Latest news with #budgetmakeover
The Sun
19 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
I couldn't afford a new patio, so used a 10p hack to transform it with flowers – it's so colourful & stops weeds growing
A new patio in the UK typically costs between £80-£150 per square meter, but it depends on the materials and layout. So a typical homeowner could end up paying a few hundred, to thousands to get a new one. Amy on Facebook didn't have that kind of money to sort her patio out. 2 Instead, she came up with a genius idea to transform her wonky slabs, into an area she would love. Posting in the Facebook group Garden Makeover Ideas On A Budget, she said: "On a very tight budget, I couldn't stretch to funding a new patio. "So, last year, I bought some ground covering seeds and planted them between some of my wonky pavers. "I'm thrilled with how they now look but, the amount of bees that have been collecting the nectar from them is incredible. I'm so pleased." She added a photograph of the results, showing her wonky patio slabs covered with gorgeous purple, white and blue flowers. As for what flowers she sowed, replying to a comment, Amy said: "Mixed ground cover," and said it "will bring new life to your garden/patio". She "added a little sand to the compost" which she was advised to do so by her local garden centre because "the sand stabilises the wonky pavers". Her post has received 11,000 likes so far and hundreds of comments. One replied: "I absolutely love this idea! I have a horrible concrete area that I cover with benches and pots! Also have an old paved area all sunken forever taking out the weeds in between! Thank you for the great idea x." Can you find the hidden bee amongst the flowers in this tricky brainteaser- Someone else wrote: "I think that looks lovely & far nicer than a new boring patio, it looks how nature would have intended it to look with plants tumbling out if cracks & crevices." One comment read: "It looks so pretty! Love your solution and how nice that it's attracted pollinators too." Another said they make a great replacement for pesky weeds: "Oh I love this. I'm going to pulled out those weeds and put in seeds." Someone else was keen to know if any weeds grew amongst her flowers. They asked: "That looks lovely. Do you have any problems with weeds pushing through too?" Amy replied: "I have had a couple yes, but by and large, the flowers are winning the 'cosy' and limited space." 2 How to grow flowers between your patio slabs 1. Clean the area Remove any weeds or debris from the cracks between your patio slabs. A weeding tool or a stiff brush can help with this. Make sure the holes are at least six inches deep to help roots develop. 2. Fill with soil and compost Use a mix of soil and compost to fill the cracks. 3. Choose your plants Opt for low-growing, spreading plants that can tolerate foot traffic. Some good choices are: thyme, chamomile, creeping speedwell, dwarf mondo grass, daisies. 4. Plant If using seeds, mix them with a little compost and sand and push them into the cracks. For plug plants, carefully remove and gently plant them into the cracks. Fill any surrounding gaps with compost. 5. Water Water the seeds thoroughly and continue to water regularly, especially during dry spells, until the plants are established. June gardening jobs The Sun's Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you should take this month. Stake out leggy perennials With all the dramatic weather we've been having, it's definitely time to stake out your leggy perennials (the ones that come back every year). Heavy rain and growth spurts, can make them collapse and flop. Picking out the slugs and snails Hopefully as we move into summer they will do less damage as the plants get bigger. The best way is still to go out at night with a head torch to find them. Pick elderflower heads You can use them to make your own cordial, or add to cakes, champagne or even fry them in batter. Get on top of weeds It's around now that weeds really ramp up in the garden, so keep on top of them with hoe-ing - or just the traditional 'on your knees with a hand fork'. Try and avoid chemicals - remember weeds are just plants in the wrong place. Up the mowing You'll need to mow your lawn weekly now - if you've got time, weed it beforehand as once you mow you chop off the leaves and its harder to see them. Check on your tomatoes Your tomato plants will need attention - water, feed and regularly and pinch out the sideshoots. Chelsea Chop There's still time for the Chelsea Chop - plants like Rudbeckia's, Asters, Penstemons, Sedums and other perennials can be cut back by a third to help them get a bit more bushy, and prolong the flowering period. Sort out your tulips If you can be bothered and have space - lift and story your tulip bulbs to ensure colour next Spring. Deadheading your roses Take them down to the first set of healthy leaves - which will ensure more flowers for longer. Enjoy your space Take some time to sit and enjoy your garden or outside space - it's great for your mental health. Even just a few minutes a day can make a big difference.
The Sun
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
I gave my front garden a chic makeover with a Sainsbury's bargain & a lick of paint & saved hundreds on new paving slabs
A WOMAN who hated the bland front of her house showed how she completely transformed it with a Sainsbury's bargain and a few cheap tricks. Chloe Maddix moved into her new property and decided to give it a purse-friendly makeover. 3 Sharing her jaw-dropping before and after photos on her @chloemaddix97 account, she wrote: 'Come with me to give my front garden a makeover.' Instead of changing the path to the front door, she decided to give it a free face lift by jet washing it. Chloe shared: 'I thought I was going to have to pay for new slabs but they came up so clean.' The next cheap decorating task that made a huge difference was painting her fence and posts a smart brown colour, and also painting the window frames white. She also instantly transformed the look of her front door by painting it a beautiful colour which she revealed was brand Rust-Oleum's silver sage paint. She also added a new light and number sign - and then picked up a gorgeous floral wreath from Sainsbury's, which looked perfect for summer. To match the wreath, she picked up some hanging baskets from a local garden centre. Chloe and her parents also added planters to the front of the house. The last job she did was to replace her old grass. Loving the effect of the new grass, Chloe said: 'Made such a difference. Am in love.' The simple yet effective renovation seems to have been a bit hit with the homeowner who said she was 'obsessed' with the finished look. And numerous people praised her budget transformation, with the video racking up over 5,400 likes. One said: 'Classic country cottage feel. Very jealous of your stripey lawn! Well done!' Another wrote: 'The difference that made omg!' And a third commented: 'Absolutely beautiful.' PHIL SPENCER'S TIPS Phil Spencer, TV property expert and founder of the property advice website Move iQ, reckons a well-kept garden could add as much as 20% to the value of your property. The average UK property is now valued at £296,699, according to the latest data from lender Halifax. That means you can boost the value of your home by just shy of a whopping £60,000 with a few simple improvements. Phil told The Sun: 'Improving your garden is one of the most effective ways to add value to your home.' 3 Even if you are not looking to move, you might want to fix up your garden for hosting barbecues or just relaxing in fine weather. Phil says: 'Try repotting your existing plants into new and attractive tubs, or giving old and tired pots a lick of paint.' Ikea sells heavy duty pots for £5 that can be painted. Or B&Q has terracotta plant pots for under £2. It's not just about what you have on the ground. If you're tight on space, look up and think about other options. Phil explains: 'A few good quality hanging baskets will brighten up even the smallest space, and you can add a dash of colour to your borders with flowering bedding plants.' 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% You can currently buy a hanging basket for just £2 from Poundland. You then just need a little soil in the bottom and add some colourful bedding plants. You can still enjoy your garden after the sun goes down - just add a little lighting. Phil says: "Colourful solar-powered lights can instantly turn your garden into a feature, rather than just the space outside the house. "You don't need an electrician to install them, as they're self-contained and not connected to the mains."
