Twilight Dust

13/07/2022

From standup paddleboarding to abseiling: seven of the best outdoor adventures to enjoy this summer

Whether you want to cycle Box Hill or wild swim in Grantchester Meadows, there’s plenty of fun to be had. Here are seven day trips to get those endorphins flowing

13/07/2022

From Brighton to Greenwich: 10 of the most Instagrammable day trips

For those looking for the perfect photo opportunity, the south-east has no shortage of exquisite vistas and glorious backdrops

For those looking for the perfect photo opportunity, the south-east has no shortage of exquisite vistas and glorious backdrops

13/07/2022

Rail route of the month: from Bohemia towards the Baltic coast

On a bargain €9 one-month rail pass, our slow travel expert goes border-hopping on the historic Oder-Neisse line from the Czech Republic to Germany

13/07/2022

Go wild in the country: 10 of the best UK wildlife holidays

Whether it’s walking or whale watching, put nature in the spotlight with a wonderful country break

04/07/2022

A new trade on the ancient Silk Route

Once a thriving trade route with Tibet, today the Johar Valley is home to a new type of commerce: a bizarre caterpillar fungus that can fetch more than $20,000 per kilo.

04/07/2022

Canada's Arctic sport obsession

An Inuit town has its own brand of hockey fan, and they’re hardcore. Meet the people of Pond Inlet whose ingenuity is shown in their love for the game.

04/07/2022

An ancient route through the clouds

Once part of the legendary Silk Road, Central Asia’s Pamir Mountains might be the world’s last true adventure.

04/07/2022

The port city that lost its water

Fishing boats lie stranded more than 100km from the sea, victims of a terrible environmental disaster.

04/07/2022

The Scottish castle first designed in a dream

The castle of Eilean Donan is often called the most picturesque in Scotland – a reputation it owes to a 20th-century stonemason’s dream as much as to its 13th-century architects.

21/06/2022

Spring Is the Best Time to Repot Your Houseplants—Here's How

If you're like many people, you may have accumulated a few new houseplants since the start of the pandemic two years ago. Tricks like lining your pots with coffee filters and maintaining a humid environment can help flora thrive in the short term, but keeping it alive for the long haul is a bigger investment. Any plants you've had for more than a year likely need to be repotted, and early spring is the best time to give them an upgrade.
According to The Province, if you can see roots poking past the pot's drainage holes, your plant may need to be transferred to a different container. Most plants should be repotted every 12 to 18 months; some older, slow-growing varieties can flourish for years in the same vessel.
A cramped living space does more than hinder a plant's growth potential. Stunted roots have trouble absorbing water and nutrients, which results in a stressed, unhealthy specimen above the soil. But this doesn't necessarily mean you should repot at the first sign of growing pains; repotting is most effective when done in the first weeks of spring. Moving plants during the winter when they're growing at a slower pace may shock their system, while waiting until spring takes advantage of the natural growth surge they experience this time of year.
When you're ready to repot your plant, look for containers that are only slightly bigger than their current home. Swimming in an oversized environment can be just as harmful to roots as being crowded into a small one. After gently freeing your plant, move it to the potting mix in the new vessel, adding more soil as needed to bury it at roughly the same depth it was at before. Be careful not to pack the soil too tightly and smother your plant.
Even if your plants look healthy as they currently are, spring is a good opportunity to refresh their space. All plants can benefit from getting a fresh layer of soil at the top of their pot this time of year. Here are more tips for caring for your houseplants year-round.