Angela Patrone

Lavender grows best in sunny, dry, well-drained conditions and is easily harmed by overwatering or dense, fertile soil. Excess nitrogen can produce leafy growth instead of flowers. Gardening expert Annette Thurmon recommends applying a thin layer of builder’s sand or pea gravel as mulch around, but not directly against, the plant stems. The mulch can improve drainage, regulate soil temperature, suppress weeds and replicate lavender’s rocky Mediterranean habitat, helping encourage more blooms.

A comparison of Fairy Liquid Skip The Soak and Elbow Grease washing-up sprays on grease and burnt-on residue in air fryer baskets found that both products worked well after a 10-minute application. Elbow Grease produced a cleaner result with less wiping, had a more pleasant smell and cost about £1.19 compared with approximately £3.99 for Fairy Liquid, making it the preferred and better-value option.

Coating frozen chips lightly with vegetable or olive oil before air frying can produce a crispier texture and help seasonings adhere. The recommended method is to preheat the air fryer to 200°C, arrange the chips in a single layer, cook for 10 minutes, shake or turn them, and cook for another 10 minutes until golden and crisp. Soggy chips can be refreshed with a light mist of oil and five minutes at 190°C.

Japanese maples can develop brown, crispy leaves during heatwaves because of excessive sun and heat stress. Gardener Ish recommends watering trees, placing them in partial shade where possible, and covering them with frost fleece to create shade, retain moisture and form a cooler microclimate. A one- to two-inch layer of organic mulch, kept away from the trunk, can further conserve soil moisture, regulate root temperature and reduce the risk of rot or fungal disease.

Using toasted sesame oil instead of olive oil or butter can give fried eggs a crisp texture and a warm, nutty flavor. The method involves heating half a teaspoon of sesame oil in a nonstick pan, optionally adding sesame seeds, cracking in a refrigerated egg, and covering the pan with a lid for two minutes so the steam cooks the egg evenly while preserving a runny yolk. Mixing sesame oil with neutral oil is suggested for a milder flavor.

Airing a duvet outdoors during a dry, sunny and breezy spell can freshen it between washes, help remove moisture, and reduce the risk of musty odours, mould, mildew and bacteria. The duvet should be shaken and gently beaten before hanging, turned periodically if laid flat, and returned to the bed only once completely dry. Manufacturer care instructions should be checked because some fillings require specialist treatment.

Sustainability expert Wendy Graham recommends three plastic-free ways to extend lettuce’s freshness: wrapping dried leaves in a tea towel, storing chopped leaves in a sealed jar, or placing a whole lettuce head stem-down in a cup of water. The first two methods keep lettuce fresh for about a week, while the water method can preserve it for one to three weeks, particularly for romaine, provided the water is refreshed or topped up.

Cleaning specialist Sophie recommends citric acid instead of bleach or vinegar for removing toilet limescale, arguing that its acidity breaks down mineral deposits more effectively and economically. The suggested method is to pour near-boiling water into the toilet, add half a box of citric acid, leave it overnight and scrub the bowl the next morning. Persistent buildup may require a second treatment, while a spoonful of citric acid added nightly is suggested for prevention.

Boiling water can naturally remove weeds growing between patio or paving gaps. A gardening life-hack creator demonstrated pouring boiling water over the weeds, which reportedly turned brown and died within three days. The method requires careful handling to avoid burns and splashback; dead weeds can then be swept away. Regular sweeping and sealing paving gaps may help prevent regrowth.

A taste test of eight supermarket wheat-biscuit alternatives plus Weetabix found Sainsbury's own-brand version the overall winner with a 10/10 rating. Tesco scored 9/10, while Asda received 7/10. Weetabix itself scored 6/10 because its texture was good but its flavour did not justify the £3.50 price. Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose and Morrisons performed poorly, with Morrisons ranking last at 2/10. The test concluded that shoppers could save nearly £2 by switching to Sainsbury's version.

Oven-baking sausages at 180°C fan for approximately 25 to 35 minutes is presented as a less messy way to achieve even cooking, browning and juicy results. The sausages should be turned halfway through, and pricking them with a fork is discouraged because it can release fat and juices and make them drier. Foil-lined trays also simplify cleanup.

White vinegar is recommended as a natural alternative to bleach for removing mould from washing machine door seals. The method involves pulling back the rubber seal, applying vinegar, scrubbing the affected areas, leaving it for 10 to 15 minutes if the mould is stubborn, wiping away the residue, and repeating if necessary. An empty 60°C or 90°C wash with vinegar in the detergent drawer is then advised to clean the drum and internal components. Regular cleaning is encouraged to prevent mould, bacteria and unpleasant odours from returning.

Upstairs rooms can be significantly hotter than downstairs areas because warm air rises, particularly in bedrooms with large windows. The Met Office recommends closing curtains or blinds on sun-facing windows, keeping windows and doors shut during the hottest part of the day, opening them in the evening when temperatures fall, and leaving internal doors open to improve airflow. Bedsheets or towels can temporarily block sunlight when window coverings are unavailable.

A vinegar-and-dish-soap spray is presented as a natural way to remove ants from homes and gardens. The suggested mixture uses two cups of white distilled or apple cider vinegar with two cups of dish soap, applied to ant trails, entry points, windows, doors and skirting boards. The method is claimed to make ants shrivel and disappear within 30 minutes, with weekly reapplication recommended and more frequent treatment needed after rain or continued infestations.

Red wine vinegar is recommended as a way to intensify the flavour of supermarket tomatoes without making them overly sweet or heavy. The recipe combines sliced beefsteak tomatoes with extra virgin olive oil, flaky sea salt and red wine vinegar, allowing them to rest for about 30 minutes before serving on toasted sourdough with optional basil. Chefs Connon Robson and Justin Tsang say the vinegar’s acidity balances tomato sweetness and complements the oil and salt.

Tahini is recommended as a creamier, lighter and more flavorful alternative to mayonnaise in tuna salad. Culinary experts say its nutty sesame flavor complements tuna, especially when mixed with lemon juice and water. The recipe combines tuna, vegetables, optional fruit and nuts with a tahini dressing and can be served in sandwiches, wraps, pasta or over lettuce.

Potatoes can last for several months when stored properly, but they may sprout or spoil if kept in unsuitable conditions. The article cites Love Food Hate Waste guidance recommending refrigeration below 5°C, claiming this can keep potatoes fresh three times longer than cupboard storage. Soft, shrivelled, mouldy, green, leaking or foul-smelling potatoes should be discarded, while small sprouts and some spots can be removed before cooking.

Greek yoghurt can replace mayonnaise in egg salad to create a lighter, protein-rich dish without sacrificing creaminess or flavour. The recipe combines six boiled eggs with plain unsweetened Greek yoghurt, green onion, Dijon mustard, seasoning and optional celery, and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days.

A three-ingredient scone recipe combines self-raising flour, double cream, and carbonated lemonade such as Sprite or 7UP. The dough should be folded gently, cut into portions, brushed with milk, and baked at 220°C/200°C fan for 20–25 minutes. Sparkling water with added sugar can replace the lemonade, while Greek yoghurt or buttermilk can replace the cream, though these substitutions produce less rich scones. The finished scones should be cooled, stored in an airtight container, and eaten within two days.

Adding pickle juice to potato salad can intensify its flavour by providing acidity that balances and enhances the creamy mayonnaise dressing. The recipe combines potatoes, red onion, celery, pickles, mayonnaise, mustard and pickle juice; the potatoes are boiled, cooled completely, mixed with the vegetables and dressing, and refrigerated before serving.

A moss- and weed-infested lawn was treated using Monty Don’s advice on scarification and aeration. Instead of working manually with a rake and fork, the author tested a VonHaus Scarifier and Aerator 2000W, mowing the lawn first, scarifying it in several directions, and then aerating the soil. The machine cleared the moss and prepared the lawn for overseeding in under three hours, although the grass initially looked bare and heavily disturbed.

Oven baking is recommended as a cleaner and more reliable alternative to frying or air frying sausages. Cooking them at 200°C, or 180°C fan, for 25 to 30 minutes and turning them halfway through allows the fat to melt gradually, producing evenly cooked, juicy sausages with browned, crispy skins. Traditional sausages generally need no additional oil, while lean varieties may require a small drizzle.

LG’s dishwasher, HeatPump Washer Dryer and CordZero All-in-One Tower Combi are presented as appliances designed to make cleaning and laundry faster and easier. The dishwasher offers a one-hour wash-and-dry cycle with soil sensing and steam cleaning; the washer dryer completes a load in 150 minutes and uses AI to select cycles; and the CordZero system combines multiple floor-cleaning functions. LG’s ThinQ app adds connected control, while the CordZero Objet M9 provides live camera monitoring.

Using buttermilk instead of regular milk can make scones lighter and fluffier because its reaction with baking powder helps the dough rise. Lizzie Crowther’s adaptation of a Mary Berry recipe uses self-raising flour, baking powder, butter, sugar, egg and 100–140ml of buttermilk. The dough should remain moist but shapeable, then be rolled, cut and baked at 200°C for 12–15 minutes.

Milk is not essential for scrambled eggs and may be replaced with a small amount of water, which creates steam and produces lighter, fluffier curds. The recipe recommends using one to two teaspoons of water per egg, seasoning with salt and pepper, cooking gently in butter over medium heat, removing the pan from the heat while the eggs remain glossy, and optionally finishing with olive oil and flaky sea salt.

Angela Patrone explains how to whiten yellow-stained pillows without bleach by checking the care label, adding one scoop of soda crystals alongside detergent, washing at the permitted temperature, and drying the pillow in sunlight. She also recommends washing it with other white laundry to prevent clumping and using laundry sanitiser to help reduce bacteria. The method is presented as an inexpensive way to brighten pillows and remove stains.

Preheating an air fryer to 200°C for five minutes, avoiding overcrowding, and shaking the basket halfway through cooking can produce crispy frozen chips without adding oil. The demonstrated method uses Aldi French fries, cooked for about 14 minutes in total, followed by immediate seasoning and serving.

Angela Patrone deterred pigeons from her garden by hanging old CDs on strings around a fig tree, roses and fence. The reflective discs moved in the breeze and reportedly kept pigeons away for a month, although they should be repositioned periodically so the birds do not become accustomed to them. Crumpled foil is suggested as a possible alternative.

A taste test compared Robinsons with orange squash from Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer, using the same dilution ratio. Marks & Spencer’s £1.25 product won with a 10/10 rating for its refined, natural flavour, high fruit content and lack of an artificial sweetener aftertaste. Robinsons scored 7.5/10, while cheaper options varied widely: Tesco offered the strongest value at 45p, whereas Asda scored lowest at 3/10 for its weak flavour. Prices ranged from 45p to around £2 per litre.

Soda crystals are recommended as an effective alternative to white vinegar for softening and cleaning towels by dissolving residues and enhancing absorbency. Washing towels separately at 60 degrees, avoiding fabric softener, running an extra rinse cycle, and drying outdoors or with a dehumidifier further improves softness and cleanliness.

Using uncooked rice‑rinsing water diluted with plain water once a week provides peace lilies with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium that support stronger growth, improved foliage and better summer flowering. Fermenting the rice water slightly enhances nutrient absorption, while avoiding cooked rice water prevents soil blockage. Regular use helps produce healthier leaves and more abundant blooms.

A home cook recommends replacing butter and eggs with double cream to make scones lighter, moist and tender. The recipe uses self-raising flour, sugar and double cream, with guidance to keep the cream cold, handle the dough minimally and avoid twisting the cutter to ensure proper rise. The method concludes with a short bake time and suggestions for sweet or savoury variations.

Explains the differences between regular and extra virgin olive oil, highlighting distinctions in production methods, flavour, quality standards and acidity. Extra virgin olive oil is cold-pressed, unprocessed, and offers stronger flavour and aroma, while regular olive oil is refined, milder and cheaper. Both are suitable for cooking, but extra virgin oil is recommended for raw dishes and finishing due to its distinctive taste.

A shopper who usually buys groceries at Sainsbury’s and Aldi now regularly visits Marks and Spencer for its £1.20 0% fat Greek yoghurt pots with fruit compote, praising their taste, protein content and overall quality. The peach flavour is highlighted as the best option, with the yoghurts described as a healthier, premium alternative to Müller Corner. Comparisons with similar offerings from Fage and Aldi conclude that M&S provides the superior product.

Pan‑frying chicken breasts produced the juiciest and most tender results compared with air frying and oven baking, though it left the pan heavily scorched. Air frying remained quick and reliable but was limited by capacity, while oven baking kept the meat moist yet lacked color and flavor. All methods used the same olive oil and seasoning preparation, with resting time helping to retain moisture.

Copper mesh is recommended as an effective natural method to protect plants from slugs and snails, creating a mild electric charge that repels them and acting as a durable physical barrier. It can be used around pots, over drainage holes, or formed into protective rings around plants. The material is rust‑resistant, safe for pets and wildlife, and reusable, offering a long‑lasting alternative to chemical slug deterrents.

Lavender can produce a second bloom in late summer if pruned correctly. Gardener Lindsey advises trimming English varieties such as Hidcote and Munstead now to encourage fresh growth. Lavender should be pruned twice annually, once before bud break in early spring and again in mid-summer before flowering. Spring pruning typically removes one to two-thirds of growth, while summer pruning involves trimming back spent blooms. Older plants should be cut more conservatively, as lavender struggles to regrow from woody stems.

Bacon was cooked using a frying pan, air fryer and oven to compare results. Pan frying produced chewy, greasy rashers and created a mess. Air frying offered mixed textures and convenience but was not the top choice. Baking in the oven produced consistently crispy bacon with minimal mess and was judged the best method despite taking longer.

Hedgehog populations in the UK have fallen sharply, prompting advice for gardeners to improve access between gardens by cutting small holes in fences to create hedgehog highways. July is crucial for hedgehogs as they forage, breed and prepare for colder months, and easier movement helps them find food, mates and nesting areas. Gardeners are encouraged to coordinate with neighbours and follow simple steps to create 13cm by 13cm openings at the base of fences to support the endangered species.

A cleaning influencer recommends adding half a cup of bicarbonate of soda to the washing machine to dissolve detergent buildup that causes towels to feel stiff. Reducing detergent use and washing at 40C helps maintain softness, producing noticeably fluffier, fresher towels without specialized products.

David Attenborough is portrayed as deeply attached to his long‑time home in Richmond, a location he describes as his favourite place despite decades of global travel. The article highlights the area’s natural beauty, proximity to the River Thames and Kew Gardens, and high property values. It also reflects on Attenborough’s personal life, including his years spent in the family home following the death of his wife, and notes his continued dedication to environmental issues and documentary work.

Worcestershire sauce is used as a marinade to keep salmon moist and enhance flavor, helping paprika and garlic adhere better. After marinating for an hour, the salmon can be cooked in an air fryer for seven minutes or baked in the oven for 12 to 14 minutes to achieve a juicy, flavorful result.

Sunlight and airflow are recommended as an effective way to refresh duvets and pillows without machine washing. Allowing bedding to hang outdoors for several hours on a dry, breezy day helps eliminate bacteria, reduce odours and rejuvenate filling. Gentle afternoon sun prevents fabric damage, while shaking and lightly beating the items improves airflow and prevents clumping. After four to five hours, the bedding should be fully aired and sanitised.

A recipe creator suggests replacing mayonnaise with plain Greek yoghurt to make egg salad lighter and healthier while maintaining a creamy texture. The method outlines boiling and chopping eggs, mixing them with Greek yoghurt, mustard, seasonings, and optional celery, and adjusting flavours to taste. The dish keeps for up to five days refrigerated.

A technique is shared for making asparagus crisp and flavorful by blanching briefly, smashing the spears, seasoning them, and roasting to achieve a golden crust. Recipe creator Julia Maz provides ingredient proportions, preparation steps, and tips for maintaining color and crunch.

Major UK supermarkets issued urgent recalls for a range of products due to risks including undeclared allergens, salmonella contamination, glass fragments and potential metal pieces. Morrisons recalled pasta, crisps and cashews; Prepworld withdrew multiple fresh fruit packs sold across major retailers due to salmonella; Tesco and Sainsbury’s removed Arran caramelised onion chutney over metal contamination concerns; and Waitrose recalled hot cross buns containing undeclared barley. Authorities advised customers not to eat affected items and to return them for full refunds.

Alan Titchmarsh advises adding water‑storing crystals to hanging basket compost to prevent rapid drying during hot weather, as the crystals absorb and slowly release moisture. The Royal Horticultural Society supports using water‑retaining granules, including natural options such as Twool Woolly Water Keeper and Ecofective Natural Water Storing Granules. Hanging baskets dry out quickly due to their exposure and limited soil volume, making consistent moisture monitoring essential.

A three-ingredient method using self-raising flour, cream and carbonated lemonade produces light, fluffy scones by using carbonation to create lift. Alternatives include sparkling water with added sugar or substituting cream with Greek yoghurt or buttermilk, though these reduce richness. The recipe outlines preparation steps, baking instructions and tips for keeping scones fresh.

Blanching sausages in simmering water before frying, baking or grilling prevents them from bursting, preserves moisture and improves flavour. The method tightens the casing, ensures even cooking and reduces the risk of burning, with smoked sausages requiring five minutes of blanching and fresh ones ten. Seasoning the blanching water, such as with a stock cube, can further enhance taste.

A woman found that soda crystals cleaned heavily soiled oven glass far more effectively than commonly recommended mixtures of baking soda and white vinegar. Cleaning experts from Dri-Pak confirmed that vinegar neutralises bicarbonate of soda, reducing its grease-cutting ability. Soda crystals, used in either concentrated or liquid form, were recommended for dissolving stubborn grime, with retailers offering them at low prices. Lemons were also noted as another effective natural option for cleaning oven glass.

A comparison of six Tesco-branded lasagne ready meals found the vegetable lasagne to be the strongest option due to its rich roasted vegetables, balanced sauce and generous cheese, despite needing slightly more seasoning. The premium Tesco Finest chilled version was deemed the most disappointing because of excessive herbs and an imbalanced smoky flavour, while the frozen Tesco Finest lasagne earned praise for better flavour and proportioned sauces. The standard chilled beef lasagne also performed well, though it could benefit from more cheese. Budget options ranged from mediocre to surprisingly competent, with the Hearty Food Co. version outperforming expectations despite textural flaws.