Latest news with #HighgroveEstate
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Home Bargains slashes the price of a garden essential ahead of summer – it's now half off
SHOPPERS are racing to their local Home Bargains to buy half-priced garden essentials as the weather warms up. The retailer is now selling garden parasols in various neutral colours that were originally priced at £49.99 but now cost just £24.99. The product called Crank & Tilt Garden Parasol promises to be convenient with a crank mechanism that does eliminates the need for manually adjusting the parasol. Its canopy has a diameter of 2.7 metres, while the stand is over 2.3 metres tall. One shopper shared their cheap find on the Facebook group Bargain Lovers, posting a picture of the items stocked and writing: "Garden parasols at Home Bargains". In response, another person wrote: "I brought one of these last Friday for £49.99 and yes it does come with a stand." One user commented: "I've got the cream one I love it! Yet to find a stand for it though, they're four separate bits for about £13 each in home bargains." Another user replied to the comment about the stand, saying: "Put it through a hole in your table. That's what I've done!" 4 4 4 It comes as a former royal gardener, Jack Stooks, revealed to The Sun four garden trends that he does not endorse. Jack, who worked at the Highgrove Estate for over 20 years, said his first pet peeve is grass chairs or sofas. "You had these turf-like seats in the garden, which might sound like a great idea," he said. "I think you even used to be able to buy the innards made out of cardboard that you'd fill with soil and then you'd plant grass seed over - they're a bit cringey. "They don't ever really do that well. You can never really sit in them and people don't tend to anyway because the grass is always either wet or it's too dry and then it just becomes sort of like a muddy patch." The second that he mentions is pampas grass - a huge trend back in the '70s. The third cringe-worthy trend is, in Jack's view, a garden filled with gnomes. "Maybe just stick to having one or two gnomes," he said. Finally, Jack is not a fan of themed gardens. He said: "For example, when people go off to Disney, and then come back and think that their garden should be Disneyland-themed and try to re-create this in their garden. "Or they go to see a movie, like Titanic, and they might try and create this in their garden. "It just reminds me of a crazy golf course - but in a garden! "Just stick to a classic garden, as nothing beats those in my opinion." May gardening jobs The Sun's Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you need to crack on with in May. GARDEN growth can go from nought to ninety in May, depending on the weather. The last UK frosts are generally seen at the beginning of the month, so all of a sudden there's so much more to do and grow. Plant out dahlia tubers It's a joy to finally plant out your dahlia tubers. Remember how big they can get - and space accordingly - anything up to half a metre apart. It's a good idea to put your support stakes in now instead of trying to work around them. And make sure you include lots of well rotted manure or decent compost to feed it and then mulch to keep it moist and suppress weeds. They generally start blooming in July. Final feed to Spring flowers You can give a cheeky feed to all your remaining tulips and daffodils. Although the majority of bulbs aren't guaranteed to come back year after year any more, as long as you've left them to die back naturally there's a good chance they'll have stored enough energy to come back again. Tomato feed is fine. Tie up climbers Your clematis, honeysuckle and rambling roses should be well on their way by now - try to use plastic free string to tie them back into their support, or tuck them round each other to make sure they don't sprout off in crazy directions. Feed the lawn It's not too late to give your lawn a good feed. Whether you use granular or liquid, it can give it a good boost to see it through the harsher summer months. While mowing, don't go too low with your cut length yet and never take more than a third off the grass height. Get creative It's also time to get creative with hanging baskets and pots. Trailing pelargoniums, which a lot of people call geraniums, and Begonias are a good, low cost way of getting lovely returning blooms throughout the summer in your baskets. And pots can be planted with spring bulbs. Don't forget the greenhouse! Give your greenhouse a good tidy and clean the glass inside and out. The improved light will help plants grow quicker inside and tidying is good for the soul. You can just use a household white wine vinegar and water solution - or even neat if you're feeling spendy - which gives a really good shine.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Four viral garden trends making guests cringe as soon as they walk in to your space, according to royal gardener
A FORMER royal gardener has revealed four trends that leave guests cringing as soon as they walk into your garden. With another bank holiday just around the corner, many of us have likely made plans to invite friends and family over for BBQs or garden parties. However, guests could be secretly judging your outdoor space, Jack Stooks, who worked at the Highgrove Estate for over 20 years, revealed. Grass Chairs or Sofas Chairs made from mounds of soil that have been turfed over were a trend a few years ago, but according to Jack, are guaranteed to make guests cringe. "You had these turf-like seats in the garden, which might sound like a great idea", he told Fabulous, on behalf of Fruity King. "I think you even used to be able to buy the innards made out of cardboard that you'd fill with soil and then you'd plant grass seed over - they're a bit cringey. "They don't ever really do that well. You can never really sit in them and people don't tend to anyway because the grass is always either wet or it's too dry and then it just becomes sort of like a muddy patch." Pampas Grass Pampas grass was a huge trend in the '70s, but Jack said that if you still have it in your garden, it's bound to make guests cringe. "I consider it massively cringey whenever you see them in a garden," he said. 4 "A friend of mine recently moved house and as soon as I walked into the garden, it was the first thing I noticed." Plus, thanks to the urban myth that if you have Pampas grass in your garden you're a swinger, this might be a trend to avoid. Gardens Full of Gnomes Having gnomes in your garden may add a touch of whimsical charm to your outdoor space, but Jack revealed that having too many of them is a huge no no. "I'm not saying don't have them," he said. 4 "But maybe just stick to having one or two gnomes. "You shouldn't have like 20 gnomes around a fishing pond or playing sports on the lawn, that's what I would consider as very cringe." Themed Gardens You may be tempted to fashion your garden into a shrine to your favourite film or book, but according to Jack, this is bound to make your guests cringe. 4 "For example, when people go off to Disney, and then come back and think that their garden should be Disneyland-themed and try to re-create this in their garden. "Or they go to see a movie, like Titanic, and they might try and create this in their garden. "It just reminds me of a crazy golf course - but in a garden! "Just stick to a classic garden, as nothing beats those in my opinion."
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners urged to plant 3 flowers with huge blooms in King Charles's grounds
The King is famously hands-on when it comes to his own gardens, but even if you don't have the budget to recreate his stunning green spaces, then you can still take a leaf out of his book with these plant recommendations Highgrove House's gardens, under the diligent care of King Charles for many years, attract numerous visitors annually with their exquisite beauty. The King has always been instrumental in the design of his gardens, renowned for his passion for the outdoors and his commitment to sustainable gardening practices to create stunning green spaces. Since ascending the throne, he has also turned his attention to the gardens at Sandringham, crafting a new eco-friendly topiary garden at his Norfolk residence. For those with a green thumb, this season is an ideal time to start planting. If you're aiming to elevate your own garden and populate it with plants worthy of royalty, then these three suggestions from one of his gardeners are worth noting. Jack Stooks, a member of the Highgrove Estate team, shared his top three plant recommendations for those looking to enhance their garden design, while keeping within a budget, in a chat with Fabulous. When planning your garden, it's crucial to consider various plants for different levels to ensure no space goes unused - especially if your outdoor area is on the smaller side. The Royal gardener suggests that if you're looking to add some height to your planting, a clematis would be his first recommendation, reports the Mirror. Jack swears by clematis for adding vertical interest to gardens. "I always recommend for height you want like a clematis which are really really good. The Montana Clematis - they normally like either pinks or whites - and once you've got them and they go up and over a wall or a fence, they do amazingly and they just keep coming year after year after year." He assures garden enthusiasts that investing in these climbers won't break the bank, as Jack points out the higher-end price is around £10, but savvy shoppers can find these blooms at a steal, especially with a watchful eye during supermarket visits. For those seeking hardy yet strikingly beautiful flowers, Jack suggests the Hydrangea Annabelle. Unlike its more soil-sensitive counterparts, this hydrangea isn't picky and thrives in all sorts of earth, boasting large, spherical white blossoms. Eager to spread the joy of horticulture, Jack loves this plant because it grows robustly, "What that tends to do is it tends to just increase in size and get bigger and bigger and bigger and you can actually start chopping bits off it and having plants from the parent. And then you can say to somebody 'Oh I love your plant' you can say 'Here's the baby' and you can pass it on to your family and friends." So not only does this plant amplify garden aesthetics affordably, it also offers a delightful way to share greenery with loved ones without extra expense. Jack's final tip for a quintessentially British garden must-have is the ever-popular lavender. This hardy, vibrant plant not only adds a delightful fragrance to your garden but is also adored by pollinators, helping to bring essential wildlife into your outdoor space. For those new to gardening, lavender is an excellent choice due to its low maintenance needs, as Jack points out: "It doesn't need much watering, it doesn't need too much in the way of care. And if you get them in the right spot - not too wet a spot, but a good sunny position - they'll do really well for you year after year."
Scottish Sun
14-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
Ex-royal gardener reveals the everyday kitchen staple to help give your flowers a boost in the garden this summer
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FORMER royal gardener has revealed the kitchen staple that can give your flowers a boost for summer. With temperatures set to remain high this weekend, it's the perfect time to get outside and get stuck in to your gardening tasks. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 A young woman gardeninghttp://195.154.178.81/DATA/i_collage/pi/shoots/ Credit: Getty 3 Jack Stooks is a former royal gardener who worked for the Highgrove Estate Credit: Twitter/X 3 Coffee grounds can be used as compost to give plants a boost Credit: Getty And although you may think that getting your garden in tip top shape will involve the use of pricey products, Jack Stooks, a former royal gardener, has revealed that a throwaway item has a multitude of uses in the garden. The gardener, who previously worked at the Highgrove Estate, revealed that leftover coffee grounds are great to use as compost. "They are great to use in compost, they break down well and add to the mix, so that's definitely something worth doing," he said, on behalf of Coffee Friend. "You can also add them directly to garden beds. Read more gardening stories UP IN SPACE The 7 expert hacks to help your garden feel bigger from colours to furniture "If you're producing a lot of grounds, they can even act a bit like a mulch and get worked into the soil.' Compost provides essential nutrients to plants, helping to give them a boost so they bloom bright in summer. However, Jack warned that since coffee is acidic it is not suitable for all types of plants. He explained that ericaceous plants - things like rhododendrons, azaleas, and hydrangeas prefer acidic soil, so will tolerate the coffee grounds well. However, he added that for plants that don't like acidic soil, coffee grounds are best avoided. The gardening whizz also revealed that coffee grounds can be used as a hack to deter squirrels. Grow your groceries - how to grow tomatoes from tomatoes! Simply place them around bird feeders and the strong smell of the grounds will keep the pests away. However, he added that the hack is messy as the grounds will turn to sludge once it rains. "Birds will walk through it, and that mess can then turn into a breeding ground for disease, which could spread among the bird population," he warned. Sharing an alternative tip, Jack advised using Slinky to keep squirrels at bay. 5 ways to save money in your garden Garden design experts at Lighting Legends have revealed the ways you can lower gardening costs. 1. Install a water butt Water butts are a large container that sits in your garden and collects rainwater. This water can then be used to water plants, top up ponds or water features and wash the patio and other garden furniture. The natural outdoor water could help you save money on your water bills as you are less likely to use a hose during the summer months. 2. Use solar powered or LED lighting Solar powered lights get their energy from the sunlight in the day so they can illuminate your garden at night. They're easy to install and are a great choice for keeping electricity bills low. LED lights are another option that are long lasting and energy efficient. 3. Grow your own salad and vegetables Growing your own salad and vegetables will not only save you money but it can also feel really rewarding. Things like lettuce, radishes, and spinach are all fairly easy to grow. 4. Upcycle waste and rubbish Get creative and start upcycling items instead of throwing them away. Use sticks from ice lollies as plant tags or turn old watering cans and wheelbarrows into planters instead of buying new pots. Once you get creative the ways to upcycle are endless. 5. Start composting Start composting your kitchen scraps like vegetable peelings and coffee grounds and combine them with garden waste such as leaves and grass clippings to create a nutrient rich compost. This could reduce your need to spend money on expensive fertilisers. 'You can simply thread it down the pole of your bird feeder, and when a squirrel tries to climb it, they simply can't, " he said. "It's a much cleaner and safer solution than spreading coffee grounds everywhere, just in case they get wet.' Jack previously revealed the one mistake gardeners should never make to their lawns, if they are keen to keep grass green and healthy. "When it gets too hot, what you definitely don't want to do is keep mowing the grass and keeping it as short as possible", he told Big Fat Links. "You want to forgo cutting for a week or two so that the grass keeps growing by itself, rather than depleting it. "Wait until you have some moisture back in the soil."
The Sun
14-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Ex-royal gardener reveals the everyday kitchen staple to help give your flowers a boost in the garden this summer
A FORMER royal gardener has revealed the kitchen staple that can give your flowers a boost for summer. With temperatures set to remain high this weekend, it's the perfect time to get outside and get stuck in to your gardening tasks. 3 3 3 And although you may think that getting your garden in tip top shape will involve the use of pricey products, Jack Stooks, a former royal gardener, has revealed that a throwaway item has a multitude of uses in the garden. The gardener, who previously worked at the Highgrove Estate, revealed that leftover coffee grounds are great to use as compost. "They are great to use in compost, they break down well and add to the mix, so that's definitely something worth doing," he said, on behalf of Coffee Friend. "You can also add them directly to garden beds. "If you're producing a lot of grounds, they can even act a bit like a mulch and get worked into the soil.' Compost provides essential nutrients to plants, helping to give them a boost so they bloom bright in summer. However, Jack warned that since coffee is acidic it is not suitable for all types of plants. He explained that ericaceous plants - things like rhododendrons, azaleas, and hydrangeas prefer acidic soil, so will tolerate the coffee grounds well. However, he added that for plants that don't like acidic soil, coffee grounds are best avoided. The gardening whizz also revealed that coffee grounds can be used as a hack to deter squirrels. Grow your groceries - how to grow tomatoes from tomatoes! Simply place them around bird feeders and the strong smell of the grounds will keep the pests away. However, he added that the hack is messy as the grounds will turn to sludge once it rains. " Birds will walk through it, and that mess can then turn into a breeding ground for disease, which could spread among the bird population," he warned. Sharing an alternative tip, Jack advised using Slinky to keep squirrels at bay. 5 ways to save money in your garden Garden design experts at Lighting Legends have revealed the ways you can lower gardening costs. 1. Install a water butt Water butts are a large container that sits in your garden and collects rainwater. This water can then be used to water plants, top up ponds or water features and wash the patio and other garden furniture. The natural outdoor water could help you save money on your water bills as you are less likely to use a hose during the summer months. 2. Use solar powered or LED lighting Solar powered lights get their energy from the sunlight in the day so they can illuminate your garden at night. They're easy to install and are a great choice for keeping electricity bills low. LED lights are another option that are long lasting and energy efficient. 3. Grow your own salad and vegetables Growing your own salad and vegetables will not only save you money but it can also feel really rewarding. Things like lettuce, radishes, and spinach are all fairly easy to grow. 4. Upcycle waste and rubbish Get creative and start upcycling items instead of throwing them away. Use sticks from ice lollies as plant tags or turn old watering cans and wheelbarrows into planters instead of buying new pots. Once you get creative the ways to upcycle are endless. 5. Start composting Start composting your kitchen scraps like vegetable peelings and coffee grounds and combine them with garden waste such as leaves and grass clippings to create a nutrient rich compost. This could reduce your need to spend money on expensive fertilisers. 'You can simply thread it down the pole of your bird feeder, and when a squirrel tries to climb it, they simply can't, " he said. "It's a much cleaner and safer solution than spreading coffee grounds everywhere, just in case they get wet.' Jack previously revealed the one mistake gardeners should never make to their lawns, if they are keen to keep grass green and healthy. "When it gets too hot, what you definitely don't want to do is keep mowing the grass and keeping it as short as possible", he told Big Fat Links. "You want to forgo cutting for a week or two so that the grass keeps growing by itself, rather than depleting it. "Wait until you have some moisture back in the soil."
