Enjoy summer in your garden without spending a fortune

June is here and with the warmer weather, longer evenings and summer holidays just around the corner, this is a great time to make the most of your garden – without breaking the bank.

With a little creativity your outdoor space can become a place for fun & relaxation for all the summer to come. 

Low-cost gardening ideas

You don’t need a massive garden or need to have green fingers to enjoy your garden this summer.

A windowsill, a spare flower pot, an old wellington boot can all be used to add some herbs like, basil, chives, thyme, mint, oregano or sew some flower seeds to add colour and smell to any space. 

Children love to plant seeds and watch them grow, the easiest I remember from my childhood was growing cress, it only takes just over a week or two to grow- great to watch, even for the most impatient child, you can use old yoghurt pots or milk cartons, when its ready to cut, let the kids cut it and mix it with eggs and mayonnaise for a tasty sandwich filling.

If you have a little more space, fast growing vegetables like lettuce, radishes & courgettes are quick and easy to grow and can very easily be used for salads or stir-fry. You can easily buy strawberry plants that already have a small crop for you to collect this year.

If you’re looking for inspiration, many SK postcode areas have local community gardens where families can get involved. For example, Stockport Community Garden (SK1) and Brinnington Allotments (SK5) often welcome inquisitive visitors and volunteers, which can be a great way for kids to learn about growing food.

Budget friendly ideas

To make your garden inviting, think about some DIY projects. A tin of masonry paint will brighten a wall with not too much effort. Pallet seating can be a great alternative to the expensive options, it will need sanding and some great coloured wood paint, but throw some old quilts and cushions on and you can have a great outdoor seating area. Never overlook the great blankets you can buy from your local charity shop. 

Local shops sell great priced solar lights, they can brighten all your garden and paths.

Old-fashioned garden games

You don’t need fancy toys to have fun, get a sheet over your washing line to make a fantastic den, use an old paintbrush and a pot of water for floor painting, classic games like hopscotch, skipping, badminton can be low cost and give you hours of fun. You can create a simple assault course using, chairs, ropes, buckets, planks, hula-hoops.

A little splurge? 

If you have some spare funds and want to have something fantastic to use the whole of the summer, consider getting a cheap projector, you can pick up a new one for as little as £40, with a white sheet or wall you can have cinema nights every night.