A shedload of trouble for the neighbours | Letters
Jane Whitehead believes neighbours should be heard, not seen, while Paul Burton says the capacity of neighbours to take offence is limitless. Plus a letter from Joyce CorstonThank you to Emily Retter for exposing the curse of the prefab garden shed…
‘I don’t know how I cooked without it!’: 15 everyday items that make your life a teeny bit better
Breathable bedding, slanted tweezers and an indispensable garlic press … here are the buys you wish you’d discovered sooner. Plus, the best walking poles, tested• Don’t get the Filter delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereSometimes a product changes your…
While I dream of garden greenhouses, a coldframe will do me just fine
A hothouse in my garden may be just a fantasy, but I can still offer plenty of protection for tender plantsI thought I would have had a new coldframe by now, but the only new thing in the garden is a fox hole. It would be more polite of them to direct…
Falling glass and ‘decapitated’ plants: the race to protect Edinburgh botanic garden’s plants
After five years of work, 5,750 panels of toughened glass will help keep hundred of plants safe from Scottish winters – but more work needs to be doneIn the early autumn sunlight, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s extensive plant collection appears safe…
Is tech the secret to a more analogue life? How gadgets, apps and tips could actually reduce your screen time
It’s often thought of as the problem, but what if the right technology could help us switch off and live more in the moment?• The best screen-free activitiesWith the continued backlash against AI and growing concern about our reliance on screens, an…
‘Just look at this monstrosity!’ Inside Britain’s bilious back yard shed wars
The number of luxury sheds and garden rooms has rocketed since the pandemic – fuelled by those wanting an office, a gym or extra living space. Meanwhile, the resentment between neighbours has been rising, tooLinda loves her shed. She loves that she can…
Monty Don says he may have to let go of his gardeners after leaving BBC
Presenter reveals corporation has been paying part of their salaries to keep his Herefordshire garden camera-readyFor 15 years, viewers have looked in amazement at Monty Don’s beautiful Herefordshire garden, known as Longmeadow, as he hosted the show…
After a fiery summer, I’m choosing resilient crops to future-proof my garden
From kale to hostas, there are many vegetable patch options that are hardy, low-maintenance and deliciousYou’d have to have been living under a rock (which would have been a cool and sensible place to dwell) to not have felt the intensity of the…