BUSINESS

Chopping vegetables in my kitchen on a winter afternoon, I was startled by the sound of rustling branches and loud coughing coming from my back yard. I walked outside tentatively, prepared to face a fence-hopping intruder. Instead, after a few minutes of listening to evenly timed wheezes, I spotted it – a small brushtail possum, … Read more

What’s the problem?My philodendron has long, white, string-like growths coming out of the stems. Is my plant OK and can I cut them off? DiagnosisThese curious structures are known as aerial roots, and are completely natural. Philodendrons originate from tropical rainforests, where they climb trees. These aerial roots help it anchor itself, absorb moisture and … Read more

For years I had coveted having an allotment. I pictured myself being practical and resourceful, growing vegetables and cycling home with them in my wicker basket. I imagined pickling produce like my grandmother had done and becoming outdoorsy and calm – not the hot mess I usually felt. An allotment, I believed, would make me … Read more

‘I’m an Essex convert,” says interior designer Fiona Duke. “We moved here from London, having been to a funeral nearby, and fell for the fabulous community vibe.” Duke and her husband’s first purchase was a Victorian terrace, but even then she had her eye on the big, detached Edwardian house up the road: “I made it … Read more

One of the things that makes gardening so perpetually, addictively interesting to me is how it challenges beliefs I’d previously held about myself – often on an annual basis. Some beliefs are big, others are smaller, such as my dislike of asters. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something … Read more

It appears that successive governments are able only to formulate key policies in the form of three-word phrases, usually absent of an executive subject. While I welcome the shift in focus represented by the switch from boats to gangs, it is surely evident that this is still only addressing the symptom, not the cause. Most … Read more

What’s the problem?My Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) has survived for years, but recently the leaves have become dull and lost their gloss. DiagnosisSwiss cheese plants are renowned for their lush, naturally glossy leaves. However, they can lose their sheen because of dust accumulation, unsuitable potting conditions, or stress, often linked to watering habits or inadequate nutrients. … Read more