Latest news with #Crocus
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- 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
8 hours ago
- 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
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
8 most expensive baking ingredients in 2025
HONOLULU (KHON2) — If you're a home baker in 2025, you've probably noticed that your favorite ingredients are getting pricier and fast. Whether you're making cookies, cakes or artisan breads, baking has become a more expensive hobby. Thanks to a mix of global tariffs, rising inflation and a weakening dollar, the cost of many key ingredients has spiked. These price increases aren't just affecting professional pastry chefs. Everyday bakers are also rethinking recipes, searching for substitutes and wondering why their grocery bill looks like a luxury receipt. From spices to sweeteners, here are the top 10 baking ingredients that are both coveted and costly this year. At a staggering $10,000 per kilogram, saffron holds its title as the world's most expensive spice. Why? Harvesting saffron is incredibly labor-intensive. Each Crocus sativus flower produces only three threads, which are carefully picked by hand. Used for its vibrant color, subtle floral flavor and wellness properties, saffron is a star in everything from breads to pastries. Tariffs on imports from top producers like Iran and Spain have only made it rarer and more expensive. Despite the cost, its unique aroma keeps it in demand for upscale desserts. Vanilla is a classic baking staple, but the real deal has become a luxury. In 2025, vanilla beans cost about $600 per kilogram due to climate change and crop loss in Madagascar, the world's leading producer. Add in tariffs and you've got a spice that's no longer easy to afford. Bakers still love its rich, warm flavor, but some are turning to synthetic extracts or scaling back their use. Still, for many, there's no substitute for real for brownies or chocolate ganache, top-tier dark chocolate now averages $50 per kilogram. Cocoa production in West Africa, where most beans are grown, has been hit by poor weather and crop diseases. Add tariffs and rising labor costs and chocolate lovers are feeling the heat. Ethical sourcing practices have also pushed up prices, but many bakers are willing to pay more for fair-trade options. The result? Some are using chocolate more sparingly or saving the best bars for their best recipes. You can access local chocolate at a number of local cacao farms and chocolate makers. As more people opt for gluten-free baking, almond flour is in high demand. But that demand has pushed its price to $20 per kilogram. Made from finely ground almonds, it adds moisture and a nutty sweetness to baked goods; but the yummy flavor comes at a cost. Tariffs on almond exports from places like Spain haven't helped. Some bakers blend almond flour with other flours to save money; but for texture and taste, it's still a top choice. Health-conscious bakers love coconut sugar for its low glycemic index and caramel-like flavor. But in 2025, it sells for about $15 per kilogram. Imports from Southeast Asia face rising tariffs, and demand keeps climbing. While some bakers stick with traditional sugar to keep costs down, others see coconut sugar as worth the splurge, especially for those chasing clean-label or organic certifications. Spelt, teff and einkorn flours are having a moment; but they come with a price tag at $30 per kilogram, on average. These flours offer distinct textures and nutritional perks that make them favorites in artisan baking. Imported from countries with limited production and high export taxes, these flours are costly and sometimes hard to find. Blending them with all-purpose flour is one way bakers are managing both flavor and expense. If you've seen a dessert that sparkles, it might be thanks to edible gold leaf. But at $150 per gram, it's not for your average birthday cake. Once used mainly in fine dining, gold leaf is now a trend in showy cakes and pastries. It doesn't add flavor, but it definitely adds drama. With import taxes making it even more expensive, many bakers are using it sparingly as a finishing touch, not a full frosting. Matcha's earthy taste and vibrant color have made it a star in lattes and baked goods alike. But in 2025, it's priced around $100 per kilogram. Most matcha comes from Japan, and tariffs combined with soaring demand have caused prices to spike. Even so, matcha continues to trend, especially amongst health-focused bakers. Some are trying to stretch their matcha use by pairing it with other flavors like lemon or white chocolate. Fruits like dragon fruit, lychee and lilikoi (passion fruit) are prized for their bold colors and tropical flavors. But they can cost up to $50 per kilogram, depending on the source. Because they're grown in limited tropical climates, tariffs and shipping challenges make them expensive. Some bakers are using freeze-dried versions or fruit purées to keep the flavor while managing costs. Fortunately, in Hawaiʻi, we have the ability to grow our own. Rose water, lavender and other floral extracts bring a unique taste to baked goods; but at $40 per liter, they're not cheap. Sourced from delicate plants and imported from places like France and the Middle East, these extracts carry both flavor and expense. While synthetic versions exist, they often lack the same complexity. For bakers creating standout pastries, a little floral note goes a long way and so does every dollar. Yes, baking is more expensive in 2025; but it's also more creative than ever. As prices rise, bakers are experimenting, adapting and even redefining what luxury in baking looks like. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 Whether you're sticking to the classics or testing new trends, knowing which ingredients are driving up the bill can help you make smarter (and tastier) choices. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Brits warned not to make 'common mistake' at garden centre this weekend
A gardening expert has warned Brits not to make a common mistake when buying plants at garden centres - and has shared the best flowers to plant in April and May Gardening experts are being urged to dodge a common trap at the garden centre that could compromise their efforts. A horticulture expert has dished out key tips on selecting the right plants and pinpointed one thing to steer clear of. Sue Townsend, an experienced garden designer, has warned plant enthusiasts against getting drawn in by blossoms in full swing at the garden centre stalls. Speaking to Gardens Illustrated, she advised: "Try not to be wooed by the flowers on display at the garden centre, which will offer a limited period of interest, leaving you with little to look at for the rest of the year. "Instead, ask the nursery staff which plants are best for different seasons, or use online suppliers such as Crocus and Burncoose, which offer an extensive range of plants, plus details of how and when they perform." She continued to share her philosophy: "I look at the garden as if I am the conductor of an orchestra, selecting plants for spring colour, summer flowers, autumn berries and foliage, and winter structure to create a continual performance." Distilling her approach, she said: "I think about how each plant will emerge, flower and fade, and group those with similar or contrasting shapes, textures or colours, depending on whether I want a calming or more dynamic scheme." Adding to the conversation, a horticulture guru took to Quora to state: "Plants only do one thing well at a time. If they are flowering, they will be less likely to put on roots quickly. The longer it takes to start growing roots, the longer it will be before they start to grow." Green-fingered enthusiasts take note: "If they don't grow, they won't bloom more. It's always best to buy plants without flowers on them. It's also good to cut the flowers off before you plant them. Also, loosen the roots before planting. They will get established faster." Looking for the perfect blooms to add to your garden as spring takes hold? Experts recommend getting your hands dirty with gorgeous varieties such as freesias, cosmos, poppies, angelica, cornflowers, sunflowers, zinnias, nasturtiums and lavender, reports the Express.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Russia may ask Pak to hand over Crocus attack mastermind
A Pakistan link to last year's terror strike in Russia's Moscow region has emerged. This may prompt Russia to approach Islamabad to hand over the mastermind of the attack, a native of Tajikistan who has allegedly slipped into Pakistan from Afghanistan. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India stares at a 'water bomb' threat as it freezes Indus Treaty India readies short, mid & long-term Indus River plans Shehbaz Sharif calls India's stand "worn-out narrative" The terror attack in the Crocus City Hall near Moscow in March last year killed several unarmed civilians. The attack was carried out by supporters of the Afghan branch of Islamic State (IS)-Vilayat Khorasan. There are reports that the Pakistani authorities may have detained him. The Russian authorities are verifying the information and may soon approach Islamabad to hand over the mastermind of the worst terror attack in Russia in recent years, ET has learnt. Moscow had earlier approached Afghanistan to hand over the mastermind of Crocus terror attack but the extremist operative had allegedly slipped into Pakistan by the time Kabul could nab him, sources familiar with the matter claimed. Next Skip Ads by Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Jagatpur: The price (& size) of these hearing aids might surprise you Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola
