Monty Don: Prune lavender at end of summer to avoid woody plants
Gardening expert Monty Don says lavender should be pruned every year at the end of summer, as soon as flowers fade, to prevent woody, leggy growth.
Category : Environment
Protect Japanese maples from heat with frost fleece
Japanese maples can avoid brown, crispy leaves in hot weather by using frost fleece to create shade and retain moisture, says gardener Ish.
Grow 3 Plants to Naturally Banish Garden Weeds
Garden expert Graham Rice says hostas, bugle, and lady's mantle smother weeds naturally, making them 'magically disappear' without chemicals.
Gardener's 1 Natural Item Removes Weeds Better Than Weed Killer
Award-winning garden writer Graham Rice says ground cover plants like hostas, bugle, and lady's mantle naturally smother weeds, offering a chemical-free alternative to weed killer.
Abandoned UK village with bullets and tanks explored
Imber village, evacuated in 1943 for D-Day training, remains abandoned under MoD control, with public access limited to a few days yearly.
Binman: Used cooking oil goes in general waste, not food bin (16.08.2026)
A professional waste collector says used cooking oil should go in general waste, not the food caddy or recycling bin, aligning with UK government guidance.
Trio cycles from Paris to Burry Port in memory of friend
Three friends cycled from Paris to Burry Port, raising over £3,000 for Ward 9 at Prince Philip Hospital, where Sonia Thomas was cared for before her death.
Hydrangeas bloom better in August with seaweed fertiliser
Adding seaweed to hydrangea soil in August boosts blooms. Expert Graham Smith says it provides nutrients like nitrogen and potassium, promoting vibrant flowers and stronger stems.
Hydrangeas Thrive with Seaweed Watering Before September
Gardening experts recommend watering hydrangeas with seaweed before September to boost blooms and plant health, as seaweed provides essential nutrients.
Expert's 2-item window cleaning hack for streak-free glass
A uPVC specialist says vinegar and newspaper clean windows streak-free without expensive products. The simple method works surprisingly well and is cheap and easy.
Chef's mushroom boiling method yields 'ridiculously flavourful' results
Chef Lucas Sin reveals that boiling mushrooms instead of frying them in oil produces a 'ridiculously flavourful' batch, as the fungi absorb water and create a rich broth.
Burnham urged to reject Jackdaw and Rosebank oil fields
Stop Climate Chaos Scotland urges PM Andy Burnham to stick to Labour manifesto and refuse consent for Jackdaw and Rosebank oil and gas fields, citing climate risks.
37p lemon hack leaves filthy microwave gleaming in minutes
A 37p lemon hack cleaned a filthy microwave in under five minutes, softening baked-on grease with steam and leaving a fresh scent.
Burnham vows to tackle 'toxic dump scandal' and rough sleeping
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to end rough sleeping and address the 'toxic dump scandal' as part of a 10-year plan, following arrests over 25,000 tonnes of illegal waste in Wigan.
Burnham to Tackle Rough Sleeping and Fly-Tipping in UK Tour
Andy Burnham will address rough sleeping and fly-tipping in week two of his UK tour, following a £65m farmer support package.
Reform UK pledges to end hosepipe bans and build more reservoirs
Reform UK says it will end annual hosepipe bans by scrapping water reduction targets and cutting red tape to build more reservoirs, as five key reservoirs in England and Wales are 'exceptionally low'.
Zoella wins donkey sanctuary approval but locals fume
YouTube star Zoella and fiancé Alfie Deyes have won permission to build a donkey sanctuary near their West Sussex home, but locals are angry over potential burial grounds and gates.
Return home plan for Stourbridge wildfire victims
A return-to-home plan is in place for Stourbridge wildfire victims as the blaze is under control. The fire destroyed 19 homes and spread over 500 acres.
High streets need rethink to solve today's problems
High streets once thrived with butchers and grocers, but now face empty shops. A complete rethink is needed to turn them into social hubs, tackling loneliness and mental health issues.
Army deployed to tackle UK wildfires as record fires hit
The Army has been deployed to tackle wildfires in Wales and the West Midlands, declared major incidents, as the UK records a record number of fires this year.
UK refuses to intervene to save Jodrell Bank from cuts
The Government has refused to intervene to protect Jodrell Bank from funding cuts, reiterating that the observatory is 'not closing', while pressure mounts on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to reverse the decision.
Stourbridge wildfire victims get return-to-home plan
A return-to-home plan is in place for Stourbridge wildfire victims as the blaze is under control, with 19 homes destroyed and over 500 acres burnt.
Chester Pride 2026: Hundreds parade through city streets
Hundreds of people marched through Chester on Saturday for Pride 2026, with performances from Danny Beard, 911, Kelly Llorenna and Sonia.
Summit Selfie Queues on Welsh Mountains Spark Debate
Hikers on Yr Wyddfa face boos for skipping self-imposed queues for summit photos. Experts warn of safety risks and environmental damage.
Army deployed to tackle UK wildfires amid 'tinderbox' crisis
Military personnel have been deployed to help tackle wildfires sweeping England and Wales, after a formal request for 200 troops was granted. The move follows 'apocalyptic' scenes that destroyed homes in Stourbridge and Stoke-on-Trent.
Foam iceberg on River Irk triggers EA investigation
Environment Agency investigates a 10ft foam pile on the River Irk in Middleton, reported by residents and an angling club, with water samples taken.
Fire brigades urge Brits to stop reporting neighbour BBQs
Fire services urge Brits to stop reporting neighbours for barbecues after a surge in calls, following a government wildfire alert and a temporary ban on disposable barbecues.
Burnham must close pay-per-mile loophole - Labour tax farce
Andy Burnham must address a major loophole in Labour’s 2028 EV pay-per-mile scheme as Autocar finds mileage blockers could let drivers cheat the system.
Prince Harry Diverts Diana Fund Cash to Wildlife Charity
Prince Harry has redirected his share of Princess Diana's memorial fund from Sentebale to Elephants Without Borders following a legal dispute with the charity.
Gardeners told to water plants before 10am as UK hits 36C
UK gardeners are urged to water plants before 10am or after 6pm as temperatures reach 36C, with experts warning against midday watering to prevent evaporation.
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