Page 17 - News

Woman using a sewing machine to stitch floral embroidery on fabric in a sunlit room.

Upcycling Embroidered Linen Sheets: Turn Old Dowry Linens into Modern Pieces

Oliver Grant • October 6, 2026

Many households across the German-speaking world have them: grandma’s finely embroidered dowry linen sheets, neatly folded away yet untouched for...

Hands repotting a lemon tree seedling with roots exposed on a wooden table, surrounded by pots and gardening tools.

Spring repotting for a lemon tree: free the root ball for better fruit

Oliver Grant • October 6, 2026

Many hobby gardeners only swap the pot in spring - then later wonder why the leaves turn pale and the...

Person spreading lawn seeds on grass with rake and seed bag in a sunny backyard garden.

Iron sulphate lawn treatment in March: drive out moss and green up the grass

Oliver Grant • October 6, 2026

Plenty of amateur gardeners reach for the lawnmower or a strong fertiliser as soon as the days start to lengthen...

Man fitting reflective insulation foil behind a radiator indoors near a window.

Is foil behind radiators worth it in the UK?

Oliver Grant • October 6, 2026

On a freezing Tuesday in January, I saw my neighbour padding about in slippers and football shorts, carefully sticking strips...

Person kneeling on grass planting a young green plant with gardening tools around them.

Nutgrass (Cyperus rotundus): How to Control It in Lawns and Beds

Oliver Grant • October 6, 2026

Nutgrass, botanically Cyperus rotundus, is widely regarded as one of the most irritating weeds you can get in a garden....

Hands planting an orange nasturtium flower in a garden bed with leafy greens and a gardening trowel nearby.

Nasturtiums in March: the simple flower that protects vegetables from aphids

Oliver Grant • October 6, 2026

Many hobby gardeners leap straight into spring with tomatoes, courgettes and beans. Seeds go into the ground, beds are readied,...

Person installing a wooden rail with hooks to hang pot lids in a bright kitchen.

DIY Pan Lid Organiser with Simple Materials

Oliver Grant • October 6, 2026

Making a pan lid organiser from simple materials has become a practical option for anyone who wants to make better...

Person mowing an overgrown lawn with a red petrol lawnmower in a suburban garden on a sunny day.

First Spring Lawn Mow: Why Mowing Too Early and Too Short Hurts Your Grass

Oliver Grant • October 6, 2026

Winter has finally eased, the sun is showing itself more often, and a glance out of the window lands on...

Person planting flower seeds in a garden bed surrounded by flowering plants and labelled seed packets.

March Sowing: Fast Spring Flowers Inspired by Great Britain

Oliver Grant • October 6, 2026

While many amateur gardeners across German-speaking countries still hesitate in March, in the United Kingdom the sowing season for quick...

Hands organising condiments and yogurts on a tray inside a fridge with eggs and vegetables visible.

How to Reuse an Egg Box Lid as a Fridge Organiser

Oliver Grant • October 6, 2026

Storing lots of food in the fridge without proper organisation can swallow up valuable space and even lead to unwanted...

Person planting flower bulbs in soil beside labelled plants and a watering can in a garden.

March planting: 7 summer-flowering bulb flowers for a show-stopping garden

Oliver Grant • October 6, 2026

Between bare beds and damp soil, a quiet decision is being made about how your garden will look in July...

Young man tending to a green shrub in a garden with gardening guides and tools nearby on a sunny day.

Photinia vs Pittosporum: The Hedge Change for 2026

Oliver Grant • October 6, 2026

For years, many front gardens have told the same story: once-thick, colourful hedges turn patchy, develop brown areas and become...

Woman in casual clothes holding half an avocado, looking concerned and touching her stomach in a kitchen.

The avocado trap: why your daily avocado may be stalling fat loss

Oliver Grant • October 6, 2026

You’ve stayed loyal to the avocado: crushed on toast, fanned out over salads, whizzed into smoothies. Yet your clothes still...

Person kneeling on a garden path planting a young tree amid colourful potted and flowering plants in sunlight.

Shade Bloomers for Almost All Summer: 7 Reliable Plants for Shady Spots

Oliver Grant • October 6, 2026

Yes, it can be done. Plenty of keen gardeners give up on shady corners in frustration and, at most, park...

Person using a lawn aerator on a grassy garden, with gardening tools and supplies nearby.

March Lawn Scarifying: How to Prevent a Brown Lawn in Summer

Oliver Grant • October 6, 2026

If you do nothing now, you’ll pay for it in midsummer with a brown, scorched lawn. There’s still a small...

Person cleaning a smoking barbecue grill with a brush in a sunny garden setting.

How to Clean a Home Barbecue Properly

Oliver Grant • October 6, 2026

Proper maintenance of a home barbecue is often pushed down the list, yet it has a real impact on how...

Hands pruning a small flowering plant in a garden bed with gardening tools nearby at sunset.

Monty Don’s March trick for more hydrangea flowers

Oliver Grant • October 6, 2026

Anyone who waits each year for a riot of blooms and ends up staring at a few tired heads is...

Woman grooming a golden retriever in a garden with pet care products on a wooden deck nearby.

Ticks in the Garden: Practical ways to protect people and pets

Oliver Grant • October 5, 2026

Ticks in the garden pose a health risk to people and pets, particularly during warm, humid spells. These parasites take...

Person wearing gloves sprinkling fertiliser on plants in a garden with pebbled soil and colourful flowers.

A simple washing powder trick for weeds in gravel

Oliver Grant • October 5, 2026

Weeds push up through gravel, your back aches from pulling them out, and you do not want to use harsh...

Woman in beige dress smelling white flowers on wooden pergola in sunny garden with watering can and gardening gloves on table

Aromatic Climbers for a Pergola in Full Sun with Scented Flowers

Oliver Grant • October 5, 2026

Creating a lovely outdoor space in summer starts with choosing the right ornamental plants. Growing aromatic climbers can turn sunny...

Person using an iron to heat press a colourful design onto a white T-shirt on a wooden table.

Fix a Cracked T‑Shirt Print with Acetone and an Iron

Oliver Grant • October 5, 2026

Your favourite T‑shirt print is flaking, the design looks tired - but rather than chucking it into the clothes bank,...