Why transforming my scrappy backyard into a 'yarden' has been life-changing

Making the most of space created a sanctuary, meant we could leave the parks and shorelines to those who needed it during lockdown – and even saved me money on lettuces

I was sent home just before the official start of lockdown, and then put on furlough from mid-April to mid-July. In my job at an art gallery in Liverpool I meet hundreds of people every day, so suddenly being at home all day, every day, was a huge change. I found it very upsetting at first. But as time went on I rediscovered how much I love where I live. It’s a small terrace house with a small back yard in Wavertree – my partner, Ann, and I call it the “Yarden” – and while I’ve always worked to make it look good and have colourful planting out there, this spring it became my haven.

I’ve had loads more time to take cuttings and grow stuff from seed. I planted food – lettuce, spinach, basil – and loads and loads of flowers. The flowers are the thing that has given me the most pleasure; photographing them, watching insects land on them, listening to birdsong and being able to be out there at a time I would normally be at work.

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Why transforming my scrappy backyard into a 'yarden' has been life-changing

Making the most of space created a sanctuary, meant we could leave the parks and shorelines to those who needed it during lockdown – and even saved me money on lettuces

I was sent home just before the official start of lockdown, and then put on furlough from mid-April to mid-July. In my job at an art gallery in Liverpool I meet hundreds of people every day, so suddenly being at home all day, every day, was a huge change. I found it very upsetting at first. But as time went on I rediscovered how much I love where I live. It’s a small terrace house with a small back yard in Wavertree – my partner, Ann, and I call it the “Yarden” – and while I’ve always worked to make it look good and have colourful planting out there, this spring it became my haven.

I’ve had loads more time to take cuttings and grow stuff from seed. I planted food – lettuce, spinach, basil – and loads and loads of flowers. The flowers are the thing that has given me the most pleasure; photographing them, watching insects land on them, listening to birdsong and being able to be out there at a time I would normally be at work.

Continue reading...

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Conveyancing terms explained: From encumbrance to redemption Nottingham Estate Agents

If you’re in the process of buying a property, you’re probably running into some terms used by industry professionals which you might not be familiar with. Back in February, OnTheMarket published a plain English guide to the most common terms in conveyancing. And now, with the help of Stephen Ward, Director of Strategy at the […]

The post Conveyancing terms explained: From encumbrance to redemption appeared first on OnTheMarket.com blog.

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Trouble in store as Covid canning craze leads to empty shelves and price gouging

Americans turning to gardening during Covid crisis find themselves in a pickle when it comes to finding the right jars, seals and lids

• Coronavirus – latest updates
• See all our coronavirus coverage

It’s the time of year when gardeners are turning their ripe tomatoes into sauces and salsas and cucumbers into pickles. But a boom in gardening and preparing food at home during the coronavirus pandemic has led to a scarcity of supplies with which to preserve them.

From Maine and Vermont to Louisiana and West Virginia, gardeners have reported being in a pickle when it comes to finding the right size glass jars, the special lids to safely seal them, or the bands with which to screw them on. They’ve gone from store to store and some have given in to paying higher prices online.

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Trouble in store as Covid canning craze leads to empty shelves and price gouging

Americans turning to gardening during Covid crisis find themselves in a pickle when it comes to finding the right jars, seals and lids

• Coronavirus – latest updates
• See all our coronavirus coverage

It’s the time of year when gardeners are turning their ripe tomatoes into sauces and salsas and cucumbers into pickles. But a boom in gardening and preparing food at home during the coronavirus pandemic has led to a scarcity of supplies with which to preserve them.

From Maine and Vermont to Louisiana and West Virginia, gardeners have reported being in a pickle when it comes to finding the right size glass jars, the special lids to safely seal them, or the bands with which to screw them on. They’ve gone from store to store and some have given in to paying higher prices online.

Continue reading...

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Getting to know… Tenby

Read our guide.

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How much value does an extra bathroom add? Nottingham Estate Agents

Gone are the days when family members were happy to take their turn in the bathroom. Make no mistake: a house with two bathrooms trumps a home with just one. In the shopping list of building works that can add significant value to a property – from conservatories to loft conversions to new kitchens – […]

The post How much value does an extra bathroom add? appeared first on OnTheMarket.com blog.

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