Bees are key pollinators and their numbers are in decline. Without a healthy population there are serious implications for many garden plants and food crops. Sharon Jervis, the founder of giftware retailer Beefayre, offers advice on how to attract bees to your garden. Plant lots of flowers of different colours and shapes. Blue, white, violet, … Read more
Wooden decking needs regular care to keep it looking good and, before you get your patio furniture out of storage, this is the time to get rid of dirt and mould that’s accumulated over winter. Follow this easy how to clean decking guide to get it bright and fresh for summer. TOP TIP If the winter’s been … Read more
A tree will bring year-round interest and colour into even the smallest garden – but consider how big it will eventually become. WHICH TREE TO CHOOSE If you’d prefer a tree that doesn’t need any pruning, and grows to no more than about 3m tall, look at varieties that cross over between trees and shrubs. … Read more
Planning your garden so that you’re planting in the right places is important for growing healthy plants, but even so, pests and diseases can scupper your good work. Catching problems early is key to keeping your garden bug-and disease-free. While you’re watering the plants, keep an eye out for brown, curled or discoloured leaves, holes in … Read more
Tucked away in Bedford, England is a hobbit hole with a very modern twist. While no real hobbits reside there, the house is exceptionally made. After a tree died in his backyard, Ashley Yeates decided to repurpose the space into this brilliant storage space. Keep in mind Yeates isn’t your ordinary DIYer. He’s a design and construction expert, and … Read more
The best way to think of succulents is as ‘fat plants’. Parts of them, usually their leaves, swell up with water and this stops them from drying out in arid conditions. Cacti are the most obvious examples but sedums and sempervivums are also common. They all share that fleshy, tender look and often have grey-green … Read more
The best way to think of succulents is as ‘fat plants’. Parts of them, usually their leaves, swell up with water and this stops them from drying out in arid conditions. Cacti are the most obvious examples but sedums and sempervivums are also common. They all share that fleshy, tender look and often have grey-green … Read more
It’s essential to select the correct paint type and finish for the surface you want to cover. WHICH PAINT TO PICK? Melanie Adams, Director, Designerpaint.com reveals the secrets of paint formulas. Water-based emulsion works well on walls and ceilings. Eggshell and acrylic can also be water based but they’re tougher than emulsion. Some products are durable … Read more
There’s a misconception that hi-tech homes can’t also be knock-your-socks-off beautiful. Speakers, televisions and the smart panels that control audio systems, heating and lighting are just eyesores that get in the way of a well-designed interior – aren’t they? If that visual clutter is catching your eye, you’re simply not doing it right. Interior designers, … Read more
Plan your design, planting scheme and finishing touches to reap the benefits of a kitchen garden. What’s the difference between a kitchen garden and a vegetable patch? Well, the biggest difference is that the kitchen garden, or potager, is both productive and beautiful. A tall order you might think but with a bit of planning … Read more