Latest news with #Gardener'sWorld
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Monty Don urges gardeners with tomato plants to do one thing for juicy crops
If you're looking forward to cooking delicious plump tomatoes this summer then make sure to follow this one easy tip to ensure your fruit develops to its full potential Tomatoes are undoubtedly one of the most popular fruits for British gardeners to grow – but if you want them to grow as big and juicy as possible, make sure to follow this one tip. While many commonly mistake this fruit for a vegetable, tomatoes add a wealth of flavour to all kinds of savoury dishes. From pasta sauces to curries, many of our favourite foods incorporate the tomato's hearty flavour. Even better, they're typically quite easy to grow, especially if you own a greenhouse or a sun-facing garden. However, this doesn't mean that tomatoes don't require some maintenance. According to a famous gardening expert, there is one small – but crucial – task that tomato-growers should do. Monty Don is a presenter in BBC Two's Gardener's World and a bonafide gardening expert. In his blog, he advised: 'Regularly pinch out side shoots on tomatoes.' He continued: 'It is best - and easiest - to do this first thing in the morning when the plant is turgid and they will snap off easily in your fingers.' Otherwise if you leave them for too long, they can become tough to remove. The reason why side shoots should be removed is that they divert the plant's energy and nutrients into the growth of foliage. Removing them allows the plant to focus on growing fruit instead. This in turn results in riper, healthier fruit – that also tastes much better. Nutrient-starved tomatoes also won't taste as flavourful, which will ruin your dishes. Better still, pulling side-shoots also ensures that the tomato plant will continue growing in a neat, vertical line. Allowing the side shoots to grow out can result in a sprawling mess that is difficult to control. Also, if growing tomato plants outside, it can also be a good idea to pull away lower foliage. This will reduce foliage exposure to soil borne diseases by eliminating soil contact. One such disease includes fusarium wilt, which is a fungal infection that can attack tomato plants. It blocks their vessels, which can cause them to wilt and die. Of course, the good news with cutting side shoots is that they don't have to go to waste. These shoots can be reused as plant cuttings to grow even more tomatoes. Simply place the cuttings in a glass of water near a sunny windowsill, then leave them for three to four weeks. Once a root system has developed, you can then place them in plant pots.
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Gardeners warned to complete one task or risk plants becoming 'diseased'
Black spot is a fungal disease that causes dark spots to appear on rose leaves, often with yellow halos. It can lead to premature leaf drop, which weakens the plant Garden enthusiasts have been advised to carry out a straightforward task immediately to prevent their plants from suffering damage. If you're nurturing roses in your garden, it's crucial to take note, as this problem is quite prevalent. You might have spotted black spots appearing on your roses while tending to your garden and, if you do, immediate action is required. These spots are an indication of a fungal disease known as Diplocarpon rosae, which causes dark spots surrounded by yellow halos to appear on rose leaves. This issue can result in premature leaf shedding, thereby weakening the plant. Over time, black spot can also make roses more vulnerable to other diseases and winter damage if not addressed. However, a gardening expert named Michael, who goes by the handle themediterranean gardener on TikTok, recently shared a solution to this problem. According to him, the most effective thing you can do is pluck them off. He emphasised the need to remove any affected leaves immediately, and the reason for this is straightforward. If you undertake the task using secateurs, he stressed the importance of washing them afterwards. This step is crucial to prevent the disease from spreading to other plants. However, he also pointed out that you can simply pull them in the opposite direction of growth for easy removal. It's then necessary to destroy anything you remove from your plants - don't discard them in the compost heap. If you're struggling to identify black spot on roses, the tell-tale signs include small dark, rounded marks on the leaf's upper surfaces, frequently surrounded by a yellow perimeter. The afflicted spots often expand and fuse together, causing leaves to turn yellow and fall prematurely, with young stems also at risk - vigilant plant inspection is key. Black spot disease propagates through wind and water, posing a risk to neighbouring roses; therefore, precise actions are recommended as preventative measures. Strategies for thwarting black spot include applying fungicides in the spring to bolster plant defence, spaciously placing roses for enhanced air flow, and ensuring sufficient sunlight exposure to expedite post-watering drying. An additional protective measure involves mulching to retain soil moisture and stifle weeds, which is part of a comprehensive approach to managing black spot. Gardener's World provides a grim picture of the impact of black spot, explaining: "Leaves are disfigured by poorly defined purple-brownish-black blotches. The leaves then turn yellow and fall. Stems might also be affected. "Pick up and destroy fallen leaves. When pruning, cut out any stems with black spot on. "In late-winter, spread a thick layer of mulch around the base of the affected plant to prevent rain splashing soil-borne spores on to new spring growth. Grow rose varieties that are resistant to black spot – these are suggested in the catalogues of specialist rose growers." Discussing the use of chemicals to tackle the issue, the magazine adds: "Spray against black spot with a fungicide. Follow the instructions, treating the new foliage in early spring, with further sprayings at regular intervals through the season." By following these straightforward tips, you can take steps to shield your plants. Bear in mind that spotting the problem early is crucial.
Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Alan Titchmarsh admits 'I owe everything to it' as he reaches milestone
Alan Titchmarsh is celebrating his birthday today and the famed television presenter and gardening expert has refected on what brings him longevity and happiness in life Broadcaste r Alan Titchmarsh is toasting to his 76th birthday today (May 2), and he's taken a moment to reflect on what truly brings him joy in life. While the nation knows him as a beloved television presenter and green-fingered gardening expert, at his core, Alan is all about family. He's been married to his wife Alison since 1975, and together they've raised two daughters, Polly and Camilla, and dote on their four grandchildren. In a conversation with Reach PLC, he expressed his down-to-earth perspective: "I owe everything to good luck and a following wind! "I love my work, I love being outdoors in my garden, I have a hugely supportive family. I enjoy my food and drink - in moderation of course - and above all I laugh a lot. It's worked for me." Alan has become a household name through programmes like Ground Force, Gardeners' World, and Love Your Weekend, even catching the eye of celebs such as David Beckham. As he celebrates another milestone, the proud Yorkshireman isn't slowing down. He's reaching out to fans with his new venture, Gardening with Alan Titchmarsh, broadcasting from his own Hampshire garden. Despite his fame and success on the small screen, it's the simple pleasures that Alan cherishes the most, as he revealed in a recent interview with The Telegraph. He expressed: "Awards and work achievements aside, I'm actually most proud of raising a happy family with two children who are still talking to me and with whom I'm very close. We always sat at a table for dinner and (this being the pre-mobile era) just talked, anything to keep the conversation going. "We weren't immune to the odd door slam, like every parent, but I'm just so grateful for them. Now they're in their 40s, with their own families, I admire everything they've achieved." Alan is set to celebrate his golden wedding anniversary with his partner in July, yet his love life could have taken a different turn. He once admitted that he had an initial interest in a woman who ended up marrying one of his mates, only to be turned down by her. Discussing how he eventually fell for Alison, he shared on the Rosebud podcast: "I pursued her. "But we got on very well, we were always very comfortable. We had a couple of friends who were together in the operatic as well. "In fact I asked my friend Steve's now wife – they've just celebrated their golden wedding – I asked her out first, on Thursday. She said, 'Oh I can't do tonight, it's the night I wash my hair.'". He continued: "Anyway, we all used to go out together in a group. Alison was sort of there, we sort of got on, I thought she was really rather special." Before becoming a mainstay on Gardener's World in 1996, Alan first graced television screens as a horticulture expert on the BBC's Nationwide.
Wales Online
30-04-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Gardening hack sees pests 'flee' from gardens when you use 55p homemade repellent
Gardening hack sees pests 'flee' from gardens when you use 55p homemade repellent A novice gardener has taken to TikTok to share her father-in-law's cheap and eco-friendly way to repel pests from your garden using just one ingredient Slugs can wreck havoc in gardens (Image: (Image: Getty) ) Gardeners nurturing plants will be all too familiar with the nuisance pests can cause. Slugs, snails, and certain flies relish nothing more than feasting on your freshly grown plants, damaging the tender leaves and forcing your flowers to work doubly hard to grow. They primarily emerge in damp weather and are typically more active at night, making it nearly impossible to catch them red-handed and remove them from your garden before they munch on your greenery. But one gardener has shared their homemade repellent which for as little as 55p, could keep slugs and other pests out of your garden. Novice TikTok gardener, Ellie, identifies herself as a "first-time gardener", and mentioned she was struggling with flies and other insects that have been gnawing at her flowers and the vegetable plants she's attempting to grow. But her father-in-law suggested she use garlic to tackle the issue - and so far, she's been witnessing remarkable results. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here . She said: "As suggested by my father-in-law, a cheap and eco-friendly way to repel these [pests] is actually to use garlic. Here you can see I've chopped up the garlic. You want to chop it into a very fine paste and put it into a spray bottle. "Fill [the bottle] up with water and just spray it directly onto your plants. This will work for a number of pests such as flies and slugs, and you can use it on most plants as it's very natural. It's only garlic, but I have heard of people using lemon with it, too." Article continues below Gardener's World suggests that garlic is an effective method to keep slugs and snails at bay in your garden. However, they emphasised the importance of regular application if it's to stand as an effective natural substitute for harsh chemical pest deterrents. Their advice reads: "Take two full bulbs of garlic and add them to a saucepan containing two litres of water. Boil gently until soft and then use a fork to squash the bulbs down, releasing as much of the garlic and juice as possible. "Pour the solution through a sieve to remove the skins. Then dilute this solution by adding 2 tablespoons to five litres of water. Spray or water your plants once a week or after rain." How to keep pests from your garden There are additional measures beyond garlic concoctions to repel unwelcome visitors from your garden. For example, blending one tablespoon of washing-up liquid with water is known to fend off aphids and whiteflies, whereas one tablespoon of chilli powder mixed with water will deter insects that like to chew through plants. Establishing natural barriers around plants is another strategy for keeping harmful bugs away. Article continues below Using floating row covers can be effective in preventing cabbage worms and beetles from touching crops, while an organic mulch layer, such as straw or woodchips, not only fights off pests but also contributes to maintaining soil health. Certain plants can even help keep pests at bay. Marigolds are known to deter whiteflies and aphids, basil wards off flies, mosquitoes, and some beetles, while nasturtiums can keep cabbage moths and aphids away.
BBC News
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
In pictures: The rainforest garden hidden in Delapre town centre
A couple have transformed their suburban terraced house garden into a rainforest-inspired Pemberton and Linda Aradi said their garden in Delapre, Northampton, was inspired by their travels in green oasis featured on an episode of BBC Two's Gardener's World and presenter Adam Frost said the pair took water gardening to "another level".These pictures show how the couple transformed their garden with banana trees, eucalyptus, bamboo and several water features. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
