Mme Alfred Carrière, whose pink-tinged buds open a blushed, strongly scented white. £19.95 at Gardening Express £24 at Ornamental Trees Surprisingly hardy given its somewhat precious appearance, this thickly foliaged kiwi relative bears curiously white and pink-tipped heart-shaped leaves. Once established in a sunny yet wind-sheltered spot and supported with wires, its woody stems will quickly advance and offer up a foliar blanket. While many climbing plants form a lasting framework, others can be cut down to regrow each year. These include some of the showiest varieties, whose well-established roots promote speedy, active growth each spring. From £3.99 at J Parker'sFrom £11.24 at Crocus By far the most vigorous shady climber in my – or indeed any – garden, virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) will attain heights by any means available. Often seen scrambling lamp-posts as it does woodland trees in its native Appalachia, this is one to keep in check, if necessary, by cutting back to a couple of feet each spring, once established. I got mine going on wires initially, however, it will self-adhere without fuss. Before shedding, its leaves blaze ochre through red across autumn. Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion Clematis tangutica From £7.99 at J Parker's£24.95 at Waitrose Garden Clematis Perle d'Azur £24.99 at Coolings Clematis are categorised into three key groups – those that flower in spring and in summer on the previous year's stems, and those that do all the work via the current season's growth. Cut down to 40-50cm from the ground in early spring and sending up energetic new shoots, this latter category includes popular viticella cultivars such as the blue-violet Perle d'Azur and the endearingly wild, lemony Clematis tangutica. £29.99 at Gardening Express Another vigorous contender, the grape relative Vitis coignetiae comes into its own in autumn, when its huge, lobed leaves become emboldened with dramatic hues of crimson, orange and plum. Grow on wires or up a tree in free-draining soil. In my view, annuals are often overlooked as fence-covering climbers. This might be due to their impermanence – here for one season and gone the next – but this can also be their strength. They are very quick growing, can act as temporary fillers while woodier climbers are getting going, and very often produce excellent flowers and attractive, sometimes edible seed pods. Although typically grown on 'teepees' or canes, by threading twigs (such as hazel or birch) through fence wires, they'll have lots to cling to, encouraging quick growth. 99p for 20 seeds at Thompson & MorganFrom £3.29 for 20 seeds at Crocus I'll never tire of growing sweet peas – their fragrance is alluring and their range considerable, from showy mauves and maroons to subtle whites and greens. Easily germinated on a windowsill indoors, they can be planted out in spring sunshine and, owing to grappling tendrils, scale a fence by midsummer. Among the copious options, I particularly like growing the profuse cultivars Cedric Morris (plum-purple) and Painted Lady (pink-white). From £3.69 for 15 seeds at Crocus£3.79 for 15 seeds at Waitrose Garden Commonly known as the cup-and-saucer vine and hailing from Mexico, where its large bell-shaped flowers in purple and cream are pollinated by bats, cobaea is a stunning single-season addition. Climbing its way up with anchoring tendrils, it blooms in late summer for an extended period. Performs best from early sowings, however, small plants can be bought about now, saving the trouble of home germination. £3.59 for 30 seeds at Thompson & Morgan£3.99 for 30 seeds at Amazon Despite the clear culinary associations, it is sometimes forgotten that runner beans were once cultivated as ornamentals, their vibrant scarlet, white and salmon flowers tumbling from twining vines. I say you can have both, and as anyone who has ever grown runner beans will attest, you can definitely have too many runners. Initially, deadhead the spent flowers before they can produce pods, and enjoy the rampant blooming before allowing them to fruit. Position in full sun if possible, and keep well watered. Matt Collins is a garden, nature and travel writer, and head gardener at the Garden Museum in London
The Irish Sun
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Gardeners' World fave reveals £2 Asda trick to feed family veg all summer – & it's perfect for small spaces
WHAT could you do with a square meter in your outside space? Turns out - quite a lot - says Gardeners' World presenter Nick Bailey - who's spearheading new campaign Make a Metre Matter. 2 Nick Bailey - pictured here at Barnsdale Gardens - wants you to make a metre matter Credit: BBC 2 The Make a Metre Matter campaign runs until the end of June Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk He wants to get Sun Gardening readers involved too - supporting wildlife and sustainability - and making the planet a better place. 'There's 20 million 'There are loads of ways you can make a meaningful difference, including growing plants for Nick's created a Headline Show Garden for BBC Gardeners' World Live later this month - with lots of Make a Metre Matter ideas to take home. Read More Gardening He added: 'You can grow nine lettuces in that space. You could grow four compact courgettes and supply your family with more courgettes than you could eat for the summer." Currently 'You could choose to put acid compost in there and put four blueberries in there " he said. "Within your first harvest you've made your money back.' Most read in Fabulous 'Equally you could just sow some British native wildflowers, which could be as cheap as £2 to £3 for a packet. 'It will give you a brilliant long run of colour from May through to October, with lots of interest for pollinators. Gardeners' World's Monty Don fears 'decayed' knees from years of gardening could cut short TV career 'You could also create a square metre "A year down the line you'll have 20 plus species and it just goes up and up and up. 'Insect and bees will come and feed from there, you'll support birds, you're supporting the aquatic life itself. 'It doesn't have to be a big space to make a big impact.' If you're inspired to make a difference - you can register your meter to be entered into a Gardeners World prize draw to win a £1k voucher to spend at Crocus or two runner up Crocus prizes of £500. Visit Also in Veronica's Column this week... Top tips, news and a great competition to win a £100 Westland plant feed bundle. TOP TIP Salvias are coming into their prime right now - especially the Mexican hardy shrubby ones like Hot Lips, Limelight and Amistad. To ensure you get the best blooms all summer, we've got some top tips from expert William Dyson, from Grow them in pots, or in your borders - they like free draining soil and sunshine. If you give them an extra chop in mid to late of July - cutting a third of the growth- they'll spring back and reward you with tons of flowers until November. Companion plant with perennials to give a cottage garden look Or make a statement in a large pot. Don't let them get too dry - they do like to be watered, Don't feed them with nitrogen plant food because you'll get more leaves and less flowers. Great Comp's summer garden show is on August 9 and 10. NEWS! The event supports The Garden Gathering promises a vibrant day filled with expert-led workshops, live demonstrations, plant sales, and family-friendly activities. For more info visit NEWS! The WIN! Thanks to JOB OF THE WEEK You can move a lot of houseplants outside now to make space or give them a bit of a boost with natural light. Water hanging baskets daily, start deadheading roses. TOP TIP - if you, like me, are struggling with blackfly right now - make a spray of washing up liquid (Ecover is best) and water - and give them a good soaking. FOLLOW ME for more top tips and news
Scottish Sun
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Gardeners' World fave reveals £2 Asda trick to feed family veg all summer – & it's perfect for small spaces
TINY CHANCER Gardeners' World fave reveals £2 Asda trick to feed family veg all summer – & it's perfect for small spaces WHAT could you do with a square meter in your outside space? Turns out - quite a lot - says Gardeners' World presenter Nick Bailey - who's spearheading new campaign Make a Metre Matter. Advertisement 2 Nick Bailey - pictured here at Barnsdale Gardens - wants you to make a metre matter Credit: BBC 2 The Make a Metre Matter campaign runs until the end of June Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk He wants to get Sun Gardening readers involved too - supporting wildlife and sustainability - and making the planet a better place. 'There's 20 million gardens in Britain. If 20 million people just dedicated one metre, that's quite a lot of metres isn't it?,' he told me. 'There are loads of ways you can make a meaningful difference, including growing plants for pollinators, growing veg to cut down on food miles and creating a compost heap.' Nick's created a Headline Show Garden for BBC Gardeners' World Live later this month - with lots of Make a Metre Matter ideas to take home. Advertisement He added: 'You can grow nine lettuces in that space. You could grow four compact courgettes and supply your family with more courgettes than you could eat for the summer." Currently Asda are selling courgette seeds for £2 - and you can get them in the ground now. 'You could choose to put acid compost in there and put four blueberries in there " he said. "Within your first harvest you've made your money back.' Advertisement 'Equally you could just sow some British native wildflowers, which could be as cheap as £2 to £3 for a packet. 'It will give you a brilliant long run of colour from May through to October, with lots of interest for pollinators. Gardeners' World's Monty Don fears 'decayed' knees from years of gardening could cut short TV career 'You could also create a square metre pond. In the first month you'll have about 10 species in the pond. "A year down the line you'll have 20 plus species and it just goes up and up and up. Advertisement 'Insect and bees will come and feed from there, you'll support birds, you're supporting the aquatic life itself. 'It doesn't have to be a big space to make a big impact.' If you're inspired to make a difference - you can register your meter to be entered into a Gardeners World prize draw to win a £1k voucher to spend at Crocus or two runner up Crocus prizes of £500. Visit for more information. Gardeners World Live takes place at Birmingham NEC from June 12 - 15. Advertisement Also in Veronica's Column this week... Top tips, news and a great competition to win a £100 Westland plant feed bundle. TOP TIP Salvias are coming into their prime right now - especially the Mexican hardy shrubby ones like Hot Lips, Limelight and Amistad. To ensure you get the best blooms all summer, we've got some top tips from expert William Dyson, from Great Comp Garden in Kent Grow them in pots, or in your borders - they like free draining soil and sunshine. If you give them an extra chop in mid to late of July - cutting a third of the growth- they'll spring back and reward you with tons of flowers until November. Companion plant with perennials to give a cottage garden look Or make a statement in a large pot. Don't let them get too dry - they do like to be watered, Don't feed them with nitrogen plant food because you'll get more leaves and less flowers. Great Comp's summer garden show is on August 9 and 10. NEWS! The Beardy Gardener - an award-winning garden designer, broadcaster and mental health advocate, is hosting his first ever Garden Gathering on June 21 at the Longstock Park Nursery on the Leckford Estate, near Andover. The event supports Andover Mind's 'Garden for Mind' initiative, a therapeutic green space dedicated to enhancing mental health and wellbeing. The Garden Gathering promises a vibrant day filled with expert-led workshops, live demonstrations, plant sales, and family-friendly activities. For more info visit NEWS! The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens across the UK while raising money for nursing and health charities. Visit the website to find a garden near you open this week. WIN! Thanks to Westland - we're giving away two amazing plant feed bundles worth over £100 each. Each one contains Boost Boost All Purpose Granules, plant feed, Big Tom, Rose feed, bug gard and others. To enter visit or write to Sun Westland Boost competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Entries close 11.59pm. June 28, 2025. T&Cs apply. JOB OF THE WEEK You can move a lot of houseplants outside now to make space or give them a bit of a boost with natural light. Water hanging baskets daily, start deadheading roses. TOP TIP - if you, like me, are struggling with blackfly right now - make a spray of washing up liquid (Ecover is best) and water - and give them a good soaking. FOLLOW ME for more top tips and news @biros_and_bloom
