Latest news with #ShrubHub
The Sun
12-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
The ‘gorgeous' £10 buy that provides pretty colour and lights up your garden or terrace ‘all-year long'
SHOPPERS are racing to snap up a set of string lights designed to brighten up outdoor spaces while blending in with softer garden aesthetics. These LED string lights adorned with warm white bulbs and artificial pink roses offer a simple way to introduce light and colour to gardens. 3 3 Retailing for £10 at The Original Factory Shop, the LED rose string lights promise to suffuse gardens, terraces and gazebos with warmer hues. The product description reads: "It's a great no-fuss addition to any garden, terrace or gazebo, providing light in those darker corners and colour all year long." The faux foliage and rose detailing aim to replicate the look of real climbing plants without the maintenance. While not a replacement for outdoor lighting, the set can be a low-effort ambient addition to a space. The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) is a British discount department store chain established in 1969 by Peter Black. Its first store opened in Keighley, West Yorkshire, and it originally sold surplus soap produced by one of Black's factories. TOFS today operates over 180 stores across the UK. It comes as an expert revealed to The Sun seven ways to make a garden look bigger. One easy method is to create zones, according to Ivana Agustina, Head of Project Management at ShrubHub, an online landscape design service. 6 ways to get rid of slugs and snails Agustina said: "The human brain perceives multiple small experiences as more substantial than one uniform space. 'By dividing your garden into zones – perhaps a dining area, a lounge space, and a planting section – visitors mentally 'travel' through your garden, making it feel much bigger.' Another approach is to train climbing plants to grow up trellises or along walls. Agustina explained: "Vertical gardening is both practical and visually expanding. 'By drawing the eye upward with wall-mounted planters, trellises with climbing plants, or tall, narrow planters, you create height that makes the garden feel more spacious.' Meanwhile, Gardener's World recently named trumpet vines (Campsis) as one of the best plants for covering walls and fences that are an eyesore. A well-kept garden can add anywhere between 5-20% to the value of a property. carried out a study and consulted 36 estate agents, garden designers and property professionals from across the UK. And the experts revealed the garden feature which adds the most value to a property is a shed. Shed - 82% Patio or paving - 76% Secure fencing, walls or gates - 72% Outdoor lighting - 66% Sturdy decking - 62% Water features eg. fountain or pond - 58% Modern garden furniture - 54% Artificial lawn/grass - 40% These deciduous climbers produce striking tubular flowers in shades of red, orange or yellow, typically that bloom from late summer into autumn. Known for their rapid growth, they can quickly cover trellises or frameworks, though experts recommend pruning annually to keep them in check. While they thrive in warmer conditions, they are also frost-hardy once established. 3
Scottish Sun
14-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
The 7 expert hacks to help your garden feel bigger this summer from the colours you use to the size of your furniture
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN expert has revealed seven tricks to make your garden feel bigger this summer, from colours to the size of your furniture. With the sun blazing down on the UK this week, many of us are likely spending as much time as possible in the garden. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 An expert has shared seven tips to make your garden look bigger Credit: Getty However, if you've noticed that your outdoor space is looking a little cramped, you may be wondering if there's anything you can do to make it look bigger. With this is mind, Ivana Agustina, Head of Project Management at ShrubHub, an award-winning online landscape design service has revealed seven things to do to make your tiny outside area look like a sprawling haven. Create Zones The expert revealed that breaking your garden up into different zones makes it feel larger than if it is just a single open area. 'The human brain perceives multiple small experiences as more substantial than one uniform space,' Ivana explained. Read more garden stories FEELING FRESH Lidl is selling a £9 garden gadget to keep lawn green and healthy this summer 'By dividing your garden into zones – perhaps a dining area, a lounge space, and a planting section – visitors mentally 'travel' through your garden, making it feel much bigger.' Diagonal Lines Ivana explained that breaking your garden up into diagonal lines tricks your eyes into thinking that the space is bigger than it actually is. 'Garden pathways or patio pavers laid at a 45-degree angle create an illusion of expansion," she said. 'This works particularly well in rectangular gardens, where the diagonal lines fight against the boxy boundaries.' Vertical Gardens If you have limited space in your garden, growing plants up trellises or on walls can make the garden feel bigger. "Vertical gardening is both practical and visually expanding,' the expert said. I made a DIY fence for £68 with pallets from Facebook Marketplace - it gives more privacy & people say it's 'fantastic' 'By drawing the eye upward with wall-mounted planters, trellises with climbing plants, or tall, narrow planters, you create height that makes the garden feel more spacious.' Strategic Colours Even the different colours you use in your garden can affect how big the space looks, according to the expert. She advised: "Place brighter colours like yellows and oranges near the entrance of your garden, transitioning to cooler blues and purples at the far end." 'Cool colours visually recede, making that section of the garden seem farther away than it actually is.' Garden features that add the most value to a house A well-kept garden can add anywhere between 5-20% to the value of a property. carried out a study and consulted 36 estate agents, garden designers and property professionals from across the UK. And the experts revealed the garden feature which adds the most value to a property is a shed. Shed - 82% Patio or paving - 76% Secure fencing, walls or gates - 72% Outdoor lighting - 66% Sturdy decking - 62% Water features eg. fountain or pond - 58% Modern garden furniture - 54% Artificial lawn/grass - 40% Mirrors Mirrors are often used to make the inside of homes look big, and you can use this trick in the garden too. 'An outdoor-rated mirror placed at the end of a garden reflects plantings and sky, effectively doubling the visual space,' Ivana said. 3 Mirrors can make your garden look bigger Credit: Getty 'For safety, choose shatterproof acrylic mirrors designed for outdoor use.' B&M is currently selling an Al Fresco round sectioned mirror for £10 which will make your garden look huge for a bargain price. Furniture Size Having a huge set of garden furniture in a tiny garden overwhelms the space, make your garden look minuscule. Instead Ivana recommend picking smaller furniture and, to give the area "breathing room." 3 Choose furniture that is an appropriate size for your garden Credit: Getty She added that this trick also applies to greenery, and recommended planting small plants instead of enormous trees. Create Mystery "Human curiosity is a powerful tool in garden design,' Ivana said. 'When we can't see everything at once, we perceive there's more to discover.' The expert recommended partially screening areas with tall grasses, bamboo, or lattice panels that "hint at spaces beyond without fully revealing them".
The Sun
14-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
The 7 expert hacks to help your garden feel bigger this summer from the colours you use to the size of your furniture
AN expert has revealed seven tricks to make your garden feel bigger this summer, from colours to the size of your furniture. With the sun blazing down on the UK this week, many of us are likely spending as much time as possible in the garden. 3 However, if you've noticed that your outdoor space is looking a little cramped, you may be wondering if there's anything you can do to make it look bigger. With this is mind, Ivana Agustina, Head of Project Management at ShrubHub, an award-winning online landscape design service has revealed seven things to do to make your tiny outside area look like a sprawling haven. Create Zones The expert revealed that breaking your garden up into different zones makes it feel larger than if it is just a single open area. 'The human brain perceives multiple small experiences as more substantial than one uniform space,' Ivana explained. 'By dividing your garden into zones – perhaps a dining area, a lounge space, and a planting section – visitors mentally 'travel' through your garden, making it feel much bigger.' Diagonal Lines Ivana explained that breaking your garden up into diagonal lines tricks your eyes into thinking that the space is bigger than it actually is. 'Garden pathways or patio pavers laid at a 45-degree angle create an illusion of expansion," she said. 'This works particularly well in rectangular gardens, where the diagonal lines fight against the boxy boundaries.' Vertical Gardens If you have limited space in your garden, growing plants up trellises or on walls can make the garden feel bigger. "Vertical gardening is both practical and visually expanding,' the expert said. I made a DIY fence for £68 with pallets from Facebook Marketplace - it gives more privacy & people say it's 'fantastic' 'By drawing the eye upward with wall-mounted planters, trellises with climbing plants, or tall, narrow planters, you create height that makes the garden feel more spacious.' Strategic Colours Even the different colours you use in your garden can affect how big the space looks, according to the expert. She advised: "Place brighter colours like yellows and oranges near the entrance of your garden, transitioning to cooler blues and purples at the far end." 'Cool colours visually recede, making that section of the garden seem farther away than it actually is.' Garden features that add the most value to a house A well-kept garden can add anywhere between 5-20% to the value of a property. carried out a study and consulted 36 estate agents, garden designers and property professionals from across the UK. And the experts revealed the garden feature which adds the most value to a property is a shed. Shed - 82% Patio or paving - 76% Secure fencing, walls or gates - 72% Outdoor lighting - 66% Sturdy decking - 62% Water features eg. fountain or pond - 58% Modern garden furniture - 54% Artificial lawn/grass - 40% Mirrors Mirrors are often used to make the inside of homes look big, and you can use this trick in the garden too. 'An outdoor-rated mirror placed at the end of a garden reflects plantings and sky, effectively doubling the visual space,' Ivana said. 3 'For safety, choose shatterproof acrylic mirrors designed for outdoor use.' B&M is currently selling an Al Fresco round sectioned mirror for £10 which will make your garden look huge for a bargain price. Furniture Size Having a huge set of garden furniture in a tiny garden overwhelms the space, make your garden look minuscule. Instead Ivana recommend picking smaller furniture and, to give the area "breathing room." 3 She added that this trick also applies to greenery, and recommended planting small plants instead of enormous trees. Create Mystery "Human curiosity is a powerful tool in garden design,' Ivana said. 'When we can't see everything at once, we perceive there's more to discover.' The expert recommended partially screening areas with tall grasses, bamboo, or lattice panels that "hint at spaces beyond without fully revealing them".
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
I'm a lawn expert -my £1 hack will have your grass looking lush in no time, you probably already have it in the cupboard
A LAWN expert has revealed a £1 hack to make your grass green and lush this spring. With temperatures remaining high this week, after a scorching weekend, many of us likely plan to spend time relaxing in the garden. 1 A gardening expert has shared a simple trick to ensure your lawn is looking lush this spring However, if you're planning on having any guests over for barbecues or garden parties, you may want to give your lawn a bit of a spruce up. And although you may think that keeping your lawn in tip-top condition will cost a bomb, experts at Gardening Known How revealed that you can make your lawn the envy of your neighbours by using a common item found in the kitchen cupboard. The experts explained that coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, which is essential for healthy plant growth and the overall health of your lawn. Coffee grounds can also improve soil structure by making it looser and more aerated, which is good for root growth. The experts explained: "It isn't the caffeine that stimulates healthy grass growth, but rather the nitrogen, phosphorus, and trace minerals that coffee grounds contain. "These nutrients are released slowly, which is a big benefit over quick-release synthetic fertilisers." "The nutrients in coffee grounds are slowly broken down, allowing the turf to have a longer period of time to absorb them ensuring stronger turf for longer." Lilydale Instant Lawns added: "Coffee grounds are an excellent, eco-friendly way to give your lawn a nutrient boost. "They are rich in nitrogen, which is a crucial element for grass growth. Applying coffee grounds to your lawn is straightforward, but it's important to do it correctly to avoid any potential issues." To use coffee grounds on your lawn, simply make sure they're dry and then sprinkle them across the grass. The four easy steps to get your tired lawn lush for summer & you don't need to worry about pigeons ruining it either Make sure to sprinkle them evenly, to avoid clumping, and then gently rake them into the soil. Coffee grounds are super cheap, and can be picked up from the supermarket for as little as £1, making this hack perfect for penny pinchers. They can also be used as a great natural deterrent to get rid of pests. Slugs and snails hate the gritty texture of coffee, so if you spread it near plants, they will stay away. How to stop yellow patches on your lawn STEVEN Bell, Managing Director of Paving Shopper, shared his insights on the true causes of lawn discoloration and how to maintain a lush, green lawn… 1) Sharpen mower blades 2) Prevent fungal disease with nitrogen fertiliser 3) Mow frequently 4) Aerate lawn with a fork What's more, they can also suppress the growth of weeds in your garden, making them a useful and versatile product. Ivana Agustina, Head of Project Management at ShrubHub recently revealed another simple trick you can use to improve the health of your lawn - and it's completely free. The expert revealed that instead of throwing grass clippings away after you finish mowing, you should leave them on the grass. "One of the simplest tricks is to leave your grass clippings after mowing," she told Fabulous. "They break down fast and act as a natural fertiliser, giving your lawn a nutrient boost without costing a penny.' Not only is this hack cost-effective, it will also save you time too, so you can spend more time relaxing in the sun.
The Sun
11-05-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
Expert reveals the simple trick to keep your lawn green and healthy – and it won't cost you a thing
A GARDENING expert has shared a simple trick to get your lawn looking lush and healthy, without needing to spend a penny. With temperatures soaring again this weekend, after a chilly bank holiday many of us likely plan to spend time relaxing in the garden. 1 However, if you're planning on having any guests over for barbecues or garden parties, you may want to give your lawn a bit of a spruce up. And although you may think that keeping your lawn in tip top condition will cost a bomb, Ivana Agustina, Head of Project Management at ShrubHub revealed one simple trick you can use that is completely free. The expert revealed that instead of throwing grass clippings away after you finish mowing, you should leave them on the grass. "One of the simplest tricks is to leave your grass clippings after mowing," she told Fabulous. "They break down fast and act as a natural fertiliser, giving your lawn a nutrient boost without costing a penny.' Not only is this hack cost-effective, it will also save you time too, so you can spend more time relaxing in the sun. Ivana also revealed that many gardeners are making a huge mistake when trying to get their lawns looking lush. A lot of people over-water without realising it," she told Fabulous. Ivana said that instead of running a sprinkler throughout the day, you should deep water the grass twice a week in the morning. We made our boring new build garden a Love Island style haven with bar & hot tub, but trolls say detail 'ruined our day' "This encourages the roots to grow deeper and makes your lawn more drought-resistant. "You'll use less water overall, and your lawn will actually look greener for it.' As you will be using less water with this method you will save money, whilst making your lawn look lusher than ever. Ivana also revealed that mowing at the wrong time can have disastrous consequences. 'People don't realise that grass gets stressed just like any plant,' she said. "Many gardeners make the common mistake of mowing their grass in the midday heat, without realising the harm this can do to the grass. 'If you mow it at the wrong time, you're basically wounding the lawn when it's least able to recover.' The expert revealed that in spring the best time to mow your lawn is between 9 am and 11 am. 'Mowing during late morning means you're not clogging your mower with wet clippings or baking the lawn in midday heat,' she said. Ivana explained that one of the worst times to mow your grass is before 8 am as grass is still wet from morning dew, which leads to "uneven trimming". She added that between 2pm and 4pm is also not a good time to cut the grass, as this is the hottest part of the day, "which is bad news for moisture retention and overall lawn health."
