If you’ve got a big garden or an allotment, you’ve probably struggled at some point to dig a large patch of land manually. Digging is certainly a good workout, and some people really enjoy it, but I’m definitely not one of them! We’ve had our allotment for three years now, and while there are some raised beds which we don’t dig, there’s a good chunk of land that gets trodden down and needs digging over each year. It’s a laborious job, and ...
Review: Qwerkity Grow Cage plant protection
Do you grow soft fruit or leafy veg in your garden or allotment? If the answer is yes, chances are you know the pain of trying to protect it from hungry wildlife! Since getting our allotment three years ago, we've tried to grow lettuces, cabbages and broccoli in our raised beds. Every year, the local pigeons have a good old feast before the plants get really established; we've tried using netting, but we've never managed to get the supports ...
Review: Gtech ST20 Cordless Grass Trimmer
Do you have areas of grass in the garden that you find hard to keep under control? Even the most edge-friendly lawnmowers can struggle to reach every blade of grass, and there's nothing like straggly lawn edges to make your garden look untidy - not to mention the associated creep of grass into your borders. A grass trimmer is the perfect tool for tackling those hard-to-reach areas, and this spring I've been putting the Gtech ST20 Cordless Grass ...
Review: Gtech AirRam MK2 cordless vacuum cleaner
Keeping the home clean isn’t exactly at the top of the 'fun things to do' list, is it? But good products that make use of clever technology can certainly make the task easier and quicker, which is why I’m always interested in new innovations that promise to do just that. We’ve been testing out the new Gtech AirRam Mk2 cordless vacuum cleaner, to see how well it performs in a busy family home. The original Gtech AirRam was launched in 2012 ...
Review: Epson EcoTank ET-3600 ink tank printer
A printer is a pretty integral part of any home office. I know I couldn’t manage without one; I use it for work and for keeping up with running the household filing and finances. Ours also needs to cope with the kids’ regular requests to print out something homework-related, or a masterpiece that they’ve created on the computer. Our current printer is a bit of a dinosaur, and I’ve been thinking about changing it for a while now. It’s really ...
Review & Giveaway: Hi-Tec Women’s Kono Espresso Walking Boots
Well autumn is most definitely here: the heating is on, the leaves are all over our garden (time to make leaf mould!), and our outdoor adventures need an altogether sturdier selection of coats, hats and footwear. I've been on the lookout for a new pair of boots that can cope with winter conditions, and with perfect timing Hi-Tec have asked me to review their Kono Espresso women's walking boots. I'm also giving a pair away to one lucky winner, ...
Review & Giveaway: Zoflora ‘Green Valley’ disinfectant
Keeping a family home clean can sometimes feel like a losing battle. Young kids, pets, and the general tramping-in of dirt from outdoor exploring can all make the germs build up surprisingly quickly. While I'm not fanatical about living in a sterile home, I do think it's important to keep areas like sinks, bathrooms and work surfaces hygienically clean. I've tended to use pretty basic disinfectants in the past, and have put up with the ...
Review: BuyDirect4U camping mattresses
I’m starting this camping equipment review with a confession: I’m not a natural camper. I love getting outside and exploring all that the great outdoors has to offer, but I also like my home comforts; things like running water, comfy mattresses, and hairdryers. Mr H, on the other hand, is never happier than when he’s pitching himself against the elements with the bare minimum of supplies. He’s camped, tramped and trekked, and just cannot ...
Review: Robomow Robotic Lawnmower
At this time of year, everything in the garden is growing pretty quickly - and that includes the grass! Our lawn isn’t enormous, but it still requires regular mowing in the Summer, and with the usual chaos of family life it can be hard to find time to look after it properly. We’ve been guilty in the past of leaving it to grow quite long, which makes it difficult to mow and looks pretty messy. Robomow asked us to trial one of their robotic ...
Review: Riverford limited edition Sarah Raven recipe box
As you know from this blog, I’m a big fan of gardening, and we love cooking with the fresh fruit and veg that we grow. So when the team at Riverford asked us to try out their limited edition recipe box, featuring recipes by award-winning chef and gardening guru Sarah Raven, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. Riverford started as a very small-scale box scheme in Devon, and has grown to a UK-wide delivery service, supplied by regional farms. ...