However, they can fade before six weeks and endure beyond 10. The quality of the attention and orchid care that you give to your plants is what will make the difference between flowers that fade and wither almost as quickly as they appear, and blooms that last for weeks. Everything from how you water orchids, to when you repot orchids, and even knowing how to prune orchids will all play a part in the longevity of the blooms....
‘Succulents are a popular houseplant choice mainly because they don’t require as much maintenance as other plants on the market,’ says Desmond Brosnan of Brosnan Landscape Gardening (opens in new tab). ‘In saying this, they do require some basic attention to keep them alive and thriving.’ Here’s everything you need to know to ace your turn at this entry-level house plant. How to care for succulents ‘To look after a succulent, there are three key components to consider: light, water, and nutrition,’ says James Mayo of Exubia (opens in new tab), a biophilic design and planting company....
Whatever, there’s no denying that curtain colors play an important part in all your rooms’ interior design. And the decision you make is likely to be one you live with for a long while, so investing the time to choose well is worth it. No pressure. The colors you choose for your window treatment ideas aren’t just about coordination, though. They will also influence the light filtered into the rooms, having a distinct effect on their mood; and, whether they’re a standout or an understated feature, they need to complement the rest of your home’s palette, too....
Regular cleaning of the TV screen is a must though if your viewing isn’t to be compromised by the dust, smears, and fingerprints that can accumulate on it. And with the right strategy, it’s an easy task that won’t take long either. All that matters is that you avoid harmful cleaning methods you should never use on a TV. Use our expert cleaning tips to discover how to clean a TV screen effectively and without causing damage to what is, undoubtedly, the best TV you could afford....
Knowing how to dethatch a lawn is an essential part of lawn care advice that every gardener should know. Luckily, it is not difficult to know when the best time to dethatch your lawn is, as you will likely notice clues your lawn is giving you that it’s in trouble. If you notice that your lawn feels spongy, as if you were walking on carpet, or there is a thick layer of brown, spongy material when you look at your turf side on, then you may have a thatch issue....
Secondary to that when learning how to display is to ensure that the piece is properly lit. Since your artwork will spend about half its time in artificial light, properly illuminating it will make it more beautiful and ensure you are seeing its true colors, as you would in the best natural light. Artwork that isn’t evenly lit, won’t be shown off to its best advantage. Read on to discover our top tips for displaying at home....
Elephant ear bulbs can be grown as flower bed ideas, or in containers, and in zones 9 to 11 can be grown as perennials while in zones 3 to 8 they’re typically treated as annuals. When to plant bulbs is always crucial to success and for elephant ear bulbs, the soil must be warm although they can be started indoors. Our guide has all the details on how to plant elephant ear bulbs....
These plants will eventually shed old yellow and brown leaves themselves, but pruning is the go-to method if you don’t want to wait. Such discoloration of foliage is natural on these plants, as John Negus, an expert from Amateur Gardening magazine explains. It’s simply what happens when they have born flower stems, as they mature, or when leaves are tucked right underneath the plant and lack sufficient light. So, if you’re growing a peace lily and it’s looking worse for wear, consider giving it a trim....
One of the biggest problems? Falling asleep quickly, and staying asleep. Sleeping better is on our minds at this time of year in particular, as we go back to work after an often exhausting festive period. We’ve rounded up advice from designers and experts about how to design a bedroom for a good night’s rest from the furniture arrangement to the quality of the bedding and the all-important question over the presence (or absence) of tech....
The remedy to this tendency is to split irises and transplant them – and this has the added bonus that you’ll end up with additional garden plants. If you’re familiar with how to grow irises, you’ll be aware that irises are available as bulbs and as rhizomes. The latter can be divided, and here we provide the details on how to split bearded rhizomatous irises. How to split irises Lifting and dividing iris rhizomes gives them more space....
The products we review are tested in person, over a period of at least two weeks, though often longer. While some of our tests could be described as more scientific, on the whole we like to put the products through their paces against the trials of daily life. We test them in the home to help our readers decide whether they will suit you and if they are worth your investment....
‘I always know it’s July because people start calling us and asking why their hydrangeas aren’t blooming,’ says Jeanine Standard of Proven Winners, a leading flower and plant brand in the U.S. The causes are as varied as the hydrangea varieties themselves, and range from not knowing how to care for hydrangeas or how to prune hydrangeas, to predatory deer, to certain climate causes and more. To help you get to the root of your hydrangea woes, we’ve rounded up advice from top garden experts, below....
Coming in all different shapes, sizes and with a wide range of beautiful foliage, there’s a plant for every space. From steamy shower rooms to cooler bedrooms, they will happily soften the space with their distinctive shapes and colorful leaves and help re-energize it too. In fact, many low light loving plants possess mood and health boosting qualities. These range from absorbing harmful chemicals and toxins in the atmosphere to increasing oxygen levels even at night, so it makes good sense to introduce them around your home where possible....
Striking the balance between functional and fun can be tricky, but with the right choices their bedrooms can be designed to provide spaces they’ll love to make their own from their younger years to their teens, with room for all their essentials and collections. We’ve put together bedroom ideas for kids of all ages that are stylish, storage-packed, and functional along with advice from the experts on creating a great room....
Kitchen island ideas can transform how you use your home. Hege Lundh, Marketing & Business Development Director at Lundhs Real Stone (opens in new tab) states, ’true focal points and statement pieces, central islands play an integral role in kitchen design. How you choose to integrate an island into your scheme will have a profound effect not only on how you use your kitchen but also its overall appearance.’ A multipurpose design feature that serves as an inviting space to sit, eat, prepare food and store kitchen accessories, planning kitchen island storage ideas to make the most out of this important space is a must....
We asked the experts – from interior designers to a professional chef to our team of in-house experts – for their top kitchen styling ideas and tips. Adding them to your list of must-have kitchen ideas will ensure a more charming space, and needn’t drive up your budget, but will create a unique room you, and your guests, will want to spend time in. Kitchen styling – ideas, tips and essential advice Sometimes when you’re scrolling through pictures of kitchens you come across a room that is just perfect – but it’s not always easy to nail exactly why....
Color (even if you’re using neutrals) should be the first thing to consider when you are looking for living room ideas. Ensure your chosen hues work well in your room by applying testers of paint onto sheets of white paper, then tacking them onto each wall you’re thinking of using that color on. Leave them up for a few days before making any final decisions, noticing how the light affects the color at different times of day, as well as checking they work well next to other elements, such as curtains or couches....
We look back through the Homes & Gardens archives – and ask the interior design experts for the latest advice when it comes to hallway flooring ideas with a contemporary twist. There’s a lot of interest in modern hallway flooring and in surface design in general, believes Mark Findlay, founder of vinyl flooring specialists Harvey Maria. ‘Entryway floors are no longer an after-thought; they’ve become an integral part of interior design and are now seen as a key feature in the home,’ he says....
There are many benefits to this method of no till gardening, which can save gardeners time as it cuts out the need to spend hours weeding and digging over beds and borders. It will also help you achieve bigger and better plants and crops, so add it to your list of garden ideas and jump onto the #nodig garden movement. What is the no dig gardening method? No dig gardening is a type of permaculture gardening where you do not till or dig over the soil....
When making planting choices, you’ll have a whole spectrum of garden ideas to choose from. The most colorful annuals, perennials and shrubs all love a sunny spot, as do deliciously scented roses and climbers. To truly enjoy the garden, plan in seating in the shadier areas where you can look out over a tranquil scene during long, hazy summer days. South facing garden ideas 1. Design a have-it-all space Start with a checklist of how you’ll use the garden when considering garden decor ideas....
