Today is the first day of spring, which means it’s time to get outside, clear away the winter debris and create a fresh look in the garden.
Success in any garden starts with the soil; using a PH test kit will establish whether your garden is acid or alkaline; this vital piece of information allows you to choose plants that will survive and thrive.
Acid-loving plants include: marigolds, heathers, nasturtiums, hydrangeas, camellias and rhododendrons. Alkaline soils work well for lily of the valley, honeysuckle, lavender, crocus and hyacinth.
The cheapest way to raise young plants is from seed, but this takes time. Bedding plants and small shrubs, though more expensive, give you immediate results.
Composting for free
1. Start your own composter, feed it vegetable peelings, dead flowers, prunings, bark chips, cardboard egg boxes and grass cuttings.
2. Coffee grounds and tea leaves make instant compost, empty the bags and spread across your flower borders.
3. Cooled cooking water from your vegetables and boiled eggs makes a good liquid compost.
Worcestershire County Council has information and deals on home composting bins, starting from just £5 each.
Don’t break the bank
1. Pre-plan and make a list.
2. Never impulse buy.
3. Be realistic, check full grown size before buying.
4. Advance plan for bulb planting.
5. Share seed packets and multi-buys.
6. Take cuttings from established plants, such as lavender.
7. Plant herbs to use in the kitchen.
8. Make your own plant pots from newspaper.
9. Buy a water butt.
10. Mulch to suppress weeds and retain water
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