Ideal Home |
- Aldi's sell-out faux stone fire pit is back - and just £59.99
- Colours that go with grey in any room – from blush pink and navy blue to uplifting yellow
- Polti Vaporetto Smart 100_B PTGB0077 steam cleaner review
- Jobs to do in the garden in July - from sowing, pruning and caring for wildlife
- A DIY fan has transformed her back garden with patio stencil and outdoor seating
| Aldi's sell-out faux stone fire pit is back - and just £59.99 Posted: 30 Jun 2021 05:00 AM PDT Aldi’s fire pit is back! The faux stone garden accessory will be perfect for al fresco get-togethers this summer – and for feeling a bit like you’re on Love Island.
You can gather round the fire pit – without the dramas of recouplings – and enjoy the warmth of a real wood fire from the comfort of your own garden.  Image credit: Aldi Aldi faux stone fire pit 2021It’s an online exclusive, so there’ll be no mad dash to Aldi for this one. You can pre-order it online now, and it could even be dispatched tomorrow. It’s worth noting that there is a limit of one per person in place on the website for this sell-out product. The Aldi fire pit is a great outdoor living room idea for creating atmosphere, and comes in a contemporary geometric style that we are loving. Its cool grey tones will also work in a variety of colour schemes, while making the greenery of your outdoor space stand out.  Image credit: Aldi The good news is that it’s easy to assemble, and light enough to move around the garden. It includes a chrome-plated grill for BBQ connoisseurs to cook up all kinds of dishes. Whether you are relaxing in the daytime or have people over on a cooler summer evening, this fabulous fire pit is ideal for adding comforting touches to your outdoor space. Pre-order now: Faux Stone Fire Pit, £59.99, Aldi A fire pit creates a focal point in any outdoor space, as well as bringing instant cosy vibes. Your outdoor gatherings don’t have to end when the temperature drops with this bargain piece. Just remember to stock up on blankets and you can enjoy your garden into the small hours. If you’ve not yet invested in a BBQ, head over to our guide to the best BBQs we’ve seen this year.  Image credit: Getty
It's no doubt the Love Island effect has made the fire pit such a key garden accessory in recent years. Will you be picking one of these up? Act fast, as we’re sure they’ll be sold out in no time. The post Aldi's sell-out faux stone fire pit is back - and just £59.99 appeared first on Ideal Home.  |
| Colours that go with grey in any room – from blush pink and navy blue to uplifting yellow Posted: 30 Jun 2021 04:26 AM PDT Grey remains one of the most popular neutral shades when it comes to decorating our homes. As a colour with many undertones grey the ideal choice for adding accent shades, to enhance the tone within it and give the look more personality. But what are the best colours that go with grey? It all depends on the look you’re aiming to achieve. Shades of grey are hugely versatile – from cool off-white shades, through to warmer neutral mid-tones to the very deep and mysterious charcoals. Key colours that go with greyWhichever shade of grey you plan to use, get to know how the light works in your room first. If natural light is limited, then pale greys may look cold or charcoals too dark and saturating. Paint a sample on the wall and observe how the colour changes throughout the day, until you are satisfied that it will suit the space. This will also determine the best accent shade to use against the grey you’ve chosen. If you’re committing to grey walls you can change the overall look, as and when the mood takes you, by simply adding different coloured accessories – at very little cost. 1. Pale grey and ochre Image credit: Future PLC/ Joanna Henderson Very much the colour of the moment this elegant shade of yellow is being teamed with everything right now. Luckily it’s the perfect colour to give purpose to any neutral, making it the perfect bold accent for any shade of grey. Against a pale grey a strong mustard yellow helps to add depth to the tone. Punchy ochre accents allow the grey to be an inviting blank canvas to soak up some of the warmth.  Image credit: Future PLC/ Claire Davies This colour combination doesn’t mean you have to opt for a modern decor. The richness of ochre/mustard yellow makes it ideal for a country, contemporary or retro setting. Adding rich pigments to a grey colour scheme helps to make even the coolest temperature of grey feel as close to cosy as it can.  Image credit: Future PLC/Jo Henderson Add a rich yellow accent to a deeper, sludgy green grey. A flash of paint on architectural details can incorporate the colour without having to make too bold a statement with entire feature walls. Tie in the highlighted painted areas with co-ordinating furnishings and modern artworks. Teamed with velvet accessories the layers of rich tone and texture create a warmth to stop the grey walls from looking too cold. 2. Grey and pure white Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles Glamorous yet relaxed, a grey-on-white scheme can make a surprisingly bold style statement. The first thing to bare in mind, however, is that not all greys and whites match, so it’s often best to stick with a pure white that will complement everything from ‘greige’ to silver. Consider the best white paint for walls, because choosing the right shade will make or break the overall look. One great thing about this combo is that it will work in all styles and ages of home, and with most styles of furniture. Wood will warm up a cooler scheme, as will woven tone-on-tone fabrics, such as herringbone. Throw in some pale marble surfaces and glass to luxe up the look.  Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles Add gentle colour accents to this classic colour combination for a contemporary Scandi spin – with black highlights for textiles, lighting and occasional furniture.  Image credit: Future PLC/ Rowland Roques O’Neil The choice of accessories will be what determines the outlook of this clean colour combination. Brilliant white and grey can be ultra contemporary in one decor, then as is proven by this French-style white bedroom idea it can be beautifully classic. 3. Grey and blush pink Image credit: Future PLC/ Tim Young Muted and mellow, this chic combo gives grey a whole new gender neutral identity. Whether you’re a fan of industrial chic, modern country, Scandi style or classic elegance, the pairing of pale pink and grey can be adapted to suite your tastes. Furniture and accessories in reclaimed or raw-wood finishes warm up this subtle colour duo and help to ground the scheme. Look for simple rustic pieces in blocky shapes, and open shelving with a modern vibe. Need helping choosing the perfect grey? See the best grey paint for walls, as chosen by Ideal Home’s editors & interior design experts  Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole Metallics like brass and gold work well with blush and grey. The trick is to treat them as a finishing touch that will prevent the scheme from looking flat. Try delicate lighting, fittings and accessories with a bit of shimmer. Another trick here is to pair the rough with the smooth, contrasting matt and gloss finishes. Try slate flooring with pretty polished mosaics in a bathroom, or a zinc tabletop with blush-pink, grainy-glazed ceramics in a grey bathroom idea or kitchen-diner. 4. Grey and navy blue Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Whitmore As with any dark paint colour it’s important to balance it with large areas of neutral to stop it being too overbearing in a room. This deep blue accent against the light grey creates a cocooning, comforting feel in this bold grey living room idea, without it feeling too much. The rich navy mixes beautifully with pale greys and lighter blues to create a gentle, natural colour combination. Layer with plush velvets and faux furs to give to an inviting tactile quality.  Image credit: Future PLC/Jo Henderson Compliment light grey walls with a statement navy feature wall. Be even more daring by making that feature wall idea the ceiling –reminiscent of the night sky. So often pale grey rooms can seem chilly and cold, especially in a bedroom environment and in artificial light. Keep the results warming and inviting with a deep colour of the ceiling to create a cocooning, enveloping feel. Embrace the same sumptuous navy tones for bedding and throws to tie to the look together, adding hints of soft pink as a way to make the look feel pretty. 5. Grey and yellow Image credit: Future PLC/ Tim Young Teaming versatile cool grey with soft yellow creates a soothing yet upbeat feel. Scandi fans will feel at home with this colour combination, as it works well with clean lines and colour-pop accessories. When it comes to yellow and grey living room ideas there’s a shade pairing for all, from subtle hues to bold brights. Pair geometrics with primrose yellow for a vintage look with a modern twist. Keep the scheme contemporary cool with a backdrop of grey walls and furniture, then add warmth with hints of yellow in geometric prints and accessories. Wood cube tables and copper details complement the retro vibe.
Add texture by combining furniture and accessories in different finishes from wood and metal to marble and wicker. ‘You can introduce a pop of yellow with more than just accessories,’ advises Ideal Home style editor Michela Colling. ‘Use it to paint a fire surround or go for a bold yellow armchair.’  Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole A combination of grey and yellow offers a pleasing gender neutral nursery decorating idea. This colour combo often needs pattern to bring it to life. There are plenty of mid-century-style graphic prints around, but also try softer florals and stripes. Use on wallpaper, curtains, rugs and cushions – but keep window treatments casual and free from fussy trims. Stick to a plain block colour on fabrics, or opt for shutters in white or grey.  Image credit: Future PLC/ Sussie Bell A hit of vibrant yellow can lift darker grey tones, making the mood more uplifting rather than too brooding. The darker tone of the grey allows the saturation of yellow to really pop. This colour combination is ideal for a bathroom to invigorate the senses. 6. Grey and green Image credit: Dulux, Simply Refresh paint in Emerald Glade and Gentle Fawn Grey and green should be seen. Especially a bold bottle green. Grey is the perfect neutral when combined with a splash of colour, it can really bring a room to life – especially a vibrant green. Associated with nature this revitalising shade can perk up all shades of grey, from soft almost lilac tones to more brooding charcoal tones.  Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles Green bedroom decorating ideas from olive to emerald green can create a luxe retreat, ideal for calming slumber.  Image credit: Furniture Village, Bronwyn four seater scatter back sofa in Woodland Moss, £1,559 Darker brooding shades of grey are beautifully soften with shades of rich green. Even by way of accessories, introducing any element of this glorious shade helps to give the colour scheme to life – especially when it’s adorning sumptuous velvets. 7. Grey and indigo blue Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Whitmore If you want your grey to remain cool and tranquil, watery shades of blue are the ideal colour to introduce. The grey retains an air of sophistication to stop the blues becoming too coastal when layered together. Painted furniture, statement artwork and soft furnishings are a great way to add this deep blue without it overpowering.  Image credit: Future PLC/ David Brittain Define blue-greys with an indigo blue accent. The darkness of the indigo will highlight the blue undertones in the grey, if you want a cooler shade. When used in a bedroom you can always layer linen throws, wool blankets, wicker baskets and felt cushions to cosy up the look. A blue patterned wallpaper helps to add personality to the scheme. 8. Mid grey and orange Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Whitmore Ground vibrant orange tones with muted grey colour scheme. Because grey can have warm and cool undertones it’s the ideal colour to change the visual effect of a bold orange colour. Whereas against a purely brilliant white for instance, that has no other colour in it, it can make the orange jump out even more so. If you want to use this punchy accent colour fear not, there’s a wealth of grey tones to help it sit beautifully in your home.  Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore If you’re choosing to mix with white and grey choose a brunt orange shade to give the look a rustic edge. The earthy pigment of the orange sets a beautiful contrast to the clean white and light grey tones, allowing the orange to standout without being too attention seeking. 9. Grey and Chartreuse green Image credit: Future PLC/ Jon Day Darker tones of charcoal can be used to add drama anywhere in the home, from a living room to a bedroom or even a small hallway. ‘Dark greys are a perfect strong background for small amounts of brighter colour, like chartreuse or mint,’ says Judy Smith, Crown’s Colour Consultant. Mix just the right tones and you’ll create a modern-country look with a very particular mood. This chartreuse green and dark grey living room has been given a cosy cabin vibe with a white wood wall panels. Such a zingy sofa colour needs a grey of equal depth so works perfectly with the charcoal tones.  Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore Channel the 1950s Mid Century mood with a retro colour palette of chartreuse green, blue and mustard yellow. Neutral grey carpet and grey-scale rugs all the captivating colour palette of this vintage style to take centre stage. Grey ceramic lighting and cushions help to tie the grey tones in seamlessly without them distracting from the main attraction of retro greens and blue. 10. Grey and duck egg blue Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole Duck egg blue teamed with grey and yellow creates a classic Scandi colour palette. The softness of the blue shade balances the yellow tones and lights the grey.  Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole Choose a grey with blue tones to match the same colour spectrum of Duck Egg Blue, for the perfect complimentary pairing. A grey feature wall provides the perfect backdrop to a modern L-shaped sofa in this soft blue hue. Which shade are you most inspired to pair with grey in your own home? The post Colours that go with grey in any room – from blush pink and navy blue to uplifting yellow appeared first on Ideal Home.  |
| Polti Vaporetto Smart 100_B PTGB0077 steam cleaner review Posted: 30 Jun 2021 01:05 AM PDT Most steam cleaners have an upright, steam mop design that's designed for floors. You can usually also pop out the steam generator and attach accessories for smaller cleaning jobs. The Polti Vaporetto Smart 100_B, however, is a cylinder-style steam cleaner. Much like a cylinder vacuum cleaner, you pull the machine along behind you. The bit you actually hold – whether for floors or detail work – is lightweight.
I tested it on a range of jobs around the house. Thanks to children and pets, there's never a shortage of cleaning to be done. But I considered practicalities like size, storage, accessories, build quality and value for money as well as its cleaning performance. Ideal Home's rating: 5 out of 5 starsThe Polti is pricey, at twice the price of most steam mops, but it's incredibly powerful and yet light in the hand thanks to the cylinder design. You'll find yourself setting out to do the bathroom floor and then cleaning the house top to toe. Reasons to buy
Reasons to not buy
Polti Vaporetto Smart 100_B
Product specs:
Who will the Polti Vaporetto Smart 100_B PTGB0077 suit?The Polti is a workhorse so it's well suited to anyone who wants to clean the house from top to toe, fast. You'll find yourself cleaning more than you'd planned but faster than you'd hoped. And the variable steam means you can clean even delicate surfaces. Unboxing
The Polti looks chunky but it's surprisingly not too heavy and has an ergonomic handle, well balanced in the middle. Also, you don't need to lift it, apart from up and down the stairs. It will obediently follow you around as you clean. I like the combination of a clean white finish for the body and practical black for the floorhead and two-part tube. Setting upThe Polti clips together nicely. And the tube comes in two halves: that makes it easier to store but also means you can use just one section for a shorter reach.
The power cord seems short at 4m but then the hose adds another 1.5m plus of reach and then the two-art tube adds another 1m. So overall you can clean a long way from the socket it's plugged into. There's also a small dispenser on the floorhead marked "deo dispenser". This is designed for use with Polti FrescoVapor deodorant, which is gradually released while you steam clean floors. There's a foot-operated switch on the floorhead to select whether you use it or not. But the Polti Vaporetto Smart 100_B doesn't come with any of the deodorant – that's a shame, they should have included a sample bottle. What's it like to use?The Polti's water reservoir has a huge 2 litre capacity with a huge fill hole. You can pop it off to fill it under the tap (though it's quite bulky, too big for a tiny washbasin) or fill it with a jug. It's designed to be refillable any time, while the steam cleaner is still switched on, so you can keep cleaning pretty much infinitely.
There's absolutely tonnes of steam and a dial on the body to control it. You can dial it all the way from zero to intense. A trigger under your finger controls the steam and you can slide a lock to keep the steam on constantly, or lock the steam off for safety (whether that's as a child lock or for peace of mind while you're changing tools). I like the fact that the pole can click to stand up independently on the floorhead: you don't need to lay it down when you pause cleaning. Steam cleaning the floorI test steam mops on flooring: bathroom tiles and also wooden floorboards. A steam mop can make quick work of them but it's important that it cleans well without damaging the floor and that it leaves the floor as dry as possible.
The Polti was great on tiles. It took over a minute to heat up but then the steam was constant and powerful. The tiled floor took a good 2 minutes to dry after cleaning because of the powerful steam, which delivers lots of water. If you come across a really stubborn stain, you can tilt the floorhead back on its heel, where a small scrubby brush is built in. I dialled back the steam for the wooden floorboards. The steam is highly controllable. You can turn it down so low that it only slightly wets the floor. The result is like a conventional mop but without the need for a bucket, so you can clean fast. The superb steam control makes it a good choice if you have delicate flooring. The lightweight floorhead and tube make for a long reach and you can even lift it up high without needing big biceps. I started on the bathroom floors but found myself going right up the tiled walls, it was that compelling to clean with. Steam cleaning by handAgain with the tools, I found that I had to dial back the steam power as there was just too much steam on the top settings. But I loved the fact that all the tools were stowed onboard, ready for use, and that I could attach tools directly onto the steam hose or even the tubes. It's versatile to clean with.
The brushes were great on bathroom taps and grout. Then I used the squeegee and cloth on muddy fabric boxes – it cleaned them well but not quite as well as the Vax Steam Fresh Combi. The same was true for the truly filthy cushions. My most challenging steam cleaners test is a large sun lounger cushion that the dog has taken as his own. It's beyond filthy but it's salvageable. Can I lift that dirt so much that the cushion is fit for human use? I found the Polti's floorhead and carpet glider were best but they still didn't clean quite as well as the Vax Steam Fresh Combi S86-SF-C.
Cleaning and maintenanceThe microfiber pad and sockette (squeegee cover) are machine washable and the rest of the Polti barely needs a wipe. It's easy to pop off the water reservoir and tip it out into the sink if you want to. There's an anti-calc collector on the side of the body to gather limescale that you simply rinse out once in a while. Storing your steam cleaner
As a cylinder cleaner, the Polti takes up more floor space in your cupboard than a steam mop. But the clever design ensures it's low and tidy. So there's a space to sling the accessories, a place to park the floorhead and even two slots to stow the two-part tube so the machine isn't too tall. There's a length of Velcro on the power cord for storing that tidily too. Ideal Home's verdict: is the Polti Vaporetto Smart 100_B steam cleaner worth it?
If you want a workhorse with strong but controllable steam, look no further. I liked this cylinder steam cleaner a lot and the lightness and long reach means you can clean lots fast. I was literally going up the wall… the tiled wall, because it was so easy to clean it. However, it is pricey and you might prefer an upright steam mop, in which case I'd recommend the Vax Steam Fresh Combi. It's half the price, versatile and again a pleasure to clean with. About this review, and our reviewerCaramel Quin has been writing for Ideal Home and other titles at Future for many years and tests a wide range of consumer technology for newspapers, magazines and online. She prides herself in real-world testing and translating geek speak into plain English. Her pet hates are jargon, pointless products and over-complicated instruction manuals. She's an engineering graduate, an award-winning journalist and writes regularly in the Evening Standard. She has appeared as a technology expert on TV and done countless radio interviews. Caramel lives in east London with her two children, dog, two cats and eight hens. Together they assist her with destruction-testing home electricals and ensure that the house is always dirty enough to need steam cleaning… The post Polti Vaporetto Smart 100_B PTGB0077 steam cleaner review appeared first on Ideal Home.  |
| Jobs to do in the garden in July - from sowing, pruning and caring for wildlife Posted: 30 Jun 2021 12:45 AM PDT  This month is all about maintaining your blooms, nurturing your fruit plants and providing your garden with the care it needs to prevent it from drying out and becoming damaged during warmer months. Gardens are at their most colourful in mid-summer, after April showers encourage growth and wellness. High summer means nature is blooming in its full glory, with gardens seeing plants showing off their glorious foliage and flower displays – filling borders and patio containers with colour and fragrance. Jobs to do in the garden in JulyPeak gardening season is well underway, which means there are plenty of jobs to keep garden ideas looking their best in July. ‘July is the time to embrace all your earlier gardening efforts,’ says Marcus Eyles, resident gardening expert and Horticultural Director at Dobbies. ‘Enjoying plants and flowers, many of which will be putting on their best displays of the year this month.’ ‘Make the most of any good weather, but don't forget to regularly water and feed your plants, consistency is key!’. As well as watering regularly Marcus shares further advice for July gardening… 1. Carry out mindful watering Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole Hot weather means watering is even more key, as plants get thirsty too. ‘Make sure you keep your show-stopping display of summer colour by regularly watering container plants and add a balanced liquid fertiliser every other week to encourage strong healthy growth and continual flowering. Remove dead flowers as soon as they go over to encourage more to follow’ advices Marcus Eyles at Dobbies. ‘It is important that you water the trees, shrubs and perennials that were planted in spring. Make sure you are watering the base of the plant and avoid wetting the leaves as they won't absorb any water this way and wetting the leaf tissue can even encourage fungal diseases.’ But Marcus is keen for gardeners to explore more sustainable garden idea as we water. He advises, ‘To make water go further, water thoroughly less frequently, rather than little and often – so a few times a week rather than every day, depending on rainfall of course.’ ‘Place buckets under hanging baskets to catch excess water that can be used in other areas of your garden, little changes like this can make a big difference if we were all to do them.’ 2. Thin out fruit trees Image credit: Future PLC/ Polly Eltes During peak gardening season, the favourable conditions for plant growth means that fruit trees can abundantly over-produce. Large quantities of heavy fruits such as apples, pears and plums on the branches can often result in a final crop of disappointingly small fruits. This is due to the high demand put on the tree's resources and the limited sunlight penetrating its heavy branches. July is prime time to thin out your dense crops by removing any excess or damaged fruits from the plant, enabling it to develop a more evenly ripe crop of fruits. ‘Prune stone fruit trees such as cherry and plum this month, removing any crossing branches to maintain an open framework’ is Marcus’ advice. ‘These fruit types are susceptible to certain fungal diseases through open wounds if pruned in the winter, whilst pruning at this time helps to avoid risk of infection.’ 3. Cultivate kitchen garden crops Image credit: Dobbies ‘Tomato, pepper and cucumber crops require regular feeding with a high potash tomato fertiliser’ explains Marcus. ‘Pinch out side-shoots of tomatoes to concentrate growing energy into trusses of fruit. Water regularly and consistently. ‘Plant out leeks and brassicas for a winter supply. Late sowings of beetroot, radishes, lettuce and salad crops grow quickly in the warm soils for an extended season of fresh vegetables. ‘ ‘Continue to earth up main-crop potatoes, to avoid tubers being exposed to the light and turning green. Early potatoes will be ready for harvesting, maturing around 10 weeks from planting. 4. Love your lawn Image credit: Future PLC/ Douglass Gibb Summertime means that everything will be growing extremely fast and as a result, you will need to make sure you are mowing your lawn once a week to keep it in good health. It is also important to water your lawn regularly to prevent it from turning brown and drying out during the hotter months. If your ground has become dry, spike it gently with a garden fork before watering to aid the penetration of the water. ‘Regular mowing is best for a manicured lawn, reducing the cutting height in hot weather to help prevent drying out’ Marcus advices. ‘Keeping the blades slightly higher helps the grass resist the extra summer wear. 5. Take cuttings from your perennials Image credit: Future PLC/ Amateur Gardening ‘Encourage fresh growth by cutting back herbaceous plants such as Delphinium, Lupin and hardy Geranium after their first flush of flower’ advises Marcus. ‘Put supports in place around tall herbaceous perennials such as Delphiniums and Gladioli to prevent damage from wind and rain.’ Tender perennials such as Fuchsias are best propagated from cuttings, and so July is a great time to get snipping. As young plants root more easily, cuttings should be taken from the tender new growth for the season. Either pot the plants now so that they develop sufficient roots to survive in the winter, or hold onto your cuttings until the following spring. ‘Summer prune Wisteria, cutting whippy side shoots back to around five leaves from the main stem. This will encourage new flower buds to form and improve your display next year.’ 6. Feed the birds Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles Summer feeding is in full swing, so remember to top up your bird and wildlife feeders and water containers. The warmer weather means that July is an especially important month to tend to nature and keep your garden abuzz with birds, bees and other wildlife – particularly as over 82 per cent of Brits would like to attract more wildlife into their gardens. Birds in particular relish in gardeners' efforts, using bird baths to both hydrate and cool down through bathing in the water. Read our wildlife garden ideas for 15 easy ways to turn your outdoor space into a haven for wildlife. 7. Give bees a boost Image credit: Dobbies If June has been as predictably hot and wet as usual then nectar-rich flowers could be few and far between so help out the honey bees by planting lavender, jasmine and bergamot. Make sure the flightpath between flowers – and, if you have one, a beehive or bee house – is free from overgrowth. The bees will be doing their best to harvest the pollen so the last thing they need is to have to risk losing their precious load in the long grass. The RHS have a helpful list of garden and wild flowers that are perfect for pollinators. 8. Get ahead with sowing Image credit: Future PLC/ Polly Eltes If you really want to get ahead, sow biennials such as foxgloves, Sweet William (pictured above), wallflowers, honesty and forget-me-nots, to plant out in autumn for a stunning display next spring. Sow into large seed trays or a dedicated seed bed, then separate seedlings when large enough to handle. Sow late summer and winter crops such as leeks, carrots, cauliflower, sprouting broccoli, cabbages and dwarf peas. You can also continue to sow lettuces, radishes and beetroot in between the rows of slower-growing crops. 9. Lend a hand to wildlife Image credit: Future PLC Care for birds and wildlife by cleaning and topping up birdbaths and feeders. Avoid pruning your hedges until the end of August at the earliest. The main breeding time for garden birds is between March and August so give them time to rear their young. Conifers in particular provide nesting sites for blackbirds, robins, and greenfinches, as well as larger birds such as sparrowhawks and crows. Top up ponds, ideally with rainwater and remove dead foliage from aquatic and marginal plants. Blanket weed can also be a problem – carefully remove using a garden fork and leave by the side of the pond so any creatures can crawl back into the water. 10. Collect and store seeds
Collect the seed of flowers that you want to grow again next year. Store the seeds in paper bags or envelopes, labelled with the plant name and harvest date. Preserve them in a cool, dry place. 11. Tend to greenhouse plants‘Harden off remaining bedding plants you have been growing from young plug plants. Acclimatise over a period of a few days before planting out in their final positions’ says Marcus. ‘Plant up any pots with tender vegetables or Mediterranean herbs that will appreciate the warmer and sheltered growing position.’ 12. Carry out regular checks for plant supports Image credit: Future PLC/ Polly Eltes Check supports for climbing plants; the strong winds and torrential rain will have put considerable pressure on everything but regular tidying in the garden is easier to deal with than leaving it all until the end of the summer. Check for weeds in flower beds and prune wisteria, box hedges, honeysuckle and bay laurel. 13. Dote on DahliasDahlias are incredibly thirsty plants – just look at their fleshy leaves and luscious stems and it's easy to see why. To ensure your Dahlias are blooming bright with an abundance of beautiful flowers, nourish your plants with liquid feed and regularly water them during the next month. While smaller Dahlias are self-standing, the tall varieties may need supporting with stakes – simply tie the stems to the stake with string to keep their flower heads up right. Whether you're planting, pruning or reaping the rewards of your burgeoning fruit trees, you are sure to discover many delights in the garden this month. The post Jobs to do in the garden in July - from sowing, pruning and caring for wildlife appeared first on Ideal Home.  |
| A DIY fan has transformed her back garden with patio stencil and outdoor seating Posted: 29 Jun 2021 11:00 PM PDT A DIY and interiors lover has transformed her back garden into a stylish hangout. Previously, it was just a good-sized lawn with a paved path, but Alex saw its true potential.
Today, it has a comfy seating area featuring the highly coveted Aldi egg chair (not jealous at all), a fire pit, a hot tub and cosy festoon lighting. Before Image credit: @casalawson ‘When I moved into my home, I knew I wanted to create a second living area in my garden where I could chill out with friends,’ Alex tells us. She designed the space on Microsoft Word, and worked out what she could take on herself, and which elements would need the help of professionals. In the summer of 2020, she completed the first stage of the garden, with a patio extension, decking and a planter ticked off the list. ‘I was so pleased with it and so grateful throughout several UK lockdowns to be able to enjoy the sunshine from the comfort of my garden,’ Alex says. After Image credit: @casalawson Early this year, Alex continued with the garden project, feeling much more confident in her DIY abilities this time around. She built a pergola over the hot tub, redid the fencing for privacy and upcycled the slabs for a more contemporary look. Inspired by other DIYers online, she used a stencil from Dizzy Duck Designs. ‘I used masonry paint and a concrete patio sealer to give the desired effect. So many people on Instagram and TikTok ask where my garden tiles are from and I am always so delighted to tell them it is just a stencil,’ Alex says.  Image credit: @casalawson The tiles are definitely one of the most striking elements of the space, but we also love the details. The garden mirrors add depth and light, giving the impression of windows, and the fire pit creates a focal point. Alex has also made good use of the vertical space by hanging planters on the fence. ‘I couldn't be happier with how it has turned out, and I am now enjoying learning about different plants to add some more colour to bring the garden to life,’ she says.  Image credit: @casalawson
See more of Alex’s projects on her Instagram account @casalawson. If you’re thinking about giving your own garden a makeover, check out our budget garden ideas piece. Alex encourages you to go for it and reach out to others who blog about their home projects along the way. The post A DIY fan has transformed her back garden with patio stencil and outdoor seating appeared first on Ideal Home.  |
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