As we transition into autumn, it’s essential we care for our gardens with the same love as we would in other seasons. By prepping the garden for autumn, it means you’re ready for the harshest weather to come in the winter.
However, gardening can be an expensive hobby, especially with the cost of living on the rise. Jack Sutcliffe, Co-Founder of Power Sheds, has shared four ways to improve your garden this autumn while keeping costs low.
1. Make use of your autumn leaves
One of the easiest ways to garden on a budget this year is to make your own compost. Autumn leaves that have fallen are one of the most valued compost materials, as they are carbon-rich and small enough to be incorporated into the compost pile. It also helps clean up your garden without filling up your wheelie bin!
The key to successful composting is maintaining a balance between carbon and nitrogen materials in the compost bin. Your leaves, vines, and dried garden waste make up the carbon-based materials, which are less available throughout the rest of the year. Your kitchen scraps and other fresh materials make up the nitrogen.
2. Save money on planting
Autumn can be a good time of the year to start planting. However, that can cost a lot depending on your choice of plant or flower. Choose smaller plants such as perennials and dahlias, which can be bought at good value in small pots, are long lasting and can help save costs throughout the year.
If you want to plant trees, choosing a small tree will cost less and will establish itself without the need for any support compared to a larger tree, which may not stabilise properly.
3. Keep it clean
It may sound obvious, but sorting your garden now will help prepare it for the upcoming cold weather and make your job easier for next year, costing near to nothing. A few simple things to start off with are:
· Clean your tools and tidy away items left around and scattered in your shed. This is also a great opportunity to get rid of any extra items that are no longer needed and upcycle them. You can reuse an old shoe rack to help provide extra storage in your shed.
· Get rid of unwanted weeds and any leftover crops to give it a cleaner look. A cheaper hack to help with this and save costs, is by making your own weed killer with a mixture of white vinegar, salt, and washing up liquid.
4. Give your garden a seasonal refresh
In autumn, lots of garden plants start to shut down as the colder months creep in. This can leave your garden looking dull and lacking colour. Some cheap ways to transform dull gardens include making use of your shed walls and shelves by incorporating hanging baskets and planting colourful plants, such as fuchsias or petunias. You can purchase hanging baskets for under £5 from different online retailers to add bursts of greenery into your autumn/winter garden.
First Tunnels has an article on budget small garden ideas for making your garden look nice with no money.
To discover more useful information about looking after your garden and shed, head to Power Sheds’ Sheducation hub.
