Latest news with #garden
The Sun
10 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
I've found a fast-growing, cheap tree that blocks out neighbours, doesn't shed its leaves & stays green in the winter
Many of us want to keep our nosy neighbours away from peeping into our gardens. Beth Mardsen, from the UK, took to social media to share how she did it without building a new fence. In the clip, she showed off her garden fence which was already tall enough that neighbours sitting in the garden wouldn't be able to see over. But her garden was clearly visible to her neighbours if they were in the upper level of their house and peering through the windows. So she decided to take matters into her own hands to stop them seeing in. In the clip, she said: "Do you want to stop those nosy neighbours looking at you in the garden this summer?" The homeowner said she had the perfect buy - cherry laurel pleached trees. She said that these trees were 'the best budget-friendly evergreen trees if you're after low maintenance, year-round privacy and a fast-growing screen.' Pleached trees have been specially trained to have a clear, smooth stem and a screen of branches. They are often trained into a rectangular or square shape, and are typically used for creating privacy screens. She attached the branches to the the trellis above her fence to encourage them to grow through the structure. 'We wanted to create privacy from the loft extensions at the back of us,' Beth explained. 'We planted them with a gap in between each tree.' to save on money, Beth added more support canes in between the trees to encourage them to grow out wider. Beth showed what they looked like a year after planting, and you could see they already had dense foliage. She then showed what they looked like today, with the neighbour's loft completely blocked from view. Beth added that most councils won't require planning permission for the trees and that's not even the best part. These trees are evergreen which means they stay full all year round for maximum privacy. The cost of one tree will set you back around £100 so costs will vary depending on how much fence you want covered. The clip soon went viral on her TikTok account @ iambethmarsden with over 500k views and people were quick to thank Beth in the comments. One person wrote: "Anything to block out nosy neighbours I will support." Another commented: "In the UK there is such a lack of privacy in the garden, this is a great idea." "Win win for you and neighbours. Privacy for you all, no fence. Nice tree, not overpowering everything. Looks great," penned a third. Rules on fences and trees Fences: Height Restrictions: In most areas, fences in front gardens should not exceed one metre in height without planning permission. For rear gardens, the limit is generally two metres. Shared Fences: If a fence is shared with a neighbour, both parties are typically responsible for its maintenance and any costs associated with repairs or replacement. Building Regulations: Ensure that any new fence complies with local building regulations and does not obstruct visibility for drivers or pedestrians. Trees: Ownership: Trees located on your property are your responsibility, including any damage they may cause. Conversely, trees on a neighbour's property are their responsibility. Overhanging Branches: You are entitled to trim branches that overhang into your property, but only up to the boundary line. The cut branches should be offered back to the tree owner. Protected Trees: Some trees are protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs). Check with your local council before undertaking any work on a tree, as unauthorised work can result in fines. Roots: If tree roots from a neighbour's tree cause damage to your property, you have the right to remove the roots. However, it is advisable to discuss this with your neighbour first to avoid disputes. Always consult your local council or a legal adviser for specific regulations and advice. Meanwhile a fourth said: "Beautiful! Give nature a chance!!" "This is what I want,' claimed a fifth
Telegraph
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Giovanna Fletcher: ‘I used to get up early for my children; now I get up early for the garden'
Actress, author and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher launched her podcast Happy Mum Happy Baby eight years ago, and was crowned the winner of I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! in 2020. She met her husband, the McFly singer Tom Fletcher, at drama school; they married in 2012 and have three children. Four years ago, they moved into a country house with what she describes as her dream garden. Where do you live? About four years ago, my husband Tom, our three boys and I moved to a little village in Hertfordshire. The house used to be the farmhouse of the 'great house' next door and was built in 1710, so straight away there was a sense that we were its new custodians, as well as its owners. Things like the electricity and plumbing were quite patchy, so we did have to pull that out and start again, but I couldn't wait to turn my attention to the garden. The house has an orangery at the back and came with five acres, including a woodland, a field and a very large south-facing garden divided into different sections. At a glance, we knew the previous owners must have loved it, because it had an immaculate lawn, a large weeping willow, flower beds, hanging wisteria and lavender around the patio. What's your main interest in the garden? I used to grow vegetables in our last garden, but by the time we moved here, that had turned into an obsession, and I couldn't wait to get my hands in the soil. Having said that, not long after we arrived, a huge storm blew all the glass out of a lovely old greenhouse at the bottom of the garden. I didn't want to get rid of it, so we swapped the glass for the polythene used in polytunnels and gave it a lick of paint. The next job was to build raised beds. I'd never done this before and, while I wouldn't call Tom a keen gardener, he did a brilliant job making them. They're 60cm high to avoid at least one pest – carrot fly. Potatoes went in, then all sorts of seeds which I buy from Real Seeds and Tomato Revolution – chilli, pepper, cucumber, carrot, cherry, courgette. The funny thing is, when the kids were babies and I was up at night, I'd be looking on my phone to buy things they needed. Now, if I can't sleep, I'm looking at seed varieties! Which veg is your favourite? At the very top of my list are tomatoes and it's probably because it connects me to the Italian side of the family, particularly my father's mother, Nonna. She lived to the age of 96 and left a huge impression on me; Dad idolised her. She was born and raised in a mountain village, just outside Naples, and when she married my grandfather, she went to live with him on his farm. Then in November 1980, there was a terrible earthquake, and their village was nearly wiped out. They had to live in tents and eventually got a prefab house but still had to go up the mountain for water. Most importantly, they got a garden where Nonna used to grow tomatoes. We'd go over there in the summer just as they were getting ripe, so there were always plenty of amazing salads, but Nonna would also begin the tradition of making pots of passata which would keep for months. In memory of her, I now make it too. Do your children help you in the garden? We have three boys – Buzz, 11, Buddy, 9, and Max, 6 – so the garden is their playground, but they'll often come and see what I'm doing or help me plant something. We have a bed full of strawberry plants which they love picking as soon as they're ripe, and last summer, Max and his friend had great fun helping me pull up the potatoes. He also brought home a broad-bean plant from school, and, like any parent, I refused to let this plant die! Happily, it lived and went on to produce lots of beans which we replanted this year, so Max now has loads of broad-bean babies which he's very pleased about. I just need to find some great recipes to use them up. Did you have a garden as a child? My family lived above a café in Canning Town in East London until I was three, when we moved to Essex. We then had a garden, which was used by my brother, sister and me for bikes and paddling pools, but I also remember parading around it in Mum's high heels and fake fur coats. Then when I turned 13, we were living in a village in Essex called Ingatestone and I applied for a Saturday job at the village's family-run florist. It was the week before Valentine's and they'd just lost their bucket girl. It was mayhem! A few weeks later, it was Mother's Day, and we were inundated. It was a real focal point for the community and life's big occasions – babies, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and funerals. I loved it and stayed for four years. I only left because I got my driving licence and got a job at Debenhams in Chelmsford. Did your floristry experience give you a particular affinity for flowers? I absolutely love anything that blooms. And when we came here, we were lucky to inherit some wonderful flowers, including large peony bushes and hydrangeas which have the biggest flowerheads I've ever seen. They also turn from beautiful shades of lilac blue to powder pink. On one side, there's a small pond which looked like the perfect spot to create something new, so we got a company called Dig to help us build an herbaceous area to fill with flowering shrubs. It has a pink and peach theme and looks gorgeous. Sometimes, I wish we had a proper cutting garden. Problem is, I'd probably struggle to cut the flowers and bring them in. Is the garden home to much wildlife? In the field we have beside the house, there's a much larger pond. Next to it, the previous owners had made a sauna, and we fully intended to go in the sauna and jump in the pond every day. That didn't happen. Bit by bit, the pond was overtaken by wildlife which is wonderful. We also have ducks, as well as rescue chickens, and they love it. Next, we had newts, toads and frogs moving in, which the boys – who already have a bearded dragon lizard and a giant African land snail – go down to look for all the time. They did want us to add some big fish to the pond, and we nearly made the massive mistake of buying koi. Just before we did, Tom found out that they would have eaten everything else in the pond. Do you often find yourself 'disappearing' into the garden? I spent 11 years getting up ridiculously early to sort out the boys. Now I find myself getting up ridiculously early to water the plants. The greenhouse is slightly removed from the house, so I'll often go in there and listen to a podcast or some music; at the moment it's this lovely album by Michael Kiwanuka called Small Changes. The music and the garden just seem to transport me somewhere else. I've come to realise that gardening teaches you to stop… to calm down and switch off. As in life, the garden comes with failures as well as successes, and it's the failures that teach you resilience, perseverance and plenty of patience.
The Sun
17 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
B&Q's £9 weeding gadget will leave your driveways & patios spotless – plus you don't have to bend down
IF you're fed up crouching down to tackle stubborn weeds in your garden, B&Q has just the thing. A handy gadget will leave your driveway and patio looking spotless, and it will set you back less than £9. Weeds have an annoying habit of popping up in the most awkward places. This can make the task of removing them seem all the more overwhelming. With the Telescopic Extending Patio Groove Weed Remover, £8.70, you can tackle any stubborn weed without having to even bend over. The extendable mechanism makes the gadget perfect for clearing weeds and moss from patios and paving stones. This buy is designed to easily fit between paving stones, removing weeds instantly. It comes manufactured with a soft grip foam handle for your comfort. The gadget features a scraper blade and handle as well as a telescopic twist tight feature enabling it to adjust in size. This weed remover measures approximately 70 centimetres to 100 centimetres in size. B&Q shoppers can enjoy a one year guarantee with this buy. And B&Q isn't the only retailer selling gadgets designed to tackle weeds. Trying out Lidl's new weeding tools More gadgets for weeding Aldi shoppers can pick up a £10 buy that will leave your lawn free of weeds all summer. And an Amazon gadget also helps to tackle stubborn weeds in your outdoor area. Another handy buy is approved by experts for instantly lifting these unwanted plants. B&Q also has a hand-held weed removing tool for removing stubborn dandelions. And The Range is selling a nifty gadget that will blitz all the weeds in your garden this summer. How to save money at B&M Shoppers have saved hundreds of pounds a year by using B&M's scanner app. The scanner lets you see if an item's price is cheaper than advertised on the shop floor label. Products that are typically discounted are seasonal items and old stock that B&M is trying to shift. The app is free to download off the B&M Stores mobile app via Google Play or the Apple App Store. According to one ex-B&M manager, you'll want to visit your local branch at 10am on a Wednesday too. Here's how you can join the B&M bargain hunt: Download the B&M app for free on any smartphone with an App Store or Google Play. Once you've installed it on your device, click on the option labelled "more" on the bottom, right-hand side of the app home page. You'll then find an option that says "barcode scanner". Click on this and you'll open a camera screen. Use the camera to hover over the barcode of the product you wish to check. If the price comes up as lower, take it to the cash desk and it will automatically scan at the lower price. You don't need to sign up to the B&M app to use the barcode scanner. Weeding hacks You can also tackle weeds on your patio for free with a handy viral hack. A 30p tick also works wonders for removing weeds for your outdoor area. And a DIY solution will leave your garden free of weeds for up to a year at a time. Plus, another homemade weed killer will banish unwanted plants overnight for just 50p. There are five other hacks you can try, but the most successful has an unexpected con.
The Sun
18 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Aldi's £10 ceramic water feature will attract butterflies to your garden & lasts throughout the winter months
ALDI shoppers can pick up a budget-friendly decor buy that attracts butterflies to their garden all summer long. And you don't even need to put this Specialbuy away for the winter as it can also be used in cold weather conditions. This outdoor item not only levels up your garden but also helps to boost wildlife. The Belavi Bird Drinking Trough is available for just £9.99 from the Aldi middle aisle. Shoppers can choose between a "Round Natural" style or a "Leaf Natural" version. Attracts wildlife Accordign to the product description, the ceramic bird bath "offers an essential watering pool for wildlife". As well as birds, this can also include bees, butterflies, and small mammals need a water source during both winter and summer months. It features detachable ceramic birds and a hand-painted design. This bird bath measures approximately 30.2 centimetres by 3.5 centimetres. Customer reactions Aldi customers heaped on the praise for "this adorable drinking trough". Shoppers shared their thoughts on the Facebook page Aldi Aisle of Shame. "'I'm getting at least one," said one impressed commenter. Aldi's backyard essential is flying off shelves for only $29.99 and instantly gets your home ready for summer "I raced down after work to get mine and now I'm waiting for the first visitor," wrote another person. "I've got to rush my behind to Aldi before they run out," commented a third Facebook user. "Got mine, I love it," said another Aldi customer. And if you're also planning to pick up this buy, you may want to hurry as it is only available "while stocks last". As with all Aldi Specialbuys, once this item is gone, it's gone. How to encourage wildlife into your garden THE Woodland Trust shared five top tips 1. Grow wild Let nature take its course to create a more attractive environment for all things wild. You don't have to leave your plot to develop into a small jungle – wildlife will thank you for just a small corner, border or planter. 2. Plant trees and shrubs Research has shown that gardens are more attractive to wildlife if they have trees. And those trees can bring a host of other benefits too, from reducing noise and flooding to fighting climate change. 3. Create homes If you want to attract a particular species, a ready-made home can look especially appealing to any wildlife passing through. 4. Offer a water source Water is crucial for wildlife. Making some available in your garden could be a lifeline, especially in extreme weather. 5. Serve an extra meal One of the best ways to persuade a plethora of wildlife to your patch is to give them access to an easy meal. More garden buys Plus, a £7 Aldi buy that helps to illuminate your garden for free on long summer nights. And the retailer is also selling a £10 gadget that will leave your lawn weed-free. Aldi has a wide range of garden buys available from the Specialbuy section. Shoppers can even pick up garden furniture from the retailer, with lower than ever prices. And a "10 out of 10" garden shed that you can pick up for less than £20. 2
The Sun
20 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
My neighbour's garden is so overgrown my fence has collapsed – her laziness has already cost me £150
A FRUSTRATED woman has moaned about her next-door-neighbour's 'disgusting' garden. Not only is the garden so overgrown that it's an eyesore from Michaela Packer's window, but according to this annoyed woman, who is from the UK, the overgrown shrubs are ruining her fences. 2 And that's not all, as well as her neighbour ignoring her, also, as a result of the damage done to her fences, she has had to fork out £150 to fix them. Clearly very irritated by the situation, Michaela took to social media to show off her neighbour's outside space, leaving many gobsmacked. But Michaela's clip has caused a reaction she may not have expected - as rather than agreeing and complaining about the mess, many people encouraged Michaela to 'mind her business' and 'help' her neighbour clean up the overgrown space. Posting online, Michaela gave her followers a close-up look at the garden next door to hers, as she said: 'I have been round, knocked on this lady's door several times and have had no response. 'I often see her out, so I don't know why she's not answering the door to me. 'I feel that the state of this garden is disgusting - my fencing is coming down because of the weight of the stuff that is in the garden.' Michaela acknowledged that she has tried her 'hardest' to knock on the door and get a decent response, but she has had 'nothing.' She then snapped and claimed: 'She's got no mental health issues, she's a young woman with a child, she has a partner, so there is no excuse at all. 'I've had to fork out £150 for new fencing on the front, so me putting this video up is just showing that someone can live like this, just due to pure laziness.' The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ michaelapacker2, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 262,800 views in just three days. Not only this, but it's also amassed 1,783 likes, 1986 comments and 152 shares. But social media users were gobsmacked by Michaela's reaction to her neighbour's garden and many flocked to the comments to share their thoughts on the situation. One person said: 'So glad I don't live next door to you.' Another added: 'How do you know that she does not have mental health? Anxiety and depression is hidden well! There could be problems behind the front door.' A third commented: " Neighbours need to mind their own business tbh.' Meanwhile, someone else questioned: 'Why don't you offer to help her?' Whilst another advised: 'I think you should go clean it for her because maybe she has a lot going on in her life.' At the same time, one user observed: 'Looks like a nice wildlife garden. Good for her.'
