Latest news with #Gardeners'WorldMagazine
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Alan Titchmarsh's 'simple' and 'magic' hack to kill weeds in an instant
Alan Titchmarsh has shared his 'magic' hack to kill weeds in the garden without using chemicals, which is perfect if you want to avoid backbreaking weeding in the summer heat Summer's arrival means many are eager to lounge in their gardens, not wrestle with weeds. Weeds can be a real blight on paths, and it's crucial to tackle them swiftly as they draw pests into gardens and vie with plants for essentials like sunlight, water and nutrients. Fortunately, gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh has disclosed a straightforward method to dispatch weeds without resorting to harsh chemicals or futile efforts. On the Gardeners' World Magazine podcast, Alan divulged that the most effective natural way to annihilate weeds and hit them at the root is by dousing them with boiling water straight from the kettle. Alan advised: "On gravel paths, a bit of boiling water works a bit of magic." Simply boil your kettle, then cautiously transport the sealed kettle to the patio weeds, and pour the scalding water directly onto the weeds to target them accurately. The intense heat will immediately wilt the weed leaves, preventing them from photosynthesising and proliferating in your garden, reports the Express. However, eradicating these stubborn plants might require two or three attempts, as the boiling water technique gradually destroys the weed and its root, ensuring it won't sprout anew. After just a few hours of the initial boiling water treatment, weeds will appear withered and damaged, but persist with the hot water assaults to guarantee they're gone for good. The method of using boiling water to kill weeds should only be applied on patios, pathways and driveways as it will target the roots of any plants it comes into contact with, including lawn grass and flowers. To eradicate weeds in your garden, it's best to uproot them. However, according to Alan, this doesn't have to be a strenuous task as he suggests using a Dutch hoe to simplify the process. Alan advised: "It makes it easier to keep down annual weeds simply by skimming a hoe between the rows. The important thing to do is skim, not dig." For smaller weeds that tend to sneak into the nooks and crannies of flowerbeds, Alan recommends using a hand fork or simply yanking them out by hand once you spot them in the garden. The optimal way to handle lawn weeds, according to Alan, is to "just keep mowing", as maintaining a regular lawn care schedule will prevent these pesky plants from sprouting in the first place. Giving Alan's weed-killing advice a go is a swift and simple way to eliminate weeds so you can spend more time savouring your garden this summer.
Daily Record
25-04-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Alan Titchmarsh says planting these 4 flowers will deter slugs from your garden
Slugs and snails feed off dead leaves which is helpful in any garden , but they also munch on the leaves of plants leaving holes in them. This causes headaches for green-fingered homeowners everywhere. And springtime is when the slimy pests appear to wreak havoc in your garden. While you can buy ready made solutions to banish them, there is a simple way to deter slugs and snails from making your plants their main meal. Gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh said that you just need to plant four things to keep them away. By planting these four varieties you will save yourself the work of having to try and get rid of slugs and a lot of holey leaves. Speaking on the Gardeners' World Magazine podcast, Alan said ferns are particularly useful at keeping slugs and snails away from your plants. He said: "You think they are boring, aren't they? Well, they are not and they are brilliant for shady spots ." They have the added benefit of being easy to care for. There are various ferns to choose from, and they can last several years in the garden. Alan recommended picking up dryopteris, which is also known as a wood fern. They thrive in areas that lack moisture, which is the opposite of what slugs and snails look for. He also singled out geraniums. These plants are also very easy to take care of, and thrive in the sunshine. And he said they will last until autumn too. Here's Alan's four picks to deter the munching molluscs this spring. Slugs and snails do really hate sun-loving plants, and alchemilla is a great example. Also known as Lady's Mantle, their bright yellow colour can help eliminate slugs and snails. On the podcast, Alan explained: 'It has these scalloped-edged leaves which hold on to water like quicksilver… Which are coated in very fine down… Which puts slugs and snails off eating them.' As reported by the Daily Mail, alchemillas can also stop weeds from emerging in flowerbeds and borders. As the plant has broad leaves spreading widely outwards, it doesn't leave enough room or light for weeds to grow in the soil beneath. Fuchsias and penstemons tend to grow bigger than other flowers and can even reach very tall heights under the right conditions. Nonetheless, Alan warned about them not surviving the cold weather, only being able to keep the slugs and snails away during the summer. Overall, the gardening expert said that the best thing to do is to look for flowers with fluffy leaves or downy stems, as pests usually avoid them because they aren't as tasty as other flowers. Despite ferns being a great option, they don't bring as much colour and vibrancy to a garden as geraniums would. These plants are also very easy to take care of, and thrive in the sunshine. Alan explained that these flowers will last 'right the way through the summer' and keep any outdoor space looking beautiful for months. Ferns are easy to take care of, and they're also one of the most resilient plants in getting rid of slugs and snails from the garden. During an interview with the Gardeners' World Magazine podcast, he said: 'You think they are boring, aren't they? Well, they are not and they are brilliant for shady spots.' There are various ferns to choose from, and they can last several years in the garden. Alan recommended picking up dryopteris, which is also known as a wood fern. They thrive in areas that lack moisture, which is the opposite of what slugs and snails look for.
Daily Mirror
25-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Alan Titchmarsh urges gardeners to plant four flowers to keep slugs away
Gardeners dislike snails and slugs taking over their beautiful garden spaces, but Alan Titchmarsh has revealed four must-have flowers that will keep them away all-year round Every gardener dislikes slugs and snails roaming around their beautiful garden spaces. Gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh has revealed four flowers in the garden that can help keep them away for good. Although warmer temperatures and longer days sound like a delightful treat, it also comes with some extra work when it comes to the maintenance of our outdoor spaces. But by planting the right, gardeners can rest assured that these unwanted visitors will not be coming anywhere near their plants. There's nothing more frustrating for a gardener than seeing holes in the leaves of their well-taken care of plants because slugs and snails were feeling a bit peckish. Despite the molluscs being an important part of a garden's ecosystem for eating dead leaves, they can still get quite annoying whenever they feed on healthy plants. But don't worry, according to gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh, there are four plants that will help gardeners naturally deter these pests. Ferns Ferns are easy to take care of, and they're also one of the most resilient plants in getting rid of slugs and snails from the garden. During an interview with the Gardeners' World Magazine podcast, he said: 'You think they are boring, aren't they? Well, they are not and they are brilliant for shady spots.' There are various ferns to choose from, and they can last several years in the garden. Alan recommended picking up dyropteris, which is also known as a wood fern. They thrive in areas that lack moisture, which is the opposite of what slugs and snails look for. Geraniums Despite ferns being a great option, they don't bring as much colour and vibrancy to a garden as geraniums would. These plants are also very easy to take care of, and thrive in the sunshine. Alan explained that these flowers will last 'right the way through the summer' and keep any outdoor space looking beautiful for months. Alchemilla Slugs and snails do really hate sun-loving plants, and alchemilla is a great example. Also known as Lady's Mantle, their bright yellow colour can help eliminate slugs and snails. On the podcast, he explained: 'It has these scalloped-edged leaves which hold on to water like quicksilver… Which are coated in very fine down… Which puts slugs and snails off eating them.' As reported by the Daily Mail, alchemillas can also stop weeds from emerging in flowerbeds and borders. As the plant has broad leaves spreading widely outwards, it doesn't leave enough room or light for weeds to grow in the soil beneath. Fuchsias and Penstemons Fuchsias and penstemons tend to grow bigger than other flowers and can even reach very tall heights under the right conditions. Nonetheless, Alan warned about them not surviving the cold weather, only being able to keep the slugs and snails away during the summer. Overall, the gardening expert said that the best thing to do is to look for flowers with fluffy leaves or downy stems, as pests usually avoid them because they aren't as tasty as other flowers.
