Latest news with #JackStooks
The Sun
6 days ago
- General
- The Sun
I'm a gardening expert – why using a kale leaf is a key DIY hack to keeping pests out of your gardens this summer
SUMMER is the perfect for enjoying your garden - but it's also when unwanted pests start to show up. However, former royal gardener Jack Stooks has revealed there are some very simple tricks to keep them at bay, including using a kale leaf. 6 6 Speaking to SEO experts at Big Fat Links, King Charles' former employee has revealed his natural methods that are safe for plants, pets, and people. According to Jack - who worked his gardening magic at Highgrove for over two decades - these easy hacks will keep it pest-free throughout the growing season… 1. Kale leaves Jack shared how a 'useful and cost-effective way of getting rid of slugs is to use kale leaves. Alternatively if you've got any cabbage, brussel sprouts, or anything similar growing in the garden, you can use the leaves off of the bases of those. So you're not wasting anything, you're using leaves that you wouldn't use anyway. The former royal gardener explained: 'You put those onto the surface of the soil in areas where you know slugs are coming. 'And then you put a tile or a sort of large flattish rock over the leaf. 'Then in the early morning you go and you pick up the stone and the leaf will normally be covered with slugs - big and small. 'You can then either get rid of that leaf or obviously pick them all off and, and pop them in compost or use them as animal feed.' Keep It Clean: How to stop pests from taking over this summer 6 2. Torch light Another hack doesn't cost a penny but may take some time. Jack explained: 'At night, another good hack is to go round and look for pests with a torch. 'So you simply go out with a torch and just hand-pick them. 'Slugs and snails are usually good ones to go out and remove.' 3. Beer/yeast traps Another way to hinder pesky slugs is using a beer trap, also known as a yeast trap. King Charles' former gardener shared: 'You simply put a glass jar into the soil, making sure that it's ground level. 'Then you put a little bit of beer into it (usually around a quarter of a jar). 'You can then cover it with a rock to stop any bigger animals like mice or similar from going inside. 'Slugs will tend to go in, through the sides, as well as snails.' 6 4. Soap spray Jack also suggested that you make a soap spray to get rid of pests on flowers such as roses. He added: 'Now is probably the perfect time to be doing this as well. 'For the mixture, you simply mix soap with water, and pop it into a little sprayer. 'Then you can just spray it onto the plants of choice.' 6 6 5. Garlic spray His final tip was to make a spray using garlic. Jack explained: 'For this, you mix garlic and water to make the mixture. 'If you have any rabbits or similar types of animals that are eating your herbs and other things in your garden, you can spray this garlic spray over the plants which usually works to deter animals from said plant or flowers.'
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.
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
Home Bargains slashes the price of a garden essential ahead of summer – it's now half off
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Home Bargains is selling its garden parasols at half price Credit: Alamy 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 The Outdoor Living Collection Crank & Tilt Parasol is on offer for half price Credit: Facebook/BARGAIN LOVERS 🛍 Poundland, Home Bargains, B&M, Primark, The Range & More 4 It is available in navy, light grey, dark grey and ecru Credit: Home Bargains 4 The canopy spans 2.7 metres Credit: Home Bargains 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." Peter O'Mahony's wife Jessica gives Instagram followers tour around garden 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."
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Four viral garden trends making guests cringe as soon as they walk in to your space, according to royal gardener
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 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Jack was a royal gardener for more than 20 years Credit: Twitter/X 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 Jack revealed that Pampas grass is bound to make guests cringe Credit: Alamy "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 Jack recommended sticking to just one or two gnomes Credit: Getty "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 Jack advised against theming your garden around a favourite book or film Credit: Alamy "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."
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."
