Latest news with #GardeningOnABudget
The Sun
07-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
I bought a tiny lavender but now it's ballooned – the bees dictate when I prune it & there's a golden rule I never break
NOTHING quite matches the relaxing scent of lavender during a warm spring and summer evening. Although it is a quintessential product of Provence, the sturdy shrub has been a gardeners' favourite all over the world and has been cultivated since Ancient Rome. 2 2 This beautiful yet low-maintenance shrub is often available in a range of stores where you can snap it up for a bargain price. But how to look after it to ensure your lavender is the biggest on the street? And is it possible to make it thrive even when you have dry soil? According to one green-fingered Brit, it is - and there's one golden rule all gardeners should follow when planting the lilac shrub. Offering a helping hand to fellow gardeners, Angela Wynn took to Facebook to share some of her top tips which have helped her lavender balloon from a teeny plant to a mega shrub. She told the members of the Gardening On A Budget Official page: ''Every year we have posts asking how to look after lavender, so I'd like to introduce you to mine. ''I planted them more years ago than I care to remember, as tiny little plants in to very poor, dry soil.'' While many may assume the more hydration, the better the results will be, the green-fingered Brit revealed that it's the total opposite - and you should, in fact, keep the watering to a minimum. She said: ''I rarely water them in summer, never water them any other time. ''I prune them after the bees stop visiting, no specific date, no specified month, just the weekend of the first week no bees visit,'' she went on. Pruning is also another essential when it comes to maintaining your garden - but there's also a specific method the avid gardener follows. 'It's spacious enough for two adults' - The Range release double garden rocking chair less than €120 ''Pruning consists of roughly skimming over the plant with my hedge cutter!'' Angela - who is one of the 453k members of the popular page - also has a golden rule she swears by. ''My only 'rule', don't cut into the woody bit, and there you go!'' she wrote in the post. ''Each year I'm rewarded with this beautiful display,'' she said, sharing a snap of her adorable dog for ''scale''. Top gardening trends of 2025 Gardening experts at Barnsdale Gardens has shared the top gardening trends of 2025. Matrix planting It seems that a top planting trend for this year is going to be Matrix Planting. In essence, planting in groups or blocks to give an effect of being wild whilst actually being carefully managed. Selection of the plants is essential, to give year-round interest either with flowers, seed heads or frosted/snowy spent flower heads. Some recommend using plants that seed around, but this could make managing your matrix planting harder to keep under control. Chrysanthemum comeback I hope that the humble Chrysanthemum makes as much of a comeback this year as Dahlias have over recent years, because the simple single flowered types, such as 'Innocence' and 'Cottage Apricot' would be spectacular within a matrix scheme. The hardy varieties are so easy to grow in a sunny spot and give such a valuable burst of late summer and autumn colour that would lift any dull- looking border. Blended borders For some time now we have been promoting the growing of veg within ornamental borders and I think this could really take off this year. The choice of ornamental-looking varieties available in seed catalogues is phenomenal and, if managed correctly, visitors to your garden will not even realise that you have veg growing! Must-have tool My secret is out. I discovered the Hori Hori a couple of years ago and now it seems so is everyone else. It is such a well-made, adaptable tool that can be used as a trowel or weeding tool in the garden that and everyone I speak to who have used it absolutely would not now be without it. Enough said! 'Same! Mine thrive on neglect' Since being shared online, the post has clearly impressed many, amassing over 200 likes and dozens of comments. One person said: ''Brilliant post, I do despair of all the posts that say this has to be done by this time and only prune this much, I do the same, I leave flowers for the insects and cut right back to last molecule of green.'' Someone else chimed in: ''Beautiful. My neighbour has the most beautiful hedge of lavender between his driveway and and his neighbours. ''It's absolutely teeming with pollinators and its looked lovely for over 15 years and he does absolutely nothing to it. ''He doesn't even trim it back. And yet I look after mine, dead head it, trim it back and mines now dead. ''I don't seem to be able to grow and look after Lavender at all.'' A third shared their go-to approach, writing: ''Mine is huge this year. I was worried as I had hardly any bees but they've arrived this week. ''Like you I give it a haircut when the bees have gone.
The Sun
04-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
I was fed up of looking at my ugly bins but didn't want to fork out £400 for a cover – so I made my own for a bargain £9
THERE are some items in your garden your can't really get rid of, but aren't exactly appealing to look at. Of course, you could fork out a small fortune to cover them up, but who wants to spend so much money? 3 3 3 The worst offender? Wheely bins. That's why one gardening whizz decided to take matters into her own hands and made a DIY cover for her bins. Taking to the popular Facebook group Gardening on a Budget, the DIY whizz, called Catherine, showed off her creation. She wrote: "When you're fed up looking at the ugly bins but the price of them covers are shocking for all they are... what do you do?" In the viral post, Catherine shared a snap of her three brightly coloured wheely bins - quite the eyesore. Luckily, the DIY whizz had plenty of old wood laying around her garden to help make the new bin cover. She started by cutting the off bits of wood to size before painting them all the same shade of brown. Soon the bin cover started to take shape, and it looked pretty expensive. But Catherine explained the whole thing only ended up costing £9. "I had paint laying there already, and Jim was throwing the reeds out. I spent £9quid on castor wheels. Bargain," she said. 'I was quoted £10,000 for a garden renovation but did it MYSELF for £1,000 using ChatGPT to show my kids what single mums can do' In the end, the cover hid the bins from sight, which Catherine said was her end goal. After showing off her handywork, other garden fans were impressed with the nifty bin cover. One said: "You've inspired me to try something similar with mine." Garden features that add the most value to a house A well-kept garden can add anywhere between 5-20% to the value of a property. carried out a study and consulted 36 estate agents, garden designers and property professionals from across the UK. And the experts revealed the garden feature which adds the most value to a property is a shed. Shed - 82% Patio or paving - 76% Secure fencing, walls or gates - 72% Outdoor lighting - 66% Sturdy decking - 62% Water features eg. fountain or pond - 58% Modern garden furniture - 54% Artificial lawn/grass - 40% "Great idea, I'm thinking about doing that," a second agreed. And a third chimed in: "They are so expensive! Yours looks fabulous." The garden whizz then added that she ran out of wood, so wasn't able to make a lid for the cover but could do in the future. But in a bid to disguise the bins more, she painted the lids brown too, which helped them blend in even more. Top 5 Spring Gardening Jobs *If you click a link in this boxout, we may earn affiliate revenue Nick Grey, Gtech Inventor and CEO shared the tasks to crack on with as Spring arrives. 1. Clean your garden Make sure to clear away all leaves, soil and plant debris from your patios and flower beds; this creates a healthier environment for new growth, especially as we get into the summer months. Gtech's Garden Safety Kit includes durable gardening gloves and safety glasses; perfect for comfortability whilst tackling those outdoor tasks. 2. Weeding Early Spring is the best time to tackle weeds; if you can introduce some regular weeding into your routine, you can guarantee a tidy garden all year round. 3. Hedge maintenance Spring is the ideal time to tidy up overgrown hedges and shrubs, as regular trimming ensures healthy growth and reduces pest issues. Using a tool like the Gtech Lightweight Hedge Trimmer can help to keep your greenery looking sharp and neat. 4. Composting Starting a compost heap this spring is a pro-active, cost-effective way to harness nutritious soil for your plants and recycle organic waste that will benefit the overall health of your greenery and foliage. 5. Look after your lawn Lawn care is hugely important in assuring your garden stays looking beautiful. Make sure to rake away any excess leaves and trim your grass routinely.
The Sun
28-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I turned my ugly outhouse into a stunning feature – folk say it's the best £10 Shein transformation they've seen
A SAVVY woman has shared how she transformed her ugly outhouse on a budget. Tracy Wright, from the UK, took to social media to show off the simple garden transformation that left people floored. 2 2 In the post, she shared a picture of her 'ugly' cold house in the garden, which was made of bricks and featured a grey and black door. But she was able to give it a new lease of life and brighten up the old building with two cheap buys. She used a shower curtain which depicted the image of brick walls with lots of ivy falling down. To add to the effect (and because the curtain was a little too short) Tracy added some faux ivy to the top of the outhouse which blended in perfectly with the curtain. She wrote: "Thought I'd jump on the bandwagon with the shower curtain idea. "Turned my ugly-looking old coal house into something a little different." She revealed that she picked up the shower curtain for just £5 from Shein. People were left in awe over just how good it looked, with many saying it was the best use of a shower curtain to decorate they had seen to date. Tracy managed to make the shower curtain look clean and tidy by first ironing it so there were no creases. After, Tracy stapled the shower curtain to some thin plywood and then used No Nails glue to attach the plywood to the outhouse. Peter O'Mahony shares gardening update 'I've been planning for years' on Instagram The post as shared on the Facebook group, Gardening on a Budget Official, which boasts 453k followers. People were quick to congratulate Tracy on her DIY skills in the comments. One person wrote: "So much nicer to look at." How To Make Your Small Garden Look Bigger Garden design expert Fiona Jenkins from has created a guide on how to make your small garden look larger. Add shelves - for additional storage and place to hold more plants. Use foldaway furniture - to take up less space when not in use. Add privacy - with fencing, trellis, brick walls or hedging. Add a water feature - to make your garden seem like a natural retreat. Go bright - when choosing plants, opt for bold colours to make the space pop. Use large planters - to get more plants in less space. Plant vertically - add plants upwards to make your garden seem fuller, and therefore, bigger. Use blue flowers at the edge s - blue flowers and plants recede into the distance and make the garden appear bigger. Grow tall plants - it's better to think big when it comes to a small garden. Keep clutter a minimum - as it can give the illusion of less space than there actually is. "Oh wow it looks brill," penned a third. Meanwhile a fourth said: "That looks amazing." "And it looks fabulous,' claimed a fifth.
The Sun
27-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Gardeners MUST carry out essential task if they want to get thick, bushy & super green lawns that last all summer
MANY people want thick, luscious lawns in their garden, but it can be tricky to achieve with hot weather and weeds springing up. One green-fingered whizz has shared an essential task you should do to get great results that last all summer. 4 4 A fellow gardener had made a plea for help after using Westland Triple Care on their grass, which they claim left it looking 'patchy.' Taking to the Facebook group Gardening on a Budget Official, they shared: 'What on earth! 'The grass was a little patchy and had some moss. 'I used this last week after spending two days using an aerator. 'The state of the grass now..... 'It wasn't like this before using this box of destruction! 'This is my first post on here and some help or advice would be appreciated. What should I do now.' Thankfully the gardening fan had some words of advice to save the day - and said that Westland Triple Care, which is £10 on Amazon, did actually work for her. They explained that it is aerating that 'does that' to lawns, but you need to 'water at least half an hour a day after using the seeds' to revive it. She explained the same thing had happened to her, and said: 'Mine was aerated. I was gutted, cried for a week. 'I waited till it was warmer as done in March, then I seeded, used two large boxes as did back and front. The four easy steps to get your tired lawn lush for summer & you don't need to worry about pigeons ruining it either 'I put the sprinkler on every morning at 7 o clock and every evening at 9 o clock. 'Once you get all the dead stuff up, sprinkle more, see and wait. 'Mine took 6 weeks of true dedication. 'I watered whether it rained or not as lawns are dry as a bone two inch down. 'All is not lost, good luck.' The upset gardener thanked her for her help and said he would 'water, water, water' his grass. The Westland Triple Care lawn feed is said to 'nourish your grass but also tackle weeds and moss head-on.' It is said to create 'a strong and healthy lawn', with greening visible within seven days - if used between the months of February and October.
The Sun
09-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Gardeners are racing to Home Bargains for ‘fast-growing' plant that's better than a Flamingo tree for adding privacy
YOU don't have to build a massive fence to add privacy to your garden this summer. A "fast-growing" Home Bargains buy can help to transform your outdoor space. 3 3 Gardening experts recommend utilising plants to elevate your privacy. Fast-growing plants can help to create natural boundaries in your space. Whether you're placing them in your flower beds or pots, these additions can transform your garden. And now, you can take this step without breaking the budget with a savvy deal. A gardening enthusiast shared the find on the Facebook page Gardening on a Budget. "Home Bargains, they have just got them in," she wrote alongside a photo of a Pink Marble Photinia Fraserai. The Home Bargains shopper revealed the potted plants cost £25 each. "Think I'm going to go back tomorrow and buy one," she added. The Facebook user explained that she's "always wanted" one of the "fast-growing" plants. Other gardening fans compared the buy to Flamingo trees in the comments section. Shayna's DIY Privacy Fence: Simple and Effective Many also pointed out how big the plant is expected to grow over the years. "Hope you have a large space for it as they grow enormous unless you constantly trim it," wrote one commenter. "I bought the red robin version last year for £25. It's grown so much. Was definitely great value," said another person. "I bought one from there last year and it's doing amazingly well. It's a good price too. I have mine in a tub," shared a third reader. Another Home Bargains shopper shared her experience with the plant. How to create privacy in your garden CREATING privacy in your garden can be achieved in a number of ways depending on your budget, and the size of your space. Here are some effective ways to enhance privacy in your garden: 1. Fencing Install a tall, solid wooden or vinyl fence. This is one of the most straightforward ways to gain immediate privacy. Or use lattice panels, trellis, or slatted fencing to add a decorative touch while still offering privacy. 2. Hedges and Plants Fast-growing evergreen shrubs or trees like Leylandii, Thuja, or Bamboo along the boundary of your garden can help with privacy. Grow a dense hedge using plants like Boxwood, Privet, or Laurel. It may take time to grow, but it provides a natural and green privacy screen. Use climbers like Ivy, Clematis, or Wisteria on fences or trellises to create a lush, green privacy barrier. 3. Outdoor Curtains Hang outdoor curtains around pergolas, gazebos, or patios for an easy-to-adjust privacy solution. 4. Sound Barriers A water fountain or small waterfall can help drown out noise, adding to the sense of privacy. Or install fencing designed to reduce noise if privacy from sound is also a concern. "I've bought loads of them from Home Bargains, I'm planning to keep them in the topiary shape," she said. "I've got the Red Robin and the Pink Marble, they look gorgeous when the sun catches them." Another customer agreed that the plant is "well worth the money". "Please bear in mind if you don't keep them in a pot they can grow to over 30 foot tall," advised one commenter. "Photinia look stunning as standards. As long as you continue to prune them or they will revert to a bush," agreed another person.
