Latest news with #GardeningHints
The Sun
5 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Houseplants will ‘bloom for years' thanks to common item in your food bin – and peace lilies find it ‘so tasty'
IF you often struggle to keep your houseplants alive (don't worry, we do too), then you've come to the right place. There's nothing worse than someone giving you a houseplant and just days later, it's looking worse for wear. 3 3 But now, luckily for you, we've found a handy hack that will ensure your plants bloom for years. And fear not, you won't have to nip out and splash the cash on pricey fertiliser - in fact, the secret may even be in your food bin. Peace lilies in particular are said to find this trick 'so tasty', so if you want to ensure repeat blooming, this homemade feed is one you won't want to miss. When it comes to caring for peace lilies, it is important to only feed them once a month during the growing season, which is spring and summer. It turns out that overfeeding can be harmful, so it's important to avoid excess fertiliser. And now, gardening enthusiasts have shared a super simple homemade fertiliser - and the key ingredient is banana peels. Taking to the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook page, an anonymous user explained: 'In the summer, I feed my houseplants with a homemade banana soak. 'My peace lily loves it, just thought I'd share it in case anyone is struggling. 'I've always struggled to get my peace lilies looking good, but bananas make them bloom for years.' The gardening guru then added: 'Once I've eaten a banana or given it to my dog, I'll chop the peel and soak it in some warm water. Gardening hacks to grow fruit from your weekly shop 'After a few days, pour sparingly on your plants, so tasty for them.' The social media post attracted numerous comments from other houseplant enthusiasts, who also praised the effective banana peel trick. *If you click a link in this boxout, we may earn affiliate revenue Nick Grey, Gtech Inventor and CEO shared the tasks to crack on with as Spring arrives. 1. Clean your garden Make sure to clear away all leaves, soil and plant debris from your patios and flower beds; this creates a healthier environment for new growth, especially as we get into the summer months. Gtech's Garden Safety Kit includes durable gardening gloves and safety glasses; perfect for comfortability whilst tackling those outdoor tasks. 2. Weeding Early Spring is the best time to tackle weeds; if you can introduce some regular weeding into your routine, you can guarantee a tidy garden all year round. 3. Hedge maintenance Spring is the ideal time to tidy up overgrown hedges and shrubs, as regular trimming ensures healthy growth and reduces pest issues. Using a tool like the Gtech Lightweight Hedge Trimmer can help to keep your greenery looking sharp and neat. 4. Composting Starting a compost heap this spring is a pro-active, cost-effective way to harness nutritious soil for your plants and recycle organic waste that will benefit the overall health of your greenery and foliage. 5. Look after your lawn Lawn care is hugely important in assuring your garden stays looking beautiful. Make sure to rake away any excess leaves and trim your grass routinely. One user beamed: 'Heard lots about this, so I gave it a go. I only use it now and again and then a proper feed in between, but it's fantastic.' Whilst a second chimed in: 'All houseplants love this, not just peace lilies, but be careful not to over water.' According to houseplant enthusiasts, soaking banana peels in water releases nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus and magnesium, which are beneficial for many houseplants, but peace lilies in particular. It is crucial to dilute the banana water with water to make it last longer and ensure it doesn't overwhelm the plant. 8 must-have plants to brighten up your garden Nick Hamilton owner of Barnsdale Gardens has shared his favourite plants and flowers you should consider adding to your garden, borders and pots. Tricyrtis A spectacular plant that gives a real exotic feel to any garden with its orchid-like, spotted flowers giving the impression that this plant should be tender but it is 'as tough as old boots!'. Penstemon I love this plants genus of because most will flower all summer and autumn. They'll grow in sun or semi-shade in a well drained soil and produce a non-stop display of tubular flowers in an array of colours and colour combination to suit all tastes. Luzula sylvatica 'Marginata' With the evergreen leaves edged with yellow it's great asset is that it will grow in sun or shade in any type of soil and is great as groundcover in the hardest spot to fill - dry shade. Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue' A stunning, nectar-rich plant that will feed the beneficial insects in your garden. Leave the flowerheads once they have turned brown because they look stunning with winter frost and snow, extending the plant's interest period. Sarcococca hookeriana 'Winter Gem' If you need winter scent then look no further than this compact, evergreen shrub. The scent is stunning and the evergreen leaves create an excellent backdrop for the summer flowers. Cornus sanguinea 'Anny's Winter Orange' A dwarf version of 'Midwinter Fire' the very colourful stems create a stunning winter display, particularly on sunny days. Rosa 'Noisette Carnee' A very well-behaved climbing rose that is perfect for training over an arch, pergola or gazebo. The small, 'noisette' flowers are blush-pink and produce the most amazing clove scent constantly from June to November. Sanguisorba hakusanensis 'Lilac Squirrel' I've never seen a squirrel with a drooping, shaggy lilac tail, but this variety will give your garden an unusual and different look throughout summer. It does need a moisture retentive soil but will grow in sun or semi-shade. Not only this, but banana peels can also be used to fertilise outdoor plants, including tomatoes, bell peppers, roses and hydrangeas. If planting a new plant, you should simply scatter some banana peels beneath the compost, or place them around the top of the soil. Not only will this be beneficial to your plants, but it can also help to deter pests such as slugs, who hate rough surfaces.
Daily Mirror
02-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners warned not to use 'cheap drink' on hydrangeas and roses
Gardeners have been warned not to use 'instant coffee granules' on hydrangeas and roses after a woman asked for advice on the popular household scrap item Gardeners are buzzing over a household scrap that could spell the end for disappointing hydrangea and rose blooms. Coffee grounds, long considered waste, have been hailed as green gold among the gardening community for helping to deliver massive bursts of blossoms that are universally adored. For plant lovers seeking that extra flourish, Luci Nunes turned to social media for advice, posting on the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook group: "Hi can anyone clear a doubt for me please? Someone has said to use coffee grounds to get nice blooms from hydrangeas and roses and to get blue hydrangeas. Can I use instant coffee granules?" Rapid responses piled up in the comment section, but the consensus was a resounding no, especially considering the specificity of coffee type. Eileen Austin added her input, stating firmly: "No. It needs to be ground coffee. A lot of coffee shops give away the spent grounds, but not all." Meanwhile, Clare Wilson shared her unique method: "I use finished Tassimo pods and Dolce Gusto pods to keep getting bigger and better blooms from roses and hydrangeas. It keeps slugs and snails away from my plants too. "I empty them all into a container then yes just sprinkle around the base of plants. But until they dry out don't put a lid on the container or they go mouldy." Karen Davis wrote: "Only add used coffee grounds to your plants. I found that they turned my pink hydrangeas blue. I love it." The green-fingered pros at PlantIn note that coffee grounds are packed with minerals like magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. Phosphorus and potassium are known to boost plant yields, while nitrogen plays a key role in photosynthesis, aiding plants to "grow faster". Additionally, coffee grounds possess antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that transfer essential nutrients to your garden. Unused, fresh coffee grounds can be too acidic, so they're not recommended for brewing, reports the Express. Being slightly acidic, coffee is a treat for acid-loving flora such as hydrangeas, along with nutrient-starved beauties like roses; however, moderation is the watchword for any individual plant's dosage.
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners say kitchen staple is 'better than vinegar' for killing weeds
Green-fingered gardeners have discovered a hack that is "better" than white vinegar when it comes to zapping pesky gravel weeds - and it's likely to already be in your kitchen Keen gardeners have revealed the kitchen staple they say is "better" than white vinegar when it comes to banishing pesky gravel weeds. Gravel paths and driveways can be a real eyesore when weeds start to take over, turning a neat outdoor space into an unruly jungle. The struggle to remove these unwelcome guests is all too familiar for many gardeners, but fear not, as green-fingered enthusiasts have unearthed a hack that trumps white vinegar and promises to zap weeds "almost instantly". And the best part? This miracle solution is likely already in your kitchen. The ingenious tip was revealed by members of the Gardening Hints and Tips group on Facebook, following a plea for help from one individual plagued by persistent weeds on their gravel drive. They posted: "I've seen lots of posts lately about the use of white vinegar and salt for weed killing. I have a gravel-covered drive and can't seem to keep the weeds in check, even using the recommended weed killer for paths. "Would they work on the drive or is there something better? There are no other plants in the vicinity and it's not like I would be planting anything on the drive in future." Group members swiftly chimed in with their suggestions for the poster, and while many endorsed white vinegar and salt as effective solutions, they highlighted something even better - washing powder. One member shared: "I used to use salt on my alleyway and it works, but washing powder was better for me." One person shared their success story, saying: "I had success with some cheap soap powder and boiling water." Another member praised the quick action of washing powder, stating: "Laundry powders are amazing on gravel weeds. You can see the results almost instantly." For those who already use washing powder for their laundry, this solution is readily available at home, reports the Express. However, if you're more familiar with using pods or liquid detergent, you'll need to get your hands on some powdered form. This can be easily added to your shopping list during your regular supermarket visit, with prices starting from just £3. Gardening expert Tom Clifford from Gardenstone has previously shared a handy tip with Ideal Home for those looking to avoid harsh chemicals: "Strong chemical weed killers, although effective, can often be harmful to your patio surface, especially if it's made from delicate stone. "Washing powder offers a softer option that shouldn't damage your patio surface but will effectively kill weeds. Plus, washing powder is a common household item, making it much more accessible and affordable than chemical weed killers." It contains boron, a substance toxic to plants, which can be used as an effective weed killer. However, caution is advised as it can also harm desirable plants. To apply, simply sprinkle washing powder over the affected area and douse with boiling water.
