CALLING all green-fingered gardeners – if you want to get your patio in tip top shape in time for spring, you’ve come to the right place.
With the weather finally improving, if you’re on a mission to ensure your outside space looks fabulous for warmer days, we’ve got just what you need.
If your patio is covered in stubborn moss, we’ve got you covered[/caption]
While spring can often bring damp to our gardens, moss can become increasingly more prevalent.
It’s seen as a nuisance by many and is known to rapidly take over areas, particularly in lawns and on patios.
Not only this, but the spread of moss also creates dense mats which crowd out the other desirable plants in your garden which prevents them from receiving sunlight, nutrients and water.
Alongside being unsightly, moss can also be a safety hazard if left neglected.
But luckily for you, a gardening pro has suggested a cheap and easy way homeowners can effectively get rid of moss in gardens – and it couldn’t be simpler.
And don’t worry, you won’t need to go to the shops and splash the cash on cleaning products, as you may already have the secret in your kitchen cupboard.
According to Chris Bonnet, founder of GardeningExpress.co.uk, salt is the key to banishing moss for good – and it’ll leave your patio sparkling with no pressure washer in sight.
Chris explained: “With the arrival of spring, we can expect rain showers and high humidity, which create the ideal conditions for moss growth.
“While moss growing on trees in your garden can be a charming sight, if you notice moss spreading on hard surfaces in your garden, then it’s time to take action to prevent safety hazards.
“You don’t need to reach for chemical removals to tackle moss, as certain household items work just as well.”
Chris recommended that opting for a less chemical approach when tackling moss is by far the better option as it helps plants and soil to grow better.
Not only this, but it’s also less harmful to local wildlife too.
March gardening jobs
The Sun’s Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine has shared the first gardening jobs of spring.
Start sowing seeds
You can plant Aubergine seeds into propagator – or outdoors after the last frost. Or you could try growbags in a coldframe – and hopefully you can harvest from August onwards.
Have a think about planting some different varieties of seeds this year – check out She Grows Veg and other sites for heirloom varieties. There’s an astonishing array on offer, like purple carrots, globe-shaped aubergines, lime green cauliflower or storage tomatoes that stay fresh for months.
Buy and plant summer bulbs
Summer flowering bulbs provide huge big blousey blooms – with some bringing a real touch of the tropics to your garden. Try Gladioli, dahlias, calla lilies, peonies and crocosmia.
Lawncare starts now!
Start your lawn care with a boosting high nitrogen spring feed, reseed any bare patches – and you’ll probably start mowing regularly in earnest this month. If you can – keep a corner long to help wildlife.
Check compost
Dig well rotting compost into your soil. If you have the space, it’s even worth digging trenches and chucking in your rotting veg that’s usually destined for the recycling bin – then cover. It adds great nutrients for free.
Clean outside spaces
Time to blast your patios and paths with a pressure washer – if your children are responsible enough it’s a great job for them – they’ll get soaked and have fun at the same time.
Soak sweet peas
Soak your sweet peas before sowing into long narrow pots or toilet rolls – put two seeds in a pot. These can go in an unheated greenhouse – and when there’s three or four pairs of leaves, pinch out the growing tip which will make them grow outward instead of upwards.
Create a wildflower meadow
Sow a wildflower meadow – if you have room. A lot of shops now sell wildflower mixes to make things easier – or even seed bombs which can just be scattered onto the soil.
Chris explained that by mixing salt and warm water, you can effectively get rid of moss.
He continued: “A classic saltwater solution is great for tackling stubborn moss.
“Mix salt into warm water, spray the solution to the moss, and allow it to air dry.”
If you notice moss spreading on hard surfaces in your garden, then it’s time to take action to prevent safety hazards
Chris Bonnet
The expert added that by adding the salt mix to moss, it will help dry it out and kill it in a more “natural way”.
Removing moss from your patio slabs and driveways is key as it will ensure slippery surfaces are kept to a minimum.
Garden features that add the most value to a house
A well-kept garden can add anywhere between 5-20% to the value of a property.
Sellhousefast.uk carried out a study and consulted 36 estate agents, garden designers and property professionals from across the UK.
And the experts revealed the garden feature which adds the most value to a property is a shed.
- Shed – 82%
- Patio or paving – 76%
- Secure fencing, walls or gates – 72%
- Outdoor lighting – 66%
- Sturdy decking – 62%
- Water features eg. fountain or pond – 58%
- Modern garden furniture – 54%
- Artificial lawn/grass – 40%
Salt works effectively to remove moss as it helps to dry it out and remove it by dehydrating its growth.
The popular kitchen staple, which you can nab for just 65p from Aldi, Asda and Sainsbury’s, is also a natural alternative to many chemical moss killers.
All you need to do is simply sprinkling the salt solution on mossy areas, leave it for a while and then scrub the dead moss away.
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Rather than forking out for a pressure washer or pricey cleaning products, all you’ll need is a kitchen cupboard staple[/caption]
