Lauren Hughes
Freelance writer

8 clever outdoor buys that create privacy without blocking light
Garden screening inspiration that will ensure your outdoor space still feels airy and bright

'If I were investing today, I'd look at textiles': Antiques experts say these are the 7 'next big' collectables
While the market may be notoriously hard to predict, antiques experts share their insights into rising trends

7 ways to make an overlooked garden feel more private – including the best fast-growing hedges
Create a secluded sanctuary with these garden privacy ideas for any style or budget

Best RHS wildflower gardens to visit in full bloom this summer
Explore these stunning locations to see spring flowers in full bloom

'Ornaments don't make sense in modern interiors now': 7 collectables that are losing value fast in 2026
Antiques experts on the items that have lost their appeal amid due to cultural shifts and oversupply

The UK's answer to Route 66? Try these 9 beautiful stops along the South West 660
This is arguably England's most beautiful coastal road trip – and we've sorted the itinerary

3 things to do with lilac after flowering, including the key pruning task
A little bit of care can go a long way with low maintenance lilacs

7 perennials to plant in May for beautiful summer flowers – including elegant aquilegia
May is the perfect time to establish these

How to grow gladioli in May for a bold late-summer display: 5 secrets to success
Gladioli is a distinctive flower that's part of the iris family

Spent flowers taking up space? Monty Don’s clever trick to free up best pots for summer planting
This handy hack will ensure spring blooms aren't disrupted

How to transform a lacklustre patio into a cosy second living room this spring
Transform your outdoor living area for summer with these low-maintenance tips

4 forgotten, old-English vegetables to plant for years of crops – including nine-star broccoli
These hardy vegetables are worth a try, offering different flavours and better staying power than the usual varieties

Aldi's £17.99 portable greenhouse is the ultimate space-saver for small gardens and patios
It's a gardening must-have if you're short on planting space

Upgrade your sleep for less — get a bestselling Emma mattress for under £200 this weekend
The refurbished range offers signature styles at lower prices, with special discounts this weekend

The surprisingly simple laundry trick that could cut summer energy bills
A new scheme will reward families with free electricity for doing their washing on sunny weekends

Keep dandelions off your lawn for good with these 5 preventative tricks – including a mowing hack
Gardeners share their expert tips for keeping 'opportunistic' dandelions away

6 container plants to keep patios and small gardens colourful all summer
These hardy plants and vegetables will thrive in pots and planters

Keep your garden roses free from black spot with this £1.20 fridge staple
Milk is an unlikely hero when it comes to preventing fungus — here's why it could save your roses

Camellias will return brighter and healthier next year if you do this post-flowering job in April
Don't wait until the summer to prune camellias

Dog owners warned about toxic spring plants – including tulips and bluebells
These common seasonal flowers could cause serious harm to pets

Sow these 8 vegetables in April for a bumper homegrown harvest before it's too late
April is a peak sowing month for vegetables as the soil starts to warm

Front garden ideas: 8 inspiring ways to create a welcoming entrance – including pretty climbers
Create an entrance that is always a pleasure to pass through

Daffodils in your garden? Do this crucial April job now before it's too late
Daffodils are synonymous with spring and require little maintenance aside from this simple job

6 retro gardening hacks that still work today – including using eggshells as planters
Old-school tips and tricks that will give your garden a boost this spring

12 most underrated garden flowers you’re not growing yet – including chocolate-scented cosmos
Expert gardeners share the unusual flowers to add to your garden

5 spring bedding plants to deadhead in April for longer-lasting blooms
If you're heading out into the garden this week, here are five flowers you should think about deadheading

Where to see tulips in the UK: 7 stunning locations to visit this spring
Tulips typically reach peak bloom in late April

How to use aluminium foil to keep garden pests away this spring
This non-toxic hack has been shown to have promising results for banishing unwanted garden visitors

'Make flowerbeds ping’: Alan Titchmarsh shares essential job to do before spring planting
The horticulture expert advises a few simple steps before spring planting — and it's all to do with the soil

'Our dog is the unofficial matchmaker who brought us together' — 3 couples who found love through their pets
It turns out that a shared love of dogs could be the secret to lasting love

Is your dog ruining your sex life? Owners confess their bedroom dilemmas
From muddy paws on the duvet cover to midnight barking sessions, dogs and bedroom antics don’t always go hand in hand

Meet the DINKWADs: Why more couples are choosing pets over children
From tailoring holidays to special celebrations, these DINKWAD couples will do anything for their dogs