Specieswatch: the ‘UK rainforest’ threatened by gardeners Sphagnum moss is a vital carbon store but peat bogs are being dug up to fuel our love of horticulture Left to its own devices, Sphagnum fallax, together with a large number of close relatives, will form dense mats of plants on wet ground and become Read more about Specieswatch: the ‘UK rainforest’ threatened by gardeners[…]
What is the environmental cost of ironing? The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific concepts What is the environmental cost of ironing? Am I saving the planet by being a scruff? Nick Riches, London W13 Continue reading… Read more about What is the environmental cost of ironing?[…]
Britain’s third-richest man faces fresh New Forest planning battle Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to transform derelict ‘tin cottage’ into three-bedroom home Britain’s third-richest man is fighting a fresh planning battle for permission to transform a derelict “tin cottage” into a three-bedroom home for a “permanent guardian” to protect and maintain his £6m Read more about Britain's third-richest man faces fresh New Forest planning battle[…]
How can we reduce inheritance tax on my mother’s property? My sister and I would like to be joint owners of my mother’s house to reduce liability on her estate Q Would I, together with my sister, be able to become a joint owner of my mother’s property so that the house Read more about How can we reduce inheritance tax on my mother's property?[…]
Garden gets the summer blues- Country diary, 28 July 1919 28 July 1919 From the tall and stately Larkspurs, to harebells and shrubs, a garden it Kew is in a blue phase KewThe garden is in a blue phase. The largest clumps of blues are the larkspurs. Tall and stately, in many Read more about Garden gets the summer blues- Country diary, 28 July 1919[…]
The Guardian view on housing inequality: the young are paying | Editorial The promise of a property-owning democracy is laughable when so many millennials cannot afford to buy – and will struggle to rent in old age The UK’s dysfunctional housing market – or more accurately, markets – is a problem affecting Read more about The Guardian view on housing inequality: the young are paying | Editorial[…]
Tenants will be given access to rogue landlord database Move follows Guardian/ITV News investigation that found contents were to be kept secret Campaigners have welcomed government plans to open up its rogue landlord database to prospective tenants, as part of proposals to give greater protection to renters. A package of reforms published Read more about Tenants will be given access to rogue landlord database[…]
Why terrarium plants like a nice cup of tea | James Wong Suspended in their glass bowls, terrariums are a delight but they are susceptible to mould. Here’s how to tackle it It’s one of the most frequent gardening questions I’m asked: “How do you tackle mould growth in terrariums?” On Instagram Read more about Why terrarium plants like a nice cup of tea | James Wong[…]
Self-seeding leads to happy garden accidents | Allan Jenkins Allowing unexpected guests to make themselves at home in the plot results in some unplanned developments A piece in praise of accidental planting. Or at least, allowing some self-seeding. Every year, now, we have red orach, though it was last sown here 10 Read more about Self-seeding leads to happy garden accidents | Allan Jenkins[…]
Head in the clouds on the Isle of Man Perched on one of the highest peaks on the island this amazing eco-home is a birder’s paradise In 2012, Peter and Carole Lillywhite visited the Isle of Man for the first time. Three days into their visit, they had an offer accepted on Read more about Head in the clouds on the Isle of Man[…]