Growing GAINS
Give your garden a glow-up with expert advice and perfect products
Love your lawn
“If your grass is looking a bit brittle after winter, start by removing all of the debris from the lawn, then give it a mediumlength cut,” says Fiona Jenkins, Myjobquote’s gardening expert. “Once the lawn has been mowed, rake the area to loosen the soil underneath. Add some lawn food to the entire lawn. Then lightly water and follow this up with frequent light watering a couple of times each day to help encourage blade growth.”
Weeding
To get rid of weeds, Fiona recommends a few different approaches. “If you have a relatively small lawn, you may be able to get rid of all the weeds by hand. Pulling the root is the most important thing to remember – pull carefully at the base of the weed to make sure it is pulled out completely. If you are pulling nettles, always wear gloves.”
Alternatively, Fiona suggests a couple of DIY weedkiller solutions. “Cut a lemon in half and squeeze juice over the weed – the citric acid in the lemon should kill your weed within a few days. This is especially effective if there’s strong sun shining on the lawn. Alternatively, create a mixture of one part vodka and two parts water, then add a couple of drops of liquid dish soap to the solution. Spray it directly onto the weed to dry it out and kill it off. Be sure to avoid spraying it onto the grass, though.”
Cutting and watering
To effectively maintain your lawn year-round, Fiona warns against cutting with blunt blades, overwatering, and failing to aerate it. “Blunt blades won’t effectively cut the grass,” she says. “Instead, they will tear through it, damaging the grass in the process. Jagged blades of grass are much more susceptible to disease. The grass will also be much more likely to turn brown. You should aim to sharpen your mower blades twice a year to keep them in their best condition.
“One of the most common mistakes when it comes to lawns is overwatering. Water is a naturally vital ingredient to a healthy lawn. However, too much water can cause harm, and can lead to waterlogging which can in turn stunt the development of roots. If it’s rainy, you may not need to water your lawn at all. If it’s dry, it’s best to give your lawn around an inch of water each week.
“The consequences of not aerating your lawn can be quite significant, too. Aerating the lawn soil allows water to permeate the surface much more easily. This then allows the soil to absorb all the relevant nutrients. This is particularly important when it comes to compacted or clay-heavy soil. You can achieve aeration by simply piercing holes in the surface, either with a manual aerator or a standard fork.”
Going wild
One way to attract beneficial insects and bees to gardens is to keep your lawn slightly overgrown, or add flowers that are rich in pollen and nectar. Get the kids involved by making seed bombs – all you need is some wildflower mix, clay and compost. Mix it with water to form dough balls. Once they’ve dried, simply throw them onto your lawn or flower bed and watch how a magical meadow of blooms grows.
Grow your own
“Growing your own food is an easy, cost-effective move which will not only save you a few pennies but also bring you joy when watching them grow – and eating them!” says Jayne Horswill, spokesperson for Miracle-gro. “It’s not only good for your mental health but also super easy to do. All you need is the right tools, an idea of what you want to grow and the correct guidance on how to grow – all of which we’re here to help with.”
“You also don’t need to have a big veg patch,” adds Kate Turner, gardening guru at Miracle-gro. “Even a windowsill or balcony can do. Take strawberries, tomatoes and pears for example; they’re quite expensive to buy, but buying them in seeds, or baby plants, will only cost you a few pounds. They will provide you with multiple crops and can be grown in a garden or on a small balcony.”
● For ideas, inspiration and expert guidance, visit Lovethegarden.com.