Latest news with #gardener
The Sun
4 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Bamboo was taking over my garden & had me fearing for my house – until a cheap buy from The Range got rid of it for good
A FED-UP gardener has revealed how she finally managed to wipe out a monster bamboo infestation using a budget buy from The Range. Posting in the Gardening on a Budget Official Facebook group, one frustrated woman explained how her partner's garden had been completely overrun by bamboo. 2 She described it as 'solid' ground and saying 'there's so much of it' they didn't know where to start. But thankfully, green-fingered Brits rallied around to offer tried-and-tested advice and one product kept cropping up as the miracle fix. Gardeners recommended the Roundup Tree Stump and Root Killer, which retails at £18.99 from The Range. The powerful weedkiller is specially designed to target tough, woody plants and it seems bamboo doesn't stand a chance. One user swore by the stuff, commenting: 'I used this on mine. It took a few months, but it's gone and never came back.' Another backed it up, adding: 'It's brilliant stuff. The Roundup kills it – best time is when it stops growing in October or November.' The product's official description says it's a 'non-selective, translocated weedkiller ' that travels throughout the plant and root system. It tackles everything from tree stumps to nettles, ivy and invasive bamboo. It's absorbed by leaves or freshly cut surfaces and works both above and below ground. Once it hits the soil, microbes break it down, meaning it's safe to replant in treated areas. 6 Reasons Bamboo May Not Be Ideal for Your British Garden And for gardeners dealing with full-blown bamboo battles, this stuff might just be the saviour. One poor user shared: 'I get invaded by my neighbour's bamboo, it's a menace. "My garden is tiered because of sloping, and the roots even disturbed and knocked off the boards on the bottom tier.' She revealed the stubborn plant caused 'numerous shoots coming up on my lawn', adding: 'It took weeks. I still get the odd shoot popping up and as soon as I see it, I'm on it.' Others chimed in with more DIY hack s, including repeatedly pouring boiling water over shoots to kill them off, though most agreed that Roundup offered a long-term fix with minimal fuss. With its ability to take down even notorious intruders like Japanese knotweed, the weedkiller has gained a bit of a cult following among gardeners desperate to reclaim their lawns. So if bamboo is creeping into your space and boiling water just won't cut it, this £18.99 could be the price of peace and quiet in your garden. As one user put it: 'It's the only thing that worked and trust me, I tried everything.' How to prevent bamboo from taking over your garden For those that are still tempted to add bamboo to their garden, there is a way that you can make it more manageable and reduce the risk of it taking over your flowerbeds. Rather than simply planting a smaller patch, green-fingered influencer Dave The Plant Man suggests putting down a plastic root barrier to prevent it from spreading. In a recent Instagram reel, he advised his followers: 'Basically, you dig a trench [and] you put this [the bamboo barrier], leave it sticking out a little bit.' According to the gardening whizz, this will stop any shoots and rhizomes from spreading through the soil. If you already have a bamboo plant in your garden, you can also use the same method by placing the plastic barrier around your existing patch. How to get rid of invasive bamboo IF you have a bamboo that has got out of hand, you may wish to eradicate it completely. RHS recommends two methods of removal: Cultural control Non-chemical methods involve digging out clumps of bamboo and restricting the size. This can be difficult with very large plants, or on heavy soil. Use a sharp spade to dig up the entire clump or to remove sections from the edge of the clump that have grown beyond the limits. Sever rhizomes as you go, lifting and removing them with a fork or trowel. Weedkiller control When invasive plants are a threat to biodiversity and gardeners struggle to control them with cultural methods, targeted use of regulated weedkillers may be an option. Garden centres and large retailers selling weedkillers have trained staff who can advise on suitable products for your needs.
Irish Times
6 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
My dahlias are struggling this summer - what can I do to rescue them?
My dahlias are struggling this summer for some reason. The flowers aren't opening properly and the petals are going brown at the tips. The plants are growing in good, rich soil in a nice sunny spot in the garden where they've always done well before now. Any advice? T Dunphy, Cork Judging by your description, it sounds like your dahlias are suffering from thrip damage. These tiny, sap-sucking insects, which are hard to spot unless you look very closely, can sometimes infest dahlia plants at this time of year, causing deformation of both the flowers and leaves as well as discolouration. As is true of many kinds of insects that feed on plant tissue, they also spread plant diseases. A hot, dry environment suits them to a tee, which is why thrips are much more common in warm summers or on plants grown under cover in a polytunnel or glasshouse. To check if your plants are indeed affected, examine the flowers carefully and look for multiple tiny dark insects, each one no bigger than a poppy seed, moving rapidly among the petals. READ MORE The best long-term solution to keeping your dahlia plants free of this destructive little pest is to keep them well-watered, especially during any prolonged hot, dry spells. Always make sure to water around the base of the plants, gently soaking the soil so that it penetrates well below the surface. Although wetting foliage and flowers is generally not recommended when watering plants, gently misting all parts of your dahlias with a fine water spray will also help to rid them of thrips, which dislike a moist atmosphere. As the insects can overwinter as eggs with the potential to cause problems for your plants again next summer, I'd also suggest mulching the ground with a generous layer of well-rotted organic matter in spring. This will help the soil retain moisture as well as boosting plant health. In the short term, you could also use the biodegradable, organically-acceptable product known as Uncle Tom's Natural Soft Soap (from ). These kinds of insecticidal soaps have been used for centuries to treat a range of common plant pests including aphids, red spider mite and thrips. They only work when they come into direct contact, so need to be diluted in water and then applied liberally to all parts of the plants as a fine spray. The best time of the day to do this is in late evening when beneficial insects are much less active and temperatures are lower, reducing the rate of evaporation.
The Independent
15-07-2025
- General
- The Independent
9 best hedge trimmers, from cordless to long-reach electric models
When engaging in a spot of weekend groundskeeping, a good hedge trimmer is vital. Shears and secateurs can be great, but if you have yards of hedge to tame, you need a powerful hedge trimmer to carve through your shrubbery. There are a few things to consider when looking for the best hedge trimmer for your plot, though. If you're hedges are quite a way from the house, you'll be better served with a battery-powered tool to manage them. If you have more limited usage in mind, however, a mains-powered trimmer will suffice. If you opt for a battery-powered hedge trimmer, you can choose between those that come with the battery included or a 'bare tool', meaning the battery isn't included. This latter category often sees brands creating a range of tools with interchangeable batteries, which usually makes them a little less costly. Ergonomics is a priority, too, as you'll often be working up against hedges and shrubs, vertically and horizontally, in quite unnatural positions. From the rear handle to the blade tip, you need the tool to enable comfortable working positions. That's a lot to bear in mind, and there are lots of options on the market, so I tried out a range of hedge trimmers to work out which one is best. Keep scrolling to find out which hedge trimmers are a cut above the rest. How I tested I tested each hedge trimmer in my own garden. I was looking for machines that cut precisely and cleanly to promote new, healthy growth and don't leave the hedge looking like it's been hacked to pieces. I also considered value for money before drawing up my final list of favourites. I assessed each hedge trimmer by a few key metrics: Cut: The most obvious test, I examined whether each hedge trimmer gave a clean cut through the hedge rather than tearing leaves and branches. I looked to see how the trimmers performed on different species of shrubs to see how they handled different branch thicknesses and textures. Blade length: A long blade is crucial; the longer the blade, the more you can achieve in one sweep. I wanted trimmers with long blades, but I also tested some shorter trimmers to find those that can work in narrow areas or for close-control work like topiary. Ergonomics and balance: The tradeoff with a long blade is that it can become unwieldy. I looked for well-balanced machines that were comfortable to hold. Power: I examined the power in watts of each hedge trimmer. If it ran on mains power, I measured the length of the cable; if it ran on battery, I timed the battery life. Safety: The most crucial feature of all, I assessed each machine's hand guards and dead-man switches to ensure that they're safe to use. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews Jon Axworthy has been a feature writer since 1996 and has been contributing reviews to IndyBest since 2017. He specialises in the outdoors and has tried and tested myriad products, from grass strimmers to cordless drills and much more, offering his honest opinions to help you find the best tools for the job at hand. The best hedge trimmers for 2025 are:
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
The Easy Trick that Keeps Salad Greens Fresh for Longer
Summer means crisp, fresh salad season, and I've got an entire garden of gorgeous greens ready to be devoured. However, salad greens can be delicate and temperamental. Unless you plan to eat an entire head or heart of lettuce in one sitting, these greens do require proper storage and care if they're going to last you longer than a day or two. The secret to top notch salad care is most likely sitting on your kitchen counter, ready to be put to work: All you need to keep your greens crisp, crunchy, and fresh for several days to come, is a couple of cold, damp paper towels. Related: It's Your Last Day to Grab These Under-the-Radar Amazon Prime Day Outlet Deals The method for keeping salad greens fresh and crisp lies in a simple, three-step process: Begin by thoroughly washing your salad greens, and then drying them completely. You can do this by assembling the greens in a single layer on a towel lined sheet pan before patting them down with paper towels, or by using a salad spinner. Next, lightly dampen a paper towel with cold water. Place it on the bottom of the bowl, and then transfer the greens to the bowl. Top the greens with another cold, damp paper towel. Finally, cover the bowl loosely with cling wrap to allow for a bit of air circulation, and place it in the refrigerator. Check your greens every day or two, and if you see a difference in their quality, or the paper towels seem more damp than they originally were, replace them with fresh, slightly damp ones. That way, excess moisture will be continuously absorbed. This method is helpful for a number of reasons. Excess moisture will make greens wilted and soggy. Paper towels control these levels by absorbing excess moisture so the greens will stay dry. The paper towel and loose cling wrap will allow for the correct amount of air circulation, because too much or too little air can also cause spoilage. While the paper towels are busy at work controlling moisture and air, the greens will remain crisp for up to a week - sometimes even longer. This approach is a no-brainer for preparing meals ahead of time, getting the most of your weekly grocery haul, and preventing food waste. Be sure the paper towel is damp, and not wet. The role of a paper towel here is to absorb excess moisture from the greens. A soggy or dripping wet paper towel will work against your greens. It can cause accelerated wilting, browning, sogginess, and spoilage. Nobody wants a slimy finish on their salad. Some mix-ins are ok to add, while others are not. If you're looking to further prepare your salad for later on, stick to heartier, non-soggy components that have skins, so they will not brown, wilt, or rot the greens. This may include whole cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots or cabbage, diced celery, dried fruit, and nuts or seeds. Avoid juicy, delicate, and very aromatic ingredients that can overpower or damage greens, such as sliced tomato, strawberries, avocado, onion, bell peppers, or beets. Leave these elements for later on, when you're ready to dress and serve the salad. Don't overcrowd the greens. If you find yourself stuffing the salad greens into a bowl for refrigeration, the greens won't be able to breathe or release moisture. As a solution, try layering the paper towels throughout the greens. To do this, add one or two additional paper towel layers between the greens before sealing and securing them with the top paper towel and cling wrap. If you can fit the bowl in the crisper drawer, even better. Humidity levels are better controlled in a crisper drawer, which means your greens will probably have even more longevity stored there. No crisper drawer, or tight on space? No problem! Your salad will still thrive on the refrigerator shelf. Read the original article on ALLRECIPES
Irish Times
12-07-2025
- General
- Irish Times
A quick and easy way to add contemporary elegance to your garden
Some plants have an uncanny ability to add contemporary elegance to a garden, magically leavening the visual weightiness of trees, shrubs and more traditional perennials with the airy grace of their growth habit and flowers. Umbellifers are without equal in this regard. Threaded through an otherwise conventional mixed border, or used in a gravel garden, or a display of summer pots, they quickly transform any outdoor space in a way that feels distinctly modern. Part of the reason for this is their umbel-shaped flowers, which are similar to those of some of our loveliest and best-known wildflowers, such as cow parsley, hedge parsley, alexanders, pignut and wild carrot. Each umbel – technically known as a 'compound inflorescence' – is a thing of precise geometric beauty made up of a series of umbellets that radiate out from its centre, with each umbellet typically comprising a number of tiny flowers. But it's not just their good looks that earns them a place in many gardens. Umbellifers' nectar and pollen-rich, umbrella-shaped, decorative blooms are also famously attractive to a diverse range of pollinating insects. Yet another part of their great charm is that long after they have faded, the handsome silhouettes of those distinctive flowers can continue to provide long-lasting interest right until the first harsh frosts, while their often tall, hollow, grooved stems offer a safe berth for beneficial garden insects to overwinter. READ MORE White coriander flowers. Photograph: Getty Ferula communis, the giant fennel. Photograph: Getty All are members of what was long known as the Umbelliferae plant family but is now classed as Apiaceae. This huge group includes well-known garden favourites such as fennel, dill, lovage, coriander, celery, culinary parsley, angelica, ammi, bupleurum, astrantia and orlaya, as well as other lesser-known but equally graceful umbelliferous species. Examples of the latter include the pink-flowering Pimpinella major 'Rosea'; Baltic parsley (Cenolophium denudatum); the towering, yellow-flowered giant fennel (Ferula communis); the stately Himalayan cow parsley (Selinum wallichianum); the statuesque, lime-flowered Peucedanum verticillare; and the lilac-pink flowering hairy chervil (Chaerophyllum hirsutum 'Roseum'). Astrantia japonica. Photograph: Getty Wild angelica. Photograph: Getty These plants, often used in naturalistic planting combinations, have become the hallmark of a now established style of gardening that's less strait-laced and more in tune with the planet. Some, it should be said, are easier to grow than others. For example, the exquisite Bupleurum longifolium 'Bronze Beauty', a sun-loving perennial prized for its intricately beautiful flowers that look as if they were dusted in powdered gold, is notoriously short-lived as well as challenging to raise from seed (the latter must be sown fresh and exposed to cold winter temperatures). Meanwhile, fashionable annual and biennial umbellifers such as Orlaya grandiflora and ornamental carrot (Daucus carota), loved equally by gardeners and florists, can frustratingly fall victim to carrot fly. Others, such as dill and common fennel, can become invasive when growing conditions are too much to their liking, self-seeding themselves around the place with abundance, or in the case of sweet cicely (Myrrhis odorata), also spreading via their very vigorous root systems. Another case in point is the famously persistent perennial weed known as ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria), originally introduced as a medicinal herb used to treat gout before its unwelcome ability to rapidly colonise large areas of ground was recognised. That said, there's no denying the graceful beauty of its pale umbelliferous flowers, while it's also quite delicious fried in butter and garlic. [ How to make the best of light and shade in your garden Opens in new window ] I should add another word of warning when it comes to this group of plants, which is to be ultra wary of those wild umbelliferous species that pose a risk to human health. Chief among them is giant hogweed, Heraclium mantegazzianum, a non-native perennial now naturalised through large parts of Ireland and found growing in damp ditches, woodland edges and along riversides. Originally introduced as a garden ornamental – a cautionary tale if ever there was one – it's what's known as a phytotoxic species, where a combination of exposure to bright sunlight and direct contact with its sap quickly results in very painful blistering and then scarring of the skin. While easy to identify at this time of year when its lofty flower stems can reach a height of 5m, that task is more challenging when it's in its earlier stages of growth, making accidental injury more of a risk. Others, such as hemlock (Conium maculatum), hemlock water-dropwort (Oenanthe crocata), fool's parsley (Aethusa cynapium) and lesser water parsnip (Berula erecta) are poisonous both to humans and animals (the Greek philosopher Socrates famously died of poisoning by drinking hemlock tea). Great care should be taken not to confuse them if foraging for other edible umbelliferous species such as alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum) and wild angelica (Angelic sylvestris). On the other hand, and as mentioned above, many of our kitchen garden favourites are also umbellifers. If you've ever let parsley, parsnip, coriander, celery or carrot go to seed rather than harvesting them, for example, then you've probably been both charmed and surprised by the beauty of their pollinator-friendly flowers, proof that they can be every bit as decorative and beneficial to nature as they are useful. This week in the garden Preserve the flavour of fresh garden-grown herbs for use later in the year by drying tied bunches in a cool, dry room, freezing the chopped leaves in ice cubes, or adding some sprigs of leaves to small, sealed bottles or jars of olive oil. The last of the summer bedding plants are often for sale at bargain prices in garden centres and supermarkets at this time of year. Most are tired and badly rootbound by now, while time is rapidly running out for them to make enough fresh growth to give impact. But if you can't resist the temptation, then give them a fighting chance by cutting back all faded flower stems, gently loosening their root-balls and thoroughly soaking the latter in a solution of liquid seaweed before planting them into weed-free, friable, fertile ground, or a container filled with a very good quality compost. Take precautions against slugs and snails. Dates for your diary A Fiesta of Dahlias June Blake's garden, Tinode, Blessington, Co Wicklow, every Saturday and Sunday in July from 2pm. A celebration of this remarkable genus of plants with free workshops, expert talks, plus tours of the garden. Carlow Garden Festival 2025 Saturday, July 26th to Sunday, August 3rd, with expert guest speakers including Financial Times gardening correspondent and author, Robin Lane Fox (Huntington Castle, August 2nd); author and head gardener of Kilmacurragh, Seamus O'Brien (Burtown House, July 30th); British garden designer Sarah Eberle (Borris House, July 31st); organic kitchen gardener Tanguy de Toulgoët (Shankill Castle, July 30th); and Peter O'Mahony in conversation with Adam Frost (Arboretum Garden Centre, Leighlinbridge, July 26th), booking essential. .
