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The weather has cooled after the mini-heatwave in August, but those hot, sunny days promoted a rise in insect numbers. If you are still swatting flies and wasps in your home, you might like to consider a little biological control in the form of plants. Some flowers and foliage give off an aroma that bugs would rather avoid. Fill your windowsills and kitchens with pots or vases of the following in order to help deter insects.
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No flies on me (normally), but how can I keep horseflies away?
The hot, dry summer provides ideal conditions for many things. Some plants love the weather, including cacti; succulents; alpines; ornamental grasses such as Stipa gigantea; Agarves; Bougainvillea; Portulaca; Oleander; poppy; lavender and most silvery or furry-leafed plants. Read more -
Ignore granny at your peril! Folklore can be better than science in your garden
Date: 07 June, 2018|Garden lore: truth or fiction?
The best nature and garden knowledge, some say, is that which is handed down from generation to generation. Garden folklore might not be the most scientific, but much of it has been tried and tested out in the fields and gardens over time. Since the Egyptians cultivated plants that they collected from Europe, in fact. There are folklore solutions to age-old problems that you might not find in an official guide. Sometimes, listening to granny gives you wisdom! Here’s a round-up of useful folklore, tips and thoughts that you might want to put into practice. Read more -
The trend for fake grass shows no sign of abating, indeed we seem to be in love with artificial lawns rather than the biodiveristy this product replaces.
One of the best things about having a garden revolves around wildlife and living things. Have you noticed, for instance, how quickly natural organisms attract other life? In other words, nature attracts nature. You only have to include a simple bowl of water in your garden for it to become colonised with interesting life. Insects, birds, plants, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, molluscs and more will visit, and some of them will appear within five minutes. How interesting is that, once you stop to look! Read more -
Bugged by bugs in your garden? Here’s 15 plants that can keep biting insects at bay.
The summer, for all its joy and wonder, can pack a bit of a bite when it comes to insects. Even if you don’t live in the wilds of Bonnie Scotland, there are plenty of flying perils – especially around the time of evening barbecues. Most of us are a bit wary of applying chemicals to body or garden in order to keep bugs at bay. But there are other ways of fending off the mosquitoes, midges and other creatures that like to snack on human flesh! Read more -
Christmas gifts to make gardeners happy!
Need to buy Christmas gifts for gardeners? These people are surely the easiest folk to please during the festive season. Why? Because they generally love anything planty. What’s more, they appreciate tools; outdoor clothing; soothing hand creams, books about gardens, wooden things and natural products… and much more. A love of gardens opens up a whole world of possibility when it comes to gifts. Read more -
Creepy Crawlies: things that chomp in the night (and day).
Date: 06 April, 2016|Creepy things that chomp. Six reasons to let them.
Creepy crawlies in the garden. What do you do when you see caterpillars chomping away on your beloved plants? Squash them/throw them over into the neighbour’s garden? Photograph them? Applaud and show the children? Clearly, nobody wants the cabbage white larvae eating their brassica. Read more