Latest news with #planthealth
The Independent
11 hours ago
- Climate
- The Independent
These sap-sucking insects are rife in UK gardens. Here's how to combat them
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) predicted a surge in sap-sucking aphids following a mild spring. And it was right - it has been a phenomenon evident in gardens across the country. Over the past few weeks, greenfly have been seen wrapping the stems and buds of various flowering perennials and roses. Blackfly have also made their mark, leaving trails on clematis plants. The reason? A warm spring facilitated rapid and early colony growth, leading to a proliferation of aphids on acers, roses, and honeysuckle. Furthermore, certain aphid species, previously confined to glasshouses, are now venturing into outdoor spaces, seeking new plant hosts in beds and borders. 'This is the time of year when you'd expect to see more aphids. Aphids will overwinter or there will be eggs which will hatch out and then populations build up,' says Dr Stephanie Bird, RHS senior plant health scientist. While last year, the slug population exploded in the warm, wet weather, 2025 is the year of the aphid, the RHS has reported, and the number of inquiries it has received up to May about these tiny sap-sucking insects has risen. 'A lot of the aphids we have on our garden plants will have a different summer host that they'll start moving to, and this is the point in the year when predators haven't actually started controlling populations,' says Bird. We have more than 500 species of aphid in the UK, in shades of red, yellow, black, green, brown or pink, some of which feed on specific plants, others which will suck the sap out of a wide host range. They are weather-dependent Weather will affect populations, as aphids will thrive in a warm, dry spring and summer. 'Aphids' life cycles are temperature dependent, and the slightly warmer weather means they they are able to reproduce and build up their numbers slightly quicker,' she explains. And warmer winters lead to earlier activity, she adds. Aphids don't need a partner to reproduce 'They don't need to find a partner and can reproduce asexually. It's a bit like Russian dolls. Inside one aphid there is another aphid and inside that aphid there's another one,' says Bird. Their populations can bloom rapidly. How much damage can aphids do? Many plants tolerate their feeding with no ill effects, but colonies can cause a lack of plant vigour, distorted growth and they often leave a coating of their sticky excretions called honeydew on which sooty moulds can grow. Some aphids also transmit plant viruses. 'They're unlikely to kill plants, especially established ones,' says Bird. 'For instance, if you've a cherry tree which has distorted leaves which are black and sticky, and is covered in cherry black aphids, you will still get cherries off that tree.' Nor should they kill general garden plants – they just make them look unsightly, she adds. Who are their natural enemies? Parasitoid organisms such as wasp larvae develop inside the aphids and eventually kill them. Other predators include birds, predatory midges, earwigs, ladybirds and their larvae, lacewing larvae and hoverfly larvae. 'Hoverflies are beneficial pollinating insects and their larvae feed on aphids,' says Bird. 'Having aphids in your garden is part of the natural garden ecosystem. You need these kinds of insects to feed things higher up in the food chain,' she adds. Hayley Jones, principal entomologist at the RHS, continues: 'Understanding how they can be managed through simple planting choices or encouragement of natural predators will help minimise damage and potential plant losses while maintaining a healthy garden ecosystem.' How can you deter them? The RHS advises gardeners to tolerate them where possible, but if you can't, use your finger and thumb to squash colonies and check plants frequently before the damage has developed. Don't use pesticides, it says, because they reduce biodiversity, including natural enemies, and impact soil health. Encourage natural enemies of aphids into your garden by planting pollinator-friendly plants. Aphids are attracted to many plants. Some are specific to which plant they will invade, such as rose aphids. Others will inhabit many different plants. 'They generally inhabit the same sorts of places, so you'll find them a lot of the time on the undersides of leaves, but they also like the developing softer tissues around flowers and buds,' says Bird. You won't notice aphids on plants such as ornamental grasses and ferns, Bird points out.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Cheap 89p kitchen ingredient helps to keep your lawn looking green and soft – and it repels pests too
A SIMPLE garden hack can help to protect your plants from dangerous diseases. The 89p kitchen ingredient could prevent the spread of disease in your plants. 3 Cinnamon has several anti-fungal qualities that can prevent diseases from spreading among your plants. Experts recommend using the cheap kitchen item to help keep your garden healthy. Plants can benefit immensely from a sprinkling of cinnamon. The ingredient can be bought for just 89p in Aldi and could drastically improve the health of your garden plants. Adding both a lovely smell and a health benefit to your garden, using the cheap item is the ideal garden hack. Because cinnamon sucks the moisture out of fungus it prevents it from spreading. Fungus needs damp conditions to grow and can infect your plants quickly. Using a sprinkling of cinnamon prevents this by sucking the moisture from the fungus and preventing its growth and spread. Aldi sells 40g of cinnamon for less than a pound, more than enough to cover your garden plants and not break the bank. The powdered seasoning can be spread on lawns, plants, flowers and bushes to help prevent fungal diseases from spreading. The ingredient can also reportedly keep flies and other pests off plants. 3 It is said to work as a natural pest repellent and experts recommend using a dash on your plants to reap the benefits. The budget buy poses no risk to the plants themselves and is purely beneficial. Experts have warned that when plants are watered the cinnamon washes away. Reapplying the cinnamon each time your plants are watered is the easiest solution. Using a small amount on plants first is recommended as some may recoil from the kitchen item. Experts recommend using organic cinnamon for gardening only. Cinnamon with added sugar, chemicals or artificial ingredients could be harmful to your plants.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
UK-EU deal long overdue, says garden centre owner
The new agri-food deal with the EU will mean the reversal of a ban on British- grown plants being sold in Northern common varieties have been prohibited since 2021 under the terms of Northern Ireland's original Brexit deal meant Northern Ireland continued to follow the EU's strict rules on plant health while the rest of the UK had its own the new deal the UK as a whole will realign with EU plant health rules, which will mean the ban can be dropped. Robin Mercer, from Hillmount Garden Centre in County Down, said the deal was "long overdue" as the current arrangements had driven up costs."In the past before Brexit we were bringing in trolley loads of roses every week, now we're having to source them from different places and there isn't the same selection," he said."There's a lot of suppliers in England that won't work with us now because it's too much hassle, too much paperwork." The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) said the deal would help the industry across the UK, which has seen trade with European suppliers Grant, chair of the HTA's retailer committee, said: "Garden centres and their customers have seen prices rise and choice reduced as a direct result the trade barriers we now have with European suppliers."We know of many retailers who report that inspection delays have led to damaged, unsalable stock, as well as staffing issues around ever-shifting delivery times, all of which add costs to garden centres across the UK."Lifting trade barriers should boost our range of plants and products and how quickly we can get them."The deal should also mean GB retailers resume online sales of plants and seeds to Northern Ireland. Customs declarations However the changes will not be implemented anytime soon and for NI businesses and consumers will not remove all the barriers which went up in deal is described as a "political declaration" which now has to be converted to a legally binding will take months to negotiate and it is unlikely it will move to implementation before next the meantime some requirements which the last government signed up to in 2023 Windsor Framework deal will continue to be example a new phase of "Not for EU" labelling on GB food products being sold in NI will go ahead in is despite the fact that labelling with ultimately be phased out as a result of the new commercial goods being sold from GB to NI will also continue to require customs declarations, even the products which as covered by Monday's deal. Stuart Anderson, director of public affairs at Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, said he remained concerned about the customs burden for movement between GB and NI."The customs issues have been in play since the original deal was introduced," he said."There has been some movement on that though the Windsor Framework – some of it creating perhaps more challenges too with the introduction of parcel arrangements from May."However he said the new deal was "hugely positive news" on the face of added that businesses in Northern Ireland had "carried a significant amount of the burden in getting us to today". What's in the new UK/EU deal? Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the wide-ranging agreement affecting food, fishing and security after hosting EU leaders at a summit in London. It includes a new SPS agreement - which stands for sanitary and phytosanitary and refers to rules about animals and government said this would reduce red tape for businesses, simplify food exports and imports, and help cut lorry queues at borders. The deal also includes a new security and defence partnership between the UK and EU, and new arrangements for passport checks. British holidaymakers will soon be able to use more eGates in Europe, which the government said would "end the dreaded queues" at border Keir said the deal would be "good for jobs, good for bills and good for our borders".However, critics accused the Labour government of betraying Brexit voters as the UK will have to follow EU agri-food rules without having a say in how those rules are are also concerns about a 12-year fishing deal granting the EU access to UK waters, which is included as part of the overall agreement. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said the UK was "becoming a rule-taker from Brussels once again". But the Labour government said it was time to "reset" relations with the EU which is the UK's biggest market. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the UK's agricultural food exports were down by a fifth, and the new deal would reduce trade friction and costs.
The Sun
09-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Free hack helps boost plant growth in your garden – all you need is a popular pet item
THIS bizarre trick involving a free pet item could be used to boost your garden's growth, according to an expert. Using leftover aquarium water could help your garden health and boost plant growth. 6 6 An expert revealed the bizarre trick among a list of fifteen other ways to boost your garden health. Leftover waste bacteria in aquarium water is harmful to fish but very beneficial to plants. Experts recommend using only leftover fresh aquarium water with saltwater presenting a danger to your plants. Pouring the aquarium water out onto plants can give them a boost in nutrients and health. But experts have warned to only use the trick on ornamental plants, not edible ones. Using old aquarium water rather than fresh tap water will help improve overall plant health. 6 The bacteria leftover and nutrients leftover in the water can provide a boost in vitality for your greenery. Other bizarre tricks to help boost plant health were recommended by the expert. Using Club Soda instead of water can allegedly improve plant health with the beverage boasting macronutrients that are beneficial for greenery. Wood ash, with its high alkaline content, has also been recommended. Spreading the ash could help to neutralise acidic soil making a friendlier environment for your plants to thrive in. 6 6 Old coffee grounds and egg shells could also be used to boost soil and plant health. Both waste products contain high amounts of vital nutrients like calcium that can help to boost your plants vibrancy. Vegetable water, compost tea, dead leaves and aged cow manure all made the list as well. They can each be used on soil to boost the nutrients that your plants get and improve their health. Transform your garden into a summer paradise BRITS are sprucing up their gardens just in time for summer and top gadgets are the secret to turning your outdoor space from drab to fab on a budget. A garden mirror is a game-changer, adding instant depth and style. B&M is selling a stunning arched version that looks almost identical to one at The Range – but at a fraction of the price. Why shell out more when you don't have to? For those who love a lush lawn, gadgets are your best friend. Aldi is offering a handy electric scarfier for £69.99, that's £120 cheaper than Bosch. B&Q's also got a budget £8.50 lawn aerator that'll keep your grass healthy so it will look in tip-top shape all season. It works by punching tiny holes into the soil, letting air, water and nutrients get right down to the roots basically giving your lawn a big breath of fresh air. Plant pots are another quick and easy way to elevate your space and there's no need to spend a fortune. IKEA and The Range are offering £5 affordable plant pot picks, while Get Potted is selling Lechuza self watering plant pots from £13. The pots not only look good but are also equipped with a planter liner and watering system to ensure better plant growth no matter how small the decor surface. But if you really want to put your feet up, budget retailers are going high-tech with robot lawnmowers. One bargain version is £250 cheaper than a similar model at B&Q, and Currys has a wallet-friendly one too. Let the robot do the mowing while you soak up the sun. And finally, if you're looking to level up your outdoor cooking, VonHaus is serving up a red-hot deal. They've launched a dupe of the cult-favourite Ninja Artisan Pizza Oven but it's £180 cheaper. That's luxury alfresco pizza nights without the luxury price tag. So whether it's pizza ovens or lawn saviours, investing in a few smart garden gadgets could be the key to keeping your garden looking gorgeous all summer without spending a fortune
