Don’t chuck it out – grow something in it

IT’S great that garden centres have been able to reopen, but if you’re on a tight budget, don’t forget to recycle stuff you already have as pots, cloches and cane-toppers, says HANNAH STEPHENSON.

Which? Gardening, says 83% of members have reused items rather than send them to landfill. The most popular were woody prunings as plant supports, plastic bottles for watering, and paths made out of old bricks.

Almost a third have used a bucket as a planter and a quarter use old tights as plant ties.

So, what else can you do?

Make the most of old furniture

YOU can make large planters out of everything from old drawers to

baths, sinks and toilets. Some people use wheelbarrows, chimney pots and car tyres to display plants.

On smaller plots, drill drainage holes in the bottom of old cans and paint them in bright colours, before filling them up with colourful plants.

You could also use wellies, teapots and other old containers.

Make a watering can AWARD-WINNING garden designer Joe Perkins says: “Using a small drill bit, make in the lid of a large plastic bottle. And that’s it! You have a very useful watering can with a fine spray,” he advises.

“They’re ideal when space is tight, on a windowsill or balcony.”

Be adventurous with plant supports

AS well as using twigs, gardeners have also supported plants with old tent poles, climbing frames and even scaffold poles, Which? Gardening found.

Use old corks as cane toppers

DON’T buy plastic tops for canes, save corks and use those instead. Create a groove at one end and press the cork hard on to the cane.

Deter pests with recycled homeware

OLD net curtains will protect your crops against carrot fly. If you have a pond and want to discourage herons, attach old CDs to a line that runs over the pond.

The reflection and movement should keep birds at bay.

Can we grow in it? Yes we can...

Broken the lid? A teapot makes a great planter