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Try these purse- and planet-friendly gardening tips that won’t cost the earth Use le water by giving thirsty plants a drink at the best time of day

Gardening is a great way to get out in the sunshine and add colour to your outdoor area, and it needn’t be an expensive hobby – enjoy a flourishing garden on a budget with these easy ideas that’ll do good for the environment, too. Repurpose boxes and containers. Rather than buying seed trays and pots, use recycled packaging instead. ‘Toilet roll tubes are biodegradable and can be used as a container for seedlings, ’ says Gena Lorainne, Gardening Expert at Fantastic Services. ‘And cardboard can even be used instead of weed killer. Trim the grass to the ground level, lay down the cardboard and soak well with a hose. Cover with rocks and, after a few months, there will be no weeds in that area. ’ Recycle your grass clippings. After mowing the lawn, don’t bin the clippings – instead, leave them on the lawn, use them for composting, or even add a layer to flowerpots to help keep roots cool and preserve moisture. ‘Grass clippings can hold up to 30 per cent of your lawn’s required nutrients. They ’ll release water and nutrients back into the soil, provide shade, and slow the formation of thatch, ’ says Scott Hawthorne, Managing Director at skipsandbins.com. Water plants at the right time. If you ’re on a water meter, the cost of watering your garden can add up, so getting the watering can or hose out at the right time of day can ensure you only use what you need. ‘Make watering the garden a morning or evening task when the temperatures are cooler, as peak sunshine causes the water to evaporate quickly, meaning more is needed to hydrate your garden, ’ says Sarah Dixon, Marketing Manager at Hozelock.

FOR MORE MONEYSAVING WAYS to make your garden gorgeous, flip to page 64 for three savvy upcycling projects

87% of mind, British adults with 84% also believe seeing gardens and a boost to grn their spaces benefit their physical health, state too. of

Source: YouGov for HTA (2020)

Packets of seeds are cheaper than buying seedlings or plants, Fab find and there are even groups online for swapping seeds with other gardeners in your area for free. Wherever you get your seeds from, you ’ll need somewhere to keep them ready for when it’s time to sow. This seed storage tin, £24.95 from Annabel James, has handy compartments and will sit pretty on a shed or utility room shelf.

SMART SAVINGS

A cloche will help to shield young plants from the elements and pesky slugs and snails. Depending on the size, they can cost £5 to £10 each, but you can make your own from plastic bottles – just cut off the ends, take off the lids, and put them firmly in the ground. Using this thrifty trick could save you enough for these cute Bees gardening gloves, £18 from Sophie Allport.