Page 56 • The HERALD • 29th January 2026 v THE HERALD - Proud to be part of your community v DOWN THE GARDEN PATH SPADEWORK Family Landscaping & Fencing Team ] Decking & Natural Sandstone Paving ] Patios ] Driveways ] Block Paving ] Turfing ] All Types of Domestic & Commercial Fencing ] Security Fencing Supplied & Fitted Tel: (023) 8089 4909 Mobile: 07703 566814 u Free Estimates u Fully Insured Locally owned landscape and maintenance company who offer excellent workmanship, value, and customer service. Contact Ralph on 07775 726135 www.apex-landscaping.co.uk • rperry16@sky.com • Decking • Fencing and Gates • Complete Landscaping • Paving • Brick Work • Block Paving and Driveways • Hedge and Tree Work •Turfing • Shed and Summerhouse Bases • Shingle Beds and Artificial Lawns • Paving and Block Paving Cleaning and Repair All Aspects of Garden Work Undertaken • Driveways • Paving • Artificial Grass • Turfing • Decking • Fencing • Hedge Cutting • Landscaping Hythe Garden Contractors Family company established 1977 For a free quotation please call 023 8084 3556 or 023 8084 0378 Give Your Plants An MOT Advice from British Garden Centres Rather than reaching for the bin at the rst sign of trouble, follow British Garden Centres’ simple MOT routine to keep your houseplants, because a little TLC now means healthier homes and less waste come spring. Low maintenance houseplants If you’re new to houseplants, pick easy ones that don’t need much care. Snake plants, ZZ plants and pothos are great for beginners. ey grow in low light and handle missed watering ne. Spider plants make baby plants you can grow for free, whilst peace lilies droop when they need water, so easy to spot and care for. Cast iron plants survive in dark spots. Chinese evergreens do well in o ces or bathrooms with little help. Parlour palms tolerate shade and dry air, whilst rubber plants add big leaves with basic care. Philodendrons trail nicely and forgive mistakes, making them a great low maintenance option. Water right Forget the calendar when it comes to houseplant watering. All you need to do is put your nger into the soil up to the second knuckle; if it’s dry, give a gentle soak with room temperature water until it runs out the bottom, then tip away any excess. Too much water rots roots, too little crisps leaves, so it’s a good idea to check pot weight and soil moisture weekly during your home MOT to get the feel. Boost humidity Our homes get dry from heating in winter, which hurts tropical plants like calatheas and ferns that prefer 80% humidity or more. Mist leaves daily bathrooms or kitchens with natural steam; this is where they o en do best without extra help. Find the right light Houseplants need 12-16 hours of indirect light each day, so placing them in your east or west-facing windows works best. Not enough light will make stems leggy and weak, and too much direct sun scorches leaves, so make sure you turn pots weekly for even growth all around and pick shade-lovers like philodendrons or snake plants for dim corners. Use a phone app to map your home’s light levels over a day, then tweak spots carefully to avoid shocking the plant with big moves. Drainage Pots must have holes at the bottom to let extra water drain out. Line them with crocks, broken pot pieces or mesh for good air ow and to stop soil washing away. Terracotta pots suit succulents and cacti because they let moisture evaporate fast. Glazed or plastic pots work better for lea er houseplants that like things a bit damper. Repot If roots poke out the bottom holes or soil dries out too fast, it’s time to repot into a slightly bigger pot. Use peat-free compost mixed with perlite for good drainage and air around the roots. Go just one size up to avoid holding too much water, which causes rot. British Garden Centres has all the pots, compost and perlite you need in stock for your pot MOT. Pruning Settle plants in 18-24°C spots with steady light and leave them be, as moving them may cause leaf drop. Snip o dead leaves and stems at the base with clean scissors to focus energy on new growth. Feed lightly in winter and use balanced fertiliser every six weeks for leaf plants, and one with a potassium boost for owering houseplants. Pests and diseases Check weekly for spider mites ( ne webs on leaves), mealybugs (white u y spots) or scale (small brown lumps on stems). Look for yellowing leaves, curling edges or brown spots too and isolate any sick plants right away. Wipe leaves with neem oil solution and improve air ow around them. Use a magnifying glass or phone camera zoom at home to spot tiny pests, and use natural treatments, mix garlic spray (crushed garlic in water) or soapy water to wipe bugs o safely. Andy Little, Houseplant Buyer at British Garden Centres, said: “These simple MOT checks at home can transform struggling houseplants into thriving ones. Give it a go - your plants will thank you, creating greener homes that boost wellbeing all year round.” to keep them happy or set your pots on pebble trays lled with water, place near a humidi er, or group plants together so they create their own moist air. You’ll see healthier, less droopy leaves in just a few days. Avoid tap water; if possible, it can leave white spots on leaves from minerals. Place your houseplants in your Monstera
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