If, like many, you are trying to cut back on spending and be more mindful of purchases, then PriceRunner is here to help. The UK’s leading price and product comparison site have put together their expert guide of tips and tricks to help you save money in your garden this Spring.
Following a price analysis on thousands of products over the last 12 months, PriceRunner’s Consumer Expert, Christine Gouldthorp, reveals the best time to buy, what tools to invest in to get gardens looking their best, plus to tips to make the most of every square metre if you’re short on outdoor space…
****************************
Preparation is key
If you have green fingers, you probably know that the best time to start preparing your flower bed, herb garden or other greenery is in the spring, where having the right tools make all the difference. We looked at more than 100 of the most popular garden tools, and if you need a shovel, wheelbarrow, pitchfork or perhaps a spade, January and February are the cheapest months to buy them. If you aren’t quite ready yet this year, then November is also a time when a lot of products reach their cheapest prices and go on sale for Black Friday.
Pressure washers put to the test
Is your patio in need of a jet wash after a wet gloomy winter? With the right pressure washer, you can keep driveways, cars, and gardens clean. We have recently put pressure washers to the test, as part of PriceRunner’s independent product testing, focusing on various factors including performance, ease of use, design, and functionality. After scoring each pressure washer tested according to its value for money, the AVA Master P60 has been named the best in test for 2021, whilst the Husqvarna PW 235, was named the best budget choice, which has a long cord and plenty of power for its price class. Check out the full list of the Top 17 Best Pressure Washers on the Expert Reviews section of our website.
Weatherproof gardens for the Great British Summer
Many of us will be planning to stay closer to home this summer and if you’ve got some private outdoor space, you’ll more than likely be wanting to make the most of it – especially if we can once again enjoy outdoor gatherings with family and friends. Awnings and canopies are a great addition to weatherproof gardens, but if you leave it until the summer months to buy one, you could end up paying over a third more compared to other times in the year. PriceRunner’s price comparison revealed that the cheapest time to buy the most popular ranges is November to February. You’ll pay premium prices from June to October.
If it isn’t broken, fix it
Had a look at your outdoor furniture recently, noticed that your natural wooden table and chairs are starting to look dullishly grey, or maybe you painted them years ago and that shabby chic look is just… Shabby? Furniture of natural materials ages like we do. But before you throw them away, try giving them a face lift first! Invest in a power grinder or sander and take off those old layers of wood or paint. You can save up to 40% on several popular brands, where March is the cheapest month of year to buy. Think of your wallet and the environment, improve what you already have in your home.
Get set for summer in the gardens
It’s one of the busiest times in the gardeners’ calendar with warmer weather bringing outdoor spaces back in bloom. If you’re one of the many of new gardeners who took up the hobby as a result of more time at home due to lockdown, you may be looking to build up your beginner’s tool kit. However, comparisons reveal that a number of popular tools go up in price in March and April, so you run the risk of spending more than in other months. You may still be able to grab a bargain if you’re quick, as several products with the biggest minimum and maximum price difference were at their cheapest in January and February.
BBQ season
If you can resist or hold off upgrading your outdoor grill for now, PriceRunner comparisons show that October is the best time to get a great deal on a barbecue, as retailers clear out older models to make room for new one’s next spring.
Make the most of every square metre…
If you’re short on space, you may be more limited on how you can furnish, but there is still plenty that can be done to decorate a balcony and give it a homey feel. Here are our top tips for making the most of small outdoor spaces in the best possible way…
4. Get the details right – Just like you would inside your home, use accessories to soften what could otherwise be a very practical space. Decorate it with the right details and the easiest way to start is with textiles. Throws, blankets, and cushions will give your balcony a new lease of life. Just don’t forget to bring them in on wet days! If you have a large or medium-sized balcony, a patio storage box can be a useful solution. And if you cover it with a tablecloth, it can even act as a table if you have a small balcony. It’s also a good idea to have covers for your balcony furniture so it stays in good condition from one season to another.
5. The cherry on the cake – lighting - The final detail to make your balcony really cosy is the lighting. Lanterns are perfect for holding candles on the balcony table or floor. They look great styled in groups of three or five.
6. For the green fingered - If you live in a flat and want to grow things like tomatoes or courgettes, you’ll probably want one large pot on your balcony. But if you’d rather grow flowers you can scatter them around. If you want to save space, there are balcony pots and boxes you can hang from the railing. If you have a bit more room, you can put your pots on a shelf unit. And if you just want one pot on the table or hanging as a decorative detail, there are lots of attractive pots to choose from. Just make sure the pots are made of materials suitable for outdoor use. And don't forget that pottery weighs a lot more than plastic, if you’re going to want to move your tomato plants around to give them maximum sunshine.
****************************
Browse and compare thousands of stylish and practical items for your garden and more. With the ability to set up price alerts and check price history, becoming a savvy shopper has never been so simple. Find out more at Pricerunner.com.
PriceRunner was founded in 1999 and is the UK’s largest comparison service with 2 million products from 5,200 retailers in 21 different countries, who all deliver to the UK. The company has 150 employees in Stockholm, Sweden and Nykøbing Falster, Denmark. Our services are used more than 2 million times every month by consumers who can compare products, prices, specifications, read professional product tests and consumer reviews of products and retailers. PriceRunner is a completely independent company. We are not owned by any manufacturers and are not dependent on them, retailers or other organisations with an interest in providing biased information. Our goal is to help consumers find the right products to the best prices. Every month, we help millions of consumers find better and cheaper products while saving money by using PriceRunner's services.