Latest news with #Gardeners
The Sun
7 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Scattering a £1.49 Aldi buy around your plants will stop root rot, slug-proof your garden & banish pesky weeds
SUMMER is here and if you're planning on spending it relaxing in your garden, this budget buy may be worth picking up. Aldi shoppers can pick up the handy item - that's not only delicious to eat but their shells can repel pests from your outdoor space. 1 Aldi's £1.49 kitchen buy Next time you buy Aldi's pistachios - that sell for just £1.49 - don't' just throw their shells into the trash or recycling bin. For the gardeners among us, they could actually be more useful than you realize. Just as there are ways to use those old coffee grounds in your garden and plant pots, there are ways to put your pistachio shells to work in your soil. They have several properties that make them the perfect repellent for pests, including hard, sharp edges, and a very slow breakdown time. Crushed pistachios scattered around plants make it difficult for pests to enter, and too uncomfortable for them to stick around for any length of time. They can take up to three years to decompose, so better to have them on pest control while they are doing it rather than just sitting in a landfill reports You can also use whole shells as a top layer in your garden to deter larger animals like squirrels from digging in your garden soil. Because of the fibrous texture of pistachio shells, they also absorb odors easily, making them amazing little natural diffusers. Soak the shells in essential oils that act as natural repellents like peppermint oil, sprinkle them around the garden, and watch as pests turn the other way. Other ways to use pistachio shells in the garden Pistachio shells work well as mulch, suppressing weeds and balancing moisture in the soil. Wake up to a weed-free lawn for months thanks to Aldi's £10 gadget that pulls them out without bending or kneeling down Use whole shells by layering them on top of your soil, or mixing them in with leaf mulch to create a protective layer that helps to regulate soil temperatures and insulate roots. As the shells slowly break down, they add nutrients to the soil. This also makes them an excellent addition to compost piles, where they help increase soil aeration, add carbon to soil, and increase microbial activity. The shells can also be used in potted plants to increase drainage and prevent root rot. Simply add about an inch of shells to the bottom of your pot before adding your soil. The shells will collect any excess water that the plant doesn't need, keeping the roots from getting inundated and potentially rotting. There's just one caveat to using pistachio shells in your garden and potted plants. Make sure to rinse them before using them if they were salted, as too much sodium in soil can be toxic to plants. Other garden hacks A DIY fan and savvy saver has shared five tricks to glam up your garden whilst staying on a budget. Shelley Carline not only transformed her grubby patio for just £20, but she also swears by a free tip that makes a huge difference to your space. Wasps pose a menace to many this summer - however, a cleaning whizz has suggested not only a surprising but also affordable way to fend them away. And luckily for those on a budget, who don't have much cash to splash on pricey cleaning products, this simple trick is totally free.
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Late-July chill yields a rare summer frost advisory in Alberta
After soaking rains and multiple days of thunderstorm risks in parts of Alberta, some locales in the Western province might be getting a different kind of weather event: Frost. Persistent rainfall and cloud cover has cooled regions around Calgary, Alta., to well below normal. Nightly temperatures won't be much different than the daytime highs. The best odds of temperatures hitting zero are along the Bow River, north of the Saskatchewan River and the Brazeau Reservoir area. Temperatures are forecast to be around 0 C Tuesday overnight for parts of southern Alberta, prompting frost advisories. While Calgary, Alta., isn't in the frost advisory, the typical, average date of the last frost is on May 21. There is a 10 per cent chance its final spring frost was on June 11, so we're in quite the rare territory. Gardeners should take precautions to protect tender or frost-sensitive plants and trees across areas expecting near-freezing temperatures Tuesday night. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), frost advisories are issued when temperatures are expected to reach the freezing mark during the growing season, leading to potential damage and destruction to plants and crops. Cover your plants But how do you protect your sensitive plans from a sneaky, late-season frost? One key step: Cover your plants! Tarps, blankets, pots, boxes…anything you've got on hand to provide a protective bubble around your tender plants and sprouts is key to warding off the damaging effects of frost. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Late-July chill yields a rare summer frost advisory in Alberta
After soaking rains and multiple days of thunderstorm risks in parts of Alberta, some locales in the Western province might be getting a different kind of weather event: Frost. Persistent rainfall and cloud cover has cooled regions around Calgary, Alta., to well below normal. Nightly temperatures won't be much different than the daytime highs. The best odds of temperatures hitting zero are along the Bow River, north of the Saskatchewan River and the Brazeau Reservoir area. Temperatures are forecast to be around 0 C Tuesday overnight for parts of southern Alberta, prompting frost advisories. While Calgary, Alta., isn't in the frost advisory, the typical, average date of the last frost is on May 21. There is a 10 per cent chance its final spring frost was on June 11, so we're in quite the rare territory. Gardeners should take precautions to protect tender or frost-sensitive plants and trees across areas expecting near-freezing temperatures Tuesday night. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), frost advisories are issued when temperatures are expected to reach the freezing mark during the growing season, leading to potential damage and destruction to plants and crops. Cover your plants But how do you protect your sensitive plans from a sneaky, late-season frost? One key step: Cover your plants! Tarps, blankets, pots, boxes…anything you've got on hand to provide a protective bubble around your tender plants and sprouts is key to warding off the damaging effects of frost.
The Sun
21-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
A spoonful of 89p Aldi bakery staple will fix bald, brown patches on your lawn WITHOUT having to returf
PREPPING for summer activities includes making sure your lawn looks as pristine as it can be. And luckily, you can do just that with just a spoonful of a cheap 89p Aldi bakery staple. 4 Getting the ideal lawn means fighting against moss, fungal infections, and numerous insects determined to leave it looking sparse and uneven. But we have an affordable and easy method to immediately enhance your lawn's appearance whilst deterring nuisances and making your grass look greener. The 89p Hack Gardeners are being urged to sprinkle cinnamon powder on their lawns this summer because it's a cheap and easy way to instantly boost the look of your lawn. Cinnamon isn't just a spice to season food, but it actually contains some properties that make your lawn look better. According to cinnamon is a good eco-friendly alternative to spraying chemicals on a lawn which will repel insects and pests, including ants, aphids and mosquitoes. But it will also stop squirrels from digging in your lawn to bury food too reports The Express. It says: 'Sprinkling cinnamon on your grass isn't just a quirky garden trick; it's a natural defence against a host of unwanted critters from industrious ants to delicate aphids to buzzing mosquitoes. 'Research, like a study featured in Molecules, suggests that cinnamon possesses remarkable properties. "That not only repel pests but can even deter insects from laying their eggs when applied in larger quantities. "This repellent effect can be attributed to the presence of potent compounds like cinnamaldehyde as well as terpenoids, known for their insecticidal properties." Wake up to a weed-free lawn for months thanks to Aldi's £10 gadget that pulls them out without bending or kneeling down Not a one-trick pony 4 Cinnamon isn't just a one-trick pony when it comes to pest control. The company said: "It boasts a versatile repertoire, capable of warding off and even deterring larger nuisances like squirrels and raccoons, making it a comprehensive solution for safeguarding the grass in your garden.' Cinnamon's anti-fungal properties also block the growth of moss, fungus and other harmful bacteria that would mean to do your lawn harm. It adds: 'Cinnamon doesn't just stop at repelling pests; it's also a powerful ally in combating harmful bacteria and fungi that threaten the health of your grass, as shown by a study in Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Gardening tips and hacks How to transform your garden on a cheap budget How to preserve your favourite flowers at home - 5 easy tips explained Which plants should I be wary about my dog being around? When is the best time to prune roses? When should I start planting daffodil bulbs? How high can a garden fence be and can it be taller than my neighbours? What colour of fence paint makes a garden look bigger? Will my garden plants still grow if my backyard doesn't receive any sun? "This aromatic spice has remarkable antimicrobial properties, primarily attributed to compounds like cinnamaldehyde. "When sprinkled onto your grass, cinnamon acts as a natural barrier, inhibiting the growth of detrimental bacteria in the soil.' So there you go - Cinnamon can stop mildew, and also stimulate plant growth for your grass and with Aldi selling it for only 89p - it's an easy gardening solution. Other garden hacks 4 Here are 7 simple hacks to get your garden summer-ready without breaking the bank. An old-wives hack that gets rid of rust from garden furniture for free – it used to be a gypsy secret but we are revealing all. The Queen of Clean's 5p hack that stops wasps & hornets attacking you in your garden – they get 'dizzy' & fly away. A cheap 30p hack that will transform patios and garden paths in seconds & make your outdoor space look very smart.
The Guardian
14-07-2025
- The Guardian
Do you have plants in your garden? You may have grown a thieves' paradise
Name: Japanese maple trees. Age: First cultivated in Britain in 1820. Appearance: Wait, where's mine gone? Well, go on then, describe it. I'm trying. It was here a moment ago. Oh God, has someone nicked it? I hardly think someone would have stolen your tree. Don't sound so surprised. This is the fifth one of mine that's gone missing this year. Wait, really? Oh yes. Britain is in the evil grips of what the Times has called 'a plant theft epidemic'.Two-thirds of the 2,000 gardeners surveyed by insurance company Allianz UK said they had experienced some form of plant theft, with shrubs, flowers and trees all being targeted. That's terrible! Indeed: one victim of theft was so moved that, in her words, 'I nearly put up a sign up in my garden saying, 'Why did you take them? Do you feel good about it?'' And let me guess, the Japanese maple is a prime target? Yes, the Japanese maple, or acer palmatum, is one of the most prized targets of all. Grow one of those to full maturity and it's suddenly worth thousands of pounds. I had no idea. The really smart crooks go for bonsai trees, though. Their price per kilo is through the roof. Find a large one and that could resell for £5,000. Why now? Because, like everything else, plants are really expensive. Production costs have risen, energy prices are astronomical and Brexit has ruined everything. All roads lead to Brexit. They certainly do here, because importing plants from Europe now means navigating a complicated set of regulations and costs that the importers cannot cover themselves alone. And this means that the consumer has to shoulder the financial burden. Or, you could just nick it. Yes, you could hop over someone's fence and make off with their prized plants. That would be much cheaper, if harrowing for the victim. Could I just sling a bike lock around my maple? Well, sure, but perhaps it would be better to just write your postcode on it with a UV pen, or cover your garden in gravel so you can hear the thieves crunching around at night. I can't believe this is what we've come to. I know. It's like you can't put anything in your garden without having it stolen. Wait, anything? It certainly seems that way. So if I go out in public and start bragging about the uncontrollable brambles that have taken over my flower bed? No, you probably can't trick career thieves into tidying your garden up for you. What's the current black market value for rusty trampolines? Seriously, tidy your own garden. Do say: 'Plant theft is more widespread than ever …' Don't say: '… which is why I only grow weeds.'
