Experts Ideas, Tips & Guides

If you’re strapped for storage, your attention might turn to the laundry room. But before you start stuffing the space with bins and organizers, it’s important to know that some items simply aren’t a good fit for this area. 

Isn’t every plant great in a group? Well, the answer is no. Some plants are too vigorous in their growth habits to share the stage, while others are better if put on a pedestal all their own (i.e. the focal point plants of the landscape). Today’s episode we talk about plants that are great in masses—that is to say—in groups of three or more. We have options for shade, choices for sun, and selections for those in-between exposures situations. We’ll also feature some great plants that we’ve seen grouped to perfection in gardens featured in Fine Gardening. And you don’t have to be a millionaire to group plants. Many of our suggestions are easily divided after just a year or two, providing you with multiple plants for the price of just one.

Believe it or not, 2023 is nearly over, and on the horizon, we have a sneak peek into the captivating home trends set to dominate in 2024.

As part of your Premium access, you can send your gardening questions to our horticultural experts each month. They will then answer a selection of the questions they receive, and share the advice at the end of the month.

Black ceilings are one of the biggest—and most surprising—trends of 2023, according to a trend report from Houzz. Part of the appeal is that this idea flaunts convention. This show-stopping look makes a statement and is a great way to show that you’re not afraid to go daring with your designs.

When creating a stylish and relaxing garden we often tend to think of perfectly tended flowerbeds, expertly trimmed topiary and carefully selected garden furniture. Whilst these all help to create a stunning garden it often takes something out of the ordinary to add the finishing touch and create a truly unique space.

BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair returns to Beaulieu, in Hampshire on 3-5 May 2024. Book your great value tickets now with 15% off, or 20% off for Gardeners’ World Subscribers (see below) and look forward to a great day out!

BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2024 is back at the NEC from 13-16 June, alongside the BBC Good Food Show Summer. Be an early bird, book your great value tickets now and look forward to a great day out!

As we inch closer to 2024, we're eager to see what trends will reign supreme in the design world, especially when it comes to bedrooms.

Sticking to the right Mirror Over Fireplace Rules will help you make the best of the place while avoiding the chances of any potential hazards. Scroll down to about them in detail.

As you’re getting ready to tackle your cleaning checklist, it can be difficult to know where and how to start (especially if it's been a while since you last cleaned). To help you get started, we talked to Sharon Garcia, a popular TikTok cleaning expert. On the social media platform, she's known for her videos and tips for creating a spotless home, so we asked her to share her favorite cleaning hacks that will be worth your time.

The world of home decor is vast, and we’re constantly amazed by the designers, creators, and creatives who cross our paths. In an effort to learn more about the innovative eyes behind the scenes, we’ve launched a series that explores the sanity-saving tools, products, and services that keep our favorite designers and decorators focused on the job at hand. Welcome to Tools of the Trade.

A garden in devon the GardenAdvice Team are helping to develop in Devon watch the video click here

Does Hydrogen Peroxide Kill Spider Mites – if you have this question lurking in your mind, then you are at the right place! Scroll down for the answers!

When the housing market slows down, it's common to look for anything to make your home outshine the competition. We asked some experts to share their best tips for instantly increasing your home's value and their answers may shock you with how easy it is.

Meet the glass-front fridge. This trending style is popping up in high-end kitchens across the internet, showcasing perfectly organized rows of drinks, deli meat and cheese, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Similar to the open-shelving kitchen trend, glass-front fridges can help a space feel more open while providing a unique opportunity for shelf-styling and organization. Unlike the large display fridges you see at grocery stores and convenience stores, residential glass-front fridges usually have a smaller glass window that reveals only a portion of what’s inside.

Tria Giovan

Secateurs are an indispensable tool, essential for tidying up around the garden. While tools like hedge trimmers and other cordless garden tools are ideal for taking on heavy duty tasks, secateurs are a simple, hand-held tool used for keeping on top of pruning, dead-heading, cutting back perennials and harvesting fruit, veg and flowers. Available as bypass, anvil and ratchet, each type is designed for a particular job:

Sheds are an invaluable addition to any garden, providing storage, protection and even a space to relax. However, it’s worth making sure you match the right shed to your garden and your gardening needs. If you simply want a low-maintenance, durable garden space for storage, a metal shed may be all you need, but depending on the tools and other kit you have you might need a large apex shed, or just a garden chest. To ensure you choose the shed best suited to your needs, we’ve created this list of what we consider to be 2023’s best garden sheds, their qualities, and how they can help you.

A hose can be an essential bit of kit for a gardener, making the task of watering your garden much easier than heaving a heavy watering can back and forth from the tap. Choosing the right hose will depend on the size of your garden, how much time you spend watering and, of course, your budget. We researched the most popular garden hoses on the market and rigorously tested them to bring you our list of the 10 best garden hoses, including bare hoses, expandable hoses and garden hose reels.

Choosing the best lawn mower can be a tricky task, with so many models on the market and such a wide range of brands. There are five main types of mower available at hugely varying prices and all with different features that need to be considered.

Every time you clean your toilet, be grateful we no longer hang toilet brushes on a hook on the wall. Now you can store it in a toilet brush holder (that is, once you're done using it to clean your toilet from a safe distance away). You can even find a sleek one that matches your bathroom's design style and enjoy displaying that caddy in the corner. But before you wrap up your next toilet cleaning—don’t be in such a rush to stow that wet brush back in its container.

Love them or hate them, there's no denying that throw pillows make a sofa look inviting. But exactly where is the line between a cozy number of throw pillows and an inconvenient, excessive amount?

You may finally be ready to update your home whether it's trying a new paint color or swapping out your current light fixture. However, there are some fundamental things that designers, architects, or renovators want you to keep in mind before beginning a home remodeling project, so you don't end up unhappy or unsatisfied with the new remodel.

Interior design trends come and go—two-toned kitchen cabinets? As of now, out. Incorporating natural elements? As always, in. But, there's one decorating movement that’s ridden the trend wave for years (and years) now, and we want an answer to its ultimate trendiness: farmhouse design.  After a decade of shiplap walls and barn doors saturating the interior design world, the question remains: is farmhouse still in style? Or, should you set down the distressed wood and try another trend? We asked two design experts for their thoughts. 

It is such a gardening triumph to put together a few plants that play nicely together and create a memorable vignette to mark the season. In this episode, Danielle, Carol, and guest Susan Morrison will talk about some plant combinations that look great as the season winds down. Listen in and get inspired to add more winning teams to your late season lineup next year.

Mirrors work for more than checking your look before you head out the door—they are also a key component in interior design and can complete a room when used correctly. However, sometimes mirrors can actually detract from your decor if not used properly. We spoke with design experts to find out how to avoid missteps with mirrors.

Want to refresh your space—but don’t have the budget (or the desire) for a shopping spree? A primpover might be overdue.

If there’s one DIY recipe that’s simple, fun, and makes a house feel (and smell) like a home, it’s a simmer pot. All you have to do is cut some fruit into slices, add it to a pot with some spices, cover the ingredients with water, and simmer it on the stove for a few hours, and voila—you have a warm, inviting home. It’s such a lovely trick that you might consider bringing part of the routine into the rest of your household duties. Like, perhaps, cleaning your pillows?

One of nature's most unique plants, the monkey puzzle tree (also known as araucaria araucana) is a bit of a mystery. Due to their unusual, thorny branches, it's a great option for plant lovers looking to add a dose of flair to their space. «There isn't a tree out there like the monkey puzzle, especially compared to native choices within the United States,» says Tamara Hogan, resident plant expert at Fast Growing Trees, an online nursery. «Its blade-like leaves and branch structure are unlike any other conifer trees. It's also an evergreen that can handle some cooler, humid environments since the southern areas of Chile is where this tree comes from.» Another benefit of growing one? You can live with a monkey puzzle tree for a long time. It can grow up to 90 feet tall and survive for thousands of years if it isn't cut down. However, since a monkey puzzle tree is so rare, many people aren't sure how to make one thrive indoors or outdoors. To help you out, we've consulted with experts at Fast Growing Trees to share everything you need to know about caring for a monkey puzzle tree.

Fall is the peak time to properly evaluate your home, so you know what to fix before winter approaches. From gardening to HVAC and plumbing, it's important to make sure your home is in good condition especially if you're hoping for a stress-free year ahead.

There’s a new interior design trend in town, and it may be one of the coziest yet. Marshmallow decor is taking the internet by storm, and we’re not talking about the sweet treat. This aesthetic is characterized by plush, overstuffed, and (often) white couches, ottomans, and lounge chairs paired with sleek and modern furnishings. The result is chic, cozy, and effortlessly luxurious—like you stepped into your favorite spa or luxury hotel.

Transplanting Ferns – What could be the the key for doing this in the correct manner? How to know when would be the right time to do it and how to do it? Don’t worry! This comprehensive guide unveils expert techniques for successful transplanting.

Propagating Elephant Ear Plant – our guide offers a rewarding and cost-effective way to multiply these exotic beauties. Dive in to learn various propagation methods that suit your gardening style, complete with pro tips to maximize success rates.

Emily J Followill

You probably weren't aware that much of the honey found on grocery store shelves is actually fake—in some cases, it contains little to no actual honey. In fact, honey is one of the most faked foods found in our food supply today. Here's why, and how it's affecting those who produce real honey—plus what it means for all the supposed health benefits of the so-called superfood.