Posts

Boiled, fried, mashed or baked, sweet potatoes contain an abundance of fibre, beta-carotene and a far lower GI than regular white potatoes, making them the healthier choice for your dinner plate. Get the timing right, and once you know how to grow sweet potatoes, you can enjoy many different varieties that you won’t be able to find in the grocery store. When to plant sweet potatoes Sweet potato slips – the small shoots that grow out of the potato – need to be started indoors about six weeks before you are ready to plant them outdoors as part of your plans for when to plant vegetables....

Full of vitamin C and potassium, watermelons are a delicious and nutritious fruit. It is easy to learn how to grow watermelon and once you know when to plant watermelon you can add them to the list of crops to nurture as part of your vegetable garden ideas. Watermelon can be grown really successfully a part of your vegetable garden container ideas, under cover if you’re planning a greenhouse, and directly outside – all providing you get the timing right....

Knowing how to grow cucumbers is the same as any other plant: meaning light and water levels are crucial to healthy growth. So, if you notice your cucumber leaves turning yellow, it is likely down to one of these factors. Whether you’re learning how to grow cucumbers vertically – or you’re growing from the ground or pot – your fruit is not immune from yellow leaves. Here’s exactly what causes discoloring and how to avoid it in your produce....

Transitioning homes has an unrivaled impact on your daily routine when you consider your new location and the decorating opportunities you have in your new space. However, the act of moving may have spiritual consequences, too. There is a host of ways to promote spiritual well-being in your Feng Shui home, whether you learn what color is good luck for a front door or what color is unlucky for a kitchen....

Knowing how to propagate Christmas cactus successfully does require some careful prep, though. You will also need to know when to water your Christmas cactus, too, to ensure water remains fresh and the levels sufficient. As Homes & Gardens’ garden editor, I’m a big fan of indoor plants, and love growing a Christmas cactus, but hadn’t rooted them in water before. So, I asked plant expert Vladan Nikolic, the founder of Mr....

Hardwearing, durable and available in a host of grains and colors, wood makes a great flooring idea for any room in the house. Bound with the beauty of nature it’s a particularly good choice for restful spaces such as bedrooms and makes a timeless foundation for both traditional and contemporary homes. From solid hardwood and engineered planks, to wood effect solutions, there’s a wealth of options to choose from, so to help you decide we’ve rounded a selection of inspiring wood flooring ideas perfect for bedrooms along with some handy tips from the experts....

In the wake of the Society of Garden Designers (opens in new tab)’ 40th anniversary, we caught up with the industry experts who revealed the five key ways that our exteriors have changed in the past four decades – and we’re feeling completely nostalgic. See: Garden ideas – inspiration and ideas for outdoor spaces 1. The rise of outdoor kitchens While outdoor kitchens may have seemed entirely extravagant only a short time ago, designers suggest it is just one of the increasingly popular elements of a recreational garden....

See: Backyard ideas – get more inspiration in our dedicated guide. Following the interview, demands for ‘chicken coop ideas’ jumped by 350%, whilst ‘walk-in chicken coops’ increased by approximately 200%. So, if you have been inspired by this unexpected trend but are not sure where to start, look no further than the wise words of chicken care expert Chris Lesley. What is the best time of year to buy a chicken coop?...

While it is easy to let the pressure push you into a festive frenzy, there is no reason to panic. Instead, you should look to some of the most recognizable faces for tips on how to decorate a Christmas tree – including Hollywood stars and interior design influencers. The likes of Demi Moore and Millie Bobby Brown may be used to making headlines in the entertainment industry but, it seems, they have talent when it comes up with new and original Christmas tree ideas, too....

There is a huge variety of plants that can add seasonal interest – from flowering evergreens, vibrant fiery steams, tactile tree barks, and colorful pops of colour from winter-flowering bulbs – so ensure you include these in your winter garden ideas. The amount of color and choices of plants will differ to some extent depending on the area where you live. ‘Depending on how mild the local climate is during winter, some gardeners may be able to grow cool-season annuals throughout the winter months and well into spring....

As one of the most beautiful kitchen trends of the moment, brass sinks are a statement buy – but why are they popular, are they practical, and how to include these striking pieces in your kitchen ideas? Why include a brass sink in your design? Brass sinks are undeniably an expensive addition – but why include them in your kitchen or bathroom design? The answer, say the experts, lies in how the material ages and how it adds an enhancing touch of luxury to a room....

If you’re searching for inspiration for a romantic spot to visit then look no further as we’ve rounded up 10 of the most romantic - and historic - spots from across the length and breadth of Britain. From an idyllic Cotswolds town to the enchanting natural pools of the Scottish isles, there’s something for everyone. See: Our favorite National Trust gardens – to put on your wishlist, too 1. Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Kent A motif of love as old as time, the sweet-smelling rose cannot fail to delight....

When dealing with bulky items, such as washing a pillow, you need to ensure your washer is protected by placing the pillows into the machine in a particular way. But as to whether pillows can be washed in a washing machine, the answer is: ‘it depends’. We have all the answers about whether you can wash your pillows in a washing machine, below. Can you wash pillows in the washing machine?...

But it’s important to learn how to grow a Christmas cactus – and to care for a Christmas cactus – properly to get the most from this attractive succulent. ‘The Christmas cactus, scientifically known as schlumbergera, earned its name because it flowers right around the festive season,’ says Rachel Martin, of Patch Plants. ‘It’s also known as Thanksgiving cactus and holiday cactus, for the same reason. Basically, this plant loves a celebration, erupting in pink flowers to cheer up winter....

Whether you tend to store the ingredients for a good cup of brew in your pantry, or you like to display your coffee beans on your countertop for easy access, we can help ensure this is done the right way. Many of us (the H&G team included) rely on a cup of coffee to get our mornings off to a good start. Regardless of how you make yours, it’s imperative that your coffee setup looks the part – especially when you have a guest over for a warm cup....

‘Used coffee grounds – left over from using a coffee maker – contain a substantial amount of nitrogen, as well as potassium and phosphorus,’ says coffee expert Lewis Spencer of Coffee Direct (opens in new tab).’ These properties make them perfect for garden activities, such as composting. It’s an innovative way to make use of something that would otherwise have ended up in landfill.’ However, its power doesn’t end there....

But we won’t give away all the reasons why we think cottagecore bedrooms have got longevity – keep scrolling to discover the keys to this homey look, and how to copy it. Find more inspiration in our cottage decorating ideas picture gallery. 1. Coziness is key – but visual tricks help Do you only have a small bedroom to work with? No problem. The great thing about the cottagecore trend is that it’s perfect for snug spaces....

While the tone of your wall will influence your sleeping pattern, the color of your bedsheets is equally as crucial to a good night’s rest. The surprising twist? Your white bed sheets may be stopping you from enjoying a long slumber. The ever-favorite bedsheet color may be impacting your ability to sleep better – so it is time to rethink your bedroom ideas and sleep on a transformative new tone....

Having sold 12 million albums over almost three decades, Marc Anthony invested his money in property, and he’s just put one of his homes on sale. Bought from the Bacardi heiress Hilda Maria Bacardi, for $19 million back in 2018, Anthony has overseen its complete renovation and the property is now back on the market for $27 million. One of the largest homes in South Florida, the vast Casa Costanera offers 20,546 square feet of living space including 12 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms and 2 half baths....

A small kitchen does offer cost advantages with fewer cabinets and other materials to pay for. But there are base costs to consider as part of any kitchen remodel, and if space is constricted, installation costs could even climb accordingly. Here, we’ve asked an expert to provide the lowdown on the cost of design and installation of a small kitchen so you can achieve success from your kitchen ideas and understand what the costs will be....