Latest news with #gardeningexperts
The Sun
4 days ago
- 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
26-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Experts reveal the huge gardening mistake that is stopping your orchids from flowering
Many British gardeners enjoy keeping orchids in their homes thanks to their pleasant scent and ability to flourish in the UK's cooler climate. However, according to gardening experts, there is a mistake many people make which means the plants may never flower. Luckily, this mistake is very easy to rectify, and so frustrated orchid owners can finally enjoy their plant in bloom. It's all to do with how they are watered: when it comes to orchids, they take moisture from mist in the surrounding air - as opposed to taking it from water-soaked soil. As a result of this, it's easy to over water them, which is a common mistake made by orchid owners, according to the experts at DIY Everywhere. 'Orchids are epiphytes, meaning they naturally grow on trees and have adapted to receive moisture from the air rather than from soil,' they said. This means that soil which has a high water count can affect the plants. 'Overwatering can lead to root rot, which prevents the plant from absorbing the nutrients it needs to flower,' the experts explained. Being unable to absorb all the necessary nutrients means orchids are likely to suffer. And being nutrient starved can result in leaves turning yellow, developing black tips, and even falling off in the worst cases. But the experts at DIY Everywhere have suggested an easy way that plant fans can prevent this from happening. They suggest that after watering, people make sure that soil has thoroughly dried out before watering again. Alternatively, rather than pouring water into the soil, people can mist the plants with water. This is simple to do, by simply using a spray bottle filled with water. Another step keen gardeners can take is opting for the right kind of water for their orchids - the sensitive plants tend to fare better when water with an alkaline pH of between 5.5 to 6.5 is used. To achieve that, boiled or rainwater should be used, rather than water straight from the tap, which can contain too many minerals that are damaging to orchids. These include fluoride and chlorine. According to gardening expert Monty Don, there are a number of other things to bear in mind when trying to cultivate the plants. He has previously said: 'Orchids have something of a reputation for being demanding and even downright tricky, but in fact some are very easy indeed, and most are not too difficult if you get the basics right.' Ideally, the plants should be kept at 15-20°C at night and 20-30°C during the day, he said. They do not fare well if they are too cold, or too hot. He added: 'Orchids need light to trigger flowering, but they can scorch, so never put them on a south-facing windowsill – a west- or east-facing one is ideal, or set back in a bright room. Each flower spike can bear over a dozen flowers and will last for months. 'But once it is spent – and has not produced new flowers for a week or two – cut back the spike to the first node. This will stimulate a fresh side shoot, which will develop flowers.' When the roots spill out, it's time to repot them, he added. Gardeners should gently untangle the roots, before cutting off any shrivelled or damaged sections and shortening the healthy white roots to about 12cm. Should the plant fit in the same pot, it should be returned to it: if it doesn't fit, it should be moved to a slightly larger container. 'Use proper orchid potting compost, which contains very coarse bark chippings,' he added. 'Hold the plant in position and fit the bark chippings around the roots so that the plant is really firm.' When it comes to watering plants, he advised: 'The best way to water orchids is to soak them once a week, ideally with rainwater, then let them drain completely. Don't worry if they seem totally dry in between. However, as with many tropical houseplants, a daily misting is always beneficial.'
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Roses will bloom and stay healthy this spring thanks to £2 Victorian-era hack – it prevents unsightly yellow spots too
Abigail Wilson, Senior Digital Writer Published: Invalid Date, WHILE many of us will be enjoying spending time in our gardens thanks to the warm weather, it's very important that in between your sunbathing sessions you take care of your plants, particularly your roses. With the weather heating up and summer around the corner, gardeners must monitor their roses to ensure diseases do not spread. 4 4 Rust - a fungal infection - is a very common disease found amongst roses that spreads when water sits on the leaves for a long time. Rust will reduce a rose's ability to photosynthesise and the lack of energy will weaken the plant, meaning it cannot grow properly. So if you want to avoid a stunted rose bush that cannot produce any flowers and will slowly wilt away, you've come to the right place and will need to take notes. But gardeners mustn't be alarmed, as rust can be easy to treat if it is caught early enough. In May, rust is usually just beginning to spread, so make sure to regularly inspect your roses and note that it is commonly found on the lower leaves. It can look like orange or yellow spots on leaves that will eventually begin to move up the plant if left untouched. And luckily for you, gardening experts have sworn by a Victorian-era trick that will work a treat at banishing rust and ensuring your roses bloom this month. So for those eager to ensure their roses stay healthy and vibrant this spring, this purse-friendly hack which will cost you just £2.79, is one you won't want to miss. The gardening experts at Jackson and Perkins have stressed the importance of immediately removing infected leaves as soon as you spot them, as they advised: 'Being very careful not to touch unaffected rose plants while pruning out infected plant material, dispose of the pruned material immediately. 'If it is allowed in your area, burning the pruned material is the most effective way of disposing of it. Do NOT put this material in your compost pile and do not dispose of it in the woods.' How to make sure you lawn looks green and lush all summer long Rust can sit on leaves and the spores will begin to release in spring, so make sure you do not leave any infected foliage in your garden. Once you have cut back the infection, you will need to apply a fungicide every seven to 10 days, as this is the life cycle of rust spores. Top gardening trends of 2025 Gardening experts at Barnsdale Gardens has shared the top gardening trends of 2025. Matrix planting It seems that a top planting trend for this year is going to be Matrix Planting. In essence, planting in groups or blocks to give an effect of being wild whilst actually being carefully managed. Selection of the plants is essential, to give year-round interest either with flowers, seed heads or frosted/snowy spent flower heads. Some recommend using plants that seed around, but this could make managing your matrix planting harder to keep under control. Chrysanthemum comeback I hope that the humble Chrysanthemum makes as much of a comeback this year as Dahlias have over recent years, because the simple single flowered types, such as 'Innocence' and 'Cottage Apricot' would be spectacular within a matrix scheme. The hardy varieties are so easy to grow in a sunny spot and give such a valuable burst of late summer and autumn colour that would lift any dull- looking border. Blended borders For some time now we have been promoting the growing of veg within ornamental borders and I think this could really take off this year. The choice of ornamental-looking varieties available in seed catalogues is phenomenal and, if managed correctly, visitors to your garden will not even realise that you have veg growing! Must-have tool My secret is out. I discovered the Hori Hori a couple of years ago and now it seems so is everyone else. It is such a well-made, adaptable tool that can be used as a trowel or weeding tool in the garden that and everyone I speak to who have used it absolutely would not now be without it. Enough said! You can buy treatments at many local garden centres, but one natural way the experts recommended to get rid of rust is with neem oil. The experts explained: 'Many home gardeners turn to neem oil as a treatment for infestations of mites, fungus and other plant diseases. Used for hundreds of years as a treatment for agricultural issues, neem oil tends to have a sulfurous and garlicky smell Experts at Jackson and Perkins 'Neem oil is distilled from the seeds of the neem tree and is a naturally occurring fungicide and pesticide. 'Used for hundreds of years as a treatment for agricultural issues, neem oil tends to have a sulfurous and garlicky smell.' Neem oil is most effective during the early stages of rose rust and can also be used as a fungal suppressant to prevent the disease from reaching the plant. 6 Spring Gardening Jobs You Can Do in 60 mins A gardening pro, or just starting your planting journey? Nigel Lawton, a gardening expert at Dobbies Garden Centres has shared the six jobs you can do to transform your garden in under an hour. 1. Tidy up Remove dead leaves, neaten beds and borders, remove any seeds and apply a good layer of mulch over the surface with organic peat-free compost. TIME: 60 mins 2. Design beds and borders Trim back winter flowering plants where blooms have started to fade. Start by removing any dead, diseased or damaged branches, and get rid of any branches that cross over, Nigel says. Then prune summer flowering shrubs like Buddleia, Lavatera and hardy Fuschias to allow room for new growth. As well as encouraging new growth in the plant by removing dead material, pruning will also allow you to control the height and shape of your plants. TIME: 50 mins 3. Create a cosy patio If you have a patio, transform it into a cosy socialising spot. Start by giving that a good clean with a jet wash to quickly complete the job in under an hour. You can further liven up the area by adding some garden furniture paired with some cushions, some throws, and an outdoor rug. TIME: 30 mins 4. Refresh pots To enjoy instant colour in your garden this spring, Nigel recommends refreshing your pots, hanging baskets, and window boxes with early season flowers for a country garden effect. Plant in threes or fives to create a impactful display with small, medium, and large plants of different heights beside your door. TIME: 15 mins 5. Lawncare Another beginner-friendly task you can do to spruce up your garden is taking care of the lawn by cultivating the soil and making sure the area is level and firm. Rake out any moss or dead grass, and apply lawn treatement in late spring. TIME: 15-30 mins 6. Welcome wildlife Spring is the perfect time to welcome wildlife into your garden as small animals come out of hibernation and new birds hatch into life. To ensure your garden is a safe space for wildlife, Nigel suggests dedicating a small section of your garden to creating a wildlife-friendly habitat with pollinating plants and places for small animals and insects to shelter. You can create a safe space for them by stacking branches in a shaded spot to help protect them from the elements. All of this can be done in under an hour. TIME: 40 mins Not only this, but it's also a natural way to treat roses without using chemicals that could harm animals. However, you must be careful using it on hot, dry days - that reach 25C or above - as it can cause leaves to burn if used improperly. If you fancy giving this simple trick a try, you can order neem oil from a variety of different online retailers - and you'll even find versions of it in Superdrug and Tesco. But for those strapped for cash, you'll be pleased to know that you can order it on Amazon for as cheap as £2.79, making this trick great for those looking to cut costs.
The Sun
09-05-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
Gardening expert reveals vital step to keeping your lawn green and healthy during the summer heat
USING this one simple trick will help improve the health of your garden in warm weather, according to experts. Bokashi Living revealed that mulch is the one crucial element to keeping a healthy garden. 6 6 Applying a thick layer to your lawn will help boost soil health and protect your grass. The mulch will protect your soil from sun exposure and ensure your plants stay healthy in the summer heat. Gardening experts said this one trick will allow your plants to absorb all the nutrients from the surrounding soil. A thick layer of mulch will also reduce water evaporation from the soil according to the experts. Heatwaves can make it difficult to maintain a healthy looking lawn but a good layer of mulch will help with this. High temperatures and blazing sunlight can leave your grass brown, dry and prone to damage. 6 6 The heat and sunlight accelerates water evaporation from your soil leaving your plants and grass parched. Even regularly watering your garden may not help with water quickly being baked out of the soil in hot weather. Gardening mistakes that could get you fined Gardening experts over at Toolstation have revealed the garden laws you need to be aware of not breaking. While some of these laws could land you with a fine of up to £20,000 in extreme cases, a friendly chat with your neighbours can usually resolve any issues. Tree removal and pruning: If you have a tree in your garden you want to get rid of you better think twice and do your research. The gardening experts reveal: 'If one neighbour wishes to remove or heavily prune a tree that the other neighbour values, disputes can arise over the impact on the view, shade, or privacy. " While it might cause a row, if it is in your property boundary it is ultimately your choice, unless it has a Tree Protection Order on it. 'But, some trees may be protected by a Tree Protection Order which makes it an offence to uproot, top or destroy them, the experts warn. The maximum fine for breaking this law is £20,000, so make sure you double check if it does have a TPO. You can find out by contacting your local council for a map that shows this information. Alternatively, you can ask to speak with your local tree officer. Property boundaries and fences: One of the main causes of neighbours falling out is through arguing over property boundaries and fencing. To avoid this situation, the gardening pros recommend checking the deeds of your property to determine the correct boundaries 'Most of the time, it's easy to determine who owns the fence as the fence posts will usually be on the owners side," they add. 'Additionally, the height of fences or hedges can cause disputes between neighbours if one party feels the height has exceeded the two metre guidance. "Hedges and fences should be no more than two metres high, and you could be asked by the council to take them down if a neighbour complains about the height. "Luckily, standard fence sizes are less than two metres tall so you shouldn't have a problem.' Garden structures and additions: A pergola is the perfect addition to a garden if you want somewhere to relax in the shade. But if it obstructs your neighbour's view or violates local building regulations it could cause a dispute, as can sheds and other garden structures. 'If you're not sure, have a chat with your neighbours to let them know what you're planning and, if there's an issue, get in touch with your local council who can give you more guidance," advise the gardening experts. Overhanging branches and plants: 'When branches, vines, or roots from one neighbour's tree or plant extend into the neighbouring property, it can lead to disagreements over potential damage to structures, blocked views, or the burden of maintenance," reveal the pros. However, it's important to note you can only trim overhanging branches up to the boundary of your property otherwise, it could be seen as trespassing. You can climb into the tree to carry out the work if needed, but only on your property and make sure to stay on your side of the fence if you don't have permission to enter your neighbours garden. A layer of mulch helps to lock in moisture and nutrients and create a cool, wet surface for your plants to thrive in. There is a huge variety of mulch you can use to help protect your plants from the heat this summer. 6 6 Mulch is commonly made from organic material such as leaf mould, rotted manure or composted woodchips. Standard garden compost will also do the trick but mulch can even be made out of gravel and rocks. By composting garden and kitchen waste you can even make your own mulch. Gardening experts recommend using a thick layer of mulch this summer, homemade or shop-bought.
