Gardening tips 2024 — Shoppers rave over ‘great value’ garden gloves as Monty Don shares £2 hack to improve your plants

How much does it cost to transform a garden in the UK?

In the UK, the costs of transforming a garden can range depending on location, size and specific requirements.

For example, if you’re looking to add special features such as a water fountain, fire pit or decking, you’ll have to spend quite a bit.

According to Checkatrade, the cost of a garden makeover per square meter ranges from £30 – £150.

Tips for keeping house plants alive

If you love the idea of having a home full of gorgeous greenery but don’t exactly have the skills to keep them alive, don’t worry.

Here are a few basic tips for any gardening novice

Choose the right plant for the space – Keeping a healthy plant will rely on where you keep it. For example, some plants will thrive in a shady corner but it’s a ticking time bomb for other species.

Feed them – A lot of indoor plants can’t get all the vital nutrients they need so adding plant food to the soil can help them grow.

Clean them – Dust and dirt can quickly collect of the leaves of houseplants, so don’t forget to give them a quick clean one a week or so.

You can use a damp microfibre cloth for this, and steer clear of using any harsh chemicals.

Water them – It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to forget to water your houseplants in the throws of daily life.

You can set a reminder on your phone so you never forget – this will also mean you don’t overwater them.

Is it too late to plant sunflowers?

Almost nothing can compare to seeing a row of stunning sunflowers in your garden during the summer, but is it too late to plant them?

Thankfully, it isn’t too late to sow sunflower seeds but you’ll need to be quick.

The best time to plant the seeds is late April, but as it’s still early May it isn’t too late yet.

If you take the leap and sow some sunflower seeds now, your garden should be full of them by July or August.

How to make your garden look bigger simply by painting your fence

For those looking to maximise their outdoor area this summer, gardening expert Fiona Jenkins from MyJobQuote has shared how simply painting your fence can make your garden look bigger.

She outlines five different colours you could use and the impact they have on your garden:

• Light grey enhances the perception of space
• Natural colours such as sage green visually extend the landscape
• Neutral tones such as beige and ivory allow other colourful flora to stand out
• Add illusion of a bigger garden by painting your fence light blue
• South-facing garden? Opt for soft pink

Stick with us for all your gardening needs

With summer on the way, we will be providing all the advice you need to get your garden ready for the warmer months.

From deals on furniture to advice to keep your garden healthy, stick with us right here.

Alan reveals best plants to transform your garden

Alan Titchmarsh has revealed the best plants that can transform your garden as we move through spring.

Appearing on the Gardeners’ World Magazine podcast, the 74-year-old shared some of his favourite spring flowers – many of which cost only a few pounds.

Top of his list were the classic symbol of spring: the daffodil and you can easily find the plant for just £3.99 in stores.

Alan also suggested using the humble pansy in your garden which are relatively cheap with one nursery offering a pack of 40 for just £9.99.

Gardening expert reveals truth behind watering plants in the sun

If you’re a keen gardener, you will have heard the theory that watering your plants in the sun scorches the leaves. Fortunately, this is not true. 

Principal Horticultural Advisor Leigh Hunt from the Royal Horticultural Society said: “Though it is best to water at ground level, scorching does not happen.

“Scorching to new plants from lack of hardening off is far more common.”

Weeds to watch out for

There are many common weeds to look out for including:

• Dandelion
• Wild Violets
• Thistle
• Bindweed
• Chickweed
• Yellow Wood Sorrel
• Crabgrass
• Nutsedge

Which veggies can grow in low light?

If you’re looking to grow vegetables in the shade, here are some recommendations:

• Swiss chard
• Brassicas
• Salad leaves
• Beetroot
• Kohlrabi
• Radishes
• Carrots
• Leeks
• Kale
• Broad beans

The 8 trendy houseplants that could put your child’s life at risk

FILLING your home with plants can certainly brighten up the place and make it feel cosy.

But some shrubs might be risky to keep when you have toddlers crawling around or curious children popping things into their mouths.

• Dieffenbachia
• Caladium
• Anthurium
• Monstera deliciosa
• Spathiphyllum
• Philodendron
• Epipremnum
• Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Does digging up soil improve fertility?

It’s an age-old belief, that every spring gardeners must dig up their soil to improve its fertility. 

This, however, is not true.

“This is false,” the Principal Horticultural Advisor Leigh Hunt said.

“And digging releases soil nitrogen, duly damaging soil bio. 

“It is best not to dig when planting, which fits the current best approach to feeding soils.”

Which plants are toxic to dogs?

While many plants can be poisonous to dogs, the most common are listed below, as per the The Kennel Club:

• Aconitum
• Amaryllis bulbs
• Asparagus fern
• Azalea
• Bluebells
• Cyclamen
• Daffodil bulbs
• Day lilies
• Delphiniums
• Dog’s Mercury (Mercurialis perennis)
• Foxgloves
• Hemlock
• Hyacinth
• Hydrangea
• Ivy
• Laburnum
• Lily of the valley
• Lupins
• Morning glory
• Nightshade
• Oleander
• Rhododendron
• Rhubarb leaves
• Sweet pea
• Tulip bulbs
• Umbrella plant
• Wisteria
• Yew

If you think your dog may have ingested any of these plants, contact your vet immediately.

How much does it cost to transform a garden in the UK?

In the UK, the costs of transforming a garden can range depending on location, size and specific requirements.

For example, if you’re looking to add special features such as a water fountain, fire pit or decking, you’ll have to spend quite a bit.

According to Checkatrade, the cost of a garden makeover per square meter ranges from £30 – £150.

Is it too late to plant vegetables?

No! May is not too late to plant vegetables for the year.

In fact, now is the perfect time for you to plant some fresh produce ready for the summer and autumn.

Some of the best veggies to plant now are:

• Beetroot
• Sweetcorn
• Carrots
• Courgettes
• Rocket

Best flowers to plant this month

The experts at Gardeners World have outlined some of the best flowers to fill your outdoor space this May.

These include Sunflowers, Zinnias, Cornflowers and Dill as well as Strawberries and Gooseberries if you wish to grow your own fruit.

This comes as Amazon has slashed the price of a “beautiful” hanging garden chair ahead of the summer months.

The Yaheetech Rattan Swing Egg Chair, described as “beautiful and amazing” by one happy customer, has had its price cut by £70.

Is it too late to plant sunflowers?

Almost nothing can compare to seeing a row of stunning sunflowers in your garden during the summer, but is it too late to plant them?

Thankfully, it isn’t too late to sow sunflower seeds but you’ll need to be quick.

The best time to plant the seeds is late April, but as it’s still early May it isn’t too late yet.

If you take the leap and sow some sunflower seeds now, your garden should be full of them by July or August.

Stick with us for all your gardening needs

With summer on the way, we will be providing all the advice you need to get your garden ready for the warmer months.

From deals on furniture to advice to keep your garden healthy, stick with us right here.

Make sure your pots are the right size

The experts at Lifehacker shared life-saving tips for any plants that just can’t seem to make it in the long run and revealed that one of the key factors is the size of the pot your plant is in.

“If the pot is too small, your plant’s roots will be constricted, and less soil means less nutrients for it to absorb,” the experts explained.

On the other hand, if your plants die off despite having “plenty of room,” you may accidentally be drowning or starving your plant.

“A pot that’s too big can result in soil that’s too moist, and can make it difficult for the soil to be firmly packed around the roots,” the pros added.

How to preserve your favourite flowers at home

Flowers can hold sentimental value, but sadly, they don’t last forever.

However, with a few simple steps, you can preserve your beloved flowers and bouquets to display around the house.

Depending on your budget, patience and the materials you have at hand, here are the best tips to preserve flowers at home:

• Hang them upside down to air-dry
• Press them between books
• Dry them in the microwave
• Place them in a Glycerine solution
• Encase them in resin

Myth busted: Can you water your plants in the sun?

Gardeners everywhere will have heard the theory that watering your plants in the sun scorches their leaves.

This, however, is not true.

“Though it is best to water at ground level, scorching does not happen,” Principal Horticultural Advisor Leigh Hunt says.

“Scorching to new plants from lack of hardening off is far more common.”