From 60p B&Q bargains to £1.50 Homebase buckets, here’s how to keep your lawn lush all summer long

DESPITE the fact that it appears to have been raining constantly since September, Britain still faces the prospect of another hosepipe ban this summer.

But with a little careful planning, you can be the envy of all your neighbors with a lush green garden while theirs wilts in the heat.

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According to the RHS, 150 tanks of water could be collected annually from an average UK roof.

And the Energy Savings Trust claims you could save £50 on your annual water bill by avoiding tap water in your garden.

TV Gardener and designer Tom Massey is setting up a WaterAid Garden for Chelsea Flower Show funded by Giving Back Projectwith architect Je Ahn – showing how to best harness the power of rainwater.

He gave Sun Gardening his top tips.

“The simplest thing is to disconnect the downpipes – and connect them to a water reservoir or planter, or direct them to a small depression in your landscape – like a wildlife pond.

“It’s all about keeping water in your garden,” he said.

“It’s also a good way to keep our food systems from becoming overwhelmed, and something like a lake also encourages wildlife, so one simple thing has so many ripple effects.

“Also think about what you are growing – look at hotter, drier climates to see what they are growing.

“Creeping thyme, lavender, rosemary, sage, these are all good plants to think about, especially for windowsills and porches.

“Take care of your soil. Mulch is an economical and efficient way to create a protective barrier to insulate the soil, maintain moisture and protect against erosion – and requires less watering.”

He added: “It’s easy to feel like we’re so small that nothing we do can have an effect on the catastrophic climate change crisis.

“But if everyone can make small changes, and we all start turning off our sewer pipes, and think about how water is managed, and plan our gardens to be more resilient and beneficial to wildlife – there are 30 million gardeners in the UK – and 30 million small changes make a big difference.”

For more information on saving water visit www.mains2rains.uk/

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BUT OUT

These products will save you time and money

• Waterbutts come in all shapes and sizes. B&M’s It costs just £19.99 with support.
• To hang baskets and containers, you can use water-retaining gel – Miracle-gro’s costs £4.65.
• If you want to spend a lot of money, the Immersion Tank Company we have developed stunning, award-winning garden ponds that not only look beautiful but also double as water storage.
• Hozelock sell a porous water hose for £49.99 that massively reduces water waste.
• Saffron Brass rain collector It costs £30, which directs the rain exactly where you need it.
• Place saucer under pots to collect drainage – B&Q starts at 60p.
• Use a simple Screwfix £12.85 converter kit to direct your discharge pipe to a wheeled bin/receiver.
• Or simply place some buckets around the garden to catch the rain – Home base from £1.50

YOUGARDEN OFFER

YouGarden are offering the dazzling ‘Red Baron’ on a Buy One Get One basis for a limited time! A hardy perennial that comes back bigger and better every year – SAVE £12.99!

Watch the video above for more.

READY SHEDDY

There’s still time to enter the 18th yearbook Cuprinol Shed of the year.

For the first time, creators between the ages of 18 and 25 can also enter their own category – just one of seven that aspiring Sheddies can enter for a chance to win an all-new prize.

As well as £1,000 cash and £250 worth of Cuprinol products, this year’s winner will also receive an exclusive overnight stay at a relaxing nature resort. Registration closes on May 31st.

Visit www.readersheds.co.uk for more.

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PLANT

Tom Massey WaterAid Garden has over 150 different types of resilient plants and trees.

Including Digitalis Purpurea (Foxglove), Fragraia Vesca (Wild Strawberries) Iris, Carex pendula (Pendulus sedge) Cretaegus monogyna (Hawthorn) Alnus glutinosa (Alder) Geums, nasturtiums and Nuphar Lutea (water lilies)

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THIS WEEK’S WORK

Pull all your worn out bells. There’s something very satisfying about pulling them out in one piece – and don’t worry, they’ll be back next year.

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THIS WEEK’S TIP

Use a garlic spray to deter slugs – two bulbs in 2 liters of water, boil until soft, mash everything, strain and use an old spray bottle to cover the plants.

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TO SAVE!

Sit back and relax with Bean Bag Bazaar indoor/outdoor pouf £49.99

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Or relax The break Offer £29.99.

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LEARN!

Q. I bought some hanging Begonias for the first time – what do I do in late summer, cut them back to ground level or below ground level? M Chinery, Bow, London.

A. As long as they are tuberous Begonias, let them die, then remove the tubers before the first frost and store them in a cool, dry place to overwinter.

Be sure to water well during the summer as hanging baskets dry out very quickly – and feed them!

If you don’t have anywhere to store them, cut them down to about 10cm and hopefully they’ll come back next year.

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TO WIN!

One very lucky reader can get their hands on this beautiful Haddonstone £199 Cast stone bird baluster – suitable for any outdoor space.

To enter complete this FORM

Or for more details visit www.thesun.co.uk/BIRDBATH

Or write to Sun Bird Swimming Competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP.

Include your name, age, email or phone number. UK residents aged 18+ only. Ends at 23:59 GMT on 25/05/24. Full T&C HERE

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