business

I’m glad we’re starting to look at historical figures through the lens of neurodivergence (Documentary explores whether JMW Turner may have been neurodivergent, 10 November). But why give JMW Turner the benefit of 21st-century advances in neuroscience and not afford the same courtesy to his mother, Mary, who was “believed to have had a psychiatric … Read more

The problemWinter is brutal for tropical houseplants. Central heating turns living rooms into deserts, leaving once lush calatheas with brown, crispy edges. Misting can increase humidity, but the effects are short-lived. The hackAn electric humidifier delivers a steady mist to boost humidity around your plants. You simply fill the tank with water and let it … Read more

Last night was forecast to be wet, but I set the moth trap anyway, hoping a temperature of 10C would encourage species that are active in November. Some moths can fly in the rain, thanks to the super-hydrophobicity of their wings, which are angled like sloping roofs, their microscopic scales the overlapping tiles so that … Read more

First home Make the bathroom your priorityIt’s likely you won’t have much money after you’ve bought your first home, but if it’s a house that needs work, prioritise updating the bathroom first, says Simon Ribchester, head of design at renovation specialist Beams. “When an old bathroom with dodgy plumbing goes wrong it can be a … Read more

I’ve been as honest as possible about the rubbish growing season I’ve had this year. For reasons beyond my control – mostly life, work and weather – it’s been far from my best. I’ve hobbled along, trying to keep my cool when my trays of seed have barely germinated and while attempting to rescue root-bound … Read more