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Scottish Sun
06-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
Houseplants will ‘bloom for years' thanks to common item in your food bin – and peace lilies find it ‘so tasty'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IF you often struggle to keep your houseplants alive (don't worry, we do too), then you've come to the right place. There's nothing worse than someone giving you a houseplant and just days later, it's looking worse for wear. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 If every houseplant you own ends up dying within days, you'll need to listen up Credit: Getty 3 Here's a handy hack to keep peace lilies alive 'for years' - and the secret is in your food bin Credit: Getty 3 It turns out that houseplants find banana peels "so tasty" Credit: Getty But now, luckily for you, we've found a handy hack that will ensure your plants bloom for years. And fear not, you won't have to nip out and splash the cash on pricey fertiliser - in fact, the secret may even be in your food bin. Peace lilies in particular are said to find this trick 'so tasty', so if you want to ensure repeat blooming, this homemade feed is one you won't want to miss. When it comes to caring for peace lilies, it is important to only feed them once a month during the growing season, which is spring and summer. It turns out that overfeeding can be harmful, so it's important to avoid excess fertiliser. And now, gardening enthusiasts have shared a super simple homemade fertiliser - and the key ingredient is banana peels. Taking to the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook page, an anonymous user explained: 'In the summer, I feed my houseplants with a homemade banana soak. 'My peace lily loves it, just thought I'd share it in case anyone is struggling. 'I've always struggled to get my peace lilies looking good, but bananas make them bloom for years.' The gardening guru then added: 'Once I've eaten a banana or given it to my dog, I'll chop the peel and soak it in some warm water. Gardening hacks to grow fruit from your weekly shop 'After a few days, pour sparingly on your plants, so tasty for them.' The social media post attracted numerous comments from other houseplant enthusiasts, who also praised the effective banana peel trick. Top 5 Spring Gardening Jobs *If you click a link in this boxout, we may earn affiliate revenue Nick Grey, Gtech Inventor and CEO shared the tasks to crack on with as Spring arrives. 1. Clean your garden Make sure to clear away all leaves, soil and plant debris from your patios and flower beds; this creates a healthier environment for new growth, especially as we get into the summer months. Gtech's Garden Safety Kit includes durable gardening gloves and safety glasses; perfect for comfortability whilst tackling those outdoor tasks. 2. Weeding Early Spring is the best time to tackle weeds; if you can introduce some regular weeding into your routine, you can guarantee a tidy garden all year round. 3. Hedge maintenance Spring is the ideal time to tidy up overgrown hedges and shrubs, as regular trimming ensures healthy growth and reduces pest issues. Using a tool like the Gtech Lightweight Hedge Trimmer can help to keep your greenery looking sharp and neat. 4. Composting Starting a compost heap this spring is a pro-active, cost-effective way to harness nutritious soil for your plants and recycle organic waste that will benefit the overall health of your greenery and foliage. 5. Look after your lawn Lawn care is hugely important in assuring your garden stays looking beautiful. Make sure to rake away any excess leaves and trim your grass routinely. One user beamed: 'Heard lots about this, so I gave it a go. I only use it now and again and then a proper feed in between, but it's fantastic.' Whilst a second chimed in: 'All houseplants love this, not just peace lilies, but be careful not to over water.' I've always struggled to get my peace lilies looking good, but bananas make them bloom for years Facebook user According to houseplant enthusiasts, soaking banana peels in water releases nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus and magnesium, which are beneficial for many houseplants, but peace lilies in particular. It is crucial to dilute the banana water with water to make it last longer and ensure it doesn't overwhelm the plant. 8 must-have plants to brighten up your garden Nick Hamilton owner of Barnsdale Gardens has shared his favourite plants and flowers you should consider adding to your garden, borders and pots. Tricyrtis A spectacular plant that gives a real exotic feel to any garden with its orchid-like, spotted flowers giving the impression that this plant should be tender but it is 'as tough as old boots!'. Penstemon I love this plants genus of because most will flower all summer and autumn. They'll grow in sun or semi-shade in a well drained soil and produce a non-stop display of tubular flowers in an array of colours and colour combination to suit all tastes. Luzula sylvatica 'Marginata' With the evergreen leaves edged with yellow it's great asset is that it will grow in sun or shade in any type of soil and is great as groundcover in the hardest spot to fill - dry shade. Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue' A stunning, nectar-rich plant that will feed the beneficial insects in your garden. Leave the flowerheads once they have turned brown because they look stunning with winter frost and snow, extending the plant's interest period. Sarcococca hookeriana 'Winter Gem' If you need winter scent then look no further than this compact, evergreen shrub. The scent is stunning and the evergreen leaves create an excellent backdrop for the summer flowers. Cornus sanguinea 'Anny's Winter Orange' A dwarf version of 'Midwinter Fire' the very colourful stems create a stunning winter display, particularly on sunny days. Rosa 'Noisette Carnee' A very well-behaved climbing rose that is perfect for training over an arch, pergola or gazebo. The small, 'noisette' flowers are blush-pink and produce the most amazing clove scent constantly from June to November. Sanguisorba hakusanensis 'Lilac Squirrel' I've never seen a squirrel with a drooping, shaggy lilac tail, but this variety will give your garden an unusual and different look throughout summer. It does need a moisture retentive soil but will grow in sun or semi-shade. Not only this, but banana peels can also be used to fertilise outdoor plants, including tomatoes, bell peppers, roses and hydrangeas. If planting a new plant, you should simply scatter some banana peels beneath the compost, or place them around the top of the soil. Not only will this be beneficial to your plants, but it can also help to deter pests such as slugs, who hate rough surfaces. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club
Scottish Sun
01-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
The essential gardening task you need to do to make your hanging baskets flower and last all summer
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IF you've recently been to a garden centre and bought yourself a gorgeous hanging basket, you'll need to listen up. Many of us will have hanging baskets outside our homes, but if a very crucial gardening task is avoided, they will not survive the summer. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Gardening experts have revealed a super simple gardening task you must follow to ensure hanging baskets thrive all summer long Credit: Getty 3 You'll need to take action now to avoid foliage fading and scarce blooms Credit: Getty 3 Fertilising is key to ensure hanging baskets stay healthy during hot weather Credit: Getty So if you want to ensure your baskets look beautiful all summer long, you've come to the right place and will need to take notes. According to gardening experts Jim and Mary Competti at This Is My Garden, many hanging baskets will experience foliage fading and scarce blooms during hot weather. They warned: "Unfortunately, most baskets that are purchased or planted in the early spring don't make it past mid-summer. 'In fact, sadly, some don't even make it to late spring without their foliage fading, and their once plentiful blooms becoming more scarce with each passing day." And it turns out that keeping hanging baskets in bloom is a mean feat if you're unequipped with the right advice and tools. As a result, the gardening maestros stressed that gardening enthusiasts "need to fertilise" hanging baskets to keep newly planted baskets flowering. However, fertilising hanging baskets is not a one-time task, but rather one that should be done regularly. Hanging basket plants have restricted soil available for energy absorption and cannot spread out to seek additional nutrients, which makes this process incredibly vital. Subsequently, Jim and Mary warned that without fertiliser, hanging baskets "simply will not be able to survive the entire summer". And it turns out that timing is essential when it comes to feeding. Cheap ways to bring vibrant colours to your garden all year round Unlike roses, which can be fed just a few times a year, plants grown in hanging baskets need a slow and steady stream of nutrients. Therefore, adding too much too quickly can encourage the roots and foliage to expand too fast, as the gardening pros recognised: "The result will be a plant that outgrows its basket and stops blooming because of it.' Top 5 Spring Gardening Jobs *If you click a link in this boxout, we may earn affiliate revenue Nick Grey, Gtech Inventor and CEO shared the tasks to crack on with as Spring arrives. 1. Clean your garden Make sure to clear away all leaves, soil and plant debris from your patios and flower beds; this creates a healthier environment for new growth, especially as we get into the summer months. Gtech's Garden Safety Kit includes durable gardening gloves and safety glasses; perfect for comfortability whilst tackling those outdoor tasks. 2. Weeding Early Spring is the best time to tackle weeds; if you can introduce some regular weeding into your routine, you can guarantee a tidy garden all year round. 3. Hedge maintenance Spring is the ideal time to tidy up overgrown hedges and shrubs, as regular trimming ensures healthy growth and reduces pest issues. Using a tool like the Gtech Lightweight Hedge Trimmer can help to keep your greenery looking sharp and neat. 4. Composting Starting a compost heap this spring is a pro-active, cost-effective way to harness nutritious soil for your plants and recycle organic waste that will benefit the overall health of your greenery and foliage. 5. Look after your lawn Lawn care is hugely important in assuring your garden stays looking beautiful. Make sure to rake away any excess leaves and trim your grass routinely. So if you want your hanging baskets to impress this summer, you should opt for a liquid fertiliser that contains more phosphorus and potassium than nitrogen. While nitrogen promotes growth, phosphorus and potassium are essential for blooming. Unfortunately, most baskets that are purchased or planted in the early spring don't make it past mid-summer Jim and Mary Competti, at This Is My Garden Not only this, but a light dose of fertiliser should be applied to your baskets every 10 to 14 days for best results. Additionally, West Coast Gardeners recommended a 15-30-15 water-soluble fertiliser with micro-nutrients. They explained: "You can either use it every second watering at full strength, or use it every time you water, but at half strength." 8 must-have plants to brighten up your garden Nick Hamilton owner of Barnsdale Gardens has shared his favourite plants and flowers you should consider adding to your garden, borders and pots. Tricyrtis A spectacular plant that gives a real exotic feel to any garden with its orchid-like, spotted flowers giving the impression that this plant should be tender but it is 'as tough as old boots!'. Penstemon I love this plants genus of because most will flower all summer and autumn. They'll grow in sun or semi-shade in a well drained soil and produce a non-stop display of tubular flowers in an array of colours and colour combination to suit all tastes. Luzula sylvatica 'Marginata' With the evergreen leaves edged with yellow it's great asset is that it will grow in sun or shade in any type of soil and is great as groundcover in the hardest spot to fill - dry shade. Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue' A stunning, nectar-rich plant that will feed the beneficial insects in your garden. Leave the flowerheads once they have turned brown because they look stunning with winter frost and snow, extending the plant's interest period. Sarcococca hookeriana 'Winter Gem' If you need winter scent then look no further than this compact, evergreen shrub. The scent is stunning and the evergreen leaves create an excellent backdrop for the summer flowers. Cornus sanguinea 'Anny's Winter Orange' A dwarf version of 'Midwinter Fire' the very colourful stems create a stunning winter display, particularly on sunny days. Rosa 'Noisette Carnee' A very well-behaved climbing rose that is perfect for training over an arch, pergola or gazebo. The small, 'noisette' flowers are blush-pink and produce the most amazing clove scent constantly from June to November. Sanguisorba hakusanensis 'Lilac Squirrel' I've never seen a squirrel with a drooping, shaggy lilac tail, but this variety will give your garden an unusual and different look throughout summer. It does need a moisture retentive soil but will grow in sun or semi-shade. To ensure your hanging baskets thrive, simply dilute the fertiliser with water to ensure a lighter dose. But note that if you have forgotten to water your baskets and they have become bone dry and the plants are wilted, you should avoid fertilising them. Instead, water hanging baskets regularly and wait until the soil has absorbed enough clean water to become soft and the plants have perked up. Following this, you can then safely continue your regular fertiliser schedule. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club
Scottish Sun
14-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
Shoppers rush to nab Temu's glam £4 buy that lights up your garden & say it's the ‘best they've ever seen'
Read on for the garden jobs to get done before the end of the month GLOW UP Shoppers rush to nab Temu's glam £4 buy that lights up your garden & say it's the 'best they've ever seen' WITH the sun out and summer here, we're all taking advantage of our gardens. And shoppers reckon they've found the perfect buy from Temu to jazz it up. Advertisement 2 Shoppers are rushing to nab these garden lights Credit: Facebook 2 Some say they are the best they have ever seen Credit: Reuters Amy Eager took to social media to show the new garden buy she had found from the budget website. Temu is known as the place to buy practically anything - from garden furniture, toys, phone cases and decorations. But Amy says they also have the best solar lights. She spotted the lamps on the site and instantly bought them to put in the garden. Advertisement The buy not only adds some extra light to gardens in the evening but also create a beautiful display. Once activated and the sun has gone down, the outside lamps create a stunning display of a green and purple flower. And the best part is that they're super cheap at just £4.29 each. Amy wrote: "I think these are the best solar lights I've ever seen. Advertisement "£4.29 from Temu." Chuffed with her find, she shared it on the Facebook group, Gardening On A Budget, which boasts 450k members. Shoppers race to nab 'beautiful' water feature to turn gardens into a tranquil haven, as price is slashed from £44 to £5 People who saw the post were in awe of the buy and were eager to get it for themselves. One person wrote: "They are lovely." Advertisement Another commented: 'Looks fab." "Wow they are beautiful," penned a third. Top 5 Spring Gardening Jobs *If you click a link in this boxout, we may earn affiliate revenue Nick Grey, Gtech Inventor and CEO shared the tasks to crack on with as Spring arrives. 1. Clean your garden Make sure to clear away all leaves, soil and plant debris from your patios and flower beds; this creates a healthier environment for new growth, especially as we get into the summer months. Gtech's Garden Safety Kit includes durable gardening gloves and safety glasses; perfect for comfortability whilst tackling those outdoor tasks. 2. Weeding Early Spring is the best time to tackle weeds; if you can introduce some regular weeding into your routine, you can guarantee a tidy garden all year round. 3. Hedge maintenance Spring is the ideal time to tidy up overgrown hedges and shrubs, as regular trimming ensures healthy growth and reduces pest issues. Using a tool like the Gtech Lightweight Hedge Trimmer can help to keep your greenery looking sharp and neat. 4. Composting Starting a compost heap this spring is a pro-active, cost-effective way to harness nutritious soil for your plants and recycle organic waste that will benefit the overall health of your greenery and foliage. 5. Look after your lawn Lawn care is hugely important in assuring your garden stays looking beautiful. Make sure to rake away any excess leaves and trim your grass routinely. Meanwhile a fourth said: "I want." "Wow they're lush,' claimed a fifth. Advertisement Someone else added: 'Love these." Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Just email: fabulousdigital@ and pop EXCLUSIVE in the subject line.
The Sun
03-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
My lawn was brown & patchy with loads of bald spots – a £4.99 Home Bargains buy got it lush & green in two weeks
Now the weather is hotting up - we're all in our gardens making sure it looks perfect for summer. So if you've neglected your garden over the winter and your lawn has gone brown or even bald, you've come to the right place. 3 3 A woman revealed how she got her garden lawn looking lush and green again. Patricia Munday took to social media back in 2020 to share her hack to get your grass healthy again. She shared before and after pictures of her garden and before using her bargain buy, her lawn was looking lackluster. The majority of her grass had turned brown and had also started balding in some places. But after using the miracle product, her lawn was back to looking thick and lush, and it took just a couple of weeks. She said: "Just wanted to show our lawn after using Speedy Seed from Home Bargains. "Absolutely amazing we were going to re-turf parts of the garden and our so glad we tried this, highly recommend." While she may have shared the buy years ago, it's clearly stood the test of time as Home Bargains are still selling it for just £4.99 for 750g. Home Bargain bosses: "Fast-acting grass seed and easy to use, this Speedy Seed Grass Seed is a great way to fix dead patches in your lawn. "This lawn seed features fast-germinating seeds to provide you with a flawless lawn in no time. Perfect for bringing new life to old lawns and restoring the greenery of your garden." Gardening hacks to grow fruit from your weekly shop In the comments of the post shared in the Facebook group, Gardening On A Budget Official, Patricia, revealed how she sowed the seeds and how long they took to work. She said she sowed the seeds generously (especially on the bald patches), before stomping them into the soil with her feet and watering them daily. Patricia added that the seeds began to grow within two weeks and just two weeks after that, her lawn was good as new again. People who saw the post were quick to thank Patricia for the hack while others confirmed the buy worked wonders. Top 5 Spring Gardening Jobs *If you click a link in this boxout, we may earn affiliate revenue Nick Grey, Gtech Inventor and CEO shared the tasks to crack on with as Spring arrives. 1. Clean your garden Make sure to clear away all leaves, soil and plant debris from your patios and flower beds; this creates a healthier environment for new growth, especially as we get into the summer months. Gtech's Garden Safety Kit includes durable gardening gloves and safety glasses; perfect for comfortability whilst tackling those outdoor tasks. 2. Weeding Early Spring is the best time to tackle weeds; if you can introduce some regular weeding into your routine, you can guarantee a tidy garden all year round. 3. Hedge maintenance Spring is the ideal time to tidy up overgrown hedges and shrubs, as regular trimming ensures healthy growth and reduces pest issues. Using a tool like the Gtech Lightweight Hedge Trimmer can help to keep your greenery looking sharp and neat. 4. Composting Starting a compost heap this spring is a pro-active, cost-effective way to harness nutritious soil for your plants and recycle organic waste that will benefit the overall health of your greenery and foliage. 5. Look after your lawn Lawn care is hugely important in assuring your garden stays looking beautiful. Make sure to rake away any excess leaves and trim your grass routinely. One person wrote: "Looks awesome." Another commented: 'Thank you, I'm going to give it a go." "I will need to get some of this," penned a third. Meanwhile a fourth said: "I swear by this." "Wow, that's come out amazingly,' claimed a fifth.
The Sun
27-04-2025
- General
- The Sun
Sprucing up your fence with £10 buy can make your garden look twice the size – here's how the experts do it
A SIMPLE step can help make your garden look twice the size this summer. Sprucing up your fence this spring can elevate your outdoor space in time for the good weather. 2 While spring is often a time for cleaning the interior of your home, many people take it as an opportunity to carry out projects in their garden too. And with the season of garden improvement well and truly upon us, one expert has revealed the ways you can level up your fences. With barbeques and garden parties on the horizon, you can now host to transform your limited outdoor space with a simple fence painting project. And for those looking to maximise their outdoor area this summer, gardening expert Fiona Jenkins from MyJobQuote has shared five colours that can help. First, the pro explained that light grey enhances the perception of space. As one of the nation's favoured fence colour options, light grey is a sure way to create the illusion of more space in your garden. 'Light grey softens and blurs the frame of your garden, making it look much bigger than it is," Fiona explained. "Lighter colours such as grey tend to reflect more light than dark colours, making it feel much brighter and open, enhancing the perception of space." She added that the colour was a "great option if you have more foliage-based plants rather than flowers throughout your garden". According to the expert, this creates a contrast, drawing the eye outward from the light hue of the fence. "This makes the boundaries of the garden appear less constrictive and enhances the sense of spaciousness," she said. Fiona also revealed that natural colours such as sage green visually extend the landscape. According to the pro, soft green fencing creates visual continuity, especially if your garden contains plenty of green border plants. Adding more green not only visually extends the landscape but makes garden boundaries look less conspicuous, creating a feeling of expansiveness. Neutral tones such as beige and ivory are also ideal colours for a garden face, as they allow colourful flora to stand out. Top 5 Spring Gardening Jobs *If you click a link in this boxout, we may earn affiliate revenue Nick Grey, Gtech Inventor and CEO shared the tasks to crack on with as Spring arrives. 1. Clean your garden Make sure to clear away all leaves, soil and plant debris from your patios and flower beds; this creates a healthier environment for new growth, especially as we get into the summer months. Gtech's Garden Safety Kit includes durable gardening gloves and safety glasses; perfect for comfortability whilst tackling those outdoor tasks. 2. Weeding Early Spring is the best time to tackle weeds; if you can introduce some regular weeding into your routine, you can guarantee a tidy garden all year round. 3. Hedge maintenance Spring is the ideal time to tidy up overgrown hedges and shrubs, as regular trimming ensures healthy growth and reduces pest issues. Using a tool like the Gtech Lightweight Hedge Trimmer can help to keep your greenery looking sharp and neat. 4. Composting Starting a compost heap this spring is a pro-active, cost-effective way to harness nutritious soil for your plants and recycle organic waste that will benefit the overall health of your greenery and foliage. 5. Look after your lawn Lawn care is hugely important in assuring your garden stays looking beautiful. Make sure to rake away any excess leaves and trim your grass routinely. 'Neutral tones, a particular favourite in more Mediterranean themed gardens, serve as a neutral background that allow other elements such as colourful plants to stand out," Fiona said. "The lack of visual distraction can make the garden appear larger, keeping the focus on other garden features and thus making it feel more expansive." She added that beige and ivory tones create a "minimalist feel" in your graden. "[This] emphasises simplicity and openness, a contemporary garden trend that we're seeing a lot of right now," the pro continued. "By keeping the colour palette as simple as possible, they create a clean and uncluttered look that creates a spacious feel in the garden.' You can also add illusion of a bigger garden by painting your fence light blue, the expert said. 'Not all fence colours have to be neutral colours, either," Fiona explained. "Light blue is often associated with the sky on a clear, summer's day and by painting fences light blue, you mimic the colour of the sky, creating the colour of an expansive overhead space. 2 'Not only that, but the contrast of the light blue with any greenery makes vegetation stand out more prominently, therefore casting the eye upward and creating a sense of depth and openness in the garden.' Finally, for those with a south-facing garden, opting for soft pink could be the best move. 'If you're lucky enough to get sun in the garden through all points of the day, a soft pink may be the colour option for you," Fiona said. "South-facing gardens boast beautiful sunshine all day long and the soft hues of sunrise and sunset can cause gardens with pink fences to look much bigger. "It can also evoke the sense of natural beauty, creating a serene environment which feels expansive and inviting.' And there are also fence colours worth avoiding as they make your garden appear smaller. 'Fences with high contrast colours or include busy patterns and intricate designs can overwhelm the visual space and make the garden feel smaller, as they break up the continuity of the garden space,' the pro said. 'Other constricting colours include bold or vibrant warm tones such as oranges, red-toned browns and yellows as they can cause the area to feel overly 'busy' and cluttered.'
