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Helping allergies caused by pets is imperative if you love your furry friends but can’t get too close because of allergies. There are a few options to ensure you can cuddle your favourite pets without sneezing, sniffing, or breaking out in a rash, so don’t give up hope until you’ve tried some of these ideas. It is essential to get allergies to pets under control when needed so you can visit family and friends who have pets or even have some pets of your own. If you also suffer from hay fever, these approaches could also help.

The much-loved Hydrangea for the garden and home comes into its own at this time of year. Many will have been flowering for months at this point, and many will also just be turning into those beautiful late summer toned down flower heads. They look both fantastic in the garden and the home placed in a vase. Get the best from your Hydrangeas with our ideas below.

As the days start getting shorter and the leaves blaze red and gold, enjoy the last of the good weather as you wind down the garden for winter. There’s lots to be harvested and plenty of planning to do for next spring. Here are our top 15 gardening tips for September.

For genuinely spectacular flowers in September, the houseplant Strelitzia takes some beating. With its tufts of flaming orange petals, like the head of a fabulous exotic bird, it’s easy to see why it’s called the bird of paradise plant or the crane flower. Big blue-grey leaves, like those of the banana plant, add to the tropical appeal of this striking plant. Native to South Africa, Strelitzias usually flower in spring and summer, although indoor-grown plants may produce flowers at any time of year. 

Want a quick way to feel better? Get yourself a houseplant or two. A recent Japanese study showed that taking a 3-minute break from your computer screen to care for or just look at a plant can help to reduce your pulse rate and anxiety levels. Being around plants, even if it’s just a cactus on a desk, reminds us of nature and the outdoors, connecting us to a healthier way of life. Find out anything about three houseplants that are good for your health.

Make an upcycled tire hanging flower planter with ease and make it into something extraordinary for your garden. Upcycling has so many benefits from reducing waste and landfill to being able to add a stamp of your own personality in your garden or on your allotment. Various things can be done to add colour and, of course, your favourite plants, so here are tips to help you make the most of your old tires.