IF you're looking to host a gathering in your garden as the weather starts to warm up, you'll want to make sure your outdoor space looks good.
After wintermany of us will have that patios covered in ugly green algae and moss.
If you want to change growth before guests show up, there's a simple solution.
And the good news is that breathing new life into your outdoor space doesn't have to cost much, according to Chris Bonnett of GardeningExpress.co.uk.
The green-fingered expert told The Sun: “There's no need to splash around cash on a specialized patio cleaning product if you want to remove the dirt from your tiles.
“One of the easiest methods is that you use dishwashing liquid.”
Read more about patio cleaning
Chances are you already have a few at home. But if you do need to buy something, you can buy a 500ml bottle for 69 cents at Asda. If you want to buy Fairy Liquid from the big brand, a 383ml bottle will cost you £1.50 at Asda.
“All you have to do is put a little bit of washing up liquid in the bottom of a bucket and then fill it with warm tap water,” says Chris.
“Pour the cleaning solution onto your patio and scrub with a stiff brush to remove any stains and dirt.”
Bee Wilkoyou can buy a scrub brush for less than $2.
Chris said: “Good old fashioned soapy water is a no-brainer for effectively cleaning your patio.”
The best way to do the job is to start from the corners of your patio slabs and work your way inward.
If you're having trouble removing tougher stains, the gardening expert suggests using diluted white vinegar.
Bee The rangeyou can buy white vinegar spray for £1.19.
“Don't forget to rinse the patio with clean water after scrubbing it,” he added.
“Then let it dry for about 24 hours.”
If you have access to one pressure washer it is another effective way to remove stubborn dirt and grime from your patio.
Be careful not to hold the washer too close to the plates as this can cause permanent damage.
The best approach is to start on a low setting and go from there.
If you don't have one yet, you might want to think about getting one.
But you can expect to pay at least £100 if you decide to do this.
To keep costs down, it's worth using forums on sites like Facebook and the Nextdoor app to see if you can borrow one from someone who lives nearby.
Or go to B&Vand you can rent one for £99 for the weekend.
Join a couple neighbors who also want to clean their patio, and you can share the cost to make it cheaper for everyone.
Using dish soap to clean a patio isn't the only way Chris uses this household product.
While you're at it, use your trusty mixture of dish soap and warm water to clean your kitchen patio furnitureat.
This is a quick and easy task that is sure to refresh any garden. Use a sponge or brush to scrub away excess dirt. Once your furniture is clean, use a hose to rinse away excess soap.
“You can also use it in your garden to get rid of it aphids and other pests,” said the horticulturist. “Simply dilute one teaspoon of dish soap in three quarts of water and pour into a spray bottle.”
At The Range you can find reusable spray bottles for 56 cents.
Again, using a homemade concoction is an easy way to save on the cost of store-bought products.
Chris said: “Although you can use insecticidal soaps to control an aphid infestation on your plants, it is cheaper to make your own. Do it yourself remedy.
“You should spray the solution directly onto the stem of the plant plant.”
Once you've done this, keep an eye out for leaf damage.
“If you notice anything, try a weaker solution,” the gardener supremo said. “To be on the safe side, it may be best to use the spray on one or two leaves first to test it out before using it on the entire plant.”
According to Chris, it's best to skip spraying aphids with your homemade solution for a cloudy day.
He said: “If done in full sun it can lead to severe leaf burn.”
If you are looking for a homemade solution to deal with weedsChris has a hack for this too.
“Weeds growing between paving and in lawns can immediately make an outdoor space look unkempt,” he says. “The good news is that you can make your own easily and cheaply weed killer by mixing vinegar, water and soap.”
Avoiding commercial products will not only save you money, but you will also avoid using chemicals in your garden.
Chris added: “For some weeds, one spray should be enough to kill them. But with others you may have to spray a few more times before it works.”
What are your rights with a row of fences?
IT is very important to know your rights if you are involved in an argument with a neighbor.
How do I know which side I own?
a border feature could be a fence, wall, hedge, ditch, piece of wire or sometimes even just the edge of a driveway.
The only way to know for sure who owns which lot and to avoid any possible neighbor disputes is to refer to the property plan or Country register.
The T-marking is used to indicate who owns the border and therefore who is responsible for its maintenance, say professionals at Jackson's fencing.
For larger developments, some indication is usually given by the builder, but there are no hard and fast rules
People often think that they are responsible for the left (or right) border, wherever they live, but there is no legal basis for this.
You can ask HM Land Registry which boundary element you are responsible for.
Often households can't get their hands on the paperwork, but experts say not to panic.
Homeowners can guess who owns the fence by checking where it is located rails Are.
Pros say, “The fence usually faces away from their property so the neighbor gets the 'good' side.
“This is the safest way to install fencing. So there are no rails with which someone can climb into your garden.
“This is then repeated with the neighbor on the other side to ensure that each property has both a 'good' and a 'bad' fence side.”
Walls and fences are often built on the land owns the border where the edge of the wall marks the limit.
While professionals agree that a look at the fence can give you a hint, it's not foolproof – so you can't be sure.
Fines and punishment
It is recommended to always check legal documents before making changes to avoid these hefty fines.
There is no law that the neighbor should get the right side of the fence, so it's entirely up to whoever owns the fence.
Fencing pros have suggested, “It may be worth choosing a double-sided panel with no 'bad' side, because both sides look the same and the rails are hidden within the fencing panel.”
If a boundary borders a road or footpath, then this is possible place the panels with the rails on the inside
But if installed on the outside, it can provide an “easy ladder for burglars to enter your garden.”
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Property Litigation Association have launched a mediation service to help neighbors resolve disputes over their property boundaries without resorting to legal action.
RICS also provides a list of surveyors who can assist with boundary disputes.
If a dispute continues, it is ultimately the court that decides, but they do not like such disputes to be referred to them.
Changing a boundary
If you want to change an existing boundary, such as replacing an old fence with a new one, we always recommend that you first consult with your neighbor and ensure that you are all in agreement.
The registered titles can help you reach an agreement, but only if this information is added.
In terms of decorations on a fence legal advisors recommended asking around who actually installed it the first time.
But they also called for caution before they start adjusting the fence without gaining more certainty themselves – because there is a risk of actually being prosecuted for criminal injury.
How high can a garden fence be?
The height of the fence is measured from your ground level. This can have consequences if your garden may be at a higher level than your ground level due to slopes in the ground. neighbors'.
a garden The fence can be as high as 100 metres, but if it is higher than 2 metres, you will need a building permit.
However, there are some complications associated with this.
If you think about the front garden fencesUnder the restrictions, fences along a driveway can be a maximum of 1 meter in length.
You need a building permit to install a trellis on a 2-meter fence.
But if a plant you grow on that trellis is taller than 2 meters, you do not need to apply for a permit for the growing plant.