Is anyone managing to get new garden stuff? On a budget and complete novice, plus any cheap and cheerful sprucing up tips to share?

[BippityBobbityBoo]

I’d love to spruce my garden but don’t have much money and don’t seem able to get supplies anyway. I’d love some outdoor lights, outdoor cushions (happy to make) was thinking about using cheap pillowcases but can’t find any cheap/nice enough. I have zero plants and don’t know where to source. I have a few old plastic pots I might paint but nothing to put in them, not even compost.
I also don’t know if it’s fair to be getting stuff like this delivered right now.

Just wondering if a thread to share ideas could be a good idea? Maybe share pictures too?

We started our garden last year. It's tiny, but the best thing ever! You can see some of our progress in Instagram: search tiny urban living.

You can totally do things even on the smallest of patches with minimal supplies.

This is our small patch

I went to my local B&M today and managed to get some all purpose compost, 3 30cm containers, 6 packets of seeds and a watering can. Cost me less than £20 and will make a huge difference to my idea.

My front garden is two decent sized lawns, i’m just cutting it regularly. My back garden is my bug bear and blank canvas. Its all paved and overrun with weeds. Slowly weeding away and with my strategically placed pots it will be nice in the end :)

Also a complete novice here too OP.

That’s lovely @MumonthebrinkX is the raised area going to be seating? Your level of DIY is beyond me I’m afraid but I’ll definitely take a look at your IG, thanks!

@ListenLinda I didn’t know b and m were open! What was it like? I’m a bit nervous to go out for none essentials 😬 did you notice any outdoor lights?

I have some purple ground plants on my front, could I transfer some to pots or empty borders does anyone know?

I’ve also just found a packet of marigolds and some old veg seeds, can I just use garden soil?

The ones near me are open OP, as they do sell essential items.

Mine has a garden centre attached but all the stuff I bought I got indoors in the gardening section.

Yeah I think you can OP, just filter it a bit so you don’t have massive stones in it.

I started improving my garden and it’s looking lovely this year. B&m, Asda and Aldi are great for cheap plants/compost etc. What is your garden like? Could you post a photo?

Thanks @ListenLinda

I’m really unsure about going out, DMIL is here and we’re trying not to leave the house. I’ll do our next shop at a big supermarket and hope for the best.

@thefourgp, I love your little flowers, are they from bulbs planted last year?

I’m going to post some pictures, though I am mortified that’s it’s such a scruffy state. Might inspire others! I do have a nice view and a nice (ish) furniture set. I’ve just decided in a duvet and pillowcases I’m prepared to sacrifice for cushions! I can’t see though

Can’t sew (can’t see well either but that’s another story)

I really am going to try and make it a bit better with old pots, paints and whatever I have to hand I think

you can get compost, seeds,gardening equipment and live plant bundles all on diy.com from b&q.....be patient, website is unstable and has a queuing system to control traffic

contact free collection in the carpark via click and collect

If you’ve got a lawn try green thumb or a similar lawn service, I always said you could do it yourself and they were a waste of money but then ndn started using them and their lawn looked great all of a sudden.

A basic treatment x 4 a year was £6.50 front and back, we opted for 5he scarification and hollow tining aeration option at £13.50 a month. Now we only have one dandelion on the lawn.

Yes, bulbs I planted in groups of three last September. They were only a couple of pounds from Aldi and have really brightened up the garden.
Once isolation is relaxed I would recommend having a look at the sale/clearance section in your local plant nursery. I got a couple of flowers and plants including a hydrangea cheap as chips. They didn’t look like much when I bought them but they’re really growing lovely this year. Ask an employer which ones would be suitable for your garden and don’t need too much care.

There are a couple of people/companies in my town who have started delivering plants and compost that would have been on markets or sold to shops to stop them going to waste. Trays of bedding plants, hanging baskets etc.

They are advertising on local Facebook groups. You could try and see if there are any near you. I've got a medium sized garden which is great but I find hard work. I'm also clueless and on a really low budget.
I just shove stuff I like in the ground and hope for the best
It usually works out fine, plants are amazing.

If you're looking for mail order/delivery, the Horticultural Trades Association has launched a webpage that will help you find local nurseries and garden centres offering delivery.

I really think the most important thing when trying to spruce up a garden is the soil. Hers, local nurseries will deliver compost, not as cheap as I would usually buy in a supermarket but ok..I've been paying £6 per bag of 60 litre multi purpose delivered.

You can do a lot by painting things to spruce them up, asda home, wilko, lidl and aldi are fab for cheap garden accessories.

It is not too late to plant seeds, I have planted cornflowers, and nigella today, and cosmos and stocks a week ago. Seeds are easier to get hold of than plants

I’m trying to do ours too. I’ve painted the fences and bought some planters, a pergola and a few plants so far.