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Outdoor kitchens: 10 stylish ways to cook alfresco and impress your family & friends
Move over humble barbecue; it’s time to embrace the full outdoor kitchen setup. It’s the latest must-have for those who take their al fresco entertaining seriously. Whatever your style, we’ve got you covered, from bespoke built-in kitchens to rustic wooden kitchens to...
Spring starters! 10 of the best gardens to visit to see snowdrops
It’s snowdrop season, when swathes of pint-sized white flowers emerge from frost-laden woodlands, parks, meadows and gardens, brightening up the winter vista. Seeing drifts of the pretty white flowers will shake off the winter blues. If you want to ditch the winter...
Feathered friends: How do you get your grandchildren interested in birdwatching?
There’s no better time to start than Big Schools’ Birdwatch. Children are being encouraged to watch and count birds in their school grounds during Big Schools’ Birdwatch (from Jan 8 to Feb 19), sending the results to the RSPB to gain a better overall picture of how...
Clever cleaning: Cleaners on 20 easy ways to do your most hated household chores
From banishing bin juice to blitzing bathrooms, cleaning your home doesn’t have to be laborious. Here is how to keep yours sanitary without losing your sanity. Everyone likes living in a clean home but how can you take the drudgery out of scrubbing? By being smug...
Happy hibernation: How to help garden wildlife hunker down for winter
Gardeners can help birds, insects and frogs survive the cooler months with some simple steps, say experts. It may have been a mild autumn, but as soon as temperatures drop, wildlife garden visitors will be looking for places to hunker down for hibernation. Hedgehogs,...
Creature comforts: Top tips to help hedgehogs hibernate
Hedgehogs are charming and endearing creatures that often visit our gardens. It’s almost time for hedgehogs to hibernate for the winter, although the Indian summer may have delayed the process by a few weeks. Hibernation is a crucial part of their natural cycle,...
Darker spaces don’t have to be dreary: 8 of the coolest plants for shady gardens
The sun may be shining, but if you have a north-facing garden, which has more than its quota of shade, don’t worry, you can still lighten it up with some impressive plants. Tropical-looking large-leaved hostas and feathery ferns, blousy hydrangeas, and colourful...
Escape to the Med: How to bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your garden
Drought-tolerant plants, terracotta pots and gravel will make you feel like you’re on holiday. The heatwave may still be unbearable in some parts of southern Europe - but you can enjoy a touch of the Mediterranean without sizzling in your own garden, with some...
Hot tips: The do’s and don’ts of looking after your garden in a heatwave
So, summer’s here and many gardeners will no doubt be reaching for the watering can, checking the levels of their water butt and wondering if a hosepipe ban is going to spread to their area. Here’s a guide to good practices when the mercury’s rising. There’s already a...
Sustainability, wildlife and weeds: Highlights and trends from RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023
This year’s show gardens let nature do the talking, as gardening editor Hannah Stephenson discovers. Gardens featuring more weeds and less formality have taken centre stage at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, placing more emphasis on letting nature take control....
Frugal fingers: 10 money saving tips for gardeners
With all its benefits, gardening can also have drawbacks. For one, it can be an expensive hobby (if you let it). However, there are ways to save your cash and have a thriving display throughout the year. From sharing plants to repurposing used pots, there are plenty...
Doggy destinations: 7 dog-friendly gardens to visit this spring
For the garden lover who can’t leave their pooch behind. If you want to visit some open gardens this spring and at Easter, but don’t want to leave your dog behind, help is at hand. The National Garden Scheme (NGS), which raises funds for health charities and other...