Latest news with #dandelions
The Sun
14-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
The £4.50 B&Q gadget gardeners are loving for removing stubborn dandelions in lawns & it works on all stubborn weeds
GARDENERS are raving over a B&Q weeding gadget that users say "takes the hard work out of weeding". The Magnusson Weeder features a carbon steel head designed to make uprooting pesky weeds as easy as possible. 3 3 This sleek little tool can be bought from B&Q for just £4.50. It's the sort of gadget that will no doubt come in handy as avid gardeners look to spruce up their lawns and patios this summer. The retailer's website says: "This weeder is designed to make getting rid of deep-rooted weeds easier, the hand size with ergonomic handle means it's comfortable and quick to deweed small beds and borders." With the summer months now upon us, gardeners across the country will be dusting off their outdoor tools to make their outdoors spaces barbecue-ready. Numerous shoppers have taken to B&Q's comments sections to praise the gadget's reliability. One said: "I bought this weeding tool for this year's dandelion season and it has proved to be a terrific addition to my garden tool collection. "The spoon-like addition on the handle of the tool makes it much easier to pull the weeds out of the ground, so it's easy to use." Many other reviewers were quick to echo how easy it is to use the tool. One user posted: "I bought two of these weeders... Very easy to use! "It's good for removing the dandelions in my lawn." Another said: "I've found this tool really useful for digging up weeds in the lawn. "I find it's best to dig it in as deep as possible before then levering up and on sturdy weeds i do it from a couple of different angles. "Really takes the hard work out of weeding. I thought this was a great price too." The device also boasts an ergonomically designed handle aimed at improving user comfort. It measures 345mm (around 14 inches) in total. One user said: "Simple effective tool for weeding. "I've only used it once so can't comment on how sturdy it is but seems like good value so far." Another wrote: "Very well made does not bend like other types I have tried." June gardening jobs The Sun's Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you should take this month. Stake out leggy perennials With all the dramatic weather we've been having, it's definitely time to stake out your leggy perennials (the ones that come back every year). Heavy rain and growth spurts, can make them collapse and flop. Picking out the slugs and snails Hopefully as we move into summer they will do less damage as the plants get bigger. The best way is still to go out at night with a head torch to find them. Pick elderflower heads You can use them to make your own cordial, or add to cakes, champagne or even fry them in batter. Get on top of weeds It's around now that weeds really ramp up in the garden, so keep on top of them with hoe-ing - or just the traditional 'on your knees with a hand fork'. Try and avoid chemicals - remember weeds are just plants in the wrong place. Up the mowing You'll need to mow your lawn weekly now - if you've got time, weed it beforehand as once you mow you chop off the leaves and its harder to see them. Check on your tomatoes Your tomato plants will need attention - water, feed and regularly and pinch out the sideshoots. Chelsea Chop There's still time for the Chelsea Chop - plants like Rudbeckia's, Asters, Penstemons, Sedums and other perennials can be cut back by a third to help them get a bit more bushy, and prolong the flowering period. Sort out your tulips If you can be bothered and have space - lift and story your tulip bulbs to ensure colour next Spring. Deadheading your roses Take them down to the first set of healthy leaves - which will ensure more flowers for longer. Enjoy your space Take some time to sit and enjoy your garden or outside space - it's great for your mental health. Even just a few minutes a day can make a big difference.
CBC
04-06-2025
- General
- CBC
Dandelions are aplenty this year, but what's sprouting them? Ashley Brauweiler finds out
This spring has brought a sea of yellow across parts of Newfoundland and Labrador, with dandelions in full force just about everywhere you look. But are there more than usual? Here and Now's Ashley Brauweiler reports.
Irish Times
31-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
No-mow May pays off with a buzzing garden
I did as advised and let my dandelions grow during May and was rewarded by a visit from this large bumblebee. Which species is it? Catherine McCarthy, Carrick-on-Suir Well done for letting your dandelions flourish. They are a rich source of pollen and nectar for bees . This is the common carder bee, which has a ginger orange thorax. It has a mixture of colours on the abdomen but there are always black hairs on the abdomen of this species that help to distinguish it from the less common large carder bee, which has no black hairs. The common carder makes nests from moss on the ground. These can contain up to 200 bees at peak population, which are very much smaller than honeybee colonies. Sea pink flowers. Photograph: Walter O'Dwyer I saw these wonderful pink flowers growing in large clumps along the coast near Clonakilty in April. What are they and are they native to this country? Walter O'Dwyer, Dublin This is the sea pink or thrift – Armeria maritima. It is a native species and can occur in great sheets of colour on cliff and salt marshes. It has long roots that enable it to seek out fresh water in dry conditions, and it can tolerate high concentrations of salt in the soil. It flowers in April and early May. READ MORE Viviparous lizard. Photograph: Willie Campbell Our cat recently brought this lizard to the door. There was also a smaller dead one at the door a couple of weeks ago. I'm wondering are they native? Willie Campbell, Co Galway Is there no end to the wanton marauding of the domestic feline? This poor lizard was probably sunning itself in an effort to raise its body temperature sufficiently to get going in the morning – it being a cold-blooded creature needing environmental heat. We have just the one native lizard – the viviparous lizard, so-called because it overcomes the risk of living in this cold country by giving birth to live young. What actually happens is that it lays eggs that immediately hatch. There is no placental attachment as in mammals. [ No-mow May pays off with a buzzing garden Opens in new window ] Cuckoo flower with orange tip butterfly. Photograph: A Donovan These pale mauve flowers are growing in the wetter parts of the grassy area in my garden. In early May I saw this butterfly on the flower. Can you tell me what is going on here? A Donovan, Letterkenny This flower, Cardamine pratensis or lady's smock, is also known as the cuckoo flower because the cuckoo has arrived by the time it is in flower. Its natural habitat is wet damp grassland, and it will appear in the absence of mowing. It is the food plant for the caterpillars of the orange-tip butterfly, whose Latin name, Anthocharis cardamines, reflects this fact. Even in the world of butterflies, beautiful colours are not equally distributed – only males have the lovely bright orange tips on their forewings. The hardworking, egg-laying females have just black tips on the white forewings but are distinguished from the cabbage-guzzling large and small whites by having green and white undersides to the back wings. [ Live near a town? Got food or smelly shoes? Foxes and badgers may pay you a visit Opens in new window ] Male stonechat. Photograph: John Glynn Here is a picture of a stonechat, which I saw in the Caher river valley near Fanore in Co Clare at the end of April. John Glynn, Co Clare This is a lovely picture of a male stonechat not yet in full breeding plumage. When it is, the males have a very black head, striking white neck patches and a bright orange breast. The females (wouldn't you just know) are a much duller version of this flamboyant colour scheme. The 'song', which both sexes produce, sounds exactly like two stones being banged together. It is a native species of scrubby uplands with furze. Please submit your nature query, observation, or photo, with a location, via or by email to weekend@
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Four ways to keep kids entertained over half-term by using flowers
KEEPING kids entertained in half-term can be tricky without spending shedloads of cash. But with flowers blooming in the garden and wild spaces, there are plenty of ways to use them. Try these ideas to keep little hands occupied cheaply . . . VERY CLAY-VER: A pack of air-drying clay is £2 from Hobbycraft and can be used for loads of craft projects. Roll it out into a 1cm-thick square slab, then find different flowers and plants for the children to press firmly into the clay. Remove them once the imprint is clear. Ferns, sticks or grass all make good prints. Leave the clay to dry then get the youngsters to paint the imprinted outlines of the plants and flowers. PETAL POWER: You can also make prints from flower on fabric, or paper, with the kids. Bright petals are best as they will stand out — try dandelions or any other wild blooms you find in the garden such as forget-me-nots. Cut an old cotton T-shirt into rectangles, then get the children to arrange the flowers on the material, having put some cardboard underneath to protect the surface you are working on. Use a wooden hammer or rolling pin to bash the flowers until you start to see the dye from petals coming through the fabric. Remove the flowers from the fabric and leave to dry. You could frame the finished pieces and keep or use them as a lovely homemade gift. BUNCH OF BLOOMS: This is a super- easy activity kids will love. Draw the outline of a vase on a piece of cardboard then punch small holes in the top with a pen. Ask kids to pick flowers and stick in the holes to make a fun craft work. FREEZE FLOWER: Pick a few pretty flowers and pop into ice-cube moulds. Fill with water and freeze. Pop out on to a tray for a great activity on a warm day. Children will enjoy trying to free the petals from the ice and stay cool. All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability I didn't want to shell out loads for my wedding flowers so nabbed a £16 bargain from Dunelm - the quality's unreal Deal of the day GET snuggled up in bed or on the sofa with this marble print pink cuddle cushion. It's down from £21 to £6 at SAVE: £15 Cheap treat SWEETEN up a tea break with Tim Tam chocolate biscuits, £1.85 with a Clubcard at Tesco. Top swap FILL your home with the luxurious scent of white flowers with Diptyque's 600g tubereuse candle £168 at John Lewis. Or try Matalan's 850g red desire featuring sheer white florals, £9. SAVE: £159 Shop & save CLEAN away the day's grime using Simple refreshing facial wash. It's down from £5 to £2.50 at Boots. SAVE: £2.50 Hot right now TUCK in to two tapas and two cocktails for £20 at Las Iguanas. The deal is available all day every day, including weekends. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.
CBC
26-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Defending the dandelion
Heritage Park interpreter Edith Priaro joins The Calgary Eyeopener to discuss the nutritional and esthetic benefits of dandelions.
