A simple trick for growing a tricky orchid | James Wong Put your orchid in a large glass bowl with water to emulate the steamy jungle it comes from… Vanda orchids are true miracles of nature, with dramatic blooms painted in webbed patterns of sapphire blue, purple and lavender that sit high Read more about A simple trick for growing a tricky orchid | James Wong[…]
Buying to let? The what, why, when and where Peter Bill, former editor of Estates Gazette and author of Planet Property, suggests factors potential buyers should consider as the demand for rental property soars ever higher. Bracketing Kipling’s ‘six honest serving men’ into three pairs is as decent a way as any Read more about Buying to let? The what, why, when and where[…]
Autumn arrives at our Danish summerhouse | Allan Jenkins The bramble is creeping back, the rowan is scarlet and mushrooms and puffballs are popping up The end of summer at the Danish summerhouse, banking on the bank holiday. June’s painted lady butterflies have been replaced by brighter red admirals flitting around the Read more about Autumn arrives at our Danish summerhouse | Allan Jenkins[…]
‘Something sparked inside me’: the 0 plant stealing hearts and wallets Cream and white variegated monstera are the Instagram plant de jour and for the fanatics, money is no object In the last six months, Irina Busova, a 30-year-old from Geraldton, Western Australia, estimates she’s bought more than 100 houseplants. Her prized Read more about 'Something sparked inside me': the $650 plant stealing hearts and wallets[…]
Life on the ocean wave A makeover for this one-bed flat in St Leonards harks back to the building’s Art Deco origins Marine Court in St Leonards near Hastings has had a chequered life, but started out with lofty aspirations. It was built as a set of “commodious modern flats”, aimed at Read more about Life on the ocean wave[…]
How to grow fuchsia | Alys Fowler Not so keen on its clashing colour combinations? You might change your mind when you taste the berries If you are wondering who is eating all the berries of your fuchsia bush, it’s me. I can’t tell you how much joy I get from wandering Read more about How to grow fuchsia | Alys Fowler[…]
Gardening tips: plant a bee balm Then kill off the tiny black flies around houseplants, and visit Special Plants nursery near Bath Plant this If you have moist soil, bee balm (Monarda didyma) is great. This mint relative makes great cut flowers, and its aromatic foliage a delicious tea. The flowers range Read more about Gardening tips: plant a bee balm[…]
Is now a good time to extend your lease? The Government wants to make it easier to extend a lease or to buy out the freehold. There are no details yet, but change is certainly on the way. More than two million homes in England and Wales are held by a lease, Read more about Is now a good time to extend your lease?[…]
Diet of worms has to be right for compost success | Letters Readers respond to Adrian Chiles’s report of his struggle to create compost from his organic waste using a wormery Along with, no doubt, many other vermophiles, I’d like to reassure Adrian Chiles that wormeries do work and that his worms Read more about Diet of worms has to be right for compost success | Letters[…]
Let’s move to Lancaster, Lancashire: it’s grander than you might think A slightly forgotten city of excellent pubs, doughty inhabitants and beautiful buildings What’s going for it? Grander than you might think, Lancaster, if you think about it at all. Only intrepid tour coaches make it this far, leaving this slightly forgotten Read more about Let’s move to Lancaster, Lancashire: it's grander than you might think[…]