Decking can look great, but over time it can get dirty and dull. This is when it can also get very slippery and hazardous to walk on. Ideally you should clean your deck twice a year, in the spring ready for the summer, and in autumn to prepare it for the winter months. You will [...]
Water butts are a great way to collect and then re-use rainwater, especially in times when hosepipe bans are in effect. In order to install one, all you need is a drill with a hole saw attachment, a hacksaw and a tape measure. You will, of course, also need a water butt and a rain [...]
A range of problems is regularly experienced with flower gardens, not only by novices but by experts too. Where experts have the edge is in their quick actions to tackle problems immediately they arise and in taking firm steps to reduce the chances of diseases and pests establishing themselves. First off, don’t leave any rubbish [...]
Anyone can grow their own herbs at home; it is actually a lot easier than you may think and does not require much space. Herbs can be expensive to buy from the supermarket, especially if they are organic, but perhaps the best part about growing your own is that you can use them fresh, straight [...]
Hanging baskets are a great way to liven up any outdoor space. Not only can they make the entrance to your home look welcoming if hung either side of your front door, they can also add colour and interest to your garden. Hanging baskets are a lot more versatile than you may imagine, you can [...]
Creating a haven for wildlife within your garden is a great way of providing a refuge for many of the animals and insects that have lost their natural habitat in the wild. It is also an efficient and cost effective method of controlling garden pests without having to resort to the use of pesticides. Many [...]
Rain will steadily and inexorably wash the lime out of soil in the garden, at the rate of about half an ounce for every year each year. Soils will become sour without adequate liming, and the vegetables, flowers and shrubs will start to suffer, so the lime must be regularly replaced. Lime will neutralise sourness, [...]
A ring culture is a novel and effective method of growing both indoor and outdoor tomatoes. It combines the best advantages of pot and soilless culture and is becoming increasingly popular with allotment and garden owners. You need a nine-inch diameter bottomless pot (the ‘Ring’), filled with about 14lb of compost on top of aggregate. [...]
Advantages of Gravel Paths Provided your home has sufficient room to accommodate one, a gravel path can be an attractive feature and pleasant for visitors to ‘crunch’ along towards your front door. This noise aspect is another plus, as it can prove to be a deterrent for unwelcome intruders. Laying a Path These paths are [...]
Hedges are just as easy to plant or to remove as any other plants in your garden. Hedges serve many purposes from providing a screen or barrier to providing food and shelter to birds, insects and other wildlife, and they are easy to maintain. Here are some things to consider when you are planting a [...]