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1 week ago | 
gardensillustrated.com | Alice Tuffery
There's one thing you need in any garden, no matter the size or style: storage. Whether you want to keep your furniture cushions dry over the winter, or tidy away your tools and equipment at the end of the day, storage space is essential. Of course, not all sheds, cupboards and boxes are equal when it comes to looks, so we're always on the search for beautiful, stylish pieces that'll work well in any outdoor space.
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1 week ago | 
220triathlon.com | Alice Tuffery
From giving you grip on slippery surfaces to protecting your feet on rough ground, water shoes perform many different functions. While we’d typically go for cold water swimming socks for proper swim training in chilly waters, water shoes are handy bits of kit to have with you if you’re wild swimming, taking part in other watersports or enjoying a more leisurely dip.
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3 weeks ago | 
gardensillustrated.com | Alice Tuffery
There has been a spate of news stories recently reporting the discovery of unexpected frogs, lizards and snakes in the UK, hiding in plants, cut flowers and soil imported from sunnier climes. While these events are relatively rare, and make eye-catching headlines, they are an indicator of more serious issues threatening horticulture.
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3 weeks ago | 
gardensillustrated.com | Alice Tuffery
In an ideal world, we'd all have spacious sheds and storage boxes, and unlimited time to spend carefully covering up our garden furniture whenever it rains. Failing that, we'd have the patience and enthusiasm to spend hours diligently sanding down and touching up weathered furniture each spring. But in the real world, most of us are on the lookout for robust and weather-resistant pieces that can survive the colder seasons outside.
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1 month ago | 
countryfile.com | Lauren Franklin |Alice Tuffery |Rachel Howatson |Alice Tuffery Rachel Howatson
Best umbrellas tried and tested in 2025: brilliant brollies for rainy strollsIt’s always worth having an umbrella in your bag, or by your door, to prepare for the arrival of a dark, looming cloud. So to help you find a reliable model, we've put a number of umbrellas to the test here at BBC Countryfile Magazine, including sturdy golf umbrellas; compact models for everyday use and dome designs. Before you buy, think about when you'll be using your umbrella.
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1 month ago | 
gardensillustrated.com | Alice Tuffery
Peat-free compost has been a hot topic for years, but while most gardeners acknowledge it is good for the planet, they’re not always so sure it’s great for their plants. Currently, 88 per cent of amateur gardeners support a complete ban on the sale of peat-based products, but only 30 per cent consistently buy peat-free compost, according to Sizzle and Defra. Up to now, those who have avoided peat-free mediums have complained it dries out prematurely, while in fact, the opposite is true.
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2 months ago | 
gardensillustrated.com | Alice Tuffery
A corner sofa is a great choice for patios and terraces, allowing family and friends to socialise in a relaxed way. Our favourite sets come complete with a central table, and many also have shelves at each end of the sofa for storing drinks and books. We've found the best outdoor corner sofas available this year for creating a stylish outdoor seating area, from sleek Scandi-style acacia wood to faux rattan, modern steel and luxurious hand-crafted oak designs.
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2 months ago | 
gardensillustrated.com | Daisy Bowie-Sell |Alice Tuffery
Monty Don's new TV show Monty Don's British Gardens has seen the presenter tour the country through astonishing gardens of varying sizes and designs. We've loved watching the episodes, which have featured some of our favourite spaces (and lots we have featured). But did you know you can actually go and visit a lot of these gardens too?
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2 months ago | 
gardensillustrated.com | Alice Tuffery
Being eco-conscious and planet-friendly are an important brand value for a lot of businesses these days, and with the rise of 'greenwashing', companies are seeking new ways of demonstrating to the general public that they truly care about these issues. This could be why more and more businesses are seeking to become 'B Corp' - a certification that proves a high standard of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.
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2 months ago | 
countryfile.com | Ruby Barry |Alice Tuffery
With Valentine’s Day 2025 on the horizon, you might be thinking about how to spoil your other half. Yet it's hard to come up with a thoughtful Valentine's Day gift when you’re against the clock, so I've listed some of my favourite romantic gift ideas. Most are more unique than the standard chocolate and flowers (no offence to the classics). I've worked as a shopping writer for over four years, across magazines such as Empire, Grazia and more.
