Where To Buy Fairy Garden Items

From cleaning your patio with white vinegar to scattering cinnamon around plants, there are lots of eco-friendly ways to transform your garden using everyday items sitting at home.

Looking for some ideas? Tombola has compared searches for 'garden ideas' from January to March 2021 on Instagram and TikTok, looking for the best hacks to steal. With research discovering that Brits spend a staggering 5,675 hours over their lifetime gardening, now is the perfect time to head outdoors and try something new.

Take a look at what you can do below...

1. Use white vinegar for cleaning

Want to give your outdoor patio a good clean? If you can't get your hands on a pressure washer, why not use white vinegar and a gardening brush instead. To do this, simply mix half vinegar and water together, let it sit for 20 minutes, and then scrub well. Best of all, with one bottle of white vinegar costing less than £2, it's an absolute steal.

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2. Make cake tins into stepping stones

Instead of throwing away cake tins, try turning them into pretty garden stepping stones. A lovely way to add character to your outdoor space, take a bag of cement and mix together with water using a large stick. Then, line each cake tin with clingfilm and carefully pour cement into the tin. Set aside to dry (it will take around a day) and then place outside. It's the ultimate way to wow visitors.

3. Use milk as natural fertiliser

Milk is a natural fertiliser, hailed by many organic gardeners for its benefits. If your milk has started to spoil, mix it together with soil and add to the top of your plants. As well as being used as fertiliser and anti-fungal treatment for garden plants, it's a great way to reduce kitchen waste, too.

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4. Use glass bottles to keep your plants alive

"If you are planning to go away or are simply looking for more tips to keep your plants hydrated, all you need are glass bottles," say Tombola. "Just fill them up with water and stick them straight into the soil upside down to drip feed your plants the water they need when they need it."

5. Place oats around plants

Are your plants looking a little lifeless? Well, according to Tombola, placing two tablespoons of dried oats around the soil of your plants once a month can give them a new lease of life. So clever!

6. Use cinnamon to help plant growth

Cinnamon can help stimulate root growth in almost every plant variety, as well as keeping bugs at bay. To do this, simply sprinkle a handful of cinnamon on seedlings to help them grow better. Like sulphur, cinnamon is a natural fungicide which can also kill fungus infections on plants.

Sommai Larkjit / EyeEm Getty Images

7. Wash your hands with soap before gardening

"If you are gardening without gloves, you'll know how frustrating it is trying to remove soil from underneath your nails," the team add. "However, a little tip before planting is to very gently run your nails through a block of soap, which means the soap goes under your nails. This should prevent as much soil from getting under, and you can wash away when finished."

8. Turn old wood into wall panelling

Transform old planks of wood into panelling for your home. One of 2021's most popular interior trends, all you need to do is cut your wood into long strips and attach them to your wall using No More Nails. Afterwards, paint it in your desired colour and enjoy!

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25 of the best picnic blankets for outdoor dining in style

So'Home Picnic Blanket in Green Floral

This pretty picnic blanket from La Redoute is perfect for a day out. It features a colourful flower print with waterproof backing and a carry handle to help you transport it from home to park.

H&M Striped Picnic Blanket

A striped picnic blanket that folds down flat, this one is ideal if you're short on space at home. It's made from woven fabric with a print on the front and a soft, water-repellent plastic backing. The carry strap has a hook and loop fastening for easy transporting.

Rubbastuff PACMAT Chilterns Family Picnic Blanket

Lightweight, waterproof and washable, this cool picnic blanket features a map of the Chilterns. It's the ideal rug for people who like to walk and is light, compact and folds away into its own stuff sack.

M&S Fold Away Picnic Mat

This cheap and cheerful picnic blanket from M&S is a soft, fold-up option designed in all-over nautical stripes. It features a durable, waterproof backing to keep you dry on damp or cold ground, and the square design folds easily into a neat shape. If it gets sticky you can just wipe it clean.

Decathlon Camping and Hiking Tartan Rug

Designed by Decathlon's team of campers, this picnic blanket comfortably insulates you from the ground when you're picnicking. It was made as a durable and compact rug, with a water-repellent coating that protects you from damp ground.

Eurohike Picnic Blanket

Want a cheap picnic blanket? This one is simple in design but is ideal for something affordable that does the job. It has waterproof backing, it feels comfortable to sit on and there's a handy strap for rolling it up and carrying from home to the park.

Catherine Lansfield Silly Sausage Dogs Picnic Blanket

Dog lovers, this picnic blanket printed with elegant sausage dogs is for you! Whether you've got a pooch in tow or not, this picnic rug's sure to attract the attention of fellow animal lovers. When you've used it, the blanket folds up and has a carry handle for easy transporting.

Fortnum's Picnic Rug

Experts in tea time treats and alfresco dining, Fortnum & Mason knows how to make a quality picnic blanket. This one, in the luxury department store's signature eau de nil colour paired with navy blue, comes in wool mix material and is a stylish picnic rug for the garden, park or beach. There also leather handles for easy carrying.

Emma Bridgewater Picnic Rug

We're dotty for this spotted picnic blanket from Emma Bridgewater. It's smart, rolls up easily and looks beautiful laid out. If there are any spills, it's also easy to wipe clean.

Oliver Bonas Lemi Geometric Print Picnic Blanket

Squeeze some zest into your next picnic with Oliver Bonas' Lemi rug, decorated in a lemon and geometric print. The picnic blankets is finished with a waterproof backing and has a fabric shoulder strap and fastener tape so you can easily roll it away and transport to your favourite sunspot.

The White Company Lindos Outdoor Blanket

This large picnic blanket made from Turkish cotton is a luxurious option for families or a group enjoying a day in the garden, at the beach or on an alfresco adventure. It features a stylish nautical-inspired stripe design and the picnic rug is finished with a tassel edge.

The Blanquet by BLOOM Gin

Looking for something extra large? The Blanquet by BLOOM Gin is the perfect way to gather a large group of family or friends (when restrictions ease) around one big mat. It measures a huge 6.5 metres, giving you plenty of space to arrange a fabulous spread.

Sophie Allport Bees Knitted Picnic Blanket

Heading to the beach? This beautiful bee-print picnic blanket in is perfect for trips to the seaside. It has water-resistant backing and faux leather straps for carrying it around. The unique print and purse-friendly materials makes it one worth packing for days out.

Kate Spade New York Rainbow Plaid Picnic Rug

This lovely picnic blanket by Kate Spade has a beautiful multicoloured check design and is made of 100% cotton. The picnic rug is the perfect thing to pack for days out in the summer, bringing a vibrant touch to your picnic.

Hand Embroidered Picnic Blanket

A round picnic blanket with a 'walking on sunshine' message, this one is ideal for folding up and taking wherever you go when the sun is shining. The hand-embroidered picnic rug is made from cotton and features white fringe all the way round.

Livehitop Fleece Extra Large Picnic Blanket

This extra large picnic blankets is roomy enough for up to eight people to enjoy. There's waterproof and sandproof backing, a comfy fleece surface and the 200cm x 200cm picnic rug folds up compact and is easy to transport to any beach or park.

Sol 72 Outdoor Round Picnic Blanket

Prefer a round picnic rug? We like this one that's waterproof and anti-fungal, while reversible too. It's made of high quality and lightweight polypropylene, plus the picnic blanket has an extended lifespan due to the UV treatment.

Joules Fleece Picnic Blanket

One you can choose as a small, medium or large picnic blanket, this roll-up picnic blanket is both practical and cosy. Made in Cornwall, it's one side washable fleece for you to relax in comfort. The Joules picnic blanket is washable and made from high quality materials, making it one that will withstand spills for years.

Kissing Hedgehogs Picnic Blanket

With enough space for six people, this large picnic blanket is fun, lightweight and portable too. The striking design is perfect for nature-lovers and it's made in Britain for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint. We love the yellow hedgehog print on the bold blue background.

VonShef Blue Herringbone Picnic Blanket

Roll it up, carry it and lay it down easily - we love this beautiful herringbone picnic blanket that's affordable too. It's made from hardwearing fleece polyester for something that lasts, plus the picnic rug has waterproof backing to keep you dry while you tuck into your strawberries and cream.

Scion Mr Fox Picnic Rug

With its fun print making it ideal for the garden, park or beach, this picnic blanket comes with a waterproof backing and handy carrying straps. It features Scion's popular Mr.Fox design and is easy to roll up once you're done.

John Lewis & Partners Geo Picnic Rug

This lightweight fabric picnic blanket features a stylish geometric design and comes complete with a waterproof backing so you can lay it out on damp ground. When you're not using the picnic rug, it rolls up neatly and is easily carried with its durable webbing handle.

Regatta Matio Picnic Rug Strawberry Print

With its soft foam mid layer for extra comfort, this picnic blanket really is cheap and cheerful! It features a strawberry print and works brilliantly at home in the garden, for lunch in the park or for lounging on the beach.

Atlantic Blankets You, Me & the Sea Picnic Blanket

This picnic blanket for beach lovers is great for a romantic alfresco date and made in England using recycled cotton. It reads 'You, Me & the Sea' and is versatile for you to also use over your shoulders at the seaside or as something you can snuggle with on the sofa at night.

Atlantic Blankets Coral Wool Herringbone Blanket

This beautiful coral picnic blanket made from 100% British new wool shows off a classic herringbone design, with a cream edge and fringe. It's easy to wash in the machine and looks gorgeous for a colourful spread. We'd opt for cutlery and plates that are just as bright too.

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