Latest news with #LoveYourGarden
The Herald Scotland
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
TV gardener's 'doon the watter' promise to his family
'We talk about it all the time and they keep asking to go,' he says. 'I can still remember it now, that smell of seaweed and the sound of the paddles, it was so much a part of my childhood.' Filming commitments mean that Domoney may have to miss this summer's sailing schedule, but he will be in Scotland later this year when he cuts the ribbon on the National Gardening & Outdoor Living Show, which takes place at the Royal Highland Centre Edinburgh on July 26 and 27. The show is a brand new event and it will bring together top nurseries selling plants suitable for Scottish gardens as well as a traditional flower show with cut flowers, crafts and vegetables, alongside bonsai displays and koi carp exhibits and a Potting Shed Stage, where Domoney will be sharing his knowledge of growing and gardening. That knowledge built on long experience, which began when, as a Scout, he turned his 'Bob-A-Job' efforts, cutting grass for his neighbours, into a pocket-money business before, at the age of 16, taking up a three-year-apprenticeship with a leading garden centre chain. It was a route that offered training, education and practical, hands-on experience and which provided the foundation for a stellar career that has involved senior positions with DIY multiples and the founding of his own, hugely successful garden design and consultation business. Read More: Domoney has designed gardens for high profile celebrities and commercial clients, as well as winning 34 Royal Horticultural Society medals including a clutch of Chelsea golds. He has founded both the Community Street, community and schools gardening campaign, and the Young Gardeners of the Year competition, received royal accolades and been admitted as a 'Fellow' to a long list of eminent organisations, including the Linnean Society, the world's oldest organisation dedicated to botany. He is one of the most experienced and knowledgeable of all TV gardeners, yet when broadcasting live from the greenhouse of his home in Warwickshire, demonstrating to viewers of This Morning how to squeeze the maximum amount of colour out of their window boxes, or wielding a spade in a suburban patch on Love Your Garden, he has a down-to-earth, approachable style that makes him sound more like the capable bloke at the local allotments rather than the bona fide member of gardening royalty that he actually is. (Image: David Domoney) 'I've always loved talking to people about plants,' he says. 'I did it when I worked for the garden centre, giving advice to customers, then from that I moved to making video clips when I was working for one of the big chains and from that came the opportunity to work on TV.' That work has included making more than 120 gardens alongside Alan Titchmarsh and the Love Your Garden team as well as a series of instant transformations carried out live on daytime TV. 'The first thing that the participants would know about it was when I rang the doorbell at ten past ten in the morning and I had an hour and 50 minutes to complete the job.' Domoney keeps finding new ways to express the passion that took him into the industry at a young age and most recently that has taken the form of a new book, 'Plants with Superpowers' that took two years of research to complete. 'Did you know that you can charge your mobile phone using a potato or that walnuts don't just look like brains, they can help our grey matter to function better?' From the incredible longevity of the Ginkgo biloba tree, which has been around for 250 million years, or the Gas plant, which can spontaneously combust, Domoney says he was captivated by the stories that he uncovered. He'll be sharing some of these on stage at the National Gardening & Outdoor Living Show, along with giving advice on how to make the most of any garden. And if you want to know in advance the secrets of creating your dream garden, then here are David Domoney's top ten tips for transforming your outdoor space: 1. The garden is your own, personal environment so make it work for you. 2. Create something that is manageable. For instance, if you have lots of plants in pots then you are going to be doing a lot of watering. 3. Lawns are calming, they soften the garden and a well kept lawn will produce more oxygen than a patch of rainforest of the same size. 4. Make it a place that appeals to all the senses. Include plants with different textures and those like mint and rosemary which smell wonderful when you touch them. Try too to include the sound of running water. 5. Think of your garden as somewhere that can support your health so aim to grow currants, blueberries, strawberries and other fruits and vegetables. 6. If you only have room for one tree, make it an apple. It will give you flowers, foliage and fruit and because the trees come in different sizes there's one for every garden. 7. Fill your home with houseplants, they bring the outdoors inside. Your window sills are the perfect environment for growing a whole range of beautiful plants. 8. Take care of the wildlife in your garden. Feed the birds and grow plants that are beneficial to insects. 9. The secret of any great garden lies in the soil, it is teeming with life and you can boost it with home made compost, so don't get rid of garden waste or vegetable scraps, compost them instead. 10. Aim to have something in flower in every month of the year. It won't just make your garden look better but it will also help insects to flourish. Tickets to the National Gardening & Outdoor Living Show are available from Enter HORTI30 in the code box to get 30% off a £15 day ticket.
The Herald Scotland
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Famous Hampshire-based celebrities including Colin Firth
There are also quite a few people born here who have gone on to great success in their careers. From esteemed actors to broadcasters, chefs, and more, Hampshire has never shied away from its celebrity connections. With that in mind, here are nine celebrities who have some link to Hampshire, whether they have lived or have grown up in the county. 9 celebrities with connections to Hampshire Alan Titchmarsh Alan Titchmarsh has a home near Alton in Hampshire (Image: James Manning/PA Wire) The gardener and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh is a well-known face on British TV thanks to his work on Gardeners' World, Love Your Garden and his self-titled chat show. The 76-year-old moved to Hampshire with his wife Alison back in 2002, living in a Grade II-listed Georgian farmhouse near Alton. Colin Firth Colin Firth was born in the village of Grayshott in Hampshire in 1960, with both his parents being lecturers at King Alfred's College (now the University of Winchester). Colin Firth was born in the village of Grayshott (Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire) He attended school in Winchester and Eastleigh before joining the National Youth Theatre in London. Firth is now one of Britain's most prominent actors, having featured in films such as the Bridget Jones series, two Mamma Mia films, the Kingsman series, The King's Speech and much more. Amanda Holden Amanda Holden grew up in the town of Bishop's Waltham and has since gone on to have prominent roles in UK media. Amanda Holden grew up in Bishop's Waltham (Image: Ian West/PA Wire) Many will know her for being a judge on Britain's Got Talent, alongside her work on Heart Radio with Jamie Theakston. James Martin The chef and TV presenter James Martin, who is known for his work on Saturday Kitchen among other shows, used to have a home in the Hampshire village of Stoke Charity. Although he has since sold the high-end converted dairy, he is still said to live near the same area. Chris Packham The TV presenter and naturalist Chris Packham was born in Southampton and is known for fronting the BBC nature series Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch. The 64-year-old has a home in the New Forest where he enjoys walking his dogs in the surrounding woodland. Dame Esther Rantzen Dame Esther Rantzen is a journalist and presenter who fronted the BBC television series That's Life! for 21 years, from 1973 until 1994. She is also known for her charitable work, having set up Childline in 1986 and The Silver Line in 2012. The 84-year-old now has a home in the New Forest, which she enjoys sharing with her grandchildren. Craig David The singer Craig David was born and grew up in Southampton, living on the Holyrood estate. His ninth studio album is set to release in August 2025, and the 44-year-old has been behind hits including '7 Days', 'Fill Me In' and 'Insomnia'. Scott Mills Another famous person with links to Southampton is the radio DJ and presenter Scott Mills. He is best known for presenting the Scott Mills show on BBC Radio 1 from 2004 to 2022. Recommended reading: Nowadays, he hosts BBC Radio 2's flagship breakfast show, which he has done since January 2025. Elizabeth Hurley The actress and model Elizabeth Hurley was born in Basingstoke and grew up in the Hampshire town. She is known for her roles in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, Bedazzled and Passenger 57.
The Independent
10-06-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Looking for a lush lawn this summer? Expert reveals top ten tips
The summer months can be particularly harsh on lawns, often leaving homeowners wondering if their grass will survive the season. Children, pets, and outdoor play equipment can wreak havoc, with items like toys and paddling pools suffocating the grass. However, according to Kate Turner, a horticulturist for Evergreen Garden Care with experience on BBC 's Gardeners' World, Love Your Garden, and Garden Rescue, there are steps you can take to minimise the damage and keep your lawn healthy throughout the summer. 'The biggest obstacles are kids with trampolines and paddling pools. All the toys come out and they stay on the lawn. You might go on to websites which say 'Move your trampoline every day' but that's just not realistic. 'So we have to accept that during the summer just enjoy your lawn, don't get too upset about it.' However, there are things you can do to minimise the damage, she suggests. 1. Be waterwise 'If there isn't a hosepipe ban and you want to water the lawn, give it a deep soak one evening a week, or early morning if you're an early riser,' she advises. 'But the lawn is the most hard-wearing plant in your garden. So even if the dry weather continues, once the autumn rain comes, usually the lawn will bounce back.' 2. Let your grass grow longer Over the summer, don't mow your grass as frequently and if it goes brown stop mowing it completely, she advises. 'If you're not mowing the lawn, get the edges done because that makes the garden look so much smarter,' she suggests. 3. Sink your trampoline 'If you have young kids and you are going to have that trampoline for a few years, think about getting a sunken trampoline, because it's much safer,' she suggests. 'Dig a hole and line it with a weed membrane. You can get specialist companies that do it.' Once the hole has been dug, overseed the perimeter with a really hard-wearing shade-tolerant lawn seed, she advises. 'Now is a really good time to do it because the soil is warm. Rake over the area a bit, then throw some good hard-wearing drought-tolerant and shade-tolerant seed. You have to be prepared to water for the first few weeks.' Obviously you're not going to be able to move the trampoline once it is in, but at least when the children leave home you have a ready-made space for a wildlife pond, she adds. 4. Put up with the paddling pool 'There's not a lot you can do until after (summer), but get a ground sheet down first and put the pool on top of that,' she advises. 'If there's any stones or pebbles underneath the soil level it will stop it puncturing.' You could also make a feature of it, creating a path that leads to the paddling pool, which can reduce the mess around it, she adds. Once the season is over, use the pool water to water your lawn. Rake the area a little and then overseed some more to refresh the grass. If you have enough space and a small-enough paddling pool, move it once a week to give each area of lawn a break, she suggests. 5. Guard against football damage If you have a family of keen budding footballers, overseed the goal area now with hard-wearing seed – and you will need to water it until it starts to germinate – to help minimise damage later on in the summer, she advises. 'If you're not going to overseed because you already have a decent lawn, give it a slow-release feed to toughen it up.' However, like Wimbledon courts at the end of the tennis tournament, if that goal is in constant use over the summer you'll have to accept that it may be trashed during those months. 6. Feed regularly 'You can give the lawn a really good feed every six weeks and once we are into the summer proper, use something like a fast-acting green, which you can attach to your hose, spray it on and it greens the grass up and makes it stronger really quickly.' If there's a drought, don't use feeding granules, she advises, but go for a liquid feed because granules will need a lot more watering to dissolve and do the work. 7. Make a path Well-worn areas can soon appear on your lawn if you don't have a path, so create a simple pathway using, for instance, log edging and bark chip, she suggests. 'If you have kids, you could do a hopscotch effect with different pavers and put some plants in between them such as low-growing thyme and chamomile. Something temporary for the summer is a really good idea.' 8. Reduce pet damage 'Female dogs' wee is really acidic and what you'll find is that you'll get lots of little bare patches throughout your garden. 'Break it up with a fork and then add some special dog spot repair which incorporates seed, feed and calcium that neutralises the acid in the urine. 'It's either that, or when you see your dog peeing, you get a watering can and water it away straight away.' 9. Put toys away 'Always put the toys away every evening because just leaving that plastic tractor out will damage the lawn.' 'If you have a shady lawn that's full of moss, don't worry about it for the summer. It will be quite hard-wearing.'
The Independent
09-06-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Experts reveal 10 things you can do to keep your lawn lush in summer
The summer can be hard on your lawn - and by the end of the season, you may well be wondering if you'll have any grass left. Children and animals can cause havoc - with toys, sandpits and paddling pools taking up significant space and leaving your lawn suffocated. However, there are things you can do to minimise the damage. Kate Turner, horticulturist for Evergreen Garden Care, who has worked behind the scenes on BBC Gardeners' World, Love Your Garden and Garden Rescue has some tips. 'The biggest obstacles are kids with trampolines and paddling pools. All the toys come out and they stay on the lawn. You might go on to websites which say 'Move your trampoline every day' but that's just not realistic. 'So we have to accept that during the summer just enjoy your lawn, don't get too upset about it.' However, there are things you can do to minimise the damage, she suggests. 1. Be waterwise 'If there isn't a hosepipe ban and you want to water the lawn, give it a deep soak one evening a week, or early morning if you're an early riser,' she advises. 'But the lawn is the most hard-wearing plant in your garden. So even if the dry weather continues, once the autumn rain comes, usually the lawn will bounce back.' 2. Let your grass grow longer Over the summer, don't mow your grass as frequently and if it goes brown stop mowing it completely, she advises. 'If you're not mowing the lawn, get the edges done because that makes the garden look so much smarter,' she suggests. 3. Sink your trampoline 'If you have young kids and you are going to have that trampoline for a few years, think about getting a sunken trampoline, because it's much safer,' she suggests. 'Dig a hole and line it with a weed membrane. You can get specialist companies that do it.' Once the hole has been dug, overseed the perimeter with a really hard-wearing shade-tolerant lawn seed, she advises. 'Now is a really good time to do it because the soil is warm. Rake over the area a bit, then throw some good hard-wearing drought-tolerant and shade-tolerant seed. You have to be prepared to water for the first few weeks.' Obviously you're not going to be able to move the trampoline once it is in, but at least when the children leave home you have a ready-made space for a wildlife pond, she adds. 4. Put up with the paddling pool 'There's not a lot you can do until after (summer), but get a ground sheet down first and put the pool on top of that,' she advises. 'If there's any stones or pebbles underneath the soil level it will stop it puncturing.' You could also make a feature of it, creating a path that leads to the paddling pool, which can reduce the mess around it, she adds. Once the season is over, use the pool water to water your lawn. Rake the area a little and then overseed some more to refresh the grass. If you have enough space and a small-enough paddling pool, move it once a week to give each area of lawn a break, she suggests. 5. Guard against football damage If you have a family of keen budding footballers, overseed the goal area now with hard-wearing seed – and you will need to water it until it starts to germinate – to help minimise damage later on in the summer, she advises. 'If you're not going to overseed because you already have a decent lawn, give it a slow-release feed to toughen it up.' However, like Wimbledon courts at the end of the tennis tournament, if that goal is in constant use over the summer you'll have to accept that it may be trashed during those months. 6. Feed regularly 'You can give the lawn a really good feed every six weeks and once we are into the summer proper, use something like a fast-acting green, which you can attach to your hose, spray it on and it greens the grass up and makes it stronger really quickly.' If there's a drought, don't use feeding granules, she advises, but go for a liquid feed because granules will need a lot more watering to dissolve and do the work. 7. Make a path Well-worn areas can soon appear on your lawn if you don't have a path, so create a simple pathway using, for instance, log edging and bark chip, she suggests. 'If you have kids, you could do a hopscotch effect with different pavers and put some plants in between them such as low-growing thyme and chamomile. Something temporary for the summer is a really good idea.' 8. Reduce pet damage 'Female dogs' wee is really acidic and what you'll find is that you'll get lots of little bare patches throughout your garden. 'Break it up with a fork and then add some special dog spot repair which incorporates seed, feed and calcium that neutralises the acid in the urine. 'It's either that, or when you see your dog peeing, you get a watering can and water it away straight away.' 9. Put toys away 'Always put the toys away every evening because just leaving that plastic tractor out will damage the lawn.' 10. Don't worry about the moss 'If you have a shady lawn that's full of moss, don't worry about it for the summer. It will be quite hard-wearing.'
Daily Mirror
07-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners urged to keep an eye out for 'killer' disease in garden
Black spot leaf disease is a common fungal infection that affects roses and can be more prevalent in wet conditions - here's how to spot it and stop it from spreading in your garden Roses are a stunning feature for any garden, yet vigilant horticulturists must be on the lookout for the dreaded black spot disease, which poses a serious threat to these blooms without swift intervention. Manifesting as ominous dark spots or patches on rose leaves, black spot leaf disease is a pervasive fungal infection typically emerging from late spring through to early autumn when roses are in full bloom. While not directly fatal to roses themselves, this malady precipitates the distressing loss of greenery, foliage turning a sickly yellow and flowering ceasing abruptly – all of which render the plant feeble and more susceptible to a host of opportunistic ailments and invasive pests. The contamination of garden soil by this persistent fungus spells arduous efforts to eradicate; however, David Domoney, esteemed horticulturist and familiar face on Love Your Garden, assures us that with vigilant care and attention, it's straightforward to either prevent or manage outbreaks effectively. His advice is clear-cut: "There is no cure for black spots on roses. However, there are several things you can do to minimise the effects and avoid plants succumbing to it in the first place." Securing your roses against black spot begins with fostering an environment conducive to good health – that means ample airflow between plants and astute watering practices to stave off any excess moisture build-up. Sharing his expertise, David stated: "Avoid overcrowding around rose plants to allow air to circulate around them. Try to water in the morning so leaves will hopefully dry out quicker than if watered in the afternoon or early evening." Always ensure roses are watered thoroughly at the base to avoid wetting the leaves, which can help prevent disease spread, reports the Express. It's common practice to prune roses in late winter or early spring at least annually to decrease the likelihood of fungal diseases. However, summertime pruning is ill-advised as it may overburden the plant during hot conditions, heightening its vulnerability to disease. At such times, instead of full pruning, opt for deadheading to remove any dead or diseased foliage without harming the plant - but this should only be done with certainty of disease presence. David advised: "Pick off infected leaves when first seen in the spring to help minimise its spread. Do this only if you've had a definite diagnosis that the blotches are black spot. This is because removing leaves can limit the plant's ability to grow well." Catching black spot disease early is critical, so regular monitoring of your roses is vital. A common natural remedy for rose ailments involves using a baking soda solution, yet for concerns like black spot disease, seeking professional advice from a garden centre or using fungicides might be necessary. David mentioned: "There are also proprietary chemical sprays available at most garden centres including sulphur-based products. It's crucial to start spraying early in the season and apply every four to six weeks." He further stated: "With this guide on black spot on roses, you're one step closer to having thriving beautiful roses clear of disease. If you need specialist advice, you can get in touch with your local garden centre who will be more than happy to give you any tips and advice."
