Making your garden grow on you

SPRUCING up your garden doesn’t have to cost a fortune. An outdoor makeover can make a big difference to your home without costing the earth. Painting outdoor buildings a different colour or decorating old plant pots are just some of the ways to give your garden a new look without spending a fortune. Other tips include fertilising your lawn with natural remedies and taking out weeds using a salt and vinegar solution. Turning shrubs into attractive topiary sculptures and planting perennial flowers that return every year are also good long-term options that will liven up your garden. Simply cleaning garden furniture and updating it with new cushion cases and throws can also make a big difference to an outdoor space. Using pebbles from the beach to create a water feature or hanging mirrors to make it feel larger are a few simple ways to create a better space. And installing solar powered lights will save you money not just on the makeover but on your bills as well. Here are the top 15 hacks for an affordable garden makeover: Paint old plant pots Give plant pots a new lease of life by painting them with interesting designs and complimentary colours. It will save you buying new ones and will make your garden more personalised to you. Fertilise your lawn Fertilising your lawn can be a quick and easy way to give your garden a new surge of life. If shop-bought fertiliser is too expensive then try making your own using wood ash. Clean your patio Scrub away grime that has built up on your patio and you’ll notice the difference in colour straight away. Don’t forget to get in between the bricks and dig up any weeds whilst you’re at it. Eliminate weeds If weeds are ignored they can make your garden look neglected and unloved. It’s worth spending the time cutting them out from the root. You can also try homemade weed killers such as a salt and vinegar solution. Solar powered lights Instead of outdoor lighting, try solar powered lights instead. They will spend the entire day storing up energy from the sun so when you want to use them at night it won’t cost you a penny. Paint your outbuildings Garden outbuildings can be a real focal point, so making sure they look great will give your garden a new lease of life. Sand down and paint the exterior to create the look of something new. Comfortable pillow on sofa decoration outdoor patio for take a seat and relax Spruce up garden furniture with cushions If your garden furniture is looking bleak then spruce it up with some new cushions and blankets. Take the stuffing from old ones and simply sew new fabric around to create some brand new seat cushions. Plant perennials If you’re buying seeds or plants make sure to buy perennials so your investment will last far longer. Popular perennials include lavender and Echinacea. Create an allotment plot Why not spruce up your garden by creating a small allotment plot? Simply corner off a section, prepare the soil and begin planting. It will look great and you’ll have your own supply of tasty veg. Cutting lawn with scissors in hard-to-reach places, gardener professional. Edge uneven lawns Spend some time focusing on the very edges of your lawn as they’re often missed by the lawnmower. Grab some garden scissors and trim edges to look neat and tidy. Mirrors Hanging mirrors up in your garden may sound strange but it’s a quick and easy way to make the space feel larger. Use any unwanted ones or grab some cheap ones from a charity shop and hang on walls or fences. Bird feeders Don’t throw away tin cans from soup and baked beans. Wash them out thoroughly before painting and then hang up in the garden. Fill with birdseed and you’ll have your very own bird feeder.