Latest news with #Titchmarsh
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- General
- The Irish Sun
The £6.99 Robert Dyas gadget that gets rid of weeds instantly and Alan Titchmarsh is a fan
IF you're in need of a weeding hack that is sure to stop pesky plants popping up all over your garden - fear not, you've come to the right place. Alan Titchmarsh has revealed his go-to gadget that instantly destroys weeds. Advertisement 2 Alan Titchmarsh has revealed his handy weeding tool Credit: PA 2 The Wilkinson Sword Stainless Steel Weed Grubber can be bought for under £7 Credit: The handy tool can be snatched up for just £6.99, and is currently being sold at Robert Dyas. And it's bound to help Brits Renowned gardening expert Titchmarsh unveiled his secret device writing for Country Life. His neat Advertisement READ MORE REAL LIFE Titchmarsh revealed that he uses a handy The broadcaster said that his tidiness on the lawn was "confined to weekly Highlighting the key timings, he also told of what fertiliser is best to use. But he cautioned to use it only at the correct times. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous He explained: "I feed with the ubiquitous blood, fish and bone in April and again in June, and extract any large rosettes of plantain or dandelion with a daisy grubber." The I hate my new build garden being overlooked so found a 5 METRE privacy fence to block out nosy neighbours for under £30 According to Robert Dyas, the One shopper who bought the grubber branded it a "brilliant little tool". Advertisement They said: "This works well for smaller weeds, and does not remove too much of your lawn!" Another said: "Perfect for weeding my strawberry patch and great value for money." They recommended the product and rated it five stars. Titshmarsh added that ubiquitous blood fish and bone was the best fertiliser for this job. Advertisement An organic fertiliser, this all-natural mix of dried animal by-products gives grass a steady dose of nutrients without scorching it or harming the soil. It can feed lawns slowly over time, helping roots grow deep and strong, while boosting the health of the soil underneath. As opposed to commercial lawn feed, it can prove to be a great substitute and one that old-school gardeners love to go for.
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Tomatoes will grow 'anywhere' in garden with Alan Titchmarsh's technique
Tomato season is currently in full swing, and to get the best growth from your at-home plants there's a quick trick that Alan Titchmarsh has recommended. It's prime season for your homegrown tomatoes to begin flourishing in gardens, and Alan Titchmarsh has dished out a top tip to help you harvest plump and luscious tomatoes. The seasoned British gardener and television host swears by one simple technique to boost your backyard bounty. Starting off young tomato plants in a growth bag is standard practice, and it's ideal for those who are tight on space. On an episode of Gardening With Alan Titchmarsh, the green-fingered guru said: "There is nothing more satisfying than biting into a sweet, juicy, sun-warmed, home-grown tomato. And I'm going to show you how to grow your own, whether you've got a large garden, a small garden, or no garden at all." He added: "The beauty of a grow bag is it can go in any garden or no garden at all. So if you've got a balcony, a terrace, a patio, a yard where it's concrete, this is your man. Because just lay it on the concrete, plant into it, and you've got an instant pocket border." Grow bags offer incredible versatility and can bring life to balconies, terraces, patios, or anywhere—even without a traditional garden. But here's the kicker: not everyone realises that pairing them with grow bag canes can take their tomato-growing game to new heights. Bush tomatoes are one variety that stay grounded without needing support. However, cordon tomatoes, known for their singular tall stem, will need a bit of help to reach their fruitful potential, reports the Express. Most of these bags are perfect for growing a variety of produce including tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, and melons, and they're versatile enough to be placed just about anywhere. Whether you pop them in a greenhouse, on a soil bed, or even on a concrete surface, they contain everything your plants crave. Alan Titchmarsh's clever tip involves using cane supports with the bags, which can be easily manoeuvred around the bag for a snug fit. A little wiggle might be needed to slot the bag between the support's bars, but once done, it should encircle the bag perfectly. Cordon tomatoes, known for their lofty growth, need sturdy canes for support, and it's these varieties that Titchmarsh hails as "the best croppers". He recommends: "One, a red one called Shirley, and the other, a sort of orange-yellow called Sunset. I like a bit of colour on the salad plate, and those two should do very nicely." Tomatoes burst with flavour, and among them, cherry tomatoes stand out, growing on lengthy vines instead of bushes or tall structures. You'll find a rainbow of tomato types offering a spectrum of colours from red to orange, yellow, striped, and even black. Gardening buffs also advise that tomatoes love nutrient-rich, moisture-holding soil and bask in warm, sunny spots. They should be planted deep and spaced out as per the guidance on their seed packets, which will tell you the precise spacing required. The correct distance between your plants not only ensures they get ample sunlight but also enhances the air circulation in and around the soil. This can help to ward off any potential disease issues. How to cultivate tomatoes in grow bags Step one: Carefully cut slots out of the bag to expose the compost as small windows in which your plants will sit inside. Step two: Use a trowel to scoop out a decently sized hole and take the plant out of its original pot to then place it in the hole you've just made. Step three: It's time for your canes for added support. Jiggle the support beams over your bag of compost so it sits nicely in inbetween two, stabilising it on any surface.
Powys County Times
19-05-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Keep eye out for ‘savage' potato-threatening Colorado beetle, Titchmarsh urges
TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh has urged people to keep an eye out for Colorado beetles, which pose a 'savage' threat to the British potato industry. The insects and their larvae feed on the foliage of potatoes and other plants, including aubergines and peppers, which can weaken the crops and reduce yield. The invasive species was confirmed in a field in Kent after a laboratory diagnosis in 2023, marking the first known case on UK soil in 50 years. If the beetle is not eradicated and spreads across the country, it could have a significant economic impact on the British potato industry. The case, in which dozens of the insects at different stages were found on three potato plants in a field in Kent, prompted intense eradication and monitoring efforts, including flying drones over fields to spot the damage done by the beetles. Officials are hopeful that the outbreak – the first case of a breeding population since the 1970s – can be declared eradicated by the end of this year, but warned the public need to remain vigilant to the threat. Speaking to the PA news agency at the Chelsea Flower Show, Mr Titchmarsh said: 'It devastates potato crops and we need all the crops we can get in this country. 'It's so savage it'll wipe crops out. It's like locusts – it's that fast.' He said the secret is to 'stamp it out before it becomes reality', adding: 'There's so much waiting on the doorstep.' 'Don't panic about it, just be vigilant and then we can keep it out,' he said. The presenter also highlighted the species' threat to UK food security, as the country only grows 50% of the vegetables and 12% of the fruit it needs, importing the rest. 'It's really, really important for our exports and for feeding ourselves,' he said. 'We need to grow more food not less and with outbreaks like this, our potato exports are in grave danger.' Those who spot the insect are urged to catch it in a container if possible and contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) with a photo and location details. We'll be at #RHSChelsea Flower Show next week, sharing information on the #ColoradoBeetle: a pest of our precious #potato plants. If you #GrowYourOwn or you just love your chips, crisps & jacket potatoes, come and find out how to help protect our spuds! @The_RHS @BBCiPlayer #BTS — APHA (@APHAgovuk) May 18, 2025 The 6mm to 11mm beetle, which does not represent a risk to human health, is yellow or cream with 10 black stripes, and an orange head with irregular black spots. Its larvae are a pinkish red or orange colour, with black spots along each side, a black head, and are up to 15mm in length. The beetles have been known to be imported into the UK as hitchhikers on plants, such as leafy vegetables, salad leaves, fresh herbs, grain and frozen vegetables. Professor Nicola Spence, the Environment Department's chief plant health officer, said: 'Colorado beetle poses a significant threat to plants and the wider potato industry. 'The public have an important role to play in helping us take swift and effective action to protect UK biosecurity.' She warned that the beetle was a 'really big threat, the economic impact it could have is huge'. 'Because it can hitchhike that's why we need the public to be vigilant. It will pop up in unexpected places,' she warned. Dr Jenny Stewart, APHA interim chief executive, said: 'Public vigilance was key to eradicating the beetle in the 1970s, and we really need home gardeners, allotmenteers and farmers to step up again, and identify and report suspected sightings to protect potato crops. 'Our surveillance capabilities protect UK borders from a wide range of plant pests and diseases, including the Colorado beetle, but we cannot do this without the help of the public.'
Rhyl Journal
19-05-2025
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Keep eye out for ‘savage' potato-threatening Colorado beetle, Titchmarsh urges
The insects and their larvae feed on the foliage of potatoes and other plants, including aubergines and peppers, which can weaken the crops and reduce yield. The invasive species was confirmed in a field in Kent after a laboratory diagnosis in 2023, marking the first known case on UK soil in 50 years. If the beetle is not eradicated and spreads across the country, it could have a significant economic impact on the British potato industry. Speaking to the PA news agency at the Chelsea Flower Show, Mr Titchmarsh said: 'It devastates potato crops and we need all the crops we can get in this country. 'It's so savage it'll wipe crops out. It's like locusts – it's that fast.' He said the secret is to 'stamp it out before it becomes reality', adding: 'There's so much waiting on the doorstep.' 'Don't panic about it, just be vigilant and then we can keep it out,' he said. The presenter also highlighted the species' threat to UK food security, as the country only grows 50% of the vegetables and 12% of the fruit it needs, importing the rest. 'It's really, really important for our exports and for feeding ourselves,' he said. 'We need to grow more food not less and with outbreaks like this, our potato exports are in grave danger.' Those who spot the insect are urged to catch it in a container if possible and contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) with a photo and location details. We'll be at #RHSChelsea Flower Show next week, sharing information on the #ColoradoBeetle: a pest of our precious #potato plants. If you #GrowYourOwn or you just love your chips, crisps & jacket potatoes, come and find out how to help protect our spuds!@The_RHS @BBCiPlayer #BTS — APHA (@APHAgovuk) May 18, 2025 The 6mm to 11mm beetle, which does not represent a risk to human health, is yellow or cream with 10 black stripes, and an orange head with irregular black spots. Its larvae are a pinkish red or orange colour, with black spots along each side, a black head, and are up to 15mm in length. The beetles have been known to be imported into the UK as hitchhikers on plants, such as leafy vegetables, salad leaves, fresh herbs, grain and frozen vegetables. Professor Nicola Spence, the Environment Department's chief plant health officer, said: 'Colorado beetle poses a significant threat to plants and the wider potato industry. 'The public have an important role to play in helping us take swift and effective action to protect UK biosecurity. 'The public are urged to be vigilant and report suspected sightings to the Animal and Plant Health Agency with a photo and location details.' Dr Jenny Stewart, APHA interim chief executive, said: 'Public vigilance was key to eradicating the beetle in the 1970s, and we really need home gardeners, allotmenteers and farmers to step up again, and identify and report suspected sightings to protect potato crops. 'Our surveillance capabilities protect UK borders from a wide range of plant pests and diseases, including the Colorado beetle, but we cannot do this without the help of the public.' APHA is exhibiting at this year's Chelsea Flower Show to raise awareness of the impact this pest can have on UK food security and the potato industry, after outbreaks in the 1930s, 1950s and the 1970s.
Glasgow Times
19-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Keep eye out for ‘savage' potato-threatening Colorado beetle, Titchmarsh urges
The insects and their larvae feed on the foliage of potatoes and other plants, including aubergines and peppers, which can weaken the crops and reduce yield. The invasive species was confirmed in a field in Kent after a laboratory diagnosis in 2023, marking the first known case on UK soil in 50 years. If the beetle is not eradicated and spreads across the country, it could have a significant economic impact on the British potato industry. Speaking to the PA news agency at the Chelsea Flower Show, Mr Titchmarsh said: 'It devastates potato crops and we need all the crops we can get in this country. 'It's so savage it'll wipe crops out. It's like locusts – it's that fast.' He said the secret is to 'stamp it out before it becomes reality', adding: 'There's so much waiting on the doorstep.' 'Don't panic about it, just be vigilant and then we can keep it out,' he said. The presenter also highlighted the species' threat to UK food security, as the country only grows 50% of the vegetables and 12% of the fruit it needs, importing the rest. 'It's really, really important for our exports and for feeding ourselves,' he said. 'We need to grow more food not less and with outbreaks like this, our potato exports are in grave danger.' Those who spot the insect are urged to catch it in a container if possible and contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) with a photo and location details. We'll be at #RHSChelsea Flower Show next week, sharing information on the #ColoradoBeetle: a pest of our precious #potato plants. If you #GrowYourOwn or you just love your chips, crisps & jacket potatoes, come and find out how to help protect our spuds!@The_RHS @BBCiPlayer #BTS — APHA (@APHAgovuk) May 18, 2025 The 6mm to 11mm beetle, which does not represent a risk to human health, is yellow or cream with 10 black stripes, and an orange head with irregular black spots. Its larvae are a pinkish red or orange colour, with black spots along each side, a black head, and are up to 15mm in length. The beetles have been known to be imported into the UK as hitchhikers on plants, such as leafy vegetables, salad leaves, fresh herbs, grain and frozen vegetables. Professor Nicola Spence, the Environment Department's chief plant health officer, said: 'Colorado beetle poses a significant threat to plants and the wider potato industry. 'The public have an important role to play in helping us take swift and effective action to protect UK biosecurity. 'The public are urged to be vigilant and report suspected sightings to the Animal and Plant Health Agency with a photo and location details.' Dr Jenny Stewart, APHA interim chief executive, said: 'Public vigilance was key to eradicating the beetle in the 1970s, and we really need home gardeners, allotmenteers and farmers to step up again, and identify and report suspected sightings to protect potato crops. 'Our surveillance capabilities protect UK borders from a wide range of plant pests and diseases, including the Colorado beetle, but we cannot do this without the help of the public.' APHA is exhibiting at this year's Chelsea Flower Show to raise awareness of the impact this pest can have on UK food security and the potato industry, after outbreaks in the 1930s, 1950s and the 1970s.
