The two-ingredient hack gardeners swear by to banish green algae from your fence in ‘no time’ & a 35p Tesco buy is key
AS Spring lurks right round the corner, if you want to ensure your garden glows in time for the warmer weather, you’ve come to the right place.
Whilst many homeowners will struggle with a build-up of algae in their outside spaces, gardening gurus have shared a super simple trick to banish the nasty stuff.
And don’t worry, you won’t have to go out and splash the cash on pricey cleaning products.
In fact, you may already have one of the secrets in your kitchen cupboard already.
Algae is a green, slimy film of microscopic organisms that can grow on wooden surfaces.
It is caused by a number of factors including damp environments, wood which doesn’t air out and dirty surfaces.
Read more gardening stories
While algae doesn’t typically cause serious health risks, it can leave your garden and fences looking particularly unattractive.
Luckily, there are a variety of ways to banish the green residue - and fast.
The experts at Hotsy Equipment Company swear by a cupboard essential that you can buy from Tesco for just 35p.
Not only this, but they also praise a £1.69 Savers buy too.
The pros said: “By diluting white vinegar or tea tree oil with your pressure washer, this tip will wash away the green algae on your fence in no time at all.”
If you’re going to use a pressure washer to clean your fence, to start with, you’ll need to make sure to protect your eyes with goggles to avoid any debris or water getting into your eyes.
Once you’ve diluted your white vinegar and/or tea tree oil, you’ll then have to ensure you stand two metres away from your fence.
The pros advised gardening enthusiasts to set a spray nozzle and evenly spray your fence in long strokes, gradually increasing the pressure.
They added: “Pressure washers work so smoothly on these surfaces simply because what algae dislike is pressure.
March gardening jobs
The Sun's Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine has shared the first gardening jobs of spring.
Start sowing seeds
You can plant Aubergine seeds into propagator - or outdoors after the last frost. Or you could try growbags in a coldframe - and hopefully you can harvest from August onwards.
Have a think about planting some different varieties of seeds this year - check out She Grows Veg and other sites for heirloom varieties. There’s an astonishing array on offer, like purple carrots, globe-shaped aubergines, lime green cauliflower or storage tomatoes that stay fresh for months.
Buy and plant summer bulbs
Summer flowering bulbs provide huge big blousey blooms - with some bringing a real touch of the tropics to your garden. Try Gladioli, dahlias, calla lilies, peonies and crocosmia.
Lawncare starts now!
Start your lawn care with a boosting high nitrogen spring feed, reseed any bare patches - and you’ll probably start mowing regularly in earnest this month. If you can - keep a corner long to help wildlife.
Check compost
Dig well rotting compost into your soil. If you have the space, it's even worth digging trenches and chucking in your rotting veg that's usually destined for the recycling bin - then cover. It adds great nutrients for free.
Clean outside spaces
Time to blast your patios and paths with a pressure washer - if your children are responsible enough it’s a great job for them - they’ll get soaked and have fun at the same time.
Soak sweet peas
Soak your sweet peas before sowing into long narrow pots or toilet rolls - put two seeds in a pot. These can go in an unheated greenhouse - and when there’s three or four pairs of leaves, pinch out the growing tip which will make them grow outward instead of upwards.
Create a wildflower meadow
Sow a wildflower meadow - if you have room. A lot of shops now sell wildflower mixes to make things easier - or even seed bombs which can just be scattered onto the soil.
“Pressure washers, even when used with just water, are two solutions in one.”
Whilst there are chemical products out there that can be used to banish stains on fences, the gardening experts swear by white vinegar or tea tree oil, both very purse-friendly and effective products.
By diluting white vinegar or tea tree oil with your pressure washer, this tip will wash away the green algae on your fence in no time at all
Experts at Hotsy Equipment Company
The experts recognised: “These products are known to be natural antibacterial products, so we personally prefer to use them.”
Not only this, but the pros recommended: “Increase the airflow and sun exposure on your fence if possible and apply a sealant to prevent water retention and moisture on your fence.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“Inspect your fence regularly to spot it early and tackle it before it spreads.”
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club