Tricks of the trade

By Zena Alli & Adrienne Wild 11/05/2008

Compost bin to create a buzz

Q. Where can I buy a wooden beehive-style compost bin? – Zoe Grayson, Pulborough, West Sussex

A. Adrienne says: You can buy them from Crocus (www.crocus.co.uk, 0870 787 1413). They have a huge selection of beehive composters in a rather spectacular range of colours – from a natural finish to bright magenta or purple. The standard bin is 54cm wide x 54cm deep x 78cm high, from £119.99. The large one is 62cm wide x 62cm deep x 97cm high and costs £149.99. Designed to look like a traditional beehive, it has a hinged top and a removable bottom panel for easy access. We’ve taken the natural wood one and given it a yellow and black “bee” makeover – it’s a fun way to get the kids involved.

For a stunning lawn you must lay the groundwork

Q. The new lawn we laid from turf is a disaster. The pieces of grass have shrunk and the edges are curled. What did we do wrong? – Dean Harrison, Wantage, Oxfordshire

A. Adrienne says: Soil preparation is the key to a beautiful lawn. Before laying the turf, you should loosen the soil with a fork and dig out any weeds and stones then rake, level and fertilise the area with Growmore. Lay the first row of grass, butting the edges closely so they knit together. On subsequent rows, stagger the joints in a brickwork fashion. Stand on planks while working and not on the freshly laid turf. Lightly tamp down the squares with the back of a rake to ensure good contact with the soil and brush sieved soil into the joints so there are no gaps left. Immediately after laying turf, start watering.

Oh deer! Rug is a mess

Q. I have a beautiful reindeer-skin rug which I bought at an exhibition, but it moults constantly even if it isn’t touched. Could you recommend a treatment that will allow me to use the rug in my home without getting hairs on everything? – Connie Jackson, by email

A. Zena says: I asked experts at www.sexyskins.co.uk, who sell reindeer hides, and they told me that reindeer is not suitable for the floor. The hairs are hollow fibres, so they snap easily – and as they are very thick, it results in lots of hair coming out. Furthermore, reindeer hide does not like being walked on. These beautiful hides are suitable for the back of a sofa or chair, on top of a bed or as decoration on a chest. The experts suggest putting the hide somewhere for decoration to allow the fur to settle – and try not to touch it at all!

Tortured by the lack of a rack

Q. Where can I buy a wooden plate rack to hang on the wall? – Sarah Boxall, by email

A. Zena says: These are hard to track down, but I’ve managed to find two. Argos (www.argos.co.uk, 0870 600 8784) have this wood and metal one for just £14.99 which measures H51.5cm x W45cm x D26cm. Heal’s (www.heals.co.uk, 0870 024 0780) have a small wooden plate rack, made from solid rubber wood, for £70. It measures H46cm x W50cm x D26cm.

I’m flat-out bored with beige

Q. I have just moved in to a lovely new flat, but the windows have very little room for curtains so I need a space-saving blind for them. But I don’t like roller blinds or Roman blinds. I have been told that vertical blinds are a good option, but I only seem to be able to find boring beige and white ones. – Maria Ford, Cardiff

A. Zena says: Vertical blinds are a good choice when the window opening is narrow. Now you can get them in a range of colours, including Lilly Red as shown here, from Sunway Blinds (www.sunwayblinds.co.uk, 0800 652 7799). Sunway vertical blinds start at £64 for a made-to-measure one at 60cm x 60cm. Their Romans are also good if you change your mind.

Tips on making snips

Q. Is it too late to take pelargonium cuttings? – David Sutton, Spalding, Lincs

A. Adrienne says: You can take tip cuttings when there is sufficient new growth, otherwise wait a few weeks. Snip off the tips of new shoots about 3in long and remove flower buds. Trim the cutting below a leaf joint, pulling off the lowest leaf and its small, leafy appendages to leave a cutting with one good-sized leaf and a healthy tip with more leaves ready to unfurl. Dip it in hormone rooting powder and put it to half its length into a pot of well-draining compost. Water in and move to a propagator with bottom heat set at 70F – or root under a polythene tent on a shady sill in a warm room.

*Need expert advice on your home or garden? Email homes@sundaymirror.co.uk or write to Tricks of the Trade at Homes & Holidays, 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AP. Sorry we can’t reply personally.