Money saving gardening hacks to spruce up your outdoor space in time for spring
Green-fingered Scots are being told of budget friendly gardening hacks to take into the new year.
The experts at gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk have put together top tips for sprucing up and maintaining outside space on a budget. With UK gardeners spending £670 per year, the experts have advice on how to give plants a new lease of life, including maintaining sheds and fences and recycling.
Insulate your summerhouse
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Make the most of your summerhouse by insulating it for use all year round. Adding a carpet or rug into your summer house can help retain heat and help to prevent any moisture buildup.
Privacy hedges
Shrubs and small trees are a budget friendly option for privacy hedging in the garden. Incorporate hedges along a patio or seating area to separate the area from the rest of the garden and block sightlines from neighbouring windows.
Coffee grounds
Coffee grounds can be added to compost or directly on soil to promote fertility due to the high levels of nutrients, such as nitrogen. Avoid using the grounds around plants requiring alkaline soil.
Spring clean to make storage space
Make room in your shed by having a pre-spring clean. Compost bags, mowers, unused electricals and tools can quickly build up, making sheds unusable.
Use leftover rice water
Dilute starchy water with fresh water and use it to water your plants to encourage healthy growth in the garden.
Garlic to keep pests at bay
Using garlic can help deter unwanted pests and insects. Crush several garlic cloves and mix in water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray onto plants and soil.
Use white vinegar on moss
Dilute white vinegar with water and spray the solution over any invasive moss growth to keep it under control. Allow the vinegar mixture to sit for 15 minutes and scrap up the loose moss. Repeat the process for heavily infested areas.
Perennial plants
Perennial plants come back every year, meaning you don't need to keep buying new plants. While they can cost more initially, you will notice long-term savings.
Recycle unused wooden offcuts
Rather than getting rid of left-over wood, use it in the garden or shed as storage solutions.
Use fairy lights for outdoor ambience
Buy a pack of fairy lights and wrap them around tall garden plants, along your fences or across your shed or summer house.
Patch up your shed and summerhouse
Take a look around your shed and summerhouse and look for any openings or holes from the outside and inside. Patch up to make sure your shed is watertight.
Give dying plants a new lease of life
Bring delicate inside during winter. For others, remember to deadhead, get rid of any dead leaves, buds and roots to help plants last throughout winter.
Refresh garden furniture
To save money, make the most of garden furniture with a fresh coat of paint to bring it back to life.
Remove unsuitable items from your shed
Many items commonly stored in sheds are not able to withstand the elements during the autumn and winter months as they can be vulnerable to cold and damp weather. Think about electricals and costly items you need to store elsewhere.
Keep fences in top condition
A pressure washer is a great tool for cleaning your garden fence, but make sure to use it on a gentle setting to avoid causing any damage. Rinse the wood, and fill the pressure washer with a mould and mildew cleaner. Use a smaller scrubbing brush to tackle stubborn spots like mould or tree sap
Make compost
The most budget-friendly and easiest way to start composting is the dig-and-drop method - simply use a shovel to dig out a hole in your garden and add your compost materials into it. This will enrich the soil for nearby plants.
Mulch
You can make mulch from banana peels, wood chips, straw or wood chips, which can help with weed growth, conserving moisture in your plants and soil health.
A spokesperson from Garden Buildings Direct said: “With more homeowners hoping to take up gardening but not willing to spend lots of money in order to get their garden of their dreams, we wanted to share some of our top tips.
“Advice includes ways to make the most of your sheds, summer houses and outdoor space on a budget. Our tips are perfect for the new year and those looking to get into a new hobby. Homeowners can create their dream garden without having to worry about it impacting their bank account.”
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