An attractive garden full of blooming flowers can be achieved on a limited budget, an expert has revealed.
She shared her budget-friendly tips for refreshing an outdoor space that’s looking tired.
Rebecca Pow MP is the UK’s Minister for Nature and recipient of The Climate Coalition’s Green Heart Hero Award.
Speaking to The US Sun, she shared a selection of unmissable gardening hacks.
SPECTACULAR SEEDS
Pow said there are many plants you can grow for “the cost of a packet of seeds” that will thrive for months.
She shared planting advice and also recommended reading the instructions on the package.
“You can initially grow by sowing in a seed tray or pot – use a shallow one, filled with potting compost or soil, but as I’m always short on time, I sow as much as I can directly into the ground,” she said.
Cut and shredded salad leaves, radishes, carrots, sugar pieces and cilantro are among her favorites.
“It’s such a relief to know I can go out and pick out something good to eat without having to go to the stores,” she said.
“You can also grow some stunning annual flowers like cosmos and sunflowers.”
She said containers, including a tin can or an old boot, can be used to grow plants with limited space.
“Fill with soil, sow or buy some bedding plants like marigolds, aubretia, geraniums and even some herbs like parsley and marjoram,” she said.
“Remember to water.”
DELICIOUS LAWN
Pow said lawns of any size can be used to create “definition and contrast” in the garden.
She recommended allowing the sections to grow while cutting the paths between them.
“It looks effective and with a mix of grasses, daisies, buttercups and dandelions it also provides a valuable habitat for insects, especially bees, moths and butterflies, it’s a larder full of nectar for them,” she said.
“Also, if you have young children, they love running around the paths and hiding.”
HANDMADE COMPOSITE
Pow recommended using old boards or wooden pallets to make bins for a composting system.
“Add clippings from the garden, don’t use anything diseased, mix in twigs, some leaves, tea leaves, vegetable peelings and even some torn cardboard,” she said.
Painting a bench, side table, or fence a bright hue can make a statement.
Rebecca Pow
“Cover to let it rot, mix after several months, divide the well-rotted material and place it in one of the compost bins and let the rest continue to decompose in the other and add.
“Hey, there you go, you’ve got free nutritious compost to spread across beds and borders and also to use as valuable mulch to suppress weeds and maintain moisture.”
FABULOUS FEATURES
Pow said DIY-savvy homeowners can revamp their yards with colorful features.
“Painting a bench, side table or fence a bright shade can make a statement,” she said.
“Either go bold with purple or orange or use a soft sage green or teal.
“Sand the piece first and apply a few coats.
“You can buy an item at a car boot sale and give it a makeover that will really liven up the garden.”
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