Fix Up Your Garden on a Budget

1. Lay Artificial Grass

Michael says, “Lay artificial grass. Artificial grass is the best and easiest way to achieve a beautiful lawn that requires very little maintenance. Modern faux grass varieties are extremely realistic, allowing you to achieve a perfect-looking lawn. Laying artificial grass is fairly straightforward and won’t require much upkeep in the long term.”

“Follow the steps below to lay artificial grass:

• Begin by planning and clearing the area. Plan out where you will be laying the turf and ensure that all cables and pipes are below the digging depth. Remove any existing turf to a depth of two inches and remove any large stones or other obstructions. Then, lay down a type 1 stone base.
• Next, you’ll need to create an edge. Knock your edging materials into the soil using a hammer. You will need to leave at least 3cm exposed.  
• Apply roughly 6mm of granite dust to the area. Use a piece of timber and drag the dust across the area to create a smooth surface.  
• Once the base has compacted, apply a weed membrane and secure this into place with galvanised steel nails around the perimeter. Trim the excess membrane around the edges.  Then, unroll the artificial grass over the area. Once in position, trim the excess around the edges.  
• To finish, apply some kiln sand to the turf and spread it with a stiff brush.”

2. Build Some Planters

Michael says, “Pots and planters are a great simple and effective way to keep your garden looking aesthetically pleasing. Plus, you can add some colour to your garden with an array of various plants and flowers.” 

“You can also upcycle pots and planters with some paint to provide a unique and beautiful look. You can buy pots and planters from most DIY and gardening stores.”

“If you want to get crafty, you can also build your own planters and pots from recycled materials.”  

3. Add Some Lighting

Michael says, “Solar lights are great for the garden as they don’t require electricity or batteries to run. There are so many options available to buy now, so it’s easy to find lights that suit every garden.”

“The right garden lighting can provide a professional appearance and can also provide practicality so you can use your garden safely for more hours of the day. Choose a range of lights and you’ll notice a huge difference in your garden’s appearance when the sun goes down.“

4. Pressure wash The Patio

Michael says, “If you have a patio in your garden, you can greatly improve its appearance by giving it a good cleaning with a pressure washer. Even if your patio doesn’t look dirty, give it a go over with a pressure washer and you’ll notice a difference. Pressure washing your patio can make it look as good as new.”

5. Upcycle Your Outdoor Furniture

Michael says, “If your outdoor furniture is looking a little old and tatty, you may want to consider upcycling it. Instead of forking out on brand new furniture, you can give your existing furniture a new life. Consider a lick of paint to greatly improve the appearance of your existing garden furniture.”