Gardening expert on how to keep your garden free of weeds
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
With autumn now here, it’s likely many Britons have started to experience colder and wetter weather. While many plants will be desperate for moisture and rain after a blazing hot summer, a sudden deluge of rain can have a big impact on gardens.
To prepare and protect gardens for winter, a gardening expert has shared the best low-cost jobs people need to do.
Jack Sutcliffe, co-founder of Power Sheds, has shared six tasks to do this autumn while keeping costs low.
1. Moss
Moss on lawns can be a “real issue” because it competes with the grass for nutrients which can make the lawn uneven and spongy.
Jack explained: “Remove the moss using a rake or if you have a lot then you might want to use moss killer first. Putting lawn feed on afterwards can help to prepare your lawn for the colder months to come.”
READ MORE: Inside Carole Middleton’s £4.7m home where Pippa had wedding reception
2. Kill weeds
Remove unwanted weeds and any leftover crops to give gardens a cleaner look. Jack said the “cheapest hack” to remove weeds is making a DIY weed killer with a “mixture of white vinegar, salt, and washing up liquid”.
3. Make use of autumn leaves
One of the “easiest ways” to garden on a budget this year is to make your own compost.
The experts said: “Autumn leaves that have fallen are one of the most valued compost materials, as they are carbon-rich and small enough to be incorporated into the compost pile.
“It also helps clean up your garden without filling up your wheelie bin. The key to successful composting is maintaining a balance between carbon and nitrogen materials in the compost bin.
DON’T MISS
Homes Under the Hammer buyers renovate ‘uninhabitable’ home [INSIGHT]
Eliminate ‘yellow’ pillow stains ‘easily’ using ‘effective recipe’ [UPDATE]
Five greenhouse jobs to do now – including what crops to sow [ANALYSIS]
“Your leaves, vines, and dried garden waste make up the carbon-based materials, which are less available throughout the rest of the year. Your kitchen scraps and other fresh materials make up the nitrogen.”
4. Plant evergreens
Autumn can be a good time of the year to start planting because the ground is still warm enough for roots to become well-established.
However, planting evergreens can cost a lot depending on the choice of plant or flower.
To lower costs, choose smaller plants such as perennials and dahlias, which can be bought relatively cheaply in small pots.
Looking for a new home, or just fancy a look? Add your postcode below or visit InYourArea
These are also long-lasting and can help save costs throughout the year. Gardeners can also choose small trees which cost less and will establish themselves without the need for any support compared to a larger tree, which may not stabilise properly.
5. Lift plant pots off the ground
With autumn and winter comes rain and ice, which can mean plant pots on the floor get waterlogged and can’t drain properly.
Jack suggested lifting the pots up from the ground so they won’t be left standing in water.
He added: “For any particularly frost-sensitive plants like roses, covering them up can work wonders – using bubblewrap can be really effective at keeping out the cold air.”
6. Trim hedges
Before it gets really cold, it’s a good idea to tidy and trim hedges so they are easier to maintain.
This can be done with shears or a hedge trimmer if the hedges are bigger. Pruning other plants too while the weather is still quite mild is a good idea.
Some plants that need pruning now include winter-flowering shrubs such as Berberis Thunbergii, also known as Japanese Barberry and hawthorn.
Watch out for bird nests and wildlife when trimming hedges as they may be using hedges as shelter during the colder weather.
Source: Read Full Article