UK Gardeners Advised To Do These 6 Tasks In March

Posted on 28/02/2025 by Boris Clair

When I texted my partner, “You won’t believe what I’ve just seen!” this morning, I think he figured I’d witnessed a crime.

Nope ― it’s just that my 7:45 return from the gym was bathed in real, blue-skied sunlight. That felt unthinkable even two weeks ago.

This sign of life sounds the first death knell for February, to which I say, good riddance. Spring is on its way; intrepid blossoms take their first floral gasps of above-0° air, and the garden begins to return to its verdant glory.

Of course, all this comes with a downside (or upside, depending on your perspective). Don your dormant gloves, gardeners ― we’re back to work!

Here are the tasks experts advise finishing in March:

1) Plant and sow

Now’s the time to plant everything from summer-flowering bulbs to new roses to shrubs, climbers, and wildflower seeds.

You can also sow onions and shallots, alongside other hardy veg like cabbage, lettuce, early potatoes, broad beans, radish, and cauliflower.

2) Prune roses

For the most bountiful display in spring and summer, it’s important to prune roses and climbers early on in the month ― dogwoods and willows will benefit from a harsher cut-back now too.

3) Weed, even if the weeds don’t look all that damaging

We’ve written before about how tackling perennial weeds before summer hits is key, even if they don’t look like they’re doing much harm.

They’ve growing thick, hard-to-remove roots at the moment; lift them and their roots from the ground as soon as you can to save yourself a horticultural headache later.

4) Get ahead of slug infestations

Slugs and snails seem to wake up the second your prized veggies do (funny, that).

Try biological controls or alternatives to keep their numbers in check ahead of spring.

5) Check for aphids too

Tender new stems don’t stand much of a chance against swarms of spring aphids. Manually remove them before the problem goes out of control.

6) Deadhead spring flowers

We were all excited when the first daffodils puffed their yellow chests up, but it’s important to deadhead those who have since wilted.

That’ll ensure an equally resplendent show next year, especially if you feed the bulbs with tomato feed.

Want To Bake But You’re Out Of Eggs? Only 1 Tablespoon Of This Simple Egg Substitute Packs Extra Fibre

Posted on 20/02/2025 by Boris Clair

There is something just so lovely about spending a Sunday baking up a storm in the kitchen. Radio on, pyjamas on, cup of coffee to keep you going and suddenly you realise – you don’t have any eggs in!

Momentum is falling. There’s no way you’re putting on proper clothes today. No way you’re heading to the shops. Yuck.

We’ve all been there, right?

Well, it turns out that there is an egg substitute that you can use and actually, you don’t need to go to a specialist shop for it. You probably don’t even need to go further than your kitchen cupboards.

A simple egg substitute that takes no time to prepare

This magic ingredient is in fact chia seeds!

Yes, the seeds you swear by for smoothies and protein muffins are actually perfect in place of eggs in case of emergencies or intolerances and preparing them is very simple, too.

The baking experts at Minimalist Baker recommend creating ‘chia eggs’ by mixing 1 Tbsp chia seeds + 2.5 Tbsp water and urge that these can be used in all kinds of baking!

Minimalist Baker also adds that this is actually possible with flaxseeds, too, and is a perfect hack for anybody looking to get into vegan baking.

Health benefits of chia seeds

According to Harvard Health, chia seeds come with a wealth of health benefits, including:

The health experts add: “Chia seeds contain a variety of nutrients including fibre, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and various vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus that are beneficial to your health.”

Happy baking!

Ready To Get Back To Gardening? Here Are 3 Bulbs You Can Plant In February

Posted on 13/02/2025 by Boris Clair

If you have spent your winter days cosy indoors, not thinking about your beloved garden, now is the time to get back out there. While the temperatures are still low, the days are gradually getting brighter for longer and before we know it, spring will be with us.

What better way to prepare for the gorgeous days ahead than to plant some blooms to bring our gardens back to life?

Just think, we are mere weeks away from sitting outside with drinks, snacks and the sounds of nature surroudning us. Bliss.

The bulbs you should plant in February

Lilies

Often showstoppers in domestic gardens, lilies are surprisingly easy to grow and you can actually get started with them this month. Faith in Nature recommends: “Pop them 15-20cm into the ground now and enjoy their dramatic, highly-scented flowers come summer.

“They prefer to be in a sunny area of the garden, and like their soil well-drained. If the ground in your garden is water-logged, they can be grown in pots – which is also good news if you’re a patio gardener.”

Plus, butterflies and bees love them.

Chrysanthemum plants

These bold, bright plants effortlessly add texture and colour to gardens and this month, you can get started with planting them for stunning summer blooms.

Gardener’s World recommends: “Pot on rooted cuttings and small plants bought from garden centres into individual 10cm pots and pot on again when their roots have filled their growing space.

“Plant out after all risk of frost has passed, into moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered, sunny spot. Dig plenty of organic matter into the planting hole or apply a general purpose fertiliser. Provide support straight away.”

Galtonias (summer hyacinths)

Galtonia, also known as summer hyacinths, are a stunning way to punctuate any colourful garden. These flower later in the summer season, bringing some much-needed life to gardens that are starting to wind down ahead of cooler months.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) recommends planting bulbs 10-15cm deep (at 30-60cm intervals) in late winter or early spring.

Ah, it’s so good to be back, isn’t it?

I’m A Mattress Expert — These 4 Signs Mean It’s Time To Replace Your Mattress

Posted on 08/02/2025 by Boris Clair

One of the biggest expenses when moving into your own home is a bed and mattress. Matresses are deeply personal purchases — finding one that fits your sleep style, your physical needs and those of your partner is a precise process — but unfortunately, it’s advised that we replace them every six to eight years.

Which frankly seems too often, given how much a good mattress costs.

However, according to Mattress expert Steve Adams, CEO of Mattress Online, there can be signs even earlier than this that your mattress needs to be replaced.

Four signs your mattress needs to be replaced

You’re waking up feeling stiff and achy

If you start your day with stiffness or aches that fade as the day goes on, Adams warns that your mattress might be to blame.

He explains: “Over time, our body and sleep needs may change meaning the mattress that was once suitable, may not be any more, this can lead to increased pressure points and discomfort.

“Poor sleep caused by a mattress which is unsupportive and does not meet our sleep needs can even lead to longer-term health issues if left unchecked.”

The mattress is sagging or uneven

It’s time to give your mattress a good look and ask if you can see any excessive sagging, lumps or indentations where you sleep.

According to Adams, these are signs that internal materials have broken down. He says: “Some materials will have natural settlement, such as fibres – but an extreme amount of sagging can lead to discomfort, high areas of pressure and speed up the degradation of other areas of the mattress, all which will make it harder to get a restful night’s sleep.”

Allergies are getting worse at night

Ugh, there is nothing worse.

If you have noticed that you are sneezing more often, your eyes are more itchy and sensitive or you are simply more congested when you sleep, it could be your mattress that’s to blame.

This is because over time, mattresses accumulate dust mites, mould, and other allergens that might be triggering your symptoms.

Adams advises: “If washing your bedding and using allergy covers doesn’t help, it may be time to replace your mattress altogether.”

Your mattress is making noise

Not only is this incredibly awkward if you’re doing the deed while others are home but a noisy mattress, particularly one that creaks or squeaks from springs is a clear sign of wear and tear.

Adams says: ” This noise suggests that the springs inside are deteriorating, compromising support and comfort. Swapping to a newer mattress with advanced materials could be the solution to both better sleep and a quieter night.”

Is It Just Me, Or Does Tap Water Get Colder In Winter? I Asked An Expert

Posted on 12/12/2024 by Boris Clair

I’ll be completely honest here: I know as much about plumbing as I do marine biology or rocket science (which is to say, next to nothing).

So when I told a friend “you know, I always think tap water is way colder in water,” I had no idea how to respond when she asked how I thought that’d happen.

An even more embarrassing admission; I’m not even sure where the reservoir that holds the water that runs through my sink is, or if it’d even be possible for the liquid in it to be affected by the weather.

So, I thought I’d ask Myles Robinson ― former boiler repair company owner and current CEO of UK Composite Doors ― whether I was losing it in the run-up to Christmas, or if this was a real thing.

So… Is tap water really colder in winter?

Yes, Myles says.

He told HuffPost UK: “tap water is definitely colder in the winter. It all comes down to a combination of factors, the water source, the pipes, and how they interact with the colder weather.”

“Most water systems draw from reservoirs, rivers, or groundwater. In winter, these sources naturally drop in temperature, especially in areas with freezing conditions,” he continued.

“Even groundwater, which is insulated by the earth, gets colder as the ground above freezes. So, the water entering your home starts off colder during winter months.”

If you’re thinking “wait, wouldn’t it warm up in the pipes?”, we were in the same boat ― but Myles has answers.

“Pipes running through unheated spaces, like basements, crawl spaces, or underground, are understandably more exposed to the colder air or ground temperatures in winter,” he explained.

“As the water sits in these pipes, it cools even more before reaching your tap. The longer the run of pipe from the main supply to your tap, the more pronounced this cooling effect can be.”

Does tap water get hotter in summer too?

I knew I wasn’t imagining lukewarm glasses of water in the colder months!

“Interestingly, in the summer, the opposite can happen. Heat from the air or soil can warm up the water in your pipes, making it feel less refreshing than winter’s icy flow,” Myles said. Huh!

By the way, if freezing tap water is bothering you, the home expert says there are steps you can take to get rid of the problem.

“If you’re noticing your tap water feels shockingly cold in winter, especially in older homes, you might want to check if your pipes are insulated,” he told HuffPost UK.

“Proper insulation won’t stop the water from being cooler—it starts that way from the source, but it can keep your pipes from freezing, which is a much bigger concern!’’

This Common Mistake May Be Ruining Your Poinsettia Before Christmas

Posted on 11/12/2024 by Boris Clair

Poinsettias weren’t always a common Christmas flower in the UK ― but flower company Bloom & Wild say they became that way thanks to their festive colour and star-like shape.

So if you’ve got one in your home, chances are you’re trying your hardest to keep it fresh throughout the festive season.

Thankfully, David Denyer, an expert florist at Eflorist, told HuffPost UK that there are some surefire ways to accidentally kill your festive plant before it’d otherwise fade ― including some “people often overlook.”

What could cause an early plant death?

“Pests are a big issue that people often overlook. Aphids, whiteflies, and mealybugs are drawn to the fragile leaves of poinsettias,” David told us.

“If the leaves appear curled or feel sticky, it’s often a clear indication of a pest problem,” he added.

You can protect other surrounding plants by removing the affected plant from their area and treating it with insecticide or neem oil.

“Another comment problem is people often believe that yellowing leaves are solely due to overwatering, but in many cases, it could also indicate low light or a lack of nutrients,” David continues.

Poinsettias do need a bit of extra care in terms of nutrients, especially after they’ve been moved from one place to another or after Christmas. A slow-release fertiliser can make a difference in terms of overall health.”

How should I take care of poinsettia?

Even if you’re not worried about murdering your flower entirely, David has some tips for keeping it at its best.

Most of us over-water our poinsettia, he points out: “You have to focus on not letting the plant sit in water,” he stresses.

It’s an easy trap to fall into because people often water their poinsettias frequently, but they don’t check if the soil has good drainage. The plant’s survival is more about the quality of the watering routine than the quantity.”

Misting the leaves with water is a much better option than drenching the leaves ― you shouldn’t leave droplets on the bracts or they’ll “develop unsightly spots,” David warns.

You might want to move your plant from that spot by your window too, the flower expert says.

“Poinsettias are incredibly sensitive to changes, particularly temperature fluctuations. Avoid placing them near places where drafts or sudden warm air from vents can affect them,” he told HuffPost UK.

“The changes in temperature can be subtle but enough to cause them to shed their leaves.”

And “While they enjoy bright, indirect light, some people make the mistake of giving them too much direct sunlight, which causes the leaves to burn.”

Looks like I have a plant pot to move…

People Can’t Agree On What Tea Towels Are Actually For And Now I’m Confused

Posted on 05/12/2024 by Boris Clair

Ask yourself this: what do you think tea towels are used for?

I know, I hadn’t thought about it either and, to be honest, I use them for everything from drying the dishes to drying the kitchen countertops after cleaning them. I even use them to help me carry hot bowls of soup from time to time.

All of this being said, I’d never considered what they’re actually for and, if a Reddit thread is anything to go by, a lot of other people hadn’t considered this either.

In the community /r/AskUK, user psyche-illogical asked: “What is a tea towel for if not for drying dishes?”

Now, there is a story behind this that is key to understanding why the question was asked but I will warn you, it could just confuse you more…

The user said: “So, my partner and I recently moved into a flat in Glasgow. Our flatmate is American. We’re from New Zealand, and we regularly use tea towels to hand dry dishes, which I’ve always assumed is what everyone uses them for.

“In the flat, there are two tea towels hanging off the cupboard just below the sink.”

Then, they revealed a baffling conversation with their flatmate, where their flatmate asked why the tea towels in the kitchen were damp, and our Reddit user said, “Um. Oh, sorry. We just made dinner and did the dishes so they might be slightly damp but I hung them back up and they should still be clean.”

To which their flatmate responded: “Oh, no, that’s OK, I’ve just never seen someone use them for that before.”

While this is a very polite exchange, it left the Reddit user flummoxed and they asked: “Have I been using them wrong my whole life? Or is the American talking rubbish? What are they using them for? I’m giving myself a bit of a complex about it!”

Well, same.

Marquee-smith commented: “I dry surfaces, dry my hands and pick up hot things with them. I leave pots and glasses to air dry usually because they are not very absorbent and leave things quite smeary.”

Interesting.

However, New_Expectations5808 has a different take entirely, saying: “They’re definitely for drying dishes. Hand towels are fluffier.”

To which Willsagain2 responded: “Exactly. Terry towelling for hand drying, flat woven cotton/linen for drying dishes when necessary.”

I’ll be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever thought this deeply about it.

Max-Main is on my wavelength, suggesting: “They’re for the impromptu and utterly chaotic pastime of tea towel flicking which starts in the kitchen and can end in any room of the house accompanied by high pitched screaming from full grown men.”

However, there was one ‘right answer’ marked on the thread

User AwarenessHonest9030 said: “I mainly use it to dry my hands after washing up or washing my hands or I use it for getting stuff out of the oven, air fryer, microwave.”

This one was marked as the right answer.

I honestly still feel confused.

Do This 1 Trick Immediately After Using A Sieve To Prevent Stuck-On Food

Posted on 21/08/2024 by Boris Clair

Ah, sieves ― they’d be such a handy tool if they weren’t nigh-on impossible to clean.

As someone who tends to be much kinder to “current me” than I am for “future me,” – I still end up using mine about once a day.

It’s perfect for draining pasta (except for the washing). It’s a great way to ensure no lemon seeds end up in the juice (except for the washing). It’s useful for sifting flour, too, except… well, you get the message.

So you can only imagine how relieved I was to find that taking one simple step immediately after using the tool can prevent an awful lot of stuck-on food.

Which is?

Food magazine Bon Appétit wrote that whacking the utensil against your sink as soon after using it as possible is really, really helpful.

“As soon as you finish using your sieve, bang it against the sink,” they shared.

“This helps dislodge some of those smaller pieces that haven’t had time to mush up and settle in.”

They add that you should also soak your sieve in very hot, soapy water for 15 minutes “right away.”

A dash of distilled white vinegar added to the mix can make cleaning it even more effective, the publication says.

However, for both methods, speed is key.

Is that the only hack?

Far from it. In a Reddit thread about the cooking conundrum, site users were full of recommendations.

“I turn it upside down in the sink, and use the sprayer to blast the back side. This usually cleans it pretty well,” one Redditor wrote.

Many advised against letting your sieve rest after use, even for a minute ― more people than I’d expected knew about the “banging it against the sink” trick too (am I the only one this is news to?).

Yet another person suggested using a toothbrush if the debris gets really dire (Bon Appétit reccomends this too).

With all the resentment I’ve built up to that accursed mesh, hitting it against the sink should be easy…

The 1 Thing That Will Make Your Bathroom More Dementia-Friendly

Posted on 10/08/2024 by Boris Clair

According to the NHS, research shows there are more than 944,000 people in the UK who have dementia, and this is only increasing as people are lving longer.

The NHS also state that in the early stages of dementia, sufferers may be able to live at home, continuing to enjoy doing the things they have always done and having an active social life.

However, there are steps you or a carer can take at home to make the condition easier to manage and offset the more difficult days of dementia.

Now, Dementia UK have shared tips for making bathrooms more dementia-friendly

On their TikTok channel, a specialist dementia nursing charity have shared their tips for making bathrooms more dementia-friendly, and they’re really simple.

Most notably, the charity recommend using brightly-coloured towels which, as well as just making your bathroom a little more colourful, will stand out more on the towel rail and make spotting them easier.

Additionally, the experts recommend that if you have a fabric bathmat, this should be rolled up when not in use to prevent trips and falls.

While this is probably just good practice in general, NHS Inform urge that dementia sufferers are at a higher risk, saying: “There are different personal risk factors that cause people to fall, however, people with dementia are at greater risk because they: are more likely to experience problems with mobility, balance and muscle weakness.”

Dementia UK offer more tips for making bathrooms accessible

On their website, Dementia UK recommend the following steps for making bathrooms a safer place for dementia sufferers:

Stick a written sign or a picture of a toilet to the door to help the person identify the bathroom
Leave the bathroom light on at night to help the person find their way
Fit a toilet lid and seat in a different colour from the toilet itself to make it more visible
Use a free-standing toilet roll holder. These are easier to see than wall-mounted holders, and putting it right next to the toilet means the person does not have to stretch and potentially lose their balance – but if the person is prone to falls, be aware that they may be a trip hazard
Install rails or handles at useful points such as in the bath/shower and next to the toilet
Provide a bath or shower seat if the person has mobility or balance problems
Use flood and scald prevention plugs in the basin and bath

Having WiFi Troubles? This Common Household Appliance May Be To Blame

Posted on 26/06/2024 by Boris Clair

According to Forbes, around a quarter of us work from home regulalrlyh and for that, we need consistently good WiFi speeds and reliable internet for our work, meetings, and availability on Slack.

However, it isn’t always that simple. In fact, I’d argue that if you haven’t found yourself aimlessly arguing with your router at least once, you haven’t hit the final boss of working from home.

That being said, before you call your provider to complain, Trevor Cooke, the privacy expert at Earthweb, has outlined four things that may be holding your WiFi back.

The surprising things that could be slowing your WiFi down

Microwaves

I know! I know!!!

Cooke said: “Microwave ovens operate on the same 2.4 GHz frequency as many WiFi networks. When in use, they can cause significant interference, leading to slower speeds or temporary disconnections.”

Cooke recommends that the router is placed away from the kitchen and any microwaves. He also advised that if your router supports it, the 5 GHz band is less prone to microwave interference.

Bluetooth devices

Cooke said that Bluetooth devices, such as wireless headphones, speakers, and keyboards, also use the 2.4 GHz frequency, potentially causing WiFi signal disruption.

To address this, limit the use of Bluetooth devices near your router or switch to the 5 GHz band for your WiFi network if possible.

Thick walls

Unfortunately, the structure of your home can significantly impact WiFi performance.

Cooke said: “Thick walls, especially those made of concrete or brick, can obstruct and weaken WiFi signals. ”

He recommends using WiFi extenders or mesh networkers to boost the signal in homes with thick walls.

Electronic devices

Other electronic devices, such as baby monitors, can interfere with WiFi signals by creating radio frequency interference.

Investing in newer electronic devices designed to minimise interference with WiFi signals can help to improve your connection.

Who knew?!

Donation for helping 20