Stinging nettles Well-known for their painful sting, these weeds are widespread. They produce a dense mat of bright yellow roots and form thickets of erect stems more than a metre…
Beth Shearing
Want to quit smoking? Vaping might help
With the right tactics, you can become an ex-smoker. Smoking rates have fallen by a quarter in the past 10 years, although almost one in five of us still lights…
How to use alpine plants in your garden
The majority of alpine enthusiasts use rock gardens replicating their natural habitats to grow these mini mountain plants. Since the 1980s rockeries have been out of favour with less committed…
Water: Why we should be using it more wisely
A water scarcity in Britain sounds like an unlikely possibility, given our rainy reputation. But a spate of heatwaves and washouts have hinted at a fundamental change in Britain’s climate…
St Lucia: Beaches, wildlife and rainforests
As masseuse Belinda spread warm lavender oil across my back with a bamboo roller, her expert hands kneading jet-lagged tissues, I felt my cares drift off like a frigate bird…
Keep healthy all year round with our top health tips
MARCH – Plan your sleep routine The clocks go forward this month, and losing an hour’s sleep can affect your body clock. To help adjust, Lisa Artis of The Sleep…
How to create a craft garden at home
Homegrown veg can be a real money-spinner, especially if they’re organic. Consider getting an allotment, as your plot could provide enough food to feed 20 people when in full production.…
How to make an oven glove
Play around with different fabrics and brighten up your kitchen with these homemade oven gloves. You will need: ✤ 50 x 80cm peach cotton fabric – we used Moda Fabric…
Press flowers to decorate gift tags, jars and notebooks
The traditional method You will need Time to make: 3-4 weeks to dry ✤ Flower press (try Tesco for similar – visit tesco.com) ✤ Blotting paper ✤ Flowers for pressing…
Sew a pretty peg bag with scraps of fabric
A pretty peg bag can inject a splash of style into laundry day. Below, we’ll show you how to make one in 45 minutes using fabric from your stash. This…
Hang on to that summer holiday high
Take a siesta When you’re on holiday, it’s permissible to have a little snooze by the pool or in your room to escape the heat of the afternoon sun. A…
Greenwich: Explore the town’s nautical heritage
Gliding up the Thames, as fireworks light up the night sky, the dramatic scene of the Tall Ships as they head past Greenwich’s striking Old Royal Naval College is spectacular.…
Plant bulbs ready for spring
Plant bulbs now for a garden full of colourful surprises in spring. They’re easy to grow – simply dig a hole, pop them in and wait! Most spring-flowering bulbs prefer…
Best exercise for general long-term health
Take note of the quote: ‘The flame that burns twice as bright, burns half as long’, because it seems that, in terms of exercising for healthy longevity, less is definitely…