Garden gurus share £4.50 B&Q purchase to get rid of dandelions for good
IF your lawn is covered in dandelions and you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get rid of them, you’ve come to the right place.
Especially if you want to get rid of dandelions without much effort and want a radiant green lawn that will amaze your guests, we have exactly what you are looking for.
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And if you’re on a budget, don’t worry: this simple trick will only cost you £4.50 thanks to a bargain at B&Q.
Pesky dandelions are known to pop up in lawns and between cracks in patios and gravel.
They are known for pushing away grass and other plants and sucking water and nutrients from surrounding plants.
Although store-bought weed killers and household products like white vinegar are commonly used, they can often be harmful.
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Fortunately, there is one method that gardeners seem to agree on: the best way to eradicate them ‘correctly’.
This came after a gardening enthusiast sought advice on social media after her lawn became overgrown with dandelions.
The frustrated woman posted a message on the Gardening UK Facebook page asking: “What is the best way to get dandelions out of a lawn?”
The question received over 100 responses, with many suggesting the same approach: advising against the use of chemicals and suggesting manual removal.
Not only do Facebook users swear by garden forks, but many also indicated that now was not the right time to dig them up.
A gardening genius gave the following advice: ‘I have found that the most effective, but also most time-consuming, method of dandelion control is to dig them out by hand.
“This is what you should do when the first dandelion seedlings appear. You can use a regular garden fork for this, you don’t need any special tools.”
A second recommendation: “Use a fork. Always works for me and it removes the roots completely so the dandelion doesn’t grow back.”
Garden tips and tricks
A third suggested: “Don’t dig up dandelions when it’s dry, the root will click If you pull it out, the dandelion will grow back within a few weeks.
“It should be removed when the soil is moist so that the digging method is effective and easy to perform.”
Gardening work in August
Veronica Lorraine, gardening editor at The Sun, has shared 10 gardening jobs to do during the last month of summer, as well as the most important jobs to remember when you go on holiday.
1. Watering plants on holiday
Think about how you are going to water your plants when you go away. Irrigation systems are ridiculously expensive, so ask a friend or neighbor to come over.
2. Don’t forget your houseplants!
For houseplants use the upside down bottle trick – fill a wine bottle and then turn it upside down, pour downwards and stick it in the pot – the water should slowly seep out. For smaller plants you can use a thick piece of string and run it from a glass of water into the soil – this will allow it to soak up water slowly. Be sensible with your watering – visit www.mains2rains.nl for some tips on how to save water in August. But use as much grey water – i.e. dishwater – as possible to save such a valuable resource.
3. Dig for potatoes
The second early potatoes are ready to be harvested.
4. Keep removing faded flowers
Use pruning shears or pinch off the flowers with your finger and thumb. For roses, make sure you get back to a set of five leaves so you have the best chance of more flowers.
5. Plant strawberries
You can actually plant strawberries as early as the end of August, which will be ready next year. For the strawberries you already have, if there are any shoots growing out of them, try to put them in pots to get more strawberries for free.
6. Prune lavender
At the end of August, when the lavender has finished flowering, you can prune it back. Always prune it back to the woody stems, but make sure you can still see some small buds.
7. Collect seeds
Many plants are starting to go to seed now, so it’s the perfect time to collect them and get free plants for next year. Just make sure you label the envelopes.
8. Sow hardy annuals
Sow hardy annuals towards the end of the month so they will flower next year. Try to choose sheltered spots for them.
9. Pruning back roses
Prune the climbing roses back and make sure they are all tied up. Give your roses their last feed at the end of August.
10. Make sure your hanging baskets are well watered
It is very important to give hanging baskets enough water. They dry out first and the least quickly.
Another shared her clever strategy: “Get a small sharp weeding tool and do it by hand. That’s the only way to get them out properly.
“I had thousands of them and although I wanted to keep the bees happy, my dog liked to poop in them.”
How to renovate your garden cheaply
IF you want your garden to impress this summer, you’ve come to the right place…
Planning and prioritizing
- Rate your space: Take a walk around your garden and see which areas need improvement.
- Set a budget: Determine how much you can spend.
- Prioritize projects: Focus on the areas with the greatest impact first, such as pathways, seating, or focal points.
DIY projects
- Build your own planters: Use reclaimed wood, pallets, or other materials to make your own planters.
- Make garden art: Use old objects like tires, bottles and cans to create unique garden decorations.
- Paths: Lay down gravel or mulch to create affordable and attractive garden paths.
Plant smart
- Buy seeds, not plants: Seeds are less expensive than mature plants and offer greater variety.
- Share and exchange: Exchange plants and seeds with friends or join a local garden club.
- Growing perennials: Invest in plants that come back every year to save money in the long run.
Use free resources
- Compost: Make your own compost from kitchen waste and garden waste to enrich your soil.
- Rainwater harvesting: Install a rain barrel to collect water for your garden.
- Wood chips: Use leaves, grass clippings or wood chips as mulch to retain moisture in the soil and suppress weeds.
Reuse and upcycle
- Old furniture: Turn an old chair into a plant stand or a chest of drawers into a planter.
- Containers: Use buckets, cans or even old shoes as separate planters.
- Pallets: Create vertical gardens or compost heaps from discarded pallets.
Smart shopping
- Offers and discounts: Check for end-of-season offers or discounts at garden centers.
- Second hand shops: Visit thrift stores or garage sales to find pots, tools, and decorations.
- Online marketplaces: Check sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for free or cheap garden supplies.
Maintenance
- Regular weeding: Keep weeding to keep your garden looking neat.
- Pruning and flowering: Prune the plants regularly and remove faded flowers to encourage growth and flowering.
- Tool care: Maintain your tools by cleaning and sharpening them to extend their life and effectiveness.
With these tips you can give your garden a fresh, renewed look without spending a lot of money. Enjoy your garden!
Meanwhile, one gardening enthusiast swore by her hands-on approach: “The little garden forks. Get under them and push them up. Hold all the leaves and get your fingers to the roots and pull, the whole thing should come out.”
If you fancy trying this trick, you can buy a garden fork from B&Q for just £4.50.
Experts advise gardeners that successfully digging out dandelions by hand is only possible if the entire taproot is removed, as dandelion taproots are often long.
A gardening genius suggested, “The best way to prevent dandelions from appearing in the first place is to never mow the lawn too short or too often, so that the grass stays tall.”
