Your Garden Gems! You share your top tips
Top gardening tips from our readers
TIME FOR TEA!
After sadly losing my grandmother, my sister and I had to clear a lot of her po ery and didn’t want to throw anything away. My clever sister made this bird feeder for my garden and now I feel my grandma is with me when I’m sat outside watching the birds.
Leanne Wigley, Facebook
A TOP TOOL TIP
Got leaves in between plants in your borders? Leave soft ones to rot down, then use one of these hand rakes to get between tricky areas easily for tougher leaves. I discovered this tool this year and wouldn’t be without it! So handy.
John Partridge, Camberwell
LOVELY LAVENDER
A good tip for making the most of lavender by bringing it inside (so you can get the benefit of the scent indoors) is to pick the flower heads and put them in small muslin bags, then put them in drawers, in bowls in the living room or give them as gifts.
Jane e Parkin, London
JEANS GENIUS!
When my old jeans got past their best, rather than throwing them in the bin I cut them up to make sleeves for my pots. I have a small garden and no space for a heated greenhouse, so I’m hoping these will help keep my plants warm over winter. I’ve tied anything loose on with old shoelaces and tights, so there’s no waste, and the sleeves can be washed and used again next winter!
Anna Leach, Aylesbury
Simon says: Denim is as tough as old boots Anna, so these should last for years - what a great idea!
A Peckish Westwood Nestbox! £29.99
Anna wins a Peckish Westwood Nestbox which is a great way to help birds during the breeding season, courtesy of Westland. For more details about these products visit www.gardenhealth.com.
PUTTING GN TO FULL USE!
When GN arrives each week, nothing is wasted. The outer plastic cover can be used to hold paperwork, visa receipts, or even useful hints cut out from the magazine. The A4 address sheet, cut into two, makes excellent rough note paper. Why not keep some near the phone!
Margaret Kirby, Pickering
HANG ON!
My partner Steve came up with this handy idea of using a coat hanger as a bird feeder – the birds love it! Becky Linton, by email