Latest news with #Yell
The Sun
01-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Gardening pro reveals three household items that will keep pests away – and one is lurking in your food bin
SPENDING more time outside as the weather warms up is one of the best parts of summer. But as the sun comes out, so do common garden pests. 2 2 That doesn't mean you have to stay inside though, and it definitely doesn't mean your plants need to suffer. The gardening experts at Yel l have put together their top tips for deterring common garden pests that can appear all year round - and they're easier than you might think. Use garlic to keep green flies off your plants Green and black flies, commonly known as aphids in the gardening world, can be found on both indoor and outdoor plants. While a few aphids may not cause significant damage, large numbers crawling on stems or a sticky residue left on your plants could indicate a problem. Garlic contains allicin, a sulphur compound that repels insects and may also act as a natural antifungal agent. If you'd prefer not to have the smell of garlic in your garden, you can mix a few drops of washing-up liquid with water in a spray bottle and apply it to affected plants. This can help remove and deter aphids effectively. Aphids are also drawn to nitrogen-rich fertilisers, so it's important not to over-fertilise your plants, as this can make them more attractive to these pests. Use cupboard staples to get rid of garden ants If ants are causing problems in your garden or finding their way into your home, some of the best natural deterrents involve strong citrus scents Lemon is a particularly effective method; you can mix lemon juice with water and spray it around ant trails to keep them away. My 3 favorite plants to repel pests from your vegetable garden - they're pretty and will increase your harvest too Another scent they dislike is peppermint oil, which can be used in a similar way by mixing a few drops with water and spraying affected areas. Other common household staples like vinegar, sugar, and baking soda can also be useful when tackling ants in the garden. Mixing equal parts of vinegar and water creates a natural repellent. Coffee grounds and eggshells could help keep slugs away from plants While snails and slugs are common in gardens across the UK, they can cause significant damage to garden plants. Slug pellets are not recommended, as they can be harmful to other wildlife in your garden. Although manually searching for and removing slugs is effective, it can be time-consuming. You could consider planting flowers that slugs tend to avoid, such as foxgloves, geraniums, and lavender, all of which are thought to be less attractive to slugs. Other deterrent methods include adding crushed eggshells, copper tape, or coffee grounds around your plants to act as a barrier. Coffee also contains nutrients beneficial to soil health, making it a dual-purpose solution. To protect specific plants, place eggshells around the base of the plant's soil to prevent slugs from reaching the leaves. Natural ways to deter rats from your garden, including citronella oil and onions Essential oils like citronella and eucalyptus are also effective. You can use outdoor citronella candles, or soak cotton wool balls or tissues in the oils and place them around the garden. Alternatively, mix the oils with water and spray them in areas where rodents are likely to appear. Other strong-smelling food items that rats typically avoid include onions, garlic, and vinegar. The smell is thought to be off-putting to them. You can place small quantities of these in areas across your garden. Onions, in particular, contain sulphur compounds that can irritate a rat's eyes and nose. While it's unlikely a rat would consume a large amount, large quantities can be toxic if digested, so it's safest to use small slices around your garden. IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here's what you need to know. Hornets and wasps - hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay. Moths - acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent. Flying ants - herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents. Mosquitoes - plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.
Daily Mail
02-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Monty Don reveals the common gardening mistake people make in May - and how to avoid it
Gardening experts has revealed the common mistakes people make in May as they get their crops ready for summer. Monty Don took to his Gardeners' World blog to reveal which jobs need to be completed this month to prepare for summer. In particular, those who want to grow tomatoes should plant them now - but keep them in a greenhouse. 'It is time to plant out tomatoes in a greenhouse - although wait till the end of the month for outdoor ones,' he wrote. 'This is because tomatoes hate too much temperature fluctuation and May nights can be chilly - especially if the days are warm'. Tomatoes should only be planted outside towards the end of the month, as the soil needs to be 13C to 16C for them to thrive. Planting them too early can slow down the growth and interfere with pollination - which will mean they won't taste as nice. Meanwhile, another expert has warned against over watering to planting things too close together. As the temperatures rise, gardeners may fear their beloved plants might dry out and as a result give them a liberal watering. Certain plants like basil and tomatoes are thirsty and those who are growing their own veg will want to give them the best start. But over watering can be just as deadly to plants as under watering and the best way to avoid drowning them is to check the soil moisture level before reaching for the watering can, according to the expert from Yell. As a general rule, aim to water your plants once a week in the morning or evening to avoid the heat of the day. An easy test is to simply dig a little into the soil near the base of the plant to give you a good idea if the roots are dry. Some plants may need more regular watering such as Begonias, which can be watered daily or when the top of the soil is dry. However, lavender plants don't need as much watering after they are established since they're drought-tolerant. And there are also ideal times of the day to water plants. Make sure to water the when the temperature is cooler, either early in the morning or later at night. Newly planted flowers also require more regular watering until they are well established. Protect your plants from disease When buying plants, it's important to make sure you're planting them at the right time to avoid missing the best season to establish them. Planting at the wrong time can result in issues such as root rot and other diseases, as the plant may not be prepared for harsher conditions. For summer-flowering plants and bulbs, aim to plant them in May; think of flowers such as dahlias and gladioli. It's important to do some planning and research to determine the best time to plant your chosen flowers and bulbs, ensuring they remain healthy throughout. For vegetables, now is the perfect time to sow French beans and to plant tomatoes outside as long as they've been made hardy by being moved from an inside windowsill to a greenhouse. Weed weed weed! Weeds aren't just unsightly, they can also have a negative impact on the health of your garden. A common mistake gardeners make is to do a big weed of the garden and then leave it for a few weeks. A common mistake gardeners make is to do a big weed of the garden and then leave it for a few weeks but it's actually much better to weed regularly to stop them taking over It's important to weed regularly to prevent them from stealing nutrients and water from your plants. If left, weeds can quickly return in large numbers, becoming much harder to manage over time. They can also act as a home and food source for pests, increasing the risk of plant diseases. Be sure to remove weeds as soon as you spot them, pulling them up from the root to prevent regrowth and reduce the chance of seeds being left behind in the soil. You can also try mulching or ground covers, like membranes, to stop weeds from returning. Avoid harder planting options Choosing which plants to buy when you're just starting out in gardening can feel a bit overwhelming. Aspirational gardeners might start with exciting varieties that pack a punch for the summer but they can be difficult to maintain. A good place to begin is with hardy, low-maintenance varieties. Most plants sold in garden centres come with a 'plant passport', which is a helpful label that includes care instructions, as well as the temperatures and locations the plant can tolerate. This makes it easier to select plants that will suit your garden's conditions. Perennials are an excellent choice for beginners, as they return year after year with minimal effort and bloom from May onwards. Evergreen shrubs and bushes are also a great option, since they're hardy and require less ongoing care and offer a and offer a riot of green. Bulbs are also considered an easy option for beginners, and there's plenty of variety to pick from, like daffodils or snowdrops all of which should still be showing their heads well in to May. Keep the soil enriched An often-forgotten aspect of the garden is the soil. Having healthy soil is the best way to start your gardening hobby as plants need fertile soil which is rich in nutrients to support healthy growth and ensure they receive enough oxygen and water. Soil contains vital nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, all of which are crucial for plant health. To keep your soil rich, regularly add compost, manure, or natural fertilisers. Mulching is another effective method to help your soil. This involves covering the soil with a layer of organic material, such as bark or grass. Don't overcrowd For keen gardeners it can be tempting to crowd as many flowers and vegetables into as much space as possible. Nothing looks better than pots full of flowers and a veg patch bursting with growing cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce. But overcrowding plants can be damaging to their growth. Plants need space for their roots to grow and to make sure they are getting enough nutrients and not competing with other plants around them. Overcrowding can also lead to an increased risk of fungal diseases due to a lack of air circulation. When spacing your plants this Bank Holiday weekend, make sure you look at how big these are expected to grow; this information can be found on a plant's passport or online. Once you know its expected dimensions, it's best to leave room on either side. If a plant is expected to grow between 1 or 2 ft, it's best to leave about 50 cm around it for spacing to avoid competition for nutrients.
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Urgent warning to homeowners over little-known ‘loophole' that allows neighbours to park on your driveway for free
HOMEOWNERS are being warned over a little-known parking loophole that could leave you fuming. Experts have raised the alarm after revealing there's no law stopping people from leaving their motor on someone else's private drive - and shockingly, even the council or police might not step in. 3 3 Drivers have been slapped with a warning over a bizarre legal loophole that could see complete strangers park on your private driveway - and get away with it scot-free. Experts at car leasing site LeaseLoco have raised the alarm, revealing there's no law to stop cheeky motorists from dumping their car on your property, even though it's a 'clear violation' of personal space. Boss John Wilmot said: 'Many homeowners are shocked to discover that a stranger parking in their driveway isn't actually a criminal offence, despite it being a clear violation of personal space. "This legal grey area can be frustrating, especially if you live in a busy area where it happens regularly, so it's important to take steps to prevent unwanted parking in the first place." So, what's the solution? John suggested: "While the most effective way to protect your property is installing a driveway gate, putting out simple deterrents like parking bollards or posts, cones and signs can also help to prevent strangers from parking in your driveway. "If you do find yourself in a situation where you come home and see a stranger parking on your property, remember to never take matters into your own hands, or it can land you in serious trouble." He added: "On the flip side, if you live near venues or in busy areas, this situation can be turned into an opportunity, as you could allow other motorists to park in your driveway - on your own terms. "Renting out your driveway when you're not using it is becoming increasingly popular and can be a great way to earn some extra income." He urged Brits to take action now to stop unwelcome drivers, especially in packed neighbourhoods where it could become a regular nightmare. Drivers face instant $1,000 fine under newly passed 'Kepp's law' – common road mistake will bring hefty fees Meanwhile, millions of Brits could be breaking the Highway Code every single day - just by the way they park on their own driveway. Motor experts have issued a warning to homeowners, revealing that pulling in forwards instead of reversing could land you in hot water for 'careless' driving. According to the Highway Code, reversing into your driveway is safer and reduces the risk of hitting a pedestrian or another road user - but it's a rule many admit they're clueless about. Car pros at Yell branded the mistake a 'bad habit' that's gone under the radar, urging drivers to think twice before swinging their motors in nose-first. Most common illegal driving activities Here's a list of reckless driving behaviour and the fines and penalties you risk getting from it. Using phone while driving A cheeky glance at a phone screen will result in six penalty points on your licence and a £200 fine. New drivers might lose their licence if caught doing so within two years of obtaining it. Speeding Lovers of fast and furious will end up with a minimum of three points and a £100 fine. Running a red light This offence will incur three points and £100 fine. Middle lane hogging It constitutes careless driving and police will hand you a £100 fine with three penalty points. Undertaking This could possibly result in three points on your licence and a £100 fine. The experts said: "It's a habit many drivers don't think twice about - pulling straight into the driveway after a long day, ready to head inside and relax. "But did you know that this common parking manoeuvre could actually go against Highway Code guidance? "According to the rules of the road, drivers should reverse into their driveways rather than driving in forward and reversing out later. "While there's no specific law against it, reversing onto a busy road can be seen as careless and inconsiderate driving, especially if it causes an obstruction or puts other road users at risk." 3
