Experts share simple, cost-effective ways to grow your garden - but you must act fast

A golden opportunity to pocket some savings could be found in your own backyard. As summer comes to a close, now is touted as the ideal time for horticultural enthusiasts to gather seeds from their blooms, according to experts.

Guy Barter, the RHS's top horticulture expert, has said this nifty shortcut not only pads out your purse, but also yields a bounty of brand-new seeds to sow.

Delving into the hidden perks of self-harvested seeds, Helena Dove, who oversees the Kitchen Garden at Kew's Royal Botanic Gardens, also shared her advice.

She told The Sunday Telegraph: "You're collecting seed that's doing really well in your garden, whereas some bought seed is grown in Spain, for example, where it is much hotter and drier, so it might not be as acclimatised to our gardens."

Helena further says that collecting your own is a good way to increase the number of flowers you like most for free, as well as ensuring that you can reproduce from half-hardy perennials such as salvia, dahlia and agapanthus that may struggle to survive the UK's brisk winters.

What's more, trading seeds can be a thrifty way to cultivate that specific bloom spotted and admired in the gardens of friends or neighbours, reports the Express.

Should you be keen to embark on this botanical exchange, Helen stresses the importance of ensuring both the seeds you supply and receive come from stalwart, disease-free plants to avoid risk of infection.

"Swap with people you trust and make sure they know a bit about gardening," she recommended.

Harvesting your own seeds is not just entertaining but requires a sprinkle of savvy and foresight, the RHS insists.

As part of their tips, they stress that seedheads can ripen quickly and need to be monitored closely before they disperse.

Moreover, most seeds germinate best when sown as soon as they ripen, while immaturely harvested seeds will not.

Generally, seeds are set about two months post-flowering. Collecting and storing seeds from your garden plants is a simple task that will yield plenty for the next planting season.

Gardeners' World Magazine suggests leaving a few seedheads on your plants after blooming, removing the rest to save the plant's energy.

Alternatively, the seedheads can be quite decorative and can be left on the plants for their display.

However, it's recommended to regularly check them to collect some of the dry seeds.