These are common household items you could use in the garden

Green-fingered Brits have been told to get the most for their money by using kitchen essentials to help with garden maintenance.

Experts at GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk have named five popular cupboard items  that can be used in the garden to promote growth, treat diseases and remove pests.

Spraying a solution of white vinegar mixed with water onto paving stones and areas of the patio affected by moss will help to lift up the unwanted weed and keep it under control.

Coffee grounds can be added directly on the soil or into a compost bin to promote growth due to the high levels of nitrogen and other nutrients.

Gardeners can also use a solution of baking soda, vegetable oil and water to treat roses that have been affected by black spot disease.

A spokesperson at Garden Buildings Direct said: “There are several household items sitting in the back of your kitchen cupboards which could be used in the garden to help promote growth in your plants and help keep pests or diseases under control.

“Using food cupboard items is a great alternative to expensive chemical filled products, and can be just as effective.

“Things like white vinegar, coffee grounds and baking soda are multi use, budget-friendly products which could be used to help with garden maintenance.”

Here are five common household items to use in the garden:

1. White vinegar to remove moss

Dilute white vinegar with water and spray the solution over any invasive moss growth to keep it under control. Allow the vinegar mixture to sit for 15 minutes and scrap up the loose moss. Repeat the process for heavily infested areas.

2. Baking soda to treat black spot disease

Black spot disease on roses can be prevented by simply applying a solution of baking soda (one teaspoon), vegetable or horticultural oil (one teaspoon) and water (one gallon). Spray the mixture over the affected plants to help treat the disease.

3. Garlic to control pests

Garlic can help to repel unwanted pests and insects. Crush several garlic cloves and mix in water until the solution is a liquid. Pour the garlic mixture into a spray bottle and apply it onto plants and nearby soil that are favoured by pests.

4. Coffee grounds to enrich soil

Coffee grounds can either be added to the compost or directly on the soil to promote fertility due to the high levels of nutrients, such as nitrogen. Be mindful to avoid using the grounds around plants that require alkaline soil.

5. Rice water to promote plant growth

Save any starchy rice water after cooking and dilute it with fresh water when watering your plants. Rice water is rich with nutrients, vitamins and minerals to encourage healthy growth in the garden. The solution should be used in moderation for both houseplants and outdoor plants.