Latest news with #HopesGroveNurseries
The Sun
a day ago
- Climate
- The Sun
Aldi's 75p staple owned by new parents will keep plants thriving WITHOUT a hosepipe
A 75P staple for new parents is key to helping your plants thrive during the hosepipe ban. Following an incredibly dry spring and summer, hosepipe bans are being introduced by Yorkshire Water, Thames Water, Southern Water and South East Water. 2 While the bans are in force, homeowners are not allowed to use hosepipes for activities such as watering plants or filling up paddling pools, with fines of up to £1000 issued to those who flout the rules. With the weather remaining relatively dry, gardeners will be concerned about how their precious plants will cope with the heat. However, Morris Hankinson, Director of Hopes Grove Nurseries has revealed how you can keep your plants blooming without flouting the ban. Unused nappies Morris revealed that unused nappies are great for placing in the soil around plants, as they retain soil really well. "They retain water like crazy and release it slowly to the roots during any dry spells", he revealed Nappies are super cheap, and can be picked up from Aldi for just 75p. Waterbutts With storm warnings in place for parts of the UK this weekend, now is a good time to invest in a waterbutt to collect rainwater in. You can water your plants with the water you have collected, meaning you don't need to use any mains water to keep your plants hydrated. Morris added that you can even use your own bathwater to water plants. "It doesn't matter if it looks a bit scuzzy, as the traces of skin cells and mild soap can actually act as a natural fertiliser, so long as you use it within 24 hours", he revealed. How to look after your plants in a heatwave, according to a plant doctor KELLY Dyer, the Plant Doctor at Patch Plants is warning plant lovers about the adverse affects of unseasonably strong direct sunlight, and how to best look after both your indoor and outdoor plants during a heatwave. Indoor plants: Don't mist your plants as water will evaporate and could scorch them Don't use aircon as it dries the air out Don't let plants touch glass as they could get scorched Monitor moisture levels to see if you need to increase watering Outdoor plants: Water your outside plants in the morning and evenings when it's cooler When you water your outside plants, water the soil, not the leaves If you have outdoor plants on a veranda, patio or balcony, you can keep them cooler and increase the humidity by wetting the hard surfaces Pests are on the move so regularly apply natural bug control spray to indoor and outdoor plants Recycle pasta water Another cheap hack is to reuse the water you use to cook your pasta in. "It's rich in starch and a great natural fertiliser. "It's rich in starch and a great natural fertiliser", the expert explained. Sink a flowerpot next to your plants Another simple trick is to sink a flowerpot in to the soil, next to your plants. Morris explained: "This will help the water you apply sink down to the roots instead of evaporating on the surface." Water plants in the evening During the summer, it's best to water your plants in the evening, when it's cooler. This gives the plants time to absorb the water before it is evaporated. Mulch beds and containers Morris recommended mulching beds and containers, as this helps to keep roots cool. He explained: "You can use many different materials from bark chips to coir, even old newspapers, straw or lawn mowings. "Climbers like clematis or passionflowers will even thank you for a paving slab covering their roots. "
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Optical illusion: Only a person with good communication and great observation can spot 'NECTAR' in 10 seconds
A vibrant optical illusion challenges readers to find the word "NECTAR" hidden amongst colorful flowers in just 10 seconds. The letters are scattered, testing observation skills and attention to detail. Experts suggest success indicates strong communication and visual intelligence. Are you ready for a fun challenge that will test your observation skills and your brain's attention to detail? Here's an optical illusion that's trickier than it looks — and it comes with an exciting twist! This time, the image is bursting with colourful flowers. But hidden among all the petals and leaves is one word: NECTAR. The catch? The letters aren't placed in a straight line or even in the same area — they're scattered across the image. And your challenge is to find them in just 10 seconds. Sounds easy? Think again! This isn't just a game of hide and seek. Spotting the word "NECTAR" in this flower-filled picture requires more than just good eyesight. It takes a keen sense of observation and clear thinking under pressure. Image Credit: Hopes Grove Nurseries Interestingly, experts say that puzzles like these can tell us something about our personality and skills. People who are great communicators often excel at picking up small cues — just like finding scattered letters. Those with strong observation skills can process visual information quickly and efficiently. So, if you spot the word fast, it could mean your brain is wired to notice details that others might miss — a sign of visual intelligence and sharp focus. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Before you scroll to the image, here's a little tip to boost your chances: Look at the whole picture — not just one area. The letters are not placed in any specific order. The 'N' could be at the bottom, the 'T' could be near the top. Stay calm, and don't focus too hard on just one part. Ready? Time yourself! Set a timer for 10 seconds. Then look at the picture and try to find all six letters: N, E, C, T, A, R. Remember, the flowers are just there to distract you — the letters are cleverly hidden but visible if you look closely! Image Credit: Hopes Grove Nurseries Did you spot it? If you managed to find all the letters within 10 seconds — congratulations! You likely have excellent visual attention and quick processing skills. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Everyone can see the flowers in this summer scene – but only those with high IQs can see the word ‘nectar' hidden
TEST your IQ to the max with this fiendishly tricky brainteaser, that will have you pulling your hair out trying to solve it. Everyone can see the flowers, but only those with the eyes of a hawk can spot the word 'nectar' hidden amongst them in under one minute and 17 seconds. 2 The recent sunny weather will likely have many of us dreaming of summer. And whether you're trying to improve your sight, or test your IQ, this bee-themed puzzle is bound to get you in the mood for summertime. Put your observation skills to the test and figure out whether you have what it takes to spot the word 'nectar' in just over one minute. Make sure to set your stopwatch before undertaking this challenge, to make it extra hard for yourself. If you can do it in under one minute and 17 seconds, you are said to have 20/20 vision. At first glance, the image, provided by Hopes Grove Nurseries looks like a beautiful summer scene filled with flowers and bees. However, the most eagle-eyed viewers will be able to spot that there is a hidden word amongst the flowers. This brainteaser works by tricking your eyes into thinking that there are no words hidden within the image. But rest assured, the world nectar is definitely hidden within the picture. Unless you're lucky enough to find the word immediately, we recommend analysing the picture very closely to spot the answer. Only one in four hawk-eyed geniuses can find the odd-one-out number sequence in under 40 seconds The visual deception of this image will have you peeling your eyes, but the payoff is worth it. If you need a hint, we recommend focusing on the individual flowers/ The letters are mostly hidden among the petals, with one hidden among the grass. Another tricky brainteaser features a gnarled tree but only those with high IQ can spot a sleepy cat hiding on it. How can optical illusions and brainteasers help me? Engaging in activities like solving optical illusions and brainteasers can have many cognitive benefits as it can stimulate various brain regions. Some benefits include: Cognitive stimulation: Engaging in these activities challenges the brain, promoting mental agility and flexibility. Problem-solving skills: Regular practice enhances analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Memory improvement: These challenges often require memory recall and can contribute to better memory function. Creativity: They encourage thinking outside the box, fostering creativity and innovative thought processes. Focus and attention: Working on optical illusions and brainteasers requires concentration, contributing to improved focus. Stress relief: The enjoyable nature of these puzzles can act as a form of relaxation and stress relief. If that's still not hard enough for you, then have a go at spotting the hidden broom amongst the clothes in less than five seconds. Or you can have a go at figuring out the hidden message in this band's cover art that has confused fans for years. Lastly, puzzle fanatics have been left scratching their heads trying to find the lost feather in just 12 seconds. Coming back to our challenge -were you able to solve it in under one minute and 17 seconds? For those struggling to find the answer, we have marked out the solution for you.
