PROFESSIONAL landscaping can cost tens of thousands of pounds.
So many homeowners are looking for budget ways to give their outside space a glow-up.
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And patios are one area that can look worse for wear just after a few months.
Ahead of the wet winter weather, one gardener shared a before and after of their patio transformation.
Frances Elizabeth posted her images in the Gardening UK – Hints, Tips & Advice Facebook group.
She wrote: “I cannot believe the difference!
“We bought our new (to us) home in September last year and have been toying with replacing the patio.
“But as we are considering an extension in the next couple of years, we decided to tidy up the one we have.
“This weekend I have pressure washed it, re-grouted using the Sika brush in grout in shade Buff and made a little pot bench to give some colour and make a bit of a display of the plants.
“We have a lovely bench set coming in April.
“I am so pleased! Total cost for patio refurb – £40 and a bit of elbow grease!
“Still lots to do in our new garden, absolutely loving it.”
Elizabeth wasn’t the only person who loved the transformation, as several other gardeners posted positive comments in response.
One said: “What a difference. Worth all your hard work.”
“Looking very good. Its amazing what a clean up can do. Will be lovely to relax on when your new garden furniture arrives,” someone else suggested.
A third posted: “You’ve done a brilliant job, well done.”
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Someone asked Frances in the comments section: “Did you blast out all the old grout first? I’m going to try this but not all of our grout is loose.”
She replied: “Yes I blasted out the loose bits and picked out the bits that were a bit firmer, some bits didn’t want to budge, so I just left them.”
Another asked Frances: “It looks great, think I’ll try the grout on mine after it’s been power washed.
“Where did you get the grout from?”
She revealed: ” I got it in Wickes but you can get it at most hardware stores.
“Screwfix has best price but it wasn’t available at my local store.”
The grout Frances recommended was the Sika Fastfix Self-Setting Paving Jointing Compound 15kg from Screwfix.
It costs £35.99 and comes in a variety of colours to match your paving slabs.
The average cost for a 30m2 patio to be installed professional will cost between £2,500 and £5,000 according to Paving Shopper.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
For a 50m2 patio, it would set a homeowner back £6,000-£10,000.
It is not known how big Frances patio area was, to estimate how much it might have cost her to have it replaced entirely.
Gardening jobs to do this weekend
Fabulous’ Associate Editor and gardening enthusiast, Rebecca Miller, has shared a few other tasks to tackle if you’re in your garden this weekend.
Spring bulbs – If you haven’t bought your spring bulbs, do that first, then start planting them out – all but tulips.
Sweet peas – Sow sweet peas in cold frames or an unheated greenhouse to over-winter.
Roses – deadhead the last rose blooms and cut back taller stems to reduce the risk of them snapping in winter winds.
Lawn – sew a new lawn, or repair your existing one. Reduce the frequency of mowing, and consider scarifying your grass.
Clean and tidy – your greenhouse or cold frame, water butt and check your pond.
