12 h. ago UK households told to sprinkle coffee on their garden as September begins

Now that it is September, gardeners are being urged to sprinkle their garden with coffee to deal with the arrival of snail and slug season

Politics

46 h. ago My favourite childhood outfit: ‘We couldn’t afford new kits – but we always had something Chelsea to wear’

I was 12 in this picture, and closing in on the peak of my sporting career. I’ll always look back fondly on the fun and community of growing up in a football familyMy dad made sure my two younger brothers and I were raised in a Chelsea household; the shed at the back of the garden was, we were told, where Arsenal supporters belonged. Growing up, we went to all the games at Stamford Bridge, competed in our local little league as though it were the Premier League, and followed Dad to the pub to watch Sunday matches (the cheeky chips and J2Os were at least half of the allure).I’m pretty sure I’m 12 years old in this photo and closing in on the peak of my sporting career, as I got ready to play football at a nearby park with my siblings Jevan (then nine) and Kiran (just four). Although we didn’t always have the money for the expensive new kits every season (I’m sure you can spot my mismatched camo shorts), we always had something Chelsea to wear. My dad would often dodge the high ticket...

Politics

2 d. ago Brits told one thing they must do now to see rare birds in their garden

It's always exciting when you spot a rarer species of bird in your garden. Fortunately, an expert has revealed one simple way you can encourage more of these feathery friends to visit

Politics

7 d. ago Rio Ngumoha’s decision to leave Chelsea bears early fruit at Liverpool

The 16-year-old’s belief that opportunities at Anfield would be greater than Stamford Bridge seems to have been correctThere was vindication as well as a place in the Liverpool history books for Rio Ngumoha with the ice-cool finish he swept past Nick Pope at St James’ Park on Monday. The 16-year-old has announced himself on the Premier League stage, as every one of his coaches predicted he would, though it is debatable his name would have registered so quickly without a bold decision taken 12 months ago.Ngumoha was considered one of the brightest English prospects in the Premier League academy system when he stunned Chelsea last summer by leaving for Liverpool. If it was a wrench to leave the club he had joined aged eight, and for a Newham-born boy to leave London days after his 16th birthday, then the clearer route to first-team football that Ngumoha envisaged at Liverpool was compensation. Monday’s dramatic 100th-minute winner at Newcastle, when the teenager replaced Ben Woodburn ...

Politics

8 d. ago Robins, sparrows and blackbirds will visit garden if you leave out 2 fruits

The RSPB says that gardeners should leave out a variety of foods for different birds at various times of year.

Politics

9 d. ago Gardeners told 'do 1 thing' now to get more lavender blooms for longer

Lavender is a popular perennial to grow in home gardens, and one expert has shared a simple hack to encourage more flowers next year.

Politics

1 week ago Gardeners told delay one garden task now to help robins and blackbirds

Birds in the UK are in 'big trouble' and need our help — thankfully, one easy way you can help them involves doing absolutely nothing

Politics

1 week ago Gardeners told 'be sure' to leave 1 thing out for robins and blackbirds as soon as possible

Experts say birds need our help in summer months, just as they do in winter months, and there is plenty you can do to help

Politics

2 w. ago UK households told to leave sunflower seeds out in gardens this August

People are being encouraged to do their bit by helping wildlife this summer

Politics

2 w. ago Gardeners told to leave one food item out to give robins much needed help

Gardeners are being urged to leave one type of food out to help robins in their garden this August since they do not migrate south for winter - here's what you need to do

Politics

2 w. ago Gardeners told to put one food out for Robins as soon as possible

The RSPCA has shared one common household food that people should be putting out in their gardens to help support birds

Politics

2 w. ago Gardeners told to place spoonful of 'sugar water' in garden this weekend

Bees and bumblebees can often end up exhausted and in dire need of a boost in hot weather, so gardeners are being urged to use a spoonful of sugar water in their gardens this weekend

Politics

2 w. ago Man told he can't rent out huge shed in his garden to tourists

Lyndon Hawkins wanted to divide the outbuilding used as a workshop into two holiday lets, but his plans have been knocked back by planners

Society

3 w. ago UK gardeners told to stop cutting the grass on their lawn this week

The fourth heatwave of the summer means that many Brits will be looking forward to spending time out in their gardens - but there are some things to consider

Politics

3 w. ago Gardeners told do one simple task now so roses to bloom bigger and better

Pruning roses is essential for keeping them in peak condition, encouraging new growth, improving airflow, and ensuring they put their energy into producing larger, healthier blooms rather than wasting it on old or diseased wood

Politics

3 w. ago Gardeners told to put one common food on their bird table as soon as possible

Gardeners are being urged to put out a certain kind of food on bird tables to help them out during the vital fledgling season - and it's a food everyone is likely to have in their cupboards already

Politics

3 w. ago UK households told to burn egg cartons in gardens this summer

One expert has shared a rather unusual hack to keep mosquitoes away

Events

3 w. ago Gardeners told to leave two fruits out on the lawn during August

The RSPB and other experts say gardeners should leave a variety of foods out for birds at different times of year as the fledglings grow and start finding food for themselves

Politics

3 w. ago Gardeners urged to leave these two fruits on the lawn this August

It's a crucial time of the year for birds and experts have shared how you can help this summer

Politics

4 w. ago Gardeners told 'it's not too late' to plant vegetables if they act right now

Don't abandon your dreams of growing a vegetable garden just yet - an expert has recommended several popular and delicious veggies that are perfect for planting in August

Politics