
Everyday £3 household product can be used to fertilise your garden's grass this summer – it also works in flowerbeds
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IF your lawn is looking a little a dry and sparse after the recent sunny spell, don't fret.
A simple trick can help to transform your grass ahead of summer, and it works on flowerbeds too.
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A simple trick can help to transform your lawn ahead of the summer (stock image)
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The experts at Gardening Know How recommend sprinkling this budget-friendly buy across your lawn for the perfect green look.
According to the pros, it can help to fertilise the soil, increasing seed germination, nutrient absorption, growth, and general health of your lawns and plants.
And the secret ingredient is Epsom Salt, which you can pick up for just £3 from Asda.
It is also known as magnesium sulfate, which proves to be an important component in chlorophyll.
Magnesium deficiency is common in light, sandy, or acidic soil, so if this applies to your garden, it may be worth picking up.
Tell-tale signs include yellowing or patchiness across your lawn.
And there are a variety of ways you can apply this DIY hack to your garden.
You can create a homemade fertiliser by dissolving one tablespoon of Epsom salts in about four litres of water before applying it to the lawn.
Or you can opt to dissolve a small amount of Epsom salts in water and spray it on your lawn to ensure thorough coverage
Lawn spreaders can also be utilised to apply the salt solution to your grass.
The four easy steps to get your tired lawn lush for summer & you don't need to worry about pigeons ruining it either
And if your grass is particularly struggling, you can sprinkle the salt solution across your lawn, aiming for about two pounds of Epsom salt per 1,000 square feet.
According to experts, now is the best time to take action as spring and early summer is the time when grass actively grows.
As well as ensuring green grass and a lush thicker lawn, this trick also helps to improve root growth.
Since magnesium contributes to stronger root systems, this allows the grass to withstand weather and stress better.
Making it an ideal step for the unpredictable British weather.
Home Bargains has a budget-friendly buy that helps your knees while tending to your flower beds.
The budget retailer is also selling a budget buy guaranteed to brighten up your space.
Another garden light from the store is described as having a "cute" twist.
And shoppers can also pick up a £9.99 novelty decor buy that adds character to flowerbeds.
A £7 gardening gadget is also available from Home Bargains and is guaranteed to transform your lawn.

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Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
B&Q's huge hydrangea is the cheapest around – it flowers for months & survives winter, growing bigger blooms each year
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue. When looked after properly, a hydrangea can live for decades bloomin' great B&Q's huge hydrangea is the cheapest around – it flowers for months & survives winter, growing bigger blooms each year Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HYDRANGEAS are the perfect garden flower thanks to their versatility and popularity. The gorgeous flower has trended this year and can now be snapped up for a bargain price at B&Q. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 B&Q is selling the Hydrangea Paniculata at a bargain price Credit: B&Q 3 It is going for just £15 Credit: B&Q The home and hardware chain has the Hydrangea Paniculata for just £15 for a 5 litre plant, whereas they can retail at other stores for anywhere between £20 and £30. In the past month alone, there's been 9.7 million Google searches for Hydrangeas, because people are catching on that they're a great flower to have in any garden. These 5-litre plants come in a mix of four colors and are available in-store now. Why We Love Hydrangeas The Hydrangea Paniculata is best known for its large, colourful blooms that flower in late summer and early autumn. The range of colours include white, pink, green, and yellow, whose colour will not change depending on soil pH, unlike other varieties of hydrangeas. Unlike the more common hydrangea varieties - Mophead, Lacecap, and Hortensia - "the Hydrangea paniculata is a striking panicle hydrangea known for its striking conical blooms and strong, upright habit". "These long-lasting flowerheads provide months of intense colour and structure, making them a great addition for borders or large containers," said B&Q's Outdoor Expert, Mark Sage. 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But over the winter, gardeners are told not to cut off the dead blooms, instead, they should be left on - even though they look brown and crispy - because they protect new shoots. Then when spring rolls around, and after new shoots appear, give the plant a hard cut back - the more you cut back, the bigger the plant will then grow. Hydrangeas can live for decades, in the right conditions, meaning they could be a good long-term investment for your garden. And they are easy to propagate - so you can have multiple plants from one, or swap and share with fellow gardeners. 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. How to prune a Hydrangea The easiest way is to cut the dead bloom off the plant. Snip as far down as the next new buds on the stem, if these are visible or to wherever looks appropriate. For a more established plants you can cut old stems back to the base to encourage new growth. Use clean, sharp garden shears or scissors to ensure a clean cut and no damage to your plant.


Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I ‘live' on a cruise ship with my son & fiancé – the food's amazing, there's childcare & our laundry's done for free too
She's allowed to spend up to eight weeks on board with her fiancé at a time SHIPPING OUT I 'live' on a cruise ship with my son & fiancé – the food's amazing, there's childcare & our laundry's done for free too Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WOMAN who "lives" on a cruise ship with her almost two-year-old son and fiancé has revealed some of the perks of her unique lifestyle. Chelsea spends months at a time on the ship with her husband-to-be and their little boy Mattia, on a "friends and family" basis. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Chelsea spends up to two months at a time "living" with her fiancé while he works as an officer on a cruise ship Credit: tiktok/@ 7 She shares a double room with her other half and their son, so there's not a huge amount of room Credit: tiktok/@ 7 They have a little inflatable bath for their almost two-year-old, which is stored in the shower when it's not in use Credit: tiktok/@ 7 And Chelsea has done her best to make the most of the cupboard space in the room - using one shelf for Mattia's toiletries Credit: tiktok/@ While her man works as an officer on board the boat, she and the tot are able to make the most of some of the benefits, including amazing food and free accommodation. They share a room with Chelsea's Italian fiancé Domenico, which means they don't have to pay for it - although it's a tight squeeze thanks to the travel cot Mattia sleeps in. They also have an inflatable bath that they store in their shower when it's not in use, and Mattia's nappies and wipes take up almost an entire shelf in the wardrobe. In videos on her TikTok page, Chelsea has been sharing an insight into her life at sea, as she said she does up to eight weeks at a time on board while her other half works - the limit for friends and family. However, Domenico's assignments mean he can spend up to nine months at a time on a ship. So during that time Chelsea and Mattia split their time between the boat, Scotland - where she's originally from - and south Italy, where they have a house. "I say 'living' because we're not actually living here," she explained in a video on TikTok. "We're still passengers, but we are family and friends cruisers. "But when we do really long cruises it's basically like moving our life for that duration to be here." "And it means we can obviously be together for part of the long contract away from each other," she added. One of the Largest Cruise Ships in the World While Chelsea's hands are full looking after Mattia, she is no stranger to life on board a cruise ship - as she used to work on one as a dancer. And she knows about the best perks of temporarily relocating to the ship - including the amazing food. She and Mattia are treated like any other passenger with the food that comes included with their "friends and family" tickets, which means they have to pay for drinks or if they want to dine at one of the speciality restaurants for a change. There's also a kids' club on board, and that's free too - although Mattia isn't a fan. Pros and cons of going on a cruise ship Whether you're considering a long holiday, working remotely or even living on board a cruise ship for a few months or years, here are the pros and cons from a former cruise shipper. Pros Travel the world, learn and experience new cultures Meet new people Don't have to think or worry about room cleaning, or food Cons Internet connection can be painfully slow and expensive Limited luggage allowance so have to wear the same clothes on rotation Having no control of where the ship would go next and the possibility of visiting the same ports Having the same onboard entertainment, on-demand movies, and little choice of TV channels No fresh newspapers or new books unless someone adds them to the library Relatively the same food week after week unless major menu changes occur seasonally. Occasional rough seas, bad weather and viral outbreaks while inboard. "The baby care and club is completely free for everyone on board but it's baby care 10am-1pm (no parents you leave the baby with the staff) , then you can use the area to play freely with your baby 1pm-5pm, while 5pm-8pm is baby care!" Chelsea explained in response to another comment. "But my little one doesn't like baby cafe they always call me after like 10 mins!" Another benefit of joining Domenico on the ship is that Chelsea gets her and Mattia's laundry done for free. Domenico gets his done for no cost thanks to his job ranking, while Chelsea and Mattia are included in that too. 7 The room even has a sea view, thanks to a little porthole in the wall Credit: tiktok/@ 7 She also revealed she and her son get their laundry done for free, with an itemised sheet coming back along with the clean washing when it's finished


Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside the world of ‘lone wolf' Emma Raducanu & her strict relationship rules following Alcaraz romance rumours
Emma Raducanu has been at the centre of swirling romance rumours 40 LOVE-TRIANGLE Inside the world of 'lone wolf' Emma Raducanu & her strict relationship rules following Alcaraz romance rumours Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WORTH a rumoured £10 million there's no doubt that Emma Raducanu is one of the world's most eligible bachlelorettes. And the rumour mill was rife ahead of Wimbledon this year with insiders joking the 22-year-old was being 'fought over' by two fellow players. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 11 Emma Raducanu is now worth around £10 million Credit: Getty 11 She is hoping to take home a trophy at Wimbledon this year Credit: Darren Fletcher Nick Kyrgios jokingly claimed Carlos Alcaraz and Jack Draper were 'fighting over' Raducanu. However, the tennis ace had previously denied any romantic involvement with her doubles partner Carlos Alcaraz, claiming they are 'just good friends.' Besides Emma certainly has more important things to focus on than romantic relationships. At the age of 18 Emma made sporting history when she became the youngest British player to win a Grand Slam title at the US Open. Now 22, the tennis powerhouse is worth an estimated £10 million according to Forbes making her a seriously eligible bachelorette with a very glam lifestyle. And it seems that solo time is where the star's priorities lie as she has previously described herself as a lone wolf. Here Fabulous looks inside the world of Britain's most independent tennis player… ONLY CHILD Emma is the only child of her parents Renee and Ion Raducanu. The family moved to Bromley, South East London from their home in Canada and Emma credits her parents with keeping her focused on her training. In an interview with The Sun following her US Open win, she explained that her hectic schedule kept her away from friends. She said: 'I've been a bit busy lately so I haven't been able to hang out with my friends as much, but it's just nice to have those conversations and go to the same places that you used to go. Emma Raducanu hammers Elise Mertens as Brit reaches Grand Slam third round for first time since US Open victory 'And I have my parents — who were telling me off yesterday morning, big time.' Asked what she did wrong, Emma said with a laugh: 'I said I was tired! They both told me off.' BOOMING BUSINESS While her training schedule may be full on, the 21-year-old has proven that hard work pays off. In 2020 Emma set up her firm Harbour 6, which channels her sports and commercial earnings, just as her tennis career was taking off. She entered the US Open as a qualifier before shocking the world with her eventual triumph at Flushing Meadow. The success saw Raducanu crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2021 and handed an MBE in the New Year's Honours list. 11 She shot to fame when she became the youngest Brit to win the US Open in 2021 Credit: Getty 11 She has since become a runaway success earning around £148,000 a week Credit: Getty As a result she went from barely making money from tennis to banking £1.8m from her sensational US Open win a year later. Deals with huge brands then followed. And in April it was revealed that her company had earned £7.7 million in a year, with Emma netting around £148,000 a week. The accounts – which Raducanu, 21, signed off herself – show the business has £10.2 million in assets including £6.3 million in cash. The firm, of which Kent-based Emma is the sole director, is due to pay bills of £2.2million, including corporation tax at £1.8 million. Raducanu set up the business as a teenager in 2020 while her tennis career was taking off. Her firm made £7.7 million in profits for the year ending February 28, 2023. The Brit star has been tipped to become a billionaire. LONE WOLF While young millions are wont to blow thousands on wild parties and jetting A-list friends off on luxurious holidays, Emma is perfectly happy in her own company. Speaking to Harper's Bazaar in February, she explained: 'I am a bit of a lone wolf and after an intense day, where I either push myself to the limits training or have many social interactions, I like to spend time alone reflecting and recharging. 'Being comfortable in my own company and in the silence that comes with it is something that helps me stay fresh.' STRICT DATING RULES It is a good thing that Emma enjoys her own company as her parents have given her some very strict rules when it comes to dating. 'My parents were very much against that [boyfriends] as it interfered with training,' she told the Times in May. 'When I was younger I wasn't even allowed to hang out with my girlfriends. A lot of the time I was very resentful. 'But it made me very confident and comfortable in my own company, which is also a big strength.' BILLIONAIRE BOYFRIEND However, one suitor did slip through the net with Emma famously dating billionaire Carlo Agostinelli. The couple got together in May 2023 and were first seen together at Paris Fashion Week. 11 While she was once banned from dating she had a short relationship with billionaire Carlo Agostinelli Credit: Getty 11 Emma's parents discouraged her from dating, she's seen here with her mum Credit: The Times Former Spurs academy footballer Carlo is the son of tycoon Robert Agostinelli, who generated his fortune as the co-founder and chairman of private equity firm Rhone Group. Robert is said to be worth more than £780million. They frequently featured on each other's Instagram pages and shared snaps showing them on luxury holidays together in Greece and Mexico. However, their romance was short-lived. The Wimbledon hopeful and tycoon's son Carlo, 23, a former head boy of private Harrow school before moving to California to study at Stanford University, unfollowed each other on Instagram last month. And Emma has also blocked Carlo from her social media account, suggesting she is the one who called time on the relationship. A source said: 'Emma has 2.4million followers on Instagram but Carlo is no longer one of them. 'It seems their relationship has run its course.' FROM CARLO TO CARLOS While her performance on pitch ought to be the focus of Emma's Wimbledon performance, it was her life off-pitch that had punters talking. She and Carlos Alcaraz have been subject to swirling rumours about a potential romance after they announced they would be teaming up as doubles partners for the US Open later this summer. 11 Rumours have begun to swirl about the dynamic between Alcaraz and Raducanu Credit: Getty Insiders said British ace Emma, was seen cheering on world No2 Carlos in June- the day before he won the competition after beating Jiri Lehecka. They claimed the pair also arrived at Queens within minutes of each other on both occasions Emma came to watch Carlos play. A source said: 'Emma and Carlos' friendship was the talk of Queens - people think there is something going on between them because they have such a spark. 'He was apparently seen at her hotel last week and on Thursday and Saturday, when Emma went to support him, Emma's car arrived just minutes after Carlos got to Queens with his team. 'Inside they were seen laughing and joking with one another. "They seem very happy and relaxed with each other' The pair are going to be teaming up in the mixed doubles at the US Open Mixed Doubles Championship in August but insiders have tipped their partnership to spill into romance. A second source added: 'It wasn't just the tennis lot who were talking about it. 'People who worked for the BBC and other broadcasters were all gossiping about it. 'The only love being talked about was about Emma and Carlos.' However, when asked about it in her pre-Wimbledon press conference, the British star said while giggling: "We're just good friends". LOVE TRIANGLE RUMOURS Despite her denial, just a few days later Nick Kyrgios joked that Emma was part of a 'love triangle.' Speaking on talkSPORT, Kyrgios suggested two-time defending men's champion Alcaraz and British number one Jack Draper were 'fighting over' Emma. 11 Emma and Jack Draper have also been at the centre of romance rumours Credit: PA "I don't know, I think it's a love triangle," Kyrgios joked. "Draper, Alcaraz, Raducanu. They're fighting over Raducanu I think, I'm not sure." He went on to add that romance or not, Emma was at the top of her game. He said: "The tennis world loves a love story, they love to try and put two together but Raducanu is number one British female player at the moment, she's doing fairly well." 11 Wimbledon 2025 LIVE - follow all the latest scores and updates from a thrilling fortnight at SW19 CELEBRITY SUPPORT But while Emma may not have a significant other cheering her on from the side lines she has plenty of support from her celebrity fans. Various famous faces, including Boris Johnson, Ant & Dec, Stephen Fry, Nicola Sturgeon and Clare Balding have paid tribute to her success. Even the late Queen published an open letter to congratulate Raducanu on her remarkable triumph - which the tennis star planned to frame. Raducanu is also mates with Marcus Rashford, with the Manchester United hero offering his support when she crashed out of the tournament in 2021. She told Vogue: "I was feeling like I let people down, so for him to reassure me like that - I was extremely grateful." Rashford congratulated Raducanu on her American success, tweeting: "Look at that bounce back... US Open champion, amazing. Congratulations!" And she went to the same school as sprinter Dina Asher-Smith, although they attended Newstead Wood in Orpington at different times. Raducanu has not forgotten her roots, taking time out of her busy schedule to visit her old primary school on sports day. She inspired the next generation by handing out medals and playing tennis with the kids, giving them some priceless tips. While in 2022, ambitious Emma was awarded an MBE by the King. 11 Catherine Jenkins and David Beckham watched one of her matches last year Credit: Darren Fletcher