The knowledge and hard work needed to grow and maintain a garden can quickly feel like an unwelcome addition to your to-do list. Never fear, though, because we've rounded up some the best growing tips and hacks out there, that make gardening easier and more enjoyable.

Whether you have a tiny backyard or expansive rolling lawns, click or scroll for labour-saving tricks that will ensure you have a plot to be proud of – and plenty of spare time to actually enjoy it!

Repurpose a wooden pallet to create a rustic privacy screen, or use it to hide away unsightly wheelie bins or a compost heap. The slatted design makes the perfect trellis to grow climbers up, too. 

Ice cream cones make for a cute and eco-friendly seedling starter container. It's a fun way to get children involved and they can be popped directly into the soil, as the cones act as a warm shield and then biodegrade over time. Flour & Fancies advises cutting the bottom half off the cone before planting. ​

If you don't have a watering can to hand, or you simply like a DIY approach, then old plastic milk and water bottles can quickly be turned into free watering utensils.

Simply remove the label from the bottle and give it a good rinse in warm water. Then, (carefully) make some little holes in the lid, using a metal skewer or small screwdriver head. A small piece of blue tack (or a piece of cork) at the other side will stop you from damaging any surfaces or hurting yourself! Fill the bottle up with water, screw on the lid and get watering!

According to the Royal Horticultural Society, the best time to water your garden is in the morning, “as this is when the sun comes up and plants will start to use water”. The foliage and soil surface are also likely to stay drier for longer than evening watering, discouraging slugs, snails and mildew diseases.

Just remember, watering in the heat of the day is a bad idea, as a lot of water will be lost through evaporation and plants use water more efficiently if watered during the cooler parts of the day.

Make reorganising the garden easy by double planting your pots. Bury empty pots into flowerbeds at ground level and then slot filled pots into the holders. Simple but effective, it will make reorganising your foliage or swapping out seasonal plants a doddle.

Be sure your lawn is in optimum health by using your lawn mower the correct way. Keep it clean and free of grass cuttings. Adjust the blade heights accordingly and cut your grass at regular intervals, depending on the month of the year.

In spring and autumn, the Royal Horticultural Society recommends mowing once a fortnight, moving to weekly in summer – unless there is a period of drought – and refraining completely in winter. Sticking to a routine will mean less weeding and TLC in the long run. 

It's common sense that the more flowers you plant the less room there is for weeds to grow. While this is true, there needs to be a little planning with this method. Choose ground-covering plants that will suit the conditions – plant those that prefer shade in dark corners and those that need sun in well-lit spots. Once they flourish and spread, they'll prevent weeds from getting the sunlight, water and nutrients they need to survive.

Give old drinks bottles a new lease of life in the garden. Cut the bottles in half and secure them in the soil around young shoots to keep plants and vegetables safe from hungry insects or rodents. The narrow mouth will let plenty of air and sunlight in and the plastic surround will act as a micro greenhouse.

Cinnamon is as good for plants as it is for humans. "There are almost countless uses for cinnamon in the garden: it can be used as a nature-friendly pesticide, a repellent against annoying insects, or as a catalyst to promote root growth in plant cuttings," Plantura explains. 

Scientific studies have found that cinnamon works against fungal pathogens. "Under laboratory conditions, scientists have shown that the elements in cinnamon powder inhibit the development of grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) and various species of Phytophthora." Spraying a mixture of ground cinnamon and water onto infected plants is an effective way to alleviate the symptoms of fungal infestations, too.

Bursting with nutrients and minerals, seaweed has been used to enrich soil for centuries. There are so many benefits to using it in your garden – unlike other fertilisers, it doesn't need to mature to work its magic and it helps to keep soil moist. Plus, insects and birds hate its sharp and salty taste. So, the next time you head to the beach, don't forget to bring a bucket back for your garden.

Slugs and snails hate copper because it gives them a harmless electric shock when they come into contact with it. This soon sends them crawling off in a different direction and away from your plants. 

Whether you protect your beloved shrubs with copper rings dug into the flowerbeds, or stick copper tape around the top of flowerpots and raised beds, you can rest assured these garden pests will want to munch plants elsewhere.

A sunny stone patio or decked terrace can be a great spot for growing beautiful blooms, but over winter it can look worse for wear when dirt, mould or green algae take over. 

Luckily, it can be renewed in just a couple of hours with the force of a jet wash. The pressure will wash away stubborn debris and algae, with no need for scrubbing or the use of harsh chemicals. Be sure to read the instruction manual, as in the wrong hands the machine can be dangerous or cause damage to hard landscaping. Gloves, goggles and a mask are recommended.

Old utensils can make quirky garden planters. Teacups filled with dainty violas will add vintage charm, while colanders make perfect hanging baskets thanks to their many drainage holes. You can even plant old saucepans with vegetables like chillis and cherry tomatoes, to make a funky mini allotment.

There are so many advantages to owning a water butt – not only will it put a dent in your water bill by reducing your mains water consumption but rainwater has no chemicals in so it's much kinder to your plants.

Amazingly, a water butt could save you about 30,000 million litres of water every summer, according to SaveMoneyCutCarbon. That's enough to fill an entire reservoir. A large butt will provide a big supply and keep the whole garden fed during the thirsty summer months.

Once you’ve enjoyed your morning eggs, don’t waste the eggshells – they're the perfect addition to your garden. A great composting option, they also deter garden pests like slugs. Plus, chicken egg shells are comprised of about 96% calcium carbonate, which is an essential plant nutrient and moderates soil acidity.

"Fast-growing plants deplete the soil of calcium very quickly, so egg shells are an ideal supplement and feed for outdoor flowers, vegetables and fruit trees in your garden," says Gardenesque. Simply rinse them, crush them and spread them around the base of your plants for a multitude of benefits.

Give yourself a break from constant watering by planting upside-down filled drinks bottle in pots and flowerbeds. Wedge the bottle near the plant, at least a few inches deep. Water will gently seep out over a long period, keeping the surrounding soil moist. This handy hack is perfect if you're away from home for a long stretch, too.

A well-aerated lawn is important for grass vitality, as it prevents weeds, moss and waterlogging. We love these cheat lawn spike shoes, as they replace the back-breaking maintenance work with an easy stroll around the garden.

As much as we love nature, four-legged pests can do a lot of damage to gardens, which can be extremely frustrating when you've worked so hard for results.

A pest repeller is a humane way of keeping unwanted visitors out. It emits a high-frequency sound that most humans can’t hear, but animals find disturbing. Some also shoot out a bright flash of light as an extra discouragement. Some models are even solar-powered, so don't come with any messy wires.

Climbing plants can quickly become unruly. Keep your trailing foliage under control with canes or a trellis and instead of buying costly plant ties, fix your greenery in place with common household zip ties. A bit of garden string will also do the job!

DIY pallet projects are all over Pinterest and Instagram and are a great way to reuse old materials and make outdoor spaces more practical. Whether you transform a pallet into a suspended planting rack or a hanging tool organiser, these reclaimed – and often free – items make inexpensive and creative additions to gardens.

Did you know plants love a nice cup of tea just as much as we do? Once blended and brewed it is said to be packed with nutrients that feed hungry roots, while boosting soil quality.

​How in-depth you want to make your tea is up to you. Some simply soak shredded leaves from the plant you want to feed in boiling water and pour it back on (once cooled and strained). Or, like this idea on Dengarden, you can brew up a more luxurious and concentrated blend; you'll need a 19-litre (five-gallon) bucket, an aquarium air pump and good-quality compost. 

Mulch is amazing stuff! It smells good, fertilises plants and is a great alternative to bare soil and even grass, as you don’t need to water or mow it.

"Mulching is generally used to save water, suppress weeds and improve the soil around plants but it also gives your garden a neat, tidy appearance and can reduce the amount of time spent on tasks such as watering and weeding," the Royal Horticultural Society says. It also helps soil retain moisture in summer, allowing rain to penetrate and protecting the plants' roots in winter.

Make like the Jetsons and get a robot to do all the boring stuff in your home and garden. A robotic lawnmower won’t just save you time but also guarantees even mowing results. And they’re a lot quieter than traditional mowers, too, so you’ll get brownie points with your neighbours.

You don't have to spend your weekends in garden centres or plant nurseries to have an attractive backyard. Shopping online not only gives you time to research exactly what you want, but it often works out significantly cheaper, too.

What's more, you can buy everything from seeds to fully-grown plants. Check out the offers pages of online retailers like Thompson & Morgan and Marshalls Garden.

Don’t throw away your coffee grounds once you’re done with your morning brew. Used coffee grounds are a great slug and snail repellent and they make a good slow-release fertiliser, too. "Coffee grounds contain nutrients that plants use for growth," Gardeners' World suggests. "The grounds are relatively high in nitrogen and also contain potassium and phosphorus, as well as being a source of moist organic matter." 

However, it's best to apply coffee in moderation. "The chief potential problem is that if applied in quantity to the soil surface, the fine particles clog together to form a barrier that prevents water and air from reaching plant roots." Gardeners' World advises that the "safest way to use coffee grounds in the garden is to add them to compost containers or worm bins".

If you’re not keen on spending time maintaining different types of plants with varying needs, stick to one or two low-maintenance varieties to make life simple. Evergreen shrubs can be a great option as they don’t need too much attention and can be left to their own devices.

Take a look at your garden and do a bit of research, taking into account how sunny or shady it is before deciding which shrubs are right for your space.

Raking leaves up each autumn can seem like a thankless task – it feels like the minute you’re done, more leaves appear. Save your back and your time by mowing leaves instead. Not only is it easier and quicker, but it will also chop the leaves into small fragments that will act as a natural mulch and fertiliser when they decompose.

Did you know you can use damp newspaper to smother weeds by starving them of light? It takes a little time to spread the paper around your plants, but it means an end to the back-breaking work of pulling these horticultural pests out of the ground. Plus, it's pesticide-free.

The best part is that the newspaper will decompose into mulch, which also feeds the soil. Follow this step-by-step guide to the process.

Forget expensive weed killers and use white vinegar to kill weeds creeping through cracks in paths and patios.

Fill a spray bottle and liberally apply to the offending plant, repeating the next day. The weeds should turn brown and die within a few days. Apply with caution, though, because the vinegar may harm your other plants.

One of the easiest ways to grow your own vegetables is to sow carrot seeds directly into a clean bin that's been filled with compost. Make three-inch planting holes around three inches apart and place three carrot seeds in each, before covering them with soil. Water well throughout the summer and your carrots should be ready within two-and-a-half months.

The Square Foot Gardening Method is estimated to cost 50% less than single row gardening, according to the Square Foot Gardening Foundation. It also uses 20% less space, requires 10% of the water and only 2% of the work, which makes it a very enticing option for those with limited outdoor space, time and knowledge.

Essentially, the method sees you divide a raised planter into square sections, inside which you can grow a different vegetable or herb. It will allow you to focus your efforts in one place. Stagger your planting so that the task doesn't become overwhelming and you can have fresh food growing all summer, with minimum effort required.

Did you know that it's incredibly easy – and inexpensive – to germinate seeds in empty egg boxes that you would otherwise recycle? Not only are egg boxes small, compartmentalised and easy to handle, but "the shape of an egg carton makes it easy to situate on a sunny windowsill” and depending on the type of carton, “you may be able to put it right in the ground with the seedling and let it decompose in the soil”, explains Mary Ellen Ellis of Gardening Know How. Plus, you can write directly on the egg box, to keep your seeds organised.

You can also take it one step further and recycle your kitchen scraps by using them to grow new seedlings. Empty egg shells are ideal to use, as they can be transferred into flower beds when the seedlings are ready, where they'll naturally decompose.

Other organic planters you can try include avocado skins, half a citrus fruit with the flesh removed and even toilet roll holders, which will break down over time.

Plastic storage bins make great tubs for growing. They are super cheap and easy to carry, plus semi-opaque versions will give you a sneak peek at the roots, too. Be sure to pierce holes in the bottom and add gravel to the base for drainage. 

Love this? Check out more nifty growing hacks and garden ideas