Friday 18 May 2012
Homes and Gardens Advertiser

Gardening in Herts and Beds

Koi swimming in a pond

Try something fishy in your garden

Thinking of adding fish to your pond? Hannah Stephenson looks at how to give them the best start in their new home

Cut out the cuttings and go for layering

Blossoming daphne, which is better suited to the layering technique than cutting HANNAH STEPHENSON has tips on how to increase stocks of plants such as rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias

More plants layer by layer

Layering forsythia, weigela If you want to increase your stock of rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias, layering them may be the best solution, Hannah Stephenson reports

Mulch to do to keep moisture levels up

Compost bins Essex HANNAH STEPHENSON looks at a variety of water-retaining mulches to spread on your borders and keep your soil moist during a drought.

Endangered birds in Stevenage to get new homes

A common swift People living in Stevenage Homes who have recently had work done on their roofs were given the chance to have a nesting box for swifts installed for free.

OAPs' gardening treat to celebrate Queen's 60 years

Senior citizens are being offered the opportunity to have their gardens spruced up as part of Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Tough out the drought with evergreens

Evergreens can be interesting While traditional summer bedding may suffer during prolonged dry weather, evergreens could provide much of the colour you need, Hannah Stephenson discovers

All about the birds and the bees - and how to attract them

Blue tit NEXT time you find yourself out in your garden with a big pair of sharpened secateurs STOP!

How to avoid gardening injuries

Pay attention when mowing the lawn! The recent warm weather is being blamed for a steady increase in gardening related injuries dealt with at Princess Alexandra Hospital.