Latest news with #TammySons
Daily Mirror
03-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners told to use £1.10 kitchen staple to stop ants from coming into homes
An expert has shared a natural method to stop ants in their tracks this summer, so you can protect your garden from the bugs without using chemicals While having ants in your garden might not be overtly harmful, they're known to be a nuisance that could potentially cause damage. In fact, they're notorious for encouraging pest infestations and disrupting plants - and they can also create large mounds or hills that create uneven surfaces and interfere with mowing. Fortunately, there is a natural method that is known to create a barrier between your garden and ants - and this "tried and true" tip reportedly works with minimum fuss. With summer just around the corner, many green-fingered Brits will be doing all they can to ensure a blooming garden and are turning to natural methods to help defend their plants and their hard work from critters. A gardening expert has explained how a cheap household item can work as a natural barrier to help stop ants ruining your garden. Gardening expert Tammy Sons spoke to GB News and shared her natural solutions for ant control: cinnamon, reports the Express. She said: "I respond to ants attempting to take my fruit and vegetables by using tried-and-true methods that always work." You can create a natural barrier by using diatomaceous earth or cinnamon around your vulnerable plants that's been hailed as a "cost-effective and safe solution to deter ants", Sons said. Another of her top tips to help banish ants from your garden includes other common items found in your kitchen. She said: "My favourite unique approach to keeping ants away from my garden beds involves spreading citrus peels and brewed coffee grounds around the area." She pointed out that this green method serves as both an ant repellent and a brilliant way to recycle kitchen waste, explaining that "ants dislike the particular scent which doubles as a fantastic method to recycle kitchen waste". When it comes to protecting fruit trees, Sons advocates using a sticky barrier insect trap, a tactic that deters ants without resorting to harsh chemicals. She stressed the need for a garden to be a haven for plants but not for ants, stating: "Your gardening space should welcome plant growth while remaining unattractive to ants." The expert also noted that small lifestyle changes can have a big impact without breaking the bank, adding: "Adopting minimal lifestyle changes produces significant results with very little financial investment,". Gardening gurus recommend a mix of preventative measures, natural deterrents, and targeted ant control methods for maintaining a garden free of ants.
Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Orchids will instantly grow more shoots if one item is added to water
If you want to perk your orchids up in time for the sunny summer season then experts recommend adding this one affordable item to your watering can to make them grow Summer is finally on the horizon. So, if you want your orchids to be as lush as possible, you should add one cheap item to their water to see them grow like crazy. While orchids are relatively easy to grow, it is important that you use the right kind of water to feed them. Otherwise you may see their rich purple blooms shrivel up and wither. The Royal Horticultural Society advises that "regular watering and misting" and that you should avoid using tap water, but rather boiled water or rainwater. However, experts advise that rice water can also provide them with a host of benefits. Ideal Home posted a TikTok detailing the many nutritional benefits of feeding orchid rice water, as reported by The Express. They said: "It contains starches that provide energy." Starch is good for plants as it allows them to effectively store energy produced during photosynthesis. Ideal Homes also added that rice water contains significant amounts of vitamin B. This is important for plants as it helps strengthen their root system, allowing them to better absorb other nutrients. Tammy Sons is a horticulturist and CEO of TN Nurseries. She told Homes and Gardens that rice water can also "help orchid plants grow more shoots', which in turn encourages flowering. Meanwhile, Jane Dobbs, lead gardener at Allan's Gardeners, also attested to the water's unique benefits. She told Woman&Home that rice water can "lead to healthy growth" because it contains a healthy mix of carbohydrates, amino acids and vitamins. So, how do you make rice water? The first step is to boil some rice. When you do this, the starch and vitamins from the rice leeches into the water. You should then leave it to cool to room temperature, to avoid shocking the plant. Then mix one part rice water to one part normal water to dilute it. It's very important to dilute the rice water. This is because prevents the potting mix of the plant from hardening due to its high starch content. The orchid should be watered once every two to three weeks, pouring the rice water directly onto the soil. It's important not to overwater, as this can lead to mushy roots and droopy leaves. If you're not quite sure when to water your orchid, a safe bet is to wait until the soil is dry and the roots appear silvery. This is a good indicator that your plant is thirsty. To keep your orchid as healthy as possible, you should grow it in bark-based compost. It should also be placed in bright indirect sunlight. Equally, be careful about exposing them to cold draughts, as this can cause them to droop. Orchids do well in indoor settings, with access to central heating.
