This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links will be clearly marked with a * and if you click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission from that sale. Are you opting for a real Christmas tree this year? It’s hard to beat the impact of a real tree laden with all your treasured family decorations - even if those decorations are all in one small area thanks to the kids’ creative efforts! A real ...
Bathroom design tips for stunning vanity units
Collaborative post Regardless of the size of your bathroom, the vanity unit is a crucial element of your bathroom design and fittings. It's a multi-function feature: we check in there when getting ready in the morning, or winding down for the night, it's typically where we brush our teeth, and often where we store daily medications and beauty treatments. Vanities also provide the work surface and storage we need in and around the average ...
How to make leaf mould – easy, free garden fertiliser!
This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links will be clearly marked with a * and if you click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission from that sale. With autumn getting into full swing, more leaves are falling from the trees each day. This is good news for family walks - who doesn’t love stomping through a big pile of crispy leaves? It’s also good news for gardeners, as fallen autumn leaves give ...
How to grow garlic: a step-by-step guide
This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links will be clearly marked with a * and if you click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission from that sale. Have you ever grown your own garlic? It's such an easy crop to grow! Garlic doesn't take up much space, it's not very fussy, and there are lots of different varieties available for you to experiment with. It's also a great crop to involve children with too, ...
Forcing bulbs indoors: an easy autumn project for early flowers
This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links will be clearly marked with a * and if you click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission from that sale. Autumn is traditionally the time to plant spring bulbs in the garden, with daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, iris and crocus all popular choices. But while you’re planting bulbs in the garden, it’s a great idea to pot up some of those bulbs and ‘force’ ...
How to have a successful family day out
Collaborative post Can you believe we’re into October? It feels like the kids only went back to school a few days ago! With half-term looming on the horizon, I’m starting to think about ways to keep the kids entertained. We always have a bit of Halloween-themed craft on the go at this time of year, and I’ll definitely be getting my two helping out in the garden, but my list of ideas will also inevitably involve more than one family ...
Creative lighting ideas for darker nights
Collaborative post Has the shift into autumn and the accompanying reduction in daylight hours taken it's toll on your mood? Having started painting the shed too late in the day last weekend and finished it in the dark, I can definitely say I'm not a fan of the shorter days! It's understandable why the onset of autumn can impact on our general enthusiasm: those balmy evenings of barbecuing, entertaining and relaxing outdoors are gone for ...
How to plant a bulb lasagne
This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links will be clearly marked with a * and if you click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission from that sale. If you’ve never heard of a bulb lasagne you’re probably raising your eyebrows right now. It is a real gardening ‘thing’ though! What is a bulb lasagne? A bulb lasagne is a clever way of layering up spring-flowering bulbs to create a display of ...
Six tips to help protect your home against flooding
Collaborative post It’s fair to say we’re used to lots of rain in the UK, but would your home be prepared if that rain turned into flooding? We’ve all seen the impact of flooding on homes in the news, and while this type of extreme weather can be hard to defend against, that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to be prepared. And with the wettest months of the year usually falling in autumn and winter, now is a good time to check ...
Autumn gardening: how to save seeds
With autumn getting underway and many plants starting to shut down for the colder months, now is a good time to try harvesting seeds from your garden. Like dividing existing plants, saving seeds is a great way to get lots of new plants for free - and it’s easier than you think. Here are some tips on how to save seeds. Seed saving tips Get your timing right - you need to collect seeds when they are just about to disperse, as this means they are ...