Green-fingered Brits are sure to be getting out in their gardens as the weather improves. But gardening can be an expensive hobby, with plants and soil costing a pretty penny.

But Gardeners’ World has suggested some easy tips to save you time and money in your garden. Their top tip is filling gaps in your garden with fast-growing annuals. One packet of cosmos, sweet peas, marigolds or nasturtiums can bring colour to a lawn without breaking the bank. Most seed packets cost under £5.

It is recommended to plant seeds in a tray with peat-free seed or multipurpose compost. Fill to just below the rim and gently press down. Small seeds can generally be scattered into the compost, but larger seeds tend to require individual sowing.

Cover the seeds with some compost and water gently to avoid dislodging them. Make sure to label the tray with the seed type and date sown to avoid confusion. Cover the tray with a piece of glass, plastic or lid to retain moisture and speed up germination.

Leave the tray somewhere warm and sunny - a greenhouse or south- or west-facing windowsill is ideal. Most seeds require 18C to germinate, but be sure to check the packet.

Once the seeds have germinated, remove the item covering the tray and leave them in their bright spot, watering lightly every few days. When the seedlings are large enough, they can be separated into individual pots to avoid overcrowding.

They will then have to be hardened off to be able to withstand cooler temperatures, lower humidity, and increased wind. After a fortnight in their bright spot after germinating, seedlings should be moved into a cold frame or similar, gradually raising the lid more over a few weeks.

Plants can then be outside during the day but covered in fleece to prevent sun scorch and temperature shock. The fleece can gradually be removed and the plants left out overnight.