Green-fingered shoppers rush to Sainsbury’s for groceries in search of a PENNY that will transform their garden for spring

SHOPPERS are rushing to Sainsbury’s after hearing there are lots of gardening bargains for just a penny.

Plants and bulbs are usually expensive, but one savvy woman took to Facebook to reveal she had scored a mega purchase for literally pennies.

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Cristina posted on Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook Groupwriting: “Sainsbury’s down to 1p!”

She also shared a photo of her purchases.

The photo showed two packs of £10 bulbs – one plant-based and one pink and purple – as well as a pack of 30 peacock orchid bulbs, 30 pots and patio lights, a pack of hanging basket lights and five mixed lupins.

Some of the lamps were originally sold as two for £5 or two for £10, while the Lupins were supposed to cost £4.50 on their own.

But everything in Christina’s photo sold for just 1 cent each — meaning her purchase only cost 9 cents in total.

People were quick to comment on the post, with many tagging friends to alert them about the deal.

“Well done Sainsbury’s,” wrote one.

“It’s much better to reduce than landfill – B&Q needs to take note!!”

“Oh my God!” another added.

“We should have checked the light bulbs!” a third commented to his friend.

“Still pissed that the team took them all!”

“This is so annoying we should have checked!” his friend replied.

“I immediately thought of you,” another person commented.

Christina’s garden is sure to be beautiful and blooming in the spring, as late summer is the perfect time to plant many of the bulbs.

And while she appears to be an experienced gardener, there are some tips and tricks to try if you’re a newbie.

Gardening work in July

The Sun’s gardening editor Veronica Lorraine has shared the tasks you need to tackle in your garden this July.

1. Prune wisteria

You should only prune wisteria twice a year – and July – or mid-summer – is one of those times. After flowering, cut the long side shoots to about seven buds, five or six leaves.

2. Remove the tomatoes

Your tomatoes should be really setting – so remove any non-flowering side shoots – and remove any leaves that are shading the tomatoes – this will give them maximum light and energy.

3. Keep weeding

Hand weeding and hoeing the surface of the soil will keep weeds under control.

4. Feed dahlias

To keep dahlias blooming until autumn, you should feed them weekly with a liquid fertilizer rich in potassium – which encourages flowering.

5. Keep plants dead

Keep deadheading your bedding plants and perennials – so they keep coming back for the season. With roses, be sure to get back to a set of five leaves, giving it the best chance of blooming again.

6. Check your pond

If you’re lucky enough to have a pond, make sure it’s free of algae, which can really bloom when the sun goes down.

7. Feed your lawn

Whether with liquid or granulated food. If you chose granules, try to remove them before the rain arrives, so they penetrate the soil.

8. Take care of strawberry plants

Cut the leaves off strawberry plants after picking them – leaving the top intact – which should help with next year’s fruiting.

9. Sow extra seeds

July weather is a great time to sow seeds as the warm soil and sun are great for germination. Try carrots, winter broccoli and other brassicas.

10. Move young plants into the ground

Place any young plants left in the greenhouse – such as zucchinis – in the soil.

First, “place the bulbs in the holes/trenches, making sure the growing point is facing upwards”, the professionals at Jackson Nurseries he said.

“Do not push the bulbs hard as this may damage them.”

If you’re not sure where the growing tip is – on some varieties it’s harder to spot – then plant them to the side.

This will “ensure the sprouts reach the surface no matter what the end.”

Once the bulbs are in place, “just carefully cover with soil and gently firm when backfilling is complete.”