I'm a gardening expert – five ways to cut costs and save £100s on your outdoor space | The Sun
AS temperatures start to edge up, now is the perfect time to get out into nature and give your outside space some TLC.
But with the cost-of-living crisis rumbling on, green-fingered enthusiasts will be keen to make garden changes that don’t cost the earth.
To help you spruce up your beds, patio or lawn for less, we asked Fiona Jenkins at trades matching site, Myjobquote.co.uk, to tell us about her cheap garden hacks.
The gardening expert told The Sun: “Now is the time to start planning for sunnier days ahead.
"The good news is you don’t need to spend a fortune to give your outside space a facelift, and help your flowers flourish.”
1. Make your own compost
Compost is an essential element when it comes to gardening, but it can be quite costly.
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“Depending on the size of your space, and the number of planting beds, you could find yourself forking out between £50 and £300 just on compost,” said Fiona.
“But you can avoid this expense by creating your own. All you need is to buy a compost bin.”
At Argos, the Toomx 260l plastic garden composter is currently reduced from £35 to £22.50.
“Then, simply add food scraps and garden waste into the bin,” said Fiona.
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“This will start to decompose, and turn into a cheaper version of shop-bought compost.”
You can create just as much as you need.
“If you have a large space, you can make multiple compost bins if you wish,” said the gardening whizz.
“Just be aware the compost can take a while before it can be used on your plants. You need to be patient.”
While you’re at it, be sure to hold on to grass cuttings once you’ve cut the lawn.
Fiona added: “This can be a cheaper alternative to mulch, and can be just as effective at preventing weeds.”
At Wilko, a 9kg bag of Yougarden strulch straw garden mulch costs £16. Using cuttings is completely free.
Another simple trick involves sprinkling coffee grounds on your grass.
You can use it as a form of fertiliser to give the soil vital nutrients.
2. Turn wellies into pots for your plants
Shelling out lots for plant pots can be costly, so Fiona recommends getting a bit creative.
“Why not try putting plants in old wellington boots,” she said.
“If you have ones your children have grown out of, these won’t cost you a penny.”
If you are set on purchasing pots, Wilko is a good bet, selling a pack-of-five large easy-release pots for £5.
While you’re there, you could pick up a three-tier planter stand for £25.
“But if you’ve got an old ladder lying around, you could use that instead,” said Fiona.
“Then you won’t have to shell out on a stand from a shop.”
3. Pick up an outdoor rug to cover an old patio
If your patio is looking a little old and shabby, Fiona recommends working a little magic with a rug.
She said: “You can simply disguise the area with a beautiful all-weather rug.
"These are a great way to add some colour and patterns to your outside space.
"Plus they can make for an eye-catching focal point around which you can arrange your garden furniture.”
At Ikea, you can pick up the Vrendsted flatwoven beige-and-light-blue striped rug (133x 195cm) for £30.
Fiona added: “This is considerably cheaper than getting a new patio installed, which could easily cost more than £1,000.”
4. Invest in barrels to collect rainwater
With the average UK water bill having risen to £448 a year, Fiona urges gardeners to think of ways to save as much water as possible.
“Clearly, your garden plants and lawn need water if you want them to thrive,” she said.
“And despite British weather being typically wet, there are some days when our gardens need a little extra help.
"If you want to avoid spending more on your water bill, consider investing in some large rain barrels, buckets or other containers.”
At Argos, the Strata water butt (100l) is currently reduced from £35 to £26.25. But you may be able to save on this expense.
“Before parting with any cash, see if you can pick up a barrel for free at a local landfill,” said the gardening supremo.
“Also reach out to your local community to see if anyone is getting rid of any large containers.”
Try sites such as Facebook Marketplace and the Nextdoor app.
Fiona added: “Once you have your vessels, you simply need to create a water-catching system with a funnel that directs water into them.
"You can then collect water when it rains, and use it on your garden.”
5. Paint your fences
If your fences are quite old and looking a bit tatty, you may be tempted to install new ones.
“But new fencing can cost around £1,000-£2,000, depending on the size and type,” warned Fiona.
“If your fence is still in working order but just looking a bit old, you can give it a new lease of life with a simple paint job.
"This can help you save thousands of pounds on the cost of a new fence.”
At Wickes, you can get a 5l tin of Cuprinol ducksbcak matt shed and fence treatment for £12.
“You can paint or stain your fence for as little as £10-£50,” said Fiona.
“And even if you choose to hire a professional to do the job, this could cost around £100-£240, a fraction of the cost of a new fence.”
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A freshly-painted fence can enhance the look of your garden.
Fiona added: “Consider dark paint colours if you want to add some drama to your outside area, and think about light, bright colours if you want to brighten up your garden and give the illusion of more space.”
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