Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Jane Perrone

Gardens: what to do this week

Fuchsia berr
Fuchsia berry: edible and ornamental

Burn this

A washing machine drum makes a simple upcycling project: think fire pit, incinerator or barbecue. The hardest bit is winkling the metal drum out of its casing (or buy one on eBay for £10-£30). Sand down any sharp edges, then prop it up on bricks, or bolt on some metal legs. Spruce it up with fireproof paint (such as Rustins High Heat paint) as a finishing touch.

Make this

A terrarium doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Make your own using a clear glass jar or vase: lidded for the likes of pileas, ferns and fittonias; open for cacti and succulents. Layer gravel, activated charcoal and houseplant compost, and use tongs to position the plants. Place out of direct sunlight.

Plant this

A dual-purpose plant – edible and ornamental – is ideal for smaller gardens. The fuchsia berry teams the chandelier dangles of the traditional fuchsia flower with a tasty harvest of up to 300 sweet berries per plant. It needs a sunny spot and winter protection. Height and spread: 90cm x 45cm. Buy five plug plants for £9.99, or 10 for £17.99 (plus £4.95 p&p per order). Call 0330 333 6790, quoting ref GU487, or go to our Readers’ Offers page. Dispatched within four to six weeks.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.