As the days get longer and warmer, our thoughts finally turn to outdoor spaces.
And now spring is approaching. For some of us, working on a garden may be a top priority.
Usually daffodils bloom in our gardens between February and May.
and The Sun's gardening expert Veronica lorraine I believe now is the time to start cutting the heads to ensure great blooms next year.
she says: “Moving into tulip season and hooray! – our daffodils are starting to look a little worse for wear. So it’s time to start deadheading them.
“Not only does this make everything look a little cleaner and nicer, but it also ensures that the plant won’t waste precious energy trying to maintain its petals.
“Simply cut off the head just below the bulbous seed area.
“The most frustrating thing is that you have to leave the leaves behind. They absorb the sunlight they need and put it back into the bulb so it can grow again.” Next Year.
“Some people suggest tying a knot to minimize unsightly spreading.
“But it is now recommended not to do so, as photosynthesis is minimized.
“It might be controversial and I think some people will object to it, but when they flop around on your lawn, it stops the grass from growing and I think that’s really frustrating.
“That’s why sitting on the grass and knitting is so therapeutic.
“The most important thing is to let the daffodils wither naturally to prevent blindness next year, when they will have lots of leaves but no flowers.”
And how else should you prepare your garden for the spring season without spending a fortune? Veronica believes it's easy.
she says: “Did you know that we don't actually have to splash out a fortune to grow our garden?
“With a little careful planning, you can use everyday household items for less than a pound and get amazing results.”
Here, Veronica reveals to Yasmin Harisha how to bust a budget and get the most out of your garden with minimal cash.
cola bottle
I take a 70p 2 liter coke bottle from Lidl and wash it when I'm done.
Cut off the top and flip it over to use as a mini greenhouse for potted plants.
Don't forget to water. Give your plants a breather when it gets hot. Otherwise, it will wither.
Alternatively, you can use a small 48p water bottle from your local store.
Remove the lid, cut off the bottom, and bury it neck down next to the plant, with the open bottom facing up.
Then water your plants by pouring it directly into the upside-down bottle. This way, you don't waste water and can get it right where it's needed.
Reuse plastic kitchen leftovers
Once you've used the 99p mushrooms for cooking, reuse the plastic tray they came in for the seeds.
Just make sure there are some holes in the bottom and fill them with compost, it's a great alternative to buying a new pot.
leave it bitter
If you have a problem with your dog urinating in the hedge while playing in the garden, make a repellent spray by mixing a 35p bottle of concentrated lemon or lime juice with water.
If used correctly, it should deter passing dogs from going there again.
Egg shell
Tesco eggs cost just 43p each but can be used in all sorts of ways. Crushing the shells and scattering them around your plants will help deter pesky slugs.
Also, some experts claim that adding completely crushed eggs to the soil can help improve calcium levels, which is beneficial for plants. However, it takes a lot of eggs to make a noticeable difference.
garlic
There are all kinds of sprays that you can make by grinding garlic for 24 pesos and mixing it with water with a little cayenne pepper and chili oil that you can find in the store cupboard.
Spraying your plants will prevent slugs and other pests from eating your favorite flowers.
banana peel
One of my neighbors swears that every morning he throws a used 20p banana peel into his garden bed and kicks a bit of dirt on top of it.
It is thought that eventually it will break down and add potassium to the soil, which helps root growth and plant reproduction.
Get those scraps
One tried-and-true hack is to dig a trench in your garden bed, fill it with all the fruit and vegetable scraps from your compost bin, and then cover it back with soil.
This is a truly free way to improve your soil and help plants grow as the soil rots.
vinegar and water
To use as a greenhouse cleaner, mix a 35p bottle of white vinegar with a little water. A little oil will make the glass really shiny.
8 ways to get plants for free
Veronica Lorraine, the Sun's gardening expert, says:
- Aim for victory: Councils across the country are now turning green waste into compost and are keen to give it away for free. Google “free compost council” to find your local spot.
- call out to the community: Community gardens and orchards hold open days to get rid of excess plants and provide great, free expert advice.
- Replace the seeds. Local seed exchanges take place regularly across the UK, where you can exchange your hard-to-use packets or seeds straight from your own garden for someone else's seeds.
- Search online: Online marketplaces like Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, and Freecycle are a haven for cheap or free garden supplies and plants. You can also bag up large items like unwanted greenhouses or used tools for free.
- Listen and learn: Listen to gardening podcasts. Usually hosted by some really smart gardening people, they offer free plants and plenty of advice on how to turn your garden into Eden.
- Join the club: Join your local gardening club. You'll be surprised at the joy you get from sharing your best tips, learning new tricks, and swapping plants. The RHS site has a club search site.
- Social media: Garden influencers on social media can be a huge inspiration, with more people addressing their cost of living crisis with money-saving advice and realistic reviews.
Most importantly, they often give away free stuff in contests and have a lot of the best tips. - Ask around: Asking local communities, whether through street WhatsApp groups, school mothers' groups or local websites, we find that they are desperately trying to get rid of all the plants they are growing in greenhouses and have simply run out of space. You'll find a group of gardening enthusiasts. .
You can also spray the weeds while the vinegar is out. Weeds don't like that.
The roots may not wilt at first, but if you combine this with occasional pouring of boiling water directly from the kettle, it will wilt quickly.
toilet paper
Instead of buying new modules, fill old 34p finished toilet rolls with compost and plant sweet pea seeds.
cinnamon
It is also said that ground cinnamon protects seedlings from rotting. So there's no harm in picking up a 34p packet from Lidl and gently sprinkling it around any new little plants poking out of the soil.
