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Having discovered exactly how to grow carrots and being amazed at just how easy this root veg is to cultivate, the next step is to confidently recognize when to reap your rewards. Get your timing right and you will be enjoying fresh and tasty produce that far surpasses any bought in-store. ‘Carrots should be in every vegetable garden,’ says Kelly Funk, President at Park Seed (opens in new tab). ‘They’re easy to grow from seed and directly sown in the soil....

Often, handcrafted furniture can be an investment, so when considering the interior design of a space, it’s worth thinking about the purpose of each item to ensure they fit within budget. You may wish to splash-out on a statement piece to admire from afar, yet equally, might decide to splurge on an everyday item that’s used by all the family – such as the wooden chair, for example. With so many charming designs on offer, we wanted to focus on this humble seat....

With National Gardening Week fast approaching and time at home in plentiful supply we now have an opportunity to focus on our outdoor spaces; whether that’s a magnificent garden, a small garden design (opens in new tab), an allotment, balcony or windowsill. You might want to grow your own food, welcome wildlife or add a splash of colour, none of which needs to take hours of strenuous labour. It is widely recognised that gardening is good for our wellbeing – both mental and physical, as much as it is for encouraging nature to thrive....

The key to beauty in a small room? Adopt the strategies interior designers do when asked to work on small homes and you can give yours the style you love, and make it feel open and uncluttered to boot. We’ve asked the experts to provide the inside track with interior design tips that will make a small house look beautiful. How can I make my small house look beautiful? How can I make my small house look beautiful?...

Hibiscus flowers are short-lived, usually only blooming for a single day. However, if you have included them in your flower bed ideas, and prune them correctly, you will have a profusion of flowers and a long-lasting colorful display with new flowers opening every day. The hibiscus family is a large one including species that are herbaceous perennials, annuals, woody shrubs and even trees. The varieties most commonly found in gardens are Hibiscus syriacus, a hardy deciduous flowering shrub and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, or Chinese Hibiscus, a tender evergreen shrub only grown in the tropics and subtropics....

There are a plethora of sophisticated ways to enhance a light space, so dress your living room with best paint ideas, lighting tips and earthy neutral tones for a space that is airy, inviting and oh so stylish. Light living room ideas – 16 expert ways to introduce light to your lounge Light living room ideas – 16 expert ways to introduce light to your lounge From using the right paint colors to clever ways to accessorize, these bright, light living room ideas will help you add interest and intrigue – and have you reaching for the paint chart or the light bulb....

The fact is, it should interest us all, because permaculture gardening is all about recycling, regenerating and reusing – and while these three ‘Rs’ capture something of the zeitgeist, they are also what nature does on its own. Here, we look into how easy designing and maintaining a permaculture garden is – and offer advice on how to create your own. What is permaculture gardening? What is permaculture gardening? There are 12 guiding principles to permaculture gardening that many of us do without thinking about it: using food waste to create compost; minimizing waste; allowing dead plants to become a home-grown mulch; using companion planting to replace fertilizers and to deter pests; buying carefully – for example, avoiding buying new plants in plastic pots; planting for and encouraging diversity; letting nature take its course; building a nutrient-rich soil over time; preserving water and electricity....

Kitchen sink ideas are easily overlooked in favor of more glamorous fittings, but this hard-working element of kitchen design is more than just practical, and the placement of this kitchen workhorse is of utmost importance. If you are designing a kitchen from start to finish or planning a kitchen remodel, then you’ll have countless options for a good layout. However, if you are simply reconfiguring the wet area, it might make more sense to change the plumbing....

However, these window treatment ideas also serve a practical purpose and as such should not be left to the end of a room’s design. They can be used to control the amount of light that flows through your windows and give you much-needed privacy in bathrooms and bedrooms. Blinds can be invaluable in both contemporary and classic settings and work well in every room of the home. Available in a range of styles, colors, materials, and designs they are endlessly versatile; they can also be paired with thermal or black-out linings....

Recent studies have shown that spending just two hours a week outdoors in the garden is linked to better mental and physical wellbeing. Sometimes referred to as ‘green therapy’ spending time outdoors in the fresh air, caring for your garden and learning new skills are all positive steps you can take to keep occupied. Not only that, you’ll find all of the digging, raking and weeding is an excellent way to get some all-important exercise....

While you might think you know how to clean a coffee maker, the Keurig requires little – but specific – attention. Add your Keurig into the routine for cleaning a kitchen so the task doesn’t get missed – both the interior and the exterior of the coffee maker need a little care. Limescale can build up inside the machine and compromise the taste and temperature of the coffee, so periodic descaling is essential, and other parts of the machine need regular attention as well....

Lights are an essential element of Christmas decor ideas from indoor Christmas lights for the interior and outdoor Christmas lights for the exterior of the home. They make a house look festive and welcoming and help create the magical atmosphere of the season, and our guide explains how to make the most of Christmas lights in all the situations you might use them. Enjoy, too, the masterclass from celebrated designer Kelly Wearstler on creating wall light decor....

These additional window treatment ideas are designed to complement your drapes, curtains or shade to achieve a more layered look and, of course, bring an added injection of color and pattern. However, they don’t have to be fitted with drapes – they are also super useful on their own for softening a window that doesn’t require another covering. Our guide has the details on valances vs pelmets vs swags vs cornices to guide you in your choice....