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There’s nothing like getting out in the garden to plant fresh flowers, sow seeds and tidy up after the winter months. However, with many households now feeling the pinch, gardening can be expensive, especially when factoring in the cost of compost, new plants, pots, containers, tools and seeds. But there are ways to tend to gardens without spending a fortune, according to experts.
Personal finance experts Ocean Finance have shared five ways for gardeners to enjoy and look after their gardens on a budget.
1. Use leftovers as natural fertilisers
Believe it or not, everyday items and leftovers can give the soil a natural boost without the need to purchase fertiliser.
The experts said: “Leftover food such as banana peel and egg shells are all good feed for your plants because of the minerals they provide, but most leftover food can be used.”
The same can be said of grass, weeds and leaves. Rather than chucking them away, they can be used as a natural fertiliser.
The dead plants slowly release certain chemicals which can help the plant thrive for longer.
Plant fertiliser prices range from £5 to £45 so gardeners could save themselves some significant cash by opting for a natural solution.
2. Use white vinegar to clean patios
White vinegar is known for being a great method for cleaning various aspects of the home.
The natural cleaning hack can remove limescale from kettles and shower doors, clean windows and banish grease from hobs.
But many people don’t know white vinegar can be used for cleaning patios and paving.
The experts said: “Using one part vinegar to one part water, you could look to get your patio all clean and fresh ready for the summer evenings.”
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Patio cleaners aren’t cheap with the average cleaner costing around £9. Homeowners could save themselves a significant amount of money by using white vinegar which can be bought for just 99p from Asda.
3. Coffee for lawns
Buying lawn feed can be around £13 while an everyday cup of coffee could do the job for a lot less.
Ground coffee is said to be good for lawns because it contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and trace minerals.
These nutrients are released slowly which “benefits the lawn for longer”.
Ground coffee isn’t as expensive as lawn feed with Aldi selling ground coffee from just £1.89.
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4. Plant perennial flowers and shrubs
Rather than choosing pretty annuals, consider planting perennials and shrubs which will return year after year.
These plants can survive the UK’s harsh winter weather and will return every year which means gardeners will save money by only buying one set of plants rather than buying them every year.
Gardeners can save even more money by buying a pack of seeds for around £3 which will produce lots of plants.
5. Use free pallets to make seating
To save a bit of cash on outdoor furniture, gardeners can make their own out of free pallets.
Gardeners might be able to get some free ones from Facebook Marketplace, Freecycle or Gumtree. Alternatively, they could get some very cheaply by asking their local builder’s yard, a nearby warehouse, a DIY shop or even a local supermarket.
To make the outdoor furniture, gardeners need screws, a drill, sandpaper, paint or wood stains and some outdoor cushions.
Before getting the pallets, plan out what you need to make the outdoor furniture as then you will know how many you need.
Gardeners will need nine rectangular pallets to create a corner sofa which can seat four people.
More or less may be needed depending on whether gardeners are looking for more height.
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