Latest news with #Ish
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Lavender thrives and 'will thank you' if you add 2 things to garden soil now
There's nothing worse than a sad-looking lavender bush, especially if you've planted it at the front of your flowerbed. But there are two things you can add to your soil that will help it thrive Lavender is a quintessential feature of many British gardens, its elegant foliage adding a touch of charm to flowerbeds and borders. It's not just a visual delight either; it serves as a natural pest deterrent, particularly for ants, whilst attracting vital pollinators to the ecosystem. However, a droopy lavender bush can be a real eyesore, especially if it's front and centre in your flowerbed. Despite being relatively easy to maintain, lavender does require certain care to ensure a healthy and abundant bloom. As a Mediterranean plant that flourishes in sunlight, it doesn't need much watering but does require well-draining soil for optimal growth. Interestingly, lavender is drought-resistant, and overwatering can lead to root rot if the soil isn't suitable, reports the Express. If you find your lavender looking a bit sparse despite using well-draining soil, horticulturist @ has revealed two additions to your soil that could help your lavender prosper. In a TikTok video, the gardening guru explained that the "two main lavenders you'll come across are English and French lavender". He noted that while English lavender is "a little bit more hardy", French lavender typically "flowers for longer". Despite their differences, it's essential to ensure "free-draining soil is absolutely crucial" for both types of lavender. Free or well-draining soil is defined as soil that allows water to flow through swiftly, creating the arid conditions that lavender thrives in. Sandy soils are often chosen for plants needing excellent drainage, but Ish also suggests incorporating two additional elements into your soil to make lavender "absolutely thrive". To enhance soil quality and its draining capability, grit and sand can be mixed into the earth. While these additions aid in drainage, it's vital not to overwater. Ish advises keeping lavender in "lightly moist soil", cautioning that many gardeners lose their lavender "because they overwater it or water it daily like most of their plants, and it causes root rot". Neglecting to trim your lavender during the summer may lead to a woody and thin appearance, but subpar soil and excessive watering can "cause black foliage and make it go gooey at the top". Instead, "your lavender will thank you" if you water it sparingly, or even rely on rainfall, ensuring it has time to dry out thoroughly afterwards.
The Sun
13-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
I DIYed a beautiful, green privacy fence with real flowers for £9 using ‘invisible wire' – people say it looks ‘fab'
WANT to enjoy your garden this summer without nosey neighbours watching your every move? You don't need to break the bank to install new faces because this savvy gardening whizz has revealed how anyone can create their own privacy fence for under a tenner. 2 2 Posting on the Instagram account @ the pro revealed you only need two items to make the fence from scratch - and it's easier than you might think too. In the viral video he explained anyone wanting to create their own fence will need either some scrap timber or some 2x2, as well as some gardening wire. Both of these can be bought from the likes of B&Q for a relatively cheap price, depending on how big you want your fence to be, of course. Ish managed to pick his timber up for just £7 and paid £2 for his gardening wire. Once you have your wood cut to size it's time to plant it in the ground. The gardening pro explained this will also depends on how high you want your privacy fence to be, but he wanted his to be 40cm in the ground, so made sure it was cut to 2.4m so the total fence will be 2m tall. As well as the two side posts, Ish also added two smaller pieces of timber for the top and bottom of the fence. Once the timber was connected, the gardening whizz simply drilled holes along the sides for the wire to be threaded through - this is how your plants will grow securely up the fence. At this point the fence is ready to add to your garden wherever you'd like more privacy. Ish suggested attaching it to existing fence posts for extra stability, but if not just make sure it's firmly in the ground. 6 ways to get rid of slugs and snails The final step is to add the plants to fill the gaps in the privacy fence. The gardening whizz suggested fast growing climbing plants, like clematis or honeysuckle, or if it's in a shady spot, Ish recommended climbing hydrangea. "When the foliage starts growing around this the wire slowly starts to disappear and you're blessed with this beautiful wall of green," the pro said. After sharing the hack on social media fellow gardening fans loved the idea. "This is a great idea," a second agreed, "and so very helpful given the cheap cost and effectiveness." How to create privacy in your garden CREATING privacy in your garden can be achieved in a number of ways depending on your budget, and the size of your space. Here are some effective ways to enhance privacy in your garden: 1. Fencing Install a tall, solid wooden or vinyl fence. This is one of the most straightforward ways to gain immediate privacy. Or use lattice panels, trellis, or slatted fencing to add a decorative touch while still offering privacy. 2. Hedges and Plants Fast-growing evergreen shrubs or trees like Leylandii, Thuja, or Bamboo along the boundary of your garden can help with privacy. Grow a dense hedge using plants like Boxwood, Privet, or Laurel. It may take time to grow, but it provides a natural and green privacy screen. Use climbers like Ivy, Clematis, or Wisteria on fences or trellises to create a lush, green privacy barrier. 3. Outdoor Curtains Hang outdoor curtains around pergolas, gazebos, or patios for an easy-to-adjust privacy solution. 4. Sound Barriers A water fountain or small waterfall can help drown out noise, adding to the sense of privacy. Or install fencing designed to reduce noise if privacy from sound is also a concern. Top gardening trends of 2025 Gardening experts at Barnsdale Gardens has shared the top gardening trends of 2025. Matrix planting It seems that a top planting trend for this year is going to be Matrix Planting. In essence, planting in groups or blocks to give an effect of being wild whilst actually being carefully managed. Selection of the plants is essential, to give year-round interest either with flowers, seed heads or frosted/snowy spent flower heads. Some recommend using plants that seed around, but this could make managing your matrix planting harder to keep under control. Chrysanthemum comeback I hope that the humble Chrysanthemum makes as much of a comeback this year as Dahlias have over recent years, because the simple single flowered types, such as 'Innocence' and 'Cottage Apricot' would be spectacular within a matrix scheme. The hardy varieties are so easy to grow in a sunny spot and give such a valuable burst of late summer and autumn colour that would lift any dull- looking border. Blended borders For some time now we have been promoting the growing of veg within ornamental borders and I think this could really take off this year. The choice of ornamental-looking varieties available in seed catalogues is phenomenal and, if managed correctly, visitors to your garden will not even realise that you have veg growing! Must-have tool My secret is out. I discovered the Hori Hori a couple of years ago and now it seems so is everyone else. It is such a well-made, adaptable tool that can be used as a trowel or weeding tool in the garden that and everyone I speak to who have used it absolutely would not now be without it. Enough said!
Wales Online
03-06-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Achieve the 'perfect lawn' with minimal effort in just three steps
Achieve the 'perfect lawn' with minimal effort in just three steps A gardening blogger has shared his three easy steps 'anyone can use' to achieve the 'perfect' lawn The gardener's guide is easy to follow (stock photo) (Image: Getty ) With spring in full swing, many families will be venturing into their gardens for the first time this year and planning for the summer months. Whether you're eagerly anticipating BBQs in the warmer weather or other exciting events, you might wish your lawn was a tad greener. Luckily, a gardening blogger has shared his top tips on achieving a "perfect lawn," and it only involves three steps. The advice comes from @ who shares daily gardening tips with his 70,000 followers on TikTok. In a recent video, the gardening fan shared "The Lazy Gardener's Guide to a Perfect Lawn." Ish said: "Today in the garden, I'm going to give you my ultimate lazy gardener guide on how to make your lawn absolutely perfect in only three steps. First things first, you need something known as iron sulphate. "Now, this is super duper easy. You put the recommended dosage in your watering can and sprinkle it all over the lawn, and as a result, the iron in it boosts up the greenness of your grass, but also burns things like moss and weeds, keeping all the bad bits out but the good bits in." For the second step, you'll need some equipment, but it doesn't have to be costly, reports the Express. The blogger explained: "You're going to want to scarify the lawn. Now, you can do that with a garden fork, or you can use one of these, a specific scarifier." Content cannot be displayed without consent Article continues below Demonstrating his scarifier, he continued: "This has rotating blades that go into the soil, creating air pockets and more drainage. It also pulls away some of the thatch layer, which is a buildup of grass cuttings, which prevent light and air from getting through to those roots and creating perfect grass." Once you complete this step, your garden might not look as nice as you'd hoped, but it's part of the process. Ish explained: "Warning in advance, your grass is going to look ugly as hell after this, but I promise you, it's worth it." "Now that your lawn looks semi-destroyed, you can address the next problem, which is the bald patches," he added. "You'll get quite a few of them in the lawn, and now that you've made the air pockets it's super easy just to add some grass seed on top, and chuck a load all over the place as well and overseed your lawn." The blogger shared tips for fellow gardeners (stock photo) (Image: Getty ) Finally, all that remains is to maintain your garden. Ish said: "Give it a good water every day or so and in the next four to five weeks this lawn will look absolutely perfect." He concluded: "You don't need to mow it for the next few weeks, either. Just keep it well-watered and that's it. Easy lawn in three steps." In the comment section, a viewer asked: "My lawn has pits and lumps. what should I level it with? just top soil?" The blogger replied: "Top soil will work a treat! I like to make a mound slightly taller than the hole and rake over flat." Article continues below Someone else wrote: "I have loads of birds in the garden, how can I protect the seeds until the grass established?" Ish advised: "Couple things you can do - you can lightly add some top soil over the grass (just a thin sprinkle!) or get some of those kiddie windmills - the shinier the better!"
Daily Mirror
18-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
New-build owners told to follow these two steps to get rid of leatherjackets
Leatherjackets, greyish-brown pests that destroy lawns, have been wreaking havoc across homes in Britain - but one expert has revealed his tips to successfully rid them from your garden Leatherjackets, pesky larvae that cause damage to lawns and gardens, have become a serious problem for households around the UK, particularly for new-build owners. There are about 350 species in Britain, but only a few feed on plants and damage grass. The critters have long, tube-shaped bodies and can grow up to 30mm long. They have no legs, no clear head, and are a greyish brown colour, the Royal Horticultural Society explains. You can tell if you have a leatherjacket problem if your grass has yellow-brown or dead patches - if you lift up the turf, you should spot the larvae in the soil's surface layers. But how can you deal with leatherjackets? Gardener Ish, known to his more than 63,000 TikTok followers as @ explained that one effective method was to use nematodes. These are parasites that are harmless to humans and pets, but can be 'absolutely fatal to things like leatherjackets'. He explained: 'The long and short of it is they go inside the leatherjacket, they nest, and they eat from within.' You can place the nematodes, which are bought in sachets, in a watering can or spray bottle of warm water - which you will then directly apply to the soil, around late afternoon. The nematodes will then start to bury down and go straight for the leatherjackets. 'Once they take care of them, they'll be gone in about a week or so,' Ish said. 'You do get usually about two or three sachets, so do it about every week or so for about three, four weeks, just to make sure you've got them fully under control.' The RHS also suggests that nematodes can be applied in September to early October as a preventative measure. 'It may be necessary to water the lawn before and after application to ensure the soil is sufficiently moist for nematode activity and survival,' it explains. The second option is to use a sheet of black plastic, which you will lay on your lawn in the evening. This tricks the leatherjackets into thinking it's night all the time - and when morning comes, you can lift the plastic back up and they should all be at the surface. The gardener explained: 'If the birds don't get them, you can surely pick them out yourself as well and dispose of them. Again, do this a few times, it will still take a couple of weeks but it'll get them under control.' Another sign that your garden is suffering from leatherjackets is small round holes in your turf. These can be caused by crows, magpies, rooks and starlings searching for the leatherjackets in your lawn.
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Aphids stop wreaking havoc on plants with 'game changing' kitchen staple spray
Gardening expert Ish has shared some of his top tips to keep your garden looking its best, and one of his hacks uses a common household item Gardeners are being urged to sprinkle a rather unexpected ingredient onto their plants – washing up liquid. The suggestion, though somewhat baffling, is backed by experts. Gardening aficionado Ish, who dishes out top tips on TikTok using the handle suggests that this ubiquitous kitchen staple can conquer a major horticultural headache - pests. In one of his recent videos, Ish shared his "top remedy" for keeping pesky aphids, also known as greenfly, away. These sticky little monsters wreak havoc by latching onto plant leaves. Confronting this issue, Ish provides some direction, which includes the reliance on liquid dish soap. His video states: "My first solution is the dish soap method, reports Devon Live. "Now, this one is super simple. Take a few tablespoons worth of dish soap, and pop it in a spray bottle. Top the rest off with some water." Ish assures viewers that his mix is great at breaking down the aphids' exoskeletons while sparing the plants, making the approach both straightforward and effective. Moreover, he endorses aromatic planting as another line of defence. He mentions this step can help ward off the insects for one main reason. There are a handful of extras you can incorporate into your garden to assist. For example, placing marigolds, onions or garlic close to impacted plants might keep aphids at arm's length owing to their dislike for intense smells. While marigolds may still attract aphids, Ish signals that some green thumbs use them as a "trap plant" effectively safeguarding other greenery. If you place them near your larger plants, they should target the marigolds and leave your other flowers untouched. He suggested these two techniques should assist in managing aphids in the garden but, if they prove stubborn, there's another step you can take. He recommended using a jet washer to blast them off as an effective method of elimination. Additionally, introducing ladybirds into the garden could be beneficial. As natural predators of aphids, their presence will be extremely helpful. This should contribute to maintaining the health and happiness of your plants. What are aphids? Aphids are tiny insects that feed on sap, often referred to as greenflies or blackflies. They're notorious for being plant pests. They come in a variety of colours including green, black, yellow and white, and their sizes can vary. Aphids feed by inserting their beaks into plant stems and leaves to extract the nutrient-rich sap. If your garden is plagued by them, there are several measures you can take to try and eliminate them. Some natural methods include spraying water on your plants, using soap or neem oil or encouraging natural predators like ladybirds. Consider removing weeds, planting companion plants and maintaining a healthy soil ecosystem to help tackle the problem. Regularly checking your plants will help you identify if you have them, especially if you're uncertain. It's vital to grasp that weeds can attract aphids and other pests, hence the significance of their elimination. Regular garden maintenance is paramount.
