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A lawn through the yearThe lawn calendar in one place, first cut to last, timed for both hemispheres rather than offset by six months from a UK original.
Bare, brown and scorched patchesTelling dog urine scorch, drought dormancy and a genuinely dead patch apart, plus an honest look at fairy rings, since they are not all the same problem.
Choosing a hedge for privacy and screeningSorting hedging plants by what they are actually for, a fast screen, a clipped edge or a windbreak, rather than by name alone.
Choosing a plant as a giftMatching a gift plant to the room and the person who will actually be keeping it alive, rather than to whatever looks best in the shop.
Choosing a pot: size, drainage and material in one placeWhy a drainage hole is not optional, how much bigger a new pot should be, and which material actually suits which plant.
Dish soap on houseplants: how to use it, and when to leave it aloneHow to make a gentle soap spray from washing-up liquid, which pests it kills, which plants it can scorch, and how to test it on one leaf before you spray the whole plant.
Dwarf or standard, and does it need a partnerFruit tree size is chosen by rootstock, not variety, and a self-fertile label answers a completely different question from whether it needs a partner tree at all.
Feeding: what the numbers on the bottle mean, and when to stopWhat N, P and K actually do, how much and how often to feed, the signs of overfeeding, and why most houseplants need none at all in winter.
Filling a bare spot in a hedge, and cutting an overgrown one backHow to fill a bare gap in a hedge by layering a low shoot, and which hedging plants regrow after a hard cut into old wood.
Hard white or brown spots on houseplants: scale or mineral crust?How to tell hard brown scale from white mineral crust and from fungal leaf spots on houseplant leaves, stems and pots, and what to do about each one.
Holiday watering: what actually keeps plants alive while you are awayWhich plants cope with two weeks unwatered, which need a wick or a sitter, and why grouping plants together buys more time than any gadget.
How to clean a cast iron pan without losing the seasoningHow to clean a cast iron skillet after cooking, how to remove rust, and how to keep the seasoning that makes it nonstick.
How to clean a cat litter box and keep the smell downHow to scoop, change and wash a cat litter box, control odor and tracked litter, and clean the floor around it without mixing bleach with urine residue.
How to clean a clogged showerheadHow to clean a clogged showerhead by soaking it in vinegar, clearing the nozzles, and checking the finish first, so the spray comes back without damage.
How to clean a dishwasher, including the filter and the spray armsHow to clean a dishwasher filter, clear the spray arms, wipe the door seal, and run a monthly cleaning cycle that stops the smell.
How to clean a dryer lint screen and the vent, safelyHow to clean a clothes dryer lint screen, the cavity behind it and the exhaust vent, to prevent fires, shorten drying times and stop the dryer running hot.
How to clean a fish tank without harming the fishHow to clean an aquarium safely: partial water changes, gravel and glass care, and filter cleaning that keeps the bacteria that protect the fish alive.
How to clean a glass cooktop without scratching itHow to clean a glass or ceramic cooktop after every use, lift burnt-on spills with a scraper, and remove metal marks without scratching the surface.
How to clean a grill, the grates, the burners and the grease trayHow to clean a gas or charcoal grill, brush the grates, clear the burner ports, empty the grease tray and handle the ash safely.
How to clean a guitar, its strings and fretboardHow to clean a guitar's body, strings and fretboard, condition the wood without flooding it, and keep the humidity steady so the neck and the finish do not move.
How to clean a hummingbird feeder and keep the nectar freshHow to clean a hummingbird feeder, mix the nectar at one part sugar to four parts water, and change it often enough to stop fermenting and mold.
How to clean a laptop screen and keyboard without damaging themHow to clean a laptop screen and keyboard with a microfiber cloth, compressed air and a lightly dampened cloth, and which products to keep away from the display.
How to clean a mattress and keep it cleanHow to vacuum and deodorise a mattress, spot clean stains and urine without soaking it, dry it fully, and use a protector to keep it fresh.
How to clean a microwave, including the baked-on splattersHow to clean a microwave with steam, how to lift baked-on spatters from the walls and roof, and how to clean the turntable and door.
How to clean a toilet bowl, the rim and the ring stainsHow to clean a toilet bowl and the hidden rim, lift hard water rings safely, and keep the seat, base and tank clean without mixing cleaners.
How to clean a TV screen without scratching itHow to clean a flat-screen TV, including OLED and LCD panels, with a dry microfiber cloth and distilled water, and which products can damage the coating.
How to clean a very dirty refrigerator, including the mold in the drawersHow to clean a refrigerator shelf by shelf, remove mold from the drawers and gasket, and clean the coils, without leaving food out too long.
How to clean a washing machine, the drum, the drawer and the door sealHow to clean a front or top loading washing machine, including the drum, the detergent drawer, the door seal and the drain filter, to stop smells and mold.
How to clean a water bottle, lid and straw so they stay freshHow to clean a water bottle, lid, straw and gasket to remove slime and smell, clear hard-water scale, and dry the bottle so mold does not start.
How to clean an oven, and when to use the self-clean cycleHow to clean an oven by hand, when the self-clean cycle is safe to use, and how to keep the cleaner away from the parts that can be damaged.
How to clean an upholstered sofa, and what its care code meansHow to read a sofa's W, S, WS and X care code, vacuum and spot clean upholstery safely, and avoid the water or solvent that can ruin the fabric.
How to clean carpet stains and pet urine without the lingering smellHow to blot and clean carpet stains, remove pet urine with an enzyme cleaner, avoid ammonia that brings the smell back, and dry the carpet properly.
How to clean climbing shoes and keep the rubber grippyHow to clean a climbing shoe's rubber and lining, clear chalk and grime, deal with the smell, and dry the shoe without damaging the glue or the shape.
How to clean glasses and lenses without scratching themHow to clean eyeglass lenses, frames and nose pads, protect anti-reflective and scratch-resistant coatings, and avoid the cloths and cleaners that leave marks.
How to clean hardwood floors without damaging the finishHow to clean hardwood floors with a damp mop, check the type of finish first, and avoid the soaking, steam and vinegar that can ruin the wood.
How to clean retainers and clear aligners without warping themHow to clean removable retainers and clear aligners with a soft brush and mild soap, avoid the heat, alcohol and mouthwash that warp or cloud them, and store them safely.
How to clean the inside of a car windshield without streaksHow to clean the film off the inside of a car windshield, why it builds up, and how to protect the dashboard and any window tint while you work.
How to clean tile floors and grout, and when to seal the groutHow to clean ceramic and porcelain tile floors and the grout between them, how to test whether grout is sealed, and why acid is wrong for natural stone.
How to clean venetian, vertical and fabric blindsHow to dust, wipe and wash venetian, vertical and fabric blinds, keep the cords dry and safe, and dry the slats fully before rehanging.
How to clean windows without streaksHow to clean windows and glass doors without streaks, with a damp microfiber cloth and a dry buff, and how to deal with hard water spots and dirty frames.
How to descale a coffee maker and an electric kettleHow to descale a drip coffee maker and an electric kettle with white vinegar or citric acid, how often to do it, and how to rinse the taste out.
How to find and fix a bad smell in the houseHow to track down a bad smell in the house by its type and place, clear drains and traps, and when a smell means gas or sewer gas that needs urgent help.
How to get rid of fungus gnats, and why they come backWhat fungus gnats are, why they arrived, why yellow traps never finish them, and the one change to your watering that works.
How to get rid of moss on a patio, path or deckHow to remove moss from paving, paths and decking, kill it with a labeled product, and stop it returning by fixing the shade, damp and drainage.
How to remove a black water stain from hardwoodHow to tell a surface water mark from a black stain in the wood, how to lift each safely, and when a black stain needs a professional sanding.
How to remove black mold from shower grout and caulkHow to clean black mold and mildew from shower grout and caulk, what bleach can and cannot do, and how to stop it coming back.
How to remove brown and rainbow stains from stainless steel pots and pansHow to clean brown stains, rainbow heat tint and burnt-on food from stainless steel cookware, and why bleach and salt water damage it.
How to remove hard water spots from shower glassHow to remove hard water spots and soap scum from shower screens with white vinegar or citric acid, and how to protect the glass after each shower.
How to tell if a plant needs waterThe finger, the weight, the leaf and the pot. Four ways to read a plant's thirst, and what overwatering actually is.
Light levels explained room by roomBright indirect, medium and low, in a house you can walk around. How to measure light without a meter, and which way your windows face.
Moss and weeds in the lawnWhy moss and weeds move into a lawn in the first place, and the complete fix rather than the one product that treats only what is showing today.
Moving plants between seasonsHow to move a houseplant outdoors without scorching it, when to bring it back, and what to check before it crosses the threshold.
Musty towels and laundry: how to wash the smell out for goodHow to get the mildew smell out of towels and clothes, why it comes back, and how to wash, dry and store laundry so it stays fresh.
Paint coverage: how much wall a tin of paint covers, by tin sizeHow far a tin of paint goes, from a 30 ml tester pot to a 10 litre tub, with a coverage calculator, a table by tin size, and why real walls take more.
Picking and storing the harvestCuring potatoes properly, storing root vegetables through winter, and what to actually do with more tomatoes than one household can eat fresh.
Planting a new hedgeSpacing, soil preparation, bare-root against container stock, and the first year of watering that decides whether a new hedge actually thickens up.
Plants for the festive seasonChristmas cactus, amaryllis and cyclamen through the winter holidays, and why the same plant means a different month depending which hemisphere it is grown in.
Propagating from cuttings: the three methods that actually workWater cuttings, leaf cuttings and division: which method suits which plant, how long rooting really takes, and when to pot a cutting on.
Pruning raspberries and blackberriesSummer-fruiting and autumn-fruiting canes need opposite pruning, and cutting the wrong cane at the wrong time is the single most common bramble mistake.
Renovating a tired lawnScarify, aerate, overseed, top-dress, in that order and at the right time of year, for a lawn that is thin and tired rather than beyond saving.
Repotting without killing the plantWhen a plant really needs a bigger pot, why one size up is the rule, what compost to use, and the three weeks afterwards.
Rescuing an overwatered plantHow to tell overwatering from underwatering, how much root damage is recoverable, and the exact rescue steps once compost has stayed wet too long.
Six southern African plants you probably own without knowing itBird of paradise, jade, string of pearls, string of hearts, clivia and agapanthus all come from southern Africa, and knowing that tells you exactly how to grow them.
Succession sowing for a continuous harvestSowing little and often, timed by days-to-maturity and frost dates, instead of one large sowing that ripens all at once and is gone within a fortnight.
What to do if a cat or dog eats a toxic plantThe plants most dangerous to cats and dogs, the signs to watch for, what to do first, what not to do, and the poison control numbers to call before symptoms start.
When to prune roses, hydrangeas, lavender, apple trees and azaleasWhen to prune five common garden plants in each hemisphere, and the one question that decides it: this year's wood or last year's?
Which cleaners are safe for electronics, and how to use themWhich cleaners and tools are safe for phones, tablets, earbuds, controllers and cables, which to avoid, and how to keep liquid away from ports, grilles and vents.
Your plant just arrivedA real week-by-week timeline for a plant that came by post: what transit stress actually looks like, and why the instinct to fix it straight away is usually wrong.
Categories
Houseplant care13 guides
Pests and problems3 guides
Lawns4 guides
Hedges and pruning5 guides
Fruit and vegetables3 guides
Kitchen8 guides
Bathroom4 guides
Laundry3 guides
Floors and rugs4 guides
Rooms and furniture6 guides
Outdoors and the car3 guides
Screens and electronics3 guides
Personal items4 guides
Pets and hobbies5 guides
Most popular guides
- Paint coverage: how much wall a tin of paint covers, by tin sizeHow far a tin of paint goes, from a 30 ml tester pot to a 10 litre tub, with a coverage calculator, a table by tin size, and why real walls take more.
- Rescuing an overwatered plantHow to tell overwatering from underwatering, how much root damage is recoverable, and the exact rescue steps once compost has stayed wet too long.
- How to get rid of fungus gnats, and why they come backWhat fungus gnats are, why they arrived, why yellow traps never finish them, and the one change to your watering that works.
- How to clean an oven, and when to use the self-clean cycleHow to clean an oven by hand, when the self-clean cycle is safe to use, and how to keep the cleaner away from the parts that can be damaged.
- Repotting without killing the plantWhen a plant really needs a bigger pot, why one size up is the rule, what compost to use, and the three weeks afterwards.
- How to clean a washing machine, the drum, the drawer and the door sealHow to clean a front or top loading washing machine, including the drum, the detergent drawer, the door seal and the drain filter, to stop smells and mold.
- Filling a bare spot in a hedge, and cutting an overgrown one backHow to fill a bare gap in a hedge by layering a low shoot, and which hedging plants regrow after a hard cut into old wood.
- How to remove black mold from shower grout and caulkHow to clean black mold and mildew from shower grout and caulk, what bleach can and cannot do, and how to stop it coming back.
- How to tell if a plant needs waterThe finger, the weight, the leaf and the pot. Four ways to read a plant's thirst, and what overwatering actually is.
- How to clean a cast iron pan without losing the seasoningHow to clean a cast iron skillet after cooking, how to remove rust, and how to keep the seasoning that makes it nonstick.
- Renovating a tired lawnScarify, aerate, overseed, top-dress, in that order and at the right time of year, for a lawn that is thin and tired rather than beyond saving.
- What to do if a cat or dog eats a toxic plantThe plants most dangerous to cats and dogs, the signs to watch for, what to do first, what not to do, and the poison control numbers to call before symptoms start.