Five cheap ways to spruce up a shabby garden
WANT YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE TO LOOK BANK?
GARDENS are bursting into life as the weather gets warmer, making now the perfect time to do some groundwork to get your outdoor space looking its best for summer.
But with many household budgets already maxed out, your garden may have dropped way down the list of spending priorities.
Thankfully, there are some ways you can spruce up your garden without breaking the bank. Here are some cost-saving suggestions from Matthew Clague from tool hire firm Speedy (speedyservices.com)...
1.Transform it with paint
“Chipped fences, sheds or wooden furniture can impact the whole look of your garden, so you’ll be surprised by how much a lick of paint can transform your outdoor space,” says Matthew.
A protective paint can save money in the long run, he adds, as woodwork will be protected from the elements for years to come. “Before applying paint, make sure the surface is dry and brush away any dust and debris,” he adds. “To make the job quick and easy and ensure a professional finish, use a paint sprayer.”
2.Get creative with pallets
“Wooden pallets can be easily – and inexpensively – upcycled into all sorts of garden items,” Matthew explains. “You can source them for very little online, and they are sometimes even free, but can be turned into pallet planters or garden furniture such as sofas and tables.
“There are lots of Youtube tutorials on creating seating and tables using only pallets, nails, a saw and a drill, even if you’re a DIY beginner,” he adds. “Add wheels to the bottom of a pallet table to make it easy to move around. And be sure to accessorise sofas with cushions and blankets, so they’re comfortable.”
3.Make your patio prettier
“Arguably one of the cheapest and easiest ways to spruce up your garden is simply giving it a spring clean.
“If you’ve got a paved patio, this includes using a pressure washer to shift stubborn dirt and moss,” says Matthew.
4.Think about creating height
Matthew says: “There are a number of ways you can do this – including incorporating plants that grow to different heights and installing trellises, but also building shelving into garden fences or walls using old crates.
“Crates can be screwed to the wall, painted in a complementary colour and then used to display potted plants. Arrange crates at different heights or fix a couple together to make a pigeon-hole style shelf unit,” he adds.
“Alternatively, use a saw to cut tree stumps at varying heights and place together in a corner of your garden. Vertical planters are also very sought-after at the moment and are another way to add height and impact. You can easily make them yourself by fixing plant pots to a wooden pallet, and drilling this into your garden fence.”
5.Can you source cheap tools?
If you think you’ll get long-term use out of your tools, buying may be the most cost-effective option.
But there may be other cases when you only need tools for a limited or specific purpose. “Hiring specialist tools can be another way to save money on garden makeovers, as it works out more costeffective if you only ever use them a few times,” says Matthew.
In addition to these tips, it may be worth keeping an eye on websites such as Freecycle and Freegle to see if there are any useful items for the garden that people are giving away.
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