Shaun Schroeder, 60, plants around 140 hanging baskets and fence planters each year.
The Whitchurch, Bristol-based grandfather-of-nine confesses that ensuring sufficient hydration for plants can turn into a “full-time job” and be costly.
The demolition supervisor swears by incorporating water retention gel at the base of baskets whilst planting.
They can be purchased for just a few pounds in garden centres or online and make a world of difference for plants, he said.
Yet Shaun mentions his gardening mates’ inventive alternative – unworn nappies.
He shares: “I think they soak up the water when you first water the basket, then slowly releases it over the day.
“It’s not something I do myself – but I know a lot of people who swear it works for them!”.
Shaun also recommends another economical stratagem for plant upkeep – watering at night.
Shaun explained watering while the sun is hot will mean more of the water evaporates from the soil before soaking in – so you need to do it more often.
So you should do it last thing at night, when the sun has gone down, so the water has more time to soak into the soil overnight, before the sun comes back up.
He adds: “Most people in the gardening community do it at night.”
He also emphasised the importance of making use of shady spots in the garden by planting flowers that thrive without direct sunlight, which also means they won’t require as much watering, ensuring your garden remains splendid.
Shaun’s list of shade-loving blooms includes impatiens, fuchsias, and hostas.
Additionally, he recommended begonias for their lower watering needs compared to some other plants.
Shaun’s ultimate advice is to always take plant cuttings for propagation, which is a cost-effective alternative to purchasing new plants from nurseries.
He shared his strategy: “Every plant I buy, I know I can do eight cuttings. This year I got 350 new plants from cuttings.
“Last year, I got 500!”.
He disclosed that he nurtures the plants over winter in a heated shed, which sets him up to take new cuttings in spring and have a fresh suite of plants ready to bloom the following summer.
A renowned figure in Bristol for his vibrant floral arrangements, Shaun remarked, “I love gardening – it’s a great place to de-stress from work.
“I just love it.”