Latest news with #GardeningHintsandTips
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Banish gravel weeds using household item that's 'better than vinegar'
Weeds can thrive in areas of the garden with high moisture levels and such little sunlight - but an expert has shared a 'better' alternative to vinegar and salt Weeds possess the pesky knack for flourishing in garden spots where moisture abounds and sunlight is scarce. Gravel areas can accumulate rain, dust, bird droppings, and other detritus, creating a fertile breeding ground for weeds. Windborne seeds, animal fur hitchhikers, or those unwittingly carried on footwear can all lead to weeds sprouting in gravel. Once these seeds find the right conditions moist, warm and humid - they begin to grow and extend their roots. Even with landscape fabric or weed membranes in place, some stubborn weeds manage to pierce through and emerge. Suzie Briggs - after coming across suggestions of using white vinegar and salt to tackle gravel weeds - sought guidance on the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook group. She queried: "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." Fellow group members responded in the comments, concurring that while these kitchen staples "work well" they suggested she opt for a "better" domestic solution - washing powder, reports the Express. Simone Mister commented: "I used to use salt on my alleyway and it works, but washing powder was better for me." Sarah McEvoy shared: "I had success with some cheap soap powder and boiling water." Vera Hill said: "Laundry powders are amazing on gravel weeds. You can see the results almost instantly." Chatting with Ideal Home, Gardenstone's gardening expert Tom Clifford concurred with these tactics, advising: "Strong chemical weed killers, although effective, can often be harmful to your patio surface, especially if it's made from delicate stone." He explained: "Washing powder offers a gentler option that shouldn't harm your patio surface but will effectively kill weeds." Further illuminating on its benefits, he added: "In addition, washing powder is a regular household object, making it much more accessible and affordable than chemical weed killers." When considering the science behind it, washing powder's inclusion of boron spells doom for garden invaders, as this element is toxic to plants, causing them to shrivel and perish upon contact. For those utilising washing powder against unwelcome greenery, simply douse the gravel or patio crevices in the powder, then drench it with boiling water. Once vegetation has turned a tell-tale brown and begins succumbing to defeat, a quick sweep should clear them out. For effective removal, a sturdy broom such as Wick's Deluxe Stiff Bassine Broom, priced at £9.50, or even Homebase's comparable Stiff Bassine Wooden Broom at £9 should do the trick.
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Cheap item cats 'won't go near' to stop them pooing in your garden
Cats can be a real nuisance in gardens, but it's important to know the law before using any deterrents. Luckily, gardeners have shared a humane way to keep them at bay Cats can become quite the nuisance in gardens, causing mayhem and destruction amongst the beds and borders. As carnivorous creatures, cats' faeces can harbour parasites that pose a risk to those intending to consume home-grown garden produce. Before opting for any deterrents to address the issue of intrusive felines, it's imperative that gardeners acquaint themselves with pertinent legislation. The right to roam is afforded to cats by law, granting them the freedom to enter neighbouring yards without legal repercussions. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 safeguards our feline friends, meaning inflicting harm with either DIY or commercial repellents could lead to serious legal consequences, potentially culminating in hefty fines or imprisonment. Fortunately, seasoned green thumbs have divulged a benign yet effective deterrent which "won't harm them at all" but will encourage the cats to vacate the premises promptly. One individual, exasperated by the local moggies using his patch as a litter box, appealed for advice on the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook group. Steve Mclane queried: "Can anyone recommend a humane way of stopping neighbours cats using my garden as their toilet? Thanks." A host of horticulture enthusiasts touted the efficacy of citrus peels, especially orange rinds, strewn across their garden territories, reports the Express. Julie Crawey offered her tactic: "I seem to have some new resident cats in my garden this year. Remove the cat poo and put orange peels around. They seem to hate it." Mary Vale echoed this sentiment, stating: "Citrus peel scattered around worked for me. They smell it and scurry away." Nona Maffei shared her experience, recalling: "Citrus fruit peel. I remember I bought a big box of oranges at Christmas time and had them stored in the utility area, and our cat whose food bowl and water were in there, wouldn't go near it. "It took us a while to work out why and it was the smell of oranges so I know 100 per cent that it works." Lucy Prime also confirmed the anti-cat trick, saying: "Orange peel. Cats hate citrus and will run away from it." Bargain hunters will be pleased to know a five-pack of oranges is available for only 99p at Asda, breaking down to just 20p per orange. In comparison, Sainsbury's and Tesco sell individual oranges at 30p each. For those looking for alternative methods, some green-fingered enthusiasts suggested Steve should consider a jet spray as a feline deterrent. Mary Turner, alongside a picture of the £28.98 PestBye Jet Spray Battery Operated Motion Activated Cat Scarer and Repellent available on Amazon, advised: "Get this from Amazon. I haven't seen a cat in my garden since just after getting one of these. My neighbour has two cats and they suggested this." Gerald Henderson recommended a similar solution but pointed to eBay instead, commenting with a photo: "Get this off eBay. Stops them pooing without hurting them." The said cat repellent device is up for grabs on eBay too, coming in at the matching price tag of £28.98.
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Woman finds 'magic' product to remove moss from her lawn in just two days
A woman who was struggling to rid her lawn of moss has found an easy solution that will help others too. The best part is that the product will turn your grass greener too Moss, much like weeds, is infamous for taking over garden lawns, revelling in damp conditions and flourishing in the shadows. When a lawn feels spongy underfoot, it's often due to leafy green stems or fronds of moss, entwined among the grass blades; a tell-tale sign of its presence. The problem often lies with soggy soil conditions, compacted earth, or general grass malaise – without intervention, moss and its rapidly spreading spores will repeatedly conquer your lawn. Yet, avid gardeners have cracked the code for eliminating this uninvited guest and preventing its pesky return. Fed up with a recurring moss invasion, Mandy Brown-Callis sought advice from fellow green-fingered enthusiasts on the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook group, pleading: "Hi, any of you lovely people have any tips on how to rid my lawn of Moss?" Her lawn, increasingly claimed by moss, propelled her to plead: "I have the same problem year in and year out. My lawn now seems to be being taken over by the stuff. Most grateful for any hints or tips. Thank you." While solutions like scarifying and aerating cropped up, one member, Lasma Styles, stood by iron sulphate as the remedy of choice, professing: "Iron sulphate is used to green and toughen up grass as well as to kill off moss." Countering commercial moss killers, she swears by its effectiveness proclaiming: "No need to bother with fancy moss killers, this works like magic in two days, and the moss has died." With confidence, she assures that once dead, the moss can be easily removed, leaving behind an enviable, green turf: "Then you can scrape the blackened moss out and enjoy your green greener grass." However, Lasma has warned gardeners to dilute iron sulphate "correctly and not overdo it" as an excess can be detrimental, reports the Express. She further commented: "Apparently iron sulphate cannot be sold legally as herbicide, but really is the simplest and cheapest way to do it." Garden enthusiasts have a selection of iron sulphate brands to choose from, including the Pro-Kleen 2.5 kg Premium Iron Sulphate available on Amazon for £15.95. In the reviews, customers express satisfaction with the results on their lawns after using this product, noting its effectiveness, value for money, and ease of use. They highlight its solubility, stating it dissolves well in water, and commend the fertiliser for being user-friendly and enhancing the greenness of the grass. The only gripe some customers have is that the container's contents weighed in at less than the advertised 2.5kg.
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners say common laundry product is 'better' than vinegar for weeds
Weeds can be a real pain when they crop up in your garden - but there's an easy method to get rid of them using a common household product that you probably already have at home Gardeners are buzzing over a simple kitchen staple that's been hailed as a miracle weed killer for gravel paths and driveways. Weeds can be the bane of any gardener's life, especially when they sprout between the stones of a gravel path or driveway. It's a real chore to remove them, and if left unchecked, they can quickly overrun the area. But green-fingered enthusiasts have discovered a "better" solution than white vinegar that zaps weeds "almost instantly", and it's likely you've got this wonder product at home already. The savvy tip was revealed by members of the Gardening Hints and Tips group on Facebook, in response to a query about effective weed control alternatives to white vinegar and salt. The individual posted: "I've seen lots of posts lately about the use of white vinegar and salt for weed killing." They continued: "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." Many group members chimed in with their advice, suggesting that while white vinegar and salt could do the trick, there was indeed a superior option – good old washing powder. Garden gurus and savvy shoppers alike have been sharing their top tips online, raving about the unexpected uses of everyday washing powder, particularly when it comes to tackling pesky weeds in your garden's gravel. One green-fingered enthusiast shared: "I used to use salt on my alleyway and it works, but washing powder was better for me." Meanwhile, another gardener revealed: "I had success with some cheap soap powder and boiling water." A third was quick to highlight the efficacy of the method, claiming: "Laundry powders are amazing on gravel weeds. You can see the results almost instantly." If you're already using washing powder for your clothes, you're in luck as this staple is readily at your disposal. However, for those accustomed to pods or liquid detergents, a trip to acquire some powdered form may be necessary. Supermarket shelves will carry the product, typically costing a minimum of £3. But if convenience is key, look no further than Amazon, where you might find a hefty 6.5kg box of Surf totalling £15 or perhaps the most economical option—a 400g box of ACDO Miracle Washing Powder for a mere £1.50 from Poundland. Affirming the trick, garden specialist Tom Clifford from Gardenstone previously advised Ideal Home: "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 gentler option that shouldn't harm your patio surface but will effectively kill weeds. In addition, washing powder is a regular household object, making it much more accessible and affordable than chemical weed killers." Washing powder, which contains boron, is toxic to plants and thus can be used as an effective weed killer. However, caution should be exercised when using it around other plants you wish to keep, as it could inadvertently harm or kill them. To utilise washing powder as a weed killer, simply scatter the powder onto the gravel or patio gaps, followed by pouring boiling water over it.
Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners name 'wonder' kitchen scrap that will boost hydrangeas and roses
Gardening enthusiasts have revealed that there is a kitchen scrap which can be used to boost the blooms of hydrangeas and roses - and it can be found in most households Gardeners across the UK are buzzing about a natural soil enhancer that could give their hydrangeas and roses an extra blooming edge – used coffee grounds from your kitchen. Katherine Hill sparked a lively discussion on the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook group when she inquired: "I've heard great things about using coffee grounds in the garden, but will they boost the blooms of my roses and hydrangeas?" She dug deeper with questions about application methods: "If so, when putting coffee grounds into your soil, is it possible to put too much? Should I just sprinkle onto the soil or does it need to be mixed in?" Katherine shared her eagerness to try this eco-friendly trick: "I am always throwing out coffee grounds, but I would like to start using them this spring." The post received a groundswell of green-thumbed responses as Lana Lane offered her thumbs-up: "I sprinkle a handful of them around my blueberries, hydrangeas, azaleas and roses and they've never looked better." Sarah Williams advised on a potential pitfall: "Yes in theory. If there's too much caffeine in them it is a growth inhibitor, but a little will do wonders for the plants." Pat Ward commented on her gardening routine: "I throw them all over the yard in shrub and flower beds all year." Lastly, Lyndall Heyer shared her success story: "I just spread around my rosebushes and hydrangeas all summer and they flourish nicely." Sam Bullock gushed about his garden's success, saying: "My hydrangeas, azaleas and roses are thriving right now. They have bigger and better blooms than last year and all I've done differently is added some coffee grounds to the soil." Green-thumbed experts are in agreement that acid-loving beauties such as hydrangeas and roses can truly flourish with a touch of coffee grounds, reports the Express. For those looking to replicate the effect, Millie Durbak from Prestige Flowers has some advice: "Mix used coffee grounds with your garden soil or sprinkle them around the base of your plants." She goes on to highlight the virtues of coffee waste: "The organic matter in coffee grounds improves soil structure and helps with water retention, as well as keeping microbes happy." Not to mention the pep it gives to your patch: "The caffeine content in coffee grounds acts as a natural stimulant, promoting microbial activity in the soil and boosting nutrient absorption, resulting in healthier and more robust plants." It's even been said by gardening enthusiasts that using coffee grounds might nudge hydrangeas towards a striking blue hue, though patience is key, as it's a long-term tactic to up the soil acidity.
