IT’S the week we’ve all been waiting for. That of the Woodland Trust Nature’s calendar says the average date for Brits to hand over our mowers is March 18.

Flymo has been campaigning for years to make tomorrow (Sunday) First Cut Sunday – and that became Spring the right way officially on Wednesday.

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So no matter who you listen to, it’s definitely time to get started with your grass. But keeping a lawn thriving is not that easy. So here are some top tips to help you this spring.

Watching out for pests is crucial.

Chris McIlroy, Lawn Expert at The Grass People said: “Leatherjackets, the larvae of crane flies, also known as papa long legs, thrive on damp lawns with poor drainage and feast on the roots of grass seed so they can destroy lawns from within. out.”

Chafer grubs also eat grass roots – and birds tear up lawns trying to reach them.

Nematodes – microscopic bacterial worms – are one of the few methods to get rid of both.

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David Hedges-Gowerchairman of the Association Lawn urged: “Choosing the right grasses is of utmost importance to make lawn maintenance easy. Don’t fall for the marketing talk about ‘sports grass, heavy grass or luxury grass’; all too often this is ryegrass, which inevitably fails.

“Go native with bentgrass and fescue to make life easier.

“Make sure your soil is aerated, this is so important. But instead of using your usual fork tines, use a fork with hollow tines, otherwise you’ll just compact the soil. But if you don’t have one, aerating in any way is crucial to prevent soil saturation.

He added: “Prune lawns at least once a year by scarifying. Although ryegrass does not respond well to pruning, native bentgrass and fescue excel. And mowing makes the lawn thicker.

“Nourish both the soil and the grass. Use soil conditioners such as Truegrass to support the growth of beneficial microorganisms, creating perfect growing conditions.

“Be careful with lawn food if you have ryegrass – it just makes it grow upwards and doesn’t help the roots – so you’re just adding to your compost pile.

“But ultimately, whatever turf you’re given, it’s all about improving and maintaining soil structure, through pruning, aerating, grass seed selection and providing the right nutrients.”

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ALL FEELINGS

WE all know that lying on a freshly mowed lawn is a great way to relax.
Now scientists have proven that it is good for both our hearts and our minds.

A study in China found that touching real grass, as opposed to artificial grass, increases relaxation and reduces stress levels.

In the study, a group of women were asked to stroke natural and artificial grass for five minutes each.

The experts found that the women’s blood pressure was reduced and they scored higher in meditation and mindfulness.

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BERRY GOOD

An Australian farm has broken the record for the world’s largest blueberry with a fruit the size of a ping-pong ball (4cm wide and 20.4 grams heavy), about 10 times the size of the average blueberry.

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THIS WEEK’S VACANCY

Plant your summer bloomers such as Gladioli, Agapanthus and Freesias. Make sure the soil is well-drained so they don’t rot.

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TOP TIP

Flymo has teamed up with eBay to sell reconditioned used mowers for TWENTY percent less than buying brand new mowers.

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TO WIN!

We’ve got a fantastic lawn care bundle for one lucky reader worth £265, including a FLYMO mower, Gardena Cleverol And sprinkler, Johnson Grass Seed, Super smart lawn food, Neudorff CleanLawn Moss control and a can of Celebration Wildflowers.

For more information about the award, visit www.thesun.co.uk/LAWNCARECOMP

Or write to Sun Lawncare Competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP.

Please include your name, age, email address or telephone number. UK residents 18+ only. Ends at 23:59 GMT 04-06-24.

General terms and conditions can be found HERE

TO RESCUE!

Give your garden a good makeover with this Homebase large garden rake for €20.

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Or go for the Charles Bentley Rake from The Range for £7.99

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TO LEARN!

Q. I am looking for advice on how to remove moss from my lawn. I don’t want the moss to turn black, if possible, but I need to kill it. It was suggested to use Mo Bacter, would this work? Robert Sturrock, via email.

A. Have you thought about living with the moss? It can provide better coverage than grass and often grows where grass does not. Or you can use a hand rake to get it out. Organic moss killers such as Mo Bacter can take a long time to work and are expensive. If you want to buy a chemical remover, the lawn will turn black. Scarifying and feeding works the fastest.

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You can now create your own garden with a recyclable item that produces quick results.

One gardening guru tips are so simple that there is no excuse for not getting a head start on spring planting.

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Collin (@saltyacresnc) wants to show you his seed-starting trick using just one item that he says “everyone” has at home: a Styrofoam egg carton.

Aimed at novice gardeners, the “conveniently shaped” box has a flat bottom for any spot used to hold an egg – and can be a home for seedlings as well.

Cutting the box in half, Collin explained how the item allows plants or seeds to stand upright on the windowsill.

He hopes this advice will save many from the rookie mistake of “learning the hard way” that using cups or similar items that only hold dirt are not ideal starters.

That’s because nothing fits the shape of the inside of a windowsill better than an egg carton, which means there’s a good chance a cup will fall over completely.

Next, you’ll want to poke some holes in the bottom of each egg space in the box before filling it with dirt.

He couldn’t emphasize enough that this was the “best way” to start seeds if this was your first time getting your gardening feet wet.

The fact that it fits perfectly in your windowsill wasn’t even the best part.

Since you don’t need a grow light, his tip is completely free.

Need seeds?

Don’t worry: his seed company, Salty Acres, has got your back.

The brand sells a variety of vegetable and plant seeds, including the $3.99 Blue Lake Bush green bean seeds.

And the product had many satisfied seed-loving customers.

“I couldn’t be more pleased. My plants arrived quickly and looked very healthy.

“I followed the directions given and they are working well. I’m very excited! Thank you for providing such a great product!” said one buyer.

“They arrived in good condition and ours are now in pots,” said another buyer.

The watering process is also simple enough for any beginner: just grab a mason jar and a straw.

Just one or two ‘straws’ of water per morning is all you need to add to each space.

For best results, place the box on the windowsill, in the brightest light.

Many of his fans even had their own tips.

“I’ve always done this and occasionally put it in a plastic bag for a greenhouse effect, works great!” said one follower.

“Use the biodegradable ones. You can transplant the whole thing in your garden,” said another viewer.

“I use K-cup pods,” said a third audience member.

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A COMMUNITY leader is devastated as a much-loved farm shop, garden center and cafe close for good.

Gosling Farm Shop, Garden Center and Cafe in Trimley St Martin, East Suffolk, have announced this sudden closure just weeks before the spring rush.

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Lee Reeves, who represents Orwell and Villages on East Suffolk Council, said he was disappointed to see the business close its doors for good.

“It is so sad that such a long-running and beloved local business has found it necessary to close,” Lee explained.

He added: “Many will miss the shop, cafe and on-site facilities, which were well used in the summer months.”

The farm shop cafe was popular with locals in the village and also attracted tourists from all over the UK.

The district councilor also raised concerns about how the space will now be used and hopes the site will not be used for new housing development.

Hopefully the site can be used by the community

Lee Reeves

The east Suffolk village has already seen huge amounts of development, with more projects “in the pipeline”.

However, Lee added: “Hopefully the site can be used by the community, perhaps with a continued food production and a small retail element or for recreational use.”

Gosling’s owners announced the closure in a social media post, thanking staff and “loyal customers” for over the years.

One devastated resident expressed his disappointment on Facebook.

He posted a photo of the now closed farm with the caption: “A very sad slope, the gates of Gosling’s Farm Café are chained and the place is permanently closed.”

Other locals shared their sadness in the comments, with one user writing: “What a shame.”

“It will be greatly missed,” wrote another.

While this resident commented: “Everyone assumes it has been sold to developers (and I suspect they are right).”

It comes as shoppers were left saddened after a supermarket abruptly announced its closure after 50 “great” years.

And Wetherspoons has saved an ‘impressive’ pub from closure, but another campsite has closed its doors for good.

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RABBITS and deer are notorious for snacking on flowers that have taken months of hard work to grow, but there’s a clever way to keep them out of your spot.

There are several specific flowers that can be strategically planted to warn animals not to come near them.

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John VanDerLaan is the founder of DeerHuntingGuide.neta platform for expert tips and reviews related to hunting.

He has advised gardeners to swap roses, tulips and holly for three different flowers if they want to avoid the visits of ‘spring snackers’.

At the top of his list of recommendations are the bell-shaped flowers of foxglove, which come in pink, pink, white and yellow varieties.

They grow in clusters and can be used to fill a front or backyard garden.

They should be planted in well-drained, moist soil with full sun in spring or fall.

Foxglove blooms from May to July.

“The reason they are not at risk of being eaten by deer or rabbits is that they contain cardiac glycosides, which can cause heart failure in many animals,” John said.

“For generations, animals like deer and rabbits have learned to avoid these flowers so they don’t come near them anymore.”

“Just don’t put these near horses because they will eat them and get sick,” he added.

John said their vibrant color and “strong scent” of a second flower deter many wildlife.

Hyacinths come in such a wide variety of colors that it is easy to find bulbs that match the theme of most gardens.

They should be planted between September and December so that they can bloom all spring.

Hyacinths can grow higher than some small rodents can reach.

“Their bulbs are also poisonous to rodents, so they are very unlikely to be dug up by rabbits or squirrels,” he said.

The wildlife expert revealed that daffodils may be the ‘most deer-resistant flower’.

The low-maintenance plants come in early and late flowering varieties, both of which can be planted for a flowering period of several weeks where animals will not touch them.

Their colors range from strong yellow and cream to warm orange.

“These flowers have a well-deserved reputation for repelling deer, this is because they hate the taste of daffodils,” said John.

“As a result, planting these anywhere in your garden will prevent the deer from coming in because they have no interest in them.”

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AN experienced gardener has shared a method that allows her to grow more crops with less space.

A handy app helped her figure out which plants grew well together and which didn’t.

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Sabrina (@sabrina.duurzaam.leven) shared the gardening advice in a TikTok video.

She passed on her wisdom so that beginners did not have to waste their time and energy.

“Something I wish I knew before I started gardening that would have made the process so much easier, and that is the square foot gardening method,” she said.

Her hack required rope, a staple gun, a tape measure and scissors.

She divided her raised garden bed into one-foot squares with twine.

“[It will help me grow so much more food in less space,” she said.

“How it works is for each square of the garden bed you will plant a certain number of seeds or plants depending on the space required for each plant.”

To help her plan her garden and make sure different plants worked well next to each other, she used the Planter app.

With the app, she created a visual of her garden, including its size and the plants she’s growing.

Best of all, the app will help the gardener maximize their space and make sure the plants have enough room.

“It will tell you how much space is required for them,” she said.

“For example, it will show you that a tomato plant will actually take up four squares whereas you can plant four lettuces or 16 carrots in each square.”

For trickier plants, the app also came with a built-in companion and combative feature.

“This app also tells you which plants are companion plants and which are combative which is super helpful,” she said.

Sabrina shared an additional tip that allowed her to harvest crops all season.

“I like to plant half in the square now and the other half later so everything doesn’t mature at once and you can have a continual harvest,” she said.

“With this method, you are able to grow more than traditional row gardens because you are planting crops closer together which maximizes spaces and yield.”

The method also required less maintenance overall, with less weeding and watering.

Gardeners thanked her for her sage advice.

“This is EVERYTHING! You just saved my sanity! I’m about to plan out where to plant this afternoon and now I’m so much less overwhelmed,” said one commenter.

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AN interior designer has shared her flawless plant arrangement for the veranda.

For a lush but low-maintenance welcome, she replaced all her plants with faux greenery from Amazon.

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Jessica (@missjessicanicoblog) shared the design advice in a TikTok video.

She decided to upgrade to fake plants after ‘giving up’ real plants.

“I find it very difficult to keep plants alive on this porch,” she explained.

“I’m saving more innocent plant lives and using fake Amazon stems to make my own.”

To simulate the illusion of real plants, she stuffed her large planter with boxes to compensate for most of the height.

For the remaining space at the top, she filled in the gaps with foam green blocks.

The last piece of the puzzle was a bundle $25 fern stems from Amazon, who glued them to the foam blocks until they looked full and natural.

She made sure all areas where the foam blocks were visible were covered and was happy with the game-changer makeover.

“I absolutely love it and I love it even more that I don’t have to worry about keeping it alive,” she joked.

Those who didn’t have a green thumb understood her struggle and praised her creative solution.

‘Genius! And I know I won’t kill him!’ said one commenter.

“The only plants I can keep alive,” joked another.

Jessica even had a solution to make the plants look as realistic as possible.

One commenter was skeptical of the tip because they were concerned about how legitimate the plants might look.

“Until they fade and look plastic. I only use them in winter,” they said.

“I could try injecting them with Sunguard!” Jessica replied.

Many were happy after trying the trick for themselves.

“I did this, but with artificial boxwood, because I had already killed two and couldn’t take the money used to replace them,” said one commenter.

“So happy with it!”

“I love it! I did the same and two years later I still have beautiful looking plants,” said another.

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ADDICTED locals shouted “not our hidden gem” as their beloved garden center was threatened to make way for MORE homes.

The proposal to demolish the Dillywood Garden Center in Medway, Kent, has sparked a backlash as residents reject new plans for 12 four-bed houses.

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Fans have been singing the praises of the independent, ‘great value’ garden center for years, while raving about its ‘excellent’ tea and cakes.

The social center is now at risk as Medway Council considers an application from Planning Insight, on behalf of Provectus Developments.

The controversial developer wants to demolish the nursery in a bid to bring more housing to the area, as reported by KentOnline.

Their application statute stated: “The continued use of the site as a garden center is no longer feasible.

“The integrated development proposal makes efficient and effective use of the existing underutilized garden centre.

“The new homes would not result in significant damage to or loss of public or private land that contributes positively to the local character of the area.”

TRAFFIC HELL

But residents fear that even more housing will stretch the area’s already narrow roads to their limits and create travel chaos.

Elizabeth Turpin, Strood Rural ward councilor, explained: “Dillywood Lane is incredibly narrow so there may be an increase in transport.

“With multiple cars per home, this will probably cause problems, because it is not a location where you can really live without a car.”

Locals said it would be “a shame” if Dillywood were forced to pull down the shutters for good, destroying “job losses”.

Meanwhile, parish secretary Emma Johnson argued that new housing development would be “unsustainable” along the “single railway”.

The concerned official was concerned about the increased traffic flow “with limited passing places”.

“There were also concerns about development on green belt land, and councilors also wanted to ask whether the old Medway railway tunnel passes through this area and whether this has been investigated,” she added.

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council has also objected to the plans due to traffic fears.

HIDDEN GEM

A disappointed local resident said: “It’s a shame to see the garden center disappear, it’s a great shop.

“We have always used them because they are much cheaper than some of the other local ones.

“The people who work there are all so nice too.”

Another praised the location: “There was a nice range of gifts and plants and there was room for tea and cake.”

Someone else wrote: “The food is excellent, the shop itself is a hidden gem, by that I mean hard to find – but well worth the trip.”

“The cafe is fantastic and great value,” praised a fourth.

FEAR OF THE COUNCIL

It comes after developers originally submitted an application for 36 homes but were advised to scale back the plans.

Medway Council rejected the large number on several grounds, including road safety and flooding.

If Provectus Developments gets the green light, the controversial new homes will each have three parking spaces.

In addition, there will be another 48 bicycle sheds on the estate.

A decision is expected to be made on May 20.

It comes after locals in Kent were outraged by a neighbour’s ‘alien’ hut.

They claim the structure was built without permission and has turned their area into a ‘shopping centre’.

There have been angry protests after the property sales hut was erected in a Kent beauty spot.

Elsewhere in Kent, a hotelier was so concerned about the demolition of a neighboring pub for new housing that he bought it himself.

ALDI’s huge garden range returns to stores with prices starting from €2.29.

The retailer’s popular garden range is achieving its expected returns and customers better be quick as it is sure to sell out quickly.

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Aldi shoppers can soon start planning their summer garden makeover with Aldi’s latest garden range.

Spring is almost here and so is the return of Aldi’s garden range, with everything from garden mirrors and bistro sets to planters and gardening gloves.

Prices start from just £2.29 and the first drop of products will be in stores from March 28, with further products available from April 7 and 25.

However, if you’re planning to get your hands on some of Aldi’s green-fingered deals, you’ll want to be quick as they’re part of the Specialbuys range, meaning once they’re gone, they’re gone.

For people who want to inject a bit of style into their garden but don’t want to spend a fortune, the Hampton bistro set, priced at £49.99, is described as ‘sturdy yet stylish’.

It is perfect for outdoor dining in summer and goes well with the decorative garden arch for €29.99.

The beautiful arch is made from powder-coated metal in matte black and is both durable and, according to Aldi, easy to assemble.

For outdoor enthusiasts who would like a little more comfort in the garden, you can choose from two rugs in three patterns, including gray and white, brown and beige striped or black and white checked print.

The large Aldis rug costs €8.99. while the XL size costs £12.99.

If you want to impress your summer guests even more, you can also purchase a beautiful garden mirror for only € 7.99.

Other accessories such as planters (€14.99) and solar rainbow lights (€9.99) and a solar hot air balloon (€6.99) will all transform your garden, giving you a warm can enjoy summer evenings.

Aldi’s Enchanted Garden range will be in stores from March 28 while stocks last, you will find the full range below.

The second drop of garden items will be in stores from April 7 and comes from Aldi’s Garden Improvement range.

Remember, all of these items are part of the Specialbuys range and once they’re gone, they’re gone, so you’ll need to be quick.

Special buys are unique and exciting products that you can find exclusively in Aldi stores.

The products launch in stores every Thursday and Sunday and can include everything from DIY items to beauty products.

You can pick up a leaflet in store, browse online or sign up for Aldi’s mailing list to get a taste of what’s to come.

More of Aldi’s Garden Improvement range will be available from April 25.

There are other ways to save at Aldi and it’s always worth keeping an eye out for the many dupes the retailer brings out every now and then.

In addition to the dupes of branded food items, the retailer also has beauty products and fragrances that sell out as soon as they hit the shelves.

An Aldi employee recently told shoppers about what new beauty dupes would be hitting stores, including Flowerbomb perfume and Refy eyebrow kits.

Other ways to save at Aldi

When doing your weekly shopping it’s always worth looking out for the red sticker products that staff add to items when they have been reduced in price.

Aldi usually adds these to products in the morning, so get to the nearest branch as early as possible for the best discounts.

Also keep an eye on the discounted fruit and vegetables: according to deal expert Tom Church, the retailer tends to cut six items every two weeks to “crazy low” prices.

Get ahead of the rest by signing up for Aldi’s newsletter and also following the retailer on social media.

It often announces upcoming deals across its two channels, so you can be the first to get the best prices.

If you want to save money on takeaways, Aldi’s ‘fakeaways’ can help too.

The retailer recently launched a KFC-inspired box that it claims is 62% cheaper than the chicken drumstick.

Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing squeezeteam@thesun.co.uk.

Moreover, you can join us Sun Money chats and tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.

While spring means longer evenings and nicer weather for some, for snails it’s time to party.

A professional gardener shared his top tip for keeping pests out of your flower beds and taking your garden to the next level.

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In his videoDavid Domoney (@daviddomoney) explained how beautifying your garden can actually repel snails.

The TikToker told his followers that while seedling plants are at their most vulnerable in early spring, so are the pests that feed on them.

To keep slugs and snails out of your flower beds, David suggested creating habitats in your garden.

This means that more animals are encouraged into your space and a new ecosystem is created.

Encouraging creatures such as birds and squirrels into your garden will reduce the number of slugs that nibble on your plants.

The green-fingered expert recommended creating environments for the slug predators.

He gave examples of hanging bird feeders, but also of planting shrubs and hedges.

David also advised his viewers to add a small pond to their gardens.

According to the experts at MilorganiteCreatures that live in and around ponds are common predators of slugs.

“Toads and frogs make great garden partners, they eat many insects including mosquitoes, slugs and snails,” they said.

And if you don’t have room for a pond in your yard, the pros suggested creating a rock pile to attract frogs instead.

For best results, place your rock pile in a spot in your yard that receives equal amounts of sun and shade throughout the day.

David, who opts for natural pest control solutions, also recommended forming leaf piles in your garden.

This step can help provide additional habitat and reduce the slug population in your garden.

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A CASH-SAVVY mum has revealed how she gave her garden a major shine on the cheap.

Renovating your home – or garden – can be a shock to the wallet, especially if it’s done by professionals.

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But one money-conscious mom, Bethanne Turbutt-Rogers, recently took to TikTok to prove that this doesn’t always have to be the case — and that you can achieve amazing results for a fraction of the price.

In the videoBethanne – better known to her 160,000 fans as @budgeting mother official – told how she and her husband built a slatted fence with hardly any skills.

”When I say that me and my husband are both bad at DIY, I’m not kidding.

“So if we can do this, then you can certainly do it too,” she chuckled.

The first step of the makeover – which was supervised by her father – involved attaching long pieces of wood to the wall at the property.

The duo then used a “cheap” roof batten package purchased from Travis Perkins. Because the material is already pre-treated, it can be placed directly on the DIY fence.

“We used a small wooden block to make sure we got the same distance between all the slats, and then we just used the nail gun to fix it in place.”

According to Bethanne, who regularly shares tips and tricks to help families reduce costs, this process was “so easy.”

“I got bored after two, so I gave it back to my husband to finish.”

In total, the project took just a few hours to complete and the cost was £60 – saving the duo an estimated £1.4k if they had it done professionally by experts. according to Checkatrade.

Bethanne wrote in the caption: ”When we first moved into this house the first thing you saw when you went into the garden was this awful concrete wall so it was one of the first projects we did!

”It’s just not an option to have the fences replaced now with all the other jobs, so this was the perfect DIY solution to give the garden a lift.

”These roof battens can be picked up from Travis Perkins or B&Q, or if you have a local hardware store you can try there too!

“They are pre-treated, so no treatment is necessary and they have held up very well during the winter months.”

Dozens of fellow social media users flocked to the comments section, praising the couple and sharing their thoughts.

One said: ‘Looks good but I would have painted the back wall black or put a screen in, just cheap, it just looks a bit nicer.’

Another chimed in: ”So great to see an actual ‘budget’ transformation!

”Usually there are hundreds! This is great, well done.”

“This looks amazing!” someone else was amazed by the makeover.

“I was bored after two, I could tell,” chuckled a fourth.

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